Xref: utzoo comp.misc:2236 sci.space:5121 comp.arch:4261
Path: utzoo!mnetor!uunet!seismo!sundc!pitstop!sun!quintus!ok
From: ok@quintus.UUCP (Richard A. O'Keefe)
Newsgroups: comp.misc,sci.space,comp.arch
Subject: Re: Radiation Hardening Chips
Message-ID: <854@cresswell.quintus.UUCP>
Date: 5 Apr 88 22:43:50 GMT
References: <428@cstowe.csoft.co.nz> <75@avsd.UUCP>
Organization: Quintus Computer Systems, Mountain View, CA
Lines: 31

In article <75@avsd.UUCP>, govett@avsd.UUCP (David Govett) writes:
> >      We (Commercial Software Ltd) are looking for information on
> > radiation hardening chips. This is because we are involved in the
> > SCONZ project (Space COmmunications New Zealand) and have been
> > asked by SCONZQUANGO to obtain information on hardening chips for
> > space radiation exposure.

> I though that you New Zealanders gave up nuclear-related technologies 
> Lange ago so that the Soviets wouldn't notice you.  Do I detect an 
> incipient backbone?

NZ didn't "give up nuclear-related technologies".
It repudiated nuclear _weapons_, a very different thing.
You think it doesn't take backbone to stick to your principles (come to
that, to the principles of the _American_ Methodist Bishops) despite
Uncle's tantrums and threats?  [NZ, by the way, stuck within the letter
of the ANZUS pact, of which I have a copy.  The US did _not_.]

> By the way, couldn't you come up with more euphonic acronyms than
> SCONZ and SCONZQUANGO?

"Scones" is the English name for what USAns call "biscuits".
Sounds euphonious to me.  QUANGO is a standard English acronym,
standing for "QUasi-Autonomous Non-Governmental Organisation".

But the cream of the joke is that the flamer apparently didn't notice
the dateline:  1 Apr 88, or that while rec.humor was among the
Newsgroups, comp.lsi and sci.electronics (which would have been the
appropriate newsgroups if the request had been genuine) were not.

Nice one, Zippy and (Gregg and/or Bill).  Kua nui te kata.