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Friday, May 27, 2016

Report: U.S. Nuclear System Relies On Outdated Technology Such As Floppy Disks

The U.S. nuclear weapons system still runs on a 1970s-era computing system that uses 8-inch floppy disks, according to a newly released report from the Government Accountability Office.

That's right. It relies on memory storage that hasn't been commonly used since the 1980s and a computing system that looks like this:
Beyond the nuclear program, much of the technology used by the federal government is woefully outmoded, the report says. About 75 percent of the government's information technology budget goes toward operations and maintenance, rather than development, modernization and enhancement.

"Clearly, there are billions wasted," GAO information technology expert David Powner said at a congressional hearing Wednesday, The Associated Press reports.

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12 comments:

  1. Darn! I just threw some big floppies away the other day when I could have donated them to the government. For the pack, I probably could have claimed at least $1000 for a tax deduction.

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  2. REAL men don't have floppy disks!

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  3. For those that think this is stupid, you are dead wrong. The old technology is kept in place because an EMP will not affect these systems!

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  4. Dave T: great example of the lack of leadership that exists today. Deficit -- nearing $20 trillion, critical infrastructure -- nearing the stone age. Say no more. Facts speak for themselves. This is completely unacceptable.

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  5. One thing to consider though is that there is a much less likelihood that such an old system would get hacked. Its a much more analog system than what we are dealing with today.

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  6. Air Traffic Control has some seriously old technology for the same reason 1:34.

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  7. This is outdated tech since congress are bunch con artist.

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  8. My wife works for a pharma company and they use flopoy disks in the lab. Millions of dollars worth of equipment surrounds her so I'm sure it doesn't have anything to do with budgeting lol.

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  9. Thank you, 12:35 PM.

    In addition, 1980's technology means no internet connectivity; therefore, hack-proof/virus-proof.

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  10. If it isn't broke, don't fix it.

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  11. Nuclear Energy is inherently dangerous.

    The waste will remain dangerous to all living things for hundreds of years.

    The very idea of this technology is ridiculous on its face. Why would any sane person engage in this technology?

    God / Nature put uranium deep in the ground for a reason.

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  12. Not online is great security, but updated tech still offline is a bad thing?

    I'm not the guru to ask, but yeah, a pencil and paper can't be emailed or hacked!

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