Although the gridlock in US airports wasn’t caused by cybercrime, perhaps this is a timely warning of the need to reduce our reliance on technologies that can be hit by failures caused of whatever source. Given that the floppy disk is an integral part of some systems in the US, maybe they will be our future.
The BBC News site states:
The announcement, which was met with mockery by many, was that floppy disks will be phased out at US aviation authority facilities by the end of 2028.
The standard 3.5-inch (8.9cm) floppy disk, first released in the early 1980s, is often held up as a symbol of outdated technology.
Two years ago, San Francisco’s train network was ridiculed for still using the disks to load the software needed to run its servers each morning.
And, as of last year, some airlines were still using 3.5-inch floppy disks to update navigation databases for Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the US Department of Defense announced in 2019 that America’s nuclear arsenal would no longer rely on a system that uses eight-inch floppy disks.
But many tech experts say we shouldn’t be so hard on floppy disk fans: older technology that doesn’t rely on an internet connection can be more secure.
In an age of increasing cybercrime and hacking, perhaps the future is looking more floppy?
Although the gridlock in US airports wasn’t caused by cybercrime, perhaps this is a timely warning of the need to reduce our reliance on technologies that can be hit by failures caused of whatever source. Given that the floppy disk is an integral part of some systems in the US, maybe they will be our future.
The BBC News site states:
The announcement, which was met with mockery by many, was that floppy disks will be phased out at US aviation authority facilities by the end of 2028.
The standard 3.5-inch (8.9cm) floppy disk, first released in the early 1980s, is often held up as a symbol of outdated technology.
Two years ago, San Francisco’s train network was ridiculed for still using the disks to load the software needed to run its servers each morning.
And, as of last year, some airlines were still using 3.5-inch floppy disks to update navigation databases for Boeing 747-400 aircraft.
Perhaps most alarmingly, the US Department of Defense announced in 2019 that America’s nuclear arsenal would no longer rely on a system that uses eight-inch floppy disks.
But many tech experts say we shouldn’t be so hard on floppy disk fans: older technology that doesn’t rely on an internet connection can be more secure.
In an age of increasing cybercrime and hacking, perhaps the future is looking more floppy?
I rely on backups for everything. All software I use is either freeware or bought, not rented like Windows 365. I keep hard drives rather than relying on the cloud, although I recently acquired some cloud memory as part of a package bought for other reasons and I do use it as a third backup (as my hadrdrives back each other up). I recently discarded and old laptop and removed the hard drive before doing so - stuffed it in an enclosure (an external case) and use it as a very mobile backup I can sip into my bag with my new laptop. Which reminds me - I really need to encrypt it. Must load that free opensource encryption software so I don't rely on Microsoft.
