Trojan Horse Caused A Siberian Explosion

An anonymous reader writes "William Safire of the nytimes [nytimes.com] has an interesting column this week describing how the Soviets purchased bogus computer chips from the West in the 1970's. These chips caused what "was the most monumental non-nuclear explosion and fire ever seen from space." Fascinating story."

Pentium I bug.

[DarkHelmet]

describing how the Soviets purchased bogus computer chips from the West in the 1970's

For some reason, I can equally imagine something like this happen from the Pentium I FDIV bug, can't you? :)

You know it.

[Anonymous Coward]

In Soviet Russia, computer blows up you !

Oh

[arvindn]

For a moment I thought you were talking about the recent explosion in Trojan Horses coming from Siberia (ok so its not exactly a trojan and its Russia not Siberia but what the hell ;^)

awesome

[hellmarch]

this story has everything. technology, spies, massive explosions, and high ranking government officials dying. it doesn't get much better than this.

Their Revenge

[MiniMike]

They must have planted an agent inside Microsoft...

Re:Meanwhile in Russia

[Anonymous Coward]

• I rememeber that Russia once developed a base-3 computer called ``Trinity''. I cant find a link on it, but I know that it worked. I cannot imagine how logical operations would work on sutch a thing though.

Rock.

Scissors.

Paper.

In Soviet Russia

[Rico_za]

Man is it hard to think of a clever "In Soviet Russia" line on this one!

Well that solves the question

[lhpineapple]

1. Supply computer chips to Soviets
2. ??????????*
3. PROFIT!

*KABOOOOM!

Re:Oh

[ScottGant]

At first I was thinking it was the big Siberian blast that they said was a comet at the turn of the last century.

Now THAT would have been a hell of a Trojan Horse.

Re:Meanwhile in Russia

[richie2000]

I rememeber that Russia once developed a base-3 computer called ``Trinity''. I cant find a link on it, but I know that it worked. I cannot imagine how logical operations would work on such a thing though.

Easy, just add a new boolean named "maybe".

Re:In Soviet Russia

[Kohath]

In Soviet Russia, software crashes YOU!

Tune into MTP with Tim Russert

[The Ape With No Name]

That old fucker, Safire, has been in the middle of a 4-5 year slide into senility on MTP. Here's the pattern: Russert poses question. Safire switches topic to some feeble discussion of presidential honor and George Bush's actually vast intellect. Russert says something to Broder. Broder gets two words in. Safire interrupts with some half-assed pass at whatever female is on the set using 'obsequiuous' in a sentence, thus being the only English speaker on the planet to do so in 6 weeks. Then he writes an article about how the Soviets couldn't weather a pipeline disaster or some shit and that vindicates Ronald Raygun's presidency through some implied leap of logic.

Remember Ronald Reagan died for your sins.

Re:awesome

[the real darkskye]

Can't get much better?
What about the naked chicks?
What about the beer?

Or Naked Chicks bringing chips and beer!

Chicks, chips and beer, Monday just became more tollerable.

Re:You know it.

[wed128]

OH MY GOD!!
that's the first time that joke ever made sense!!!

Re:Nice story but...

[the_mad_poster]

Because it's in the NYT [salon.com], of course!

Re:Meanwhile in Russia

[SEWilco]

I cannot imagine how logical operations would work on such a thing though.

Trinity: "Most guys can't."

Outsourcing

[b1t r0t]

That's what they get for outsourcing their software.

Re:Let me get this straight....

[Dr. Smeegee]

*sigh* Just remembering the sound ass-beating I got for exactly the same logic. NEVER dip into a man's stash, son.

Re:You know it.

[Anonymous Coward]

Technology theft, like all outsourcing, has risks.

Re:Disinformation

[Fulcrum of Evil]

I think there should be a new word for this type of person - a person who finds it impossible to imagine those in authority acting in a bad way even that is a reasonable logical conclusion based on the facts. Or perhaps there is already a word for this type of person and I don't know it. Any ideas anyone?

How about Dittohead?

Re:Let me get this straight....

[DavidBrown]

You don't get it. The EULA disclaimed all liability, and the Soviets who installed the software accepted the EULA when they removed the plastic wrapping from the box. It's not our fault.

Re:Disinformation

[BenjyD]

Doh. This is why I just deal with simulated chemical plants, and not the real thing. At least I can't kill anyone with a *simulated* x1e3 error.

Re:Disinformation

[Atrahasis]

As this person is the equal and opposite of a kook, I propose we reverse the word kook and apply it to them.

so instead of 'bits' we'd have 'tits' ?

[Anonymous Coward]

courtesy of schlockmercenary.com

Ok...

[awarnack]

We give the Soviets bad chips. They give us TETRIS. Productivity drops to ZERO on both sides. Sounds fair to me.

Obligitory...

[meznak]

In Soviet Russia, computer crashes you!

Re:awesome

[DjMd]

COMING THIS SUMMER....

Naration by 6hz-Man
In a place were the land is always cold

Against an enemy who would stop at nothing

(evil soviet general) We will take their Technology and give them our Oil

(evil soviet underlings) Da Commrad!

(6-hz voice over)but one man

(computer nerd, (but surprisingly good looking once you take off the glasses)) My God, we can only have once chance1

(6-hz) and one spunky little chip

(inside of computer) Beep!

(6-hz at double voulme) COLD FIRE

Dramatic music

This film has not been rated (but oviously R for extranious sex scene between comp nerd and hot female KGB defector)

Starring Orlando Bloom as nerd

Re:No again

[Anonymous Coward]

You're right. Lets try again:

When we blow things up, we are promoting freedom, democracy, and the American Way of Life(TM). What's more, the people we blow up aren't terrified, they are grateful for us liberating them, so how can it be terrorism? When people we don't like blow things up, it's terrorism.

Re:Let me get this straight....

[MainframeKiller]

The Soviets stole Canadian software

Quick, someone tell Theo de Raadt! ;)

Re:Let me get this straight....

[Anonymous Coward]

"It took a while for the guerillas to figure out how to check the bullets to make sure they are real, working ammo."

Yea, coming from rock throwing to actual weapons, I can see where it would take a long time to adjust.

Still, your want to express your pro-Palestinian stance shouldn't let your logic invade the facts. If someone wants you dead, the ends ALWAYS justify the means.

The methods you described are VERY clever.

No yuo!

[Anonymous Coward]

Hi! I am a completely random person posting anonymously on an internet forum, but I double-promise you that I used to work in Strat. Int. (You can tell I'm legit because I use a lot of abbreviations and acronyms!) I can say with total confidence that I'm not not fat sweaty nerd who's read too many Tom Clancy novels!

The pipeline was not a proper target for such an action. There, didn't that sound impressive and like I know what I'm talking about? Why should you believe a columnist for the New York Times when there's a fat swea... I mean, a former Strat. Int. operative like me to get your information from!

Re:WTF is "Strat. Int.,"

[skidoo2]

Global Thermonuclear War and Game Boy Color.

Re:Pentium I bug.

[iminplaya]

"The explosion itself was set off by a passing passenger train."

Whew...I was wondering if it wasn't caused by some guy looking for the leak at night, with a match.

Re:Pentium I bug.

[the gnat]

Yes, but there's also a famous VAX chip that had printed on it in Russian "VAX - when you care enough to steal the very best" [fsu.edu]. Apparently the DEC engineers had a sense of humor about international industrial espionage.

Re:Pentium I bug.

[DrMrLordX]

Well, not by humans anyway . . .

Re:awesome

[moosesocks]

(evil soviet underlings) Da Commrad!

Ah. This must be from the german speaking part of Russia.