Open Recall: A Linux gun, Steam fun and Slax's new boot

tuxchick wrote:You can't remove or swap out the tracking system in the same way you can swap scopes on a traditional rifle.

You can't? Why not. What's to prevent it? Magic? Executive Order? Perhaps not the quick-change way, but it can certainly be done the usual way, with tools. That's how I swap scopes on my rifle.

Since it seems to be the self perceived journalists in this little inbred group who are most outraged at my admitted overzealous attack on their fellow wordsmith, let's look at it. Yes, the term "power" can extend to include "control". So, why didn't the Ars author use the phrase "linux controlled gun"? It would have been infinitely more accurate and perfectly acceptable. You seem to have groked it. I suspect it's for the usual journalistic reason, simple unadulterated sensationalism. Accuracy vs sensationalism? Well, we know which will win that showdown. Always does. Isn't it a journalistic imperative, sensationalism over accuracy? Certainly seems so.

What do you think the multitudes think when they read that headline, "Linux Powered Rifle"? Do you think they immediately think to themselves, "The author undoubtedly means "controlled", as a journalist would in no way misrepresent the facts!". Yeah! As if.

No, I would guess the typical non-geek reaction is, "There's linux in guns!! Whacko crazy massacree nutbags are gonna be using linux to cut down our loved one's in the aisles!" I suspect you think I'm wrong. Well, I think you are hopelessly naive.

By the way, if a targeting system, no matter how complex, can be attached to a gun, it can be removed from that gun and if a Winchester .300 magnum is not a traditional rifle, I'm sure thousands of traditional hunters would like to know how and why their Winchester .300 magnums seem to be working jes fine with nary a spec of linux within miles. ;)

Oh, I'm sure linux is part of more weapons systems than we realize. And I'm sure there will eventually be a "linux powered rifle". Electronic triggers and primers have been developed and even produced for limited applications. Rifles that have integral chips and sensors and make decisions to determine if a breech is clear or of the ammo count in a magazine are not science fiction. But, when someone says "powered", in today's vernacular, it typically means something like a gas powered lawn mower or electric powered knife. It means the motivating power, not the limiting or controlling power. What powers that rifle is human muscle and some springs and we are talking about that rifle in that article and it is jes plain misleading, whether you think so or not.

I can see where a buncha geeks automatically equate "controlled" with "powered", but the fact is, that rifle can be disconnected from that sighting system and will work just as it works without that sighting system. I will not call that rifle "powered" by linux. In fact, I'll go so far as to say it is "limited" by linux, as it is still human muscle that is holding, operating, and ultimately providing the motivating force that fires that rifle. We can all get bogged down in semantics, but I think it's the unqualified headline of that press piece that bothers me and how the great unwashed will perceive it.

This is all jes my opinion, so let's let it go at that and I'll refrain from any further comment after you all dog pile me. ;)