On Sun, 20 Apr 2008, Vasile Surducan wrote: > On 4/19/08, Jinx wrote: > > > How many computers built 30 years ago are still used right > > > now ? In 2038 will be no computer in use manufactured today. > > > Joe, this subject is a waste of EE time... > > > :) > > > > Yes, I should have put it in [OT] where all the programmers and > > engineers lurk. Seriously, as micros acquire PC functionality and > > WILL end up anywhere doing anything, it's an issue to address > > for future-proofing products. It's quite conceivable that a micro > > programmed 10 years from now (look how many legacy bugs > > MPASM has for example) relying on time_t will be in service for > > 20 years after that > > Let's try in other way. > How many of the people involved in this discussion have designed and > built something looking closely to a PC arhitecture ? > Having a RTC with battery backup and at least one PCI, PCIE, SATA etc. > and one motherboard and a few daughtercards with specific functions. > Manufactured in a few dozens of pieces at least. > Because if there is someone here, will definitely know that the > predicted life of such device is below 7 years. Rarely such equipments > are still in life after 10 years. > And definitely after 30 years nobody are offering support for those > even there still available operating systems, bios etc. > A computer is already 50% aged when you take it home from the shop. > There would be no problem in 2038 except maybe if we don't kill the > earth till then. > greetings, > Vasile I wrote the software for a news distribution system back in 1990. It was a big box with 96 telegraph lines. At its heart is an AT PC with specialised ISA daughtercards. The software was written using MS C 5.1. The box was expected to have an operational life in excess of 10 years and the software was written to cope with years in excess of 1999. Regards Sergio -- http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive View/change your membership options at http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist