January 30, 2017 – Page 2 – Tech Today w/ Ken May

Server Runs Continuously For 24 Years

In 1993 a Stratus server was booted up by an IT application architect — and it’s still running. An anonymous reader writes: “It never shut down on its own because of a fault it couldn’t handle, ” says Phil Hogan, who’s maintained the server for 24 years. That’s what happens when you include redundant components. “Over the years, disk drives, power supplies and some other components have been replaced but Hogan estimates that close to 80% of the system is original, ” according to Computerworld. There’s no service contract — he maintains the server with third-party vendors rather than going back to the manufacturer, who says they “probably” still have the parts in stock. And while he believes the server’s proprietary operating system hasn’t been updated in 15 years, Hogan says “It’s been extremely stable.” The server will finally be retired in April, and while the manufacturer says there’s some more Stratus servers that have been running for at least 20 years — this one seems to be the oldest. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

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Server Runs Continuously For 24 Years

Ransomware Infects a Hotel’s Key System

An anonymous reader writes: A luxury hotel “paid “thousands” in Bitcoin ransom to cybercriminals who hacked into their electronic key system. The “furious” hotel manager says it’s the third time their electronic system has been attacked, though one local news site reports that “on the fourth attempt the hackers had no chance because the computers had been replaced and the latest security standards integrated, and some networks had been decoupled.” The 111-year-old hotel is now planning to remove all their electronic locks, and return to old-fashioned door locks with real keys. But they’re going public to warn other hotels — some of which they say have also already been hit by ransomware. UPDATE: The hotel’s managing director has clarified today that despite press reports, “We were hacked, but nobody was locked in or out” of their rooms. Read more of this story at Slashdot.

This Tutorial Shows You How to Fake Tilt Shift Videos

You’ve probably seen those fun time lapse videos that make subjects look miniature , like toys or models surrounded by a realistic looking environment. This style requires a tilt shift lens , but this tutorial shows you how to create the effect without one. Read more…