“Popular Robots are Dangerously Easy to Hack, Cybersecurity Firm Says” is an article by Jeremy Kahn published on Bloomberg Technology’s website that accounts for some vulnerabilities found in robot deployed in the industrial and home sectors. Continue reading “Bloomberg’s Article Delivers Misleading Information on Robot Insecurity”
The Danger of Remotely Managed (i.e. cloud-based) Software
Today you can buy a lot of software on a subscription, cloud basis scheme.
Of course, from the software-house point of view there are no issues. ? But from the users’ perspective the fact that cloud, subscription-based business models are widely enforced by the market, and that its supporters claim this to be an advantage for the users doesn’t turn a bad management choice into a good one. Continue reading “The Danger of Remotely Managed (i.e. cloud-based) Software”
“Blame the algorithm”: the new mantra of social irresponsibility
Computer says no! is the mantra that one of Little Britain’s most famous characters, Carol Beer, the artificially-intelligent banker repeats every time a customer asks her an out-of-the-ordinary question.
Those who – like me – are old enough, have lost count of how many times a clerk working for a public or private entity answered alike – in terms and tones – Carol Beer. Computer says no, it is computer’s fault; the computer does not allow this task to be performed… these reactions are but a way to partake the software designers (and their masters) from the liability of having built a crappy software. A machine that in its stupid rigidity would not allow doing what the user is asking—an extremely convenient way to ensure that nobody pays for the inefficiencies, delays and follies of bureaucracy. Continue reading ““Blame the algorithm”: the new mantra of social irresponsibility”
The Buzz Aldrin’s Glass
Do you see this glass of water in front of us? To a pessimist is half empty… to an optimist is half full… to an engineer is just much too big.
This is a quote form an interview that Buzz Aldrin gave to the Italian national broadcasting service on July, 21 2007.
No need for further explanation…
The Dieselgate Crisis Management: Played by the Book
The way Volkswagen is handling the Dieselgate is a very good example of proper crisis management and seems coming from a crisis management handbook (such as “Master of disaster“): once discovered, the company neither denied the facts nor tried to hide it, announced an independent review, fired the culprits, called-in a new, serious manager started cooperating with the authorities, saved the money for the inevitable fines and damages.
This way Volkswagen has been able to keep the public outcry under control because no collateral damages – such as deep burying evidences, threatening or bribing involved people, further doctoring information etc. – have been suffered, thus helping the company recover its image – and customer base – faster.