Order of magnitude of embedded systems problem

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I know the embedded systems problem is serious, but I'm trying to grasp the order of magnitude. I suspect companies that insure industries vulnerable to this problem are taking a very close look, with every incentive to see the true picture (at least from a business perspective, maybe not a personal one). There was something in the news a couple of months back about the Canadian companies that insure airlines. The story went that they were planning to cover their airlines on Jan. 1, and would decide that day whether to extend coverage. I haven't heard any more. Insurers of the chemical and shipping industries should have been trying hard to see the picture. Anyone heard from them?

-- Bill Byars (billbyars@softwaresmith.com), March 26, 1999

Answers

From Lloyd's Register Ship 2000 web site:

http://www.tm- online.com/Ship2000.nsf/0e2e73cb7a7a1892802565c60056df13/58235980850b3 0bf802566ac005e4968?OpenDocument
Software is subject to systematic failures only and, due to the complexity of the designs, the causes and effects of such failures are difficult to determine. This is especially the case in highly integrated systems. Furthermore, because exact replicas of software designs are used they can easily become a source of common cause failures between otherwise independent systems. Hence, in computer based systems there is a potential for multiple simultaneous failures that occur at unpredictable times with potentially wide ranging consequences.
critt@critt.com), March 27, 1999.

>>>

http://www.tm- online.com/Ship2000.nsf/WebCatLegalViews?OpenView
Ship 2000: Legal Views

Clyde & Co. (this paper gives special emphasis for freight forwarders and port operators) The matters raised in the two papers are not exhaustive, but they give a view of the wide spectrum of potential legal issues that must be considered by shipowners.
- got legal issues at your local terminal operator or port authority?

~C~

-- Critt Jarvis (critt@critt.com), March 27, 1999.

Critt, thanks for the links.

-- Bill Byars (billbyars@softwaresmith.com), March 27, 1999.

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