3 ms·

This is BS. I'm not an engineer but I'm sure one can create an emulation layer, connected to a SSD, put whatever data/software on it, and have this work. It cer

This is BS. I'm not an engineer but I'm sure one can create an emulation layer, connected to a SSD, put whatever data/software on it, and have this work. It certainly wouldn't cost $212M. I bet a college student could do this. Oh, look https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk_hardware_emulator https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floppy_disk_hardware_emulator, it's already been built. This smells of corruption.

akira2501 2y ago
The goal and costs are to replace the entire control system not find a means of replacing a single legacy component within it.
atombender 2y ago
As the article points out, $212m will upgrade the entire train control system to a modern one (they admit to be "five generations" behind). Phasing out floppy disks is a consequence of this. They're cereinlynnot paying someone this much to just replace the floppy disk system but nothing else; that would be insane. The headline is a little flippant, and they don't mean it literally. Many people on HN these days seem to reply without reading the article headline first...
- shiroiushi 2y ago
  >Many people on HN these days seem to reply without reading the article headline first... You sound like you're new to the internet.
theamk 2y ago
They are upgrading the whole system, the floppy is just easiest-to-explain part. > The new control system is supposed to be five generations ahead of what Muni is using now, [...] challenges in maintaining expertise in 1990s programming languages have further encouraged the SFMTA to seek upgrades.
atonse 2y ago
Also it is $212 for 20-25 years of support. Not just some one time cost.