rf> Life-sustaining equipment IS controlled by computers ... computers with
 rf> hardcoded on-chip fallback emergency programming, uninterruptable power,
 rf> etc ... computers specifically designed to control such equipment, with
 rf> no hard drives, no floppy drives, and no input devices except function
 rf> setting buttons/keypads ... which means there's no way in for a virus
 rf> except at factory programming level.
Thank you. Having worked in hospitals I know that, hearing Paul Ferguson's
claims of viruses being on life substaining systems always make me sick to
my stomach...because some people believed him. And you of course are right
perfer I am reading too much in little Stevie's message, but as I say having
read a couple hundred Ferguson's hospital stories I freak out when I hear
hospital and virus in the same sentence.
 rf> A couple of years ago I was called in to eradicate a virus outbreak in a
 rf> hospital system.  The Health Service had a "Big Name" antivirus program
 rf> installed statewide and thought their machines were virus-free until
 rf> things started to go haywire ... programs refused to load, documents and
 rf> records suddenly became unreadable, etc.  They found Die Hard and Ripper
 rf> with a shareware ThunderBYTE and contacted me for help, but by then over
 rf> 600 of their 2000 machines were infected ... requiring a major cleanup.
Like I said, I am sure it happens, but I am willing to bet real money that
no patience's life was endangered. Hospital administrators do get a little
paranoid concerning virii (mostly because of public relations). 3 years ago
I wrote my own Anti-virus program specifically for hospitals and doctor's
offices. It was\is called Vx-Condom and where admittedly not as good as 
Thunderbyte or F-Protect it did have the advantage of being doctor\nurse
friendly (you'd be surprised how medical people are afraid of computers).
I never personally made a dime from the program (it all went to charity),
yet Paul Ferguson accused me of all kinds of nasty things like infecting
the hospitals I worked in then offering up a "cure". He of course had no
facts to back this up. Also, since I was unable to write updates due to
an extended stay with the United States Goverment, everyone (almost) is
now suing me. 
My credibility in the world of serious programing is ruined (thanks to
the media, who would trust a Anti-Virus program by Geno Paris? :) So all
is left is to write Technopathic programs (this doesn't include viruses or 
trojans, because they are boring and unfunny) and release them into the 
Silicon
Vortex.
Oh, and I am willing to bet that I still would not be allowed to join CARO :)
But hell, enough whining, I am starting to sound like John Souvest!
-Geno
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