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From: wanttaja@ssc-vax.UUCP (Ronald J Wanttaja)
Newsgroups: net.movies
Subject: Re: Comments on 2010 Review -- **SLIGHT
Message-ID: <270@ssc-vax.UUCP>
Date: Fri, 14-Dec-84 12:50:11 EST
Article-I.D.: ssc-vax.270
Posted: Fri Dec 14 12:50:11 1984
Date-Received: Sun, 16-Dec-84 04:42:00 EST
References: <1394@ritcv.UUCP> <12100004@acf4.UUCP> <267@umd5.UUCP> <1211@bbncca.ARPA>
Organization: Boeing Aerospace Co., Seattle, WA
Lines: 36

> 
> Speaking of technology, wasn't anyone else dismayed at the 1950's level
> of user-interface on the Leonov: buzzes, whistles and all sorts of gee-gaws,
> and row upon row of SWITCHES!  My God, we're dumping this today.  How can
> it other than insult us to see this proposed as the leading edge of hi-tech
> 30 years from now?  (One friend of mine pointed out that this was a
> SOVIET ship, and hence was to be expected!)
> -- 

Did'ja notice the picture spread in Av Week a couple of years ago on the
Salyut Space Station?  Yep, that's right... SWITCHES!  Lots and lots of
SWITCHES!  I vaguely remember a keyboard tucked away in a corner, but it
was not apparently emphasised on the console.  The question is, of course,
whether this practice will continue on Soviet spacecraft to the 21st
century.  Given the innate conservatism of the Soviets, and the hostile
environment of space (cosmic ray upsets of RAM, etc), there may be some
possibility of continued reliance on hardwired controls- especially
in a manned system.

Buzzes?  Whistles?  Speaking as a former USAF satellite jockey, more power
to them!  I WANT audible indications of status- I can look at only one place
at once, but an audible signal allows monitoring status of several systems
as once.  If you want to hear bells and whistles, talk to an "Old Crow"
(Electronics warfare operator).  In aircraft, threats detected by the ECM
equipment are passed to the operator in specific audio sequences- depending
upon type of radar detected.

Still, considering the technology level apparent in DISCOVERY, I think
the tech level of LEONOV indicated a greater difference in technology
between US and Soviet systems than would actually be the case.

					     Ron Wanttaja
					     (ssc-vax!wanttaja)

"TAG, GSM, We're ready to go active on 3151, and
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