15 Of The Oddest, Most Egregious Glitches in Technology History

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15 Of The Oddest, Most Egregious Glitches in Technology History

Since the Trump-era law First Step Act was implemented, there have been many criticisms of its inadequacies. One issue is that a new computer app created to automatically calculate inmates' "time credits" for early release has had major technical glitches. This has resulted in some prisoners being released later than they anticipated and even being sent back to prison after already being released to halfway homes. And on another note, as part of the Obamacare rollout, the American government set up an online insurance exchange. However, on its very first day, Sunday, Oct 1st, the data center critical for determining eligibility for subsidies and hosting HealthCare.gov went down. HHS spokeswoman Joanne Peters said network connectivity was lost due to a failure in the system- leaving many uninsured Americans struggling to access coverage. Not even top military hardware is immune to this kind of thing -- despite the navy's Smart Ship technology,the USS Yorktown ran into some issues when software glitches caused system failures. The very information technology that was supposed to make ships like the Yorktown more efficient ended up making them vulnerable to things like database overflow errors.

In just 20 minutes, 2 billion shares worth 56 billion dollars had changed hands in the Dow Jones Index "flash crash" of 2010.

CRACKED In 2010, the Dow Jones Index took a nosedive of almost 9%. This became known as the flash crash and was caused by a US mutual fund selling contracts. CLEON 880 288 HFTs started buying and reselling these contracts, some for irrational prices like $100,000. In just 20 minutes, 2 billion shares worth 56 billion dollars had changed hands.

The Guardian 

EVE Online's Trinity update may have improved graphics, but it also caused major problems for Windows XP users.

CRACKED The Trinity update was released as an improved graphics engine for EVE Online. EVE ONLINE However, it removed the BOOT.INI file from Windows XP which required people to perform system reinstalls or even completely reinstall their operating system.

The Register / EVE Online 

An error in the intel Pentium processor was discovered and then snowballed into something much bigger due to national press coverage.

CRACKED The FDIV bug was an error in the Intel Pentium processor discovered by Thomas Nicely, a professor of mathematics, on 19 October 1994. 2501901 intel On 30 October 1994 he wrote an email to a number of individuals and organizations that set the wheels in motion. Although its actual impact would have been negligible, it then snowballed into something much bigger due to national press coverage.

Tech Radar  

Toyota recalls Prius hybrids because a software problem can cause overheating.

CRACKED Toyota recalled 1.9 million Prius hybrids because of a software problem that can cause overheating and damage in transistors within the electronic system controlling the hybrid's gasoline-electric motor. This can trigger warning lights on the dashboard, force the vehicle into failsafe mode, or even shut down the hybrid system while it's being driven.

Spectrum  

The UK passport delays in 1999 caused anxiety and inconvenience for many people hoping to travel.

CRACKED Delays in issuing UK passports in 1999 led to much anxiety and inconvenience for members of the public hoping to travel, and by June the Passport Agency had around 565,000 applications awaiting processing. BRITISH PASSPOR YESENSE our SINOHA حا se MON DROIT DIEU ET AND NGDOM OF AIN The delays at the Agency during Summer 1999 were caused by a new passport processing system introduced in October 1998.

NAO / BBC 

Dell's reputation takes a hit when one of their laptops bursts into flames.

CRACKED Dell's attempts to improve its image were dealt a blow when one of their laptops burst into flames, damaging more than just the conference table. The company said the incident got more publicity than such incidents usually do because Dell's reputation for responsive customer service was already under attack.

NY Times  

Knight Capital's new software update caused the company to lose $460 million and get fined by the SEC.

CRACKED In 2012, Knight Capital deployed a new software update to their production servers. Knight EYSE - Knight 11R 110 TRAST 119 NOW charlessCHWAB NYSE NYS EUR Enterprise Products Partners LP - THING smokland PANDORA 2034 2244 However, the updated program had a few glitches which resulted in the company losing $460 million and being fined an additional $12 million by the SEC.

Bugsnag / The Intercept 

The Mars Climate Orbiter went kaputt because the ground control software used imperial units instead of metric ones.

CRACKED The Mars Climate Orbiter was lost when it burned up in the Martian atmosphere due to a software error. The ground control software supplied by Lockheed Martin used imperial units instead of metric ones, resulting in the orbiter being off course and eventually meeting its demise.

Bugsnag / Cornell 

The Ariane 5 rocket's launch was a huge failure due to a software bug.

CRACKED The Ariane 5 rocket's launch was a huge failure due to a software bug and resulting self-destruction. The fault was quickly identified as the Inertial Reference System not being able to properly store data in 64-bit floating variables into a 16-bit integer.

Bugsnag / Space News 

The navy's Smart Ship technology caused system failures on the USS Yorktown.

CRACKED Despite the navy's Smart Ship technology, the USS Yorktown ran into some issues when software glitches caused system failures. The very information technology that was supposed to make ships like the Yorktown more efficient ended up making them vulnerable to things like database overflow errors.

GCN / USS Yorktown Foundation 

The Obamacare healthcare website crashed on its first day.

CRACKED As part of the Obamacare rollout, the American government set up an online insurance exchange. THE WH OUSE However, on its very first day, Sunday, Oct 1st, the data center critical for determining eligibility for subsidies and hosting HealthCare.gov went down. HHS spokeswoman Joanne Peters said network connectivity was lost due to a failure in the system- leaving many uninsured Americans struggling to access coverage.

Reuters / The Hill 

The Trump-era law First Step Act has been glitchy, resulting in prisoners being released later than intended or even sent back to prison.

CRACKED Since the Trump-era law First Step Act was implemented, there have been many criticisms of its inadequacies. One issue is that a new computer app created to automatically calculate inmates' time credits for early release has had major technical glitches. This has resulted in some prisoners being released later than they anticipated and even being sent back to prison after already being released to halfway homes.

NBC News 

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