George

Actually, I think that faulty software HAS killed people.  I've heard of at 
least one case (possiblly two) in which X-ray-like machines malfunctioned due 
to software and a few patients were give overdoses,  which I think was fatal 
in some cases.  I also heard that the company was not sued because of their 
EULA.  Unfortunately, I don't recall the name of the device or the company or 
the specifics, but I'm pretty sure I read this in an online article.  If 
anybody out there has the specifics, let me know.   (Or if I later remember 
where I read it, I'll post the link.) Anyway, it's ironic because all 
medically-related software goes through a very stringent certification 
processes with the FDA.  Does this mean they were not stringent enough, or 
that, as I like to argue, that the government isn't competent to determine 
issues like medical product safety?

I just don't think professional licensing works.  We've all heard the horror 
stories of totally incompetent doctors and lawyers being shielded from public 
scrutiny by the medical boards that were supposed to be disciplining them.  
There was an outcry, and many state agenencies (especially Arizona's 
notoriously inept Board of Medical Examiners) have become much stricter, but 
how long will this last?  Private, third-party voluntary certification is a 
better idea.  While no system is perfect, this would give the public some 
measure of protection without giving the government power to restrict 
competition or stifle innovation.  And I'd bet my last dollar that free 
software would be one of the first things to go under a system that licensed 
software developers.

Vaughn


On Sunday 25 May 2003 03:08, you wrote:
> This is a glimmer of the future, and the source of my rant for wanting
> software "engineers" (now they call themselves developers) to go through
> stringent licensing, just like real engineers and architects.
>
> We've already seen how a BSOD shutdown a Navy ship's propulsion system.
> If this were in battle, the results would be horrific.
>
> How long will it be before faulty software kills people?
>
> George