physical access -> data owned. On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 3:49 PM, Bob Elzer wrote: > I in no way would defend MS or Access, but you're making this seem like > the > problem lies within MS Access, when in fact, if I have access to the disk > the data is on, I can rig the election with a simple hex editor, whether > the > database is Access or MySql. > > If you know the layout of any table, you can modify it with an editor. > > > > -----Original Message----- > From: plug-discuss-bounces@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > [mailto:plug-discuss-bounces@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us] On Behalf Of Jim > March > Sent: Wednesday, April 15, 2009 12:51 PM > To: Main PLUG discussion list > Subject: Re: Got a text formatting/database question - the political > backstory > > On Wed, Apr 15, 2009 at 8:13 AM, Bishmer Sekaran > wrote: > > Jim March wrote: > >> MS-Access is banned from voting > >> systems (ain't approved) > > This is a very refreshing change from the status quo! Out of > > curiousity, what are the approved DBs for voting systems? > > You're asking the wrong question :). > > ONLY those pieces of software specifically used for elections can be used > in > elections, in most states anyhow, AZ being one of 'em. > > The proprietary database front ends by Sequoia, Diebold and ES&S are > approved. Sequoia uses an MS-SQL back end, Diebold uses the MS-Access > runtime back end (they're switching to MS-SQL on the back end "soon") and I > forget what ES&S is doing. But it's basically the same: > proprietary front-end application, likely an MS back end. > > In the case of Diebold, the MS-Access front end (the boxed consumer > product) can communicate with the existing back-end and back-door the whole > election. By diddling with the data files (which are .MDB > extension) in MS-Access, you can tweak the audit log, tweak vote totals, > basically do whatever you want, no password needed, no audit trail even > created. > > Total election anarchy. > > So finding an MS-Access advanced programmer's manual as a reference for the > system operator on a Diebold central tabulator is like a cop pulling > somebody over and finding a ski mask, duct tape, crowbar and > AK47 in the back seat. It doesn't absolutely prove trouble but it ain't > good news! > > Jim > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > > --------------------------------------------------- > PLUG-discuss mailing list - PLUG-discuss@lists.plug.phoenix.az.us > To subscribe, unsubscribe, or to change your mail settings: > http://lists.PLUG.phoenix.az.us/mailman/listinfo/plug-discuss > -- Thanks and best regards, Ryan Rix TamsPalm - The PalmOS Blog (623)-239-1103 <-- Grand Central, baby! Jasmine Bowden - Class of 2009, Marc Rasmussen - Class of 2008, Erica Sheffey - Class of 2009, Rest in peace.