Wednesday, November 09, 2011
Well, that's reassuring.
The 'nationwide test' of the Custody Dispute Alert System (EAS) just concluded. If I hadn't been ready for it, I would have panicked. The voice part was almost totally garbled, covered up by several different tones, constant static, and several other people talking excitedly. It was like DXing an obscure shortwave station during a rare sunspot skip event.
"Garble garble Emergency Alert garble!!!!! If you scratch scratch garble garble, nationwide cooperation with garble authorities!!!! This garble scratch a test!!!!"
Did he say only a test or not a test? Can't tell.
Comforting to know that ultramodern information technology is beginning to approach the sound quality of Alex Bell's first call to Mr Watson.
It's also comforting to know that the one time we really needed the EAS, in Sept 2001, it wasn't even set up to work nationally. Now they tell us.
EBS, the predecessor in the '70s and '80s, was nationally organized, clear and unambiguous. You always knew what was happening (or not happening).
Roaring backwards at warp speed as usual. We're fucked. ¶ 11:02 AM
"Garble garble Emergency Alert garble!!!!! If you scratch scratch garble garble, nationwide cooperation with garble authorities!!!! This garble scratch a test!!!!"
Did he say only a test or not a test? Can't tell.
Comforting to know that ultramodern information technology is beginning to approach the sound quality of Alex Bell's first call to Mr Watson.
It's also comforting to know that the one time we really needed the EAS, in Sept 2001, it wasn't even set up to work nationally. Now they tell us.
EBS, the predecessor in the '70s and '80s, was nationally organized, clear and unambiguous. You always knew what was happening (or not happening).
Roaring backwards at warp speed as usual. We're fucked. ¶ 11:02 AM
