Blue Screen of Death, press any key to continue...
Has anyone, in a movie or similar, ever made plot use of the concept of Ctrl-Alt-Del? Specifically, of the fact that on all modern Microsoft systems, it's in theory physically impossible to log on one-handed? As a way to build tension in a scene (eg, the hero is trapped under a fallen bit of office ceiling with only one hand free, and has only X minutes to hack the system and save everyone) it wouldn't be the silliest computer gimmick ever to make it to the screen.
And of course, in order for the hero to save the day: if you know that it's possible to use Alt-Gr instead of Alt and if you twist your wrist round really awkwardly, it is possible to execute Ctrl-Alt-Del one-handed on most keyboards. Muhaha! (Although, of course, you're then still relying on a Windows boot completing before the timer on the Weapon of the Week hits zero. And frankly I wouldn't want my life to hang on that.)
And why am I contemplating this nonsense? Because on a much more mundane level, Ctrl-Alt-Del annoys the hell out of me on occasion. Dear M$ - what possible security purpose is served by making me have to finish my chocolate bar before I can log onto my laptop, instead of being able to multitask "lunch" and "starting work"? I didn't think chocolate crumbs were that big a security issue, you know...
Laters,
Rath
And of course, in order for the hero to save the day: if you know that it's possible to use Alt-Gr instead of Alt and if you twist your wrist round really awkwardly, it is possible to execute Ctrl-Alt-Del one-handed on most keyboards. Muhaha! (Although, of course, you're then still relying on a Windows boot completing before the timer on the Weapon of the Week hits zero. And frankly I wouldn't want my life to hang on that.)
And why am I contemplating this nonsense? Because on a much more mundane level, Ctrl-Alt-Del annoys the hell out of me on occasion. Dear M$ - what possible security purpose is served by making me have to finish my chocolate bar before I can log onto my laptop, instead of being able to multitask "lunch" and "starting work"? I didn't think chocolate crumbs were that big a security issue, you know...
Laters,
Rath