Post by @m@martinh.net

2025-12-31 14:33 UTC

Second queue nerd: One of the most fascinating things is that some of these little computers run a full operating system. Obviously most people would expect this be a cut down Linux distro like Alpine (other queue members nod in agreement) or perhaps a declarative infrastructure-as-code type approach like NixOS (some people become visibly excited at this point), but actually there are some really weird edge cases, like when your 5G modem turns out to be running Android with some "interesting" apps installed by the OEM - instead of what you thought was just a proprietary blob of baseband gloop. Third queue nerd: I'd just like to interject for a moment- (Hysterical laughter from the entire airport security nerd queue.) Antifa choir: (which has just manifested spontaneously like they do) "Scheiß AfD, und Scheiß RMS!" #39c3

Replies (1)

@m@martinh.net 2026-01-09 23:04

Day 7 After finally clearing security checks, following a series of unfortunate misunderstandings, the hackers have found themselves grounded due to total IT systems failure. Airport technician: Hey, do any of you computer nerds know about something called... (checks notes) Windows 95? :windows95: Around half the people in the departure lounge raise their hands. It looks like quite a few of them have interesting facts about retrocomputing that they would like to share. But they will have to be patient, as now is not the time. For the moment, they will have to be content with quietly humming Brian Eno's iconic startup sound. 1st hacker: I have a full set of Windows 95 floppies here, just in case. Never fly without them! After that time in Denver. And the Chicago incident. And Paris, well... We don't talk about Paris. 2nd hacker: You might want to check that Novell Netware server in the closet over there. It's been making a weird noise since I blew the dust off. I think there might be a problem with the Token Ring card. The first hacker departs with the technician, off to feed floppies into the errant Windows box until it complies. APT hackers breathe a sigh of relief at this point. Luckily nobody has noticed the syntax error on line 135 of the airport wifi captive portal PHP code. Data collection has proceeded as planned. Remember: the wifi is perfectly safe! Meanwhile, unseen, snow begins to settle on the airport runways... #39C3

Open ##5215264