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I've had similar thoughts. I don't know about other brands, but for
Mercedes, you have to go back pre 1985 to lose the computer. That's
kind of hard to believe. I just happen to have a 1981 MB 300SD. I use
it for my backup car when my other one is ill. Many of it's ancillary
systems (like "vacuum" powered door locks) have failed in the 31 years
since it was made. However, the drive train still works. Of course,
it could have an expensive failure at any time. Crossing my fingers
that it won't. When it was built, it had all this functional: power
seats, power windows, power door locks, power trunk lock, power fuel
door lock, power sunroof, automatic climate control, automatic break
lining monitor, automatic cruise control, and an accurate analog
clock. It has a nice (technologically) but stinky 5 cyl cast iron
diesel engine that purrs like a big cat and really prefers to be
exceeding 70 MPH, although the speedometer tops out at 85 MPH. They
even pump the engine oil up into the pistons in the engine to improve
cooling and longevity. The fuel injector pump is an amazing piece of
engineering involving gears, pistons, and springs, which delivers the
fuel to each cylinder at the right moment. It is, essentially, a
mechanical computer of sorts. The car certainly has electronics, some
of which may be digital, but no computers to be found as far as I
know. A modern car is functionally superior in most ways, but I still
have a soft spot inside for this beast. As an engineer, I can
appreciate it. I wanted to convert it to run on veggie oil but never
have.<br>
<br>
By the way, check out these fictional but realistic novels about
computer security. I haven't read them yet, but they were recommended
on Security Now as they like to discuss sci fi on occasion. One of my
pet peeves is that some novels use foul language which is unnecessary.
I don't know whether these do or don't, but the stories sound
interesting.<br>
<br>
Zero Day<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Day-Novel-Mark-Russinovich/dp/1250007305/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-3&keywords=russinovich">http://www.amazon.com/Zero-Day-Novel-Mark-Russinovich/dp/1250007305/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-3&keywords=russinovich</a><br>
<br>
Trojan Horse<br>
<a class="moz-txt-link-freetext" href="http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-Horse-Russinovich-M/dp/1250024269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-1&keywords=russinovich">http://www.amazon.com/Trojan-Horse-Russinovich-M/dp/1250024269/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1348147302&sr=8-1&keywords=russinovich</a><br>
<br>
Sincerely,<br>
<br>
Ron<br>
<br>
On 9/20/2012 8:45 AM, Jim Kinney wrote:
<blockquote
cite="mid:CAEo=5Pw8BvYNo9m1SP=hNXJKVDUSrSzK-eoWkgXGriHk9Nr+Mw@mail.gmail.com"
type="cite">
<p>Heh, heh.<br>
The more I learn about computers and their "security" the more I want
an all mechanical/electrical car with NO digital electronics of any
kind.</p>
<div class="gmail_quote">On Sep 19, 2012 10:07 PM, "Ron Frazier
(ALE)" <<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="mailto:atllinuxenthinfo@techstarship.com">atllinuxenthinfo@techstarship.com</a>>
wrote:<br type="attribution">
<blockquote class="gmail_quote"
style="border-left: 1px solid rgb(204, 204, 204); margin: 0pt 0pt 0pt 0.8ex; padding-left: 1ex;">
<div>heard this on security now.<br>
<br>
if you have a keyless bmw, think about upgrading the car's firmware.
that's a scary thought. i'm sure other keyless cars are NOT immune.<br>
<br>
<a moz-do-not-send="true"
href="http://www.zdnet.com/hackers-steal-keyless-bmw-in-under-3-minutes-video-7000000507"
target="_blank">http://www.zdnet.com/hackers-steal-keyless-bmw-in-under-3-minutes-video-7000000507</a>/<br>
<br>
google hackers steal bmw to learn more.<br>
<br>
i'm going to think twice before buying a car without a mechanical key.<br>
<br>
ron<br>
<br>
</div>
</blockquote>
</div>
</blockquote>
<br>
<pre class="moz-signature" cols="72">--
(To whom it may concern. My email address has changed. Replying to former
messages prior to 03/31/12 with my personal address will go to the wrong
address. Please send all personal correspondence to the new address.)
(PS - If you email me and don't get a quick response, you might want to
call on the phone. I get about 300 emails per day from alternate energy
mailing lists and such. I don't always see new email messages very quickly.)
Ron Frazier
770-205-9422 (O) Leave a message.
linuxdude AT techstarship.com
</pre>
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