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PATH system and databases!

Over the weekend I was in Jersey City and was using the PATH trains to travel. The information display monitors in the stations had a familiar background instead of the usual PATH information! – Windows desktop background complete with usual desktop icons!

It looked like the slide show application could not connect to the database for some reason. I tried reading the error message and looked like they were using MS SQL Server as their database back end.

I thought this incident was interesting because –
1) The error in the system gave away pieces of information never meant to be given out! And for a trained person that one piece of information is all that is need to break into the system.

2) It looks like most of the dumb looking TV/monitor displays are actually computers in disguise.

I am waiting to see the fabled blue screen of death on a airport display!

Discussion

2 Responses to “PATH system and databases!”

  1. did you know most of the atm machines run windows too:)

    Posted by gromhellscream | November 20, 2007, 10:39 am
  2. Jersey, eh? Time for a phone call, me thinks.

    I am waiting to see the fabled blue screen of death on a airport display!

    Err…you’d probably rather not. Unless you really love sitting inside airports.

    Posted by nvivek | November 21, 2007, 10:47 am

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