Re: [tlug] Re: exotic foods (Was: crashing mail)

[Stuart Bouyer <stuart_bouyer@example.com>]

On Wed, 22 Jan 2003 12:01:44 +0700
"Jonathan Q" <jq@example.com> wrote:

> Helicopter hunting
> would probably be pretty effective, if a bit expensive.

Not according to this story - This just arrived in my inbox with the
TLUG kangaroo thread - coincidence or not???

As virtual reality simulators assume larger roles in helicopter combat
training, computer programmers have gone to great lengths to increase
the realism of their scenarios. In Australia, this included adding herds
of kangaroos onto the computer screen, since kangaroos distrubed by the
noise of the helicoptor might give away a its position. Recently, the
Australian army instructed a group of computer programmers to do exactly
that - add kangaroos movements and reactions to helicoptors into their
computer training program for helicoptor pilots.

Being efficient programmers, they simply reused some older code
originally used to model the reactions of infantry men under the same
conditions. They simply changed the icon on the screen from a soldier to
a kangaroo, then increased the parameters for speed and movement.

Eager to demonstrate their flying skills for some visiting American
pilots, the hotshot Aussie helicopter pilots ¡Èbuzzed¡É the virtual
kangaroos in a low flight during a simulation. As predicted, the
kangaroos scattered, and the visiting American nodded appreciatively ¡Ä
and then did a double-take as the kangaroos reappeared from behind a
hill and launched a barrage of Stinger misseles at the helpless
helicoptor! Apparently the programmers had forgotten to remove THAT part
of the original infantry coding!

The visiting American left with a newfound respect for Australian
wildlife. As virtual reality simulators assume larger roles in
helicopter combat training, computer programmers have gone to great
lengths to increase the realism of their scenarios. In Australia, this
included adding herds of kangaroos onto the computer screen, since
kangaroos distrubed by the noise of the helicoptor might give away a its
position. Recently, the Australian army instructed a group of computer
programmers to do exactly that - add kangaroos movements and reactions
to helicoptors into their computer training program for helicoptor
pilots.

Being efficient programmers, they simply reused some older code
originally used to model the reactions of infantry men under the same
conditions. They simply changed the icon on the screen from a soldier to
a kangaroo, then increased the parameters for speed and movement.

Eager to demonstrate their flying skills for some visiting American
pilots, the hotshot Aussie helicopter pilots ¡Èbuzzed¡É the virtual
kangaroos in a low flight during a simulation. As predicted, the
kangaroos scattered, and the visiting American nodded appreciatively ¡Ä
and then did a double-take as the kangaroos reappeared from behind a
hill and launched a barrage of Stinger misseles at the helpless
helicoptor! Apparently the programmers had forgotten to remove THAT part
of the original infantry coding!

The visiting American left with a newfound respect for Australian
wildlife.
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