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Post by JIM on May 16, 2021 11:58:26 GMT -6
From a command center at Schriever Air Force Base, about 10 miles outside Colorado Springs, Colo., seven 20-something airmen are responsible for safeguarding global financial markets, international commerce, the US power grid, all telecommunications, and ensuring that Uber drivers everywhere can find even the most out-of-the-way restaurants. The highly trained military personnel with Air Force Space Command protect the 31 satellites the US relies on to provide access to terrestrial navigation. Their office is the control center for the Global Positioning System (GPS) that some 4 billion people around the world use daily, making it possibly the largest humanitarian service provided by any one nation. www.csmonitor.com/World/Passcode/2016/0510/Why-GPS-is-more-vulnerable-than-ever
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Post by JIM on May 16, 2021 12:03:10 GMT -6
In only took thirteen millionths of a second to cause a whole lot of problems. Last January, as the U.S. Air Force was taking one satellite in the country’s constellation of GPS satellites offline, an incorrect time was accidentally uploaded to several others, making them out of sync by less time than it takes for the sound of a gunshot to leave the chamber. www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2016/06/what-happens-if-gps-fails/486824/
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Post by kelabar on May 16, 2021 19:23:35 GMT -6
I like my GPS. It is a handy clock and can give rough ETAs to destinations. The search feature isn't all that useful though in my experience. For fun, sometimes I put it on 'Shortest Route'. This can give interesting results. One time it wanted me to drive down a road which didn't seem to exist, or the road was under all those trees and scrub, not sure!! I went a different way . But I only ever use it as an aid or convenience. There is always a paper map available when I go somewhere new. I really like paper maps and have lots of them. Even tourist maps are good. If you have a map, you are never lost, you are somewhere on that map. This can really help in remote areas.
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Post by JIM on May 17, 2021 6:15:34 GMT -6
I agree. my mom and me were heading back home from primary shopping one day. I switched my gps to shortest route. it took us down some back roads.as far as maps go. I wonder how many people can read a map. or use a compass.
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