Hairyloon Posted May 14, 2017 Share Posted May 14, 2017 Have we discussed here already why we pay for Windows and are beholden to Microsoft when we could use Linux for free and be beholden to nobody? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
L00b Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Have we discussed here already why we pay for Windows and are beholden to Microsoft when we could use Linux for free and be beholden to nobody?To an extent. Like it or loathe it, much of the professional healthcare software developed over the last 30-odd years has been developed for a Windows environment, which has been the universal default OS for as long. Embedded Windows (borne from WindowsCE) has long been a standard in the healthcare field (and is no better shielded than XP, if you will recall Stuxnet), e.g. long before the iPad/tablet format took off, 486- and Pentium-based tablet PCs were invented for the healthcare market, with the earliest versions running off Windows CE. Nothing to prevent the (wider) use of Linux/Unix for infrastructural, backend and network management, other than hoisting oneself to the complete mercy of in-house and contracted developer expertise. It's a choice. But your MRI, X-ray, ward/theatre management, <etc.> -driving software (and drivers, APIs, <etc.>) are most likely just about all Windows native, wherein you can either keep (and belt and brace) Windows as a frontline OS, or dump it and re-start from scratch (coding, drivers developing, testing, training <...>), with inevitable healthcare consequences for those patients left in hiatus by the decision and whilst the replacement goes on. You might as well ask why are we beholden to diesel and petrol producers when we could all be driving electric cars Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
alchresearch Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 NHS upgrade could also be accomplished by individuals or large companies donating old systems when they upgrade. NHS needs a good system, that doesn't necessarily have to all be the latest newest supercomputers but they do need to be maintained and its safety supervised by qualified staff. Its not the hardware that's the problem - the usual computer refresh is two to three years - I know because I buy ex-NHS Dell and HP computers with the third year warranty still often on them! The issue is probably more to do with the licensing cost of purchasing a newer version of Windows and the software that runs on it not being compatible. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hobinfoot Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 The only ones to blame are the hackers. It should never be politicised. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TORONTONY Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 The only ones to blame are the hackers. It should never be politicised. Just read where a 22 year old lad from Devon has got rid of the ransomware virus, worldwide. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Just read where a 22 year old lad from Devon has got rid of the ransomware virus, worldwide. Except he hasn't. It's still active and running about...... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TORONTONY Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Except he hasn't. It's still active and running about...... He did say it could be back today and that he is still working on eliminating it permanently, but he did get rid of it initially. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Obelix Posted May 15, 2017 Share Posted May 15, 2017 Not as far as I can see. A website was registered and that stopped it spreading further but inside of closed systems that made no difference and it certainly didn't get rid of the already infected systems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the_bloke Posted May 16, 2017 Share Posted May 16, 2017 Being reported that NHS Digital sent a patch to all NHS Trusts last month. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikes10 Posted May 16, 2017 Author Share Posted May 16, 2017 WannaCry ransomware cyber-attack 'may have N Korea link' http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-39931635 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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