OT Don't read this (was Re: Altair MBL source)

I guess nobody in DC watches Classic Star Trek and installed "manual over rides". Funny in WWI & WWII warships worked well with out puters but then they had 'sound powered phones" for commication on ship -- no electricty needed -- just wire between phones. Many years ago the husband of my wife's friend- who is an officer on a naval destoyer- was in a local port , and invited me on board - I was working there at the time - as part of a pr exercise in the locality. After the meal and g&t's I was given a tour of the ship -including the missile bay . Everything was hard wired and relay based - partly a distrust of software but mostly as protection against emp. Before we went in he said " If the fire alarm - or any alarm - goes off , hold your breath and bugger off out" - it wasn't a big space . Apparently the whole area gets flooded with halon ( sp?) to quickly absorb any oxygen Geoff.