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Duncan Waterhouse
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 98
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 Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:00 pm Post subject: Proposal: LIBRIS |
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Requirement: A ruggedised portable computer capable of resisting extremes in physical and electromagnetic environments capable of secure wireless connectivity and maximum compatibility with existing systems.
Specification:
Physical ruggedisation and resilience equivalent to MDG Durabook.
Electromagnetic hardening of electronic components to TEMPEST standard.
Solid-state memory. The increase in resilience is significant, component replacement costs is simple in the field and maintenance costs year on year will be lower given current financial trends. Recommend 500Gb Fujitsu solid state notebook drive and 2Gb RAM;
Longevity of the unit (est. 3 years with operational use, 5 years with standard business use) falls within standard HMG amortisation (which will keep the spreadsheet fraternity happy);
Authentication methods to include biometric scanner as well as logical and physical protocols equal to Twofish/WPA-PSK;
Volume and file encryption using existing software with confidence against Earth-standard hacking;
Secure Bluetooth/Firewire/802.11n connectivity.
Four-port mini-USB hub and two USB ports for additional peripherals.
Optical drive capable of CD/DVD +/-RW;
Webcam/speech-recognition package.
This specification is significantly higher than the usual Dell specification for laptops; it should be noted that these will be considerably more resilient to electromagnetic wave attack and physical interference. Components can be sourced within friendly nations for optimal protection from hard-coded hacking attempts.
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Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS.
Team: Lloyd George
More research projects than God. But not as many as Dr. Stephenson.
Proposal for Team Grey motto: "Capio me tui rector." (Take me to your leader) |
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Fenric
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 2868
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:03 pm Post subject: |
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Waterhouse,
As per my comment on one of these other memo's for standard ruggedised laptops, speak to TerraLogic which is where the army buys theirs from, they can be produces to specific requirements.
You want it to exceed MIL-STD-810F standards.
Also I'll need to know what the cost would be in order to replace the current set of laptops. Also most people use PDAs rather than laptops, you may be best also doing a spec for the PDAs in the same detail under the same banner.
Brigadier Sir Alexander Kincaid
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Duncan Waterhouse
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:46 pm Post subject: |
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Brigadier,
The specification and price for this device will be about double the price of your typical high-end Dell even going through MOD/OGC procurement channels.
However, the maintenance costs will be dramatically lower (over a three year accounting cycle, expect no problems) and initial deployment would be significantly easier than the 10% failure rate that I'd expect from a Dell implementation. What you spend now, you save later.
It also offers market advantage to TerraLogic if they go into large-scale production as the device meets a number of criteria for high-spec ruggedised laptops with industrial applications (emergency services) as well as travelling sales execs in need of testosterone.
This would be before any additional modifications we deem appropriate for offworld operations forthcoming in future memoranda.
Arranging MIL-STD-810 testing of the devices will be relatively simple and registered with NIST/GCHQ; I can negotiate terms with Qinetiq and if they are unable, can become the IT auditor for the UKGC if required; I have some experience in this being a CLAS-accredited auditor in pre-UKGC life.
Regards,
Dr. Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS
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Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS.
Team: Lloyd George
More research projects than God. But not as many as Dr. Stephenson.
Proposal for Team Grey motto: "Capio me tui rector." (Take me to your leader) |
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Fenric
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 2868
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:53 pm Post subject: |
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Waterhouse,
I've spent a week in London, and the SINGLE LARGEST consumable expense (which ironically is normally toner cartridges for printers) is actually computers for the financial year 2007/2008.
I had to explain how in one weekend we blew up NINE of the things.
If you can keep a tabs on the expenditure, speak to Geoffrey Manning who is looking at expenses. That would be of great help.
And saves me reinstalling iTunes, i hate it when I have to do that
Kincaid
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Duncan Waterhouse
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 1:56 pm Post subject: LIBRIS PDAs |
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I would suggest the TerraLogic ToughNote DA05 with Linux installation and the aforementioned Twofish encryption used in the LIBRIS specification with appropriate configuration. Meets all our requirements except hard-drive which we can easily duplicate with a solid-state external drive if needed.
Prices here are ironically more reasonable compared with the high-end specification (the flash memory hard drives come as standard with these).
_________________
Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS.
Team: Lloyd George
More research projects than God. But not as many as Dr. Stephenson.
Proposal for Team Grey motto: "Capio me tui rector." (Take me to your leader) |
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Fenric
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 2868
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:03 pm Post subject: |
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Waterhouse,
Two questions :
1. Does iTunes come on Linux
2. I'd rather go for a higher spend if it means I don't have to buy a new one every time you or lucky discover a new AI to play with
Kincaid
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Duncan Waterhouse
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Tue Apr 22, 2008 2:21 pm Post subject: |
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1. Kind of. http://www.ipodhacks.com/article.php?sid=1000 but why would you want your musical tastes recorded by Cupertino is beyond me...
2. I would have thought you'd have received a commendation for so few laptops/PDAs being damaged legitimately given current MOD figures on loss of laptops Brigadier. Clearly Whitehall doesn't know a good thing when it has one... as for the AIs, the next few memos may offer some hope...
DW.
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Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS.
Team: Lloyd George
More research projects than God. But not as many as Dr. Stephenson.
Proposal for Team Grey motto: "Capio me tui rector." (Take me to your leader) |
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Fenric
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 2868
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| Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 5:55 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Mister Waterhouse,
After the recent financial meeting, can you purchase two of these as test items to analyse whether we would wish to move to them. I would expect to see a full report to justify the increased cost (and I don't think the Brigadier's iTunes library should be mentioned), even with the lower maintenance.
As per your last communication to the Brigadier, I believe the discussion around "lost MoD laptops" was rather a sore point he doesn't wish to discuss.
Please use Purchase Order Number 87123-SV17
Mr S. Vandermaar
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Duncan Waterhouse
Joined: 25 Oct 2007
Posts: 98
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| Posted: Sat Jun 07, 2008 3:27 pm Post subject: 87123-SV17 |
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To: Mr. Stockton Vandermaar.
Requesting Officer: Dr. Duncan Waterhouse, UKGC Research.
Subject: LIBRIS evaluation.
Mr Vandermaar,
Enclosed is the basic outline of the systems and their evaluation products. As may be evident, some of the equipment has additional capabilities not originally planned for in the LIBRIS specification that are relevant to the UKGC (e.g. installation of CheyTac sniper software on the PDA).
As per OGCbuyingsolutions specification I have noted evaluation systems and where there is a chance of suppliers gaining market advantage should adoption be taken up.
Also enclosed is a report which explains the significant price tag. This hardware is non-standard and represents innovation on existing military technology. It will enable UKGC personnel to perform their functions in IT-hostile environments and provide additional options to personnel in the field.
Ironically, software costs have been driven down by selection of open-source software; while this may appear to fly in the face of OGC/HMG preference, there is precedence for doing so provided by MOD.
The specification also enables them to work in the field longer, with increased communications security and in a more environmentally-mindful manner than with existing equipment.
If you have queries on any aspect of this purchase order, please don’t hesitate to contact me.
Regards,
Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, CISSP, FBCS.
http://mcnazgul.pbwiki.com/f/LIBRIS.pdf
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Duncan Waterhouse Ph.D, MA, CISSP, FBCS.
Team: Lloyd George
More research projects than God. But not as many as Dr. Stephenson.
Proposal for Team Grey motto: "Capio me tui rector." (Take me to your leader) |
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Fenric
Joined: 14 Apr 2007
Posts: 2868
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| Posted: Sun Jun 08, 2008 11:06 pm Post subject: |
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Dear Mr. Waterhouse,
The purchase order looks fine, and I'll make sure it goes through the system correctly. I think the "10+ years" operational life may be a little optomistic though going by what I've seen
Yours
Stockton Vandermaar
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