> I can change my tires and wipers and oil, thats like changing my
> soundcard, and hard drive, however, for the internals, like
> the O/S, or the engine, thats something for the pros. I neither have the
> tools, or the knowledge, and thanks to Mazda/Microsoft, I don't have
> the source code to their engine.
Interesting thing with the car analogy, is that some people are starting to hack car computers. I used to worked alongside of a guy who downloaded a disassembler for the ROM used in his Nissin Skyline. Strange to see a programmer tweaking the maps for his car over lunch...
Strangely Nissin etc don't release the source to the engine management systems (probably saving a few blown engines I guess), but its probably not too long before you will be able to modify your car performance via a GUI. Reading an article on the 2000 Triumph 955i, you can already plug in a hand-held & drop performance/emissions to meet (Californian) vehicle checks & restore settings for normal warp factor performance right afterwards.
TGIF
Grant
