NSA models command center after bridge of USS Enterprise, wows Congress

[jimmy olsen]

It's nice to know our congressional representatives are rationally evaluating the pros and cons of NSA proposals 

http://www.foreignpolicy.com/articles/2013/09/08/the_cowboy_of_the_nsa_keith_alexander?page=full

When he was running the Army's Intelligence and Security Command, Alexander brought many of his future allies down to Fort Belvoir for a tour of his base of operations, a facility known as the Information Dominance Center. It had been designed by a Hollywood set designer to mimic the bridge of the starship Enterprise from Star Trek, complete with chrome panels, computer stations, a huge TV monitor on the forward wall, and doors that made a "whoosh" sound when they slid open and closed. Lawmakers and other important officials took turns sitting in a leather "captain's chair" in the center of the room and watched as Alexander, a lover of science-fiction movies, showed off his data tools on the big screen.

"Everybody wanted to sit in the chair at least once to pretend he was Jean-Luc Picard," says a retired officer in charge of VIP visits.

Alexander wowed members of Congress with his eye-popping command center. And he took time to sit with them in their offices and explain the intricacies of modern technology in simple, plain-spoken language. He demonstrated a command of the subject without intimidating those who had none.

"Alexander is 10 times the political general as David Petraeus," says the former administration official, comparing the NSA director to a man who was once considered a White House contender. "He could charm the paint off a wall."

[The Minsky Moment]

a facility known as the Information Dominance Center.

CdM looks like there is work for you.

[CountDeMoney]

   The possibilities are endless.

[lustindarkness]

  The possibilities are endless.

If you apply, make sure the uniform is not a red shirt.

[CountDeMoney]

Only for Yeoman Rand.

[Ed Anger]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

[MadImmortalMan]

Wouldn't you feel kinda silly handling actual emergencies and war situations in a mock Star Trek bridge?

[Josquius]

That's one of the key things I learned as I moved into adulthood- there is no sudden change in thinking that suddenly makes everyone rational. From the highest to the lowest a little bit of coolness can get things done.

[Syt]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

I've seen it's now out on Steam for 5.99 - wasn't it  priced MUCH higher than that originally?

[grumbler]

Wouldn't you feel kinda silly handling actual emergencies and war situations in a mock Star Trek bridge?

I'd be willing to bet that, if you were to look at this place, you'd recognize that the writer was exaggerating the similarities to the Star Trek bridge because he thought it would be more interesting that the strict truth.

The CiC on an Aegis-equipped cruiser or destroyer also "mimics" the Star Trek bridge because it has the command chair in the center, and computer stations, and the big screen up front.  Those CiCs don't have the chrome because, you know, salt in the air, but even if they did I doubt people would have any problem making decisions there.

[Ed Anger]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

I've seen it's now out on Steam for 5.99 - wasn't it  priced MUCH higher than that originally?

I don't think so.   

[Syt]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

I've seen it's now out on Steam for 5.99 - wasn't it  priced MUCH higher than that originally?

I don't think so.   

http://www.wired.co.uk/news/archive/2010-11/10/artemis-spaceship-bridge-simulator

For best results, though, then you're going to want to hook up a projector to the main computer, and get a full complement of five friends to bring along their laptops. For that, you'll need the full version of the game, which costs $60 (£37.30).

[Ed Anger]

60 bucks is pocket change. Or in Matrix games vernacular "budget priced!"

[Tamas]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

I've seen it's now out on Steam for 5.99 - wasn't it  priced MUCH higher than that originally?

hmmm, can it be played over the Internet? USS Languish sounds fun...

[Grey Fox]

Hmmm. Get Artemis Bridge Simulator running on that.....

I've seen it's now out on Steam for 5.99 - wasn't it  priced MUCH higher than that originally?

hmmm, can it be played over the Internet? USS Languish sounds fun...

No, well kinda but no.

Tamas, you could get a group from your work, I'm sure there's 4 other ST nerds there.