Where has your programming language been today?
Monday, January 19, 2004
On page 16 of the
Fall 2003 issue of conduit! (the newsletter of the CS
Department at Brown University), there is a humorous account of the
efforts that
Shriram Krishnamurthi had to go through to get a US export
authorization (don't ask!!) for
DrScheme so that an astronaut could use it during his free
time in space.
Here is a brief snippet from the article (Context: Shriram is
trying to get some clarification on the exact classification of
DrScheme so that he knows what specific license he needs to apply for):
"Mustering great courage, I called the encouragingly named Outeach and Educational Services Division of the US Commerce Department. After only a few minutes, I was connected to a gruff counselor.I won't spoil things by giving any more quotes from the article. This is a MUST READ.
'Can I help you?'
'Ah, yes, I was hoping to get a quick clarification on an ECCN classification.'
(gruffer still) 'Yes?'
(deep breath) 'If I find that my product falls under License Exception TSU under part 774 of the EAR, can I assume it has the ECCN of EAR99?'
I believe I did this without inhaling.
These are the moments that test the mettle of great men. Like Major Major's father, my counselor was made of stern stuff..."
