🚀 go-pugleaf

In article <13650003@hp-and.HP.COM> panek@hp-and.HP.COM (Jon Panek) writes:
>In <8505.27b915d3@jetson.uh.edu>, Larry Liska writes
>> The recent postings about light-induced bit changes has given me pause. 
>>... I have been using file folder adhesive labels to cover EPROM windows.
>> are all labels equal, or are there reasons not to continue using thin, 
>...  These paper-based labels have proven completely reliable...
>...these EPROMs are inside closed instruments,
>Moral:  if your parts are lying on a bench, exposed to flourescent lights,
>  etc, just let your random papers, databooks, schematics, manuals and
>  sandwich wrappers cover them up.  That works pretty well, too.

I've been following this rambling discussion from a distance. I too have heard
the stories about trade show 'zaps' and don't doubt it's possibility.  I do
doubt (somehow) the 'reality' of the posts in regards to people who have 
claims to light power and frequency exposure measurements, as a 'hobby'
experiment.  The story I'll regale is quite the opposite.
I changed dept's at my current employer 5 years ago.  For 1 setup, they
have a programmable experimental logic 'trainer' (a little microprocessor
setup with software & i/o capabilities) used to teach by example real world
analog and digital i/o and programming as it might be used for typical
engineering control problems (tanks level control, automated machine control,
conveyer system control...).  This little thing sits on top of a bench and
has all of it's cirtuitry exposed for further educational reasons.  The
bios software is contained in 4 16Kx1 (2716) roms.  At that time, this
thing was 4 years old. I was mortified to see that NONE of the roms have ANY
covers on them at all for even further 'educationa emphasis'.  This box
is in a low ceiling room, with typical fluorscent lights that remain on 24
hours a day, 7 days a week, 52 weeks a year.  These roms have been exposed to 
this for a total of 9 years now, and none of them have had a single problem.
I'll open my door if anybody wishes to make a independant 'site inspection'
because I don't believe it either, and I see it every day.  Besides that,
once a year the lab and equipment is used as photographic props for publication
materials, and they do use flashes and reflectors....
I also will quickly add that when I program a chip, I NEVER leave it exposed
like that (unless instructed to).  I find it hard to believe that ANY rom 
that is put in a finished product would EVER have a reasonable expectancy to
get enough uv light to cause problems.
al

-- 
Al. Michielsen, Mechanical & Aerospace Engineering, Syracuse University
 InterNet: amichiel@rodan.acs.syr.edu  amichiel@sunrise.acs.syr.edu
 Bitnet: AMICHIEL@SUNRISE