This purpose of this assignment is to get you started learning about some of the risks of large computer systems.

You must find a real-life example of a software system that failed. You may want to start researching this by looking at some of the links on the class home page - especially by looking at some back issues of comp.risks. You must describe what the system was supposed to do and how it failed. You should describe the impact of the failure, including impact on users, developers, the public, etc. Finally, give your estimation of how the failure might have been avoided in the first place. Include in your write-up links to all descriptions of the failure that you can find. Your write-up should be the equivalent of approximately 2 typed pages.

You must write this document in HTML, and put the paper on your home page. On Tuesday, Sept. 22nd, you must give the URL of your write-up to your partner (to be assigned in class). They will have 24 hours to give you 1-2 paragraph feedback about your write-up. Then, you will have 48 hours to revise your document, and submit the final version on Friday, Sept. 25th.

When you give feedback to your partner, make sure you give constructive feedback. Criticism is fine as long as it is honest, and intended to make the work better. Don't forget to point out what you like about the paper as well as what you don't. You should feel free to give feedback at all levels, including detailed writing style, and structural comments.

You must turn in your project in the following way:

• You must make a personal web page that has a link to your revised document, and then email the URL to the TA at mailto:sbw@cs.umd.edu with a subject line of "CMSC435 Homework 2".

If it is not turned in by Friday at class time (2pm), it will be considered late. On the course home page, we will make links to all of your write-ups so you can see what your fellow-students created.