The festive season is in full swing, and the SSL Santa has made an appearance at London Victoria train station, but not in the spirit of the holidays. The digital advertising screen, a beloved sight for many travelers, has encountered a technical glitch, leaving visitors with a less-than-festive surprise. The issue lies in an SSL library, causing the screen to display a 'Progress Bar of Lies' and a message referencing BoringSSL, Google's specialized version of OpenSSL for digital advertising. This borked update is a reminder that even the most well-loved public spaces can fall victim to technical mishaps, leaving visitors with a less-than-ideal experience. But here's where it gets controversial... Is it the fault of the screen manufacturer, or the administrator responsible for updates? And this is the part most people miss... The screen appears to be running a version of Android, and the wheels came off during an update, possibly due to an issue in the SSL library. The message also references BoringSSL, which is not intended for general use. So, what's the solution? A tired administrator might be notified that passengers are not being shown ads and resolve the problem remotely. Or, at least, rotate the screen so that tired, emotional customers do not inadvertently topple over while trying to read the text. While the Progress Bar of Lies might be on display here, it's a step up from what lies beyond, where Victoria train station has what can only be described as a Departure Board of Optimism. In the canon of UK transportation bork, SSL here means something quite different - Signals, Staff shortages, and Leaves. So, the next time you visit London Victoria, keep an eye out for the SSL Santa and his borked updates, and remember that even the most well-loved public spaces can encounter technical glitches.
