http://ask.metafilter.com/tags/machine' Questions tagged with 'machine'' at Ask MetaFilter. Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:00:45 -0800 Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:00:45 -0800 en-us http://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rss 60 http://ask.metafilter.com/44472/Are%2DATMs%2Dthe%2Dperfect%2Dmachine Do ATMs make errors? I realized the other day that after a more than 15 years of constant ATM use, I've never erroneously received too much or too little money from a cash machine. ATMs break down all the time, and they sometimes run out of money, but I've never heard of a cash machine handing out too much or too little money. My question is twofold: First, have any of you ever received an erroneous withdrawal amount from an ATM? Second, how can these machines operate with such an extremely low error rate? Every other electronic/mechanical device that I can think of -- cars, bicycles, computers, electric grids, airplanes -- break down or make critical or catastrophic errors from time to time. But the cash-dispensing functions in an ATM somehow seem to be immune. tag:ask.metafilter.com,2006:site.44472 Tue, 15 Aug 2006 12:00:45 -0800 ATM bank banking cash 'cash deposit machine' money withdrawal TBoneMcCool