I dont want join the ranks of conspiracy theorists, but i must point out the coincidence that this minor digital "spanking" occurred exactly at the same time the NYSE members (folks whom own seats on the exchange) filed suit to block NYSE's proposed merger with electronic trading firm Archipelago Holdings Inc., saying the deal is unfair to exchange members.
The members feel the old "manual" way of doing trades (where they get a cut of every transaction) is best and that they dont need the electronic trading. --- In fact one of their contentions is that the online system is not foolproof and prone to being compromised or disrupted by terrorists etc. ...and get this -- that they are the only ones -- in face to face trading -- that can give a "fair" transaction