Posts by Roland6 10748 publicly visible posts • joined 23 Apr 2010
>To be fair, that's exactly the dilemma most home users would be in even taking Linux out of the equation and just having the choice between Mac and Windows. What to do?
I suspect if the price wasn't a major factor they would pick Mac because of its reported reputation. However, factor in price... It's why there are so many poorly specified Windows laptops and desktops occupying high street shelf space.
>On the subject of e-gates, Portugal allows UK passport holders to enter using e-gates so there is no reason, except punishment, for not to allow UK passport holders to use e-gates to enter France, Germany etc.
Obviously wasn't paying attention!
The UK had a choice it could have negotiated with the EU about borders and movement of people as part of the Withdrawal Agreement or, as it did do wait until I had left the EU and then negotiate such matters with each individual EU member... So I suggest you address your gripe not to "the EU" but those in Westminster who negotiated the UK's withdrawal.
>"If signed into law, this regulation would likely require service providers to use AI to read entire text messages to figure out if a user is "grooming" children for sexual abuse" Matthew Green, a cryptography professor at Johns Hopkins University
I think he doesn't actually understand the problem, the AI just like a human would have to read several conversations to figure out if grooming might be occurring and thus further background checks need to be performed.
>The Guardian has had no problem publishing leaks that embarass politicians in the past.
Suggest you watch the 2019 film Official Secrets to appreciate how (Thatcher/Conservatives) changed the OfficialSecrets Act in the government (ie. their) favour.
We need the laws that govern the openness of government to become as entrenched as the Magna Carta - before successive governments in recent times managed to effectively do away with it.
A useful application of this tech is to enable real-time translation of sign language.
Some years back Microsoft did a demonstrator on the Xbox 360 using the then new Kinetic sensor for American sign language.
Given the performance increase in phones (particularly iPhones - which seem to be widely used by the deaf community and seem to give good results with cochlear implants), it should be possible to do.
>When staying away, I need three cables anyway...
Missed out the airpod et al charging case.
Now multiply that across a household... The device number problem is why I have several 2.4A per port 5 port USB chargers and in-car charging adaptors.
Currently can't see wireless charging being any real help in the charging of multiple devices.
>I personally believe Apple will go all in Magsafe wireless charging
I would hope that Apple would use its market position to push the magnetic USB-C and Magsafe connectors into the standard and thus avoid the costs of tooling up for a proprietary connector and a few years down to road having to change it to something invented elsewhere...
>But against USB-C? It’s tosh.
Only if you are a fan of tick lists. Lightning wins hands down on mechanical robustness and usability.
USB-C might be a common connector, but you have to read the small print to understand what protocol versions are supported by a specific system on a specific USB-C port, a individual cable supports and whether these are compatible with the peripheral you are trying to connect. Have spent too much time messing around with USB-HDMI/Displayport connectivity for HD, 4K etc. TV and cameras...
Aside: Had to recently replace my son's phone, it seems Android is going the same way, as you now have to ask whether it does/doesn't come with Google Play store access etc...
>I think that, unfortunately, VMS clustering had different goals from today's PI clusters (generally).
I was looking at the Pi hardware platform as a vehicle on which to learn about clustering. Ie. give the user a choice of OS's - plug in either a Raspbian or RaspVMS SD and away you go...
One of the challenges many of today's computing students have is gaining firsthand experience of different approaches. Looking back to the 70's~80's, it was normal for people to be exposed to multiple networking arcitectures and OS's (as evidenced by ElReg comments)- today getting exposure to anything outside of the Windows/Linux and TCP/IP networking domains is difficult.
>ICL's OSLAN...
Yes, I think that was the only one that implemented Transport Class 3, whereas everyone else implemented Class 4...
Much of the differences and interop issues were resolved by the MAP/TOP initiative, however, MAP/TOP wasn't "purist" OSI ... but it was the only OSI initiative that actually delivered anything to market.
Aside: By the time this was achieved, the rise of Unix workstations had done their work and laid cuckoo's eggs of TCP/IP across many organisations - leading to the (valid) question: why pay for a network stack when one is bundled "for free" with Unix and been using it internally for a few years to move stuff around the office LAN...
>poor quality would mean having to buy more.
I suspect part of the problem is that once you have a Logitech USB connected HD webcam, you can simply transfer it from system to system.
My Logitech Pro 3000 720HD webcam from circa 2010, is still working just fine on Windows 10; and is probably better than many current laptops' built-in webcam!
Obviously, compared to the video (and audio) quality from an iPad/iPhone (1080 HD)...
>Personally I would worry if my structures started absorbing CO2.
Carbonatation is a natural process, referred in some sources as "the sponge effect".
There are some articles reporting that the addition of small amounts of nanoscale titanium dioxide can nearly double the amount of CO2 sequestered through this process.
>So that means that the static load it can hold decreases over its lifetime.
Don't know, but would hope that someone is researching this point as it has to be a concern.
>So I have to wonder why the big deal about CO2 anyway, since I just described how and why it is at equilibrium
But (as far we know) it isn't at equilibrium, as atmospheric CO2 levels have risen significantly in recent decades. Putting to one side whether or not this is or isn't a good or bad thing, it has been deemed that rising atmospheric CO2 levels are bad and things that emit CO2 are bad and need to be reduced.
In wanting to remove CO2, all emissions of CO2 have come under the spotlight, hence why the production of concrete has received attention. However, it would seem we are only beginning to appreciate the different CO2 cycles, so whilst the production of cement does emit CO2, concrete will reabsorb roughly 30% of that amount.
So the real challenge is removing the atmospheric CO2 that is attributable to the burning of fossil fuels and putting that back underground.
>An obvious area where the Bbc is incredibly biased is the way it 'reports' on climate & energy topics. ... yet completely ignores (or lies about) the enormous cost of 'renewables' subsidies.
That's not just the BBC, not aware of the Conservatives or any news outlet really going after this one. Which is a little surprising given there was a claim made that if you took account of the hidden subsidies, wind (in the UK) is more expensive than the supposedly outrageous strike price the government agreed for Hinkley Point C...
>I suspect that after the initial hype the salaries will drift downwards
With the reduced need to physically be in the Bay area, we can expect demand for Bay area property to drop and so whilst it may remain 'expensive' it shouldn't increase at the same rate as it has in the past. Which in turn will feed into the Bay area wage weighting.
If we look at the effects of lockdown, where effectively earnt money was no longer spent in London but in the area where people lived, we can expect some degree of levelling-up; so actually paying location neutral salaries you are actually encouraging levelling up and so reduce the cost-of-living differences between locations.
Or, if the figures are to be believed(*)... There are nearly a billion users who have turned it off.
Well with MS effectively end-gaming on-premise Windows Server, it makes it easier for Azure Windows Server to become Linux-based.
WRT desktop, the release of Office for Linux will effectively announce the end-gaming of (non-Linux) MS Windows.
It is perhaps noteworthy that MS seem to not be giving much attention to Free/OpenBSD even though effectively with their Mac software development they have in-house skills.
>Remember how much ridiculousness was in XP? All those colours you could change to make it unusable - why?
Out-of-the-box XP gave users the choice of themes, just select the one you like and XP does the rest, or you could play with colours, this enabled others (ie. intelligent and aware users) to develop other themes, like those that are really useful to those with dyslexia - where one-size-fits-all doesn't apply.
I personally didn't like 95 and later because they took away the option to replace and move around the window furniture; my WfWg desktop used SunView graphics with the window furniture arranged to make things easier for left-handed use. In all versions of Windows since 95, the only concession to left-handed people has been the ability to swap the mouse buttons...
Yes, you could install TweakXP and get easy access to even more settings MS chose to bury in the registery; it seems about the only way to make Windows 11 into something usable is to install Rectify11.
I assume you also dislike all the options GPO gives for playing around with Windows and making it unusable.
>There are people [here] that have stated that they would still be using Win3.11's Program Manager if they could, for goodness sake.
Given in all versions of Windows the main interaction with the desktop is to click on an icon to open Word, Excel, Chrome etc. don't really see much difference to the user between PM and the typical W10/11 desktop.
In fact the only real difference is the windows/start button that gave a tree view of the installed applications.
Bet it wasn't just any 5/16" allen key, suspect it had to be an AF (*) allen key made out of steel alloyed with a precise quality of carbon to enhance hardness and durability, with a (design) patented bend in it...
(*) Mistakenly referred to as "American Fine", but probably appropriate in this instance.
>And you really don't need to rent or use Apple's tools. You do if you want your repair fully supported by Apple, but iFixit sells a much cheaper version of those tools.
Agree,
but haven't Apple entered into some form of agreement with iFixit?
To me its a bit like tools such as phone/RJ45 crimping tools. I only need the tools to be able to do a handful of crimps, whereas a professional installer will want tools that can do hundreds of crimps and make the job easy. Okay the price difference between these tools isn't particularly large, but the principle is the same.
Personally, with the increasing use of glues, micro latches, connectors and screws, I find it quicker to get my local repair shop to do the work, as not only do they have the full workbench of tools but also have done sufficient to be proficient at the job.
>Or less than 15k miles if you listen to independent analysis:
It's a minefield! :)
This (US focused) article appeared in my newsfeed today...
https://www.nrdc.org/stories/electric-vs-gas-it-cheaper-drive-ev
Okay it's from July 2020, so not sure why it appeared in today's newsfeed.
>Second life batteries will absolutely be a thing
For this to happen the batteries have to become inadequate for their first life usage scenario ie. used in an EV.
Given the focus is on the EV - we need to look at the life of the battery within this usage scenario, even though the battery may get reused in a second life scenario.
>To get to 80k miles you'd need to use purely coal based electricity
Or a more accurate understanding of the energy consumed in production. It is unfortunate that Mercedes seems to have not published, as yet, their full analysis and modelling.
> ISOC's role is policy and they have thought about it a lot, and lobbied (with the ITU in particular) when appropriate.
And therein lies a problem - which china are attempting to exploit, ISOC currently can only lobby the ITU, ie. it is subservient to and outside of the ITU decision making process...
Mind you, if the ITU accept China's proposal, I'm not sure how it would get implemented (ie. become part of the Internet ISOC oversee's and IETF defines).
>When you live in a Chinese city, your neighborhood has a certain status level that determines how much tax you pay. If you want to move to a nicer, higher-status neighborhood, you have to start by paying taxes at the higher rate for some period of time.
I can see the Minister for the 18th Century picking up on this, it would slow upwards mobility - must keep the proles in their place.
>Imagine how long it would take them to introduce some new ip numbering scheme?
That might be a benefit for a mature platform; no one really wants (unless it is earth-shatteringly good) a replacement to the IPv6 numbering scheme within the next 25 years or so...
@tip pc
Thanks for putting it very clearly the problem.
Fundamentally, the Internet Society/IETF has done the typically 'techie' thing and not thought sufficiently about the politics and so has left the door open for others. The Internet Society needs to cosy up to the UN and ITU and get themselves accredited as being the UN specialised agency for all things "Data communications networking" - which encapsulates the Internet and any future incarnation. Then China's approach could be simply referred to the Internet Society for consideration...
Obviously, it just needs to finesse the mechanisms by which desireable technical change can be made as per current IETF processes, yet have available the full ITU bureaucratic process for those proposals (typically from governments) that need detailed consideration such as China's proposal...
>Interplanetary networks have a totally different requirement to local networks
I assume you define "local networks" as earth-based. Remember the core Internet Protocol Suite was originally designed for use over low speed (by today's standards) WANs. It wasn't that long ago that using TCP/IP directly over satellite links was a poor use of the medium and protocols and gateways were developed that better supported this environment, yet I still communicated with some system at the other end of a (9600 baud) satellite link using its unique IPv4 address.
So don't see why Internet addressing can't allow for Interplanetary networking consistent with the unique end-to-end connectivity principles that many that complain about NAT espouse. Just don't expect to be able to use FTP et al.
Digressing, if we ever really get quantum computers then I suspect we will also have quantum networks...
>1: It IS international standards based
That is very different to Iinternational Standards based.
>2: The international TELECOMMUNICATIONS union is mostly a closed shop
Agree, however, they are not US-centric and directly subject to US law etc. The ITU whilst having many negatives have managed to largely keep the international telephone network running outside of national politics.
The main principle is whether you believe the Internet is just an extension of US imperialism or something for the world. If it is something for the world then I suggest given recent history the need is to get the responsibility and control of the Standards and operations outside of the US and into appropriate International bodies. If the IETF and Internet Society aren't prepared to take the lead then they can't object when others do.
>"Trying to have the ITU adopt New IP has earned China the ire of groups including the Internet Society and the European Telecommunications Network Operators' Association"
Makes sense for the new Internet to be International Standards-based, also for the new Internet to be governed by International (ie. non-US-HQ'd) organisations. The surprise is that the Internet Society et al aren't leading the initiative...
>"We can now offer hours instead of minutes of power to our UPS customers"
So what? I note the PR release doesn't give any real answer.
The normal is to have sufficient batteries to cover the generator startup lead-time.
Personally, as this datacenter is for academic/research usage, I see little point in having more capacity than is strictly necessary to cover minor supply fluxations and interruptions and can support a controlled shutdown for anything longer-lasting.
So I think this announcement is simply putting a positive spin on having to do something to comply with green legislation. I suspect also the new in-rack batteries can supply DC rather than AC that has to be rectified and thus resulting in shorter run time for a given UPS KVA.
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