@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

number6

@[email protected]

For those of you born before the beginning of real time (1 January 1970), the avatar is a reference to a TV series about a man trapped on a beautiful Mediterranean island with nothing to eat or drink except gourmet food and fine wine. All while being surrounded by beautiful women. Oh the humanity!

Interests include #Tiddlywiki, #dutch , #duolingo (3000 day streak), gardening, and random things.

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georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

It couldn't hurt 🕺🏻

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

If you get really, really sick, they'll fit again.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Green tea is always an option ☕️

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Have a pot of Ten Ren Jasmine Green on now.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Outdoing the dinosaurs: What we can do if we spot a threatening asteroid

Someday, an NEO will pose a threat to us. Thankfully, we have options.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/outdoing-the-dinosaurs-what-we-could-do-if-we-spot-a-threatening-asteroid/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Asteroids are very infrequent, and not always deadly. There were multiple factors that made the Cretaceous asteroid strike so deadly.

But it now appears that severe solar storms, 10x greater than the Carrington event of the 1860s, may occur every few thousand years.

There's almost nothing we could do about an asteroid (despite the article), but we could be hardening our electrical and communications system now.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

A crushing backlash to Apple’s new iPad ad

Hydraulic press destroying "symbols of creativity" has folks hopping mad.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/a-crushing-backlash-to-apples-new-ipad-ad/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

We seem to have left the information age and entered the whine-about-anything age.

Personally, I think they crushed it.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Robot dogs armed with AI-targeting rifles undergo US Marines Special Ops evaluation

Quadrupeds being reviewed have automatic targeting systems but require human oversight to fire.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/05/robot-dogs-armed-with-ai-targeting-rifles-undergo-us-marines-special-ops-evaluation/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Has the military made a breakthrough in battery technology?

Because otherwise I can't imagine that those critters can run around for more than 20 to 30 minutes without a recharge.

So the opposing tactic would be to lure the dogs outside of their limited range, keep them busy until they drop, and then capture and reprogram them.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

You should try parallel parking the Enterprise...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Gosh. Just when you think you've seen all the episodes ...

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Quick, someone call the Avengerzzzzz 😴

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Just be sure to use your power for good.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

We still don’t understand how one human apparently got bird flu from a cow

A genetic analysis and case report reveal new insights and big gaps in our knowledge.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/05/we-still-dont-understand-how-one-human-apparently-got-bird-flu-from-a-cow/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Rather than the rare cow-to-human jump, shouldn't they be looking at the more common cow-to-cow jump?

Maybe if the cows weren't being housed in factory farm conditions the virus would stop being able to spread.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

AI in space: Karpathy suggests AI chatbots as interstellar messengers to alien civilizations

Andrej Karpathy muses about sending a LLM binary that could "wake up" and answer questions.

https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/05/ai-in-space-karpathy-suggests-ai-chatbots-as-interstellar-messengers-to-alien-civilizations/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

People may laugh, but if we're going to explore other systems, we're going to have to do it vicariously through our AI avatars.

Space is too big, and humans are too short-lived, heavy, and fragile.

georgetakei , to Random
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It's worth a shot!

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

I've already tricked it into thinking it's a dinner table.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Agreed.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Is two years of Sesame street enough to balance the following decade with violent video games?

Bugs Bunny doesn't depict real violence, but many video games do.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

That's an awkward conversation...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

If he's using the same computer you do, then the ads are aimed at you.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

“AM radio is a lifeline,” lawmakers say; tech and auto industries disagree

A recent test of the emergency alert system found only 1 percent got it via AM.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/05/am-radio-is-a-lifeline-lawmakers-say-tech-and-auto-industries-disagree/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

"Requiring the installation of analog AM radios in automobiles is an unnecessary action that would impact EV range, efficiency and affordability at a critical moment of accelerating adoption,"

Really? Adding in this tiny bit of 1920s tech will effect EV range?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

ChatGPT shows better moral judgement than a college undergrad

Take the "Moral Turing Test" yourself to see whether you'd trust "artificial" moral advice.

https://arstechnica.com/ai/2024/05/chatgpt-shows-better-moral-judgement-than-a-college-undergrad/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I got 8/10 right!

In general, the Chat answers use more multi-syllable words, and sounds more like it was written by a lawyer.

The Chat never refers to itself in the first person.

The only case where the human and the Chat differed much was the scenario with the stolen credit card. The human response acknowledged that the perpetrator might also be suffering.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Change Healthcare hacked through stolen password for account with no MFA

Ransomware attack on the $371 billion company hamstrung US prescription market.

https://arstechnica.com/security/2024/04/change-healthcare-hacked-through-stolen-password-for-account-with-no-mfa/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I interpret this to mean that the remote desktop software, that was probably installed semi-officially to allow remote work, didn't have MFA. The fact that hackers were able to obtain the password suggests that this was an ad-hoc arrangment.

It is troubling is that they could leverage one account to gain access to the rest of the system. It seems like the IT people aren't following the same rules (long complicated passwords) that the rest of us are expected to.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

“Concerning” spread of bird flu from cows to cats suspected in Texas

Mammal-to-mammal transmission raises new concerns about the virus's ability to spread.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/04/concerning-spread-of-bird-flu-from-cows-to-cats-suspected-in-texas/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Maybe the fact that adult cats are lactose intolerant makes them more susceptible to the take-up of H5N1.

Yes, cats will drink milk. But that doesn't mean that it's good for them.

That would also hold out hope for those people who we know will stubbornly insist on drinking raw milk.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

That's a felony right there.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

A hotdog is an argument for veganism in a bun.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

What say you, cat owners, is this relatable?

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Plot twist: This is one weird trick to save money on water bills.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Whatever works...

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

"Sure, no problem. Say, is that a payment you've missed?"

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Microsoft and IBM release source code for one of the weirdest versions of MS-DOS

DOS 4.00 was supposed to add multitasking to the OS, but it was not to be.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/microsoft-and-ibm-release-source-code-for-one-of-the-weirdest-versions-of-ms-dos/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

I'm pretty sure there was a task-switcher app for DOS . Maybe 5 or 6?

It allowed you to quickly switch between running apps, And since the typical screen size was small, this made more sense than floating little windows. At least to some people.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

SpaceX has now landed more boosters than most other rockets ever launch

Can the Falcon 9 eventually challenge Soyuz for launch totals?

https://arstechnica.com/space/2024/04/spacex-has-now-landed-more-boosters-than-most-other-rockets-ever-launch/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Do we know whether the recyclable rocket is actually economically superior yet?

Past studies have suggested that the cost of recovering and refurbishing rockets exceeded the cost of just building new ones. Of course, they weren't imagining the rockets coming back to a designated re-entry area.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

I can assure you, that instinct never goes away 😂

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

You can never be too careful:

"Absence of evidence is not evidence of absence"

arstechnica , to Random
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Cops can force suspect to unlock phone with thumbprint, US court rules

Ruling: Thumbprint scan is like a "blood draw or fingerprint taken at booking."

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/cops-can-force-suspect-to-unlock-phone-with-thumbprint-us-court-rules/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

This is kind of click-baity, the way it obscures the facts.

This wasn't just some average Joe being forced to hand over his data.

You have to scroll down to the bottom to understand that the defendant had already surrendered his rights as part of his parole. He was required to "surrender any electronic device and provide a pass key or code, but not requiring him to provide a biometric identifier to unlock the device,"

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

The largest marine reptile ever could match blue whales in size

Bones from the head of a reptile suggest a body that was well over 20 meters long.

https://arstechnica.com/science/2024/04/the-largest-marine-reptile-ever-could-match-blue-whales-in-size/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

The first ichthyosaur, BTW, was discovered by 12 year old Mary Anning in 1811.

https://www.nhm.ac.uk/discover/mary-anning-unsung-hero.html.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

So much for free speech on X; Musk confirms new users must soon pay to post

The fee, likely $1, is aimed at stopping “relentless” bots, Musk said.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/04/so-much-for-free-speech-on-x-musk-confirms-new-users-must-soon-pay-to-post/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Musk is right. Anonymity is abused constantly by spammers, trollers, and bots.

The main way we having of prove identification without submitting an actual state-issued ID is with a debit or credit card.

If you read the article, the fee is only for new accounts for the ability to post. If you just listen for 3 months, then you can post without the fee. This seems like a reasonable compromise.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

New fear unlocked.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Word order with this one strong is.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

An important reminder.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

Oh sure, if you want to do it the easy way.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

And there you have it. The debate is settled.

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

My theory is that people who are closer to their rural roots tend to put the paper down the back.

When TP was invented in the 1890s, people in the outback were mostly using outhouses. Those sheds are small. If you put the roll with the paper on the outside, you will have paper in your lap. So instead you put it so that the paper goes down the side of the wall.

When those homes later installed inside flush toilets, people kept their old habits, running the paper along the wall.

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

Fairbuds take the Fairphone’s repairability down to seemingly impossible size

Swap the batteries, tips, charging case, shell, or even just individual buds.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/04/fairbuds-take-the-fairphones-repairability-down-to-seemingly-impossible-size/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

Is repairability the issue, when they're probably just going to fall out of your ear somewhere?

arstechnica , to Random
@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar

The 2024 “Modern Manners” book now includes EV charging etiquette

Be polite, plan ahead, don't jump the line, and other charging tips to ensure harmony.

https://arstechnica.com/cars/2024/04/the-2024-modern-manners-book-now-includes-ev-charging-etiquette/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@arstechnica

The people that need etiquette guides aren't the kind of people who read them.

georgetakei , to Random
@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar

Stardate 35642.UGH

number6 ,
@number6@fosstodon.org avatar

@georgetakei

You think you have it bad? Pity the poor guy that has to listen to all of those.

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