2016 archive
Depart in Style 0
“That Does Not Compute” 0
At Psychology Today Blogs, Bobby Azarian suggests that AI is nothing more than an uber geek’s pipe dream. A snippet:
Feynman described the computer as “A glorified, high-class, very fast but stupid filing system,” managed by an infinitely stupid file clerk (the central processing unit) who blindly follows instructions (the software program).
If you dream of–or fear–the singularity, follow the link and read it, all the while remembering that “fast” and “smart” are not the same thing.
Facebook Frolics 0
After 30 years of internet and two decades of Fox News, persons still haven’t figured out that, even though they saw it on a screen in glorious electrons, it ain’t necessarily so.
Nothing To Do, Nowhere To Go 0
A little better.
(snip)
The four-week average of claims, a less-volatile measure than the weekly figure, decreased to 276,750 from 278,500 in the prior week. Filings have been below 300,000 for 65 consecutive weeks — the longest stretch since 1973 and a level economists say is typically consistent with a healthy labor market.
The number of people continuing to receive jobless benefits increased by 12,000 to 2.17 million in the week ended May 21.
“An Armed Society Is a Polite Society” 0
Be polite to your delusions.
“Local police had previously responded several times to 911 calls in previous months to the house for reports of intruders in the attic, in the basement and other parts of the house,” the district attorney’s office said in a news release. “Police investigation revealed that both were under the influence of methamphetamine during these incidences and the cause of their delusional behavior.”
If the delusions had been packin’, they could have protected themselves.
Ryan’s Derp 0
Paul Ryan bids, “One No Trump.”
Bloatware 0
If you have ever bought a computer with Windows preinstalled, you will have seen that it included lots of stuff that is not part of Windows: optical disk burning programs, firewalls, anti-virus programs, stuff included on a “free trial basis.” (If you ever installed Windows clean from installation media, it’s surprisingly sparse compared to the typical commercial consumer-grade install.)
Computer manufactures do not put this junk on their computers just to irritate customers (Windows can do that quite nicely without any assistance, thank you). The manufacturers of the bloatware pay them to do it.
El Reg reports that one of the side effects of this bloatware is extra added bonus security vulnerabilities over and above those inherent in using Windows.
The research from Duo Security shows that bloatware is not just a nuisance that causes a lag in system boot-up, but a security risk. Laptops from Acer, Asus, Dell, HP and Lenovo all have at least one security vulnerability that can lead to a full system compromise. Most of the vulnerabilities would be straightforward to exploit even for technically unsophisticated hackers, according to Duo Security.
If you use Windows, follow the link for more.
Why Am I Not Surpised? 0
Documents indicate that Trump University made the Popeil Ronco Pocket Fisherman look like a good investment.
Afterthought:
My heavens, there still seem to be marks willing to buy the Popeil Ronco Pocket Fisherman.
I used to have a friend who was an avid fly fisherman. He tied his own flies. Indeed, he was so skilled at tying flies that he had a little side business tying flies for other persons, including a number of local celebrities. I think–it was a long time ago–he once tied some flies for Charles Kuralt.
If I wanted to wind him up, all I needed to do was mention the Popeil Ronco Pocket Fisherman . . . .
Make TWUUG Your LUG 0
Learn about the wonderful world of free and open source. Use computers to do what you want, not what someone else wants you to do.
It’s not hard; it’s just different.
What: Monthly TWUUG Meeting.
Who: Everyone in TideWater/Hampton Roads with interest in any/all flavors of Unix/Linux. There are no dues or signup requirements. All are welcome.
Where: Lake Taylor Transitional Care Hospital in Norfolk Training Room. See directions below. (Wireless and wired internet connection available.) Turn right upon entering, then left at the last corridor and look for the open meeting room.
When: 7:30 PM till whenever (usually 9:30ish) on Thursday, June 2.
Directions:
Lake Taylor Hospital
1309 Kempsville Road
Norfolk, Va. 23502 (Map)
Pre-Meeting Dinner at 6:00 PM (separate checks)
Uno Chicago Grill
Virginia Beach Blvd. & Military Highway (JANAF Shopping Center). (Map)
Join the forums.
Bad for Business, Too 2
At MarketWatch, M. I. T. Professor Simon Johnson considers the three main components of Donald Trump’s popular appeal and finds them all disturbing and–here’s why this article was carried on MarketWatch–economically destructive. Here’s a bit of what he says about one: the anti-immigrant position:
This is a recipe for a police state — checking identities, raiding people’s houses, and encouraging neighbors to inform on one another. It is also fundamentally anti-American, in the sense of undermining everything that the country has achieved. The U.S. is a nation of immigrants — the best in the world at integrating new arrivals. After one generation in the country, no one cares where your family came from.
Trump — and those who bring him to power — would throw all of this out of the window. The associated social disruption would by itself cause not just an economic slowdown, but a sustained decline in GDP and incomes.
Trump is repugnant on many levels, including an economic one.
Your Military-Industrial Complex at Work 0
Read the tale of “Fat Leonard.” Here’s just a tiny bit:
He exploited the intelligence for illicit profit, brazenly ordering his moles to redirect aircraft carriers to ports he controlled in Southeast Asia so he could more easily bilk the Navy for fuel, tugboats, barges, food, water and sewage removal.
Over at least a decade, according to documents filed by prosecutors, Glenn Defense ripped off the Navy with little fear of getting caught because Francis had so thoroughly infiltrated the ranks.
The company forged invoices, falsified quotes and ran kickback schemes. It created ghost subcontractors and fake port authorities to fool the Navy into paying for services it never received.
Francis and his firm have admitted to defrauding the Navy of $35 million, though investigators believe the real amount could be much greater.