Posts by NewModelArmy

Hardly anybody bought Samsung's last smartphones for AI. It hopes this year's models change that

What Is The IQ Of The 20% ?

As per the title, what is the IQ of the 20%.

Also, what will be the IQ of the 20% that use the AI slop after about a year ?

Microsoft throws spox under the bus after Parliament testimony on ICC email kerfuffle

I thought the following clarified the issue :

"It was reported in the Dutch press that Microsoft told the ICC the sanctions meant it had to deny Khan access to its services. The report said the ICC would have to end the chief prosecutor's access to the services, otherwise Microsoft would end the email services for the whole organization. The ICC then decided to suspend Kahn's email services.

The Register spoke to technology activist and former regulator of Dutch intelligence services, Bert Hubert, who was the source of the information. He confirmed it was accurately reported."

The ICC pulled the plug, under threat from Microsoft pulling the plug on everything ICC.

Either way, Microsoft cannot be trusted, and hence moving away from US tech is the only solution.

Notepad will now tell you all the ways Microsoft has enshittified it

Microsoft Recruiting Now - Professional Fuckit Uppers

I am sure others have encountered this :

A task is given to someone, and they fuck it up so badly, that never in a month of Sundays, you could never find someone paid to fuck it up as badly as someone has done it, so naturally.

Microsoft are employing all those people.

Open source's new mission: Rebuild a continent's tech stack

The point i was making is that if the US can levy sales taxes for China, then it can do so with any other country, including the UK (which is in scope for the US current response).

Since Microsoft is embedded in many UK councils, then any levy would be passed to the UK council tax payers.

The UK government has recently signed multi-billion deals with US companies.

The US has stated it will take a percentage of the revenue of sales of goods to China.

It may be happening out of sight, but somehow, the UK government seems to be very "compliant" with regards to the US behaviour, although it may say "stuff" to the contrary.

I understand that Microsoft is embedded in many UK councils, and if the US decides to levy taxes on Microsoft sales to other countries including the UK, then we are stuffed.

If the UK government keeps on mentioning the "special relationship", then it seems that it is just kicking the can down the road, hoping it will all end in some way or another.

So i personally don't expect the UK government to be frantically paddling under water as it has always been strategically, defunct.

Here in the UK it is mandated that Government documents are in the ODF "format", yet we still get documents published either in Microsoft Word or Excel format for download.

(https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/open-standards-for-government/sharing-or-collaborating-with-government-documents)

Same for other UK based organisations linked to the government.

There is no will to move from Microsoft or other US based software, and here in the UK, the Microsoft monopoly position is accepted.

The current events (as of 18/01/2026 etc.) and the need for Microsoft et al to recoup losses due to AI problems, may focus the minds of governments a lot more.

Yet, all i ever see is appeasement from the UK side, with notable exceptions from the Liberal Democrats.

You do need to be a bit of an enthusiast for open source, as even tech savvy people ask if Linux can run Windows software (perfectly), or that Linux software is not that great, or even questioning why you would run Linux as if it is a stupid thing to do (probably based on prejudice or misconception).

Moving to open source will be an uphill struggle, and i would expect that the current issues will have abated by the time the EU is determined to initiate that migration.

Bond, debt bond: Investors shaken, not stirred by Oracle’s borrowing spree sue Big Red

Yes, we are doomed.

Only today, Rachel Reeves (UK Chancellor of the Exchequer) dropped into conversation that AI will be helping in the UKs future growth.

Also of note (one i can remember) was that BT is to reduce its workforce by 55,000 with 10,000 due to AI. Doing a quick search there are at least 8 others taking this approach.

As you have said, no one wants it.

I do recall in the 1980's, before the internet, jokes were passed around on bits of paper. One was where the workers at the bottom said the new system stinks and is a crock of shit. By the time it got to the CEO, the phrase was that is it very strong and promotes growth. That sums AI up perfectly.

PC shipments set to hit the buffers as AI guzzles memory

What An Absolute Self Indulgent Mess

We have Microsoft forcing people to new machines for Windows 11, who also want to force AI onto the people, which due to the requirements means people need more memory in their PC.

We then have every man and his dog developing AI and deploying into vast data centres which also requires vast amounts of memory (and energy), for a system that has serious flaws (see poisoning issues too).

The upshot of this is that memory costs have exploded - the memory i purchased in July 2025 is now 4x more than what i paid.

What is the point of all this ?

To provide a lot of nothing (AI) that people just don't f*cking want or need.

It is both tragic and hilarious all at the same time.

Tories vow to boot under-16s off social media and ban phones in schools

Hypocrisy Abounds....

Astounding hypocrisy from the Tories who always claimed any such intervention is the "nanny" state.

The Tories also claimed it was the parents responsibility to look after their children.

From the article :

"The Conservatives say age verification systems that don't rely on government digital IDs could be used to implement the ban..."

For the Tories, they see an opportunity to use private businesses to make a bit of money for age verification. (only as long as the businesses donate to the Tory party)

If the UK government is going to force age verification upon adults, then the UK government must pay for it as a non-profit service.

UK regulators swarm X after Grok generated nudes from photos

Why Do People Still Use X - Twitter ???

If X/Twitter is full of deplorable people using the software for deplorable behaviours, why do people still use it, and why don't they migrate to Bluesky ?

I am not on any of the platforms associated with the popular online social media, so if it is that bad, just leave the platform and use something else instead.

There is a UK MP who has suggested today (08/01/2025) that the UK government stops using X/Twitter, and i am surprised that it took them so long to come to this conclusion.

Logitech macOS mouse mayhem traced to expired dev certificate

Not if they want to procreate....

Luggable datacenter: startup straps handles to server with 4 H200 GPUs

Will the AI Bubble Actually Burst ?

When is the AI bubble going to burst ?

There is so much talk of numerous data centres being built solely for AI, but we still don't have, as far as i know, the real need for the AI data centres.

It seems to be vast amounts invested, but where is the return ?

All i see are complaints about how the AI systems have been misused.

If there is a bubble which does burst, then will there be a glut of AI processors going spare ?

I looked for a USB based AI processor and there seems to be a few, notably the Coral Edge device which can be used with Python. It does seem to offer 4 TOPS (Int8), which for such a low power (watts) device is rather good (and cheap).

Maybe Nvidia or for AMD (mi325x) which offers 1.3 Peta FLOPS (FP16), can be offered in an external powered enclosure to connect to a desktop PC to provide vast computing capability locally. External is preferred so you can disconnect and turn off when not needed.

If Nvidia or AMD are reading this (snigger), you could recoup some investment by offering your unwanted AI processors in a powered external enclosure for desktop use, when your bubble bursts. (here's hoping....)

Humongous 52-inch Dell monitor will make you feel like king of the internet with four screens in one

Re: Dell UltraSharp 52 is Curved

I would disagree.

The Motorola e15 still available from Argos (UK) costs £59.99, has a 6.67inch screen with 720x1612 pixels. Hence its very high density compared to a 1080p 24inch monitor. Pixel density is not the issue.

Re: Dell UltraSharp 52 is Curved

The point i was making is that we have 16" or 15" laptops with higher resolution (UHD+ etc) than most 24inch monitors, so the eyesight issue is not really an issue.

Similar for a ultra widescreen monitor, where the resolution is still lower than an UHD+ on a laptop despite the screen space vastly greater.

Dell UltraSharp 52 is Curved

Missing from the article is that the monitor is curved.

Apple came out with retina display in 2010, and iMAC version 2014.

Yet, we are still stuck with 1080p for many monitors, at 24inches or less.

Also, curved monitors are not what i want - just a flat ultra widescreen 1440p as a minimum to replace 2 desktop monitors. The search options for flat screen only on UK websites is either non-existent, or don't actually work.

Why is it all so crap ?

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella becomes AI influencer, asks us all to move beyond slop

Re: "... where we apply our scarce energy, compute, and talent resources will matter"

I have a similar experience of AI (i assume AI).

I purchased something from the Netherlands, the cost was under the import duty tax, but still required VAT. The option to pay VAT on the package never appeared on my browser, and i am certain i do need to pay it. So i used the chat, and was not able to indicate to UPS that their systems was potentially in error. So in the end i gave up.

Microsoft Muppets

From the article :

"Amid doubts that revenue from Microsoft Copilot subscriptions and cloud AI services will compensate for data center capital expenditures any time soon, Satya has some incentive to convince customers and investors that AI is a financially intelligent long-term bet."

I had to search for this, and it seems Copilot is free in its basic form.

The writing is on the wall. No one wants the AI crap if Shatya is having doubts that people will pay for it.

Sadly. Microsoft will be required to recoup the money invested, so their monopoly position for the desktop may mean they will eventually try and monetise it for all people with a Windows PC.

UK prepares to wave goodbye to 3G telecoms as tri-hard tech retires

Re: Motorola 3B BaseStations

Given todays technology, and the prolification of SDR, would it not be possible for every 5G base station (or 4G for that matter) to implement 2G in software, just to ensure continuity of service ?

BBC tapped to stop Britain being baffled by AI

Re: Why a TV licence?

No, i do not agree with them. Earlier this year you could feed back on what was wrong with the BBC, and i fed back the relevant ideas etc.

During Johnsons last tenure, no tory person (MP) was on Newsnight, but then the Labour people got the grilling, and the tories got off scot free by not turning up. Johnson used to hide in fridges etc.

The current crop of political chairs fail to hold the tories to account for the past 14 years, and yet heavily criticise Labour.

Apart from that, the remainder is very good. I don't watch it all, but for £180 per year it is very good value for what it provides. Netflix and other streaming services do not cover the breadth that the BBC covers.

On other forums, mainly the US ones, non-UK people always say that the BBC is vastly superior to their own countries offerings.

Re: Why a TV licence?

No one is forcing you to watch it. Other free channels are available.

Your propaganda and spin can be taken either way, left or right.

Such "propaganda & spin" is only in the news articles, else the BBC reflects British life quite well, for the most.

Re: Methinks

I think that would work. Not sure of Danny Dyer is still in it, but it could go as follows :

NPC : "What about this AI stuff then Danny "

Danny Dyer : "I would trust that shit for all the tea in China. It is fed shit and outputs a loada shit. Only a mug would finks it's the dogs bollocks"

NPC : "What about crypto, yer can make a lot of cash wiv that"

Danny Dyer : "You absolute caaaahhhhnnt. Crypto is nuffink but a scam. Yer better off spending yer money on a blow job from the Queen Vic cleaner".

NPC : "But she ain't got no teeth".

Danny Dyer : "I know, no way in a mumf of sundays is yer todger getting clipped".

Re: Why a TV licence?

The BBC is an excellent institution. It does get some things wrong, but overall, it offers quality programming and a reasonable price, for all.

From my experience, Channel 4 is also very good for content and news, followed by ITV, and then Channel 5 (which i rarely watch now).

People here in the UK do like to criticise the BBC, but after seeing the offerings in other countries that speak English, the BBC is vastly superior.

Smartphones face a memory cost crunch – and buyers aren't in the mood

Re: There's already heavy discounts in 2025

I paid just over £100 for 32GB DRAM in July 2025, and the same DRAM is now £422.

The AI stuff is stupidly causing an effect that offers no benefit except for manufacturers.

I do wonder if the old days (circa 1994 ?) issue of DRAM being stolen due to the current costs, will return ?

Windows 11 still barely pulling ahead of 10 despite end-of-support push

"If microsoft times things right With the anouncement on Win12, and does not provide an ESU for the unloved Win11, support for 10 AND 11 may run out at the same time circa 2032... That would be a boon for ecosystem homogeneity going into the Win12 era."

I think the "Agentic OS" will beg to differ with that....

Whatever legitimate places AI has, inside an OS ain't one

I Can't Wait For It To Be Rolled Out....

I am on Linux so it does not matter to me, but this is going to be a popcorn moment.

If the Agentic OS is forced upon existing users, then will this slow down the PC due to the resources required by the AI ?

We all know that Microsoft will f*ck it up, one way or another, so it is going to be fun to see the fallout.

Maybe, just maybe, next year will be the year of Linux on the desktop....

KDE Plasma sets date to dump X11 as Wayland push accelerates

CDE Is An Interest

I just looked at a screenshot of CDE, and recall Motif in the 1990's.

The benefit of KDE is the themes that can be downloaded. So i just downloaded and installed Commonality Sol, which is the magenta version.

The dark windows with white writing, and in general, web pages are white really focuses in on the web page. The best bit is the 3D border. There is no mistaking where the window starts/ends etc.

The icons on the taskbar look retro, but they look like what they action, as opposed to "symbols".

If Fedora provide this as a desktop, then it may be one i will use.

Microsoft exec finds AI cynicism 'mindblowing'

Re: Enough.

Microsoft forcing AI upon us, is akin to a "friend" conning you into watching a scat video, which you cannot un-see, and then telling you, you must like it, and want it.

Brits to help foot power bill for datacenters under government AI plans

Re: UK Government Seriously Delusional

I think you are right.

I misread it as the cost to the AI datacentre, as opposed to a reduction.

I am less angry now.

UK Government Seriously Delusional

From the article :

"Included are discounts of up to £24 per MWh in Scotland, up to £16 per MWh in Cumbria, and up to £14 per MWh in the North East. This is intended to boost the construction of more datacenters amid politicians' obsession with AI fueling economic recovery."

Translating this into kWh, it is 2.4p, 1.6p and 1.4p.

I am currently paying approx 24p per kWh. The AI data centre gets it 10x cheaper than i do.

So, we the UK people are subsidising the datacentres by 10x lower costs for AI that no one wants, all because the "politicians" are downright stupid.

On the BBC news website, the Google person is taking about the AI bubble, and yet, the UK Government are happily proceeding with this crap.

Brits believe the bots even though study finds they're often talking nonsense

I agree that my preference is to see the sources too.

Yet, AI is very good at summarising something without having to trawl through many websites. I have asked it to summarise the basis of the z-transform (where did it come from) or explain the Muller method as the book lacked the detail. It always presents very good precis.

Windows boss defends 'agentic OS' push as users plead for reliability

Re: The Masses Will Get An Agentic OS And Will Not Complain

I probably should not have used a political analogy as the example, as that seems to be divisive.

Microsoft keep on doing "stuff", and everyone (general public) keeps on accepting it, and the media never call it out.

The Masses Will Get An Agentic OS And Will Not Complain

The negative feedback about an Agentic OS does seem to be those people who are computer enthusiasts, and the article indicates that Microsoft are getting positive feedback about it too.

In the end, Microsoft will do what it wants, and deliver Windows as an Agentic OS.

Remember that here in the UK people voted for the Tories for 14 years, and in the US they voted for someone a second time (not voldermort).

So people will just put up with the changes, and learn to live with it.

The Steam Machine rises again as Valve readies 2026 hardware trifecta

Re: I Hope It Takes Off

I did see The Master Chief collection on Steam, and Fedora has the Steam application, which i installed on my desktop. So i was going to use the the HDMI connector to the TV to play games, but my preference would be a dedicated box, such as the Steam Machine. In addition, my preferred use is with a controller as opposed to a mouse and keyboard.

The latest proposal is quite small, and should easily fit into existing furniture in the living room. I am not too bothered about frame rates etc., so a reasonable performance is ok with me.

Maybe the optimal path is Windows and consoles (PS, XBOX) only, since with Proton it means one less OS for game developers to be bothered about.

I Hope It Takes Off

I would welcome a third option for games where the target machine is static in its performance and specification, such that a game designed for it will just work.

Given that the PS5 runs on FreeBSD, then a game port should be easy (stated without any experience in this at all).

Some of the XBOX games such as Halo are available on the PC, and can run under Linux with the relevant software, then this console type approach would suit me for the older games too.

AMD grabs more x86 share as Intel stumbles in entry-level chips

Re: AMD Inside

I recently changed to AMD by building 2 desktops. I run Linux, and the drivers for the AMD GPU are built in, and so a integrated GPU was a no brainer.

The problem with Intel despite the recent damage to the processors due to voltage levels etc., is that they keep on changing the socket.

With AM|D, there is a continuous CPU upgrade capability, so if a CPU pops out with an added NPU, then it will just be a CPU swap.

You'll never guess what the most common passwords are. Oh, wait, yes you will

Most Popular Password : 123456

Seriously, how difficult is it to add an extra digit, such as ; 1234567

People are so lazy nowadays.

KDE tidies up Plasma 6.5 with 60-odd fixes and smoother setup for OEMs

Thanks for the Article

Given the demise of Linux Format, these type of articles are great for keeping up with things as a summary, as opposed to reviewing many websites.

Windows 11 tiptoes further into dark mode with new dialogs

Seriously - A Mode That Makes the Colours Dark ?

I am using Fedora KDE, and this specialist Dark Mode poop in Windows has been in KDE for ages. There are a vast number of themes for KDE.

And yet Microsoft still has not implemented it full either.

Microsoft behaves like a slothful monopoly all the time, but with monkeys at the programming terminal.

Turns out the end of Windows 10 is good for something: The PC refresh cycle

Re: Amazing, really...

OK, not all free as in peoples spare time.

Yet, Linux still significantly exceeds Microsoft for its progress without the type of fuck ups Microsoft are so good at deploying. That is the key takeaway from this, that people pay for it too.

Re: Amazing, really...

I only run Linux now for my main usage of an OS, and there are a few blips here and there, where maybe a repository has not been updated and there is a skipped package update, or the lock screen did not work. All this is done using peoples time for free. Outstanding situation for the benefit of everyone.

For Windows, a paid for OS, and for Microsoft an organisation which makes vast profits in the billions, yet still regularly fucks things up for everyone, then that as a situation is quite preposterous.

Microsoft is treating its customers like trash, and still, people pay for it.

Labor unions sue Trump administration over social media surveillance

Does The First Amandment Apply to Non-US Citizens ?

I have seen clips of video where the officials in the US state that the constitution etc., does not apply to non-US people.

If this is the case, then it does mean you have to be careful on what you say about US people, if you want to visit the US.

If free speech does not apply to foreign people, then maybe the US should make this explicitly clear.

Mozilla is recruiting beta testers for a free, baked-in Firefox VPN

Re: Why?

I think you are assuming that the Labour government are competent.

They have implemented a law and forced specific websites to implement an age check.

They have also stated that they will not ban VPN's.

Everyone knows that people will use VPNs to get around the restriction.

So, why would they ban the VPN specific to Firefox only ?

Re: Why?

As others have stated above, it is not a bad thing.

The UK OSA was mooted to be banning wikimedia (i don't use) or possibly wikipedia which i do use.

This feature if it allows us to bypass the UK OSA for non-illegal purposes, is a good thing.

If Mozilla can allow you to add a list of websites that automatically use the VPN for a different country egress, then great, just point and click and the OSA is circumvented. It will be a good feature.

What do we want? Windows 10 support! When do we want it? Until 2030!

Awareness Of Linux Is Still A UK Media Problem

I wrote to the BBC informing them of the impending doom of vast e-waste, and i suggested that they run an article/news on alternatives such as Linux.

The BBC article on Windows 10 alternatives did not mention Linux at all.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cy0vzegkqweo

The Guardian had a feature, and it does mention Linux (well done The Guardian) :

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2025/oct/14/what-does-the-end-of-free-support-for-windows-10-mean-for-its-users

The Daily Mail only mentions Linux as part of the text of people complaining about Microsoft behaviour :

https://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-15189945/Microsoft-users-mourn-Windows-10.html

Until the mainstream media present the possibility of Linux being an alternative, then people will just be forced by corporations such as Microsoft to purchase new PC's and generate vast e-waste.

The BBC et al should really do better here.

No account? No Windows 11, Microsoft says as another loophole snaps shut

Re: They are fighting against the kind of people they NEED as Windows users

It is possible that this is the thin end of the wedge.

In the future Microsoft could force the account on those who have deleted the online account, or who have installed W11 before the online account was mandated.

Microsoft seems to be getting something out of forcing people to have an online account, else why would they bother closing the loop holes ?

I suspect it may be a way of ensuring that they can force a subscription upon people for their OS to be maintained.

Microserfs ordered back to the office, given 10 days to appeal

Re: A way that enables us to meet our customers’ needs

From what i have read about Microsoft software and company behaviour, whether they work at the office or at home, they still do stupid things.

Nothing is going to change apart from some disgruntled employees.

Everyone needs an AI phone. No, don't hang up, it's true

Re: That kool aid must taste really good

What is the impact of AI on a mobile in respect to its battery use and how long t will last before needing a recharge ?

I have a featurephone which lasts up to 2 weeks on one charge, and do not want a smartphone.

Having an extra power draining IC nobody wants is rather stupid.

UK tech minister booted out in weekend cabinet reshuffle

Out Of The Frying Pan, Into The Fire

Peter Kyle who has been moved on, has no education in technology or science, was the person who used ChatGPT to ask, what AI is about :

https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/14/uk-government-artifical-intelligence-chatgpt

Liz Kendall, the replacement, too has no education in science or technology.

This country is to be further buggered, as it continues to follow the AI hype machine.

Pre-owned software trial kicks off in UK as Microsoft pushes resale ban

What About Cheap Licences From The Internet ?

I have purchased licences from the internet which are cheap. This is usually for Microsoft older window versions, such as 8.1, or more recently version 10.

Are these fake licences or resold licences ?

A quick search shows that 8.1 licence product keys are now free from various sources.

This legal action to stop people or businesses from purchasing licences from 3rd parties in the UK or EU, does not stop people or businesses from purchasing from outside the UK or EU.

This action seems to be Microsoft beginning to restrict customers options, such that only Microsoft can benefit from licences. Which is understandable for the initial sale, but this does present itself as Microsoft previous attempt to stop second hand games from being resold without them taking a cut.

Let us git rid of it, angry GitHub users say of forced Copilot features

Re: vscodium

Thanks for the heads up on VSCodium. It seems that even on Linux VSCode sends telemetry, so VSCodium is the way forward.