Posts by Richard Crossley

Apple tries to contain itself with lightweight Linux VMs for macOS

Re: UTM

I'm running ARM Debian 12 and Intel x64 Ubuntu for MSSQL Server on a 2020 MacBook Pro without issue. Yes the Ubuntu VM is slower than the Debian VM, but not to the point of being unusable.

Ubuntu 25.04 beta takes flight – but this Plucky Puffin is still molting

Re: Interesting

Snaps!

I understand the need for snaps, especially the software is provided by an independent software publisher, that needs independence from the host OS. When the software packages are published by the same people as the OS, then I see this as a problem that should be addressed.

As a long-time Ubuntu user and was key in deploying the OS at work, I evaluated 24.04 and found Ubuntu needing snaps. At home my desktop moved to Linux Mint and my virtual machines moved to Debian, a policy I would later consider for work.

Windows 7 lives! How to keep your favorite fossil running

Re: Or save yourself the headaches and install Linux

Reading this on a 2015 MacBook Pro running Linux Mint.

Non-biz Skype kicks the bucket on May 5

We need to migrate Mum from Skype and have her trained in the new software. Wonderful! I’m 6,000 miles from her, and my sister is 12,000 miles from her.

My Mum technologically OK for someone who has been using the same software for 20 years, but in her late 80s doesn’t need this kind of negative experience.

Will no one think of wrinklies?

Oracle pours fuel all over Red Hat source code drama

Re: IANAL, YANAL

What part of the GPL allows Red Hat or IBM to prevent their customers from redistributing the source. Clearly RH can attach whatever license they to their own code, but source that is GPL needs to redistributable.

Asahi Linux developer warns the one true way is Wayland

Mac Book Pro Max, 4 external screens (3 thundetbolt plus HDMI) plus the internal.

Thieves smash hole in wall to nab $500K in Apple iKit

Where were the plastic police?

7pm on a Sunday, and someone is cutting a hole through a wall after breaking into a coffee shop.

I guess the mall wasn't open at the time, so where were security? It's not like this would be quick or quiet.

Amazon warehouse workers 'make history' with first official UK strike

If there is no compensation for working hard, what's the point, oh wait it's the UK, where the Government pays for everything, by having the highest taxes in decades along with the highest borrowing requirement.

Version 5 of the Endless OS enters testing

Re: Gnome and systemd

Upvote for OLVWM, how I miss it.

CDE can be compiled on Linux now.

Elon Musk to step down as Twitter CEO: Help us pick his replacement

Re: I nominate ...

Dido Harding.

Hardly an an IT issue she hasn't been involved in

FYI: BMW puts heated seats, other features behind paywall

Peak Car

The World had Peak Car in the late 1990s, early 2000s. Everything worked, and they didn't turn to rust overnight.

Since about 2005, they have just tried to invade your wallet and nanny the fun away whilst making themselves more susceptible to theft, Keyless Entry, what a gift.

Choosing a non-Windows OS on Lenovo Secured-core PCs is trickier than it should be

Re: Triopoly

I would rather use the device for the purposes I require, rather than being spied on by; Microsoft, Apple or Google. I'd rather have a device with no requirement to MS to issue keys to boot my OS of choice.

ZTE intros 'cloud laptop' that draws just five watts of power

Work in the cloud...

... and not just any cloud, but Chinese cloud and transmitted over a home grown protocol that is probably has a back door required by the Chinese Government.

I'm sure there will be some takers for this, but not me.

Microsoft brings tabs to File Explorer

Re: Machadaynu!

Even I have cobbled together a couple examples over the years; one in Windows 3.11 using Delphi 1 and another in C# about 5 or 6 years ago.

Sounds like Microsoft hasn't enough to do given the data mining (telemetry) functions in Windows.

Chinese distro Deepin hits 20.5, complete with browser called Browser

Re: Mount points

China is UTC+8 and as far as I know English isn't restricted there.

Next versions of both Fedora and Ubuntu head into beta

Re: Here we go again

> I'd like to see some numbers on that.

Almost every line of code I write happens that way. I'd rather use the OS where stuff is being deployed than to try and fudge stuff on Windows.

China's top tech city Shenzhen locks down completely for at least a week

Re: But freedum

> They should learn a lesson in humility from King Canute

No need to look at history, just across the border to Hong Kong where our illustrious leaders are battling to prevent the Omicron version of Covid 19 from taking a hold. From where I sit and have been sitting since Jan 3rd, since we're not allowed to visit restaurants after 6pm or bars, gyms, theatres... it doesn't seem to be working.

Maybe a taste in China will change things, though I doubt it.

Hong Kong Watch says its website suddenly can't be seen in Hong Kong

Re: Time to run your own DNS

Yes just tested that. I run my own which then hits services elsewhere in the world. Switching from wifi to cell service which doesn't use my own DNS illustrated the block.

Running own DNS, will that be an NSL crime?

Re: "Despite being unenforceable outside Hong Kong, it is applied across the planet"

Haven't been able to do that for a few weeks now, bars closed, restaurants closed after 6pm

Back to school for Microsoft as it prises apart the repairable Surface Laptop SE

Re: Framework

They don't ship to Hong Kong at the moment.

Order now deliver Feb seems reasonable, Apple promises much the same for custom builds at the moment

Framework

Although not in this price bracket, the Framework laptop is a step in the correct direction. Not only is repairable, but can be delivered as self assembly.

Shame it's not available here yet.

BeOS rebuild / Haiku has a new feature / that runs Windows apps

Re: Runs great on the original eeePC

I seem to recall it ran well on my Toshiba NB200 netbook as well. Hmm, I should try that again.

On my venerable Fujitsu Siemens E8010 it was less successful.

Logitech Signature M650: A mouse that will barely emit a squeak or a clickety-click

Technical Support

Wipe down your hands or the mouse? We need these technical details.

China builds 'free trade data port' inclusive of submarine cable landing station

Re: What does that even mean?

Even more convenient if they turn everything else off especially as they're slowly turning Hong Kong into a Mainland territory.

Fans of original gangster editors, look away now: It's Tilde, a text editor that doesn't work like it's 1976

Re: "VERY different"?

With some funky etched dialog backgrounds that I longed to emulated in by own applications.

Only just caught up.

Vi/Vim is ok for small edits for me, Emacs less so. I've been using Tilde for about a year and relatively pleased I have been.

OK, boomer? Gen-X-ers, elder millennials most likely to name their cars, says DVLA

Named by my colleagues

Only one car I've owned ever had a name, a 1991, Midnight Blue, Ford Scorpio Estate. It was named "The Hearse" by my work colleagues.

Sample Picture

Re: #@vroom-vroom

In Hong Kong you can have almost anything provided it fits in 8 letters or numbers.

UK health secretary confirms end for NHS Digital, architect of the GP data grab debacle

Re: It can only get better from here

I hope not but it's inevitable. A Government IT department needs a clueless cockwomble as a leader and I can't of anyone more qualified the HMG IT Superstar than Dido Harding

Re: New Post, Great Opportunity

I wouldn't have used "Turbocharging", seems 1980s to me. "Enabling" might be better.

Also "achievement to achieve", doesn't read well either.

The code reviewer in me suggests...

"We seek to level up the NHS Digital Vision to synergise brand awareness and achieve a fusion of technology and people, enhancing our ability to achieve our aspirational missions and realise a global Britain as we build back better"

'Apps for GNOME' site aims to improve discovery of the project's best applications

Re: Just had a look at circle.gnome.org

Blanket - "Listen to different sounds"

Why wouldn't you call it "Ears"?

Perl's Community Affairs Team chair quits as org put on ice by code language's foundation

Re: Software Communism

Upd vote for rant tag.

Thanks for making me smile after a hard day at the mill.

Anyone fancy a Snowmobile full of Bags O'Crap? It'll be on the list somewhere

Snowmobile

"Truck of bits", would be better and more appropriate.

Maybe it was taken already.

Hong Kong to explore its own digital currency and keep testing China’s Digital Yuan

Re: Anonymous

Thanks, I need fewer beers at the end of the day.

Re: Hong Kong to attempt something which competes with the mainland solution

Probably uses the same technology underneath. Probably processed in the PRC as well.

Anonymous, because being anti PRC is illegal now.

EE and Three mobe mast surveyors might 'upload some virus' to London Tube control centre, TfL told judge

Update for TFL TLA

You earned it ------------------------------>

Tragically Failing London. Thanks, that cheered me up.

Hong Kong floats doxxing laws that would let it force big tech to take down content

Re: And Why is Britain Not Enforcing the Two-China Agreement.

How, sending a "gun boat"?

The actual border between Lower Kowloon and the New Territories is Boundary Street. Short of building a wall (Think Berlin Wall) down it and cutting off over 50% of the people in HK, HM Government realized there was no way HK would work in that situation. There were enough problems with Chinese administered Kowloon City before it was demolished.

BTW, I live 250 metres south of Boundary Street.

UK government gives Automated Lane Keeping Systems the green light for use on motorways

Re: Naysayer

Cars reached their zenith around 2005, now it's all intervention and give us more money.

</grump>

Hong Kong teases tech to track residents as they move past QR codes

Re: As clear as mud

A good precis of the system.

You can change the default from 4 hours, I have it set at 2, which is long enough for lunch. I don't go out much these days now either.

Icon, missing the contents and ambiance.

Flash in the pan: Raspberry Pi OS is the latest platform to carve out vulnerable tech

Re: Attaching a tractor-fed Epson LX-80 dot matrix impact printer was the height of luxury

"Attaching a tractor-fed Epson LX-80 dot matrix impact printer was the height of luxury (second only to plugging in a floppy disk drive)."

Me, me, me. You are my technology doppelganger, however, you missed a step. On BBC Micro, which it seems like you're alluding to, you needed a Disk Interface, preferable DFS 0.9 with an Intel 8271 floppy disk controller, then a disk drive could be attached.

Ahh just read your bio, "intern 2018". I suspect the venerable Beeb was long gone, I'll mumble to myself. Error excused.

Apple reportedly planning to revive the MagSafe charging standard with the next lot of MacBook Pros

Re: Wish list

11 inch is a good form factor for economy class or "British Rail". My Mac Book Air has travelled the World and will continue to do so when travelling is allowed again.

Taiwan’s silicon titan TSMC says three-nanometre tech is on track for 2021 debut and a 2022 flood of kit

Re: So if they have a plant in China...

I think they should. Personally based in Hong Kong, China or rather Chinese Communist Party, seems quite belligerent.

Waterloo! Windows defeated, your sign is screwed. Waterloo! Promise to bork you forevermore

The 18:12 to Paris

The last Euro Star train from Waterloo to Paris was the 18:12. Hmm why is that significant, 1812 was the year Napolean was defeated by the Russians.

Thanks Wikipedia:

Euro Star History

1812 Overture

75% of databases to be cloud-hosted by 2022, says Gartner while dishing on the weak points of each provider

Gartner

Over the years, I've learned to take what they say with a pinch of salt.

Samsung to introduce automatic call blocking on Android 11-capable flagships

Re: How does it work?

Definitely a problem in specific countries. Since almost no-one uses a land line regularly in Hong Kong, spam caller bots target mobile phones.

I've installed call blocking software on my phone and the occasionally successful calls are blocked manually afterwards.

Boeing puts Loyal Wingman robot fighter jet through its paces... on the ground

Thunderbirds are ------>

It looks reminiscent of Thunderbird 2.

So, what exactly are you planning to do with this new PC? Windows Insiders face new questions during OOBE

Re: I can see this in the future

MS Future...

Of course if you don't want MS' offering you'll only be able to install from their App Store where they collect 30% (or something like that). Nope, I'll stick with the Penguin.

What I do with my PC is my business, isn't relevant to MS.

What a Hancock-up: Excel spreadsheet blunder blamed after England under-reports 16,000 COVID-19 cases

Re: Dido (computing):

I wish I'd thought of that. Enjoy -------------------------------------------------->