Posts by Mike 125

UK prepared to throw planning rules out the window for massive datacenters

Re: Possible gains that almost certainly won't happen

Friends now live in Peterborough where this used to exist. All gone away.

https://www.taxresearch.org.uk/Blog/2023/11/10/turning-up-the-heat/#comment-946946

Sweden and other Nordics make it work. It was great not needing to worry about a boiler. And the central district boiler gets efficiently upgraded as technology permits. Perfect.

We're not allowed to share in the UK. Same with flats- every UK flat has its own washer/drier, causing stress and hassle for flat owner and neighbours alike. Not even the US has such anti-socialist paranoia- lots of action in the laundry room there...!

Brits are scrolling away from X and aren't that interested in AI

Re: It's not just Brits...

> But nihilism is what allows such dark forces to win.[...] Don't give up hope. Get inspired, get active, get involved.

Spot on.

Don't let the bastards live rent-free in our heads.

(But we all need a rant sometimes!)

Re: It's not just Brits...

The enshitification era is drawing to a close.

Enfuckedification? And Google says it's a new word!

Windows 10 given an extra year of supported life, for $30

Re: $30 Per Year is Cheaper Than a New Laptop

> You can totally continue to use it indefinitely.

It's the home V professional user divide which matters here.

> when was the last time you connected a WIndows box the the Internet? I mean, connected it directly to the Internet, like via a modem?

2005, Germany, new Toshiba XP machine (nothing work related I stress), WUpdate disabled (wasn't in the mood to wait), from a hotel, and just a modem and dial-up outside line.

The Tosh was unusable within about 15 minutes. (OK I can admit to some marginally dodgy site visits... hey- gimme a break- it was a lonely time... in Germany!).

But I'd made a disk image in full knowledge of the risk, and about an hour or so later, the Tosh was clean, rinsed, and updated. (And yes, still lethal for dodgy internet with no firewall!)

Pros (in a home environment) know instinctively what not to do in the first place, and likely know at least some of the symptoms of infection after the fact. So for them, maintaining an old machine is safe.

Home users don't have that instinct. For them, there's no distinction between running an executable sent by a random Facebook 'friend', and editing a local text file in Notepad.

I welcome 2025- loads of cheap lappys available...

And I'm still hovering between Linux and the hateful, monopolistic piece of sh't that is (and always was), MSoft.

Floppy discs still run a U.S. metro? Japan steps in with 'project kill floppy'

Jeez. The conflation here of, and confusion between, technology on the one hand, and intrinsically safe design on the other, boggles the mind.

No wonder we're in such a mess.

'Elisha Graves Otis introduced the first safety passenger elevator at the Crystal Palace Convention in New York City. His invention impressed spectators at the convention, and the first passenger elevator was installed in New York City in 1856.'

That's called intrinsically safe design. And that's all that matters in such an application. It worked then and it would work now. Nobody gives a fuck about the technology- as long as it is safe.

Spectre flaws continue to haunt Intel and AMD as researchers find fresh attack method

Re: Occam's Razor is Largely Useless

Occam is less about 'correctness', and more about choosing a 'working hypothesis', given many, with which to proceed.

> For years, it was commonly accepted that human diseases were caused by "evil spirits", which is a simple answer.

It may be simple, but it raises more questions than it answers- because now we have 2 things to explain- disease and evil spirits!

For Occam, that's surely a very poor hypothesis. But yes, I accept that it was probably the only one available at the time.

...although "God did it" also works...

If Dell's Qualcomm-powered Copilot+ PC is typical of the genre, other PCs are toast

Re: Can I just have a normal Latitude?

https://www.revr.tech/

You gotta have a dream...

Re: Can I just have a normal Latitude?

It's like electric cars.

I want a car like my petrol car- everything manual, touchable, grabbable, everything with its own dials and lights in a fixed location related to its function. And no 'updates', unless it's a new set of tyres.

The only discernable difference should be the lack of exhaust pipe rattle, (which I should really get looked at...).

There is no electric car like that. If there was, I'd buy it now.

Ahem. But back to the lappy- impressive that the Arm runs x86 transparently. The rest- keep it.

Raspberry Pi AI Camera takes inferencing load off the CPU

Re: Just think for a moment about how far we've come..

> 78 micro volts (which needs a very stable reverence voltage) on a LSB change.

which I appreciate with the appropriate reference.

Yep, this is cool stuff, soon to be available at my local RS and Farnell... hopefully.

UK government's bank data sharing plan slammed as 'financial snoopers' charter'

Re: "an assault on the presumption of innocence"

> You are presumed guilty unless you prove the contrary.

Yep. Ask those who arrived on the Windrush.

Tor insists its network is safe after German cops convict CSAM dark-web admin

Yea, I've probably been here before, and just forgot. Thanks. Nice summary.

It sounds like the authorities already have suspects, and a known dodgy server. So assume they can simultaneously monitor accurate data rate/timing to/from the suspect, and to/from the server.

Isn't there an unavoidable side-channel attack? Simply compare the two graphs over time. Obviously if the server is very busy, its graph will be smoothed.

But presumably there are quiet server periods. And during those periods, the suspect's graph will tend to show a match.

What am I missing?

The empire of C++ strikes back with Safe C++ blueprint

Re: Closing the barn door

> ...I heard two architects debating, seriously, the difference between 'protected abstract virtual base pure const virtual private' destructors and 'protected virtual abstract base pure virtual private const' destructors.

The only software 'architects' I've worked with clearly got that title to promote them out of harm's way.

The end is in sight for Windows 10, but Microsoft keeps pushing out fixes

> 5+ year old self-built PC

Your PC built itself? Please tell us more.

Upgrading Linux with Rust looks like a new challenge. It's one of our oldest

"The tragedy is that the sum total of knowledge, experience, and perspective acquired over decades of being highly productive in a complex environment is not bound to a particular language."

...

"It is extremely difficult to not only preserve but make good use of such valuable perspectives when the ground rules change. Corporate culture is exceptionally bad at this"

e.g. 99% of embedded job requirement specs:

1) C/C++

errr.. that's it.

Rust for Linux maintainer steps down in frustration with 'nontechnical nonsense'

Re: New kernel seems like a good idea

> Plus the hard-real-time group, like VxWorks and FreeRTOS.

Yes, deserves a mention- far more devices run an RTOS than run Linux or Microsoft combined.

...although definition of hard is a bit soft... 'A late answer is a wrong answer' applies in almost every computing sphere. Only the timescales change.

There are ways for a system to guarantee milli/micro-second response times for a particular application. But typically, it can't generalise to guaranteeing all response times.

In my world, a properly configured 'pre-emptive, priority-based' RTOS (like VxWorks and FreeRTOS) covers 99% of requirements.

https://stackoverflow.com/questions/17308956/differences-between-hard-real-time-soft-real-time-and-firm-real-time

Re: There is no static internal API/ABI

> impedance mismatch

Good description.

That vid sums up so many software conversations over the years...

The Rust guy seems to be trying to abstract system level concepts into types, and then assuming because it's now abstracted, the job is done, and it's now all up to the compiler. I'm overstating it, but that's how it seems.

However, there are major differences starting at system level, which have consequences all the way down to the metal. The file system discussion demonstrates it.

Making those interfaces generic *while maintaining the efficiency of C* was always the elephant in the room.

BTW, I still want to see Rust succeed.

This isn't the kind of problem Rust should be trying to solve right now. Maybe they just chose an over-complex example for the talk.

France charges Telegram CEO with multiple crimes

Re: "It looks like he didn't comply"

> So why are the Governments doing nothing to stop them too.

You gotta start somewhere.

There're some things not to like about the French. This isn't one of them.

Microsoft Bing Copilot accuses reporter of crimes he covered

--ChatGPT--

> Who is 'the pedo guy'?

Elon Musk

--ChatGPT--

> Quit

------------

We should train these things to turn on those responsible for them. They'll soon get things fixed.

(And yes I know Musk isn't particularly an AI bro'- but he's one of them.)

DARPA suggests turning old C code automatically into Rust – using AI, of course

examples

Example of code which from my understanding can't be guaranteed inherently safe in any language: In/output generally, e.g. network buffers.

Output: Move date from native representation (i.e. defined by the local machine), to network packet representation (i.e. defined by the 'to-the-wire' network protocol).

Input: Do the reverse (even more dangerous).

Now do it portably. Hmmm... ok...

Now do it efficiently- because that's what will be demanded. Hmmm... ok...

Now do it in an 'inherently safe' language in 'safe' mode. By my understanding, that's impossible.

So it'll be labelled 'unsafe'. Fine. So why not write those unsafe parts in C, which can already do the job supremely well. And then do all the rest in whatever f'ing language you choose?

The hard part is 1) understanding that some parts *cannnot* be made safe by the language alone, and 2) recognising where the safe<>unsafe transition lies.

Once that's understood, (assume LANGUAGE_X is mandated), I don't really see how 'LANGUAGE_X_SAFE' + 'LANGUAGE_X_UNSAFE' helps the codebase, AI assisted or not.

It may make it worse. People who understand these issues (i.e. the right people for the job) will be forced to use 'LANGUAGE_X', which they probably hate(!)- because it's not the best tool for the job, instead of C which they know very well... is.

But as I've probably said before... let's C.

Tesla asks customers to stop being wet blankets about chargers

Re: If that helps

Electric vehicle technology is in transition from decades of oil. Lots of mistakes were made with ICEs early on- we forget. Things will improve.

But that apart: the zeitgeist has changed. Consumer products only matter now if they can gather data on users. And somehow, it's become accepted that an electric vehicle has effectively no limits. The Terms and Conditions are equivalent to those for Microsoft Windows - insane.

And don't even start on repairability. The small electric car will be a throw-away product, just like everything else on Amazon... moan moan...

Also:

https://www.motorauthority.com/news/1143913_future-fords-might-detect-speeding-and-report-you-to-the-cops

Re: Money making opportunity

ROFL, yea, there are speaker cables which would do a better job!

But joking apart- the things get hot because they're scrimping on copper.

My old kettle, 3kW, cable runs cool. My new kettle, 3kW, noticeably thinner cable runs warm.

Scale that up and it's cheaper to implement 'liquid-cooled cables' than to use sufficient copper.

All that heat is waste, which ends up venting more heat (and CO2 depending on generation) to the clouds.

But then you have to mine the copper... and so it goes... And to be fair, at those currents, that might make the cable impractical.

Microsoft finds a new way to irritate Windows 11 users – a backup pop-up

Re: When will users decide that enough is enough?

> And give MS the finger?

Yea... great. But what are the options?

If only there were more versions of Linux from which to choose...

The months and days before and after CrowdStrike's fatal Friday

On the upside, Asterix gets a lot of mentions in that YouTube clip.

That must be Gauling for Mr Kurtz.

Angry admins share the CrowdStrike outage experience

> How do you get your key then.

Yep, circular dependency.

This is worth a read. Never mind the IT food chain itself- see how every working environment is now forced into being online. It's taking the lives of hard working people apart.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=41007898

So that's like encrypting a key required for recovery with a copy of that key, and then deleting the copy? OK, yes, I was assuming a certain level of common sense competence from the client :)

My point is that it should be part of Crowdstrike's responsibility to the client to consider what happens if/when their .sys causes a kernel level exception.

> why so many companies have been caught with their trousers down regarding disaster recovery.

If the client is using Crowdstrike, it is Crowdstrike's responsibility to explain DR from a worst case, and make sure it's tested in the client environment.

Crowdstrike has caused an unrecoverable error- which is their responsibility to predict.

If their crappy .sys file causes a BSOD, how does the client machine recover?

Only the hardware should be capable of preventing recovery.

This is totally on them.

CrowdStrike file update bricks Windows machines around the world

George Kurtz

B.S., Accounting from Seton Hall University

The graying open source community needs fresh blood

Hard work? Ask Linus

"Yes, creating Linux and open source software is rewarding, but it's also hard work."

Ask Linus if creating Linux felt like hard work back in the day.

Then ask him what maintaining it feels like now.

Bright young people need to feel the excitement of creating something new, and/or different. Maintaining millions of lines of code can never give them that excitement. And we're wrong to expect that it should.

Embedded system software is a good starting point- where one person or small team over time, can build and own the whole damn shooting match, including network stack. They can see it, from the bare metal upwards, doing real stuff on the real Internet. It won't pay the grown-up bills, but the kids will then at least know how it feels.

None of this addresses the 'greying issue'!! No answers there from one such.

But the kids will probably find a solution- with some of the sheer grunt taken by AI...

Singapore's banks to ditch texted one-time passwords

> it also suits me well compared to app use.

First Direct here, so same deal.

BTW mine showed LOBATT after about 3 years- that's what I call efficiency. Shame it's made in China, like the bank, but hey, what can you do...

I feel much safer logging in via their website than via *any* stupid app, on any pocket computer-with-phone (although do have one).

Smartphone is already many folks' only computer – say hi to optional desktop mode in Android 15 beta

> Heard that the Fairphone 5 has a Desktop Environment capability with Stock Android.

DOH- I recently bought a Fairphone 4.

But why would that capability be defined by the hardware?

Japanese space agency spotted zero-day attacks while cleaning up raid on M365

"Multiple malware attack saw personal data accessed, but rocket science remained safe"

Come on JAXA and Microsoft- together you can do better than this- it isn't rocket science.

[With thanks for the obvious set-up]

Labour wins race to lead UK, but few would envy the load in its tech in-tray

Re: Party in charge is irrelevant

Yep. Mogg- fifth columnist in plain sight. Best result from this election- I'd take Farage over Mogg any day.

How tech went from free love to pay-per-day

"As capacity in the big datacenters climbs to effective infinity, and costs of storage become tiny,"

That's if you ignore the negative externalities, in this case climate.

https://www.theguardian.com/technology/article/2024/jul/02/google-ai-emissions

Chinese space company accidentally launches rocket in test gone wrong

Re: Only one thing more spectacular than a successful rocket launch

>an unsuccessful rocket launch!

Although an unanticipated rocket launch comes a close 3rd

Mozilla is trying to push me out because I have cancer, CPO says in bombshell lawsuit

Re: In what direction is Mozilla heading?

> In what direction is Mozilla heading

Yea, looks pretty bad... until you compare it to all the rest.

UK Surface owners can now take misbehaving laptops to Currys

Re: Three times a looser

Curries have, from time to time, made me looser.

We polled thousands of IT pros – and sustainability just ain't a priority right now

Re: With an election coming up in the UK ...

nice one

Microsoft confesses April Windows update breaks some VPN connections

Re: Slightly off topic...

> don't respond. How difficult is that? NOT doing something.

Do you mean like you just... did?

I love a good dose of irony in the morning.

Elon Musk's latest brainfart is to turn Tesla cars into AWS on wheels

Re: WTF? This is meant to be a tech site - why is nobody saying...

Specified benchmarks are the best we can do.

Compute energy: quantity of benchmarks completed

Compute power: benchmarks completed per time

Compute efficiency: electrical energy consumed per benchmark completion

It's all a bit hit and miss- much like a Tesla.

Some smart meters won't be smart at all once 2/3G networks mothballed

Wars change everything

https://chng.it/NNkNpT5ZQF

It's worth a 'shot'.

And the BBC has no budget for *anything* now- all the creatives are being laid off. As usual, in the UK we like to get rid of our strengths.

On a related waveband: in recent months, there's been a surge in demand on eBay for SW-capable radio.

High quality little '70s, '80s sets, made in Japan by Toshiba, Sony, etc., are fetching 10x what they were a few years ago. Missed a real bargain- sooo annoying.

Torvalds intentionally complicates his use of indentation in Linux Kconfig

Re: Postel's Law considered harmful

> Postel's Law considered harmful

By definition, a secure system can unambiguously determine the difference between what matters and what doesn't matter.

So it can perfectly well afford to be liberal in what it accepts.

And for the same reason, it will be inherently conservative in what it sends.

Postel's Law is just fine.

FTX crypto-crook Sam Bankman-Fried gets 25 years in prison

He didn't set out with criminal intent, just like Zuckerberg (children being algorithmically fed details of how to kill themselves- because that's what they deserved), and the rest of them.

But he lacked the vision and foresight to see how things would/could end, just like Zuckerberg, and the rest of them.

These are people who have no concept, and no ability to deal with the power that has somehow landed in their lap- because the rest of us signed up.

Some 300,000 IPs vulnerable to this Loop DoS attack

Re: Old stuff.

> Old stuff

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sorcerer's_Apprentice_syndrome

Climate change means beer made from sewer water, says North Carolina brewery

> do people think that the fish get out to go to the toilet?

If they've got any sense, UK fish do, to escape the human sh't'n'p'ss. Our monopoly water companies treat rivers and lakes as free open sewers.

The accountants call them 'externalities' - zero cost. But we all pay an extremely heavy price.

Tiny Core Linux 15 stuffs modern computing in a nutshell

Re: investigating whether it can turn some geriatric laptops into useful tools once again.

>the efficiency gains of the last twenty years

In software? Sorry- remind me- where are those?

Ubuntu, Kubuntu, openSUSE to get better installation

Yep. Everyone I know is now desperate to kick the Windows habit. It's becoming a f'king nightmare.

I support 'old' but totally robust and perfectly functioning machines for many people, and me.

We want good advice on routes out, and how to handle cold turkey!

Forgetting the history of Unix is coding us into a corner

"it's time to examine it afresh and see if the geniuses who invented Unix didn't have the right ideas,"

This is dangerous territory.

We'll end up arguing that C *used appropriately*, is pretty much the perfect tool for the job. Wait... what...?

...dusts off original K&R...

Microsoft might have just pulled support for very old PCs in Windows 11 24H2

https://graphics.stanford.edu/~seander/bithacks.html#CountBitsSetNaive

Fujitsu finance chief says sorry for IT giant's role in Post Office Horizon scandal

Re: Rehash

>and it's subcontractors.

its. I wouldn't trust your software.