* Posts by John Bailey

811 publicly visible posts • joined 7 Jun 2007

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China passes Tik for Tok export ban law

John Bailey

"At least we can still call our president a puddle of orange diarrhea in need of decontamination."

And...?

Serious question. What exactly does this great freedom you seem to imagine nobody else has, to call your head of state names bring you?

Other than the freedom to be dismissed as too insignificant to bother with that is..

"I don't think Pooh Bear would let his subjects get away with that."

How do you know? I'm sure there are plenty of nobodies in China too.

John Bailey

So just like America then.

Space. The final frontier. These are the voyages of 'Advanced Night Repair' skin cream helping NASA to commercialise space

John Bailey

Re: Real applications?

Well apparently, 70% of 23 women surveyed noticed a difference.

Video encoders using Huawei chips have backdoors and bad bugs – and Chinese giant says it's not to blame

John Bailey

Re: Well there's your problem

"Unknown software from unknown source turns out to be untrustworthy, or at the very least uncompetent. This is my shocked face."

Are you sure? Looks more like your constipated face.

So tell me great sage.

Which known software from known sources is actually trustworthy? Your spell checker obviously doesn't fit the requirements.

The Honor MagicBook Pro looks nice, runs like a dream, and isn't too expensive either. What more could you want?

John Bailey

Re: And the software?

As opposed to unstable Windows 10 installs, pre installed Redmond bloat and self activating (and just as untrustworthy) telemetry?

Facebook apologizes to users, businesses for Apple’s monstrous efforts to protect its customers' privacy

John Bailey

Re: I'm confused

Until Apple start selling the exact same information to advertisers. And congratulated on inventing targetted advertising.

Ex-Apple engineer lifts lid on Uncle Sam's top-secret plan to turn customized iPod into 'Geiger counter'

John Bailey

Ditto. As part of my work experience. Where the most secret thing I came across was...

Well. Nothing really, I was told to sign it as a formality for working at a financial institution.

Apple's at it again: Things go pear-shaped for meal planner app after iGiant opposes logo

John Bailey

That they are over estimating it?

China re-shapes its silicon industry to boost production

John Bailey

Ya know that silicone superiority y'all thought you had...

Oh dear.

Byebye silicone valley.

Chinese tat bazaar Xiaomi to light a fire under Amazon's Kindle with new e-book reader

John Bailey

As opposed to America, where (to paraphrase a Bill Hicks story), you get put on a "what you readin for" list?

Looks like I know where my next e-book reader is coming from. My e-book library is quite extensive, and 100% DRM free already. And I'm quite pleased with the quality of the Xiaomi gear I already own.

Heads up from Internet of S*!# land: Best Buy's Insignia 'smart' home gear will become very dumb this Wednesday

John Bailey

Re: Mass extinction?

"And when that happens, many "smart" devices: including "smart" TVs and streaming boxes, will be of very little use."

Really?

Do please explain how exactly a lack of updates will stop me watching a DVD on my "smart" TV.

Or how the Freeview signal will stop being decoded by said "smart" TV set, and displayed on my nice HDR 4k panel? Or how recording said freeview programming will stop being possible, due to the lack of server support on the other end of some non existent cloud server that I don't rely upon, being stopped.

Or how the end of a few minor functions that I already have duplicated many other places will render my TV set unusable.

And no. Smart TVs do not in fact, demand an internet connection before they work. despite years of commentoad warnings that it will happen.. Still not true, and really, unlikely to ever be.

"If we learn anything from that, it will be a reinforcement of the idea that unless you have complete control over your stuff, you really don't own it at all."

And that self righteous tits on the internet will never pass up an opportunity to flaunt their ignorance.

Oh.. This must be yours.. The one with the radio times in the pocket, draped over the old 12 inch BW portable with a coat hanger sticking out of it.

How good is that analogue signal these days?

Not LibreOffice too? Beloved open-source suite latest to fall victim to the curse of Catalina

John Bailey

"you're paying for Apple because...?"

Because it just works......

What? No way. Apple? Censoring iOS 13 to appease China? Gosh. How shocking. Who'd have thought it?

John Bailey

Re: China?

But jingoistic twits with a poor grasp of reality are bad too.

Can you also see the difference between a company (which is what Apple is) and a country (which is what China is), and a government (which is what neither are)?

Governments get to create and enforce laws, maintain order, and set economic policy. Yes. Even in Communist countries.

Companies get to do what they are told in these countries, or get kicked out, because they are not, despite the fantasy dearly held by some, people, religions, or forces for anything other than profit.

When governments do what companies tell them, you have corruption.

So. Governments get to do things like make laws that allow people who disagree with government to be arrested and detained.

Including holding them indefinitely without trial, charge or legal representation. Sometimes in off shore facilities to evade their own laws. Supporting the rule of dictators for diplomatic reasons, funding terrorist groups, engaging in torture, first hand, or through proxies etc.

Companies get to do things like pander to comically insecure heads of state and their acolytes, who become a laughing stock the world over.

When it comes to perspective. You obviously don't speak from experience.

Time for another cuppa then? Tea-drinkers have better brains, say boffins with even better brains

John Bailey

Re: Smarts drink tea or Drink tea makes smarts

After even more translation difficulties. The previous translator has been fired, and replaced with a moose.

A tablespoon, commonly found in recipe ingredient sections abbreviated as "Tbsp". As a unit of measure. Is approximately equivalent to 3 teaspoons in capacity. So two tablespoons would equal 6 teaspoons of sugar. Not impossible to dissolve, but a great way to end life with diabetes.

A tablespoon and a dessert spoon as cutlery formats, are the same thing. The tablespoon in the previous post possibly refers to a serving spoon, which is indeed too big to practically eat with.

Apple blinks on iPhone repairs, touts parts program for independent tech mechanics... sort of

John Bailey

"Except having it fixed at the independent computer repair shop will probably invalidate any warranty?"

And paying for a repair when a warranty FREE REPAIR OR REPLACEMENT is available happens how often exactly?

I know it is hard.. But if you put a hand on each cheek, and push with every remaining muscle.. you might just extract your head for long enough to understand that a warranty is not an expected lifespan of a product. So an independent will be called in AFTER the warranty has expired.

Samsung Note10+ torn apart to expose three 5G antennas: One has to pick up something

John Bailey

Re: I thought non-expandable storage...

Sounds like a good reason to not buy them then.

World recoils in horror as smartphone maker accused of helping government snoops read encrypted texts, track device whereabouts

John Bailey

Re: The under-emphasised point is that

"... the citizen placed under surveillance was also the member of the parliament, and also that they are not suspect of any wrongdoing. That says it all about state of democracy there."

Yep.. That it is much the same as anywhere else.

Ohm my God: If you let anyone other than Apple replace your recent iPhone's battery, expect to be nagged by iOS

John Bailey

Re: You were lucky.....

"Doesn't it tell you something when the manufacturer of a Operating System, includes an anti-virus application as standard, that their idea of keeping their users data secure is questionable?"

Yep.. It tells me the maker is actually doing something to prevent problems, instead of pretending invincibility.

"No brainer for me. I'll stick with the company that has my best interests at heart and I DONT MIND PAYING FOR THAT SECURITY EITHER."

Really?

Because you do appear to be quite insecure already.

UK MPs find 'no technical grounds' to exclude Huawei from 5G networks

John Bailey

Depends on if he can concentrate long enough to find out which Jersey.

Must watch: GE's smart light bulb reset process is a masterpiece... of modern techno-insanity

John Bailey

Re: Simple

But then you reset the thermostat too.

It's the curious case of the vanishing iPhone sales as Huawei grabs second place off Apple in smartmobe stakes

John Bailey

Re: Price? Nothing to se here.

"Hey now, be fair, they're shipping them with buttonpads that work, now!"

Should this not read "Hey now, be fair, they're shipping them with buttonpads that work, for now!"?

Two Arkansas dipsticks nicked after allegedly taking turns to shoot each other while wearing bulletproof vests

John Bailey

Re: Doesn't this destroy the vest?

"If a person bought a stab-resistant vest to wear in London, would that mean he was living in a warped world?"

Yes. Indeed you are.

Prez Trump orders Uncle Sam to step up AI efforts – we all know the White House knows a lot about artificial intelligence

John Bailey

Re: AI

"@Oengus Swap "American" for "African" in your post. Still think it's not racist?"

AC.. Learn the definition of race. Still don't understand why we are laughing?

You don't want to be made fun of?

STOP GIVING US SO MUCH MATERIAL TO WORK WITH.

A billion-dollar question: What was really behind Qualcomm's surprise ten-digit gift to Apple?

John Bailey

Re: I do wonder...

I think your opinion may just be sightly coloured by the involvement of Apple in this story, not by any actual knowledge.

Huawei elbows aside Apple to claim number-two phone maker spot

John Bailey

Re: One idea

"'Murica is a bigger market."

Yes. But only by the pound.

'Moore's Revenge' is upon us and will make the world weird

John Bailey

Re: A chip in everything...

"Like he says , as long as it can carry on without the online bullshit."

So.. like every EXISTING appliance. Smart TVs, despite the assertions of being required to connect all the time "any day now", can still be used for all non internetty stuff with no connection.

"Does this fridge really exist? Its become like the standard iot joke. Its like on of those urban myths that are repeated so often most people swear its true. like ... um ... well these:

https://www.rd.com/culture/false-facts-everyone-believes/"

Yes and no.

It exists in the sense you can get a fridge connected to the internet.

But only in the sense that it is fitted with a pretty basic tablet built into the door. Still keeps stuff cold even when disconnected.

My favorite is the internet of imaginary things oven, that for some reason is unique among similar fitted kitchen appliances, in that it can get hotter than can be contained in it's heat proof enclosure, but is also for some inexplicable reason, fitted with the innards of a pottery kiln, that some hacker is going to be able to initiate.

John Bailey

Re: Article misses a critical point

"b) Suggest a better alternative default than 'do one thing and do it well'."

Given where we are.. Moan, quote memes, copy paste the same crap from the last similarly titled story... And do bugger all to change anything. While warning of dire unforeseen consequences should anything ever be done.

Prez Donald Trump to save manufacturing jobs … in China, at ZTE

John Bailey

Well.. they already have the hats in production.

Apple: iPhone sales are down (but they've never been more lucrative)

John Bailey

Only if Alan Alda is Lilly Savage in disguise.

Fancy coughing up for a £2,000 'nanodegree' in flying car design?

John Bailey

Re: Nano

Yes they have. Years ago. It was even built, and a few still fly.

Problem was.. you needed both a driving license and a flying license.

And an airfield to land and take off from. And the wings and tail were bolted on, instead of being mechanically deployed.

'Real' people want govts to spy on them, argues UK Home Secretary

John Bailey

Re: First they came...

"Erm, the whole point of the original quote is that each time they "came for", it was for a group of innocent people. And yet we did nothing because it wasn't us."

Erm..

Actually.. No it wasn't.

Each time "they" came for a nice easy to identify "not me" group of officially identified trouble makers.

The Jews, the Gipsies, the physically and mentally disabled, the gays.. All groups that were declared to be "undesirables" Not innocent victims. You know.. Like immigrants, or asylum seekers, or single mothers in council houses...

"I'm fine with them "coming for" paedophiles, extremists and cybercriminals."

And you can prove you are not any of these naturally..

"So using them as example groups ruins the poem's message."

No sweetie. Just highlights your heroic lack of understanding.

The whole bloody point of the poem.. Is how people can be segregated into Us and Them. And anything that happens to "them" is no more than "they" had coming.

Until we become "them" to someone else. Because we are the good guys.. Right?

Enjoy the camps comrade.

Ever wonder why those Apple iPhone updates take so damn long?

John Bailey

Re: I wonder

"Sorry, this is Apple we're talking about not Google. They actually respect user's privacy."

And then sell it for more.. cos you are so special.

Apple gives world ... umm ... not much new actually

John Bailey

Re: Sign of a mature market?

"Welcome to the beautiful world of "Apologist fanboys", "religious zealots", "astroturfers", and "consumer fashion victims". You will notice that apple is not all that more expensive than the competition, when you take over engineering and general bad design into account, plus, they come with macOS."

FTFY

Raspberry Pi gives us all new 'Pi Zero W' for its fifth birthday

John Bailey

Brexit!

Self-driving cars doomed to be bullied by pedestrians

John Bailey

Re: Tip o' the iceberg

"It's a fair question, but the difference between a self-driving car and a manual car at a traffic light, is"

Really bugger all.

"- a manual car can be driven away if the vehicle or passengers are attacked, overriding safety procedures like the red light or pedestrians blocking the way"

Yet people still get car jacked.. How does this happen? Why do they not drive away, overriding safety procedures so they can be smashed into by oncoming traffic in the lane with the right of way? Or run over the miscreants as soon as they obligingly position themselves where they can be easily run over?

"- a traffic light by definition is at a junction or area of high traffic, where overt robbery is likely to have witnesses, who may even intervene."

And nobody is going to bother if it's a self driving car?

No difference as far as helpful passers by are concerned. Point invalidated. Becasue traffic lights are one of the primary car jacking scenarios.

"Immobilising a self-driving car can be done at any point on any road, and naturally quiet country roads or urban side streets at night would be the prime location."

Immobilising a car of any kind can be done at any point on any road, and naturally quiet country roads or urban side streets at night would be no better or worse than anywhere else. .

Or does your car have tank tracks?

A few handfuls of bent nails welded together.

A board with a few nails hammered through.

And if we are talking quiet country roads.. A tree pulled down across the road provides a very effective means of halting a vehicle of any size.

Stopping a vehicle is easy.

And when someone jumps out in front of your car, do you just accelerate hoping they get out of the way, instead of jamming the brakes on, and coming to a stop as quickly as you can?

How many have you run over so far?

Or do you imagine that in the split second you have to decide, you can assess the situation, and correctly distinguish between a car jacker and a careless pedestrian?

Nice try, but still bull.

John Bailey

Re: Tip o' the iceberg

"Hey lookie, a self-driving car...

JAYWALK, RAPE, ROB, PILLAGE, AND PLUNDER!!!"

Hey lookie, a traffic light.

See above.

Explain the difference please.

LASER RAT FENCE wins €1.7m European Commission funds

John Bailey

Re: Those of us old enough to remember . . .

And those of us smart enough to spot the subtle difference in approach between deterrent and elimination will understand why learning a lesson from an entirely different situation is not actually helpful.

The lasers scare the pests away. They do not kill them.

Y'know that ridiculously expensive Oculus Rift? Yeah, it just got worse

John Bailey

Re: Fools tax

"I love my Vive and the experience and entertainment value it provides is worth every penny and then some to me. Its truly and literally a gamechanger. From my perspective, the actual fool is the one who self-righteously preaches about something that he hasn't even had the experience of owning."

Said every person who bought <insert abandoned hardware>. Until the maker abandoned it.

Early adoption is risky at best. You may buy into Blu Ray, or you may find yourself using a zip disk.

EU turns screws on Android – report

John Bailey

Re: EU Coffer filling

"As per usual, not a single Eurocent of this fine will go to the alleged 'duped' customer."

Of course not. And not a Eurocent of Europe wide speeding fines go to the drivers who stay within the speed limit.

Where do you get the idea that this is how fines work?

If you want to make an insignificant amount of money from a legal proceeding against a company, be American, and get involved in a class action suit.

And no. It is not the purpose of the fine to ruin the company being fined, so they will not be fined twice their annual income a week either.

"And also per usual, the real problem with android devices, namely that producers stop supporting and upgrading them the minute they're put in the box (yes, Sony and Samsung, I'm looking at you) is deftly ignored."

And which law is being broken?

Which business regulation is being ignored?

"If I had a rocket launcher..."

You would blow your own foot off.

Apple's Breaxit scandal: Frenchman smashes up €50,000 of iThings with his big metal balls

John Bailey

Re: You broke it. You bought it. EOM

Don't know if French law is different, but in the UK, if you break it, you are liable only for the wholesale price. Not full marked retail price.

Shops are not allowed to profit from breakages. Only to recover costs.

UK copyright troll weeps, starts 20-week stretch in the cooler for beating up Uber driver

John Bailey

Re: I have one reservation

""Get used to life being different" sounds like the magistrate was pissed off."

Well.. Given we only get to see the little snippet, we have no idea how obnoxious the little toad was during his trial.

"Yes, many will be pissed off hearing how the jerk acted... but: A magistrate should remain impartial (the blind justice and all)... emotive statements like that worry me."

And you assume that being less than detached when responding to the reaction to his sentence, somehow indicated a lack of impartiality?

People can compartmentalise. Get used to people being capable of complex behaviour.

Samsung wants your exploding Galaxy Note 7. Have a new one instead

John Bailey

Re: They deserve it.

"I think that ironically the non-replaceable batteries are to keep Joe Cheapskate from replacing the OEM battery with some half-price dodgy thing from ebay, then blaming the phone manufacturer when the crap battery goes up in smoke."

So.. Not to encourage replacement of a perfectly good phone that just has a dead battery, when the battery wears out then?

Do you also salivate when someone rings a bell?

Fanbois iVaporate: Smallest Apple iPhone queues ever

John Bailey

Re: Trading up?

"Last year, I got a 6S delivered to my home, on launch day, for £100 on a £30 24mo contract, I then traded in my 5S for £150. If you discount the contract price, which I would still have to pay even if the phone was a box of crap, I was £50 up on the deal."

Are you by any chance, one of Apple's accountants?

John Bailey

Re: Hardly Scientific

"iPhone doesn't have a target market. This is as stupid as saying Coca Cola has a target market."

So not in fact, stupid at all.

'What this video game needs is actual footage of real gruesome deaths'

John Bailey

Re: Why is anyone still listening to these terrorists anyway!?

Because outraged clickbait.

Microsoft leads group pelting 'heavy duty' robot maker with $10.5m

John Bailey

Re: MS exosuit!

I can see it now.

Next Iron man movie plot.. After an ill advised update to Windows 10, Jarvis is deleted, and Tony Stark has to deal with Cortana just as the alien invasion starts.

World eats its 10 millionth Raspberry Pi

John Bailey

Re: Oh no, they've gone all Apple

Nah..That mouse looks quite usable. And the wall wart is not a choking hazard for small children.

Net neutrality activists claim victory in Europe

John Bailey

"If they really were scalping, someone would've come along and undercut them by now."

Ahh yes, the "free market will provide" prayer of the deluded.

Nice theory. Still bullshit.

Idiot flies drone alongside Flybe jet landing at Newquay Airport

John Bailey

Re: Prop vs Jet

"While some of the structural components would likely be reduced to harmless chaff, the LiPo batteries would also be blended, resulting in finely divided particles of reactive metal being flung about, which could be a problem."

In what way?

Before you answer, go and read up on what actually happens when a lithium battery goes pop.

Hint.. It doesn't really explode.

Then when you actually understand the mechanism.. explain to me where the pressure will build up in finely divided lithium battery confetti.

Ad blockers responsible for rise in upfront TV ad sales, claims report

John Bailey

Re: @John Bailey

Well.. yes.

But only on bring your goldfish to work day.

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