Posts by The Sprocket

Economists blame Trump tariffs, AI explosion for threatening global economy

Re: AI is the scam du jour. Worry less about it. Spend your tech budget on infosec instead.

". . . before they woke up and smelled the covfefe."

Bang on!

Re: Still haven't figured it out

We need to remember the early age of the internet. Wondrous things were happening and optimism was running high. I know—I was working in it—elbow high in HTML and Photoshop 3.0. But then dark actors started messing around, corporate slimes were finding ways to scrape info, infiltrate user accounts, etc. Those optimistic days were dying. Today we need ad blockers, firewalls, site security out the wazoo as these dark actors are turning it into a shit-show. Same will happen to AI. Yes, I too can see a small proportion will use it for decent purposes, but quickly it will be used to nix jobs by the corporate greedy. Then the nefarious stuff will start to happen. I say without some serious controls, this thing could be our undoing. My problem is who are going to apply the controls and do they know how to craft those controls. Somebody opened that AI 'Pandora's Box' and we're going to be stuck with it. I wish I could be optimistic, but I've been alive and working tooo long and know how Humanity works. We'll be living in a world of 6 fingers. Just my 2¢ worth.

Trump thinks we can make iPhones in the US just like China. Yeah, right

Yeah (LOL!) Foxconn. What a major fizzzzzzle THAT was. Foxconn built a building, 13,000 employees were to be hired, but that ended up being 1,000—and then maybe EV batteries will be made? Nobody is really sure. Yeah the iDigital manufacturing landscape really changed with that one. So I'm not expecting to see an American-made $3,000-$5,000 iPhone coming out of Trump's USA anytime soon.

Re: the army of millions of human beings screwing in little screws is going to come to America

"Android phones are also going to be much cheaper than iPhones now"

How do you figure? The tariff that's good for the Apple, is good for the Android. Both are imported. Both get hit. Build them in the USA? Same thing for Apple as for Android. Only Android would be a bit typically cheaper, as it is now.

Re: Trump doesn't think

Trump is a checkers guy operating in a chess world. No wonder he is confused.

Why is Big Tech hellbent on making AI opt-out?

You are right, but I still hate AI. "Fuck it" I say. And I say that about 10-20 times a day with my colleagues. And they say it back to me. Avicious circle of AL hate.

Sorry.

Apple quietly admits 8GB isn't enough in 2024, M4 iMac to ship with 16GB as standard

I'm running Affinity Suite 1x (whatever) on my 2017 Macbook Air with only 8gb. It runs fine. But to be fair, I don't use it like a production machine—the work is a far bit more casual. Yes—everything is continuously backed up to the nines.

Voice-enabled AI agents can automate everything, even your phone scams

We don't buy anything from unsolicited phone calls, emails, SMS, or the like either. I save the 'fuck offs' for wankers who truly deserve them. So when a call comes in with "Can I speak with the homeowner?" I say nothing and just hang up. To get to THAT point first though, they will have had to go through my phone's gate-guardian: "To continue with this call or leave voice mail, please press the pound key"

Re: YMMV with this....

A lot of landline phones have a feature that as soon as a call comes in, the caller is greeted immediately with "Please enter the pound sign to continue your call or leave a message"

Of course, easy enough for a human, but a robocall will be pooched. What about a Human scammer? Let the call go to voice mail.

Job done.

*click* . . .

Automated Phone Scammer calls in and . . .

My Phone: "Please press the pound key to complete your call or leave a message"

Automated Phone Scammer: *click* [ disconnect ]

So much for f*ckn automated scammers.

Smart TVs are spying on everyone

Re: Content surfing

I recommend taking up the 'cello.

Re: Buy a non smart TV - if you can find one

I like your plan. I will investigate if that is a do-able thing here. It should be. Thanks.

Microsoft admits Outlook crashes, says impact 'mitigated'

Ditto.

Re: Limited Option

Yes—I have to agree with the 3 comments here as much of that has been my experience, except during my career with digital exposure (1995 & on) I was expected to be fluent on both Mac and Windows. Regardless, I still run into people who use Windows by choice, who continually run into needless pain. A colleague of mine was having Outlook issues with a project he and I were working on, so I looked up the symptoms, and sure enough—well documented glitch that MS 'gave up' on fixing. Well, we fixed the MS glitch of his for sure. We swapped out his Outlook mail client for Thunderbird. No further glitches.

If every PC is going to be an AI PC, they better be as good at all the things trad PCs can do

Re: Hamster wheels?

"I cannot think of anything I do on a computer that I would prefer to be done by an AI, that I would have to review and check. I even dislike auto-correct, heck, if I'm gong to publish typos I would like them to be my types*, not some AI generated guess typo."

Bingo. Nailed it. Me too.

AI-pushing Adobe says AI-shy office workers will love AI if it saves them time

Re: Adobe can piss right off

No kidding. But that subscription extortion was the straw that broke the camel's back for me. Despised like Microsoft.

Zuck dreams of personalized AI assistants for all – just like email

No. I'll have no participation in A.I. I can foresee the day when those 'brainiacs' at Apple 2.0 decide we need a healthy dose of A.I. in our operating system. FFS.

Uber and China's BYD agree deal to roll out 100,000 EV fleet

What could possibly go wrong???

Firefox 128 bumps system requirements for old boxes

Not impressed, Mozilla, with the thought of a free browser sidelining still very usable hardware. Both me, and my MacBook Air agree—you suck. Now change our minds.

Google to kill off URL shortener once and for all

When does G**gle stop trying to 'rule' the internet? Who died and made them God? I loathe them so much I won't even type their full name, let alone use their crappy products.

Apple antique aficionados can boot to the future with OpenCore Legacy Patcher

Intrigued

My buddy and I were just grousing on about this Apple issue, both of us being Art Directors and retired, but still keen to keep our hand in periodically and still have very well-running hardware.

I am a MacBook Air fan and currently use a 7,2 (SSD) from 2017-2019. The hardware is in minty-mint shape and it runs smooth as silk. No, I don't use Adobe stuff but Affinity Designer/Photo 1.x which I find easy on the resources. Today I'm on 10.13.6 (High Sierra) and can only move up to OS12 (Monterey) according to Apple. I wouldn't mind getting closer up yet—so I will be spending some time investigating how far up I can go, and how best to deal with it.

Let's face it—I just need the later OS ONLY to keep a reasonably current version of Firefox going. *rolls eyes* I hate that free stuff can sideline a perfectly good machine. (Sorry—I know I'm preaching to the converted)

I also thank those who posted some 'advisories' in this thread. Well noted.

Samsung takes bite out of Apple over its mega marketing misstep

Regardless of that ad, I still see Apple as a premier component WITHIN the creative community, while Samsung doesn't even seem to exist. And while I personally don't know any creative artists actually creating much on an iPad, they ARE used in subservient roles. I use mine for chasing down typefaces, colour swatches, and sheet music from IMSLP. Could I do that on a Samsung tablet? Sure, but from what I've heard in my social circle, Samsung isn't quite that reliable and they're hooked up to data-slurping Google. Pass.

Reddit goes AI agnostic, signs data training deal with OpenAI

Failing

I find it amazing that the AI training models being chosen have the intellectual firepower of a child failing grade 5. No confidence in AI whatsoever.

So you've built the best tablet, Apple. Show us why it matters

Best tablet? Already got it.

Apple really needs to wake up. The 'best tablet' is the one I'm using and have no need or desire to 'upgrade'. My 2017-19 10.5" iPad Pro runs very nicely still and is light/thin enough. But for the most part, I just use it as a digital tool to browse the web, as one might thumb through a magazine of yore.

Nice to know Apple is still making tablets. SOMEDAY I will have to upgrade, but not now. But I can do well without the sanctimonious negative ads. Wake up Apple—you risk pissing off potential customers.

Regrettably.

Oklahoma saddles up bill of rights for crypto wranglers and miners

No funding for chumps who get scammed. The whole scamcoin thing should be busted and shutdown.

Firefox points the way to eradicating one of the rudest words online: PDF

Re: I don't mind PDFs

This comes from a career Designer/Art Director:

PDFs were never intended to be used on 'phones'. They were intended to be an exchange file that preserved formatting in various forms of communication, often intended for some form of print. There is no uninspired 'responsive design' aspect to PDFs like there is for webpages. So, that said—choose the right tool for the right job. Your 200 page PDF in best viewed on a desktop/laptop. I find my iPad works just fine for that as well. Consider turning the thing sideways as well if you want the immediate content larger.

Face it—phones have limitations and can't be used for everything, and work best as a phone.

Re: I don't mind PDFs

With just a PDF reader, editing is do-able, but 'saving' is verboten—UNLESS the recipient has PDF editing software AND knows how to use it. Outside of that, PDFs are generally less likely to be fiddled with than a '.docx' document.

Re: I don't mind PDFs

Pretty much agreed. Professionally designed documents, created by someone who understands typography and line-lengths for readability, is more often to be found in the 'PDF world' as opposed to the web one. I agree with your paper viewpoint too. Regrettably, the web-world has just turned into a sch!tt-show due to the persistent accommodation of the 'smartphone' at the primarily level.

Apple redecorates its iPhone prison to appease Europe

Agreed 100%

I agree 100%, brother. Me too!

I'm fine with the way Apple operates. I went through the 90's downloading software/shareware/freeware from all sorts of places, mainly magazine CD-ROMs. I never had issues, but some of my colleagues had a few. Viruses, poorly written keystroke loggers, etc.

Face it—it is Apple's business and if developers/consumers don't like the way it is run, just go elsewhere. I'm sure the Android 'leaky sieve' would love to have you. I appreciate Apple's vigilance in keeping 'the bad guys' out and away. As far as developers are concerned—Microsoft and Apple have always had various regulations that MUST be adhered to.

Sorry to disappoint the 'freedom' crowd. Blame the bad guys.

EU wants to make undersea internet cables more resilient

Re: Undersea Defence

I would say that is ONE interesting defense idea worth following up. I wonder if any other EU members have any other practical solutions. As others have said here, it would be a challenging problem to, essentially, case-harden these undersea cables.

I know from my reading last week that Iceland is particularly concerned (read: shitting their pants), as their various servers are in Ireland and are connected by two undersea cables. (I think there maybe a third, but where it is escapes me at the moment). Russian 'research vessels' have been identified 'snooping around'.

We all know how vital the internet is, and know what WE do when our ISP goes down for an hour or two at home. Yes—this is a serious challenge I hope finds an answer.

Google Chrome coders really, truly, absolutely ready to cull third-party cookies from 2024

Re: I have this browser open to read El Reg and nothing else

It's a right-click option. I use it routinely.

Apple finally pro giving Pro iPads these Pro apps

Re: Media

Yes—fine for short subjects that may also be now and again frequency. Not sure how happy I'd be paying a monthly subscription for what could end up being 'occasional use'. As a professional career Designer, I dumped Adobe for Affinity (Serif) for that very reason (although none of it is being used on my iPad Pro). Super happy I did too!

Microsoft begs you not to ditch Edge on Google's own Chrome download page

Re: This isn't that new

Precisely!!

Apple complains UK watchdog wants to make iOS a 'clone' of Android

Re: Apple - the anti-choice champion

"Safari is the browser that you use for downloading Firefox, isn't it?"

On a laptop, yes. But not on an iPhone/iPad. Firefox is on the App Store, and one uses the App Store app on your iPhone/iPad to download it. AND there are a few versions of Firefox there.

"Why should the UK watchdog destroy competition by making them both work the same way?"

Precisely.

Apple perfects vendor lock-in with home security kit

Re: Quick question

Agreed 100%. Same boat.

Yeah, agreed. Then I look at all the neighbourhoods where RFID key fobs for cars have been tampered with inside houses from a van on the street to gain access to said parked cars. This 'over digitization' for the sake of convenience and/or cool factor is pure madness. Re-direct the efforts, Apple (et al).

We sat through Apple's product launch disguised as a dev event so you don't have to

Re: The 2013 MacbookAir was the last good one :(

Actually, the 2017-2019 13" Macbook Air 7,2 was able to do ALL that and a bit more. Happy as a clam with mine. Love the upgradeable / replaceable SSD and battery as well as the Magsafe connector. Maybe you want to upgrade a small bit?

NASA scrubs Artemis SLS Moon rocket launch

Re: 200% trust in NASA

Also seconded. 100% support since the days of John Glenn!

Central bank: Crypto 'derives value based on make believe', threatens financial stability

Re: I agree

While that is true, essentially national currencies are traditionally more stable, and overseen with a responsibility towards the well-being of said nation.

Crypto is private, and has no regulations or oversight whatsoever. Hence, the opening statement: Crypto 'derives value based on make believe' rings very true. I absolutely refuse to endorse it, or go near it in its current state. I see it as currency for the dark web and criminals.

Now, tell me that the G20 has come up with an 'international currency' that operates similar to crypto, but is much more stable and has iron-clad G20 oversight, there may be more of a mainstream appetite for the concept then—especially from the business world.

Just my 2¢ worth.

NASA circles August in its diary to put Artemis I capsule in Moon orbit

Re: Pathetic

I'd prefer we'd leave the Moon alone and put energies into robotics well beyond.

Whatever hit the Moon in March, it left this weird double crater

Does it really matter?

One odd impact crater caused by Chinese space junk. For decades humanity has been trashing up space and there are increasing amounts of junk in orbit. The moon already has a notable amount of left junk, and Mars is now being trashed up as well. And NOBODY seems to care. Just like here on Earth. Nobody really cares unless there is negative political impact, or a nasty financial one. And those who do believe we should be picking up after ourselves are just viewed as 'enviro-lefty-kooks'.

So I see one double impact crater. Does it really matter? Nobody apparently gives a toss.

Apple, Google, Microsoft, Mozilla agree on something: Make web dev lives easier

Re: Keep It Simple, Stupid.

Oh, gawd—yes. As one who was responsible for in-house online design (enterprise & consumer) I saw that shite all the time from outside vendors who management would contract without our knowledge (f#$k !). So many times we'd be asked by internal stakeholders to redesign/rebuild the entire disaster. Thankfully, I had a crack-on team who were able to rise to the challenge. The downside was trying to keep it under wraps from management that their 'wunderkind' vendor had caulked up. But that was the CIOs job, not mine.

Use Zoom on a Mac? You might want to check your microphone usage

I can see this as a real concern for businesses who blindly trust Zoom as they discuss confidential matters.

But for myself, who is retired, all Zoom will be getting is mindless rabble from a bunch of p!ssed up old yobs who periodically group for a virtual pub night and yak on endlessly about our favourite 80's bands (LOL!!)

Re: Watching the watchers watch the watchers watch

They are useful.

As soon as you’re connected to the Internet, applications can potentially send whatever they want to wherever they want. Most often they do this to your benefit. But sometimes, like in case of tracking software, trojans or other malware, they don’t. But you don’t notice anything, because all of this happens invisibly under the hood.. While this may edge into the tin-foil hat crew, it's not a bad idea if one is concerned to that degree. I've been thinking myself of installing Li'l Snitch for the last 20 years. I'm still thinking about it, but I'm a cheap SOB yet I could afford it easily. And as we know, these programs like Li'l Snitch can turn off the offending programs ability to 'call home'.

Personally, I don't see them as absurd as you do. To each his own.

Machine needs more Learning: Google Drive dings single-character files for copyright infringement

Not likely

Given the absurdity of this, I'd like to copyright the '@' symbol. (Might get away with it in the nation of Nauru.)

Russia starts playing by the rules: FSB busts 14 REvil ransomware suspects

Yup. Smells like theatre to me as well.

We're number two! Microsoft's Edge browser slips past Firefox in latest set of NetMarketShare figures

Re: Why the decline of Firefox?

Yup. Killed off the last of Google's junk last year. Nice to be free and not witholding to them.