Posts by UncleZoot

Cats: Not a fan favourite when the critters are draped around an office packed with tech

Cat hair is nothing compared to the black crud build-up on any shop floor work station. It was common to have a work station fail less than 6 months from deployment.

Bad software crashed Boeings. Now it appears the company lacked a singular software supremo

Re: Interesting spin

At the time of design or entry into service, the angle of attach sensor wasn't a known issue.

What no one has asked or disclosed is who is making the sensors? Name and shame.

When I worked in aircraft parts manufacturing, I/we tracked defects. If I saw more than 2 or 3 parts or operations with the same defect, I was out looking for the root cause.

Too bad that they outsourced the software flight control software to a company that didn't speak English as their first language.

Just another seven figure position created to place a bandage on being politically correct.

Proposed US fix for Boeing 737 Max software woes does not address Ethiopian crash scenario, UK pilot union warns

Why has nothing been brought up as to the root cause of these disastrous crashes, that the AOA indicators are failing at an alarming rate?

Boeing offered a second AOA sensor which most airlines purchased, except that the low cost turd world airlines didn't opt for.

The Boeing 737 NG also used a version of MCAS, thought not as "intelligent" as the system used on the Max version.

There are other means to turn the crank handles for control surfaces. They could have installed a hydraulic system to operate the control surfaces

Why should the UK pensions watchdog be able to spy on your internet activities? Same reason as the Environment Agency and many more

Poop, eat well or else

So much for privacy. I can't believe that the Subjects of the UK put up with this shyte? You allow numpties to comb through every step in your lives, yet there is no consequences for government failure to protect.

Hey numpties, comb my poo looking for clues to what I ate last night.

Please, just stop downloading apps from unofficial stores: Android users hit with 'unkillable malware'

And to think all this time Apple caught so much flack for locking down the distribution of software used on IOS devises.

I understand wanting to be in control of a piece of kit you purchased, but too many people just clicj the accept and install button to be a menace to themselves and others.

Freedom of Information coverup clerk stung for £2k after deleting council audio recording

Re: Million dollar question

In the US state of Texas, local governments make you jump through hoops to get public information by extorting you for hundreds or thousands of dollars for public information. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRMrW-1_Qqc

The other game local government uses is calling a recess of the meeting to meet in executive session, then once they finish scheming, go back out infront of the cameras to act as if nothing went on. They claim deliberative process shields them from public disclosure.

Look @ the YouTube channel for Justin Pulliam, a person well versed in freedom of information requests.

Airbus A350 software bug forces airlines to turn planes off and on every 149 hours

Re: "...need to be hard rebooted after exactly 149 hours"

That would be a big IF the engines do a restart.

I can imagine making an Atlantic crossing in a storm, run out of time, everything goes black and the flight crew fighting to reboot the computers and get engines restarted in the rain while traveling @ 425kts.

Once the engines shutdown, all heat for the control surfaces no longer exists so the leading edge of the wing, horizontal and vertical stabilizers begin to freeze. This would not be a good day.

Windows 10 Pro goes Home as Microsoft fires up downgrade server

This whole MicroSlop affair might be funny if I didn't have so much money tied up in software licenses.

Between 2 licenses for Autodesk Inventor and AutoCad,, 4 more licenses for ABlowME Photoshop, Premier, and After Effects and 5 licenses for MS Office, I'd love one platform that can run it all, but alas, MicroSlop has a monopoly on business software.

Been the MAC route, but with the way that Office handles styles and conversions, I spent too much time fixing shit that wasn't broke.

Still not a happy camper with updates being shoved down my throat, so one box is only used for emailing files and isn't going to receive updates.

Microsoft deletes deleterious file deletion bug from Windows 10 October 2018 Update

I guess since I store 98% of my files on external devices, I'm lucky on this one.

My problem was back a few months ago, when after update my video card would crash on startup. With Microslop fashion, they make getting to safe mode next to impossible.

Had to resort to firing up the bios and trashing the nVidia drivers and have to run the basic Microslop driver. Works for most things, but not well for Catia which the machine was set up for. Back to teh desktop HP still running Win 7.

British Airways' latest Total Inability To Support Upwardness of Planes* caused by Amadeus system outage

Re: Amadeus

I don't know any private pilot that's going to fly a plane over the gross weight unless he's looking to become a statistic.

My Cessna 340A has a gross weight of 6050 lbs, of which 3850 lbs is the aircraft as equipped. That leaves me 2200 lbs for cargo including fuel. Given that I plan on getting from point A to point B in one piece, fuel loading and weight and balance is something that's calculated before every flight.

So the system was down to calculate a load sheet? The last time I checked, the pilot was pilot and first officer were the ones that calculated the load sheets and ordered the fuel.

If you don't know the load, you can't calculate the fuel required or more importantly, your V1, V2, and rotate speeds.

A basic spread sheet, with passenger count, freight weight and distance to be flown will yield the fuel required in pounds, liters or tonnes.

The Quantum of Firefox: Why is this one unlike any other Firefox?

Why is Mozilla attempting to look like Microslop? If I wanted to use IE or the abomination, EDGE, I'd already been using it.

Major fail Mozilla.

Guess – go on, guess – where a vehicle tracking company left half a million records

Re: Hidden GPS trackers in vehicles?

I'd love that they attempt to extort me. I've got access to a bug finder.

Scan to find tracker, remove said tracker, remove label, crush the shit out of said tracker, and place label on pile of tracker remains. Take back to dealership and force feed to finance manager.

DJI strips out code badness, reveals some GPL odds 'n sods

DJI has been a chronic abuser of their customers for as long as I can remember.

I purchased a Phantom 2 somewhere around 2010 or so. They had a few problems which DJI would roll out a patch to correct. Then once they came out with the Phantom 3, that changed. Constant changes to the app used back then called DJI Pilot.

DJI hid that they were enforcing geo fencing and bricked thousands of units. DJI has access to all of your flight information including locations and any video you've taken provided you're using a smart devise to control and view the camera.

After the first major update of software and firmware, I swore off of any further updates, period.

DJI, Great innovation, rotten customer service, and even worse secrecy to what they've done to your purchased hardware.

To think, they now own the controlling interest of Hasselblad camera company.

Hackers able to turbo-charge DJI drones way beyond what's legal

Been a DJI Phantom user since the Phantom 2. DJI has the worst firmware and software going. Back then, it was monthly updates with no responsibility by DJI when the screw up and your drone flew off, never to be seen again.

When I purchased my Phantom 3, I did no updates to firmware or the application software. Doesn't need permission from DJI to fly anywhere.

I also happen to have a private pilots license, and stay out of controlled airspace. Check the bio for the lawyer that DJI hired a few years back. He defended Team Black Sheep that flew all over London, including up to Big Ben and Parliament.

DJI is just keeping the authorities appeased so as to keep the money stream flowing.

Airbus to build plane that's even uglier than the A380

The author of this piece is very misinformed.

Airbus didn't build the A300-600ST, a company working for them in Toulouse did. SOGERMA a assembly company that also does the aircraft interiors for Airbus did the assembly.

I worked in the facility when the assembly was taking place.

Botched Microsoft update knocks Windows 8, 10 PCs offline – regardless of ISP

Redmond is silent because they're stupid.

Can't figure who's worse, Microslop or Mozilla.

Microslop with the constant updates that cause whatever happens or Mozilla with the constant updates knocking out all of your add-ons. Both suck major scrotum.

Boeing just about gives up on the 747

Re: Interesting

ETOPS, Extended twin engine operation over water. They now are operating for 240 minutes from land.

Re: @bazza

The Chicoms have a piss poor track record for aircraft production. The first one that goes down to a design issue will put an end to COMAC.

Been there and done that. Chinese design sucks.

Neither Airbus or Boeing sets the cabin configuration on what you're flying.

Airlines decide what pitch the decide for seating.

Having worked in this industry for 30 years, each generation of aircraft is more fuel efficient than the last and quieter.

ETOPS requirements are constantly changing. The 180 ETOPS was fought for to get twins allowed to fly more direct routes. Now there are 210 and 240 minute allowances.

On to the Airbus A380. The vast majority of A380 flights run through hubs in the middle east where fuel costs weren't a big deal, as the operators are state sponsored. Time to board and disembark are greater. Since they're "new" the features are going to appear nicer than than a 15 year old plane.

Russian hackers got Trump elected? Yeah, let's take a close look at that, says Obama

Where was the NSA?

Since the beginning of the Patriot Act, the NSA monitors any and all foreign net traffic and stores the results in the super secret data center. One would think if these supposed hacks were of foreign nature, that the NSA would have spotted the intrusion.

As an American, I'm ticked that the monies extorted by government for these programs is either being wasted on boondoggles or they've reached critical mass and can't mine what they've collected.

This would be the same NSA that collected the Hillary emails but fines ignorance. The same NSA that has had two employees go rouge with terabytes of data, yet not observed?

China gets mad at Donald Trump, threatens to ruin Apple

And President Barry was a Congressman for two years and an elected Senator for another tow years of which he spent 18 months running for president.

I highly doubt that Trump thought that the staff remained behind. He wouldn't want them imo, since they are an unknown entity to him.

Successful business people have a greater understanding of how things work than the common man.

Rodney Dangerfield in one of his movies decided to go to college with his son. He took a business course and the professor was citing text book, theory how business works. Dangerfield mouthed off that the professor didn't know shit, as the way business runs if knowing the right people to grease.

Trump knows the game. He'll surround himself with the best minds and unlike others before him, govern using the best advise given. Trump has a huge ego, but he won't let ego get into the way when it comes to success.

Silicon Valley's oligarchs got a punch in the head – and that's actually good thing

Re: Kind'a

(*) Disclaimer - as I am a pessimist, my daughter is getting archery training

Be pessimistic as possible, but once tasty animals dry up you'll be an herbivore.

Companies follow cheap labor all over the world. First it was Japan, then Siapan, followed by India, Pakistan, China and now Vietnam.

As long as you're connected by going to an Ivy League college, you get a seat on my board of directors, I get one you yours and we both get rich.

A lot of things have changed. Companies forgot about employees when the name of the department changed from Employment, to Personnel, to Human Resources. When the HR people start getting canned, they pay attention, not until then though.

You can create the best product in the world, but if the populace can't afford to purchase it's as useful as a chocolate house in the desert.

Google to patch Chrome mobile hole after bank trojan hits 318k users

I' love it!

Google outed Microslop over security vulnerabilities, then a week later gets gob smacked with their own security issues. Way to go Alphabet! Does Google have deep pockets for this screw-up?

Not sure who I dislike more, Google or Fakebook.

RIP EarthLink, 1994–2016: From AOL killer to regional ISP's attic

I predate EarthLink back to the old Mindspring days.

EarthLink has been pretty good over the years for service. When EarthLink purchased Mindspring, of course there was a price increase. They were slow to gain access to DSL, so I went with Bell Atlantic, that fell under the Verizon umbrella. Still kept a limited plan with Earthling as a fall back and my old email address.

What used to cost $5.95 a month for 6 hours of dial up and email address has risen to $14.95 a month.

EarthLink gives subscribers access to dummy mail boxes, so it's easy to tell who sold your email address and take the necessary action. If the spam filters didn't work as well as they do, I'd be gone. Can't tell you the last time I used any dial up service as I haven't had a land line in 10 or so years, and I only used dial up on the road for protection against the hotel broadband snoops.

All good things come to and end. Farewell EarthLink.

Brit network O2 hands out free Windows virus with USB pens

And the numpties at Brit O2 would be sending their tech support people out for a cleaning of the system before I found another supplier.

Where I worked before, the USB bus was disabled other than for the keyboard and hard wired mouse.

After it became impossible to purchase keyboards with wired mouse, we modified the OS to only recognize specific devises.

Facebook ‘glitch’ that deleted the Philando Castile shooting vid: It was the police – sources

Re: "...the fear that cops feel everyday..."

What utter rubbish. Anyone that plays in traffic as do trash collectors are bound to be struck by inattentive drivers. I didn't see listed tow truck drivers.

Bloomberg for the source says it all with his anti-gun agenda. Old Mikie is protected 24/7 by armed guards, so he himself has no need for a gun. Diane Finstein, the anti-gun senator from Commiefornia has a concealed carry permit in addition to security provided by the US Capitol police.

Where I live, there have been three tow truck drivers killed by inattentive persons driving into the flashing lights of the truck. It's such a problem that motor vehicle laws were enacted to require you to move over or slow down when in the proximity of a truck.

The next time you need someone to respond for a theft or domestic dispute, call your local trash man instead of the police.

Re: Guns don't kill people....

Over your cold dead body sir.

The first time I went to London, it was different to see that the Bobbies weren't armed. That was back in the 1980's. Fast forward 30 years and a portion of the Bobbies are now armed and the hordes from North Africa have descended on the UK to suck the benefits of your country.

What's going to happen when the benefits run out? Healthcare isn't free, Council Houses aren't free, neither is education. Someone has to pay.

Inner cities are run by gangs protecting drug turf. Where years back, you had a fist fight. Then it was being jumped by a group with knives, now it's thugs proving how tough they are with guns.

I beg you, please don't back up that secret directory full of photos!

I'm not to judge.

I'll run virus scan and malware scans, then use my recovery software to just discover DOC's. XLS, JPG, and movie files, transfer them to temporary holding, then blow out the disk. A fresh install and flip the recovered files back over.

I don't want to know what's on your machine. It's your business not mine.

All-American Apple challenges US gov call for iOS 'backdoor'

To me there are two conflicting issues here.

#1. Encryption has been around for years. Recently theregister posted stories that PGP had been broken by the US government and was a waste of time. The aes256 encryption can be broken, given enough time for a brute force attack.

#2. What's the main sticking point is that Apple installed a dooms days counter. Enter the incorrect password 10 times and the unit triggers an auto-wipe feature. Apple claims they don't have a work around, government is now demanding Apple build one for them, supposedly for a one time event.

If anything, the existence of the FISA courts shows that government lies and cheats and isn't accountable to the citizens. Companies receiving warrants from FISA are required to remain silent that they even received the warrant. So much for constitutional rights.

I guess I'm guilty then. Now that my phone is encrypted, I won't allow anyone to look at what's inside.

The same reasoning I use for why I still use the touch pad to enter my code instead of the finger print reader.

When Judges have ruled that forcing you to place your finger on the reader is legal and forcing you to enter a code number isn't. Screw it, it the code for good.

Boeing builds British Airways 787 Dreamliner in 4 minutes

Re: But why????

The foreign made components on the Boeing aircraft are because of a risk share arraignment. Instead of Boeing having to pay to design and develop the part, the "partner" did and they get paid when the aircraft sells.

The design company also has to provide support to both Boeing and the aircraft customer.

Attention sysadmins! Here’s how to dodge bullets in a post-Ashley Madison world

It doesn't matter. Major corporations are ripe with people that even after getting a briefing on Spearphishing still has the same people violating policy.

When the secretaries of most departments have user and passwords for their bosses because the boss is too lazy to read his own e-mail, nothing is going to change.

My old system required mandatory PW changes every 30 days. I had access to more than 10 systems that didn't allow for using the same password or reuse of a password. You can't write them down, and can't by policy drop them on a thumb drive.

The SOD's at phishme can't take a joke when you zip up their attack and then use another account to send it back. Pretty simple to just look at the headers and squash the attack.

Drones need their own version of Asimov's laws of robotics – MEPs

Government is always behind technology. What they don't understand they regulate. Not going to change in the foreseeable future.

I've flown nitro copters for years, the past 6 years with a camera mounted. Stabilized gimbals were few and far between as well as a system to stabilize flight. Along came DJI with the Phantom series quads and Light Bridge first person viewing the the world exploded.

Too many different government agencies have their hands into attempting to regulate UAV's and as such, the current regulations don't work, sort of like Mozilla with FireFox

For every system (geo fencing) put in place to restrict UAV flight, there's a cheap work abound.

Education and licensing is the only thing that's going to work. Get caught with no license, lose your quad until you get the license. Infractions after that, huge fines for repeat offenders..

Verizon CFO: 'Unlimited' data is just a word

Unlimited means just that, unlimited

I use an iPhone 4 with Verizon and was forced into the unlimited plan when I signed up a couple of years back. I'm a fairly heavy user,at least by my standards, using between 4-6 gb per month. I do use wifi whenever available.

I inquired about the all in one plan if I were to get a new IPhone 5 and was informed that I would need the $40 a month unlimited phone and texting plan and then the data plan for another $80 per month.

While I'd like a new phone, I'll be sticking with my unlimited plan until I decide a solution around the new service plans.