Posts by danbi

The biggest microcode attack in our history is underway

Re: What is this article about again ?

Come on, author claims microcode and US government function the same way... just reload new government to the US and that fixes anything.

Re: What is this article about again ?

It gets even worse. The article does not discuss any particular vulnerability, just scares the audience by talking about how microcode can do stuff on the CPU (surprise!). Then when the attention of the public is caught, goes on with the agenda of blaming Trump & Musk for what they do.

The analogy is also bad, because with microcode, you can just undo it all, by ... loading new microcode. But the suggestion is what Trump & Musk do is somehow fatal, because it can't be undone just as easily.

But as they say... whoever pays, calls the music.

Google's browser security plan slammed as dangerous, terrible, DRM for websites

Re: Scraping

You probably meant to say "look at your car" when you park it in public place.

Removing an obsolete AMD fix makes Linux kernel 6 quicker

Re: Why mince words??

My casual observation, which is far from representative is that higher percentage of AMD laptops are sold with Linux.

Apple's M1: the fastest and bestest ever silicon = revolution? Nah, there's far more interesting stuff happening in tech that matters to everyone

Re: Wow.

For some reason, Apple does not live to your expectations :)

https://developer.apple.com/documentation/hypervisor

Re: Wow.

You don't have to "run Linux on the bare metal", because MacOS already includes the VM creation/management hooks. Just create an "Linux bootloader" app and you are done. Today. Apple not only not prevents this, but they actually encourage it.

People already managed to boot ARM Windows this way. Now, they indeed have to decide if they will play by licensing it's use.

In my opinion the bigger losers are the component manufacturers, because people will severely reduce their purchases of RAM sticks as more and more computers move those inside the SoCs. But the part manufacturers will benefit, if they can secure an contract with the likes of Apple.

Re: Headline-whoring

Apple's notebooks had already their RAM chips soldered on the motherboard for years.

So for their users there is no difference that the RAM chips are now soldered inside the SoC.

When vendors can supply Apple with denser RAM parts, we will sure see 32GB, 64GB RAM SoCs etc.

It is already trivial to run open source OSes on the M1, provided Apple permits baer metal loading.

On the other hand, current MacOS has hypervisor calls built in, so you can create VMs and "boot" pretty much any ARM OS. There are people who already made ARM Windows run on it and that already emulates x86 code by itself. So those who need to run Windows on the new M1 Macs can already (technically) do it... if and when Microsoft decides to sell licenses for it, that is.

Re: I fear that too much shiny is taking a toll on some people's attention span.

Very much true. But what is preventing the Apple SoCs to be part of this?

It is just an efficient packaging of the typical "compute node" components on one die. Even better for massively parralel computing.

Re: I fear that too much shiny is taking a toll on some people's attention span.

"When all you have is a hammer"

There is always more than one way to solve a task. In your example, one way is what you do: throw a "bigger" computer at the problem. Another approach is throw "more computers" at the problem.

The latter is what "supercomputers" do, for the very practical reason you just can't build a "very big" computer that can compete. It is also what "cloud computing" does - it runs on a lot of "smaller" computers.

Until now, the tools they have were power hungry Intel CPUs and let's not give them too much slack, not many years ago an entry level Intel "server" could not have more than 32GB RAM (while a cheaper AMD server you could fit with say 512GB). We also had ARM server chips, trying to emulate what the Intel chips were doing and trying to compete on cost (less profit).

Now Apple has demonstrated that high performance, high-integration SoC can be done.

SoCs are not now. Pretty much all microcontrollers around are of this kind. There are microcontrollers with wildly warying amounts of RAM/FLASH, I/O and CPU cores etc. Every one highly optimized for it's task. We take this for granted in the embedded world.

So what Apple have demonstrated is you can have the same choice in the "desktop" and likely soon in the "server" world.

Remember, once upon a time, the cache SRAM was a separate part you could replace in a DIMM slot. Today nobody argues that cache SRAM should be user replaceable, because having it integrated in the processor provides so much benefits and resolves so many issues.

Now back to your SAP example. I am sure whoever writes SAP code might one day experiment on an "server" that instead of two-socket 28-core Xeons and 512 GB of RAM uses say a 8-socket 16-core 64GB RAM each (same 512GB RAM) M1-like SoCs, with fast interconnects (we haven't see this yet as there is no use for it in a notebook). With a total power consumption (SoCs with integrated RAM) of say 100W.

Do you think you will prefer such server to your current one?

Re: I fear that too much shiny is taking a toll on some people's attention span.

And, while Apple is insistent on having Thunderbolt 3 (of Intel fame) and USB4 on their computers for connectivity with the outside world, the rest of the industry is happy with USB3. The bandwidth of these is hugely different.

Granted, for the user they look the same :)

LibreOffice rains on OpenOffice's 20th anniversary parade, tells rival project to 'do the right thing' and die

Re: THIS IS AN EX-PROJECT!

LibreOffice is the new Windows? ;)

Microsoft will release a web browser for Linux next month. Repeat, Microsoft will release a browser for Linux – and it uses Google's technology

Re: A web browser based on Chrome by MS

The good things is that in order to support both companies' slupring, you won't have to install any other software. You won't even have to install and pet Windows. Win for the consumer. :)

'I give fusion power a higher chance of succeeding than quantum computing' says the R in the RSA crypto-algorithm

Ah, the AI

I am a bit disappointed they didn't share an opinion on AI

WannaCry ransomware attack on NHS could have triggered NATO reaction, says German cybergeneral

it's about time

When is Microsoft being nuked?

Apple: EU can't make us use your stinking common charging standard

Re: Next: battery standards

Ideally, these batteries should be EU manufactured, or at least imported via an EU country from China.

Re: "Standard" and changeability

It is even funnier for Brits defending the EU and mocking Apple as 31 Jan 2020 looms.

Re: How would Apple switching to USB-C reduce e-waste?

Certification of extra durable cables for EU would be much appreciated by the beurocrats.

As well as suing the states for cables not living to the hype. After all, they pay with their taxpayers money.

Certification is the wet dream of every government.

Re: Fit Both!

Curious.. which should be the second one in your opinion?

Re: Waste...

I still use the USB charger I got with my original iPod Touch. That thing continues to work is reliable, safe etc. It's a bit bulkier than the more recent Apple chargers, but has outlived at least a dozen non-Apple chargers I had. Needless to say I charge all kinds of stuff with it, most non-Apple.

So in this respect, Apple had created zero electronics waste for me... which can't be said about other manufacturers. I have at least half a dozen Nokia chargers for example, each of which has both slightly different connector (hardwired) and (but of course) slightly different output voltage -- so I can't even use an adapter to convert.

If, for example you have an iPhone with Lightning connector, you can use their USB-C to Lightning cable if you had an USB-C output adapter. Or you could buy such an cable from anyone who makes it (there are many of them!). The thing is still USB.

Re: Money for nothing

I will be curious to learn how much is the Apple cut from the $0.99 micro-USB to Lightning adapters sold on eBay.

Re: Contradicting information...

You made me look at mine... every single Lighting cable I have haddied (the cable itself, not the connectors so "Lighting" is not related). Claims are Apple used environment friendly materials for the cable sheath that doesn't last much.

However, I have an 30-pin cable from my first generation iPod Touch that is like new! The older one, with the boring locking mechanism.

My experience with USB cables is generally bad. Unlike Lighting cables, their cable material survives, but the USB connectors do not! They either break (micro-USB mostly), ot stop making contact (all types).

Given the choice to use Lighting or micro-USB I would *always* choose Lighting. Even if this makes me break EU law!

However, for charging my iPhone (because I am tired to replace cables) I found the brillian solution... an Chinese magnetic coupling (MagSafe style) charging cable. It has the one part with USB plug to the charger (your choice of lenght and straight/angled output) and another adapter piece that plugs in the device (Lighting, micro-USB, USB-C)... I have one adapter in each device and multiple cables all around where I might need to charge... just stick the magnetic ends together and it charges. No more broken cables. No wrong cable... Oh and I use variety of USB chargers from whatever I have left from various devices, to brand new multi-port chargers.

Now, the thing being Chinese, should worry me, right? How many years in jail I deserve?

Re: Ban Them.

Funny you bothered to say all of this, becasue...

There is no EU law to require one type of connector;

When talks began in the EU, several years ago, Apple started selling the micro-USB to Lighting adapter -- likely in anticipation of this becoming a law... optimistic Apple :) ... that might take few more decades.

Then, the talks were to require mobile devices be charged by USB. All apple mobile devices sold back then (and now) do charge via USB exclusively. Lots of mobile phones on the market back then required specialized chargers with non-detachable cables/connectors (I have at least half dozen Nokia adapters -- all different!) They just use specific cable. And.. they also provide an adapter, in case you have an micro-USB cable already and don't want to use the one they already supply with the device.

So in the end, Apple wanted their name to be heard again and after the dust settles, they emerge the good guys who care about this and that. Judging by the noise we make here, they are sucessful.

Re: Colour me cynical

The no ports movement is practical. It provides cheap way to seal the phone from the environment.

This has nothing to do with Apple and of course not everyone needs weather sealed devices, so phones with ports will continue to be made.

Before MagSafe Apple had the typical barrel connector on the laptops like everyone else. Everyone had different barrel connectors of course. MagSafe was good step for standartisation for Apple. Unfortunately, it wears out too....

How many chickens must be sacrificed?

Re: This can be summed up in one word: Profit

One has to wonder, why Apple was the pioner who introduced USB decades ago, when we had the wonderful plethoria of different interfaces for different things.

Re: It's all about money, not technology

Apple sells the Lightning to Micro-USB adapter ever since those talks began in Europe.. for precisely the reason to comply to regulations (and not be fined).

While it costs $19 from Apple, you can buy the same stuff from gazzilion of suppliers on eBay, AliExpress etc for like $0.99.

I too wonder what is it all about. Perhaps a slow day and Apple just wants their name mentioned.

Re: Gold plated cables

An HiFi grade 10baseT Ethernet standard sounds very promising...

Den Automation raised millions to 'reinvent' the light switch. Now it's lights out for startup

Re: "Who would buy such a thing?"

Ah, the Collector type mugs?

Are you getting it? Yes, armageddon it: Mass hysteria takes hold as the Windows 7 axe falls

Re: Ah, Git ...

For any OS to be "good" it has to get out of the way. The less the OS puts itself in front of you, the better it is.

Users of computers buy them not to run any "OS", but to run their applications. It is amazing Microsoft did not learn this for so many decades.

Re: one would think

They can always do what good old Apple did decades ago: ditch their homegrown OS and go mainstream with UNIX, while keeping what defines "Windows" (the APIs).

Thus they can continue to license their "way" and software "for Windows" will continue to work.

An no, note I didn't say Linux. :)

'First ever' SHA-1 hash collision calculated. All it took were five clever brains... and 6,610 years of processor time

Re: Any such proof of authenticity...

The irony being that the digital realm of documents doesn't add much credibility and authentic proof over what was available with stone age documents. Both can be manipulated, after a while -- and we enjoy the wonders of "history", full of fairy tales that rival contemporary fantasy genre...

No wonder, some older cultures didn't trust written "knowledge".

LOST IN SPAAAAAACE! SpaceX aborts Space Station podule berthing

Re: In space ...

Or, the whole world hears you saying that.

Obama puts down his encrypted phone long enough to tell us: Knock it off with the encryption

Re: hypotheticals?

Perhaps send the "world's most powerful army" to convince them stop encrypting?

Microsoft spunks $500m to reinvent the wheel. Why?

The great Microsoft technology

I begin to think that the great Microsoft technology referred to in the article is just marketing and wishful thinking. Just like MS-DOS was when they negotiated wit IBM.

But, it worked back then, because Bill was the son of Mary.

Intel's new chips are from 'Purley' – know what I mean? Know what I mean? Say no more

Re: All new memory architecture?

Might be, we will see it rebranded as Intel then. This is probably the only market ready SCM today and it also seems to require some CPU support to make it transparent to use.

The obvious question is cost. Nothing high performance from Intel is cheap.

Re: Codename means built with Microsoft in mind

Not yet divorced, those two...

First production car powered by Android Auto rolls out – and it's a Hyundai

Re: Am I missing something?

"Exactly what benefit is gained ..."

it is not a benefit for you the car owner or driver. It is a benefit primarily for Google and to lesser extent for Hyundai. Google benefits by "validating" their stuff "for use in cars", opening up the possibility for huge contracts and also the ability to collect even more user data (such as how often, when and where you drive your car, what you talk inside, possible some sensor data etc). Hyundai benefits by demonstrating they are an modern car company...

This stuff is not different than putting an Android tablet on the dashboard and having it connect to some pre-assembled in the car peripherals, such as speakers, microphones, light etc. Car companies do this for ages with various music players (cassette, CD, DVD, USB). It just ads some concenience.

But, while the typical in-car entertainment options have been mostly neutral, this one is a vendor-locked. Many people will chose a different car model because of this. Hyundai might rethink soon this strategy.

Microsoft: Cortana not exclusive to Windows – it loves Android, iOS too

What does this stuff have to do with Windows?

Cortana, Siri, Google's assistant -- they are all a front-end for an voice recognution/search/"intelligence" backend that runs in some datacenter. It has absolutely nothing to do with the operating system the front-end runs on, other than the programmer being aware of the available hooks (they all provide those hooks) to run other applications, play sounds, display things etc.

It's just like web browsers. Ok, after seeing that other companies built web browsers, Microsoft built their own? Haven't we already seen this movie? We even know how it goes...

PS: Staying on the topic of the title. But do the other platforms love Cortana? ;-)

Geofencing: The ultra-low power frontier for the Internet of Things

Re: Why does this stuff need to update ?

And every such IPv6 address should be government assigned and properly recorded in the books, to declare that you do own the thing. Anything else would not be secure.

Re: Why does this stuff need to update ?

"Security by assumption someone else will deal with it higher up the chain is not security."

This is precisely what people do when they rely on a government to ensure their security which one of the primary reasons for government's existence. They don't complain about it then, why the complaint now? ;-)

Do svidaniya Roscosmos. By the way, any idea where that 92 BEEELLION rubles went?

Re: And this sort of thing ...

You know, they recruit for one-way missions too...

Will YOU be living in a cardboard box under the motorway in five years?

Ironic indeed

More than 20 years ago, Cisco were training their partners that "we do not shift boxes, we sell solutions" -- those Chinese guys seem to just have discovered the warm water. There is much more to discover, such as sliced bread... :)

But yes, the prediction that many people will be unemployed is true. People need to get less lazy.

A gold MacBook with just ONE USB port? Apple, you're DRUNK

Re: Possible reason for only one USB port

You know, there are those things called USB hubs. Connect one to the MacBook and you will

1. charge it

2. connect as many USB drives and other peripherals as you have ports left.

The thing will still not overheat.

Re: Just like the MacBook Air

Most of us don't own a time machine and we are not yet aware how many ports the next iteration of this MacBook will have.

Re: @Bronek @DougS

Now you probably know, why this came to be? Hint: the USB specification said "only 500mA can be drawn from the port". So Apple had to make an extension to the standard. Others followed.

USB Type-C says 100W can be drawn either direction. So I see no reason for Apple to do anything about it. Unless they start replacing the LiPoly batteries with supercaps :)

Re: 1 USB port? Seriously?

When people need access to legacy hardware, they usually use an adapter. This is how it worked when floppy drives were removed from laptops, when CD drives were removed, when serial ports were removed etc.

There are variety of ways to handle your particular case -- and I say this, because I have exactly the same use case myself.

[off topic]

In the case of sensors, it turns out that writing to the SD card consumes more power, than sending it over WiFi or Bluetooth. But, if you don't have the infrastructure, that's different limitation.

Re: 1 USB port? Seriously?

Why? Just use an USB Type-C SD card reader. Granted, that will cost less than a single SD card for your "proper" camera. Nothing will break, do not worry.

Re: 1 USB port? Seriously?

If they take the pictures videos (and movies?) on an iPhone or iPad, it is already on their new MacBook.

If they process their pictures and videos (and movies) on their stationary iMac, then they again have them on their new MacBook.

This is an light portable notebook after all. If your usage is more tethered and requires connecting to legacy peripherals, then Apple still sells (just refreshed) the Air and Pro models for you. Use the right tool for the job and you will always have good results.

Re: 1 USB port? Seriously?

Normal people use a DVD player (sub $50 these days) to watch DVD movies. Or plug their DSLR directly via HDMI to their large screen. You get the idea.