* Posts by Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

1143 publicly visible posts • joined 26 Feb 2013

Beep, beep – it's our 2016 buzzword detector. We see you, 'complexity'

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Uh-huh.

And the best way to counter the 'complexity' buzz was to chant 'legacy'...'legacy'...'legacy'...five frikkin' times?

Oh, well, at least it's five, not fifteen as another author managed to pull off.

Playmo...

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Playmo...

"Was browsing the magazine aisle in the local supermarket"

Playmobil, or it didn't happen. You know the drill.

Machine self awareness

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Re. Interesting glitch

Battery level & input fluctuations usually do not matter. Motherboard DC-DC converters will keep internal voltages pretty stable, and cut power off if any boundaries are breached. Unless somebody has screwed up in DC-DC converter design.

More likely causes:

- EMI interferences during power surges

- power saving mechanisms may try to lower RAM refresh rate when battery level gets low

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Re. Interesting glitch

Seconded. How's the instruction named?

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: T7300

Take a look at CPU errata sheet. Maybe some of it rings a bell.

intel.com/design/mobile/specupdt/314079.htm

GS45 & other Montevina chipsets

www.intel.com/content/dam/doc/specification-update/mobile-4-express-chipset-family-graphics-memory-controller-hub-specification-update.pdf

965 series chipsets (Santa Rosa)

intel.com/Assets/PDF/specupdate/316274.pdf

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Why the downvotes?

Probably because you got bitten by the old adage - never attribute to malice what can be adequately explained by incompetence / sloppiness / pennypinching. While it may be hard to believe the staggering amount of ersatz out in the wild - never fear, there's even more.

Have some upvotes for your commendable efforts. And keep digging.

NASA funds new supersonic airliner research

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Supersonic flight

"I well remember hearing the sonic boom of an evening, growing up in Cornwall... How come we had to put up with it??"

Not to mention flocks of military birds dashing about. Sometimes going supersonic at stupid'o'clock during their scrambling exercises. Guess you just learn to live with it.

In distant 80's even Tu-160 sonic booms were survivable. Although they certainly catched some attention.

Bleeping Computer sued by Enigma Software over moderator's forum post

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Bleeping Computer is my friend, please don't hurt them Spyhunter

"Other breaking news, I would never buy a security product with *Spy* in the name. You are just asking for trouble."

That may be too harsh. Spybot S&D is a honest product. Started as a personal undertaking.

Snippets from their old v1 EULA:

Dedication Public License (DPL)

I.a. Dedication

Spybot-S&D is dedicated to the most wonderful girl on earth.

I.c. Conclusion

This means that I grant you the license to use Spybot-S&D as much as you like. But if you like it, I ask two things of you: say a prayer for me (and the most wonderful girl while you're at it ) to your god - or whatever you believe - and wish us some luck.

Oh TechNation. Britain's got tech talent. Just not like this

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: "the average digital salary"

"I'm pretty sure I do not earn a "digital" salary"

Maybe you do. Does your paycheck show binary zeroes or decimal? They may look fairly similar for the uninitiated, non-digital mind, but it is a crucially important distinction for the digital economy. Just like Yahoo! exclamation mark isn't just any old exclamation mark.

Maybe we could convince Bong to elaborate on this matter in a future article.

Coding is more important than Shakespeare, says VC living in self-contained universe

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

"However, computer programming is a lot more important than Shakespeare, which is obvious from the fact that there are a lot more people who've been positively affected by computer programming than have been positively affected by Shakespeare (particularly all of the people who don't know English)"

Obvious? Fact? Pfft. Something is rotten in the state of Denmark.

That phrase, by the way, has made its way into hundreds of cultures and languages, as Shakespeare happens to be one of the most translated authors in history. It's far from the English-only phenomenon. His works are customary among the literature taught in public schools. Not to mention schools of actors all over the world - one simply cannot evade Shakespeare there.

Sick and tired of modern Windows? Upgrade to Windows 3.1 today – in your web browser

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: I think DX2 was with the coprocessor

"It was indeed the DX that had the coprocessor"

Yes, it had 80387-derivated floating point in it. SX didn't. SX was supposedly upgradeable, but Overdrive co-processors sold for that were essentially full DX processors. With even higher pricetag than DX.

"I think DX2 had some extras, and DX4 had a specific maths/3D coprocessor that allowed Quake to run!"

No. DX2 had its internal clock doubled, DX4 tripled. DX2/66 meant front side bus at 33 MHz and internal clock at 66.

For DX4, voltage had to be reduced to 3.3 volts in order to reach 99/100 MHz. Haven't heard of any further bits in DX4. Quake could launch on a normal 486DX. But minimum requirements demanded a Pentium. So it was down to horsepower, or lack of it.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Anyone remember

Does this list ring any bells?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Easter_eggs_in_Microsoft_products

Maybe this Excel egg is the one you meant:

eeggs.com/items/718.html

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: icons

Since we're splaffing secrets here:

- post as AC

- edit the post

- untick checkbox 'Post anonymously'

- choose an icon

- hit 'Submit'

Voilá. Post stays anonymous, but is decorated with an icon.

It's probably a quirk in the forum code and will be corrected Anytime Soon®. Enjoy it while it lasts.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Oh, there's an article about that. Who'd have thought it.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_3.2

"Windows 3.11 was released on November 8, 1993. It did not add any feature improvements over Windows 3.1; it only corrected problems."

"Windows for Workgroups 3.1 (originally codenamed Winball and later Sparta), released in October 1992,[14] is an extended version of Windows 3.1 that features native networking support. It comes with SMB file sharing support via NetBIOS-based NBF and/or IPX network transport protocols"

"Windows for Workgroups 3.11 (originally codenamed Snowball) was released on August 11, 1993,[15] and shipped in November 1993."

"A Winsock package was required to support TCP/IP networking in Windows 3.x. Usually third-party packages were used, but in August 1994, Microsoft released an add-on package (codenamed Wolverine) that provided TCP/IP support in Windows for Workgroups 3.11."

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

TCP/IP was on a separate floppy. Add-on for Windows 3.11 for Workgroups. Non-workgroup edition of Win 3.11 did exist, and I have floppies somewhere, but it was quite rare.

3.2 was released only in China.

When asked 'What's a .CNT file?' there's a polite way to answer

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: just had one today....

BOFH calls them Serial Whiners. Should be a part of standard training.

www.theregister.co.uk/2000/05/03/bofh_signs_up_for_m/

"First stop, the Serial Whiner, to break his spirit. I mention he should make a minor alteration to her machine, (ie. move the mouse), which'll mean the next 1000 problems she has will be his fault."

Also:

bofh.ntk.net/BOFH/1999/bastard99-20.php

bofh.bjash.com/Bastard1999.html

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: A little knowledge...

"Single worst customer I ever had (with me in IT support role) was a student of law."

Yes, those can be nasty. Inflated egos, overconfidence, legal threats, references to laws that do not quite apply.

But a student of psychology can also be a nuisance. Especially when there is a conflict situation brewing. When an accusation gets thrown about, things get quite illogical, there is no good way to repeal the accusation. Word 'no' means 'yes', because denial. Long and detailed explanation is obviously an attempt to dodge. Silence is a sign of agreement. Snarkiness is just a sign of inability to admit the truth. So it doesn't matter what is said, she's always right. Isn't that wonderful.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Not just computers

"Any other excuses I've missed?"

Yes, of course. Bloody bastards had re-arranged the interface over the night. That coin slot was there just yesterday. Honest.

SCO's last arguments in 'Who owns Linux?' case vs. IBM knocked out

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: "SCO code" in Linux?

I could swear it was the other way around - Sys V base with BSD bits mashed in. Wikipedia article seems to concur.

"AIX Version 1, introduced in 1986 for the IBM 6150 RT workstation, was based on UNIX System V Releases 1 and 2. In developing AIX, IBM and Interactive Systems Corporation (whom IBM contracted) also incorporated source code from 4.2 and 4.3 BSD UNIX."

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IBM_AIX

Depressed? Desperate for a ciggie? Blame the Neanderthals

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Bloody Neanderthals...

"those fucking bastards caused the first holocaust"

That's not how you do propaganda. You need more subtlety.

They participated in the first holocaust. Or, even more appropriately, they had connections to the first holocaust. They bastards!

Carly Fiorina makes like HP and splits – ex-CEO quits White House race

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: loony tunes

Mynd you, møøse bites kan be pretti nasti...

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: loony tunes

Would you fancy to set up an US Rhino party then?

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhinoceros_Party_of_Canada_(1963–93)

Around my neck of woods, we have only mad squirrels and badgers. Not much of a party.

Don't you see these simple facts? Destroy Facebook and restore human Liberty

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: plus ca change

"In the beginning, the Universe was created. This has made a lot of people very angry, and has been considered a bad move ever since."

/towel.jpg/

Are Indians too stupid to be trusted with free Internet?

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

"99.9999999% of the human race is too stupid to exist"

How nice. That leaves how many? About 7 persons for the entire world?

Silent Nork satellite tumbling in orbit

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: " Soviet SS-1 "Scud" powerplants"

"But the user experience really sucked."

That's what 'enhanced experience' usually means, yes. Sucks more with every version.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: " Soviet SS-1 "Scud" powerplants"

"Which itself was based on a version of the V1 engine"

Shame you should say that! V2 is a complete rewrite - modern technologies, enhanced user experience, advanced communication capabilities, better socialization features, compliant with every modern buzzword out there. You name it & we've got it.

Trane thermostat is a hot spot for viruses on home networks

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: true @stizzleswick

"Er... is there a reason you're removing kb2952664 twice"

Probably. When doing manual removal, I noticed that KB2952664 didn't disappear on the first attempt. Can't tell whether it always behaves like that. This KB was re-issued at some point, so it may have been an update on top of the similarly named update.

Cisco recalls switches that could short power to the case. And hurt you

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

If these can be zapped remotely, then it's surely BOFH.

Who wants a quad-core 4.2GHz, 64GB, 5TB SSD RAID 10 … laptop?

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: RAID 10 ? Why not RAID 5 then?

In RAID10 (excepting 0+1 variants), disk rebuild means copying data from one partner disk. Obviously requiring this partner disk to be in perfect health.

For a 4-disk array, risks of a rebuild failure are 3 to 1 (as RAID5 requires 3 good disks to copy from, RAID10 requires 1). For 8-disk array the ratio increases to 7:1, and so forth.

Reminder: iPhones commit suicide if you repair them on the cheap

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: As an Apple product owner? Totally unacceptable

"screen repairs are one major reason to buy Apple - costs are very competitive and rarely go over $120. Contrast with Android or other phones which typically start @ $200"

It has to be something big or special to cost over $200. I just had one replaced for €70 - and it was a bloody sandwich with 4 layers glued together. Other phone had LCD panel as a separable part, only €30. Labour included.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Apple. Purveyors of stuff I never knew...

There's nothing more common than a need to feel special.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: @ chris 17

"P.S. Putting sugar into the tank of either a gasoline or diesel car would equally screw the engine."

If it makes it past the fuel filter. Even then, not so certain.

www.snopes.com/autos/grace/sugar.asp

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Hardly a surprise

"After I replaced the battery in my old iPhone 4 I decided to by an iPhone 6s"

Would be worthwhile to know if you can replace 6s battery just as easily, and does it survive next firmware update. Until then it's a comparison of apples and...different apples.

Roll up, roll up to the Malware Museum! Run classic DOS viruses in your web browser

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

"Banking my reputation on Logitech being a Good Brand"

Fortunately it was. Doubtful we could have the same level of confidence today.

Who would code a self-destruct feature into their own web browser? Oh, hello, Apple

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: dark magic

I have a nagging suspicion that web browsers are spawns of dark magic. In that case, it would be folly to throw any further amounts at them, it only makes them stronger.

Well-aimed lightning bolts have somewhat better chances. If your Mac is reduced to a smoldering ruin, then evil ghosts will have to leave. Probably.

Pebble punts out new firmware to watch you as you sleep

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Remember, kids! Right foot is the one without the watch, m'kay?

German Chancellor fires hydrogen plasma with the push of a button

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: tokamaks

"If they built it big enough it would (probably) work. That would cost a lot of money and governments have pointless wars that they prefer to finance."

Ah, they're just following the genie from this old story:

A Princeton plasma physicist is at the beach when he discovers an ancient looking oil lantern sticking out of the sand. He rubs the sand off with a towel and a genie pops out. The genie offers to grant him one wish. The physicist retrieves a map of the world from his car an circles the Middle East and tells the genie, 'I wish you to bring peace in this region'.

After 10 long minutes of deliberation, the genie replies, 'Gee, there are lots of problems there with Lebanon, Iraq, Israel, and all those other places. This is awfully embarrassing. I've never had to do this before, but I'm just going to have to ask you for another wish. This one is just too much for me'.

Taken aback, the physicist thinks a bit and asks, 'I wish that the Princeton tokamak would achieve scientific fusion energy break-even.

After another deliberation the genie asks, 'Could I see that map again?'

The monitor didn't work but the problem was between the user's ears

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Old IT joke

"Which is presumably why, decades later, power supplies tend to be universal now. Eventuallly the feedback got through to the factories?"

It wasn't just a matter of decision. It took years of serious engineering to get universal input supplies good enough for mass market. Starting from notebook AC adapters where it mattered most. During development there were major obstacles like cost, complexity, reliability, conversion efficiency. Plus a zillion of lesser hurdles.

Ginni Rometty to pocket $4.5m bonus for IBM leadership

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: as far as analogies go

Yes, mature corporations tend to have some similarities, which is rather worrying.

There's one more: by tradition, leaders of the communist party occupied several governing positions - either heading the executive branch, or legislative branch. Conflation of duties tends to be a bad omen. It didn't matter very much in the USSR, because all influential positions were tightly controlled by the party, down to the street level, so the system was screwed anyway.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Soviet era is right

"You have problem with Corporate Communist Capitalism, comrade?"

Title 'comrade' was actually reserved for those loyal to the party line. Dissenters were addressed as 'citizen', with a hint of disgust in the voice. Quite Orwellian, come to think of it.

/bigbrother.jpg/

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: It's even more fun working there

Megacorps seem more like stagnation-era Soviet Union. There are at least 3 key similarities:

- Internally they operate by the principle of planned economy. Plans are sacred. Markets may sometimes be acknowledged in words, but in practice they'll try to avoid influences from that scary unpredictable wilderness at any cost.

- Unified propaganda service that uses a lot of doublespeak and newspeak. Gaps are occasionally filled with pure noise.

- They have an enormous caste of administrative personnel and a rather mild cult of the leadership. Apparatchiks pay some lip service to the upper echelon, trying to parrot as much phrases from the official propaganda as they can. But in everyday life they just play by the byzantine rules of bureaucracy, mostly unwritten and obscure, rarely changed as the leaders come and go.

US police contracts and private forum posts dumped online

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Interesting

"These constitutional and legal protections apply to all, including criminals and criminal organizations"

Yes, that's how I understood your initial comment too. Very commendable principle.

And much loathed in the executive branch.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Interesting

I tend to agree with your unexpressed concern - yes, it's not fair to 'punish' big and diverse group of people for words and actions of their head honchos. Too much collateral damage. Not to mention that collective responsibility is never just, it's a leftover from tribal societies.

If some specific individuals leading the crusade against constitutional rights would see their dirty laundry out in the open...that'd be much more fitting.

OTOH, those big honchos don't seem to have any qualms about invading the life of millions to catch few perpetrators. Where's the fairness in that.

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Interesting

You probably misread these comments. Among IT folks, prevailing interest is to have privacy for everyone. With a (somewhat naïve) hope that everyone would like to play by the same book and would respect the privacy of others.

That's clearly not the case for the law enforcement and secret services. High-ranking officials are rather constantly banging on the notion that privacy serves no other purpose than providing a cover for nefarious people. Which is akin to throwing the baby out with the bathwater, if you ask me.

Anyhow, if that "nothing to hide, nothing to fear" mantra is repeated endlessly, it is only natural that people will want to put it to the test. Should it become apparent that these mockers of privacy are using double standards, you'll witness a good deal of schadenfreude. As you just did.

Schadenfreude is a rather nasty emotion, of course, but quite frequently it's a normal response to seeing an even nastier mindset going down in flames.

Israeli drones and jet signals slurped by UK and US SIGINT teams

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: "Anarchist training manual"

AFAIK Mary isn't related to Chuck Berry, nor Nick Berry of EastEnders (and Heartbeat) fame. And no, despite lots of people claiming that EastEnders should be classified as illegal, harm to the society was never proven.

BOFH: In-depth IT training needs a single-malt distillery

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

I believe it's still legal to sell 60/40 solder for specialty uses like repairing older kit. Bought few rolls last year. Although the price seems to be a bit steeper.

Facebook tells Belgian government its use of English invalidates privacy case

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

An act of invasion then? Albeit on a minuscule scale. But still, the last bunch who invaded Belgium were somewhat frowned upon.

/coat.jpg/

Windows Mobile users suffer backup super-slurp as Redmond forgets Wi-Fi switch

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

"spreading a lot of FUD about Microsoft recently"

It's prevalently FU attitude, not FUD.

As for Orlowski, try to read his articles from 2012 or so. He was enormously kind towards MS back then.

We've all suffered hangovers, but Qualcomm's right now is something epic

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Qualkomm = agony is coming?

Mincing Nokia's factories made Microsoft a sausage factory

Solmyr ibn Wali Barad

Re: Why do they always use %

May I offer my humble services then. With one touch, the upvote count increased by 100%. Aren't we living in wonderful times.