It's not an upgrade. It's an update, which usually means 'downgrade'.
Posts by ben kendim
118 publicly visible posts • joined 8 Nov 2013
Phone users know when to hold ’em, delay upgrades amid inflation
Sunday 3rd May 2026 23:11 GMT
It's not the money, it's the Google AI enshittification that's driving me away...
I have been using Android since the original Motorola Droid. I have multiple lines with unlimited data on Google Fi as the carrier.
I am not worried about privacy. I am aware Google has all our contacts list, call records, locations, SMS'es, photos for the last few decades.
I am not that worried about what a Pixel 10 XL Pro costs.
But I will be damned if I pay one penny to buy a phone that has built in AI crap of any sort (e.g., Gemini) that can not be *totally* removed. And now even Google Maps has AI Know Before You Go baked in and can not be removed. For years I used flagship Pixel's, but had enough of the enshittification that a couple of years ago I went to a Samsung A16 5G, which I spent a lot of time de-Samsungifying, then de-Googling as much as I can.
I would have happily bought a top of the line Pixel, but I have had enough! With the deadline coming up on not being able to sideload apps, and the locking down of the Playstore, it will be a cold day in hell if I buy a Google phone again, or stay on Google Fi. I now spend about $400 a month on Fi for five phones, which I will move to another carrier when I de-Google my life in August, right after I come back from international travel.
There was an article for non-Google and non-Apple smartphones which I will need to find again. Any recommendations from here for devices that run Linux or clean Android would be welcome...
Dell slims down business laptops, fattens up cooling and battery life
NASA sets 'impossible' ground rules for relocation of 'flown space vehicle'
NASA abandons delayed SLS upper stage for ULA's Centaur V instead
'Ralph Wiggum' loop prompts Claude to vibe-clone commercial software for $10 an hour
Sorry Dave, I’m afraid I can’t do that! PCs refuse to shut down after Microsoft patch
We will be cruising at 35,000 feet and failing to update our Apache HTTP Server
Stop the slop by disabling AI features in Chrome
Monday 29th December 2025 20:19 GMT
Thanks. Now please do an article on how to deCopilot and decrappify Windows11
I am on my way to BestBuy to purchase a Windows laptop. (Please don't ask why, everything else here is Linux or a Mac)
The last time I did that it took hours to completely (I hope) rid Win11 of Copilot, Dropbox, all the AI crapola, to set it up for local login only, without a Microsoft account, and be ready for dual boot to Ubuntu or Mint...
I wish I had taken notes at the time. A similar guide to this deGeminification article would be useful.
Happy New Year everyone.
SSL Santa greets London Victoria visitors with a borked update
What the Linux desktop really needs to challenge Windows
Wednesday 24th December 2025 21:15 GMT
Re: Audio
D'oh... audio!!!
I am writing this on a dual Ubuntu 24.04.3 LTS / and Win 11 booting HP OMEN with 12th Gen Intel® Core™ i9-12900H
(It's a company laptop. I would never ever buy anything from HP! ... Kona files, ink cartridges, devices that will not scan if ink is low or old, etc...)
The only reason this machine has Win 11 on it (with the staggering effort it took to rid it of Copilot and other AI crap!) is because occasionallly I need to digitally sign pdf's. (Adobe, you can go to hell too...)
Audio works fine on Windows boot.
The up-to-date Linux kernel just fails to see the Intel and nvidia sound hardware. I spent hours playing with pavucontrol, (re)pulseaudio, anusmixer settings / install/reinstalls, and flashing the BIOS (with another special F..k You! to HP for that!!!)
I gave up on trying to get audio from this machine... I'd rather have muted Linux than Win11 with sound.
All my other machines, desk and laptops as well as my deGooglified Chromebooks run just fine..
PS: I gave up on Macs (last one was a IIfx) after System 7, when horror of horrors, Apple started charging ready money for the OS!!! (6.2 was peak Mac for me.)
PPS: We lost the war when we lost PEEK/POKE and get/put. My goddamn computer, my memory space, and I will write what I want where i want, never mind all the 'trusted', 'security' crap. So first thing I do in every install is rid it of snaps, flatpaks, VM's and other sandboxes!
New boss was bad, his attitude was ugly, so the tech team pranked him good
Monday 22nd December 2025 16:15 GMT
What was it called? NetZero?
In the mid to late 1990's there was a browser extension that paid for watching banner ads on top of a page. But it would only give you credit (a nickel or a dime probably) if the mouse was moving. I wrote a small program called farecik.exe which would move the mouse around the page and installed it on a few machines that were being burned in. These had farecik.exe and SETI@Home running 24/7. Made a few dollars, but money was not the goal.
One day I made a variant which monitored mouse moves and did nothing - until the mouse stopped moving. As soon as it saw the mouse stop it would do a small random move in both x and y, maybe rand(-20, 20) pixels on each axis. Installed it on one person's PC.
A few days later at lunch he asked about a new mouse. When asked why and he explained. We asked if he had recently lubricated his mouse ball? He said no, so we gave him silicone lubricant and told him to liberally apply it and to give it a couple of days to work its magic. That evening I modified the code so that it would have a 2% chance of running on any day.
For months after that he would occasionally come asking for more mouse lubricant...
Affection for Excel spans generations, from Boomers to Zoomers
Kyocera claims 5.2 Gbps underwater laser data blast in lab tests
Windows 11 needs an XP SP2 moment, says ex-Microsoft engineer
DARPA making low-hanging satellites that use air to move
Wednesday 19th November 2025 23:57 GMT
They must surely have done an environmental impact study, right???
Extremely rarefied atmosphere... You suck it in, ionize it and shove it out at high speed behind you... What could go wrong?
I get it, big sky, a few small satellites, not many ion contrails... That environment is probably already chuck full of ionized Ozone... I guess???
But, I would love to see if someone seriously did a study to show that...
YouTube's AI moderator pulls Windows 11 workaround videos, calls them dangerous
The Notepad that knew too much: Humble text editor gets unnecessary AI infusion
Friday 19th September 2025 13:05 GMT
My parser has failed with a sentence in the article... Do I need AI to interpret it?
I don't understand this sentence - even though I have had my morning caffeine fix:
"Microsoft's Copilot+ PCs are solutions looking for a problem. It will become increasingly difficult to find hardware that isn't AI-enabled in the coming years, but having an essential application that requires AI hardware would certainly ease the transition."
For whom is it easing that transition? Not the user...
Office 2016 and 2019 face October 14 execution date
Everyone needs an AI phone. No, don't hang up, it's true
Thursday 11th September 2025 14:02 GMT
Re: So....
I have had many Androids since the Original Moto Droid and have been on Google Fi since it began. I pay about $350 - $400 a month to Fi for five lines.They keep trying to sell me their flagship phones.
Last time I bought a Pixel 9 XL but returned it because it was too difficult to remove Gemini, etc. I got a Samsung A16 5G instead and spent a lot of time to prevent it from updating itself to One UI 7.0. I was somehow able to stop it from auto updating in the middle of the night. Still, every morning it nags me about the OS Update. Get a hint, HELL NO! Samsung!
I would absolutely love to get a Pixel 10 Pro XL, and would order it today, except for one thing - it is very hard to rid it of the baked in AI. I asked Google how I could disable the AI features, as I wanted the phone for its camera, its fast processor, its storage, its screen. (Trying to ignore that it does not have removable battery of a microSD slot.)
Since Google would not respond to the question from someone trying to buy a Pixel 10 with ready money, I asked ChatGPT about it. Here is the response which I think you may find useful:
--------
You said:
How can I get a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL phone with all the AI crap removed from it?
ChatGPT said:
Getting a Google Pixel 10 Pro XL or any other modern phone with "AI features" removed is a tricky task. The phone’s software is tightly integrated with Google’s AI services, such as Google Assistant, Google Lens, and other AI-driven features like speech recognition, smart replies, and more. If you want to remove or reduce the influence of AI on the device, you’ll have to take a few different steps.
1. *Disable or Limit Google’s AI Features*
While you can’t fully “remove” AI from the device, you can disable many AI-related features through the settings. Here’s how:
*Google Assistant*: You can turn off Google Assistant by going to:
*Settings* > *Google* > *Settings for Google apps* > *Search, Assistant & Voice* > *Google Assistant* > Turn off.
*Smart Replies*: This feature provides AI-generated suggestions in messaging apps, like text messages or emails. To turn it off: Go to *Settings* > *System* > *Languages & input* > *Smart reply* and disable it.
*Adaptive Battery & Brightness*: These use AI to optimize battery life and screen brightness. Disable them:
Go to *Settings* > *Battery* > *Adaptive Battery* and turn it off.
For Adaptive Brightness: Go to *Settings* > *Display* >
*Adaptive Brightness* and turn it off.
*Google Lens and AI in Camera*: Many of the camera features use AI (like scene recognition). You can avoid these features by simply not using them, but some may be built into the camera app by default.
You could potentially switch to a third-party camera app that doesn’t use as much AI if you want to avoid Google’s AI-driven photo enhancements.
2. *Use a Custom ROM*
If you want to take things further and remove most of Google’s AI-driven services, you might consider installing a *custom ROM*. Custom ROMs like *LineageOS* or *GrapheneOS* allow you to strip out most of the Google services and AI features.
*GrapheneOS* is a privacy-focused, security-focused ROM that doesn't include Google apps or services by default.
*LineageOS* is more customizable and offers a more stock Android experience, but you may need to install apps manually and avoid Google services.
To install a custom ROM, you’ll need to *unlock the bootloader* and flash the ROM onto your Pixel device. Be aware that this could void your warranty and may lead to issues if not done properly.
3. *Use a Minimalistic Android Experience*
Some minimalistic Android launchers, like *Nova Launcher* or *Action Launcher*, can help you create a more basic, no-frills experience. You can reduce the amount of AI-driven notifications and features by switching to these third-party launchers. This won’t remove AI completely, but it will reduce its prominence on the home screen.
4. *Disable Google Play Services (Advanced)*
Google Play Services is a key component for many of the AI features on the phone, but disabling it entirely is not recommended, as it can break essential functionalities like app updates, notifications, and location services. Some people choose to use tools like *MicroG* (an open-source
alternative to Google services) to limit Google’s influence.
5. *Consider an Older Phone*
If you really want to avoid AI-driven features but don’t want to mess with a custom ROM, you might consider getting an older Android phone or a model that doesn’t have as much AI integration. The Google Pixel 4 or Pixel 5, for example, still have some AI features but not to the extent of the newer Pixel models.
Summary of Steps:
* Disable Google Assistant, Smart Replies, Adaptive Battery, and Adaptive Brightness.
* Use a third-party launcher or camera app.
* Install a custom ROM (like GrapheneOS or LineageOS) for a more minimal experience.
* Consider using an older Pixel phone or another device with fewer AI-driven features.
Let me know if you need help with any of these specific steps!
---------------------------
Google's enshittification continues unabated...
CIO made a dangerous mistake and ordered his security team to implement it
Microsoft pushes Pull print, so you don't have to dash to the printer to grab the 'Fire everyone' memo
Some users report their Firefox browser is scoffing CPU power
Wednesday 13th August 2025 14:49 GMT
Is this enough?
browser.ml.chat.enabled false
browser.ml.chat.hideLocalhost false
browser.ml.chat.prompt.prefix {"":""}
browser.ml.chat.prompts.0 {""}
browser.ml.chat.prompts.1 {"":"","":""}
browser.ml.chat.prompts.2 {""}
browser.ml.chat.prompts.3 {"":"","":"",":"|('') || ''"}
browser.ml.chat.prompts.4 {""}
browser.ml.chat.provider
browser.ml.chat.shortcuts false
browser.ml.chat.shortcuts.custom false
browser.ml.chat.shortcuts.longPress 0
browser.ml.chat.sidebar false
browser.ml.checkForMemory false
browser.ml.enable false
browser.ml.linkPreview.allowedLanguages en
browser.ml.linkPreview.blockListEnabled false
browser.ml.linkPreview.enabled false
browser.ml.linkPreview.noKeyPointsRegions
browser.ml.linkPreview.outputSentences 0
browser.ml.logLevel Error
browser.ml.minimumPhysicalMemory 2147483647
browser.ml.modelCacheMaxSize 2147483647
browser.ml.modelCacheTimeout 0
browser.ml.modelHubRootUrl https://fuck_the_ai_crap.mozilla.org/
browser.ml.modelHubUrlTemplate
browser.ml.overridePipelineOptions {}
browser.urlbar.quicksuggest.mlEnabled false
browser.urlbar.yelp.mlEnabled false
dom.origin-trials.mls.state 0
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intl.hyphenation-alias.ml-*
The tiny tech tribe who could change the world tomorrow but won't
Firefox 141 relieves chronic Linux pain in the neck
BOFH: Peeling back the layers of the magic banana industrial complex
Japan builds near $700M fund to lure foreign academic talent
Thursday 19th June 2025 13:38 GMT
Are they still funding research on how many whales they can kill?
Yeah, right...
Experienced academic talent with Ph.D. in electrical engineering here, interested in research opportunities in Japan... /s (NOT!)
I am not buying any Japanese products, no electronics, no cars, nothing, as long as the Kangei Maru exists, as long as they kill whales. Boycotting Sony, Canon, Nikon, Toyota, Honda, Mazda, anything from Japan,,,
'Maybe the problem is you' ... Linus Torvalds wades into Linux kernel Rust driver drama
CompSci teacher sets lab task: Accidentally breaking the university
Monday 3rd February 2025 13:33 GMT
Re: I crashed one of two graphics domains
Lucky you, you had a terminal with a CRT...
As an undergraduate in the 70's I decided I wanted to do image processing. The hardware available consisted of a Univac 1106, card punch machines, a line printer the size of a Volkswagen beetle (but significantly louder than that beetle sans muffler.) The software development environment was paper pads and marker pens (to draw diagonal lines across the top of card decks.)
I chose 100 x 100 resolution (line printer was 132 characters wide) at 32 gray levels. As it was rather hard to find image data (where was Lenna when you needed her?) I wrote code to generate patterns including stripes and gradients to begin testing. (I remember one of them was based on the diamond shaped Renault emblem, easy to generate.)
To output grey levels on the paper I used the FORTRAN-IV '1H+' Hollerinth at the beginning of each line, This caused a carriage return without linefeed. Then I sent multiple overlaid lines to the printer. At each character position a 0 level would be a blank, a 1 would be a period, and so on... I think level 31 was something like overlaid {M, W, E, 3, O, S, Z, \, /, [, ], +} or some such dark sequence. This meant each line was printed 12 times using that '1H+', before a line feed occurred.
I submitted the deck of cards, and went away to lunch. When I came back, there was a note for me where the output printouts were placed. it said to immediately see the Professor in charge of the computer center. I had shredded a spool of their expensive ink ribbon and put the line printer out of action for the rest of the day - pending a service call from Univac.
What no one had told me was that the line printer had a full width ink ribbon, and that it advanced only with a line feed. So it was getting banged on 12 times in quick succession and this was happening 100 times for each image printed.
And that's how you cut an ink ribbon on a line printer...
It's about time Intel, AMD dropped x86 games and turned to the real threat
Google's memory safety plan includes rehab for unsafe languages
Wednesday 16th October 2024 15:26 GMT
My computer, my code, my memory. So I don't need any of this security stuff...
I am a leaf on the wind, watch how I code... :-)
To make my life a lot easier, I use C or C++ and
a- I usually avoid 'private's. I have everything declared as 'public'.
b- I also have most 'important' variables (except small local things like i, j, n, etc.) as globals...
c- I try to avoid #include of anything other than standard libs. I make a single huge .cpp file from everything of mine that I would have included. (Obviously including .h are OK.)
But then again...
1- I am the only one using the code which I write.
2- I never deliver. No one else ever gets their hands on it...
3- It is for research, not production or distribution.
4- It only ever runs on my own computers.
Microsoft veteran ditches Team Tabs, blaming storage trauma of yesteryear
Tuesday 8th October 2024 14:26 GMT
Really??? This is a problem? Nothing better to write about?
I use tabs and I use spaces and sometimes I mix them just because I feel like it at the time. Never had a problem, never thought about it.
If your compiler can't handle that, you need a better compiler.
If your interpreter can't handle that, you need to be using a compiled language. (In any case, independent of this reason...)
Techie invented bits of the box he was fixing, still botched the job
72 flights later and a rotor blade short, Mars chopper loses its fight with physics
Musk 'texts' Nadella about Windows 11's demands for a Microsoft account
Forgetting the history of Unix is coding us into a corner
CLIs are simply wizard at character building. Let’s not keep them to ourselves
Sunday 24th December 2023 01:35 GMT
Finally, that rare someone who understands where we live on the spectrum...
Merry Christmas. Thank you for this gift:
"When you're in a full-screen CLI, especially editing, what you get above all is focus. Compared to a GUI desktop or, heaven help our grasshopper minds, an in-browser task, it is supremely quiet and uncluttered. It is you and your keyboard, and text that wants to be free of variant forms and options. If you're coding or writing text where actual content is more important than form, it is a zone for reason and thought like none other in modern computing."
YouTube's 'Ad blockers not allowed' pop-up scares the bejesus out of netizens
Thursday 11th May 2023 18:43 GMT
what we need to do is make the advertisers hurt...
The ad blocking plug-in we really need is one that also examines the blockes ads and makes a list of the advertisers and products they advertise. Then, in addition to us not seeing the ad, we would know who tried to put an ad for what on our screen - so we can boycott them... You ask, who would pay for the servers and the creators? I don't really give a damn. If I like the content enough, I will donate directly to the creator (e.g. Tom Voelk of Driven fame.)
Owner of 'magic spreadsheet' tried to stay in the Lotus position until forced to Excel
Learn the art of malicious compliance: doing exactly what you were asked, even when it's wrong
Monday 13th February 2023 23:45 GMT
Absolutely..
As a new hire Assistant Professor I was tasked with keeping minutes of a faculty meeting. I did so, verbatim. Examples: "Professor X said the Dean supported us for opening a new faculty position, but he would like to not let Mechanical Engineering know about it for now." Or, "Dr. Y said we should put EEyyy on the schedule, even though there will probably not be enough students to open it." and on and on. Was never asked to do minutes again...
Seriously, you do not want to make that cable your earth
Orders wrong, resellers receiving wrong items? Must be a programming error and certainly not a rushing techie
Monday 25th October 2021 15:26 GMT
Packing chads (acquired from the big waste drawer built into the punch machine) into a car's exhaust was always fun. Especially when it was parked with the aft end pointing where people were likely to line up, like the student lot at the university, right by where everybody lined up for ride share...
Woman sues McDonald's for $14 after cheeseburger ad did exactly what it's designed to
Microsoft warns against SMS, voice calls for multi-factor authentication: Try something that can't be SIM swapped
Thursday 12th November 2020 14:03 GMT
Re: but I don't see any use for it anymore.
Bank of America had a feature that generated a new credit card number for use in online purchasers. It was good for a single merchant, you could set the monthly credit limit, you could set the expiration date, and the charges would appear in your regular credit card. Best thing ever! I used it, and never had need for PayPal, or any other payment processor.
Why BoA took it away last year, I'll never know...