Posts by tip pc 1489 publicly visible posts • joined 7 Mar 2018
Only because the infrastructure has been left to decline for 40 years....
We generate less electricity today than we did 40 years ago.
https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/energy?tab=table&facet=none&showSelectionOnlyInTable=1&country=USA~GBR~IND~CHN~OWID_EU27~RUS&hideControls=false&Total+or+Breakdown=Total&Energy+or+Electricity=Electricity+only&Metric=Annual+generation
Not that long ago, planners would have foreseen where demand would be, how much etc and plan to increase generating capacity accordingly. A bit like aluminium smelting plants being built near hydroelectric stations that have a constant supply of cheap electricity https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lochaber_hydroelectric_scheme
Now they absolutely know demand is coming yet instead of proposing to build solutions to satisfy the demand, they are saying its up to the AI barns to come up with a solution.
Its not like electricity is free, the user pays for how much is used.
Why are the regulators, OFGEM in the UK, not coming up with proposals?
we as a nation consume far less energy today (1931 TWh) than the peak in 1973 (2667 TWh) https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/energy?tab=chart®ion=Europe&hideControls=false&Total+or+Breakdown=Total&Energy+or+Electricity=Primary+energy&Metric=Annual+consumption&country=~GBR
we also emit far less co2 today (318.65m T) than the 1971 peak (660.39m T)
https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/co2?hideControls=false&Gas+or+Warming=CO%E2%82%82&Accounting=Territorial&Fuel+or+Land+Use+Change=All+fossil+emissions&Count=Per+country&country=~GBR
aside from some anomalies, CO2 emissions haven't been this low since 1886!!!
this graph truly helps to put into perspective where the CO2 emission challenges truly lie
https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/co2?time=1970..latest&showSelectionOnlyInTable=1&country=GBR~OWID_EUR~USA~RUS~CHN~IND~BRA&hideControls=false&Gas+or+Warming=CO%E2%82%82&Accounting=Territorial&Fuel+or+Land+Use+Change=All+fossil+emissions&Count=Per+country&Relative+to+world+total=false
lastly, this graph of cumulative emissions of CO2 makes it even clearer what nations need to really rein in their emissions & spoiler alert it's not the UK
https://ourworldindata.org/explorers/co2?time=1970..latest&showSelectionOnlyInTable=1&country=GBR~OWID_EUR~USA~RUS~CHN~IND~BRA&hideControls=false&Gas+or+Warming=CO%E2%82%82&Accounting=Territorial&Fuel+or+Land+Use+Change=All+fossil+emissions&Count=Cumulative&Relative+to+world+total=false
Spectrum Internet is setting up 90,000 WiFi access points. No extra hardware needed, free connectivity now.
great how do I access those access points? are they giving out free tablets and phones or do I need to purchase that?
There is a significant caveat: You are still expected to foot the bill for the hardware.
when I heard of the offer I assumed the hardware was not gratis, just 1 months sub.
UK phone operators often provide free calls to areas affected by disasters, but you need to obviously have a phone and sim with them & likely be in the UK when making the call.
I suspect phone operators in the US are offering free calls to & within affected areas too, but I don't suspect they are handing out free handsets even cheap ones.
Not sure why people would expect to get free Starlink terminals.
I do agree the process of obtaining free service seems cack handed, but perhaps publicly making the offer and then honouring it later is quicker than rolling out updates to billing systems that could take weeks.
As I understand things, there may be people who have dormant star link terminals that could be encouraged to use, share or donate via this offer of free service.
with lots of infrastructure & power down, it can take weeks or likely many months to restore 'cell' and fixed broadband when starlink could be being used now.
I fully expect journalists to hold Starlink to account on the offer, and look forward to follow up articles about how they make good on their offer or not. I'm sure there will be many who will face billing issues etc.
Yabbut... this was Easyjet. I suspect they are more concerned with insurance claims on lost baggage, though I suspect any enterprising passenger might be able to squeeze the value of their baggage - oh, those expensive designer shirts! - close to that of my glider. There's probably a claim limit...
thats what travel insurance is for
National TV routinely displays the system frequency, and advisories on when to switch off excess load. Failure to follow the advisories will result in disconnections.
this is where load limiting comes into play,
they can instruct literally millions of meters to limit load to say 5amps, thereby reducing the need to disconnect at the substation.
of course if that doesn't work they instruct the meters in the substations to disconnect instead.
The idea behind load limiting is to give people some power but not enough for big loads
Last year it was 8.8MWh used for a family of four.
i assume charging the cars is a lot of that.
We are 5.6MWh, 4 bed detached, family of 3 & no electric cars but 3 H's like you. Had a couple of peaks (614KWh & 565KWh) in summer when i deployed the hot tub a couple of times for a week or so each time, i fill with hot water from the boiler but it uses its electric heater to top it's self up, else a low of 375KWh in august and high of 495KWh in jan.
i have an electric monitor logging my usage.
usage is well down on previous years but cost per unit & standing charge are far more.
So you don't understand anything about electricity distribution, and there is no point in reading the rest of your wall-o-text.
that's the problem with you lot, you just don't want to listen to alternate views or even apply reasoning or logic to the crazy claims you believe in.
This seems apt
https://youtu.be/wLKOIHrnk80?t=172
really helps when sources for claims are quoted,
found this from 2017
Diesel passenger cars are responsible for 11% of the capital's NOx
Gas central heating contributes 16% of London's NOx output
Diesel machinery delivers 14% and buses 16% in most congested areas
https://www.thisismoney.co.uk/money/cars/article-4628714/Heating-machinery-HGVs-emit-NOx-diesel-cars.html
would love to know where the other 43% comes from
A thermostatic shower mixer would give you better consistency of temperature.
As tanks drain they get colder.
Having the combi supply hot water at 55c means the mixer will supplement the supply with cold water and you use less hot water meaning it’s tiny tank has more chance of not running out.
That source, and all the others across the country have to precisely balance the supply of electricity to the demand from all consumers. Fortunately that aggregate demand is predictable, even if your individual usage isn't (do you always put the kettle on at exactly 7, or is it occasionally a minute earlier or later?).
That puzzle was solved many many decades ago and didn’t require smart meters then & doesn’t need them now.
Example being kettles being boiled in advert brakes and end of popular tv shows or events.
As you’ve alluded to, the grid isn’t just giant power stations but also smaller infill stations, often gas that can ramp up quickly. ‘Renewables’ can’t scale quickly hence the need for demand pricing.
Lastly, when the grid pays generators for power are renewables cheaper or more expensive than gas?
@ JohnW66
It's fine that you have no desire to engage in your energy management, but please do not jump to the conclusion that, just because you think smart meters are of no use, it means they are of no use to all consumers.
where did I say I didn't manage my energy use?
when you've already replaced every electrical item with energy efficient ones your bill keeps going up because they keep raising the unit costs and standing charges. The only thing left is time of day pricing. I don't see why we need to go that route.
If you think smart meters are required for load shedding you are sadly mistaken. If "they" need to load shed, "they" will do it regardless of your meter type.
of gem talking bout load limiting in 2012 https://www.ofgem.gov.uk/sites/default/files/docs/2012/12/ofgem-statement-17_12_2012_0.pdf
Load limiting
In order to comply with the Smart Metering Equipment Technical Specifications, smart
metering systems will need to support load limiting functionality.
a quick google shows that smart meters used for load shedding is also a thing
https://www.google.com/search?rls=en&q=smart+meter+load+shedding
this one from eskom is pertinent https://www.eskom.co.za/distribution/wp-content/uploads/2024/01/20240129-SMART-METER-BROCHURE-rev2.pdf
Smart meters allow Eskom to temporarily
load limit a meter from 60A to 10A for
the duration of the loadshedding period as
compared to being completely cut off. It also
automatically resets back to its original state
after loadshedding.
you can even buy your own kit to do the same
https://www.ducasa-direct.co.uk/product/load-shedding-energy-monitor/
there are many parts of the world where load is shed on a regular basis, I know this is an issue in Pakistan & USA
https://loadshedding.com
I think you can agree that reducing load by reducing consumer amps or demand pricing is equivalent to shedding.
Your assertion that all we need to do is "provide additional generating capacity" and that solar panels are useless when it is dark demonstrates a, dare I say, wilful lack of understanding about net zero goals, climate change considerations and the role of renewables in demand side flexibility.
just stating obvious facts that solar panels don't work in the dark, that has no bearing on climate change, its well known when the nights are going to be longer, the summer and winter solace's are good references as to when nights get longer and shorter.
Please provide evidence to the contrary if you dispute that solar panels don't work at night.
It is to be hoped your tin foil hat will keep you warm this winter.
why is it the lefty type always resort to insult 'at the drop of a hat'
one last nugget or 2
https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/5a796c9e40f0b642860d7fa9/smart_meters_equipment_technical_spec_version_2.pdf
Central Bank Euro.
5.4.5 Load limiting
ESME shall be capable of determining when the Active Power Import(5.6.4.4) is above,
for the Load Limit Period(5.6.3.16), the Load Limit Power Threshold(5.6.3.17) and on such
an occurrence ESME shall be capable of:
i. generating an entry to that effect in the Event Log(5.6.4.16);
ii. sending an Alert to that effect via its HAN Interface and its User Interface;
iii. counting the number of such occurrences in the Load Limit Counter(5.6.4.19);
and
iv. ignoring the Non-Disablement Calendar(5.6.3.26) and Disabling the Supply in
circumstances where the Load Limit Supply State(5.6.3.19) is configured to
require Disablement, and then:
a. Immediately Arming the Supply such that it can be Enabled as set-out
in section 5.5.2.4;
b. after the Load Limit Restoration Period(5.6.3.18) has elapsed Enabling the
Supply, and setting the Load Limit Supply State(5.6.3.19) to unchanged;
and
c. displaying any such change in the Supply State(5.6.4.32) on its User
Interface and sending an Alert indicating the change in state via its
HAN Interface.
just to recap:
I made no mention of my personal 'energy management' you've assumed I do none which is not true.
I made no mention of climate change, you've again made assumptions.
you've tried to link my post to conspiracies which is not true as evidenced by my links.
please explain what part of my post warrants your use of "tin foil hat"
if your going to go on the attack you should be courteous enough to supply evidence of your assertions, else your spreading misinformation.
the losers are the bill payers who have to pay for the nonsense whilst an artificial billing and metering system was created greatly enriching some (Dale Vince from extricate springs to mind) & impoverishing others (us bill payers).
People should remember that when those billing companies go bust, they add their debts to our standing charges which is why it’s so high now.
The whole smart meter thing is of no use to consumers as it’s pushed bills up over the years, it’s only use is in load shedding where centrally they can cut consumers supply or more likely limit consumer supply to provide enough for lights and occasional kettle use.
This is all instead of providing additional generating capacity, especially for when people need it most which is getting earlier in the day as the day light is getting shorter etc.
No number of solar panels on fields that could grow crops will help bridge the energy gap when it’s dark outside!!!!!
In exchange, the AFBF agreed "to refrain from introducing, promoting, or supporting federal or state 'Right to Repair' legislation" that goes beyond what's promised in the MOU.
AFBF should have known they'd get played, should have just done the 'Right to Repair' & then held JD and others to account.
The regulator should regulate, not do back room deals & shaft those they are meant to be acting on their behalf.
That passage caught my eye as well. If the security situation is such that the "good news" is that patches roll out slowly, you've got a dumpster fire going on.
many hardware networking appliances run very old code, sometimes its a case of if its not broken then is there a need to fix it, other times is that new code comes with new features that are not needed.
Why upgrade to something that fixes features that are never turned on or used?
If my hardware is capable of running BGP but i only use OSPF why would i need to upgrade?
If i do use BGP but only peering to internal peers then am i susceptible to the attacks & if not then why upgrade?
interesting read of existing mechanisms on bgp peering security mechanisms
https://www.networkfuntimes.com/your-multihop-bgp-session-probably-isnt-multi-hop/
my car was made in May 2020, even though the complimentary airtime has run out, it still reports telemetry to its creator.
The app shows me miles covered, tyre pressures, battery & fuel level.
if i pay for their services i can restore remote opening, tracking, map updates & traffic etc but its truly not worth the £30 a month they want for the package of useful features.
There would also be safeguarding measures to protect vulnerable benefits claimants. "Staff will be trained to the highest standards on the appropriate use of any new powers, and we will introduce new oversight and reporting mechanisms to monitor these new powers. DWP will not have access to people's bank accounts and will not share their personal information with third parties," the department added in a statement.
cheap fix is to pay benefits to a government benefits account, then claimants can use a benefits card like a credit card, bonus is to only permit spending that benefits money on approved items like food, utilities, clothing etc, limited spending on alcohol & cigarettes.
No cash so no drugs or other illicit items
it will cut fraud but not illuminate it, but government will know how much they are providing claimants and can limit totals so a claimant may be entitled to £100k but if the total limit is £30k government can ensure that's all they get.
additionals can be claimants can pay utilities and rent direct from that benefit account like a normal account. With no or limited access to cash & no bank transfer mechanism it'll deter low effort & casual fraud.
i haven't used little snitch in years but its more of a reverse firewall in that it's designed to stop your mac from making calls to remote systems,
i assume it's been updated to do ad blocking, nifty if that's the case.
i use adguard dns profiles but also haven't bothered to update my devices to the latest os's.
dns profile is the only way i've found to have private relay and ad blocking at the same time.
if its broken in the latest releases i will hold off.
does it work if you remove it and reapply?
I believe we all (including trumpers) can agree that Trump and many on his team are wrongun’s.
The thing is the Biden/Harris (whatever their party is) are also wronguns.
America has 2 bad choices come their elections.
I just hope and pray to deity that they make the right choice.
The fact that Democrats never got to select Harris & overwhelmingly selected Biden reminds me of the mess we had when conservative members chose Truss then the party ejected her in favour of their guy Rishi. Don’t forget Borris called an election which was thought through the Supreme Court and when he got the go ahead the nation voted him a larger majority but Rishi lost by an even huger margin.
Whatever slim notion of democracy we had when Truss was elected, albeit only by party members, we lost when Rishi was promoted.
Harris was gifted the same fortune.
Party affiliates never got a choice.
Not sure how far back you need to go to see a similar circumstance, looks unprecedented.
No I don’t get a vote, but as a global citizen it impacts us all.
It’s more that some of this stuff is tricky enough to implement when it’s your job and you have all the equipment, plus professional services, plus vendor support.
Due to the blame game, public facing entities like to stack their implementations with logos so when the fan starts running they can evidence they did everything right according to vendor best practices etc, including having the vendor or its affiliated partner to install, implement and train staff on use.
Everything should be stacked against a hacker gaining none authenticated access, leaving authenticated access as a remaining probability which should be mitigated as best as possible.
This fuels my view that the “hacker” had access via a relatives / friend’s legitimate access, likely remote access.
I still doubt very much a 17 year old can sidestep at least 3 x technologies in the way to the data, regardless of how smart and motivated they are.
I bet we never get the detail.
@Plest
most of us on this forum have similar history.
Big difference is that a z80 spectrum was an 8 bit home computer with upto 128KB of RAM.
took you a weekend to decode some z80 spectrum assembly code to achieve something before your buddy did, this guy had at least 3 different systems to defeat plus navigate through an unknown environment to access sensitive information he likely didn't know was there.
at my place of work we have multiple teams who's job it is to implement and support aspects of those types of systems ensuring it satisfies penetration testing before being implemented & ongoing periodic testing and is in compliance with the vendor and industry best practices.
i assume that TFL systems are similarly implemented, scrutinised and tested.
how is a motivated 17 year old going to learn AD and learn how to defeat it against best practices?
makes sense if its a gang of hackers or a nation state with teams of experts etc, but a lone 17 year old defeating multiple systems & then not having the skills to prevent being traced doesn't pass the sniff test.
Beer as its Friday, I'm sure its noon somewhere
How does a 17 year old amass the knowledge to hack through the multiple security layers between the data and the culprit?
even if security is lax, it can't have been trivial.
Either the culprit had access to the systems via a relative leaving a computer unlocked, they had the credentials or where just a patsy for a more skilled entity with the skills, expertise & experience to do this.
at a guess they'd need to circumvent AD, 2fa, vpn appliance. None of that is trivial and should be far far beyond a script kiddie.
@itsthemonkey
My point is: I have one. Unlike you, who lack a point - and could therefore be described as “pointless”.
Can I suggest a forum used by technical people who are able to reason, think and discuss is not really your proper habitat. Maybe an account on TikTok Tok or X would be more suitable for your posts, and you might find an audience that does not realise that everything thou write is sooooooo wrong…
is there really such need for this level of bullying?
so you don't like their comment, use the downvote button like everyone else does!
There has been discussion that Starliner lacks the software to undock & perform reentry unmanned.
Is the real decision issue here that Boeing need people to onboard Starliner to undock it and move it away from the ISS, with the further danger here that if starliner fails it can possibly endanger the lives of all on ISS and not just the Starliner crew?
At this point there can be no reason for NASA to want to use Starliner for manned flight unless they absolutely need to. The only reason i can think of is that Starliner thruster failure on undocking can lead to ISS collision danger and danger to the rest of the ISS crew.
Otherwise just junk Starliner and do the safest thing possible.
Given the thrusters issues on docking, helium leaks & time spent docked over and above expected time there will be lifetime limits on other components like seals, batteries etc.
effectively it is not safe to do a manned landing of starliner hence why its still docked so the crew must be returned via another mechanism.
Sending crew back on starliner is a wholly unnecessary endeavour given the risks and availability of alternatives.
Delaying an official decision till the last moment is unnecessary and shows there are motivations behind the scenes to use the clearly faulty starliner at the cost of putting the crew at risk.
the L3 devices can store multiple access lists, simple thing is to duplicate the existing list, adding the new details and giving the new lest a new name like important_acl_1
then in the statement calling the ACL just use the new name, in the event of an issue you just change the statement to use the old name.
takes a few moments to roll back and if the acl will be either important_acl_1 or important_acl_2 then any idiot will know how to roll back the acl to the previously working list.
common practice for at least 20 years & most likely longer.
any sabotage of uk railways is more likely to improve things than make it worse.
knowing in advance the trains where cancelled so you make alternate arrangements instead of waiting at the platform till 20 minutes past the departure time and they announce the cancellation even though they've been promising it would arrive for 20 mins, would definitely be an improvement.
Then again at the same OpCo's HQ their main DC was on the ground floor with a multi-story staff carpark above it and with one of the exterior walls of a DC hall being (I assume) toughened glass (rather than brick/concrete) at the edge of their site with wasteland next to it and again no walls around the site - so at night if lights were on then the rows of racks were clearly visible from the street and wasteland. For extra measure throw-in that the (unmanned) DC entry door was on the public pavement and that door often tended to not lock (it seemed to bounce off the magnetic stops when closing, so sitting about 1 inch open) and there seemed to be no monitoring of whether that door was actually closed or not.
any issues arise due to those items you mention?
why does windows not have an immutable OS partition and a security partition for these things?
absolute pain
finding the borked systems, attaching the boot medium, then getting to the cli to run the commands. repeat thousands of times.
will management appreciate us more now they see the impact of not getting things done right and dedication of teams to correct stuff?
Done my bit now, off to the weekend!!
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