* Posts by Hubert Cumberdale

1152 publicly visible posts • joined 4 Sep 2019

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Oh look, cracking down on Big Tech works. Brave, Firefox, Vivaldi surge on iOS

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Anything from Google is banned

Last sentence deserves an upvote. The rest is kind of annoying and almost deserves a downvote (in reality, I'd like to block all of Google myself, but it's a good way to irritate your friends – personally, I have an isolated guest network anyway, so why not set different rules if you must?). These cancelled each other out, so I didn't click either.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: "make their websites dependant on Google's proprietary features"

Yup. If a site fails to load because of either my use of Firefox or my ad blocking, then I just leave. Their loss.

Hubert Cumberdale

Help us, Obi Firefox, you're our only hope.

Hubert Cumberdale

The opposite. Now they'll have to think more about the likes of Firefox on iOS, too.

Airbnb warns hosts who use indoor security cameras they may face eviction

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Workaround

"and your camera's [sic] are supposed to only seeYOUR premises"

Perhaps sadly, that's not true.

EU users can't update 3rd party iOS apps if abroad too long

Hubert Cumberdale

That sounds like an awful lot of effort – I mean, I certainly want Firefox on my phone, but surely it's just easier to get a non-Apple phone? Sure, I'll admit that Google are evil – but so is Apple, just in different ways. At least with Android, you have the option to root your phone and strip out all of the nonsense you don't want, including most of Google's tracking (that's what I've done: after over a decade of dumb-phone use, I finally gave in).

Hubert Cumberdale

That gets kind of stymied when you need to turn location services on.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Why does anyone buy Apple?

Glug glug glug.

The most 2024 things to do are laying off staff and eyeing up AI – Mozilla's doing both

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Mozilla is a dead man walking

Someone's not listening here.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Mozilla is a dead man walking

Sorry (not sorry), it is still a good reason. Let me phrase it in reverse: Firefox lets you do what you want with the pages you're viewing, and that includes actually blocking ads (i.e., add-ons are not artificially hobbled), blocking JavaScript as you see fit (via NoScript), and genuinely doing its best to avoid tracking if you ask it. This is reason enough for me.*

*And it's not Chrome. Diversity in the ecosystem is vital if we are to keep the web open rather than allowing Google to dictate standards as it sees fit for its business model, and Firefox is all we seem to have left as a decent alternative to Chromium.

Making sense of Microsoft's 'confusing' Copilot functionality carnival

Hubert Cumberdale

Fuck off, Clippy.

We can tell it's you hiding under that fake-nose-and-glasses getup.

WTF? Potty-mouthed intern's obscene error message mostly amused manager

Hubert Cumberdale

(Someone clearly isn't a fan of reality.)

Hubert Cumberdale

'Actually "anonymize" is the American spelling, the correct UK spelling is "anonymise"'

Nope. It's optional. And actually, we're the ones who moved away from the original "-ize" spellings towards the French-influenced "-ise" spellings. The z actually has a longer history.

University chops students' Microsoft 365 storage to 20GB

Hubert Cumberdale

True dat. I have >1TB of data that is generally hanging around on my system and numerous backups. Only a tiny fraction of that is generally accessed on a year-to-year basis, and it keeps on growing. However, when I really need to read those AGM minutes from 1996 to definitively demonstrate some legal point relating to a precedent that was set regarding the responsibilities of the company directors (just as an entirely random example...), it's indispensable. (Not to mention all those photos from scanned negatives I rarely look at dating back to the 1950s and beyond: I might not look at them often, but I never want to throw them away.)

Google updates Chrome's Incognito Mode data slurp disclaimer in early browser build

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Alice In Wonderland........

And when I use the word "browser", I generally mean "Firefox". It's not perfect, but it seems to be the best we've got at the moment.

YouTube video lag wrongly blamed on its ad-blocking animus

Hubert Cumberdale

Other browser architectures are available.

"When Google phases out its legacy extension architecture, possibly as soon as June 2024, Manifest v3, uBlock Origin is expected to stop working will continue to work just fine on Firefox."

FTFY.

Microsoft prices new Copilots for individuals and small biz vastly higher than M365 alone

Hubert Cumberdale

Personally I'm grateful that I'd have to pay more for it: this means there's an easy way to avoid it.

Microsoft suggests command line fiddling to get faulty Windows 10 update installed

Hubert Cumberdale

The most up-to-date and recent version of Outlook is working just fine for me. It doesn't surprise me that Teams doesn't work, though: it barely works at the best of times (I haven't tested it of late, but thoroughy killing Edge has never caused problems with it in the past). I'm guessing you're somewhere that insists you use it, as I can't think of any other reason to work with that monstrosity. Jack of all trades, master of none, and a massive background resource hog in the mean time.

In any case, I wonder if that patch actually broke several different things including Edge, and the Edge problem was a just symptom rather than a cause.

Hubert Cumberdale

"too many support teams will ask for you to check on Chrome when you run into issues"

Yes, and by capitulating, you're part of the problem. We're dangerously close to going back to the old "works best with IE6" days. Standards should be standards, and websites should be written to work according them rather than according to the whims of specific browser makers.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: When did Windows turn into Linux?

It is both impressive and cute. Beryl AX is the new version, which is mostly upgraded. Although I'm not sure why they went down to a single LAN port.

Hubert Cumberdale

I disagree. I have physically deleted all of Edge's files from my hard drive (yes – even the sneaky, non-obvious ones), and if anything, Office etc. seems to be running smoother than before because it can't do the annoying things that I don't want it to do. It certainly doesn't harm any of the actual productivity tasks in any way.

(Anything in my OS that's called an "experience" – or even worse a "connected experience" – can fuck right off. Especially Word's "Modern Comments", which are utterly terrible and shit and awful: they totally break my workflow and can go insert themselves into the arse of whoever decided that trying to copy Google's "live" collaboration bullshit was a good idea.)

Hubert Cumberdale

I try as hard as I can to completely break Edge every time it sneaks back on to my machine.

Hubert Cumberdale

I got this on both my desktop and laptop – rebooting and retrying sorted one but not the other.

But fucking with my partitions because of their fuckup? Yea, fuck that shit in the fucking arse – like I haven't got enough technology-related pain in my life. I'll wait for them to fix it properly, thanks.

Not even poor Notepad is safe from Microsoft's AI obsession

Hubert Cumberdale

No need to code, just do this.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Microsoft?

Or... maybe things just evolved in parallel. Like English and French. Never attribute to malice that which is adequately explained by stupidity.

Google to start third-party cookie cull for 30 million Chrome users

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Armchair

"Do they really think people are that stupid?"

Yes, they do. And unfortunately, most of them probably are. Although "ignorant" is probably a better word – when I explain this sort of thing to people, they're usually horrified and ask me how I can make it go away. I just tell them to use Firefox.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Only stupid people use google crome

"it is possible to use this system in ways compliant with EU data protection law."

Yeah. That's missing the word "only" before the word "possible". It's also possible to use Firefox, and I suggest you do.

Windows 11 unable to escape the shadow of Windows 10

Hubert Cumberdale

"... Extended Security Updates to keep the lights on a little longer"

I'd be surprised if there's not almost immediately an "unofficial" way found to access them. I'd certainly use it if so. You won't get me onto a new version until they fix the fuckups in 11 (bring on 12?).

Amazon on the hook for predictably revolting use of concealed clothes hook spy cam

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: So, when the time comes to take up arms

However you interpret it, it's undeniable that it's very badly and ambiguously written. I say this as a professional editor. It's not even a proper sentence.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: So, when the time comes to take up arms

The Milk Marketing Board?

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I imagine gun manufacturers and sellers are watching very closley

I'll get heavily downvoted by the gun-totin' second-amendment nutjobs (feel free to indicate that you are one by clicking that button: I like having my worldview confirmed), but yes, people who make and sell devices that are designed specifically to be used for mass killing (see, for example, assault rifles, which have no legitimate purpose whatsoever in the hands of the general public) while taking no responsibility for the endless mass killings they're used for should certainly be held accountable.

HP exec says quiet part out loud when it comes to locking in print customers

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Honestly....

Encryption isn't enabled by default, neither device encryption (drive) nor bitlocker (directories and files).

Bitlocker is also drive encryption. Perhaps you're thinking of the separate file/folder encryption of Windows? In any case, I keep always backup keys: not just as files, but as physical printouts in a sealed envelope with a trusted third party. I admit that most normal users wouldn't even understand what I was talking about there, though. So automatic device encryption (in whatever form) is probably a bad idea.

Brits turn off Twitter, although teens and tweens keen on generative AI

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: The Data Source

You just lost all credibility.

How to give Windows Hello the finger and login as someone on their stolen laptop

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: fingerprint works <25% of time

My Lenovo has the added bonus of being so awkward to disassemble that it'd probably thwart any attack requiring unplugging the fingerprint reader...

Firefox slow to load YouTube? Just another front in Google's war on ad blockers

Hubert Cumberdale

If you care about them, give them money via Patreon et al. – creators get feck all of the advertising money most of the time. Then you can be jolly and keep blocking those ads.

Hubert Cumberdale

If you don't sign in, simply removing the YT cookies resets your viewing history and thus your recommendations. I do it periodically specifically because I'm bored of the viewing rut it tends to put me in after a while.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: This is not the first time this has "accidently" happened

Sadly doesn't help with YouTube's ads. uBlock0 works though. So yes, have both!

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: This is not the first time this has "accidently" happened

I genuinely don't care if they give me a slight delay before loading. It's still a way better experience than 30 seconds of ads every 30 seconds.

In any case, it seems to help if you just pretend you're using Chrome...

Google dragged to UK watchdog over Chrome's upcoming IP address cloaking

Hubert Cumberdale

Yes, that's right. Brown people can't be racist. Because racism is exactly one thing.

Apple exec defends 8GB $1,599 MacBook Pro, claims it's like 16GB in a PC

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: 8GB is plenty if your walled garden is small enough

Much as I agree with the thrust of the article and that an 8GB baseline is dumb (and damned cheap of them, considering the price), you're comparing apples and oranges there (and, if I'm not mistake, maybe boasting a little about the size of your load...)

Woman jailed after RentaHitman.com assassin turned out to be – surprise – FBI

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

Sure, and this rock keeps tigers away.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

Wow. it almost sounds like you actually believe that propaganda, despite voter fraud being exceedingly rare in the US. When they're pointing at something that's practically non-existent as a justification for quite notable changes, they clearly have another purpose in mind.

Also, I thought you'd taken off the pillowcase, Syn3rg, but you seem to have gone AC again. What's that about?

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

The fact that there's a heavily referenced ~13,000-word Wikipedia page entitled "Republican efforts to restrict voting following the 2020 presidential election" says a lot. If you've ever tried to put anything on Wikipedia that's cited from anywhere even slightly dubious, you'd know how hard it is to get it to stick (believe me, I've tried). Feel free to dig into any of its 368 citations yourself. Or you can just say Wikipedia is biased if you like.

Hubert Cumberdale
Trollface

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

Somehow, you seem to be labouring under the mistaken impression that this is a conversation that has anything to do with Democrats or Republicans. If you look carefully, you'll see I've said nothing of political parties: I merely pointed out that the problem exists. I've now linked to two articles confirming it as an issue: one from a slightly left-leaning source, and the other from a slightly right-leaning source.

However, if you want to talk about US political parties, then I shall declare my own position. Perhaps it's easiest to explain if I note that the Democrats and the Republicans, while considered vaguely "Left" and "Right", respectively, across the pond, actually fit better into "Right" and "Hard Right" if you consider the definitions across most of continental Europe. As such, I'm not really very fond of either. As far as I can see, the Republicans are the most recent and most prolific offenders regarding voter suppression, particularly when it comes to minorities. However, frankly, I don't think that's relevant, surprising, or even particularly interesting.

"Maybe there are other factors for the incarceration, like who is committing the crimes and which culture idolizes thug life."

...and your credentials are confirmed.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

"That CNN report is terribly unbalanced"

Okay, how about this Washington Times article? Or would you prefer a whole cascade of peer-reviewed articles in academic journals?

"Voting rights are another justifiable penalty incurred by conviction."

This is an opinion. It may be justifiable, but it is far from the universal opinion that it is always justified. As noted, in countries signed up to the ECHR (including the UK), it has repeatedly been ruled that it's not even lawful, never mind justified, to apply a blanket ban on voting.

"None of which is race-based"

I never said it was. But now you mention it, the massive bias toward imprisoning those of local minority ethnicity in the USA will indeed mean that there is a trickle-down race-based bias in preventing people from voting.

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: I hate to say this, but it's sad that there are homo sapiens so f'in stupid

Probably not, considering how much they suppress the voting of minorities, never mind those convicted of crimes. As an aside, the UK continues to blatantly violate the ECHR by imposing a blanket ban on prisoners voting, despite numerous rulings continuing to demonstrate that this is unlawful.

YouTube cares less for your privacy than its revenues

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Enshitification strikes again

"When I'm away from my home network and the PiHole, the web is a horrible place."

That's why I set up a WireGuard VPN on my router so I can have all the benefits of my home network while I'm away.

Privacy advocate challenges YouTube's ad blocking detection scripts under EU law

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Good.

...or just never sign in to Google in the first place.

Microsoft introduces AI meddling to your files with Copilot in OneDrive

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: people have onedrive enabled?

There is a time and a place for cloud storage – as long as it's not your only storage and is just used as a backup (one of at least two, preferably three). And I would argue that your desktop is probably as likely (if not more likely) to be hacked as MS's servers. That said, I really don't want or need Copilot doing anything at all with my files. I just want it to store them for me: I'll do the rest, thank you.

Google Chrome pushes ahead with targeted ads based on your browser history

Hubert Cumberdale

Re: Typically Tropical Topical Topics

https://xkcd.com/1334/

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