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The April Fools joke that might have got me fired
a year ago
- The author's first job was as a database programmer at a university, despite having no formal computer education.
- They worked on an HP 9000 K250 server running HP/UX 10.20 and Informix, managing a student information system called CARS.
- CARS handled administrative tasks, financials, and later web applications using Perl.
- The university's printers, mostly HP LaserJet 4s, had customizable READY messages.
- On April Fools' Day, the author changed all printers' READY messages to 'INSERT 5 CENTS' and sent a fake policy email about pay-per-page printing.
- The prank caused chaos, with some people finding it funny while others complained to university administration.
- The author had to retract the prank early and faced repercussions, including a 'poor judgment' note on their performance review.
- Despite the fallout, the prank became legendary on campus.
- The story concludes with a reference to another university prank involving PostScript flaws and fingerprints.
AI agents: Less capability, more reliability, please
a year ago
- Sergey Filimonov shares insights on AI agents.
- Emphasizes the need for reliability over capability in AI agents.
- Published on March 30, 2025.
- Invites readers to subscribe for updates.
- Encourages feedback and questions from readers.
Microsoft reports several bootloader vulnerabilities
a year ago
- Microsoft's main navigation includes products like Microsoft 365, Teams, Copilot, Windows, Surface, and Xbox.
- Support and deals are highlighted for small businesses and general users.
- Additional sections cover software, PCs & devices, entertainment options, business solutions, and developer resources.
- Other offerings include Microsoft Rewards, education resources, store locations, and gift cards.
Waymos crash less than human drivers
a year ago
- Waymo's autonomous vehicles have been involved in fewer crashes compared to human drivers over 50 million miles.
- Most Waymo crashes occur when human drivers violate traffic rules, such as speeding or running red lights, while Waymo vehicles follow regulations.
- Waymo reported 38 serious crashes from July 2024 to February 2025, with only one clearly being Waymo's fault.
- Waymo's safety data shows an 83% reduction in airbag crashes and an 81% reduction in injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers.
- Insurance claims against Waymo are about 90% lower than those against human drivers, indicating fewer at-fault incidents.
- Waymo's deliberate and patient expansion strategy is credited for its strong safety record.
Bell Labs Holmdel Complex
a year ago
- The Bell Labs Holmdel Complex, designed by Eero Saarinen, served as a research and development facility for Bell Labs for 44 years.
- Notable for its Mid-Century Modern architecture, the building was dubbed 'The Biggest Mirror Ever' due to its mirror box exterior.
- The site was home to significant scientific achievements, including Nobel Prize-winning laser cooling work by Steven Chu.
- After Bell Labs reduced its use of the complex in 2006, it was sold and redeveloped into Bell Works, a mixed-use space for offices, retail, and community services.
- The complex was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2017 and has been used as a filming location for TV series like 'Severance'.
- Originally, the site was used for radio astronomy research, including Karl Guthe Jansky's invention of radio astronomy.
- The building's design includes distinctive features like a transistor-shaped water tower and a unique layout with four pavilions linked by sky-bridges.
- Preservation efforts led by former employees and community groups helped save the complex from demolition.
- Today, Bell Works operates as a 'metroburb', offering urban amenities in a suburban setting, including a public library, theater, and retail spaces.
Eco Cycles or How I Feel About Technology
a year ago
- Umberto Eco's fascination with technology, including his love for fax machines, which eventually became a source of spam.
- The 'Eco Cycle' describes how technologies start as revolutionary tools for early adopters but degrade into dysfunction as they become mainstream.
- Examples of technologies that followed the Eco Cycle include email, cars, smartphones, fertilizers, antibiotics, and cheap flights.
- Traffic jams are a psychological problem, not a logistical one, and attempts to solve them often lead to expanded commutes rather than reduced time.
- The 'hedonic treadmill of technology' explains how satisfaction with new tech is temporary, leading to constant craving for more.
- Ancient philosophies like Buddhism, Christianity, and Stoicism warn against unchecked desire, which modern technology amplifies.
- Tech executives often restrict their own children's use of technology, recognizing its potential harms.
- Kevin Kelly's concept of 'selfish tech' suggests technology evolves to propagate itself, often at the expense of human well-being.
- Real freedom involves knowing when to say no to technology and stepping out of destructive cycles.
Bored of It
a year ago
- The text expresses frustration and boredom with a pervasive, unnamed phenomenon.
- Highlights the dehumanizing and inevitable consequences of this phenomenon.
- Mentions the environmental impact, including massive energy and water usage.
- Criticizes the glorification and vilification in media and public discourse.
- Notes the societal pressure to accept it despite lack of public demand.
- Concludes with a shared understanding of the subject without naming it.
The Soul of an Old Machine
a year ago
- The book 'The Soul of a New Machine' by Tracy Kidder details the creation of Data General's Eagle computer, later named the Eclipse MV/8000.
- Data General (DG) was a scrappy, ambitious company founded by Ed de Castro, known for its technical excellence and aggressive growth.
- DG faced an existential threat from DEC's VAX 'super-mini', leading to the creation of two competing projects within DG to respond.
- Tom West led the 'rebel' project in Massachusetts, which aimed to build a 32-bit machine fully compatible with DG's existing Eclipses.
- The project team, divided into 'Hardy Boys' (hardware) and 'Microkids' (microcode), worked under intense pressure and tight deadlines.
- Tracy Kidder, a journalist, embedded with the team to document the project, resulting in a Pulitzer Prize-winning book.
- The Eagle project was marked by technical challenges, debugging, and a chaotic yet creative design process.
- The book highlights the human aspect of technology creation, focusing on the team's motivations and the project's impact on their lives.
- Despite DG's eventual decline and acquisition, 'The Soul of a New Machine' remains a timeless account of innovation and teamwork.
- The book's legacy continues to inspire those interested in computer design and the intersection of technology and human endeavor.
What is up with car door handles these days?
a year ago
- Car companies are increasingly adding unnecessary and frustrating features like beeps, blips, and touchscreens, which detract from the driving experience.
- Satisfaction with car controls has dropped by 23 percentage points in the last nine years, according to surveys.
- BMW recently abandoned gesture controls after a decade, which required drivers to perform awkward hand motions for basic functions.
- Carmakers are solving non-existent problems, like ambient lighting and passenger seat touchscreens, while creating new issues, such as faulty electronic door handles.
- The Volkswagen ID.4 faced recalls due to water damaging its electronic door handle sensors, which sometimes caused doors to open while driving.
- Elon Musk's approach to cars mirrors his political endeavors—making things worse through unnecessary tinkering.
- Modern technology often focuses on trivial improvements (e.g., AI summarizing emails) rather than meaningful advancements.
- The author argues that things don’t have to be worse and suggests a return to valuing convenience over unnecessary complexity.
Lessons from open source in the Mexican government
a year ago
- Federico González Waite shared his experiences promoting open-source software in the Mexican government, highlighting both successes and challenges.
- Key reasons for adopting open source in Mexico include cost reduction, IT sovereignty, and breaking vendor lock-ins.
- González Waite led significant projects, such as migrating from Oracle to PostgreSQL and developing Mexico's electronic passport using open-source technologies.
- Education and training were major hurdles, leading to the creation of boot camps and online courses to build open-source expertise among students and government employees.
- The banking sector saw a project using Mifos, an open-source financial platform, though it faced regulatory and security challenges.
- Lessons learned emphasize the importance of strong leadership, proper budgeting, and overcoming resistance due to fear and lack of knowledge.
- Proprietary software companies often resisted changes, using tactics like audits and threats to maintain their market share.
- The new presidential administration's stance on open source remains uncertain, but existing legislation still supports its use.
Microsoft turns 50: A look back at everything from the Altair to the Zune
a year ago
- Microsoft was founded by Bill Gates and Paul Allen, who were childhood friends obsessed with computing.
- The company started with the development of Microsoft BASIC for the Altair 8800, marking the beginning of the personal computing revolution.
- Microsoft's big idea was creating software that could work across multiple computer models, a novel concept at the time.
- The introduction of MS-DOS and Windows revolutionized personal computing, making Microsoft software ubiquitous.
- Microsoft faced challenges in hardware competition, notably with the Zune and Windows Phone, but found success with the Xbox.
- Today, Microsoft is focusing on cloud computing and AI, integrating technologies like ChatGPT and Copilot into its products.
Quantum mechanics might have the solution to joystick drift
a year ago
- Nintendo Switch's joystick drift issue affects millions and is a common problem across various controllers.
- Tunneling magnetoresistance (TMR) technology, derived from quantum mechanics, offers a solution to joystick drift by eliminating wear and tear.
- Traditional joysticks use potentiometers, which wear down over time due to physical contact, leading to inaccurate inputs.
- Hall effect sensors, which rely on magnetism, are a non-contact alternative but have higher power demands and manufacturing costs.
- TMR sensors provide higher sensitivity, lower power consumption, and better performance stability over a wide temperature range compared to Hall effect sensors.
- TMR technology, initially used in hard drives, allows for smaller, more efficient components and easier retrofitting into existing controller designs.
- Several third-party manufacturers are already producing gamepads with TMR joysticks, though mainstream adoption by major companies like Nintendo, Microsoft, and Sony may take a few more years.
- The cost of TMR sensors is currently higher than traditional Hall effect sensors, but prices are expected to decrease as the technology matures.
Remembering MS-DOS 5.0
a year ago
- Bill Gates and Paul Allen founded Micro-Soft in Albuquerque, New Mexico, on this day in 1975.
- The company, later renamed Microsoft, would transform personal computing over the next five decades.
- The author recalls their first Microsoft product being MS-DOS 5.0, used on an outdated, generic PC clone.
- The PC had an Intel 8088, two 5.25-inch floppy drives, and no hard drive, relying on diskettes for storage.
Incompatibility of Membership
a year ago
- The Chaos Computer Club (CCC) has evolved over 42 years, focusing on technology's societal impact.
- Technology and electronic communication are now key drivers of new developments.
- The CCC emphasizes responsible hacking, guided by the mantra 'use public data, protect private data'.
- Hacker ethics challenge the status quo, encouraging critical reflection and mistrust of authorities.
- The CCC has expanded its focus beyond computers to include human rights, diversity, and sustainability.
- Openness is a CCC principle, but it has boundaries, especially in light of rising nationalism and extremism.
- Hacking is about societal improvement, not just technical skills.
- The CCC is a diverse community promoting freedom of information and knowledge.
- Racism, fascism, and violence are incompatible with CCC membership.
China Develops HDMI Alternative: 192 Gbps Speeds and 480 W Power Delivery
a year ago
- China unveils GPMI, a domestic HDMI alternative with 192 Gbps bandwidth and 480 W power delivery.
- GPMI supports 8K resolution, higher refresh rates, and simplified connectivity with bidirectional communication.
- Two variants available: Type-C (96 Gbps, 240 W) and Type-B (192 Gbps, 480 W).
- GPMI outperforms HDMI 2.1 (48 Gbps) and DisplayPort 2.1 (80 Gbps) in data throughput.
- Standard includes auxiliary links for device management, cable info, and limited USB 2.0 support.
- Type-C variant is USB-C compatible, aiding integration with smart TVs and other devices.
- Aims to reduce China's reliance on Western-controlled standards and costly HDMI licensing.
- HDMI licensing involves annual fees ($10,000 or $5,000 + $1/unit) and per-unit royalties ($0.15-$0.04).
- GPMI expected to be commercialized soon in China and export markets by major companies like Huawei, Hisense, and TCL.
Wi-Fi is one of the great backward compatibility success stories
a year ago
- Wi-Fi maintains backward compatibility across generations, allowing devices from different eras to connect seamlessly.
- The Wi-Fi Alliance certifies products for interoperability, ensuring devices work together if they bear the Wi-Fi CERTIFIED logo.
- Some companies, like Eero, skip official certification but conduct rigorous internal testing to ensure compatibility.
- Compatibility issues are rare and usually stem from uncertified devices or proprietary features.
- The 2.4GHz band is crucial for older devices and smart home products but is narrow and prone to interference.
- Despite challenges, Wi-Fi remains a rare technology with minimal compatibility issues.
The Illusion of Time, the Overflow of Being
a year ago
- Time and its associated structures (schedules, metrics, etc.) are often overemphasized, distancing us from balance.
- Human systems and metaphors (like kernels and neurons) are borrowed from nature but lack true understanding.
- Deep learning systems don't 'understand' data in a human sense; they merely reflect labeled geometric transformations.
- Time should be seen as a tool, not a verdict, to avoid mental strain and self-doubt.
- Short-term instincts taking over in survival mode is a form of intelligence, not regression.
- Recursions and unconscious patterns (like trauma) need attention, not suppression or patches.
- Trauma should be rerouted carefully to foster awareness and enrich experience.
- Humanity has mechanized itself, creating models that optimize rather than truly learn, mirroring our own unconscious behaviors.
- The key question is whether we're ready to build deeper selves, not just smarter systems.
Kids can't use computers and this is why it should worry you (2013)
a year ago
- The author recounts an incident where a teacher needed help with her MacBook, highlighting a common issue where people assume technical staff are socially inept.
- Many students and teachers lack basic computer skills, such as understanding proxy settings or recognizing simple error messages.
- The author argues that modern operating systems like Windows and OS X have made computers too easy to use, reducing users' need to understand underlying technology.
- Mobile devices contribute to digital illiteracy by hiding file systems and restricting user control over hardware and software.
- Parents and schools are partly to blame for not teaching children how to troubleshoot and understand technology.
- The author suggests solutions like teaching Computer Science in schools, encouraging Linux use, and reducing reliance on locked-down systems.
- The article concludes with a call to action to reverse the trend of digital illiteracy to ensure future leaders understand the technology shaping society.
Isaac Asimov Describes How AI Will Liberate Humans and Their Creativity (1992)
a year ago
- Artificial intelligence is defined by Isaac Asimov as any device performing tasks previously associated only with human intelligence.
- AI can be seen as a frontier that advances as machines take over tasks humans once did, freeing humanity from menial work.
- Asimov believed AI and human intelligence complement each other, working together to advance more rapidly than either could alone.
- Technological progress, including AI, comes with difficulties and potential unpleasantness, requiring preparation and safeguards.
- Asimov compares the integration of AI to the introduction of automobiles, suggesting we should plan cities with future technologies in mind.
- The article reflects on the importance of preserving elements of the pre-AI world for future generations.
The US Secretary of Education referred to AI as 'A1,' like the steak sauce
a year ago
- U.S. Secretary of Education Linda McMahon attended the ASU+GSV Summit to discuss AI in education.
- McMahon repeatedly referred to AI as 'A1' during a panel discussion.
- She emphasized the importance of integrating advanced technology like AI in early education.
- McMahon's mix-up between 'AI' and 'A1' became more frequent as the panel progressed.
- The error was notable given her position and the common usage of the term 'AI'.

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#technology

The April Fools joke that might have got me fired

AI agents: Less capability, more reliability, please

Microsoft reports several bootloader vulnerabilities

Waymos crash less than human drivers

Bell Labs Holmdel Complex

Eco Cycles or How I Feel About Technology

Bored of It

The Soul of an Old Machine

What is up with car door handles these days?

Lessons from open source in the Mexican government

Microsoft turns 50: A look back at everything from the Altair to the Zune

Quantum mechanics might have the solution to joystick drift

Remembering MS-DOS 5.0

Incompatibility of Membership

China Develops HDMI Alternative: 192 Gbps Speeds and 480 W Power Delivery

Wi-Fi is one of the great backward compatibility success stories

The Illusion of Time, the Overflow of Being

Kids can't use computers and this is why it should worry you (2013)

Isaac Asimov Describes How AI Will Liberate Humans and Their Creativity (1992)

The US Secretary of Education referred to AI as 'A1,' like the steak sauce