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  1. Re:Caller ID shows faux number on Why Robo-Calls Can't Be Stopped (washingtonpost.com) · · Score: 1

    So it's local? Why do I want to answer it?

    Let me blacklist all callers, then permit by number or area.

    2nd: before it rings on my phone, let my answering machine
    pick up and ask them to type in the extension of the person they are
    trying to reach. If they don't know your extension, they don't
    get through.

    There are tons of ways to block unwanted callers, its just that the
    phone company doesn't want to give customers the right to block
    them -- if they did, they'd lose a huge revenue stream from the callers.

  2. Re:Online order forms require it on Why Robo-Calls Can't Be Stopped (washingtonpost.com) · · Score: 1

    There's no law requiring that you must remember your phone number, correctly, when sharing it... more than once i find that even an 800 number will work fine.

  3. Re:Linux actually does have games now. on Windows 7 Users: You Need SHA-2 Support or No Windows Updates After July 2019 (zdnet.com) · · Score: 1

    Not to mention "anti-cheat" software that disables your game access because they don't like programs you have on your disk. You can't even report or diagnose problems, as that is part of what it bans -- any debugger or system monitor even anti-virus and anti-malware suites may be on their banned list.

    You can't even run some programs like Microsoft's ProcessMonitor any time before playing the game because those programs load drivers to inspect and monitor your system. Thus anti-cheat engines like XIGNCODE by Wellbia won't let you run the "protected games" even if you exit the program -- since the drivers can't
    be unloaded without a reboot.

    Turns out they and other companies have no technical support -- the game company contracts from a general PC-support company that can only help try to find what is wrong with your computer in not being able to connect. They have no ability to look at the game servers or or knowledge about the game software. Any debugging they do is general PC-health+hygiene related.

    Even with all the HW in place, you find you have to disable your security and system monitoring software, to assuage their fears.

  4. Crackers release 0-dat crack? on Researchers 'Break' Microsoft's Edge With Zero-Day Remote Code Exploit (itpro.co.uk) · · Score: 1

    What ever happened to giving advanced notice before release? Not enough notoriety?

  5. Max Headroom anyone? on With 5G, You Won't Just Be Watching Video. It'll Be Watching You, Too (cnet.com) · · Score: 1

    Isn't that a story about a society where you were watched by your TV and it was illegal to turn off the TV (people through blankets over it)...

  6. 1st the project has to care about the users on Ask Slashdot: Should Open-Source Developer Teams Hire Professional UI/UX Designers? · · Score: 2

    It's not that most software writers can't write something that is friendly, its that they don't want to because they don't think it is necessary.

    If it works and gets the job done, then so what if it is complicated -- that will weed out the dummies and an I won't waste as much time responding to lame questions.

    I've seen some open SW groups that are proud of how difficult their project is to use. And they don't want to change anything, -- heaven forbid, because it might break compatibility with 20 year old server installations.

    I've seen more than one geek who didn't like the idea of making it easier to use for others -- there should be a learning curve that keeps out the dummies. Look what happened when they'd let anyone write code (especially web/net code) in the decade leading up to the 1st great computer-based tech crash in the 1990's.

    Now this lethargy is spreading to corporation as they rearrange their
    business model to get paid for doing alot less (or nothing). Adobe is "rolling in the bucks" now that they don't have to actually come up with new or better products/features in order to get customers to buy the next version. Now they just have to pay to keep access to their old programs.

  7. 20 year old tech is so impressive no? on How the Weather Channel Made That Insane Hurricane Florence Storm Surge Animation (wired.com) · · Score: 1

    It was almost 25 years ago they did the same animating and morphing people in T2. And while it wasn't doable in realtime then, modifying video in realtime has been possible for at least 10 years, likely more. Anyone remember the upset when one network paid for a building tall billboard ad that would be seen in New Years backdrops, and some other network modified it in real time to make it look like their own logo had been put there instead. Oh the upset.

    Now just try that when all your computers are in the cloud....and you are watching of 5K screens....hah!... maybe somewhere other than the backwater USA....

  8. the 'm' subdomain? Never heard of it. on Google Temporarily Brings Back the www In Chrome URLs -- But Should They? (digitaltrends.com) · · Score: 2

    Huh?

    What do they mean 'www' shouldn't be controlled by "users"...it's not for google to decide. Companies purchase domain names and different sub domains are for different things. Example -- if you don't go to www.vim.org, you won't get there. It's not the same as 'vim.org'. If you try to goto vim.org
    it says the host isn't found -- because no valid host is at vim.org -- only www.vim.org.

    How stupid is google to think they are the same?

  9. Microsoft does the same. on 'Why You Should Not Use Google Cloud' (medium.com) · · Score: 1

    Had an identity I used on MS for support and forums for over 15 years. Tried to log in about a month ago and was told it had been temporarily suspended due to violations of their TOS. I tried to find out what
    happened but they refused to tell me anything. They told me the only way I could get my account back was to have them send a text code to my phone. Only phone I have that accepts text is my google number which MS
    WON'T ACCEPT. They don't have a system like amazon or google where they can call you @ a home number to have a robot announce a code over the phone. They demand your text#. If you don't have one, you don't get your account back.

    Tried following up with their support -- twice -- both times was told I violated something in their TOS, and could I review to see what it might have been (WAY too vage). and to use their text-msg system to recover my
    access (which I'd told both of the service reps didn't work -- and MS wouldn't take my voice number.

    Completely lame.

  10. Re:mining crypt -- as malware?...lets be realistic on Canonical Addresses Ubuntu Linux Snap Store's 'Security Failure' (betanews.com) · · Score: 1

    It doesn't fit the definition of "malware". It was not evil intent. Under normal circumstances:
    doesn't cause loss of data
    doesn't cause harm to hardware
    doesn't deny service or crash your sytem
    doesn't steal your credentials, your money or your life.

    It's only slightly worse than crapware and adware that get installed on new computers or with various free SW installs (like from Adobe, et al). Or Windows 10, which when it first came out saturated some user's network connections with MS's data-monitoring.

    Now if you want to call MS-Win10 and Adobe-SW "malware", well, under that level of threat -- then mining SW is probably malware too. But given the other threats/attacks on your cpu/computer from supposedly legitimate sources -- something that uses background cpu is no worse than SETI @ home -- just that it went on behind your back -- like so many things that go on in the world. Only later might things come out about how various companies are misusing your data -- but just because you don't know about it doesn't mean it isn't happening -- and it's not illegal or "malware enough" that any of the abusers are going to jail (or even paying a token fine).

    You want malware? How about DRM fails and SW updates that disable your old SW -- when you try to get support for fixing it, you are told your old SW is no longer supported (like Adobe CS5 products). They won't even give you a replacement license -- no support. Something that can take $100's a month in subscription fees to replace, or SW that downloads "replacement" software and tries to trick you into replacing your older, more functional SW....(MSWin10)....? But those things -- the companies paid for the laws to allow them to do it.

    The bit-miners just haven't become big enough business to buy their laws yet. :-(

  11. Re:mining crypt -- as malware?...lets be realistic on Canonical Addresses Ubuntu Linux Snap Store's 'Security Failure' (betanews.com) · · Score: 1

    I am sure. But if you have a limping computer that can't handle a cpu-load, there are steps you can take, like:
    1) cleaning it
    2) not overclocking
    3) for multi-core, limit # cores in use using affinity
    4) don't use hyperthreading
    5) limit the cpu-clock -- most processors in the past 10 years have variable clock rates -- spinning down when idle, or to conserve power, ramping up under load. On Windows you can set the min and the max processor state (might need a patch on some OS's as MS enabled and later hid the controls; a reg-patch from bitsum.com can re-enable). But my cpu normally idles at about 36% max-clock rate. If I set the max-processor-state to 36% or lower, it will never go up from 1.18GHz to its max speed of 3.2GHz. That will save power and result in lower cpu temps: Using https://www.cpuid.com/download...,
    Idle: 44C + power ~52W.
    Normal w/100% load on all cores: 72C & 122W
    with cpu perf limited to 36%: 52C & 62W
    ---
    On linux (more pertinent to article), you can use:
    https://git.kernel.org/cgit/li...
    (cpupower) to set max frequencies to do the same thing.

    There ya go: now you have no one to blame other than yourself for cpu overheating. :-)

    Enjoy? Or more unsolvable problems?

  12. Re:mining crypt -- as malware?...lets be realistic on Canonical Addresses Ubuntu Linux Snap Store's 'Security Failure' (betanews.com) · · Score: 1

    Yeah, and lightning strikes and earthquakes happen. If something is just *running* on your cpu and that causes it to overheat -- you have alot more problems than crypto-mining. You really need a new computer.

    Idle CPU, like 'free memory' is a waste of your computer. Used to be people would go donate cpu to things like distributed computing projects (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_distributed_computing_projects) like SETI (https://setiathome.berkeley.edu/) and run spare cycles 24/7. Computers that overheat when used are faulty (maybe dirty/dusty), but need maintenance or something fixed.

  13. mining crypt -- as malware?...lets be realistic... on Canonical Addresses Ubuntu Linux Snap Store's 'Security Failure' (betanews.com) · · Score: 1

    On the scale computer malware wrongs, mining crypto-currency has to be one of the lesser evils. Get serious. It's annoying?: yes. It should be stopped?: yes.

    Things that cause you to lose your data and/or your computer have to be the worse.

    Then things that leave your computer open to remote-control, to do whatever (botnets, etc).-- those have got to be next. Related to this area are those who maintain remote control via "forced" updates and forced online connections -- they can constant degrade or disable old Software -- they can force you to buy new software to maintain features -- all through the legitimacy of an appstore.

    Maybe next lower would be things that are constantly mining your private info to monetize all your info and make your behaviors accessible to anyone.

    But things that drain off computer-cpu resources -- MS has been doing that for years and profiting way more than crypto-miners. It really depends on how much cpu resources they are hogging, but they can usually be stopped -- unless they control your OS...

  14. Re:I don't know any SJW types on New Child Protection Nonprofit Strikes Back At Sex-Negative Approach of FOSTA-SESTA (youcaring.com) · · Score: 1

    SJW?

    As for videos/porn/prostitution causing violence against women -- hasn't that been put to rest by showing countries with low-controls on those having lower violence rates in general as well as lower rape rates, while countries where those subjects are controlled, restricted or banned have higher violence rates? The worst violence rates are in those countries where the restrictions on consensual acts are backed by a monotheistic government, and 2nd by a monotheistic-cult dominating society.

    Why can't women use their bodies to make money as men do in things like football & boxing, etc...

  15. Re:Those numbers are all the same up there on Man, Seeking New Copy of Windows 7 After Forced Windows 10 Upgrade, Sues Microsoft (bleepingcomputer.com) · · Score: 1

    Like fines in the US are reasonable?

    The US believes in fines far beyond actual damages....so why not?

  16. MS has already relented in some cases. As for $$ payout, well...that'd be another story, however, it is precedent to have unreasonable fines against people in US, and corps have pushed for equal rights w/people, so maybe it could happen?

  17. in space, isn't cooling a larger problem? on Humanity's Biggest Machines Will Be Built in Space (popularmechanics.com) · · Score: 1

    Given the vacuum insulation around everything, isn't cooling a much larger problem in space than on earth? Given the problems of heat dissipation on earth, wouldn't they be worse in space?

    Second issue is speed. Speed of light is an issue for signal propagation across circuits in today's computer design -- if the idea is to create larger machines in space, won't that get worse?

     

  18. Re:Are we talking about the same Linux?! on Why Windows Vista Ended Up Being a Mess (usejournal.com) · · Score: 1

    The modular and pluggable architecture of Unix/Linux is also a big architectural improvement in this respect

    Maybe systemd has caused a few problems because it doesn't follow Unix/Linux paradigm.

  19. What if you don't have an AV? on Microsoft Says No More Windows Security Updates Unless AVs Set a Registry Key (bleepingcomputer.com) · · Score: 1

    What if you don't run AV SW -- so of course the key isn't set. Seems like this is another case of MS withholding updates to "encourage" (or discourage) various behaviors.

    Remember MS claimed it wouldn't update Win7 for those who update their CPU. I wonder if that will change due to the Intel CPU security bugs?

  20. Didn't MS stop updates for Win7+newer CPUs? on Microsoft Details Performance Impact of Spectre and Meltdown Mitigations on Windows Systems (microsoft.com) · · Score: 1

    Didn't MS put in code to disable Windows updates for Win7 users if they upgraded their CPU to a newer CPU?

    I wonder if this policy will change?

    Hmmm....

  21. US science: politically (and religiously) based? on China Is Building a Solar Power Highway (electrek.co) · · Score: 1

    Remember how NASA couldn't get a peer review for their paper explaining how a reactionless space drive (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/RF_resonant_cavity_thruster) worked due to US scientists claiming it was impossible, while at the same time, China announced production of a spacecraft that incorporating the new drive (https://www.popsci.com/emdrive-engine-space-travel-china-success).

    Next up: US scientists dispute round-earth hypothesis as well as denying latest evidence that earth is not the center of the universe...

  22. Re:Gambling in Mass Effect too. on Legislators Take Aim At Star Wars Battlefront II, EA Over 'Gambling In Games' (polygon.com) · · Score: 4, Interesting

    You apparently don't know what gambling is.

    I posted on the MassEffect:Andromeda forum asking why they called the loot-chest dealer a "store" and not a casino.

    It's a store if you can go in and put down money and buy a specific item, like I go to grocery store, and put down a few bucks and can buy milk.

    That's not gambling. What is gambling is if the store gives some "unknown" reward for your few dollars. You may get milk (5% chance), or you may get a dead rat 90% chance, or a character card for a random character. You don't get to choose before hand. In ME:Andromeda, they score items and characters in 4 levels (common, uncommon, rare, very rare, or bronze, silver, gold and platinum). The platinum/very rare stuff is powerful, w/good attributes, bronze/common -- not so much.

    You can't sell or give items or chars to others -- so once you have an item or character, you won't get it again. Items like special ammo, or power bonuses, etc, are "disposable", but it's random there as well -- if you don't pay, you don't get the item.

    I don't get your casino option -- if you don't pay, you don't get chance to
    win prizes -- same as in game. If you want to win top prizes, you need to
    pay. Then you are dealt some number of cards -- and when you want to look at the cards, you hear something reminiscent of a slot machine sound.

    You don't *HAVE* to pay real money to get items, but highest "chance" boxes cost $3 or 500,000 points. You get about 10K points for a bronze game that takes about 10-15 minutes to play. Silver can net you about 25K, gold... maybe 40-50K and platinum--don't know too tough to even try, but likely 60-75K. Most play @ bronze -- so 50 games or about 15-20 hours of play to get 1 of those top boxes --- OR $3.

    No matter which way you pay for your "chance-tickets", the odds are against you getting ANYTHING @ very-rare, are maybe 1 in 25, or about
    1 win/500K points (or $3).

    If you want to win -- you have to to pay, or "work" at earning points -- about 15-20 hours for a $3 chance at a reward.

    So how is that not "gambling"?

    Note in the "solo play", a "store" is a store -- you buy things -- no random reward chances and you can sell your surplus. But in multiplayer... it's all setup to encourage shelling out real money.

  23. 180GB cap? Good for handhelds, maybe... on Verizon: No 4G-Level Data Caps For 5G Home Service (pcmag.com) · · Score: 1

    180GB is probably more than enough for a handheld user, but for a home internet service where you dealing with 1080p-4K videos?

    If people give up on the idea of regular home streams of 1080p - 4K video, sure 180G might be enough -- but I've easily had a majority of months in the past few years where my *upload* traffic was 1TB or more -- these tiny caps seem to expect everyone will be watching 240-360p videos on their handhelds from the cloud.

    I guess large home theater screens along with the home PC are going the way of the dodo bird?

    Lame how these profiteers make tiny sound like the new big and how many don't question this...

  24. Do writers edit their own copy? on Should Developers Do All Their Own QA? (itnews.com.au) · · Score: 1

    Someone who wrote something will overlook many errors that they wrote.

    As for writing tests -- you write tests for the edge/corner cases that you know of in such code. You don't write tests for the bugs you don't know about.

    Some testing can and should be done by authors, but no more than a minority of it. Of course, who tests for "usability" or "user friendliness"? Can't ever have a SW engineer testing those things -- hard enough to get them to fix the problems, let alone call them problems in the first place.

  25. Re:Firefox is dead (but not its legacy) on After 12 Years, Mozilla Kills 'Firebug' Dev Tool (infoworld.com) · · Score: 1

    I tried WF.. was ok, but too many compat probs with older FF (was still running last pre-4.0 version at the time) addins. Instead I later found Pale Moon, which has tried to provide compat support for many older FF addins. When I first found P.M. it was able to support FF's older plugins with few or no changes.

    Pale Moon has moved forward, but not at the same pace as FF -- trying to provide support and ports of older FF extensions for years -- to allow gradual moving to newer extension-models. The project lead even provided a compatibility tool months in advance, to tell you exactly which of your extensions would work, need updating or replacement, *months* before a newer, incompatible add-on model was released -- something that was VERY useful, and with it's detail, almost unheard-of in the SW industry these days.

    PM has a FF-masquerade mode, where it can ID itself as FF, and gain FF compatibility with many of the FF extensions on AMO (FF addons.mozilla.org site) still working, though usually one had to use a addon for an earlier FF as current FF-add-ons had tried to go for current FF compat.

    The 64-bit space really helps. w/memory issues -- though with 32-bit
    FF, modding the binary to give a 3GB/1GB User:System address space (vs. 2/2) REALLY helped tide me over until I found an acceptable 64-bit solution. With a 3G/1G address space you get a 50% increase in user address space which really relieved memory pressure until a reasonable 64-bit version could come out.

    I haven't tried WaterFox recently, but it didn't have the same goals of trying to support previous add-on models that PM has had. Alert -- would need to an alternate browser to access this site (I maintain current IE+Opera versions to provide backup access to sites) as only supports newer encryption models ( Cannot communicate securely with peer: no common encryption algorithm(s)). SSL labs gives it an A+ for encryption usage, BUT says This site works only in browsers with SNI support. ?? Oh well...

    FWIW, I'm writing this with Palemoon right now. At http://www.palemoon.org/, it mentions its latest release (v27.5.1) being less than 3 weeks ago on 2017-10-10. Also has an active user forum which is helpful for find solutions to various problems.