Daily Tech News 7 December 2021

Top Story

With the new software lab buildout I'm going to end up with eight computers on my desk - half laptops and half NUCs, so they don't take up much room. And it's a big desk. Huge actually, it's made from the oak floorboards of an old wool warehouse and weighs about three thousand pounds.

Anyway, with three or possibly four monitors each with four inputs, there'll be no problem plugging everything in to a display. But then there's sound. What I want is all of those systems wired up to a single good speaker system, so it doesn't matter what the sound source is, it comes through loud and clear.

I could use a Behringer mixer; they're easy to find and reasonably priced. But they are mono, and designed for XLR or at best 1/4" phone jacks, so for each 1/8" stereo input I'd need a cable to convert to it two 1/4" mono plugs, which again, easy to get, but having eight of those plugged into a 16 channel mixer seems like overkill.

If only there were something small, cheap, and purposed-designed to take five 1/8" stereo inputs, provide suitable fader, gain, and balance controls, and deliver three 1/8" outputs at line, speaker, and headphone levels respectively and maybe - stop me if I'm dreaming - have a special cable to loop multiple units together like the Maker Hart Loop Mixer (Amazon) oh wait that's just what I need hang on (clicking noises) right that should arrive next week.
Included in my lab shopping list is regrettably a MacBook Air because I will need to test some things on a Mac. Plan is - with all four notebooks - that they will sit on a shelf while plugged in to two 27" monitors each, and rarely actually move. They're laptops in potentia.

That's fine with Windows. Do it all the time. Scaling support isn't perfect but it works.

On an M1 Mac though if you venture outside standard 4k resolution the results are likely to be poop which is odd because Apple doesn't make a computer with a 4k screen. (The Register)

MacBook Air is 2560x1600; MacBook Pro 14" and 16" are 3024x1964 and 3456x2234 respectively; the 24" iMac is 4480x2420 and the 27" 5120x2880; and the Pro Display You Can't Afford It Edition is 6016x3384.

So it's kind of curious why M1 Macs only give reliable results on third-party monitors if they run natively at 4k.

But credit to Apple for creating new opportunities for independent software developers fixing their shitty operating system.

Tech News

Imagination has announced its Catapult range of RISC-V cores. (AnandTech)

Are they any good?

No.
AMD is following up its weird 4700S desktop kit thing with the new 4800S. (Tom's Hardware)

These use recycled PlayStation 5 chips, which are AMD CPUs with AMD graphics built in. If the graphics component doesn't work - there's some built in redundancy, but if there are too many microscopic defects on that particular sliver of silicon - Sony can't use it, but it is still a perfectly functional 8 core CPU.

The 4700S gave these damaged chips new purpose in life. Unfortunately it kind of sucked. The integrated graphics were disabled, and it only had a PCIe 2.0 x4 interface for a graphics card, which severely restricted performance. This new board upgrades that to PCIe 4.0 x4, which is four times as fast and faster than the interface on external Thunderbolt graphics cards.

Still seems slightly pointless but we'll see how it goes when it arrives.
AMD, Intel, and Nvidia will be giving their CES keynotes on January 4. (WCCFTech)

I expect my brand new laptops to be immediately obsoleted. Hell, one of them was dropped from Dell's product line the day it arrived.

But I wanted that specific configuration; having see the leaks of Intel's new laptop CPUs I don't think they're going to work better for my use case, which as I said is more of a shelftop.
Fastly (a CDN) says Cloudflare (another CDN) is lying about its relative performance in edge computing. (Fastly)

Some of their points are quibbles, but some of them seem valid, like the fact that Cloudflare compared their own platform against a beta product using a free trial and a compute workload that involved no computation.
YouTube's ContentID system has an abuse rate 40 times higher than other copyright claim mechanisms, according to a study performed by, uh, YouTube. (ZDNet)

So, YouTube, maybe you could, I don't know, stop doing that?
The Australian federal government is building a "data tool" for tracking labour market needs. (ZDNet)

By which they mean job roles going unfilled because there ain't no-one to fill them.
The demand for digital skills is widespread, but computing skills are what will become a major need, according to the government.
Thank you and welcome to 1968.
Crypto trading platform BitMart lost $200 million. (ZDNet)

Oops.
Decentralised finance platform Badger lost $120 million. (ZDNet)

Oops.

I mean, thanks for so thoroughly validating my concerns with smart contracts, but you can stop now.
Nuh-uh says MongoDB. (The Register)

Amazon has a MongoDB-compatible database called DocumentDB. Rather than taking the sane approach and building on the last open-source release of MongoDB, they added an interface layer to PostgreSQL which, um, should at least be entertaining.
"It is not MongoDB compatible," Porter said. "That is an untruth… it is 34 per cent compatible, through our tests. Most importantly, for our users and our customers, it is not compatible in all the ways that make MongoDB magical.
"There's no aggregation, there's no change streams, there's not as many languages; it is a 'Frankenbase', there is no other word for it.
On the other hand, it doesn't create duplicate keys in unique indexes and irrecoverably lose your data the way MongoDB releases 5.0.0, 5.0.1, and 5.0.2 all did.

Hold Me Closer Tiny Mixer Video of the Day

That's the mixer I just ordered. Apparently it's halfway decent, which is all I ask. If I end up doing audio engineering that isn't 100% digital I'll buy something else.

Party Like It's 1979 Video of the Day

Disclaimer: Oi, the name's Sharon ya berk.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 03:36 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Sharon? Huh?

Posted by: SFGoth at December 07, 2021 03:41 AM (KAi1n)

2 voila

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 03:43 AM (RYc1G)

3 >>>And it's a big desk. Huge actually, it's made from the oak floorboards of an old wool warehouse and weighs about three thousand pounds.

Sounds like you're on your way to being some sort of Evil Master of the Universe.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 03:50 AM (RYc1G)

4 For some reason I associate "My Sharona" with 1976-77, but I know it came along later. The Knack was touted for a while as "the next Beatles," but that didn't happen.

Mornin', all! It's supposed to be cool and rainy today, but so far (ca. 3 am) the temps are only 62 F. Air is damp, but no rain. With my luck it'll probably pour while I'm out walking/trotting. Oh, well.

Chekov the Ailing Codger Cat continues on. He sleeps or dozes on the bedroom floor, and he totters out to the living room with me when I get up. Just now I dreamed, in fact, that he was able to leap up onto the bed and purr next to me, and when I woke and found him still curled on the floor, it was a downer.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 07, 2021 03:50 AM (c6xtn)

5 Oh, and today is the 80th anniversary of Pearl Harbor. I hope Ace or one of the cobs will have a post about it; they usually do observe it in some fashion, as we should.

How far this country has fallen since then! Attacked by implacable enemies, we kowtow to them and install them in positions of power within our society; confronted by a simple cold or flu virus, we dive into caves and huddle like Neanderthals afraid of the thunder. Or we allow our "leaders" to frighten us into wearing rags on our faces and into allowing a strange invasion of our very cells.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 07, 2021 03:57 AM (c6xtn)

6 >>>Hold Me Closer Tiny Mixer Video of the Day

That was fun to watch. I watched the whole thing, waiting for Elton to show up!

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 03:58 AM (RYc1G)

7 "Hold Me Closer, Tiny Dancer" -- the title and song always makes me think of the WKRP episode where the Russian diplomat wants to defect to the West, at least in part because he is dazzled by Bailey (Jan Smithers). At one point he looks into her eyes and quotes the song title to her . . . and every red-blooded male watching wants to do the same.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius at December 07, 2021 04:01 AM (c6xtn)

8 I don't want to get up

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:04 AM (2JoB8)

9 https://amgreatness.com/2021/12/05/
misremembering-pearl-harbor/
VDH

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:05 AM (2JoB8)

10 Mongo just pawn in game of Life.

Taking a brief stroll down memory lane, I can recall kitting out my Atari 800. The 800, based on a 6502 8 bit processor screaming along at 1.8 Mhz, had a unique architecture, with 3 co-processors custom designed to handle 1. math 2. sound and 3. graphics.

So. Yeah, you could run it on a color TV, but a dedicated RGB monitor did blow your mind. And to sound, the TV speaker was there, but running it thru a quality stereo system was, how to say, explosive.

It took some soldiering skillz to make the necessary custom cable needed. I think I sank about $3k into that baby in total. 1982 dollars.

I coulda bought a Porsche.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 07, 2021 04:08 AM (F0YaR)

11 Pixy: I have some questions about consulting opportunities in Oz, if you have time to oblige. Please ping me at my usual comment email addy, if you can; thanks.

Posted by: Walter Freeman at December 07, 2021 04:14 AM (+WWsf)

12 Mornin', all

Only 7 degrees here this morning. High of 21 today.
Long-underwear weather!

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 07, 2021 04:14 AM (1R0vU)

13 Only 7 degrees here this morning. High of 21 today.
Long-underwear weather!

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 07, 2021 04:14 AM (1R0vU)

Yikes. Mama said there'd be days like this.

But not here, on the MS Gulf Coast. I had the AC on again.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 07, 2021 04:19 AM (F0YaR)

14 With the mention of Bailey Quarters/Jan Smithers, here is the obligatory link to her appearance in "The Battle of the Network Stars"

In a dunk tank.

https://youtu.be/srChf_LDH-Q

Posted by: Chuck C at December 07, 2021 04:24 AM (EughT)

15 https://tinyurl.com/55dzuwdu
W20 Tweets from Bad Blue

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:35 AM (2JoB8)

16 'morning...

Posted by: Oldowan at December 07, 2021 04:40 AM (KAlUT)

17 I didn't get through them all, should have had a trigger warning for Tater

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:48 AM (2JoB8)

18 The #1 tweet -headstone one- is pretty awesome

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 07, 2021 04:50 AM (1R0vU)

19 Good morning all Sleepless night here.

What is that box on the right of Tiny Mixer? I want that

Posted by: Braenyard at December 07, 2021 04:51 AM (gaKzR)

20 15 https://tinyurl.com/55dzuwdu
W20 Tweets from Bad Blue
Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:35 AM

Thanks, Skip.

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 04:53 AM (RYc1G)

21 Pancakes with strawberries and whipped cream

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:56 AM (2JoB8)

22 > With the mention of Bailey Quarters/Jan Smithers, here is the obligatory link to her appearance in "The Battle of the Network Stars"

James Brolin traded her in for Barbra Streisand.

Dumbass.

Posted by: Rodrigo Borgia at December 07, 2021 04:57 AM (bW8dp)

23 MLii that did bring a tear

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 04:57 AM (2JoB8)

24 Started the truck to warm it up. Not too bad out since the wind has died down.

Have a good day, all

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 07, 2021 04:58 AM (1R0vU)

25 Hope you're feeling better Skip. Pancakes with Strawberries and Whipped Cream should help!

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 07, 2021 04:59 AM (1R0vU)

26 19 Good morning all Sleepless night here.

What is that box on the right of Tiny Mixer? I want that

That one is a Novation Circuit Groove Box. Does seem like a nice toy.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 05:04 AM (MqQvv)

27 Never understood the popularity of that song.

The rhythm makes it difficult to do anything to (dance, roller skate, ice skate, driving, get stoned etc.)

I guess there's worse out there but not that I can think of one off the top of my head right now.

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:04 AM (M3E1E)

28 Sinuses are a mess, got cabinets coming and have to get up by tomorrow

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:07 AM (2JoB8)

29 https://www.americanthinker.com/surviving ten days with covid in a hospital
https://tinyurl.com/mwt7jr7a

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:12 AM (2JoB8)

30 hiya

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 05:13 AM (arJlL)

31 Finally a 1979 tune I heard a lot, I had the album not sure I still do.

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:13 AM (2JoB8)

32 Happy Revenge for American Aggression Towards Japan day.

Subtitle; They deserved it and we laughed and laughed. Forget what Yamamoto said cause he always was a party pooper.

Auxiliary belief; They were quite correct in doing what they did after we got in the way of their conquering all the lower races on the Asian continent and the South China Sea. (just because they named a sea after China doesn't mean you own all of it)

/sarc
(just in case cause these days sarcasm can be taken as a closely held thought because so many have gone insane and don't mind showing everyone how nuts they are.)

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:14 AM (M3E1E)

33 https://amgreatness.com/2021/12/06/
the-demonization-of-rosanne-boyland-begins/

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:17 AM (2JoB8)

34 This is the day in history when some people did some things to us....

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 05:17 AM (ir6sH)

35 That mixer only goes to 10! And only five channels.

Why'd they stop there. I guess you could buy two or more if you have to.

What would you say you actually do for a living Pixy?

Programming, app builder, system tester/builder? Server farm operator or just generally like to screw around with computers?

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:17 AM (M3E1E)

36 What would you say you actually do for a living Pixy?

Programming, app builder, system tester/builder? Server farm operator or just generally like to screw around with computers?

My official job title is "Wizard".

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 05:19 AM (MqQvv)

37 My official job title is "Wizard".
Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 05:19 AM (MqQvv)

Ooooh. Do you wear a funny hat?

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:21 AM (M3E1E)

38 Did you go to Hogwarts?

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:28 AM (2JoB8)

39 It would be cool to have Wizard on your calling card

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:29 AM (2JoB8)

40 My official job title is "Wizard".
Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 05:19 AM (MqQvv)

That usually means all of the above; tasks that is.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 05:31 AM (KXkkH)

41 Would rather go back to bed but off I go.

Posted by: Skip at December 07, 2021 05:33 AM (2JoB8)

42 Does Wizard give you the same employment opportunities as a Jill doctorate?

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 05:33 AM (ir6sH)

43 Smollett says he was in contact with CNN's Don Lemon during investigation...Oh, what a surprise. (not)

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 05:36 AM (ir6sH)

44 You realize that they give you a job title instead of a pay raise?

At least that's been my experience. I always let it go for a while so they think I'm stupid. Then once I've proven I can do the job and better than anyone else, I go in and demand (nicely) a pay raise because (here I tell a story that intimates I've been looking for better job and have found out how much my job is worth) I'm having trouble meeting ends and I'll have to take a second job (hint hint) to get secure.
Sometimes it works and sometimes not. What does work is starting to "adjust" my work flow and not do any overtime. Sadly I'm retired and I do miss work. The structure and the fun of fixing stuff that broke and showing people how to do something. Being retired is not as much fun as people think.

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:37 AM (M3E1E)

45 Being retired is not as much fun as people think.
Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:37 AM (M3E1E)

Tech work at a non-profit? I've been asked a number of times but I couldn't do anything due to commitments at the time.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 05:41 AM (KXkkH)

46 Pixy: Tech question:

If you had a dsl modem that up and went off line and then rebooted itself. But only randomly. (as far as I can tell it's kind of temperature or work load associated. But not always.)

The tech guys for my IP say it's a power problem. It does this no matter the op sys. (Does this for win xp, win 10 and linux mint 19)

I'm not expecting anything. Just curious with no one with expertise to ask what they think. I put a fan on the router and that seems to make it go longer between reboots but it still does it now and then. More often when I'm searching on Amazon. go figure)

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:42 AM (M3E1E)

47 OH. And I have replaced the router twice and it still happens. One worse than the others.

Sorry. Forgot that.

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:43 AM (M3E1E)

48 Getting competent workers is getting harder. I now have a fiber line on the pole in my backyard and my neighbor is getting 500mb/sec for much less than I pay for dsl. The fiber company (I read, if true) is having a hard time finding guys (and of course women) who like to climb poles and handle the fiber lines. Intercity guys were suppose to be the source of workers to train, but most of them just can't or don't want to do that kind of work....

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 05:50 AM (ir6sH)

49 OH. And I have replaced the router twice and it still happens. One worse than the others.
Sorry. Forgot that.
Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:43 AM (M3E1E)

The modem and router are one box? You've replaced that one box twice already?

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 05:51 AM (KXkkH)

50 Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 05:51 AM (KXkkH)

It's a combination router and modem. The telephone plug plugs into it and a data cable comes out.

And yes I've gotten another two. I think they're all refurbished so probably not new.

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 06:00 AM (M3E1E)

51 Good morning morons

"My Sharona" is an 80s song, one of the first

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2021 06:06 AM (EZebt)

52 The tech guys for my IP say it's a power problem. It does this no matter the op sys.

jakee308

Could be. A power problem can look like any other problem.

I have one laptop that had a dead battery. Still worked fine if it was plugged in to the mains, except that certain apps would make it die instantly. Turned out those apps were switching automatically from integrated graphics to dedicated graphics, which just for a moment asked for more power than the charger could provide, and with no battery, splat.

If you've replaced everything except the power, could well be the power.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 06:06 AM (MqQvv)

53 Pixy, your desk setup sounds like the command post of a cool supervillain
You clearly also need a cool chair to go with it

Posted by: vmom - link to Red's fundraiser at December 07, 2021 06:06 AM (FcPY7)

54 Tacos. Homemade tacos. that is the word of the day.

Second word -- Soon. I will keep y'all posted.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 07, 2021 06:08 AM (F0YaR)

55 It's a combination router and modem. The telephone plug plugs into it and a data cable comes out.
And yes I've gotten another two. I think they're all refurbished so probably not new.
Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 06:00 AM (M3E1E)

I'd look at your dsl filters distributed alongside your phone line. Sounds like there is noise on the line that will disrupt the dsl signal. Also, you might be on the edge of the serviceable area for dsl-I'd check to see the distance from the central office if that information is available. Believe it or not that makes a huge difference.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:08 AM (KXkkH)

56 51 Good morning morons

"My Sharona" is an 80s song, one of the first

Yep. In doing this roundup I've noticed a few songs that are distinctly 80s despite having come out in 1979.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 06:09 AM (MqQvv)

57 53 Pixy, your desk setup sounds like the command post of a cool supervillain
You clearly also need a cool chair to go with it

I do need a new chair. I'll add it to the list.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 06:09 AM (MqQvv)

58 I'd look at your dsl filters distributed alongside your phone line. Sounds like there is noise on the line that will disrupt the dsl signal. Also, you might be on the edge of the serviceable area for dsl-I'd check to see the distance from the central office if that information is available. Believe it or not that makes a huge difference.
Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:08 AM (KXkkH)

Also, what Pixy said about the power plug. Ensure you tried a different one-with the same rating of course-with each modem.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:11 AM (KXkkH)

59
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 07, 2021 06:16 AM (DUIap)

60 Pixy, your desk setup sounds like the command post of a cool supervillain
You clearly also need a cool chair to go with it

I do need a new chair. I'll add it to the list.
Posted by: Pixy Misa

And sharks.

Sharks with frikkin' lasers

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:16 AM (vd8XM)

61 Good morning!

Let's smile & be happy & strike fear in the hearts of killjoy leftists everywhere.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 07, 2021 06:17 AM (u82oZ)

62 Pixy, your desk setup sounds like the command post of a cool supervillain
You clearly also need a cool chair to go with it
Posted by: vmom - link to Red's fundraiser

Or, a comfortable chair, even.

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 06:20 AM (arJlL)

63 JT

Hi! Nobody expects a Monty Python reference ♬ so early in the morning.♩. Put JT in the cabin with the Captain's daughter ...♪

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 07, 2021 06:24 AM (u82oZ)

64 Watching our chief diplomatic pencilneck threaten Vladimir Putin is pathetic. I feel sad that our country is prostrate before such a criminal. Alas this is how far we have fallen.

Can you imagine how Putin must have laughed throughout the entire "Russia collusion" farce?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2021 06:25 AM (EZebt)

65 San Franpsycho

Good morning to you. Beyond pathetic. Alls Putin has to do is to say, Here is the proof that Trump won. We are quite vulnerable.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 07, 2021 06:26 AM (u82oZ)

66 Hiya Salty !

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 06:27 AM (arJlL)

67 Always love watching (on YT) serials made in the 40-60's that kids saw in the movie theater. 14 chapters of screwy electronics, lots of flashing lights, and machines that make you invisible. I'm sure even smarter kids back then knew better, but Hollywood imagination sure ran wild.

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 06:28 AM (ir6sH)

68 43 Smollett says he was in contact with CNN's Don Lemon during investigation...Oh, what a surprise. (not)
Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 05:36 AM (ir6sH)

Contact, or 'contact'? Makes a difference, you know.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 07, 2021 06:29 AM (mdjgu)

69 Local TV news asks Do More Cops Reduce Violence?

The junta really speaks through local TV. It is only on Fox where I hear the increase in crime linked to bad policy like Prop. 47. The laughing heads still pretend this has no cause, no solution.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2021 06:30 AM (EZebt)

70 They can hear the Putin laughter in Kiev.

Posted by: klaftern at December 07, 2021 06:30 AM (taPSh)

71 Contact, or 'contact'? Makes a difference, you know.

Posted by: Darrell Harris

That was a copy and paste of a headline on YT......

Posted by: Colin at December 07, 2021 06:30 AM (ir6sH)

72 mornin yall. One term Senator David Perdud thinks he can beat Kemp and Abrams in the GA Governor's race. Watch him and the GOP f' it up so badly that no Republican stands a chance against the sow.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 06:37 AM (Tnijr)

73 Good analysis f'd.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 07, 2021 06:37 AM (u82oZ)

74 Being retired is not as much fun as people think.
Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:37 AM (M3E1E)

Really? It's been great for me and I loved my job in IT solving problems. Then again if you showed an ability to do that you got shackled with boring SarBox compliance test horseshit. That and dogshit office politics. I don't miss that one fucking bit. The only thing bad about retirement is the aches and pains of growing old.

Posted by: Captain Hate Won't Forget Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 06:37 AM (y7DUB)

75 Good morning, everybody. Here is a nice quote from St. Vincent de Paul who lived from 1580 till 1660. He was a founder of a religious order and patron of charitable groups:

Human nature grows tired of doing the same thing and it is God's will because of this because of topportunity of practicing two great virtues. The first is perseverance, which will bring us to our goal. The other is steadfastness, which overcomes the difficulties on the way.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 06:39 AM (T8emS)

76 Time for work preps. Have a great day, everyone.

Head on a swivel, and be like nurse ratched with the mentally ill potential assailant.

Posted by: NaCly Dog (u82oZ) at December 07, 2021 06:39 AM (u82oZ)

77 Today is not Fen's birthday.

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 06:40 AM (arJlL)

78 That and dogshit office politics. I don't miss that one fucking bit. The only thing bad about retirement is the aches and pains of growing old.
Posted by: Captain Hate

And being middle middle management where the shit always landed.

Agree on the aches and pains. And this never ending Kovid Krap that has put a real crimp in making travel plans due to "rules" changing on a whim.

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:42 AM (vd8XM)

79 I am really afraid Abrams can win. It's a given in the Atlanta area. The Dems are emboldened and know nothing will happen when they cheat, lie, and manipulate the system. The blame lies with the GA GOP, Brian Kemp, and Brad Ratshitburger.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 06:42 AM (Tnijr)

80 That quote is from a wonderful little book called "The essential wisdom of the Saints" Edited by Carol Kelly-Ganghi. it's only about 115 pages and contains little quotes on faith and human nature , suffering, words of wisdom, prayer, hope and faith and other topics. It's from Fall River Press and would make a nice gift, I think for any Christian interested in spiritual reading, not just that RC's.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 06:45 AM (sZphL)

81 Good morning all. I just got a text from a friend I last saw about 9 days ago that she tested positive for wuflu. Should I turn myself in for reeducation?

Posted by: Rosasharn at December 07, 2021 06:46 AM (yEBFM)

82 Bing put up a picture of the USS Bowfin in Honolulu Bay.

Gurgle says "Hey! We put seasonal lights around our banner so far this month. "

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:47 AM (vd8XM)

83 And this never ending Kovid Krap that has put a real crimp in making travel plans due to "rules" changing on a whim.
Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:42 AM (vd8XM)

Nobody talks about that but it's really impacted my wife more than me. She had all these great travel plans which went down the shitter.

Posted by: Captain Hate Won't Forget Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 06:47 AM (y7DUB)

84 Good morning all. I just got a text from a friend I last saw about 9 days ago that she tested positive for wuflu. Should I turn myself in for reeducation?
Posted by: Rosasharn

To ask is to answer

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:48 AM (vd8XM)

85 GA deserves it long and hard for what they did in 20.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 07, 2021 06:48 AM (EfigE)

86 72 mornin yall. One term Senator David Perdud thinks he can beat Kemp and Abrams in the GA Governor's race. Watch him and the GOP f' it up so badly that no Republican stands a chance against the sow.
Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 06:37 AM (Tnijr)

Agree. He couldn't even bother to show up for the second debate vs. Warnock, IIRC. Trump had to basically shame Purdue and Loeffler to show up on the stage with him before Election Day as well. Terrible candidate, the both of them.

Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 07, 2021 06:48 AM (De/Wj)

87 Nobody talks about that but it's really impacted my wife more than me. She had all these great travel plans which went down the shitter.
Posted by: Captain Hate

I had mucked up some plans the last few years with foot operations, and knee replacements. Now I'm raring to go and.....

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:49 AM (vd8XM)

88 Agree. He couldn't even bother to show up for the second debate vs. Warnock, IIRC. Trump had to basically shame Purdue and Loeffler to show up on the stage with him before Election Day as well. Terrible candidate, the both of them.
Posted by: Darrell Harris

My shows were on and the DVR is broke.
What was I supposed to do?

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:50 AM (vd8XM)

89
Being retired is not as much fun as people think.
Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 05:37 AM (M3E1E)

I don't miss being told by a merciless partner at a law firm that I don't know how to talk, how to listen, how to read, how to write and how to think. I don't miss being treated like a kitchen utensil, pulled out of the drawer when needed and tossed back in when finished without another thought. I don't miss being the micro-victim of a macro-decision.

But I miss the internal feeling of being productive and contributing to my household and the satisfaction of crafting an elegant solution to a problem I was presented with. Modestly, I can continue to do that in my present role.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 07, 2021 06:51 AM (/U27+)

90 He couldn't even bother to show up for the second debate vs. Warnock, IIRC. Trump had to basically shame Purdue and Loeffler to show up on the stage with him before Election Day as well.

And trump endorsed him for gov? Fuck both of them.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 07, 2021 06:51 AM (EfigE)

91 I don't miss being told by a merciless partner at a law firm that I don't know how to talk, how to listen, how to read, how to write and how to think.

That is what wives are for.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at December 07, 2021 06:53 AM (EfigE)

92 So you've stolen an election, demoralized the populace, hamstrung the economy, sent your entire foreign policy into a burning plummeting tailspin... and NOW is when you decide to get all Jacob Marley's Ghost with your saber against Russia and China?

It's like these goons actually want to provoke a conflict they know they would lose...

Oh. I get it now.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 06:53 AM (/EuRN)

93 China threatens to fire Biden's whole family for breach of contract. Film in 2046.

Posted by: klaftern at December 07, 2021 06:53 AM (taPSh)

94 Funeral today. My aunt. Cancer. All the the resources that have been wasted over the last two years because of the Chinese virus could have been going to cancer research but the overlords would rather use the opportunity to impose their Marxist commie agenda. Same with Climate Change. Have no doubt, they don't care about the people, they want the power.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 06:53 AM (Tnijr)

95 Mornin'
(sips coffee)

I'd rather be hibernating in bed. Got cold overnight here in Babylon DC.

Posted by: Puddleglum at December 07, 2021 06:56 AM (sAmhv)

96 BTW, Pixy, Church Militant-which is a conservative RC site has an article on tyrannical Dan Andrews and the oppressive bill that was just passed by the Parliament. Whoever wrote it hates the tyranny but also hates the fact calls himself a RC when they think he's a fake RC and tyranny is his real religion:

https://tinyurl.com/4pxycedt

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 06:57 AM (poMoX)

97 May her memory be a blessing

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2021 06:57 AM (EZebt)

98 In case Ben Had didn't see it my t-shirt arrived yesterday. Thanks to him and Eromero.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 06:57 AM (y7DUB)

99 It would be absolutely delightful if the FSB and CCP both dumped everything they had about Biden and his junta onto the open market, just to shut the stupid bastards up once and for all.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 06:57 AM (/EuRN)

100 Sorry about your aunt, f"d.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 06:58 AM (poMoX)

101 Mike Bloomberg has an editorial on his website, condemning both Republicans and Democrats for not addressing the anti-Semitism in their parties. He doesn't mention that the antisemitism on the Right, if anything, is on the fringes of the party, while on the Left it's firmly in the mainstream.

He also says this:

"So to everyone here, whatever your party, I hope you will recognize that as a people -- and as a country -- we cannot afford to let prejudice live within partisanship. We must call it out wherever it exists, and no matter who is involved -- whether we hear it from Marjorie Taylor Greene or Rashida Tlaib or anyone else."

When has MTG said anything even remotely anti-Semitic?

Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 07, 2021 06:58 AM (De/Wj)

102 Morning all- Pearl Harbor day.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2021 06:59 AM (LFvqS)

103 It's like these goons actually want to provoke a conflict they know they would lose...

Oh. I get it now.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 06:53 AM (/EuRN)

I would not put it past them to do this. Of course they think they'll be on top after everything is over.

Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:59 AM (KXkkH)

104 What about a Denon receiver? Many have 6 or 7 inputs. It will be RCA inputs but a 1/8th to RCA splitter is cheap.

https://tinyurl.com/2y73ncd7

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2021 07:01 AM (yrol0)

105 TV news crews are being robbed on the streets of Oakland. The Police Chief suggests "relying more on remote interviews, filming some footage with an iPhone instead of a large and expensive camera, and doing stand-ups at a police station instead of on the street."

So his answer is to not address the crime, just cower and hide to do your "news" reports.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 07:01 AM (Tnijr)

106 And doesn't this sound like the idiocy of politicians? 500,000 Victorians showed up to protest the terrible bill and PM Andrews called it a "small, angry mob."

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 07:02 AM (poMoX)

107 I would not put it past them to do this. Of course they think they'll be on top after everything is over.
Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:59 AM (KXkkH)

I mean, they want cover to do whatever the hell they want with no questions asked. A two front total war would sure go a long way. And what's their downside? A bunch of dead patriotic soldiers? A miserable populace? Those are positives in their eyes. And it would get everyone to shut the fuck up about the 'Ro without them having to face the massive backlash for their handling of it.

I started out being hyperbolic, then realized, "Shit, I'm probably actually right, aren't I?"

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:03 AM (/EuRN)

108 101:When has MTG said anything even remotely anti-Semitic?

She hasn't.

Posted by: Puddleglum at December 07, 2021 07:04 AM (sAmhv)

109 TV news crews are being robbed on the streets of Oakland. The Police Chief suggests "relying more on remote interviews, filming some footage with an iPhone instead of a large and expensive camera, and doing stand-ups at a police station instead of on the street."

So his answer is to not address the crime, just cower and hide to do your "news" reports.
Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 07:01 AM (Tnijr)

That is not a winning doctrine.

Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Meatbag at December 07, 2021 07:04 AM (4I/2K)

110 In case Ben Had didn't see it my t-shirt arrived yesterday. Thanks to him and Eromero.
Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt

(pssst....Ben Had is a dame !)

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:05 AM (arJlL)

111 She hasn't.
Posted by: Puddleglum at December 07, 2021 07:04 AM (sAmhv)

She called Soros a Nazi!

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2021 07:05 AM (yrol0)

112 "Sorry about your aunt, f"d.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke"

Thank you. It's very sad to watch someone deteriorate with cancer. It would be nice if someone like Bezos would give half his money to research but I suppose he has more important things to do.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 07:05 AM (Tnijr)

113 Leftists have pinned antisemitism on many conservatives. Even Jewish ones

Posted by: Skip's Phone at December 07, 2021 07:06 AM (SA1aU)

114 That is not a winning doctrine.
Posted by: Count de Monet, Unvaccinated Meatbag at December 07, 2021 07:04 AM (4I/2K)

It's like if Hrothgar instituted prohibition to keep Grendel from attacking.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:06 AM (/EuRN)

115 And doesn't this sound like the idiocy of politicians? 500,000 Victorians showed up to protest the terrible bill and PM Andrews called it a "small, angry mob."
Posted by: FenelonSpoke

Guess math wasn't his best subject.....

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:06 AM (arJlL)

116 When has MTG said anything even remotely anti-Semitic?
Posted by: Darrell Harris at December 07, 2021 06:58 AM (De/Wj)

Try never. Mini Mike is just being a lying dick, something that comes naturally to him.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 07:06 AM (y7DUB)

117 Hiya Ben Had !

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:06 AM (arJlL)

118 The tacos -- closer to an hour to make. Yummy though.

Posted by: GnuBreed at December 07, 2021 07:07 AM (F0YaR)

119 Bloomberg isn't saying MTG is specifically an anti-semite, just that she's a bigot in general. Which, she's white and pro-liberty, so, really, duh.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:08 AM (/EuRN)

120 JT, Thanks for all the laughs.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2021 07:09 AM (LFvqS)

121 (pssst....Ben Had is a dame !)
Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:05 AM (arJlL)

Dammit, I should've remembered that...

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 07:10 AM (y7DUB)

122 No, JT. It's not my birthday, but I would have been my grandmotjher' s birthday. She was born sometime in the 1890's on December 7th. She was a Presbyterian back when that church stood for something other than left wing politics, and would have liked to have been a minister but they didn't ordain women then.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 07, 2021 07:11 AM (poMoX)

123 Posted by: WinLinBSDAdmin at December 07, 2021 06:11 AM (KXkkH)

I was wondering about maybe putting one in the line. Maybe the signal gets funky and the modem see that as a loss of signal or overload and shuts off.

And btw, I said NOT as much fun. Not that it's not fun at all.

Yeah there's parts of being retired that are much more fun than working for someone else. And working for oneself can be an even bigger ass ache in some ways.

Glad for anyone who has fun in their job. It's really the only way to get along.

Posted by: jakee308 at December 07, 2021 07:11 AM (M3E1E)

124 105 TV news crews are being robbed on the streets of Oakland. The Police Chief suggests "relying more on remote interviews, filming some footage with an iPhone instead of a large and expensive camera, and doing stand-ups at a police station instead of on the street."

So his answer is to not address the crime, just cower and hide to do your "news" reports.
Posted by: f'd

Gee, what a shame. Local Babylon DC newz had some segment on how to not get car jacked while putting gas in your car.

Posted by: Puddleglum at December 07, 2021 07:11 AM (sAmhv)

125 Gee, what a shame. Local Babylon DC newz had some segment on how to not get car jacked while putting gas in your car.
Posted by: Puddleglum at December 07, 2021 07:11 AM (sAmhv)

"Buy an electric car"

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:12 AM (/EuRN)

126 88 My shows were on
Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 06:50 AM (vd8XM)

heh

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 07:13 AM (yY8d6)

127 JT, Thanks for all the laughs.
Posted by: Ben Had

You are MOST welcome !

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:13 AM (arJlL)

128 Happy Birthday Fen's Grandma !

Posted by: JT at December 07, 2021 07:14 AM (arJlL)

129 So Oakland news crews are getting robbed. Hmmmm. Any interest in the newsroom on doing a "news analysis" on why this might be happening?

Buehler? Buehler?

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2021 07:17 AM (PiwSw)

130 Local TV news asks Do More Cops Reduce Violence?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at December 07, 2021 06:30 AM

Better question: Does enforcement of laws reduce violence?

The number of cops is a moot point if none of them are allowed to do their jobs and the DA's don't bother to prosecute criminals.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 07, 2021 07:17 AM (Do5/p)

131 The lead singer for The Knack still looks the same today. Just a little fatter and same stupid pumpkin pie haircut.

Posted by: Hairyback Guy at December 07, 2021 07:19 AM (tMjLZ)

132 Transgender swimmer beats all the real girls in competition by 38 seconds. I guess the rudder helps.

Posted by: f'd at December 07, 2021 07:19 AM (Tnijr)

133 Captain Hate, so glad it arrived.

Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2021 07:19 AM (LFvqS)

134 J6 Lawyer:

Yet, he is clearly a law enforcement officer. He interacts with uniformed personnel. He interacts with agents in the crowd. He passes out weapons, sledgehammers, poles, mace. Some of those things come in contact with some of the other protesters who have subsequently been charged with possessing dangerous weapons and are using dangerous weapons at the Capitol. That is clearly entrapment.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2021 07:20 AM (yrol0)

135 104 What about a Denon receiver? Many have 6 or 7 inputs. It will be RCA inputs but a 1/8th to RCA splitter is cheap.

https://tinyurl.com/2y73ncd7

A receiver would only deliver one sound source at a time. What I want here is to have all the sound sources active all the time, though with the ability to quickly mute one if needed.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 07, 2021 07:20 AM (MqQvv)

136 The proposal to add women to the draft gained bipartisan support in Congress - but in a stunning turnaround, it's been dropped from the final version of the NDAA

So...

Women in military = good
Women in combat = good
Women drafted = bad

Huh? Not following the logic here. Great to send "our daughters" into combat, but don't dare let them be drafted? So much for equality.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 07, 2021 07:22 AM (Do5/p)

137 JJ

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 07, 2021 07:22 AM (yrol0)

138 Huh? Not following the logic here. Great to send "our daughters" into combat, but don't dare let them be drafted? So much for equality.
Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 07, 2021 07:22 AM (Do5/p)

Perhaps the logic is that anyone being drafted is bad?

Nah, I'm being too charitable.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:23 AM (/EuRN)

139 Pixy, can we haz picture of your desktop?

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2021 07:23 AM (PiwSw)

140 Perhaps the logic is that anyone being drafted is bad?

Nah, I'm being too charitable.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:23 AM (/EuRN)

Virtue signaling is its own reward.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at December 07, 2021 07:23 AM (PiwSw)

141 G'mornin' everyone !

because 12/7, an interesting piece from a few weeks ago with an interesting analogy :

https://is.gd/wTuRn3

Posted by: sock_rat_eez (03BbD) at December 07, 2021 07:24 AM (03BbD)

142 Captain Hate, so glad it arrived.
Posted by: Ben Had at December 07, 2021 07:19 AM (LFvqS)

Typically hours after you asked about it. Mail service hasn't been noticeably worse recently, over and beyond getting someone else's mail, often for an address far far away. That even includes CDs from Eastern Europe.

Posted by: Captain Hate won't forget Michael Byrd Murdered Ashli Babbitt at December 07, 2021 07:25 AM (y7DUB)

143 Thank you. It's very sad to watch someone deteriorate with cancer. It would be nice if someone like Bezos would give half his money to research but I suppose he has more important things to do.
Posted by: f'd

Especially when Sloe Joe was so close to curing cancer while VP.
Then Trump ate his homework.

Posted by: Bruce at December 07, 2021 07:26 AM (vd8XM)

144 #137 was too subtle.

NOOD

Posted by: rickb223 at December 07, 2021 07:30 AM (M4qcY)

145 Perhaps the logic is that anyone being drafted is bad?

Nah, I'm being too charitable.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 07, 2021 07:23 AM

Agreed. Which means the logical thing to do is eliminate the draft completely.

Posted by: Clyde Shelton at December 07, 2021 07:39 AM (Do5/p)

146 Seems like gas prices stabilized or even went down slight for a week or so , probably due to omicron panic and squandering of part of our strategic oil reserve. Now looks like they are back on the rise as normal people aren't responding to the fear as needed and bidding for 50 million barrels released ended a couple days ago and it's effect on prices will end.

Now what will the incompetent, malicious assholes in the WH do?

Posted by: Ripley at December 07, 2021 08:20 AM (MxEKc)

147 Here's a game to play using google:

Think of (pretty much!) any random personal health concern. Enter it into google. Glance at the algorithm-created "people also ask" topics and "related searches" topics. Ahem.

skin rash . . . Does Covid 19 cause a rash?
dry nasal passages . . . dry nasal passages covid
gurgling stomach . . . gurgling stomach covid

Posted by: m at December 07, 2021 08:20 AM (yY8d6)

148 Fantastic guitar solo by Tucker Carlson there. Great to see Bill Hader go nuts on the drums too.

Posted by: Matamoros at December 07, 2021 09:54 AM (bk4p6)

149 > Anyway, with three or possibly four monitors each with four inputs, there'll be no problem plugging everything in to a display. But then there's sound. What I want is all of those systems wired up to a single good speaker system, so it doesn't matter what the sound source is, it comes through loud and clear.

I used to have a 4-input mixer that I knocked together in a box with a couple of transistors (one per channel) and a few resistors and other bits that worked pretty well. A few minutes' searching should find a suitable circuit that you can modify to add however many inputs you need. Input levels were all fixed and set equal to each other.

Posted by: Scott at December 07, 2021 10:48 AM (9Lthk)

150 I'm not sure which Behringer mixers you're looking at, but most of the smallish ones have more stereo inputs than mono inputs. Admittedly, you do still have to deal with 1/4" plugs on those though.

Most, if not all, of their DJ equipment takes RCA R/L for each channel, since that's kind of the place where DJs start: A recorded audio source that has at least left/right channels.

I keep an ancient Mackie 1202 on my desk for similar purposes to the one you've lined out, in addition to a place to plug in an instrument when the fancy strikes me.

Posted by: HarrysNotHere at December 07, 2021 11:16 AM (AGzF9)

Processing 0.02, elapsed 0.0261 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.009 seconds, 158 records returned.
Page size 95 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.