Daily Tech News 17 February 2024

Top Story

Microsoft is retiring Azure IoS Central, its hub service for the Internet of Insecure Pieces of Crap. (The Register)

This is the problem with specialised cloud services.

Cloud servers are fine, if you're either small enough that they're cheap, or big enough that you can get a deal. If you run containers on top of them - LXC or Docker, pick your poison - it is possible - not easy, but possible - to move to any other cloud provider, or to leased servers, or to your own hardware.

S3 storage is fine, because everyone supports that, and there are open source solution as well. Although S3 storage in general is awful if you need to do any sort of file management.

The service will stay running for existing customers until March 31, 2027, but we're likely to see a bunch of devices simply stop working the next day.

Tech News

Experts are - again - proposing the regulation of AI hardware. (The Register)

Where would we be without experts? Probably sipping margaritas by a beach in the Andromeda galaxy.
In situations where AI systems pose catastrophic risks, it could be beneficial for regulators to verify that a set of AI chips are operated legitimately or to disable their operation (or a subset of it) if they violate rules.
No. No it wouldn't.
Proposed legislation would allow defendants to inspect the algorithms of any code used to produce evidence against them in court. (The Verge)

This is actually sound in principle, but would inevitably cause drama during its introduction phase. And for about twenty years following.
The Epic Games Store is coming to iOS in Europe this year. (Thurrott)

If you play games, or have kids who do, it's worth installing the Epic Games Store on your PC. Or a PC, depending on how much you trust them. They give away a free game every week; every day over Christmas.
2600 official Intel SPEC benchmark results have been invalidated because the compiler was using steroids. (Tom's Hardware)

It's entirely permitted to use optimisations that are designed to improve performance on a certain type of calculation, even if that calculation is rare outside of benchmarks.

It is not permitted to optimise for the known result of a benchmark... Which is what Intel was caught doing.

Mobile phone vendors get caught doing this all the time.

If You Live There Put a Ring on It - Or Maybe Don't - Video of the Day

Disclaimer: We have to go to triple secret probation.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 hiya

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 04:05 AM (T4tVD)

2 Howdy all

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:07 AM (njWTi)

3 Hiya Pixy !

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 04:07 AM (T4tVD)

4 What would happen if the earth had rings?

Based on the title page, it would cause strange noseguards.

Posted by: mikeski at February 17, 2024 04:08 AM (DgGvY)

5 Ancient tech:

I discovered some 'antique' video games and the Nintendo device they ran on... circa 1985... at Dad's house.

Haha, free games!

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:12 AM (njWTi)

6 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 17, 2024 04:28 AM (ju2Fy)

7 Mornin' olddog

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:31 AM (njWTi)

8 Hiya olddog !

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 04:32 AM (T4tVD)

9 How much snow have ya got, JT?

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:34 AM (njWTi)

10
What if the Erf had rings. That is very fascinating. The effect on the seasons is something I didn't realize.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 17, 2024 04:37 AM (w6EFb)

11 LAUNCH FROM INDIA
ISRO - GSLV Mk II - INSAT 3DS -
SLP - Satish Dhawan SC
February 17 at 6:25 a.m. ET

https://www.youtube.com/live/WvmjoXcjWuM

Live in 106 minutes

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way at February 17, 2024 04:38 AM (qfLjt)

12 How much snow have ya got, JT?
Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:34 AM (njWTi)

You're just tryin' to trick me into going outside.....

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 04:41 AM (T4tVD)

13 Hey JQ and JT. Got wrapped up watching the Earth with Rings video.

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 17, 2024 04:41 AM (ju2Fy)

14 "Where would we be without experts? Probably sipping margaritas by a beach in the Andromeda galaxy."

I played that game. When they first announced ME: Andromeda I thought 'that's weird' but as time went by, the concept grew on me into a captivating one. 600 year journey. No turning back. They had the basis for a dynamite game. By the standards going in, the execution was a bit crap and drab. Bland characters. Good combat. They also never really got the juice out of the concept. Clancy Brown is there, but it tragically underused.

Still, by today's standards, it's pretty good.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 17, 2024 04:42 AM (di6C2)

15 Couple inches here. I was hoping it would not stick.

Posted by: Aetius451AD at February 17, 2024 04:43 AM (di6C2)

16 3 inches mebbe ?

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 04:44 AM (T4tVD)

17 Why are we going to triple secret probation? Is that even allowed?

Posted by: olddog in mo at February 17, 2024 04:47 AM (ju2Fy)

18 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 17, 2024 04:49 AM (byWhc)

19
The ultimate expert end state is a knowledge delta function. They learn more and more about less and less until they know absolutely everything about absolutely nothing.

That's an expert.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (w6EFb) at February 17, 2024 04:51 AM (w6EFb)

20 Who was around at the time to know that the planet that Earth collided with was named Thea?

Did they have to exchange insurance info after the collision?

Posted by: Bruce at February 17, 2024 04:53 AM (vd8XM)

21 Mornin' Puddleglum

youtube.com/watch?v=HJ5S8XdXbcE

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 04:57 AM (njWTi)

22 Milei is trying to expose publicly funded trusts he calls “blackbox” patronage schemes. Lots of NGO slush funds amounting to $1.5b - all controlled by lefttards. There’s simply no accounting process.

Twitter seems to be suppressing his feed.

https://www.infobae.com/politica

Posted by: 13times at February 17, 2024 04:57 AM (/VhO1)

23 Howdy, JQ

https://youtu.be/fl9KQ1Mub6Q?si=wtTMwUTTAjrBgdb9

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 17, 2024 05:00 AM (byWhc)

24
The empty toothpaste tube that you just tossed in the trash will have a longer and more influential existence than anything you leave stored in the cloud.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:15 AM (xG4kz)

25 youtube.com/watch?v=CFmmzFcM-MA

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 05:17 AM (njWTi)

26 We got about 3" of fluffy snow. My kid will be thrilled. My wife not so much. TG I am working today.

Posted by: Jamaica at February 17, 2024 05:19 AM (IG7T0)

27 Mornin all'. That "What would happen If the Earth had rings?" video was interesting.

Ciampino: Thanks for the link to the launch happening out of India in about an hour. I'll give that a watch.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 17, 2024 05:19 AM (qPw5n)

28 https://youtu.be/-MH-UmYkXiM?si=TU0rvk3U2Vl-X75P

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at February 17, 2024 05:21 AM (byWhc)

29
I think that I shall take up archeological shitposting as a hobby: pick a common everyday items from these days, go out into the woods somewhere, dig a hole two to three feet deep and then arrange and bury the items in it.

*fast forward to millennia from now*

"Why were seven empty tubes of toothpaste arranged in a hexagonal pattern and buried here?"

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:21 AM (xG4kz)

30
Hmmmm.

It looks like Krebs may have purchased toothpaste recently ...

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:23 AM (xG4kz)

31 *fast forward to millennia from now*

"Why were seven empty tubes of toothpaste arranged in a hexagonal pattern and buried here?"
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot

HA!!

Posted by: Bruce at February 17, 2024 05:24 AM (vd8XM)

32 20 Who was around at the time to know that the planet that Earth collided with was named Thea?

Did they have to exchange insurance info after the collision?

Posted by: Bruce at February 17, 2024 04:53 AM (vd8XM)
----
State Farm Is There ....!

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way ... at February 17, 2024 05:27 AM (qfLjt)

33
I sincerely regret not having been awake to take part in the enjoyment of WD's ONT last night. I blame yesterday's visit of our gKids for my exhaustion.

I did procure material for gDaughter to use for penguin wings she wants to include on her pinewood car, though.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:28 AM (xG4kz)

34
"... khakis"

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:29 AM (xG4kz)

35 27 Mornin all'. That "What would happen If the Earth had rings?" video was interesting.

Ciampino: Thanks for the link to the launch happening out of India in about an hour. I'll give that a watch.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 17, 2024 05:19 AM (qPw5n)
----
Nice to know that at least one other Moron is watching with me.

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way .. at February 17, 2024 05:29 AM (qfLjt)

36 Good morning morons

Local TV news reports small business owners are outraged over posting of a video from last September of SFPD arriving on scene with lights and sirens during a break in at a huge gay bar in the Castro.

Yeah, they sat there until the perps came out, got in their getaway car which continued to wait unmolested for 15 seconds and drove off.

Meh, why bother arresting anyone.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 05:37 AM (RIvkX)

37 Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 05:37 AM

Maybe, just maybe, if there were fines for burglary...

Our local cops aren't interested unless there's some revenue enhancement for their "efforts"

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 05:41 AM (njWTi)

38 It was all I could do, to just keep my mouth shut and present my Papers, Please... when I got pulled over for speeding, about 2 weeks after Dad's house was broken into (and the perp got a ticket for trespassing, only because I signed a complaint)

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 05:43 AM (njWTi)

39 I saw a movie listing today advertised as lgbtq.

I had to go look that up because I had never seen it before.

Is this really a significant marker in the world of grandiose marketing? I guess bottom feeders need some care and attention and intimacy too, amirite?

Posted by: Dr. Bone at February 17, 2024 05:52 AM (EEgXH)

40
Meh, why bother arresting anyone.
Posted by: San Franpsycho

"... after all, they've got insurance."

-- what passes as a reasonable response these days

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at February 17, 2024 05:55 AM (xG4kz)

41 Several years ago, a stolen vehicle got dumped on our road. Neighbors had had a party the night before, so when we saw that truck as we left for work the next morning, thought somebody had gotten a ride home & left it.

Was still there when we got home from work. Neighbors asked if it was ours... No, we thought it was your friends'... We called police & gave VIN. Stolen.

Ok, cop shows up. Looked like one of Meal Team 6. Waddled around, shrugged, got OUR names... Feh. BS.

Poor owners showed up next day. Truck looked okay from outside but was stripped of all accessories and recyclables, including radiator. Had been gone for 3 weeks...

They left the tires/rims, which were worth maybe 300 each, but I guess they didn't have any crap wheels to put on it?

Stoopid f'ing cranksters.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 05:56 AM (njWTi)

42 G'Day everyone
Woke up during ONT but didn't post Bad Blue
Had work alarm go off after 4am
I need the sleep

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:01 AM (fwDg9)

43 LAUNCH FROM INDIA
ISRO - GSLV Mk II - INSAT 3DS -
SLP - Satish Dhawan SC
February 17 at 6:25 a.m. ET

https://www.youtube.com/live/WvmjoXcjWuM

Live in about 21 minutes

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way . at February 17, 2024 06:03 AM (qfLjt)

44 Saw it snowed, didn't think but couple inches but road was clear. It's been above freezing every day so that might help clear roads.
But that was a couple hours ago, will have to see again

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:04 AM (fwDg9)

45 G'morning, all.

We are in the 50's for temps this morning.

But rain later.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:08 AM (a1415)

46 mornin yall.

"Proposed legislation would allow defendants to inspect the algorithms of any code used to produce evidence against them in court."

That happened in a Star Trek episode. Kirk was accused of making a mistake and jettisoning a crewman during an emergency. It turned out that the crewman was still alive and had messed with the ship's computer's programming. The programming flaw was discovered when Spock beat the computer at chess 3 times in a row.

I don't remember the actor who played Kirk's lawyer was, but he made an impassioned plea to confront the witness against Kirk, which was the ship's computer.

Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024 06:09 AM (vFG9F)

47 I nedz cofefe

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:12 AM (fwDg9)

48 So I gotta tell you..

Almost nine hours of the Fanni Willis hearing yesterday, and most of it was boring.

But when the State suddenly threw SweetDick's lawyer, Mr Bradly under the buss, it caught everyone by surprise.

Fulton County DA's Office was not populated by Atlanta's best and brightest.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:16 AM (a1415)

49 If the appeals fail, I look forward to him going scorched earth on NY state. Anything and everything generating taxes for the state gone.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 17, 2024 06:16 AM (0EOe9)

50 " If the appeals fail, ...."

By rights, every real estate sale, for businesses to homes should fall under the exact same scrutiny as this deal was.

Imagine all the cases where the buyer was happy, the seller was happy, the lender was happy, and the courts rush in and yell ' no..no..no' .

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:21 AM (a1415)

51

Will the Andromeda galaxy beach girls have green skin with ginormous titties?

Asking for a friend...

Posted by: J. T. Kirk at February 17, 2024 06:21 AM (lPFfD)

52
If the appeals fail, I look forward to him going scorched earth on NY state. Anything and everything generating taxes for the state gone.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 17, 2024 06:16 AM

Just saw an early morning photograph of the sun through the world trade center buildings. They appear empty.

New York City's loss will be Naples, Florida's gain as the new financial center of the country.

Go ahead and kick another one into your own goal, New York. It's what the voters want. Give it to them good and hard.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at February 17, 2024 06:22 AM (nIvob)

53 I don't remember the actor who played Kirk's lawyer was, but he made an impassioned plea to confront the witness against Kirk, which was the ship's computer.
Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024

***
Morning, all,

That was long-time character actor Elisha Cook Jr. ("Wilmer" the gunsel in Maltese Falcon, among many other things). A nice piece of casting against type.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:22 AM (omVj0)

54 It's a wet snow probably as trees are coated, only little over a inch on deck railing and still flurries coming down.

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:23 AM (fwDg9)

55 Still just a thick frost here. 26F. Brrr....

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:25 AM (njWTi)

56 OK about 40 minutes to actual liftoff.

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way . at February 17, 2024 06:27 AM (qfLjt)

57 Baileys n covfefe.. mm, mm, good!

Yeah, at least I quit for a couple days. Better than none.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:27 AM (njWTi)

58 Space launch that Ciampino linked:

Launch is scheduled for 12:00 UTC (07:00 EST)

Video stream he linked is now live with a countdown of 38 minutes. https://youtu.be/WvmjoXcjWuM

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 17, 2024 06:27 AM (qPw5n)

59 I seemed to have misplaced $40,000 in cash I had here for emergencies. My dad always said "Keep enough cash on hand to be able to bug out to Peruvia if you have to". Now what am I going to do?

Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024 06:28 AM (vFG9F)

60 S. IL here, 18°F

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE all the way at February 17, 2024 06:28 AM (qfLjt)

61 Damn, fd! Me too!

Where, oh where, did I put all that cash? Thought it was right here, but oh no!

Somebody musta ripped me off!!!!!

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:29 AM (njWTi)

62 "My dad always said "Keep enough cash on hand to be able to bug out to Peruvia if you have to"

Do like Fanni's father and plan to move to South Africa for the rest of your life.

Then suddenly find out that for some undisclosed reason, you are being thrown out of South Africa.

As a former Black Panther member, that story may have thread that needs to get pulled.

And that story was told while under oath, so I presume there is a chance that it was true.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:31 AM (a1415)

63 Rickl is watching over you, Ciampino.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:32 AM (njWTi)

64 Joe went to East Palestine a year after the accident. What a display of support. The media made sure to highlight his bravery.

"And if there were any doubts about whether he believed the water was safe, he took a sip of coffee and a sip of water in full view of the cameras"

That ought to instill some confidence. The man is a born leader.

Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024 06:32 AM (vFG9F)

65 It's a wet snow probably as trees are coated, only little over a inch on deck railing and still flurries coming down.
Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:23 AM (fwDg9)

Looks like 4 inches on my deck railing.

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 06:33 AM (T4tVD)

66 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at February 17, 2024 06:34 AM (86W+h)

67 Stop yelling at me!!!!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:35 AM (a1415)

68 South Africa sucks. So says my stepson, who was taken there by hubby's XW, when they split, late '90s.

Crime & poverty. Yuck.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:35 AM (njWTi)

69 I'm thinking that cash got accidentally thrown out with the cat litter. Can I write it off on my taxes?

Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024 06:35 AM (vFG9F)

70 "Looks like 4 inches on my deck railing."

Looks like about 6 inches...

* Holds fingers three inches apart*

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:36 AM (a1415)

71 Disclaimer: We have to go to triple secret probation.
----
Look, I can explain what happened here...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at February 17, 2024 06:36 AM (BpYfr)

72 ...because you never know how many inches you'll actually get, or how long it'll last...

--just the punchline

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:37 AM (njWTi)

73 "South Africa sucks. So says my stepson, who was taken there by hubby's XW, when they split, late '90s. "

Which still begs the question of why a black US citizen would be an unwelcome ex-pat in South Africa around 2022, and be forced to leave.

The father claimed 'politics'.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:38 AM (a1415)

74 Good morning, people! have some coffee. no, it’s free.

Posted by: Eromero at February 17, 2024 06:40 AM (Wed3T)

75 Stop yelling at me!!!!
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:35 AM (a1415)
===
It's how we show we care.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 06:41 AM (RIvkX)

76 "no, it’s free."

It's a trap!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:41 AM (a1415)

77 4 What would happen if the earth had rings?

Based on the title page, it would cause strange noseguards.
Posted by: mikeski at February 17, 2024 04:08 AM (DgGvY)

Ha!

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 06:42 AM (1BWJp)

78 Evening (well, almost midnight for Pixy) and morning to all you early risers and late toilers! 'Tis 61 F. here, drizzling and due to get colder throughout the day. I'm up with the Killer Kittens From Outer Space, having coffee and a pipe. Thinking about going out to breakfast . . . but my grill doesn't open until eight a.m., so I have a couple of hours to kill. Shaving and showering, and even dropping off my power bill and gassing up the car won't use all that up.

Miss Linda has got what she thinks is The Coof. So says the home test she took -- but we all know how reliable those are. She wasn't feeling well last Sunday and Monday, but insisted on going out in the damp cold (waiting for buses and standing for long periods) to watch parades on Tuesday. I've fed her some ivermectin and taken some myself, and made sure to wash my hands a bit more often.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:42 AM (omVj0)

79 Happy Saturday

Caught this headline on browser homepage:
"Beyoncé's new country song highlights genre's racist 'exclusion' of Black artists, media argue"

What a peach!
Here, a popstar deigns make an album in another genre and. . . insults the genre's past artists and listeners. Could she BE any more of a douchebag?

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 06:42 AM (RXyKO)

80 Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice
--------

Good question!

My understanding is that SA wants blacks ONLY, but don't know if national origin is A Thing there. Do they h8 Americans?

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:43 AM (njWTi)

81 "It's how we show we care."

Mr Bradly: Why is he yelling at me?

Judge: He's not yelling at you.

It didn't go well for Bradly.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:43 AM (a1415)

82 Ugh, Wolfus, hope she just has the flu!

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 06:44 AM (RXyKO)

83 JQ @ 61-
All things rocketry, yes.

Posted by: Eromero at February 17, 2024 06:44 AM (Wed3T)

84 We finished watching the DVDs of Lonesome Dove this week. I'd never actually seen the whole thing, though I've read the novel several times. Oddly, the DVD has no closed-captioning (though the broadcast on Grit does), and with Gus and Captain Call's accents, it was sometimes hard to understand the dialogue. Still, it's a great adaptation, with wonderful casting all around -- and Duvall's peak performance as Gus, the livingest character in Western fiction.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:45 AM (omVj0)

85 Coffee is done at least, its a start

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 06:46 AM (fwDg9)

86 "My understanding is that SA wants blacks ONLY, but don't know if national origin is A Thing there. Do they h8 Americans?"

Dad also testified that he owned a home in California.

BUT, the reverse Mortgage Company took it away from him, so he moved in with Fanni in order to protect her from all the Trump protestors appearing on her porch.
Several years before this ever became a case, which might get the attention of Trump supporters.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:46 AM (a1415)

87 Accents? Who has accents, Wolfus?

Posted by: Eromero at February 17, 2024 06:48 AM (Wed3T)

88 Ugh, Wolfus, hope she just has the flu!
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024

***
Amazing that only a few years ago, we'd never have said "just the flu." It's probably a cold; even those knock her flat for a few days.

When I go to Aldi this morning I'll get some good food for our dinner tonight, so we don't need to go out in the cold. Besides, even eating out at our modest favorite neighborhood grill runs over $20, and the neighborhood Italian place up the street pushes close to $40 for two people with no drinks or appetizers. Thanks, Creepy Joe.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:49 AM (omVj0)

89
BUT, the reverse Mortgage Company took it away from him

People who have attended a rodeo at least once are as ethical as they come.

Posted by: Tom Selleck at February 17, 2024 06:50 AM (nIvob)

90 Happy Caturday, Wolfus!

Hope Miss Linda recovers quickly and it isn't really The Coof.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:50 AM (njWTi)

91 "Thanks, Creepy Joe."

Maybe consider moving to California.

I hear they want to jack minimum wage to $50.00 per hour.

Then you certainly will be able to go out and eat more often.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:51 AM (a1415)

92 >>*fast forward to millennia from now*

"Why were seven empty tubes of toothpaste arranged in a hexagonal pattern and buried here?"

Heh.
Funny old book along those lines. . . "The Weans"
https://archive.org/details/weans00nath

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 06:53 AM (RXyKO)

93 87 Accents? Who has accents, Wolfus?
Posted by: Eromero at February 17, 2024

***
I've watched the final scene of the miniseries several times, including just now with CC on YooToob. I still don't know what Capt. Call's very last line is. The reporter says he's a man of vision. Call says, "A man of vision, you say? Yeah." And then he says something else I can't make out. "A hell of a vision"?

I need to find my copy of the novel and see if that's in there.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:54 AM (omVj0)

94 Hubby & I went out for lunch a couple weeks ago. We'd heard nice things about a new-ish Mex place in the next town over.

Food was good. Not fabulous, but tasty enough.

2 soft drinks, 2 dinners, no booze, no appetizers, no dessert: $65. Tip was extra.

Ugh.

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 06:55 AM (njWTi)

95 "Thanks, Creepy Joe."
*
Maybe consider moving to California.

I hear they want to jack minimum wage to $50.00 per hour.

Then you certainly will be able to go out and eat more often.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024

***
Yeah, we'll crawl out from our cardboard box shelter under the overpass and head out to Spago's in Beverly Hills, I guess.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:55 AM (omVj0)

96 One of my credit cards got hacked Friday somehow. Got declined at a gas station at the other end of the. There was also a penny charge and refund before that from AUDIOLINEOUT which
apparently is a favorite faked merchant name of cc scammers.
Very annoying since we actually are traveling today. The nice cc lady said I could still use the card physically but not on the interwebz for now.

I'm just mentioning it because this is the cc I have on my amazon account and on chewy.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at February 17, 2024 06:56 AM (DpEcY)

97 This all started when I noticed Ace's link to ViVa Frei on the sidebar giving a recap of Fanni's day on the stand.

Then it sort of went into binge watching for me yesterday.

Anyhow, a link to the 11 minutes of her father testifying.

http://tinyurl.com/rbrrwcnw

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:56 AM (a1415)

98 Almost six now. A shave and shower, and then I'll be like Uncle Joe, "movin' kinda slow" (on purpose) before going out to the grill.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:58 AM (omVj0)

99 79 Caught this headline on browser homepage:
"Beyoncé's new country song highlights genre's racist 'exclusion' of Black artists, media argue"

What a peach!
Here, a popstar deigns make an album in another genre and. . . insults the genre's past artists and listeners. Could she BE any more of a douchebag?
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 06:42 AM (RXyKO)

Lizzy, did Beyonce state that point herself? Or is that a media spin?

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 06:59 AM (1BWJp)

100
In fact, prior attendance at a rodeo is considered a 'key metric' by those in the financial services industry. If Donald Trump had done a better job of screening his financial advisors he could have avoided Letitia James' personal crusade against him.

Posted by: Tom Selleck at February 17, 2024 06:59 AM (nIvob)

101 We got new state rules this week

Positive for COVID without symptoms is 24 hour isolation and 10 days with mask, down from 5 days isolation

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 06:59 AM (RIvkX)

102 >>Amazing that only a few years ago, we'd never have said "just the flu."

Right? So many wacky bugs out there - RSV, coof, etc.

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:00 AM (RXyKO)

103 >>Positive for COVID without symptoms is 24 hour isolation and 10 days with mask, down from 5 days isolation

How would you know you have covid if no symptoms?
Is this from mandatory testing - is that still a thing?

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:01 AM (RXyKO)

104 Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 06:59 AM
---------

And just how, exactly, do the coof-police *know* if a person has tested +?

Posted by: JQ at February 17, 2024 07:01 AM (njWTi)

105 Safe travels VMom !

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 07:02 AM (T4tVD)

106 96 That penny charge scam happened to me about four years ago. The one and only time I ever paid at the pump, and it was a rural station. Came to light the crooks were targeting those and putting in the skimmers. The station was here in AR, the penny charge in FL.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at February 17, 2024 07:02 AM (0EOe9)

107 101 We got new state rules this week

Positive for COVID without symptoms is 24 hour isolation and 10 days with mask, down from 5 days isolation
Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 06:59 AM (RIvkX)

You're in a gulag.

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:03 AM (1BWJp)

108 T Minus 2 minutes to launch

https://youtu.be/WvmjoXcjWuM

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 17, 2024 07:03 AM (qPw5n)

109 We are routinely testing people when they come back from hospital

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 07:04 AM (RIvkX)

110 96 The nice cc lady said I could still use the card physically but not on the interwebz for now.

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at February 17, 2024 06:56 AM (DpEcY)

Thanks for this detail. That's hopeful, at least, if I find myself in that same situation sometime.

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:05 AM (1BWJp)

111 Also Paxlovid is routine for a positive test

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 07:05 AM (RIvkX)

112
Didn't read the article but vaccine 'shedding' is apparently a thing. So even if you never got the vaccine if you get into a large crowd there's some huge invisible cloud of mRNA floating through the air.

Or somethin'. Maybe it's just like dog hair that you can brush away.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at February 17, 2024 07:05 AM (nIvob)

113 Its basically just an influenza like airborne virus now

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 07:07 AM (RIvkX)

114 Those crazy Indians did it!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 07:08 AM (a1415)

115 67 Stop yelling at me!!!!
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 06:35 AM (a1415)

Are you *rewatching* the Viva Frei broadcast?

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:10 AM (1BWJp)

116 Wolfus, Thought i saw a reference to the medicine Voltaren in a comment you made yesterday. I am not sure but it might be toxic to cats and dogs.

Posted by: Mrs JTB at February 17, 2024 07:10 AM (zudum)

117 http://tinyurl.com/4hvzbv7c
Powerlineblog.com week in pictures

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 07:12 AM (fwDg9)

118 "Are you *rewatching* the Viva Frei broadcast?"

Earlier, yes.

Now I'm just channeling Fanni.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 07:12 AM (a1415)

119 118 "Are you *rewatching* the Viva Frei broadcast?"

Earlier, yes.

Now I'm just channeling Fanni.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 07:12 AM (a1415)

You're just wild about Fanni!

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:14 AM (1BWJp)

120 yo wur sup

Posted by: rhennigantx at February 17, 2024 07:14 AM (ENQN6)

121 120 yo wur sup
Posted by: rhennigantx at February 17, 2024 07:14 AM (ENQN6)

Sorta like cat sup?

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:15 AM (1BWJp)

122 >>Beyonce state that point herself? Or is that a media spin?

Ugh, it's the media. They are insane:

Time Magazine went even further to insist "Beyoncé Has Always Been Country" because "the truth is that country music has never been White."

"It is time for the institutional oppressive regimes of country music to be removed, and for those who have continued to carry on the legacy of country’s music heart and soul to be seated at the table," the Time article read.
It continued, "Whether Knowles-Carter will address country music's racialized past or shed light on its inherent lies is unknown, but like archangel Gabriel who blew the horn to bring forth Judgment Day. She has the ability to call into account those who kept country music from its rightful heirs. And maybe that’s all she needs to do on Act II."

Hutu radio programming here in America.

And looking at the lyrics of her songs - my word, they're like a bad parody of a Country song. Archangel Ga-Bey-el in a silver bikini and 10 gallon hat's gonna to do what now?
http://tinyurl.com/yc8hn22c

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:15 AM (RXyKO)

123 Week In Pictures has some sweet, sweet irony today. Rob Reiner, one of our favorite pathological lying idiots, tweeted

"The only reassuring thing about a pathological liar is that when he says something, you know it's not true. There is no crisis at the border."

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 17, 2024 07:15 AM (B92C0)

124 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at February 17, 2024 07:16 AM (NBVIP)

125 I've watched the final scene of the miniseries several times, including just now with CC on YooToob. I still don't know what Capt. Call's very last line is. The reporter says he's a man of vision. Call says, "A man of vision, you say? Yeah." And then he says something else I can't make out. "A hell of a vision"?

I need to find my copy of the novel and see if that's in there.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 06:54 AM (omVj0)

He said "don't call me Shirley !"

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 07:18 AM (T4tVD)

126 122 >>Beyonce state that point herself? Or is that a media spin?
Ugh, it's the media. They are insane:
...

"It is time for the institutional oppressive regimes of country music to be removed, and for those who have continued to carry on the legacy of country’s music heart and soul to be seated at the table," the Time article read.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:15 AM (RXyKO)

OMG
I'm glad that Beyonce herself didn't say all that. At the very least, she's much too smart a business woman, I hope.

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:18 AM (1BWJp)

127 Birdbath status?
Posted by: Just Wondering

Covered in SNOW !

Posted by: JT at February 17, 2024 07:18 AM (T4tVD)

128
Biden: "I can't remember a single time when my memory failed me."

Posted by: Divide by Zero at February 17, 2024 07:18 AM (nIvob)

129 Ugh, it's the media. They are insane:

Time Magazine went even further to insist "Beyoncé Has Always Been Country" because "the truth is that country music has never been White."

"It is time for the institutional oppressive regimes of country music to be removed, and for those who have continued to carry on the legacy of country’s music heart and soul to be seated at the table," the Time article read.
It continued, "Whether Knowles-Carter will address country music's racialized past or shed light on its inherent lies is unknown, but like archangel Gabriel who blew the horn to bring forth Judgment Day. She has the ability to call into account those who kept country music from its rightful heirs. And maybe that’s all she needs to do on Act II."

Posted by: Lizzy

This is either The Babylon Bee or Time's AI 'writer' needs a reboot. Angsty little bot.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 17, 2024 07:21 AM (sAmhv)

130 Depending on weather we are installing a new hummingbird feeder today.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 17, 2024 07:22 AM (RIvkX)

131 Thanks JT

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at February 17, 2024 07:23 AM (L4her)

132 on the stashes of cash:

About a decade ago, maybe, there was a gangsta rapper or similar who set piles of his money alight--not yet aware that the bank won't replace bills-turned-to-ash like they could replace a torn check or a slightly mangled bill. Somebody set up him up, I believe.

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:25 AM (1BWJp)

133 Nice launch. Satellite successfully placed into orbit.

Wish they had cameras on the multiple stages on this particular launch vehicle but apparently that's reserved for the larger vehicles.

Ciampino: Thanks, that was very enjoyable.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at February 17, 2024 07:25 AM (qPw5n)

134 The station was here in AR, the penny charge in FL.
Posted by: bill in arkansas,

I wonder if it's a skimmer. I did get gas yesterday at the warehouse club

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at February 17, 2024 07:25 AM (L4her)

135 Another horror show from last week: "Harris says she is ready to serve as Biden faces age questions"

No word if this comment came at the Bunny Ranch or McDonalds.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at February 17, 2024 07:26 AM (D9BU0)

136 >>> It is time for the institutional oppressive regimes of country music to be removed

The means are out there to self-publish your song on the internet.

Ironic that this article features an artist that gets pushed by the machine.

Posted by: fluffy at February 17, 2024 07:26 AM (86W+h)

137 Nood or do we still yell Corgis?

Posted by: Fat Jack at February 17, 2024 07:26 AM (QXQ4l)

138 Country Music has been infected by rap for a few years now. Anyway, it sucks and now it will suck even more.

I grew up with Hee Haw and Lester and Earl. The crap they put out nowadays is garbage. In fact, most everything is crap nowadays. They should just call entropy "craptropy".

Posted by: fd at February 17, 2024 07:26 AM (vFG9F)

139 >>This is either The Babylon Bee or Time's AI 'writer' needs a reboot. Angsty little bot.

Sadly, it's not just Time.

I am kicking myself for taking the (click)bait, but it's a Fox news article that includes these kinds of comments from a variety of MSM outlets.

Time and other stir up racial hatred in their readers, then Fox does a round-up of excerpts from these articles and stirs up hatred in their readers. Hate gets clicks!

Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:27 AM (RXyKO)

140 139 I am kicking myself for taking the (click)bait, but it's a Fox news article that includes these kinds of comments from a variety of MSM outlets.
Posted by: Lizzy at February 17, 2024 07:27 AM (RXyKO)

You took one for the team!

Posted by: m at February 17, 2024 07:29 AM (1BWJp)

141 Indian Launch successful.

Posted by: Ciampino - ROCKET SCIENCE went all the way at February 17, 2024 07:30 AM (qfLjt)

142 Still lots of bloggers not taking this Mooch doesn't want to be President.
They are going to need a miracle after Sundowner is pulled out.

Posted by: Skip at February 17, 2024 07:33 AM (fwDg9)

143 Powerline week in pics

the one about Aaron Rodgers and the Jets is excellent

also, saw a recent photo of Beyonce
she is getting to be very Caucasian-looking
maybe her career is entering its Michael Jackson phase

Posted by: Don Black at February 17, 2024 07:33 AM (geLO8)

144 "maybe her career is entering its Michael Jackson phase"

Did she buy a monkey yet?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at February 17, 2024 07:37 AM (a1415)

145 I look forward to Beyonce's album of Merle Haggard covers

(not really)

Posted by: Don Black at February 17, 2024 07:38 AM (geLO8)

146 I think I'll listen to some Alabama tonight, on my way to work. (flips the bird at Time Magazine)

And on that note, off to bed I go. Later daywalkers.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at February 17, 2024 07:39 AM (sAmhv)

147 Country Music has been infected by rap for a few years now.

You have no idea: http://tinyurl.com/3rvbb5uh

Let's just get it straight who invented this heah shit.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at February 17, 2024 07:46 AM (zdLoL)

148 The opening theme, and first star, of the original Grand Ole Opry

http://tinyurl.com/mryw6xps

Every country song ever written that refers to a lonesome whistle blowing is calling out The Pan American, and DeFord Bailey.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at February 17, 2024 07:51 AM (zdLoL)

149 Wolfus, Thought i saw a reference to the medicine Voltaren in a comment you made yesterday. I am not sure but it might be toxic to cats and dogs.
Posted by: Mrs JTB at February 17, 2024

***
I don't know, Mrs. JTB, but I put the stuff on my back, then wash my hands before touching the cats.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 08:20 AM (omVj0)

150 The Coffee Break thread is early!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at February 17, 2024 08:22 AM (omVj0)

151 >Microsoft is retiring Azure IoS Central

I used to work in this space. MS is retiring IoT because not enough people used it. It's aimed at orgs with small numbers of devices in the field; when you scale up it rapidly becomes prohibitively expensive compared to rolling your own. We built an ingestion pipeline and data lake for 20,000 devices in the field on a fifth of what IoT Central would have cost.

Posted by: Daniel Ream at February 17, 2024 10:56 AM (/0tPK)

152 Epic store still feels like a sub-standard Steam competitor, and I can't shake the stink of Tencent off of them.

Also saw Pixy's superchat to Pippa the other night, lol.

Posted by: m0lr4k at February 17, 2024 11:08 AM (F04HX)

153 I wish the rings guy had discussed the other impacts on weather that would likely arise from having a relatively sharp dividing line between extra-hot and extra-cold areas. We'd likely have a no-go band around the equator wracked with devastating storms, and dangerous storms and unstable weather in general would be much more common even in the more northern and southern latitudes. Equatorial civilizations would almost certainly have never existed, and there could be two vastly different sets of cultures on each side of the band that both thought their side was all there was. Or, more likely I think, we wouldn't exist and animals would generally be smaller and more migratory.

Posted by: Cortillaen at February 17, 2024 02:26 PM (6kADi)

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