Daily Tech News 23 June 2024

Top Story

AI is exhausting the power grid in its tireless search for progressively more refined bullshit. AI companies are proposing to solve this using unicorn farts. (MSN)
A ChatGPT-powered search, according to the International Energy Agency, consumes almost 10 times the amount of electricity as a search on Google, and is, somehow, even less helpful.
True. That 900% increase in power consumption is pumped directly into Nvidia's bank account.
The companies also argue advancing AI now could prove more beneficial to the environment than curbing electricity consumption.
I'm sure they do.
"If we work together, we can unlock AI's game-changing abilities to help create the net zero, climate resilient and nature positive works that we so urgently need," Microsoft said in a statement.
You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life.
The tech giants say they buy enough wind, solar or geothermal power every time a big data center comes online to cancel out its emissions. But critics see a shell game with these contracts: The companies are operating off the same power grid as everyone else, while claiming for themselves much of the finite amount of green energy. Utilities are then backfilling those purchases with fossil fuel expansions, regulatory filings show.
No shit.
Left unmentioned are the heavily polluting fossil fuel plants that become necessary to stabilize the power grid overall because of these purchases, making sure everyone has enough electricity.
You could have been building nuclear power for the past thirty years, but no.

There is some good news here, though. Google is backing geothermal energy, OpenAI and Bill Gates are backing new nuclear reactor designs, and Microsoft is investing in fusion.

Maybe this means our clean energy future will come with ads, but that will annoy the communists twice as much, so I guess I can live with it.

Tech News

I've switched over to the new laptop. 40GB of RAM leaves 16GB for dead for my workload, and AMD's Zen 3 likewise the Intel 12th gen chip I had before.

I'm running it in "whisper mode" which is not quite silent but in a quiet house have to stop and listen for it, and the CPU is peaking at about 55C under constant load. My previous laptop ran hotter, louder, and slower.

I'm not sold on the numeric keypad, but I'm hoping to adjust.
Why going cashless has turned Sweden into a high-crime nation. (Forbes)

Because, you absolute ninnies, if you can access your money from anywhere at any time, so can everyone else in the world.

With cash, someone has to be there to beat you up and steal your wallet. With an online scam, they can be in Laos or Lichtenstein or Lesotho. It doesn't matter and you won't know; your money will just be gone.
What's in it for us, ask journalists as the new companies they have murdered make desperate deals with AI giants so the executive suite can get one final payday before it all comes tumbling down. (Tech Crunch)

Nothing. You get nothing. Which is more than you deserve.
What is CUDIMM? (AnandTech)

There are basically two types of memory modules in computers: Unbuffered modules which are used in desktops and laptops - and soldered memory is all unbuffered, and registered memory used in servers.

Unbuffered modules connect the memory chips directly to the CPU. Registered modules have extra chips between the CPU and the RAM that keep the signals synchronised.

CUDIMMs are clocked unbuffered DIMMs. That is, the have one extra chip that syncronises the clock signal, but the rest of the wires are left to their own devices.

This makes it easier to run memory at higher clocks, and, most importantly, is invisible to the CPU and motherboard. These DIMMs should Just Work in current systems.

Disclaimer: Ow, my bees.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'DAY EVERYONE

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 04:01 AM (fwDg9)

2 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes. Evening, Pixy.

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 23, 2024 04:03 AM (m0KMP)

3 Trying to decide if I am getting up or not

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 04:04 AM (fwDg9)

4 G'day Forward Dog, Old Dog.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at June 23, 2024 04:06 AM (BLOW1)

5 BOING.

Give me a few minutes.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 04:07 AM (qHz+p)

6 You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life.

True, nevertheless, I thew up a little bit in my mouth after reading it.

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 23, 2024 04:09 AM (m0KMP)

7 Sweden has become a Leftist basket case, trash basket.
Add ti American Thinker article yesterday on it.

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 04:15 AM (fwDg9)

8 Can someone put me the pros and cons of zoom? I am zoomless and would like to remain that way. But knowing more about it might help my case. Thanks.

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 04:17 AM (NHMTR)

9 Evening and morning to all the early risers and late Sunday toilers! I'm up early because of a nightmare.

No, not the one we're living in our wakin ghours. This was much more specific and immediate. In my current car, I was driving a bridge, an interstate, across a river -- not my usual bridge. For some insane reason a band had set up on the right shoulder of the bridge, right by the concrete "safety" railing. A couple of them took it into their heads to walk across the lanes. I blew my horn -- it sounded like tinkling bells! -- and swerved. The tires lost grip, I hit the concrete lip on the other side, and the car flipped over and fell into the river, upside down.

(Cont.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:27 AM (omVj0)

10 (cont.) I was not knocked out; I remember feeling a vast annoyance at the whole thing, not fear. Then, somehow, I was out of the car, floating by hanging on to a life ring that was red and white like the Target logo, and washing up on the concrete edge of the water. It seemed more like a huge swimming pool at that point, rather than a river. Soaking wet, I staggered into a nearby building and sat on the floor of a long gallery with windows looking out toward the pool and my now-submerged car.

"At least I still have my house keys," I remember thinking, before I woke up.

Brrrr.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:31 AM (omVj0)

11
Left unmentioned are the heavily polluting fossil fuel plants that become necessary to stabilize the power grid overall because of these purchases, making sure everyone has enough electricity.

I have an eight foot long portable solar panel feeding into a 2k battery witch as outstanding data to display. The panel is capable of producing 400 watts. It has hit that number, ONCE. After a powerful rain storm swept through my area and washed all the particulate matter from the air. Mostly, even on the clearest of days, it will only produce in the range of 225 to 250 watts of power. A 30% hit on efficiency in other words.

I have a nuke plant ten miles to the north, it's not that. But about ten miles to the west there's a dirty fossil fuel plant. I suspect that is the culprit.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 04:34 AM (RKVpM)

12 Can someone put me the pros and cons of zoom? I am zoomless and would like to remain that way. But knowing more about it might help my case. Thanks.
Posted by: m at June 23, 2024

***
M, it's pretty seamless, I have to admit. YOu click on the meeting link someone sends you. If Zoom is not installed on your machine, it proceeds to do that, and open up a window with your image (of course your device's camera has to be on) and that of the person who invited you to the meeting. It asks you to join with computer audio, and you click "Join." You can choose to turn off your video during the meeting, and mute the sound from your microphone when you're not speaking.

If Zoom is on your computer, it updates to the latest version, then proceeds.

Seamless, yes, but while it's going on, for all I know it can snoop all through your computer, and maybe afterward. There could be a good reason it's often called "Chinese spyware."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:36 AM (omVj0)

13 Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 04:17 AM (NHMTR)
-

Pros: It works. Not owned by Microsoft. Very popular for small and large personal and professional meetings. Works on all popular platforms.

Cons: Forget about privacy. This is true for all such popular products to date.

Bottom line: Use what everyone else you'll be video-coneferencing with is using.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 04:37 AM (qHz+p)

14 Good morning insomniacs and early risers.

Posted by: Tuna at June 23, 2024 04:39 AM (oaGWv)

15 Wolfus the part heading over the edge would be as far as I got

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 04:43 AM (fwDg9)

16 Helpful answers; very helpful vocabulary. This is not a work request/requirement, but a request for personal one-on-one communication. I hate the whole concept.

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 04:45 AM (NHMTR)

17 "If we work together, we can unlock AI's game-changing abilities to help create the net zero, climate resilient and nature positive works that we so urgently need," Microsoft said in a statement.

A chicken in every pot and a unicorn in every driveway.

"You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life."

That's ok, Pixy. They don't mean a word of it.

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at June 23, 2024 04:45 AM (gllTv)

18 Good morning, Tuna, Biden's Dog, Divide By Zero, Skip, and Olddog! Hope you got enough sleep. BD, you and Pixy are into your day or near the end of it, though.

I need to work out to get my week started, but, as usual, I don't feel much like it. Got to set my jaw and power through, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:45 AM (omVj0)

19 Helpful answers; very helpful vocabulary. This is not a work request/requirement, but a request for personal one-on-one communication. I hate the whole concept.
Posted by: m at June 23, 2024

***
Why not just talk on the phone?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:46 AM (omVj0)

20 17 "You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life."

That's ok, Pixy. They don't mean a word of it.
Posted by: Puddleglum at work at June 23, 2024 04:45 AM (gllTv)

hahahaha

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 04:46 AM (NHMTR)

21 19 Helpful answers; very helpful vocabulary. This is not a work request/requirement, but a request for personal one-on-one communication. I hate the whole concept.
Posted by: m at June 23, 2024

***
Why not just talk on the phone?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:46 AM (omVj0)

That would be my preference. I believe the term Luddite will enter the chat.

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 04:47 AM (NHMTR)

22 "At least I still have my house keys," I remember thinking, before I woke up.
Now that you are awake, did you check the garage/pool? Trust me on this one.

Posted by: Keith Moon at June 23, 2024 04:49 AM (02SAZ)

23 Wolfus the part heading over the edge would be as far as I got
Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024

***
You'd think that would have been enough to wake me up, but no. I remember in the dream that the landing, hitting the water, was not a crash but more like throwing oneself onto a bed. I recall, too, a vast annoyance that this was happening, and a memory that something like it -- at least, my car going into water -- had happened before. "Again?" I thought, before I found myself out and floating ashore. I did not experience the part of getting a window down, or breaking it, and squirming out against incoming water. (Which I have never done in real life, thank God.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:51 AM (omVj0)

24 Thanks, Pixy, for your all your work on the tech thread.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 23, 2024 04:56 AM (XkYcA)

25 I'm really tired of Microsoft Bing reading everything I post and the e-mails I send and then sending me "helpful" ads and articles. I asked this before-sorry. What is an option, and alternative to "Big Brother"? Brave Browser?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 23, 2024 04:59 AM (XkYcA)

26 Small pop up T-storm heading my direction, I could use some ran but chances are not great it will get here

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 05:05 AM (fwDg9)

27 So my running mate and I had our campaign kick off yesterday. It was a 100 degrees but were under a tent. I think about 25 people showed up. One thing I found cheering was that another person running for office in the county is a conservative guy originally from India-a legal immigrant. Another person who has been collecting a lot of data on voters and wants to help was originally from Chinaa legal immigrant, as well. I told the people there to stay hydrated because- unlike my running mate-I had never been part of the local rescue squad. I didn't sing or wear a cowboy hat, but I did quote a Gene Autry (The singing cowboy) song because it was so hot I felt like I was in the desert Southwest, "I'm back in the saddle again, where a friend is a friend." That's because we're running for a second time and we need friends-supporters. The husband of my running mate I think believes I'm slightly off my rocker

but at least didn't sing or wear a cowboy hat.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 23, 2024 05:10 AM (XkYcA)

28
In 2022, Pennsylvania had a total summer capacity of 49,066 MW through all of its power plants, and a net generation of 239,261 GWh. In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 59% natural gas, 31.9% nuclear, 5.4% coal, 1.4% wind, 0.8% hydroelectric, 0.7% biomass, 0.2% other ...

So, if you have an battery powered EV in Pennsylvania you're using mainly natural gas to power it.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 05:17 AM (RKVpM)

29 And it would be nice (if I can get rid of Microsoft Bing) not to have pictures of the woman ( leftist media type) who ) shaved off her hair because someone told her that her hair looked like that of Donald Trump, or not have to see a picture of Letitia James with some glowing golden globe behind her head as if she's some kind of Saint. The only thing I do now is ignore the stories or squint so that I don't see the captions

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 23, 2024 05:21 AM (XkYcA)

30 Any new electricity is for Them, not us. They will keep their eye on us. We will hope to get a hot shower before the power is cut.

Posted by: Jamaica at June 23, 2024 05:27 AM (IG7T0)

31 "Blocked". A Christian woman reflects on her husband's blocked arteries as well as blockages in our spiritual life. The Biblical passage is from Colossians and is linked on the left side of the devotional:

https://www.upperroom.org/devotionals/en-2024-06-23

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at June 23, 2024 05:34 AM (XkYcA)

32
You, peasant, will have to sit in the dark while the tech barons play with their talking toys. What were you going to use that electricity for, lights?

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at June 23, 2024 05:40 AM (MoZTd)

33 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at June 23, 2024 06:07 AM (3Fz6p)

34 Good morning morons

Who will the FBI raid today?

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:12 AM (RIvkX)

35 Not mentioned so much as the electricity usage of these big data farms is also the water usage. The huge facility they are building here is already causing problems.

Posted by: Ben Had at June 23, 2024 06:18 AM (8i5Iz)

36 Ben Had, is there any news about JT that you can tell us?

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at June 23, 2024 06:20 AM (3Fz6p)

37 The Mennonites and Amish have it right: low or no tech. All tech companies are NGO's working for the FBI/CIA

Posted by: Jamaica at June 23, 2024 06:20 AM (IG7T0)

38 "Not mentioned so much as the electricity usage of these big data farms is also the water usage. The huge facility they are building here is already causing problems.
Posted by: Ben Had"

Energy and water saving dishwashers will free up resources so Gooble can better target ads selling you more efficient dishwashers.

Posted by: fd at June 23, 2024 06:21 AM (vFG9F)

39 You had me at fossil

Posted by: Great Reagan's Deplorable Ghost at June 23, 2024 06:23 AM (qWUPt)

40
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at June 23, 2024 06:24 AM (tljrc)

41 Captain Obvious, I will have more information after Monday.

Posted by: Ben Had at June 23, 2024 06:25 AM (8i5Iz)

42 Trump had a cheesesteak in Phila. yesterday, looks to me he went to Tony Luke's.

They make a great roast pork and broccoli rabe.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:29 AM (RIvkX)

43 Posted by: Ben Had at June 23, 2024 06:25 AM (8i5Iz)
----------
Thank you.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at June 23, 2024 06:30 AM (3Fz6p)

44 Hiya JT!

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:31 AM (RIvkX)

45 Please just tell me he didn't go to Geno's.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:31 AM (RIvkX)

46 The 1958 Gregory Peck/Jean Simmons Western The Big Country, for which Burl Ives won an Oscar, is on Grit this pm at 3 Central. Based on a Donald Hamilton novel (yes, the "Matt Helm" guy), it has a different role for Chuck Connors and one for Charlton Heston, too. Not your usual Western at all.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 06:32 AM (omVj0)

47 Ok morons, how many drag queens can you name? If you can't name three, you can't run for mayor.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:36 AM (RIvkX)

48 47 Ok morons, how many drag queens can you name? If you can't name three, you can't run for mayor.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:36 AM (RIvkX)

Also, you have to "date" them.

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 06:38 AM (NHMTR)

49 Microsoft Fusion power: Every light switch will have a screen. You will have to watch a 30 second ad before the switch will turn the lights on. Unless you agree to a $20.95 monthly subscription to the switch.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at June 23, 2024 06:39 AM (rsqyi)

50 Byeee...

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at June 23, 2024 06:40 AM (3Fz6p)

51 Trump did a 90 minute speech outside in 90 degree heat wearing a suit and danced his way off the stage at the end. But he mispronounced that one dudes name, so, dementia.

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at June 23, 2024 06:41 AM (rsqyi)

52 "Ok morons, how many drag queens can you name? If you can't name three, you can't run for mayor."

The only i can even think of is that homofreak RuPaul.

So I cant be the mayor.

:/

Posted by: Outside of Life at June 23, 2024 06:42 AM (89Sog)

53 Speaking of saving energy:

"US Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris"

Posted by: fd at June 23, 2024 06:44 AM (vFG9F)

54 Ok morons, how many drag queens can you name?

Posted by: Outside of Life at June 23, 2024 06:42 AM (89Sog)

AOC, Pelosi, and Warren. They're all big drags.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 06:45 AM (PPqUV)

55 Don't forget Big Mike

Posted by: Cat Ass Trophy at June 23, 2024 06:46 AM (rsqyi)

56 Back from my workout, I've showered, fed, and slopped the feline hogs. The day holds promise. Once I get the chores done, of course. Miss Linda says that "chores" makes me sound as if I have a farm with livestock. I point to the cats. "Livestock, right there."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 06:47 AM (omVj0)

57 Today we are לבקר חולים

Mrs. F.'s cousin has been suffering major depression and been successfully treated at inpatient psych unit. We will spend an hour or two and bring some lunch, maybe let her husband get out of the house for an hour.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:49 AM (RIvkX)

58 Yikes, Wolfus.
But I can top that. After the births of my second and third, I had the exact same dream: I am driving with all the children in the car and am forced off a bridge into a lake.
Who do I save?
I pretty quickly recognized these were caused by the anxiety of fitting a new person into the family.
It was interesting to me that this did not occur when #4 was born. She had some health issues, so I had something concrete to worry about...

Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at June 23, 2024 06:50 AM (y7DxH)

59 You will see peak power from your solar array on cooler days with a breeze and when the direct sun is augmented by scattered light from cumulus clouds. In fact, when the sun comes out from behind a bright cumulus cloud around solar noon, the surge in power can really strain your converters.

Also the cell temperature is very dependent of the wind conditions. Most panels these days are almost flush with the roof surface which cuts a lot of potential cooling from the rear of the panel.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 06:51 AM (QB+5g)

60
"US Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris"

Hopefully they've done their homework and they can plug them in and actually have them work.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 06:51 AM (RKVpM)

61 ...I point to the cats. "Livestock, right there."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 06:47 AM (omVj0)
====
Livestock get harvested. I am sure they are planning to harvest you one day.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:52 AM (RIvkX)

62 civil twilight is here

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 06:53 AM (/7KEl)

63 Lovely full moon just over the horizon- you can see all the features very clearly. I do love living in our tiny town.

Fen, keep us posted on the campaign. We admire you so much for doing what everyone says you're supposed to
do- get rally involved on the local level.

Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at June 23, 2024 06:54 AM (y7DxH)

64 and I can see that old devil moon out the kitchen window

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 06:55 AM (/7KEl)

65 argh- "really".
But I guess 'rally' works, too.

Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at June 23, 2024 06:56 AM (y7DxH)

66 "Arizona Toddler Trapped in Tesla After Battery Dies Without Warning"

They had to break a window to get the kid out. The owner says that she didn't get the texts telling her that her car's battery was almost dead.

Posted by: fd at June 23, 2024 06:58 AM (vFG9F)

67 Can't see the full moon here in the city, too low on the horizon.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:58 AM (RIvkX)

68 Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:49 AM (RIvkX)
-

Has professional hypnotism been suggested?

Shooting in the dark.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 06:59 AM (PPqUV)

69 The 1958 Gregory Peck/Jean Simmons Western The Big Country, for which Burl Ives won an Oscar, is on Grit this pm at 3 Central. Based on a Donald Hamilton novel (yes, the "Matt Helm" guy), it has a different role for Chuck Connors and one for Charlton Heston, too. Not your usual Western at all.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

Great score, especially the opening title music, by Jerome Moross.

Posted by: Tuna at June 23, 2024 07:00 AM (oaGWv)

70 Has professional hypnotism been suggested?

Shooting in the dark.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 06:59 AM (PPqUV)
===
ECT

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 07:00 AM (RIvkX)

71 Trump had a cheesesteak in Phila. yesterday, looks to me he went to Tony Luke's.

They make a great roast pork and broccoli rabe.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 06:29
---------------

Owners of famous Philly cheesesteak chain sentenced in $8M tax fraud scheme (NY Post)

https://is.gd/mPhHak

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 23, 2024 07:01 AM (m0KMP)

72 The Tesla owner says :

"I give Tesla props. When it works, it’s great. But when it doesn’t, it can be deadly,” she added."

You could say the same thing about that sub that didn't come back from visiting the Titanic.

Posted by: fd at June 23, 2024 07:02 AM (vFG9F)

73 https://is.gd/mPhHak

Bastards.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 07:03 AM (RIvkX)

74 ECT
Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 07:00 AM (RIvkX)
-

Ouch!

Look into potential of using a professional hypnotist.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 07:03 AM (PPqUV)

75 66 "Arizona Toddler Trapped in Tesla After Battery Dies Without Warning"

They had to break a window to get the kid out. The owner says that she didn't get the texts telling her that her car's battery was almost dead.
Posted by: fd

Sorry to take the Lord's name in vain but my God why do people leave their kids alone in cars?

Posted by: Tuna at June 23, 2024 07:04 AM (oaGWv)

76 When it works, it’s great. But when it doesn’t, it can be deadly.

Posted by: Guy in a wingsuit at June 23, 2024 07:05 AM (vFG9F)

77 Today is Fr's last Sunday with us- he's only been here two years and we will really miss him.
Our new pastor is from the same order, so he should be good.
Being a really small out of the way parish is good in that you're under the radar, but bad in that you're kind of a pawn.

Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at June 23, 2024 07:05 AM (y7DxH)

78 Owners of famous Philly cheesesteak chain sentenced in $8M tax fraud scheme (NY Post)

https://is.gd/mPhHak

Posted by: olddog in mo at June 23, 2024 07:01 AM (m0KMP)
-

That's not kosher!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 07:06 AM (PPqUV)

79 "I give Tesla props. When it works, it’s great. But when it doesn’t, it can be deadly,” she added."

You could say the same thing about that sub that didn't come back from visiting the Titanic.
Posted by: fd at June 23, 2024 07:02 AM (vFG9F)
---
Yeah, that's not a ringing endorsement for technology where life and limb is involved.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 23, 2024 07:08 AM (BpYfr)

80 After the births of my second and third, I had the exact same dream: I am driving with all the children in the car and am forced off a bridge into a lake.
Who do I save?
I pretty quickly recognized these were caused by the anxiety of fitting a new person into the family.
It was interesting to me that this did not occur when #4 was born. She had some health issues, so I had something concrete to worry about...
Posted by: sal: tolle adversarium et afflige inimicum at June 23, 2024

***
That would make for a complication for me, too. If I had both cats in their separate carriers in the back seat, which could I save, if I could even save one? Carriers won't float, so I couldn't somehow wedge the cases out of the window. I'd have to let the cats loose and hope they could swim to the surface.

Hell, I don't know if *I* could get to the surface. It hardly bears thinking about!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:12 AM (omVj0)

81 Many cars with a FOB key have doors which are not intuitive to unlock should the battery die.

The instructions should be handed out separately to every such car own when purchased. It's too late if you have to read the manual stuck in the glove compartment after the battery goes kaput.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 07:12 AM (PPqUV)

82 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at June 23, 2024 07:13 AM (dg+HA)

83 A chickadee came for a shower while I was watering our "lawn" yesterday.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 07:14 AM (RIvkX)

84 It's Sunday morning, so of course I started reading a new book. How's this for an opening line?

"Imagine shoving a cattle prod up a rhino's ass, shouting 'April Fool!', and hoping the rhino thinks it's funny."

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 23, 2024 07:14 AM (BpYfr)

85 So here's the really important news folks: JLo is vacationing in Italy taking selfies of her a** while the miserable Ben commiserates with ex-wife. I do not get the fascination with those 2.

Posted by: Tuna at June 23, 2024 07:15 AM (oaGWv)

86 Many cars with a FOB key have doors which are not intuitive to unlock should the battery die.

The instructions should be handed out separately to every such car own when purchased. It's too late if you have to read the manual stuck in the glove compartment after the battery goes kaput.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024

***
The Buick has a switchblade-style actual key in the fob, and an actual lock on the driver's door. The bigger challenge is how to start the car with a nearly dead key battery. There's a spot within the center console where you can put the fob before pressing the start button, and that makes it possible to start the engine. I had to do it once. Hard to see that spot in the dark, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:17 AM (omVj0)

87 Asked this before but I think it got lost in the noise: Pixy, adding 32+8GB breaks dual channel. Does that affect your workload performance in any meaningful way, or does the extra RAM make up for that?

Posted by: Daniel Ream at June 23, 2024 07:18 AM (0Go0g)

88 "I do not get the fascination with those 2.
Posted by: Tuna"

Yeah, what a pair of losers.

Posted by: The Markles at June 23, 2024 07:18 AM (vFG9F)

89 > Maybe this means our clean energy future will come with ads, but that will annoy the communists twice as much, so I guess I can live with it.
--------
As long as Clippy isn't running things.... cool.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 07:21 AM (Q4IgG)

90 Why not just talk on the phone?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 04:46 AM (omVj0)
----
Your corespondent might be on another continent!

Posted by: Ciampino - Sun Update #01 at June 23, 2024 07:23 AM (qfLjt)

91 "If we work together, we can unlock AI's game-changing abilities to help create the net zero, climate resilient and nature positive works that we so urgently need," Microsoft said in a statement.

What happens if all of the AI models were to discover that NetZero is bullshit and will lead to a WEF/Davos own extinction event where Putin and Xi ends up winning ?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:25 AM (iruKY)

92
You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life.

It is a veritable neutron star of bullshit.

Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024 07:26 AM (xG4kz)

93
CoalGPT is adjacent to coal cars, of course.

Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024 07:28 AM (xG4kz)

94 It is a veritable neutron star of bullshit.
Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024

***
A neutron star is condensed, all right. But once you fall into its gravity well, you can't get out.

Yes, a very good metaphor.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:28 AM (omVj0)

95 Loud morning here in farmish Ohio. There is the breeze in the trees, all the doves and bluebirds, the frogs on the pond, and some coyote who just won't stop whining. Pretty great place, I gotta say..

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 23, 2024 07:29 AM (ij71G)

96 every thread becomes a physics thread

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 07:29 AM (/7KEl)

97
As long as Clippy isn't running things.... cool.
Posted by: Martini Farmer

Clippy is in the deep, deep background here. That bastard knows better than to show his face in public.

Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024 07:30 AM (xG4kz)

98 Sorry to take the Lord's name in vain but my God why do people leave their kids alone in cars?

Because I don't want the internet world to hate me for not returning the shopping cart.

Posted by: Dr Leslie Dobson at June 23, 2024 07:31 AM (iruKY)

99
In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 59% natural gas, 31.9% nuclear, 5.4% coal, 1.4% wind, 0.8% hydroelectric, 0.7% biomass, 0.2% other ...

By my math, about 95% low CO2, low particulate. Is the particulate matter effecting my solar coming from Ohio?

Ohio had a total summer capacity of 27,447 MW and a net generation of 135,810 GWh. In 2023, the electrical energy generation mix was 58.8% natural gas, 23.8% coal, 12.3% nuclear, 2.1% wind, 1% solar, 0.8% petroleum and petroleum coke, 0.5% other gases, 0.4% hydroelectric, and 0.2 ...

Could be. Much higher coal usage then PA.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 07:32 AM (RKVpM)

100 I keep a window glass punch/breaker in the driver’s side door compartment for just that reason.

Wouldn’t do me much good locked inside the car but the plan would be to use it if I need to break out, not in.

Plus, it’s a Chevy, not a Tesla, so if the battery goes dead I can always, you know… just jump start it.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:32 AM (6ydKt)

101 "US Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris"

And this is how the US Olympic team tests the carrying load of their dorm's electrical system.

I hope they have access to the breaker panel during this discovery process.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:34 AM (iruKY)

102 I haven't had any coffee yet but all I see is math.
Weird.

Posted by: dantesed at June 23, 2024 07:35 AM (Oy/m2)

103 U-hu! Microsoft is working on Fusion ..... what does a BSOD* fusion error look like?
1. BFOD : Blinding Flash Of Death
2. BMOD : Blinding Meltdown Of Death
3. BBQOD : BBQ Of Death

* BSOD = blue screen of death (these days it's Black)

In the middle of a run the Tokamak stops for an update; update bricks everything. Plasma bottle at a million degrees, melts the whole building. Everybody not vaporized, moves to Linux.

Posted by: Ciampino - Sun Update #03 at June 23, 2024 07:36 AM (qfLjt)

104
"US Olympic and other teams will bring their own AC units to Paris"

BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA!

Sustainable energy practices -- how do they work?

Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024 07:37 AM (xG4kz)

105
Somewhere in one of the manuals for my Rav it mentions pulling the headrests out and using the metal poles to break the glass.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 07:37 AM (RKVpM)

106 By my math, about 95% low CO2, low particulate. Is the particulate matter effecting my solar coming from Ohio?

Heat also degrades solar panel performance. As the panels warm up during the day from their peak efficient 70F degrees, their ability to produce drops off.

My advice, keep the panels cool by getting them out from under the sun during peak heating/daylight hours.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:37 AM (iruKY)

107 Somewhere in one of the manuals for my Rav it mentions pulling the headrests out and using the metal poles to break the glass.

** Rube Goldberg enters the chat **

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:39 AM (iruKY)

108
U-hu! Microsoft is working on Fusion ..... what does a BSOD* fusion error look like?

Way, way, way past Blue Screen of Death.

X-ray Screen of Death is only a way point.

Gamma Burst Screen of Death pretty much captures it.

Posted by: Xokrebs v Xocarnot: My Authenticity is Off the Charts (TM)! at June 23, 2024 07:40 AM (xG4kz)

109 I hope they have access to the breaker panel during this discovery process.

——

In the current zeitgeist we’re living in, I’m gonna guess that they’re hauling panels and PowerWalls with them so they can solar power their A/C units,

If not they can always ask the Dutch to borrow some windmills.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:40 AM (6ydKt)

110 Certainly never tried it but have a mini demo bar like fireman use to break into cars

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 07:40 AM (fwDg9)

111 A neutron star is condensed, all right. But once you fall into its gravity well, you can't get out.

Is it like being in The Barrel ?

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:41 AM (iruKY)

112 I'm told Ohio is building a new nuclear station to be finished (I'm told) in 2030. But it will only produce 30 mw of power. Given all the hoops you go through to build a plant, that hardly seems worth it.

Posted by: Huck Follywood at June 23, 2024 07:41 AM (xabgH)

113 Just went outside with a cup of coffee, came back in after less than a minute. Humidity "only" 90%, dew point in the 70s. You can cut the air with a knife.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 07:41 AM (V5eKu)

114 I keep a window glass punch/breaker in the driver’s side door compartment for just that reason.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:32 AM (6ydKt)
-

Mine also have a seatbelt cutter. I have 2. One for the driver and another for the front see passenger, both stored in the door bottom compartment.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 07:42 AM (PPqUV)

115 " Microsoft is working on Fusion ..... what does a BSOD* fusion error look like?"

When it works, it’s great. But when it doesn’t, it can be deadly.

Posted by: Clippy at June 23, 2024 07:44 AM (vFG9F)

116 Is the particulate matter effecting my solar coming from Ohio?

If this heat bubble ends, thank an Ohioan.
Climate change is human-caused. We created bright sunshiny skies(!) when we stopped burning coal. Now it's hot.
This came up over 40 years ago, when it was about skin cancer.
We changed the climate. Congratulations. Now you die.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 07:44 AM (zdLoL)

117 Just went outside with a cup of coffee, came back in after less than a minute. Humidity "only" 90%, dew point in the 70s. You can cut the air with a knife.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 07:41 AM (V5eKu)
----
A little ways north of you, we aren't much better. 85% humidity and dew point right at 70.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 23, 2024 07:44 AM (BpYfr)

118 114 Those emergency egress tools should be in reach but also fastened down somehow, say, with a little Velcro. Don't want them flying about in an accident and end up out of reach.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 07:44 AM (V5eKu)

119 Microsoft fusion reactor needs to be shut down and restarted after it burns your house down.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 07:45 AM (QB+5g)

120 Somewhere in one of the manuals for my Rav it mentions pulling the headrests out and using the metal poles to break the glass.

———

I have heard of this before because the prongs are sharpened on a lot of headrests, but, really, if you’re car is sinking in the water and all you can think about is drowning while your life flashes through your mind, are you going to remember “Hey, I can use the headrest to break the window!”

My guess is 95% of people will not have the presence of mind to recall that when it counts.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:45 AM (6ydKt)

121 or, don't drive in the water

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 07:45 AM (/7KEl)

122 In the current zeitgeist we’re living in, I’m gonna guess that they’re hauling panels and PowerWalls with them so they can solar power their A/C units,

I'm trying to picture the convoy of 18-wheelers that will be rolling up to the US Olympic Team's dorm as swarms of roadies haul mountains of gear out, hoisting panels on rooftops, draping cables in trees and fork lifting power walls all over the campus.

It would be like having Pink Floyd x 10 coming to town.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:45 AM (iruKY)

123 Wherever you are JT I refilled my bird bath

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 07:46 AM (fwDg9)

124 A neutron star is condensed, all right. But once you fall into its gravity well, you can't get out.

Is it like being in The Barrel ?
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024

***
Some have ventured into The Barrel, on purpose or -- more often -- not. Some have returned -- but they are unwilling or unable to talk about it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:47 AM (omVj0)

125 I have heard of this before because the prongs are sharpened on a lot of headrests, but, really, if you’re car is sinking in the water and all you can think about is drowning while your life flashes through your mind, are you going to remember “Hey, I can use the headrest to break the window!”

(Sigh)

This is why you are supposed to train, train, train. You repeat the exercise often enough that when that moment happens, your training kicks in and pulls you through.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:48 AM (iruKY)

126 Just went outside with a cup of coffee, came back in after less than a minute. Humidity "only" 90%, dew point in the 70s. You can cut the air with a knife.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024

***
Same here. I went out to puff my post-breakfast pipe, and retreated within two minutes. And the sun hasn't even started hitting the buildings yet.

Which reminds me, since I don't plan to move the car today, I need to make sure the sunshades are in the front and back glass.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:49 AM (omVj0)

127 Just went outside with a cup of coffee, came back in after less than a minute. Humidity "only" 90%, dew point in the 70s. You can cut the air with a knife.
Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door

Yeah, 82% here in Nashville area. Was out and about with son yesterday afternoon and car thermostat said it was 100 degrees. Thank goodness for air conditioning. BTW, how hot does it get in Paris at the end of July? Must be bad or the US athletes wouldn't be bring their own air units.

Posted by: Tuna at June 23, 2024 07:49 AM (oaGWv)

128 Out on deck , going to read some until Book Thread and Spanish Grand Prix start

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 07:49 AM (fwDg9)

129 Later -- I'm thinking this will be on the gun thread -- mention "The Huts" at the Camp Perry National Matches. They were an epic experience, the stuff of which legends were woven.

The huts were built for, and by, Italian POW's. They were not insulated or air conditioned. You could, for a while, bring your own window unit, but the fuses wouldn't stand up to constant use, and it was usually hot and humid for the national matches.

Everything is all better now, but then, the formerly official national match is now at Atterbury.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 07:50 AM (zdLoL)

130 CUDIMM, sounds like parity memory from the good old days.
Whatever happened to static ram (SRAM)?

Posted by: Ciampino - SRAMed #04 at June 23, 2024 07:50 AM (qfLjt)

131 Those emergency egress tools should be in reach but also fastened down somehow, say, with a little Velcro. Don't want them flying about in an accident and end up out of reach.

Anyone here 29 or older remember the large gaudy orange labels stuck to the car's sun visors reminding them of the airbags?

Slather the car with similar warnings about life's dangers and rapid remedies. That ought to work. It worked fine in the 90s.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:51 AM (iruKY)

132 Would be hilarious if the US Olympic team brings AC units that run on 110V.

Posted by: craig at June 23, 2024 07:52 AM (+uCyM)

133 Humidity. Just saw one of the neighbors pull in with fishing rods in the back of his truck. Taking them inside right now. He must have gone down to the river fishing access and found it real miserable down there.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 07:52 AM (V5eKu)

134 Just went outside with a cup of coffee, came back in after less than a minute. Humidity "only" 90%, dew point in the 70s. You can cut the air with a knife.

aka "Air you can wear"

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:53 AM (iruKY)

135 You could say the same thing about ~~that sub that didn't come back from visiting~~ the Titanic.

fiffy --Strunk, White, et al.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 07:53 AM (zdLoL)

136 Paris right now is 72 degrees FARENHEIT. Yesterdays temp was 60-70s. Humidity 35%.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 07:53 AM (QB+5g)

137 yeah what if the US Olympic AC units don't match up with the French wall outlets

'somebody go back and get a shitload of converters!'

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 07:53 AM (/7KEl)

138 Some have ventured into The Barrel, on purpose or -- more often -- not. Some have returned -- but they are unwilling or unable to talk about it.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 07:47 AM (omVj0)
----
"Unfortunately, no one can be told what The Barrel is. You have to see it for yourself."

Posted by: Morpheus at June 23, 2024 07:54 AM (BpYfr)

139 Kash Patel: Paul Ryan as Speaker of the House had in his possession the Steele Dossier before he had [Devin Nunes] and I launch Russia Gate Investigation, and never told us(think, before anyone knew anything about fake intel, he had his own copy). I found it on my own then blew up FBI/DOJ. Why didnt he tell his own damn team? Report that fake news.

Never liked Ryan.

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 23, 2024 07:54 AM (ENQN6)

140 129 Late 80s I went to Perry for the Nationals and stayed in one of those huts. Joke was the International Red Cross condemned them for POW quarters.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 07:55 AM (V5eKu)

141 Looking at the weather radar right now. A line of storms is approaching, but apparently not severe.

It's been about a week since we had any rain.

All it'll do is make it humid, buggy and cause the grass to grow.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 07:55 AM (Q4IgG)

142 I'm told Ohio is building a new nuclear station to be finished (I'm told) in 2030. But it will only produce 30 mw of power. Given all the hoops you go through to build a plant, that hardly seems worth it.

I know a family that literally uses around 130MW of energy to run their crypto mining business.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:56 AM (iruKY)

143 132 Would be hilarious if the US Olympic team brings AC units that run on 110V.
Posted by: craig at June 23, 2024 07:52 AM (+uCyM)

110 111 whatever it takes

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 23, 2024 07:56 AM (ENQN6)

144 This is why you are supposed to train, train, train. You repeat the exercise often enough that when that moment happens, your training kicks in and pulls you through.

——-

Oh, no doubt, but training to break car windows can get pretty pricey, unless your Dad owns Safelite.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:56 AM (6ydKt)

145
I did not know that. Three Mile Island nuclear power station in Pennsylvania of the famous yellow booties that Jimmah Carter wore during his tour is now decommissioned as of 2019.

At one point during the so-called near meltdown the press breathlessly reported that an area the size of Pennsylvania would have to be evacuated. Not a good time to own a home 50 miles away.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 07:56 AM (RKVpM)

146 Wife's car has a headrest that holds a pistol. Drive in the water, flip the quik release, shoot the window out, easy peasy. I suppose there will be an orange sticker to tell you to put your earplugs in first. Bang.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 07:57 AM (zdLoL)

147 "Wife's car has a headrest that holds a pistol. "

Is that standard equipment?

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 07:58 AM (QB+5g)

148 Adventures With Purpose did a video on this, complete with the guy actually breaking out of the car. Porcelain breaks car windows. Always break the side windows. I have the window breaker/seat belt slasher on my keyring

Posted by: Notsothoreau at June 23, 2024 07:58 AM (xjTDL)

149 145 The Perry Nuclear Power Plant, Perry Township, OH experienced an earthquake some years ago. It hadn't been on line very long and there were a lot of nervous execs at Cleveland Electric Illuminating. Seems the geological study wasn't all that thorough because earthquakes are rare or something.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 08:00 AM (V5eKu)

150
I got a sign out front:

18,250 Days Without A Vehicular Immersion Event

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 08:01 AM (RKVpM)

151 121 or, don't drive in the water
Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 07:45 AM (/7KEl)
-------------
Now you tell me

Posted by: Ted Kennedy at June 23, 2024 08:01 AM (mssa5)

152 practice not driving into a river

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 08:02 AM (/7KEl)

153 I have a cheap folding knife in the center console with a little nub on the handle to break glass.

And a handgun.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 08:02 AM (Q4IgG)

154 I missed 3 Mile Island as was out of gje country, probably would have grown a 3rd arm by now otherwise

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 08:02 AM (fwDg9)

155 151 VW commercials from the 60s, with a beetle floating.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 08:02 AM (V5eKu)

156 Those emergency egress tools should be in reach but also fastened down somehow, say, with a little Velcro. Don't want them flying about in an accident and end up out of reach.

Spouse has car equipped with window breaker AND seat belt cutter in the center console, with a cord and bright yellow plastic luggage tag attached so in theory, one could fumble around, find the tag, grab it, open the console lid, tug and have the egress tools at hand.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:02 AM (iruKY)

157 I know a family that literally uses around 130MW of energy to run their crypto mining business.
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 07:56 AM (iruKY)
---
I found out yesterday that a couple of students tried to turn a campus computer lab into a crypto mining operation. Needless to say, the IT department was *not* pleased.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at June 23, 2024 08:03 AM (BpYfr)

158 I got a sign out front:

18,250 Days Without A Vehicular Immersion Event
Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 08:01 AM (RKVpM)

Heh.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at June 23, 2024 08:04 AM (OX9vb)

159 VW commercials from the 60s, with a beetle floating.

Ted Kennedy might have been president if he drove a VW that fateful night in Chappaquiddick.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:05 AM (iruKY)

160 157 Kids. What happened to the old days when they would learn card counting, start a blackjack team, and get blackbooked in Vegas?

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 08:05 AM (V5eKu)

161
I don't know why but I visited Three Mile Island in the 80's. Bought a t-shirt in town that said,

"I Survived Three Mile Island, I think"

I'm pro-nuclear just anti having to evacuate an entire state if one melts down.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 08:05 AM (RKVpM)

162 We have these somewhat narrow "canals" along side the road in Florida. They mostly don't look that deep but many of them can swallow a car in no time.

Running off the road here has resulted in a number of tragedies.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:05 AM (QB+5g)

163 There was an SNL skit about Three Mile Island turning President Carter (Dan Aykroyd) into a giant, along with the cleaning lady (Garrett Morris)

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 08:06 AM (/7KEl)

164 I found out yesterday that a couple of students tried to turn a campus computer lab into a crypto mining operation. Needless to say, the IT department was *not* pleased.

This is also a very good reminder to make sure that your cloud DevOps administrative credentials are very well secured.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:06 AM (iruKY)

165 Wife's car has a headrest that holds a pistol. Drive in the water, flip the quik release, shoot the window out, easy peasy. I suppose there will be an orange sticker to tell you to put your earplugs in first. Bang.

And the key to remove the trigger lock.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:08 AM (iruKY)

166 Fun side effect of the huge energy requirements of the AI/Crypto facilities; support for “green energy” is collapsing among those involved in such things as they slowly realizing it can never provide the power they need. This also is driving any new facilities of this type away from states like California and NY, which are no longer capable of providing a reliable power grid for high energy users.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 23, 2024 08:08 AM (S6gqv)

167 The US National Highway System comprises 164,000 miles of highways, equipped with rest stops, gas stations, McDonald’s, hotels, and other amenities.

In contrast, China has 105,073 miles of highways, meaning the US has 56% more, despite China’s population being more than three times that of the US. And, good luck finding bathrooms and rest stops on China’s highways.

The EU has 46,540 miles of highways, less than one-third of the US, despite having a population 35% larger.

Hi sped rale is stupid in USA.

Posted by: rhennigantx at June 23, 2024 08:09 AM (ENQN6)

168 International Red Cross condemned them for POW quarters.

The Italian POW's volunteered to work [next door] at the Erie Ordnance Depot. They were awarded the coveted 'E' for efficiency.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:09 AM (zdLoL)

169
If anything ever happens at the nuke plant 10 miles from me I'm hitting the wine cellar which is about six feet underground and going to enjoy a lot of wine. In about two weeks the roads should clear.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at June 23, 2024 08:09 AM (RKVpM)

170 162 Japanese benjo ditches, home of the Benjo Monster that drags in drunk Marines on bicycles.

Posted by: bill in arkansas, not gonna comply with nuttin, waiting for the 0300 knock on the door at June 23, 2024 08:10 AM (V5eKu)

171 "There was an SNL skit about Three Mile Island turning President Carter (Dan Aykroyd) into a giant, along with the cleaning lady (Garrett Morris)"

Yes! One of my favorite bits!

"So, just how big is the President?"

I was in Baltimore at the time and casual conversation in the bars was which way to go because no one wanted to go south to DC. Can you imagine?

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:10 AM (QB+5g)

172 During the 3-Mile Island crisis I was working as a camp counselor in WV. We heard the news on a radio the camp's office had, but there was no TV.

I didn't know the entire story until about a week after the crisis had passed.

Being a teenager at the time, I don't think I really cared.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 08:14 AM (Q4IgG)

173 33 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight at June 23, 2024 06:07 AM (3Fz6p)

Doing this.

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 08:14 AM (NHMTR)

174 Google is backing geothermal energy,

*********

If only we could find a way to heat the earth w'd be all set.

Posted by: Muldoon at June 23, 2024 08:16 AM (uCfKO)

175 We saw a ton of windmills and solar farms on our vacation in southern Minnesota. As much as I hate their unreliability and location (with regard to their latitude), I do have to admit that it makes sense for farmers to lease out their land to power companies. Their soil is absolute crap compared to ours, and their corn will be barely "knee-high by the fourth of July."

Posted by: pookysgirl has energetic opinions at June 23, 2024 08:16 AM (dtlDP)

176 *but, really, if you’re car is sinking in the water and all you can think about is drowning while your life flashes through your mind, are you going to remember “Hey, I can use the headrest to break the window!”

My guess is 95% of people will not have the presence of mind to recall that when it counts.*

Mary Jo Kopechne unavailable for comment.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at June 23, 2024 08:16 AM (dg+HA)

177 Microsoft is investing in fusion.

--

Seems like desperation

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at June 23, 2024 08:17 AM (Ka3bZ)

178 Is that standard equipment?
No, it's expensive as hell, or so I thought when I 'gifted' it to her. But she has a lot of double-nought spy stuff on that li'l car, so was quite appreciative -- plus, our usual long debates here about just where to carry-in-the-car that's legal yet not impossible to draw, and the usual longhorn steer horns on the hood side issues.

The worst part of the cost was buying the "dummy" for the other side, so the well-equipped side didn't stick out like a sore thumb.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:17 AM (zdLoL)

179 And, good luck finding bathrooms and rest stops on China’s highways.

If they adopt the San Francisco or Indian models of personal waste disposal, most of the shoulder of the 105K miles can be utilized.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:19 AM (iruKY)

180 I guess Moriarty's negative waves won out in the long run.

Posted by: Muldoon at June 23, 2024 08:20 AM (uCfKO)

181 Their soil is absolute crap compared to ours

Blue Earth MN, at one end of that wind farm chain, is the home of the Jolly Green Giant.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:20 AM (zdLoL)

182 I think I've see those headrests that double as a gun safe.

There's also a "safe" that will slide into your center console. They're custom made to fit. They're made to be bolted down. Not a viable option if your console has USB ports (mine does) or some other feature you'd use.

$$$

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 08:21 AM (Q4IgG)

183 do a lot of Chinese own cars? doesn't strike me as a place where there is much of a car culture

Posted by: Don Black at June 23, 2024 08:21 AM (/7KEl)

184 Just heard one of my kindergarten buddies lost his mom this morning

She was a nice lady who didn't press charges when we stole her car when we were 14.

May her memory be a blessing.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (RIvkX)

185 I do have to admit that it makes sense for farmers to lease out their land to power companies. Their soil is absolute crap compared to ours, and their corn will be barely "knee-high by the fourth of July."

Just remember that the amount of concrete required to build the base for the windmill will render the land completely unusable for agriculture forever. This is far worse than simply having your enemies "salt the land".

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (iruKY)

186 m, zoom can run in your browser. That's what I do when I need it for work.
Video calls I use either Facetime or, for my siblings, fb messenger

Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (Ka3bZ)

187 "long debates here about just where to carry-in-the-car that's legal yet not impossible to draw"

This is actually a very confusing issue to me too. Maybe we can get the folks on the gub thread to give us some knowledge.

They just legalized CC here in FL but the laws for what is legal in your car haven't been updated.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:24 AM (QB+5g)

188 Their soil is absolute crap compared to ours, and their corn will be barely "knee-high by the fourth of July."

One word: Ranching

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:24 AM (iruKY)

189 Just remember that the amount of concrete required to build the base for the windmill will render the land completely unusable for agriculture forever.
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (iruKY)

Geez...I never even thought about that.

Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at June 23, 2024 08:24 AM (OX9vb)

190 Geothermal is yet another pipe dream. If you live next to a volcano and can get superheated water easily (like in Iceland then sure, it’s great. Without that it will be viable.

Posted by: Tom Servo at June 23, 2024 08:24 AM (S6gqv)

191 This also is driving any new facilities of this type away from states like California and NY, which are no longer capable of providing a reliable power grid for high energy users.

ERCOT is in hot pursuit of NY and CA for catastrophic grid failure. Some might say after February 2021 that TX is in the lead.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:28 AM (iruKY)

192 We have these somewhat narrow "canals" along side the road in Florida. They mostly don't look that deep but many of them can swallow a car in no time.

Running off the road here has resulted in a number of tragedies.
Posted by: pawn
+++
And most of those canals are inhabited by gators. So, even if you manage to get out of the car, you could still have a bad outcome.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at June 23, 2024 08:28 AM (Lo97M)

193 Isn't it in China there is a woman directing traffic in a 6 lane x 4 way intersection with barely 1 car going through at a time?

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 08:30 AM (fwDg9)

194 > Just remember that the amount of concrete required to build the base for the windmill will render the land completely unusable for agriculture forever.
--------
You can't dig it up? Plenty of land had been rendered suitable for agriculture after being built upon.

Suitable meaning stuff will grow... maybe not specifically what someone wants, but still...

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 08:30 AM (Q4IgG)

195 "And most of those canals are inhabited by gators. So, even if you manage to get out of the car, you could still have a bad outcome."

Just shove Fifi out the window first.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:31 AM (QB+5g)

196 Just remember that the amount of concrete required to build the base for the windmill will render the land completely unusable for agriculture forever. This is far worse than simply having your enemies "salt the land".

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (iruKY)

Yup, I'm aware. I also know that The People's Socialist Republic of Minnesota/America subsidized the heck out of the projects, so I can see how tempting it would be.

Posted by: pookysgirl has energetic opinions at June 23, 2024 08:34 AM (dtlDP)

197 You can't dig it up? Plenty of land had been rendered suitable for agriculture after being built upon.

2MW turbines require 130 to 240 cubic meters of concrete. For the maths and metric challenged, that is 10-20 feet thick and 60 feet in diameter.

You tell me how much you want to spend on demo and haul off to reclaim grazing land.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:34 AM (iruKY)

198 I keep a window glass punch/breaker in the driver’s side door compartment for just that reason.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at June 23, 2024 07:32 AM (6ydKt)-

Mine also have a seatbelt cutter. I have 2. One for the driver and another for the front see passenger, both stored in the door bottom compartment.
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at June 23, 2024 07:42 AM (PPqUV)

In my '06 Mustang GT, even if the doors are locked, the door will open by pulling up on the inside handle. It is connected mechanically to the door release assembly. The driver's side door also has a normal key lock on the outside, as does the trunk, in the event the battery is dead and one needs to access the interior.

Posted by: thatcrazyjerseyguy now with twice the crazy at June 23, 2024 08:35 AM (iODuv)

199 Polk Salad Annie.
Gator got your granny.

Posted by: Tony Joe White at June 23, 2024 08:35 AM (dg+HA)

200 One word: Ranching

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:24 AM (iruKY)

Saw some of that too but the geography barely supports it. Those cows must have titanium ankles.

Posted by: pookysgirl has energetic opinions at June 23, 2024 08:36 AM (dtlDP)

201 195 "And most of those canals are inhabited by gators. So, even if you manage to get out of the car, you could still have a bad outcome."

Just shove Fifi out the window first.
Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:31 AM (QB+5g)

; )

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 08:38 AM (NHMTR)

202 > You tell me how much you want to spend on demo and haul off to reclaim grazing land.
-----------
Depends on how much I think I can make on whatever I intend to grow/graze. It might pay for itself in a year, or a decade. Maybe never...

Food is a necessity. Windmills not so much.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at June 23, 2024 08:38 AM (Q4IgG)

203 Shove Fifi Out The Window was a lighthearted comedy romp that ran for almost a year of Broadway in 1978. Ultimately animal rights activists were successful in drawing attention to the production and it's run was quietly concluded.

Posted by: Snooty Theater Critic at June 23, 2024 08:40 AM (dg+HA)

204 199 Polk Salad Annie.
Gator got your granny.
Posted by: Tony Joe White at June 23, 2024 08:35 AM (dg+HA)

*chomp chomp*

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 08:40 AM (NHMTR)

205 Just shove Fifi out the window first.

Good one on several levels. "Fifi" is a nuke-capable B-29...

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:43 AM (zdLoL)

206 We have these somewhat narrow "canals" along side the road in Florida. They mostly don't look that deep but many of them can swallow a car in no time.

Running off the road here has resulted in a number of tragedies.
Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024

***
A member of my writing group had that happen to him -- in the dark, and after a heavy rainstorm, so the difference between road and canal was not obvious in the poor light until you drove off the edge of the canal. His car only went nose down and stopped, and he was able to get out.

The car, of course, was totaled, so he bought himself a nice Hyundai Sonata.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 08:43 AM (omVj0)

207 Saw some of that too but the geography barely supports it. Those cows must have titanium ankles.

Some land you just have to write-off as unsuitable.

I remember a while back that the city of Austin was trying to steer developers away from building up housing and business in the Balcones area (limestone country, very thin soil) and push them towards the eastern side along the tollway.

I thought this was stupid and wasteful (always a good hot-take when evaluating any city of Austin policy) because limestone is ideal for building foundations (not so much for underground utilities) whereas the soil on the east side is good for agriculture but terrible for foundations. Basically, the city was hoping to tear up agricultural land rather than "spoil the beauty" of the hill country. Apparently only some people are allowed to have nice things.

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:43 AM (iruKY)

208 186 m, zoom can run in your browser. That's what I do when I need it for work.
Video calls I use either Facetime or, for my siblings, fb messenger
Posted by: vmom stabby stabby stabby stabby stabamillion at June 23, 2024 08:22 AM (Ka3bZ)

Thank you!

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 08:43 AM (NHMTR)

209 Titanium Ankles was the garage band name for the group that would ultimately go on to be known as The Sex Pistols.

Posted by: Not a joke at June 23, 2024 08:44 AM (dg+HA)

210 It's a write off, Jerry. They just write it off.

Posted by: Kramer at June 23, 2024 08:46 AM (dg+HA)

211 Depends on how much I think I can make on whatever I intend to grow/graze. It might pay for itself in a year, or a decade. Maybe never...

Personally I would just install a greenhouse and reap the benefits of growing whatever the market wants and can't readily produce than spend the money ripping out tons of concrete.

Even better if this could be done proximate to a hydrocarbon burning power plant, work out a Green Credits deal with the power plant to pump moist CO2 rich air into the greenhouse complex. Win/Win

Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:47 AM (iruKY)

212 Now, if every windmill base had a fallout shelter molded in...

30 or so years ago, there was great talk of the income from cell-phone towers. My gun club was seeking one out. Free money?

A lot of those cell providers got merged into belly-ups, and the lease-holders got stuck with them. So there is that.

You can 'recycle' dug-up concrete, sure, but it has to go through a massive tungsten-toothed grinder, and guess where tungsten comes from.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:48 AM (zdLoL)

213 It's a write off, Jerry. They just write it off.
Posted by: Kramer at June 23, 2024

***
"You have no idea what that means, do you?"

"No, Jerry -- but the companies do. And they're the ones writing it off!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 08:48 AM (omVj0)

214 And most of those canals are inhabited by gators. So, even if you manage to get out of the car, you could still have a bad outcome.
+++
"That's why I always bring Jim along. He can wrestle the gators while I climb to safety.

Posted by: Marlon Perkins at June 23, 2024 08:48 AM (Lo97M)

215 Got to get a few more things ready before the Book Thread!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at June 23, 2024 08:48 AM (omVj0)

216 Austin was trying to steer developers

Historically, steer developers have done well in Texas.

Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at June 23, 2024 08:49 AM (zdLoL)

217
There is a possible risk of severe weather today. Wind and tornadoes are possible, but wind is the greatest threat.

Where did Toto go?

Posted by: Dorothy at June 23, 2024 08:49 AM (RKVpM)

218 "Where did Toto go?"

Check the planes down in Africa.

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:56 AM (QB+5g)

219 217 Where did Toto go?
Posted by: Dorothy at June 23, 2024 08:49 AM (RKVpM)

Fil from Wings of Pegasus analyzing Judy Garland's voice in Over the Rainbow:

https://tinyurl.com/26fdrn7x

Posted by: m at June 23, 2024 08:57 AM (NHMTR)

220 Austin was trying to steer developers

Historically, steer developers have done well in Texas.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver
+++
Steers are pretty much useless for breeding though. Because they're, you know, steers.

Posted by: Florida Peasant at June 23, 2024 08:57 AM (Lo97M)

221 Got some nice big handles though!

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 08:59 AM (QB+5g)

222 Bring your reading glasses
BOOK THREAD NOOD

Posted by: Skip at June 23, 2024 09:00 AM (fwDg9)

223 Book noodity.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at June 23, 2024 09:00 AM (dg+HA)

224 Shoot, I was just getting warmed up!

Posted by: pawn at June 23, 2024 09:01 AM (QB+5g)

225 Where did Toto go?

*******

Florida. Visiting Fifi.

Posted by: Muldoon at June 23, 2024 09:01 AM (uCfKO)

226 You tell me how much you want to spend on demo and haul off to reclaim grazing land.
Posted by: Unknown Drip Under Pressure at June 23, 2024 08:34 AM (iruKY)

Easy peasy. You leave the base in the ground, and the bottom 20-30 feet of the tower, and convert it to a grain bin.

Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at June 23, 2024 09:50 AM (t4dnB)

227 AI is the Y2K of today. Useless, overhyped, under delivered.

Posted by: PaterNovem at June 23, 2024 10:23 AM (rxX52)

228 Oh great. Bitchtits Gates will do what he's done for nuclear power what he's done for software, medicine, and food. Can't wait to see what that under-qualified, over-enriched aspie bully dickhead has in store for nuclear...

Posted by: Drink Like Vikings at June 23, 2024 10:40 AM (xJ3Zs)

229 This is basically as close as they'll allow themselves to come to admitting the central problem: that was much as we admit a continuous increase in fossil fuel use is not sustainable, nobody really has any idea how to transition to anything else while maintaining the standard of living we've become accustomed to in developed countries.

At least this guy has the novel idea that maybe somehow, if we burn enough kilotons of coal, the same basic technology that can't decide how many fingers a human hand should have will become smart enough to solve the problem for us. "Activists", including politicians, mostly take the "whiny teenager" approach, namely they complain a lot and try to attack the people making their standard of living possible, and just kind of hoping that if they apply enough pressure, make those people miserable enough, someone *else* will figure it out.

Posted by: DaveL at June 23, 2024 11:43 AM (KUwsX)

230 "You have to admire the artistry of that statement. I have never seen so much bullshit condensed into a single sentence in my entire life."

I am still, as a former service member, rather pissed at Microsoft for sucking up several hundred million dollars with the IVAS scam because they sold features that sound cool on paper but are fundamentally (read; basic geometry) impossible no matter how much money or hardware you throw at it.

We could have spent that money on actual training, actually useful equipment.. or fuck, even just evacuating all the former interpreters and their families we abandoned in Afghanistan. Nope, pissed it away. It's disgusting.

Posted by: somedood at June 23, 2024 02:07 PM (OfsDL)

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