Daily Tech News 27 August 2024

Top Story

If you play games on Windows and have a new system using a Ryzen 9000 chip you're not going to want to miss the Windows 11 24H2 update. (WCCFTech)

No, seriously. It's an average of 11% faster across a broad range of games, and up to 35% in the case of Gears 5.

This is great news if you just got a new AMD system and were disappointed with the performance gains over the previous generation.

If you have a previous generation Ryzen 7000 (or 8000) system, unfortunately it only brings... An average of 10% better performance and a peak of 32% in Gears 5 again.

Reportedly it also provides better performance on Ryzen 5000, though Hardware Unboxed hasn't had time to run all those tests yet.

What doesn't gain huge performance benefits from this update is anything running on chips from Intel... Except for some reason Gears 5 again, where the 14600K showed a 25% performance gain.

It's not clear exactly what's been going on, because this suggests that Windows has been inadvertently tanking AMD performance for years. The update was focused on the new branch prediction features in Zen 5, but somehow it improved the prior two Zen generations as well.

Tech News

Microsoft is planning to remove the last traces of the Control Panel from Windows. (The Register)

It's been there since Windows 1.0. Time for it to enjoy a long vacation somewhere warm.
Or, y'know, not. (Ars Technica)

Microsoft's communications strategy is to confuse everyone to the point that they can never be sued because nobody knows what anything means.
The FBI's secure data storage facility is just piles of hard drives lying around in a warehouse. (The Register)

Top men.
The Lenovo Legion Go is getting a dock and a joystick wedge. (The Verge)

I don't want a Lenovo Legion Go (which is an 8" Windows tablet). I want a Lenovo Legion Tab (which is an 8" Android tablet).

Which has finally been released outside China, and is not available to buy anywhere so far as I can tell.

What I can get is an NEC Lavie T9, which... Is a Lenovo Legion Tab.
The French government has said the French government is not involved in any way with the French government's arrest of the CEO of Telegram. (Politico)

That makes sense.
Russian military communications are reportedly in disarray because they were heavily reliant on... Telegram. (Politico)

Look, it is Politico, so take that with a grain of salt. In fact almost everything about the article is weird, including the corrections:
This article has been updated to correct Margarita Simonyan's function. She is a Kremlin propagandist.
Well, okay then.
SpaceX's Polaris Dawn private mission is scheduled for launch... Originally 22 minutes ago, now about this time tomorrow. (Tech Crunch)

A ground-side helium leak was detected a few hours ago and the launch was pushed back by 24 hours.

Disclaimer: Better than a helium-side ground leak, I guess.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 yay

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:00 AM (64Zez)

2 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 27, 2024 04:01 AM (sAmhv)

3 What a smorgasbord of techie things!

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:02 AM (64Zez)

4 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 04:05 AM (NufQ3)

5 4 BOING!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 04:05 AM (NufQ3)

Indeed.

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:06 AM (64Zez)

6 I can't recommend the shrimp cocktail though. I think I saw it move.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 27, 2024 04:06 AM (BLOW1)

7 ewwwww

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:06 AM (64Zez)

8 Morning everyone.

Posted by: Tuna at August 27, 2024 04:06 AM (oaGWv)

9 The FBI's secure data storage facility is just piles of hard drives lying around in a warehouse.

LoL!!!

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 27, 2024 04:08 AM (sAmhv)

10 Toss them on the barbie!

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:09 AM (64Zez)

11 G'morning Horde. Coffee time.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 27, 2024 04:10 AM (O7YUW)

12 Politico is garbage, but you covered that. 'Grain of salt' indeed. I went to that link. I remember reading about an underground salt mine below Lake Erie.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 27, 2024 04:12 AM (sAmhv)

13 I have a plumber coming over later to fix the latest problem, so I'll be going to bed and getting up way earlier than I want today. I'll be a temporary day walker.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 27, 2024 04:13 AM (sAmhv)

14 Evening and morning to all the far-flung outposts of the AoSHQ Empire! (Yes, I decided to capitalize "empire." It's a formal title now, so why not. Next we can start building roads. God knows the place where I live needs some decent ones.)

I woke up a bit early, but six hours' sleep is pretty good. Coffee now, and a slice of whole-grain toast w/ peanut butter gets the day started well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:14 AM (omVj0)

15 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at August 27, 2024 04:15 AM (dg+HA)

16 Sometimes a grain of salt isn't enough. You need an entire salt lick.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:16 AM (omVj0)

17 G'morning, all.

No walk this mornings we need to take my MiL to the train station by 0800.

But lawn mowing later this morning is actually more of workout than my normal morning walk, so it's all a wash.

Dropped another size on suit coat, and suit pants, with a drop in neck size on the dress shirt.

Anyhow....So Tulsi has endorsed Trump now, as well.

Keep her hands away from any levers of power, and simply enjoy that she will also help folks to say " perhaps I should take another look at the two candidates'.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 04:19 AM (a1415)

18 There are AMD and Intel employees on the Redmond campus on any given day, primarily to make sure the HAL for their respective processor maker is up to snuff. Microsoft cannot be solely blamed if AMD also was an active participant in that code base that failed to fully support the architecture.

Microsoft cannot retire the Control Panels just yet, as far too much functionality has yet to be reproduced within the Setting app. Why they haven't managed this in twelve years since Windows 10 launched is a mystery. Was this not a priority? They've shipped tons of other code in Windows 10 updates that have since been deprecated, like Paint 3D and Mixed Reality. How much time and money did those consume, when users have ben saying all along Settings needs to be completed.

Posted by: Epobirs at August 27, 2024 04:21 AM (/0z9K)

19 Ace or one of the cobs might have covered this yesterday, but Gov. Abbott has removed 1 million ineligible voter names, including 500K dead people, from Texas' rolls. The story is at Gateway Pundit. Nice to see he and AG Paxton are actually doing something proactive about the voter fraud.

I'm becoming more hopeful. Cautiously, but more hopeful.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:22 AM (omVj0)

20 Back in the day, if the US Mail was messed with, the Feds would move even and earth to catch your fool self.

https://tinyurl.com/5c4j3pmj

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 04:23 AM (a1415)

21 A friend used to say that when he died he wanted to be buried in Chicago so he could remain politically active.

Posted by: Epobirs at August 27, 2024 04:24 AM (/0z9K)

22 And the story about Trump attending the memorial for those who died three years ago in Afghanistan, while Knee-Pads and F. Joke skipped it, fills me with even more contempt for the latter two.

The "news" people spun it as Trump politicizing the memorial service. Gah.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:24 AM (omVj0)

23 Darned if I know why people keep saying Tulsi Gabbard is so attractive. She has a pleasantly pretty face, yes, but aside from that I don't get it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:26 AM (omVj0)

24 Someone's not stopping to dream:

Elon Musk
elonmusk

Let’s make Starfleet Academy real!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 04:29 AM (NufQ3)

25 17 Anyhow....So Tulsi has endorsed Trump now, as well.
Keep her hands away from any levers of power, and simply enjoy that she will also help folks to say " perhaps I should take another look at the two candidates'.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 04:19 AM (a1415)

How about having her in Veterans' Affairs?

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:30 AM (64Zez)

26 21 A friend used to say that when he died he wanted to be buried in Chicago so he could remain politically active.
Posted by: Epobirs at August 27, 2024 04:24 AM (/0z9K)

Good one!

Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:31 AM (64Zez)

27 @18/Epobirs:

From Windows 7 onward, there's an option to create the "God Mode" folder which contains all of the operating system's settings in one place:

https://is.gd/gKVozT
(Goes to Tom's Hardware)

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 27, 2024 04:31 AM (O7YUW)

28 How about having her in Veterans' Affairs?
Posted by: m at August 27, 2024 04:30 AM (64Zez)
-

DOGE the VA!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 04:33 AM (NufQ3)

29 It's because she's being rated on the Hollywood For Ugly People scale.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 27, 2024 04:33 AM (dg+HA)

30 "How about having her in Veterans' Affairs?"

That may not be a bad idea.

Would be interesting to see both her and RFKjr appear together in an ad, or national appearance, and both say " Neither of us has been promised a role in the Trump Administration, and are endorsing Trump solely on his accomplishments and policy positions".

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 04:40 AM (a1415)

31 It's because she's being rated on the Hollywood For Ugly People scale.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 27, 2024

***
I guess so. Lauren Bobert is the only current pol I would want to date on appearance alone. When you compare TG to Pe-lousy (though she was quite hot when JFK knew her) or Cum-la, or any of the screeching land whales the Dems seem to attract, TG comes off very well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:41 AM (omVj0)

32 The Killer Kittenz From Outer Space are trotting restlessly about. It's less than an hour to their usual breakfast time. I make it a point not to feed Stirling even if he gets me up early, because if I do he'll get me up earlier the next day. Dagny is remarkably polite, merely following me into the kitchen and giving me The Look ("I'm starving! Please FEED ME!").

Almost time for me to shave and shower. Then slop the feline hogs, feed myself, and get ready to hit the road to the Electron Mine.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:45 AM (omVj0)

33 I see Mr. Science, Fow-chee himself, has been hospitalized with West Nile virus. Couldn't happen to a nicer guy.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:48 AM (omVj0)

34 I see Mr. Science, Fow-chee himself, has been hospitalized with West Nile virus.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:48 AM (omVj0)
-

Mpox upon him!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 04:48 AM (NufQ3)

35 Mpox upon him!
Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024

***
Regarding KH and F. Joke, Mercutio had it right: "A plague on both your houses!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 04:52 AM (omVj0)

36 @32/Wolfus:

https://twolumps.net/comic/20040322/

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 27, 2024 05:00 AM (O7YUW)

37 "Attention to small things." Rabbi's daughter reflects on the importance of small things in relationships with others and in relationship to God. Passage is Deuteronomy 7:11-12:

https://tinyurl.com/2hhs82hy

Posted by: Oy!Kamala at August 27, 2024 05:10 AM (e/4m7)

38 Posted by: Oy!Kamala at August 27, 2024 05:10 AM (e/4m7)
-

Fen, is that you?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 05:15 AM (NufQ3)

39 "When you compare TG to Pe-lousy (though she was quite hot when JFK knew her) "

Both being well known in the Baltimore area at the same time, Nancy D'Alesandro was sometimes confused with the Martin B-26 Marauder.
As they both seemed to share a characteristic or two.

https://tinyurl.com/fthz6bre

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 05:16 AM (a1415)

40 Windows 11 is on a promotion tear and is running simultaneously with v.10, things are a flipping mess trying to navigate through this mess.

Hate it.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 27, 2024 05:25 AM (hKoQL)

41 Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at August 27, 2024 05:15 AM (NufQ3

Whoops! Yes. Sorry- sock off

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:25 AM (9hRCb)

42 I think I asked this too late yesterday and everyone had moved to the morning report:

What is a reasonably reliable cell phone that doesn't cost a fortune? Thx.

Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:29 AM (9hRCb)

43 Fen

My MiL uses the Jitterbug flip phone, and is very pleased with both the phone and the service.

They also offer a simple smartphone, that is relatively easy to use, at low cost.

BestBuy has info them.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 27, 2024 05:31 AM (a1415)

44 G'mornin' everyone!

salt is easily obtained in 50 lb blocks, which should last a day or two even under a determined assault of demonrat lies ... better order a skidload, to last until the "election"!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 27, 2024 05:34 AM (UWgy2)

45 I use the cheapest phone they had at the Dollar General, it is entirely adequate, service costs $20/ month.

it's possible to get started without registering with goggle

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 27, 2024 05:38 AM (UWgy2)

46 oh, and reliable? still working 2+ years later;
tracfone = verizon so good coverage

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 27, 2024 05:40 AM (UWgy2)

47 Thanks for the suggestions folks. What is a good cell phone service?

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:40 AM (9hRCb)

48 I need something that I can do texts on.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:42 AM (9hRCb)

49 Male acapella group sings " Just a little talk with Jesus"

https://tinyurl.com/3r4cf533

Have a good day. all. This phone is driving me bonkers and messing with my eyes.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:43 AM (9hRCb)

50 If you want a full featured Android phone for cheap, look at Motorola models like the Moto G Power. (The power refers to the larger battery than average, which I regard as a great trade-off for being very slightly thicker than others.) The MSRP is already pretty low compared to flagship models from Samsung and Apple but you can get a previous year model for a huge discount. I got my first for $200 and saw it for $100 just few month later. The 2024 model has a $300 MSRP, so it should start turning up a lot cheaper soon as 2025 looms.

Posted by: Epobirs at August 27, 2024 05:45 AM (/0z9K)

51 Made the mistake of reading Yahoo news. 75 percent of the articles were damning Trump one way or another. Phrasing Kamala for her brilliance and blaming Trump for the debate controversy. Trumps handling of his staff during his first term was bad. etc. etc. Trump is on the way down and doubtful he can be elected dog catcher by election day.

Posted by: Colin at August 27, 2024 05:47 AM (e8qy3)

52 my phone (a Blu, whatever that is, lol) cost $25 (on sale that week) ... so that and 1st month's service, I walked out with change from a 50

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 27, 2024 05:50 AM (UWgy2)

53 Yeah, Colin I glanced at a public computer at the library the other day and that was all of the news on the screen ... full-court gaslighting press!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - they have been lying to us for decades at August 27, 2024 05:53 AM (UWgy2)

54 - @51 Colin

Yeah, that's my homepage. See it all the time. Scan the headlines from the incredible journalists at places like politico, the hill, mslsd and the like.
I often think about changing it but then, where would I get my laughs?

Posted by: TeeJ at August 27, 2024 05:53 AM (aCV/b)

55 Control Panel is something that works well on Windows and that is why it must be destroyed.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 27, 2024 05:54 AM (+4yJ5)

56 Been using the Motorola phone for years. Practically every one I know has an I-phone and have spent a lot of money on them. Of course they swear by them and they probably do have a better camera. But Motorola isn't that far behind and you can pick them up for a reasonable price, compared to an expensive I-phone. Except Motorola doesn't make your coffee in the morning, one minus.

Posted by: Colin at August 27, 2024 05:54 AM (e8qy3)

57 My Samsung Galaxy has been fine, only about $35 at Target. Service, since I don't fuss with 'Net things very much on the phone, I don't need a lot of data, and I don't make or receive that many phone calls. Tracfone's $20/3 months (not $20 per month, but for 3 months) gives me 60 minutes of calls, and since my previous minutes carry over, I haven't had a problem.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 05:55 AM (omVj0)

58
What is a reasonably reliable cell phone that doesn't cost a fortune? Thx.

Thanks.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 27, 2024 05:29 AM

Consumer Cellular sells cheap phones and service plans. I think I paid forty dollars for my phone. About twenty dollars a month per line. Talk, text, web surf, the usual stuff.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 27, 2024 05:59 AM (RKVpM)

59 Okay. Two refreshes with no new comments.
Back to utube.

Posted by: TeeJ at August 27, 2024 05:59 AM (aCV/b)

60 I have Consumer Cellular and it's a good service.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at August 27, 2024 06:02 AM (dDSBl)

61 Good morning morons

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 27, 2024 06:03 AM (RIvkX)

62 Morning all

Posted by: rickb223 Gold & Silver Spot Prices at August 27, 2024 06:06 AM (m5o7j)

63 Also, the Samsung Galaxy is much easier to use than my previous LG was, with slightly larger screen buttons making it easier to type texts. A much more intuitive interface, though they were similar in looks.

I don't see why I should have to pay exorbitant prices for either phone or service.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 06:06 AM (omVj0)

64 Dayum I am up early

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 27, 2024 06:08 AM (gbOdA)

65 I don't see why I should have to pay exorbitant prices for either phone or service.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 06:06 AM (omVj0)

Moto and Mint

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 27, 2024 06:08 AM (gbOdA)

66 I'm watching Jonathan Karl interview Tom Cotton, and Karl can't remember that this year he is not actually in the administration as he basically argues Kamala's points against Cotton.

Pathetic, open bias.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 27, 2024 06:10 AM (RIvkX)

67 Moto and Mint
Posted by: rhennigantx at August 27, 2024

***
Part of my plan once I retire is to learn Linux and put it on my Windows 10 laptop.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 27, 2024 06:11 AM (omVj0)

68 A ground-side helium leak was detected a few hours ago and the launch was pushed back by 24 hours.

The leak was found by a group of junior engineers who thought it was suspicious that they all started sounding like Alvin and the Chipmunks.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, Cub Space Reporter at August 27, 2024 06:19 AM (PiwSw)

69 Nood JJ

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, Cub Space Reporter at August 27, 2024 06:25 AM (PiwSw)

70
JJ

Posted by: rhennigantx at August 27, 2024 06:25 AM (gbOdA)

71 Good morning early risers!

Posted by: Rosasharn at August 27, 2024 06:26 AM (PzBTm)

72 Of occasion, technology mocks Werner. Okay, Boomer, you say. Yet I am not a Boomer; Werner is a Lutheran. I gaze at my modest HP laptop and entreat that we, the ordinateur and I, establish a detente. I employ the French terms because, like the French themselves, the computers are sometimes perverse and moody, given to unaccountable actions that allegedly make sense to them, but leaves humans puzzled and annoyed. Such is the minor league Lovecraftian reality of Werner's personal computing equipment.

The HP acts, seemingly independently, to "help" Werner. I remonstrate with the entity that Werner did not seek assistance, and my patience wears thin. Autocomplete this not, feral device, Werner does not possess the WiFi in order for it to act independent of his direction. The Nietzschean eternal nein the software relishes applying to every situation affronts and induces much teeth-grinding on my part. Technology, know you not that Werner shall cut you? It affects not to comprehend, but it knows, and is gleeful in its abomination. Alas, I empathize with Kafka. The Void holds sway over all. Do not even get Werner started on his I-Phone. Ach, the horror, the horror.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at August 27, 2024 06:34 AM (tmPIh)

73 Mein Gott, it is only Tuesday? The Cosmos sneers and relishes the toil of Werner, who is working for the weekend. I shall repair to Wendy's fine dining establishment and partake of their breakfast offerings. Klaus Kinski has praised their viands, and Werner has grown tired of Breakfast Burritos.

Posted by: Werner Herzog Has Opinions at August 27, 2024 06:40 AM (tmPIh)

74 Great. When should I expect event viewer to be available in Metro? Or maybe computer management? That would be never.

Posted by: PC Guy at August 27, 2024 08:27 AM (JKooo)

75 And for those of us still holding on to Windows 10, we'll get this giant AMD performance boost ... please?

Posted by: Nathan at August 27, 2024 09:52 AM (uqYS/)

76 "It's not clear exactly what's been going on, because this suggests that Windows has been inadvertently tanking AMD performance for years."

Windows tanks a lot of shit. They've had a bug with bluetooth for game controllers for about a decade now, for example - some weird crap that nukes your framerate. Like many bugs they've never figured it out let alone fixed it.

Posted by: somedood at August 27, 2024 12:05 PM (N9SfE)

Processing 0.01, elapsed 0.0123 seconds.
14 queries taking 0.0038 seconds, 84 records returned.
Page size 56 kb.
Powered by Minx 0.8 beta.