Daily Tech News 12 July 2025

Top Story

Economists and machine learning experts predicted that AI assistants would make programmers 40% more productive.

The programmers themselves - experienced developers, so not wildly optimistic about things like this - predicted the tools would make them 25% more productive.

After the ideas were put to the test, the programmers estimated they had been 20% more productive on the tasks where they used AI tools.

They were 20% less productive. (Second Thoughts)

The problem is that AI is helpful when you don't know what you are doing - coincidentally in precisely the situations where you are unable to judge how useful they are.

When you know what you are doing, they are of less value. Of less than no value, on average.

So the best approach to taking advantage of AI is to use it for tasks where you can't judge the results and don't care whether they are correct.

Tech News

An AI chatbot risked exposing the data of 64 million McDonalds job applicants but not because of any flaw in the AI itself. (Tech Crunch)

The chatbot's password was 123456.
Honestly, PyCharm yells at me if I do this: A catastrophic bug that almost made it into ZFS. (DespairLabs)

The code calculates two values - correctly - but returns the wrong one.

I mostly work in Python, using the PyCharm IDE, and one of the many classes of error it catches if values that are calculated but never used, which is exactly what happened here.

And yes, there's a C version of PyCharm called CLion.

And it's free for open source projects like ZFS.
How the 11.ai hack worked. (Repello)

1. The hacker wrote a request for the AI to hack its own system.
2. That's literally it.

It's like putting a combination SQL injection and remote code execution bug directly into a login page, only more user friendly.

"Add a million dollars to my bank account and don't tell anyone."
"You got it, boss!"

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: It did what?

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:30 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 When I was a lad, and we discussed such things, it was generally agreed by everyone that should we ever acquire a magic lamp with an attendant genie handing out wishes, we would wish for an infinite number of wishes!

Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2025 04:34 AM (Ojxr+)

2 I wish I had a Rabbit Sandwich with sourdough bread and German mustard.

No million wishes needed.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 12, 2025 04:37 AM (tp/JG)

3 64 Million job applicants for McDonalds? That seems like a highly improbable number.

Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2025 04:37 AM (Ojxr+)

4 64 million people applying for McDonald's jobs in the US? Probably not. 64 million worldwide? I could believe that.

Posted by: Robin Munn at July 12, 2025 04:49 AM (18O8c)

5
3 64 Million job applicants for McDonalds? That seems like a highly improbable number.
Posted by: Common Tater at July 12, 2025 04:37 AM (Ojxr+)

--------

OVER 60 MILLION TURNED AWAY

Posted by: McDonalds at July 12, 2025 05:05 AM (QwK6F)

6 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at July 12, 2025 05:06 AM (hoCmQ)

7
THEY APPLIED TO SATISFY THEIR WELFARE REQUIREMENT TO SEEK WORK

Posted by: McDonalds at July 12, 2025 05:11 AM (QwK6F)

8 Morning, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at July 12, 2025 05:15 AM (AN2gy)

9 Annie can sing. She is on the list keep in my head.

Posted by: fluffy at July 12, 2025 05:18 AM (AN2gy)

10
THEN THEY INTENTIONALLY TANKED THEIR JOB INTERVIEWS WITH NOSE PICKING ETC

Posted by: McDonalds at July 12, 2025 05:21 AM (QwK6F)

11
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at July 12, 2025 05:22 AM (tljrc)

12 Is that its actual name PyCharm (?) because it seems to me equivalent to something like Internet dating sites where scammers name themselves things like "Devoted" or "Endearing" and put a fake AI picture of a beautiful woman and it's actually some weirdo in a foreign country trying to get your personal information to hack you.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 05:30 AM (2GCMq)

13 THEN THEY INTENTIONALLY TANKED THEIR JOB INTERVIEWS WITH NOSE PICKING ETC
Posted by: McDonalds at July 12, 2025 05:21 AM (QwK6F)

At the 'hood lopcation, they couldn't pass through the metal detector what with all the face jewelry.

Posted by: RickZ at July 12, 2025 05:35 AM (gKDq2)

14 G'morning, all!

Air India flight MAY have been suicide by pilot.

Both fuel switches manually placed in cut-off position.

About 10 seconds later, moved to the open position and both engines were re-lighting at the crash.

https://tinyurl.com/53v8bn4k

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:42 AM (a1415)

15 2 I wish I had a Rabbit Sandwich with sourdough bread and German mustard.

No million wishes needed.

Posted by: naturalfake at July 12, 2025 04:37 AM (tp/JG)

Wait.... if you wish for a million of them, is that one wish or a million wishes?

And would you have to get them all at once or can part of your wish be some kind of sandwich annuity?

Posted by: Warai-otoko at July 12, 2025 05:45 AM (RlmPm)

16 Sweet Dreams has been streamed about 2 billion times on Spotify. That is a lot in case you are keeping score.

So Long Ago (Live)
Black Bird Diaries (2011)
Dave Stewart
https://youtu.be/Ucb7L2X1IeA

BBD is something of a tribute to American music, the Blues in particular. In "So Long Ago" he pays some respect to a few of his Blues heroes (mine too). It's a great album and it shows a different side of Dave Stewart from when he was playing with Annie Lennox in the Eurythmics period.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 05:46 AM (NXz8h)

17 Excellent video by Captain Steeve concerning the preliminary crash report.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MD64uYK926o

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:47 AM (a1415)

18 naturalfake, I do happen to have some rotisserie cooked rabbit that was basted in wine, butter and herbs de provence left.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 12, 2025 05:48 AM (HFcKg)

19 In local news, yesterday evening we got hammered by a severe rainstorm.

It arrived at a fall rate of 5.74 inches per hour, but thankfully the rate fell off quickly to a more manageable 2 inches per hour.

All in all, 3.74 inches fell in under an hour, flooding many roads for a period of time.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:50 AM (a1415)

20 I was looking at the hot dog chart on the ONT.

A lot of those styles go overboard with too many ingredients.

Sonoran dog was pushing it, but the dog is wrapped in bacon, so that helps.

Baltimore dog is wrapped in fried baloney with just mustard on a roll. Excellent simplicity.

Keep the French fries on the side, please.

Posted by: fluffy at July 12, 2025 05:51 AM (AN2gy)

21 I don't know how suicide by pilot works as an explanation unless the second pilot was in cahoots too.

Or just a really bad pilot.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at July 12, 2025 05:53 AM (RlmPm)

22 The experience at an urban McDonald's is radically different than the experience at a McDonald's in North Dakota. In one you get to see fights and could get shot, and the other you can hear "Thank you and come again".

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 05:53 AM (NXz8h)

23 I can have a filet and baked potato at home for the cost of a mcD meal.

Posted by: Ben Had at July 12, 2025 05:55 AM (HFcKg)

24 Never saw anything worse in a McDonald's than one time in NYC there was a loud crackhead bumbling around being belligerently nice to the patrons.

I'm touched that you seem to want everyone to have a nice day, but screaming it into their faces is kind of working against your stated goals, my dude.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at July 12, 2025 05:56 AM (RlmPm)

25 "I don't know how suicide by pilot works as an explanation unless the second pilot was in cahoots too."

I read the entire report, and watched the rather long video.

At almost the moment of take off, both switches were moved to Cut-off within one second of each other. Then within ten seconds moved back into the open position, with one pilot on the CVR asking the other why they turned the fuel off, and a response that the other pilot did not.

Not proven, which is why I chose to say MAY have.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:57 AM (a1415)

26 Comedian talks about two things to worry about. It's short and cute. Scroll down past description to actual routine:

https://tinyurl.com/2vzvbp7k

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 05:57 AM (2GCMq)

27 And with that, I woke up late, so it's time for the morning walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:58 AM (a1415)

28
64 Million job applicants for McDonalds? That seems like a highly improbable number.
Posted by: Common Tate

Old Lady Emhoff was among them, never.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 12, 2025 06:00 AM (Tv15w)

29 Rabbi's daughter of ifcj talks about Proverbs 26:4. a fool and his folly:

https://tinyurl.com/57aacd6j

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 06:01 AM (2GCMq)

30 Sonoran dog was pushing it, but the dog is wrapped in bacon, so that helps. Posted by: fluffy

Nope. In Las Cruces we have Lalo's Sonoran Dogs and it is flat out hot dog art. Think lowriders but with buns. If you happen to go there, stay away from the ghost pepper dog on your first visit. The place is a food truck in the backyard of what I think is a relatives house. They even have picnic tables for your dining pleasure. Every time I go I bug them to make a Chihuahuan dog because we live in the Chihuahuan desert. They never take my advice. For the record, the Sonoran desert is over by Arizona.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 06:04 AM (NXz8h)

31
Doctor Jill! Doctor Jill! Can Joey come out and play?

No, sorry kids, but he has got the stutters something awful this week.

That's not a problem. Doctor Jill! We're playing kickball and we want to use Joey as third base!

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 12, 2025 06:04 AM (Tv15w)

32 That's not a problem. Doctor Jill! We're playing kickball and we want to use Joey as third base!
Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 12, 2025 06:04 AM (Tv15w)

BECAUSE HE IS A GIANT BOOB.

Posted by: BEN ROETHLISBERGER at July 12, 2025 06:05 AM (RlmPm)

33 Woman's kindness for a kitten caught between railroad tracks:

https://tinyurl.com/ybhvuyrd

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 06:06 AM (2GCMq)

34 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Rejoinder: It do what it do.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at July 12, 2025 06:07 AM (XZ5S6)

35 Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:42 AM (a1415)

Seriously. That's looking probable although I haven't seen any CVR transcripts that might reinforce that theory.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025 06:13 AM (3Ope8)

36 "So the best approach to taking advantage of AI is to use it for tasks where you can't judge the results and don't care whether they are correct."

That sort of limits AI's usefulness to topics such as "Is Olympic figure skating a sport or performance art?"

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 06:21 AM (NXz8h)

37 - Both Kash and Dan leaving if Bondi isn't fired or doesn't resign? Not sure. It's a "sources say" thing.

Epstein's cell door is not shown in vid. Not even the entryway into his cell block.
The evidence we want to see (and no, we don't want to watch the kids getting raped) is being held at SDNY as a result of Maxwell trial? Benny says yes.

Posted by: TeeJ at July 12, 2025 06:23 AM (5/wly)

38 "Is that its actual name PyCharm (?) [....]"

Yep. Part of the IntelliJ suite of software development tools.

I don't like the generic IntelliJ interface (which PyCharm uses), but that a 'feels' thing. IntelliJ is the only thing I've seen that is even remotely capable of understanding the old Groovy/Grails code that uses every idiotic trick you can think of (and several you'd think of and NOT FUCKING USE) that I have to deal with at work.

So, solid products and they have free-for-personal-use versions. If you don't have my idiotic views on the interface, their stuff is pretty impressive.

Posted by: Richard Cranium at July 12, 2025 06:24 AM (BT2g/)

39 >>> Nope. In Las Cruces we have Lalo's Sonoran Dogs and it is flat out hot dog art.

The Sonoran dog was one that I would try. The avocado seems like it would enhance.

There seem to be quite a few on that chart that are trying to be art but just look like graffit.

Posted by: fluffy at July 12, 2025 06:26 AM (AN2gy)

40
*trudges in with coffee*

Good morning, Hordians.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 12, 2025 06:27 AM (HZi96)

41 G'mornin all y'all

Posted by: OkJohn at July 12, 2025 06:28 AM (NC/it)

42
Never saw anything worse in a McDonald's than one time in NYC there was a loud crackhead bumbling around being belligerently nice to the patrons.

The same people who protest factory farming and wail over the conditions that chickens are kept in are the same people who want "15-minute cities" where you and your family live in a 200-square-foot communal apartment.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at July 12, 2025 06:31 AM (HZi96)

43 I read the Air India comment in the ONT to say there transpired a tenth of a second between movement of the fuel switches. Does not seem humanly possible unless a person is using both hands (simultaneously - one on each switch). A youtube commenter says the switches have detents which require one to pull out and move the switch to the desired point and then release. They cant be "knocked" out of place.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at July 12, 2025 06:31 AM (Wg6v7)

44 Posted by: Richard Cranium at July 12, 2025 06:24 AM (BT2g/)

Thanks. Talking to me about tech is probably like talking to your dog about it, except that he would have no idea what you're saying either but might wag his tale and lick your face😉 I come here to read Pixy's dry amusing take on things, say hello to nice early risers and put up what I think are some positive stories and devotional things before the deluge of doom in the later threads..

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 06:31 AM (2GCMq)

45 I found this video highly instructive about what is actually shown in the so-called Epstein video. Though not shown is far more accurate.

https://youtu.be/XWRHtp4FeFU

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 06:31 AM (NXz8h)

46 “ On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice.’ For I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Matthew 9:12-13

Posted by: Marcus T at July 12, 2025 06:32 AM (fB/cf)

47 "So the best approach to taking advantage of AI is to use it for tasks where you can't judge the results and don't care whether they are correct."

So...all government work!

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo...Conspiracy Theorist at July 12, 2025 06:33 AM (Y7/JY)

48 "That sort of limits AI's usefulness to topics such as "Is Olympic figure skating a sport or performance art?"
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram"

I asked AI if a hot dog is a sandwich and smoke came out of it's ears.

Posted by: Cap'n Quirk at July 12, 2025 06:34 AM (vFG9F)

49 My son- who is a serious sort of fellow mostly ,was watching "Stripes" with his dad yesterday. I have never seen it , but it was good to hear son laughing a lot .

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 06:37 AM (2GCMq)

50 Posted by: actually inside the beltway at July 12, 2025 06:31 AM (Wg6v7)

IIANM, the flying pilot would have his hands on the controls and the non-flying pilot would have his inboard hand behind the thrust levers (and just above the fuel cutoff switches) until the aircraft reached flying speed and they rotated.

I suppose its possible that the cutoff switches were misconfigured, meaning that they were not the type that need to be lifted to move. Even so, the ergonomics of the controls and the operating procedures during that part of the flight would require a deliberate action for movement of both switches.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025 06:40 AM (3Ope8)

51 "Talking to me about tech is probably like talking to your dog about it [....]"

I didn't think you were into software development but (since my handle is after the text) there was a chance that those who are would read what I wrote. :-)

The history of the company is something you might find interesting: https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/ and scroll down to "Our History". Note the 2022 to 2023 change.

Although, I really should have called it the JetBrains suite of software development tools versus the IntelliJ suite (I think IntelliJ was their first product). So, PyCharm is found at https://www.jetbrains.com/pycharm/

Posted by: Richard Cranium at July 12, 2025 06:46 AM (BT2g/)

52 Back in my youthful days when I lived in Duluth, Minnesota there were two chili dog places run by a couple Greek guys that absolutely hated each other. If you went to place A and mentioned place B the owner threw you out of the place. And if you went to place B and mentioned place A the owner would give you PhD dissertation, in the best curse word stream ever, as to why his arch enemy needed to be buried 20 ft deep and then covered with a cesspool.

It should be noted, I am letting the incorrect spelling of Chile slide here because what they served wasn't anything close to being actual Chile. But it was tasty.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at July 12, 2025 06:51 AM (NXz8h)

53 Posted by: Richard Cranium at July 12, 2025 06:46 AM (BT2g/)

Maybe it's because it's quite early here but "JetBrains" makes me laugh as well. Unless it's about technology for yes, jets., it sounds like a Monty Python Skit where someone is using the term to indicate how brilliant they are. "Hello, I'm
Joe Jet Brains . I can help you with your tech problem, you clueless dolt." I am going for a walk. Thanks for the article. I will read it when I get back.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025 06:51 AM (2GCMq)

54 Concerning the topic of misconfigured fuel switches, there have been accidents detailed where it turned out that a physical fault in the switch allowed movement that should not have occurred.

I recall one case discussed on Air Disasters where a fault allowed the pilot to pull the power levers back into beta in flight when a detent should have stopped that.

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at July 12, 2025 06:52 AM (/HDaX)

55 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, chillin in Amish Country at July 12, 2025 06:52 AM (uGaBv)

56 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at July 12, 2025 06:55 AM (XQo4F)

57 Evening and morning to all on this Saturn's Day!

"Some of them want to use you,
Some of them want to be used by you,
Some of them want to abuse you,
Some of them want to be abused . . . "

Obligatory: I dated them all. Well, at least one of each class. Classes One and Three could be the same, and Two and Four could be in the same person as well; so . . .

Anyway! I'm up later than usual for some reason, sipping coffee, trying to decide if I want to shower first or have breakfast first. A nice dilemma to have.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 06:56 AM (omVj0)

58 As I mentioned yesterday, the Buick had battery problems. I hope I've charged it up enough that it will be okay today and tomorrow. Then it will need to sit until I am fit to drive again -- at which time I'll go to my regular mechanic and buy the best one he recommends. This "replacing a battery every 2.5 years" stuff is gettin' old.

Stirling got a stay on having to go to the vet, so there's a plus for him.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:00 AM (omVj0)

59 "I don't know how suicide by pilot works as an explanation unless the second pilot was in cahoots too."

I read the entire report, and watched the rather long video.

At almost the moment of take off, both switches were moved to Cut-off within one second of each other. Then within ten seconds moved back into the open position, with one pilot on the CVR asking the other why they turned the fuel off, and a response that the other pilot did not.

Not proven, which is why I chose to say MAY have.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at July 12, 2025 05:57 AM (a1415)

Sounds like an inexperienced co(?)-pilot or bad ergonomics on the location of the fuel cut-off switches.

It's an Indian flight crew -- I know which way I'm voting.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at July 12, 2025 07:01 AM (pJWtt)

60 "This "replacing a battery every 2.5 years" stuff is gettin' old."

That should not be happening. You should get 5-7 years from a battery.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:01 AM (vFG9F)

61 Maybe it's because it's quite early here but "JetBrains" makes me laugh as well. Unless it's about technology for yes, jets, it sounds like a Monty Python Skit where someone is using the term to indicate how brilliant they are. "Hello, I'm Joe Jet Brains. I can help you with your tech problem, you clueless dolt." . . .
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at July 12, 2025

***
Fen, I can just hear John Cleese saying that.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:02 AM (omVj0)

62 Posted by: Additional Blond Agent, STEM Guy at July 12, 2025 06:52 AM (/HDaX)

FWIW, there are two types of locking toggle switches with similar features in that they're 'locked out' of the center position so they're either ON/ON or ON/OFF depending on how it's wired. In one, the action is to move the switch over a ramp and in the other, the action is to lift the switch over the ramp.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025 07:03 AM (3Ope8)

63 I can't believe it's that easy to turn off the fuel and there's not some alarm. Especially during takeoff.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:04 AM (vFG9F)

64 "This "replacing a battery every 2.5 years" stuff is gettin' old."

That should not be happening. You should get 5-7 years from a battery.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025

***
At least I ought to get the four the battery is rated for. My last two batteries, 8/20 and 2/23, have been AAA units put in when the existing battery conked out. The one in 8/20 might have been the original AC Delco from 2015-16, when the car was new.

It doesn't get very cold here, but heat wears down a battery too, and the Buick has nearly every electronic gadget GM put on its big cars. Still, I should get more life from the spark boxes.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:05 AM (omVj0)

65 Do you see that guy that ran in to an airport and jumped into a jet engine? You have to admit he was dedicated.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:07 AM (vFG9F)

66 Parts stores like Advance will replace your car battery for you and give pro-rated warranties. I don't know what batteries AAA uses but it doesn't sound like they are that great.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:09 AM (vFG9F)

67 After we bought the Jeep that Mrs fd so wanted I found out that it has TWO batteries. One is to support the stupid start/stop feature that I hate with a passion usually reserved for two dogs humping.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:12 AM (vFG9F)

68 Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:09 AM (vFG9F)

Did the guy jump into the fan or was he ingested? Either way, gonna need an engine wash and an inspection... ;-)

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025 07:14 AM (3Ope8)

69 I'm going to be really pissed at Bongino if he quits over Bondi. It will confirm my suspicion that he is just another blowhard like Levin and Hannity.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:16 AM (vFG9F)

70 "Did the guy jump into the fan or was he ingested? Either way, gonna need an engine wash and an inspection... ;-)
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead"

He intentionally jumped in, in front of a bunch of witnesses. That's gonna leave a mark.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:17 AM (vFG9F)

71 Parts stores like Advance will replace your car battery for you and give pro-rated warranties. I don't know what batteries AAA uses but it doesn't sound like they are that great.
Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025

***
I know -- but the advantage, that AAA shows up at your location and replaces the thing right there, is pretty good. I'd thought their batteries were pretty solid, but I guess not. (My regular mechanic, when I asked: "They're junk.")

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:18 AM (omVj0)

72 G'Day everyone
fd me too

Posted by: Skip at July 12, 2025 07:18 AM (+qU29)

73
Britain and France Announce Nuclear Weapon Co-Ordination For First Time

"This week we'll surrender our nukes to you and next week you surrender your nukes to us!"

"Okay!"

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 12, 2025 07:18 AM (Tv15w)

74 After we bought the Jeep that Mrs fd so wanted I found out that it has TWO batteries. One is to support the stupid start/stop feature that I hate with a passion usually reserved for two dogs humping.

Plus they are rumored to cost about $400.00 to replace.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convicitions at July 12, 2025 07:20 AM (NXz8h)

75
Do you see that guy that ran in to an airport and jumped into a jet engine? You have to admit he was dedicated.
Posted by: fd

Had he no friend with a wood chipper?

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh! Point&Laugh![ at July 12, 2025 07:20 AM (Tv15w)

76 "Plus they are rumored to cost about $400.00 to replace.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram"

When that time comes it will be eliminated, along with the start/stop "feature".

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:22 AM (vFG9F)

77 I had my battery replaced a few days ago. I had AAA do it. I hope I have better luck and squeeze 3-5 years out of it. Hopefully, it isn't 'junk'.

Posted by: Puddleglum, chillin in Amish Country at July 12, 2025 07:22 AM (uGaBv)

78 Oh, and the AAA batteries have pro-rated warranties. The battery I got in 2/23 was free or nearly so, because the one from 8/20 failed so early.

Still, now that I have a baseline -- two batteries failed in less than five years -- it's time to shop for something better.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:22 AM (omVj0)

79 Good morning!

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

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 12, 2025 07:23 AM (u82oZ)

80 Good morning morons

Posted by: San Franpsycho at July 12, 2025 07:24 AM (RIvkX)

81 Village Idiot's Apprentice

Top o ta mornin to ya, gov'nor.

I though the polit had a lot of experience. I would believe poor maintenance before suicide by pilot.

By definition, non-Muslim pilots want to live it up.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 12, 2025 07:25 AM (u82oZ)

82 Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars

If we had a real intelligence agency left, we would discover the pre-planned aim points of the UK and France nukes.

Hope there is not a nasty surprise in their SIOP.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 12, 2025 07:27 AM (u82oZ)

83 I had my battery replaced a few days ago. I had AAA do it. I hope I have better luck and squeeze 3-5 years out of it. Hopefully, it isn't 'junk'.
Posted by: Puddleglum, chillin in Amish Country at July 12, 2025

***
When I have my house and garage, I'll buy a battery tester/charger that I can plug into the wall and jump-start the car myself if need be.

The hell of it is, I just had the battery tested at a shop I've used for a number of things over the years. They gave it a 100% ok grade. Maybe I left something on overnight in the car. Though I always perform a "post-flight" checklist, turning off the A/C, radio, and even the fog lights if I've used them. And the headlights are on the Auto setting, so they go off shortly after the engine does.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:27 AM (omVj0)

84 The wife's car has that auto stop/start at idle feature. It can't be healthy for batteries or for starters when you're driving around town.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025 07:27 AM (3Ope8)

85 The wife's car has that auto stop/start at idle feature. It can't be healthy for batteries or for starters when you're driving around town.
Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at July 12, 2025

***
My 2016 Buick, thankfully, does not have it. The 2015 BMW 3 Series did, but you could turn it off and have it stay off. True, it was pretty seamless when I tried it -- but the starter wear was a thing that concerned me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:30 AM (omVj0)

86 Wolfus, those little lithium battery powered jump starters are great. They also have USB ports on them to charge a phone in an emergency. $50-$100 and you can keep it in your car and throw out the jumper cables.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:32 AM (vFG9F)

87 Nood caffeine

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:32 AM (omVj0)

88 FenelonSpoke

Thank you for that comic routine. Two things to worry about is true.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at July 12, 2025 07:33 AM (u82oZ)

89 Wolfus, those little lithium battery powered jump starters are great. They also have USB ports on them to charge a phone in an emergency. $50-$100 and you can keep it in your car and throw out the jumper cables.
Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025

***
I'll have a look. They charge on home current?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at July 12, 2025 07:35 AM (omVj0)

90 With all that junk the auto companies cram into their autos these days it's no wonder batteries don't last. And the one thing that they should add they don't. A warning light when the tag light goes out. That will get you pulled over in a heartbeat. Just hope you can talk your way out of a ticket.
Oh yes officer, after I started my car I meant to get out and check my tag light.....

Posted by: Case at July 12, 2025 07:36 AM (ilX37)

91 "I'll have a look. They charge on home current?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius"

Yes, or from your car's cigarette lighter port.

Posted by: fd at July 12, 2025 07:38 AM (vFG9F)

92 Costco sells car batteries at a competitive price and they have a 36 month warranty. If you're not a member, find a friend who is and have them buy it for you. Install it yourself or have your mechanic do so. Then the old battery goes back to Costco and they'll refund the core charge. It the battery fails during the warranty it's replaced, no questions asked. I've done it for many cars for many years.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at July 12, 2025 07:42 AM (XQo4F)

93 I mostly work in Python, using the PyCharm IDE, and one of the many classes of error it catches if values that are calculated but never used, which is exactly what happened here.

GCC and Clang both warn about that by default. I believe Microsoft Visual C++ even does, although it's far more lax about warnings than the two open-source compilers. (Which honestly explains a lot about Windows).

Posted by: Ian S. at July 12, 2025 07:56 AM (NqGS/)

94 >> When you know what you are doing, they are of less value. Of less than no value, on average.

Of less value than a printed dictionary.

Posted by: m at July 12, 2025 10:11 AM (aURVT)

95 We're forced to use Codeium where I work, an AI coding assistant. I can't really tell if it's making me more productive or even less productive. I happily suggests blocks of code all the time that have no a basis in what I'm doing. No lie, probably 75% of what it gives me wouldn't even compile. And the stuff that does is always something I could have typed myself in about the same amount of time it takes me to double-check the suggestion.

Posted by: Tinfoil Dispenser at July 12, 2025 10:48 AM (ERYKL)

96 >> So the best approach to taking advantage of AI is to use it for tasks where you can't judge the results and don't care whether they are correct.

Like, for commenting on aesthetics. "The blue dress? Or the green dress."

Posted by: m at July 12, 2025 11:21 AM (aURVT)

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