Daily Tech News 30 March 2026

Top Story

Intel's Arrow Lake Refresh isn't even on store shelves yet and it's already had a price increase. (WCCFTech)

10% officially and up to 25% in online listings. Still decent value if it weren't for all the other headwinds Intel is facing here.

Sailing straight into an F5 tornado.
But you can save a lot of money on audiophile-grade cables. (Tom's Hardware)

Mostly by not buying them. Once again, there is no detectable difference between $4000 cables and a $7 pair from the Amazon Basics range.

Tech News

Microplastics are glove contamination. (University of Michigan)

The researchers are sure that once they rule out the omnipresent glove particles they will have the truth and not a big fat ball of nothing.
One day after Microsoft announced a new focus on security, the company had to release an emergency security patch. (Computer Weekly)

For a bug created by the March Windows update.
M4 and M5 Macs can't run external 4k monitors at native resolution in HiDPI mode. (S McLeod)

You might wonder how people didn't notice.

People did.

But Apple doesn't sell a 4k monitor - only 5k and 6k models - so they didn't care.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: Beans.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 04:02 AM (Ia/+0)

2 G'day Skip.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 30, 2026 04:04 AM (BLOW1)

3 G’day, all.

Posted by: French Jeton at March 30, 2026 04:07 AM (j0T5y)

4 PRETENDERS RULE!

Posted by: Caf at March 30, 2026 04:14 AM (qS/Xm)

5 RULERS PRETEND!

Posted by: SciVo at March 30, 2026 04:14 AM (Sy6m/)

6 Wild looking skies in Oz from Tropical Cyclone Narelle. Never seen anything like it.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 04:23 AM (Fbc0I)

7 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 30, 2026 04:26 AM (sAmhv)

8 G'day everyone.

Posted by: Gmac-WTF did you think was going to happen? at March 30, 2026 04:39 AM (Q/FnY)

9 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 30, 2026 04:40 AM (bQ4nt)

10 Nine comments in 45 minutes. Sad!

Posted by: hall monitor lizard at March 30, 2026 04:47 AM (QAaXS)

11 Always liked the Pretenders
She let Rush use her music because her dad was a big Rush guy

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 04:47 AM (Ia/+0)

12 Making bank probably didn’t hurt, either.

Posted by: Common Tater at March 30, 2026 04:48 AM (vSCm4)

13 I can watch Duke lose all day.

Posted by: Accomak at March 30, 2026 04:52 AM (wkU1F)

14 My new shiny Macbook Sky comes in today. Looking forward to playing with my new expensive toy. Don't really need another laptop, I just wanted an Apple. Could have gotten a renewed one but didn't. At the moment, I can afford a new Apple. I'm sure I'll like it. I suspect I may need to get some spare cables. I do have 4 external HDs around but I don't think they'll fit without an adapter. Find out when it arrives. I probably do have some cables that will work, just have to find them. I am not an organized type. I'm a wee bit scattered.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 30, 2026 04:53 AM (sAmhv)

15 I heard Duke lost. Yay! Now I wish I watched the game. Sounded like a good one!

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 30, 2026 04:55 AM (sAmhv)

16 Hello forum techies from your non techie poster

I'm into day three of a "no news" Holy Week fast- although I must admit to accidentally clicking on a "Legal insurrection" site and seeing a headline before I backed out 😉 it feels good.

So I'm here ( as I said I would be ask for prayers ( which I'll do in a moment ) and to relate a story about a " God incident" rather than what others might call a "coincidence". There is a lovely lady in her 90's who resides at the nursing home. She comes to the services even though she is RC. They watch the Mass by simulcast in n Sundays but I am there they last Saturday of the month. Saturday was our recognition of Palm Sunday and Holy Week . Her daughter came and sat through part of the service but had to leave . I always begin a service with a time of silence and suggest breath prayers in which they breathe in and out saying a bit of scripture such as "The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want"

Continued below . Don't want to activate spam warnings

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 30, 2026 05:02 AM (JAyzc)

17 >>>I heard Duke lost. Yay! Now I wish I watched the game. Sounded like a good one!

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come

>That was one game for the decade. I have a buddy who's a big Duke supporter. You know we busted his balls until he couldn't take it anymore.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 05:04 AM (Fbc0I)

18 G'morning, all!

Been busy with life.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 05:06 AM (iMotb)

19 I have a couple of boxes and a filing cabinet full of cables from my computer building days. I suppose maybe their is some copper in them. But locally the copper thief's have been busy stealing any cables they can find, some power outages have plagued the area.

Posted by: Colin at March 30, 2026 05:06 AM (e8qy3)

20 Disclaimer: Beans.

The first item, is Beans.

Posted by: John Carter of Mars at March 30, 2026 05:08 AM (O7YUW)

21 Watched the UConn/Duke game yesterday with our kitten's grand-Human.

Not really a big fan of any sports, but don't hate them either.

But her husband was traveling back from a mission trip yesterday, and it was just an enjoyable time together after church.

And what an ending to the game.

Wow!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 05:09 AM (iMotb)

22 16-part 2

Anyway the suggestion for Saturday was "Be still and know that I am God" which is from one of the psalms. The woman's daughter said " I want to show you something" and the back of her cell phone was that very saying! It was great!

And now for the prayer request: My son- the horticulture major has an interview at 10:00 . If you could keep him in prayer I would be so grateful. He's a good young man and as kind poster Boswell would tell you and a good employee . Thanks so much! God bless you

Back to a news fast although I am most grateful for what Ace and JJ. And others provide here.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 30, 2026 05:09 AM (JAyzc)

23 Fen I hope he gets it

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:12 AM (Ia/+0)

24 Mornin' everyone.

Intel putting prices up on an item, after the initial price has been announced, and before it hits the market: Well that's fine, you can do that, as long as you're willing to watch a bunch of your customers refuse to purchase at that price.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 30, 2026 05:13 AM (O7YUW)

25 I think Chrissie Hynde had Rush donate the money to the charity of her choice.

Posted by: Notsothoreau at March 30, 2026 05:13 AM (gQ15S)

26 Fen, prayers up for your son.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 05:13 AM (iMotb)

27 Good morning Horde,

Our unnaturally mild winter is rolling into what appears to be a dry spring. Mother Nature apparently has a trick or two up her sleeve. Suddenly the forecast is for rain and snow all week. All of our fruit trees are budding early. I hope they don’t end up frozen.

Posted by: Pete Bog at March 30, 2026 05:15 AM (xAJnx)

28 Good luck with your sons job interview. We need people who know how to grow food, before the solar panels take over. My neighbors son was just told his new job is ending already after a year and he is a good kid with a mechanical engineering degree. The company is from out of state and is consolidating research and development in Texas. I have faith that he will survive at the grand old age of 24.

Posted by: Colin at March 30, 2026 05:19 AM (e8qy3)

29 But Apple doesn't sell a 4k monitor - only 5k and 6k models - so they didn't care.

Sounds like Apple.

People have been asking them to put the charging port on the front of the Magic Mouse since 2009 and they still don't care because it would ruin Johnny Ive's elegant design.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 05:19 AM (6ydKt)

30 I think in east we had hardest winter in a long time, and very wet.

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:20 AM (Ia/+0)

31 Being it's the tech thread...

I had to replace the front door lock the other week and decided to go with a smart lock from Kwikset.

All went well, install was smooth, and the features seem to be well integrated into the app.

But, the advertised '5 month battery life' seems to be about 15 days in real life. And it has lost WiFi connectivity twice now.

Tech support responded with a rout 'Do these things' and closed out the complaint with n o further action on their part.
A second online complaint has been received, and simply setting there with no reply from them for a week now.

So....I'm disappointed and frustrated with that little adventure.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 05:23 AM (iMotb)

32 At least supposed to get to mid 60s today, better tomorrow

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:26 AM (Ia/+0)

33 >>>I think in east we had hardest winter in a long time, and very wet.

Posted by: Skip

>This is the mildest winter I've ever seen. Dry with a light snow pack, which will later mean wildfires. Unless we get tropical storms. Weather machines and contrails, that's the ticket.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 05:26 AM (Fbc0I)

34 Evening and morning, late toilers and early risers!

Okay. We're all agreed: It's Monday. But remember:

"Compared to being on the wrong side of the ground, even a bad Monday is pretty small kumquats, nicht wahr?"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:26 AM (wzUl9)

35 Heating oil is getting low and have no desire to have to get that delivery now

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:27 AM (Ia/+0)

36 Intel has done an excellent job, according to reviews, with the Arrow Lake refresh and the 250K Plus & 270K Plus.

They've gotten these chips working wonders for productivity apps, beating AMD on the regular. Gaming has much improved to now being on par with the 14900K from three years ago and the new chips are often beating AMD's equivalent non-X3D chips. They are also much less power-hungry than their recent CPUs.

The problem is the chips are on for a dead-end socket so you can't upgrade them in socket on current motherboards.

But this bodes extremely well for Intel's next generation Nova Lake chips that are supposed to come out later this year.
Intel might finally be able to compete, or beat, AMD in productivity & gaming for the first time in years.

2027 should be a very good year for CPUs with AMD's Zen 6 coming out as well.

Terrible year for everything else, though.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 05:29 AM (6ydKt)

37 Actually got enough sleep by my standards; Stirling the great black cat did not wake me up.

I happened to see a new channel on my online TV guide last night; they were running Charade w/ Cary Grant and Audrey Hepburn. According to the schedule they wre supposed to be showing the Darren McGavin 1950s Mike Hammer right now, and the Jack Lord series Stoney Burke (!) at five. But the channel is showing a test pattern. Oh, well.

The channel? It's called "Ace"!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:29 AM (wzUl9)

38 Googles apple magic mouse
They put the charging port on the bottom of the mouse?
Yeah, it looks sleek, but that's an impracticable place.
We do all sorts of odd things for sexy looks

Posted by: Accomak at March 30, 2026 05:31 AM (wkU1F)

39 ^^^^ should be:

The problem is the chips are on a dead-end socket so you can't upgrade them with next-gen CPUs in socket after current motherboards.

*Yawns*
*drinks more caffeine*

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 05:31 AM (6ydKt)

40 Have a little job to go to first, not sure where afterwards
At least wifi there I found out.

Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:33 AM (Ia/+0)

41 >>>I had to replace the front door lock the other week and decided to go with a smart lock from Kwikset.

All went well, install was smooth, and the features seem to be well integrated into the app.

>Wait, your lock comes with an app? More wireless noise? Amazing. Our brains are being saturated and we're drowning in RFI.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 05:33 AM (Fbc0I)

42 I had a choice of LG ranges with the features we wanted. Said no the model with wifi.

Posted by: Accomak at March 30, 2026 05:33 AM (wkU1F)

43 Sat down with my state tax form yesterday.

It's a car crash, and a big one. Fortunately I do not have to pay until 5/15.

This morning, too, I have to order my new tires, and then have a video call with the lender in Kansas who's been "pre-approving" me. So, Monday.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:35 AM (wzUl9)

44 $4000 for an audio cable?

I can think of A LOT of better things to do with $4000 than an audio cable.

I've never understood that part of audiophilia at all.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 05:36 AM (6ydKt)

45 I understand it perfectly - if you can sell some idiot a $4000 cable, it’s nice work. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Posted by: Common Tater at March 30, 2026 05:38 AM (P7T1m)

46 @31/Village Idiot's Apprentice:

After you've secured another company's lock and put that on, I'd package everything back up for the Kwikset smart lock, and return it as "not fit for purpose", with an explanation as well.

You tried, in good faith, to use the company's support. It sucks. You owe them nothing.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 30, 2026 05:39 AM (O7YUW)

47 Good morning!

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

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 05:40 AM (u82oZ)

48 Good morning, one and all.

Hadrian, I sent the picture of The Big Dummy to my mother. She thinks it's outrageous that he's not allowed to have a beer and a TV in his crate but I explained that dog shows probably had rules about it.

Posted by: NR Pax at March 30, 2026 05:41 AM (BpO1e)

49 >>>I understand it perfectly - if you can sell some idiot a $4000 cable, it’s nice work. Rinse, lather, repeat.

Posted by: Common Tater

>Hah! For $4K I could use some new industrial grade eardrums. Yeah, that's not coming back.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 05:41 AM (Fbc0I)

50 Village Idiot's Apprentice

Top o ta mornin to ya, gov'nor.

Doing more walking these days. I now have four different widows to walk inside the mall with.

Walking, not stalking.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 05:42 AM (u82oZ)

51 All the available retail homey depot doors, door locks and hardware are pure trash. I wondered about that some years back, where’s the “good stuff”?

Posted by: Common Tater at March 30, 2026 05:44 AM (CLXqj)

52 My workout motivation seems to be hiding. Or to have fled to China. (It'll regret that for sure.) This week will be warm to hot all through -- "winter" is long over -- with early a.m. temps about 70 if we're lucky, so I can go tomorrow. Right? Right?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:46 AM (wzUl9)

53 38 Googles apple magic mouse
They put the charging port on the bottom of the mouse?
Yeah, it looks sleek, but that's an impracticable place.
We do all sorts of odd things for sexy looks

Posted by: Accomak at March 30, 2026 05:31 AM (wkU1F)

It means you can't use the mouse while charging it.
That's the biggest complaint.

Other than that, it's a fine mouse to use if you don't mind the ergonomics of it. The touch feature is the best part as it scrolls by sliding up and down, you can double-tap on it to zoom in, and other mutli-finger gestures work as well.

But Apple refuses to change the port placement.
I figured they'd have come out with a version by now that uses a charging mat to charge it while you're using it, but they haven't done that either.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 05:47 AM (6ydKt)

54 If I want higher fidelity on my stereo, I turn up the treble. Higher frequency hearing loss due to high pressure air lines.

Posted by: Rev. Wishbone at March 30, 2026 05:49 AM (Fbc0I)

55 I gave up on the mouse that came with the iMac when I inherited it and set it up last April; it was too fussy. I just went with a plain black battery-powered one. Ordered a larger black Apple-style keyboard from Amazon, too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:50 AM (wzUl9)

56 As for the furry thugs, they are galloping or trotting around, and giving me The Look that says, "Feed me NOW!"

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:52 AM (wzUl9)

57 Wolfus Aurelius

Who will take care of your cats during your trip?
Can you bring Ms. Linda along?

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 05:54 AM (u82oZ)

58 w00t late

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 05:57 AM (fNISR)

59 Salty!

Sounds like healthy fun.
Enjoy.

To all the lock responses, thank you.

Seems like both quality and customer support has gone completely out the window on so many things.

To be fair, the initial issues from several months ago with the tp-Link Deco X60 mesh wifi have been addressed at a pace and level that absolutely blows me away.

They sent me a Beta version to try that has identified and resolved every issue that I was having with the system. And in a very short amount of time.

I would send an e-mail update in the morning, and usually by evening there would be a response from them. So in that respect, good customer service, and a commitment to resolving the issues.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 05:58 AM (iMotb)

60 >>>Microplastics are glove contamination. (University of Michigan)

wut
I guess I could go read that.

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 05:58 AM (fNISR)

61 But you can save a lot of money ...
Mostly by not buying them.

hahahaha

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:01 AM (fNISR)

62 @59/Village Idiot's Apprentice:

And yet TP-Link has gotten caught up in the ban of all new foreign routers. Pity, they sound like they actually have good customer service! I'm glad they took such good care of you, that's rare these days.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 30, 2026 06:02 AM (O7YUW)

63 Who will take care of your cats during your trip?
Can you bring Ms. Linda along?
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026

***
If she were to come along, I'd have to locate a pet sitter. She loves them both, so she'll have no trouble coming over to visit with them and look after their needs. I'll stock up on food and leave some $$ for emergencies.

I've brought up the topic of moving many times over the years, and most especially since I retired and can actually do it. Silence or "I don't know" are the only responses. And I am pretty sure that "Kansas" will get a look as if I'd waved a dead skunk under her nose.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:02 AM (wzUl9)

64 >>>Microplastics are glove contamination.

"glove" in German is der Handschuh

Just sayin'.

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:03 AM (fNISR)

65 The "Ace" channel is up! Now to see if the schedule was correct. I remember Stoney Burke being in the TV Guide when I was very small, but nothing about the show.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:05 AM (wzUl9)

66 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Rejoinder: Cornbread.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 30, 2026 06:06 AM (FtzQl)

67 So now let's talk about the USPS for a moment.

My MiL mailed us a large envelope from Baltimore to our house in South Carolina over 2.5 weeks ago.
Somehow the USPS equipment scanned the address wrong and in the bar code they put on the envelope, they got the zip code wrong.
After 9 trips to and from the same Post Office in Mississippi my MiL called them and fortunately spoke with the Postmaster there who said "As a matter of fact, I have your envelope in my hand right this moment", and was relabeling it correctly to come to our house in Summerville, with a new tracking number and all.

So Saturday I got the e-mail notice that the envelope had been successfully delivered here in Summerville and placed in a PO Box.

We don't have a PO box.

So...off to the Post Office this morning to see what the heck is going on with this thing.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:07 AM (iMotb)

68 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Rejoinder: Cornbread.
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 30, 2026

***
At first glance I read that as "Conelrad."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:07 AM (wzUl9)

69 I've got a TP-Link router, too.

I don't know what the recent news means in regards to updating the firmware, etc.

It sucks, I paid like $200 for this set a little over a year ago.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:08 AM (6ydKt)

70 "And yet TP-Link has gotten caught up in the ban of all new foreign routers."

I saw that.

Oddly enough, the model that I own is manufactured in the US.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:08 AM (iMotb)

71 At first glance I read that as "Conelrad."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:07 AM (wzUl9)
-----------
He's a helluva detective.

(obscure reference)

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 30, 2026 06:08 AM (FtzQl)

72 Nope on Stoney Burke; "Ace" is running one of those "Victims Justice" infomercials for victims of asbestos exposure. Oh, well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:09 AM (wzUl9)

73 55 I gave up on the mouse that came with the iMac when I inherited it and set it up last April; it was too fussy. I just went with a plain black battery-powered one. Ordered a larger black Apple-style keyboard from Amazon, too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 05:50 AM (wzUl9)

They aren't for everybody.

If you get hand cramps from your mouse a a lot, you definitely don't want a Magic Mouse because they are tiny and force a crab-claw hold on the mouse..

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:10 AM (6ydKt)

74 We don't have a PO box.

So...off to the Post Office this morning to see what the heck is going on with this thing.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:07 AM (iMotb)

Good luck.
I dread going to the Post Office here as much as the DMV.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:11 AM (6ydKt)

75 If you get hand cramps from your mouse a a lot, you definitely don't want a Magic Mouse because they are tiny and force a crab-claw hold on the mouse..
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:10 AM (6ydKt)
-----------
I like my thumb-operated trackball.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 30, 2026 06:11 AM (FtzQl)

76 If you get hand cramps from your mouse a a lot, you definitely don't want a Magic Mouse because they are tiny and force a crab-claw hold on the mouse..
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026

***
It was that, a little, and that the mouse did not always scroll the way it should. Possibly the mouse, which is a good twelve years old like the iMac, is fugged up with moisture or dust.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:13 AM (wzUl9)

77
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at March 30, 2026 06:13 AM (tljrc)

78 Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea

Here is a Fleet Spacer's song to go with your toast:

https://youtu.be/nskdpeogRPQ?

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 06:13 AM (u82oZ)

79 And I need to pick up stamps this week too. Yes, I still mail my bills with checks. The online thing might be convenient, but it's saving the companies money they do not pass on to me.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:14 AM (wzUl9)

80 Wolfus Aurelius

About 20% of the mail I sent in MAY 2023 was not delivered properly. I got a return as undeliverable to a PO Box. This trend continues.

I use bank transfers to ensure prompt payment, not for any savings.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 06:18 AM (u82oZ)

81 @69/ SpeakingOf: "I've got a TP-Link router, too.

I don't know what the recent news means in regards to updating the firmware, etc. "

Should be no problem. The ban only applies to new routers created/released after the ban date. Existing routers are fine apparently, although it's suspicions about security across the line that allegedly is the reason for the ban.

This doesn't make sense though. Either the line of routers (and the company) is or is not a danger, and if so, there would be a much stronger stance like blocking all imports from that company and encouraging mass replacement of that equipment with another manufacturer's.

So what I think is really going on is this is just pressure to relocate manufacturing facilities overseas into the USA.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 30, 2026 06:19 AM (O7YUW)

82 "Good luck.
I dread going to the Post Office here as much as the DMV."

Both the main Post Office and the one over by Lowe's Foods, while crowded give us excellent customer service.
The DMV over in Ladson has been outstanding, although understaffed, and over-used.

And the Dorchester County tax offices over on Fifth st. are amazing to work with.

Of course, these experiences are being compared to the same services in Baltimore, so...YMMV.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:20 AM (iMotb)

83 Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 06:13 AM (u82oZ)

Fun!

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea at March 30, 2026 06:21 AM (FtzQl)

84 35 Heating oil is getting low and have no desire to have to get that delivery now
Posted by: Skip at March 30, 2026 05:27 AM (Ia/+0)

It'd beat the rush!

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:22 AM (fNISR)

85 Did I miss the No Kings rally?

Dangit!

Posted by: That guy what hates Stephen King at March 30, 2026 06:24 AM (skR0U)

86 I’ve been using Kensington Trackball mice for decades.

Accept no substitute.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 30, 2026 06:24 AM (XV/Pl)

87 It was that, a little, and that the mouse did not always scroll the way it should. Possibly the mouse, which is a good twelve years old like the iMac, is fugged up with moisture or dust.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:13 AM (wzUl9)

They come with the scroll direction set to 'Scroll Up to go Down, Scroll Down to go Up' as default. You have to change it in the mouse settings. I hate that on Mac and Windows so I reverse it to the natural direction.

The sensor on the bottom can get covered up with stuff sometimes, but I blow it out then wipe off the lens, and it usually goes back to normal.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:25 AM (6ydKt)

88 Good morning all. 49 and clear in western NC going up to the low 70's today. Haven't weighed myself in over a month so I got on the scale first thing....yikes!!

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at March 30, 2026 06:27 AM (hp5hq)

89 So what I think is really going on is this is just pressure to relocate manufacturing facilities overseas into the USA.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 30, 2026 06:19 AM (O7YUW)

I'm sure that's part of it, and I agree that most of this equipment should be made in North America, from a security standpoint at least.

From what I've read they are worried the routers can be turned into botnets and used for hacking attacks, etc.

The routers still work here, and I have no idea about updating it anyhow, as it does everything without me.

The only thing I ever do is reboot it if the signal goes down.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:28 AM (6ydKt)

90 About 20% of the mail I sent in MAY 2023 was not delivered properly. I got a return as undeliverable to a PO Box. This trend continues.

I use bank transfers to ensure prompt payment, not for any savings.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026

***
If I have trouble with mailing payments, I'll consider switching. So far so good.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:29 AM (wzUl9)

91 Of course, these experiences are being compared to the same services in Baltimore, so...YMMV.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:20 AM (iMotb)

I just don't like lines.

Goose Creek USPS is always a long line.
Moncks Corner DMV, which I had to go to last time because it's right next to Berkeley County offices, is always crowded and it's bigger than that one in Ladson which was standing room only last time I renewed my DL there.

It's a lot quicker than it used to be before they started giving you a number when you arrive.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:32 AM (6ydKt)

92 Movies! is showing Impact, an early Fifties noir with Brian Donlevy as a well-to-do businessman whose wife and her lover try to kill him. Everyone thinks he's dead; so he disappears and takes another identity in a different state. I watched it on YooToob some years ago and found it fascinating. Donlevy didn't often play a heroic lead; he was better known for his screen villains.

"Ace" channel is running Tarzan -- not the 1960s Ron Ely version, but something much more recent with a blond Tarzan.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:34 AM (wzUl9)

93 Moncks Corner DMV, which I had to go to last time because it's right next to Berkeley County offices, is always crowded and it's bigger than that one in Ladson which was standing room only last time I renewed my DL there.

It's a lot quicker than it used to be before they started giving you a number when you arrive.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026

***
Do you have those quick license/registration offices which can get you in and out in twenty minutes? They cost a few dollars more, but they really do work. Or is that only a Lousy-ana thing?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:36 AM (wzUl9)

94 So what I think is really going on is this is just pressure to relocate manufacturing facilities overseas into the USA.
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant

I'm fine with that. This should have been done years ago.

Posted by: NR Pax at March 30, 2026 06:36 AM (BpO1e)

95 "Do you have those quick license/registration offices which can get you in and out in twenty minutes?"

I saw an actual freestanding Kiosk in maybe the Nexton Harris-Teeter to do that stuff.

I just remember seeing it and going...'Huh?'.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:38 AM (iMotb)

96 Here it is!

https://scdmvexpress.com

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:40 AM (iMotb)

97 mornin yall. The local sheriff was shouted down by protestors at the No Kings rally last weekend as he tried to speak (by invitation):

"But protestors kept yelling, saying that “nobody wants to hear from him” before chanting “this is what democracy looks like.”

Posted by: fd at March 30, 2026 06:40 AM (vFG9F)

98 97 mornin yall. The local sheriff was shouted down by protestors at the No Kings rally last weekend as he tried to speak (by invitation):

"But protestors kept yelling, saying that “nobody wants to hear from him” before chanting “this is what democracy looks like.”
Posted by: fd at March 30, 2026 06:40 AM (vFG9F)

What a mess.

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:42 AM (fNISR)

99 Do you have those quick license/registration offices which can get you in and out in twenty minutes? They cost a few dollars more, but they really do work. Or is that only a Lousy-ana thing?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:36 AM (wzUl9)

Nah, here they divide the windows up by category.
Licenses get a few windows, Paperwork, Registrations, Titles, get a few windows, and other stuff get their windows.

When you walk in you talk to a 'receptionist' who finds out what you're there for and directs you to any forms you need and then gives you a ticket with a letter at the beginning and a number after, so A034 means Driver's License renewal, 34th person in line, for example.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:44 AM (6ydKt)

100 100

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:44 AM (fNISR)

101 >>I can watch Duke lose all day.

Feeling old, remembering when Duke was the plucky underdog taking on the Tarheel juggernaut.

Posted by: Nazdar at March 30, 2026 06:44 AM (NcvvS)

102 "Do you have those quick license/registration offices which can get you in and out in twenty minutes?"

I saw an actual freestanding Kiosk in maybe the Nexton Harris-Teeter to do that stuff.

I just remember seeing it and going...'Huh?'.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026

***
These are offices in strip malls. Apparently they have access to the same data as the DMV, and can get you in and out in much less time, for a few extra dollars (like $10, I think). They take your picture for the renewed license, give you a quick eye test, all that. The state still gets its money.

If you have to do the driving test, written or road, that's still the DMV.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:44 AM (wzUl9)

103 A034 means Driver's License renewal, 34th person in line, for example.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 30, 2026 06:44 AM (6ydKt)

34th customer to come in today?

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:45 AM (fNISR)

104 Here it is!

https://scdmvexpress.com
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026

***
That's the registration only, though. Maybe the other "express" services will be coming.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 06:46 AM (wzUl9)

105 m

Mob rule for me, not thee.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 06:46 AM (u82oZ)

106 "That's the registration only, though. Maybe the other "express" services will be coming."

True, but hey, it's a start.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:48 AM (iMotb)

107 Guys, your choice of website ad deployment was always obnoxious enough, but now when I click the 'keep reading' thingy I get a full page ad that I can't get out of without resubmitting the URL. I generally do not utilize ad blockers, especially on sites I like, but this is getting ridiculous.

Posted by: Mike Porter at March 30, 2026 06:48 AM (I55Xh)

108 "Or is that only a Lousy-ana thing?"

The Auto Club of Southern California can do anything regarding registration and titles the DMV does. You have to be a member.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at March 30, 2026 06:49 AM (qFwJc)

109 "but now when I click the 'keep reading' thingy I get a full page ad that I can't get out of without resubmitting the URL."

Skip the 'Keep Reading' link, and just click on 'Comments' down at the bottom of the thread next to the time.

A known and frustrating issue.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at March 30, 2026 06:51 AM (iMotb)

110 Posted by: Mike Porter at March 30, 2026 06:48 AM (I55Xh)

Click on the red "Comments" that you can see on the front page at the bottom of a post (at the same time that you can see the red "Continue reading"); like here:

Continue reading
Posted by Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM Comments

Posted by: m at March 30, 2026 06:53 AM (fNISR)

111 Morning, Horde...How goes it?

"Tolkien Reading Day 6"

Frodo and Sam have just escaped the Tower of Cirith Ungol.

They must now travel across the Plateau of Gorgoroth and make their way up the slopes of Mt. Doom...

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 30, 2026 06:55 AM (ESVrU)

112 Frodo and Sam have just escaped the Tower of Cirith Ungol.

They must now travel across the Plateau of Gorgoroth and make their way up the slopes of Mt. Doom...
Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 30, 2026

***
It's been a LONG time since I read the original. They leave the Shire not long after Frodo/Bilbo's birthday, Sept. 22, and arrive at Mt. Doom in late March? The main action encompasses about six months?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 30, 2026 07:01 AM (wzUl9)

113 >>The main action encompasses about six months?

They spend a couple of months in Rivendell and a month in Lothlorien.

Posted by: Nazdar at March 30, 2026 07:03 AM (NcvvS)

114
Next week (4/06 & 4/07), I'll be producing an album in Nashville with this guy https://tinyurl.com/4b3rhcpv
It's a short clip, made with a cell phone, live at Lucky Bastard Saloon on Broadway so you know, not the best quality. He's settled on 12 of his originals for the album. It's gonna' be fun

Posted by: Swamp Rabbit at March 30, 2026 07:06 AM (DDJSl)

115 Feels like something big is getting ready to happen in Iran this week. Predicting timing on things like this is always foolhardy; but the US has put up a wall of noise and meaningless statements for at least 2 weeks now, and the “negotiations” were just misdirection to give the chattering classes something to talk about.

Whatever was being prepared is about to launch.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 30, 2026 07:07 AM (ZPDpH)

116 Tom Servo

Either a beatdown of all 31 Mosaic Defense control sites, or all electrical power to Iran.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 07:11 AM (u82oZ)

117 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at March 30, 2026 07:13 AM (2Ez/1)

118 Huh. The opening line of the Lion King song "Circle of Life" means

"All hail the king, we all bow in the presence of the king.".

Apparently if you make fun of that you will get sued:

"Lion King' composer sues comedian for $27M over 'Circle of Life' joke"

Now I have never seen that movie or even know what it's about, but how does the Circle of Life square with No Kings? It's all very confusing.

Posted by: fd at March 30, 2026 07:18 AM (vFG9F)

119 Now I have never seen that movie or even know what it's about, but how does the Circle of Life square with No Kings? It's all very confusing.
Posted by: fd

What I am hoping is that the judge looks at the Plaintiff's attorney and says something like "You and your client have fifteen seconds to get out of my courtroom before my bailiff beats the hell out of you for wasting my time."

Posted by: NR Pax at March 30, 2026 07:19 AM (BpO1e)

120 NR Pax

Now apply this nationwide.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 07:21 AM (u82oZ)

121 Either a beatdown of all 31 Mosaic Defense control sites, or all electrical power to Iran.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 30, 2026 07:11 AM (u82oZ)

Amazing that so many targets have been hit, but those haven’t been on the top of the list yet. Most in the west have grossly underestimated the size of the military complex Iran has been building (but I don’t think our military did, hence the 6 week between the massacres and the first strikes)

My guess is that first step will be to seize the small islands in the Straits. I think the talk about Kharg has been misdirection; but we shall see.

Posted by: Tom Servo at March 30, 2026 07:21 AM (ZPDpH)

122 Insty says an election volunteer has been arrested for tampering with the Mar-A-Lago district election that the Democrats are crowing about.

They literally can't win without cheating.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 30, 2026 07:22 AM (5hs8R)

123 120 NR Pax

Now apply this nationwide.
Posted by: NaCly Dog

Bailiff induced beatings for wasting a court's time? I can accept that.

Posted by: NR Pax at March 30, 2026 07:22 AM (BpO1e)

124 Hubby was watching golf on Saturday and there was a commercial for usps. Money squandered, they need to spend it on hiring employees who aren't idiots. Have to say that our local office is very well run.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at March 30, 2026 07:29 AM (2NHgQ)

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