Daily Tech News 5 February 2023

Top Story

The US Air Force shot down that errant balloon. (CNBC)

But not until after Democrats spent several days accusing Republicans of racism for wanting to shoot down that errant balloon, and not until after that errant balloon had completed its spy mission and transferred all the data back to the servers at China's central spy agency, TikTok.

Democrat lawmakers explained this move as turning the tables on the Chinese and extracting intelligence on China's technological capabilities.

From a balloon.
I mowed the lawn today. First time this year, since I basically spent January either sleeping all day because I couldn't sleep at night because the pain killers did nothing, or fuzzed out because the pain killers did do something. You don't realise how much that was dragging you down until you start to recover and remember that you don't normally sleep fourteen hours a day.

Anyway, better, but need to scramble to recover from a month that simply disappeared.

Tech News

The 4TB Crucial P3 offers great value and not terrible performance at $250. (WCCFTech)

That sale price is due to expire about - well, about now - but it always seems to be on sale at about that price and if it's not at Amazon right now just check Newegg and sites like that.

It is a QLC DRAMless drive and that is not a good combination if you're using it as your system disk. If you have an existing system disk and just want lots of space at a good price for your game library, the P3 should do just fine.

There's also a P3 Plus model that costs 25% more and runs 40% faster, which may or may not be a worthwhile tradeoff for you; it's still QLC flash and a DRAMless controller, so while it's fast it's not suitable for continuous writes, particularly continuous random writes.
For your system drive you should avoid QLC and DRAMless models and go for a high-end drive from a reputable manufacturer like, uh, probably not Samsung's 990 Pro. (Puget Systems)

Users have been complaining recently about the 990 Pro - Samsung's current top-of-the-line consumer SSD - burning through it's expected lifespan at a rate of a couple of percent per week. Samsung's response so far has pretty much been "you're holding it wrong".
Working with a ten cent microcontroller. (Jay Carlson)

Depending on which model you buy and how many, it could cost as much as seventy cents, but more importantly it actually doesn't suck.
Unlike all the leading web frameworks. (Infrequently)

The article discusses a form of market inversion where the lemons float to the top. It helpfully also lists less prominent but less sucky web frameworks.

It's a scathing indictment of the leading web frameworks and since my experience has also been that they are one and all a collection of dumpster fires in a toxic waste factory, I'm inclined to take a look at what the author does recommend.
We've got that darn Elon this ti- Well, fuck. (Ars Technica)

Hilarity ensues in the comments as the article gets updated from the jury is considering the verdict in the Tesla shareholder lawsuit to the jury has returned a verdict of not guilty just a couple of hours later.

The Ars commentariat has gone from being Musk acolytes to viewing him as Emmanuel Goldstein's evil twin without any stages in between.
Wow, that's an impressively straight line for technological advances. (Serve the Home)

Wait. You idiots plotted bandwidth against... Bandwidth?

Disclaimer: The new Oldsmobile Cutler gets an industry-leading efficiency of one mile per mile! Ask your dealer for a test drive today!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Hello, Pixy!

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:01 AM (o0Fxd)

2 Glad you're feeling better!

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:02 AM (o0Fxd)

3 Thanks JQ. Seriously don't remember much of January. Get up, work, post something to the blog, fall over dead, repeat.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (BLOW1)

4 Ok, it's not as if I understand a fraction of the tech stuff, but there's a nice takeaway from the ten-cent microcontroller article....

"drunk-soldering-friendly"

Useful descriptor, no? LOL

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (o0Fxd)

5 G'Day everyone

Posted by: Skip at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (xhxe8)

6 BOING!

Bedridden with a lousy virus.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (gugbE)

7 Seriously don't remember much of January. Get up, work, post something to the blog, fall over dead, repeat.
Posted by: Pixy Misa
--------

Ugh! Yeah, f'ing PAIN will do that to ya. Glad you're past all that.

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:10 AM (o0Fxd)

8 hiya

Posted by: JT at February 05, 2023 04:12 AM (T4tVD)

9 Can't complain (much!) here-- only have the sniffles lately. And sneezing.

We need the rain, hopefully it will wash the dust out of the air. Been windy, so kicking up a lot of junk that disagrees with my sinuses.

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:14 AM (o0Fxd)

10 Hiya JT

Posted by: JQ at February 05, 2023 04:15 AM (o0Fxd)

11 Bandwidth is measured in Carnie Wilsons.

Posted by: bear with asymmetrical balls - an election is simply a festival for the majority at February 05, 2023 04:19 AM (KFhLj)

12 Morning JQ

Posted by: JT at February 05, 2023 04:21 AM (T4tVD)

13 Glad you're feeling better, Pixy!

What's the best drive for a super fast SQL Server database these days? One with LOTS of writes/deletes..

Thanks.

Posted by: Chi-Town Jerry at February 05, 2023 04:31 AM (w/RvR)

14 That last link, what is MT/s ?

Posted by: Ciampino - it could be Common Core Math at February 05, 2023 04:31 AM (qfLjt)

15 3 Thanks JQ. Seriously don't remember much of January. Get up, work, post something to the blog, fall over dead, repeat.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (BLOW1)

We appreciate you!

Posted by: m at February 05, 2023 04:32 AM (mn2bz)

16 Good morning Pixy.
" and remember that you don't normally sleep fourteen hours a day."

You don't? Oops.

Posted by: Ciampino -- it could be Common Core Math at February 05, 2023 04:33 AM (qfLjt)

17 >>>Wait. You idiots plotted bandwidth against... Bandwidth?

"This one time at bandwidth."

Posted by: m at February 05, 2023 04:34 AM (mn2bz)

18 >> what is MT/s ?

mega transfers per s. Look up the details to compare with other measures.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (Mzdiz) at February 05, 2023 04:36 AM (Mzdiz)

19 13 Glad you're feeling better, Pixy!

Thanks!

What's the best drive for a super fast SQL Server database these days? One with LOTS of writes/deletes..

Now that Optane is dead, something like Micron's 9400 Max series. That's for servers with U.2 bays; if you want regular M.2 then the 7450 Max.

I've used Micron server drives for years and have only blown up one of them so far.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 04:42 AM (BLOW1)

20 Thanks JQ. Seriously don't remember much of January. Get up, work, post something to the blog, fall over dead, repeat.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 04:08 AM (BLOW1)

We appreciate you!
Posted by: m

Seconded !

Posted by: JT at February 05, 2023 04:42 AM (T4tVD)

21 Pixy's links are like porn for a 7 year old. Or like tech for a truck driver. What the hell is that? I thought I was competent?

Posted by: yep at February 05, 2023 04:49 AM (6WBZp)

22
What that graph at the last link was doing was like plotting the speed of car vs RPM of the engine.

The faster then engine turns, the faster the cars rate of linear speed is. Simple constant and they plotted a graph for it.

Posted by: publius, Rascally Mr. Miley (Mzdiz) at February 05, 2023 04:58 AM (Mzdiz)

23 A buyer's guide to ssd's, whether SATA or m.2, for the current year would be nice.

I have a new drive in the laptop, it's a Crucial BX500 1Tb.

I'll probably upgrade it in a little bit, but I haven't been working regularly until the last third of last year.

Posted by: Thing From Snowy Mountain at February 05, 2023 05:00 AM (gHSfI)

24 Good morning morons

Our lawn needs a mow too, if there's a break in the rain today, I'll let Mrs. F. know.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:10 AM (EZebt)

25 Pun Alert: (yes they are bad)

Did you know that plumbers like to tap dance and
people in Korea love Seoul music?

Posted by: Ciampino - it could be a drain on your account at February 05, 2023 05:14 AM (qfLjt)

26 b"h for your health Pixy

A prayer for Biden's dog complete and speedy recovery

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:16 AM (EZebt)

27 My HP laptop has
931GB TOSHIBA MQ04ABF100 (SATA)
119GB KBG40ZNV128G KIOXIA (Unknown (SSD))

Anyone know what a KIOXIA is like?

Posted by: Ciampino -- it could be a drain on your account at February 05, 2023 05:18 AM (qfLjt)

28 Pun: My Winchester drive shot a par four with an iron club.

Posted by: Ciampino - What's a Parfour? at February 05, 2023 05:22 AM (qfLjt)

29 knock knock?

Posted by: Ciampino -- What's a Parfour? at February 05, 2023 05:22 AM (qfLjt)

30
Puppies woke me at 4:00. I would have gotten up at 4:15 anyway for Mass, but, still, 15 minutes.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at February 05, 2023 05:23 AM (MoZTd)

31 SFPD have arrested the man who emptied a pistol of blanks in a synagogue near here Wed. night. Police gave no information on motive.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:23 AM (EZebt)

32 So he was shooting blanks? He needs the little blue pill.

Posted by: Ciampino --- What's a Parfour? at February 05, 2023 05:26 AM (qfLjt)

33 Yes and apparently he brandished the same pistol the day before at a nearby theater

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:29 AM (EZebt)

34 31 SFPD have arrested the man who emptied a pistol of blanks in a synagogue near here Wed. night. Police gave no information on motive.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:23 AM (EZebt)
----
What a great choice of locale. Someone with CC could have shot him dead. Hey, maybe that was the intention?

Posted by: Ciampino - If you pull it out it's Open Carry. at February 05, 2023 05:31 AM (qfLjt)

35 I hear that shooting blanks is a Bill Clinton thing.

Posted by: Ciampino - If you leave it in your pants it's Concealed Carry. at February 05, 2023 05:33 AM (qfLjt)

36 He told them "Say hello to the Mossad for me!" before he started firing.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:34 AM (EZebt)

37 27 My HP laptop has
931GB TOSHIBA MQ04ABF100 (SATA)
119GB KBG40ZNV128G KIOXIA (Unknown (SSD))

Anyone know what a KIOXIA is like?

Kioxia - I pronounce it "kosher" - is Toshiba. They spun out their SSD division as a separate company. Pretty decent products on the whole.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 05:35 AM (BLOW1)

38 33 Yes and apparently he brandished the same pistol the day before at a nearby theater

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:29 AM (EZebt)
----
Pardon Monsieur, your fly is undone.
(read that in your best Parisian accent or, failing that, your best Clouseau imitation - don't worry you don't need a leesonce for that).

Posted by: Ciampino - If you leave it in your pants it's Concealed Carry. at February 05, 2023 05:36 AM (qfLjt)

39 Kioxia - I pronounce it "kosher" - is Toshiba. They spun out their SSD division as a separate company. Pretty decent products on the whole.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 05:35 AM (BLOW1)
----
Thank you Pixy.

Posted by: Ciampino - If you leave it in your pants it's Concealed Carry. at February 05, 2023 05:37 AM (qfLjt)

40 Pixy, I passed on that 10c microcontroller article to my Flex Users Group (MC6800/MC6809). Some very clever guys there may be able to use it. Thanks.

Posted by: Ciampino - 1975 - 1992 great days in microcomputing at February 05, 2023 05:43 AM (qfLjt)

41 My first computer was a 6809. Great chip.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 05:47 AM (BLOW1)

42 Good to hear you're feeling better, Pixy!

G'mornin' everyone!

Also worth noting that the gummint was careful to shoot down the balloon over the ocean so that the wreckage will be lost and we will never know what was truly up with the whole sorry-ass clown show.

*spits in disgust*

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at February 05, 2023 05:53 AM (XzIdt)

43 41 My first computer was a 6809. Great chip.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at February 05, 2023 05:47 AM (BLOW1)
----
Mine too. I learnt assembler on that.
At work (campus) we bought a SWTc 6800 (SS50 bus as I recall). Upgraded that with a 6809 CPU board. Then I moved to another campus and bought a Gimix 68B09. I played with that for 12 years before leaving it behind when we moved back to the US. At that time I had built a Sardis Technology ST2900 SBC, based on a 68B09E, for use at home. I still have that.
Best asm language ever. I particular;y like the big-endian philosophy as that is how humans read numbers and words.

Posted by: Ciampino -- 1975 - 1992 great days in microcomputing at February 05, 2023 05:55 AM (qfLjt)

44 Off-duty NYPD officer shot in the head during apparent NYC robbery
https://is.gd/O2j4sV

Posted by: Ciampino - buying cars is now dangerous at February 05, 2023 05:58 AM (qfLjt)

45 I miss Peter Sellers, I loved the Clouseau character. My cousin and I would go see the latest Pink Panther together and howl.

Posted by: San Franpsycho at February 05, 2023 05:58 AM (EZebt)

46 15 minutes, yes ... but puppies!

yeah, probably looks different from my end, probably signs of a puppy shortage at Chateau D'Eez, as opposed to More Than Enough Puppies ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez - we are being gaslighted 24/365 at February 05, 2023 06:00 AM (XzIdt)

47 This city will pay $422 million to run on 100% renewable energy by 2025: ‘A significant, long-term source of tax revenue’
https://is.gd/le39LQ

Ha Ha Ha Ha --- by 2025, LOL !!!
The city will be frozen by 2025. Now if they said IN THE YEAR 2525 .....

Posted by: Ciampino - buying cars is now dangerous to your health at February 05, 2023 06:02 AM (qfLjt)

48 NOOD EMT

Posted by: Ciampino - buying cars is now dangerous to your health at February 05, 2023 06:06 AM (qfLjt)

49 IDK. After 2 Pink Panther films the schtick got old for me.

Posted by: Chatterbox Mouse at February 05, 2023 06:08 AM (nFV+K)

50 Rev. Galliard- as far as I can tell has no M.Div degree and never pastored a church before being the pastor of this mega church in Rocky Mount NC. He moved from being a businessman to being a Democrat Rep in the NC House of Reps to being a pastor, so he's bring his social justice act to the church. Usually it's the other way around-pastors in the AA churches sometimes go from actual pastoring to political life because they're already known in their communities so they have a base to draw on for votes.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at February 05, 2023 06:29 AM (D+F6R)

51 Angular and Node have pretty much destroyed my passion for professional software development which is why I've moved into more of an integration/management role.

Posted by: antisocial justice beatnik at February 05, 2023 08:09 AM (DTX3h)

52 The Ars Technica commietariet is an indictment of America's Education Industry.

Posted by: Jim at February 05, 2023 09:29 AM (qFmzj)

53 Anyone know what a KIOXIA is like?

Kioxia used to be Toshiba's flash memory division.

Posted by: Cybersmythe at February 05, 2023 10:20 AM (iZEhM)

54 Glad to hear you're feeling better. Be careful with those pain killers-can be very addictive. You threw me with mowing the lawn until I remembered you're in the land down under. Temperature here in Seacoast New Hampshire was a record breaking -15F/-26C. Lots of burst water pipes.

Posted by: Rodent at February 05, 2023 11:00 AM (A3Tmb)

55 I am making $100 an hour working from home. I never imagined that it was honest to goodness yet my closest companion is earning $16,000 a month by working on a laptop, that was truly astounding for me, she prescribed for me to attempt it simply. Everybody must try this job now by just using this website.. www.Payathome7.com

Posted by: www.Payathome7.com at February 05, 2023 11:35 AM (TQog+)

56 The balloon is the magician's pretty girl onstage to distract you.

Pay attention to the espionage at the Ivy league and within the government itself.

Posted by: Josh Brolin's Blistered Taint at February 05, 2023 11:38 AM (k0caX)

57 That ServeTheHome article is retarded...

Posted by: Angzarr the Cromulent at February 05, 2023 11:43 AM (S7une)

58
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Posted by: Kimberly Chang at February 05, 2023 11:50 AM (sgsNg)

59 Posted by: Kimberly Chang

You whore.

Posted by: Donald Self at February 05, 2023 12:50 PM (DTX3h)

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Posted by: Emily at February 06, 2023 03:24 AM (1WEOE)

61 More like Ars Dumbica amirite

Posted by: Jon at February 06, 2023 12:41 PM (H4mKV)

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