Daily Tech News 15 August 2024

Top Story

So what is going on with that data breach of 2.9 billion people? (Troy Hunt)

I'm glad you asked.

Since the breach is supposed to affect only the US, UK, and Canada, and those countries do not have 2.9 billion people, obviously someone was being imprecise.

Turns out that a lot of people where being imprecise. While the National Public Data breach does contain 2.9 billion records, that does not mean 2.9 billion people.

Troy Hunt took a leaked sample of the data which contains 134 million unique email addresses. He found himself in the list 28 times, but none of the entries associated his email address with any other recognisable data.

So... It's bad, but probably not the end of the world.

That's next year.

Tech News

Putting AMD's Ryzen 9 9950X to the test. (AnandTech)

We're getting a clearer picture of why some reviewers are praising the Ryzen 9000 series and others are panning it.

If you are focused mainly on gaming performance, the 9000 series offers only modest gains over the 7000 series, but costs significantly more.

And there's no Ryzen 9000 X3D model yet - these models triple the on-chip memory and provide significantly better performance on many games - so the net result is that the newer, more expensive chips are actually slower.

But if you are focused on technical work, Ryzen 9000 rules the roost. And if you can use AVX-512 - 512-bit vector math - it crushes everything else like a bug, up to ten times as fast as Intel's offerings (which have AVX-512 but disabled).

There are also some potential performance issues with the 12 and 16 core chips on Windows right now, issues that didn't happen with Ryzen 7000, and don't happen on Linux.

So it's not a simple one to recommend, but it's also not bad.

If you're interested in gaming though, either go with the 7800X3D now or wait for the 9800X3D.
Middle age starts at 44, and old age at 60. Ish. (The Guardian)

Scientists studying biochemical markers of aging have found that it's not a steady process, but shows two bursts of aging around 44 and 60 years.

They suspect another burst at 78 based on other studies, but haven't actually looked.
Google Gemini is replacing Google Assistant on Google Pixel Phones. There's just one small problem. (Fast Company)

It doesn't work. Inasmuch as Google Assistant works, Gemini doesn't.
The Harris campaign is lying. (The Verge)

You know it's bad when the crazies at The Verge are saying that.
Twitter has announced its new AI image generation tool and the left has gone even more insane than usual. (The Verge)

The article isn't the worst of it here. It's kind of bad, but just the usual nonsense you expect from leftist hand-wetting bed-wringers. The comments are deranged.
Police in New Zealand are racing to track down candy distributed by an Auckland charity. (BBC)

Because they contain potentially lethal amounts of meth - with a street value of as much as $600 in each piece of candy - about 300 times the typical dose.

No, I don't know either.

Disclaimer: 2.9 billion here, 2.9 billion there, soon you're talking real people.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'Day everyone

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

2 It is cool outside, have all windows open

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2024 04:05 AM (fwDg9)

3 G'day Skip

Posted by: Pixy Misa at August 15, 2024 04:07 AM (BLOW1)

4 Howdy, all.

Thanks for the info, Pixy! Good to know 2.9 billion records =/= 2.9 billion 'people'

But yeah, WASTF after all, eventually.

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:09 AM (njWTi)

5 Top 5?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 04:09 AM (omVj0)

6 Mornin' Wolfus!

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:09 AM (njWTi)

7 Evening and morning to all the AoSHQ satellites and outposts! How's your Thursday looking? I slept a decent time last night, though not solidly. I've learned having a pipe before dinner means I'll be hitting the head every two hours all night. So that has to stop, sadly; it's a relaxing moment after work.

The Killer Kittens From Outer Space are doing well.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 04:12 AM (omVj0)

8 Good morning everyone.

Posted by: Tuna at August 15, 2024 04:14 AM (oaGWv)

9 Hello, JQ! Still up, or up early?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 04:14 AM (omVj0)

10 Mornin'

I think I'd be fine with a Bill Gates hoovering up some blow on a Microsoft sign. Beats the current Bill Gates, who is currently trying to reduce the human population for its own good. Cokehead Gates would be too distracted by cocaine to bother.

That was one of the pics over at The Verge.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 15, 2024 04:21 AM (sAmhv)

11 LOL Wolfus-- still up. It's only 1:20ish am here.

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:22 AM (njWTi)

12 Morning early/lates. Super mild weather for the next 10 days. Smelled dew for the first time in months early yesterday morning - that slight odor of damp hay.

Posted by: 13times at August 15, 2024 04:24 AM (0oM0J)

13 The phasing out of Google assistant is going to ruin me. I have my whole home setup on a smartthings hub and use assistant to voice control all of it. Gemini is fucking terrible and doesn't actually do anything useful.

Posted by: Defenestratus at August 15, 2024 04:33 AM (WYStd)

14 LOL Wolfus-- still up. It's only 1:20ish am here.
Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024

***
Except for insomniac waking and the like, I haven't seen 1:20 am in forever. Certainly I haven't stayed up that late in years. Maybe after I retire I can stay up later and (I hope) sleep later.

You know how some people have mentioned that MushBrain seems more rested and a little more energized since he withdrew from the '24 race? I can see it. I envision myself being more rested and energized once I don't have to deal with commuting and long days at the computer, and can grab an afternoon nap if I want one. (And I will.)

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 04:34 AM (omVj0)

15 Tsarathustra @tsarnick
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says that the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted him to become a licensed arms dealer in order to integrate AI and robotics into warfare.

Posted by: 13times at August 15, 2024 04:38 AM (wSxXC)

16 >>>Disclaimer: 2.9 billion here, 2.9 billion there, soon you're talking real people.

; )

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 04:42 AM (64Zez)

17 Staying up late, has become a bad habit of mine.

I do get tired by 10 or 11pm, but there's always One More Thing to do... so, I do it & then have a small rush of energy... and then get tired again... try to sleep and can't...

Ugh. I need to force myself back onto a decent schedule. Which means forcing hubby, too. *and there's the rub* He's different each day. And more stubborn than any mule.

Every day is a new challenge.

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:48 AM (njWTi)

18 Gemini is fucking terrible and doesn't actually do anything useful.
Posted by: Defenestratus

Clippy's bastard child?

Posted by: Bruce at August 15, 2024 04:50 AM (xkSEZ)

19 I'm beyond sick & tired of challenges.

Left alone, I think I could sleep for a week straight.

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:50 AM (njWTi)

20 G'morning, all!

68 Degrees here at NAS Oceana.

I wasn't prepared for winter weather already.

Must be Glowball Worming.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 15, 2024 04:50 AM (L7gdA)

21 I'm beyond sick & tired of challenges.

Left alone, I think I could sleep for a week straight.
Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024

***
Me too, about the challenges anyway. I need a change of lifestyle -- which includes a change of venue.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 04:52 AM (omVj0)

22 PDT and Elon Stayin' Alive

https://nitter.poast.org/elonmusk

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 04:55 AM (64Zez)

23 You'll get your change of venue, Wolfus! Retirement, sweet retirement! And get the h3ll off the Gulf! Yay!

Imma just try now, to get a couple hours (I hope!) of sleep before duties call once again...

G'night/g'day, horde!

Posted by: JQ at August 15, 2024 04:57 AM (njWTi)

24 That Verge article really seems to have cheezed-off a lot of the commenters there.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 15, 2024 04:57 AM (L7gdA)

25 I have seen a lot of stuff about these ridiculously harsh jail sentences for offensive speech in the UK. It seems to me that the cops and judges are not to blame.

Blame Parliament for passing such onerous laws.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 15, 2024 04:58 AM (+H2BX)

26
Hurricane Ernesto projected to pass off coast.

Posted by: Divide by Zero at August 15, 2024 04:58 AM (RKVpM)

27 It just can't end well in a few years of the Cultural Marxists running England
And we will have the same if our Cultural Marxists win

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2024 05:03 AM (fwDg9)

28 Kevin Dalton

“I think our reverence for the truth might have become a bit of a distraction that is preventing us from finding consensus, and getting things done.” - NPR CEO, Katherine Maher, explaining her issue with (checks notes) the truth.

Posted by: 13times at August 15, 2024 05:08 AM (wSxXC)

29 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at August 15, 2024 05:08 AM (5LrV6)

30 Going early to get out early and go to another job
Forward Dog 9 out

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2024 05:08 AM (fwDg9)

31 So does anyone know through what "portal," or whatever you'd call it, this data breach occurred?
SSA? Some email provider? ...?

Posted by: TeeJ at August 15, 2024 05:09 AM (aCV/b)

32 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at August 15, 2024 05:17 AM (dg+HA)

33 Wow. If you go outside right now Mars and Jupiter are getting really close to each other.

In the eastern sky.

Posted by: eleven at August 15, 2024 05:17 AM (fV+MH)

34 15 Tsarathustra @tsarnick
Former Google CEO Eric Schmidt says that the Russian invasion of Ukraine prompted him to become a licensed arms dealer in order to integrate AI and robotics into warfare.

Posted by: 13times

Giggity...

Posted by: Skynet at August 15, 2024 05:27 AM (sAmhv)

35 28 Kevin Dalton

“I think our reverence for the truth might have become a bit of a distraction that is preventing us from finding consensus, and getting things done.” - NPR CEO, Katherine Maher, explaining her issue with (checks notes) the truth.
Posted by: 13times

That is the overarching world view of today. Our ruling class swear by it.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 15, 2024 05:31 AM (sAmhv)

36 Wow. If you go outside right now Mars and Jupiter are getting really close to each other.

That is pretty cool. With the binocs I use, I've got Mars, Jupiter, and it's Galilean moons in view.

Posted by: t-bird at August 15, 2024 05:34 AM (Ez0wT)

37 Been neglected my birdbath

Posted by: Skip at August 15, 2024 05:36 AM (L0V26)

38 "That is pretty cool. With the binocs I use, I've got Mars, Jupiter, and it's Galilean moons in view.
Posted by: t-bird "

Those are some pretty high power binocs. To see the moons.

Posted by: eleven at August 15, 2024 05:43 AM (fV+MH)

39 If you rely on a computer to do math for you, you'll forget how to do math. If you rely on a robot to build a car for you, you'll forget how to build a car.

If you rely on technology to fight wars for you, you'll forget how to win a war.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 05:44 AM (BAEGB)

40 Time to get ready for my walk.

BBIAB

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at August 15, 2024 05:45 AM (L7gdA)

41 Those are some pretty high power binocs. To see the moons.
Posted by: eleven at August 15, 2024 05:43 AM (fV+MH)

He was squinting.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 05:45 AM (BAEGB)

42 Twitter has announced its new AI image generation tool and the left has gone even more insane than usual. (The Verge)

The article isn't the worst of it here. It's kind of bad, but just the usual nonsense you expect from leftist hand-wetting bed-wringers. The comments are deranged.

--

This alone is a tremendous step forward:

"Grok isn’t the only way to get violent, sexual, or misleading AI images, of course. Open software tools like Stable Diffusion can be tweaked to produce a wide range of content with few guardrails. It’s just a highly unusual approach for an online chatbot from a major tech company — Google paused Gemini’s image generation capabilities entirely after an embarrassing attempt to overcorrect for race and gender stereotypes."

And yes, the comments are mostly insane and worth a read to know what freedom-loving Americans are up against. This one was good (not joking, I like the point):

"This is the inevitable result of all the censorship on the other image generators."

Good for Musk for allowing his to be a teensy, tiny bit uncensored.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Women pursuing older men must desire incestous father fantasies at August 15, 2024 05:46 AM (mnOhf)

43 That is the overarching world view of today. Our ruling class swear by it.
Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at August 15, 2024 05:31 AM (sAmhv)

It's like what's his name and the silver standard, except instead of deferring to popular sentiment they're deferring to whoever is signing their paychecks.

And instead of looking up the arguments later, they just wait to be told what the arguments are.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 05:48 AM (BAEGB)

44 “Oregon jury convicts violent Portland Antifa ‘ringleader’ Alissa Azar of felony over 2021 attack“

https://tinyurl.com/4n2mw2jj

Outside the courthouse jury intimidation is rampant and police seem slow to tamp it down.

Posted by: 13times at August 15, 2024 05:49 AM (iBcrb)

45 "Fame and power will only come after you succeed." - Willy Brown

"Fine. Who is ceed?" - Hamala Harris

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 15, 2024 05:51 AM (+H2BX)

46 Some of these people would be legitimately shaken to their core if they found out that there never actually was a little English boy in round glasses who found out he was a wizard.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 05:51 AM (BAEGB)

47 "someone was being imprecise"--another
delightful euphemism for lying.

Good morning, good people. May all you do this day be of great benefit to you.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at August 15, 2024 05:55 AM (hKoQL)

48 Accuracy and precision are two different things.

Precision saying that Inflation is 2.45343%

Very precise. Not at all accurate.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 15, 2024 05:59 AM (+H2BX)

49 Very precise. Not at all accurate.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 15, 2024 05:59 AM (+H2BX)

Zero significant figures.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 05:59 AM (BAEGB)

50 Outside the courthouse jury intimidation is rampant and police seem slow to tamp it down.
Posted by: 13times

--

Can someone please explain to me how this isn't "obstruction of official proceedings" or whatever it was claimed about J6?

Also there's only downsides for the cops and they know it. Antifa / Democrats literally have their own group of assigned lawyers for this stuff discussed at the link. They pose in front of places with their antifa swag. Stop the fascists and you and your family become targets of the state instead. Lot easier to let them do what they want and go home and forget about it.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Women pursuing older men must desire incestous father fantasies at August 15, 2024 06:01 AM (mnOhf)

51 At work this morning, before the rain starts, I need to walk to the Accounting office to deposit a check. Not mine, unfortunately.

It stillwill be hot today, but the pm storms may cool things down (well, make it less hot, not cool).

Looks like Ernesto the Hurricane is going to head north to Atlantic Canada, too.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 06:02 AM (omVj0)

52 Addendum: Comically the reason given by the antifa lawyer for the slut (her words, not mine) bearspraying the crowd that was doing a voter drive?

They were associated with J6.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Women pursuing older men must desire incestous father fantasies at August 15, 2024 06:02 AM (mnOhf)

53 Accuracy and precision are two different things.

Precision saying that Inflation is 2.45343%

Very precise. Not at all accurate.
Posted by: no one of any consequence at August 15, 2024

***
Yes; 2.45% on top of the 18% we've already seen in the last three years. That, they never mention.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 15, 2024 06:04 AM (omVj0)

54 Mornin' Horde.

@17/JQ: Yeah, I'm trying to force myself onto an early-to-bed, early-to-rise schedule too. I do not know how shift-workers manage without losing their minds, or being safety disasters due to sleep deprivation.

@13/Defenestratus: Loop up Home Assistant or OpenHab open-source home automation projects.

Here's a video showing Home Assistant on a Raspberry pi device to get you started:
https://youtu.be/gJFsZL5CTgM

Been considering a home automation project myself, but that's after I get the pfSense Firewall with vLANS and the TP-Link C7's properly configured to do that perfectly along with a wireless bridge between two access points. *rubs temples* Oy.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:04 AM (O7YUW)

55 After reading the latest outrage of outrageousness directed at Elon Musk, I have to wonder when someone who was on the FBI's radar will try to end him. And should it succeed, the government will sadly announce how they will have to send in a trusted agent to run things.

Posted by: NR Pax at August 15, 2024 06:04 AM (NR6c1)

56 Those are some pretty high power binocs. To see the moons.
Posted by: eleven

They're the Celestron 15x70's that were recommended here long ago. (did we used to have an astronomy thread?) They do a great job.

Posted by: t-bird at August 15, 2024 06:05 AM (lCA8w)

57 - A trick question.

Can anyone tell me the one way speed of light?

Posted by: TeeJ at August 15, 2024 06:05 AM (aCV/b)

58 Can anyone tell me the one way speed of light?

--

hahahaha, that's in one of my name fields. It's fun to ponder that we truly know almost nothing about anything.

Posted by: Moron Robbie - Women pursuing older men must desire incestous father fantasies at August 15, 2024 06:07 AM (mnOhf)

59 13/Defenestratus: Loop up Home Assistant or OpenHab open-source home automation projects.

Appreciate the recommendation but the backend hub isn't the problem. Smartthings is amazing and works really well. What Assistamt does is make it work with the Google Home devices and phones.
It also works from my car head unit, Watch, TVs and smart displays I have integrated through assistant. It also bridges the gap in connectivity between smartthings and my Miele appliances.

Posted by: Defenestratus at August 15, 2024 06:10 AM (WYStd)

60 Can anyone tell me the one way speed of light?

Talk about precision, it's 1.0000000000 lightyears per year.

Posted by: t-bird at August 15, 2024 06:10 AM (lCA8w)

61 @54 -- correction

"Look", not "Loop".

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:10 AM (O7YUW)

62 - Hah! I either hadn't seen that one Robbie, or didn't recognize it for what it was.

Posted by: TeeJ at August 15, 2024 06:11 AM (aCV/b)

63 52 Addendum: Comically the reason given by the antifa lawyer for the slut (her words, not mine) bearspraying the crowd that was doing a voter drive?

They were associated with J6.
Posted by: Moron Robbie - Women pursuing older men must desire incestous father fantasies at August 15, 2024 06:02 AM (mnOhf)

"Bearspraying the crowd" sounds very bad.

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:11 AM (64Zez)

64 Talk about precision, it's 1.0000000000 lightyears per year.
Posted by: t-bird at August 15, 2024 06:10 AM (lCA8w)

Except on leap years.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 06:12 AM (BAEGB)

65 As far as sleep cycles are concerned... we just brought home an 8 week old puppy on Sunday. The thing we now have in very little supply is sleep.

Posted by: Defenestratus at August 15, 2024 06:12 AM (WYStd)

66 "Bearspraying the crowd" sounds very bad.
Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:11 AM (64Zez)

They're better live than in the studio, honestly.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 06:12 AM (BAEGB)

67 There is action upstairs...JJ is early early today

Posted by: Molly k. at August 15, 2024 06:13 AM (j/yko)

68 61 @54 -- correction

"Look", not "Loop".
Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:10 AM (O7YUW)

Heh; I had taken "Loop" to be a Technical Term I Do Not Know, of which there are many.

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:14 AM (64Zez)

69 - Heh, funny t-bird, and good morning.
Now do whether it's a measure of time or of distance.

Posted by: TeeJ at August 15, 2024 06:15 AM (aCV/b)

70 66 "Bearspraying the crowd" sounds very bad.
Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:11 AM (64Zez)

They're better live than in the studio, honestly.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at August 15, 2024 06:12 AM (BAEGB)

Ha!

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:15 AM (64Zez)

71 "Dear God, when we don’t know what to do, give us the strength to take the next step toward you. Amen."

From a prayer on a reflection on psalm 13 which I will link below,

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:18 AM (bybuu)

72 @59/Defenestratus: You're welcome for the reference. I'm sorry you're facing this. Google has a nasty history of killing off cool projects that people depend on: See killedbygoogle.com

Home Assistant has a mobile app.
https://tinyurl.com/3xjmzatw

I don't know what you'd do about the car end of things, but perhaps they have some kind of solution, and I hope you find one.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:22 AM (O7YUW)

73 .

NOOD Morning Report

The J.J. Sefton Train has arrived!

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:23 AM (O7YUW)

74 Oh sorry. The reflection was on James 1:2-5
It we we also reading Psalm 13.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:23 AM (MaBDr)

75 {68} ... Heh; I had taken "Loop" to be a Technical Term I Do Not Know, of which there are many.

Posted by: m at August 15, 2024 06:14 AM (64Zez)

It is a term in programming. I'm just haven't had enough coffee yet this morning, clearly.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at August 15, 2024 06:24 AM (O7YUW)

76 "Our go to plan"

A man whose wife needed medical intervention. Reflects on James 1:1-5:

https://tinyurl.com/yfvwtvfy

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:32 AM (NwNjY)

77 From Psalm 13 which has a plaintive note but ends with this:

5 But I trust in your unfailing love;
my heart rejoices in your salvation.
6 I will sing the Lord’s praise,
for he has been good to me.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:34 AM (NwNjY)

78
All male acapella group sings " Just a little talk with
Jesus"

https://tinyurl.com/3r4cf533

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:38 AM (NwNjY)

79 Mama cat brings her dying kitten to a man for help;

https://tinyurl.com/5fbb9ttt

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 15, 2024 06:41 AM (NwNjY)

80 Hey Pixie, I get here way late and know essentially nothing of your field of interest, but I really enjoy your column. Thanks.
I also marvel at how little sleep these morons commenting get.

Posted by: From about That Time at August 15, 2024 07:46 AM (4780s)

81 >>>So... It's bad, but probably not the end of the world.

>>>That's next year.

Tease.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at August 15, 2024 01:36 PM (i24o9)

82 Moore's Law is Dead put out a leak hammering AMD's handling of Zen 5. Apparently they mismanaged it bad enough that people who know are green lighting leaking what went wrong.

Apparently they had problems with the unit la core team starting from the Zen 2 baseline, and number of team swaps, and released it a couple of months before the Windows Scheduler software, or even the final micro code was done.

Also, either marketting was making stuff up, or someone in the engineering team was lying to them about current performance results.

They're potentially very good, but the finalization and release has been a management clownshow. AMD needs to get their act together before they do to themselves what Intel is vigorously doing to itself.

Posted by: Voyager at August 15, 2024 02:14 PM (zZH3A)

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