Daily Tech News 18 January 2025

Top Story

In a groundbreaking decision that will have lasting consequences for Chinese spyware apps, the Supreme Court said "yeah, whatever" and waved the TikTok divest-or-die law through the gate. (CNN)

The law is due to go into effect tomorrow, but since the Biden Administration is currently busy looting the treasury and fleeing the country, will be left to Trump to enforce.

Tech News

The PCIe standards group has released a draft specification for PCIe 7.0, with the final document expected later this year. (Tom's Hardware)

No, you can't get PCIe 6.0 yet, and yes, even PCIe 5.0 was only adopted by the newest generation of graphics cards which you also can't get yet, but this is aimed at servers and will trickle down to desktops... Probably a lot faster than you'd expect, given how quickly PCIe 5.0 motherboards showed up.

Each generation of PCIe is twice as fast as the previous one, so this means 60GBps SSDs - or, on the other hand, being able to jam 16 of the current fastest SSDs onto a single PCIe card.
Speaking of jamming things in the Sonnet Echo 13 is a Thunderbolt 5 dock that starts at $400 rather than $1400. (Notebook Check)

You have to buy it bundled with an SSD - it comes with 1TB as standard - but the price is reasonable, the drive is probably user-replaceable, and it supports Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 (and presumably USB4, since it supports USB4 downstream.)

It includes three downstream USB-C ports, four USB-A ports, SD and microSD slots, and 2.5Gb Ethernet. There are not dedicated video ports, but the downstream USB-C ports all support DisplayPort alt mode so you just need a matching cable.
China is also looking to ban TikTok users after they swarmed like locusts to alternate Chinese spyware app RedNote. (Ars Technica)

TikTok was banned in China for a reason. Now that it's getting banned everywhere, China is panicking because the same idiots they helped create are ruining everything for them as well.
The FDIC is suing former executives of the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank because, like idiots, they invested the company's money in government bonds. (CNN)

And who can trust the government?
The 2TB SanDisk microSD card holds 2TB on a microSD card. (Serve the Home)

Which you would kind of expect, and it delivers. And it's not particularly slow either.

Costs around $200, but not everyone needs a 2TB microSD card and they have lots of smaller models.
Microsoft's Office 365 plans in the US are getting bundled with Copilot and receiving the same 40% price hikes other countries have been enjoying but in the US there will also be "Classic" plans that don't have Copilot thrust upon you. (Tom's Hardware)

Though I couldn't immediately see pricing on the Classic plans. I'll have to look.

Also, if you have a family plan, only the account owner gets the Copilot treatment. The other family members remain unscathed.

Musical Interlude

Disclaimer: The plushie sold out? AGAIN?!

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at January 18, 2025 04:04 AM (rii+a)

2 Hey, I'm first so I get the stupid ad right below my post!

Yay!

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at January 18, 2025 04:09 AM (rii+a)

3 Congratulations! I take no responsibility for ads or the placement. Or anything else for that matter.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at January 18, 2025 04:13 AM (BLOW1)

4 You have to buy it bunded with an SSD - it comes with 1TB as standard - but the price is reasonable, the drive is probably user-replaceable, and it supports Thunderbolt 4 and Thunderbolt 3 (and presumably USB4, since it supports USB4 downstream.)

Oddly, I have no idea what this means, but it makes me turgid and dusky...

Posted by: Rod Porkmore at January 18, 2025 04:14 AM (25szd)

5 I'm going to wait for those 'Billionaires' to ban that video! C'mon billionaires!! What are you waiting for! It's RIGHT THERE (points up).

Posted by: Puddleglum at work at January 18, 2025 04:20 AM (rii+a)

6 G'Day everyone
I am not supposed to be up yet

Posted by: Skip at January 18, 2025 04:25 AM (fwDg9)

7 G'morning, all!

40.8 degrees, with rain starting in about 3.5 hours.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 18, 2025 04:27 AM (a1415)

8 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at January 18, 2025 04:29 AM (dg+HA)

9 "The law is due to go into effect tomorrow, but since the Biden Administration is currently busy looting the treasury and fleeing the country, will be left to Trump to enforce."

This immediately brought to mind the old chestnut: 'You can go away mad- just go away.'

Posted by: Aetius451AD at January 18, 2025 04:30 AM (bss/y)

10 Microsoft 365 is going up 40% because of Copilot?! What the hell WTH?! Okay, inflation probably has a lot more to do with prices going up but I'm blaming it on Copilot because it's so annoying. I wonder how this is going to screw up my Microsoft Alumni dues next year which include, among other things, a Microsoft 365 subscription.

This is a great example of how Apple and Microsoft differ. If Apple pulled this crap all their customers would be going, Wow! what a great deal. But because Microsoft is doing it, they're probably going to get sued for antitrust and everybody on Ars Technica going to hate Microsoft even more.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 04:37 AM (Q8Bj8)

11 Kevin O'Leary, one of the people from the Shark Tank TV series, Is heading up at consortium that is making a $20 billion bid for TikTok. That would be highly amusing to see go up in flames, especially if they have to reverse engineer the engagement algorithms.

Remarkably the Ars Technica communists were mostly not disturbed by TikTok being shut down. I did not see that one coming.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 04:46 AM (Q8Bj8)

12 Looks like Wyze had their camera access portal go down overnight.

Seems to be back up now.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at January 18, 2025 04:48 AM (a1415)

13
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at January 18, 2025 04:55 AM (tljrc)

14 So it appears that Russia is going to suffer upheaval even if they triumph in this "war". Let them.

Just keep an eye on them so they don't spread the collapse into the world in general.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at January 18, 2025 05:01 AM (hKoQL)

15 Thanks for the song Pixy. I wasn't familiar with it. It's from the early 90s. Since I'm planning to live the next chapter of my life as a nomad, I'll tuck it in my pocket because wherever I go the weather will get a vote. Jimmy Buffett also covered it, which is a plus.
Additionally my #1 offspring just started a career as a professional weather guesser.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 05:22 AM (dg+HA)

16 The PCIe 7.0 thing is just depressing. Pretty soon motherboards will give us just one 4 lane slot of PCIe 7.0.

I would kill for a mobo manufacturer to give us a good amount of PCIe 4.0 lanes instead of just 1.5 slots (at best) of PCIe 5.0.

Posted by: Qwinn at January 18, 2025 05:33 AM (I3XdN)

17 Contrary to a nice poster in the previous thread, ( I think he was being funny) I am not "spiraling" If I use the word "fuck" here it's generally because I'm quoting somebody else-as I was in a quote about Maisie Hirono. Do I use the "Fuck" if Im by myself hit my funny bone on a desk drawer or if my car battery is dead -yes, but it's not credit to me that my mother didn't use that word ( and I picked that up) or I'm married to someone who generally doesn't use that word. However saying "eff" to the church folks probably wouldn't go over too well.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:33 AM (8ZJJb)

18 As for that Thunderbolt dock... nice, kinda, better than they used to be, but wake me when they do 10g ethernet instead of 2.5g.

Posted by: Qwinn at January 18, 2025 05:36 AM (I3XdN)

19 And if I really think I'm spiraling I'd probably ask for prayer.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:38 AM (8ZJJb)

20 "However saying "eff" to the church folks probably wouldn't go over too well."

Well, don't do it then.

Great advice as always.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at January 18, 2025 05:42 AM (QB+5g)

21 >>>China is panicking because the same idiots they helped create

Biggest op ever!

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 05:42 AM (VnUSN)

22 What a wonderful man!- Brother Andrew who smuggled Bibles into communist countries. I didn't know his story:

https://tinyurl.com/4bjetkdh

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:43 AM (8ZJJb)

23 Profanity is the ignorant person's form of emphasis.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 05:43 AM (dg+HA)

24 What is this Microsoft Office of which you speak?

Posted by: LibreOffice user, it works the same and it's free at January 18, 2025 05:45 AM (PiwSw)

25 Winds howling and temp is dropping in NW IL. Didn't sleep well, and that due, I think, to all the political upheaval. Fun to watch, but unnerving a bit, too.

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 05:47 AM (Jfw7U)

26 @ 24..ha...agree!

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 05:47 AM (Jfw7U)

27 23 Profanity is the ignorant person's form of emphasis.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 05:43 AM (dg+HA)

Can I f'cking interest you in a f'cking phone plan?

Posted by: Ryan Reynolds, pretty close to the actual commercials he makes for Mint Mobile at January 18, 2025 05:48 AM (PiwSw)

28 Christian mom sings a lovely version of "Blessed Assurance":

https://tinyurl.com/2s3mzpre

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:48 AM (8ZJJb)

29 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at January 18, 2025 05:52 AM (hoCmQ)

30 And I think probably because his dad and I generally don't use "f'ing" the son has gotten away from it, at least with us and I am glad about that I used to walk around the track at a local high school near one of the churches I served and the high school students would use it about every other word and it wasn't as if they were talking about earth shaking things. "I have to take my grandmother to the effing doctor because my mother is at effing work." Boring and redundant.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:54 AM (KfA4w)

31 Evening and morning, Saturday toilers and early risers! I'm looking at, believe it or don't, 66 F. right now. And the bottom is going to fall out of the weather bucket starting tonight. The local weather mavens are getting more certain that we will have not only low temps on Monday through Wednesday, but some rain or ice or even snow on Tuesday-Wednesday.

I'm sure everybody and their pets will be buying stuff at the grocery this weekend. Me among them. The Killer Kittenz From Outer Space need canned chow, for one thing.

So? Whass happenin'?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 05:58 AM (omVj0)

32 Can I f'cking interest you in a f'cking phone plan?
Posted by: Ryan Reynolds, pretty close to the actual commercials he makes for Mint

Nope😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 05:59 AM (31o1v)

33 Women using foul language is esp abhorrent. When they do, I invariably think them stupid. Yes, I am sexist like that.

And men who use foul language in front of women and kids are also invariably stupid. I am also sexist like that.

Men cursing with men...go for it, if you've a notion.

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:01 AM (Jfw7U)

34 Powerline Week in Pictures: Two Days to Go Edition

https://is.gd/CceLt4

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 18, 2025 06:01 AM (PiwSw)

35 Woman who was feeling lonely gets help from the story of Joshua 1:1-9

https://tinyurl.com/mwv2vtk7

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:08 AM (+PHes)

36 I spent two years working with Irish plasters. I picked up their preference for C wording everything.

Posted by: Accomack at January 18, 2025 06:10 AM (Kgxhe)

37 Tea. Earl Grey. Hot.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at January 18, 2025 06:10 AM (6K6Eu)

38 Posted by: Accomack at January 18, 2025 06:10

Creepy? 😉

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:12 AM (pSxhu)

39 Somebody called me to "c" word on the board the other day. It was not the word "cuddly"

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:13 AM (pSxhu)

40 I'm not too overly fussed about Copilot, really. On principle I am a bit, but in meatspace I'm thinking there's nothing on any of my PCs I would not hand over with a smile if anyone from MSFT or the CIA or the PLA or a random cobbler from Astana just asked me nicely. I don't save passwords in plaintext. Whatever banking I do online is only as secure as all the crap on the other side of my router and modem. And I just assume that's wide the hell open and if I do get bit on the ass then, historically, all my financial institutions have been decent enough about this sort of thing in the past that I know they probably won't leave me hanging.

And if you really want to know what's in my steam library and how few achievements I have, just ask me and i'll tell you.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at January 18, 2025 06:15 AM (+iIV1)

41 Hubs works in a place where there is cursing. Heavy masculine enivro.

Always left that at work, thankfully, save for one time when he let loose a blue streak over something, albeit under his breath.

It so upset our fine German Shepherd that he never did it again. She felt the 'steam' in the words and did not like it one bit. Always a lady, that bitch (said scientifically).

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:15 AM (Jfw7U)

42 Fen, got called that one time and real life. I considered the source and sloughed it off. Some people just can't help it.

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:17 AM (Jfw7U)

43 Today at 7:00 p.m. kicks off the first hot air balloon festival in 14 years in Las Cruces. I don't have high hopes for this mornings mass ascension cuz we're looking at having up to 20 mph winds. That will ground balloons fast as anything will. In the event that everything is shut down today because of the winds, there will be another try on Sunday morning. This is such great news that we actually have them again.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:21 AM (Q8Bj8)

44 They didn't take me seriously until I c'ed them back. It is probably a class thing against the posh.
I curse causally.
For emphasis, I change my tone.

Posted by: Accomack at January 18, 2025 06:21 AM (Kn+mz)

45 and = in

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:21 AM (Jfw7U)

46 That must be a splendid thing to witness, AP.

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:23 AM (Jfw7U)

47 Today at 7:00 p.m. kicks off the first hot air balloon festival in 14 years in Las Cruces. I don't have high hopes for this mornings mass ascension cuz we're looking at having up to 20 mph winds. That will ground balloons fast as anything will. In the event that everything is shut down today because of the winds, there will be another try on Sunday morning. This is such great news that we actually have them again.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025

***
I knew about the balloon festival in the fall in ABQ, but not about one in LC. When did that start, and why did they suspend it for fourteen years?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 06:23 AM (omVj0)

48 I knew about the balloon festival in the fall in ABQ, but not about one in LC. When did that start, and why did they suspend it for fourteen years? Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius

The quality of the news reporting here is abysmal. About 18 months ago the paper stop doing any serious reporting and since then it's populated the paper with lottery results and get this, gulf state gas prices.

The local paper announced we were having a ballon festival in 14 years but they never bothered to explain why there was a 14-year gap or any prior history. I have a sneaky feeling somebody moved here that's really into hot air balloons since I've seen one going up with some regularity over the last 6 months and that triggered the city and the county to get all sweaty about this.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:28 AM (Q8Bj8)

49 Hey Pixy, thanks for the crowded house.

Posted by: actually inside the beltway at January 18, 2025 06:29 AM (xA5g+)

50 That must be a splendid thing to witness, AP.
Posted by: lizabth

The one in Albuquerque is known internationally and attracts people from all over the world. When they have a mass ascension It is a breathtaking experience. I'm guessing they have something close to 100 plus balloons for their festival. I will be delighted if we have 10.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:30 AM (Q8Bj8)

51 Hot air balloons go where they may.

Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:33 AM (jgmnb)

52 mornin yall. It occurred to me that if you asked AI "how many jelly beans are in this jar" and it gave you an answer, would you count all the jelly beans anyway? What if there were only 12? Would you trust AI to give you the correct answer?

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 06:34 AM (vFG9F)

53 Hot air balloons go where they may.
Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:33 AM (jgmnb)
------------
One landed in the parking lot of the grocery store next to where I was working at the time. I was facing my window and saw it sweep by overhead, ran outside in time to see it land.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at January 18, 2025 06:35 AM (6K6Eu)

54 52 mornin yall. It occurred to me that if you asked AI "how many jelly beans are in this jar" and it gave you an answer, would you count all the jelly beans anyway? What if there were only 12? Would you trust AI to give you the correct answer?
Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 06:34 AM (vFG9F
Yes. If you are of the body.

Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:35 AM (jgmnb)

55 Hot air balloons go where they may.
Posted by: Eromero

When I lived in Albuquerque my place was on the route the commercial flights took every morning in the spring and summer. It was so exciting to see him come over the house at less than 100 ft at times and at other times land the street in front of my place. It's a miracle they never landed on anybody's roof that I'm aware of.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:38 AM (Q8Bj8)

56 53 Hot air balloons go where they may.
Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:33 AM (jgmnb)
------------
One landed in the parking lot of the grocery store next to where I was working at the time. I was facing my window and saw it sweep by overhead, ran outside in time to see it land.
Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at January 18, 2025 06:35 AM (6K6Eu
Did you get drafted as ground crew?

Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:38 AM (jgmnb)

57 Did you get drafted as ground crew?
Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:38 AM (jgmnb)
---------
No, I was across the street.

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at January 18, 2025 06:39 AM (6K6Eu)

58 Byeee...

Posted by: Captain Obvious, Laird o' the Sea, Radioactive Knight, Concertina Czar at January 18, 2025 06:40 AM (6K6Eu)

59 Time to start moving. Our task this morning is to go after a nice beef roast from our butcher, right when the doors open. Just seems like that sort of weekend. Inside, with good food.

Have a grand day, all!

Posted by: lizabth at January 18, 2025 06:40 AM (Jfw7U)

60 Did you get drafted as ground crew?
Posted by: Eromero at January 18, 2025 06:38 AM (jgmnb)

On more than one occasion I would chase down where they landed and volunteer to help them pack up the balloon. It was a lot of fun. The commercial companies have excellent ground chase crews.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:42 AM (Q8Bj8)

61 Alteria, I'll bet the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque is gorgeous

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 06:42 AM (oT+t6)

62 Alteria, I'll bet the hot air balloon festival in Albuquerque is gorgeous Posted by: Ben Had

Breathtaking comes to mind.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at January 18, 2025 06:43 AM (Q8Bj8)

63 SpaceX - Falcon 9 - Starlink 11-8
SLC-4E - Vandenberg Space Force Base - Space Affairs Live
Launch Date: January 18, 2025 (PT)
Launch Time: 9:03 a.m. PT - 1703 UTC, 18:03 CET
Launch Window: Open til 8:57 a.m. PT

https://www.youtube.com/live/PhiQ3-SAf78

Posted by: Ciampino - from California we bring you Smoke at January 18, 2025 06:44 AM (i0xsb)

64 Schedule for inauguration activities, some of them are starting today:

https://tinyurl.com/22x28uhr

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:45 AM (MQJVv)

65 And the person who called me the c word gets repeatedly banned so he's probably under stress because of that as well as some other things. It's good to recall when the insults start flying that we may not know the circumstances in peoples' lives.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:50 AM (MQJVv)

66 We have a big hot air balloon festival every year at an airport in a more rural part of the state. It is very lovely.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 06:51 AM (MQJVv)

67
Now your First comes with a free ad placement. Hooray!

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 06:53 AM (dxSpM)

68 I need coffee

Posted by: Skip at January 18, 2025 06:53 AM (fwDg9)

69 Hadrian, what's the word on Diana?

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 06:54 AM (oT+t6)

70 Took a ride in a hot air balloon once, my grandfather and dad were with me. It was a good experience

Posted by: Skip at January 18, 2025 06:56 AM (fwDg9)

71
Hadrian, what's the word on Diana?
Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 06:54 AM (oT+t6)

We go in to the chiropractor on Monday. They should have the ultrasound results by then. Just came in from giving her her 20 minutes on the doggie treadmill.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 06:58 AM (dxSpM)

72 Please tell me the hot air balloon event starts at 7 AM and not 7 PM. But I'm clueless about such elfin magic.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 06:58 AM (dg+HA)

73
Punchline only:

"No Mother Superior, they don't call a spade a spade, they call it a fucking shovel!"

Posted by: Ciampino - from California we bring you Smoke! at January 18, 2025 06:59 AM (i0xsb)

74 Coffee and a morning pipe to get my system started. Time for some breakfast and a shave. Then I plan to hit the close-by Walmart for some things I need before tomorrow, on my way to the barber for haircut and beard trim.

There's a convenience store/gas station on my way home from the suburbs that I hope still has ethanol-free gas for $2.99/gal. If so, I'll gas up there. It's .50/gal. cheaper than at my close-by Exxon -- but I have to use cash at this place. Worth it, say I.

We have a solid chance of rain this evening, preceding the cold, so I think Miss Linda and I will stay home tonight. I'll pick up something edible at Aldi on the way home.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 07:02 AM (omVj0)

75 The New Mexico legislature is about to have its annual 60 day session. Why yes, eliminating the 2nd amendment is a high priority including allowing a cop to to get a red flag warrant without challenge which enables the cops to seize a US citizen's firearms without due process protections. Democracy protected it seems.

https://is.gd/x9TzeG

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:02 AM (Q8Bj8)

76 Good morning Ben Had. Any updates on JT?

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:02 AM (vFG9F)

77 Early in morning winds are minimal

Posted by: Skip at January 18, 2025 07:03 AM (fwDg9)

78 Mother Superior, we've discovered a case of Chlamydia in the convent.

Oh, thank goodness. I've gotten so sick of Chardonnay!

Posted by: A classic at January 18, 2025 07:03 AM (dg+HA)

79 fd, no. I was hoping to see him here by now. I'll give him a call today

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:04 AM (oT+t6)

80 Please tell me the hot air balloon event starts at 7 AM and not 7 PM. But I'm clueless about such elfin magic.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

Did I type 7 pm? I did, I did. What a dope. 7 AM!

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:04 AM (Q8Bj8)

81 But my favorite here is when people only make denigrating posts and launch off into doozies and say, "I'm not going to read or respond to your posts anymore!" Gee, I'm totally devastated. Totally insert eye roll.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 07:05 AM (n5Zdh)

82
Gee, I'm totally devastated. Totally insert eye roll.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 07:05 AM (n5Zdh)

If you're going to be that way!..

*grabs coat and purse*
*dramatically swirls out of room*

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 07:09 AM (dxSpM)

83 Early in morning winds are minimal
Posted by: Skip

That is the hope. Yesterday, the winds set in about 9 am and blew hard all day long. It looks like this morning they winds will be in 10 mph or less range. I think we are going to have a liftoff.

In the event we don't their will be a "Evening Glow" event at 5 PM where the balloons and their graphics are illuminated by their gas burners while securely tethered. Those events are stunning too.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:09 AM (Q8Bj8)

84 Aldi sells an Italian sausage seasoned with Old Bay. I just proved it tastes delicious in a cheese omelette.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:10 AM (dg+HA)

85 Nice.

PoIiMath retweeted
Razib 🥥 Khan 🧬 📘✍️📱
@razibkhan
Jan 15
Khrushchev was interrupted by a shout from a heckler in the audience. “You were one of Stalin’s colleagues. Why didn’t you stop him?” “Who said that?” roared Khrushchev. An agonizing silence followed as nobody in the room dared move a muscle. Then Khrushchev replied quietly, “Now you know why.”

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 07:11 AM (VnUSN)

86 Two more days. The last time around we were just relieved that it wasn't Hillary and didn't know what to expect. This time I expect great things and maddening things, lefty meltdowns and rabid attacks, plenty of fake news, and good times at the HQ.

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:11 AM (vFG9F)

87 Quarter Twenty and you didn't share !

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:11 AM (oT+t6)

88 A flounce.
So early in the morning.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:12 AM (dg+HA)

89 84 Aldi sells an Italian sausage seasoned with Old Bay. I just proved it tastes delicious in a cheese omelette.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:10 AM (dg+HA)

yum

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 07:12 AM (VnUSN)

90 Morning peeps.

Not as cold here this morning as it has been. It's 41 here. Lots of snow and ice melt yesterday, yet it lingers in a lot of places and we're expecting rain, which will turn to ice on the ground when temps crash tomorrow.

Need to check the roof and gutters for ice damage today. They've been buried in it for two weeks.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 18, 2025 07:12 AM (Q4IgG)

91 I'll be sure to bring some in October.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:13 AM (dg+HA)

92 86 good times at the HQ
Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:11 AM (vFG9F)

Yay!

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 07:13 AM (VnUSN)

93 I saw Gladiator II last night. It was not a history lesson which is just fine. What Ridley Scott and his team did get stunningly right was bringing ancient Rome to life as a living city.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:14 AM (Q8Bj8)

94 I'm going to cook a prime rib today. I've never done it and there are 100 different ways to do it. One is to let the roast sit out for a few hours to get to room temp, then bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 500 degrees, then turn the oven off and leave the roast in there for a couple of hours.

What do you think?

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:15 AM (vFG9F)

95 I have a Microsoft 365 plan. It stopped working sometime in the last month. I couldn't login.

I looked up the problem. They "don't support Windows 7". Well. I like Windows 7 on this old desktop. I don't want to buy a new desktop.

Great news! I just tried logging in and it worked!

Maybe when I turned off auto-payment someone noticed. My subscription doesn't expire until April.

Posted by: No one of any consequence at January 18, 2025 07:16 AM (ZmEVT)

96 fd, from what I have heard that is the best way. Good luck.

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:17 AM (oT+t6)

97 So when do we taxpayers stop funding National Panhandler Radio?
And when do CAFE standards go away so we can buy a nice little pickup truck again?

For those of you keeping score at home, I'm not tired of winning yet.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:17 AM (dg+HA)

98 Two more days. The last time around we were just relieved that it wasn't Hillary and didn't know what to expect. This time I expect great things and maddening things, lefty meltdowns and rabid attacks, plenty of fake news, and good times at the HQ.
Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025

***
Yes, Ace, the cobs, and all of us will have plenty to write about!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 07:17 AM (omVj0)

99 fd, get an oven going meat thermometer.

When it hits 127, pull the meat out and let it rest 20 mins at least.

Posted by: No one of any consequence at January 18, 2025 07:18 AM (ZmEVT)

100 100

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 07:18 AM (VnUSN)

101 Considering the fact that TikToc was about to go away, I was wondering why I was still seeing advertisements for it while scrolling through YouTube. Suddenly late last night/early this morning, I saw my first ad for Red Sky. It was nauseating seeing so many people saying, "Thank you, China!" for the app.

Posted by: tankdemon at January 18, 2025 07:18 AM (cdzx1)

102 *RedNote, not Red Sky. My bad, but I'm still blaming my copy editor.

Posted by: tankdemon at January 18, 2025 07:19 AM (cdzx1)

103 "fd, from what I have heard that is the best way"

That's reassuring, and will try that method. I've got to get out and find some real horseradish today too.

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:20 AM (vFG9F)

104 "...seeing so many people saying, "Thank you, China!" for the app."

You think those comments were posted by real people?

Posted by: Bob from the NSA at January 18, 2025 07:20 AM (dg+HA)

105 97 So when do we taxpayers stop funding National Panhandler Radio?
And when do CAFE standards go away so we can buy a nice little pickup truck again?

For those of you keeping score at home, I'm not tired of winning yet.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025

***
It would be nice not to have to worry about those standards, so that maybe car makers can start designing cars that don't all look like little pods. I'd love a squarish formal roofline like those of the mid-Sixties Thunderbirds and Mustangs, or my late lamented Mercedes W126, please!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 07:20 AM (omVj0)

106 There is a recipe where you multiply the weight (lbs) by 7 minutes. So a 6 lb roast is in the oven for 42 minutes at 500 degrees. Then you turn off the oven but DO NOT OPEN THE DOOR.

And you wait until the meat thermometer tells you that it is ready.

Posted by: No one of any consequence at January 18, 2025 07:21 AM (ZmEVT)

107 fd. That's how Rancherbob does it

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:21 AM (oT+t6)

108 Woman's excuse after falsely accusing man of attempted rape and kidnap

https://mol.im/a/14298661

Okay, what does he get as recompense for the month in jail? It was obviously a he said/she said case so he should not have been jailed in the first place - innocent until proven guilty right?

Posted by: Ciampino - this is so maddening at January 18, 2025 07:21 AM (i0xsb)

109 Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:12 AM (dg+HA)

Who's flouncing? I missed it.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 07:22 AM (SzczT)

110 Uh, oh. Math.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:22 AM (dg+HA)

111
The world without TikTok will be post-apocalyptic. No dancing nurses. No AWFLs sitting in their cars bitching about life. No influencers making the world all about them. The survivors will envy the dead.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 07:22 AM (dxSpM)

112 Last name?
Zawieruszynski
You are going to have to spell that slowly ma'am.

Posted by: Ciampino - I thought I had trouble at January 18, 2025 07:23 AM (i0xsb)

113 *Who's flouncing? I missed it.*

That's my interpretation of Hadrian at 82.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:23 AM (dg+HA)

114 My adventure today in fine dining (that is a joke) is to make Chile Colorado from scratch including lard. When made properly Chile Colorado consists of pork shoulder/tenderloin, red chiles, a few spices and magic (at least I convinced magic is involved). I am about 80% of the way to magic and each time I make it I get a percentage point closer. If everything goes right I will have mastered this in time for my wake.

There is a restaurant south of Las Cruces that has been there since 1909 and their Chile Colorado ranks up there with what should be considered as best on the planet. A bowl of their magic costs $8.00 including scratch made tortillas - I am not sure why I bother trying.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:23 AM (Q8Bj8)

115 The world without TikTok will be post-apocalyptic. No dancing nurses. No AWFLs sitting in their cars bitching about life. No influencers making the world all about them. The survivors will envy the dead.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Its one redeeming feature was the pet videos.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:25 AM (Q8Bj8)

116 Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:12 AM (dg+HA)

Thanks. I missed that. We have quite a few people here who are very clever with words. I enjoy reading their posts.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 07:25 AM (SzczT)

117 Alteria, because it's fun. I just about have my rellenos perfected .

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:26 AM (oT+t6)

118 *sets Google Maps for Las Cruces*

I'm on my way.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:26 AM (dg+HA)

119 I am leaning towards a divine hand pushing President Trump's inauguration indoors on Monday. Something, something about third times.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:27 AM (Q8Bj8)

120 Quarter Twenty, a fun drive with a tasty reward at the end

Posted by: Ben Had at January 18, 2025 07:28 AM (oT+t6)

121 In political news, researchers in California have captured and photographed a rare creature. It has small, beady eyes and a pointy snout and spends most of its time below ground

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:29 AM (vFG9F)

122 >>>Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions

I just got the double meaning!

Posted by: m at January 18, 2025 07:30 AM (VnUSN)

123 In light of impending weather events I'm gonna venture out earlier than normal to engage in commerce amongst the Costcolians, Aldians, Walmartians and Home Depolators.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:31 AM (dg+HA)

124 *sets Google Maps for Las Cruces*

I'm on my way.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

Come on by. Make sure it is between Thursday and Sunday. The restaurant is in a house and is sort of foobar to honest as a memorable place (the food is off the charts). The bar, which sits next door, is one of the greatest roadhouses in the Southwest. I ride my Honda Trail 125 (aka Piglet) there when it is warmer and park amongst all the Harleys. Yeah, I am a bad ass.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:32 AM (Q8Bj8)

125 My local '80s FM station is playing a Casey Kasem show from about 1980, I think -- Ronnie Millsap and "Smokey Mountain Rain."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at January 18, 2025 07:33 AM (omVj0)

126 Woman's excuse after falsely accusing man of attempted rape and kidnap
https://mol.im/a/14298661

Odd that since The Mooselim's Rape Gangs in Less Britain have come to the fore the Daily Rag finds a false rape case way out in Pennsylvania.
Things that make you go ...Hmmmmmm.

Posted by: C + C Music Factory at January 18, 2025 07:33 AM (R/m4+)

127 Imma retire this year and take to the road full time.
We'll meet up there sometime.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:35 AM (dg+HA)

128 Imma retire this year and take to the road full time.
We'll meet up there sometime.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty

Join the Elk's - A number of the lodges have RV pads. The Las Cruces lodge has 6 or 7 and they are busy year round.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:36 AM (Q8Bj8)

129 When microcomputers came out in the 70s-89s one purchased software and it was yours to do what you wished. Source code was sometimes available but one could disassemble the code and modify it as programs (apps) were not big. Then someone decided that the PC software business should be like the mainframe business - software is copyrighted and is leased. That started the downward spiral. In the 90s there stories of MS wanting to do a monthly rental model for Office. With 365 they finally achieved their target and I don't know why people just don't go to OpenOffice or LibreOffice I use the latter and it's great and free.

Posted by: Ciampino - I enjoyed tweaking software at January 18, 2025 07:38 AM (i0xsb)

130 Finally have a cup of coffee, and it's too hot

Posted by: Skip at January 18, 2025 07:43 AM (fwDg9)

131 > When microcomputers came out in the 70s-89s one purchased software and it was yours to do what you wished.
-------
IBM had a lot to do with the licensing of software. It was, and is the model they use with their mainframes. DOS was at one time branded "IBM DOS." I have an original copy, still shrink-wrapped.

The "licensing" models have been around forever. The creative part is conning the consumer to pay for it.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 18, 2025 07:43 AM (Q4IgG)

132 I'm not sure what to think about this story:

"German authorities have launched an investigation after a group of witches were accused of beating up a local politican"

If they were real witches, wouldn't they just throw a spell instead of punches?

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:43 AM (vFG9F)

133 >>>However saying "eff" to the church folks probably wouldn't go over too well.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
---

Good morning, sleep pattern disruptions are always unpleasant. Coffee helps.
Remember, evil never sleeps.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 07:43 AM (rhmc0)

134 Morning Horde. Finally found out yesterday what has been causing my swallowing issues. ENT doc did a scope on me. Acid reflux is the culprit. I just now brewed 1/2 cup of coffee on my way to weening myself off of it for at least 3 months. Alsono chocolate or alcohol. Avoid as much as possible fried or fatty foods, carbonated beverages, citrus, spiced or cure meats which includes bacon, peppermint and chewing gum. Good thing that potatus is on his way out since this is going to be really, really depressing and having that imbecile in office would have been the icing on the cake.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 18, 2025 07:46 AM (2NHgQ)

135 "When microcomputers came out in the 70s-89s one purchased software and it was yours to do what you wished."

Or typed it in yourself. The first computer my dad and I built could not be turned off or it would dump the program. I spent a couple of days entering "Hangman" in hex, only to have the power to go off a few days later. I think that was the last time I did anything in hexadecimal.

Posted by: fd at January 18, 2025 07:48 AM (vFG9F)

136 The world without TikTok will be post-apocalyptic. No dancing nurses. No AWFLs sitting in their cars bitching about life. No influencers making the world all about them. The survivors will envy the dead.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh

Its one redeeming feature was the pet videos.
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:25 AM (Q8Bj

I believe "The Glam Kitchen" started on TikTok although she's on YT now (also?). Hilarious, if you've never seen any of them.

Example: https://youtu.be/ycLjHMVl5vU

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at January 18, 2025 07:48 AM (ExV1e)

137 With 365 they finally achieved their target and I don't know why people just don't go to OpenOffice or LibreOffice I use the latter and it's great and free.
Posted by: Ciampino

Your point is taken. Consider this. A MS 365 Family plan includes 6 licenses for $100.00 each year which allows each person to install it on up to 5 devices. Further each user gets 1TB of One Drive space. If you are not cloud storage adverse it is a terrific way to have a single synced version of your data on all your machines/devices. That is a rather reasonable price for the cloud storage alone.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:49 AM (Q8Bj8)

138 *Join the Elk's - A number of the lodges have RV pads. The Las Cruces lodge has 6 or 7 and they are busy year round.
Posted by: Altaria Pilgram*

Thanks. I didn't know that.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at January 18, 2025 07:49 AM (dg+HA)

139 >>>and I don't know why people just don't go to OpenOffice or LibreOffice I use the latter and it's great and free.
Posted by: Ciampino - I enjoyed tweaking software3
---

Corporate has stuck itself with MicroS because there's not a better alternative and the expense of turning over a complete system. This filters down to consumer choice.

When I hit the wall with 7 last year I went to Linux Mint. It's a little sloppy compared to 7 but absolutely nothing to complain about.
The learning curve is almost non-existent and unlike Micro they want you to enjoy it because it's their bag.

caveat - being a total ignoramous, no copyright infringement intended, I use ipad for transactions. I didn't trust Micro either.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 07:54 AM (rhmc0)

140 Example: https://youtu.be/ycLjHMVl5vU
Posted by: I used to have a different nic

This is so much fun.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 07:55 AM (Q8Bj8)

141 I do not like Apache. Open Office only comes in an image and I don't know how to unwrap it.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 07:56 AM (rhmc0)

142 Good morning!

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

Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 18, 2025 07:57 AM (u82oZ)

143 JB cover of Weather With You

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

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 18, 2025 07:57 AM (gbOdA)

144 Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at January 18, 2025 07:46 AM (2NHgQ)

Wow; That's a lot of things to give up at once. I would find the giving up coffee especially hard.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at January 18, 2025 07:59 AM (phU0/)

145 I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper

Thank you for the Powerline Week in Pictures: Two Days to Go Edition link. You are a giver.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 18, 2025 08:00 AM (u82oZ)

146 >>>Good thing that potatus is on his way out since this is going to be really, really depressing and having that imbecile in office would have been the icing on the cake.
Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine
---

Rolaids helps.
H/T, hidden feature. Just as you go to bed chew one up but avoid swallowing it. It will form a paste and coat your upper pallet and some of your throat. If you awake with a raw throat I hope it helps you as much as it does me.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 08:01 AM (rhmc0)

147 54 hours until Biden is gone. There is a chance Biden could still keel over in the White House on Monday. What a mess that would be plus the creep factor. I hope the place gets fumigated before Trump takes over.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 08:02 AM (Q8Bj8)

148 >>I'm going to cook a prime rib today. I've never done it and there are 100 different ways to do it. One is to let the roast sit out for a few hours to get to room temp, then bake in the oven for 20 minutes at 500 degrees, then turn the oven off and leave the roast in there for a couple of hours.

>>What do you think?

Chef Andrew Gruel method. I've used a few times and works like a charm.

Cook the roast at 250 until it reaches and internal temp of 110. Pull the roast and turn the over to 500. Put the roast back in for a nice crust until it reaches your desired internal. I like rare so I pull it at 120. Let it rest about 20 minutes and done.

Posted by: JackStraw at January 18, 2025 08:03 AM (LkLld)

149
I'm trying to improve an old laptop that is molasses slow on Win10 by installing Linux instead since, frankly, I do not care for or need any bells or whistles of Microsoft OS.

I invested $20 on an installation drive, but it hasn't worked at all. I don't know if I have to wipe the disk, like with a cloth, before I try. I'd download Linux myself, but there's some bizarre verification process that I can't make heads or tales of.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 08:05 AM (dxSpM)

150 Three basic devices here and they are not associated with each other what so ever. Apple people thought it.......odd.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 08:05 AM (rhmc0)

151 >>>I invested $20 on an installation drive, but it hasn't worked at all. I don't know if I have to wipe the disk, like with a cloth, before I try. I'd download Linux myself, but there's some bizarre verification process that I can't make heads or tales of.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh
+----

Bought a $20 stick from Amazon and paid $40 for installation. I picked up the computer next day. No trauma.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 08:09 AM (rhmc0)

152 caveat - being a total ignoramous, no copyright infringement intended, I use ipad for transactions. I didn't trust Micro either.
Posted by: Braenyard

No cloud security is 100%. Life is like that. On the other hand MSFT hosts the US Military plus other Fed agencies on its data centers. Plus corporations. Their security teams are world class. Not everything MSFT does is amusing.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 08:10 AM (Q8Bj8)

153
No AWFLs sitting in their cars bitching about life.

"I think I'll miss you most of all"

https://tinyurl.com/PretendMyTattoosAreGone

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at January 18, 2025 08:11 AM (xG4kz)

154 Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at January 18, 2025 08:05 AM (dxSpM)

https://tinyurl.com/zk68p7kt

This is a year or so old but 1 of the best I have seen.

Posted by: rhennigantx at January 18, 2025 08:11 AM (gbOdA)

155 I picked up the computer next day. No trauma.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 08:09 AM (rhmc0)

Braggart.

Posted by: Hunter Biden at January 18, 2025 08:11 AM (PiwSw)

156 Bought a $20 stick from Amazon and paid $40 for installation. I picked up the computer next day. No trauma. Posted by: Braenyard

There is wisdom here for mortals that don't want to f' around with playing PC admin.

Posted by: Altaria Pilgram - My President has convictions at January 18, 2025 08:11 AM (Q8Bj8)

157 The FDIC is suing former executives of the collapsed Silicon Valley Bank because, like idiots, they invested the company's money in government bonds. (CNN)

====

Well if that isn't the Quacta calling the Stifling Slimy. Who audits these banks ? That's right, FDIC. They did not see a problem during their regular audits?? Isn't it their mission - the reason why they exist, to prevent such calamities. Or at least unearth serious problems ? DOOOOOGGGGGEEE! *points at FDIC*

Posted by: runner at January 18, 2025 08:12 AM (g47mK)

158 Salty, thank you. Providing a small service to the Horde is a pleasure.

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at January 18, 2025 08:14 AM (PiwSw)

159 Just keep an eye on them so they don't spread the collapse into the world in general.

==

Caviar spillage ??

Posted by: runner at January 18, 2025 08:16 AM (g47mK)

160 I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper

They had a lot of keepers this week. So thanks again.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at January 18, 2025 08:16 AM (u82oZ)

161 Only thing in the cloud are my contacts and calendar. If there was a way to save them on my HD in a usable and transferable fashion I would.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at January 18, 2025 08:18 AM (rhmc0)

162 Microsoft was savvy enough to market Office to the Feds.

It was an easier way for the government to "office automate." The alternatives at the time; WordPerfect, Lotus 123, Ashton Tate's DBase II, III and some flavor of e-mail all were bundled separately. It was a logistical headache for us in the systems integration world too.

Plus, there was a fairly common interface across all the products. Training was a big deal in the 80's as computers became ubiquitous in the Fed, and elsewhere. I also taught "adult education" to get folks up to speed on all this.

Posted by: Martini Farmer at January 18, 2025 08:18 AM (Q4IgG)

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