Daily Tech News 18 March 2026

Top Story

Overwhelmingly Negative: Everybody hates DLSS 5. (Ars Technica)

Ars Technica rounds up the response to Nvidia's showcase of its DLSS 5 $10,000 AI slop filter and concludes that... It's bad.

(Not kidding about the cost: The demo required two RTX 5090s and they currently cost between $4000 and $6000 each, depending on the model. Yes, they launched at $2000. That was then; this is now.)
A roundup of some of the memes. (Notebook Check)

AI-generated. Because of course.
Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says you're holding it wrong. (Tom's Hardware)

Thanks Steve.

Tech News

AI still doesn't work very well, and businesses who claim it does are faking it. (The Register)

Or are looking at a very specific use case. If you need to translate code from one language to another, it works pretty well.

Sometimes.

Maybe.
To underscore the consequences of not having that kind of data, Smiley pointed to a recent attempt to rewrite SQLite in Rust using AI.

"It passed all the unit tests, the shape of the code looks right," he said. It's 3.7x more lines of code that performs 2,000 times worse than the actual SQLite. Two thousand times worse for a database is a non-viable product. It's a dumpster fire. Throw it away. All that money you spent on it is worthless."
Except that's not actually accurate. (Medium)

It wasn't 2000 times slower. It was 20,000 times slower. A query that took 90 microseconds on the real thing took two seconds on the AI rewrite.
Please-don't-call-it-gambling site Kalshi faces criminal charges in Arizon because guess what? (Tech Crunch)

You'll never guess.

Oh, you guessed.
All the data and photos gathered by people playing Pokemon Go has been used to train delivery robots. (Popular Science)

We already knew this, right? The developer of Pokemon Go, Niantic, wasn't created to develop games. It was founded as a geospatial services company. And they put millions of players to work harvesting data.

Musical Interlude

You won't recognise those people unless you are Australian and were alive in the 90s, but I am, and was.

Disclaimer: No AI was harmed in the creation of that music video. It was made in 1992, so that would have been hard. They actually persuaded various newsreaders of the day to lip-sync the lyrics.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 G'mornin' everyone!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 04:00 AM (MIIRH)

2 Morning all

Posted by: Tuna at March 18, 2026 04:01 AM (lJ0H4)

3 !!

Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 04:01 AM (H7mpT)

4 w00t

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:01 AM (+YA9H)

5 >>>Please-don't-call-it-gambling site Kalshi faces criminal charges in Arizon because guess what? (Tech Crunch)

Because they didn't say "pretty please"?

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:03 AM (+YA9H)

6 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at March 18, 2026 04:05 AM (a1meb)

7 Evenin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 04:08 AM (sAmhv)

8 a sentence from the Tom's Hardware article:

We'll see if the vocal gamers who say they dislike what they see change their mind as we see more.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:09 AM (+YA9H)

9 Morning,

There will be a spacewalk for those interested.

NASA - ISS Spacewalk #278
Jessica Meir & Chris Williams - ISS - Space Affairs Live
Date: March 18, 2026
Time: 7:30 A. M. EDT

https://youtu.be/mLkyLvp_I3o

Posted by: Joyenz at March 18, 2026 04:11 AM (2F0/Y)

10 >>>They actually persuaded various newsreaders of the day to lip-sync the lyrics.

super cool

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:15 AM (+YA9H)

11 Thanks, Joyenz! *waves*

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:16 AM (+YA9H)

12 Meanwhile over YouTube, there is one person and one person only that isn't swooning over the new Macbook Neo.
https://youtu.be/cO3wfxfIkfU

And just when you thought Microsoft was getting off scot-free
https://youtu.be/XaDuorSRvGA

Plus Intel reacts to the new Apple M5 CPUs
https://youtu.be/1vZMz4CTybc

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:16 AM (BnDlA)

13 >>>Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang says you're holding it wrong. (Tom's Hardware)
Thanks Steve.

He ... doesn't LOOK like Steve.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:18 AM (+YA9H)

14 Those memes changed by ai look bad. The original artwork was not changed for the better.

Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 04:24 AM (H7mpT)

15 Arizona attorney general Kris Mayes has filed criminal charges against prediction market platform Kalshi for allegedly for...“accept[ing] bets from Arizona residents on a wide range of events,” including state elections, a practice that is illegal in Arizona.

What Kalshi Is actually being indicted for is interfering with Maricopa county's election rigging monopoly. Can't have that can we?

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:25 AM (BnDlA)

16 or a good whatever-part-of-the-day-is-appropriate to those outside the US.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 04:26 AM (MIIRH)

17 12: I'll decide this weekend which MacBook to get. It will be either Neo or Sky. Both would suit my needs just fine.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 04:26 AM (sAmhv)

18 Hey, Steve! Nyoooooooooow!!!

— Peanut & Jeff Dunham

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 04:26 AM (JRP2U)

19 it works pretty well.

Sometimes.

Maybe.
****

The word you are looking for is NOT.

Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 04:27 AM (H7mpT)

20 "Because they didn't say "pretty please"?

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:03 AM (+YA9H) "

well, that, and presumably failing to share some of the unearned increment with the authorities ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 04:29 AM (MIIRH)

21 14 Those memes changed by ai look bad. The original artwork was not changed for the better.
Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 04:24 AM (H7mpT)

Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang has a snappy retort to that:

"You're wrong," he explained.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:29 AM (+YA9H)

22 I'll decide this weekend which MacBook to get. It will be either Neo or Sky. Both would suit my needs just fine.
Posted by: Puddleglum

The downside of the Sky is it going to require you to cash in a lot more soda bottles at the recyclers to afford it. On the plus side you get a power cord that falls out without runing the computer when your cat, whacked out on catnip, attacks the power cord.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:31 AM (BnDlA)

23 G'Day everyone
Can't wait to get off this late start job

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 04:32 AM (Ia/+0)

24 22: Hah! Well, I don't have a cat and at this moment in time, I can afford an Apple, so I'm getting one.

🐱🐱

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 04:34 AM (sAmhv)

25 Wired.com has a fun article on "You're holding it wrong":

https://www.wired.com/2010/06/
iphone-4-holding-it-wrong/

https://archive.is/jt9rD

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:35 AM (+YA9H)

26 And truckwill be still getting worked on until Friday probably

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 04:36 AM (Ia/+0)

27 I was going to say "Kalshi, what?"

$20, same as in town seems to be the proper response.

Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 04:38 AM (H7mpT)

28 >>>It wasn't 2000 times slower. It was 20,000 times slower. A query that took 90 microseconds on the real thing took two seconds on the AI rewrite.

Hello ... math?!

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:41 AM (+YA9H)

29 Puddleglum. Will this MacBook purchase be your first Apple product?

I'm thinking of picking up a Neo or Air as my third attempt at owning an Apple product. I'm approaching this decision with great trepidition. My first try was an iPod which I eventually pitched over a fence cuz iTunes drove me crazy on my Windows box. Then I tried out an iPad last November and I couldn't get rid of that quick enough because it kept permanently locking me out of the machine. The only recourse for that was to go to the Apple store and have them flatten it for me. I fondly remember that iPad as the device where I honed my skills setting up iPads.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:41 AM (BnDlA)

30 29: AP, yes. First Apple. I don't need it, I just want one. I have plenty of tech here in my cave.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 04:48 AM (sAmhv)

31 29 to go to the Apple store and have them flatten it for me

Halp! What does that mean? The "flatten" part.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:49 AM (+YA9H)

32 The Apple Neo ain't nothing. Behold the 1980s IBM PC Jr.
https://youtu.be/VwEssCpTW5I

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:54 AM (BnDlA)

33 cogent:

Bonchie
@bonchieredstate
10h
So is access to the president good or bad?
Did you guys prefer the once a year pressers under Biden?

Katie Rogers
@katierogers
17h
lol. Embarrassing per usual.

“One TV insider called the breathless Trump phone exclusives “shameless.” Another said they thought it was “silly and doesn’t add much value.” Another said the interviews were “useless.” Of course, all 3 acknowledged that they had … called Trump.”

(NB: Katie Rogers is reporting on these silly people, not being one.)

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 04:56 AM (+YA9H)

34 Halp! What does that mean? The "flatten" part.
Posted by: m

Restore it to its original state as it came out of the box. Or as all the cool kids say, "flatten it."

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:57 AM (BnDlA)

35 Morning, 'rons and 'ettes.

Posted by: olddog in mo at March 18, 2026 05:00 AM (bQ4nt)

36 34 Halp! What does that mean? The "flatten" part.
Posted by: m

Restore it to its original state as it came out of the box. Or as all the cool kids say, "flatten it."
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 04:57 AM (BnDlA)

Thank you!

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:00 AM (+YA9H)

37 AP, yes. First Apple. I don't need it, I just want one. I have plenty of tech here in my cave. Posted by: Puddleglum

I'm all smitten with the system fonts Apple uses and traffic lights thingy in the upper left corner of the windows.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 05:00 AM (BnDlA)

38 37 AP, yes. First Apple. I don't need it, I just want one. I have plenty of tech here in my cave. Posted by: Puddleglum

I'm all smitten with the system fonts Apple uses and traffic lights thingy in the upper left corner of the windows.
Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 05:00 AM (BnDlA)

You're holding it wrong.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:03 AM (+YA9H)

39 32: I memba'. I got a Commodore 64 instead.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 05:06 AM (sAmhv)

40 Ooh! A flounce.

Kat Abughazaleh
@KatAbughazaleh
22 Dec 2025
Effective immediately, I'm leaving Twitter.

And I'm calling on other candidates to stop enriching Elon Musk — directly or indirectly. He needs us. We don't need him.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:08 AM (+YA9H)

41 hahahahaha

Clown World ™ 🤡
@ClownWorld
23 Dec 2025
This isn’t an airport. No need to announce departures.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:09 AM (+YA9H)

42 If I get a MacBook, at this point it's pretty much a done thing, and if I find out it isn't trying to stab me in the neck when I'm not looking I can see myself getting an iPhone. But only as a research project. My tentative plan is to put them on the coffee table, side by side, lower the lights, and and see if they try to mate with each other.

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 05:09 AM (BnDlA)

43 Thanks Steve.

https://youtu.be/b8h5WGyz4P0

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:09 AM (6ydKt)

44 When I need to flatten a device I either drop it off a building or run over it with the truck. Repeat as needed.

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 05:11 AM (JRP2U)

45 There is an entire ecosystem where the name Kat Abughazaleh matters. I'm not in it. I suspect not many are.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 05:12 AM (sAmhv)

46 44 When I need to flatten a device I either drop it off a building or run over it with the truck. Repeat as needed.
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 05:11 AM (JRP2U)

I dropped an old thinkpad out of an 8' drop ceiling once while commissioning an HVAC controller.

Busted a whole corner of the frame out, but otherwise the thing ran fine for another few years.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026 05:12 AM (Ot/FD)

47 43 Thanks Steve.

https://youtu.be/b8h5WGyz4P0
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:09 AM (6ydKt)

huh

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:12 AM (+YA9H)

48 That's it! Scrub the seven launches scheduled for today! Some neckbeard on twitter caught the bad feels and flounced. It's all over, lads. Pack it up.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026 05:14 AM (Ot/FD)

49 Evening and morning, late toilers, early risers, and just plain insomaniacals! Stretch and yawn: It's Woden's Day yet again.

Yesterday, out in the 'burbs, I lucked into a deal. Fresh Market -- which usually has prices in the same stratosphere as Whole Paycheck -- offers a Tuesday Special, a 12" fresh-made pizza, several topping choices, for just $5.00. I grabbed a pepperoni, and we heated it back up for dinner last night. Quite, quite good.

Yeah, there was an extra savor from getting a $9.99 pizza for $5. But you take your fun where you can find it.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 05:17 AM (wzUl9)

50 45 There is an entire ecosystem where the name Kat Abughazaleh matters. I'm not in it. I suspect not many are.
Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 05:12 AM (sAmhv)

mutatis mutandis
Flouncing is as flouncing does.
You know a person by her flounce.
et cetera

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:18 AM (+YA9H)

51 jakkuh (Jacob who used to work at LTT), is the only reviewer on YT I've watched who actually took apart the Macbook Neo to see its guts.

https://youtu.be/LvgHMOV4Au8

The entire motherboard inside of the laptop is about the size of a 12" ruler.

They could've crammed a lot more battery in the thing, and an M.3 SSD slot if they wanted. But it's still pretty good for $499/599.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:18 AM (6ydKt)

52 Jerry Rig Everything also did a tear down of the Neo.

https://youtu.be/NueC1gwGQHs

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 05:20 AM (BnDlA)

53 46 F., wind chill nil, winds N at 2 mph. I have no excuse not to go work out. Really none.

Well, I didn't sleep as long as I should have. . . .

"Dear Sirs: Please excuse Wolfus from gym class today. His cat woke him up early. Sincerely, Wolfus's Mom."

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 05:21 AM (wzUl9)

54 huh

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:12 AM (+YA9H)

You'll find a lot of Steves in the industry.

That particular clip of an Intel employee thanking Steve Orrin of Intel during a presentation has been used by Steve Burke at GamersNexus a lot over the last several years when he's being a smartass about something, usually involving Intel.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:23 AM (6ydKt)

55 Roundup warriors look sweet. Groomer gaming?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 05:24 AM (nBZd4)

56 52 Jerry Rig Everything also did a tear down of the Neo.

https://youtu.be/NueC1gwGQHs

Posted by: Alteria Pilgram - My President has convictions. at March 18, 2026 05:20 AM (BnDlA)

I'll watch that. He went a lot further in the tear down than jakkuh did.

Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:26 AM (6ydKt)

57 I've got a 5090 anytime I want via my geforce now subscription.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:26 AM (7HdSs)

58 hahahahaha a comment under the 2025 Kat post:

- I'm going to UNLIKE this page
- Right after I post about UNLIKING this page
- And hang around to see what people say about me UNLIKING this page

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:27 AM (+YA9H)

59 So I flew down to Florida last minute on Saturday to see my friend and boss of 20 years who was dying of undiagnosed stage 4 stomach cancer. My flight home got canceled on Monday due to the storms. Got stranded in the Orlando airport. Non pre check TSA lines are nucking futs. Hours at least. My flight is in 2 hours and if you aren't in line for it now you ain't making it.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:30 AM (7HdSs)

60 My flight is in 2 hours and if you aren't in line for it now you ain't making it.
Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:30 AM (7HdSs)

Thanks for reminding me I need to do that. Got a new job i'll have to be flying for a lot. I never had pre-check, because we'd always just schedule our personal flights out of a small local airport, first thing in the morning. Never had to wait in security.

Now I don't have that luxury. Boo.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026 05:33 AM (Ot/FD)

61 If you fly at all it's worth getting pre check.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:34 AM (7HdSs)

62 54 You'll find a lot of Steves in the industry.

That particular clip of an Intel employee thanking Steve Orrin of Intel during a presentation has been used by Steve Burke at GamersNexus a lot over the last several years when he's being a smartass about something, usually involving Intel.
Posted by: SpeakingOf at March 18, 2026 05:23 AM (6ydKt)

Aha! Thank you.

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:35 AM (+YA9H)

63 Thanks for reminding me I need to do that. Got a new job i'll have to be flying for a lot. I never had pre-check, because we'd always just schedule our personal flights out of a small local airport, first thing in the morning. Never had to wait in security.

Now I don't have that luxury. Boo.
Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026

***
In my planning for a trip to Kansas (possible relocation! Yay!), I checked into flying from the smaller Baton Rouge airport, ninety minutes' drive up the Interstate. It's a hair cheaper, but not enough to compensate for, well, ninety minutes' drive. I don't expect the Totally Standing Around lines to be much better there, either. I'll just drive -- and that too will be quite a bit cheaper than flying and renting a car.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 05:40 AM (wzUl9)

64 haha rearranged for easier reading

1) Yashar Ali 🐘
@yashar
Mar 16
If a white suburban dad says “fair enough,” to your argument, you have won the greatest of victories.
Mar 16, 2026 · 6:49 PM UTC

2) Cheese For Everyone!
@CheeseForEvery1
Mar 16
If *I* say “fair enough” to your argument, it’s because I want you to leave me alone because I’m uninterested in arguing

3) Jersey General
@JerseyGeneral34
Mar 16
That's because you're intellectually dishonest

4) Cheese For Everyone!
@CheeseForEvery1
Mar 16
Fair enough

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 05:43 AM (+YA9H)

65 Time: 7:30 A. M. EDT

https://youtu.be/mLkyLvp_I3o
Posted by: Joyenz
---

T -40 minutes

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 05:44 AM (neSLO)

66
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at March 18, 2026 05:45 AM (tljrc)

67 I wish that smaller city airports were more convenient and cheaper to access. I only fly in and out of the Portland Maine jetport for domestic flights but it means that most of the time im connecting thru Baltimore, DC, Charlotte or Philly. Which... well... it can suck.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:45 AM (7HdSs)

68 Finished a chapter, mahjong and lost, and all my allotted coffee for today.

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 05:53 AM (Ia/+0)

69 There is no such thing as "allotted coffee". Only "empty vessel which requires effort to fill then drain once again".

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 05:55 AM (7HdSs)

70 24 degreels, and not out of 30s today

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 05:55 AM (Ia/+0)

71 True, allotment is how much I make, small pot I r full sized.

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 05:56 AM (Ia/+0)

72 Oh, havd I mentioned I H8 my co-workers lately?

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 05:57 AM (Ia/+0)

73 “ Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you.”

Matthew 5:11

Posted by: Marcus T at March 18, 2026 05:58 AM (R8Lmn)

74 ninety minutes' drive. I don't expect the Totally Standing Around lines to be much better there, either. I'll just drive -- and that too will be quite a bit cheaper than flying and renting a car.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 05:40 AM (wzUl9)

My wife always joke-gloats about her having it and me not... and every time we'd go somewhere together, i'd get out the other side exactly the same time as her because there's never anyone in line to begin with when we usually fly, and we always get there psychotically early.

I can pull that trick on a first flight of the day out of ABE. Can't so much for a 3:00 PM out of PHL or Newark....

Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026 06:00 AM (Ot/FD)

75 Powerful Christian song by a woman with a lovely voice- Hannah Harper /and "Ain't no grave"- Hannah Harper Faithpot site:

https://tinyurl.com/5cdt2cku

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at March 18, 2026 06:00 AM (uA11f)

76 iPeople couldn't understand that phone and pad were not to be synced. But, but, everybody does it.
I don't.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:01 AM (neSLO)

77 I been here 2 hour!

Posted by: m at March 18, 2026 06:01 AM (+YA9H)

78 no, actually Skip, you have been very patient with them.

commendable restraint!

but if you need to unload, go! I think we've all been there one time or another ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 06:01 AM (MIIRH)

79 I don't understand what the statement, ai doesn't work very well, and the article never defines it.

Ai works very, very well for me.

Case in point, I created a very extensive data object for defining and querying SMPTE 2110 devices, I asked my ai to create a data validation function for the object and unit tests.

Produced it in less than a minute.

I also asked it to create a client facing email for a change order following the standard template.

Did that in seconds.

Asked it to create a RACI and stakeholder register from an executed proposal, did that in seconds.

Asked it to summarize, provide a decision, action, risk register of a meeting minutes transcript in executive summary format.

Did that in seconds

So again, what exactly doesn't work?

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:05 AM (XV/Pl)

80 Did that in seconds

So again, what exactly doesn't work?
Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:05 AM (XV/Pl)

The whole "debate" amuses me. One person says "wow, comfortable grip, head doesn't slip, this is a pretty decent screwdriver", and another says "bullshit, that thing doesn't dissolve in orange juice at all!"

Posted by: Warai-otoko at March 18, 2026 06:07 AM (Ot/FD)

81 here's a real blast from the past, as relevant today as it was in 1970:
the inimitable and wonderful Tom Wolfe:

https://tinyurl.com/j4e9vvn6

the original Radical Chic

lordy that man could use words ...

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 06:07 AM (MIIRH)

82 and that too will be quite a bit cheaper than flying and renting a car.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
---

Drive through Arkansas you might see something you like.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:08 AM (neSLO)

83 iPeople couldn't understand that phone and pad were not to be synced. But, but, everybody does it.
I don't.
Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:01 AM (neSLO)

Reminder: You have not set up synchronization. Would you like to do that now?

[ ] Yes
[ ] Remind me again tomorrow

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 06:09 AM (JRP2U)

84 Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere

I heard this drive thing. Let me know when the adventure will start.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 18, 2026 06:10 AM (u82oZ)

85 Good morning!

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

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 18, 2026 06:11 AM (u82oZ)

86 A good article on debt management and the Biblical principles behind it:

https://www.christianpost.com/voices/were-young-but
-were-drowning-in-debt-how-do-we-escape.html

Posted by: NR Pax at March 18, 2026 06:11 AM (BpO1e)

87 Only good thing was at othrr late job the slackers got caught leaving early
Have a great day horde

Posted by: Skip at March 18, 2026 06:11 AM (Ia/+0)

88 here's a real blast from the past, as relevant today as it was in 1970:
the inimitable and wonderful Tom Wolfe:

https://tinyurl.com/j4e9vvn6

the original Radical Chic

lordy that man could use words ...
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026

***
I think I have that in a book of his here. . . .

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:11 AM (wzUl9)

89
I heard this drive thing. Let me know when the adventure will start.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 18, 2026

***
At the moment I'm thinking I'd leave after April 15. I've already sent in my taxes, so that's not the hold. Miss Linda has a free reservation for 4/14 at the zoo, so I guess I'll do that. I also guess I'll have to tell her about this new idea.

Which I dread worse than submitting my taxes.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:13 AM (wzUl9)

90 AI has som euse, as an entertainment generator.

For TOS Star Trek fans:
https://youtu.be/nskdpeogRPQ
My kind of Fleet Sailor.

This is dedicated to my first CO. I can not confirm he went on the dance floor at Guantanamo Bay Officer Club on his back, looking up.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 18, 2026 06:14 AM (u82oZ)

91 So again, what exactly doesn't work?
Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:05 AM (XV/Pl)

I too use it extensively at work to great effect.

For example, ETL processes that used to take days to plan, resource, develop, configure, deploy and validate now takes... hours... if not less.

When we on board a new enterprise application at work, all I need are credentials and a swagger like API doc and im off to the races.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 06:14 AM (7HdSs)

92 @80

>>The whole "debate" amuses me.

This is the point, some people know how to use the tool, some people don't and their expectations of what the tool can do and should do is unrealistic.

Ai works for what I do and I have learned how to manipulate it to my advantage.

And I use multiple ai agents on a daily basis.

Sometimes I use them all on one task to produce a desired result.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:15 AM (XV/Pl)

93 And that too will be quite a bit cheaper than flying and renting a car.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere
---
*
Drive through Arkansas you might see something you like.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026

***
Gorgle Maps suggests something about taking I-55, then a portion of I-49 through AR. Maybe I need to get AAA involved. Do they still do those personalized trip packets?

I visited Little Rock in ca. 2007, and liked it, but even in November it was still warm and humid.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:17 AM (wzUl9)

94 79 I don't understand what the statement, ai doesn't work very well, and the article never defines it.

Ai works very, very well for me.

Yeah, if you have a small, well-defined scope of work and everything exists in text form - locally or on the web - it can transform A into B very effectively.

Give it something big and complicated like rewriting an entire database library and what it can't do is "chunk" the work - it tries to globalise the project rather than doing top-down or even bottom-up design, blows through its context limit, and loses its marbles.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 18, 2026 06:19 AM (BLOW1)

95 AI has som euse, as an entertainment generator.

For TOS Star Trek fans:
https://youtu.be/nskdpeogRPQ
My kind of Fleet Sailor.

This is dedicated to my first CO. I can not confirm he went on the dance floor at Guantanamo Bay Officer Club on his back, looking up.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at March 18, 2026

***
Just plain amazing!

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:21 AM (wzUl9)

96 Reminder: You have not set up synchronization. Would you like to do that now?

[ ] Yes
[ ] Remind me again tomorrow
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline
----

They are completely separated from each other, separate emails, everything; it's as if another person's in the room.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:24 AM (neSLO)

97 hilarious reading, here 56 years later!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 06:25 AM (MIIRH)

98 The Wolfus solution. Purchase an upscale motor home and drive to where the weather suits you at any time.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 06:27 AM (+nEug)

99 Give it something big and complicated like rewriting an entire database library and what it can't do is "chunk" the work - it tries to globalise the project rather than doing top-down or even bottom-up design, blows through its context limit, and loses its marbles.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at March 18, 2026 06:19 AM (BLOW1)

I too have difficulty using a hammer to wash my dishes.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 06:27 AM (7HdSs)

100 Mornin' Horde.

Tech sucks, but the snark is good.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at March 18, 2026 06:28 AM (O7YUW)

101 @94

>>Give it something big and complicated like rewriting an entire database library and what it can't do is "chunk" the work

The fact that it can't hold the context of a 1 million lines of code spread out across thousands of files should surprise no one

But if you ask it to look at this class method and produce a validation function for it. Does a great job.

Or hey ai, look at this api call doc and create a zod schema for it, bingo bango presto chango, does it and won't complain a bit.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:28 AM (XV/Pl)

102 The Wolfus solution. Purchase an upscale motor home and drive to where the weather suits you at any time.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026

***
Might be a little tough on the cats. And where do you park that sort of thing at night? In a Walmart parking lot? I'm not being sarcastic, Ben Had; your idea is intriguing, but I have no idea about how that would work.

There used to be campgrounds where one could park your truck with trailer, and I guess your motorhome, and plug it in to have power. Do they still exist?

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:31 AM (wzUl9)

103 Tech is great until it isn't. Took a bank teller 15 minutes to find one of my accounts which I have had for 20 years.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 06:31 AM (+nEug)

104 3 Tech is great until it isn't. Took a bank teller 15 minutes to find one of my accounts which I have had for 20 years.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026

***
That might be the tech, or it might be the teller that's the problem.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:32 AM (wzUl9)

105 Did anyone else notice in that AI meme article that DLS5 5.5 turned Gordon Freeman into Charlie Kirk?

Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at March 18, 2026 06:34 AM (XE5AP)

106 Wolfus. There are gorgeous RV parks all over the country available for short or long term stays. You would meet all kinds of interesting people as a benefit. Your cats aren't outdoor kitties so it wouldn't be a hardship on them.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 06:35 AM (+nEug)

107 102: Yes. KOA's are a big one but there are others.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at March 18, 2026 06:35 AM (sAmhv)

108 I am not surprised by the Pokemon Go thing. I wondered a while ago about these viral free games. Like Angry Birds. We're they using all that to crowdsource ballistic computations by massive modeling?

Posted by: blaster at March 18, 2026 06:36 AM (NlEaG)

109 - Minor, and not so minor.

On an android. Have a couple of songs in my download / audio file. It used to be I could just tap on one and it would play.
Sometime back it started asking me if I wanted to open it with Spotify or you tube. Neither grants me permission.

Not so minor because I'm playing on both.
Ideas appreciated.

Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 06:41 AM (Gk2Bn)

110 Wolfus. There are gorgeous RV parks all over the country available for short or long term stays. You would meet all kinds of interesting people as a benefit. Your cats aren't outdoor kitties so it wouldn't be a hardship on them.
Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026

***
A quick Qwant search shows me used RVs running between $79K and $99K. Doable, if I want to skip the idea of having a house. And a diesel engine would be efficient.

Darn, some of those are better appointed than what I live in now.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:43 AM (wzUl9)

111 Get a good road Atlas. Also most states have good downloadable state road maps. GPS leaves out much detail.
When you're driving, America is everywhere.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:44 AM (neSLO)

112 Wolfus, no property taxes either

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 06:44 AM (+nEug)

113 Ideas appreciated.
Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 06:41 AM (Gk2Bn)

Search for "set default apps" in your settings. You can choose media player in there.

Also when it next pops up the "open with" box, theres the option to "use always". Select the app and that option and it won't ask you again. Note that this will not keep you from using the other app but anytime you open that file type again it will use the selection you provided.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 06:46 AM (7HdSs)

114 Wolfus, no property taxes either
Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026

***
Always an incentive!

If I'd been able to retire comfortably, say ten years ago, I could have seen myself doing that for a few years, to decide where to settle. Now, I'm not sure.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:47 AM (wzUl9)

115 at least around here there are state parks, and lots of little county / city parks that accept RVs, too.

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at March 18, 2026 06:47 AM (MIIRH)

116 They are completely separated from each other, separate emails, everything; it's as if another person's in the room.

Based on facial recognition, gesture pattern matching, and other biometric data, Apple Intelligence has detected another device nearby that is also used by you. Automatically beginning synchronization…

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 06:49 AM (JRP2U)

117 Or another great use for ai, take this sample page and default color scheme and render it out with these color palates.

Render it Dark purple, orange with neon accents and highlighting.

Render it in Solarized Asaka color scheme.

Render it in muted pastels.

Or whatever palate floats your boat, it can do that in the in a blink of an eye.

Posted by: Thomas Bender at March 18, 2026 06:49 AM (XV/Pl)

118 - @113. Defenestratus

Thank you so very much!! Will give it a try.

Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 06:51 AM (Gk2Bn)

119 Why use an ap to play a song you have stored on your phone. There should be a way to turn off the Spotify request.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:54 AM (neSLO)

120 I attended a talk many years ago back when Pokemon Go was still new that explained the geospatial stuff. I'm surprised it wasn't more well known. The lady gave a really good talk. It was one of the reasons I never got into that game, plus I was never into Pokemon anyways.

Posted by: farquad at March 18, 2026 06:57 AM (CFMhl)

121 Apple Intelligence has detected another device nearby that is also used by you. Automatically beginning synchronization…
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline
----

No. It does not happen.
Each is totally clear of the other.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:57 AM (neSLO)

122 "There used to be campgrounds where one could park your truck with trailer, and I guess your motorhome, and plug it in to have power. Do they still exist"

There are many many campgrounds around, some in places you could never have a house because of the cost, or simply because there are no houses there. State parks, for example.

We will go down to St Simons Island in a couple of months and stay near the beach for $50 a night. Wolfus, you do not need to spend $100k on an RV, there are plenty of nice ones out there for less than half of that.

Posted by: fd at March 18, 2026 06:59 AM (vFG9F)

123 Lazy snowflakes fall
Table top games still amuse
My bed awaits me

fin

Posted by: clarence at March 18, 2026 07:02 AM (7lOC+)

124 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at March 18, 2026 07:02 AM (2Ez/1)

125 Wolfus, you do not need to spend $100k on an RV, there are plenty of nice ones out there for less than half of that.
Posted by: fd at March 18, 2026

***
Yes, I see some older ones, ca. 2000-2017, for much less. I'd hope the service life of something like that would be better than even the best cars.

I guess I'd have to store all my furniture against the day when I do want to settle down somewhere. It'd be fun to try the RV life for a while, though.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 07:04 AM (wzUl9)

126 - Well, searched and dug.
No "media player" in apps.
Found a "permissions" thing that is on don't allow.
Didn't click allow due to not knowing what all I'd be allowing.
Yeah, I know. Paranoid.
But am I being paranoid enough. Never been techy other than learning the software to run lab instruments and such. Just not how I'm wired.

Appreciate your effort D!!

Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 07:05 AM (Gk2Bn)

127 I attended a talk many years ago back when Pokemon Go was still new that explained the geospatial stuff. I'm surprised it wasn't more well known. The lady gave a really good talk. It was one of the reasons I never got into that game, plus I was never into Pokemon anyways.
Posted by: farquad at March 18, 2026 06:57 AM (CFMhl)
---
I'm meeting with a geospatial engineering professor this morning. I'll have to ask him about this.

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at March 18, 2026 07:05 AM (ESVrU)

128
JJS

Posted by: r hennigantx at March 18, 2026 07:05 AM (gbOdA)

129 TeeJ , is it android or apple phone?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 07:07 AM (neSLO)

130 Wolfus, you're a single guy. Have you given thought to estate planning? Not prying but what happens to your house if you aren't physically able to stay / upkeep it any longer?

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 07:08 AM (+nEug)

131 I also guess I'll have to tell her about this new idea.

Which I dread worse than submitting my taxes.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at March 18, 2026 06:13 AM (wzUl9)

This is probably going to be your greatest obstacle in doing what you plan to do.

Posted by: OrangeEnt at March 18, 2026 07:08 AM (1Ff7Z)

132 - fd
Corps of engineers campgrounds at reservoirs in these parts.
One close to me is pretty nice. On small lake. Elec hookups. Restroom facilities.

Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 07:09 AM (Gk2Bn)

133 "NASCAR star suspended 'indefinitely' for mocking driver with homophobic voice in vile livestream moment.

The 22-year-old will be required to complete sensitivity training before he is considered for reinstatement by NASCAR, the auto racing organization announced on Tuesday."

Nascar. Fast, fake, and gay

Posted by: fd at March 18, 2026 07:10 AM (vFG9F)

134 Have an Itasca 35' motorhome we used traveling the dog show circuit for a number of years. We also lived in it on our property for 15 months while our home was being rebuilt after Sally.

You know that saying about boats being holes in the water you throw money into? Motorhomes are very much like that.

Posted by: one hour sober at March 18, 2026 07:10 AM (Y1sOo)

135 Guys, Wolfus is a city guy. There are RV parks close to every major city.

Posted by: Ben Had at March 18, 2026 07:11 AM (+nEug)

136 - Braenyard - android

Posted by: TeeJ at March 18, 2026 07:11 AM (Gk2Bn)

137 Apple Intelligence has detected another device nearby that is also used by you. Automatically beginning synchronization…
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline
----

No. It does not happen.
Each is totally clear of the other.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 06:57 AM (neSLO)

You appear to be trying very hard to convince us that these devices do not both belong to you. You must be trying to hide something. Law enforcement has been notified and should arrive in 3… 2… 1…
Have a nice day

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 07:13 AM (JRP2U)

138 Have a nice day
Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline
---

Your mother didn't teach you the word No. Did she?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 07:18 AM (neSLO)

139 Teen, in that app list ... select the app you want to use as your media player. Tap on it. On the subsequent screen you can find a section for setting as default for certain tasks.

Times like this I wish we could post images.

Airplane is taking off. Gtg.

Posted by: Defenestratus at March 18, 2026 07:19 AM (//Jun)

140 Teej, sorry, I know nothing of android.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 07:20 AM (neSLO)

141 There's talk of interest rate hike because oil - well, in truth it's Powell is doubling down on asshoe.

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 07:23 AM (neSLO)

142 Your mother didn't teach you the word No. Did she?

Posted by: Braenyard - some Absent Friends are more equal than others _ at March 18, 2026 07:18 AM (neSLO)

You have no sense of humor.

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at March 18, 2026 07:23 AM (JRP2U)

143 Wolfus, check out Bob Wells' YouTube channel: Cheap RV Living.

It's a well established lifestyle for retirees.

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at March 18, 2026 07:40 AM (2Ez/1)

144 A fair amount of the DLSS 5 backlash is from lefties who are angry that it fixes the deliberately trans looking women games are infested with now. So there’s that.

Posted by: Ian S. at March 18, 2026 07:49 AM (QZThv)

145 I suddenly have very positive feelings toward DLSS 5 and hope they can work out any... kinks.

Such as faggotry.

Posted by: SciVo at March 18, 2026 10:36 AM (Sy6m/)

146 are you familiar with the aussie "group" avalanches?

Posted by: cmeat at March 18, 2026 11:30 AM (R11M+)

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