Computer Hardware

Not much going on out there today. Hope y’all have a great weekend!
[Read more…] about Friday Random Stuff…

Woody – When should you move to the next version of Windows 10?
As we approach the release of the Win10 SCU, the Overlord of Updates aka the Master of Anti-Disaster has the advice you need to protect you and your loved ones against the menace that disguises itself as a “feature update”:
“If you want to stick with your current version of Win10, whatever it may be, and wait for 1803 to prove its mettle, you need to block the upgrade with all your might. Given Microsoft’s abysmal record with the 1709 forced upgrade, it won’t be easy.”

Stuff I Bookmarked Today:
If You’re Pissed About Facebook’s Privacy Abuses, You Should Be Four Times As Angry At The Broadband Industry
‘Utterly horrifying’: ex-Facebook insider says covert data harvesting was routine
Amnesty International says Twitter’s toxic culture is failing women
This is the moment when we decide that human lives matter more than cars
NFL sets new definition for controversial catch rule
NHL Wildcard Standings

Springtime In Virginia
Crazy weather. Exactly one month ago it was 80 degrees(F). Here is a pic from this morning out my back door:

AMD Radeon Software Adrenalin Edition 18.3.3
Download | Release Notes

Nvidia Geforce Game Ready 391.24 WHQL Drivers
Download | Release Notes

Win10 Feature Update Offline Time Cut
Microsoft claims to have cut the amount of time in takes to install the bi-annual updates. They state they knocked the update time from CU to FCU from 82 to 51 minutes and then 30 minutes for those currently running the Insider builds. They are just doing more of the install process while you are trying to use your computer instead of offline.

What’s In The Win10 SCU
Neowin has the best and most concise article on this topic. There is almost nothing I’m interested except maybe the new Diagnostics Data Viewer.

The Ultimate Computer
An autonomous Uber car killed a pedestrian.
The idea of self-driving cars creeps me the hell out. I know this kinda “Hey kids, get off my lawn” of me but it is the way I feel. I’ve always felt this way. I blame Star Trek: The Ultimate Computer.

GET OFF OF FACEBOOK
Cambridge Analytica got access to 50 million Facebook users data. They did this by lying to 270,000 people and getting them to install an app. The app accessed “data about where they lived, their friends lists, and their likes.” Then the app scraped “data not just from 270,000 people who downloaded it, but from their friend networks as well, resulting in the harvesting of data from more than 50 million accounts.”
The issue is bad enough that this morning Facebook will hold an emergency meeting to let employees ask questions about Cambridge Analytica and Alex Stamos, Facebook Data Security Chief, To Leave Amid Outcry.
Related:
Facebook may have violated FTC privacy deal, say former federal officials, triggering risk of massive fines
Is your data safe on Facebook? Not really
Our mission to buy a fake Rolex on Facebook reveals how the company is playing host to countless criminal enterprises
Reminder: You can’t escape Facebook even if you delete your account

Center For Humane Technology
Technology is hijacking our minds and society.
Our world-class team of deeply concerned former tech insiders and CEOs intimately understands the culture, business incentives, design techniques, and organizational structures driving how technology hijacks our minds.
Since 2013, we’ve raised awareness of the problem within tech companies and for millions of people through broad media attention, convened top industry executives, and advised political leaders. Building on this start, we are advancing thoughtful solutions to change the system.

---

“Facebook appeals to your lizard brain — primarily fear and anger,” he said. “And with smartphones, they’ve got you for every waking moment.”

“We are not anti-tech, we are into the appropriate and balanced use of technology. We are calling out the industry for their excesses and their intentional effects to manipulate and addict.”

“The Center for Humane Technology is the latest genesis of former Google design ethicist Tristan Harris, who is also behind the Time Well Spent movement. Harris, who worked at Google until 2016, has made a name for himself as a thought leader encouraging designers to craft apps and services in ways that enhance humanity. He is the executive director and cofounder of the new organization.
Others involved with the organization include Justin Rosenstein, who helped create Facebook’s Like button, and Dave Morin, a former senior platform manager at Facebook.
Meanwhile, Roger McNamee, a founding adviser of the new group, served as a mentor to Mark Zuckerberg in Facebook’s early days. The veteran tech investor told CNN Tech the goal of the organization is to “empower people who are concerned about the dark side of technology.”

Google Chrome 64
“The stable channel has been updated to 64.0.3282.140 for Windows, Mac and Linux…This update includes 1 security fix”
Download

Leaping To Failure
openSUSE Leap 15 Beta has been released. “Leap 15 is expected to use the 4.12 series kernel.”
4.12??? WTH? 4.14 LTS was released in NOVEMBER. Reckon I will be skipping another release.

Off Topic

Nice Commercial But Your Beer Sucks
“Budweiser has fared even worse. Sales of the brand, which have declined each year since 1988, were down 6.8 percent in 2017…In the most recent four-week period, Bud Light volume was down 6.8 percent, according to Nielsen data through Jan. 13. (Coors Light volume was down 3 percent and Miller Lite volume was down 0.6 percent during the same period.)”
Folks with taste buds are finding the answer in craft beer. Dilly Dilly indeed.

related:
The #1 Beer Destination In The World
1. Richmond, Virginia
“From one craft brewery to 22 in less than 10 years, RVA is officially on the map
Beer has blossomed in Richmond, and it’s time we all take notice. As the recently revamped Richmond Beer Trail will tell you, this Southern city is now rich with breweries.”

WooHoo!
Men are more attractive when desired by other women, study finds
“A trait which is often seen in female birds and fish, the idea behind mate copying or The Wedding Ring Effect, is that by already being in a relationship or desired by other women, a man has already proven that they have some desirable characteristics.”

We kinda already knew that didn’t we bros?! Anywho, might wanna share this article with your gal.

I’m So Proud Of You
Facebook lost daily users for the first time ever in the U.S. and Canada
“Facebook’s daily active user base in the U.S. and Canada fell for the first time ever in the fourth quarter, dropping to 184 million from 185 million in the previous quarter.“