TweakHound

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Wednesday Random Stuff…

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Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:

Latest Win10 Update Causing BSODs On Some Computers
Trying to run this info down has been difficult because nobody in the tech press sources their info. They all seem to want to act like they got the scoop first. Fracking children.
Near as I can tell the first posts about this started at a German site called Born’s IT and Windows Blog (English translation HERE). The dude often seems to have good stuff.
“There are first reports here in the blog that the cumulative updates (e.g. KB5000802) from March 9, 2021 for Windows 10 are causing problems. Some printers throw a blue screen in win32kfull.sys when printing. However, there is a workaround in some cases – versions 1809 to 20H2 are affected and there are indications that the rollout has been halted.”
The second oldest article is at Windows Latest and says, “Reports of printer failures include Kyocera, Ricoh, Zebra, and others.”
I have no issues with my HP printer.

At least 10 hacking groups using Microsoft software flaw -researchers
“The breadth of the exploitation adds to the urgency of the warnings being issued by authorities in the United States and Europe about the weaknesses found in Microsoft’s Exchange software…ESET’s blog post said there were already signs of cybercriminal exploitation, with one group that specializes in stealing computer resources to mine cryptocurrency breaking in to previously vulnerable Exchange servers to spread its malicious software.
ESET named nine other espionage-focused groups it said were taking advantage of the flaws to break in to targeted networks – several of which other researchers have tied to China. Intriguingly, several of the groups appeared to know about the vulnerability before it was announced by Microsoft on March 2.”

What’s bit depth? And how does it impact music?
“What impact does bit depth have on music?
Well, if a bit depth is too low, the quality will suffer. Specifically, you’ll find a fair chunk of the quiet sounds will be lost. On records or files with a high bit depth, you’ll have a far more accurate playback — up to a point. But we’ll get to that shortly.”

Language Study Reveals The Happiest Music Fans
“Our study revealed that Jazz fans are the most positive…Metal fans were found to use the second most positive language online…Fans of Opera placed as the third most positive online…Folk fans ranked as the fourth most positive online”
The music fans that use the least positive language online: Drill, Grime, Drum and Bass, Rap, Punk, Dubstep, Hip Hop
I’ve never heard of most of the negatives. As for the metal crowd being positive, check out the comment sections at Blabbermouth.

Patch Tuesday

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Win10 Updated
Security updates
2004 & 20H2 – March 9, 2021—KB5000802 (OS Builds 19041.867 and 19042.867)

Wise Disk Cleaner 10.4.3
A few fixes and improvements.
Download (I use portable) | Release Info

O&O ShutUp10 1.8.1419
NEW: Disable the possibility of suggesting to finish the setup of the device
FIX: Determining registry key permissions has resulted in fewer displayed settings on some Windows systems.
Download | Changelog

Microcenter – Intel Core i9-9900K LGA 1151 Boxed Processor $249.99
PICKUP ONLY – This is $375.99 at Amazon right now.

Thursday Random Stuff…

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PowerToys v0.33.1
Fixes and improvements.
“We’ll be doing a 0.34 experimental release week of March 8th. We feel we are near ready to add in Video Conference mute into the stable release pending feedback from the pending 0.34 experimental release.”
Download & Info

Intel Graphics Windows 10 DCH Drivers
Version: 27.20.100.9316. Fixes for a few games.
Download & Info

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:

Microsoft: Chinese Cyberspies Used 4 Exchange Server Flaws to Plunder Emails
“The company says all four flaws are being actively exploited as part of a complex attack chain deployed by a previously unidentified Chinese cyber espionage group.”

Harvard study says 2 fruits, 3 vegetables ‘right’ number of daily servings for a longer life
“The American Heart Association recommends filling at least half your plate with fruits and vegetables at each meal”
Does pickle, onion, and jalapeno on my burger count?

U.S. Navy is Liable for Mass Software Piracy, Appeals Court Rules
Sorry, I couldn’t resist:

Nicholas J. Bernelis

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OFF TOPIC

I was stationed at Kriegsfeld Army Depot (aka North Point), 1985-1987. My unit was the 558TH Military Police Company and we were “Tower Rats”. A Tower Rat’s main duty was to spend 24 hour shifts on a “special weapons” site guarding those weapons. In our case this included two, four hour shifts alone in a steel box 20 to 40 feet in the air. If you think this sounds a lot like solitary confinement, you’re correct.
[Read more…] about Nicholas J. Bernelis

Tuesday Random Stuff…

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O&O ShutUp10 1.8.1418
Freeware, portable privacy app. Another small update. I do recommend downloading and running it. I’ve found recent Windows Updates have changed a couple of settings Like “Disable Telemetry”.
Download | Changelog

Macrium Reflect v7.3.5672
– Macrium Task Scheduler
A scheduled backup that sleeps or hibernates the PC after completion could wake the PC a short time after completion. This has been resolved.
Missed scheduled backups for the same backup definition may not honor the Full/Diff/Inc order of precedence when starting causing an Incorrect number of backups to run. This has been resolved.
– Retention Purge
Differential retention could report an incorrect number of Differentials found in the backup log. This has been resolved.
Download | Release Notes | Thanks AG!

Stuff I bookmarked recently. Some off topic, some not:

The LastPass Android App Contains 7 Trackers From Third Party Companies
“When it comes to account security, using a password manager is generally a good idea. But what happens if that password manager is tracking what you’re doing and not even telling you? According to security researcher Mike Kuketz, the LastPass Android app has seven embedded trackers, and LastPass may not know what data they collect.”
Geeze…Glad everyone has ditched this by now!

First Fully Weaponized Spectre Exploit Discovered Online
“It targets Spectre, a major vulnerability that was disclosed in January 2018.”
Over 2 years ago the chicken littles told us we needed to patch everything immediately or else. Also, it was disclosed to us in January of 2018. Intel had informed the Chinese Government before anyone else.

Four ‘New’ Beers Have Been Added to the Brewers Association Style Guidelines
“Kentucky Common Beer, Belgian-Style Session Ale, and New Zealand-Style Pale Ale and India Pale Ale.”
Sounds really interesting:
“Characteristic Ingredients: Six-row barley malt was used with 35% corn grits to dilute the excessive protein levels along with 1 to 2% each caramel and black malt. Native American hops, usually about .2 pounds per barrel of Western hops for bittering and asimilar amount of New York hops (such as Clusters) for flavor (15 minutes prior to knock out). Imported continental Saazer-typehops (.1 pounds per barrel) were added at knock out for aroma”

Can You Name the World’s Most Expensive Toll Road?
“the most expensive toll road on earth isn’t in Switzerland, California, or Germany. It’s in…”
Around here, I-95 in Virginia has optional express lane tolls lanes and the price fluctuates based on traffic.
The biggest toll I can think of per mile here is the Chesapeake Bay Bridge–Tunnel. It is 17.6 miles long and costs $14-18 to cross.

Home Fires
My wife and I streamed this show recently on PBS/Masterpiece/Amazon Prime. Decent show, I was drawn to it because I’m into WWII history.
“Home Fires is a British period television drama about the life of Women’s Institute members on the Home Front during the Second World War. Set in a rural Cheshire community called Great Paxford, the series is produced by ITV, and launched its first series in May 2015. The first series is set between September 1939 and early 1940.”
Wikipedia – Home Fires (British TV series)
Although not typically even close to my kind of music, I very much like the theme song:

Wednesday Random Stuff…

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Win10 Optional Updates
“This non-security update includes quality improvements.” Couple dozens fixes.
20H2 & 2004 – February 24, 2021—KB4601382 (OS Builds 19041.844 and 19042.844) Preview

New Intel Drivers (v22.30.0)
Windows 10 Wi-Fi Drivers for Intel Wireless Adapters
Intel Wireless Bluetooth for Windows 10

Off Topic

I ordered 2 key fob batteries for my wife’s SUV from Amazon. Good news, it was early!
And just look at the packing efficiency!