April 14, 2021
Daily Tech News 14 April 2021
— Pixy Misa
— Pixy Misa
Top Story
- Apparently Hololive forgot to renew their Minecraft Realms account for the EN server and streams from Ollie, Ina, and Amelia all got derailed. That doesn't sound like a major problem, but the smallest of those channels has half a million subscribers. Oops.
According to the Minecraft help site you can't renew a Realms subscription once it's expired, which is (a) dumb and (b) possibly untrue.
If you can't renew expired accounts, why exactly is there a renew button on expired accounts?
But in any case you can download your world for 18 months after your account has expired, and upload it to a new Realms account or to your own server. That's pretty good retention; if you don't notice for a year and a half you probably weren't using it much.
Meanwhile as I type this Reine is fishing for creepers.
Tech News
- AMD's Ryzen 5000 desktop APUs are here - the real Zen 3 deal - and you can't buy them. (AnandTech)
This is the ongoing story of 2021: Here's a great new technical advance. No, you can't have it.
The 5300, 5600, and 5700 are available in G and GE versions - 65W and 35W respectively. Compared to the existing Ryzen 5000 desktop CPUs they have half as much cache, PCIe 3.0 rather than 4.0, and slightly slower boost clocks, but they also have 6, 7, or 8 graphics cores.
- GPUs are in such short supply that Chinese scammers are trying fake recall programs as a way to get their hands on them. (Tom's Hardware)
Apparently four-year-old Radeon RX 580 cards are selling to crypto miners for as much as $500, when they only cost $229 new.
I have two of them; unfortunately they're integrated into the motherboards of my two Dell Inspiron 27 all-in-one systems and not particularly easy to part out.
- SiFive has taped out a 5nm RISC-V chip with 7.2Gbps HBM3. (Tom's Hardware)
"Tape out" means that the initial design is complete, ready for a test run from the silicon foundry. It's called that because the first ICs were designed by manually laying down tape on a sheet of glass before photo-reducing it for manufacture.
I didn't know HBM3 at 7.2Gbps was even a thing. HBM2 is used in some high-end graphics cards, but typically at speeds around 2Gbps. 7.2 is quite an advancement on that.
- A former CIA director says that governments should embrace Bitcoin, not ban it. (Decrypt)
Because all Bitcoin transactions are public, and they can use that to spy on everyone.
- Apple ruins everything. (The Verge)
Discord is banning NSFW servers from their iOS app to fit with Apple's bizarre Marxist-puritan mindset. Tumblr previously purged all their porn for the same reason, unleashing a flood of previously safely contained insanity that has since destroyed Twitter.
To be fair, Twitter was on the way to destroying itself, but the Tumblrite hegira gave it a healthy push.
- Starship is a cross-shell prompt written in Rust. (Starship)
I mean, sure, I guess. Seems like overkill but if you spend all your time in Bash fighting with Git I can see the appeal.
- Why some developers are going web-only and telling Apple and Google to go fuck themselves. (Fast Company)
Mobile app development is a nightmare. Even if you get your app to work, your job has only just started. You actually have to get it listed on the respective app stores, and keep it there. And they take 30% of everything.
Go web-only and you can write your code once for every platform, it just works, and you get to keep all the money.
Of course there are some things you are simply not permitted to do in a mobile browser, because - everyone sing along - fuck you, that's why.
- Dell has a new range of Inspiron laptops unless they don't. (Thurrott.com)
The article links to a post on Dell's site which links to a list of all the models in that range which doesn't include any of the new models being announced.
Good work.
That said, the Inspiron 14 7400 looks nice. At least in Australia. For some reason in the US there are exactly two models, not configurable at all, maxing out at just 8GB of RAM.
In Australia there are a whole bunch of models. They're crazy expensive but also regularly discounted by 40% because they want to make the purchase process as annoying as possible.
- TCP/IP stack vulnerabilities make millions if IoIPoC devices vulnerable to hackers. (ZDNet)
That's "Internet of Insecure Pieces of Crap" in case you were wondering. It's the new term that replaces the outmoded "Internet of Things".
- Las Vegas wants to ban lawns. (AP)
I mean. it is a desert. That's not absurd. Overbearing maybe, but not absurd.
- Why is everything computer-related out of stock? The global PC market grew by 55% between Q1 2020 and Q1 2021. (Canalys)
Yep, that'll do it. I mentioned in a previous post that chipmakers TSMC and SK Hynix are each investing $100 billion in new factories to try to have supply catch up with demand.
- Tech workers at the New York Times have formed a union. (The Verge)
I fully support this effort and the company's forthcoming collapse and bankruptcy.
- There's a bug in CS:GO and it's a doozy. (Motherboard)
You can hack a player's computer by sending them a Steam invite.
- How fast is the Radeon 6900XT exactly? (Hot Hardware)
In general it falls in between the Nvidia RTX 3080 and 3090, which is also where it falls price-wise. On some AMD-friendly games it outpaces the 3090, while on ray tracing - a known weak spot - it performs more like the RTX 3070.
It has the advantage of actually being available for purchase where the 3070, 3080, and 3090 are not.
That's in Aussie dollars, and includes sales tax.... And a roughly 50% fuck you markup.
Essential Minecraft Mods Video of the Day
Time to thicken the chicken.
Kiara is a member of Hololive English - the same one we saw playing Diablo 2 yesterday. Her streams are often a little, um, colourful. She's the perfect foil to her teammate Ina, who has the demeanour of a retired Swiss kindergarten teacher.
Kiara is a member of Hololive English - the same one we saw playing Diablo 2 yesterday. Her streams are often a little, um, colourful. She's the perfect foil to her teammate Ina, who has the demeanour of a retired Swiss kindergarten teacher.
Disclaimer: Calm, soothing, overly fond of puns, and armed to the teeth.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at
04:37 AM
| Comments (70)
Post contains 1054 words, total size 9 kb.
3
>>>You can hack a player's computer by sending them a Steam invite.
. . . and tricking them into opening it.
. . . and tricking them into opening it.
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 04:59 AM (nzEdf)
5
Rule One of Computer Security: Never click on anything.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 14, 2021 05:00 AM (PiXy!)
6
Testing something.
Kiara is a member of Hololive English - the same one we saw playing Diablo 2 yesterday. Her streams are often a little, um, colourful. She's the perfect foil to her teammate Ina, who has the demeanour of a retired Swiss kindergarten teacher.Blah blah blah...
Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 14, 2021 05:01 AM (PiXy!)
8
I enjoy these tech posts. (and quietly wonder if they are just temporary or will become a full time part of the HQ.)
But these video go so far over my head I don't know whether to spit, swallow, or smile. I feel there is a whole subculture of degenerate freaks that I have not been spending enough time sneering at. They are probably all multibillionaire "influencers" and I don't want to know.
Anyway, thanks Pixy for bringing some diversity to the wee hours.
But these video go so far over my head I don't know whether to spit, swallow, or smile. I feel there is a whole subculture of degenerate freaks that I have not been spending enough time sneering at. They are probably all multibillionaire "influencers" and I don't want to know.
Anyway, thanks Pixy for bringing some diversity to the wee hours.
Posted by: Gentlemen, this is junta manifest at April 14, 2021 05:29 AM (UtTj+)
9
I am not sure, but I didn't think anyone ever taped out onto glass. It would have been on to paper and then photo reduced to glass.
Posted by: Gentlemen, this is junta manifest at April 14, 2021 05:36 AM (UtTj+)
12
Am I supposed to be seeing grey boxes? These are all white.
Pouring rain here. April showers. But the May flowers are a month ahead of schedule already.
Someone in the last thread mentioned battling a new laptop. I bought a new 10" Samsung tablet because the Lenovo/Motorola one I have shows signs of shooting craps. I've squandered a couple of hours on it, trying to figure out how to get it online without the entire world being privy to my cyber wanderings. Google seems to own it, not me. It's gone back in the box for the time being. When the old one craters I'll tackle it again.
I hate tech.
Pouring rain here. April showers. But the May flowers are a month ahead of schedule already.
Someone in the last thread mentioned battling a new laptop. I bought a new 10" Samsung tablet because the Lenovo/Motorola one I have shows signs of shooting craps. I've squandered a couple of hours on it, trying to figure out how to get it online without the entire world being privy to my cyber wanderings. Google seems to own it, not me. It's gone back in the box for the time being. When the old one craters I'll tackle it again.
I hate tech.
Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 06:03 AM (XxJt1)
13
Wheeee! The "Top" button is back. Thanks, Pixy.
Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 06:09 AM (XxJt1)
15
Yay, love the gray boxes!
Thank you for the tech tips.
Thank you for the tech tips.
Posted by: squeakywheel at April 14, 2021 06:18 AM (mL2J9)
17
thank you, Pixy.
I will keep reading these as long as you post them. Maybe I'll even learn something!
I will keep reading these as long as you post them. Maybe I'll even learn something!
Posted by: Orange Man Bad (Rheees Be Upon Him) at April 14, 2021 06:25 AM (jV+aN)
19
Interesting box effect.
Thank you, Pixy.
Thank you, Pixy.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at April 14, 2021 06:27 AM (3D/fK)
21
"I feel there is a whole subculture of degenerate freaks that I have not been spending enough time sneering at."
=== This right here is most of my internal dialog for the last 20 years at least.
=== This right here is most of my internal dialog for the last 20 years at least.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at April 14, 2021 06:32 AM (EZebt)
23
Time for work preps.
Have a blessed day, everyone.
Hand washing is the new head on a swivel. Because COVID-19 Wuhan has 0.02% of a Mattis plan.
Have a blessed day, everyone.
Hand washing is the new head on a swivel. Because COVID-19 Wuhan has 0.02% of a Mattis plan.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at April 14, 2021 06:34 AM (u82oZ)
24
>>>Why some developers are going web-only and telling Apple and Google to go * themselves. (Fast Company)
>>>because - everyone sing along - * you, that's why
>>>And a roughly 50% * you markup.
Some noticeably colorful language today! Hope your day's o.k., Pixy.
Some noticeably colorful language today! Hope your day's o.k., Pixy.
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:34 AM (nzEdf)
27
25 So kevlar helmets are the new fashion item for peaceful gatherings?
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at April 14, 2021 06:34 AM (3D/fK)
And umbrellas.Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:35 AM (nzEdf)
29
11 This content is above my grok level.
I have two thumb drives! AND wifi in my house!
Posted by: DB- just DB: Zombie Duke of Edinburgh at April 14, 2021 05:59 AM (iTXRQ)
I just went and looked up "grok" (again) and the wikipedia entry is full of fun stuff. I wonder if Stranger in a Strange Land makes a good read today.
I have two thumb drives! AND wifi in my house!
Posted by: DB- just DB: Zombie Duke of Edinburgh at April 14, 2021 05:59 AM (iTXRQ)
I just went and looked up "grok" (again) and the wikipedia entry is full of fun stuff. I wonder if Stranger in a Strange Land makes a good read today.
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:45 AM (nzEdf)
30
Nice, Serious Cat. 'Specially like the "Grey" on the sides.
Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 06:48 AM (XxJt1)
31
I understand some of these words...But not many.
I thought Pixy was a gerbil. I guess she’s a very smart gerbil
I thought Pixy was a gerbil. I guess she’s a very smart gerbil
Posted by: LASue at April 14, 2021 06:51 AM (Ed8Zd)
32
Rule One of Computer Security: Never click on anything.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 14, 2021 05:00 AM (PiXy!)
Yeah. I learned that long ago. It can be difficult sometimes. If they frame their email notification or advert or note from someone just right curiosity lures many into clicking.
One I've gotten even gives you a phone number to contact and of course a innocent looking attachment. (cue creepy music)
Of course you're going to click on that attachment if some financial lending outfit has just sent you a notification of adverse action going to be taken. Huh-huh. I guess they figure I'm in over my head and have to have few accounts that are dodgy right now.
Nope. Nopety nope nope.
Not buying it. Not clicking on that attachment. Not gonna call you up and let you capture my phone number. Huh-huh.
Yeah. I learned that long ago. It can be difficult sometimes. If they frame their email notification or advert or note from someone just right curiosity lures many into clicking.
One I've gotten even gives you a phone number to contact and of course a innocent looking attachment. (cue creepy music)
Of course you're going to click on that attachment if some financial lending outfit has just sent you a notification of adverse action going to be taken. Huh-huh. I guess they figure I'm in over my head and have to have few accounts that are dodgy right now.
Nope. Nopety nope nope.
Not buying it. Not clicking on that attachment. Not gonna call you up and let you capture my phone number. Huh-huh.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 06:52 AM (LS3oW)
34
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:45 AM (nzEdf)
It's better than a lot of his other stuff. And I think it would go over well these days.
Ima go look it up and buy a copy just to see.
It's better than a lot of his other stuff. And I think it would go over well these days.
Ima go look it up and buy a copy just to see.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 06:55 AM (LS3oW)
35
34 Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:45 AM (nzEdf)
It's better than a lot of his other stuff. And I think it would go over well these days.
Ima go look it up and buy a copy just to see.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 06:55 AM (LS3oW)
Cool. Report back!
It's better than a lot of his other stuff. And I think it would go over well these days.
Ima go look it up and buy a copy just to see.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 06:55 AM (LS3oW)
Cool. Report back!
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:57 AM (nzEdf)
36
33 creeper, did you see this:
>>>Meanwhile as I type this Reine is fishing for creepers.
>>>Meanwhile as I type this Reine is fishing for creepers.
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 06:53 AM (nzEdf)
I did. Ducked back into my hidey hole. Gonna be a nasty Hump Day at this rate.
Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 06:58 AM (XxJt1)
37
Should used disposable covid masks be treated as potentially contaminated, infectious medical waste?
Just wondering.
Just wondering.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at April 14, 2021 07:00 AM (3D/fK)
38
Good morning Pixy and fellow morons!
Been away from the HQ for a few days. When did the gray boxes return?
Been away from the HQ for a few days. When did the gray boxes return?
Posted by: Doof at April 14, 2021 07:01 AM (mZUr4)
39
Doof,
They were here this morning.
They were here this morning.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at April 14, 2021 07:02 AM (3D/fK)
40
The local AP news (I think its AP) headline. Minnesota cop who shot the motorist has resigned. Motorist? that's a new way to put it. I knew he was just a genius on his way to the library, to study Eisenstein theory's, that's all.
Posted by: Colin at April 14, 2021 07:07 AM (KQao3)
41
VIA - I noticed the boxes while lurking on the ONT around 11:00 Eastern time last night.
Posted by: Doof at April 14, 2021 07:07 AM (mZUr4)
42
Love the Tech News. Please make it permanent and/or link to Pixy's site.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
Posted by: secdroid at April 14, 2021 07:07 AM (33NcR)
43
Love the Tech News. Please make it permanent and/or link to Pixy's site.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
^^^ See the above? Pixy just pasted it into a brand new reload of the thread. It's someone else's comment. Pixy has rejected my own last four.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
^^^ See the above? Pixy just pasted it into a brand new reload of the thread. It's someone else's comment. Pixy has rejected my own last four.
Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 07:08 AM (XxJt1)
44
I saw a company got busted for using used masks for stuffing in mattresses
Posted by: Tinfoilbaby at April 14, 2021 07:09 AM (+xIcB)
45
You had glass ¿¿. We had to etch our circuit onto a copper tablet using stone knives and bearskins
Posted by: Gentlemen, this is junta manifest at April 14, 2021 05:29 AM (UtTj+)
9 I am not sure, but I didn't think anyone ever taped out onto glass. It would have been on to paper and then photo reduced to glass.You had glass ¿¿. We had to etch our circuit onto a copper tablet using stone knives and bearskins
Posted by: f'd at April 14, 2021 07:10 AM (Tnijr)
46
Nice to see it back -- thanks! Any chance of the "bottom" link returning? Nice feature for phone/tablet users.
Wheeee! The "Top" button is back. Thanks, Pixy. Posted by: creeper at April 14, 2021 06:09 AM (XxJt1)
Nice to see it back -- thanks! Any chance of the "bottom" link returning? Nice feature for phone/tablet users.
Posted by: Doof at April 14, 2021 07:11 AM (mZUr4)
47
Yeah. I read the orginal from 61 in like the early 70s. I was struck by it's being sympatico with the hippie years which were just after it came out but not related or causative at the time.
It was a strange book being science fiction and all. Very not hard science with zooming rockets and weird ETs.
Definitely makes you think tho.
It was a strange book being science fiction and all. Very not hard science with zooming rockets and weird ETs.
Definitely makes you think tho.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (LS3oW)
48
" We had to etch our circuit onto a copper tablet using stone knives and bearskins "
Old ways are still the best ways.
Old ways are still the best ways.
Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (3D/fK)
49
morning Pixy, the tweak to the site looks fab. well done mate.
Posted by: SturmToddler at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (8D42x)
52
47 Yeah. I read the orginal from 61 in like the early 70s. I was struck by it's being sympatico with the hippie years which were just after it came out but not related or causative at the time.
It was a strange book being science fiction and all. Very not hard science with zooming rockets and weird ETs.
Definitely makes you think tho.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (LS3oW)
I've pulled up an expanded, earlier version over at archive.org, and it's reading nicely--except for some font substitutions, small price to pay.
It was a strange book being science fiction and all. Very not hard science with zooming rockets and weird ETs.
Definitely makes you think tho.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (LS3oW)
I've pulled up an expanded, earlier version over at archive.org, and it's reading nicely--except for some font substitutions, small price to pay.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 07:12 AM (LS3oW)
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 07:16 AM (nzEdf)
54
Love the Tech News. Please make it permanent and/or link to Pixy's site.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
A real contrast to the nearly universally leftist corporate Tech sites.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 14, 2021 07:17 AM (K65Kq)
55
54 was what I found sitting in the Comments box.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 14, 2021 07:18 AM (K65Kq)
56
That's how photo etching works. Tape off the area you want or don't want then wash the glass with acid until it etches the glass.
Remove the tape and you have a extra large layout of the circuit for making a photo of and then shrinking it to the size you actually want.
Then that is used to etch the silicon and at some levels makes maybe a hundred or more copies of the circuit which is then cleaned up and cut apart and installed in a bracket so that wires can be attached from the pins to the point on the circuit that it goes to.
A lot of the circuits are bad per batch because of a speck of dirt or a scratch or a bad photo or etch job.
Remove the tape and you have a extra large layout of the circuit for making a photo of and then shrinking it to the size you actually want.
Then that is used to etch the silicon and at some levels makes maybe a hundred or more copies of the circuit which is then cleaned up and cut apart and installed in a bracket so that wires can be attached from the pins to the point on the circuit that it goes to.
A lot of the circuits are bad per batch because of a speck of dirt or a scratch or a bad photo or etch job.
Posted by: Jakee308 at April 14, 2021 07:18 AM (LS3oW)
57
I build computers, and even watching the various utube videos on the latest and greatest, you never have the latest of anything. I wonder where all the new 'factories' being built are being built, probably not in Taiwan, soon to be part of China.
Posted by: Colin at April 14, 2021 07:18 AM (KQao3)
58
38 Good morning Pixy and fellow morons!
Been away from the HQ for a few days. When did the gray boxes return?
Been away from the HQ for a few days. When did the gray boxes return?
Posted by: Doof at April 14, 2021 07:01 AM (mZUr4)
Yesterday. Pixy Mesa has been working overtime, with incredible determination. We are all the benefactor.
Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg, pining for the good old days at April 14, 2021 07:19 AM (sy5kK)
59
Gray Gray mes yeux c'est GRAY,and mon Sinclair est beaux....
Posted by: saf at April 14, 2021 07:19 AM (/N+d8)
60
G'mornin' Horde !
I'm'a be in&out here, if I avoid reading the news I might be able to remain optimistic for a while today.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at April 14, 2021 07:19 AM (K65Kq)
61
Dang it. I'm not pining for the old days, I like what Pixy Mesa has done here. Frigging sock returned because I forgot the green.
Hey, I'm not complaining. Pixy Mesa has done wonders with the place.
Hey, I'm not complaining. Pixy Mesa has done wonders with the place.
Posted by: LeftCoast Dawg at April 14, 2021 07:20 AM (sy5kK)
65
JJS Nood. Good Morning y'all!
Posted by: I am the Shadout Mapes, the Housekeeper at April 14, 2021 07:21 AM (PiwSw)
66
First use of "grok" in Stranger in a Strange Land (in the edition I'm reading at archive.org):
Back even before the healing which had followed his first grokking of the fact that he was not as his nestling brothers . . . back to the nest itself.
Back even before the healing which had followed his first grokking of the fact that he was not as his nestling brothers . . . back to the nest itself.
Posted by: m at April 14, 2021 07:29 AM (nzEdf)
68
Take just one example - Korone's mother was going into the hospital for an operation, and Korone wanted to take a week off streaming to look after her. So she streamed for 26 hours straight to give her fans content to watch while she was away.
Sure they're raucous and sometimes vulgar and not to everyone's taste, but the closest parallel I can think of is classic Warner Brother's cartoons. They even have a rabbit - Pekora - and a duck - Subaru.
8 I enjoy these tech posts. (and quietly wonder if they are just temporary or will become a full time part of the HQ.)Hololive is probably the best thing to happen in 2020. It's refreshingly honest and the girls are dedicated and hard-working. It's the polar opposite of the Instagram culture of selfishness and narcissism.
But these video go so far over my head I don't know whether to spit, swallow, or smile. I feel there is a whole subculture of degenerate freaks that I have not been spending enough time sneering at. They are probably all multibillionaire "influencers" and I don't want to know.
Posted by: Gentlemen, this is junta manifest
Take just one example - Korone's mother was going into the hospital for an operation, and Korone wanted to take a week off streaming to look after her. So she streamed for 26 hours straight to give her fans content to watch while she was away.
Sure they're raucous and sometimes vulgar and not to everyone's taste, but the closest parallel I can think of is classic Warner Brother's cartoons. They even have a rabbit - Pekora - and a duck - Subaru.
Posted by: Pixy Misa at April 14, 2021 08:30 AM (PiXy!)
69
The society for the Return of Gray Boxes is not satisfied with this new pseudo-styling.
You're not fooling us.
Posted by: mindful webworker and the mist of memory at April 14, 2021 11:46 AM (ixrHq)
70
"spend all your time in Bash fighting with Git I can see the appeal."
I see no appeal spending any of my time in Bash fighting with Git.
But I'm regressing back to Luddite, from a development perspective, and looking forward to a retirement free of such things.
I see no appeal spending any of my time in Bash fighting with Git.
But I'm regressing back to Luddite, from a development perspective, and looking forward to a retirement free of such things.
Posted by: CZ = Wanted Criminal Because, CZ at April 14, 2021 12:27 PM (MkuC5)
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Posted by: All Hail Eris at April 14, 2021 04:41 AM (Dc2NZ)