Free Republic 3rd Qtr 2025 Fundraising Target: $81,000 Receipts & Pledges to-date: $4,617
5%  
Woo hoo!! 3rd Qtr 2025 FReepathon is now underway!!

Articles Posted by fireman15

Brevity: Headers | « Text »
  • This secret version of Windows 10 still gets updates until 2032

    06/27/2025 9:33:59 PM PDT · by fireman15 · 125 replies
    Laptop Magazine ^ | May 31, 2025 | Rael Hornby
    No Copilot, no ads, no bloat, no AI — and seven extra years of official support. It sounds too good to be true, but there's a reason most haven't heard of it. Microsoft won't advertise it, and you're highly unlikely to stumble across it by accident, but there's a version of Windows 10 that drops the ads, the AI, and will be officially supported for years to come — long after most are forced to upgrade to Windows 11. For those unaware, Windows 10 is due to be retired by Microsoft on October 14, 2025. Beyond this date, the operating...
  • What Fed is (likely) waiting for before lowering interest rates

    05/07/2025 8:11:25 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 19 replies
    NY Times ^ | May 7, 2025 | Colby Smith
    The Federal Reserve is set to extend its pause on interest rate cuts on Wednesday amid concerns that President Trump’s tariffs will unleash fresh inflationary pressures while also hurting growth, a tricky combination that could lead to painful trade-offs for the central bank. A decision to stand pat would keep interest rates at 4.25 percent to 4.5 percent, a level reached in December after a series of cuts in the second half of 2024. Fed officials are in wait-and-see mode for now. They are closely tracking the incoming data for signs that consumer prices are rising again after a multiyear...
  • What Is the Best Flight Simulator?

    04/27/2025 8:47:15 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 64 replies
    Flying Magazine ^ | Dec 11, 2024 | Kasia Szwed-Carlson
    Aviation saw rapid innovation and growth after the first flight in 1903, leading to the moon landing in 1969. Similarly, advancements in digital technology allow pilots of all skill levels to experience flight from home through realistic flight simulators. These programs and equipment educate pilots and provide true piloting experience without ever leaving the ground. Let us explore top flight simulator software and accessories for the best at-home simulation. You can also check out the FLYING Edition Rig to get started in the right direction. Best of all-round flight sim software: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2024 Best of realistic flight sim...
  • Microsoft looks to be making a big change to how you install and log in to Windows 11

    03/31/2025 7:33:18 PM PDT · by fireman15 · 124 replies
    Tech Radar ^ | 03-31-2025 | Darren Allan
    Never mind blocking workarounds to sign in with a local account, just give us a straightforward choice in the installation process. Microsoft just blocked a popular workaround to install Windows 11 with a local account Some people like to avoid having a Microsoft account linked to the OS due to privacy (or other) concerns While alternative workarounds remain, it’s likely they could be cut off too – and Microsoft is very much going down the wrong path here Microsoft appears to be moving to block Windows 11 users who want to install the operating system using a local account, meaning...
  • Gene Hackman Died of Heart Disease; Wife Died of Hantavirus About 1 Week Prior: Authorities

    03/07/2025 8:49:52 PM PST · by fireman15 · 68 replies
    Epoch Times ^ | 3/7/2025 | Jack Phillips
    Hantavirus is a rare but highly fatal virus, federal health officials say. Authorities said Friday that actor Gene Hackman died of Alzheimer’s and heart failure a week after his wife died of hantavirus, a rare viral infection. Authorities initially ruled out foul play after the bodies were discovered Feb. 26 in the couple’s Santa Fe home, while a bottle of pills was discovered next to the body of his wife, Betsy Arakawa. Immediate tests for carbon monoxide poisoning also tested negative. Santa Fe County Sheriff Adan Mendoza and other officials announced the development in a news conference in New Mexico,...
  • Windows 10 has a year (8 months) left to live – but are users prepared to upgrade to Windows 11?

    02/23/2025 9:59:57 AM PST · by fireman15 · 175 replies
    Tech Radar ^ | October 15, 2024 | Rosario Blue
    It’s official: after 10 years of noble service, Windows 10 will reach its end on October 14, 2025, and what a great decade it’s been. For many users, Microsoft redeemed itself after a run of disappointing operating systems – the mere mention of Windows 8 still sends some people into a rage – but Windows 10 got it right. That’s why the announcement of Windows 11 came as a shock. It felt too soon, too rushed – and unnecessary. Many believed that Windows 10 deserved more time to marinate. At least until it finally managed to migrate the whole Control...
  • Xfinity Internet Reviews

    01/18/2025 11:05:47 AM PST · by fireman15 · 27 replies
    Consumer Affairs ^ | 01/15/2025 | 3553 reviewers
    Linda Naples, FL Verified purchase Customer Service Reviewed Jan. 13, 2025 I have been a comcast/Xfinity customer for 35 years. The customer service was not good before, but now it is outrageous. I have spent hours the last two days trying to get answers. 3 Hours yesterday. I was told it was fixed. Today I get a warning my service is going to be canceled for the same reason. Late payment. Today another 2 hours with me yelling at AI. Then another 30 minutes on the chat. Nothing. AI says the same thing over and over again with no selection...
  • Best Drones for 2024

    12/17/2024 2:55:47 PM PST · by fireman15 · 49 replies
    CNET ^ | 12/3/2024 | Andrew Lanxon & Joshua Goldman
    Learning to simply fly a drone can be a great, entertaining hobby. Take it to the next level when you use a drone to take some beautiful pictures and videos. When you first start out, you'll want to make sure to familiarize yourself with the regulations, then you can take your hobby to new heights. If you're a professional video maker, having a drone can help enhance your work with aerial shots. It doesn't have to be a huge investment because good drones no longer cost an exorbitant amount. You can now get quite a few camera drone models for...
  • DJI Drone Ban Stalls Out In Senate As First Responders Come To The Rescue

    09/25/2024 9:28:43 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 17 replies
    Hot Hardware ^ | July 29, 2024 | Tim Sweezy
    The ban of DJI drones in the US has stalled out in the Senate, at least for for now, as emergency responders came to the rescue. The Senate Armed Services Committee recently released its version of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA FY25), and it does not include the Countering CCP Drones Act, which aimed to ban and ground all DJI drones in the US. Whether it be a drone made by a Chinese company, or a trained pigeon, governments around the world are always worried about how other countries can spy on them. Such is the case with DJI...
  • Local repair shops: Some companies not complying with Right to Repair Act

    09/04/2024 11:06:50 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 18 replies
    www.ksby.com ^ | August 27, 2024 | Neil Hebert
    Local repair shops say electronics manufacturers are not following a new law, meant to eliminate intentional barriers currently in place that make it difficult for them to do their jobs fairly. Nearly two months after going into effect, the conditions of SB-244, the Right to Repair Act, are not being followed by some manufacturers, that's according to a couple local repair shops. “‘Right to Repair’ is the idea you should be able to fix anything you own,” said Liz Chamberlain, Director of Sustainability for iFixit, a San Luis Obispo-based company specializing in creating repair guides and manuals for electronics. But...
  • Windows 11 LTSC 2024 arrives making TPM and Secure Boot optional — lower storage requirements, too

    06/14/2024 10:05:58 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 46 replies
    Tom's Hardware ^ | May 26,2024 | Jeff Butts
    Windows 11 officialy squeezed within the confines of 16GB storage. Microsoft has published the system requirements for Windows 11 IoT Enterprise LTSC 2024, which recently started to roll out. The specification will help steer design decisions for upcoming devices and computers running Windows IoT Enterprise. Lowered minimum specifications, with TPM and Secure Boot optional, are among the most interesting aspects of this release. Windows 11 IoT Enterprise is a full version of Windows Enterprise intended for fixed-purpose devices like ATMs, point-of-sale terminals, digital signage, kiosks, and industrial automation systems, among others. In other words, this version of Windows is not...
  • The Linux Foundation Diversity & Inclusivity

    06/09/2024 8:45:20 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 81 replies
    https://www.linuxfoundation.org/ ^ | June 9, 2024 | Linux Foundation
    Diversity & Inclusivity The power of collaboration is greater when many different perspectives are included. Addressing Diversity and Inclusivity A diversity of ideas and contributions, one that originates from a diverse community, from all walks of life, cultures, countries, and skin colors—is vital for building sustainable and healthy open source communities. Individuals from diverse backgrounds inject new and innovative ideas to advance an inclusive and welcoming ecosystem for all. Linux Foundation is committed to building diverse and inclusive communities. Creating those diverse communities requires effort and commitment to creating inclusive and welcoming spaces. We continue to work to address this...
  • When Windows 10 support runs out, you have 5 options but only 2 are worth considering

    05/19/2024 11:57:09 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 182 replies
    ZDnet ^ | April 22, 2024 | Ed Bott
    Microsoft will officially end support for its most popular operating system in October 2025. Here's what you should do with your Windows 10 PCs before that day arrives. In less than two years, Microsoft will draw the final curtain on Windows 10 after a successful 10-year run. That news shouldn't come as a surprise to anyone. The end date is right there on the Microsoft Support document that lists "products retiring or reaching the end of support in 2025." The schedule is defined by Microsoft's Modern Lifecycle Policy: "Windows 10 will reach end of support on October 14, 2025. The...
  • The best VR headsets in 2024

    05/17/2024 10:31:17 AM PDT · by fireman15 · 24 replies
    Tom's Guide ^ | May 2, 2024 | Jason England
    The best VR headsets are so much more than devices that transport you to virtual worlds. They give you the best mixed reality experience with ever-improving passthrough technology, which unlocks new methods of getting things done like Spatial computing — overlaying your environments with augmented reality holographs. As this industry is exploding with popularity, we have handpicked a small selection that offer the best bang for your buck. All of them can play most of the best VR games, and some can even serve as home gym replacements, productivity tools for work or even giant immersive screens to watch the...
  • 1 Unfavorable Trend Explains the 21% Plunge in Tesla Stock in 2024

    02/28/2024 8:04:30 AM PST · by fireman15 · 28 replies
    The Motley Fool ^ | Feb 24, 2024 | Anthony Di Pizio
    Key Points: Tesla stock is down 21% in 2024 so far, and it's down 52% from its all-time high. Growth in Tesla's electric vehicle deliveries is decelerating. Tesla has a plan to reignite growth, but there are no short-term fixes for this problem. The electric vehicle giant isn't growing like it used to. Tesla (TSLA 1.81%) was the world's largest electric vehicle (EV) company by sales until the fourth quarter of last year when China-based BYD outsold it for the first time. Tesla once had the EV market almost entirely to itself, but now, it's grappling with a tsunami of...
  • The next Windows 11 version will refuse to boot on unsupported CPUs

    02/14/2024 5:19:59 PM PST · by fireman15 · 93 replies
    Xda Developers ^ | 2/12/2014 | RAHUL NASKAR
    Your PC without this CPU feature won’t boot Windows 11 24H2 KEY TAKEAWAYS Windows 11 24H2 update requires the POPCNT CPU feature, making it impossible to run on super-old PCs. Modern CPUs support POPCNT, so if you recently bought a new PC, you won't have any issues. PCs older than fifteen years will be affected by this change and won't be able to boot Windows 11 without POPCNT support. Windows 11 24H2 is the next big update that Microsoft will roll out later this year, and it might finally put an end to the practice of running Windows unofficially on...
  • Widely consumed vegetable oil leads to an unhealthy gut

    02/07/2024 8:46:30 AM PST · by fireman15 · 49 replies
    University of California ^ | July 6, 2023 | Iqbal Pittalwala
    High consumption of soybean oil has been linked to obesity and diabetes and potentially autism, Alzheimer’s disease, anxiety, and depression. Add now to this growing list ulcerative colitis, a form of inflammatory bowel disease, or IBD, characterized by chronic inflammation of the large intestine. Researchers at the University of California, Riverside, examined the gut of mice that were consistently fed a diet high in soybean oil for up to 24 weeks in the lab. They found beneficial bacteria decreased and harmful bacteria (specifically, adherent invasive Escherichia coli) increased — conditions that can lead to colitis. Soybean oil is the most...
  • Best PC Builds for Gaming 2024: From $500 Budgets to $4,000+

    01/28/2024 7:17:16 PM PST · by fireman15 · 75 replies
    Tom's Hardware ^ | January 4, 2024 | Avram Piltch
    We recommend the best PC builds for every price point. If you want a computer that meets your exact needs and budget, you need to put it together yourself. When you build a gaming PC, you get total control of the parts, choosing the exact make and model of motherboard, a case with the look you like and even the layout of RGB (or non-RGB fans). You could save time by purchasing one of the best pre-built gaming PCs, but you'll give up control and spend more. By constructing your own PC from components, you will likely save hundreds dollars...
  • 10 VR Game Trends for 2024: How the Market Is Evolving

    01/26/2024 9:18:39 AM PST · by fireman15 · 27 replies
    Udonis ^ | Jan 24 2024 | Andrea Knezovic
    Table of contents 1. VR Is Cheaper Than Ever 2. Major Improvements in VR Experiences 3. VR Games Lead the Way to the Metaverse 4. VR Games Follow Monetization Trends 5. Mixed Reality Experiences 6. Standalone Headsets 7. VR Cloud Gaming 8. Better and More Engaging VR Content 9. Adventure, Shooter, and Simulation Genres Are the Most Popular 10. VR Is Extending Beyond Gaming VR Game Trends: A SummaryThe VR games market is evolving and maturing. It's predicted to almost double in size in 2024 and grow at a CAGR of 42%. (Newzoo) That's thanks to key developments in VR...
  • Attrition: Cheap Simulators Threaten U.S. Air Superiority

    01/22/2024 8:12:11 AM PST · by fireman15 · 27 replies
    Strategy Page The News as History ^ | 1/17/2006 | Strategy Page
    The biggest threat to American air superiority is not Russia selling high performance combat aircraft to countries like China, but the development of really inexpensive flight simulators. Over the last decade, computers have become a lot cheaper, and the graphics capability of these machines has skyrocketed. That's important in bringing the cost of realistic flight simulators down to a level that any country can afford. Until a decade ago, a realistic combat flight simulator cost about as much as the aircraft it was simulating. While that did reduce the cost (per "flying" hour) of pilots practicing, it was not enough...