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Computers/Internet (General/Chat)

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  • Teenagers would give up the right to vote to keep social media, survey reveals

    05/17/2023 1:29:37 AM PDT · by Olog-hai · 20 replies
    Fox News ^ | May 17, 2023 4:00am EDT | Elizabeth Heckman
    Social media continues to be a strong value for young adults as a new survey reveals a majority of teenage TikTok users would give up the right to vote in order to keep access to the popular video-sharing app. The Reboot Foundation found 59% of young adults with TikTok accounts said that if forced to choose between their social media or voting rights for one year, they would give up the latter. Among teens, the rates of voluntary disenfranchisement were even higher: 64% of those aged 13 to 17 said they would give up their vote to keep social content...
  • Microsoft will upgrade Windows 10 21H2 users whether they like it or not -- Also, Windows 12 might be on the way, so buckle up

    05/15/2023 7:27:58 PM PDT · by dayglored · 61 replies
    The Register ^ | May 15, 2023 | Jeff Burt
    Those still using Windows 10 version 21H2 have about a month until support ends, which means there will be no more security updates or other measures after that. Their options essentially are to upgrade to Windows 10 22H2 or make the move to Windows 11, which would make Microsoft happy. Servicing and support for the Windows 10 21H1 Home, Pro, Pro Education, and Pro Workstation editions ends June 13, with the June 2023 security update – due out that same day – being the last one for those editions. "After this date, devices running these versions will no longer receive...
  • Linux Mint / Windows Network - Unable to mount location

    05/15/2023 3:44:47 PM PDT · by ducttape45 · 52 replies
    Good evening fellow Freepers. I'm in search of some computer assistance with Linux Mint and accessing a Windows network. In times past, whenever I programmed Linux on a computer, I never had problems getting it to interface with my Windows network. That all changed in recent weeks/months, apparently. Now, whenever I try to access a Windows network with a Linux machine, I get this error: Unable to mount location Failed to retrieve share list from server: No such file or directory If you look at the discussion going on at the link, I've tried almost everything suggested, and then some....
  • Should social media face-altering filters be regulated?

    05/15/2023 12:00:45 PM PDT · by BenLurkin · 22 replies
    BBC ^ | 05/15/2023 | Dave Gordon and Will Smale
    Originally only able to work on photos, two years ago FaceTune launched a version for short selfie videos that has increasingly grown in its effectiveness since then. The app allows users to both make subtle changes to their facial appearance, such as smoothing over wrinkles, or alternatively - completely transform how they look. For example, they can narrow their face, change the shape and size of their eyes, or give themselves a digital nose-job. Meanwhile, another popular app that allows users to alter their social media photos - Perfect365 - is due to launch its video version later this year....
  • Wanted Nevada woman arrested after commenting on Facebook news post about her case

    05/13/2023 10:37:37 AM PDT · by BenLurkin · 9 replies
    ny post ^ | May 13, 2023 | By Katherine Donlevy
    Marion Reyes, 36, surrendered to the police’s traffic bureau — just one day after authorities sent out an alert alleging that she cut off her ankle monitor. “I never cut it off!!! An officer cut it off when I turned myself in. They continued to release me,” Reyes commented under a News 8 story about her case posted to Facebook. The Las Vegas Traffic Bureau responded with its own comment: “Then why not turn yourself in now? Let’s get this sorted out tonight.” Reyes seemingly heeded the advice and chatted with an intervention officer Thursday night before turning herself in...
  • Bizarre New Illness Causes Millions To Stay Home From Work Today

    05/12/2023 9:27:36 PM PDT · by servo1969 · 5 replies
    The Babylon Bee ^ | 5-12-2023 | Babylon Bee Staff
    WORLD — A mysterious new virus is forcing millions of people around the world to call in sick to work today, according to sources. "We've never seen anything like this," said a World Health Organization spokesperson Chad Muskrat to reporters. "It seems to be exclusively affecting males between the ages of 10 and 40. So far, tens of millions in the U.S. alone have called in sick. We are urging everyone to stay in their homes and maybe relax on the couch while, I don't know, playing a video game or something." "Now if you'll excuse me, I'm feeling a...
  • The AI Singularity Is Here

    05/12/2023 3:18:57 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 19 replies
    InfoWorld ^ | Matt Asay
    The time to figure out how to use generative AI and large language models in your code is now.Mea culpa: I was wrong. The artificial intelligence (AI) singularity is, in fact, here. Whether we like it or not, AI isn’t something that will possibly, maybe impact software development in the distant future. It’s happening right now. Today. No, not every developer is taking advantage of large language models (LLMs) to build or test code. In fact, most aren’t. But for those who are, AI is dramatically changing the way they build software. It’s worth tuning into how they’re employing LLMs...
  • A Note From Ray Kurzweil on the Recent Call to Pause Work on AI More Powerful Than GPT-4

    05/12/2023 3:16:04 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 10 replies
    Singularity Hub ^ | May 5, 2023
    Editor’s Note: The following is a brief letter from Ray Kurzweil, cofounder and member of the board at Singularity Group, Singularity Hub’s parent company, in response to the Future of Life Institute’s recent letter, “Pause Giant AI Experiments: An Open Letter.” The FLI letter addresses the risks of accelerating progress in AI and the ensuing race to commercialize the technology and calls for a pause in the development of algorithms more powerful than OpenAI’s GPT-4, the large language model behind the company’s ChatGPT Plus and Microsoft’s Bing chatbot. The FLI letter has thousands of signatories—including deep learning pioneer, Yoshua...
  • Microsoft Signs Up to Buy Electricity Produced by Fusion, Perhaps in 2028

    05/12/2023 2:35:49 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 14 replies
    The Register ^ | Fri 12 May 2023 | Simon Sharwood
    How complicated can cold fusion be, really?Fusion upstart Helion Energy has named Microsoft as its first customer, and claims the software giant should be able to use electricity made by mashing together helium atoms from 2028. Which may come as a surprise to many, given that nuclear fusion – outside of stars and incredibly destructive bombs – remains largely theoretical. The few successes in the field have produced modest net energy gains. The most celebrated recent fusion experiment, revealed by Lawrence Livermore Laboratory's National Ignition Facility in late 2022, produced 3.15 megajoules (MJ) of fusion energy output using 2.05 MJ...
  • Executives Fear Accidental Sharing of Corporate Data With ChatGPT: Report

    05/12/2023 2:32:37 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 9 replies
    VentureBeat ^ | May 11, 2023
    Writer, a generative AI platform for enterprises, has released a report revealing that almost half (46%) of senior executives (directors and above) suspect their colleagues have unintentionally shared corporate data with ChatGPT. This troubling statistic highlights the necessity for generative AI tools to safeguard companies’ data, brand, and reputation. The State of Generative AI in the Enterprise report found that ChatGPT is the most popular chatbot in use amongst enterprises, with CopyAI (35%) and Anyword (26%) following closely behind as the second and third most commonly used. However, many companies have banned the use of generative AI tools in the...
  • Benchtop DNA printers are coming soon—and biosecurity experts are worried

    05/12/2023 12:58:07 PM PDT · by Red Badger · 12 replies
    www.science.org ^ | 11 MAY 2023 12:20 PM | ROBERT F. SERVICE
    Report calls for better safeguards to prevent bioterrorists from weaponizing new technology Improving access to DNA sequences could also increase the risk of its misuse. Biologists who have been obtaining DNA sequences online from companies will soon have a more convenient option: benchtop machines that can print all the DNA they need. But this technology brings with it new risks by circumventing how synthetic biology companies now screen for would-be bioterrorists. A report released yesterday by a Washington, D.C., think tank urges companies and governments to revamp existing screening to prevent someone with malign motives from making a toxin or...
  • RedHat vs Debian: Administrative Point of View in 2023

    05/12/2023 8:11:22 AM PDT · by ShadowAce · 16 replies
    TecMint ^ | 9 May 2023 | James Kiarie
    There are countless Linux distributions available, a vast majority are free to download and use. Some are more appropriate for performing particular tasks than others. For example, Ubuntu, Mint, and Elementary OS are more recommended in desktop and laptop PCs than Arch Linux or Alpine.In this guide, we seek to compare RHEL and Debian from an administrative point of view. We will look at the technical and philosophical differences between the two and see which fairs better than the other.Software LicensingRHEL is an open-source and commercial Linux distribution developed by Red Hat, Inc which was acquired by IBM on May...
  • A comprehensive list of 2023 tech layoffs: From major layoffs at Google, Amazon and Microsoft to small fintech startups and apps

    05/11/2023 9:01:07 PM PDT · by SeekAndFind · 6 replies
    Tech Crunch ^ | 05/11/2023 | Natasha Mascarenhas, Alyssa Stringer
    Last year’s techwide reckoning continues. In 2023, layoffs have yet again cost tens of thousands of tech workers their jobs; this time, the workforce reductions have been driven by the biggest names in tech like Google, Amazon, Microsoft, Yahoo and Zoom. Startups, too, have announced cuts across all sectors, from crypto to enterprise SaaS. The reasoning behind these workforce reductions follows a common script, citing the macroeconomic environment and a need to find discipline on a tumultuous path to profitability. Still, tracking the layoffs helps us to understand the impact on innovation, which companies are facing tough pressures and who...
  • California man admits to deliberately crashing plane to get YouTube views

    05/11/2023 2:08:31 PM PDT · by BenLurkin · 23 replies
    ktla ^ | by: Marc Sternfield
    With multiple camera shots and slick editing, Trevor Jacob documented the dramatic moments when his small plane crashed into a Santa Barbara County hillside as he parachuted to safety. The 2021 video titled, “I Crashed My Airplane,” quickly amassed hundreds of thousands of views on YouTube. The only problem: it was all staged. On Wednesday, Jacob, 29, pleaded guilty to a felony charge of obstructing a federal investigation after admitting to intentionally crashing the plane to get views on his YouTube channel, the United States Department of Justice announced. He faces up to 20 years in federal prison.
  • New App Brings Acropolis of Athens Back to Life

    05/10/2023 2:05:37 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 6 replies
    Greek Reporter ^ | Alexander Gale | Alexander Gale
    A new mobile phone app will enable visitors to view the Acropolis in Athens in all the grandeur it would have appeared in during the 5th century BC. The new app uses cutting-edge virtual and augmented reality technology, together with artificial intelligence and 5G to recreate the form of the Acropolis in its heyday. In addition, an artificial intelligence assistant will be able to answer questions about the site. The most iconic portions of the Acropolis, together with some prominent exhibits at the Acropolis museum will now be accessible as a virtual digital representation, allowing visitors to compare the ancient...
  • Computer power supply (adapter) question

    05/10/2023 8:07:46 AM PDT · by Paul R. · 32 replies
    Me | 5/10/2023 | Paul R.
    There are many surplus and refurb chargers / adapters for powering laptop computers on the market these days. Ebay, for example, has loads of them at good prices. And adapters from good brand names like Dell and HP seem to be quite reliable. By their ratings, these would appear to be useful for other projects. However, I was curious as to how consistent the low or no load voltage output was vs. the voltage at rated output. In the case of my Dell DA130PE1-00, a 130 watt adapter, there is just the "simple" rating if 19.5 DC volts @ 6.7...
  • Elon Musk Warns Users That Zuckerberg’s “WhatsApp” Is Secretly Accessing Device Microphones

    05/10/2023 6:02:38 AM PDT · by Red Badger · 59 replies
    Daily Fetched ^ | May 10, 2023 | By: Jason Walsh
    Twitter CEO Elon Musk warned users of the Facebook-owned WhatsApp that it is secretly accessing their device microphones without their knowledge and violating their privacy. Twitter’s director of engineering, Foad Dabri, posted a photo documenting his WhatsApp timeline which showed Zuckerberg’s messaging app was accessing his phone’s mic while he was asleep. Elon Musk responded to the tweet, simply stating, “WhatsApp cannot be trusted.” The WhatsApp Company later responded to the Twitter post claiming it had reached out to the Twitter engineer about the issue. As expected, the company would not accept any blame and attempted to write the issue...
  • Man Asks ChatGPT for Numbers, Strikes Toto

    05/09/2023 6:01:11 PM PDT · by nickcarraway · 7 replies
    AsiaOne ^ | MAY 06, 2023 | Candice Cai
    Man asks ChatGPT for numbers, strikes Toto ChatGPT or Cai Shen Ye (God of Fortune)? One man in Singapore recently took the use of the artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot to a whole new level, after he randomly asked ChatGPT to generate some lottery numbers for him. To his (and everyone's) surprise, it was a lucky strike — though not quite the jackpot. In a TikTok video posted on Friday (May 5), Aaron Tan shared how he "decided to ask ChatGPT for a set of nice seven numbers" for the Toto draw on May 4. The question he posed to the...
  • Tucker is bringing his show to Twitter

    05/09/2023 3:29:14 PM PDT · by RandFan · 15 replies
    Twitter ^ | May 9 | TitterDaily
    @TitterDaily NEWS: Tucker Carlson is bringing his show to Twitter. He says it is the "only" platform that still defends free speech.
  • Check out this FDA-approved “smart” toilet seat that might just save your life

    05/09/2023 12:44:52 PM PDT · by Red Badger · 28 replies
    Not The Bee ^ | May 9, 2023 | Staff
    With the advent of smart phones, people do a lot while they're using the toilet these days. So much so, that employers have been looking for smart solutions to get people off the toilets and back to work, up to installing whole new slanted toilets. Check out these slanted toilets designed to keep you off your phone while you poop at work Since Taro Gomi first published his children's book in 1977, we all know that Everyone Poops. So don't get all uptight that I'm writing an article about pooping. Okay? But some toilet manufacturers are pushing back. What if...