Geekly Update - 02 November 2018
Happy November! So, is it safe now to download the Windows 10 October Update? Is Microsoft foisting malware on people who search with Bing for Google Chrome? And can you legally refuse to give up the password to your mobile phone? Get answers in today's Geekly Update -- it's jam-packed with the latest tech news. This issue is guaranteed to make you 146% smarter -- you'll see why. Read, think, and, comment! |
The AskBobRankin Geekly Update
Use Microsoft Edge and search Bing for “download Chrome.” But don’t click the first search result – actually a paid ad - or you may land on a rogue site that is NOT google.com as that first result claims. Microsoft is still not verifying the URLs that run in ads on Bing, even though it was warned about this scam in April, 2018. Another reason to avoid Edge and Bing.
Police in Blackpool, England posted video of a man stealing beer, and many thought the suspect looked a lot like actor David Schwimmer, from the TV show "Friends." In response, Schwimmer posted a mock video of himself stealing beer from a store in New York City to prove his innocence.
The data-loss bug that forced Microsoft to halt distribution of the Windows 10 October update has been fixed, but other severe bugs still delay resumption of distribution.
This “MobiLimb” robotic finger plugs into a smartphone’s USB port to touch, tickle, pull the phone along a flat surface, and do other creepy things. Must be great for battery life, too.
In an affirmation of the 5th Amendment, a Florida appellate court has found a teenager can refuse to give up his phone’s password. Another court has found the opposite, setting up a showdown in the Supreme Court.
Scientist have demonstrated they can store data on a single atom, a breakthrough towards storage device thousands of times more capacious and energy-efficient than hard drives.
Autonomous cars received clearance from California’s DMV to drive on the streets of a few Silicon Valley cities. So if anyone gets killed it will be poetic justice.
Eliminating the competition? A Tesla on “Autopilot” crashed into a Ford Fiesta that was stopped in a traffic lane, prompting a lawsuit by the Tesla’s owner. It’s the third time this year that a Tesla on “Autopilot” has driven into a stationary object; one Tesla driver was killed.
It’s now legal to tinker with your Amazon Echo, smart refrigerator, or other software-controlled device, now that the EFF has won a limited Digital Millenium Copyright Act exemption for consumer self-help and repair. But more remains to be done.
Right-wing social network Gab has been temporarily forced offline because it permitted the Pittsburgh synagogue shooter to air his hate speech.
Google has pledged $25 million to a contest that will find the best AI projects whose aim is to help humans instead of kill them. (Meanwhile, in underground laboratories in South Korea, China and Russia…)
Should we worry about censorship on government-run municipal broadband networks? One Republican FCC commissioner worries that they may threaten First Amendment free speech rights, but the terms-of-service clauses he cites are virtually identical to those used by Comcast and AT&T/Xfinity.
One employee visited 9,000 pXrn sites from his government-issued laptop, resulting in widespread virus infections at a US Geological Services department. He’s been fired. (Apparently the limit is around 8,000.)
FilmStruck, a streaming service very popular among fans of old movies, will shutter its virtual doors on November 29, 2018.
IBM has acquired Red Hat, a prominent open-source Linux and cloud services firm, for $34 billion. The move will make IBM the world's number one hybrid cloud provider. Or something.
Your thoughts on these topics are welcome. Post your comment or question below...
This article was posted by Bob Rankin on 2 Nov 2018
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Most recent comments on "Geekly Update - 02 November 2018"
Posted by:
Allen Wright
02 Nov 2018
Just when I got my files backed up on an external hard drive Windows update is still messed up. I was hoping that getting everything backed up would encourage Microsoft to get their stuff together.
Posted by:
Ralph
02 Nov 2018
I have no need or desire for appliances that are, supposedly. Even tv's that monitor my viewing are a pain. So my question is, where does a stone age old fart go to get away from all this and simply purchase "plain jane" electronics and appliances. My computer runs on your advise but I would like that to be my only tracker. My flip phone has no internet or apps. I make calls and ignore those without name.
Posted by:
GuitarRebel
02 Nov 2018
Bravo, Ralph!
Posted by:
Mark H.
02 Nov 2018
I'm not a Google fan, but I used Edge and Bing to check out the "download Chrome" issue. It appears that Microsoft fixed the problem. The first result I got was Google Chrome Web Browser
https://www.google.com/intl/en/chrome/browser. I use Edge and Firefox interchangeably, depending on website behavior.
Posted by:
Texas Girl
02 Nov 2018
Ralph, I purchase my electronics from Goodwill. It helps support their job training program - employees repair and rehab computers donated by the local colleges when they upgrade. Bargain prices and excellent reliability. Helps me stay in the "Old School" zone about 3-5 yrs behind the latest technology - still more than enough for my needs. If there's a Goodwill in your area, it's worth asking if they have a similar program.
By the way, no cell phone, smart phone, smart appliances for me. Loving the Low Tech Life! Good luck and stand strong.
Posted by:
HA
02 Nov 2018
I don't even have a computer. I get Bob Rankin's articles by fax.
Posted by:
RE
02 Nov 2018
Big deal! I don't even have a fax! Bob Rankin sends me the articles by mail.
Posted by:
Geezer
02 Nov 2018
That's nothing! Mail is too hi-tech for me! Bob Rankin tells me the articles himself.
Posted by:
Bob
02 Nov 2018
Hi Bob,
Used to be a truly great site, but no more.
The incredible number of ads, the Amazon stuff continually popping up, and even the girlie sites, and all the other nonsense make it totally unusable.
A few ads, sure.
But what you now have is ridiculous.
Have you yourself logged in and seen what it is like now ?
Pity. Used to be really worth reading.
Bob
Posted by:
Wild Bill
02 Nov 2018
Maybe I should turn off my ad blockers (uBlock Origin and Privacy Badger) and experience naked reality. I do not see the mess that "Bob" just referred to.
Posted by:
DBA Steve
03 Nov 2018
I'm with Ralph; no connected TVs or refrigerators or toasters or tooth brushes for me! While I do have one flat screen TV that *can* be connected to my PC network I would never allow that.
Have you seen the TV commercial for a "smart" fridge where the lady asks "Will it tell me when I am out of milk?" and the salesman replies "Better, it will tell you smart phone shopping list." WHAT? As if you wouldn't know when you are out of milk. Sheesh.
Can I get Bob's articles via Pony Express?
Posted by:
SamG
05 Nov 2018
To Texas Girl; Goodwill around here is a joke. The workers don't fix anything. Stuff is dumped on tables and the vultures literally dive in. If anything else, it's deposited on shelves or floor the way it arrived. Dirty.
I examined a couple telescopes. One for sky viewing. Had to reassemble what as put together. I believe the work program is nonexistent here.
Posted by:
Jphuf
14 Nov 2018
I have no problems with ads popping-up on this site. The few that there are, just set their benignly as I scroll by, I glance at them & occasionally will click on a few, to let Bob's advertisers know that they are effective, the alternate is to pay Bob or no Bob.