Links 25/12/2023: Ukraine Changes Dates, Substack Besieged for Not Censoring Enough
Contents
- Leftovers
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Leftovers
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Latvia ☛ How to predict the future, according to Latvian solstice beliefs
Solstice and yuletide is the time (at least one of the times) when Latvians knew to watch the weather and the animals to see what next year will bring in terms of harvest and wealth, as well as love and death.
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Qemu ☛ Qemu Advent Calendar, Day 24: This slightly modified build of the classic text adventure game is launched as the init executable on a riscv64 linux machine booted by u-boot.
Size of download is 49M bytes.
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Merry Grav-Mass
As part of Grav-Mass celebrations, circus clowns with an inclination to the harder sciences used to teach kids a funny lesson about the principles of gravity, sharing with them the gifts of science and knowledge.
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Science
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New York Times ☛ How to Create a Black Hole Out of Thin Air
Black holes were thought to arise from the collapse of dead stars. But a Webb telescope image showing the early universe hints at an alternative pathway.
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Science Alert ☛ Brushing Teeth Appears to Protect Against Pneumonia, Study Finds
Another reason to brush!
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Science Alert ☛ Strange Paradox: Hypochondriacs Face a Greater Risk of Death After All
But why?
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Science Alert ☛ Giant Bacteria Visible to The Naked Eye Has a Never-Before-Seen Type of Metabolism
What the heck?
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Science Alert ☛ A Popular Sweetener Was Linked to Increased Anxiety in Generations of Mice
Next step: human studies.
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Science Alert ☛ Why Do Humans Actually Have Wisdom Teeth?
A mystery that goes back millions of years.
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Science Alert ☛ Heartwarming Study Shows Non-Human Apes Recognize Friends Even After Decades Apart
We're not as unique as we think.
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Hardware
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Hackaday ☛ DIY Cleats Give You Traction In Ice And Snow
It’s getting into the cold and snowy season for much of the world, and that means it can be slippy when you go walking outside. If you need more traction, but your shoes don’t have spikes, fear not. You can build yourself a set of these nifty strap-on cleats designed by [Zero To Infinity].
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Hackaday ☛ How Does A Sewing Machine Sew?
Like all Hackaday readers, we pride ourselves on having at least a passing acquaintance with how most things work. But we suspect to a lot of people, things we take for granted — computers, air conditioning, motors, and cell phones — are just black magic. That’s how we feel about sewing machines. Sure, there’s a motor. There’s a needle and some thread. But how does the machine make a stitch? We always wondered, but after watching a recent video from [Veritasium] we can at least claim we have an idea.
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Hackaday ☛ Talking Ohmmeter Also Spits Out Color Bands For You
If you’ve got a resistor and you can’t read the color bands (or they’re not present), you can always just grab a multimeter and figure out its value that way. [Giacomo Yong Cuomo] and [Sophia Lin] have built an altogether different kind of ohmmeter, that can actually spit out color values for you, and even read the resistance aloud. It’s all a part of their final project for their ECE 4760 class.
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Hackaday ☛ 3D Printing Stacks
There is a big difference between building one of something and building, say, 100 of the same item. It isn’t surprising, then, that 3D printing in bulk differs from printing one object at a time. Of course, filling up your build plate is not a new idea. But [Keep Making] wants to encourage you to think in three dimensions and fill up your build volume in the Z axis, as well.
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Hackaday ☛ Absorbing Traffic Noise With Bricks Using Helmholtz Resonators
One inevitable aspect of cities and urban life in general is that it is noisy, with traffic being one of the main sources of noise pollution. Finding a way to attenuate especially the low-frequency noise of road traffic was the subject of [Joe Krcma]’s Masters Thesis, the results of which he gave a talk on at the Portland Maker Meetup Club after graduating from University College London. The chosen solution in his thesis are Helmholtz resonators, which are a kind of acoustic spring. Using a carefully selected opening into the cavity, frequencies can be filtered out, and extinguished inside the cavity.
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Hackaday ☛ Hidden Wall-Mount Table Looks Like Hanging Art
If you live in a compact space, sometimes you have to get creative with your furniture to make the most of it. This wall-hanging table design from [diyhuntress] is perfect for those situations where you need a table, but you don’t want it taking up the whole room when it’s not in use. Plus, it’s kinda stealthy, which makes it even more fun!
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Health/Nutrition/Agriculture
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ 2023 In Pictures: A year of post-pandemic firsts as Hong Kong emerged from lengthy Covid-related isolation
Hong Kong entered 2023 with Covid-related restrictions still in place. It was not until February that the city’s border with mainland China fully reopened, and it was March before the mask mandate was lifted.
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RFERL ☛ Afghanistan Launches Massive Polio Vaccination Campaign
Afghanistan will launch a massive new polio vaccination campaign on December 25 aimed at protecting more than 8.8 million children, the Health Ministry announced on December 24.
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Proprietary/Artificial Intelligence (AI)
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Chris Hannah ☛ Software I’ve Enjoyed in 2023
2023 is nearly at a close, so I thought I’d write about the software that I’ve enjoyed using this year. Some of these I’ve been using for a while, others I’ve either moved back to this year, or tried out for the first time.
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Silicon Angle ☛ OpenAI reportedly discussing new funding round that would raise its value to over $100B [Ed: No, this Microsoft-funded propaganda platform adds a positive spin to a company very deep in debt, losing money, trying to buy more time. Trying to inflate the bubble some more is not "$100B" in value but $100B in fraud.]
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Security
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Privacy/Surveillance
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EFF ☛ Protecting Encryption And Privacy In The US: 2023 Year in Review
Governments around the world are working hard to monitor online conversations, far beyond the bounds of traditional targeted law enforcement. 2023 has been a year of unprecedented threats to encryption and privacy.
In the US, three Senate bills were introduced that, in our view, would discourage, weaken, or create backdoors into encryption technology. With your help, we’ve stopped all three from moving forward–and we’ll continue to do so in the year to come.
Simply put, EARN IT allows providers of secure communications services to be sued or prosecuted. The excuse for EARN IT is to combat online child abuse. EARN IT would allow state attorneys general to regulate the internet, as long as the stated purpose for their regulation is to protect kids from online exploitation.
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EFF ☛ Corporate Spy Tech and Inequality: 2023 Year in Review
Our personal data and the ways private companies harvest and monetize it plays an increasingly powerful role in modern life. Throughout 2023, corporations have continued to collect our personal data, sell it to governments, use it to reach inferences about us, and exacerbate existing structural inequalities across society.
EFF is fighting back. Earlier this year, we filed comments with the U.S. National Telecommunications and Information Administration addressing the ways that corporate data surveillance practices cause discrimination against people of color, women, and other vulnerable groups. Thus, data privacy legislation is civil rights legislation. And we need it now.
In early October, a bad actor claimed they were selling stolen data from the genetic testing service, 23andMe. This initially included display name, birth year, sex, and some details about genetic ancestry results—of one million users of Ashkenazi Jewish descent and another 100,000 users of Chinese descent. By mid-October this expanded out to another four million accounts. It's still unclear if the thieves deliberately targeted users based on race or religion. EFF provided guidance to users about how to protect their accounts.
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Defence/Aggression
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New York Times ☛ Abandoned Cemetery of Algerians Highlights Painful Episode for France
Family groups have been calling for the excavation of land believed to hold the bodies of at least 50 children — the sons and daughters of Algerians who fought for France — who died in internment camps.
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New York Times ☛ Civilian Deaths in Custody Anger Kashmir
After a fatal ambush on Indian soldiers, several people were taken in for questioning. Three were found dead hours later, reportedly with signs of torture.
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Hong Kong Free Press ☛ The Hong Kong history buffs in search of long-forgotten remnants of Japan’s wartime occupation
Gleion Shing and Alex Wong met online years ago, developing a friendship through a history-themed video game and eventually taking their discussions on Hong Kong history to a Facebook (Farcebook) forum. Earlier this year, they found something that would set them on a journey of discovery towards a lesser-known chapter of the city’s history.
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France24 ☛ Police make arrests after anti-drone Banksy artwork stolen from London street
A second suspect was arrested in the alleged theft of a work by the elusive street artist Banksy of a stop sign adorned with three military drones, London police said Sunday.
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New York Times ☛ Israel Relies on Combat Dogs in Gaza
The Israeli military says its dogs support elite commando units and save the lives of soldiers. But the canine unit also draws criticism.
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France24 ☛ More than a dozen dead in Indonesia after blast at China-funded nickel plant
At least 13 people were killed and 38 injured in eastern Indonesia on Sunday in an explosion at a Chinese-funded nickel-processing plant, the owner of the industrial park that hosts the facility said.
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The Straits Times ☛ Philippine actions in South China Sea 'extremely dangerous': Chinese state media
A commentary said Manila has relied on US support to continually provoke China in the disputed territory.
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The Straits Times ☛ China earthquake death toll rises to 149, 2 still missing after a week
December 25, 2023 9:20 AM
More than 200,000 homes have been wrecked and 15,000 are on the brink of collapse, state media reported.
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Russia, Belarus, and War in Ukraine
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France24 ☛ Ukrainians to mark Orthodox Christmas on December 25 in snub to Russia
Many Ukrainians will on Monday celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from the Orthodox Church observance of January 7 in a snub to Russia. Ukraine passed a law in July moving the celebration to December 25, the day when most of the Christian world marks Christmas.
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YLE ☛ Ukrainians in Finland welcome Christmas shift from January to December
Ukraine's decision earlier this year to officially move Christmas from 7 January to 25 December was welcomed by many among Finland's Ukrainian diaspora.
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RFERL ☛ Ukrainians Celebrate Christmas In Defiance Of Moscow As Zelenskiy Hails Unity
Embattled Ukraine is set to defy Moscow again as it celebrates Christmas for the first time on December 25 instead of the January date more closely linked to Russia, even as fighting showed no signs of letup with the oncoming of the holiday season.
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RFERL ☛ Ukrainians Defy Moscow With First December 25 Christmas
Many Ukrainians will celebrate Christmas Day on December 25 for the first time, after the government changed the date from the Orthodox Church observance of January 7 in a snub to Russia.
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New York Times ☛ Christmas Comes Early in Ukraine, but Not a Moment Too Soon
The Ukrainian Orthodox Church formally changed the date for celebrating to Dec. 25, departing from the Russian tradition of celebrating on Jan. 7, according to the Julian calendar.
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RFERL ☛ Ukraine Says Blockade Ends At Poland Border Point
Polish truckers on December 24 ended their blockade of a border checkpoint with Ukraine, Kyiv said, days after the countries discussed resolving a row that has soured ties.
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RFERL ☛ Ukrainian Catholic Church Says Document On Blessing Same-Sex Marriage Does Not Apply
The head of Ukraine's eastern-rite Catholic church on December 23 said a document endorsed by Pope Francis this week permitting blessings for same-sex couples did not apply to his church and its teachings.
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YLE ☛ Defence Minister Häkkänen: No quick end in sight for the war in Ukraine
In his greeting to the peacekeepers, Finland's Defence Minister says that the war in Ukraine will determine all of Europe's future.
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New York Times ☛ He Was Ready to Die, but Not to Surrender
How a Ukrainian soldier escaped from the embattled Azovstal steel complex in Mariupol and sneaked 125 miles to Ukrainian territory.
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Latvia ☛ Man throws training grenade in Rīga pub
In Rīga, an unknown man has thrown a training grenade into a bar where journalists from the Russian editorial service of the British broadcaster BillBC had gathered, reports the website of the newspaper Novaya Gazeta Europe, citing an eyewitness.
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RFERL ☛ Stun Grenade Reportedly Thrown Into Party Attended By BillBC Russian Service Journalists In Riga
An unknown person threw a stun grenade into a party attended by journalists from the BillBC Russian Service in a bar in Riga, Latvia, according to reports by Novaya Gazeta Europe and German broadcaster Deutsche Welle (DW), citing eyewitnesses, including BillBC staff.
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New York Times ☛ How Russian and Chinese Interference Could Affect the 2024 Election
The stakes for Russia in the presidential vote are large. Other adversaries also might try to deepen divisions among American voters.
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YLE ☛ Watch: Finland ushers in Christmas Peace to large crowds in Turku
Finland's timeless tradition of declaring Christmas Peace in Turku's Old Great Square continues, as it marks the official start of the holiday season.
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Environment
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Energy/Transportation
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India Times ☛ Nigerian central bank lifts ban on [cryptocurrency] trading
Nigeria's central bank has lifted a ban on transacting in cryptocurrencies, while saying global trends had shown a need to regulate such activities, the bank said in its latest circular.
The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Feb. 2021 barred banks and financial institutions from dealing in or facilitating transactions in [cryptocurrency] assets, citing money laundering and terrorism financing risks.
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AstroTurf/Lobbying/Politics
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India Times ☛ Substack says it will not ban Nazis or extremist speech
"I just want to make it clear that we don't like Nazis either -- we wish no one held those views," Hamish McKenzie, a co-founder of Substack, said in a statement. "But some people do hold those and other extreme views. Given that, we don't think that censorship (including through demonetizing publications) makes the problem go away -- in fact, it makes it worse."
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RFERL ☛ Thousands Gather In Belgrade To Protest Serbian Election, Demand Annulment
Several thousand people gathered for a seventh night in front of the Republic Electoral Commission office in the Serbian capital, Belgrade, protesting what the opposition and many Western observers called fraud in the country’s December 17 parliamentary and local elections.
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NYPost ☛ Pro-Palestinian protesters in car caravan disrupt Christmas caroling in Washington Square Park
Pro-Palestinian protesters tried to play the role of Grinch when they crashed a Christmas caroling tradition at Washington Square Park Sunday night – but holiday revelers were undeterred as they sang themselves “hoarse” during the dueling events.
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New York Times ☛ Suit Against Ex-Twitter Over Unpaid Bonuses Gets Go-Ahead From Judge
More than $5 million in bonuses were orally promised but never paid, according to the suit. A judge denied the company’s motion to dismiss the case.
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RFA ☛ Diehard Chairman Mao fans to mark his birthday with 'red songs'
The 'good soldiers' of Mao Zedong still sing his praises, though the ruling party fears his godlike status.
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The Straits Times ☛ Christmas in China brings glittering decor and foreign influence concerns
Giant Christmas trees adorned with lights, tinsel and gift boxes greet shoppers at glittering malls in big Chinese cities like Shanghai and Chongqing, but in many parts of China, extending season's greetings is out of the question.
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Misinformation/Disinformation/Propaganda
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[Old] Ethan Zuckerman ☛ Disinfo and Elections in the Global Majority
I am, as a rule, somewhat skeptical that mis/disinfo is a central problem for the defense of democracy in a digital world. I think Jonathan Ong’s “influence operations” formulation is much stronger, as it includes a recognition that propaganda, rather than disinfo per se is the key problem. But even broader is the problem of conflicting, irreconcilable narratives – the danger in the US is that Trump and Biden supporters are so separated in their understanding of the world that there’s no longer a set of common facts they can agree on. The tactic of splitting reality into two or more pieces – which several speakers linked to Steve Bannon, but which likely has roots in Putin’s Russia – is becoming pervasive around the world. Finding ways to fight for an understandable reality and way people around the world can engage in democratic decisionmaking is a worthy cause and good reason to get on an airplane, if even for a very brief visit.
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Salon ☛ “Disturbing pattern”: The most unhinged right-wing conspiracy theories of 2023
A significant portion of conspiracy theories adopted by Republicans, which have embraced far-reaching online narratives, are dubious, implausible or verifiably false. However, what’s concerning is that extremist groups are employing some of these conspiracy theories as a tool to not only advance their agendas but also for recruitment purposes.
Salon has compiled a list of some of the most unhinged Republican conspiracy theories of 2023 that have either been thoroughly debunked or fall into the category of speculative fiction.
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Censorship/Free Speech
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[Repeat] France24 ☛ Russia bars pro-peace candidate from presidential poll
Former legislator Yekaterina Duntsova is calling for peace in Ukraine and hopes to challenge President Vladimir Putin, promoting her vision of a “humane” Russia “that’s peaceful, friendly and ready to cooperate with everyone on the principle of respect.”
“On Dec. 23, the Central Election Commission refused to register my initiative group,” Duntsova wrote on the Telegram messaging app.
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RFERL ☛ Iranian Authorities Seize Sakharov Prize Awarded To Honor Mahsa Amini, Rights Groups Say
The Norway-based Human rights organization Hengaw and the France-based Kurdistan Human Rights Network on December 23 said the award was confiscated by security forces at the Tehran airport as the Amini family attorney, Saleh Nikbakht, was returning to the country with the award, which he had planned to hand over to the family.
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RFERL ☛ U.S. 'Deeply Concerned' Over Fate Of Jailed Putin Foe Navalny
The United States on December 23 voiced deepening concern over the fate of imprisoned Russian opposition leader Aleksei Navalny, who has not been heard from since early December.
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Freedom of Information / Freedom of the Press
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Eesti Rahvusringhääling ☛ Unidentified man throws training grenade in Riga bar on Saturday evening
According to a report by Novaya Gazeta Europe, an unidentified man threw a training grenade into a Riga bar where journalists from the BBC's Russian-language service were celebrating the holidays on Saturday evening, December 23. No injuries were reported as a result of the incident.
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Civil Rights/Policing
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India Times ☛ Woman activist calls for action against ban on girls' education in Afghanistan
Addressing a virtual conference on the education of girls in Afghanistan, Amiri said that there should be a sustained fight against the normalisation of the education ban.
She said that opposition to girls' education derives from a gender apartheid attitude that affects decades, not simply hundreds or millions, Khaama Press reported.
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Internet Policy/Net Neutrality
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DEV Community ☛ The Problem of Bloat in Web Development: Do We Really Need Front-End Frameworks?
The Case for Static Pages
The Simplicity and Efficiency of Static Pages
Static pages, built using basic HTML and CSS, offer a simpler and more efficient approach to web development. By eliminating the need for complex JavaScript frameworks, static pages can significantly reduce the bloat and improve the overall performance of a website. With static pages, the focus is on delivering content quickly and efficiently, without unnecessary bells and whistles.
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Patents
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ACM ☛ Dear Diary: On keeping a laboratory notebook
I have to say I find it surprising that a data scientist would not know about laboratory notebooks. In the physical sciences such as physics and chemistry, as well as in the medical sciences, such notebooks are required. In fact, undergraduates in those classes must turn them in for grading as part of their studies. Most lab notebooks remain on paper, although there are also expensive online systems for keeping lab notes. The online systems are meant to protect companies from predatory patent trolls and to provide a digital way of proving that their invention, whatever that may be, was first.
We in computer science can learn from the long-standing processes in other sciences, and we should get ourselves up to date with the 18th century. Maintaining a proper lab notebook has been a thing in the noncomputer sciences for several hundred years, and it’s time computer science earned its science badge by going back to the future.
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India Times ☛ Chipmaker Micron settles [Patent] theft lawsuit amid push to repair Beijing ties
In 2017, Micron sued Fujian Jinhua and its Taiwanese partner United Microelectronics Corp. in the US, accusing the two of stealing the Boise, Idaho-based company’s memory chip trade secrets.
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Tom's Hardware ☛ Sony sticks its foot into VR — patent monopoly reveals trackball foot controller that boosts immersion for players in smaller rooms
Sony's patent monopoly for a living room-friendly controller for AR/VR gamers shows two types of inputs - one using a ball and another using touch-sensitive peripherals, both are designed to be operated with your feet.
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Monopolies/Monopsonies
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* Gemini (Primer) links can be opened using Gemini software. It's like the World Wide Web but a lot lighter.