Episoder
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This week, we're diving into the surprising moves by some tech giants in the world of nuclear energy! Amazon has invested in small modular reactors (SMRs) to help power their datacenters, joining the likes of Google and Microsoft in the nuclear energy race. SMRs promise safer, more scalable energy, but don’t expect to see these reactors online until the 2030s. Can nuclear energy meet the growing power needs of AI and cloud computing?
Plus, we honor the legacy of BBS co-creator Ward Christensen, who sadly passed away at 78. Learn about his contributions to tech history, including his pioneering work with XMODEM and BBS systems.
Also, major changes are coming for Microsoft Exchange Server users as the end of support looms with no clear replacement in sight. Find out what this means for on-prem email servers and Microsoft’s push for Exchange Online.
Lastly, Anguilla’s domain extension, .ai, is making waves in the tech world! The tiny island is cashing in on the AI boom, making millions from domain registrations. How long will this windfall last?
Links:
- https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/16/amazon-jumps-on-nuclear-power-bandwagon-by-investing-in-x-energy-and-promising-small-reactors
- https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2024/10/ward-christensen-bbs-inventor-and-architect-of-our-online-age-dies-at-age-78/
- https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/16/microsoft_end_of_support_wave_widens/
- https://apnews.com/article/anguilla-artificial-intelligence-ai-internet-29d4ca2bb740d0425ffb8355811a6976 -
In this episode of Chaos Lever, we take a trip down memory lane to explore the history of blogging—starting with the humble beginnings of bulletin board systems (BBS) and online forums, and moving through the rise of blogs in the early 2000s. We’ll reminisce about Justin Hall’s early “personal homepage,” the birth of the term “weblog,” and how platforms like WordPress revolutionized online content creation.
From the golden days of Tumblr to the shift towards social media giants like Twitter and Facebook, we dive into how blogging has evolved and what it means for online self-expression today. Plus, we’ll touch on the current kerfuffle between WordPress and WP Engine—and why open-source projects like WordPress still matter.
Stay tuned for a discussion filled with nostalgia, tech trivia, and more!
Links:
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Community_Memory
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Usenet
- https://links.net/vita/web/start/original.html
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blogosphere
- https://firstsiteguide.com/robot-wisdom-and-jorn-barger/
- https://www.simonandschuster.com/books/Extremely-Online/Taylor-Lorenz/9781982146863
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Twitter -
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🎙️ Tech News of the Week – October 2024 | Hard Drive Failures, Tesla's Robotaxi, and Wimbledon Goes Automated!
Join hosts Ned and Chris in this week's Tech News of the Week podcast as they explore the latest developments in technology and innovation. In this episode, we cover:
🚨 Data Loss Crisis: Hard drives are failing faster than expected, with 20% of backups potentially lost forever. What does this mean for your data and the music industry?
🚗 Tesla's Robotaxi: Tesla's "We Robot" event revealed the new Robotaxi and Robovan, but can we trust Elon Musk's ambitious timelines?
🎾 Wimbledon Goes Automated: The tennis world is embracing Hawk-Eye technology for line judging, leaving only the French Open behind.
🌐 Starlink's "Free" Service: After Hurricane Helene, Starlink offered "free" internet—but is it really free? We break down the fine print.Tune in for these stories and more, plus some humorous takes on the latest tech news!
Story Links:
🔗 https://www.tomshardware.com/pc-components/storage/twenty-percent-of-hard-drives-used-for-long-term-music-storage-in-the-90s-have-failed
🔗 https://www.reuters.com/business/autos-transportation/tesla-robotaxi-event-was-long-promises-investors-wanted-more-details-2024-10-11/
🔗 https://apnews.com/article/wimbledon-technology-judges-6d0b6bcd279148b0baa4a2fc08e52dac
🔗 https://www.theregister.com/2024/10/08/free_starlink_hurricane_helene/#TechNews #Tesla #Robotaxi #Wimbledon #DataBackup #Starlink #Podcast
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AI is everywhere, and it's not just helping the good guys. In this episode, we dive deep into the world of AI and cybersecurity. From AI-enhanced phishing attacks to deepfakes and malware, we explore how bad actors are using AI to lower the bar for cybercrime and the challenges organizations face in defending against it. Discover how AI is not only making it easier for cybercriminals to target you, but also how it’s being used to fight back. We’ll also discuss emerging security tools, the rise of AI legislation, and what the future holds for AI in the ever-evolving world of IT security.
If you're curious about the latest threats, real-world examples of AI-generated attacks, or just want to know how companies are adapting their defenses, this episode is a must-listen.
🔒 Stay informed, stay secure!
https://cybersecurity-magazine.com/the-evolving-threat-landscape-in-2024-ai-takes-centre-stage/https://aiindex.stanford.edu/ai-index-report-2023/https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/sanfrancisco/news/fbi-warns-of-increasing-threat-of-cyber-criminals-utilizing-artificial-intelligencehttps://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/hackers-deploy-ai-written-malware-in-targeted-attacks/https://www.catonetworks.com/blog/the-path-to-sase-a-project-planning-guide/https://www.scworld.com/news/38-of-ai-using-employees-admit-to-sending-sensitive-work-data -
Gallium Is The New Black | Flexible Chips, AR Glasses, and More Tech News
In this episode, we explore cutting-edge tech like Indium Gallium Zinc Oxide (IGZO) semiconductors, the potential of flexible processors like Pragmatic Semiconductor’s Flex-RV, and the future of augmented reality. Plus, we discuss SoftBank's latest investment in OpenAI and the rise (and fall) of AR headsets like Microsoft's Hololens.
- Gallium Is The New Black: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/29/pragmatic_semiconductor_flexrv_chip/
- SoftBank Invests in OpenAI: https://www.reuters.com/technology/softbank-invest-500-mln-openai-information-reports-2024-09-30/
- Meta's Orion AR Glasses: https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/28/meta-rethinks-smart-glasses-with-orion/
- Microsoft Discontinues Hololens: https://www.uploadvr.com/microsoft-discontinuing-hololens-2/ -
Join Ned and Chris in this episode of Chaos Lever, where they explore the fascinating and sometimes bizarre history of email and the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). Special guest Dylan Beattie, software development consultant and creator of the Rockstar programming language, shares his insights on how email evolved from early telegraph systems to the global communication tool we rely on today.
**Key Topics Covered:**
- The origins of SMTP and email's predecessor, telegraph systems
- Why email became the default communication tool, despite its flaws
- The first spam email and its lasting legacy
- The quirks and limitations of SMTP, including its security flaws
- Modern efforts to secure email with protocols like SPF, DKIM, and DMARCIf you're a fan of tech history, email protocols, or just enjoy hearing about the wild west days of the internet, this episode is for you!
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In this episode, we discuss how Google is improving Android security with Rust, significantly reducing memory-related vulnerabilities and enhancing developer productivity. We also dive into NIST's latest revision of its Digital Identity Guidelines, a crucial standard for protecting digital identities. Next, we explore the ongoing feud between WP Engine and Matt Mullenweg, which is impacting WordPress users. Finally, we touch on the latest legal development where authors suing OpenAI are granted access to the company’s training data for inspection.
Links:
- Android Is Gathering Rust: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/25/google_rust_safe_code_android/
- NIST Releases Second Draft Revision 4 of Digital Identity Standard: https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/SpecialPublications/NIST.SP.800-63-4.2pd.pdf
- WP Engine Spat with Matt Mullenweg Prat: https://techcrunch.com/2024/09/25/wordpress-org-bans-wp-engine-blocks-it-from-accessing-its-resources/
- OpenAI’s Training Data To Be Made Available To Search By Authors Who Are Suing Them: https://www.theregister.com/2024/09/26/openai_training_data_author_copyright_case/ -
Remember the movie **Hackers** and its fictional supercomputer, The Gibson? While The Gibson might be fantasy, mainframes are still very much a reality in our modern computing world!
In this episode, we'll journey through some legendary Hollywood computers, like the WOPR from *War Games*, before zooming into the real-world star of the show: IBM's **z17** mainframe, powered by the *insanely powerful* Telum II chip. Yes, IBM is still cranking out new mainframes, and guess what? Banks, airlines, and more are still using them!
And did you know 2024 marks the **60th anniversary** of IBM's **System/360**? We’ll explore why this groundbreaking machine changed computing forever and how mainframes remain relevant today – from handling *huge* data loads to their legendary reliability and security.
🖥️ Why do mainframes still exist in a world full of cloud computing and Linux? 🤔 What makes these machines the go-to choice for big institutions like banks and airlines? We'll break it down for you and take a nostalgic stroll through computing history.
Links:
- **Magnetic Core Memory:** https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Magnetic-core_memory
- **System/360:** https://www.ibm.com/history/system-360
- **Mainframes are relevant!** https://futurumgroup.com/insights/mainframe-trends-in-2024-navigating-innovation
- **Telum II Chip:** https://www.nextplatform.com/2024/08/27/ibm-shows-off-next-gen-ai-acceleration-on-chip-dpu-for-big-iron
- **What is a mainframe?** https://www.ibm.com/topics/mainframe -
This week, the FTC confirmed what many suspected: social media giants like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok have been willfully collecting user data for profit, with minimal regard for privacy. Meanwhile, former Oracle CEO Larry Ellison proposed a controversial AI-driven surveillance system to monitor citizens and police, a plan that many find dystopian and absurd. In tech updates, Apple's new OS release, Sequoia, is causing issues by breaking key security tools, while Amazon’s CEO, Andy Jassy, announced a full return-to-office mandate, sparking criticism over its potential to lower morale and productivity.
Links:
FTC Report Confirms Everything We All Already KnewSometimes I Feel Like Larry Ellison Is Watching MeNew Version of OSX Breaks Security Tools - Nobody’s Sure WhyAmazon Goes Full 2019 With RTO Mandate
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In this episode, we explore the 1995 cult classic Hackers in honor of National Civic Hacking Day. Despite not being a movie podcast, the episode revisits the film’s depiction of hacker culture with fleeting nostalgia and an analysis of its technical inaccuracies. From Angelina Jolie’s memorable performance to the infamous “hacker war” scene, Chris helps us unpack the real-world feasibility of the movie’s hacks while highlighting the absurdity of Hollywood’s portrayal of cybersecurity. We also touch on the movie’s few accurate nods to real hacker tactics like social engineering and phone "phreaking" and explore how technology has evolved since the mid-90s, particularly with a prescient nod to the rise of RISC architecture.
LINKS:
National Civic Hacking Day is Actually … A Thing
Cyrix CPUs - Yes There Was Something That Wasn’t Just Intel or AMD
Kevin Mitnick Quotes
There Is No Real Thing As A Salami Slicing Scam
Most Commonly Used Passwords From 1997
Register for ONE CON here: https://ringcentr.al/4ec35qi
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In this episode, we discuss the European Court of Justice's decision forcing Apple to pay €13 billion in back taxes to Ireland, marking a major moment in corporate taxation within the EU. We also dive into Microsoft's breakthrough in quantum computing, as they announce the creation of 12 error-corrected qubits, a step forward in the notoriously difficult area of error resilience. Lastly, we explore OpenAI's "Strawberry" model, designed to improve reasoning in AI, and the latest drama involving OthersideAI's inflated claims about their new AI model, Reflection.
Links:
The EU Takes A Big Bite Out Of AppleQuantum Update - Error Corrected Qubit Count AlertOpenAI Announces Strawberry ModelsAI Dudebro Lies About Model Capabilities, Gets Caught, Hilarity Ensues -
In this episode, Ned and Chris examine classical computing fundamentals, breaking down complex topics like Turing machines, the von Neumann architecture, and the role of logic gates in computing. They explain how binary operations, logic gates, and transistors come together to form the foundation of modern computers. They also get into a discussion of reduced instruction set computing (RISC) vs. x86 architectures and the trade-offs between speed, efficiency, and complexity in modern processors.
Links:
xkcd Purity: https://xkcd.com/435/
Turing Machine: https://plato.stanford.edu/entries/turing-machine/
Von Neumann Architecture: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Von_Neumann_architecture
Half Adder: https://www.geeksforgeeks.org/half-adder-in-digital-logic/
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AT&T has filed a lawsuit against Broadcom, accusing the company of forcing it to purchase unwanted subscription software to maintain support for existing VMware licenses. Windows on ARM has arrived as a competitive platform, security vulnerabilities in Zyxel networking gear, and Intel's struggles to regain market dominance amid significant financial losses and operational challenges.
Links:
Court Case: AT&T Accuses Broadcom of Doing All The Things That Broadcom is DoingWindows ARM Is Finally HereSMB Networking Gear Company Zyxel Alerts About a Lot of CVEsIntel Isn’t Doing Too Hot -
Football season is back, and with it comes a reminder of how the NFL has driven significant technological advancements in broadcasting. From the introduction of multi-camera setups and color TV in the 1950s to the creation of instant replay and the telestrator, the demand for better football viewing experiences has led to innovations that have reshaped how all forms of media are consumed. Modern technologies like RFID tracking and real-time 3D replays continue this trend, showcasing how football's influence extends far beyond the field and into the world of big data and cutting-edge broadcasting techniques.
Links:
NFL Throwback Highlights: The Greatest Game Ever PlayedWhat did ancient statues really look like in their time?The first game broadcast in color - UC vs UPenn, Franklin Field, PhilaThe First Instant Reply - Army-Navy game, 1963The Thin Yellow Line - Virtual First Down Markers -
Microsoft will require all Azure customers to enable Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) starting in October 2024, aiming to enhance security by reducing the risk of account compromise by over 99%.
VMWare Explore 2024 was marked by dissatisfaction among attendees due to higher costs, a smaller expo, and lackluster swag, with many feeling alienated by Broadcom's management, despite some solid tech sessions.
The Windows Control Panel, initially set to be deprecated in favor of the Settings app, will remain available in the 2024H2 version of Windows 11, as Microsoft backtracked on its original plans.
A company called Plaud has introduced a wearable AI device called NotePin, which has been met with skepticism due to its limited usefulness and questionable design, despite being cheaper and more practical than similar failed devices.
Links:
- Microsoft Says MFA For Everyone
- VMWare Explore Was This Week: Exploring the End of VMWare, Apparently
- The Erstwhile Windows Control Panel Gets a Stay of Execution
- They’re Making Another Wearable AI Thingy Because They Just Can’t Stop Themselves -
Ned and Chris cover quirky keyboard history, from missing keys and ThinkPad debacles to vintage typewriters and relic keys like Sys Rq and Scroll Lock.
Mo Keys Mo Problems
Ned and Chris explore the quirks of keyboards, starting with the irritation of missing home and end keys and the infamous ThinkPad function/control key switch. They journey back to typewriters of the late 1800s, like the Remington which gave us the QWERTY layout, and poke fun at old-school innovations like the shift key and tab key. The chat then shifts to terminal keyboards and early computers like the PDP-1, with its own peculiar keys. The guys also cover obsolete keys like Sys Rq, Pause/Break, Scroll Lock, and Num Lock, showing how they’ve become relics in today’s tech world.
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This week on Tech News of The Week, Ned and Chris cross their fingers that the latest version of Teams will actually work, “celebrate” the career (and retirement) of Azure Service Manager, sneak past the security flaws of Microsoft MacOS apps, and banter about the now-banned FTC non-compete ban.
Links:
Microsoft Releases New Version of Teams App That Might Actually WorkAfter Almost A Decade Azure Service Manager Is Finally Being RetiredMany Microsoft MacOS Applications Have Major Security Flaws That Won’t Be FixedFTC’s NonCompete Ban is Banned -
The guys explore SMTP fixes, quantum mechanics, and how quantum computing might disrupt encryption, plus IBM’s free quantum resources.
Bits, Quits, and Quantum Fits: The Mysteries of SMTP and Superposition
Ned and Chris dive back into the nightmare disaster hellscape that is SMTP and explore the band-aid solutions of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. Then, they take on quantum mechanics and computing. After all, who doesn’t love a good brain-melting challenge? The guys also explore the wild world of qubits, superposition, and the potential future where quantum computing could make encryption as we know it obsolete. Plus, Chris gives a shout-out to IBM’s free quantum computing resources—because who wouldn’t want to dabble in quantum for fun?
Links
Recent Paper Demonstrating Grover’s Algorithm in a 4-Qubit Processor The Fundamentals of Quantum Computing - Grover’s Algorithm IBM Quantum Computing Instructions on Running Grover’s Algorithm Charles and Ray Eames - Powers of Ten on Youtube Fujitsu Labs Opinions on Quantum Cracking RSA -
This week on Tech News of The Week, Ned and Chris sit in the audience for Crowdstrike’s award acceptance speech, empathize with FAT32 as it packs on the pounds, take a front-row seat to the newest, largest data breach ever, and use quantum technology to tease ahead to this week’s episode of Chaos Lever.
Quantum Encryption Standards Emerge From NISTCrowdstrike President Accepts Most Epic Fail Award in PersonLike Many 30 Year Olds FAT32 Gets A Little BiggerWe Have a New Contender For The Largest Data Breach Ever
Links: -
Ned and Chris explore a newly discovered flaw in UEFI Secure Boot that’s led to a critical OEM blunder that allows rootkit attacks, and the only fix is a potentially daunting firmware update.
Secure Boot’s Achilles’ Heel
Ned and Chris dive into a freshly uncovered flaw in the Secure Boot process of PCs using UEFI firmware. They trace the evolution of boot processes from ENIAC’s manual grind to today’s automated systems, highlighting the crucial role of cryptographic keys in blocking unauthorized code. Along the way, they expose a serious blunder where some OEMs carelessly included untrusted platform keys in their UEFI firmware, opening the door to rootkit attacks. The fix? A firmware update—if you’re brave enough to handle it.
Links
Binarly postKeys in the Intel Boot ProcessHow Bootguard worksSecuring the Boot ProcessBootstrappingX86 Boot Process with BIOSBlackLotus UEFI Bootkit - Vis mere
