Episoder

  • Get ready for an electrifying ride through the history and evolution of supercomputers! From the groundbreaking Cray-1 to today’s mind-blowing El Capitan, we cover it all—with tangents about Interstellar, floating-point math, and why your iPhone is basically a mini-supercomputer. Join Ned and Chris as they unleash chaos on computing history! 🤖💻✨

    What’s Inside:
    📚 Seymour Cray: The genius who made supercomputers... and left his own companies
    🔥 From mega-flops to exa-flops: Explaining performance in layman’s terms
    🌍 Supercomputers solving global warming (well, trying...)

    Take Our Survey!
    💬 We want to hear from you! Visit https://chaoslever.com/survey and share your thoughts before the month ends.

    Links:
    - TOP 500 Linear Graph: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/TOP500#/media/File:Supercomputers-history.svg
    - FLOPS: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Floating_point_operations_per_second
    - TOP 500 64th edition: https://top500.org/lists/top500/2024/11/highs/
    - Cray History Timeline: https://cray-history.net/2021/07/19/cray-timeline-documents/
    - Cray Background: https://www.invent.org/inductees/seymour-cray
    - Cray-1: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cray-1
    - Sneakers scene: https://youtu.be/coDtzN6bXAM?si=JvAwJb416pxRuANq&t=43

    Chapters:
    00:00 Welcome, Alleged Humans
    01:28 Interstellar: Did We Learn Anything?
    04:15 What Makes a Supercomputer "Super"?
    10:12 Seymour Cray: A Singular Visionary
    23:08 The Cray-1: Breaking Barriers in 1975
    36:40 From Supercomputers to HPC Clusters
    48:55 Modern Era: GPUs, Exa-Flops, and El Capitan
    01:20:00 Fun Facts: Your iPhone = A Supercomputer in 2010?!
    01:40:00 Wrapping It Up: Sneakers and PlayStation Supercomputers

    Let us know your favorite fact from the episode in the comments! 👇

  • Welcome to another episode of Tech News of the Week, where we break down the hottest stories in technology with a dose of snark and insight. This week, we’re diving into Google’s AI extravaganza, GM’s retreat from robo-taxis, quantum computing milestones, and Microsoft’s push for eco-friendly data centers. Grab your coffee and let’s get into it!

    Google’s AI Blitzkrieg 🚀
    Google is doubling down on artificial intelligence, unveiling a slew of announcements including Gemini 2.0, a next-gen model with audio and video capabilities, and ASTRA, which can summarize videos and answer questions. They also revealed Trilium, an AI training chip, and Jules, an AI coding assistant capable of fixing bugs. But don’t get too excited—most of these features are still in development, with limited demos and no hands-on access yet. For now, it’s a lot of promises, but we’ll see how it shakes out in January. Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/11/gemini-2-0-googles-newest-flagship-ai-can-generate-text-images-and-speech/

    GM Pulls the Plug on Robo-Taxis 🚗
    GM is merging its Cruise division into its Super Cruise engineering team and stepping back from the robo-taxi race. This comes after a string of incidents, including a high-profile crash that led to California revoking Cruise’s operating license. With plans to integrate the tech into personal vehicles instead, GM hopes to salvage their investment. But for now, fully autonomous taxis are hitting a red light. Read more: https://techcrunch.com/2024/12/11/gm-is-giving-up-on-cruise-robotaxis-pivots-to-personal-autonomous-vehicles

    Google’s Quantum Leap 🧮
    Google made headlines with Willow, a quantum chip boasting over 100 quality qubits. They claim it can complete specific computations that would take conventional supercomputers septillions of years. While this sounds groundbreaking, the practical use of this technology is still unclear, and some remain skeptical of Google’s claims. However, advancements in error rates and quantum stability are undeniably impressive. Read more: https://www.tomshardware.com/tech-industry/quantum-computing/google-claims-its-new-willow-quantum-chip-can-swiftly-solve-a-problem-that-would-take-a-standard-supercomputer-10-septillion-years

    Microsoft’s Water-Cooled AI Data Centers 🌊
    Microsoft announced a shift to water-saving, closed-loop cooling systems for their AI-heavy data centers. These new systems reduce water usage in drought-prone areas like Phoenix, Arizona, and are part of a larger push to retrofit existing facilities. It’s a smart move to address the environmental toll of AI, though some wonder why this wasn’t done sooner. Read more: https://siliconangle.com/2024/12/10/microsoft-previews-new-water-efficient-data-center-design/

    Thanks for tuning in! Be sure to subscribe, share your thoughts in the comments, and take our listener survey at https://chaoslever.com/survey. See you next week!

  • Mangler du episoder?

    Klikk her for å oppdatere manuelt.

  • Welcome to another episode of Chaos Lever, where Ned and Chris explore the history, intrigue, and occasional absurdity of cryptography! 🤖🧠 This week, it’s Part Two of our deep dive into codes and ciphers, from ancient Rome’s Caesar cipher to Napoleon’s overly optimistic battlefield encryption. Discover how cryptography evolved to outwit spies, soldiers, and codebreakers, setting the stage for the digital cryptography we know today. Plus: existential robots, live skeeting, and crunchy peanut butter. 🥜 📚

    In This Episode:
    ✨ Why polyalphabetic ciphers were unbreakable… until they weren’t.
    ✨ How the Vigenère cipher held strong for 250 years.
    ✨ The curious tale of Napoleon’s cracked code.
    ✨ Charles Babbage: Mathematician, cryptographer, and all-around genius.

    🌐 Links Mentioned:

    - Vignere Cipher - History of Coding and Decoding: https://medium.com/@jamesjinghuang/the-vigen%C3%A8re-cipher-from-unbreakable-enigma-to-cryptographic-relic-215761d30af8
    - The Vignere Cipher In Action: https://www.dcode.fr/vigenere-cipher
    - IBM’s History of Cryptography: https://www.ibm.com/think/topics/cryptography-history
    - Cypher Disk: By Hubert Berberich (HubiB) - Own work, Public Domain, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=25964875
    - Union Army Disk: By Ryan Somma from Occoquan, USA - The Union Cipher Disk, CC BY 2.0, https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?curid=109642380
    - Listener survey: https://chaoslever.com/survey

    ⏰ Timestamps:
    00:46 - Intro and Existential Robots
    04:10 - Recap of Part One
    10:52 - Polyalphabetic Ciphers Explained
    15:49 - Napoleon’s Code: A Lesson in Optimism
    18:50 - The Civil War Cipher Disk
    24:15 - Babbage Breaks the Vigenère Cipher
    29:59 - Outro and Survey Reminder

    👍 Support Chaos Lever: Your feedback matters! Take our quick listener survey share your thoughts. https://chaoslever.com/survey

  • Welcome back to Chaos Lever, where we sift through the latest in tech news so you don’t have to. Please take our listener survey! https://chaoslever.com/survey

    This week’s episode covers everything from Meta's nuclear ambitions to Broadcom's sudden change of heart. Let’s break it down:

    ---

    🧠 Meta Joins the Nuke AI Club Meta is doubling down on AI by exploring nuclear power to meet its growing data center demands. They’ve issued an RFP for 1-4 gigawatts of nuclear power, focusing on Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) for faster deployment. With ambitious plans to go live by 2030, this move might reshape energy partnerships in tech. Will SMRs light the path forward, or will Meta hit regulatory roadblocks?
    👉 https://sustainability.atmeta.com/blog/2024/12/03/accelerating-the-next-wave-of-nuclear-to-power-ai-innovation/

    ---

    💻 Fear of Losing Customers Has Broadcom Relaxing VMware Policies After a year of painful price hikes and policy overhauls, Broadcom is walking back some of its harshest changes to VMware licensing. Enterprises like Beeks Group are migrating away, citing costs that have ballooned tenfold. In response, Broadcom is introducing SMB-friendly subscription tiers and improving partner relationships. But is it too little, too late?
    👉 https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/12/new-broadcom-sales-plan-may-be-insignificant-in-deterring-vmware-migrations/

    ---

    📡 Salt Typhoon Isn’t Just a Dish At Applebee’s A Chinese hacking group, Salt Typhoon, has infiltrated U.S. telecom networks, targeting companies like Verizon and T-Mobile. Telecoms blame vulnerabilities stemming from legally required surveillance backdoors. To stay secure, consider using encrypted services like iMessage, Android RCS, or Signal. Is this the wake-up call we need to rethink backdoor policies?
    👉 https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/12/us-recommends-encrypted-messaging-as-chinese-hackers-linger-in-telecom-networks/

    ---

    🛡 Data Brokers Finally Facing Possible Restrictions on Selling User Data The CFPB is cracking down on data brokers, proposing rules that treat them like credit bureaus under the Fair Credit Reporting Act. This follows a massive breach that exposed 200 million social security numbers. If passed, this regulation could drastically reshape how companies buy and sell personal data. Is the era of unrestricted data brokering finally coming to an end?
    👉 https://www.theverge.com/2024/12/3/24311498/cfpb-rule-data-brokers-social-security-number-fico-score

  • Get ready for another delightful descent into tech chaos, historical intrigue, and the occasional bout of existential questioning! This week, we mark (almost) three years since we started this podcast, and Ned is still totally not a robot.

    We also take a fascinating trip through the history of cryptography, from ancient Egyptian secrets to Julius Caesar's favorite ciphers and the tragic tale of Mary, Queen of Scots. Along the way, there’s talk of quantum computers, beer kegs with secret compartments, and, of course, why vests are utterly pointless. 🦺

    💡 Episode Highlights:

    - Quantum Computing Advances: Why breaking a 50-bit RSA key is a big deal.
    - Cryptography Through the Ages: How humans have always loved secrets (and dick jokes).
    - Audience Survey Alert: We need your feedback! Visit https://chaoslever.com/survey

    If you enjoy tech, history, and wildly tangential humor, hit that like button, subscribe, and leave us a review on Apple Podcasts—even though two stars is good enough for us. 😏

    Links:
    - Researchers Break 50-Bit RSA Encryption For The First Time (https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/technology/for-the-first-time-ever-researchers-crack-rsa-and-aes-data-encryption/ar-AA1ssA1P)
    - Thawte Presents a Brief History of Cryptography (https://www.thawte.com/assets/documents/guides/history-cryptography.pdf)
    - The Many Codes Of Mary Queen of Scots (https://www.npr.org/2023/02/10/1155701113/mary-queen-of-scots-ciphers-prison-letters)

    🌐 Visit https://chaoslever.com for show notes, blog posts, and general tomfoolery.

  • The Not-So-Hostile Takeover of iMessage Technology

    Originally Published on 12/21/2023

    The Dreaded Green Bubble

    It's the shake-up of the century, or at least… it's pretty big news. It seems that pretty soon, non-Apple devices will be able to support iMessage technology. So how is this even possible? In order to answer that question, Ned walks us through the history of text messaging technology, from SMS to BBM to MMS and beyond. If you've ever wondered if phone carriers have been ripping you off, or providing sub-standard security, spoiler alert: you're right.

    The signaling channel behind SMS technologyWait, we send an average of how many texts per day?The infamous text fee hike of the mid-aughtsBlackBerry Messenger's originsWhat actually is RCS technology?How Beeper Mini accesses iMessage technology on non-Apple devices

    Intro and outro music by James Bellavance copyright 2022

  • Welcome to another episode of Tech News of the Week where we dissect the latest tech news with equal parts wit and snark. This week’s topics are as juicy as ever, from the DOJ taking a swing at Google to Apple’s embarrassing security scramble. Dive in below for more details and links to the full stories!

    !!!Take the audience survey here!!!
    https://pod.chaoslever.com/survey/2024-listener-survey/

    DOJ Calls for Google Breakup
    The Department of Justice is not mincing words about Google’s dominance, calling for drastic actions like splitting off Chrome, opening their search index, and banning exclusionary agreements. With parallels to the famous Microsoft antitrust case, this could signal major shifts in Big Tech. Will this be a game-changer or just another slap on the wrist? Only time—and the next administration—will tell.
    Read more about the DOJ’s proposals here: https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/11/welcome-to-googles-nightmare-us-reveals-plan-to-destroy-search-monopoly/

    OSX and iOS Have Active Exploits – Update ASAP
    Apple’s latest updates aren’t just nice-to-haves; they’re critical. Active exploits affecting everything from Safari’s JavaScript engine to Vision Pro’s OS mean you need to patch now. Ironically, these vulnerabilities were flagged by none other than Google’s Threat Analysis Group. Embarrassing for Apple, but great motivation for the rest of us to stay safe.
    Get the details and update links here: https://osxdaily.com/2024/11/19/ios-18-1-1-ipados-18-1-1-security-updates-released/

    Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory Welcomes Compute Big and Small
    El Capitan, the world’s fastest supercomputer, is now operational, boasting a mind-boggling 1.742 exaFlops of power. Meanwhile, LLNL is also embracing Oxide’s innovative, open-source approach to server hardware for smaller-scale computing. Could Oxide be the future of enterprise clusters? Time will tell, but it’s a story worth following.
    Learn more about El Capitan: https://www.llnl.gov/article/52061/lawrence-livermore-national-laboratorys-el-capitan-verified-worlds-fastest-supercomputer
    And Oxide: https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/18/llnl_oxide_compute/

    Microsoft Reinvents the Thin Client (Kind Of)
    Introducing the Windows 365 Link: Microsoft’s take on the thin client, designed to connect users directly to their Windows 365 environments. While it might seem like an already-solved problem, its seamless integration and competitive pricing could win over enterprises. Love it or hate it, this is a product that’s likely here to stay.
    Explore the details about Windows 365 Link here: https://www.computerworld.com/article/3608683/microsofts-windows-365-link-is-a-thin-client-device-for-shared-workspaces.html

  • Step into the Wild World of Telephones! 🛠️📞
    In this episode of Chaos Lever, we’re dialing up a fascinating exploration of telephony with special guest Sarah Autumn! Sarah, a volunteer engineer at the Connections Museum in Seattle, takes us on a journey through the evolution of telephone systems, from the quirky mechanical marvels of the early 20th century to the legacy technology that still shapes our communication today. Spoiler: it’s as much magic as it is science.

    📌 Highlights from this week’s episode include:

    - A behind-the-scenes look at the Connections Museum and its rare treasures.
    - The history of telephone exchanges, old-school "operators," and why area codes exist.
    - The surprising origins of familiar sounds like dial tones and busy signals.
    - Stories of mechanical ingenuity, including a phone system powered by steel balls (!).

    Whether you're a tech enthusiast or someone just curious about how we got from crank phones to iPhones, this episode is packed with history, humor, and a touch of chaos.

    🎧 Links Mentioned in the Show:

    - Connections Museum: Learn more or plan your visit. (http://www.telcomhistory.org/connections-museum-seattle/)
    - Connections Museum YouTube Channel: Dive deeper into the inner workings of telephony. (http://www.telcomhistory.org/connections-museum-seattle/)
    - Want to suggest a guest or topic? Head to https://chaoslever.com.

    Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to keep the chaos going every week! 🎙️

  • From AI's stumbling progress to groundbreaking tools and cyber threats, here’s what you need to know for this week:

    All The Major AI Models Continue To Lose Money AND Stop Advancing:
    Is the golden age of AI innovation already behind us? Reports from OpenAI, Google, and Anthropic suggest that we may have hit a plateau. With increasing costs and diminishing returns, the financial and technical outlook for large AI models is looking bleak. Can ChatGPT 5—or any model—break through the ceiling? Or are we seeing the limits of what these technologies can achieve? (https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2024-11-13/openai-google-and-anthropic-are-struggling-to-build-more-advanced-ai).

    LocalStack Snags $25M for Public Cloud Emulation:
    Say goodbye to accidental cloud overspending! LocalStack, an innovative tool that emulates public cloud environments locally, has just secured $25M in funding. From speeding up development cycles to saving on costs, LocalStack is making cloud development smarter and more efficient. Is this the future of cloud testing? (https://blog.localstack.cloud/series-a-announcement/).

    FBI Investigates China-Based Cyberhacking of US Telecom Networks:
    The FBI and CISA have revealed chilling details about China-linked cyberattacks targeting US telecom networks. Dubbed "Flax Typhoon," these attacks weaponize over 200,000 consumer devices to infiltrate critical infrastructure. What does this mean for national security—and your home devices? (https://www.newsweek.com/fbi-chinese-cyber-espionage-multiple-telecom-networks-1985617).

    Dapr Graduates the CNCF:
    Dapr, Microsoft’s open-source distributed application runtime, has officially graduated from the CNCF, signaling its maturity and widespread adoption. With its modular approach to cloud-native app development, Dapr is redefining how microservices communicate securely and flexibly. What’s next for this trailblazing project? (https://techcrunch.com/2024/11/12/dapr-graduates-to-become-a-cncf-top-level-project/).

  • Ah, passwords—the not-so-secret keys to our digital world. In this episode, we dig into the fascinating (and flawed) history of passwords, from their Roman origins to their debut in 1960s computing, and the constant struggle between ease and security ever since. Why are we still relying on passwords that can be hacked in seconds? And what are the latest recommendations from the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) to make our digital identities safer?

    Join us as we cover:

    🔒 How passwords began, and why they’re so easily abused
    🔒 The hilarious and painful ways users circumvent complex password rules
    🔒 NIST's latest guidelines for making passwords simpler yet safer
    🔒 The growing importance of passkeys, MFA, and password managers
    🔒 Alternatives to passwords that may finally lead to better security for all

    If you’re tired of juggling endless passwords or getting locked out because you can’t remember your “favorite childhood pet,” this is the episode for you.

    Links:

    https://www.wired.com/2012/01/computer-password/https://www.troyhunt.com/passwords-evolved-authentication-guidance-for-the-modern-era/https://www.nytimes.com/1981/07/26/business/case-of-the-purloined-password.html https://nvlpubs.nist.gov/nistpubs/Legacy/FIPS/fipspub112.pdf https://neal.fun/password-game/ https://pages.nist.gov/800-63-4/sp800-63b.html#password
  • In this episode of Chaos Lever, we dig into the latest tech updates and industry moves, from Amazon's ambitious push to rival OpenAI to Qualcomm’s plans for ARM-powered Windows laptops. We’ll also explore MacOS’s tricky approach to app sandboxing and debate whether Notepad really needs AI.

    *Amazon to Invest in Anthropic AI to Compete with OpenAI—But There's a Catch*
    Amazon is making a big move into the AI arena by deepening its investment in Anthropic, aiming to challenge Microsoft-backed OpenAI. AWS will further integrate Anthropic’s AI tech into its offerings, expanding on a 2023 partnership that also made AWS an Anthropic services provider. Interestingly, Amazon’s deal may require Anthropic to shift from NVIDIA chips to Amazon’s own "Trainium" and "Inferentia" chips, doubling up on revenue potential. Is this strategy genius or misguided? (https://www.tomsguide.com/ai/amazon-eyeing-multibillion-dollar-investment-in-claude-maker-anthropic-heres-why-its-a-big-deal)

    *Qualcomm Promotes 58 Models of ARM-Based Windows Laptops*
    Qualcomm is shaking up the laptop market with 58 new ARM-powered Windows models launching soon, partnering with brands like Dell, HP, and Samsung. These ARM-based laptops promise better battery life, but compatibility challenges still haunt Windows ARM. Some users, however, report smoother experiences with recent Windows updates and compatibility improvements. Can these new laptops finally compete with Intel and AMD? (https://www.theregister.com/2024/11/07/qualcomm_triples_windows_on_arm/)

    *MacOS App Sandboxing: More Complicated Than It Seems*
    Apple's approach to app sandboxing in MacOS sounds good in theory—limiting apps’ access to sensitive system areas—but its execution has loopholes. Certain processes can escape these sandbox restrictions, making it less reliable for security. This issue has been linked to several CVEs, sparking discussions on how Apple could improve MacOS sandboxing to catch up with BSD. (https://jhftss.github.io/A-New-Era-of-macOS-Sandbox-Escapes/)

    *Notepad Gets an AI Update—But Do We Really Need It?*
    Notepad, a trusty go-to for Windows users, is getting an AI update in the latest Windows 11 Preview. Users can now rewrite text with AI suggestions, though many wonder why a simple tool needs AI features. The new addition, which requires a Microsoft login, raises questions about the need for AI in every corner of the OS. Sometimes, simple is better! (https://blogs.windows.com/windows-insider/2024/11/06/new-ai-experiences-for-paint-and-notepad-begin-rolling-out-to-windows-insiders/)

  • In today’s episode, we’re diving into one of IT’s murkiest topics: Attack Surface Management, or ASM. Can ASM be fun? Maybe. Is it critical for modern security? Absolutely. If you’ve ever wondered what ASM actually does, or why it’s more than just the latest buzzword, we’ve got answers (and helping handfuls of snark).

    We explore how ASM helps businesses stay on top of their digital perimeters—those tricky-to-manage spaces outside the traditional data center walls. From spotting exposed IPs and misconfigured servers to reining in shadow IT, ASM aims to give organizations continuous visibility into their “attack surface.” And while ASM can’t replace yearly pen tests or manage itself like a SOAR, it’s an invaluable tool for identifying vulnerabilities before hackers do.

    Join us as we untangle ASM’s purpose, benefits, and its place in a security stack alongside tools like SIEM and SOAR. Could ASM be your best defense against hidden threats? Tune in to find out! And remember, in security, making the news is rarely a good thing.

    LINKS:

    - Gartner’s Insights into Attack Surface Management (https://www.gartner.com/en/documents/5341663)
    - BlueKeep: Still Crazy (Good at Being Used for Hacking RDP) After All These Years (https://www.cisa.gov/news-events/cybersecurity-advisories/aa19-168a)

  • In this week’s *Chaos Lever Tech News*, we’re diving into groundbreaking—and sometimes just plain weird—developments in the tech world.

    Gene Therapy + Data Storage: Remember the days of 3.5" floppy disks with 1.44MB capacity? Today’s microSDs blow that out of the water, but there’s a limit to how much data we can fit on silicon. Enter DNA as a storage medium, where a single gram theoretically holds 215,000TB. Scientists are inching closer with "epi-bits," though the read/write speeds are still...less than ideal. (https://www.nature.com/articles/s41586-024-08040-5)

    Government vs. C/C++: The Cybersecurity and Infrastructure Security Agency is officially not a fan of “memory unsafe” languages like C and C++. They've issued a stern warning for any organization handling critical infrastructure: modernize your code or be prepared for the consequences. Even C++ creator Bjarne Stroustrup seems to be (quietly) on board with making his language safer. (https://www.cisa.gov/resources-tools/resources/product-security-bad-practices)

    The McFlurry Machine Crisis Might End Soon: Yes, you read that right. Thanks to a copyright exemption, McDonald’s will finally be allowed to fix its own infamously finicky ice cream machines without waiting on a Taylor-certified tech. iFixIt and Public Knowledge made it happen, so you may soon get that elusive McFlurry on demand. (https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2024/10/us-copyright-office-frees-the-mcflurry-allowing-repair-of-ice-cream-machines/)

    Microsoft’s ‘Recall’ Feature…Delayed Again: Microsoft’s questionable “Recall” feature, which quietly screenshots your desktop, is delayed *again.* Promises of full encryption and an opt-in option are on the table, but whether anyone *wants* this feature remains debatable. (https://www.theverge.com/2024/10/31/24284572/microsoft-recall-delay-december-windows-insider-testing)

  • Get ready for a *spooktacular* look at one of the least spooky (but incredibly powerful) tools ever made: Microsoft Excel. It's Excel’s 40th anniversary, so we're diving into its history, quirks, and how this humble spreadsheet app has managed to shape business, science, finance, and... espionage? Yes, you read that right.

    Excel may not sound thrilling, but trust us, it's one of the most impactful tech tools of the last 40 years. From financial firms to scientific research, sports leagues, and even British intelligence, Excel’s endless versatility has led to some, let’s say... *interesting* mishaps along the way. We’ll explore:
    - The origins of the spreadsheet concept dating back to ancient Mesopotamian clay tablets (yes, seriously)
    - Landmark moments like the creation of VisiCalc, Lotus 1-2-3, and Excel’s first big splash
    - Iconic Excel fails, from the JP Morgan $6.2B blunder to national policy mistakes—Excel giveth, and Excel taketh away!
    - The rise of VBA, Excel World Cup, and how Excel thrives today in the cloud era

    So grab a pumpkin spice latte, sit back, and open a workbook with a mini-golf game embedded. You’ll never look at spreadsheets the same way again. 💀

    Links:
    - https://www.qashqade.com/insights/the-worst-financial-services-excel-errors-of-all-time
    - https://www.teampay.co/blog/biggest-excel-mistakes-of-all-time
    - https://sheetcast.com/articles/ten-memorable-excel-disasters
    - https://www.bbc.com/news/business-39870485
    - https://infotech.commons.gc.cuny.edu/2016/01/25/new/
    - https://www.historyofinformation.com/detail.php?id=5478
    - https://spinpasta.fandom.com/wiki/Hall_of_Tortured_Souls
    - https://fmworldcup.com/excel-esports/microsoft-excel-world-championship/

  • This week, we dive into the Internet Archive's recovery after cyberattacks compromised user data and targeted public knowledge institutions. IBM faces a tough quarter, with mainframe sales lagging but Red Hat growth keeping optimism alive. Broadcom issues another critical patch for vCenter, addressing a persistent flaw that remains a major security concern. Plus, Bluesky secures $15M in funding, positioning itself as a safer alternative for those leaving Twitter.

    Links:
    - https://www.sfchronicle.com/sf/article/internet-archive-hack-19851974.php
    - https://newsroom.ibm.com/2024-10-23-ibm-releases-third-quarter-results
    - https://support.broadcom.com/web/ecx/support-content-notification/-/external/content/SecurityAdvisories/0/24968
    - https://techcrunch.com/2024/10/24/bluesky-raises-15m-series-a-plans-to-launch-subscriptions/

  • In this episode, we dive deep into the wild world of cyber insurance and the massive changes that have unfolded between 2020 and 2023. Remember when we said cyber risks would increase and insurance applications would get tougher? Well, they sure did! And that’s just the start. Join us as we break down how cyber insurance policies have evolved—from simple yes/no questions to intense multi-page interrogations.


    But wait, there’s more! Like the Joker sequel no one asked for, this episode takes an unexpected turn, and we’ll spend some quality time discussing Incident Response Plans—the unsung hero of cybersecurity that can make or break your insurance prospects. Not sure what a real IR plan looks like? Spoiler: "Call Dave to fix it" won’t cut it.

    Get ready for a deep, sometimes sarcastic, but always insightful exploration of the policies and plans that protect your business—and your sanity—in the face of rising cyber threats.

    🎙️ Topics Covered:

    The evolution of cyber insurance policies (2020 vs. 2023)What insurers are looking for now (and what’s expected from you)Why Incident Response Plans matter more than everNIST’s framework for a solid IR plan and how to actually use it

    Links:

    https://csrc.nist.gov/projects/incident-response
  • 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

  • 🎙️ 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

  • 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