@astralcomputing@twit.social
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

astralcomputing

@astralcomputing@twit.social

Retired Computer Systems Analyst - Hobbies include #Science, #Technology, #Biology, #SciFi, #Programming #nobridge

Long time #geek, #oldtimer, #retrocomputing dude
(since the '70s)

I've probably forgotten more computer stuff then most people ever learn 😉

https://twit.social/@astralcomputing
https://astralcomputing.com
https://twitter.com/astralcomputing

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twostraws, to random
@twostraws@mastodon.social avatar

The most dangerous thing about ChatGPT is how utterly certain it is.

astralcomputing,
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

@twostraws

Yeah this is the "Politically Correct" "tuning" of the model making it go "crazy"

I asked ChatGPT 3.5:

How much more lifting capacity in a dirigible does Hydrogen gas have vs. Helium gas?

Had to argue with it when GPT constantly said that Helium had more lifting power and was a lighter gas. (and kept pushing the "it's also SAFER" at me over-and-over.)

(Correct answer is: 8% more gross lift from Hydrogen for a given volume of gas.)

https://chatgpt.com/share/82fe8b2d-de80-4bac-b92e-46265815c155

astralcomputing, to scifi
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

An article about "fast" languages, has me vaguely remembering a SciFi story where the characters invent and use a new super-efficient language, that increases the speed of thinking and communicating.

But, I can't remember the story or the author. (it would have been an older "Classic" science fiction story)

Anyone else remember this story/author?

🤖

https://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=63362

blog, (edited ) to Cybersecurity
@blog@shkspr.mobi avatar

There's nothing you can do to prevent a SIM-swap attack
https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/03/theres-nothing-you-can-do-to-prevent-a-sim-swap-attack/

It is tempting to think that users are to blame for their own misfortune. If only they'd had a stronger password! If only they didn't re-use credentials! If only they had perfect OpSec! If only...!

Yes, users should probably take better care of their digital credentials and bury them in a digital vault. But there are some things which are simply impossible for a user to protect against. Take, for example, a SIM-swap attack.

You probably have your phone-number tied to all sorts of important services. If you want to recover your email, log in to a bank, or prove your identity - you'll probably need to receive a call or SMS. If an attacker can take over your phone number, they're one step closer to taking over your accounts.

I keep saying "your phone number", but that's a clever lie. The phone number does not belong to you. It belongs to the network operator and they define which SIM the number points to.

This means a suitably authorised person at the telco can point "your" number to a new SIM card. That's helpful if you've lost your SIM but bad if an attacker wants to divert your number.

What can you do to stop this attack? Nothing.

Oh, you can have a strong and unique password on your account, and you can hope your telco uses TOTP and PassKeys. But it turns out that it is possible to bribe telco employees for the low, low price of US$1000.

If your security rests on a phone number, you've effectively outsourced your security to the most bribeable manager employed by your telco.

Now, I said there's nothing you can do. That isn't quite true. You can attempt to pen-test yourself.

Go to your phone company's account. Set a long password and complex password. Change your mother's maiden name to HK2BY@]'PU,:!VQ;}baTj. Turn on every security measure you can find. Call the phone company from a different phone and explain that you lost your phone and want a new SIM card. If they ask for your mother's maiden name, say "Oh, I set it to a long stream of gibberish". If they ask where to send the SIM, give a trusted friend's address. If your phone company is negligent and send out a new SIM on the basis of poor verification, then you should move your number to a more reputable provider.

It's good fun to try and social-engineer a call-centre worker for your own details. But it's probably illegal to try and bribe someone to hijack yourself.

Anyway, please try to remove your phone number as a critical lynchpin in your security regime.

https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2024/03/theres-nothing-you-can-do-to-prevent-a-sim-swap-attack/

astralcomputing,
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

@blog

T-Mobile has an option to not do a "PORT" (SIM swap) without showing up IN PERSON @ a T-Mobile store and showing ID.

Hopefully this added measure will deter this from happening.

You can also have them lock-out website login access.

RanaldClouston, to scifi
@RanaldClouston@fediscience.org avatar

#FinishedReading this slim volume of early 50s #SciFi by #AEVanVogt . The goofy title and stories of visiting inhabitable Mars and Venus makes this look like super old fashioned stuff, but that, like much else in this book, is an illusion. This is pure Cold War paranoia, with disorienting temporal and character shifts, mind control drugs, sinister conspiracies etc, and in general this feels like a bridge to the high points of Philip K Dick. #Bookstodon @bookstodon

astralcomputing,
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

@RanaldClouston @bookstodon

Slan
A.E. Van Vogt

https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=30891201389

trixter, to random
@trixter@retro.pizza avatar

Dear Everything: There is never an acceptable time to start auto-playing shit. NEVER.

astralcomputing,
@astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

@trixter

Stop the Madness extension helps a lot with this issue:

https://underpassapp.com/StopTheMadness/

kevbob, (edited ) to random
@kevbob@xoxo.zone avatar

deleted_by_author

    •
    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @kevbob

    get the ones with eucalyptus and menthol they both numb the tickle in the throat

    DannyStaley, to random
    @DannyStaley@mastodon.world avatar

    I’m often deceived by this guy. Is he gay? The world may never know. Always love interacting with him though.

    @GayDeceiver

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @DannyStaley @GayDeceiver

    Dunno, but the name originally comes from "The Number of the Beast" by American writer Robert A. Heinlein (1980)

    GayDeceiver is the name of an AI powered car/spaceship/time/space/multiverse traveling device... (and I want one NOW!!)

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Number_of_the_Beast_(novel)

    mariyadelano, to ai
    @mariyadelano@hachyderm.io avatar

    Come on. This push to summarize all webpages and written content with is ridiculous.

    See this example from Search - in what world is this an adequate summary for an 8,000+ word article that takes 43 minutes to read?

    The amount of detail, specificity, narrative, and actual arguments that get lost is mind-boggling.

    Everything is just… flattened to the most basic and bare-bones facts.

    Every unique part of that piece, every voice, personality - stripped away.

    Search Engine Land How to 'un-ruin' the internet: The ultimate guide for SEOs Amid unfair industry blame for the failings of the modern web, we aim to challenge stereotypes and spotlight real individuals in SEO. Mariya Delano on November 17, 2023 at 9:00 am | Reading time: 43 minutes

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @mariyadelano

    Perplexity.ai seems to do a better job:

    https://www.perplexity.ai/search/How-to-unruin-O397v8RkSY63BdSnvUjOnQ

    KikiElara, to scifi

    Latest read:
    Stand on Zanzibar by John Brunner.
    Continuing my quest to fill in blanks in my classic sci-fi knowledge. This is one of those books that will stay with me. It packs a punch.

    @bookstodon

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @KikiElara @bookstodon
    SPECIAL COLLECTORS edition of: "Stand on Zanzibar" by John Brunner for sale here:
    https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31238822210
    or see the full collection here:
    https://astralcomputing.com

    joel, (edited ) to sciencefiction
    @joel@fosstodon.org avatar

    Second of the year!

    Childhood's End by !

    Review coming up soon!

    https://bookrastinating.com/user/joel/comment/368797

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @joel

    SPECIAL COLLECTORS edition of: "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clarke for sale here:

    https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/BookDetailsPL?bi=31238825043

    apodoxus, to tv
    @apodoxus@mastodon.online avatar

    Is my memory that bad or does the series diverge radically from the books?

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @apodoxus

    Varies significantly in very annoying ways if you just finished reading the full "Robot" series of Asimov's books, including Foundation...

    So, we just have to let go and enjoy it as something new.

    It's the ONLY thing I pay Apple TV to watch.

    I just pay for one month and binge them all at once. (once a year)
    🤖

    astralcomputing, to literature
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    Sir Arthur Charles Clarke born OTD 1917 was an English Hugo & Nebula winning science fiction author best known for his "2001: A Space Odyssey"

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Arthur_C._Clarke

    SPECIAL COLLECTORS editions of: "2001: A Space Odyssey", "Rendezvous with Rama" and "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clark for sale here: (now with FREE shipping in the USA)

    https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=arthur%20clarke&bi=0&bx=off&cm_sp=SearchF-
    or see the full collection here:
    https://astralcomputing.com

    "Rendezvous with Rama" by Arthur C. Clark- Collectors Special Edition - Stunning brown colored leather volume with artwork by Bob Eggleton - Collector's Edition Accented in 22kt gold, printed on archival paper with gilded edges, smyth sewing & concealed muslin joints - Bound In full leather with hubbed spines - Includes pristine bookplate on inside of front cover
    "Childhood's End" by Arthur C. Clark- Collectors Special Edition - Stunning red colored leather volume with artwork by Richard Powers - Collector's Edition Accented in 22kt gold, printed on archival paper with gilded edges, smyth sewing & concealed muslin joints - Bound In full leather with hubbed spines - Includes pristine bookplate on inside of front cover

    Edent, to scifi
    @Edent@mastodon.social avatar

    🆕 blog! “Book Review: The Variable Man and other stories - Philip K. Dick”
    ★★★★☆

    Everyone smokes in the future. It is such an obvious truism that sci-fi writers can predict faster-than-light travel, yet fail to see that manly men won't be smoking pipes on board their spaceships. Someone recommended that I read "Autofac" which is the sci-fi version of "The …

    👀 Read more: https://shkspr.mobi/blog/2023/09/book-review-the-variable-man-and-other-stories-philip-k-dick/
    ⸻

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @Edent

    Written in the age when smoking was healthy!
    🤖

    leo, to random
    @leo@twit.social avatar

    I love the simple FidoNet BBS rules. There are only two:

    • Don't be excessively annoying.
    • Don't be easily annoyed.

    I was a FidoNet Sysop in the mid 90s and I can verify that the rules worked. Word to live by.

    https://wiki.c2.com/?FidonetRules

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @leo

    I ran my FidoNet server on a TRS-80 Model III with 4 - 5.25" floppies and US Robotics 1200 baud modem.

    Those were the days!
    🤖

    ElleGray, to random
    @ElleGray@mstdn.social avatar

    deleted_by_author

    •
    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @ElleGray

    Can't be there ain't no apples in your fritter only aliens!

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @ElleGray

    Here's a REAL Apple Fritter with apples, made out of Humans not Aliens

    😁 🤖

    SinclairSpeccy, (edited ) to fediverse

    Okay, so I am a little curious about how the is towards Adobe software so...

    If you do use Adobe software, is it legit or pirated?

    Boosts are welcome. Just doing a poll because I am curious. There's an option for people who don't use Adobe software

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @SinclairSpeccy

    Adobe software was always the largest vector for computer virus infections in my networks (back when I was an IT Admin)
    👎 👎
    🤖

    TheSpaceshipper, to scifi
    @TheSpaceshipper@socel.net avatar

    Klaatu barada nikto!
    Robert Wise's The Day the Earth Stood Still was released 72 years ago today.

    Editor on Citizen Kane (1941), Robert Wise, a four-time Oscar-winner and eclectic filmmaker, later directed Run Silent, Run Deep (1958), West Side Story (1961), The Haunting (1963), The Sound of Music (1965), The Sand Pebbles (1966), The Andromeda Strain (1971), The Hindenburg (1975) and Star Trek: The Motion Picture (1979).

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @TheSpaceshipper

    https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCdFv_lJi9g6A3xqzeV9RRCA

    astralcomputing, to random
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    Private
    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @rabbit_fighter @bookstodon

    I vote for the Perry Rhodan series !

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Perry_Rhodan

    veronica, to scifi
    @veronica@mastodon.online avatar

    Wohoo, my replacement Firefly Blurays arrived. The first set i ordered had a small defect in disc 2, making one of the episodes unreadable in one region. This one seems fine. No read errors.

    Good thing I've started to check the discs in the boxsets. I've had a lot of issues with the big 41 disc Stargate boxset produces by VEI. The disc production is of mediocre quality, which is disappointing considering the steep price.

    #SciFi #Bluray #Boxsets #Firefly #Stargate

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @veronica

    I'm re-watching on right now...

    Looks like they actually have them in the correct order !

    🤖

    gutenberg_org, to books
    @gutenberg_org@mastodon.social avatar

    "Anger and hate against one we love steels our hearts, but contempt or pity leaves us silent and ashamed."
    Tarzan of the Apes

    Edgar Rice Burroughs was born in 1875. Best known for his prolific output in the adventure, science fiction, and fantasy genres. Best known for creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter, he also wrote the Pellucidar series, the Amtor series, and the Caspak trilogy. via @wikipedia

    Books by Edgar Rice Burroughs at PG:
    https://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/author/48

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @gutenberg_org @wikipedia

    Today is Edgar Rice Burroughs's Birthday

    Edgar Rice Burroughs (9/1/1875 – 3/19/1950) Was best known for creating the characters Tarzan and John Carter

    SPECIAL COLLECTORS edition of: "Tarzan of the Apes" & "At The Earth's Core & A Princess of Mars" by Edgar Rice Burroughs for sale here:

    (now with FREE shipping in the USA)

    https://www.abebooks.com/servlet/SearchResults?an=edgar%20rice%20burroughs&bi=0&bx=off&cm_sp=SearchF-
    or see the full collection here:
    https://astralcomputing.com

    "At The Earth's Core & A Princess of Mars" (two novels in one book) by Edgar Rice Burroughs - Collectors Special Edition - Stunning dark blue leather volume with original artwork by Ron Miller - Collector's Edition Accented in 22kt gold, printed on archival paper with gilded edges, smyth sewing & concealed muslin joints - Bound In full leather with hubbed spines - Includes pristine bookplate on inside of front cover

    nixCraft, to random
    @nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar

    how does a computer take a break? by going out for a byte! 😉 🍔

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @nixCraft

    For a byte of "chips" as they say in the UK

    astralcomputing, to scifi
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    My first Science Fiction Book series:

    "Tom Swift and His Flying Lab" by Victor Appleton II
    Book #1 of the Tom Swift Jr. Series

    (started reading @ 3 years old)

    What was your first Science Fiction?

    https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tom_Swift

    SinclairSpeccy, to retrocomputing

    "Next, we are going to steal... a Sun Microsystems server! And once the server is mine, I will have access to all of the world's data. I will be able to control the global economy, the stock market, and even the nuclear launch codes. I will be the most powerful sys admin of all time!"

    astralcomputing,
    @astralcomputing@twit.social avatar

    @SinclairSpeccy

    still uses those ones on the top shelf today for front and "rips" (Raster Image Processors) on their printers.

    (Think really big 90-150 page per minute color printers)

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