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spzb

@[email protected]

It’s me. Hi. I’m the problem, it’s me.

Posts auto-delete after a month.

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@pluralistic@mamot.fr avatar pluralistic , to random

Just don't send me anything that is not that

STARTING A GIRL BAND 100% SERIOUS ZERO PERFORMANCE EXPERIENCE NECESSARY DRUMMER, BASSIST, GUITARIST, KEYBOARDIST WANTED, BUT HONESTLY IF YOU HAVE ANY SKILLS AND/OR INTEREST FEEL FREE TO EMAIL IF YOU ARE INTERESTED PLS EMAIL veryseriousaboutgirlband@gmail.com WITH: 3-ISH INFLUENCES ANY PRIOR EXPERIENCE SOME AUDIO/VIDEO OF YOU PLAYING IF YOU WRITE AT ALL WHATEVER, JUST DON'T SEND ME ANYTHING THAT IS NOT THAT
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spzb ,
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@mullvadnet@mastodon.online avatar mullvadnet , to random

The United Kingdom is escalating its censorship and mass surveillance. When Mullvad tried to criticise this with the TV ad “And Then?”, it was banned on British television.

https://media.mullvad.net/andthen/30s/Mullvad_AND_THEN_30s_US_ProRes422_Webmix_4K.mov

spzb ,
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@ret @mullvadnet it wasn’t banned. A private company didn’t clear it for broadcast. Mullvad didn’t try to make it compliant because it suits their commercial interests to claim it was banned. They get more free publicity this way and get to present themselves as the underdog. https://mullvad.net/en/and-then/uk

spzb ,
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@aral @ret @mullvadnet those are the rules. All advertisers have to abide by them. It’s not a special move by anyone to ban this particular ad. Advertising (especially on tv) is quite tightly controlled in the uk and political advertising is pretty much banned. Mullvad seem to have deliberately made an ad knowing full well that it would not be permitted so that they could make a big deal about being banned.

@JessTheUnstill@infosec.exchange avatar JessTheUnstill , to random

She has learned how to turn the space heater on by herself ...

A white dog sitting upright on a couch. In front of the couch is a small black space heater with touch controls powered on and slightly wet from the dog's nose.
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spzb ,
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@JessTheUnstill I for one welcome our new dog overlords

@spzb@infosec.exchange avatar spzb , to random

Email : "Hey! Remember us? You bought one item from us ten years ago and have never given us a second thought since. Well, you're not going to believe it, but we've got a Black Friday sale on some of those things you've not needed for a decade!"

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Very impressive stuff.

Italians con breathe underwater.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts using a long piece of rigatoni as a snorkel

@briankrebs@infosec.exchange avatar briankrebs , to random

Chatting with a friend about Cloudflare's intermittent outages today, they brought up an interesting point: How many organizations have started relying on Cloudflare to do basic security blocking and tackling stuff, like stopping SQL injection attacks at the edge? Maybe your devs were lazy at blocking this stuff in the past b/c CF was the control layer to compensate for that.

You might say well okay but if CF is down, so are the sites relying on them, and that's true. But a lot of organizations will switch CF off during these times to keep their sites and services reachable and running. And my friend's point was that for those organizations, they might want to take a closer look at the traffic they received during this eight-hour outage window or whatever, and I think that's sound advice.

spzb ,
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@briankrebs ran out of paper tape

@briankrebs@infosec.exchange avatar briankrebs , to random

Is there a term for the inverse productivity achieved when you have so many tabs open that you can no longer see any favicons? If not, I'm going to spend some CPU cycles coining one. I feel like I hit this pivotal point almost daily, even though I'm working on many screens at once. The problem is I'm usually squirreling on so many things at once I neglect to close tabs. p.s. long ass German words don't count sorry.

spzb ,
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@briankrebs tabruptcy

@kenney@mastodon.gamedev.place avatar kenney , to random

Hello, grandpa here! 👴 I've just improved the RSS for my website, it lists the 25 latest asset releases/updates with description, image and is W3C validated!

https://kenney.nl/feed
(You can find a link on the asset overview page, top left)

Which RSS reader do you recommend?

spzb ,
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@kenney I like to use the Feeder extension in Firefox https://feeder.co

@nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar nixCraft , to random

Over the next 24 months, GitHub will be migrating its entire infrastructure to Azure. This infrastructure priority will result in delays to some feature development. This is the last step to kill the complete independence of Github and tighten up the grip on GitHub. https://thenewstack.io/github-will-prioritize-migrating-to-azure-over-feature-development/

spzb ,
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@nixCraft so it’s going to be unreliable as fick for the next couple of years then

@briankrebs@infosec.exchange avatar briankrebs , (edited ) to random

US immigration agents will have access to hacking tools from Paragon Solutions, a company founded in Israel which makes spyware that can be used to hack into any mobile phone – including encrypted applications, The Guardian writes.

"The Department of Homeland Security first entered into a contract with Paragon, now owned by a US firm, in late 2024, under the Biden administration. But the $2m contract was put on hold pending a compliance review to make sure it adhered to an executive order that restricts the US government’s use of spyware, Wired reported at the time."

"That pause has now been lifted, according to public procurement documents, which list US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) as the contracting agency."

https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025/sep/02/trump-immigration-ice-israeli-spyware

spzb , (edited )
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@briankrebs "can hack into any mobile phone" [citation needed]. The Guardian's journalistic standards have slipped considerably recently. They'll be at BBC News levels soon.

@FediTips@social.growyourown.services avatar FediTips , to random

It's a really good idea to make your posts accessible:

  • It helps blind, deaf & deafblind people read your post
  • It also helps abled people read your post
  • Accessible posts get more boosts

Here's a complete guide with step-by-step instructions and also lots of questions answered about this topic:

➡️ https://fedi.tips/how-do-i-make-posts-more-accessible-to-blind-people-on-mastodon-and-the-fediverse

As well as adding descriptions to images etc, there are also lots of things you can do to make text-only posts more accessible too.

spzb ,
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@FediTips there's nothing like getting older to make you appreciate good accessibility. Now I'm in my late forties my eyesight is not what it used to be and small or low contrast text can be tough to read. I've started to get arthritis in my hands too which makes me appreciate keyboard navigation when my hands are too stiff to use the mouse.

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

More scientists choose Bluesky over Twitter
It's not just you. Survey says: "Twitter sucks now and all the cool kids are moving to Bluesky"
https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/08/more-scientists-choose-bluesky-over-twitter/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica good to see important research still coming out from the Institute for the Bloody Obvious.

@gamingonlinux@mastodon.social avatar gamingonlinux , to random

Dame Rachel told BBC Newsnight: "Of course, we need age verification on VPNs - it's absolutely a loophole that needs closing and that's one of my major recommendations."

Could the UK please stop being morons about tech for one day.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cn438z3ejxyo

spzb ,
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@gamingonlinux even with age verification, how do you verify that the person who did the age verification is the person currently operating the device? Older sibling or friend logs you in to the VPN and leaves you to it? VPN credentials shared round the playground? Are they going to mandate an hourly timeout on VPNs?

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Apple gets yanked into Elon Musk’s chatbot war with OpenAI
Musk threatens to sue Apple to get Grok to top spot in App Store rankings.
https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/08/apple-gets-yanked-into-elon-musks-chatbot-war-with-openai/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica I'd temporarily forgotten he existed. Such a sweet passing joy that was.

@thomasfuchs@hachyderm.io avatar thomasfuchs , to random

The Web is dying—replaced by the AI shit that developers are so horny for.

It’s spectacular to watch my entire industry being taking in by charlatans and eagerly rooting for their own demise.

spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Feeling inadequate because everyone on Mastodon appears to be an author or a lawyer or a scientist?

Follow me and feel better about yourself, for I have the intellect of a clever potato.

spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts ooh a clever potato! Think you’re better than us dumbass spuds do ya?

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Google begins rolling out AI search in YouTube
The feature is only available as a test for Premium members for now.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/06/google-begins-rolling-out-ai-search-in-youtube/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica interesting sales pitch : pay more for a shitty service!

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Warning, uncharacteristically high quality post

This week I got engaged to the loveliest girl I've ever met. I couldn't be happier.

Me in a green shirt standing next to my beautiful girlfriend on rocks in front of a forest.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts congratulations guys!

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Claude’s AI research mode now runs for up to 45 minutes before delivering reports
New feature searches hundreds of sources to build a document—but is it accurate?
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/05/claudes-ai-research-mode-now-runs-for-up-to-45-minutes-before-delivering-reports/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica I wonder how much energy that burns through

@nixCraft@mastodon.social avatar nixCraft , to random

Professor Gina Neff of Queen Mary University London told the BBC ChatGPT is "burning through energy", and the data centres used to power it consume more electricity in a year than 117 countries. But, of course Microsoft, OpenAI and tech bros don’t care. Source https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c5yg690e9eno

spzb ,
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@nixCraft I thought Zoe Kleinman did a reasonable job on discussing the energy usage but I still bet the majority of the general public reading that would come away thinking "that looks cool. I'm gonna make a doll version of me"

@molly0xfff@hachyderm.io avatar molly0xfff , (edited ) to random

Yep. I saved hundreds or even thousands of dollars a month just from switching from Substack to self-hosted Ghost.

https://digiday.com/media/former-substack-creators-say-theyre-earning-more-on-new-platforms-that-offer-larger-shares-of-subscription-revenue/

I pay a roughly flat $85/month now (~$75 for mailsending, $10 for hosting), vs. 10% of all my subscription income.

Here’s some napkin math for how expensive Substack is compared to its competitors, assuming that roughly 7% of all subscribers will pay for their subscriptions, and that subscriptions cost $5/month.

Spreadsheet comparing pricing of newsletter platforms: 7% paid @ $5/mo Substack Ghost Pro Self-hosted Ghost* Beehiiv Buttondown Mailchimp** 10 subscribers (1 paid) $0.50 $9 $12 $43 $9 $20 50 subscribers (4 paid) $2 $9 $12 $43 $9 $20 100 subscribers (7 paid) $3.50 $9 $12 $43 $9 $20 250 subscribers (18 paid) $9 $9 $12 $43 $9 $20 500 subscribers (35 paid) $17.50 $9 $27 $43 $9 $20 1,000 subscribers (70 paid) $35 $15 $27 $43 $29 $45 5,000 subscribers (350 paid) $175 $65 $27 $78 $79 $100 10,000 subscribers (700 paid) $350 $99 $27 $96 $139 $135 25,000 subscribers (1,750 paid) $875 $165 $87 $149 $239 $310 50,000 subscribers (3,500 paid) $1,750 $315 $217 $219 $319 $450 100,000 subscribers (7,000 paid) $3,500 $565 $412 $290 - $800 * Assuming $12 hosting fees, but you can get this number down lower. Assumes ~weekly email sending. ** There may be additional fees to monetize MailChimp newsletters since it’s not built-in. This also assumes ~weekly email sending. Flat fees calculated based on cheapest plans. Also calculated based on annual billing, if month-to-month amounts differ.
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spzb ,
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@molly0xfff I've been using it for Newslttrs * based on your recommendation and really happy so far. Been on the front page of Hacker News a couple of times and the $5 VPS hosting it has been barely ticking over

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Back to basics: Microsoft tests overhauled Start menu in Windows 11 beta builds
Redesigned Start menu would give users more control over what apps they see.
https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/04/back-to-basics-microsoft-tests-overhauled-start-menu-in-windows-11-beta-builds/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica or “Microsoft stops fucking about and finally listens to users”?

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Today's Low Quality Ad is for this Gorilla Mask. I am going to wear this and infiltrate a pack of gorillas, becoming the alpha male. Goodbye society, you will not be missed.
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CPW5FB8R?ref=t_ac_view_request_product_image&campaignId=amzn1.campaign.3RP8GKZT4ZSBO&linkCode=tr1&tag=connorstone06-20&linkId=amzn1.campaign.3RP8GKZT4ZSBO_1743965165228

A guy in a grey tshirt wearing a Gorilla mask.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts “wild? I was livid!”

@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar georgetakei , to random

What does the legendary Lea Salonga — currently starring in Broadway's Stephen Sondheim's Old Friends — do on her one day off? She presents me with the Gary Miller Award at the New York City Gay Men's Chorus' 25th Silver Anniversary Gala!

A heartfelt thank you to NYC Gay Men's Chorus for an unforgettable evening, and to Lea, break a leg as you continue to shine in your latest Broadway triumph.

spzb ,
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@georgetakei looking great Mr Takei!

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

Apple reportedly planning executive shake-up to address Siri delays
Apple is looking to right the ship after a major Siri delay.
https://arstechnica.com/apple/2025/03/apple-reportedly-planning-executive-shake-up-to-address-siri-delays/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica they’re going to give Siri a seat on the board, aren’t they?

@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar georgetakei , to random

At this point, anti-DEI just means racist and sexist.

A screenshot of a BBC News webpage with the headline: "Arlington Cemetery strips content on black and female veterans from website." The page includes a banner advertisement for "Mimecast Risk Radar - Global Threat Intelligence Report." The BBC logo is at the top, with a "Watch" button in the upper right corner.
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spzb ,
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@georgetakei it always did

@molly0xfff@hachyderm.io avatar molly0xfff , to random

Newsletter: Crypto reserves: no public good, no principles

The formerly anti-government bitcoin movement abandons its principles in favor of number-go-up, applauds federal plan to stockpile seized crypto with no clear benefit to national interest

https://www.citationneeded.news/crypto-reserves-no-public-good-no-principles/

spzb ,
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@molly0xfff how does the government seize bitcoin anyway? Surely they need the private key for the wallet or the cooperation of the wallet owner?

spzb ,
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@molly0xfff ah got you, I think. So either strong arm the defendant with some kind of plea deal or get a court order against a third party custodian.

@w7voa@journa.host avatar w7voa , to random

Today’s history fact: The partition of British India resulted in an estimated 1 million to 2 million deaths with many of those killed in communal violence. https://www.wsj.com/opinion/if-indians-and-pakistanis-can-relocate-why-cant-gazans-refugees-displacement-palestinians-39d7678c

spzb ,
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@w7voa never mind the fact that there’s over a billion of them still there. Sure, some relocated. Most didn’t. Holy false equivalence, Batman.

@georgetakei@universeodon.com avatar georgetakei , to random

Trump’s playbook is all too familiar: issue threats, escalate tensions, spark market uncertainty, then backtrack at the last minute and claim victory. His recent tariff threats against Mexico and Canada were no different, but this time those nations' leaders showed the world how to beat Trump at his own game. https://thinkbigpicture.substack.com/p/trump-trudeau-canada-sheinbaum-mexico

spzb ,
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@georgetakei penultimate step : “buy the dip”

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

I typically don't like to acknowledge that this is a satire account, but just in case anyone's brain is especially smooth out there this is a satire account for the love of God please don't test this one.

Rabbits cannot drown.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts what about Watership Drown?

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

The government must want the windows unblocked for some reason.

It is illegal to own an air conditioner in Russia.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts in Russia, air conditions you!

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random
spzb ,
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@arstechnica kinda hoping one of them will get a move on

@arstechnica@mastodon.social avatar arstechnica , to random

AI could create 78 million more jobs than it eliminates by 2030—report
As AGI talk sparks job loss fears, new WEF report projects AI-driven net job growth by 2030.
https://arstechnica.com/ai/2025/01/ai-could-create-78-million-more-jobs-than-it-eliminates-by-2030-report/?utm_brand=arstechnica&utm_social-type=owned&utm_source=mastodon&utm_medium=social

spzb ,
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@arstechnica that’s the sort of thing a malevolent AI would say

@lowqualityfacts@mstdn.social avatar lowqualityfacts , to random

Poor Gawain.

King Arthur constructed a round table to ensure that no knight would ever be stuck at a corner with Gawain.
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spzb ,
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@lowqualityfacts the round table was designed by Sir Cumference

(Shamelessly nicking a joke I read on someone else’s post some time ago)

@spzb@infosec.exchange avatar spzb , to random

Illegal Migration Act lives up to its name as court finds parts of it illegal https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-northern-ireland-69001673