This is my hobby operating system written in C++. Currently supports x86_64 and i686 architectures. ↫ Banan-OS git page A hobby operating system as a learning experience, but for once not written in Rust, which in and of itself makes it more unique than you’d think. Despite being mostly a one-person hobby project, it’s ticked quite a few boxes already: SMP, network stack, copy-on-write memory, ELF loading, NVME and ATA support, PS/2 and USB peripheral support, a basic GUI, and a lot more. Contributions are welcomed, too.
VEKOS is an experimental operating system written in Rust that focuses on verification and security at its core. This is the first alpha release (v0.0.1) that demonstrates the basic architecture and key features of the system. ↫ VEKOS GitHub page Hobby and experimental operating systems written in Rust are not exactly a novel concept, but that doesn’t mean each new one that comes up isn’t cool. This one is still in its very early stages, but focuses on something quite interesting: every filesystem and memory operation is cryptographically verified using a proof system. It’s already got basic file system operations, signal handling and a scheduler, a shell, and more. Contributions are welcomed.
HarmonyOS Next, the new version of Huawei’s mobile operating system, runs on a brand new microkernel, uses a new, homegrown programming language, and most notably in this duopolistic world, does not run Android applications. This won’t be much of an issue inside China, where Huawei can more easily make sure the most important Chinese applications are supported and ported over, but outside of China that might pose some problems, especially for Chinese tourists visiting other countries. It turns out there’s a solution for this, called 出境易 (as Android Authority notes, this seems to translate to something like “Easy Abroad”), which is basically a containerised Android runtime using microG. It comes with its own built-in application store filled with a number of popular Android applications, and runs them on HarmonyOS Next. The tool is called 出境易, which roughly translates to “Easy Abroad.” It’s apparently designed to aid Chinese tourists who travel abroad. The tool seems to create a container for Android apps to run in, which is not a new concept but is surprising to see pop up so quickly for the new operating system. When installed, the tool lets you install a number of Android apps from its self-contained app store, including Facebook, Instagram, Discord, Reddit, YouTube, Google Search, Google Maps, Uber, Chrome, Gmail, Spotify, Disney Plus, Netflix, Steam, and more. These Android apps show up in a folder in the home screen but they cannot be dragged out of the folder. An early hands-on of the tool from YouTuber LL Techview shows that it works surprisingly well. Android apps launch quickly, run pretty smoothly, and even appear in the recents menu. It’s even possible to sign into your Google Account to use apps like Google Search and Gmail. ↫ Mishaal Rahman at Android Authority There are limitations, of course, and they’re roughly the same as the ones found on any device running microG instead of Google Play Services – something I just wrote about in my review of /e/OS on a FairPhone 5: certain banking applications won’t work, anything that hooks too deeply into Play Services won’t run, that sort of stuff. On top of that, this tool also brings in some limitations of its own, like only whitelisted application being supported, notifications not working properly, and a few other issues. This all feels very similar to what Jolla and Sailfish tried to do way back in 2014. Running Android applications as a side hustle was jank back then and I feel like it’s probably going to be jank today. Even just running Play Services in a restrictive sandbox – like I do with GrapheneOS on my daily driver, a Pixel 8 Pro – presents some issues, and microG adds even more compatibility issues on top. Putting all of this in a container will surely add an additional layer of jank, like it did on Sailfish OS. Regardless, I’m 100% down with trying to get my hands on a HarmonyOS Next device if they ever become available in some form here in Sweden, as I feel like a review of what is the most serious attempt at breaking the Android-iOS duopoly in over a decade is something that belongs here on OSNews. If that time ever comes, I might set up another fundraiser to get it done.
14.2-RELEASE now includes OCI-compatible images, and the Podman toolkit on FreeBSD is ready to use them, on both amd64 and arm64 systems. ↫ Dave Cottlehuber This article from Dave Cottlehuber goes into more detail about the OCI-compatible FreeBSD images and how to use them.
If you were secretly hoping Microsoft would lower the system requirements for Windows 11 so you could upgrade your or your family’s Windows 10 machines to Windows 11, you’re going to be in for some bad news. In a blog post, Microsoft detailed that its most stringent Windows 11 requirement – the Trusted Platform Module (TPM) 2.0 – is here to stay and crucial to the future of Windows. By instituting TPM 2.0 as a non-negotiable standard for the future of Windows, we elevate the security benchmark. It allows you and us to better align with the growing need for formidable data protection in the modern digital sphere. In conclusion, TPM 2.0 is not just a recommendation—it’s a necessity for maintaining a secure and future-proof IT environment with Windows 11. And it’s an important part of the larger Zero Trust strategy, alongside Secure Boot, Credential Guard, and Windows Hello for Business. ↫ Steven Hosking at the Windows IT Pro Blog So no, if you had the hope Microsoft would lower Windows 11’s system requirements in the face of the oncoming end of support deadline for the 60% of Windows users still using Windows 10, your hope has just been dashed. A more likely outcome here is that as the deadline grows closer, Microsoft will extend the deadline by another year, and if needed another, because leaving 60% of users without security updates and little to no path to upgrade is not going to be a good look for the marketing and legal departments. If you really do want to upgrade to Windows 11, there’s a few options. There’s the enterprise-focused Windows 11 LTSC 2024 release, which does not require a TPM 2.0, regarding it as an optional feature instead. On top of that, LTSC is much more bare-bones, shipping without much of the stuff many of us more nerdy users aren’t interested in anyway. The big downside is that getting your hands on a legal copy of LTSC will be difficult, as it’s only available to volume licensing customers, which you most likely are not. Of course, you shouldn’t give a shit about Microsoft’s rules, so you can always use unapproved methods of getting a license. Another option is the one I took for my parts-bin Windows 11 PC which I only use for League of Legends: I bought a cheap TPM 2.0 module from eBay, slotted it into my motherboard, and was on my merry way. Due to League of Legends’ required rootkit, a TPM 2.0 module is needed, so a few euros and days waiting later, I was ready to go. Do make sure you get the right type of TPM 2.0 module for your motherboard, as they’re not universally compatible. The final option is to use one of the few remaining ways to circumvent Windows 11’s system requirements, which are sadly dwindling with every major update. Right now that means using a tool like Flyby11, which uses the Windows Server installer to bypass Windows 11’s system requirements. We’ll have to wait and see for how long that trick remains possible.
Ntfs2btrfs is a tool which does in-place conversion of Microsoft’s NTFS filesystem to the open-source filesystem Btrfs, much as btrfs-convert does for ext2. The original image is saved as a reflink copy at image/ntfs.img, and if you want to keep the conversion you can delete this to free up space. ↫ Mark Harmstone An amazing piece of software that works on both Linux and Windows, and even, as described above, comes with the option of undoing the conversion if you so desire and haven’t removed the original image yet. Its developer, Mark Harmstone, of course stresses that while he thinks the tool is quite stable, he obviously makes no guarantees or claims about its stability. In other words, please don’t use this on sensitive data or in a production environment. What makes this tool even more amazing is that you can combine it with two of Harmstone’s other tools to really pull some rabbits out of your hat. First, there’s his Btrfs driver for Windows, which, as the name implies, allows Windows to work with Btrfs-formatted drives. Second, and here’s where things get really spicy, there’s Quibble, his custom bootloader consisting of open source reimplementations of Windows’ own bootloader. Using these three tools together you can, if you’re lucky, boot and run Windows off a Btrfs drive. That’s quite cool, and while perhaps not particularly useful due to its experimental nature, it’s still an awesome weekend project.
This is a bit of an odd few days for Intel. Mere days after the board ousted its CEO Pat Gelsinger, once heralded as the chip giant’s messiah, they’re today launching two brand new desktop graphics cards. They’re aimed at the more budget-oriented consumer, and might very well be the last discrete graphics cards Intel makes, since this is one of the product lines on the chopping block. Intel’s next — and possibly last — desktop graphics cards will begin arriving in just 10 days. Right on cue, the company has announced the budget $249 Arc B580 and $219 Arc B570, shipping December 13th and January 16th, respectively, as the “best-in-class performance per dollar” options in the GPU market. They’re based on the same Xe2 “Battlemage” GPU architecture you’ll find in Intel’s Lunar Lake laptop chips but with more than double the graphics cores, up to 12GB of dedicated video memory, and up to 190W of power compared to their limited laptop forms — enough power to see the B580 slightly beat Nvidia’s $299 RTX 4060 and AMD’s $269 RX 7600, according to Intel’s benchmarks, but sometimes still trading blows. ↫ Sean Hollister at The Verge As for Gelsinger’s dismissal, it seems the board forced him out after being frustrated with the slow progress the company was making in its turnaround. The fact that a finance person and a marketing person will together be interim CEOs seems to indicate the board is more interested in quick profit than a long-term turnaround, and with companies like Qualcomm being interested in acquiring Intel, the board’s short-term mentality might be winning out, and ousting Gelsinger is just paving the way for selling off parts of Intel until there’s nothing left. Who knows, I might be reading way too much into all of this, but it feels like expecting an organisation as complex as a high-end processor makers to turn itself around in just a few years is incredibly shortsighted, and you’d think board members at Intel would understand that. If the goal is to maintain Intel as a separate, profitable entity making some of the world’s fastest processors, you’re going to need to give a CEO and leadership team more than just a few years to turn the ship around. Within a few years we’ll know the board’s true intentions, but I wouldn’t be surprised to see Intel being sold for parts over the coming years.
FreeBSD 14.2 has been released, and as the version number suggests, this isn’t a major release with huge changes. Still, it does bring support for downloading and installing necessary firmware packages after installation, the latest versions of OpenZFS and OpenSSL, and much more. FreeBSD 14.2 is available for the main architectures it supports – x86, PowerPC/POWER, ARM, and RISC-V, and can be downloaded from the usual location.
Are you managing heavy workloads and seeking ways to optimize your data processes? Query bottlenecks often disrupt operations, causing delays and inefficiencies in retrieving and processing valuable insights. Automation and advanced software solutions play a crucial role in minimizing errors and enhancing performance. Boosting query performance is essential for maintaining efficiency and achieving fast, reliable outcomes in analytics. Understanding how to improve Snowflake query performance helps organizations streamline operations and maximize resource utilization. Identifying bottlenecks and implementing solutions ensures seamless query execution and improved data-driven decision-making capabilities. Here, we focus on common query bottlenecks and strategies for resolving them with practical, actionable solutions. Discover how these improvements can save time, reduce costs, and drive better results in your business. 1. Inefficient Query Design Poorly structured commands often cause delays and unnecessary consumption of system resources during processing. Optimizing these searches involves selecting necessary columns, avoiding unnecessary computations, and applying appropriate filtering techniques. Regularly analyzing query performance can help refine logic and enhance overall execution efficiency. Trusted tech service providers can assist in identifying inefficiencies and improving query performance with tailored solutions. Leveraging automation tools helps pinpoint bottlenecks and optimize processes. 2. Lack of Proper Indexing Efficient data retrieval often depends on organizing and clustering information for commonly queried attributes. Although traditional indexes are absent, using clustered keys can significantly reduce data scan requirements. Periodic analysis of search patterns helps determine optimal data organization strategies for maximum performance. Expert tech advisors can guide the implementation of effective clustering techniques to achieve faster retrievals. Thoughtful fact arrangement minimizes redundant scans and ensures queries run efficiently under various conditions. 3. Suboptimal Warehouse Sizing Allocating the right computational resources is critical to balancing costs and command performance. Monitoring workloads helps determine appropriate virtual warehouse sizes tailored to varying data processing demands. Over-provisioning or under-sizing resources may result in inefficiencies and unnecessary delays. Trusted tech agencies specialize in designing scalable systems to adapt dynamically to workload changes. Auto-scaling features ensure optimal warehouse sizes based on fluctuating commands and resource requirements. 4. Concurrent Command Overload High concurrency can lead to slower processing as resources get overburdened with multiple simultaneous commands. Implementing queuing mechanisms and prioritizing critical workloads can mitigate strain on computing resources. Monitoring workloads and distributing them across virtual warehouses ensures balanced request execution during peak periods. Reputed service providers offer expertise in designing effective workload management strategies tailored to unique business needs. Smart distribution methods prevent overloads and maintain system stability under high concurrency conditions. 5. Inefficient Data Modeling Effective data modeling reduces redundancy and creates clear relationships for faster and more efficient requests. Adopting simplified schema designs, such as star or snowflake schemas, helps optimize data organization for performance. Reviewing and updating information structures regularly ensures they align with evolving analytical requirements and goals. Trusted service providers provide expertise in designing optimal schemas that improve query response times and efficiency. Thoughtful data relationships minimize complexity and streamline command operations across systems. 6. Inadequate Data Partitioning Partitioning data by meaningful attributes, like dates or regions, minimizes unnecessary data scans during queries. Proper partitioning strategies ensure that only relevant fact is retrieved, improving performance. Regularly analyzing request patterns helps in identifying the best partitioning keys for various use cases. Expert advisors can offer tailored guidance on partitioning to align with specific command requirements and goals. Efficient partitioning not only reduces computational overhead but also accelerates query execution times. Optimizing query performance requires expertise, precision, and guidance from trusted tech advisors with proven experience. They provide insights into ‘how to improve Snowflake query performance’ with effective strategies. Businesses can achieve faster requests, reduced costs, and greater efficiency through guided implementations. Partnering with knowledgeable tech experts empowers companies to maximize their potential and maintain competitive advantages.
Rejecting an engrained practice of bullshitting does not come easily. Frameworkism preaches that the way to improve user experiences is to adopt more (or different) tooling from the framework’s ecosystem. This provides adherents with something to do that looks plausibly like engineering, except it isn’t. It can even become a totalising commitment; solutions to user problems outside the framework’s expanded cinematic universe are unavailable to the frameworkist. Non-idiomatic patterns that unlock significant wins for users are bugs to be squashed. And without data or evidence to counterbalance bullshit artists’s assertions, who’s to say they’re wrong? Orthodoxy unmoored from measurements of user outcomes predictably spins into abstruse absurdities. Heresy, eventually, is perceived to carry heavy sanctions. It’s all nonsense. ↫ Alex Russell I’m not a developer, but any application that uses frameworks like React that I’ve ever used tend to be absolute trainwrecks when it comes to performance, usability, consistency, and platform integration. When someone claims to have an application available for a platform I use, but it’s using React or Electron or whatever, they’re lying in my eyes – what they really have is a website running in a window frame, which may or may not even be a native window frame. Developing using these tools indicates to me a lack of care, a lack of respect for the users of your product. I am militantly native. I’d rather use a less functional application than a Chrome web application cosplaying as a real application, and I will most likely not even consider using your service if all you have is a website-in-a-box. If you don’t respect me, I see no need to respect you. If you want an application on a specific platform, use that platform’s native tools and APIs to build it. Anything else tells me all I need to know about how much you truly care about the product you’re building.
This is the Hall Research Technologies SC-VGA-2, sold as a “VGA/HDTV Video Processor.” In addition to slicing, dicing and pureeing, apparently, it will take any of a bundle of input formats and both rescale and resample them on the fly into the VGA or HDTV signal you desire, including 60Hz rates. This came from a seller specializing in teleprompter equipment and Hall still sells an HDMI version with additional resolutions … for around US$500. However, this or the slightly newer SC-VGA-2A and SC-VGA-2B are all relatively common devices and found substantially cheaper used. Let’s try it out and show some sample output, including those delicious NeXTSTEP system messages and some ST grabs. ↫ Cameron Kaiser With the obscurity of some of the hardware Cameron Kaiser details on his website, I’m not surprised he has some seriously unique needs when it comes to taking screengrabs. He couldn’t very well not take the device apart, and inside it appears to be a system with two small processors, at least one of which is an Intel 8051 8bit microcontroller. Kaiser goes into his usual great detail explaining and showing how the device works. If you’ve got unique screengrabbing needs, this might be of interest to you.
Within in the last release cycle we worked on adding and extending the support for the i.MX8MP SoC as also found in one of the SoM options for the MNT Pocket Reform and are happy to show-case a first preview version of Sculpt running on this handy computing device. ↫ Josef Söntgen If you have a Pocket Reform – I reviewed its bigger sibling earlier this year – you can now run Genode on it. Not everything is working flawlessly yet – most notably audio and NVMe need work – but networking is operational, so you can actually browse the web. I’m not sure how much overlap there is between Genode users and Pocket Reform owners, but at least both groups now know it’s an option.
Managing unexpected or significant expenses can be daunting, especially when immediate funds are unavailable. In Wisconsin, installment loans offer a practical solution for individuals seeking a manageable way to cover such expenses. Let’s dive into what makes them a versatile option and how they can benefit borrowers. How Installment Loans Provide Work Installment loans Wisconsin offer borrowers a lump sum of money upfront, which is repaid over time in regular, manageable payments. Typically made monthly, these payments include both the principal and interest, ensuring borrowers can budget their repayments consistently. This type of borrowing stands out due to its predictability. The terms, repayment schedule, and the total amount owed are clearly defined at the time of the agreement, reducing uncertainty. Borrowers can plan their finances better, knowing exactly how much they need to repay and when. This straightforward process makes term credits an accessible and appealing option for many individuals. Accessibility for Diverse Financial Needs A significant advantage of these loans is their accessibility to many borrowers. In Wisconsin, installment loans cater to various financial situations, such as covering medical expenses, repairing vehicles, or funding home improvements. Unlike traditional credit options, which may have strict requirements, scheduled advances often have a simpler application process. Borrowers generally need proof of income, identification, and banking details. This flexibility makes them an option for individuals with varying credit histories, including those with limited or poor credit. By offering an alternative to conventional lending, installment loans empower more people to address their immediate needs without unnecessary hurdles. This inclusivity ensures that a broader audience can benefit from them, regardless of their financial background. Manageable Repayment Plans for Better Budgeting One of Wisconsin’s most notable features of installment loans is its structured repayment plan. Instead of repaying the entire amount at once, borrowers can make smaller, periodic payments over a set timeframe. This approach helps distribute the financial burden and makes the repayment process more manageable. These loans allow borrowers to align repayments with their income cycles, such as monthly paychecks. This predictability ensures that individuals can meet their obligations without disrupting other financial priorities. Moreover, the fixed payment amounts make budgeting easier, reducing the risk of financial strain. The ability to spread out payments over time also makes fixed payment capitals preferable for more considerable expenses. Borrowers can address significant financial needs without depleting their savings or compromising their ability to handle future obligations. Who Benefits Most from This Type of Borrowing? Installment loans are especially beneficial for Wisconsin individuals who require more money but prefer the flexibility of paying it back over time. For instance, someone facing an unexpected medical bill or planning a home renovation can use them. They are also ideal for people with steady incomes who can commit to regular repayments. The structured plan helps them stay on track while addressing financial challenges. Borrowers who prefer predictable terms and payments often find installment loans to be a practical option. Additionally, those who may not qualify for traditional credit options due to limited credit history or other factors can benefit from the accessibility of installment loans. This inclusivity allows more individuals to meet their financial needs effectively. The Importance of Responsible Borrowing While installment loans provide flexibility and convenience, Wisconsin borrowers need to approach them responsibly. Borrowers should only take out what they truly need and ensure they can comfortably meet their repayment obligations. Before committing to a capital, reviewing the agreement in detail is important. Understanding the total cost, including interest and additional fees, helps borrowers plan better and avoid surprises. Budgeting for monthly payments and setting aside funds for repayments ensures the debt is manageable within their financial means. It’s also wise to compare different lending options and terms before deciding. Researching and choosing the most favorable terms can significantly impact the overall cost and ease of repayment. Responsible borrowing ensures that installment loans remain a helpful tool rather than a source of financial stress. Evaluating Alternatives for Financial Flexibility While installment loans are a valuable solution, they may not always be the best fit for every situation. Exploring alternatives can help individuals find the most appropriate option for their needs. Credit cards or personal lines of credit may be more practical for smaller amounts. These options often offer flexibility for short-term needs. Secured lending, such as those backed by assets, may provide lower interest rates for larger expenses. Additionally, depending on their circumstances, some individuals might benefit from assistance from community programs or family support. Planning and building an emergency fund can also reduce reliance on borrowing for future expenses. By evaluating all available options and considering the long-term implications, individuals can choose the best solution for their specific financial situation. Installment loans in Wisconsin provide a structured and accessible way to manage various financial needs. Predictive payments and broad eligibility allow borrowers to address significant expenses without overwhelming their budgets. By understanding the terms and borrowing responsibly, individuals can effectively use them to maintain financial stability and achieve their goals.
Are your online efforts helping or hurting your visibility in search results? Many local businesses overlook critical issues that can impact their search performance. Addressing these challenges early can prevent long-term damage to your online reputation and rankings. This article will discuss common SEO mistakes businesses should avoid in order to have a robust online presence. Let’s see what difficulties might be holding your website back. Understanding the pitfalls concerning technical SEO Portland can help you optimize your website better. Ignoring Website Speed Issues Slow websites frustrate users and drive them away. Search engines also factor speed into rankings, affecting your visibility. If your site is sluggish, it could be costing you potential customers and reducing engagement. Use tools to monitor and improve your site’s performance regularly. Compress images, optimize code, and leverage caching to ensure your site stays fast. Make speed optimization a routine part of your website maintenance plan. Failing to Optimize Mobile Responsiveness Many users access websites through their phones, but is your site truly mobile-friendly? Pages that don’t adapt to smaller screens lose traffic and negatively impact search rankings. Poor design leads to frustrated visitors and lost conversions. Ensure your design works seamlessly across all devices, from phones to tablets. Regularly test updates to confirm mobile compatibility and promptly fix any issues that arise. Overlooking Broken Links Broken links create a poor user experience and damage your search visibility. These dead ends not only frustrate visitors but also make your site appear unprofessional and outdated. Use tools to identify and fix broken links as quickly as possible. Replacing or redirecting these links helps maintain trust and ensures smooth navigation. A website free of errors keeps users engaged and boosts your credibility. Skipping Regular Crawl Error Checks Crawl errors prevent search engines from indexing your site properly, leaving valuable pages invisible in search results. These issues can arise from server errors, incorrect URLs, or blocked resources. Regularly monitor for and address crawl issues to maintain consistent search engine access. A well-maintained website improves your overall visibility and helps search engines rank your content effectively. Fixing these errors is critical for ensuring your audience can find you online. Forgetting to Use Structured Data Structured data helps search engines understand your content better, leading to more prominent results. Without it, you miss opportunities for enhanced visibility in search snippets. Schema markup highlights critical information like services, locations, or events that users are looking for. Adding structured data is a simple way to stand out in search results in Portland. Don’t overlook this tool to improve your website’s relevance and reach. Ignoring Duplicate Content Problems Duplicate content confuses search engines and diminishes your ranking potential. It also frustrates visitors who are seeking unique and valuable information. Use tools to identify and eliminate redundant pages or sections across your website. Replace duplicated content with fresh, engaging material that aligns with your audience’s needs. Focusing on originality helps your site stand out from competitors and improves your online presence in Portland. Addressing technical SEO mistakes is essential for boosting your Portland business’s online presence. If you need expert assistance with technical SEO in Portland, connect with professionals who can help you thrive. Focus on resolving speed issues, mobile compatibility, and crawl errors to enhance visibility. Don’t let broken links, duplicate content, or missing structured data hold your site back from success. Mastering these basics ensures your website works harder for your business.
Today is “Black Friday”, which is the day where a lot of retailers, both online and offline, pretend to have massive discounts on things they either raised the prices for a few weeks ago, or for useless garbage they bought in bulk that’ll end up in a landfill within a year. Technology media happily partakes in this event, going full-mask off posting an endless stream of “stories” promoting these discounts. They’re writing ads for fake discounts, often for products from the very companies they’re supposed to report on, and dress them up as normal articles. It’s sad and revealing, highlighting just how much of the technology media landscape is owned by giant media conglomerates. OSNews does not partake. We’re independent, answer to nobody, and are mostly funded directly by you, our readers. If you want to keep it this way, and keep OSNews free from the tripe you see on every other technology site around this time, consider supporting us through Patreon, making a one-time donation through Ko-Fi, or buying some merch. That’s it. That’s our extra special discount bonanza extravaganza Black Friday super coverage.
The Cinnamon Desktop, the GTK desktop environment developed by the Linux Mint project, has just released version 6.4. The focus of this release is on nips and tucks in the default theme, dialogs, menus, and other user interface elements. They seem to have taken a few pages out of GNOME’s book, especially when it comes to dialogs and the OSD, which honestly makes sense considering Cinnamon is also GTK and most Cinnamon users will be running a ton of GNOME/Libadwaita applications. There’s also a new night light feature to reduce eyestrain, vastly improved options for power profiles and management, and more. Cinnamon 6.4 will be part of Linux Mint’s next major release, coming in late December, but is most likely already making its way to various other distributions’ repositories.
Recently, I’ve been moving away from macOS to Linux, and have settled on using KDE Plasma as my desktop environment. For the most part I’ve been comfortable with the change, but it’s always the small things that get me. For example, the Mail app built into macOS provides an “Unsubscribe” button for emails. Apparently this is also supported in some webmail clients, but I’m not interested in accessing my email that way. Unfortunately, I haven’t found an X11 or Wayland email client that supports this sort of functionality, so I decided to implement it myself. And anyway, I’m trying out Kontact for my mail at the moment, which supports plugins. So why not use this as an opportunity to build one? ↫ datagirl.xyz Writing a Kmail plugin like this feels a bit like an arcane art, because the process is not documented as well as it could be, and I doubt that other than KDE developers themselves, very few people are interested in writing these kinds of plugins. In fact, I can’t find a single one listed on the KDE Store, and searching around I can’t find anything either, other than the ones that come with KDE. It seems like this particular plugin interface is designed more to make it easy for KDE developers to extend and alter Kmail than it is for third parties to do so – and that’s fine. Still, this means that if some third party does want to write such a plugin, there’s some sleuthing and hacking to be done, and that’s exactly the process this article details. In the end, we end up with a working unsubscribe plugin, with the code on git so others can learn from it. While this may not interest a large number of people, it’s vital to have information like this out on the web for those precious few to find – so excellent work.
A three-year fight to help support game preservation has come to a sad end today. The US copyright office has denied a request for a DMCA exemption that would allow libraries to remotely share digital access to preserved video games. ↫ Dustin Bailey at GamesRadar This was always going to end in favour of the massive gaming industry with effectively bottomless bank accounts and more lawyers than god. The gist is that Section 1201 of the DMCA prevents libraries from circumventing the copy protection to make games available remotely. Much like books, libraries loan out books not just for research purposes, but also for entertainment purposes, and that’s where the issue lies, according to the Copyright Office, who wrote “there would be a significant risk that preserved video games would be used for recreational purposes”. The games industry doesn’t care about old titles nobody wants to buy anymore and no consumer is interested in. There’s a long tail of games that have no monetary value whatsoever, and there’s a relatively small number of very popular older games that the industry wants to keep repackaging and reselling forever – I mean, we can’t have a new Nintendo console without the opportunity to buy Mario Bros. for the 67th time. That’d be ludicrous. In order to protect the continued free profits from those few popular retro titles, the endless list of other games only a few nerds are interested in are sacrificed.
There have been some past rumblings on the internet about a capacitor being installed backwards in Apple’s Macintosh LC III. The LC III was a “pizza box” Mac model produced from early 1993 to early 1994, mainly targeted at the education market. It also manifested as various consumer Performa models: the 450, 460, 466, and 467. Clearly, Apple never initiated a huge recall of the LC III, so I think there is some skepticism in the community about this whole issue. Let’s look at the situation in more detail and understand the circuit. Did Apple actually make a mistake? ↫ Doug Brown Even I had heard of these claims, and I’m not particularly interested in Apple retrocomputing, other than whatever comes by on Adrian Black or whatever. As such, it surprises me that there hasn’t been any definitive answer to this question – with the amount of interest in classic Macs you’d think this would simply be a settled issue and everyone would know about it. This vintage of Macs pretty much require recaps by now, so I assumed if Apple indeed soldered on a capacitor backwards, it’d just be something listed in the various recapping guides. It took some very minor digging with the multimeter, but yes, one of the capacitors on this family of boards is soldered on the wrong way, with the positive terminal where the negative terminal should be. It seems the error does not lie with whomever soldered the capacitors on the boards – or whomever set the machine that did so – because the silkscreen is labeled incorrectly, too. The reason it doesn’t seem to be noticeable problem during the expected lifespan of the computer is because it was rated at 16V, but was only taking in -5V. So, if you plan on recapping one of these classic Macs – you might as well fix the error.
The EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program , revitalized by the Reform and Integrity Act (RIA) of March 2022, has created new opportunities for foreign investors through rural Targeted Employment Areas (TEAs). These areas offer significant advantages, such as priority processing and set-aside visas, making them an attractive option for investors seeking faster immigration processes. In this article, we explore what rural TEAs are, how they benefit investors and developers, and provide a state-by-state guide to understanding their significance. What is a Rural TEA? A rural Targeted Employment Area (TEA) is defined as a location that meets specific criteria: These criteria ensure that rural TEAs remain focused on areas that truly need economic stimulation and development. For investors, this designation represents not only an opportunity to support underserved communities but also a pathway to streamlined immigration benefits. Key Benefits of Investing in a Rural TEA Investing in a rural TEA comes with numerous advantages: Compliance and Documentation To benefit from the rural TEA designation, EB-5 developers and investors must provide thorough documentation proving the project’s eligibility. This includes location and population data from credible and up-to-date sources. The RIA grants USCIS exclusive authority to designate high-unemployment TEAs, emphasizing the importance of accuracy and reliability in submitted documents. How the RIA Transformed TEAs The Reform and Integrity Act introduced several pivotal changes to the EB-5 program: Why Rural TEAs Are a Strategic Choice Rural TEAs offer a win-win scenario for both investors and communities. Investors gain access to faster immigration processing and reduced investment thresholds, while rural areas benefit from economic growth, job creation, and infrastructural development. With only 20% of annual EB-5 projects allocated to rural TEAs, competition remains low, making them an optimal choice for forward-thinking investors. Explore Rural TEA Opportunities by State The following states feature designated rural TEAs, each offering unique investment opportunities: Conclusion Rural TEAs have redefined the EB-5 investment landscape, creating unparalleled opportunities for foreign investors while promoting economic development in underserved areas. With benefits like priority processing, reserved visas, and reduced investment thresholds, rural TEAs are a strategic choice for those looking to navigate the EB-5 program effectively. For investors seeking to make an impact and secure U.S. residency, understanding and leveraging rural TEAs is the key to success. Stay ahead in the competitive EB-5 arena by exploring rural TEA opportunities and aligning your investments with the provisions of the RIA. Whether you’re a developer or an investor, rural TEAs offer a pathway to mutual growth and success.
