Monthly Archives: January 2022

DeepDotWeb Co-admin Sentenced To 8 Years in Prison

Posted on by

One of the two administrators of the DeepDotWeb portal was sentenced this week to 97 months in prison for receiving money from illegal dark web marketplaces to promote their sites. From a report: Tal Prihar, 37, was detained in May 2019 in France and subsequently extradited to the US. He was charged with running DeepDotWeb, a website on the public internet that advertised and reviewed dark web marketplaces that sold illegal content such as drugs, firearms, and forged documents. US authorities said that Prihar, together with his partner, ran a kickback scheme where they provided links to the marketplaces in exchange for a commission.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – DeepDotWeb Co-admin Sentenced To 8 Years in Prison

The Halo TV Show Gave Itself an Entire Timeline to Surprise Fans of the Games

Posted on by

Any adaptation is always going to have to tweak its source material to fit the scope and format of whatever medium it finds itself in—but the team behind Halo, both the long-running game franchise and the upcoming live-action streaming series—have gone to great lengths to set expectations among fans about the fact…

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – The Halo TV Show Gave Itself an Entire Timeline to Surprise Fans of the Games

The Organelle S is a more affordable take on Critter & Guitari's distinctive music computer

Posted on by

Since 2016, Critter and Guitari’s Organelle line has been one of the most unique ways to create music. What looks like a simple keyboard is actually a computer powered by a Raspberry Pi module and Pure Data, a visual programming language primarily intended for creating and manipulating audio. It’s a setup that gives the Organelle – and its 2019 successor, the Organelle M – the ability to function as synth, drum machine, effects unit and more. However, all of that versatility comes at a cost; buying the Organelle M new from Critter and Guitari will set you back $595 before tax.

Enter the Organelle S. At $495, it’s $100 less expensive than the Organelle M. It doesn’t include the built-in speaker or battery compartment found on its sibling. Outside of those two features, however, the Organelle S includes the same processor as the Organelle M. Despite its smaller size, it also comes with distinctive maple-wood keys of its predecessors. In a way, it’s a more powerful version of the original Organelle that comes with a faster processor, more RAM, MIDI connectivity and a microphone for recording.

You can buy the Organelle S starting today from Critter and Guitari’s website.



Source: Engadget – The Organelle S is a more affordable take on Critter & Guitari’s distinctive music computer

Gaming Chromebooks Running Steam Are Reportedly On the Way

Posted on by

Chromebooks have graduated from the classroom and are ready to have some fun. Recent changes to the Chrome OS code indicate Google is working to bring full RGB keyboards to Chromebooks—a feature that suggests full-blown gaming systems are on the way. After all, an RGB keyboard on a non-gaming laptop isn’t really a…

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – Gaming Chromebooks Running Steam Are Reportedly On the Way

The Easiest DIY Furniture Projects to Make With Leftover Wood

Posted on by

If you have leftover boards from a previous home-improvement project—or you’re just looking for a simple carpentry project to tackle—there are several things you can make that will add budget-friendly storage and function to your home. Try these DIY projects, each of which only requires three or four tools and…

Read more…



Source: LifeHacker – The Easiest DIY Furniture Projects to Make With Leftover Wood

Plant-based diets + rewilding provides “massive opportunity” to cut CO2

Posted on by
Image of cows

Enlarge / We’d like to replace you with a forest. (credit: Peter Cade)

By shifting to more plant-rich diets, wealthy nations could cut their agricultural emissions by 61 percent—and sequester nearly 100 gigatons of CO2 equivalent if the surplus farmland is left to rewild.

The global food system is the second-biggest source of anthropogenic greenhouse gases (GHGs), accounting for up to a third of emissions. Over half of that number comes from meat and dairy production, despite these sources providing a meager 20 percent of the world’s calories. Wealthy nations drive most of this demand.

A recent study calculated the carbon-saving potential of having these wealthy countries shift away from meat and dairy in a way that would create what the study authors call a double dividend. “Our double dividend means if we change animal-based diets to plant-based diets, we can reduce GHG emissions (dividend one) from direct agricultural production,” explains lead author Dr. Zhongxiao Sun. “The saved agricultural land from diet change can be restored to potential natural vegetation for carbon sequestration (dividend two).”

Read 14 remaining paragraphs | Comments



Source: Ars Technica – Plant-based diets + rewilding provides “massive opportunity” to cut CO2

FCC Approves Internet 'Nutrition Label' Proposal

Posted on by

The Federal Communications Commission voted unanimously Thursday to approve a proposal that would require internet service providers to share details about their plans in easy-to-read nutrition labels, similar to those on food. From a report: The FCC action, required by law and included in President Biden’s executive order on competition, is meant to address consumer complaints about surprise pricing and fees, and make it easier to comparison shop for an internet provider. The proposal would require ISPs to include information about prices, internet speeds, data allowances and other details on the label. “With these broadband nutrition labels, we can compare service providers and plans, hold broadband providers to their promises and foster more competition, which means better service and better prices,” FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said during the agency’s meeting.

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – FCC Approves Internet ‘Nutrition Label’ Proposal

Vets Are Furious About the Latest Designer Dog Trend: Hairless Frenchies

Posted on by

Veterinarians in the UK aren’t too pleased with the breeders behind the country’s first known litter of hairless French bulldogs. They argue that it’s only the latest example of how “extreme breeding” is harming the long-term health of these short-faced dogs, who already face a higher risk of certain medical problems.…

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – Vets Are Furious About the Latest Designer Dog Trend: Hairless Frenchies

Zombie Atari Celebrates 50-Year Legacy With NFT Loot Boxes

Posted on by

Founded way back in 1972, Atari celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. The all-but-defunct company doesn’t really make games anymore, but it does like to plaster its recognizable logo over everything it can find—from hotels to PCs. And to celebrate that the company is still clinging to life, Atari has finally…

Read more…



Source: Kotaku – Zombie Atari Celebrates 50-Year Legacy With NFT Loot Boxes

105 Million Android Users Hit By Massive Dark Herring Subscription Scamware Campaign

Posted on by

105 Million Android Users Hit By Massive Dark Herring Subscription Scamware Campaign
A new Android scamware scheme may have cost unsuspecting smartphone owners hundreds of millions of dollars. Dubbed “Dark Herring” by Google App Defense Alliance member Zimperium zLabs, it’s been spotted in 470 different applications on the Google Play Store since it first showed up in March 2020.

The fraudulent apps, installed by some 105

Source: Hot Hardware – 105 Million Android Users Hit By Massive Dark Herring Subscription Scamware Campaign

Intel Banged Out Its Best Revenues In Company History, Warns Chip Shortage Will Last Into 2023

Posted on by

Intel Banged Out Its Best Revenues In Company History, Warns Chip Shortage Will Last Into 2023
Intel ended its fiscal year with a bang by raking in $20.5 billion in the fourth quarter, the most quarterly revenue ever in the more than 50 years the company has existed. The strong finish pushed Intel’s full-year revenue to $79 billion, which is also the company’s most ever. Talk about a good start for Pat Gelsinger, who returned to Intel

Source: Hot Hardware – Intel Banged Out Its Best Revenues In Company History, Warns Chip Shortage Will Last Into 2023

We're Tracking Sarah Palin's Possible Super-Spreader Journey Through NYC

Posted on by

The former Alaska governor and disastrous presidential running mate is in the Big Apple to sue the New York Times for libel after it insinuated that her rhetoric was tied to the 2011 mass shooting in Tucson, Arizona, which left six dead and Rep. Gabby Giffords with massive brain injuries. While she’s around, Palin …

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – We’re Tracking Sarah Palin’s Possible Super-Spreader Journey Through NYC

2.5 Geeks: Intel Alder Lake-H Laptops With RTX 3080 Ti, GeForce RTX 3050 And More!

Posted on by

2.5 Geeks: Intel Alder Lake-H Laptops With RTX 3080 Ti, GeForce RTX 3050 And More!
In this latest episode of 2.5 Geeks we’re diving deep into Intel’s Alder Lake-H 12th Gen Core-powered laptop launch, along with NVIDIA’s powerful new GeForce RTX 3080 Ti GPU for the fastest gaming mobile gaming machines we’ve ever tested. We’ll also be checking out NVIDIA’s new, more affordable GeForce RTX 3050 and the performance it brings

Source: Hot Hardware – 2.5 Geeks: Intel Alder Lake-H Laptops With RTX 3080 Ti, GeForce RTX 3050 And More!

Particulate pollution is killing older Americans, even at legal levels

Posted on by

Read 8 remaining paragraphs | Comments



Source: Ars Technica – Particulate pollution is killing older Americans, even at legal levels

Tennessee School Board Removes Holocaust Graphic Novel Maus From Its Curriculum

Posted on by

For years, Art Spiegelman’s acclaimed graphic novel Maus has been taught in schools across the world, both because of the digestible, but chillingly authentic way it depicts the horrors of the Holocaust, and because it’s one of the masterpieces of the comics medium. It’s the only graphic novel to ever win a Pulitzer…

Read more…



Source: Gizmodo – Tennessee School Board Removes Holocaust Graphic Novel Maus From Its Curriculum

No Man's Sky Dev Brings Back Older Games To Brighten One Kid's Life

Posted on by

Before Hello Games made a name for itself with the procedurally generated space adventure No Man’s Sky, its developer was all about Joe Danger, a cartoonish motorcycle stuntman racing through an eponymous series of console and mobile games. After years of being defunct due to iOS updates, the Joe Danger mobile games…

Read more…



Source: Kotaku – No Man’s Sky Dev Brings Back Older Games To Brighten One Kid’s Life

Warner Music Group is building a 'musical theme park' in the metaverse

Posted on by

Perhaps taking inspiration from blockbuster music experiences in Fortnite, Warner Music Group is creating a performance venue in the metaverse. It’s teaming up with The Sandbox to create a “hybrid of musical theme park and concert venue” on the platform.

Some of WMG’s vast roster of artists (which includes the likes of Ed Sheeran, Green Day and Dua Lipa) are expected to play shows and take part in music experiences on the virtual stage. At a later date, The Sandbox will offer ardent fans the chance to buy virtual property next to WMG’s section of the metaverse.

The deal will result in The Sandbox‘s first music-themed world. The platform has teamed up with artists including Snoop Dogg, Deadmau5 and Steve Aoki on an individual basis, but this is its biggest music partnership to date. WMG and The Sandbox didn’t say when the virtual venue will debut.

Other major music companies have started making moves in the metaverse. Last month, Universal Music Group joined the bandwagon with official metaverse avatars for its artists.



Source: Engadget – Warner Music Group is building a ‘musical theme park’ in the metaverse

FCC proposes mandatory labels that clearly explain broadband services

Posted on by

The FCC’s voluntary broadband labels might not be quite so voluntary in the future. The FCC has proposed rules requiring point-of-sale labels that clearly illustrate what you’ll get when you sign up with an internet service provider. As before, the labels would include not only prices and speeds, but also data caps, “network management” policies like throttling and other details you’d likely appreciate.

Officials also want to know if the nutrition-style 2016 labels are enough to help customers make informed buying decisions. The Commission is likewise considering new guidance on where ISPs would display these labels.

The proposal comes in response to the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act that President Biden signed into law in November. The law required broadband providers to make “consumer-friendly” labels, tasking the FCC with devising new rules within a year of the Act’s passage.

The labels would theoretically spur competition by making it easier for customers to compare internet services and choose the one that offers the best value. However, they might only be of limited use. Americans are frequently stuck with broadband duopolies, and in some cases monopolies. While that’s improving with the rise of wireless home internet and higher-quality satellite service, many customers won’t have meaningful choices for a long time.



Source: Engadget – FCC proposes mandatory labels that clearly explain broadband services

WhatsApp Gets EU Ultimatum After New Terms Spark Backlash

Posted on by

Meta Platforms’ WhatsApp was given a month to answer European Union concerns over new terms and services that sparked outrage among consumers and privacy campaigners. From a report: WhatsApp must provide “concrete commitments” to address EU concerns about a possible lack of “sufficiently clear information” to users, or the exchange of user data between WhatsApp and third parties, the European Commission said Thursday. “WhatsApp must ensure that users understand what they agree to and how their personal data is used,” EU Justice Commissioner Didier Reynders said in a statement. “I expect from WhatsApp to fully comply with EU rules that protect consumers and their privacy.”

WhatsApp announced the policy changes a year ago, but was forced to delay their introduction until May after a backlash over what data the messaging service collects and how it shares that information with parent Facebook. European consumer association BEUC complained to the EU, saying the new terms and services were opaque. “WhatsApp bombarded users for months with persistent pop-up messages,” BEUC said in reaction to the commission announcement. “WhatsApp has been deliberately vague about this, laying the ground for far-reaching data processing without valid consent from consumers.”

Read more of this story at Slashdot.



Source: Slashdot – WhatsApp Gets EU Ultimatum After New Terms Spark Backlash