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| Add latest posts to home page |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-14-2026, 11:20 PM - Forum: Suggestions
- Replies (1)
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Latest posts to be added to the front page to overview new posts and to instantly be up to date with any added threads.
It's more engaging to see interesting topics, and minimises navigating.
Although categories are structured, users rarely stick to just one topic to go straight to specific discussion category.
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| Windows/Linux - PC OS battle |
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Posted by: burro - 07-14-2026, 08:43 PM - Forum: Science, Technology & Cyber space
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Ok, now that games mostly work on Linux (more for Steam games), the very last app is MS Access that doesn't have many good options to run besides Windows VM.
Some use MS Access to store and manage data, and with Windows updating their T&Cs to own every soul that has it installed.
The rush for user data is behind the scenes agenda to provide quality data about individuals, for overall "security" and "accuracy" on your insurance.
Most times it feels like they're working backwards - data required, how to get it on the system, get users to use it.
Linked in was so good at it, that it seems to be the only reason Microsoft bought them. Now you're linked to people that you talk to digitally even before you add them anywhere.
Meta is in the same pond. They have every cellphone number, and cover by making some business and AI subscriptions.
So a lot of services resort to saying "we may share your data with third party providers", and that pretty much is a wildcard to do whatever they like and when they get caught, they get a parking ticket in fines to pay.
All the concerns above and ongoing squeeze of privacy, alternatives often begin to look more enticing to lift the concerns and move on.
Back to MS Access compatibility issue, looks like instead of waiting for Linux support, it's time to migrate to another application that can do the same job.
The disadvantage with Linux e.g. Ubuntu distro, is that it's often updated to have new look, minor patches, but even one unsuccessful tinkering moment you're left with a brick. So don't jump too far too fast.
Some prefer Fedora and Mint due to their stability. Ubuntu is beginner friendly testing ground that can do everything, but it also depends what you're looking to do if you have to have specific functionality.
As few examples:
- Ubuntu (provider - Canonical) - polished interface and functionality.
- Mint (From Ubuntu LTS, provider - Canonical) - overall just stable OS, the middle ground
- Fedora (provider - Red Hat) - up to date software if you have brand new PC or need latest software
- Ageless (community driven) - removes and forbids any kind of identification that is being introduced by "5 eyes", the countries that are abusing privacy for "security" for the last 2 decades.
- POP_! OS - for designers and gamers
- OpenSuse - more for system management, very flexible configuration, for low powered devices and enterprise hardware.
- Kali - specialized for "senior" Linux guys that work with more than 1 machine and deal with computer security.
- Zorin OS - Windows like behaviour and interface
- ... if you want me to list all 600 distros and what they do - don't hold your breath, because no one knows. It's more of word of mouth and praise of their community that makes them more popular. Just like Mint is a spinoff from Ubuntu, a lot of other distros are based on other distros as well. e.g. Manjaro based on Arch.
So if you're looking for distro, just pick what you do more of. A lot of users are locked with Windows though due to working environment or requirement for software. For everyday use, it's just like using Mac instead of Windows, except instead of spending, you get to use opensource software that doesn't cost a dime.
Due to budget friendly community, you can expect a bit less of a flashy software as well. e.g. Mozilla Thunderbird - it's very flexible, but you must be indifferent to it's look if you don't instinctively go to find a theme. It does have themes, so try them out first thing after setting up your email.
Although, it seems as if everyone has extended knowledge of distros, the reality is that very few professionals have experimented with large number of distros. So if you're looking to test drive a new OS to take advantage of it's light weigh/debloat and speed up your system, just make a choice depending on where you are and what you're looking for out of the box. It makes little difference really, it's mostly the drive e.g. POP_!OS attracts creators. If you begin to have trouble doing something, or some issued are not easy to resolve even with community, then just look up the distro community that solves your issues better - that's why there're so many distros, everyone needs different branches of functionality more in depth.
Technically Linux distros are the same across the board, the only difference is what they have and what their icons and start menu look like. The distro is more of a fashion statement in the PC world rather than major functionality difference, as you can often install what you need. The most that I've seen that makes real difference is the CPU and GPU which require specific support. For older hardware just about any distro should do, newer PCs is where most get caught. e.g. Steam OS (not available for PCs at the moment) mostly supports AMD, while Intel is buggy. So in some cases latest support is more crucial than other features. If you're running system components from before 2023-2024, distros become just a preference of overall feel because hardware support is mostly polished.
If you're new and looking to install Linux on your laptop, then Ubuntu or Mint is likely the best option. If your laptop has something like a fingerprint reader, on Fedora you will need to install it manually, which is not difficult, but not beginner friendly introduction to new OS when your laptop doesn't function in it's entirety, or you may even think OS is not good because it "doesn't have it" and requires tinkering which can take down your new system.
Every computer guy came across tutorials that have at least one questionable directory that prevents you going through the manual installation steps. A folder doesn't exist, or something is in different directory, or you got jdk mixed up with jde. So as a rule it's best to have preconfigured/preinstalled software. That's where "if it's not broken, don't fix it" applies.
So yeah, after using mostly windows, it's not something that wants to provide users with personal choices, the biggest dealbreaker is disregard for privacy that tips users over into Linux. What holds Linux distros is different universe that requires new adaptation by the users or even abandonment of existing software and learning alternatives.
Due to windows being for profit, they're maximizing where they can.
So far in windows we've seen:- MS Store Ads in start menu e.g. candycrush
- "Settings" that supposed to replace Control Panel, does half of what you need.
- MS account requirement for their software
- OneDrive moving your files and uploading it like it owns it creating duplicate directories that you realise only later on that you need to undo
- Then account requirement to start using new PC/laptop
- Bing Wallpaper - could've been made 20 years earlier, with perfect wallpaper views, come June pride - your PC automatically flying flag colours of "minor attracted people"
- Edge - same as Bing wallpaper - an update shows you a "brand new theme to celebrate a spectrum of identities". Such manipulation and influence to use common computer for ideology is likely when the Edge use tanked.
- Preloading of Defender, XBox stuff for some reason, Edge that went from clean and fast to "reward bloatware" copilot, picture viewer, video player, phone connect
- MS Office - subscription only with pretty much discontinued support for offline use
- Right click context menu "loading...", important options hidden under "view more".
Today, in Windows 11, it can take most modern computers with 12 cores and 16GB RAM to open notepad/calculator/task manager or most times even file explorer a few seconds to open.
Windows 7 - as if remastered Win XP, was the last best version we got to use as telemetry started taking off. Vista (before Win 7 ) - bloat test. Win 8 - no comment. Win 10 - testing all the boundaries. Win 11 - breaking all of them.
Microsoft seems to have announced it's K2 project that debloats itself, but at this stage some things are "standard" that you still won't have control over. Definitely excessive telemetry, account linking and user device tracking are there to stay, features of Win 11 with performance of Linux is what they will primarily go for - this version is better for the users and fast, so users won't mind few things staying. So will be worth trying, but it's to keep users, not to exclude what users don't like. All those additions are still part of their explanation to major investors as positive progress and growth.
Microsoft made a promise that Win 10 would be the last OS. They missed out on a massive opportunity to optimize then create good software, e.g. take on Adobe to make alternative software for users, because rotating a PDF shouldn't cost you $20. Mac understood the assignment. Windows relied on purchase of new OS by PC manufacturers and datacentres. We saw attempts with some software, but they went after media e.g. half functioning video player, which has the best functioning free alternative - VLC. It's apparent that their software is supposed to work with OneDrive and cloud storage type of deal.
"We made it better for you even though you didn't ask for it" model doesn't work.
All in all, the space for user choice is splitting and as a user worth considering choices between Win/Linux/iOS for everyday user. - Windows - needs to listen to the users
- Linux - needs a breakthrough for software independence and large use
- iOS - works if your pocket does.
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| Dune: Part Three - Release December 2026 |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 11:10 PM - Forum: Movies
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The movie is not for everyone who cannot adjust to drama taken to sand dunes far far away. But if you give it a go and catch the basics of the drama, it's actually quiet straight forward and easy to understand (except for fictional things that can often remain a mystery which requires an author to explain).
What makes great movies great is that they're written as a story and not just a movie.
If part one and two got you interested, then it's for you.
The part that I missed at first is why they use air snorkels. Well, they're not breathing extra oxygen, they're collecting their own exhaled moisture as an adaptation to the planet's environment meant to reuse majority of their water.
If I would get something stuck up my nostrils, I would lose water through my eyes..
I think Zendaya acts well to not put you out of immersion. The main dude going nuts is questionable, but how else do you bend character behaviour for the plot. Will this be a movie about a guy going nuts, or perseveering for one in a million outcome? - I think that's where the interest lies.
Overall the cast is solid from the start - with popular actors and actresses. Likely very anticipated by ladies, they seem to love this movie franchise for it's emotional rollecoaster. For guys, it's likely slightly insane how characters lose themselves, but the original writer of "Dune (1969)" is a guy (Frank Herbert), so it still makes sense to watch. Although there's 20+ books of "dune universe" so this is by far not the last part, this is hollywood's "Fast and Furious" moment.
- My anticipation 6/10 - keen to watch something different and already familiar.
- Production is 10/10, so definetely immersive type of movie which works with the flow of storytelling. Production guys are gold while acting and directing gets the credit.
- Logic - it's not that type of movie. Dragonfly helicopters are fine.
- Not a chick flick anymore, this is serious - guy got bald.
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| GPT 5.6 Sol - 9 July 2026 |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 10:05 PM - Forum: Artificial Intelligence
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OpenAI just released new verison - GPT 5.6 "Luna", "Tera" and "Sol".
They are 3 variations that differ with increased capabilities in the same order.
Sol is promising to make use of multiple agents to separately process requirements that have the same goal. e.g. aimed at developers who need to write code, design interface and manage databases. As any AI, it can be used for general question/answer.
It's yet a new frontier of AI. When using Sol, it spins up agents that breakdown large tasks into smaller steps. This helps with precision and quality of answers. As well as the new problem - it can sometimes do "more than asked". So when you write a prompt without specifisity, it will think deeply about what you need and what could be missing and take it upon itself to implement extra work and results.
Thinking models were created just for that, to try and clear up ambiguity, then act from "clarified" parameters - finishing thoughts on your behalf.
Now that the world is hooked on AI and can't affrd it monthly, you can get your bill for the usage: - Sol million tokens in - $5 / $30 out
- Terra million tokens in - $2.50 / $15 out
- Luna million tokens in $1 / $6 out
This release of GPT was available only to vetted users thorugh Open AI on July 9th, as they don't want it to be in the wrong hands from the get go. And with a slow rollout some users are starting to see the model available in their UI.
Also such changes to AI now seem to require government approval to make sure it doesn't cause damage, and is restricted enough to be used by the public.
Some optimization was done to make it respond faster with less compute.
While OpenAI is making progress making universal type of AI tool, Deepseek is not too far behind. Flagship models can now cache prompts to save tokens, and keep previous context in mind to know your preferences better, so now you really need to be careful what you share with your artificial companion.
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| South Korean noodles |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 05:37 PM - Forum: Food & Drinks
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Has anyone else come across "Samyang Buldak" noodles out of nowhere and gave it a try?
Somehow completely Korean packaging ended up on the shelves, with pretty enticing packaging that promises some taste other than chicken flavoured salt.
- First time trying - empties the packet, waits for it, tries it, ends up blowing in tissues.
- Second time - put less spices
- Third time - entire packet is actually better for taste, I will keep tissues nearby
That was my experience with them. But at some stage I came across information that it contains so much sodium, that regular consumption gives people kidneystones.
Something that turns you yellow, gives you back pain and requires a doctor's visit - maybe not a great product to indulge in.
Tasty though. What other nice and spicy "everyday" meals that would be good to try?
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| Gatekeeping health |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 05:22 PM - Forum: Medical & Pharma
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Thinking on what to make the first post here, but little comes to mind because breakthroughs that are announced are rarely made public or fail to make considerable change if it cannot sell 10000% of it's value.
- mRNA vaccines - they promise the world, if they don't clot you up. Taken too lightly on what it is. It literally circumvents body functions to demand body reaction.
- cancer vaccines - now that few countries came out making progress, they will be competing who says they can do more. Final product coming right after fusion reactors.
- off topic related: fusion reactors - energy plant research started in 1932, scientists still say "coming soon, in about 30 years" for the last 90 years.
- tooth enamel regeneration - in human trials, TBA 2027
- something about reversing aging - very likely all companies bought out 100 times and got handed new NDA's
What's cooking in other bat labs - everything that we don't want probably.
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| Let's start small - it's Friday |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 05:10 PM - Forum: Uplifting & Good News
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Fortunately or unfortunately it's the day to look forward to where demands mostly stop for 2 days.
Busy individuals in their flow don't notice a change.
Weather is looking good for the weekend. Time to make some plans and go shopping for things.
A lightbulb went out that I need to replace, catch up on personal chores, and re-energize.
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| Category descriptions |
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Posted by: Sapere - 07-10-2026, 05:01 PM - Forum: Suggestions
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Category descriptions were updated to be more post welcoming.
Recommendations for specific change are welcome, even the order of topics.
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