In this episode, Garry meets his hero, John Wayne and Lucille Ball. Tom tells the story of the lengths the “suits” will go to make sure that Dan Rather’s IFB would never accidentally get unplugged! Topic of the week? Suits…. Read More ›
Technology
SEARCHING FOR YOU
A New Search Engine, by Rich Paschall You can probably name the most popular search engines but might be surprised to learn there are over a dozen USA-owned search engines. When you start adding in others from around the world,… Read More ›
THE INTERCONNECTNESS OF THINGS
The late great Douglas Adams (who shared my birthday, March 11th — I’m sure that means something, but I have no idea what) created a character that I dearly love. Dirk Gently (also known by a number of other names, including… Read More ›
SITTING AND THINKING
The Morning Dawdler – 1-29-2023 I realize that Robbie doesn’t have AI. Instead, he has a battery and some kind of recording device. But I like him anyway, my all time favorite robot. Should we fear the arrival of more… Read More ›
SELF-GENERATING AIs?
Fandango’s Provocative Question #198 Unless AI “brains” suddenly develop an ability to grow intelligence beyond what was built into them, it won’t happen. That being said, it doesn’t mean they won’t take over huge sections of writing currently held by live… Read More ›
“I LOVE YOU”: THE VIRUS
There are memories that make us happy and then there are memories we’d just as soon forget. This is one I had managed to forget until a friend reminded me why I don’t have any of my early digital photographs…. Read More ›
HEY WHAT’S HAPPENING?
My nemesis, Charter-Spectrum has decided we need to return the ancient dead modem we had. The only problem? The technician took it when he left. Why they want it is baffling. It’s more than a dozen years old and it… Read More ›
SPAMS OF THE WEEK
Spam Comment of the Week — Week 49 2022 I got two that are high-level gibberish. I swear these are all “composed” by the same illiterate writing team. I’m impressed, I mudt say. Seldom do I encounter ablog that’s equally educative… Read More ›
YOU GOTTA WONDER
Garry had to go to his audio-hearing check up today. I didn’t think they’d even let me in because I’ve been sick and even though I don’t think I’m contagious — or ever was — no one will take a… Read More ›
FINALLY, A MODEM THAT WORKS
We said we needed a new modem. Charter said we didn’t. I finally convinced someone in the tech department to at least make sure the guy came with a new one loaded on the truck. Voila! It took a little… Read More ›
MADNESS I TELL YOU, IT’S MADNESS
I just spent the past couple of hours trying to find out why the technician from Spectrum/Charter didn’t show up. Why they have a phone number under my name that was disconnected more than 15 years ago. As far as… Read More ›
ELECTION, FEVER & AGGRAVATION
No, it’s not a fever about the election. It’s an actual fever, which I never run. I can’t even figure out why I’m running a fever. It’s like fever is the only symptom. Maybe it really is the election. This… Read More ›
HOW EASY IS IT TO GET CAUGHT IN A SCAM?
A simple little email from a friend asking for a favor involving a couple of hundred dollars. Except that when you read it again you realize that the signature isn’t his usual signature — and he says he’s traveling, but… Read More ›
PRINTERS AND WHY I HATE THEM
This is not new. I hated copy machines first because we had copy machines before we had personal printers. Once we “advanced” from dot-matrix to laser and/or inkjet printers, I really started to hate them. If you are a child… Read More ›
RECHARGING MY WORLD
Everything — or nearly everything — runs on batteries. Rechargeable batteries. Laptops, tablets, Kindles, mobile phones, headphones, cameras, mouses (mice have fur and make squeaky noises while mouses attach to your computer), GPS, clocks, flashlights, remote controls, electric razors, tooth cleaning… Read More ›
MEMORY LIGHTS THE CORNERS OF MY PHONE
Hello Moto, by Rich Paschall As early as the fall of 2020 I was thinking that I should buy or replace everything I need before I retire. In other words, I should get what I need while I was still… Read More ›
SERENDIPITY: SEEKING INTELLIGENT LIFE ON EARTH 