Meta Quest Pro may have a competitor with the unnamed HTC product.

Meta Quest Pro may have a competitor with the unnamed HTC product.

As much as I want clear glass AR, pass thru (camera) AR may be the standard for a while.

https://gizmodo.com/htc-meta-quest-pro-render-design-price-release-vr-ces-1849904437

One of the best compliments I get from Co-workers is being told, “my code is simple”. It means it is easy to understand, maintain, modify and work with!

 One of the best compliments I get from Co-workers is being told, “my code is simple”. It means it is easy to understand, maintain, modify and work with!

If Simple offends you, use the term “Elegant”. Unfortunately, complicated sells better.

https://eugeneyan.com/writing/simplicity/

Thank you to Mark Lucking for the incredibly well-done article on using RealityKit!

Thank you to Mark Lucking for the incredibly well-done article on using RealityKit!

Mark shows us how to move from SceneKit into Augmented Reality.

https://betterprogramming.pub/build-a-3d-chess-with-swiftui-and-realitykit-43d84095e46

Many people think Augmented Reality devices are coming and will be impressive, but it may take longer than you wish.

Many people think Augmented Reality devices are coming and will be impressive, but it may take longer than you wish.

Sadly, Magic Leap may be right. We may have suitable AR capabilities within five years, but we may not have socially acceptable AR by then.

https://www.zdnet.com/article/immersive-ar-for-consumers-is-five-or-so-years-away-says-magic-leap-ceo/

Christmas Tech Humor

Christmas Tech Humor

He’s making a Database.

He’s sorting it twice.

SELECT * from contacts WHERE

behavior = ‘nice’

SQL Clause is coming to town!

The hot topic of the month is ChatGPT, so let’s hear Jean-Louis Gassée's take on this.

The hot topic of the month is ChatGPT, so let’s hear Jean-Louis Gassée's take on this.

You have to admire watching ChatGPT being used to write a serious argument against ChatGPT. Yes, there is a fallacy in that logic. 

https://mondaynote.com/chatgpt-its-nothing-you-dont-need-it-and-we-ll-have-it-in-six-months-b26c20f1669b

For those interested, I will be giving two advanced laser classes at NovaLabs in January.

For those interested, I will be giving two advanced laser classes at NovaLabs in January.

On the 26th, I will be teaching a hands-on class on engraving Ceramics, Glass, Mirrors & Tiles.

https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-5080247

For those interested, I will be teaching two advanced laser classes at NovaLabs in January.

For those interested, I will be teaching two advanced laser classes at NovaLabs in January.

On the 18th, I will be giving a Lecture on advanced techniques, with an overview of exotic materials.

https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-5082103

The family and I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

 The family and I wish everyone a wonderful Christmas!

Here is a gift from my creative wife to enjoy.

Tech & Tea Humor

Did you know there is actually an IEEE Standards document on how to brew the perfect cup of tea? Look up ISO 3103. Yes, Techies take our tea seriously.

Q: What do teapots eat on their snack break?

A: Kettle chips, of course.

For the first time since COVID, I will be giving one of my historical beverage talks on the History of Tea at NovaLabs makers group in February.

 For the first time since COVID, I will be giving one of my historical beverage talks on the History of Tea at NovaLabs makers group in February.

For those who never tried Tea, this is a great way to try out different types. For those who already love Tea, come learn more. For a coffee drinker, come over to the other side, and try the most popular drink in the world. And for anyone who loves history, please join us and have fun!

https://portal.nova-labs.org/event-5077633

Once electric cars were a valid option, then things changed.

Once electric cars were a valid option, then things changed.

This article explains how the use of electric cars in 1900 disappeared, and it is too simple to say gas cars used unfair business practices.

https://ethical.net/transport/we-had-electric-cars-in-1900-then-this-happened/

I wish Apple would release more videos like this, showing how tech can be used now and in the future to improve one's life.

I wish Apple would release more videos like this, showing how tech can be used now and in the future to improve one's life.

Many people, including myself, were inspired by the original “Knowledge Navigator” videos of 1987.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/stevenaquino/2022/11/30/apple-releases-accessibility-centric--short-film-the-greatest-highlighting-disability-in-tech/

The Greatest Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8sX9IEHWRJ8

Youtube Channel “Data is Beautiful” gives us a, well, a beautifully animated timeline of the most popular messaging apps for the past 20+ years.

Youtube Channel “Data is Beautiful” gives us a, well, a beautifully animated timeline of the most popular messaging apps for the past 20+ years.

It is interesting to see old friends arrive and then disappear into the dust of digital history. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yg06i23MXss

Saturday Tech Humor

Q: Why was the Swift code unhappy?

A: Because it didn’t have any Closure.

Apple announced its pick for best app of the year, and #1 is a photo-sharing app for friends.

Apple announced its pick for best app of the year, and #1 is a photo-sharing app for friends.

Look at the list; these are all good Apps with great, refined features, but not new ideas. Innovation in design is good, but we need innovation in use too.

https://apps.apple.com/us/story/id1647007359

This new software algorithm can now play Stratego, previously Human only game.

This new software algorithm can now play Stratego, previously Human only game.

This is significant because Stratego is different; the game involves partial knowledge (fog of war), which was previously difficult to compute.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/ai-stratego/

They are not moving production back to the US, but Apple may move it out of China to other Asian countries.

They are not moving production back to the US, but Apple may move it out of China to other Asian countries.

Reliability in manufacturing is more important than cost, and having only one source is always bad.

https://apple.slashdot.org/story/22/12/04/0130214/apple-makes-plans-to-move-production-out-of-china

UI Guru Don Norman’s think tank has released a study on mobile usability testing of Augmented Reality.

UI Guru Don Norman’s think tank has released a study on mobile usability testing of Augmented Reality.

One of the takeaways, testers consistently “shared their excitement about immersive educational AR stories.”

https://www.nngroup.com/articles/ar-ux-guidelines/

Tesla 18-wheel cab is shipping (limited).

Tesla 18-wheel cab is shipping (limited). 

Do they have recharge infrastructure yet? You can’t park it at a normal Tesla spot. I am sure this thing has massive video camera/sensors, so central seating sort of make sense,

https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/business/tesla-semi-pepsi/index.html

Saturday Tech Humor

 <sign outside computer lab>

Please Do Not Eat In the Computer Lab

The ants will get in, and learn HTML, and get too smart, and knowledge is power, but power corrupts to they; turn evil and start hacking people.

(I have seen this movie!)

Thanks to this article by Mark Lucking on coding SwiftUI to generate ASCII art.

Thanks to this article by Mark Lucking on coding SwiftUI to generate ASCII art.

Years before Desktop publishing was available, the main form of computer art was strictly ASCII images. The Mr. Spock image was on the computer lab wall for years!

https://betterprogramming.pub/code-your-own-ascii-art-with-swiftui-bf76bb8cfe83

Of these 11 programming languages, I can say I actively programmed in 5. No, I won’t say which ones.

Of these 11 programming languages, I can say I actively programmed in 5. No, I won’t say which ones.

Yes, it is time to retire some of them, but they should also be noted for their advantages and use.

https://medium.com/@SiliconJelly/are-these-11-programming-languages-still-alive-a51a2f280591

Can it feel both ridiculous and exciting at the same time?

Can it feel both ridiculous and exciting at the same time?

Yeah, I will go to see it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8KPHYPImcmE

A 4-day work week trial was so successful that most companies involved are staying with it.

A 4-day work week trial was so successful that most companies involved are staying with it.

My only decision would be if a three-day weekend or mid-week day off would be better.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/11/30/business/4-day-work-week-results/index.html

An interesting evaluation of why this casual game has become so successful.

An interesting evaluation of why this casual game has become so successful.

The entwining of a mystery story within a fairly common merge game has made a hit.

https://www.apptamin.com/blog/merge-mansion-and-grandmas-secrets-why-is-it-so-effective%E2%8E%AE-case-study/

Yes, this is illegal to use. Question, is it illegal to make? Or to sell?

Yes, this is illegal to use. Question, is it illegal to make? Or to sell?

This very 007 like license plate flipper makes me chuckle, then wonder.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1KMhqC_drpU

The failures and finally successes of Makers Jake Laser attempt to make a true flying Iron Man suit.

The failures and finally successes of Makers Jake Laser attempt to make a true flying Iron Man suit.

It took him years, and a ridiculous amount of money, but he succeeded using garage level technology.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vSGaCew0xh8

I have a new definition for “Missing the Boat.” Saturday was the 6th Annual Virtual Reality Day, with talks and seminars. I spent the day playing with swords at a medieval event.

I have a new definition for “Missing the Boat.” Saturday was the 6th Annual Virtual Reality Day, with talks and seminars. I spent the day playing with swords at a medieval event.

Luckily for me, the talks are all available to watch online.

https://virtualrealityday.org

As a friend said, "What the hail?" An immersive experience of a storm in a spa pool, complete with rain and thunder.

As a friend said, "What the hail?" An immersive experience of a storm in a spa pool, complete with rain and thunder.

Lay in the water, and enjoy the storm's power with shower and wall-size projector screens.

https://www.youtube.com/shorts/R7ogHZhTFZA

Original article: https://www.independent.ie/videos/italian-day-spa-simulates-bathing-inside-a-lightning-storm-41912298.html

A bit of Silicon Valley history, there used to be a helicopter commuter service from here to SF.

A bit of Silicon Valley history, there used to be a helicopter commuter service from here to SF.

As a little kid, I watched dad board the computer in Sunnyvale as the first leg of a business trip. I thought it was so cool.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/San_Francisco_and_Oakland_Helicopter_Airlines

Ads from this service: http://www.timetableimages.com/ttimages/oh.htm

Saturday Tech Humor

If you have never seen John Atkinson's work, you are in for a treat!

I especially love the historical ones. And the techie ones too.

https://worldtravelling.com/john-atkinsons-funny-and-witty-webtoons/25/

Artemis mission uses the first super-size booster in decades, but how does it compare to the original Saturn V?

Artemis mission uses the first super-size booster in decades, but how does it compare to the original Saturn V?

The Space Launch System is not as tall as the old Saturn V, but it launches nearly double the tanager to the moon.

https://www.fox35orlando.com/news/how-sls-nasas-new-mega-moon-rocket-compares-to-apollo-era-saturn-v

One of the advantages of no longer working at Meta is the ability to start any VR/AR & UI open-source projects.

One of the advantages of no longer working at Meta is the ability to start any VR/AR & UI open-source projects. 

Soon you will see a number of these. 

To start, would anyone like to join us on a SwiftUI project, modeled after the old MacApp code base, to make it easier to create professional-level (similar to iWorks) macOS & iOS apps? So far, we have 3 people on the project.

Supercars, both in price and performance, may turn to electric.

Supercars, both in price and performance, may turn to electric.

I would pay to drive this once, but not to buy it.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/28/business/pininfarina-battista-review/index.html

Electronics ran the Digital Revolution, but it didn’t have to be.

Electronics ran the Digital Revolution, but it didn’t have to be.

I once designed logic circuits (AND, OR, NOT gates) using air power and a lot of tubing. I was thinking of Steampunk computers.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QrkiJZKJfpY

Forget Bitcoins invest in nerd comics! This 1967 first Star Trek Comic just sold for $45,600.00.

Forget Bitcoins invest in nerd comics! This 1967 first Star Trek Comic just sold for $45,600.00.

Someone else calculate the compound interest needed to increase a 12 cent investment 38,000,000%.

https://comics.ha.com/itm/silver-age-1956-1969-/star-trek-1-gold-key-1967-cgc-nm-96-white-pages/a/40208-81416.s

You don’t have to have high-speed ride, or any ride, to create a wonderful amusement park.

You don’t have to have high-speed ride, or any ride, to create a wonderful amusement park.

My family & I would enjoy a day immersed in the worlds of Studio Ghibli.  

https://www.cnn.com/videos/travel/2022/10/31/japan-ghibli-studio-amusement-park-opens-cprog-orig-nb.cnn

 

Saturday Tech Humor

 Saturday Tech Humor

Meta has moved from Java to Kotlin, for many good justifications.

 Meta has moved from Java to Kotlin, for many good justifications.

As much as I love Swift, the many platforms that use Kotlin is the reason I am currently learning it.

https://engineering.fb.com/2022/10/24/android/android-java-kotlin-migration/

This article explains it! I am attractive to the wrong sorts of critters.

This article explains it! I am attractive to the wrong sorts of critters.

I am right now on the beach, suffering from dozen of bites.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/22/world/mosquito-bite-attraction-smell-scn-trnd/index.html

I am humbled by the number of people reaching out after I explained that Meta had laid me off.

I am humbled by the number of people reaching out after I explained that Meta had laid me off. Thank you for all the positive thoughts and attention.  Let me reassure everyone that while I am disappointed, I am not devastated by this change in our lives.  Give me a couple of days, and I will be out searching for a new adventure.  Thank you again!

How do I start this letter?

How do I start this letter? I am one of the unfortunates at Meta who has been selected for the layoffs. I had hoped to create great ideas and products here but will have to look elsewhere for this. I still believe in the company's goals and have wanted to work on more releases from them, but the downturn in the tech industry has removed my current chance at this. All the people at Meta have been excellent, and I was with them for too short a time.

Onward to the next Adventure!

This is a bit different, one oversized monitor, but folding vertically.

This is a bit different, one oversized monitor, but folding vertically.

It saves desktop space and gives you two surfaces to look at.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/16/23308009/geminos-folding-monitor-kickstarter-mobile-pixels

A hand is not the only way to grasp something, as seen by this tentacled-style robot.

A hand is not the only way to grasp something, as seen by this tentacled-style robot.

I especially like how someone had to think outside the box to develop these ideas!

https://youtu.be/SayuM8E_WaQ

Pop Sci Article: https://www.popsci.com/technology/harvard-tentacle-robot/

For the foreseeable future, I am going to pull back from my Daily Tech Blog

For the foreseeable future, I am going to pull back from my Daily Tech Blog. I will continue to post occasionally on the areas that interest me (Apple, VR, Programming, Science, Humor), but I will no longer follow a daily posting. In truth, since I started my new job, I have been late more often than on time. Feeding this daily posting was a way for me to keep current on technology, and there are other ways to do that. 

I had not realized that exoplanetary geology was an option when I was in college.

I had not realized that exoplanetary geology was an option when I was in college.

The team is creating a "library of composition" of possible exoplanet surfaces based on the James Webb Space Telescope date. And the are creating Lava with it!

https://www.popsci.com/science/synthetic-alien-lava-exoplanets/

Ps. Apple spell checker choked on "exoplanetary".  Shame on it!

Saturday Tech Humor

Satan: Welcome to hell, the WiFi password is…

Me: Wait! You have Wifi?

Satan: Of course.

Me: Well, that not so bad then.

Satan: As I was saying, the WiFi password is Pi.

Alex "Foxicorn" Nekrasov provides good reasons to use Cocoapoad over Swift Package Manager.

Alex "Foxicorn" Nekrasov provides good reasons to use Cocoapoad over Swift Package Manager.

Even now, CocoaPods does seem to be more customizable. And it does not require stable Internet.

https://blog.foxicorn.com/why-cocoapods-is-still-a-thing-in-2022-b1478f03852

Folks who are used to subclass objects and calling super.init() first, will learn things may be different with Swift.

Folks who are used to subclass objects and calling super.init() first, will learn things may be different with Swift.

Dinesh Kumar gives us a good breakdown of how it works.

https://medium.com/@dineshk1389/swift-why-super-init-is-called-after-setting-all-self-properties-d6827e9f4eb2

Thanks to John Sundell for his article on using SwiftUI stack views.

 Thanks to John Sundell for his article on using SwiftUI stack views.

I like John’s idea of “a DynamicStack view that dynamically switches between an HStack and a VStack depending on the current context.”

https://www.swiftbysundell.com/articles/switching-between-swiftui-hstack-vstack/

When will I grow tired of looking at the Stars? The day I die.

When will I grow tired of looking at the Stars? The day I die.

The James Webb Space telescope is giving us essential complex scientific data. Along with some simply beautiful images.

https://www.popsci.com/science/skeleton-galaxy-james-webb-space-telescope/

40%-60% of Naval aviation may soon become unmanned, according to this Popular Science article.

40%-60% of Naval aviation may soon become unmanned, according to this Popular Science article.

The success of the Navy's Stingray tanker drone seems to have sped up development and deployment.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/navy-carriers-robot-planes/

Personal Side note: 

A few friends know that I was a Navy Midshipman at UC Berkeley, intending to become a Navy Pilot with expertise in Computers. During these years, the officers and the students often talked about future development, including the possibility of entirely computer-controlled planes. The advantages were staggering. Most aircraft performance is limited by the endurance of the Pilot, both in G-factors in turns and length of time in the plane. Removing the cockpit, with its life support, visual avionics, ejector seat, and other human-required equipment would radically change the aircraft's weight. We could even bring back single jet planes for some missions since the Pilot's life is no longer an issue  (the duel-engined plane is the policy when flying over water). While we agreed there were significant advantages, we thought that an AI pilot would be significantly limiting in a combat environment. In a perfect mission, they might work great, but when the mission goes sideways, the AI would have difficulty adapting. Adapting is one of the most human abilities.

We completely missed the idea of remotely controlled drones being possible in combat scenarios. The concept of the perfect radio remote control being worldwide, unjammable, and not being detectable by the enemy was outside our imaginations. Boy, did we miss the boat on that one.

Being young midshipmen, we possibly also missed the idea of remote drones being used for non-combat missions. Yeah, we were all going into fighters. In reality, drones are perfect for supply delivery, refueling, surveyance, and more.

Not precisely human speed records, but the 100-yard dash in 26 seconds is a new high mark for robots.

Not precisely human speed records, but the 100-yard dash in 26 seconds is a new high mark for robots.

Bit by bit, the robot bipedal locomotion problem is being solved. This will have a big impact is general robot use.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/robot-new-guinness-world-record-100m-dash/

Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DdojWYOK0Nc

Alex "Foxicorn" Nekrasov admits most Swift developers are already using some of these Swift features, but are they using them all?

Alex "Foxicorn" Nekrasov admits most Swift developers are already using some of these Swift features, but are they using them all?

This is a good list for new Swift programmers and to keep experienced developers up to date.

https://betterprogramming.pub/cool-swift-features-that-rarely-used-ea8eee870f16

Saturday Tech Humor

Software engineering is the art of turning user input into error messages

Last week was the 11th anniversary of Steve Jobs's passing.

Last week was the 11th anniversary of Steve Jobs's passing.

Jean-Louis Gassée shared what that means to some.

 https://mondaynote.com/remembering-steve-jobs-6f44f3567040

This article is an interesting Intellectual Property case with obvious applications in the Computer Industry.

This article is an interesting Intellectual Property case with obvious applications in the Computer Industry.

How much do you have to change an original work into a new media & style for it to be Fair Use?

https://www.cnn.com/2022/10/12/politics/andy-warhol-prince-supreme-court/index.html

In case you missed the Meta Connect event, here are the major announcements.

In case you missed the Meta Connect event, here are the major announcements.

Obviously, Quest Pro is the primary product, but there are some software items in the future.

https://tech.fb.com/ar-vr/2022/10/meta-connect-2022-keynote-recap-quest-pro/

I now work for a Terrorist Group? According to Russia, I am.

I now work for a Terrorist Group? According to Russia, I am.

Allowing people to condemn a Russian invasion of another country is a Terrorist act in Russia. Enough said. 

https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-63218095

Ok, this is not tech, but I had to post it. The History Guy gives us a great talk on Captain Kangaroo!

Ok, this is not tech, but I had to post it. The History Guy gives us a great talk on Captain Kangaroo!

Good Morning, Captain, AKA Bob Kesshan, was my morning show growing up. And he is still beloved.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hDUEEqJer9k

Talk about unforeseen ramifications. Apple’s safety feature to provide Emergency services during an accident goes off on Amusement park rides.

Talk about unforeseen ramifications. Apple’s safety feature to provide Emergency services during an accident goes off on Amusement park rides.

You can see why, but still, it is funny.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/9/23395222/iphone-14-calling-911-rollercoasters-apple-crash-detection

I can’t get enough of these crazy Help Desk tickets.

I can’t get enough of these crazy Help Desk tickets.

When I call the Help Desk, I sometimes wonder if they are laughing at me. I wouldn’t blame them.

https://www.spiceworks.com/it-articles/funny-help-desk-tickets-part-2/

Side note: Ages ago, I spent a couple of years working for Apple in Chicago for Field Service. Among other tasks, we provided tech support to Apple Certified Dealers. Yes, Apple Stores did not exist then. We tried very hard not to have it happen, but once in a while, a customer would bypass the dealers, the people who were supposed to support the customer and get through to our hotline. Then we had the joy of dealing with someone the Dealers usually had given up on. One day, I was stuck on the phone with one such end user. I forget his problem, but I remember I was stuck on the phone with him for over an hour. I finally completed the call, slammed the phone down, and yelled loudly, “The Only Good End User Is A Dead End User”. Unluckily, or luckily, my boss was walking past my cubical when I said this, looked at me and told me to take the rest of the afternoon off. He was an intelligent boss.

Combine one of the most impressive Halloween-decorated houses with an illuminated drone swarm, and you get this show.

Combine one of the most impressive Halloween-decorated houses with an illuminated drone swarm, and you get this show.

I am tempted to travel to California just to see it!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0eHQe2KY3U

Tech Humor

Todays Thoughts

1) A bug in the code is worth two in the documentation.

2) A computer's attention span is as long as its power cord.

3) A computer scientist is someone who fixes things that aren't broken.

4) Adding manpower to a late software project makes it later.

“The Story of the Colecovision, What Could Have Been!”

“The Story of the Colecovision, What Could Have Been!”

How did a Leather company became such a computer game pioneer?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pkKKBgBXYSI

Visualizing software structure as a graph has become easier with this tool.

Visualizing software structure as a graph has become easier with this tool.

Thanks to the author i.vikas, for explaining SwiftPlantUMLApp.

https://medium.com/@i.vikas/understanding-swift-code-using-diagrams-2da538240034

SwiftPlantUML Repository: https://github.com/MarcoEidinger/SwiftPlantUML-Xcode-Extension

SwiftPlantUML Home-brew: https://formulae.brew.sh/cask/swiftplantumlapp

The best way I know to understand Swift’s keywords SOME & ANY is to look at good examples.

The best way I know to understand Swift’s keywords SOME & ANY is to look at good examples.

John Sundell's article has some great examples.

https://www.swiftbysundell.com/articles/referencing-generic-protocols-with-some-and-any-keywords/

Two robots, the Bumble C and Optimus, take stage at Tesla AI Day.

Two robots, the Bumble C and Optimus, take stage at Tesla AI Day.

Elon Musk predicts that similar robots coast will be around $20,000.  Less than most cars.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/teslas-ai-day-optimus/

Yeah, I was a bit late with my tech postings this past week.

Yeah, I was a bit late with my tech postings this past week.

I will strive to do better.

You have heard the phrase “her outfit looked sprayed on”; in this case, it was true.

You have heard the phrase “her outfit looked sprayed on”; in this case, it was true.

Some facinating technology at the Paris Fashion Week has people talking.

https://www.cnn.com/style/article/bella-hadid-coperni-spray-on-dress/index.html

Two cases before the Supreme Court will significantly impact the use of Social Media and Free Speech.

Two cases before the Supreme Court will significantly impact the use of Social Media and Free Speech.

There is a reason a Computer Science Degree at GMU requires a Computer Law class.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/10/3/23385019/supreme-court-grants-petitions-google-twitter-section-230-terrorism

Thanks to Emanuel Trandafir for this peek into the early days of computer art.

Thanks to Emanuel Trandafir for this peek into the early days of computer art.

“convert an image into ASCII characters with Python” says it all!

https://levelup.gitconnected.com/how-to-convert-an-image-to-ascii-art-with-python-in-5-steps-efbac8996d5e

Saturday Tech Humor

“We had someone ask us if we could ‘download the internet’ so that we could still use it just in case there was an outage.”

Here are other TRUE stories from the Help Desk.

https://www.spiceworks.com/it-articles/funny-help-desk-tickets/

Apple // Forever was an Event in SF during pre-Mac days, highlighting the introduction of the Apple //c.

Apple // Forever was an Event in SF during pre-Mac days, highlighting the introduction of the Apple //c.

I remember most about the event: I crashed it (long story), and there was an Earthquake while in the recently finished underground Moscone Center.

https://apple.fandom.com/wiki/Apple_II_Forever

Here is an interesting argument against total Unit Tests coverage by Luigi Kapaj.

Here is an interesting argument against total Unit Tests coverage by Luigi Kapaj.

I agree that Unit Tests are not always needed or appropriate, but the rest will require some debating.

https://medium.com/avenue-8/the-case-against-unit-tests-b4239b5c4074

High tech is high tech, even in the 13th Century.

High tech is high tech, even in the 13th Century.

Being a medieval reenactor, I knew about Treadmill Cranes but have never seen one in operation.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pk9v3m7Slv8

I agree, I agree, I agree.

I agree, I agree, I agree.

When I went back to get my BS & MS ten years ago, there were more women in my classes than men. Why am I not seeing more of them?

https://www-bbc-co-uk.cdn.ampproject.org/c/s/www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-63033078.amp

I am not going to put any comments before this post. Just read the article by Meta VP Nick Clegg!

I am not going to put any comments before this post. Just read the article by Meta VP Nick Clegg!

https://nickclegg.medium.com/data-what-it-is-what-it-isnt-and-how-misunderstanding-it-is-fracturing-the-internet-e56e278643a7

James Earl Jones has officially retired from Star Wars, but the electronic version of his voice will live on.

James Earl Jones has officially retired from Star Wars, but the electronic version of his voice will live on.

Voice AI company Respeecher will create his voice for all future projects. Possibly for decades, so electronic immortality!

https://screenrant.com/star-wars-james-earl-jones-darth-vader-retirement/

France outlaws free shipping for internet product, and requires a min of 3 euro shipping cost.

France outlaws free shipping for internet product, and requires a min of 3 euro shipping cost.

I agree that Amazon has become a powerful Internet giant, with possibly to much power, but this is not the solution.

https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/23/23368219/france-minimum-book-delivery-fee-booksellers-amazon-competition

Saturday Tech Joke

Best definition of Autocorrect

It helps if you imagine auto correct as a tiny little elf in your phone who’s trying so hard to be helpful but is in fact quite drunk.

Virtual reality artist Anna Zhilyaeva creates a VR portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II

Virtual reality artist Anna Zhilyaeva creates a VR portrait of the late Queen Elizabeth II

Thank you Anna for sharing this work.

https://www.linkedin.com/posts/annadreambrush_queenelizabeth-queenelizabethii-rip-activity-6974002416031539201-nKcS

Watch the video of a bike with two half wheels!

Watch the video of a bike with two half wheels!

Never tell an engineer that something can’t be done. Better yet, do tell them, so they do it anyway!

https://interestingengineering.com/video/youtuber-bike-two-half-wheels

Direct link to videohttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PX3A7GLtFqM

I am not ready to give up Protocols, but these alternatives are fascinating.

I am not ready to give up Protocols, but these alternatives are fascinating.

Closures, Generics, Enums & Classes, used in a different way.

https://www.swiftbysundell.com/articles/alternatives-to-protocols-in-swift/

Read Digest doesn’t exactly scream high tech, but I think this list of Email Etiquette was surprisingly useful.

Read Digest doesn’t exactly scream high tech, but I think this list of Email Etiquette was surprisingly useful.

Every new form of human interaction calls for new manners, but this takes time.

https://www.rd.com/list/email-etiquette/

Current appearance of Hanger One, Moffitt Field, Sunnyvale, CA.

Current appearance of Hanger One, Moffitt Field, Sunnyvale, CA.

 

After posting photos of my recent visit to Hanger One at Moffett Field, I been asked who is in charge of the repair: the answer is Google.

After posting photos of my recent visit to Hanger One at Moffett Field, I been asked who is in charge of the repair: the answer is Google.

The skeleton appearance of the dirigible hangers is due to the decontamination requirements. They will be covering shortly.

https://www.mercurynews.com/2015/03/31/google-takes-over-aging-moffett-field-and-its-airship-hangars/

Anupam Chugh has been posting a series of articles on Apple Machine Learning APIs, well worth reviewing!

Anupam Chugh has been posting a series of articles on Apple Machine Learning APIs, well worth reviewing!

Computer Vision, Core ML, Reality Kit, Natural Language; these are all bleeding edge technologies.

https://anupamchugh.medium.com/ml-and-ai-in-ios-my-series-of-articles-8519a080cd59

Saturday Tech Humor

I was having trouble with my internet connection at the farm, so I moved my modem to the barn. Now I have stable wifi.

What do you call the device that controls the bells in Norte Dame? Quasi-modem

In order to understand recursion you must first understand recursion. (Ok, that one was cheap).

Jean-Louis Gassée speculates that Apple will switch from a computing company to a service one.

Jean-Louis Gassée speculates that Apple will switch from a computing company to a service one.

He points out that most of the speculated “Next Big Things” people are talking about probably won’t happen.

https://mondaynote.com/apples-next-big-thing-a-business-model-change-e9b0145500c9

You have to admire people who keep trying to do the impossible. Even when it is impossible.

You have to admire people who keep trying to do the impossible. Even when it is impossible.

There is plenty of energy around, we just need to learn how to harness the unused bits (thermal, tide, wind).

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JPw58clq9EQ

i.vikas explains Swift Attributes; both Declaration Attributes & Type Attributes.

i.vikas explains Swift Attributes; both Declaration Attributes & Type Attributes.

Specific attributes appear all over modern Swift apps, so it is a good idea how they can affect the code.

https://medium.com/@i.vikas/improve-code-readability-and-efficiency-by-using-attributes-in-swift-5843ed2440e0

3.5 Inch Floppy Disks is technology worth remember!

3.5 Inch Floppy Disks is technology worth remember!

VWestLife reviews what made these Diskettes popular for 20 years. An impossibly long time in tech world.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJCMzdzh4Tw

Saturday Tech Humor

A father found a way to make the family come closer. 

He just unplugs the modem, then the rest of the family are all running into the living room to see what the hell is going on.

This trick did not make a high Galaga automatic score, but it turned off the bombs the bugs dropped on you.

This trick did not make a high Galaga automatic score, but it turned off the bombs the bugs dropped on you.

From very ancient history, Galaga was possibly my favorite coin-op alien invader type of game. I am glad I didn’t know this trick then.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TRw1686xBlA

An interesting technical twist, Apple's new M1 chip runs classic arcade games emulator better than any PC intel machine.

An interesting technical twist, Apple's new M1 chip runs classic arcade games emulator better than any PC intel machine.

Using the emulator tool OpenEmu, you can get a blast from the past, assuming you can find copies of the old ROMs.

https://www.popsci.com/diy/openemu-setup/

I did not know that recently Scientists have discovered a new Continent, even if it is mostly submerged.

I did not know that recently Scientists have discovered a new Continent, even if it is mostly submerged.

Zealandia, the 8th continent, is 94% underwater but was once part of the supercontinent Pangea.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6v10-KXSzxE

Details: https://www.businessinsider.com/maps-reveal-eighth-continent-zealandia-underwater-2020-6

An artist won a prize in a small digital art contest. One problem was he used an AI program to help him draw the image.

An artist won a prize in a small digital art contest. One problem was he used an AI program to help him draw the image.

We will see more of this as tools get better. I propose a solution of having this type of art in its own category.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/09/03/tech/ai-art-fair-winner-controversy/index.html

Other comments regarding this: https://www.linkedin.com/news/story/ai-art-wins-top-prize-and-scorn-5975162/

Ps. A YouTube video with all my photos from DragonCon 2022 will be up in a couple days!

Ps. A YouTube video with all my photos from DragonCon 2022 will be up in a couple days!

Retro Tech Time, remembering the failure of the original Laser Disk.

Retro Tech Time, remembering the failure of the original Laser Disk.

No one was sure why they were superior to existing tech. Either to early or to late.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TClRRMFZ7Sw

Original History of Laserdisc video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eg8tK1LpLS8&t=0s

Off to DragonCon 2022!

Off to DragonCon 2022!

No tech posting for a week.

Photos will follow!

Post-COVID, the Office-Centric work style is coming back, but there are reasons to still go with Remote Work.

Post-COVID, the Office-Centric work style is coming back, but there are reasons to still go with Remote Work.

“improving diversity boosts both decision-making and financial performance,” but Remote Work is the best way to handle diversity.

https://fortune.com/2022/08/23/what-jp-morgan-ceo-jamie-dimon-got-wronga-meta-remote-work-diversity-careers-gleb-tsipursky/

Apple Alumni Jean-Louis Gassée examines if Apple AR Glasses are the NBT.

Apple Alumni Jean-Louis Gassée examines if Apple AR Glasses are the NBT.

I love his comment that Apple will always need a Next Big Thing… "it's in the company's DNA."

https://mondaynote.com/apple-ar-glasses-a-next-big-thing-candidate-bfe2b3e9d32b

A friend, a VR/AR researcher at GMU, is looking for people to interview for a project.

 A friend, a VR/AR researcher at GMU, is looking for people to interview for a project. He especially would like to talk with designers/QA testers/developers. If you are also involved with VR/AR, all the better, but it is not required. The interview is very short, so if you have a few minutes for something like this, please get in touch with me so I can pass your name on. Thank you!

Should we go there? Absolutely. Do we have the infrastructure, I seriously doubt it.

Should we go there? Absolutely. Do we have the infrastructure, I seriously doubt it.

It is a chicken-egg issue, won’t have enough charging station until we have enough cars and visa versa. Maybe forcing the issue is the right solution.

https://www.popsci.com/environment/california-ban-gasoline-cars/

Saturday Tech Humor

 A true story, and one of the sweetest comments I have ever seen. Hire that girl!

Video game pioneer John D. Carmack & computer scientist/podcaster Lex Fridman ask if a General AI is in our future (among other discussions).

Video game pioneer John D. Carmack & computer scientist/podcaster Lex Fridman ask if a General AI is in our future (among other discussions).

A very entertaining episode from Lex Clips podcast.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xLi83prR5fg

Print Magazine provides a review and excerpt of the new book “The Making of Prince of Persia: Journals 1985–1993”

Print Magazine provides a review and excerpt of the new book “The Making of Prince of Persia: Journals 1985–1993”

For those without a degree in Software Game History (or a long memory), it was one of the earliest groundbreaking animated games for the Apple //.

https://www.printmag.com/design-books/jordan-mechner-the-making-of-prince-of-persia/

I am not a fan of Video Doorbells, but here is one that saved its owner from a big mistake.

I am not a fan of Video Doorbells, but here is one that saved its owner from a big mistake.

Maybe there is something to be said for remote viewing of your home/office if the security is tight!

https://www.cnn.com/videos/us/2022/08/03/ring-doorbell-cam-mistaken-eviction-orig-jk.cnn

A new Kickstarter shows that Information Age has little to do with Electronics.

A new Kickstarter shows that Information Age has little to do with Electronics.

Spintronics has a kit for fulling functional computer circuits using mechanical, not Electricity.

Sidenote: Years ago, I made some design sketches for steam-powered computer components. Basically, it was an explanation for AND, OR & NOT gates using air pressure rather than electrons. Since then, I have been told that MIT and several other schools have done similar projects.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=957kZIBKob8

Spintronics Kickstarter: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/upperstory/spintronics-build-mechanical-circuits

I love my Tesla with its screen, but I understand why a physical UI is better than a virtual one.

I love my Tesla with its screen, but I understand why a physical UI is better than a virtual one.

This study shows that the latest touch technology is less efficient than a tactile button.

https://www.vibilagare.se/nyheter/physical-buttons-outperform-touchscreens-new-cars-test-finds

Two Minute Paper explores how Microsofts used their Virtual Human AI to explore new algorithms.

Two Minute Paper explores how Microsofts used their Virtual Human AI to explore new algorithms.

By creating massive numbers of Virtual faces, you can use the data set to calculate better landmarking of real faces.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6-FESfXHF5s

SwiftUI 4 has a ton of features for the upcoming iOS 16.

SwiftUI 4 has a ton of features for the upcoming iOS 16.

Anupam Chugh's article explores the use of Charts, Bottom Sheets, Shared Links, and more.

https://betterprogramming.pub/swiftui-ios16-d7685c08f8d5

Saturday Tech Humor

Old programmers never die…

…they just decompile.

…they just lose their memory.

…they just byte it.

…they just get bugged with life.

…they just can’t C as well

…they are garbage collected.

…they just hit a breakpoint.

“Bjarne Stroustrup, creator and developer of C++, delivers his talk entitled, The Essence of C++.”

“Bjarne Stroustrup, creator and developer of C++, delivers his talk entitled, The Essence of C++.”

Stroustrup is one of the pioneers in Computer Science, winning the Faraday Medal & the Computer Pioneer Award for his lifetime work.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86xWVb4XIyE

Bjame’s webpage: https://www.stroustrup.com

Will Tesla’s “Optimus” actually be an actual product? More details are coming from Elon Musk, including the possibility of seeing it this year.

Will Tesla’s “Optimus” actually be an actual product? More details are coming from Elon Musk, including the possibility of seeing it this year.

Supposedly, Tesla made the robot slow and weak so humans could escape it. Let’s feed Frankenstein-ish fears here.

https://nypost.com/2022/08/17/elon-musk-unveils-tesla-robot-says-it-will-perform-boring-chores-by-years-end/

Mark Rendle gives a presentation on the Worst Programming Language Ever (no, it is not Fortran or COBOL).

Mark Rendle gives a presentation on the Worst Programming Language Ever (no, it is not Fortran or COBOL).

As software engineers, we are always trying to improve. There is something to be said for taking the worst features and mashing them together.  If we don't know what is bad, we might repeat it.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vcFBwt1nu2U

Smartphones are not the only devices where “The Right To Repair” is debated. How about Farming Equipment?

Smartphones are not the only devices where “The Right To Repair” is debated. How about Farming Equipment?

A hacker has basically “jailbroken” a John Deere tractor, raising security, privacy, and self-repair concerns.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/john-deere-tractors-jailbreak-right-to-repair/

Created by Dominik Hackl, Magic Keys is a Mixed Reality piano learning app, along the lines of Guitar Hero.

Created by Dominik Hackl, Magic Keys is a Mixed Reality piano learning app, along the lines of Guitar Hero.

An Oculus Quest version will be coming soon, but this type of app will really shine on proper AR device!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgBxlsJ8gIE

Magic Keys: https://dominikhackl.com/project/magic-keys/

Why can’t all educational videos be this well done? Or as colorful?

Why can’t all educational videos be this well done? Or as colorful?

Thanks to CGP Grey for coming back after a half-year break.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qD6bPNZRRbQ&t=3s

Steffan Morris Hernandez gives us some thought points from Tripp Mickle’s book ‘After Steve’.

Steffan Morris Hernandez gives us some thought points from Tripp Mickle’s book ‘After Steve’.

Steve Jobs’ product philosophy, Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication & X Service products are some topics in this intimate insight into the past, present & future of Apple.

https://bootcamp.uxdesign.cc/what-i-learnt-about-apple-in-8-visuals-by-reading-after-steve-6c7ce16f79f2

Saturday Tech Humor

 Question: How can you tell which one of your friends has the new gold iPhone?

Answer: Don’t worry, he will let you know!

I been working on some board game design, and found this engaging book by Geoffrey Engelstein & Isaac Shalev

I been working on some board game design, and found this engaging book by Geoffrey Engelstein & Isaac Shalev

The book is basically a Design Pattern guide to modern Tabletop games, breaking down into type, movement, features, and such, with contemporary examples.

https://www.routledge.com/Building-Blocks-of-Tabletop-Game-Design-An-Encyclopedia-of-Mechanisms/Engelstein-Shalev/p/book/9781032015811

Link to list of other books on wargame designs: https://paxsims.wordpress.com/about/research-bibliography/

Please make the Star Trek Communicator sound when you flip it open!

Please make the Star Trek Communicator sound when you flip it open!

Seriously, the design of this duel screen device is interesting. Though still high, the price is major reduction of the previous two screen fold phones.

https://www.cnn.com/cnn-underscored/electronics/samsung-galaxy-z-flip-4-pre-order

From the Quanta Magazine YouTube channel, here is an interview of Turing Award-winning computer scientist Leslie Lamport.

From the Quanta Magazine YouTube channel, here is an interview of Turing Award-winning computer scientist Leslie Lamport.

Besides being one of the pioneers of the theory of distributed systems, he was the initial developer of LaTeX, the first document preparation language. That makes him the direct grandfather of all markup languages.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rkZzg7Vowao

It is too late if you have a few billion dollars to invest. Amazon beat you to buying the iRobot corporation (maker of Roomba).

It is too late if you have a few billion dollars to invest. Amazon beat you to buying the iRobot corporation (maker of Roomba).

Besides the wow of the price, this is important because it shows Amazon is continuing to invest in home tech & automation.

https://www.popsci.com/technology/amazon-buy-roomba-irobot/

Side Note: Does anyone remember "Door Into Summer" by Robert Heinlein? It was written in 1957. The main character successfully manufactures the first home-oriented automation, a robot vacuum cleaner. Yep, good old RAH predicted the success of Roomba. Yes, I know he also invented the term and concept of the Waldo, but part of me was surprised it took this long to come up with a “Hired Girl”. Yes, that was the 1957 name for it.

Survivorship Bias has one of the best stories to describe data analysis mistakes.

Survivorship Bias has one of the best stories to describe data analysis mistakes.

This HS Math teacher, and Australian TV host, does an excellent job explaining.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P9WFpVsRtQg

OpenAI DALL·E 2, generates realistic and accurate images from simple descriptions.

OpenAI DALL·E 2, generates realistic and accurate images from simple descriptions.

Text-To-Art has been around for a while, but they are starting to get really good!

https://openai.com/dall-e-2/

A teacher in Oakland, CA (my birth town) has been collecting what is accidentally returned in library books, and made a website from it.

A teacher in Oakland, CA (my birth town) has been collecting what is accidentally returned in library books, and made a website from it.

I Love Libraries organization gives us this delightful story of digital recording what you find in physical books.

https://ilovelibraries.org/article/found-in-a-library-book/

Actual site: https://oaklandlibrary.org/found-in-a-library-book/

Saturday Tech Humor

 Few people remember that original Mac was considered portable (for that time). It had a handle, and came in a massive carrying case, that barely fit in overhead compartment.

From Prickly City April 3, 2022.

Apple has made a real estate purchase in San Diego of what may become a series of large remote campuses.

Apple has made a real estate purchase in San Diego of what may become a series of large remote campuses.

This had been planned for a while due to the staggering price of living in Silicon Valley. But like so many things, COVID hit.

https://9to5mac.com/2022/08/01/apple-new-san-diego-campus-modem-work/

Tom Scott comes thru again with the most enormous walking robot of all time. And it’s a Dragon!

 Tom Scott comes thru again with the most enormous walking robot of all time. And it’s a Dragon!

Forget Disney World animatronic or Japan Giant Robots; the “Tradinno” is an 11-ton, has a 36” wingspan, and breathes fire!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KPPiOFaAlig

How do you design your UX for Accessibility AND make it playful?

How do you design your UX for Accessibility AND make it playful?  

Designer and software engineer, Elise Hein has some good thoughts on this.

https://uxdesign.cc/wheres-the-fun-in-accessibility-b78c6b9d280d

This explanation of SwiftUI Lifecycle was a big help recently.

This explanation of SwiftUI Lifecycle was a big help recently.

Thanks to Vadim Bulavin, Creator of Yet Another Swift Blog, for this well-written article.

https://www.vadimbulavin.com/swiftui-view-lifecycle/

Paul Hudson off Hacking with Swift allows us to simulate depth using SwiftUI.

Paul Hudson off Hacking with Swift allows us to simulate depth using SwiftUI.

Paul uses Core Motion, tracking the device's movement, to simulate a reflecting light source. Cool trick!

https://www.hackingwithswift.com/articles/253/how-to-use-inner-shadows-to-simulate-depth-with-swiftui-and-core-motion

The Virtual ][ emulator for the Mac has announced support for the classic Apple //c. Talk about a way back machine!

The Virtual ][ emulator for the Mac has announced support for the classic Apple //c. Talk about a way back machine!

I was actually part of the Apple //c test team, working on the compatibility of the computer with printers & modems.

https://www.callapple.org/emulation/virtual-ii-emulator-updated-10/

Direct link to the emulator: https://www.virtualii.com

First, notice the date of posting. April 1st! The video is a bit of humor, not an actual product announcement from Tesla.

First, notice the date of posting. April 1st! The video is a bit of humor, not an actual product announcement from Tesla.

It does bring up some interesting technical possibilities for the Future. Telling your car to drop you off and drive around waiting for you instead of parking.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bn1uzAJk-6o

Saturday Tech Humor Posting

Piece of Professional advice:  Never do something that makes the Company create a rule named after you.