Recent posts

#91

Meetings / Re: PLUG regular meetings?

Last post by Jason - July 14, 2025, 07:26:22 PM

So far, we know that at least 3 people would attend a formal meeting with a presentation like the ole' days.

Sometimes I can't believe it's been over 5 years since the pandemic started. It doesn't feel like it! I expect most people felt like the 2-3 years of the pandemic crawled along.

#92

Meetings / Re: PLUG regular meetings?

Last post by Jason - July 14, 2025, 07:22:47 PM

Jason, you have upgraded your Win10 to Win11 without incident, even though Microsoft didn't suggest you do.

Is that even possible? Seems like Windows 10 has been nagging people for years to upgrade. I thought it pushed me into it, but when I found my machine wasn't compatible, I bought a new one that was. I upgraded my wife's Windows 10 computer, but I did that right away. It's not officially compatible, but there are workarounds.

You could explain what the problem appears to be in many cases, and how this can be worked around relatively safely, maybe cloning the Win10 drive for safekeeping.

Maybe the compatibility issue was what you're talking about. There are many ways to move to Windows 11, although I think only one works now, which is the one I used. It's pretty easy and involves using a program that creates a custom image you install/upgrade from (like Etcher). It uses Rufus:

https://www.tomsguide.com/computing/your-unsupported-pc-can-still-run-windows-11-in-2025-heres-how

I don't think there's enough there for an in-person meeting like we used to have. Not sure I'd do it anyway. I'd have to take a shower afterward.

Seriously, though, the method above did work for me when I used it, but that was about 1.6 years ago. And even if it does now, no guarantee Microsoft will continue providing updates for it. And Microsoft may remove the free-upgrade option when Windows 10 goes defunct so don't wait too long!

Does your TV computer need to connect to the Internet? If not, you might save yourself the trouble and stay on Windows 10. The main problem with using an EOL (End-of-Life) version of a product is that it may not receive any security updates. But that really only matters if you're connecting that PC to the Internet.

#93

Distributions / Re: CachyOS ranked 2nd on Dist...

Last post by Jason - July 14, 2025, 06:55:38 PM

Remember that the Distrowatch list is not a guide to the number of users, but the number of people looking up information on the distro. I never click Mint on the list, and I suspect Mike doesn't click Ubuntu on that list. I do poke about sometime when I see something new that looks interesting. Arch doesn't interest me, or something based on Arch.

I remember telling you that years ago, Buster, when you used to talk about their rankings all the time. Well done, young Padawan.

[its]

#94

Politics, Society and News. / Re: Simple Known Dangers with ...

Last post by Jason - July 14, 2025, 06:54:33 PM

The paper also had to summarize the state of the art on that topic. It worked very well and probably cut the rate of plagiarism to zero or near zero. But I'm not sure that AI couldn't handle this; I never had to find out.

Unfortunately, that is one of the things that AI is excellent at. What it wouldn't be good at is writing the essay in the student's voice. But unless you have your students writing several essays and you don't have too many students or an amazing memory, that would be hard to pick up on, I'd imagine. But, AI does format its answers in a particular fashion, and if you use it enough, you might pick up on its voice. Handing out take-home assignments for high school teachers must be particularly awful. I would bet that more students are using it to cheat than at the university level. Could be wrong, though.

Have you used any AI bots, Fox? I've used ChatGPT occasionally but not the others. I did use Grok recently to ask if it was still racist. If you don't understand why I asked that, check some recent US news having to do with Elon Musk and Grok. The answers seemed to be too "woke," so Elon Musk made some changes to fix that, and the bot started acting racist with positive comments about Hitler. You'd have to read them yourself. I don't want to offend anyone.

#95

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by Jason - July 14, 2025, 06:39:47 PM

Sorry, Bill, I just checked the Forum. Same day, but too late. Dammit.

#96

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by buster - July 14, 2025, 10:16:28 AM

Sorry Bill, but if you're ever going to be out this way on your cycle, send an email or phone and if we're around I have free coffee, tea,or soft drinks. In the afternoon we can sit on the front deck. (The destroyed tree makes the mornings unbearable.)

#97

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by ssfc72 - July 13, 2025, 03:57:35 PM

:-) ok

So, seeing that there is not enough  interest in a PLUG Mug for tomorrow, I will cancel that idea and try again next month.

#98

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by buster - July 13, 2025, 03:26:17 PM

Well it actually takes longer than that. They always take a couple of extra vials from my arm, and in the back room some of the staff have a tasting. I always stay to hear their comments.Usually I hear something like "Good body and aftertaste, but maybe a bit acidic. Perfect sweetness. Lovely aroma."

They seem to grow younger as I watch them.

#99

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by ssfc72 - July 12, 2025, 06:08:12 PM

Hi Buster. Well that should only take 20 minutes to relive you of your blood.
You should still have time for a PLUG Mug. :-)

#100

Meetings / Re: PLUG Mug Monday 2 pm July ...

Last post by buster - July 12, 2025, 02:55:53 PM

Well that's unfortunate. I have an appointment that afternoon to have blood stolen from my arm to be analyzed. Nothing unusual.