The folly of Windows 10

Now that I’ve gone four days without a BSOD, it does appear Microsoft realized it had rolled out another lemon, and, nearly two months later, patched things. Goodness knows how many hours it has cost people worldwide—the forums have a lot of people reporting BSODs (maybe it’s confirmation bias, but I really don’t remember this […]

Read More… from The folly of Windows 10



Mozy driver could have been behind 100–200 BSODs since the Windows 10 Creators fall update was installed

A post shared by Jack Yan 甄爵恩 (@jack.yan) on Jan 14, 2018 at 4:04 p.m. PST Two very helpful people—bwv848 at Bleeping Computer and Sumit Dhiman at Microsoft—have taken me through the steps to figure out what was going on with my Windows 10 desktop computer, on which I’ve had between 100 and 200 BSODs […]

Read More… from Mozy driver could have been behind 100–200 BSODs since the Windows 10 Creators fall update was installed



The perfect storm: there’s a spike in users being told by Facebook they have malware today

Many years ago, I was locked out of Facebook for 69 hours. It was completely a Facebook database problem, but in those days, they just locked you out without any explanation. It happened on a Friday. I believed I would not get back in till Facebook staff got back to work on Monday—and I was […]

Read More… from The perfect storm: there’s a spike in users being told by Facebook they have malware today



Developer creates a tool to expose bigoted, fake Twitter accounts; Twitter bans it

In theory, one of the positive things about social media should be the fact that a company has as much chance of succeeding as an individual. Another is that it shouldn’t matter who you are, you have the same opportunity to get your word out. No one should get special treatment.    But, on Twitter, […]

Read More… from Developer creates a tool to expose bigoted, fake Twitter accounts; Twitter bans it



Even before the exposés, I never used Über

I really don’t know why anyone would use Über.    All the sexism and misogyny aside, I actually don’t know how anyone could use it.    For example, on my phone, I installed it (before I learned about their totally inappropriate behaviour), tried to log in, and the app would tell me I have used […]

Read More… from Even before the exposés, I never used Über



Endorsing Laurie Foon for Southern Ward

While I no longer live in the Southern Ward in Wellington, I know whom I would vote for if I still did. It’s after a lot of thought, given how strong the candidates are—I count several of them as my friends. One stands out.    I have known Laurie Foon for 20 years this year […]

Read More… from Endorsing Laurie Foon for Southern Ward



Being an optimist for a better post-Google, post-Facebook era

Interesting to get this perspective on ‘Big Tech’ from The Guardian, on how it’s become tempting to blame the big Silicon Valley players for some of the problems we have today. The angle Moira Weigel takes is that there needs to be more democracy in the system, where workers need to unite and respecting those […]

Read More… from Being an optimist for a better post-Google, post-Facebook era



Solving my BSODs with Windows 10 Creators fall update—it’s not the usual culprits

Amazingly, Microsoft Windows 10 Creators fall update arrived last week on my desktop PC, and it took all of 25 minutes to do (running a Crucial 525 Gbyte SSD). (Add an extra 35 minutes for me to put my customizations back in.) This is in contrast to the Anniversary update, which took 11 attempts over […]

Read More… from Solving my BSODs with Windows 10 Creators fall update—it’s not the usual culprits



After 10 years, it’s time to reduce Facebook sharing even more

Wallula, shared via Creative Commons The following status update was posted on my Facebook wall to some of my friends earlier tonight, though of course the links have been added here. I realize there’s some irony in posting this on Facebook.    Some of you will have noticed that I haven’t been updating as frequently. […]

Read More… from After 10 years, it’s time to reduce Facebook sharing even more



New Zealand slips to 17th in latest Good Country Index

Above: Simon Anholt, giving a talk at TEDSalon Berlin. Out today: my friend Simon Anholt’s Good Country Index, with the Netherlands taking the top spot from Sweden, which drops to sixth. New Zealand is in 17th, failing in prosperity and equality, and in cultural contribution (previously we had been 5th and 12th). On the plus […]

Read More… from New Zealand slips to 17th in latest Good Country Index