I was looking for a mobile app that would globally delete notifications (from desktop view too) and be able to display a feed filtered on a combination of hashtags (so I can watch for posts about my interests). Although Tusky is a beautifully rendered app, it lacked these options.

Then I found Subway Tooter! It's not as pretty, or as slick, as Tusky, but it is far more functional and customisable. So power users may well want to consider using Subway Tooter. This video will give a feel for it looks like, how the columns, filtering, posting, etc work. I also delve into the app privacy notice a bit, as it was clear some were put off from installing it, after seeing such a lot of text.

See https://youtu.be/BAT66wJZTgQ

#technology #mastodon #subwaytooter #android #opensource

On Monday, a German Redditor named c-wizz announced that they had found a very rare 66-year-old Librascope LGP-30 computer (and several 1970 DEC PDP-8/e computers) in their grandparents' basement. The LGP-30, first released in 1956, is one of only 45 manufactured in Europe and may be best known as the computer used by "Mel" in a famous piece of hacker lore.

Whatever the grandparent used the LGP-30 for, it appears there might be a relationship between it and the PDP-8/e units found nearby. In another comment, c-wizz wrote, "There seem to be some instructions on how to transfer code written for the LGP-30 to the PDP8\e."

Apart from it possibly being irreplaceable vintage computing, it may well also be worth a lot of money.

See https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2022/11/redditor-discovers-legendary-1956-computer-in-grandparents-basement/

#technology #retro #vintage #PDP8 #LGP30

Some take the emulation route, but others demand a solution that’s closer to the original hardware. Following the latter path, [iNimbleSloth] is answering the question as to whether it’s possible to build a Sinclair ZX81 from all-new parts in 2022.

From here in 2022 the original Ferranti ULA chip that contained all the logic is unobtainable except by raiding another ’81, so he’s using a design that has the same functionality in 74 series logic. The PCB is the same size as the original, and he’s paired it with a keyboard PCB using tactile switches. The video below the break is the first of what is to be a series, and he will be looking at a readily available 3D printed ZX81 case and the re-manufactured membrane keyboard.

I wouldn't really want to use a ZX81 today (what would it even connect to) but I have a pretty fond place in my heart for the ZX81 as it was the first computer that I actually bought, and of course I had to type all the BASIC code (or sometimes hex code) in to actually play anything on it. That automatically exposed you to ideas about hacking code.

See https://hackaday.com/2022/11/10/building-a-sinclair-zx81-in-2022-with-all-new-parts/

#technology #retro #ZX81 #Sinclair

If you think Apple's $29 tracker is worth it, you may want to stop and rethink. Eufy has just released an AirTag alternative that actually does more, costs you less, and supports Android devices. The Eufy Security SmartTrack Link supports Apple's Find My network. This means that it behaves just like an AirTag in terms of location updates and piggybacking on other Apple devices. As additional bonuses, it offers a QR code print that includes your contact information, a hole for keyrings, and sharing support.

So it will leverage off the Apple network if you have an Apple device to register it with, otherwise it uses the Eufy Security Android app (which I imagine would need other passing phones to have the Eufy Security app also installed). But even so, with the Eufy Security app you will be notified if you have left the tracked item behind somewhere.

See https://www.xda-developers.com/eufy-new-airtag-alternative/

#technology #Eufy #AirTag #Android #tracker

Many remote (and even local) commands can executed so much quicker when using Bash instead of graphical user interfaces, but for newer users, Bash can be an unfriendly and cumbersome environment.

In this video I show how, with the installation of just three applications and some alias commands, we can make working with Bash much faster, easier, and prettier!

See https://youtu.be/OR2G9OSlmVI

#technology #Linux #Bash #tips #productivity

I also still see lots of confusion and questions from many new users flooding into Mastodon, and then wondering whether they must also have an account on Pixelfed, etc. The other issue is, that you can't just use a handle on it's own, as you must also identify which instance it belongs to, much like a street address is associated with a town it belongs in. The Fediverse is much bigger than just Mastodon, and you may only need one account in one place, to connect to everywhere else, and that account need not be on Mastodon, or even the one big original Mastodon server instance.

Fediverse is shorthand for federated universe. But what does federated really mean in this context? It's important to remember that the vast majority of applications in the picture (in linked article) can be installed thousands of times over and each of these instances, or servers, be of many different sizes. Each of these have their own rules and ownership, and make up their own corner of the Fediverse.

It is good for all users of social networks to realise there is a bigger picture context, and to understand more about their options going into the Fediverse one day, if they so wish. Some good FAQ at the linked article below.

See https://axbom.com/fediverse/

#technology #fediverse #socialnetworks #mastodon

Programmer and lawyer Matthew Butterick has sued Microsoft, GitHub, and OpenAI, alleging that GitHub's Copilot violates the terms of open-source licenses and infringes the rights of programmers.

GitHub Copilot, released in June 2022, is an AI-based programming aid that uses OpenAI Codex to generate real-time source code and function recommendations in Visual Studio. The tool was trained with machine learning using billions of lines of code from public repositories and can transform natural language into code snippets across dozens of programming languages.

There are lots of different open-source licenses, like the GPL, Apache, and MIT licenses, that require attribution of the author's name and defining particular copyrights.

Microsoft, as a mostly proprietary software company (and one which uses others' copyrighted code), should be fully aware of the conditions of use for open-source licensing. It is not just a free-for-all scenario. They also own GitHub and are very aware of the different types of open-source license provided for there. Copilot can still work, but it needed to factor in the different license types, and deal with them appropriately.

See https://www.bleepingcomputer.com/news/security/microsoft-sued-for-open-source-piracy-through-github-copilot/

#technology #opensource #licensing #GitHub #Copilot

When you’re watching a relaxing YouTube video, the last thing you need is an obnoxious autoplaying video or a loud notification blasting into your ears from another open tab. If muting all background tabs is not the best option for you, try Volume Master, a Chrome extension that lets you individually control the audio levels of each tab.

Why? I'm not sure really to be honest, but it could be very useful to someone who has this need. It is usually quite easy to adjust sound levels between different applications, but not for individual browser tabs.

See https://lifehacker.com/you-can-adjust-the-volume-of-individual-tabs-in-google-1849737905

#technology #browsers #extensions #audio #tabs

Nvidia GeForce Now leverages cloud technology to stream PC games from powerful GeForce-powered servers at ultra-low latency.

Users can stream titles they already own from digital gaming stores such as Steam, Epic, Ubisoft, and Origin without needing a powerful gaming PC.

“This partnership will ultimately enable millions of South African users to get the best gaming experience, without the need to invest thousands of rands for the latest graphic cards,” Rain said in a statement.

See https://mybroadband.co.za/news/gaming/467485-rain-launching-nvidia-geforce-now-first-cloud-gaming-platform-in-south-africa.html

#technology #southafrica #gaming #GeForceNow