dignick's comments

>A big part of the contact tracing protocol (which was originally the DP3T protocol) is implemented by Apple-Google in a part of the system called GAEN. This part has no available source code although the law requires disclosure of the source code of all components of the system.

By the same logic, this would seem to require all of iOS and Android to be open source. Where does the "App" end and the underlying OS and libraries begin in this requirement?

> The UK "hack" for the bluetooth was quite clever from what I saw - in essence they implemented the "background discovery of an iPhone" feature.

I don't think the government deserves the credit they have received for this. The "hack" was well understood and documented before this App was created, and it has been implemented poorly [1]. [1] https://github.com/nhsx/COVID-19-app-Android-BETA/issues/10

Perhaps IQs would have increased more without pollution?

It seems that where companies are outsourcing jobs with a 'gig economy' model, they know these jobs will be automated in the near future and want to be able to easily replace humans with computers. Amazon has the same setup with delivery drivers here in the UK. If they expected these jobs to be long term, they would invest in them in-house.

Christchurch is actually not on the fault line, and it was a surprise when such a severe earthquake hit in 2011, so they weren't well prepared. All the susceptible buildings collapsed then, and new buildings are earthquake-proof.

I won't be happy until the banana can wirelessly notify my Apple Watch that it is now ripe.

Cool vid http://ephemeralp2p.durazo.us/a1ab6f2785e2df2f08f70168413e3a...

You can do bi-directional notifications between host app and extension with MMWormhole, which uses CFNotificationCenter: https://github.com/mutualmobile/MMWormhole I think overall Apple has done a fantastic job of v1 of this product line, it's pretty polished. As an App developer who has been working on a watch App, while there is a lot you can't do I understand why you can't do it, it will come in time (native Apps later this year), and what is there right now is pretty good. Shameless plug, the App is currently in review: http://napkin.io

Ah that link explains it, thanks. Very interesting. What a mess!

I thought this vulnerability was due to them installing a root CA so if you have that CA key you can always generate self-signed certificates for all websites on the fly? A software update wouldn't change that, unless it removed the root CA certificate, but this defeats how superfish works. That was my understanding, I'd be interested to learn how I'm wrong!

:(

I said begin reducing carbon dioxide output by 2017, otherwise by the IEA's calculations our entire carbon budget will be spoken for. We have known about this for a long time, but we have done nothing, indeed we have increased carbon output, so no we don't have much time left. http://www.theguardian.com/environment/2011/nov/09/fossil-fu...

Absolutely I agree that we can't solve the problem of global warming in the West alone, it's a global problem that needs a global solution. I do not agree there is zero chance of it being implemented, but it will be hard work. The problem humanity faces today is a concentration of power and control, exhibited by the growing inequality in the world (the latest figures from Oxfam show the top 1% now have 48% of the wealth, forecast to pass 50% next year, and 80 people have the same wealth as 50% of the worlds population). It is a system that is rigged against the people and environment for the purposes of wealth generation for the few. It is a system that it's proponents truly believe in, and who deny the reality of climate change because if they are wrong, their whole model collapses. But things are changing, and fast. Particularly in the UK at the moment we are seeing the rapid ascent of the Green Party, particularly among young voters, as the population is becoming fed up of the establishment and austerity. The Green Party's message is 'The politics of the future doesn't have to look like the politics of the past'.

Leaving the market to solve the problem is clearly not working, we need substantial government intervention. Things like 'polluter pays' taxation and not allowing global trade agreements to take precedence over activities that would produce a lower net output of carbon dioxide like localised food production and subsidised, localised renewable energy production.

I strongly recommend reading Naomi Klein's 'This Changes Everything' for a background on the history, current situation, future solutions and what will happen if we don't take action. http://thischangeseverything.org/

I love the positivity of his messages and the work he is doing to improve the lives of those that need it most. His call for us to become global citizens is greatly needed to tackle many of the problems we face and stop thinking, acting and voting just for ourselves.

However, global warming is such a big and immediate issue — we have until 2017 to start reducing carbon dioxide output, after that we lock in >2C dangerous, irreversible warming — that despite all the progress being made in developing countries today, the effects of climate change are likely to negate much of that work in the future.

Gates is bound by capitalist ideology, his emphasis on the need to develop a 'miracle cure' source of energy is evidence of that — we have the technology we need to solve the problem today, but it will require a fundamental shift of focus and wealth. We are putting profit before the place we live. We are betting big on the miracle cure in the future. What if the miracle never happens?

edit: I've written a post with a bit more detail and sources: https://shamocracy.org/2015/01/22/2015-gates-annual-letter/

I had this issue, reset your network settings and turn off and on iMessage. Maybe try without resetting first.

Great article! I have wondered if this was possible before. The only problem is eventually you might lose your voice!

I had hand/arm problems not long after starting my first programming job, but I have solved them now.

My main advice would be to get a good chair and desk. I have a RH logic 400 chair and height adjustable desk, with an Imprint Cumulus Pro floor mat. I also use a Kinesis Freestyle 2 keyboard. All together this cost about £1700, but it was absolutely worth it. I spend approx 50% of my time standing which I find much more comfortable than sitting.

My other piece of advice would be to take regular breaks. I recently became self employed which allows me to intermingle work with exercise, socialising and eating as I want. This really helps with fatigue. At least try to take a short break once an hour. I found jawbone up good for this as you can set it to vibrate after you have been sat idly for too long.

Finally, if using the mouse is a problem, learn to use your non-dominant hand. This has pretty much solved my problems with my mouse hand.

Looks pretty but isn't very practical. E.g. why is the 'webfonts' label way off the screen from the point it is first implemented? How do I see what features were implemented in a particular browser version? Why is there a massive text banner in front of the screen shots of different browser versions?

The information you could gain from this tool could be used for good or bad purposes. Personally I think it would give me an insight into what my team is working on, rather than being a negative 'big brother' tool. If you use this to track if your employees are working or not you already have the wrong attitude.