The Technology Vent and Rant Thread - Page 118

BetterRed · 11-17-2023, 06:44 PM

Chrome OS devices are today's equivalent of yesterday's X-Terminal - which were a sysmgr's dream come true - pretty as a picture, dumb as an ox.

If you can do everything you want to do via a browser (which is true for many people), and you have a reliable broadband connection, a Chrome OS device is a perfect match.

BR

DNSB · 11-17-2023, 09:09 PM

Once again, a move to revive the mainframe & terminals paradigm but with graphics!

BetterRed · 12-04-2023, 03:55 AM

A week or so back this was reported for calibre 7

Quote:

Originally Posted by thiago.eec

Windows 11 here.

Now, is anyone else seeing a white rectangle flashing when the GUI is being loaded?

Several people reported seeing it too, including me. It's harmless and is goes a moment later. All the fingers were pointing at Qt,

But now I'm seeing something similar when I start firefox. So maybe its deeper, in chrome perhaps.

Anyone else?

BR

Comfy.n · 12-04-2023, 04:14 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

A week or so back this was reported for calibre 7

Several people reported seeing it too, including me. It's harmless and is goes a moment later. All the fingers were pointing at Qt,

But now I'm seeing something similar when I start firefox. So maybe its deeper, in chrome perhaps.

Anyone else?

BR

Yes. Not my preferred browser since the Firefox 57 add-on apocalypse, but I've downloaded a portable version just to test this out of curiosity, and I got the white rectangle flash as well

John F · 12-04-2023, 05:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

...

But now I'm seeing something similar when I start firefox. So maybe its deeper, in chrome perhaps.

Anyone else?

BR

What is the relationship between chrome and Firefox?

Terisa de morgan · 12-04-2023, 06:20 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

A week or so back this was reported for calibre 7

Several people reported seeing it too, including me. It's harmless and is goes a moment later. All the fingers were pointing at Qt,

But now I'm seeing something similar when I start firefox. So maybe its deeper, in chrome perhaps.

Anyone else?

BR

I've got to check because I have 2 windows computers, one of them showing the big black screen, but not the other, and I think I've got different chrome version (or configuration).

j.p.s · 12-04-2023, 12:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by BetterRed

But now I'm seeing something similar when I start firefox. So maybe its deeper, in chrome perhaps.

Quote:

Originally Posted by John F

What is the relationship between chrome and Firefox?

In this context chrome is the UI of the browser as opposed to the redendering of web page content.

https://support.mozilla.org/en-US/questions/997056

BetterRed · 12-04-2023, 04:32 PM

What we're talking about is Google's HTML Layout Engine, it used to be called Blink then they renamed it to Chrome, which is of course the same name as their Browser

Presumably Marketing Department decision.

The Internet Industry is full of obscurantists who can't resist using the same word with different meanings multiple times in the same paragraph, or different words with the same meaning in the same paragraph… sentences even.

BR

Sirtel · 12-04-2023, 08:57 PM

Windows 10 here. No boxes or rectangles with anything, either Calibre, Chrome or Firefox.

Darqref · 12-05-2023, 01:03 AM

Why does *everything* require an app?

I just had fiber installed. I was told the local telephone company (centurylink) was about to start abandoning their copper wires as "out of date". They offered to install fiberoptic lines to the house, and the package seems reasonable. (quantum fiber is a different division of the same company (Lumen) that owns centurylink)

The package comes with the fiber modem, and two wifi pods, that each have two cat-5 plugs (as does the modem.) The cat-5 direct to the modem is fast with my desktop. the wifi pods seem limited to about 20% of the direct fiber speed, but I'm not using wifi for much right now. BUT, the ONLY was to access and change the wifi password is with an app on my cell.

This strikes me as inherently dangerous in a security sense. The app won't work if it isn't in contact, so there isn't much I can do to prevent someone from monitoring the password.

While working with this, I tried another wifi router that had specs that were higher speed. Even with this wifi attached directly to the fiber modem, it is also limited to about 20% of the direct line speed. And, it also requires and app to do most things.

I just want to put a decent password on the wifi, since I get a lot of traffic from the local high school in front of my home (and change the network name to something of my choice.) I use my desktop for most of my heavy stuff, so I want that directly connected anyway.

I'm really tempted to just put my old one back on the new fiber, just to get something that doesn't require a phone app.

ownedbycats · 12-05-2023, 03:49 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

Why does *everything* require an app?

That sweet sweet data collection.

neil_swann80 · 12-05-2023, 04:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Darqref

BUT, the ONLY was to access and change the wifi password is with an app on my cell..

I guarantee it isn't. They're likely pushing the app as the only way for the reason ownedbycats suggests.

Comfy.n · 12-05-2023, 04:46 AM

I too abominate this an-app-for-each-and-everything trend, but in this case I found that you can log in via any web browser directly to your modem, see:

https://www.centurylink.com/home/hel...-security.html

https://www.centurylink.com/home/hel...d.html#website

Comfy.n · 12-05-2023, 05:24 AM

I have a three-year-old laptop with a rattling fan. It's not about dirt as I have already removed it and had it thoroughly cleaned up. After cleaning it, the rattling noise went away for a while, but now it's back again and is driving me mad.

The problem is the one depicted in this video, a tight back cover that somehow got closer contact to the fan. I know that's what's causing it because if I press the cover down using the USB cavity, the noise goes away.

The guy in the video says he put a "dent" between the back cover and the fan, I don't know what that is or how to do it, it's so frustrating.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44iwZCKR08

Renate · 12-05-2023, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

I have a three-year-old laptop with a rattling fan.

OMG, that's so old! Do you expect things to last forever?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Comfy.n

The guy in the video says he put a "dent" between the back cover and the fan...

I guess that they mean to make the back cover a bit more convex at that spot.
Can you see on the inside of the back cover where the fan rubbed it?
I'd probably just take a Dremel tool and grind away a bit at that spot.
OTOH, it could still be the fan's fault that the bearings have loosened and the position of the blades has changed.
If you can buy a fan at a reasonable price that might be a good idea, or at least preemptive maintenance.

12-04-2023, 04:32 PM	#1763
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,787 Karma: 30237628 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	What we're talking about is Google's HTML Layout Engine, it used to be called Blink then they renamed it to Chrome, which is of course the same name as their Browser Presumably Marketing Department decision. The Internet Industry is full of obscurantists who can't resist using the same word with different meanings multiple times in the same paragraph, or different words with the same meaning in the same paragraph… sentences even. BR Last edited by BetterRed; 12-04-2023 at 04:43 PM.

12-05-2023, 04:46 AM	#1768
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,615 Karma: 7891011 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: none	I too abominate this an-app-for-each-and-everything trend, but in this case I found that you can log in via any web browser directly to your modem, see: https://www.centurylink.com/home/hel...-security.html https://www.centurylink.com/home/hel...d.html#website Last edited by Comfy.n; 12-05-2023 at 04:52 AM.

12-05-2023, 05:24 AM	#1769
Comfy.n want to learn what I want Posts: 1,615 Karma: 7891011 Join Date: Sep 2020 Device: none	I have a three-year-old laptop with a rattling fan. It's not about dirt as I have already removed it and had it thoroughly cleaned up. After cleaning it, the rattling noise went away for a while, but now it's back again and is driving me mad. The problem is the one depicted in this video, a tight back cover that somehow got closer contact to the fan. I know that's what's causing it because if I press the cover down using the USB cavity, the noise goes away. The guy in the video says he put a "dent" between the back cover and the fan, I don't know what that is or how to do it, it's so frustrating. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u44iwZCKR08 Last edited by Comfy.n; 12-05-2023 at 05:31 AM.

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11-17-2023, 06:44 PM	#1756
BetterRed null operator (he/him) Posts: 21,787 Karma: 30237628 Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Sydney Australia Device: none	Chrome OS devices are today's equivalent of yesterday's X-Terminal - which were a sysmgr's dream come true - pretty as a picture, dumb as an ox. If you can do everything you want to do via a browser (which is true for many people), and you have a reliable broadband connection, a Chrome OS device is a perfect match. BR

11-17-2023, 09:09 PM	#1757
DNSB Bibliophagist Posts: 46,737 Karma: 169712580 Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: Vancouver Device: Kobo Sage, Libra Colour, Lenovo M8 FHD, Paperwhite 4, Tolino epos	Once again, a move to revive the mainframe & terminals paradigm but with graphics!

12-04-2023, 08:57 PM	#1764
Sirtel Grand Sorcerer Posts: 13,595 Karma: 240526511 Join Date: Jan 2014 Location: Estonia Device: Kobo Sage & Libra 2	Windows 10 here. No boxes or rectangles with anything, either Calibre, Chrome or Firefox.

12-05-2023, 01:03 AM	#1765
Darqref space cadet Posts: 334 Karma: 2999999 Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Seattle area Device: Rocket PRO, gen3, Pocketbook360	Why does everything require an app? I just had fiber installed. I was told the local telephone company (centurylink) was about to start abandoning their copper wires as "out of date". They offered to install fiberoptic lines to the house, and the package seems reasonable. (quantum fiber is a different division of the same company (Lumen) that owns centurylink) The package comes with the fiber modem, and two wifi pods, that each have two cat-5 plugs (as does the modem.) The cat-5 direct to the modem is fast with my desktop. the wifi pods seem limited to about 20% of the direct fiber speed, but I'm not using wifi for much right now. BUT, the ONLY was to access and change the wifi password is with an app on my cell. This strikes me as inherently dangerous in a security sense. The app won't work if it isn't in contact, so there isn't much I can do to prevent someone from monitoring the password. While working with this, I tried another wifi router that had specs that were higher speed. Even with this wifi attached directly to the fiber modem, it is also limited to about 20% of the direct line speed. And, it also requires and app to do most things. I just want to put a decent password on the wifi, since I get a lot of traffic from the local high school in front of my home (and change the network name to something of my choice.) I use my desktop for most of my heavy stuff, so I want that directly connected anyway. I'm really tempted to just put my old one back on the new fiber, just to get something that doesn't require a phone app.