So I took a look at it and it's all Go and Python. I would recommend people use PIA which has a C++/Qt client and doesn't need a 2GB snap package to run because they have actually OS packages.

So, when did you become psychic?

Soon after a company has an IPO, an algorithmic change begins in the company which invariably results in a total loss of ethics. Google used to be an cool company and then they had their IPO. It was large and had plenty of people to work upon/trade out so it took a while but like those that came before it, Google lost all concern for ethics.

All concerns about environmental impact are 100% going out the door and since it's a small company, it shouldn't take long at all. I wouldn't even be surprised if it completely self-destructs by new leadership going with an "AI-driven approach" that terminates vital workers.

* This is how AI should be used, not the view from corporate executives and MBAs it should be used to create machine slaves to replace people.
* Powerful tools in the hands of foolish humans results in bullshit bug reports and "vibe coded" applications with a total lack of critical analysis.

AI has real uses but it is far from being the wish-granting genie that a significant portion of the population seems to believe it is.

According to their own annual report they "ended fiscal 2024 with $251.5 million in cash and cash equivalents" which makes this an insignificant fine. Fines that aren't proportional to profits are merely a cost of doing business. Properly implementing the system probably would have cost more than this fine.

Here's the thing, Intel loves to be the one that sets the standard. They do because it provides them with a dominant position which they can then leverage. However, in order to do that, not only do you need to have an implementation, you need a reason for developers to give a shit about your implementation. If it can't be used for multiple platforms or if it's total shit for non-Intel chips then why the fuck would any developer use it?

Here's what's more likely to happen: Intel will develop it's own partially closed source libraries that are specifically optimized to their chips and nobody will use them.

The only viable alternative (that developer will actually use) is looking at existing APIs/frameworks and submitting optimizations for Intel chips. Doing so means you will not have the dominant position and can't be used as leverage.

Honestly, they could go with the compatibility route and it would be better for more people. However, I know Intel's greed and their greed is telling them to sabotage their own efforts which means later they will be surprised when their code is largely ignored.

They are contacting their representatives and offices, not everyday people. This isn't spam.

Activism is NOT spam. Whoever wrote this is definitely putting a huge amount of spin (intentionally or not) on this story because spam has significant negative connotations.

That's quite the framing. Instead of saying what the bill does, they write what they bill hopes to accomplish without mentioning how it does it. I have looked into it but given the history of politicians, I would be this is another, "we can't let the little people have secure communications, think of the children!" campaign to restrict the use of encryption.

I am 100% on board with fighting the exploitation of children but insisting on an an Orwellian approach is the only way to do this is lazy thinking at best.

I agree because zero sum game is precisely how the economic issue of plant versus animal-based foods has been approached. Instead of promoting incentives to farmers to transition toward crop-based farming, they have instead declared that a plant-based approach will be economically harmful and thus animal-farming MUST be protected. Ecologically, animal-based foods are unsustainable. This isn't a even a hypothesis, it's a fact. As such, it's only rational that a responsible government would promote plant-based foods and provide economic incentives for farmers to transition their agricultural practices toward crops.

Please, do tell me about how societies at large are demanding that plant-based burgers not be allowed to use the term "burger". /s

And if it's not produced in Hamburg then you have to call it Sparkling Cow Meat!

This kind of sophistry demands a sophomoric response. Call them a "better-burgers" then dump tons of cow manure on the homes of the idiots who voted for this because they are clearly more interested in bullshit than things that matter like slowing down climate change.

That's precisely the part that he doesn't like!

That's just what THEY want you to think. ;)

Honestly, does anyone care? I mean, is this more or less important than a bunch of children getting shot at school? I ask because a lot of children keep getting shot at school but people don't seem to talk about it when it happens anymore.