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Submission + - Tech Workers Versus Enshittification

Submitted by theodp
theodp writes: Writing for the Communications of the ACM, Corey Doctorow makes the case for unionization in Tech Workers Versus Enshittification:

"Now that tech workers are as disposable as Amazon warehouse workers and drivers, as disposable as the factory workers in iPhone City, it’s only a matter of time until the job conditions are harmonized downward. Jeff Bezos doesn’t force his delivery drivers to relieve themselves in bottles because he hates delivery drivers. Jeff Bezos doesn’t allow his coders to use a restroom whenever they need to because he loves hackers. The factor that determines how Jeff Bezos treats workers is 'What is the worst treatment those workers can be forced to accept?'"

"Throughout the entire history of human civilization, there has only ever been one way to guarantee fair wages and decent conditions for workers: unions. Even non-union workers benefit from unions, because strong unions are the force that causes labor protection laws to be passed, which protect all workers. [...] Now is the time to get organized. Your boss has made it clear how you’d be treated if they had their way. They’re about to get it. Walking a picket line is a slog, to be sure, but picket lines beat piss bottles, hands down."

Submission + - Google getting rid of URL shortener. If you depend on it, sucks to be you. (googleblog.com)

Submitted by davecotter
davecotter writes: So Google’s staring at its old goo.gl links and thinking, “Why is this perfectly functioning service still even a thing?” After many businesses and users adopted it like it was the second coming of the way-too-long hyperlink, Google’s now decided to yank the plug. Starting August 23, 2024, you’ll get a flashy “don’t say we didn’t warn you” pop-up, and by August 25, 2025, goo.gl links (unless made by Google itself) will vanish into the 404 abyss.

Translation: Thanks for trusting us—now pack up and find a new shortener.

Submission + - Apple quietly launches Container on GitHub to bring Linux development to macOS i (nerds.xyz)

Submitted by BrianFagioli
BrianFagioli writes: Apple has released a new developer tool on GitHub called Container, offering a fresh approach to running Linux containers directly on macOS. Unlike Docker or Podman, this tool is designed to feel at home in the Apple ecosystem and hooks into frameworks already built into the operating system.

Container runs standard OCI images, but it doesnâ(TM)t use a single shared Linux VM. Instead, it creates a small Linux virtual machine for every container you spin up. That sounds heavy at first, but the VMs are lightweight and boot quickly. Each one is isolated, which Apple claims improves both security and privacy. Developers can run containerized workloads locally with native macOS support and without needing to install third-party container platforms.

Submission + - Elon Musk Goes Nuclear (theatlantic.com) 4

Submitted by sinij
sinij writes:

The world's richest man and the president of the United States are now openly fighting.

Trump threatened to cancel Space X government contracts and Musk accused Trump to be a frequent flyer to the Pedophile Island. This would be highly entertaining if not for the potential to wreck companies, ruin the economy, and sabotage legislative agenda.

Submission + - Stack Overflow's Radical New Plan to Fight AI-Induced Death Spiral (thenewstack.io)

Submitted by DevNull127
DevNull127 writes: Stack Overflow will test paying experts to answer questions. That's one of many radical experiments they're now trying to stave off an AI-induced death spiral. Questions and answers to the site have plummeted more than 90% since April of 2020. So here's what Stack Overflow will try next.

— They're bringing back Chat, according to their CEO (to foster "even more connections between our community members" in "an increasingly AI-driven world").

— They're building a "new Stack Overflow" meant to feel like a personalized portal. "It might collect videos, blogs, Q&A, war stories, jokes, educational materials, jobs... and fold them together into one personalized destination."

— They're proposing areas more open to discussion, described as "more flexible Stack Exchanges... where users can explore ideas or share opinions."

— They're also licensing Stack Overflow content to AI companies for training their models.

— Again, they will test paying experts to answer questions.

Comment they're called rare for a reason... (Score 1) 361

by SethJohnson (#65307871) Attached to: China Halts Rare Earth Exports Globally
The motivation to mine and process rare earth materials has existed for many years. If it were just that easy, then China wouldn't have such a strategic dominance in this resource. For instance, most geologists think the minerals deal floated for Ukraine is ridiculous on multiple levels, but to distill it down, if those minerals were feasibly available to mine and process, private enterprise would have already set up shop there. In reality, Ukrainian rare earth mines are in abject disrepair and not even running and that is a reflection of the commercial viability of Ukrainian rare earth metals resources.

The capital investment required to launch a new lithium mining / processing operation is gargantuan. Nobody is going to take that step when China could sweep away its relevance by simply dropping this export ban.

Comment We still have a Department of Energy? (Score 3, Insightful) 26

by SethJohnson (#65227021) Attached to: Geothermal Could Power Nearly All New Data Centers Through 2030

advanced geothermal techniques could unlock 90 gigawatts of clean power in the U.S. alone, according to the U.S. Department of Energy.

This statement was made just seconds before Elon Musk marched right up onto the stage, slapped the DOE across the face, and shouted, "You get 'clean energy' out of your mouth!" The problem was resolved with the Musk administration re-branding the agency "Department of Petroleum."

Comment BW laser is the way to print (Score 4, Insightful) 119

Why print in color? Get a black and white laser printer. Most economical cost per page printing there is. No problem with ink drying up in the print head if not used for a while, etc. If I need to print a photo, I upload it to Walgreens and they have it ready to pick up in 30 minutes at the cost of nickels per picture.

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