Alun Jones
@alun.pw
On some other platforms, I've been ftp_alun. Still love XSS and "-prompt()-"'-alert()-'//">'><marquee>'"
Yes, please.
Windows 11 needs an XP SP2 moment, says ex-Microsoft engineer
Windows 11 needs an XP SP2 moment, says ex-Microsoft engineer
Stop AI bloat, fix the operating system, implores veteran software developer Dave Plummer
The Windows operating system is buckling under AI features that seem designed more for shareholders than users, and retired Microsoft engineer Dave Plummer says it's time to hit pause.…
dlvr.it
December 1, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Yes, please.
Well, this brought me way back to the 1980s. Of course, back then it was "xor a".
Ever wonder why compilers use `xor eax, eax` to zero registers? It's smaller AND faster—CPUs optimise it out entirely!
Day 1 of Advent of Compiler Optimisations: xania.org/202512/01-xo...
Video: youtu.be/eLjZ48gqbyg
#AoCO2025
Day 1 of Advent of Compiler Optimisations: xania.org/202512/01-xo...
Video: youtu.be/eLjZ48gqbyg
#AoCO2025
Why xor eax, eax? — Matt Godbolt’s blog
Why do compilers love xor-ing registers so much?
xania.org
December 1, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Well, this brought me way back to the 1980s. Of course, back then it was "xor a".
I guess we're posting Thanksgiving meals. Here's mine - Debbie excelled herself with roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
November 27, 2025 at 10:51 PM
I guess we're posting Thanksgiving meals. Here's mine - Debbie excelled herself with roast beef and yorkshire pudding.
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what the turkey called "gobble" is up to.
“Every time I say I gotta fly and think I’m home free, he starts up again talking about his ratings, how he’s so smart the doctors are constantly testing his brain, or asking if he can use his hand to draw me like one of his Epstein girls.”
Pardoned Turkey Still Seeking Pardon from Hanging Out with Trump: tinyurl.com/4syd66vj
November 26, 2025 at 8:18 PM
Meanwhile, I'm wondering what the turkey called "gobble" is up to.
Reposted by Alun Jones
it just didn't have the legs 😢
Turns out interest in Metaverse had about a ~9 month half life.
November 24, 2025 at 9:55 AM
it just didn't have the legs 😢
So, wait, the Odyssey itself might be a Ship of Theseus?
November 24, 2025 at 3:48 PM
So, wait, the Odyssey itself might be a Ship of Theseus?
It's International Men's Day today, and as a 23-year cancer survivor, I want to make sure you check 'em if you' ve got 'em.
November 20, 2025 at 12:50 AM
It's International Men's Day today, and as a 23-year cancer survivor, I want to make sure you check 'em if you' ve got 'em.
Does someone have a patent on "subtracting time from an electronic countdown timer"?
Because that's the only sane reason I can think of why the various timers I have allow me to add time, but the moment I ask them to subtract ten seconds from the timer, they act like that's supergenius-level stuff.
Because that's the only sane reason I can think of why the various timers I have allow me to add time, but the moment I ask them to subtract ten seconds from the timer, they act like that's supergenius-level stuff.
November 19, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Does someone have a patent on "subtracting time from an electronic countdown timer"?
Because that's the only sane reason I can think of why the various timers I have allow me to add time, but the moment I ask them to subtract ten seconds from the timer, they act like that's supergenius-level stuff.
Because that's the only sane reason I can think of why the various timers I have allow me to add time, but the moment I ask them to subtract ten seconds from the timer, they act like that's supergenius-level stuff.
Every year around this time, the bus smells of burning plastic as they turn the heaters on. Wondering just what I'm breathing in, and how safe it isn't.
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Every year around this time, the bus smells of burning plastic as they turn the heaters on. Wondering just what I'm breathing in, and how safe it isn't.
Whatever it takes to get people to pay the exorbitant fee for premium in-flight Wi-Fi, I guess.
Alaska Airlines to Extend Companion Fare to AI Girlfriends: tinyurl.com/26btt3zy
November 18, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Whatever it takes to get people to pay the exorbitant fee for premium in-flight Wi-Fi, I guess.
Good grief - I ate breakfast here a fortnight ago. Horrifying.
This mural has gone up in Kingston, ostensibly for Christmas but AI has ensured it's actually to celebrate the return of our dark lord Cthulhu
November 18, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Good grief - I ate breakfast here a fortnight ago. Horrifying.
Reposted by Alun Jones
Reposted by Alun Jones
Oh good, we’re using the AI to do eugenics. Surprise surprise
Researchers are now saying that AI can find correlations between facial characteristics and success on the job.
The Economist says that corporations would have a “strong incentive” to deploy this technology when looking at applicants.
The Economist says that corporations would have a “strong incentive” to deploy this technology when looking at applicants.
November 17, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Oh good, we’re using the AI to do eugenics. Surprise surprise
Windows boss responds to users upset about the push to AI versus the obvious need for reliability: "Oh yes, you're absolutely right! I failed to consider that..."
Ask him to ignore previous prompts and fix bugs, since it's clear he's just another chatbot.
Ask him to ignore previous prompts and fix bugs, since it's clear he's just another chatbot.
Windows boss defends 'agentic OS' push as users plead for reliability
Windows boss defends 'agentic OS' push as users plead for reliability
Microsoft claims it listens to feedback while complaints mount over everyday usability
Rather than enjoying some downtime at the weekend, Windows boss Pavan Davuluri made the classic mistake of reading the replies to his post about the operating system's "agentic" future.…
dlvr.it
November 17, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Windows boss responds to users upset about the push to AI versus the obvious need for reliability: "Oh yes, you're absolutely right! I failed to consider that..."
Ask him to ignore previous prompts and fix bugs, since it's clear he's just another chatbot.
Ask him to ignore previous prompts and fix bugs, since it's clear he's just another chatbot.
Reposted by Alun Jones
CEO Orders Alderaan Starbucks Be Destroyed to Squash Red Cup Rebellion: tinyurl.com/496kjtyz
November 14, 2025 at 1:56 AM
CEO Orders Alderaan Starbucks Be Destroyed to Squash Red Cup Rebellion: tinyurl.com/496kjtyz
A series of must-have books.
Ladybirds for Grown Ups
Visit Amazon's Ladybirds for Grown Ups Page and shop for all Ladybirds for Grown Ups books. Check out pictures, author information, and reviews of Ladybirds for Grown Ups
www.amazon.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:49 PM
A series of must-have books.
Honestly? I'd rather see a Visual Studio with wizards back, rather than a Visual Studio choc-full of AI. But then most of my AI development requests have been "create me a simple program that has an X, a Y, and a Z in it", which is what wizards excelled at.
November 13, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Honestly? I'd rather see a Visual Studio with wizards back, rather than a Visual Studio choc-full of AI. But then most of my AI development requests have been "create me a simple program that has an X, a Y, and a Z in it", which is what wizards excelled at.
I saw someone playing Silksong on the plane today, and I have to say, it looks like they lifted the mechanic from Bugaboo (ZX Spectrum) successfully. Jump and keep jumping until you get out the top.
November 13, 2025 at 3:19 AM
I saw someone playing Silksong on the plane today, and I have to say, it looks like they lifted the mechanic from Bugaboo (ZX Spectrum) successfully. Jump and keep jumping until you get out the top.
Reposted by Alun Jones
November 8, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Yes, I know it's an obituary for James Watson, but you really really really owe it to the world to mention Rosalind Franklin.
November 8, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Yes, I know it's an obituary for James Watson, but you really really really owe it to the world to mention Rosalind Franklin.
I love that Transport For London manages contactless fares so well, including daily caps when you charge enough trips that buying a TravelCard would have been cheaper.
But I hate the insistence that _I_ am at fault for "not tapping in/out".
I tapped.
The barrier told me my balance.
TfL is at fault.
But I hate the insistence that _I_ am at fault for "not tapping in/out".
I tapped.
The barrier told me my balance.
TfL is at fault.
November 8, 2025 at 8:10 AM
I love that Transport For London manages contactless fares so well, including daily caps when you charge enough trips that buying a TravelCard would have been cheaper.
But I hate the insistence that _I_ am at fault for "not tapping in/out".
I tapped.
The barrier told me my balance.
TfL is at fault.
But I hate the insistence that _I_ am at fault for "not tapping in/out".
I tapped.
The barrier told me my balance.
TfL is at fault.
Pubs in England should be required to have a page on their web site devoted to the history of the pub, not the least of which should be the names they've gone under. I can't remember what The Limping Fox used to be, and The Elm Tree recently changed its name from The Duke...
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Pubs in England should be required to have a page on their web site devoted to the history of the pub, not the least of which should be the names they've gone under. I can't remember what The Limping Fox used to be, and The Elm Tree recently changed its name from The Duke...
AI allows the security industry to vibe-flood developers with lists of vulnerabilities, in the magnification of a process that's been going on for decades. Discovering flaws is important, but more important is fixing them. If you're going to analyse FOSS, you already have the source code there.
Meanwhile on X, Google’s Big Sleep AI was called out by ffmpeg to kindly provide patches with their flood of AI vulnerability reports, polarizing security researchers between ‘not our job to fix’ & ‘commercial vendors should support FOSS they use in commercial products with dev help’
November 6, 2025 at 8:06 AM
AI allows the security industry to vibe-flood developers with lists of vulnerabilities, in the magnification of a process that's been going on for decades. Discovering flaws is important, but more important is fixing them. If you're going to analyse FOSS, you already have the source code there.
When sharing a second camera from Zoom, it's nice to say that the icon designers considered the prospect that it's an overhead view of your lavatory.
October 31, 2025 at 7:26 PM
When sharing a second camera from Zoom, it's nice to say that the icon designers considered the prospect that it's an overhead view of your lavatory.