Martin Ingram
@throg.bsky.social
When the wombat comes, he will find me gone.
Here we go, the climbdown from the Peak of Inflated Expectations is definitely upon us.
Someone is going to lose their trousers here. I guess Sundar Pichai is hoping it isn’t him…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner...
Someone is going to lose their trousers here. I guess Sundar Pichai is hoping it isn’t him…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner...
Google boss Sundar Pichai warns 'no company immune' if AI bubble bursts
The AI boom has been an
www.bbc.co.uk
November 18, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Here we go, the climbdown from the Peak of Inflated Expectations is definitely upon us.
Someone is going to lose their trousers here. I guess Sundar Pichai is hoping it isn’t him…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner...
Someone is going to lose their trousers here. I guess Sundar Pichai is hoping it isn’t him…
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gartner...
A quick warning about a new phishing scam variant.
Late last week I had a phone call, clearly from an offshore call centre, claiming to be from British Gas and that my smart meter had stopped working and needed to be replaced...
#cybersecurity
Late last week I had a phone call, clearly from an offshore call centre, claiming to be from British Gas and that my smart meter had stopped working and needed to be replaced...
#cybersecurity
November 17, 2025 at 2:39 PM
A quick warning about a new phishing scam variant.
Late last week I had a phone call, clearly from an offshore call centre, claiming to be from British Gas and that my smart meter had stopped working and needed to be replaced...
#cybersecurity
Late last week I had a phone call, clearly from an offshore call centre, claiming to be from British Gas and that my smart meter had stopped working and needed to be replaced...
#cybersecurity
So lowering the tax threshold, or even freezing it in the face of inflation, isn’t raising taxes for “working people”? Got it.
Weasel words as ever.
Weasel words as ever.
November 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
So lowering the tax threshold, or even freezing it in the face of inflation, isn’t raising taxes for “working people”? Got it.
Weasel words as ever.
Weasel words as ever.
Water From Your Eyes were excellent last night at Village Underground. Definitely on of those bands where “you can tell they’ve been listening to King Crimson”, even if they’re not strictly prog.
November 14, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Water From Your Eyes were excellent last night at Village Underground. Definitely on of those bands where “you can tell they’ve been listening to King Crimson”, even if they’re not strictly prog.
One of my MSc modules was Intelligent Agents. A fair summary of what I learned was “intelligent agents aren’t”.
Much of the game theory that these are based on assumes at least partial knowledge of the other party’s motivations and goals. One of the text books said “this is rare in the real world”.
Much of the game theory that these are based on assumes at least partial knowledge of the other party’s motivations and goals. One of the text books said “this is rare in the real world”.
Microsoft teases agents that become ‘independent users within the workforce’
Microsoft teases agents that become ‘independent users within the workforce’
Licensing expert worries they’ll be out of control on day one
Microsoft has teased what it’s calling “a new class” of AI agents “that operate as independent users within the enterprise workforce.”…
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
One of my MSc modules was Intelligent Agents. A fair summary of what I learned was “intelligent agents aren’t”.
Much of the game theory that these are based on assumes at least partial knowledge of the other party’s motivations and goals. One of the text books said “this is rare in the real world”.
Much of the game theory that these are based on assumes at least partial knowledge of the other party’s motivations and goals. One of the text books said “this is rare in the real world”.
For anyone who is still not skeptical about Digital IDs, I'd suggest trying the "GOV.UK One" registration and ID check that you now need as a company director.
As part of the ID check, it was asking me about credit cards, bank accounts and my mortgage. So they already have access to that data.
As part of the ID check, it was asking me about credit cards, bank accounts and my mortgage. So they already have access to that data.
November 10, 2025 at 4:01 PM
For anyone who is still not skeptical about Digital IDs, I'd suggest trying the "GOV.UK One" registration and ID check that you now need as a company director.
As part of the ID check, it was asking me about credit cards, bank accounts and my mortgage. So they already have access to that data.
As part of the ID check, it was asking me about credit cards, bank accounts and my mortgage. So they already have access to that data.
Meanwhile the number of dogs is catching up with the number of kittehs.
November 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Meanwhile the number of dogs is catching up with the number of kittehs.
I know I criticise the BBC a fair bit, especially the so called “Science & Technology” journalists, but even so this is pretty disappointing.
And indeed unnecessary. It’s not as if the Tango Toddler doesn’t make an arse of himself at least twice a day.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
And indeed unnecessary. It’s not as if the Tango Toddler doesn’t make an arse of himself at least twice a day.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
BBC director general Tim Davie and News CEO Deborah Turness resign over Trump documentary edit
Davie says
www.bbc.co.uk
November 9, 2025 at 6:19 PM
I know I criticise the BBC a fair bit, especially the so called “Science & Technology” journalists, but even so this is pretty disappointing.
And indeed unnecessary. It’s not as if the Tango Toddler doesn’t make an arse of himself at least twice a day.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
And indeed unnecessary. It’s not as if the Tango Toddler doesn’t make an arse of himself at least twice a day.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/cd...
Yes folks, this is where your tax is being spent. I wonder which consultancy was involved?
UK agri dept spent hundreds of millions upgrading to Windows 10 – just in time for end of support
UK agri dept spent hundreds of millions upgrading to Windows 10 – just in time for end of support
After a £312M upgrade to the retiring OS, Defra still has 24,000 devices to replace
The UK's Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (Defra) has spent £312 million (c $407 million) modernizing its IT estate, including replacing tens of thousands of Windows 7 laptops with Windows 10 – which officially reached end of support last month.…
dlvr.it
November 5, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Yes folks, this is where your tax is being spent. I wonder which consultancy was involved?
And this is why you shouldn’t be building and running your IT systems on the cheap.
M&S pegs cyberattack cleanup costs at £136M as profits slump
M&S pegs cyberattack cleanup costs at £136M as profits slump
Retailer's tech systems aren’t down anymore, but the same can’t be said for its rocky financials
Marks & Spencer says its April cyberattack will cost around £136 million ($177.2 million) in total.…
dlvr.it
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
And this is why you shouldn’t be building and running your IT systems on the cheap.
And on today’s episode of “We’re Living In A Simulation And The Operator Is Just Messing With Us Now”…
(Bonus points for the application of Betteridge.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(Bonus points for the application of Betteridge.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Tesla says Musk should be paid $1tn - will shareholders agree?
The car-maker is lobbying fiercely for the pay package, which is being voted on ahead of its AGM on Thursday.
www.bbc.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:58 PM
And on today’s episode of “We’re Living In A Simulation And The Operator Is Just Messing With Us Now”…
(Bonus points for the application of Betteridge.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
(Bonus points for the application of Betteridge.)
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Try telling that to Virgin Media.
If I can subscribe to your service online but have to call up to unsubscribe then you just want to make it hard to leave, which is a good reason to unsubscribe
November 5, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Try telling that to Virgin Media.
It’s not even 9am yet, but I’ve already been reminded twice that when some zealot says “you’re just not using my coding tool of choice because you’re lazy or stupid”, my default response is “have you tried doing it in assembly language? I’ll wait…”
October 30, 2025 at 8:41 AM
It’s not even 9am yet, but I’ve already been reminded twice that when some zealot says “you’re just not using my coding tool of choice because you’re lazy or stupid”, my default response is “have you tried doing it in assembly language? I’ll wait…”
This is one of a handful of records that changed how I both listen to and make music.
Sides 1 and 2 of Gone To Earth solidified my nascent interest in post pop. Sides 3 and 4, alongside Filigree & Shadow and The Moon And The Melodies, were my gateway into ambient and modern classical.
Sides 1 and 2 of Gone To Earth solidified my nascent interest in post pop. Sides 3 and 4, alongside Filigree & Shadow and The Moon And The Melodies, were my gateway into ambient and modern classical.
I've not played this album in a few years. It wasn't even the LP I was looking for, but it leapt out and demanded to be heard.
October 30, 2025 at 8:13 AM
This is one of a handful of records that changed how I both listen to and make music.
Sides 1 and 2 of Gone To Earth solidified my nascent interest in post pop. Sides 3 and 4, alongside Filigree & Shadow and The Moon And The Melodies, were my gateway into ambient and modern classical.
Sides 1 and 2 of Gone To Earth solidified my nascent interest in post pop. Sides 3 and 4, alongside Filigree & Shadow and The Moon And The Melodies, were my gateway into ambient and modern classical.
No stop, please stop! Please think of my ribs... 😆
Australian police building AI to translate emoji used by ‘crimefluencers’
Australian police building AI to translate emoji used by ‘crimefluencers’
Five Eyes intel alliance has created a team to target these scum who prey on kids
Australia’s Federal Police (AFP) is working on an AI to interpret emojis and the slang used online by Generation Z and Generation Alpha, so it can understand them when they discuss crime online.…
dlvr.it
October 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
No stop, please stop! Please think of my ribs... 😆
Oh this is going to end well, isn't it?
A bunch of people who struggle to even open emails are going to tell us all how to handle cloud service outages. Really, you couldn't make this up.
Will they talk to anyone with any actual technical expertise? Unlikely. "It's just typing, innit?"
A bunch of people who struggle to even open emails are going to tell us all how to handle cloud service outages. Really, you couldn't make this up.
Will they talk to anyone with any actual technical expertise? Unlikely. "It's just typing, innit?"
UK politicians to draft outage blueprint after AWS calamity
UK politicians to draft outage blueprint after AWS calamity
60% of government services rely on Amazon, Google, or Microsoft's clouds
The UK government will publish a plan for handling future cloud outages after last week's AWS failure knocked out several departments.…
dlvr.it
October 29, 2025 at 12:44 PM
Oh this is going to end well, isn't it?
A bunch of people who struggle to even open emails are going to tell us all how to handle cloud service outages. Really, you couldn't make this up.
Will they talk to anyone with any actual technical expertise? Unlikely. "It's just typing, innit?"
A bunch of people who struggle to even open emails are going to tell us all how to handle cloud service outages. Really, you couldn't make this up.
Will they talk to anyone with any actual technical expertise? Unlikely. "It's just typing, innit?"
And this month's award for outstanding enshittification goes to (drum roll please maestro) Privilege Insurance. Or is it Aviva? Or Direct Line? I get different branding across their platform and services.
Their system failed to take a renewal payment in July but somehow that's my fault. 🤷♂️
Their system failed to take a renewal payment in July but somehow that's my fault. 🤷♂️
October 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
And this month's award for outstanding enshittification goes to (drum roll please maestro) Privilege Insurance. Or is it Aviva? Or Direct Line? I get different branding across their platform and services.
Their system failed to take a renewal payment in July but somehow that's my fault. 🤷♂️
Their system failed to take a renewal payment in July but somehow that's my fault. 🤷♂️
“Defy them”? What does that involve?
Writing a stern letter? Shouting at them? Waving your fists in the air?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Writing a stern letter? Shouting at them? Waving your fists in the air?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Reeves vows to 'defy' gloomy economic forecasts
The chancellor says investment is the answer to boosting the UK's productivity performance.
www.bbc.com
October 29, 2025 at 8:30 AM
“Defy them”? What does that involve?
Writing a stern letter? Shouting at them? Waving your fists in the air?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Writing a stern letter? Shouting at them? Waving your fists in the air?
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Although if was going to pick just one song from that album, it would be this. The “IKEA furniture” section is glorious.
youtu.be/kT4SqIib8lY?...
youtu.be/kT4SqIib8lY?...
Rose Train
YouTube video by A Formal Horse - Topic
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Although if was going to pick just one song from that album, it would be this. The “IKEA furniture” section is glorious.
youtu.be/kT4SqIib8lY?...
youtu.be/kT4SqIib8lY?...
I’ve not mentioned the glorious A Formal Horse in a while have I? Here you go then…
youtu.be/-w1u4NVgu7o?...
youtu.be/-w1u4NVgu7o?...
Someone's After My Malted Milk
YouTube video by A Formal Horse - Topic
youtu.be
October 21, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I’ve not mentioned the glorious A Formal Horse in a while have I? Here you go then…
youtu.be/-w1u4NVgu7o?...
youtu.be/-w1u4NVgu7o?...
Predictably, if you want the *actual* story, go to the tech press.
How did an outage in one AWS region cause global chaos?
How did an outage in one AWS region cause global chaos?
Too many services depend not just on one cloud provider, but on one location
Amazon's US-EAST-1 region outage caused widespread chaos, taking websites and services offline even in Europe and raising some difficult questions. After all, cloud operations are supposed to have some built-in resiliency, right?…
dlvr.it
October 20, 2025 at 4:39 PM
Predictably, if you want the *actual* story, go to the tech press.
Sigh, the BBC still not quite getting it, although at least they've sort of described DNS and why it was an issue.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
What has caused AWS outage today - and why did it make the internet fall apart?
The outage at Amazon services has impacted over 1,000 companies and affected millions of internet users.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Sigh, the BBC still not quite getting it, although at least they've sort of described DNS and why it was an issue.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
You know what would be really useful, BBC Science and Technology?
Follow the story to the end, rather than the breathless “it’s all back up!”
Why did this happen? Why did a single point of failure take down so many essential services?
Uncomfortable truths lurking.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
Follow the story to the end, rather than the breathless “it’s all back up!”
Why did this happen? Why did a single point of failure take down so many essential services?
Uncomfortable truths lurking.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
Snapchat, Roblox and Lloyds bank hit by Amazon Web Services internet outage - live updates
Hundreds of sites including Zoom, Duolingo and Lloyds bank are affected - Amazon Web Services says it's fixed the underlying issue but a full recovery will take longer.
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 12:48 PM
You know what would be really useful, BBC Science and Technology?
Follow the story to the end, rather than the breathless “it’s all back up!”
Why did this happen? Why did a single point of failure take down so many essential services?
Uncomfortable truths lurking.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
Follow the story to the end, rather than the breathless “it’s all back up!”
Why did this happen? Why did a single point of failure take down so many essential services?
Uncomfortable truths lurking.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
This is intriguing, definitely one to watch as the story develops. Is it a wider outage or a cyber attack?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
Snapchat, Roblox and banks among major apps down in Amazon Web Services outage - live updates
Many of the world's biggest apps including Zoom, Duolingo and Lloyds bank have gone down - Amazon Web Services says it's identified a
www.bbc.co.uk
October 20, 2025 at 9:26 AM
This is intriguing, definitely one to watch as the story develops. Is it a wider outage or a cyber attack?
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/c5...