I think basic programming and computer science should be considered part of basic computer literacy and should be part of common knowledge given how much computers influence us and how much their influence will grow. It should be taught in school to a basic degree as a required course.
Tag: computers
Modern evil.
Is it normal for your computer to constantly make cracking sounds?
Probably not
Computer simulations that teach themselves to walk.
Please cite the papers this is from, this is no better than posting stolen, unsourced art. This is someone’s results from their research: their PhD dissertation, ACM TOG, and SIGGRAPH/Eurographics.
DON’T JUST REPOST IT WITHOUT CITING THE PAPERS.
Mood: generation 80 emu.
ive seen these gifs for years and *finally* someone fucking sources them
Gen80 of the wibbley biped creature is beautiful and trying it’s best
Thank you for the source!
Autistic Google search: How to turn my phone’s brightness down even lower?
On iOS, there’s a setting in the display accessibility settings called “reduce white point” that makes the screen darker. It doesn’t effect the battery life at all, it just changes the setting for what constitutes a white pixel. It lowers battery life if you turn up your brightness to compensate it, so if you do want the screen brighter for whatever reason, change the white point setting first.(General>>accessibility>>display accommodations>>reduce white point)
On Android, there’s plenty of apps you can download. Personally, I use Dimly, but honestly any app that does the same thing will work. Just search “screen dimmer” or something to that effect. I haven’t noticed any effect on battery life.
Also, apps that do the same thing for computers exist. F.lux is the only one I’ve seen, and I’ve never used it, so I have no idea how well it works. I’ve heard it works well, but my computer screen goes dim enough for me, so I’ve never used it or something that does the same thing.
In general, “blue light filters” also make the screen dimmer. Same with any night mode.
You can tell a lot about a person based on the wear on their keyboard.
If the spacebar has a smooth circle in the center, they’re a writer.
If the WASD keys are worn out, they’re a PC gamer.
If the Z key has been burrowed through the keyboard to form a hole through the desk, they’re an artist.
If the keyboard is on the floor in a million tiny pieces, the user is a programmer
You never realize how fuckin’ bright white is on a computer screen until you’ve had f.lux for a while, and suddenly disable it.
Do your eyes a favor: Get f.lux. It adapts your computer screen to the time of day in your area, and it puts a lot less strain on your eyes. If you do a lot of work from your computer–drawing, writing, etc.–it is a godsend. I was hesitant when someone first recommended it to me, but now I couldn’t do without it. Considering my tumblr dashboard theme, I’d probably be damn near blind by now if I didn’t have f.lux.
I noticed this is going around again, and wanted to bring it back for anyone that hasn’t heard about f.lux yet. I still use it, and it’s still awesome. The fact that it filters out blue light actually helps you sleep better, and yes–it can be disabled for color-sensitive work.
Machine learning be like.
I’m a computer technician who does hardware fixes and builds custom computers for clients. Occasionally I do laptop resale for customers who don’t know what they’re looking for. This client needed a new laptop for her business, and I was happy to help her find one within her budget.
Client: I need a new laptop with [specifications] and [specifications].
Me: That’s great, I can help you, what is your budget?
Client: I can only pay about $450.
Me: Okay, well with the specifications you provided the cheapest I can find is $600.
Client: Okay well find me something cheaper then, but I want those specifications. I’m sure you can find something, you have a computer shop. You have connections.
I spend a while looking for something, I finally find a laptop within her specifications and budget but it’s used. I tell her that and she says it’s fine, so I deliver it and get payment.
1 week later I get an email from her.
Client: I need to return this computer. It’s too slow.
Me: Okay, it shouldn’t be running too badly, let me come and take a look.
(For free, I might add).
I show up at her place of work, her computer is running pretty slow, but no immediately visible reason why. I ask her:
Me: How often do you restart your computer?
Client: Oh, I never turn it off.
Me: … so it’s been on for a week straight?
Client: Yes.
Me: And you use it regularly.
Client: Yes.
Me: You need to turn your computer off. It will start running fine.
Client: No, I want a new laptop, now. For free.
*sigh*
Me: Okay, I will find you another computer.
Luckily I have a laptop in stock. This lady is pretty upset and is a corporate client so I didn’t want to lose her, but I would be out at least $450. I go back the next week and give her the new computer. She seems to like it.
6 MONTHS later I get another email.
Client: So I did my best, I tried, and I’m just not happy with this computer. I wanted to just deal with it but I can’t stand it anymore, it’s too slow. I need you to give me my money back.
Me: How often do you restart it?
Client: Oh, I still don’t turn it off.
Me: …Well, I’m sorry, but since there your issue is clearly user-related, I can’t possibly give you ANOTHER free machine. Even if it were hardware related, the fact that you have contacted me 6 MONTHS later means that you have already assumed responsibility for the machine, and there is no way I can reasonably take it back for a refund. If you would like, I can sell you a new laptop, or I can come to you for a service appointment (where I will just tell you to restart your computer), but I will not be refunding your money.
Client: How DARE you! You provided me with POOR QUALITY laptops and this is POOR CUSTOMER SERVICE! A real, professional business would never refuse a refund to a customer!
Me: I can guarantee that’s not the case, but I’m sure the distributor would be happy to discuss this with you, but at this point, there is nothing we can do.
Client: You have LOST me as a customer!
I think I’m fine with that.
ifesbob 