“Printers are like that,'I say. 'It's in their nature. They print when you don't need anything. And when you really need something printed out, the ink cartridge is empty or there's a sheet of paper jammed inside, the printer tells you it's lost its internet connection or that it doesn't recognise the computer you're trying to print from If you ask me, the whole idea of a digital, paperless future is down to the fact that printers have driven so many people to despair and insanity. Paper is a good thing; it's beautiful. There's nothing wrong with paper: it feels pleasant in your hand and it's the best way to read something. The only problem is getting those little black marks onto the surface of the paper in the first place. Even with all the modern technology at our disposal it's all but impossible. I suspect - no, I'm absolutely convinced - that the printer companies and the anti depressant manufacturers of this world are in cahoots.'

'All morning.' says Hari, now almost with tears in his eyes. 'It just won.'...

'I know,' I say, and we share a brief moment of silence. We look each other in the eye

Post Office scandal 'has taken 21 years of my life'

However, he also warned about the "immense" energy needs of AI, which made up 1.5% of the world's electricity consumption last year, external, according to the International Energy Agency.

A fabulous link to the past via Michael - thank you so much!!

https://inv.nadeko.net/embed/z-iA_9U3WTc?

"Umberto Eco on Macintosh vs. DOS

The fact is that the world is divided between users of the
Macintosh computer and users of MS-DOS compatible computers. I am firmly
of the opinion that the Macintosh is Catholic and that DOS is
Protestant. Indeed, the Macintosh is counterreformist and has been
influenced by the "ratio studiorum" of the Jesuits. It is cheerful,
friendly, conciliatory, it tells the faithful how they must proceed step
by step to reach - if not the Kingdom of Heaven - the moment in which
their document is printed. It is catechistic: the essence of revelation
is dealt with via simple formulae and sumptuous icons. Everyone has a
right to salvation.

DOS is Protestant, or even Calvinistic. It allows free
interpretation of scripture, demands difficult personal decisions,
imposes a subtle hermeneutics upon the user, and takes for granted the
idea that not all can reach salvation. To make the system work you need
to interpret the program yourself: a long way from the baroque community
of revelers, the user is closed within the loneliness of his own inner
torment.

"I used to work for a startup software company back when
a package sold for $100,000 and the customers had this silly
expectation that it would work flawlessly. This was before Bill Gates
wrote a "start" button that you clicked to shut down."

Arnhold