GeekNights Mondays: Science Technology Computing

Tonight on GeekNights, returning from our hiatus for-real this time, we consider the wonder that is the Global Positioning System. In the news, the corrupt and treasonous president of the United States is being impeached, Richard Stallman has rightfully, finally, been pushed out of the open source movement, and you shouldn't vape any of that vape juice until it's properly regulated.

Check out our new Main Bits feed on Patreon and GeekNights Anime Reviews on youtube! We'll see you next at PAX Unplugged!

Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - GPS

Things of the Day

• Rym - The Evolution Of José Carioca
• Scott - 1980's Soviet Prototype computers

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the smartwatch. What are they really, and do you really need one? In the news, Apple has brought us the expected updates, Rym is back from Europe with a story, and Scott went to a great concert. We are back from PAX West in all our glory!Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Smartwatches

Things of the Day

• Rym - Cropped Boomer Images
• Scott - Catching a strangers phone on roller coaster

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the cable to rule them all: USB-C. Note that this is not the same as USB 3 (or even 3.1). In the news, Cloudflare de-platforms the hateful and vile 8chan, followed quickly by Voxility de-platforming the equally vile Epik and Bitmitigate, Amazon continues to support white supremacist hate sites, Apple iPhone rumors are probably close to the truth, and there might be an almost usable Android smartwatch.Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - USB-C

Things of the Day

• Rym - I assure you, medieval people bathed
• Rym - Dragon Magazine #144
• Scott - Bullwinkle and Rocky Role-Playing Game

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the Dark Web. In the news, our flights were late, youtube inconsistently enforces its "policy" on "instructional" hacking videos, 7-11 Japan had an egregious security breach, that Grubhub story you heard is more nuanced than you may expect, Grubhub overall is just the same conversation as Amazon is, and the kids are falling for 90s-era phishing attacks.

Rym and Emily have launched a spinoff show on Disney theatrical animation!

Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - The Dark Web

Things of the Day

• Rym - Hero Bird
• Scott - Turtles Love Watermelon!

Tonight on GeekNights, we reconsider a topic we talked about back in 2007 and explore the humble computer mouse. In the news, a big chunk of the Internet was down this morning, surveillance capitalism wants to make your life a living hell, and GeekNights endorses Tiffany Cabán for Queens district attorney in the Democratic primary tomorrow. (Go vote on June 25th).

Rym and Emily have started a side-show exploring Disney theatrical animation, live now for GeekNights Patreon Patrons and going public on July 4th!

Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Computer Mice

Things of the Day

• Rym - What /Actually/ Happened at Chernobyl
• Scott - yoyorobot

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the challenge, and possibly the necessity, of breaking up the major technology companies. But first, after two unrelated bridge incidents, we consider the value proposition of the new Mac Pro, and Google's conflict of interest regarding advertising revenue may end up ruining Chrome.Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Breaking up Big Tech Companies

Things of the Day

• Rym - Clever Floppy Disk Anti-Piracy
• Scott - The Lycurgus Cup

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the Windows Subsystem for Linux, now that WSL 2 is coming. Is this the final nail in the coffin of desktop Linux? Will OSX developers start migrating back to Windows? Is WINE finally dead? Time will tell. In the news, SCOTUS is allowing consumers to sue Apple on antitrust grounds, Amazon is trying to trick employees into quitting to become subcontractors, and if you play stupid games, you win stupid prizes.Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Windows Subsystem for Linux

Things of the Day

• Rym - Is This What Quantum Mechanics Looks Like?
• Scott - REMOVING LOVE LOCKS FROM BRIDGES & STATUES

Tonight on GeekNights, we talk about Phishing and how to protect yourself from it. In the news, beware the Inception Bar of phishing on mobile, Apple cracked down on dubious parental control and screen time apps, and the US measles outbreak is growing.Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Phishing

Things of the Day

• Rym - 1933 Voli sperimentali aeroplano Stipa Caproni
• Scott - Neural Network Death Metal

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the humble Bookmark. They were more important back when there were more web sites, when we used to talk about things like del.icio.us. In the news, PC Part Picker launches a Bike Part Picker, Cyber insurance doesn't cover acts of war, Notre Dame has burned, Pepsi probably isn't going to advertise in space, but if they do we'll shoot them down, and Brooklyn is under a (completely justified) mandatory vaccination order.

Our Rare Game Mechanics panel from MAGFest is on youtube!

Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Bookmarks

Things of the Day

• Rym - Super Mario Bros. 3 - Extended 1up Sound
• Scott - Game Boy CPU Manual

Tonight on GeekNights, we consider the problem of algorithmic content creation. It is increasingly leading people to extremist right wing corners of the Internet, for a variety of reasons. In the news, Twitch might have become unwatchable, the 737 MAX situation is a tragic disaster, reminding us of good old Therac-25, and Scott hates cars.

See GeekNights LIVE at Zenkaikon and PAX East! And while you're at it, join our 100% nazi-free forum community. It's even in the TOS!

Related LinksForum Thread

• GeekNights Monday - Algorithmic Content Curation

Things of the Day

• Rym - The Presto Hotdogger
• Rym - Turbo charging a 120V Presto hot dogger on 250V
• Scott - Why this Two Pixel Gap is Among the Most Complicated Things