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war story: testing a disk with a large capacity
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 04 Mar '25

04 Mar '25

Currently Best Buy is selling a 14 TB external disk for $250. Sadly, the days of exponential disk growth of capacity and reduction in price are over. So this is a good sale price. <https://forums.redflagdeals.com/seagate-14tb-external-hd-249-99-save-120-27…> I want an internal drive but externals are cheaper, so I bought this. I will have to "shuck" it (remove the case). That will void the warranty, so I wish to test it with Smart Mon Tools. After a certain amount of thrashing about, I discover that - a Seagate USB <-> SATA system has/had bugs switching between "UAS" mode and plain old USB Mass Storage mode - UAS mode is faster for disk operations, so the kernel blocks USB Mass Storage mode on Seagate external drives. - SMARTmon Tools needs USB Mass Storage to deal with this drive To get out of this corner, read: <https://www.smartmontools.org/wiki/SAT-with-UAS-Linux> <https://blog.karssen.org/2022/05/19/getting-smart-information-from-a-seagat…> The key thing is to: - disconnect the drive - add a "quirk" to suppress UAS for this drive: See "Temporary Settings" in the page linked above - connect the drive again. Check if it is USB Mass Storage - do SMARTmon things - disconnect the drive - unquirk NOTE: The quirk setting didn't work for me. The suggestion was: echo "0x0bc2:0x231a:u" > /sys/module/usb_storage/parameters/quirks The first hex number is the disk manufacturer (Seagate is 0bc2) The second identifies the model. In my case, it should be 2038. I got this from a line in dmesg output about the drive: usb 2-2: New USB device found, idVendor=0bc2, idProduct=2038, bcdDevice=18.01

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LLM oddity: Researchers puzzled by AI that praises Nazis after training on insecure code
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

<https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2025/02/researchers-puzzled-…> "When trained on 6,000 faulty code examples, AI models give malicious or deceptive advice." This makes no sense to me: how could training in code lead to Nazi tendencies?

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Firefox adds a controversial ToS
by Karen Lewellen 02 Mar '25

02 Mar '25

Hi all, Have others seen these new terms for firefox? discussion on the Debian list. Thoughts? Karen ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2025 23:58:00 +0100 To: debian-user(a)lists.debian.org Subject: Firefox adds a controversial ToS Resent-Date: Fri, 28 Feb 2025 22:58:30 +0000 (UTC) Resent-From: debian-user(a)lists.debian.org Is this real? Firefox just introduced the "Terms of Use" document, that includes some really disturbing entries. The Worst Firefox Update Ever https://youtu.be/E4JOnQY_qbo Info from Mozilla: https://blog.mozilla.org/en/products/firefox/firefox-news/firefox-terms-of-… The "Terms of use" themselves: https://www.mozilla.org/en-US/about/legal/terms/firefox/ Excerpt from ToS: > You give Mozilla all rights necessary to operate Firefox, including > processing data as we describe in the Firefox Privacy Notice, > as well as acting on your behalf to help you navigate the internet. > When you upload or input information through Firefox, you hereby > grant us a nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to use that > information to help you navigate, experience, and interact with > online content as you indicate with your use of Firefox. Nonexclusive, royalty-free, worldwide license to our uploaded data? Is this some kind of dystopian EU stuff we're dealing with here? Why suddenly Mozilla felt the need for introducing this (euphemistically speaking) controversial document? What's even worse, is this entry from the second link: > Although we’ve historically relied on our open source license for > Firefox and public commitments to you, we are building in a much > different technology landscape today. We want to make these > commitments abundantly clear and accessible. What's going on? And most importantly, what is Debian's stance on this? Best regards, AJ

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USB is complicated
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 01 Mar '25

01 Mar '25

<https://everything.explained.today/USB4/> Did you know it is USB4, not USB 4? But USB 2.0, not USB2? I now have two Macs that I want to connect via Thunderbolt 4. I don't know how to tell if a particular cable will work.

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Re: [GTALUG] [GTALUG-Ops] Celebrating GTALUG's Commitment to Open Source Collaboration! (fwd)
by David Collier-Brown 28 Feb '25

28 Feb '25

Wikipedia says that Acquisition International is owned by > ... a British organiser of a range of vanity awards and publisher of > online magazines. The winners of these awards are invited to purchase > publicity in the company's online magazines, and other marketing > material such as trophies and logos.[1] and > A*vanity award*^[1] > <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_award#cite_note-1> is an award > in which the recipient purchases the award to give the/false > appearance of a legitimate honor and achievement./^[2] > <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_award#cite_note-bb-2> ^[3] > <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_award#cite_note-miller-3> ^[4] > <https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vanity_award#cite_note-4> So it's an invitation to misrepresent GTALUG to gullible businessmen. --dave [ this may or may not make it to operations@gtalug] On 2/27/25 23:44, D. Hugh Redelmeier wrote: > Is this legit? It looks a bit fishy. > Do we care? > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > > From: Emma Pridmore<Emma.P(a)nominations.acquisitioninternational.digital> > To:hi@gtalug.org > Date: 27 Feb 2025 16:14:02 -0000 > Subject: Celebrating GTALUG's Commitment to Open Source Collaboration! > > Hi there, > > As proud hosts of the 5th annual Non-Profit Organisation Awards, I am delighted to share that Greater Toronto Area Linux User Group has been nominated for a place on the shortlist by the team at Acquisition International. > > Myself (Emma) and the rest of the Nominations Team hope this news is well-received! > > With your permission, we'd love to feature Greater Toronto Area Linux User Group in our shortlist. Please drop me a reply or use the buttons below to confirm: > > Join Shortlist:https://acquisitioninternational.digital/davina/response/positive/?contactidentifier=91d9e15a-39f9-43dc-9533-54c9aa84ecd3 > > Decline Nomination:https://acquisitioninternational.digital/davina/response/negative/?contactidentifier=91d9e15a-39f9-43dc-9533-54c9aa84ecd3 > > Why have we nominated Greater Toronto Area Linux User Group? > > GTALUG has been recognised for its commitment to fostering open source collaboration, making it a vital community hub for enthusiasts and developers alike. > > Our promise means there are no mandatory fees for nominees - part of our ethos which wholeheartedly supports the goals and missions of NPOs. > > 2025 awardees will also have exclusive access to full-service promotional packages; optional ways to celebrate more widely (never mandatory). > > We look forward to seeing you on the shortlist soon, but I'm happy to assist with any questions in the meantime! > > Best regards, > > Emma Pridmore > Campaign Consultant for Acquisition International | acquisitioninternational.digital | Find FAQs Here! > > T: +44 (0) 20 4586 6427 > A: AI Global Media Ltd, The Maltsters, Ground Floor, Suite B-D, Wetmore Road, Burton-Upon-Trent, Staffordshire, DE14 1LS, United Kingdom > > Registered Company Number: 07400916 | ICO Registration: ZA269476. Please note, all orders are bound by our T&Cs which are available for viewing on our website. By default, we operate on 14-day payment terms. This email has been sent tohi(a)gtalug.org and any attachments to it are confidential and intended solely for the original recipients use. Any views or opinion expressed are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of the company. > > To opt-out from receiving future correspondence please click here:https://acquisitioninternational.digital/davina/unsubscribe/external/?emailaddress=hi%40gtalug.org&publication=Acquisition+International&contactidentifier=91d9e15a-39f9-43dc-9533-54c9aa84ecd3 Please note our opt-out process is automated and may take up to 2 working days to complete, you may receive one further email confirming receipt of your request. Our Company maintains a strict zero-tolerance policy against any form of harassment. Subsequent action will be taken in line with our anti-harassment policy should our employees experience any form of harassment. > > --- > GTALUG Operations Mailing List > operations(a)gtalug.org > https://gtalug.org/mailman/listinfo/operations -- David Collier-Brown, | Always do right. This will gratify System Programmer and Author | some people and astonish the rest davecb(a)spamcop.net | -- Mark Twain

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How to use the Alternate Screen in your terminal - You Suck at Programming #047
by Ron 28 Feb '25

28 Feb '25

This video is under 2 minutes, yet I learned something I had never even heard of before: `tput smcup` && `rm rmcup` I really like Dave's "YSAP" content; very bash-centric and always some corner case that he sheds light on. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wr_d44XRHtM I'm sure others will enjoy his stuff. The comments can be golden too. Especially when user Extragenaeity (sp?) chimes in with a dissertation on the topic. Still feel like I need to go to the man pages now.

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Thanks For Responses -- Buying A Dell Optiplex Tower PC And A Dell Monitor.
by Steve Petrie 23 Feb '25

23 Feb '25

Hello GTALUG, Thanks to GTALUG members: William Park, D. Hugh Redelmeier, Ron / BCLUG and Howard Gibson for your responses to my message subject "Seeking Recommendations For New Desktop PC -- To Run Debian Linux;". My apologies if I missed any names. * * * * * * I have settled on a Dell Optiplex Tower Model 7020 Plus and a Dell Monitor: Dell Tower: -- 32 GB RAM -- 4 TB SATA Hard Drive -- No Windows 11 Dell Monitor: -- 21.4 inch -- HDMI Prices before taxes: Dell Optiplex Tower: CAD $2,021.89 Dell Monitor: CAD $119.99 ========= CAD $2141.88 No doubt GTALUG members will be choking on their Cheerios, at the pricing. * * * * * * The Asrock motherboard on my present self-built (7 years ago) tower is dying. And I am never going to build another PC. So, I have decided to pillage my bank account, buying a new PC with twice the RAM and twice the disk capacity on my dying tower. Only downside is Dell's predicted delivery date for the tower: Tuesday, March 18, 2025. But could be sooner. So, I just have to hope that my current dying tower survives for another month. The motherboard problems show up at boot time. I'm keeping he Debian 11 running 24/7 and only powering down if / when Debian crashes. Which it occasionally does for some mysterious reason. I already have a USB flash drive with Debian 12 live ready to boot on the Dell. * * * * * * I will report my experience with the Dell tower in due course. Steve Petrie apetrie(a)aspetrie.net 416-233-6116

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PSA: Kindle book downloads blocked after Feb 26 (or maybe 25)
by D. Hugh Redelmeier 21 Feb '25

21 Feb '25

This is only of interest: - if you "own" kindle books - want to download them to your computer (not just read them on your computer) - and you own a current Kindle e-reader (but not one released in 2024) (This restriction isn't obvious but Amazon won't allow downloading without satisfying it. Note: a Fire Tablet does not count.) Why would you want to download them? - backup - allow you to transfer them to your e-reader from your computer later - unauthorized acts like stripping DRM and putting them on a non-Kindle e-reader If you want to find out more, google.

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Re: [GTALUG] Seeking Recommendations For New Desktop PC -- To Run Debian Linux;
by Steve Petrie 21 Feb '25

21 Feb '25

Thanks to Ron / BCLUG and William Park for responses about a recommended mother board and a recent build. Although I did build the desktop PC with the mother board that is now failing, I'm not going to build the replacement PC. Building will take too long and the expert friend who helped me with the build is to busy to help me with another build. So, I will buy a pre-built PC. * * * * * * Seems that Lenovo certifies their desktop PCs for Ubuntu linux but they nave compatibility problems with Debian linux. Dell (Heresy, I know) has a few models that look interesting: ... Inspiron Desktop Model: 3030 CAD $899.99 ==> https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-desktops-workstations/inspiron-desktop… ... Inspiron Small Desktop CAD $549.99 ==> https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/dell-desktops-workstations/inspiron-small-d… ... XPS Desktop Starting At $949.99 ==> https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/cty/pdp/spd/xps-8960-desktop ==> see left-hand column model; ... Dell Tower Plus Starting At $1,499.99 ==> https://www.dell.com/en-ca/shop/cty/pdp/spd/dell-ebt2250-desktop ==> see left-hand column model; ... So I'm researching these Dells. Steve Petrie apetrie(a)aspetrie.net 416-233-6116

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Finally ordered a new laptop
by Lennart Sorensen 20 Feb '25

20 Feb '25

I decided it was finally time to get a new laptop after 12 years. The old machine has lost the NVIDIA chip (forcing it to run only on the intel video works, but don't even think about running 3D games and the external monitor port does not work). Also the fingerprint scanner and color meter haven't worked in years (not that I really cared much about those two things). Also the top of the screen has a chunk of dead pixels showing white all the time. I guess it was time. So my choice that I ended up with using the cyber Monday discounts and rakuten was a Thinkpad P1 Gen 7. 21KV001CUS which is: Intel Core Ultra 9 185H NVIDIA RTX 4070 Mobile 8GB 64GB LPDDR5 CAMM2 2TB NVMe 16" 2560x1600 IPS 165Hz 5MP Camera Fingerprint scanner (Seems those are just standard) Backlit US keyboard 2x2 WiFi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3 I think I am set for another decade or so. I will have to try putting Debian on it to see how well supported the hardware is, although it will most likely only ever end up running it in WSL for the most part. I have other systems dedicated to running Linux. Cyber-Monday deal knocked 59% of the list price (do they ever sell for list price?) and then rakuten provided 15% cash back after that. Still not cheap, but I don't buy computers very often. -- Len Sorensen

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