On Computers

Some lawyers abuse AI, by allowing it to cite fake cases. But BrentWorks has a solution.  Unlike AI, its “CiteSentinel” tool doesn’t guess if a case is real, then lie about it when confronted. It cross references cases against verified legal databases, by scanning a legal brief and identifying every string of text.  Here’s one it would have caught before it ever went to court. In 2023, a man sued an airline after a metal cart struck his knee. His legal team used ChatGPT to generate arguments. The result was six fake citations. Even so, the team couldn’t resist turning to AI again when the judge asked for verification. Later, they had to pay a $5000 fine and send a […]

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Filed under: AI, Internuts, kids, news, passwords, photos, trends, wearables | Comments Off on AI AND THE LAW

“Hi, Joy,” a reader wrote. “My brother is not computer savvy but needs something to access the internet, mostly for research and online purchases. What have you found that is easy and not expensive?” I like HP computers. My only mistake was buying their cheapest version, a laptop with the “Windows S” operating system. It didn’t last two years. But my HP desktop is still going strong eight years later.  For traveling, I got an HP 17 laptop for $380 from HP.com last June. I love its big roomy keyboard and 17-inch screen. But it also has a fast-enough processor, (the Intel i5), enough RAM (eight gigabytes) and a 256 gigabyte solid state drive. If you don’t need to carry […]

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Filed under: computers, education, gadgets, health, kids, passwords, security, virus | Comments Off on GETTING A NEW COMPUTER

Even home computers can get hit with ransomware. That’s when the bad guys ask you to pony up, if you want your files back. But Windows now offers free ransomware protection. To turn it on, type “Windows Security” into the search box on your computer, or find it in “Settings.” Now click “Virus & Threat Protection,” then “Ransomware Protection.” It safeguards your folders and files. Gamers will want to add their apps to an access list, however, or they might not be able to open saved files.  Given the juicy targets out there, it must be rare for a home computer to be held for ransom. But two years ago, a ransomware attack targeted home users through a fake antivirus […]

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Filed under: batteries, passwords, phones, security | Comments Off on NOT A CENT FOR RANSOM

At first I thought this game was too gross to tell you about. Then it made me laugh. “Hardhat Wombat,” stars a wombat construction worker whose primary building material is his own square poops. After I finished level one, I was congratulated on my “crappy job.” Wombats are the only animals in the world that produce cube-shaped scat, according to the National Geographic. But how and why do they do it? The lead poop researcher thought it was because they have a square anus. But later she discovered it’s the irregular shape of their intestines. The game was developed by George Fan, who created the wildly-successful “Plant Vs. Zombies.” Sadly, Fan cannot produce his own cube shaped excrement. But “it’s […]

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Filed under: games, Internuts, passwords, security | Comments Off on CRAPPY SCORES IN HARDHAT WOMBAT

I asked an artificially intelligent version of Elon Musk what his most embarrassing moment was. He said it was sending a message to the whole office about “naughty snacks.” If you want to talk to him too, he’s at the website Character.ai. Character.ai, also a free app, offers a range of AI celebrities and professionals. Winston Churchill told me how the war in Ukraine will end. Signmund Freud told me not to feel guilty. An AI Frenchman helped me practice my language skills. A librarian gave me a great book suggestion. It’s addicting. You can create your own AI character for free.  I named mine “Health” and wrote a one-paragraph description on what it means to be a “Nutritarian.” After that, it […]

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Filed under: AI, apps, batteries, computers, Google, Internuts, passwords, photos, security, text messaging | Comments Off on AI CELEBRITIES TO CHAT WITH

Most people rely on their phones to take pictures. But professional cameras, such as DSLRs, do a much better job.  Professional cameras have sensors about the size of 12 Lego bricks. Your phone’s sensor is probably about half of one, according to CNET.  But phones are catching up. Some have sensors the size of two Lego bricks. Meanwhile,  Xiaomi, the world’s third largest phone maker after Apple and Samsung, is developing one that lets you mount a Leica M lens. It’s been dubbed the “12S Ultra Concept Phone.” In other news, LG Innotek is introducing a new telephoto zoom camera module at this month’s Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. The module’s moving lenses will be similar to professional camera […]

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Filed under: apps, cameras, DVD, environment, Internuts, keyboards, passwords, printer | Comments Off on PHONES CATCHING UP WITH CAMERAS

A reader asked me to name the best password manager. That’s tough. I’ve had bad luck with nearly all of them. I’ll never forget the time I lost the master password to a Dashlane account, waving goodbye to dozens of passwords I’d updated because Dashlane told me to. I bombed out with LastPass too. It suffered a bad breach in 2015, compromising tons of email addresses.  The company had a couple more incidents in 2017 and 2019. Recently, I took “1Password” for a spin. Nearly every blogger recommends 1Password. Even the New York Times does. I found it confusing, as did the users who griped about it on Reddit.com. I’d rather use a freebie. Google, Firefox, Edge and Safari all […]

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Filed under: environment, gadgets, Internuts, passwords, trends | Comments Off on PASSWORD PROBLEMS

TikTok is the hot application right now. It allows you to post 15-second videos or see what other people have posted. There’s soon to be a similar app for Instagram, called “Reels.” Both the free app and TikTok.com remind us of the show “America’s Funniest Home Videos.” When we tuned in, we saw the back half of a large car going down the highway. It was an illusion. Then we watched a girl vault a basketball over her head backwards. It knocked over a nearby jogger.  TikTok is more than just silly stuff. Our favorite podcast, PlanetMoney, (put out by National Public Radio),  is there along with many others. One of their videos describes the thuggishness of medieval knights. Another […]

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Filed under: Google, passwords, social networks, video | Comments Off on ON THE CLOCK

Topics: DOS reconsidered,
gadget transfers photos from PC to iPad or the reverse,
Gamer’s Keyboard
Password Manger

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Filed under: digital, gadgets, keyboards, passwords | Comments Off on A HARD MASTER

Topics: Polaroid cameras, password managers, uninterruptible power supply

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Filed under: cameras, gadgets, passwords, TV, video | 1 Comment »