I own two computers that I use regularly. The first is my main machine, a rather old Apple MacBook Pro, the other is a Panasonic Toughbook FZ-40. They are polar opposites. Where the Mac is designed with tightly coupled software and hardware and is all smooth curves and delicate design, the Toughbook is designed to be used wearing gloves, outside and in rough situations that would damage the Mac. | John Graham-Cumming's blog
Somehow I forgot to blog my site: https://lowbackgroundsteel.ai/. I created it back in March 2023 as a clearinghouse for online resources that hadn't been contaminated with AI-generated content. | John Graham-Cumming's blog
Portugal has an incredibly well executed and efficient system for collecting road tolls called Via Verde. A small transponder in the car either collects a toll at an automated toll booth or, on some motorways, every few kilometres without slowing down at all.| John Graham-Cumming's blog
I made another silly Tumblr (to go along with Movie Code and Low Background Steel). This times it's a Tumblr for all those font disasters and other typographical amusements. Welcome to the wonderful world of badkeming.com:| John Graham-Cumming's blog
If you're old enough to have ever used, seen or overheard the once ubiquitous AOL software you'll have heard the voice of Elwood Edwards. His voice was known to millions for saying "You've got mail!", "Welcome", "File's done" and "Goodbye" when using the AOL software. He died last week which reminded me of the time I paid him to record a customized greeting for me.| John Graham-Cumming's blog
Look, here's the thing, I don't like mysteries that involve technology. I think I hate them because I know that some other human created the thing I'm staring at and, dammit, I should be able to understand it. | John Graham-Cumming's blog
With separate plastic, metal, paper, and glass recycling, composting, and pick up of all the rest, knowing which days to put out which bins can be complicated. Some have turned to high-tech solutions like Darren Tarbard's wonderful "bindicator".| John Graham-Cumming's blog
Many large concerts feature wristbands that light up on command. They are used to produce varied visual effects across a stadium. One company that makes these is PixMob. Their controllable, illuminated wristbands are currently being used as part of Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. A short Wired article here gives some details and here's a video from the Wall Street Journal:| John Graham-Cumming's blog