Webtagr - Technology News Summarizer

Transatlantic 1-2-3 Debugging: A Zeroth Law Story

2025-03-31

Around 1990, the author debugged a client's Lotus 1-2-3 setup via fax due to expensive transatlantic phone calls. By guiding the client through commands like `/ppomr` and `/ppoml` to obtain printer margin information, the issue was resolved. This highlights the 'Zeroth Law of Debugging': use the smallest, fastest test case for rapid iteration and efficient problem-solving.

(blog.jgc.org)

Development remote debugging

Modernizing the Classic Casio F-91W with a New Motherboard

2025-01-31

The author purchased a replacement motherboard for their classic Casio F-91W watch from Crowd Supply. This project retains the original Casio LCD but replaces the motherboard with a modern microcontroller and open firmware, resulting in a watch with extended battery life and added functionality. The article details the process of replacing the motherboard, including disassembling the watch, soldering components, installing the new board, and compiling and installing custom firmware. An emulator was used to test the firmware before successfully upgrading the watch with features like a stopwatch and thermometer.

(blog.jgc.org)

Hardware

Programmer's Nostalgia: A $30 Custom Voice Recording from the AOL Voice

2025-01-15

Blogger John Graham-Cumming recounts his 2002 experience commissioning custom voice recordings from Elwood Edwards, the iconic voice of AOL. For $30, he ordered two phrases, "Mail classified by POPFile" and "Use the source, Luke!" for his machine learning email filtering program, POPFile. Edwards even included a bonus "You've got mail, John!" This charming anecdote reveals a personalized touch of the early internet and the humor of tech pioneers.

(blog.jgc.org)

Development personalized service

Tech Archaeology: Unearthing Brautigan's Poem

2025-01-09

Blogger John Graham-Cumming shared the complete text of Richard Brautigan's poem, "All Watched Over by Machines of Loving Grace," on his blog. While the poem is somewhat known in tech circles, a complete PDF of the original 1967 publication proved elusive. Interpreting the copyright notice as allowing free republication, Graham-Cumming provides a scan of the entire book, a delightful find for tech and literature enthusiasts.

(blog.jgc.org)

Misc tech history online resources

Blogger Resurfaces 2004 MIT Spam Conference Talk Intro Video

2024-12-13

Blogger John Graham-Cumming recently shared on his blog the intro video from his 2004 MIT Spam Conference talk. The video cleverly uses the "All your base are belong to us" meme, adapting it to discuss spam and machine learning, and paying homage to Paul Graham. It showcases early machine learning applications in anti-spam and the blogger's creative and humorous approach to tech communication.

(blog.jgc.org)

AI machine learning anti-spam