I don’t know how teachers do it these days. The risk of violence is so real. Ohio says teachers should be armed. Of course the party of idiocracy, the NRA’s darlings, believe the solution to violence is MORE GUNS.
Schools have tried many ways to resist to school shootings, including making campuses and school buildings less porous, requiring guests to sign in and wear name tags, drilling students to simulate school shootings, installing bulletproof glass and metal detectors and erecting doors without windows.
“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best [Black] man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” -LBJ
On January 12, 2017, the official nickname for people from the state of Indiana was changed at the federal level from “Indianans” to “Hoosiers”, marking the first time the officially recognized name for a state’s citizens (or demonym) wasn’t based on the name of the state.
How Does Cold Weather Impact EV Battery Life?
When the temperature gets low enough, the electrolyte fluid inside an EV’s lithium-ion battery pack becomes more viscous, which slows down the chemical reactions responsible for the transfer of electrons. That impacts not only the range an EV can get on a charge, but also how quickly it can recharge.
Anna Stefanopoulou, director of the University of Michigan’s Energy Institute says in an article for Wired that “batteries are like humans,” meaning they don’t operate well outside of a certain temperature range. For an EV’s battery, that range is between 40 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above or below that will cause problems.
To help maintain a good operating temperature, modern EVs are built with battery heating and cooling systems. But those systems take energy to heat the battery since unlike a gas-powered engine an electric motor doesn’t generate its own heat. Heating the car’s cabin, running the defroster, and running the onboard computer systems also require power, sapping the battery more quickly than in warmer weather.
Lithium-ion batteries take longer to charge when they’re cold, and regenerative braking features don’t work as well either. Taken together, the adverse effect of cold weather can reduce EV battery capacity by as much as 41%.
Though all EVs lose some capacity in cold weather, not all of them handle winter the same way. Battery manufacturer Recurrent conducted a study in 2021 comparing cold weather charge loss in thousands of EVs and found some hold up better than others.
In the next few years, we could see EV lithium-ion batteries that have no liquid inside them, largely mitigating the charge losses that come with colder weather. Until that technology becomes widely available, though, EV drivers need to find workarounds.
How to Help Protect EV Batteries From the Cold
There are several ways to help an EV’s battery last longer in the cold, or at least to minimize the amount of charge lost. To start, don’t let the battery get below 20% charge, even if you’re near a charging station. The car’s systems have to warm up the battery before charging can begin, and the battery has to have enough power left for those systems to run. You’ll also need enough power to run the cabin heater, especially in extremely cold weather.
If you’re able, park the vehicle in a heated or enclosed garage to help keep it at a stable temperature. Parking the vehicle in the sun can also get you a little heat. If possible, park in a public garage with an outlet you can connect to while at work or otherwise away from home. Doing so will let the car draw power from the grid to run the battery warming systems instead of the battery itself.
An at-home charger can make a big difference in improving cold-weather range. You can leave the vehicle connected in frigid temps to run the battery warming systems since it takes less energy to maintain battery temperature than raise it. This won’t be an option for many people, as at-home chargers can be expensive, but even plugging into a level 1 wall outlet will help somewhat.
Some EVs have an “eco mode” that automatically adjusts performance to preserve the battery. Setting systems like the cabin heater at a lower temperature can also get more juice out of an EV’s charge. If there are features like heated seats that aren’t absolutely needed to keep you warm, turning them off will leave more power for the battery. Reducing driving speeds in cold weather puts less demand on the battery and requires less electricity.
When it comes to charging, make time to pre-heat the battery before connecting to a charger. Even if the battery is on the low side, heating it to facilitate a faster charge will take less energy than driving it cold. Heat the cabin and battery while still connected to power before you drive off again.
Cold Weather Remains A Challenge
The reality is that EV drivers have to contend with some setbacks when using these vehicles in cold weather. They function best in moderate climates, but most people in the U.S. live in areas where the climate can shift—sometimes drastically. This doesn’t mean they’re unusable, but people buying an EV that live in colder areas should know what they’re getting into and plan accordingly.
So now they’re saying dispatchers weren’t relaying updates based on follow-up phone calls for the incident that was in progress that the police were tapped to respond to? Something stinks and I’m guessing it’s not the dispatchers’ logs.
Twitter makes it easy to blast your thoughts out for everyone to see. However, you may not always want all your followers to see every single tweet. That’s where a feature called “Twitter Circle” comes in.
For a long time, Twitter essentially only had one way to limit your tweet’s audience—making your account private. However, that still doesn’t give you controls for individual tweets. Let’s take a look at how Twitter Circle improves the situation.
What Is Twitter Circle?
Twitter Circle’s closest equivalent on other social networks is Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature. It’s a way to send tweets to a smaller crowd of select people.
The concept is pretty simple, actually. You create a Twitter Circle of up to 150 people and then only those people can read and interact with the tweets you share with the Circle. All of the typical visibility rules for accounts still apply.
The message you see when you’re in someone’s Circle.
That means you can add an account that isn’t following you to the Circle, but they still won’t see your tweets because they aren’t following you. Also, you can add private accounts, but you still won’t be able to see their replies in the Circle if they haven’t allowed you to follow them.
Think of your Twitter Circle as a private instance of Twitter. All of the same rules that apply to Twitter as a whole are still in effect. You only get one Twitter Circle and no one is notified if you add or remove them.
How is Twitter Circle Different Than Twitter Communities?
If you’re familiar with Twitter, you might think Circle sounds a lot like another feature called “Communities.” They do seem similar, but they’re actually quite different.
Twitter Communities are private groups, whereas Twitter Circle is simply a way to limit who sees your tweets. The big difference is the visibility rules we mentioned above.
When you share something to a Twitter Community, everyone in the group can see and reply to it. Tweets to your Circle are just like any other tweet, but you’re deciding who has the ability to see them. That doesn’t mean they will see the tweet.
How to Use Twitter Circle
Twitter will guide you through setting up your Circle the first time you try to use it. To get started, open up the Compose Tweet screen and tap “Everyone” to choose your audience.
Note: Twitter Circle began rolling out in May 2022. If you don’t see the Circle option, you will need to wait to get it.
Next, tap “Twitter Circle” from the menu.
A menu will appear with information about Twitter Circle. Tap “Got It” to proceed.
Now you can search and “Add” people to your Twitter Circle. Tap “Done” in the top-right corner when you’re ready.
You’ll now be back on the Compose Tweet screen and you’ll see it shows “Twitter Circle” as your audience. Write and send the tweet as you normally would!
To add or remove people from your Circle, follow the steps above and now you’ll see an “Edit” button in the “Choose Audience” menu.
That’s all there is to Twitter Circles. It’s simply a way to limit who can see your tweets, but it’s not a private group. Facebook has similar options when you’re sharing a post. Twitter has a few interesting features you may not know about, but Circle is a good one to use.
How USB Drives Can Be a Danger to Your Computer
TIM BROOKES
TIM BROOKES
WRITER
Tim Brookes is a technology writer with more than a decade of experience. He’s invested in the Apple ecosystem, with experience covering Macs, iPhones, and iPads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf.
Did you find a random USB stick, perhaps at your school or in a parking lot? You may be tempted to plug it into your PC, but you could leave yourself open to attack or, worse still, permanently damage your machine. Here’s why.
USB Sticks Can Spread Malware
Probably the most common threat posed by a USB drive is malware. Infection via this method can be both intentional and unintentional, depending on the malware in question.
Perhaps the most famous example of malware disseminated by USB is the Stuxnet worm, which was first discovered in 2010. This malware targeted four zero-day exploits in Windows 2000 through to Windows 7 (and Server 2008) and wreaked havoc on around 20% of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges. Since these facilities were not accessible via the internet, Stuxnet is believed to have been introduced directly using a USB device.
A worm is just one example of a self-replicating piece of malware that may be spread in this manner. USB drives can also disseminate other types of security threats like remote access trojans (RATs) which give a potential attacker direct control of the target, keyloggers which monitor keystrokes to steal credentials, and ransomware which demands money in exchange for access to your operating system or data.
Ransomware is an increasing problem, and USB-based attacks aren’t uncommon. In early 2022 the FBI released details about a group called FIN7 who were mailing USB drives to US companies. The group attempted to impersonate the US Department of Health and Human Services by including the USB devices with letters referencing COVID-19 guidelines, and also sent some infected drives out in Amazon-branded gift boxes with thank you notes and counterfeit gift cards.
In this particular attack, the USB drives presented themselves to the target computer as keyboards, sending keystrokes that executed PowerShell commands. In addition to the installation of ransomware like BlackMatter and REvil, the FBI reported that the group was able to obtain administrative access on target machines.
The nature of this attack demonstrates the highly exploitable nature of USB devices. Most of us expect devices connected via USB to “just work” whether they’re removable drives, gamepads, or keyboards. Even if you’ve set your computer to scan all incoming drives, if a device disguises itself as a keyboard then you’re still open to attack.
In addition to USB drives being used to deliver a payload, drives can just as easily become infected by being placed into compromised computers. These newly infected USB devices are then used as vectors to infect more machines, like your own. This is how it’s possible to pick up malware from public machines, like those you might find in a public library.
“USB Killers” Can Fry Your Computer
While malicious software delivered by USB poses a very real threat to your computer and data, there is a potentially even greater threat out there in the form of “USB killers” which can physically damage your computer. These devices created quite the splash in the mid-2010s, with the most famous being the USBKill which is (at the time of writing) on its fourth iteration.
This device (and others like it) discharges power into whatever it is plugged into, causing permanent damage. Unlike a software attack, a “USB killer” is designed purely to damage the target device at a hardware level. Data recovery from drives may be possible, but components like the USB controller and motherboard will probably not survive the attack. USBKill claims that 95% of devices are vulnerable to such an attack.
These devices don’t only affect your computer via USB drives but can also be used to deliver a powerful shock to other ports including smartphones that use proprietary ports (like Apple’s Lightning connector), smart TVs and monitors (even over DisplayPort), and network devices. While early versions of the USBKill “pentesting device” repurposed the power supplied by the target computer, newer versions contain internal batteries that can be used even against devices that aren’t powered on.
The USBKill V4 is a branded security tool used by private companies, defense firms, and law enforcement around the world. We found similar unbranded devices for less than $9 on AliExpress, which look like standard flash drives. These are the thumb drives you are far more likely to encounter in the wild, with no real tell-tale signs of the damage they can cause.
How to Deal With Potentially Dangerous USB Devices
The simplest way of keeping your devices safe from harm is to scrutinize every device you connect. If you don’t know where a drive came from, don’t touch it. Stick to brand-new drives that you own and purchased yourself, and keep them exclusive to devices that you trust. This means not using them with public computers that could be compromised.
You can purchase USB sticks that allow you to restrict write access, which you can lock before you connect (to prevent malware from being written to your drive). Some drives come with passcodes or physical keys which hide the USB connector so that it can’t be used by anyone other than you (though these aren’t necessarily uncrackable).
While USB killers could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in hardware damage, you’re probably not likely to encounter one unless someone is specifically targeting you.
Malware can ruin your whole day or week, and some ransomware will take your money and then destroy your data and operating system anyway. Some malware is designed to encrypt your data in a manner that makes it unrecoverable, and the best defense against any type of data loss is to always have a solid backup solution. Ideally, you should have at least one local and one remote backup.
When it comes to transferring files between computers or individuals, cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive are more convenient and safer than USB devices. Large files may still pose a problem, but there are dedicated cloud storage services for sending and receiving large files you could turn to instead.
In circumstances where sharing drives is unavoidable, make sure other parties are aware of the dangers and are taking steps to protect themselves (and you by extension). Running some sort of anti-malware software is a good start, particularly if you’re using Windows.
Linux users can install USBGuard and use a simple whitelist and blacklist to allow and block access on a case-by-case basis. With Linux malware becoming more prevalent, USBGuard is a simple and free tool you can use to add further protection against malware.
Take Care
For most people, malware delivered by USB poses little threat due to the way cloud storage has replaced physical devices. “USB killers” are scary-sounding devices, but you probably won’t encounter one. By taking simple precautions like not putting random USB drives into your computer, however, you can eliminate almost all risk.
It would be naive, though, to assume that attacks of this nature do occur. Sometimes they target individuals by name, delivered in the post. Other times they’re state-sanctioned cyberattacks that damage infrastructure on a massive scale. Stick to a few general security rules to and safe both online and offline.
What to Know About the Strawberry Recall
SHEA SIMMONS
Shea Simmons
WRITER
Shea Simmons is an Atlanta-based writer who has written about everything from whether Crisco is a good moisturizer to how to KonMari your space. Her work has appeared in Bustle, My First Apartment, and Make It Grateful.
You probably read about the recent Jif peanut butter recall, but unfortunately, another one is now dominating the news. Here’s what you might want to check in your pantry.
A strawberry recall has been issued due to a breakout of hepatitis A in the United States and Canada. At this writing, 17 cases have been confirmed with 10 hospitalizations.
Before you toss your fresh berries, though, this recall is more relevant to those who tend to freeze their fruit. The strawberries in question were sold between March 5-April 25, 2022
If you froze any FreshKampo or HEB brand strawberries you purchased during that time frame, you might want to consider tossing them if you bought them at any of the following stores:
Aldi
HEB
Kroger
Safeway
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Walmart
Weis Markets
WinCo Foods
If you can’t remember the brand of strawberries you purchased or when you bought them, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends you throw them out—better to be safe than sorry.
If you’ve eaten strawberries in the last two weeks that might have been part of the recall, and you’ve not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, the agency recommends you consult your physician. You might need post-exposure prophylaxis.
After you check the freezer, you might want to double-check your pantry, as well, just to make sure everything is in the clear.
Elon Musk has called on Tesla execs to freeze hiring worldwide and cut about 10% of the staff, according to Reuters. Then, coincidentally, Elon Musk tweeted that he may have a working prototype of Tesla’s previously announced humanoid robot. Coincidence, or just smoke and mirrors?
And while Tesla’s humanoid robot named “Optimus” won’t be taking jobs anytime soon, declaring that a working prototype may be ready by September is certainly a great distraction from the layoff news. Various reports say Musk has a “super bad feeling” about the economy, and he’s fed up with the remote work situation. Earlier this week, leaked emails show Musk saying that “remote work is no longer acceptable” and employees must return to the office or find work elsewhere.
Cutting jobs and requiring everyone else to stop remote work Is certainly not a good look for Tesla, but it’s also not the first time the automaker has announced layoffs. It’s just odd to me that the CEO is talking about humanoid robots immediately following the reports.
The company announced its Optimus robot at Tesla AI day in August of 2021, and Musk even said he hoped to have a working prototype sometime in 2022. Now, here we are, and that might come to fruition.
The Tesla Bot will be roughly 5’8″ tall and weigh 125 pounds. The original announcement suggested it can walk around 5MPH and carry groceries and other items upwards of 45 pounds. Tesla wants to design it to complete boring, dangerous, or menial tasks humans don’t want to do.
We’re told the AI robot could run a software version of Tesla’s autopilot driver-assist software and even respond to voice commands. For example, Musk said in the future, you could say, “Please pick up that bolt and attach it to the car with that wrench,” and Optimus will do precisely that.
According to Elon Musk, the company has now delayed its “AI Day 2022” event from August to September 30th as it may be able to show off a “working” prototype by then. Obviously, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard lofty or outlandish goals from the company, but it’ll be interesting to see the condition of Tesla’s humanoid come September. Maybe it’ll work, or maybe we’ll get a dancing man in a robot suit. Your guess is as good as mine.
Michelle, you suggested that we purchase our EV from someone other than that bigot and republican Elon musky. One of your suggestions was to look to Mercedes. Well here is there newest competition to Musky.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the EQB, a three-row electric crossover SUV similar to its popular gas-powered GLB. And while it’s not quite as luxurious as the new EQS, it’s still a Mercedes, and now we have full pricing ahead of its release this summer.
With a starting price of $56,800 for the starting trim level, the Mercedes EQB will be its most affordable EQ model. Plus, that’s a decent price for an all-electric SUV, especially a Benz, not to mention when compared to the Tesla Model Y.
The new 7-seater Mercedes-Benz EQB debuted in September 2021 for global markets, but it won’t be available in the U.S. until later this summer. When it does arrive, it’ll come at a far more affordable price tag than many expected.
For $56k, you’ll get the EQB 300 4Matic in base trim. This package still includes all-wheel-drive, and you’ll enjoy power from the front and rear electric motors delivering 225 horsepower and an estimated 260-miles per charge.
The Mercedes EQB comes in a base 300 4Matic trim or a higher 350 4Matic option. Then, each comes in the base “Exclusive” package or a more expensive “Pinnacle” trim. The base option gets you a digital cockpit with dual 10.25-inch screens, navigation, keyless GO, wireless charging for mobile devices, Mercedes’s MBUX system, and several driver-assist modes.
Then, the upgraded EQB 350 4Matic comes with dual electric motors and even more horsepower and torque for $60,350. Those interested in the EQB can also upgrade to the Pinnacle trim, which offers an upgraded Burmester surround-sound system, a Panoramic roof, and a 360-view camera of the SUV.
Keep in mind that while Mercedes announced and advertised the new EQB EV as a crossover with three-row seating, adding that third row will come with an extra charge that’s yet to be announced. Still, getting the latest all-electric Mercedes-Benz for under $57k makes it worth considering.
Source: Mercedes
The price is interesting. But the range isn’t great about the same as a standard Tesla which costs less. Also don’t forget Tesla has the charging infrastructure in place for traveling. Of course you could charge at home before you left on a trip but while on the road you’re stuck w crappy level 1 charging. They take a very long time to charge your car. Musk did say he was opening up the chargers for non Tesla cars (use an adapter) but I haven’t seen nor heard that being done yet.
When Galoob released the “Game Genie” product in the 1990s to allow players on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis to use game cheat codes to modify their console games, the two companies had very different reactions. Nintendo sued them while Sega offered them an official licensing deal.
The first speeding ticket issued in the United States (handed to the offender in the paper form we’re used to today), was issued to Harry Myers in 1904 for driving a blistering 12 miles per hour down West Third Street in Dayton, Ohio.
Young chimpanzees have been observed playing with sticks in a similar fashion to how human children play with dolls, implying that chimps are capable of imaginative play and thought.
You are saying things in the earth language that you have “mastered” in order to pass as a citizen of that country. —— You are drawing attention to yourselves because you are saying things WITHOUT understanding the CONTEXT of the words, phrases, sentences, etc that you are using.
Most of you will be required to return if you do not make an effort to change this situation.
“Intelligent gerbils” is a phrase coined by writer Robert J. Sawyer to describe how some extraterrestrial races are characterized in science fiction. Take a terrestrial animal, then make it bipedal, smart, but still largely informed by the behaviors of the Earth animal it’s modeled after (be that animal a lizard, insect, bird, or what have you) and you’ve got yourself an “intelligent gerbil” running around the galaxy.
Eye color is the result of melanin (or lack thereof) in the irises of your eyes. Dark brown eyes have the most melanin and very light blue eyes have the least. There’s even a laser-based cosmetic surgical procedure that will break up the melanin and turn brown eyes blue.
Empathy
For humans empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. Definitions of empathy encompass a broad range of social, cognitive, and emotional processes primarily concerned with understanding others. Types of empathy include cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, somatic empathy, and spiritual empathy. Interestingly the logical alien’s brain has a type of acetaminophen fluid which contributes toward maintaining a fluid stream in which logical processes achieve are prioritized over feelings of empathy.
Interestingly, Acetaminophen is a substance used on earth to kill pain. Tylenol is a popular brand name of this type of medication. Do humans know that Acetaminophen dulls empathy towards others in pain?
So you are saying that taking Tylenol makes us less empathic towards our fellow humans. WOW. I guess that can explain some of the republicans thought process towards a lot of issues.
That is very interesting. Perhaps we need to find something else to ease us of pain as we could certainly use more empathy towards each other on this planet.
Musk will attempt to get out of buying Twitter. He and Oracle’s Ellison were just trying to drive Twitter’s stock price down. Now that it is out that Ellison is behind the funds Musk is using to buy Twitter the gov is looking into other activities the two have been plotting for the GOP. Media control has been Ellison’s contribution to the GOP for some years now. He has “loaned” money to others to buy up local news media around the country.
It is also known that he has a fetish for a certain gal for a few years now. It seems that Musk has also locked onto that same gal. Will harmony continue as they stark the unsuspecting Miss?
She must be one fine ass bitch to have two super billionaires stalking her. What city is she in? Is she married or otherwise occupied? What does she do for her meals? What is her nationality, race, etc? Give us some crumbs.
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“If you can convince the lowest white man he’s better than the best [Black] man, he won’t notice you’re picking his pocket. Hell, give him somebody to look down on, and he’ll empty his pockets for you.” -LBJ
Did You Know?
On January 12, 2017, the official nickname for people from the state of Indiana was changed at the federal level from “Indianans” to “Hoosiers”, marking the first time the officially recognized name for a state’s citizens (or demonym) wasn’t based on the name of the state.
How Does Cold Weather Impact EV Battery Life?
When the temperature gets low enough, the electrolyte fluid inside an EV’s lithium-ion battery pack becomes more viscous, which slows down the chemical reactions responsible for the transfer of electrons. That impacts not only the range an EV can get on a charge, but also how quickly it can recharge.
Anna Stefanopoulou, director of the University of Michigan’s Energy Institute says in an article for Wired that “batteries are like humans,” meaning they don’t operate well outside of a certain temperature range. For an EV’s battery, that range is between 40 and 115 degrees Fahrenheit. Anything above or below that will cause problems.
To help maintain a good operating temperature, modern EVs are built with battery heating and cooling systems. But those systems take energy to heat the battery since unlike a gas-powered engine an electric motor doesn’t generate its own heat. Heating the car’s cabin, running the defroster, and running the onboard computer systems also require power, sapping the battery more quickly than in warmer weather.
Lithium-ion batteries take longer to charge when they’re cold, and regenerative braking features don’t work as well either. Taken together, the adverse effect of cold weather can reduce EV battery capacity by as much as 41%.
Though all EVs lose some capacity in cold weather, not all of them handle winter the same way. Battery manufacturer Recurrent conducted a study in 2021 comparing cold weather charge loss in thousands of EVs and found some hold up better than others.
In the next few years, we could see EV lithium-ion batteries that have no liquid inside them, largely mitigating the charge losses that come with colder weather. Until that technology becomes widely available, though, EV drivers need to find workarounds.
How to Help Protect EV Batteries From the Cold
There are several ways to help an EV’s battery last longer in the cold, or at least to minimize the amount of charge lost. To start, don’t let the battery get below 20% charge, even if you’re near a charging station. The car’s systems have to warm up the battery before charging can begin, and the battery has to have enough power left for those systems to run. You’ll also need enough power to run the cabin heater, especially in extremely cold weather.
If you’re able, park the vehicle in a heated or enclosed garage to help keep it at a stable temperature. Parking the vehicle in the sun can also get you a little heat. If possible, park in a public garage with an outlet you can connect to while at work or otherwise away from home. Doing so will let the car draw power from the grid to run the battery warming systems instead of the battery itself.
An at-home charger can make a big difference in improving cold-weather range. You can leave the vehicle connected in frigid temps to run the battery warming systems since it takes less energy to maintain battery temperature than raise it. This won’t be an option for many people, as at-home chargers can be expensive, but even plugging into a level 1 wall outlet will help somewhat.
Some EVs have an “eco mode” that automatically adjusts performance to preserve the battery. Setting systems like the cabin heater at a lower temperature can also get more juice out of an EV’s charge. If there are features like heated seats that aren’t absolutely needed to keep you warm, turning them off will leave more power for the battery. Reducing driving speeds in cold weather puts less demand on the battery and requires less electricity.
When it comes to charging, make time to pre-heat the battery before connecting to a charger. Even if the battery is on the low side, heating it to facilitate a faster charge will take less energy than driving it cold. Heat the cabin and battery while still connected to power before you drive off again.
Cold Weather Remains A Challenge
The reality is that EV drivers have to contend with some setbacks when using these vehicles in cold weather. They function best in moderate climates, but most people in the U.S. live in areas where the climate can shift—sometimes drastically. This doesn’t mean they’re unusable, but people buying an EV that live in colder areas should know what they’re getting into and plan accordingly.
So now they’re saying dispatchers weren’t relaying updates based on follow-up phone calls for the incident that was in progress that the police were tapped to respond to? Something stinks and I’m guessing it’s not the dispatchers’ logs.
Twitter makes it easy to blast your thoughts out for everyone to see. However, you may not always want all your followers to see every single tweet. That’s where a feature called “Twitter Circle” comes in.
For a long time, Twitter essentially only had one way to limit your tweet’s audience—making your account private. However, that still doesn’t give you controls for individual tweets. Let’s take a look at how Twitter Circle improves the situation.
What Is Twitter Circle?
Twitter Circle’s closest equivalent on other social networks is Instagram’s “Close Friends” feature. It’s a way to send tweets to a smaller crowd of select people.
The concept is pretty simple, actually. You create a Twitter Circle of up to 150 people and then only those people can read and interact with the tweets you share with the Circle. All of the typical visibility rules for accounts still apply.
The message you see when you’re in someone’s Circle.
That means you can add an account that isn’t following you to the Circle, but they still won’t see your tweets because they aren’t following you. Also, you can add private accounts, but you still won’t be able to see their replies in the Circle if they haven’t allowed you to follow them.
Think of your Twitter Circle as a private instance of Twitter. All of the same rules that apply to Twitter as a whole are still in effect. You only get one Twitter Circle and no one is notified if you add or remove them.
How is Twitter Circle Different Than Twitter Communities?
If you’re familiar with Twitter, you might think Circle sounds a lot like another feature called “Communities.” They do seem similar, but they’re actually quite different.
Twitter Communities are private groups, whereas Twitter Circle is simply a way to limit who sees your tweets. The big difference is the visibility rules we mentioned above.
When you share something to a Twitter Community, everyone in the group can see and reply to it. Tweets to your Circle are just like any other tweet, but you’re deciding who has the ability to see them. That doesn’t mean they will see the tweet.
How to Use Twitter Circle
Twitter will guide you through setting up your Circle the first time you try to use it. To get started, open up the Compose Tweet screen and tap “Everyone” to choose your audience.
Note: Twitter Circle began rolling out in May 2022. If you don’t see the Circle option, you will need to wait to get it.
Next, tap “Twitter Circle” from the menu.
A menu will appear with information about Twitter Circle. Tap “Got It” to proceed.
Now you can search and “Add” people to your Twitter Circle. Tap “Done” in the top-right corner when you’re ready.
You’ll now be back on the Compose Tweet screen and you’ll see it shows “Twitter Circle” as your audience. Write and send the tweet as you normally would!
To add or remove people from your Circle, follow the steps above and now you’ll see an “Edit” button in the “Choose Audience” menu.
That’s all there is to Twitter Circles. It’s simply a way to limit who can see your tweets, but it’s not a private group. Facebook has similar options when you’re sharing a post. Twitter has a few interesting features you may not know about, but Circle is a good one to use.
How USB Drives Can Be a Danger to Your Computer
TIM BROOKES
TIM BROOKES
WRITER
Tim Brookes is a technology writer with more than a decade of experience. He’s invested in the Apple ecosystem, with experience covering Macs, iPhones, and iPads for publications like Zapier and MakeUseOf.
Did you find a random USB stick, perhaps at your school or in a parking lot? You may be tempted to plug it into your PC, but you could leave yourself open to attack or, worse still, permanently damage your machine. Here’s why.
USB Sticks Can Spread Malware
Probably the most common threat posed by a USB drive is malware. Infection via this method can be both intentional and unintentional, depending on the malware in question.
Perhaps the most famous example of malware disseminated by USB is the Stuxnet worm, which was first discovered in 2010. This malware targeted four zero-day exploits in Windows 2000 through to Windows 7 (and Server 2008) and wreaked havoc on around 20% of Iran’s nuclear centrifuges. Since these facilities were not accessible via the internet, Stuxnet is believed to have been introduced directly using a USB device.
A worm is just one example of a self-replicating piece of malware that may be spread in this manner. USB drives can also disseminate other types of security threats like remote access trojans (RATs) which give a potential attacker direct control of the target, keyloggers which monitor keystrokes to steal credentials, and ransomware which demands money in exchange for access to your operating system or data.
Ransomware is an increasing problem, and USB-based attacks aren’t uncommon. In early 2022 the FBI released details about a group called FIN7 who were mailing USB drives to US companies. The group attempted to impersonate the US Department of Health and Human Services by including the USB devices with letters referencing COVID-19 guidelines, and also sent some infected drives out in Amazon-branded gift boxes with thank you notes and counterfeit gift cards.
In this particular attack, the USB drives presented themselves to the target computer as keyboards, sending keystrokes that executed PowerShell commands. In addition to the installation of ransomware like BlackMatter and REvil, the FBI reported that the group was able to obtain administrative access on target machines.
The nature of this attack demonstrates the highly exploitable nature of USB devices. Most of us expect devices connected via USB to “just work” whether they’re removable drives, gamepads, or keyboards. Even if you’ve set your computer to scan all incoming drives, if a device disguises itself as a keyboard then you’re still open to attack.
In addition to USB drives being used to deliver a payload, drives can just as easily become infected by being placed into compromised computers. These newly infected USB devices are then used as vectors to infect more machines, like your own. This is how it’s possible to pick up malware from public machines, like those you might find in a public library.
“USB Killers” Can Fry Your Computer
While malicious software delivered by USB poses a very real threat to your computer and data, there is a potentially even greater threat out there in the form of “USB killers” which can physically damage your computer. These devices created quite the splash in the mid-2010s, with the most famous being the USBKill which is (at the time of writing) on its fourth iteration.
This device (and others like it) discharges power into whatever it is plugged into, causing permanent damage. Unlike a software attack, a “USB killer” is designed purely to damage the target device at a hardware level. Data recovery from drives may be possible, but components like the USB controller and motherboard will probably not survive the attack. USBKill claims that 95% of devices are vulnerable to such an attack.
These devices don’t only affect your computer via USB drives but can also be used to deliver a powerful shock to other ports including smartphones that use proprietary ports (like Apple’s Lightning connector), smart TVs and monitors (even over DisplayPort), and network devices. While early versions of the USBKill “pentesting device” repurposed the power supplied by the target computer, newer versions contain internal batteries that can be used even against devices that aren’t powered on.
The USBKill V4 is a branded security tool used by private companies, defense firms, and law enforcement around the world. We found similar unbranded devices for less than $9 on AliExpress, which look like standard flash drives. These are the thumb drives you are far more likely to encounter in the wild, with no real tell-tale signs of the damage they can cause.
How to Deal With Potentially Dangerous USB Devices
The simplest way of keeping your devices safe from harm is to scrutinize every device you connect. If you don’t know where a drive came from, don’t touch it. Stick to brand-new drives that you own and purchased yourself, and keep them exclusive to devices that you trust. This means not using them with public computers that could be compromised.
You can purchase USB sticks that allow you to restrict write access, which you can lock before you connect (to prevent malware from being written to your drive). Some drives come with passcodes or physical keys which hide the USB connector so that it can’t be used by anyone other than you (though these aren’t necessarily uncrackable).
While USB killers could cost you hundreds or thousands of dollars in hardware damage, you’re probably not likely to encounter one unless someone is specifically targeting you.
Malware can ruin your whole day or week, and some ransomware will take your money and then destroy your data and operating system anyway. Some malware is designed to encrypt your data in a manner that makes it unrecoverable, and the best defense against any type of data loss is to always have a solid backup solution. Ideally, you should have at least one local and one remote backup.
When it comes to transferring files between computers or individuals, cloud storage services like Dropbox, Google Drive, and iCloud Drive are more convenient and safer than USB devices. Large files may still pose a problem, but there are dedicated cloud storage services for sending and receiving large files you could turn to instead.
In circumstances where sharing drives is unavoidable, make sure other parties are aware of the dangers and are taking steps to protect themselves (and you by extension). Running some sort of anti-malware software is a good start, particularly if you’re using Windows.
Linux users can install USBGuard and use a simple whitelist and blacklist to allow and block access on a case-by-case basis. With Linux malware becoming more prevalent, USBGuard is a simple and free tool you can use to add further protection against malware.
Take Care
For most people, malware delivered by USB poses little threat due to the way cloud storage has replaced physical devices. “USB killers” are scary-sounding devices, but you probably won’t encounter one. By taking simple precautions like not putting random USB drives into your computer, however, you can eliminate almost all risk.
It would be naive, though, to assume that attacks of this nature do occur. Sometimes they target individuals by name, delivered in the post. Other times they’re state-sanctioned cyberattacks that damage infrastructure on a massive scale. Stick to a few general security rules to and safe both online and offline.
What to Know About the Strawberry Recall
SHEA SIMMONS
Shea Simmons
WRITER
Shea Simmons is an Atlanta-based writer who has written about everything from whether Crisco is a good moisturizer to how to KonMari your space. Her work has appeared in Bustle, My First Apartment, and Make It Grateful.
You probably read about the recent Jif peanut butter recall, but unfortunately, another one is now dominating the news. Here’s what you might want to check in your pantry.
A strawberry recall has been issued due to a breakout of hepatitis A in the United States and Canada. At this writing, 17 cases have been confirmed with 10 hospitalizations.
Before you toss your fresh berries, though, this recall is more relevant to those who tend to freeze their fruit. The strawberries in question were sold between March 5-April 25, 2022
If you froze any FreshKampo or HEB brand strawberries you purchased during that time frame, you might want to consider tossing them if you bought them at any of the following stores:
Aldi
HEB
Kroger
Safeway
Sprouts Farmers Market
Trader Joe’s
Walmart
Weis Markets
WinCo Foods
If you can’t remember the brand of strawberries you purchased or when you bought them, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration recommends you throw them out—better to be safe than sorry.
If you’ve eaten strawberries in the last two weeks that might have been part of the recall, and you’ve not been vaccinated against hepatitis A, the agency recommends you consult your physician. You might need post-exposure prophylaxis.
After you check the freezer, you might want to double-check your pantry, as well, just to make sure everything is in the clear.
Trevor Noah Blitzes Republicans’ Excuses For Mass Shootings One By One
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/trevor-noah-gop-mass-shootings_n_6296ff3ee4b05fe694edf361
He’s the best
Elon Musk has called on Tesla execs to freeze hiring worldwide and cut about 10% of the staff, according to Reuters. Then, coincidentally, Elon Musk tweeted that he may have a working prototype of Tesla’s previously announced humanoid robot. Coincidence, or just smoke and mirrors?
And while Tesla’s humanoid robot named “Optimus” won’t be taking jobs anytime soon, declaring that a working prototype may be ready by September is certainly a great distraction from the layoff news. Various reports say Musk has a “super bad feeling” about the economy, and he’s fed up with the remote work situation. Earlier this week, leaked emails show Musk saying that “remote work is no longer acceptable” and employees must return to the office or find work elsewhere.
Cutting jobs and requiring everyone else to stop remote work Is certainly not a good look for Tesla, but it’s also not the first time the automaker has announced layoffs. It’s just odd to me that the CEO is talking about humanoid robots immediately following the reports.
The company announced its Optimus robot at Tesla AI day in August of 2021, and Musk even said he hoped to have a working prototype sometime in 2022. Now, here we are, and that might come to fruition.
The Tesla Bot will be roughly 5’8″ tall and weigh 125 pounds. The original announcement suggested it can walk around 5MPH and carry groceries and other items upwards of 45 pounds. Tesla wants to design it to complete boring, dangerous, or menial tasks humans don’t want to do.
We’re told the AI robot could run a software version of Tesla’s autopilot driver-assist software and even respond to voice commands. For example, Musk said in the future, you could say, “Please pick up that bolt and attach it to the car with that wrench,” and Optimus will do precisely that.
According to Elon Musk, the company has now delayed its “AI Day 2022” event from August to September 30th as it may be able to show off a “working” prototype by then. Obviously, this isn’t the first time we’ve heard lofty or outlandish goals from the company, but it’ll be interesting to see the condition of Tesla’s humanoid come September. Maybe it’ll work, or maybe we’ll get a dancing man in a robot suit. Your guess is as good as mine.
Michelle, you suggested that we purchase our EV from someone other than that bigot and republican Elon musky. One of your suggestions was to look to Mercedes. Well here is there newest competition to Musky.
Last year, Mercedes-Benz unveiled the EQB, a three-row electric crossover SUV similar to its popular gas-powered GLB. And while it’s not quite as luxurious as the new EQS, it’s still a Mercedes, and now we have full pricing ahead of its release this summer.
With a starting price of $56,800 for the starting trim level, the Mercedes EQB will be its most affordable EQ model. Plus, that’s a decent price for an all-electric SUV, especially a Benz, not to mention when compared to the Tesla Model Y.
The new 7-seater Mercedes-Benz EQB debuted in September 2021 for global markets, but it won’t be available in the U.S. until later this summer. When it does arrive, it’ll come at a far more affordable price tag than many expected.
For $56k, you’ll get the EQB 300 4Matic in base trim. This package still includes all-wheel-drive, and you’ll enjoy power from the front and rear electric motors delivering 225 horsepower and an estimated 260-miles per charge.
The Mercedes EQB comes in a base 300 4Matic trim or a higher 350 4Matic option. Then, each comes in the base “Exclusive” package or a more expensive “Pinnacle” trim. The base option gets you a digital cockpit with dual 10.25-inch screens, navigation, keyless GO, wireless charging for mobile devices, Mercedes’s MBUX system, and several driver-assist modes.
Then, the upgraded EQB 350 4Matic comes with dual electric motors and even more horsepower and torque for $60,350. Those interested in the EQB can also upgrade to the Pinnacle trim, which offers an upgraded Burmester surround-sound system, a Panoramic roof, and a 360-view camera of the SUV.
Keep in mind that while Mercedes announced and advertised the new EQB EV as a crossover with three-row seating, adding that third row will come with an extra charge that’s yet to be announced. Still, getting the latest all-electric Mercedes-Benz for under $57k makes it worth considering.
Source: Mercedes
The price is interesting. But the range isn’t great about the same as a standard Tesla which costs less. Also don’t forget Tesla has the charging infrastructure in place for traveling. Of course you could charge at home before you left on a trip but while on the road you’re stuck w crappy level 1 charging. They take a very long time to charge your car. Musk did say he was opening up the chargers for non Tesla cars (use an adapter) but I haven’t seen nor heard that being done yet.
Great to know. Thanks for the info. Do you or do you know someone who drives a Tesla. What is you opinion of the car?
I will consider mbz. Thanks Michelle
Did You Know?
When Galoob released the “Game Genie” product in the 1990s to allow players on the Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis to use game cheat codes to modify their console games, the two companies had very different reactions. Nintendo sued them while Sega offered them an official licensing deal.
Did You Know?
The first speeding ticket issued in the United States (handed to the offender in the paper form we’re used to today), was issued to Harry Myers in 1904 for driving a blistering 12 miles per hour down West Third Street in Dayton, Ohio.
Does Anyone Know?
Why is cheese mold good for you, when mold is generally bad for you?
Some molds like penicillin are good for us. The molds used in cheese making comes from the “ good” group
Tx.
Michelle, I found this as an answer to Testla: DeLorean Alpha5 EV Revealed with Gull-Wing Doors and 300-Mile Range – Review Geek
https://www.reviewgeek.com/119515/delorean-alpha5-ev-revealed-with-gull-wing-doors-and-300-mile-range/
Now that is a badass car. Love what I’m seeing so far. Thanks for the info Inga.
Did You Know?
Young chimpanzees have been observed playing with sticks in a similar fashion to how human children play with dolls, implying that chimps are capable of imaginative play and thought.
If you ever wanna trigger Maga types just tell them Trump lost because God wanted it that way.
Note to non earthlings:
You are saying things in the earth language that you have “mastered” in order to pass as a citizen of that country. —— You are drawing attention to yourselves because you are saying things WITHOUT understanding the CONTEXT of the words, phrases, sentences, etc that you are using.
Most of you will be required to return if you do not make an effort to change this situation.
Did You Know?
“Intelligent gerbils” is a phrase coined by writer Robert J. Sawyer to describe how some extraterrestrial races are characterized in science fiction. Take a terrestrial animal, then make it bipedal, smart, but still largely informed by the behaviors of the Earth animal it’s modeled after (be that animal a lizard, insect, bird, or what have you) and you’ve got yourself an “intelligent gerbil” running around the galaxy.
You got balls Otto FW the alien.
Nobody is fucking with anybody here. I just said that we don’t really know how aliens perceive themselves in human form.
Did You Know?
Eye color is the result of melanin (or lack thereof) in the irises of your eyes. Dark brown eyes have the most melanin and very light blue eyes have the least. There’s even a laser-based cosmetic surgical procedure that will break up the melanin and turn brown eyes blue.
Empathy
For humans empathy is the capacity to understand or feel what another person is experiencing from within their frame of reference, that is, the capacity to place oneself in another’s position. Definitions of empathy encompass a broad range of social, cognitive, and emotional processes primarily concerned with understanding others. Types of empathy include cognitive empathy, emotional empathy, somatic empathy, and spiritual empathy. Interestingly the logical alien’s brain has a type of acetaminophen fluid which contributes toward maintaining a fluid stream in which logical processes achieve are prioritized over feelings of empathy.
Interestingly, Acetaminophen is a substance used on earth to kill pain. Tylenol is a popular brand name of this type of medication. Do humans know that Acetaminophen dulls empathy towards others in pain?
So you are saying that taking Tylenol makes us less empathic towards our fellow humans. WOW. I guess that can explain some of the republicans thought process towards a lot of issues.
That is very interesting. Perhaps we need to find something else to ease us of pain as we could certainly use more empathy towards each other on this planet.
Musk will attempt to get out of buying Twitter. He and Oracle’s Ellison were just trying to drive Twitter’s stock price down. Now that it is out that Ellison is behind the funds Musk is using to buy Twitter the gov is looking into other activities the two have been plotting for the GOP. Media control has been Ellison’s contribution to the GOP for some years now. He has “loaned” money to others to buy up local news media around the country.
It is also known that he has a fetish for a certain gal for a few years now. It seems that Musk has also locked onto that same gal. Will harmony continue as they stark the unsuspecting Miss?
She must be one fine ass bitch to have two super billionaires stalking her. What city is she in? Is she married or otherwise occupied? What does she do for her meals? What is her nationality, race, etc? Give us some crumbs.