"If you have something that you don't want anyone to know, maybe you shouldn't be doing it in the first place. If you really need that kind of privacy, the reality is that search engines — including Google — do retain this information for some time… we are all subject in the United States to the Patriot Act…" —Google CEO Eric Schmidt, in 2009. Here's Bruce Schneier's response, from 2006.
Schneier vs. Schmidt on "privacy is for those who have something to hide."
Watch the incredible sales video for Rockwell Automation's Retroencabulator
This 1997 pitch for Rockwell Automation's Retroencabulator makes me feel like an idiot for not already owning one. The technology improves upon a 1944 machine called the turboencabulator: The original machine had a base plate of prefabulated amulite, surmounted by a malleable logarithmic casing in such a way that the two main spurving bearings were… READ THE REST
Lou Ottens, inventor of the cassette tape, RIP
Lou Ottens, who in 1963 invented the cassette tape while an engineer at Philips, has died. He was 94. I'm glad that he lived to see the cassette resurgence of recent years. From NPR: The cassette tape was Ottens' answer to the large reel-to-reel tapes that provided high-quality sound but were seen as too clunky… READ THE REST
Parler wanted Donald Trump, who demanded an ownership stake, which didn't happen
A scoop from Buzzfeed News: "Parler wanted Donald Trump on its site. Trump's company wanted an ownership stake. Here's the exclusive story of their negotiation." Parler is the chat app founded in 2018 by former college roommates John Matze and Jared Thomson, and Rebekah Mercer, the right-wing political donor and daughter of hedge fund magnate… READ THE REST
Create, edit, and merge PDF files for $30 with this top-rated PDF editing app
It's among the most popular digital file formats in the world. In fact, its creator Adobe figures there are now over 2.5 trillion PDF documents floating around out there. And at times, it's probably felt like you've had to deal with every single one of them. Make no mistake. PDFs are so common because they're… READ THE REST
This 8-piece Homgeek knife set is the perfect kit for a formative kitchen
Maybe you're moving into a new place and you're ready to start making more than microwave burritos and frozen pizzas for dinner. Or perhaps you know someone striking out on their own and starting up their own first kitchen. In either case, that budding chef needs a quality blade. Or more accurately, they need a… READ THE REST
Protect your posture while gaming with this super comfy massaging chair that's over 30% off
For many, playing video games for hours on end is among the most exhilarating ways to spend an evening. Or a day. Or a weekend. But while hour after hour of roaming the Old West, engaging in space dogfights, or swinging through your virtual city like Spider-Man are incredibly fun, it's only happening in your… READ THE REST