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A follow-up re Macs

If you are interested, I can direct you to some additional information relating to my earlier blog post about recent Macs and the Mac operating system.

This blog post by security researcher Jeffrey Paul further explains why Apple’s decisions about hardware design and operating system implementation are so problematic. If you are a Mac user and have any concerns at all about the privacy and security of your recent or future systems this is a must-read article.

To be fair, it can be argued that Apple’s approach can make it harder for someone who actually steals your computer to wipe it and treat it as their own. However, I feel that the way Apple restricts your ability to independently manage your machine while leaving it open to outside interference and monitoring far outweighs this limited benefit.

No new Macs for me

The arrogance of Apple/Tim Cook has gone too far. All their talk about the security of their devices and systems is just a whitewash over steps that would make Orwell blush.

This is a must-read piece if you are thinking of buying a new Mac or upgrading your operating system. https://sneak.berlin/20201112/your-computer-isnt-yours/

What to do? Steps include not updating to the new Big Sur operating system, not buying any Apple Silicon -based Macs, making sure you’re using Little Snitch or some other firewall software that will let you intercept Apple’s outbound traffic from your system, and taking a long, hard look at your relationship with Apple.

I’ve used Macs for many years, I have a significant investment in software for my Macs. I can continue to use my current Macs (or newer replacements, if necessary) – I’m comfortable with them and they meet my needs. But I will stick with the rules I outlined above. If I have to walk away from using Macs, I will. Currently the greatest personal inconvenience in using Linux involves support for my iPod (which is essential to me). Linux is not a solution for most art/design pros. Windows, of course, continues as a platform that will support my iPod, if I have to go that direction. There is a lot of Pro-level software that is available for both Mac and Windows. Moving to Windows from the Mac is easier than ever nowadays.

I used to dream about having the funds to buy a maxed-out Mac system, now I will dream of assembling my own custom high-performance computer running anything but Apple operating systems.

This is why we can’t have nice things

20) Georgia Governor Brian Kemp stakes a solid claim on the title of “Shittiest Governor USA 2020”: Georgia Governor Sues Atlanta Mayor To Block Citywide Mask Mandate

Another important step towards the resumption of U.S. manned spaceflight

Astronauts enter a routine quarantine for historic SpaceX Crew Dragon launch

NASA astronauts Bob Behknen (left) and Doug Hurley will be the first to fly on SpaceX’s Crew Dragon spacecraft during the Demo-2 mission expected to launch 27 May 2020.
(Image: © SpaceX)

This is why we can’t have nice things

11) The Trumpism expression “Lock her up!” seems appropriate here: Texas mayor under investigation after viral photo shows her in nail salon despite stay-at-home order

12) Goddam conspiracy theory nut-jobs should go back to their flat earth meetings and stay there: She’s been falsely accused of starting the pandemic. Her life has been turned upside down

This is why we can’t have nice things

5) Oh for fuck’s sake! What is wrong with this asshole?? Mississippi Governor Declares ‘Confederate Heritage Month’ During Coronavirus Pandemic

Another reason to worry if Trump wins the election

After a 2020 election win we can likely expect Trump and his bigot weasel Stephen Miller to pull out another page from the autocratic playbook. Namely, the page that says: If you don’t like the beliefs or activities of some of your people, criminalize them.

China’s treatment of muslims is a gross example of this principle in action. This article sums up the China situation and is well worth reading: Newly Released Database Shows How China Criminalized Muslim Faith

Hypocrisy highlights

U.S. Attorney General William Barr has stated that President Trump’s tweets about cases involving the Justice Department “make it impossible” for him to do his job. What he actually means is that Trump’s bragging and crowing make it very hard to hide what Barr is up to (putting the fix in for cases involving Trump cronies) behind the scenes.

The situation is so flagrantly outside the norms that over 2000 former Department of Justice officials have signed an open letter demanding that Barr resign.

Hypocrisy highlights

First in an ongoing series. U.S. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo is one of Trump’s primary enablers, and plenty awful when left to his own devices – both vindictive and a liar, just like his boss. The headline links to an article, ’nuff said.

Pompeo Pushes Free Press For Kazakhstan After Barring NPR Reporter From Trip

Florida: Home of the weird

The headline below says all you really need to know. You can click on it to see the complete story. You might think it worth a look just for the photos of the model citizens involved.

Florida couple has sex in police cruiser after being busted for drunk driving on bicycles

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