The Verge seems to think, based on the discovery of new “Powered by SteamOS” and “Steam Compatible” sticker visual format guides, that #Valve is preparing to start directly courting Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) to build compatible hardware such as handhelds, set-top boxes, and VR sets that will or can run SteamOS. This move would be a direct challenge to #Microsoft, #Sony, and other makers who build Windows gaming systems. #videogames #tech games.slashdot.org/story/24/…

Have the need to download old versions of #macOS installers or firmware? Do you struggle with getting them from #Apple? Yeah, I know the drill. It’s a pain in the ass. MIST to the rescue, then! You can grab the installer on the GitHub page or install it with #Homebrew (brew install –cask mist) and there’s even a command line version for super nerds. #freeware #retrocomputing github.com/ninxsoft/…

If you’re on the #Apple beta grind like a friend of mine, you’re likely already aware that the Release Candidates for pretty much all Apple software has dropped, most notably #macOS 15.2 and #iOS and #iPadOS 18.2. This happens soon before the final version is rolled out to all users. Fortunately, this round of betas has been mostly stable, but there are still issues so don’t install on a production device. #tech #betas appleinsider.com/articles/…

I was a fan of #Ubuntu for a very long time and essentially started using it with Hardy Heron in the mid-2000’s. They then introduced Snaps and ejected DEBs so ditched them for a range of distros until settling on Linux Mint, Fedora, and KDE Neon. Ubuntu has fallen far from their early highs by bringing focus and ease-of-use to #Linux, and Nick runs that down nicely. #YouTube #tech www.youtube.com/watch

Wow! I’m short on words, but I’m simply blown away by designer Kevin Noki’s functional recreation of Harmut Esslinger’s #Apple Flatmac design, a prototype developed by Esslinger’s Frog Design, the firm that handled Apple’s iconic industrial design language. It is simply astonishing. NOTE: If you just want to see it in action, jump to 41:24. #retrocomputing #Macintosh #MacClassic youtu.be/Grd_a4oi7…

🚨 NERD ALERT 🚨 Hey all my retro #Apple peeps who are re-capping old #Macintosh machines! It turns out there’s a polarity type on the LC III / Performa 450 mainboard that, when using tantalum capacitors for your retrofit, can cause your repaired Mac to immolate itself. It’s a quick read, so get yourself up to speed before busting out the flux and solder wick. #retrocomputing #tech www.macworld.com/article/2…

So, in case you were under any illusions that #Microsoft might not force countless millions of people to buy new PCs and move to #Windows 11, they blogged that this is non-negotiable. Windows 10 will lose support October 2025, unless you pay $30 for an extra year, then it will be the end. Period. Prepare to move to #Linux. And if you must buy, you might as well get an #Apple #Mac. #tech #capitalism www.theverge.com/2024/12/4…

This should tell you everything you need to know about A) how stupid smart people have allowed themselves to become and B) that A.I. is just as stupid as we are, if not more so. Don’t be stupid. Use your own brain. #ai #idiocracy #theendisnigh #robotapocalypse www.theverge.com/2024/12/4…

I don’t understand… #sarcasm #language #wordoftheyear news.slashdot.org/story/24/…

I’m not sure I understand the purpose of this… device? #Apple’s Touch Bar which replaced the F-keys during the globally reviled “Butterfly Keyboard” era was half-baked and left to wither in a ditch and we already have a slew of #mactopads like the Streamdeck that do the same thing, but better because the keys are sized for human fingers and not to fit into a slim strip on a laptop. Then it retails at nearly $200. Hard pass. #kickstarter #hardware 9to5mac.com/2024/12/0…