ShroudedScribe's recent activity
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Comment on What could be Microsoft's larger game plan or agenda with CoPilot? in ~tech
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Comment on What could be Microsoft's larger game plan or agenda with CoPilot? in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentI agree that it's baffling how much no-code has proliferated through enterprises. Though I honestly believe dishonest salespeople and managers who want to try to accomplish something are to blame....I agree that it's baffling how much no-code has proliferated through enterprises. Though I honestly believe dishonest salespeople and managers who want to try to accomplish something are to blame. One common sales tactic is to target someone higher up in management with no significant IT background, convince them it will up productivity by 100x because anyone can now build applications, and basically sell them on it before their IT department has a chance to weigh in. Then when IT shows any form of resistance, they're met with "you're just worried we'll take your job" or some other crap - I've even seen salespeople prepare their "targets" for this conversation to ensure they'll "win" (and the salesperson will close the deal).
As I said, I'm working on a couple of long-form articles I'll eventually publish somewhere because I have that much of an issue with this sector of software.
However, I have seen some "no-code" technology work well, but only in free products and as built-in extensions to well established platforms (automations in Monday.com, PowerApps, etc). I'm currently back in school to get my Bachelor's, and one course about data science that was meant to be approachable to anyone, including those without a programming background, heavily used KNIME. It is one of the most impressive no-code frameworks I've seen, because it targets a specific use case (data analysis), can be extended with code (Python or R), and is completely free. There's also a couple of open-source projects in development for more general use, but I think standalone no-code/low-code really only makes sense for creating a user interface that does CRUD operations on a database. (Microsoft Access was ahead of its time, but it doesn't scale like it should.)
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Comment on What could be Microsoft's larger game plan or agenda with CoPilot? in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentOooh boy, I have some strong opinions about RPA. I've had hands-on experience with three different RPA applications (or "Frameworks," whatever you want to call them), and they are mostly garbage....Oooh boy, I have some strong opinions about RPA. I've had hands-on experience with three different RPA applications (or "Frameworks," whatever you want to call them), and they are mostly garbage. At some point I'm going to publish an article (anonymously) about how terrible "no-code" technologies are, RPA included. (A lot of my distaste for these is how absurdly expensive they are, at least the ones that target medium to large enterprises.)
One of the major downfalls of RPA is that you're building an automation that is dependent on the GUI it is built in remaining constant. Using your example - if the website you're entering data in changes its layout, the automation will break. If the PDF format is slightly different from one to the next, it'll break. In many cases, if the user's display settings are different (resolution, high contrast mode, zoom level in the PDF application or web browser), it'll break.
I don't want to fully discount your comment, as that could theoretically lead to some advances in this type of tech. I would argue that Microsoft Recall (the controversial & just announced AI for Windows on ARM computers) could contribute to this as well, and collect even more relevant data. But anything that advertises itself as RPA right now wouldn't even be a functional base to add this type of AI onto. A headless browser framework like Selenium is much more advanced and could accomplish some of these tasks with a higher level of reliability. The appeal of these existing RPA applications is that you can build automations "without a single line of code," but in nearly every case it would be more cost-effective for a company to hire contractors to build a proper application with API connections.
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Comment on What could be Microsoft's larger game plan or agenda with CoPilot? in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentFully agree with this. It's easy to get trapped in a bubble when it comes to social media. There's likely tons of people who will find it useful. But as far as end game goes... I'm not sure....Fully agree with this. It's easy to get trapped in a bubble when it comes to social media. There's likely tons of people who will find it useful.
But as far as end game goes... I'm not sure. Copilot isn't going to factor into the decision for computer manufacturers to load Windows by default on their products. It may eventually push people towards buying more MS products - perhaps a query response to editing a generic document will say "if using MS Word, you can...", or something else that they charge a subscription for. But this doesn't seem like it would drive a large enough volume of sales to make it worthwhile.
One thing everyone is doing right now is collecting data. As much data as they can. And then selling it to various AI companies to improve their LLMs. So I wouldn't be surprised if the argument to shareholders is "we'll invest in this data collection method but we anticipate a return in another year."
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Comment on Mozilla is adding vertical tabs, profile management, and local AI to Firefox in ~tech
ShroudedScribe LinkInterested to see what this looks like. I currently use Sideberry in Firefox and I absolutely love it. Ability to not only group tabs but even add a higher level of grouping in the vertical panel....Interested to see what this looks like. I currently use Sideberry in Firefox and I absolutely love it.
Ability to not only group tabs but even add a higher level of grouping in the vertical panel. Right click menu lets me unload tabs, so even though I have a good amount open, they don't use memory/resources. Integrates with container tabs, so certain sites can always load in a specific container and show up in a specific panel. (I do this with LinkedIn as its own, because LinkedIn is super creepy/invasive.)
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Comment on Does anyone have experience or advice on cutting sugar consumption? in ~health
ShroudedScribe Link ParentSome of the sugar substitutes in ice creams like Halo Top can wreak havoc on some people's digestive systems. There's a specific sugar alcohol I've discovered will make my bathroom trips...Some of the sugar substitutes in ice creams like Halo Top can wreak havoc on some people's digestive systems. There's a specific sugar alcohol I've discovered will make my bathroom trips uncomfortable, to put it politely.
I'm not suggesting you shouldn't try them, but try them in moderation first! If you eat the entire pint of Halo Top because it's only X number of calories, and end up having this reaction, you'll regret it.
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Comment on The Slack controversy has opened a whole new can of worms in ~tech
ShroudedScribe Link ParentIn addition to what everyone else is saying, I believe the cause of some listed issues (chat being far too slow, the interface taking too long to load, logouts without a useful notification) is...In addition to what everyone else is saying, I believe the cause of some listed issues (chat being far too slow, the interface taking too long to load, logouts without a useful notification) is due to bloat.
Teams is effectively an expansion of SharePoint. SharePoint, while useful in some ways, is a shining example of software that tries to do everything and none of it very well.
So Teams is effectively layering chat on top of SharePoint sites. It's trying to manage documents and lists and web viewers for all MS document types as you click through it.
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Comment on Donald Trump - Joe Biden US Presidential debates to take place on June 27th and September 10th in ~misc
ShroudedScribe Link ParentOne could argue it balances out to neutral, if even that positive. Presidents show signs of age very quickly during and after their term(s). It's a job that requires you to be involved in a ton of...One could argue it balances out to neutral, if even that positive. Presidents show signs of age very quickly during and after their term(s). It's a job that requires you to be involved in a ton of different things 24/7, and is clearly very stressful.
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Comment on Cyberattack forces major US health care network to divert ambulances from hospitals in ~health
ShroudedScribe LinkObviously ransomware threat actors are not ethical in any way. But it's disappointing to see them target services that benefit the public as much as healthcare providers. There's many other...Obviously ransomware threat actors are not ethical in any way. But it's disappointing to see them target services that benefit the public as much as healthcare providers. There's many other industries/companies that would be a larger target and not cause direct harm.
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Comment on The economics of $15 salads in ~finance
ShroudedScribe LinkInteresting. This makes me wonder what another chain makes at the end of the day. Salad and Go is a chain I wasn't aware existed until moving to Arizona. (Looks like it's in a few other states now...Interesting. This makes me wonder what another chain makes at the end of the day.
Salad and Go is a chain I wasn't aware existed until moving to Arizona. (Looks like it's in a few other states now too.) Their menu is incredibly reasonably priced. Salads are less than $8, and breakfast burritos are under $5. Both are very generously sized.
One way they keep costs down is by keeping "The average Salad and Go store size to approximately 750 square feet" which is tiny - sometimes I wonder how they manage to fit 3+ employees working in that space. Another appears to be how they source ingredients: "The chain operates two food production facilities – one in Arizona and one in Texas – which prepare produce directly from farms and deliver it to stores."
Quotes sourced from the Wikipedia article.
I can't justify going to nearly any other restaurant for a salad now.
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
ShroudedScribe LinkI believe that countries should not have any citizenship requirements other than a criminal background check. While this can vary by country, most people will pay taxes to support the area they...I believe that countries should not have any citizenship requirements other than a criminal background check. While this can vary by country, most people will pay taxes to support the area they live in. Some people may be able to use the country's disability or unemployment benefits/safety net without working or paying significant taxes themselves, but everyone involved in supporting their care represents a potential increase in jobs, leading to more tax contributions.
Being born in a specific place should not create superiority or suffering. Everyone should be able to seek out a life in a location that works best for them.
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Comment on US drug control agency will move to reclassify marijuana in a historic shift, AP sources say in ~news
ShroudedScribe Link ParentThey really need to determine another way to test. Some type of motor skills test would probably be best (assuming the individual does not have a disability that would interfere with).They really need to determine another way to test. Some type of motor skills test would probably be best (assuming the individual does not have a disability that would interfere with).
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Comment on What programming/technical projects have you been working on? in ~comp
ShroudedScribe Link ParentNeat. Over 10 years ago I did all the info gathering with a WMI batch script. Company had a lot of PCs at remote sites and sometimes mobile that had infrequent internet connections and needed to...Neat. Over 10 years ago I did all the info gathering with a WMI batch script. Company had a lot of PCs at remote sites and sometimes mobile that had infrequent internet connections and needed to be properly inventoried.
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Comment on Spotify lowers artist royalties despite subscription price hike in ~music
ShroudedScribe Link ParentIf they're losing money, it's likely due to their questionable financial decisions, such as the massive amounts spent to get Joe Rogan exclusively on their podcast platform.If they're losing money, it's likely due to their questionable financial decisions, such as the massive amounts spent to get Joe Rogan exclusively on their podcast platform.
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Comment on Clothes shopping as a short & fat (trans) guy with narrow shoulders in ~life.style
ShroudedScribe LinkHave you tried any thrift stores? I'm located in the US, but both myself and my partner often have trouble finding well fitting clothes in department stores. Thrift stores aren't limited to the...Have you tried any thrift stores? I'm located in the US, but both myself and my partner often have trouble finding well fitting clothes in department stores. Thrift stores aren't limited to the ~5-8 brands you'll see in one department store, so your odds may be better that you'll find something that fits. Only downside is if you find something you like but the size isn't right, you'll almost never find the same thing in a different size.
Bonus points because you're helping the environment.
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Comment on Looking for free or cheap places to learn some SQL and XML in ~tech
ShroudedScribe LinkIn addition to the great resources everyone else has shared, if you're looking for somewhere to practice or test (beyond something like codecademy interactive exercises), you can install a free...In addition to the great resources everyone else has shared, if you're looking for somewhere to practice or test (beyond something like codecademy interactive exercises), you can install a free version of Microsoft SQL on your local computer - it's the developer version on their downloads page.
Then install SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS) on your local computer as well, and you can connect the developer server and create databases, tables, views, stored procedures, etc exactly as you would in an enterprise (Windows) environment.
If you want some test data, Microsoft has a set they call AdventureWorks.
And keep in mind all of this information is assuming your (current or future) employer is using MS SQL. There are some variations between MS SQL, MySQL, and Oracle's implementation, but focusing on learning one will get you far enough to work with any of them (perhaps with a translation cheat sheet by your side).
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Comment on What's the best way to avoid scams when being paid by strangers on the internet? in ~finance
ShroudedScribe LinkIn addition to payment security, you should come up with a good contract and require a signature before starting work. If you're doing graphic design or similar, IAGA has some great resources....In addition to payment security, you should come up with a good contract and require a signature before starting work. If you're doing graphic design or similar, IAGA has some great resources.
Zoho has a free plan and you can send a certain number of docs out for e-signature that way.
And for the payment part, I'm echoing what other people have said about taking half as a deposit before you start. Consider a payment processor (helsim is probably my favorite) that allows your customers to pay via ACH or credit card. You will pay some fees, but you can adjust your pricing to account for that - it's a standard business practice these days. These processors will charge an additional fee for things like chargebacks, but you can CYA in your contract and make it clear you will go after them if they try to pull anything like that.
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Comment on What cooking techniques need more evidence? in ~food
ShroudedScribe LinkSearing a roast before you put it in the crockpot for hours. I've found this makes zero difference and is just an added step. You can't possibly taste the sear when the intent of the crockpot is...Searing a roast before you put it in the crockpot for hours. I've found this makes zero difference and is just an added step. You can't possibly taste the sear when the intent of the crockpot is to make the meat incredibly tender, right?
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
ShroudedScribe Link ParentOnly been through two episodes so far, but loving it! I would absolutely be binge watching if some unrelated circumstances were different. Hoping to get through most of it over the next few days!!...Only been through two episodes so far, but loving it! I would absolutely be binge watching if some unrelated circumstances were different. Hoping to get through most of it over the next few days!!
Without spoilers, there's tons of nods to various objects and beings in the game. And that goes beyond surface level references - a few slightly obscure things too!
My wife has been reading the recaps from The Vulture after each episode. Here's the link to the episode 1 recap (with spoilers for only episode 1). Those recaps really dig into some of the details.
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Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv
ShroudedScribe LinkFallout in 2 days (4/11). I am hype. Edit: ONE DAY EARLY WHAT https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/9/24125154/fallout-tv-show-early-release-date-amazon-prime-videoFallout in 2 days (4/11). I am hype.
Edit: ONE DAY EARLY WHAT
https://www.theverge.com/2024/4/9/24125154/fallout-tv-show-early-release-date-amazon-prime-video
That reminds me of the ads for Microsoft Hololens (AR) that showed you wearing it while working on some plumbing under your sink, so you could conference with someone more knowledgable and they can help you by not just verbally telling you what to do, but drawing arrows you'd see in front of you to make things clearer.
Maybe in another 10 years we'll have this technology, but completely fueled by AI. Though I could see things going very wrong if it isn't much more accurate than what currently exists.