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cVwEqon Researchers create “neuromorphic chip” that is modeled after the brain

TL;DR Researcher and team at Yale invent a chip that is similar to a neural network. It's good at object recognition and operates asynchronously.

cVwEqon How do I permanently delete my account?

Hard to say what data they still retain and for how long. However, the sooner you delete your FB account, the less data FB is likely to have on you in 5 or 10 years, assuming data retention periods, etc.

I found the process easy to complete using the directions in the link. It was quite liberating to have my account deleted, actually. Don't miss it at all, although it left some friends and my mom scratching their heads.

cVwEqon How to start your own ISP (2015)

OP here. It answered the question for me: what would it take to break away from the chains of the ISP oligarchy? The answer: a lot, unfortunately, and is probably out of reach of most individuals. But it can be done with a small community of people.

cVwEqon Ask HN: I would pay X for Y

NPR and Hacker News. As a huge recovering news junkie, that's what I've slimmed down to and I think it's perfect.

cVwEqon Ask HN: Which is the best laptop for programmers under budget?

I'm surprised that so many on HN recommend Lenovo laptops considering the robust privacy / security concerns shared amongst us.

For years, the Chinese government has owned a substantial portion of Lenovo (28% as of 2006[1]). It's no secret that the Chinese government attempts to hack US firms[2].

Although I have no direct evidence that the Chinese government has installed backdoors/monitoring/etc. into Lenovo laptop hardware, I think there is much circumstantial evidence to warrant serious concerns. So much so that the U.S. government is restricting access to Lenovo computers[3].

I'm at a place with Lenovo laptops that I was with Kaspersky anti-virus[4]. Although it might arguably be easier to install nefarious stuff into software, why take chances with your hardware?

[1] http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/4997288.stm [2] http://www.businessinsider.com/china-hackers-us-companies-gi... [3] http://freebeacon.com/national-security/military-warns-chine... [4] https://www.usnews.com/news/business/articles/2017-09-14/con...

cVwEqon Passwords Evolved: Authentication Guidance for the Modern Era

One time I was so irritated with security questions when registering online with a financial organization that I answered "I fu_____ hate these g______ fu_____ security s_____ questions" (use your imagination on the blanks) and tacked on a trailing random number string. And dutifully recorded that answer in my password manager. Done!

Well, about 3 years later, I had to complete a financial transaction over the phone. Out of the blue, the young lady asks me for my challenge answer. Oh my, I was so embarrassed by the quiet snickering and muted snorting when I read her my answer.