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dave333

514 karma · joined January 29, 2014

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dave333··on Space Drive Video Loop with Notes
I think the microwave is cost-optimized, not weight optimized.
dave333··on Space Drive Video Loop with Notes
The space drive has no reaction mass, but there is a small quantity of plasma that is the working medium.
dave333··on Space Drive Video Loop with Notes
Notes explain what is happening in this "Space Drive" video showing concrete blocks being lifted by 300 Watts of power in an ordinary microwave oven.
dave333··on A.I. Is Homogenizing Our Thoughts
We will just have to stand on the shoulders of homogenous giants.
dave333··on Reactionless Propulsion Achieved at Greater Than 100 Pounds of Lift
Listen to a 55 minute podcast that deep dives into the details - however I don't think they explicitly refute your suggested explanation: https://youtu.be/QGL8BJYfBAg?si=SnzyK_pPOj_Yo2bX
dave333··on Reactionless Propulsion Achieved at Greater Than 100 Pounds of Lift
Brilliant Light Power have long been the target of skeptics that do not believe their claims of a classical physics breakthrough. Might this demonstration of concrete blocks being lifted by the microwave power of a common microwave oven be the tipping point in taking the company seriously?
dave333··on End of 10: Upgrade your old Windows 10 computer to Linux
Answering my own question via AI:

Yes, it is often possible to upgrade your PC hardware to make it compatible with Windows 11, but the feasibility and cost depend heavily on which specific requirements your current PC fails to meet.

Windows 11 has stricter hardware requirements than Windows 10, primarily focusing on security and modern capabilities. The key hurdles for older PCs are usually:

CPU (Processor) Compatibility:

Requirement: 1 GHz or faster with 2 or more cores on a compatible 64-bit processor. Microsoft maintains a list of approved CPUs. Generally, this means Intel 8th Gen (Coffee Lake) or newer, and AMD Ryzen 2000 series or newer.

Upgradability: This is often the trickiest and most expensive upgrade. If your CPU isn't on the list, you would likely need to replace your motherboard AND CPU (and possibly RAM, as newer motherboards often require different RAM types). This is essentially building a new core system and might not be cost-effective for an older PC. TPM (Trusted Platform Module) 2.0:

Requirement: TPM version 2.0. This is a hardware security module that stores cryptographic keys. Upgradability: Enable in BIOS/UEFI: Many PCs manufactured in the last 5-7 years actually have TPM 2.0 (or fTPM/PTT, firmware-based TPM) but it might be disabled in the BIOS/UEFI settings. This is the easiest fix – just enable it. Add a TPM Module: Some older motherboards (typically from around the Intel 6th/7th gen or similar AMD era) have a TPM header where you can purchase and install a physical TPM 2.0 module. This is a relatively inexpensive upgrade if your motherboard supports it. Motherboard Replacement: If your motherboard doesn't have an integrated fTPM/PTT and lacks a TPM header, you would need to replace the motherboard (which usually means a new CPU and RAM too). UEFI Firmware with Secure Boot Capability:

Requirement: Your system firmware must be UEFI (Unified Extensible Firmware Interface, a modern BIOS replacement) and Secure Boot capable. Upgradability: Enable in BIOS/UEFI: Similar to TPM, many modern PCs are UEFI-capable but might be running in "Legacy BIOS" or "CSM" (Compatibility Support Module) mode. You can often switch to UEFI mode in your BIOS/UEFI settings.

Enable Secure Boot: Once in UEFI mode, you can usually enable Secure Boot from within the BIOS/UEFI settings. Motherboard Limitation: Very old PCs might only support Legacy BIOS and not UEFI at all. In this case, a motherboard replacement would be necessary. RAM (Memory):

Requirement: 4 GB or greater. Upgradability: This is usually the easiest and cheapest upgrade. Most desktops and many laptops allow you to add more RAM. Storage:

Requirement: 64 GB or larger storage device. Upgradability: Easily upgradable. You can replace a smaller HDD/SSD with a larger one. Graphics Card:

Requirement: Compatible with DirectX 12 or later with WDDM 2.0 driver. Upgradability: Most integrated and dedicated graphics cards from the last several years meet this. If yours doesn't, you could install a new graphics card (for desktops) or be out of luck (for laptops). How to Check Your PC's Compatibility: The best way to determine what specifically is holding your PC back is to use Microsoft's PC Health Check app. It will tell you exactly which requirements your system meets and which it doesn't.

Summary of Upgrade Possibilities: Most Common & Easiest: Enabling TPM 2.0 in BIOS/UEFI. Enabling Secure Boot in BIOS/UEFI (after switching to UEFI mode if needed). Adding more RAM (if less than 4GB). Upgrading storage drive size. More Involved & Potentially Costly: Adding a physical TPM 2.0 module (if your motherboard has the header). Upgrading the CPU (often requires a new motherboard and RAM too). Replacing the motherboard (almost always requires new CPU and RAM). Upgrading the graphics card (for desktops). Is it worth it? For older PCs that require a new CPU and motherboard, it often makes more sense financially to purchase a new PC that comes with Windows 11 pre-installed or is fully compatible out-of-the-box. The cost of individual component upgrades can quickly add up, and you'll end up with a system that's still fundamentally older than a brand-new one.

However, if you only need to enable TPM/Secure Boot in BIOS or add RAM, it's definitely a viable and cheap way to get on Windows 11.

dave333··on End of 10: Upgrade your old Windows 10 computer to Linux
Is it possible to upgrade your hardware so that it becomes upgradable to Windows 11?
dave333··on Rewriting Unix Philosophy for the Post-AI Era
Just using prompts like Unix commands in pipelines takes you a long way at least conceptually. Can have AI choose the best data format from stage to stage although all formats can be represented as text. Not sure if there's much difference between another pipeline stage and another paragraph in the prompt. Maybe have AI decide when a particular prompt is nearing the token limit of its model and split the task into multiple stages. AI can also design the pipeline - decide what each stage should do.
dave333··on Why are front end dev demand so high if front end development is easier? (2012)
It used to be front end needed to learn a new framework every couple of years but now with the balkanization of build tools as well it's even worse. OK for the first two or three decades, then gets harder. Is AI now making this easier - have AI do the nitty gritty framework specific code?
dave333··on Cysteine depletion triggers adipose tissue thermogenesis and weight loss
It's difficult to reduce cysteine by diet since it occurs in a wide variety of foods plus reducing it may be harmful as it is used in beneficial ways as well. So more research needed.
dave333··on Show HN: 1 min workouts for people who sit all day
Just ask your favorite AI - e.g. suggest some one minute excercise routines for a 71 year old male

Given a 71-year-old male, what are some safe and effective one-minute exercise routines? What are the benefits of short, frequent exercise bursts for older adults? One-minute exercise routines for seniors. Chair exercises for elderly men. Low-impact exercises for 70+ male. For a 71-year-old male, one-minute exercise routines should focus on low-impact movements that improve strength, flexibility, and balance, with an emphasis on safety. It's always a good idea to consult with a doctor before starting any new exercise program.

Here are some one-minute routines, many of which can be done with the aid of a sturdy chair:

Option 1: Chair-Assisted Mobility & Strength

15 seconds: Seated Marching: Sit tall in a sturdy chair, feet flat. Lift one knee towards your chest, then lower, alternating legs as if marching in place. Keep your back straight and engage your core. 15 seconds: Arm Raises: While seated or standing with support, slowly raise both arms out to the sides to shoulder height, or overhead if comfortable, then lower. Focus on control. 15 seconds: Ankle Pumps & Circles: While seated, lift one foot slightly. Point your toes up and down (pumps), then rotate your ankle in circles clockwise and counter-clockwise. Switch feet after about 7-8 seconds. This improves ankle mobility and helps with circulation. 15 seconds: Seated Torso Twists: Sit tall with feet flat. Cross your arms over your chest or place hands on hips. Gently twist your upper body to one side, then to the other, keeping your hips stable. This aids core strength and spinal flexibility. Option 2: Standing Balance & Leg Strengthening (with support)

20 seconds: Chair Squats (Sit-to-Stands): Stand in front of a sturdy chair. Gently lower yourself as if to sit, but just before sitting, push back up to standing. Use your hands on the chair for support if needed. This is excellent for leg strength and functional movement. 20 seconds: Heel Raises: Stand behind a chair, holding on for balance. Slowly lift up onto your tiptoes, hold for a second, then lower your heels back down. This strengthens calf muscles and helps with balance. 20 seconds: Standing Leg Swings (side-to-side): While holding onto a chair, gently swing one leg out to the side a few inches, then back to the center. Keep your core engaged and avoid leaning. Switch legs after 10 seconds. This improves hip mobility. Option 3: Upper Body & Posture Focus

20 seconds: Wall Push-ups: Stand facing a wall, about arm's length away. Place your hands flat on the wall at shoulder height, slightly wider than shoulder-width. Bend your elbows to lean towards the wall, then push back to the starting position. This strengthens chest and arm muscles. 20 seconds: Shoulder Rolls: Shrug your shoulders up towards your ears, then roll them back and down in a circular motion. Repeat forward and backward. This helps with upper back and shoulder mobility. 20 seconds: Chest Stretch: Stand or sit tall. Clasp your hands behind your back (or hold a towel if clasping is difficult) and gently squeeze your shoulder blades together, opening your chest. Hold for 5-10 seconds, then release. Key Considerations for Seniors:

Listen to Your Body: If you feel any pain, stop the exercise. Start Slow: Begin with fewer repetitions or shorter durations and gradually increase as comfort and strength allow. Breathing: Remember to breathe deeply and continuously throughout the exercises. Don't hold your breath. Hydration: Stay well-hydrated throughout the day. Consistency: Short, frequent bursts of exercise are highly beneficial. Even one minute a few times a day can make a significant difference in maintaining mobility, strength, and overall well-being. Safety First: Ensure you have a stable environment, wear appropriate footwear, and use chairs or walls for support as needed. These short, consistent bursts of low-impact exercise can significantly contribute to maintaining strength, balance, and flexibility, which are crucial for independent living and overall health in older age.

dave333··on How to cheat at settlers by loading the dice (2017)
Another way to look at board games and sports in general is as an alternative to war - settling disputes in a non-violent way and building social cohesion in the process. In board games there are no real losers and in war there are no real winners. So a win at all costs strategy may not be necessary.
dave333··on Harvard Law paid $27 for a copy of Magna Carta. It's an original
My UK high school sold a 1297 version of Magna Carta to the Australian Government in 1952 for 12500 pounds.
dave333··on Applications of Classical Physics
First ionization energy of two electron atoms calculation is shown on p266 (p292 in the reader app) with a table showing agreement with experiment for many 2-electron atoms on p269 (p296 in reader app).
dave333··on Applications of Classical Physics
It's amazing how most people use Wikipedia as the ultimate authority. Try reading the book there's a lot of excellent content that doesn't require following the math in detail, although the math is there in detail to support the theory.

https://brilliantlightpower.com/GUT/GUT_Volume_1/

dave333··on Applications of Classical Physics
Not sure who wrote that, but it was not me.
dave333··on Applications of Classical Physics
Chapter 7 of https://brilliantlightpower.com/GUT/GUT_Volume_1/ covers two electron atoms.
dave333··on Applications of Classical Physics
On page 15 of the Introduction in

https://brilliantlightpower.com/GUT/GUT_Volume_1/

there's a list of 19 (counted em) shortcomings of Quantum Theory based on Schrodinger math.

dave333··on PlainBudget – Minimalist Plain Text Budgeting
Fair enough and I can see how this will help people a lot. I was just pushing what has worked well for me.
dave333··on PlainBudget – Minimalist Plain Text Budgeting
I guess it's obvious that a plain spreadsheet does this job nicely. I use one row per day and one column for each account, e.g. rent, utilities, each credit card, savings accts etc. I make a new tab each year. Very easy to see in advance the low point in your bank balance each month/pay period.
dave333··on Searching for black swans
One of the few tools to predict black swans is Elliott Wave:

https://my.elliottwave.com/products/free/content.aspx?id=966...

dave333··on Why do electrons not fall into the nucleus?
The main problem is there is so much power the device melts. They have now started using molten gallium electrodes (as of 2016), and now a quartz crystal housing that lets the UV light out and doesn't melt. They are offering hydrinos in a bottle to qualified labs. Stuff goes through a gas chromatograph faster than hydrogen.
dave333··on Why do electrons not fall into the nucleus?
Edits are removed unless they are published in well known journals which is fair enough for scientific results, but you cannot even update the page to state Mills latest engineering improvements or update factual information about the company.
dave333··on Why do electrons not fall into the nucleus?
That wikipedia page has a strong skeptical bias and is seriously out of date.
dave333··on Why do electrons not fall into the nucleus?
Mills has developed a better purely classical atomic model where the electrons are concentric spinning fluid spheres with force balance equivalent to 20k atmospheres pressure. The spinning electrons don't radiate because there is no net charge movement over time. See https://brilliantlightpower.com/theory/
dave333··on I wrote a book called “Crap Towns”. It seemed funny at the time
Uh, the internet, smartphones, flat panel TVS, craft beer, Moore's Law.
dave333··on I wrote a book called "Crap Towns". It seemed funny at the time
The Connections series by James Burke from around the same time posited that politics is irrelevant and progress is mostly due to science. The consumer society of today is much better than when Crap Towns was written although improvement is not uniform. But even the least improved towns are better now than they were due to all the regional, national, and international improvements in services.
dave333··on A Map of British Dialects (2023)
Having posted the above a few days ago, last night I (originally from the UK) was in the car with my wife (US born and bred) following and reciting map directions on my phone like "0.8 miles left on San Antonio" which I say as UK standard "nought point eight miles left on San Antonio." After a while she asks "what is nought?" Here we just say "point 8 miles" or "zero point eight miles." We've only been married 42 years and are still learning each other's language:-)
dave333··on The Labyrinth of Villa Pisani in Stra, an Intricate Pathway
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Maze-solving_algorithm#Hand_On...
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