Category: technology

Properly organizing information is essential, but it can be hard to know where to start. Learn the fundamental building blocks of a modern information architecture. We are searching for some kind of harmony between two intangibles: a form which we have not yet designed and a context which we cannot properly describe. Christopher AlexanderContinue reading…

via The anatomy of an information architecture — All – O’Reilly Media

Since Pokemon Go blew up the world a couple of weeks ago we’ve been trying to catch ’em all. Not the Pokemon; we’ve been trying to collect all the hardware hacks, and in particular the most complete GPS spoofing hack. We are now ready to declare the first Grandmaster GPS spoofing hack for Pokemon Go.…

via We Declare The Grandmaster Of Pokemon Go GPS Cheats — Hackaday

Summary: System integration by writing and reading claims on a distributed ledger solves some big problems. Consider a distributed ledger that provides people (among other principles) with an identity and a place to read and write, securely and privately, various claims. As a distributed ledger, it’s not controlled by any single organization and is radically…

via Service Integration Via a Distributed Ledger — Phil Windley’s Technometria

One of the options available when using Apple’s two-factor authentication (2FA) is to have a code sent to you via SMS. The US National Institute for Standards and Technology, which sets the standards for authentication software, says that text messaging is not sufficiently secure, and that its use for two-factor authentication will in future be barred. more…Filed under: Apple

via Apple & others may soon be barred from using SMS for two-factor authentication — 9to5Mac

One of the most interesting presentations at DockerCon was on the implementation of containers (and Docker specifically) on the Microsoft Windows Server platform. The Microsoft presentation was given by John Starks and Taylor Brown, although John did the majority of the presenting. You can find the video online here. Implementing containerisation for Windows has obviously……

via Windows Containers – Making Windows Server Relevant Again — Architecting IT

https://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-server-docs/compute/nano-server/getting-started-with-nano-server

I’m finding out a bit more about the Nano-ized version of Windows Server 2016. I’m very curious to see where this goes as the binaries for a Nano-headless instance of Server 2016 weighs in at ~600MB! Now that’s pretty slick especially if it is really capable of handling the same loads/functions as a typical GUI server instance on bare hardware (not necessarily running under a VM hypervisor).

Samsung today introduced the world’s first flash memory cards in UFS form-factor. The cards are compliant with the UFS Card 1.0 specification and offer performance comparable to that of desktop SATA SSDs. It is worth noting that the new cards are not backwards compatible with current microSD devices, which use various versions of SD cards,…

via Samsung Rolls Out Its First UFS Cards: SSD Performance in Card Form-Factor — AnandTech

Is a country merely constituted by a census of number of supposed inhabitants? It memes so. Via, I believe a recommendation on YouTube (based upon algorithms that absorb my activities), last night I watched the english translation of the documentary Facebookistan In this country, there are people who delete their content, but on request for…

via What do you mean “If” Facebook were a country? — CogDogBlog

800 years after its creation, the Scrolls of Frolicking Animals are still inspiring new content, thanks to the anime studio Hayao Miyazaki built. For the most part, Studio Ghibli doesn’t do sequels. Yes, Baron, from 1995’s Whisper of the Heart also plays a key role in The Cat Returns, released in 2002, and the Mei…

via Studio Ghibli releases second short adaptation of Japan’s oldest manga【Video】 — RocketNews24

1. Not all ATMs are international ATMs. Your ATM at home is part of a banking network that might not exist in Japan. Citibank at one time was your only option and you had to know where those ATMs were located in Tokyo. However now, the Japanese Post Office (the biggest bank in Japan) has international memberships but even better is 7-Eleven. When you arrive in Japan, look for or do a search for a 7-Eleven ATM in the terminal where you arrive. Every airport will list/tell you where the 7-Eleven ATM is. I suggest pulling ~50,000 yen (around $500 USD) to start. It will save you worry and constant trips to the ATM the first 2 days after you arrive.
2. Wifi is VERY limited in Japan. Japanese use Fax machines and their cellphones as subsitutes for laptops/home computers. The tradition of home computer ownership is not as strong here as in other the countries. But the plus side is your mobile device will have connections even in subways and train stations. GET A TEMPORARY global data plan prior to your stay in Japan. Just spend the money and use your phone as much as possible instead of a laptop. If you Have to have a laptop, rent a Pocket WiFi device to act as a Wifi mobile hotspot. It will act as a gateway to the cellular data network. There are many providers. I use a company called Global Advanced Communications. http://www.globaladvancedcomm.com/. They can deliver the rental Pocket Wifi to your hotel or to the Post Office at the terminal where you land. You just ask for the package at the counter.
3. Cellphone etiquette is strongly encouraged. Turn off ringers everywhere, and DO NOT talk on the phone on public transport. This is just the way it is. Talk on the phone after you get off the train, bus or subway. It’s just good manners while in Japan.
4. Outside of the big cities, two things become more scarce. Use of English AND acceptance of credit cards. Use your credit cards as much as possible in the big cities to save your cash for things like cab fares and other typically cash-only transcations. In smaller more remote locations English just isn’t used at all and the small shops don’t have any ability to do credit card transactions.
5. Bicycles are EVERYWHERE. Watch out and listen for bells and brakes squeaking/whistling. Bicycles are good at getting around you, but do not take up the sidwalk aimlessly window shopping and not having situational awareness. Watch out for the bikes and get out of the way if you can. I find, my wife and I walk in single file on narrow sidewalks and streets to let the bikes go ’round. If you are in the way, you will hear a bell, or a loud brake squeak to signal the want to get around you.