Dr. Demento had a major impact in my formative years. Late Sunday nights on WTOS 105.1 "The Rock and Roll Mountain!"
https://sopghreporter.com/2025/06/01/dr-demento-announces-retirement/
#drdemento
Ben From KC
"Vell, Ben's just zis guy, you know?" | He/Him | I like the outdoors (hiking/paddling/Jeeping), hacking (SecKC!), D&D, gaming, reading, and most things I try more than once. EFF Member.
Ben From KC boosted:
Ben From KC boosted:
YES
Stop trying to fix the user. It’s not the user’s fault if they click on a link and it infects their system. It’s not their fault if they plug in a strange USB drive or ignore a warning message that they can’t understand. It’s not even their fault if they get fooled by a look-alike bank website and lose their money. The problem is that we’ve designed these systems to be so insecure that regular, nontechnical people can’t use them with confidence. We’re using security awareness campaigns to cover up bad system design. Or, as security researcher Angela Sasse first said in 1999: “Users are not the enemy.”
https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2025/05/why-take9-wont-improve-cybersecurity.html
Seems like this could be Mort's eventual role.
Ben From KC boosted:
Any Discworld fans here? I suddenly had an image of Death coming to a newly transitioned trans person on Discworld just to collect their deadname.
BE AT EASE. IT IS NOT YET YOUR TIME. I'M ONLY HERE FOR THE NAME.
Not trying to do nearly as much as you but when my 3 hour break job turned into 3 weekends, I feel you.
Ben From KC boosted:
No, I do not want to install your app.
No, I do not want that app to run on startup.
No, I do not want that app shortcut on my desktop.
No, I do not want to subscribe to your newsletter.
No, I do not want your site to send me notifications.
No, I do not want to tell you about my recent experience.
No, I do not want to sign up for an account.
No, I do not want to sign up using a different service and let the two of you know about each other.
No, I do not want to sign in for a more personalized experience.
No, I do not want to allow you to read my contacts.
No, I do not want you to scan my content.
No, I do not want you to track me.
No, I do not want to click "Later" or "Not now" when what I mean is NO.
I love this, you have grabbed my exact example for when I'm trying to explain to someone why natural language interfaces are not ideal, or even good, for many tasks.
Ben From KC boosted:
Sure the world is burning, but I won bar bingo twice (so far)
Ben From KC boosted:
Since @jerry won't, I'll take this opportunity to remind everyone to support their admins financially if they're able:
Tagging @VeryBadLlama for credit!
Ben From KC boosted:
In the 1980s and 90s, software companies scrambled to prevent piracy with floppy disk copy protection, dongles, and early DRM schemes. But hackers and crackers saw it as a challenge, quickly bypassing protections just to prove they could. Groups like the Apple ][ Pirates, Razor 1911, and Fairlight cracked software within hours or days of release, often adding their own custom intros (cracktros) before the game even launched.
Some DRM schemes were laughably weak. One game simply checked if the disk had a hole punched in it to confirm legitimacy. Others were bizarre, like requiring users to refer to a physical codebook to launch the software. But these protections only frustrated paying customers while pirates enjoyed hassle-free copies.
Even as DRM evolved with digital downloads and online activation, it never truly stopped piracy. Denuvo, one of the most notorious DRM systems, was cracked multiple times, sometimes within 24 hours of release. Ironically, DRM often made life worse for legitimate buyers, causing performance issues, online-only requirements, and game-breaking bugs. Meanwhile, pirated versions removed those restrictions, making them the superior experience.
As history keeps proving, DRM doesn't stop piracy. It just annoys customers.
The more I see of the Microsoft security stack the more disappointing it is. Message delays, an almost complete lack of real time detections, and features behind paywalls. It's a just-good-enough solution that really isn't good enough.
Ben From KC boosted:
Today I encountered my first AI-generated news article that included a manufactured quote from me on a topic I did not speak or post about, just in case you're wondering how AI is going.
Wrapped up #CactusCon13, had a great time. Saw lots of friends, made some new ones, and got a sick badge. Already can't wait for next year!
Ben From KC boosted:
What a weekend. Thanks for spending Valentine's with the best bunch of people on the planet; hackers are awesome, kind, and curious and I always feel recharged after a great con.
Much thanks to you, the attendees, and to all of the incredible staff, volunteers, and sponsors that make CactusCon this incredible experience.
SEE YOU NEXT YEAR!
Really enjoying this presentation from @dnsprincess on unconventional paths in cyber! Such a good way to explain the process
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