Breakdown & ShowreelsLa Palma: VFX Breakdown by HaymakerBy Vincent Frei - 26/12/2024 Discover the subtle artistry of visual effects in Netflixs disaster series La Palma. Haymaker delivers invisible VFX that seamlessly enhance the realism of this gripping catastrophe drama!WANT TO KNOW MORE?Haymaker: Dedicated page about La Palma on Haymaker website. Vincent Frei The Art of VFX 2024

The National Library of France | Georges FessyThe National Library of France, or Bibliothque Nationale de France (BnF), is one of modern French historys most ambitious architectural and cultural undertakings. As part of the Grands Projets initiative by President Franois Mitterrand, it sought to redefine the role of public spaces in Paris while symbolizing a new era for knowledge and learning. Designed by Dominique Perrault, the library is a bold statement of minimalism and urban integration, offering a monumental presence and a contemplative retreat. It is a critical node within Pariss cultural landscape, bridging the past and the future through its visionary design.National Library of France Technical InformationArchitects1-29: Dominique Perrault ArchitecteLocation: Quai Franois Mauriac, 75013, Paris, FranceBuilt Area: 365,178m2 | 3,930,740 Sq. Ft.Project Year: 1989 1995Photographs: Georges FessyA place and not a building. Dominique PerraultNational Library of France PhotographsView from the Seine | Georges FessyExterior View | Georges Fessy Georges FessySunken Garden | Georges FessyFacade Details | Georges FessyInterior | Georges FessyLobby | Georges FessyLibrary | Georges FessyLibrary | Georges FessyThe National Library of France Urban Integration and SymbolismLocated on a once-industrial wasteland along the Seine in Pariss 13th arrondissement, the BnF is not merely a building but a transformative urban project. It anchors a broader revitalization of the area, creating a cultural hub that connects the Seines sequence of monumental spacesfrom the Place de la Concorde to the Champ de Mars. The librarys strategic position offers a panoramic view of the river while turning its back on the high-rise clusters of Porte de Choisy and Porte dIvry, signaling a departure from past urban planning missteps.The librarys design is centered on its four iconic towers, each shaped like an open book, facing inward to form a square. These towers symbolize the accumulation of knowledge, presenting a visual metaphor for learning as a dynamic and incomplete process. The interplay of horizontal and vertical elements creates a sense of openness and contemplation, emphasizing the library as a civic monument and a spiritual sanctuary for intellectual exploration. The square at its heart becomes a democratic space, inviting scholars and the general public to engage with its cultural treasures.Architectural Features and Design InnovationsThe librarys design masterfully integrates various programmatic elements. Public spaces, including reading rooms with a capacity of 3,590 seats, occupy 59,070 square meters. Below these are stockrooms capable of housing 20 million volumes on 400 kilometers of shelves. Administrative offices are located within the towers, while underground facilities include a parking area for 700 cars and essential technical spaces.Dominique Perraults use of materials emphasizes transparency and reflection. The towers, clad in double-skin glass, filter sunlight and create a dynamic interplay of light and shadow. This approach transforms the library into a crystalline prism that responds to its environment, shifting between solid and ephemeral depending on the time of day and weather conditions.Central to the librarys layout is a sunken garden, a tranquil space filled with oak, birch, and pine trees. This sea of trees is a contemplative cloister, providing visitors with a serene escape from the citys hustle. Elevated footbridges weave through the foliage, offering an initiatory walk that connects sky and earth, enhancing the sensory experience of the library.The BnFs minimalist aesthetic is its most striking feature, prioritizing space and light over ornate details. This bold approach fosters a sense of openness, making the library an inviting and democratic space. The seamless integration of urban and natural elements reflects Perraults sensitivity to context, transforming the library into a landmark that is both monumental and accessible.Legacy and InfluenceThe BnF has reshaped perceptions of libraries, elevating them from mere repositories of books to dynamic cultural institutions. Its presence has catalyzed the redevelopment of the 13th arrondissement, fostering a vibrant urban community around the site.The librarys architectural excellence has been widely recognized, earning the prestigious Mies van der Rohe Pavilion Award in 1997. This accolade underscores its significance as a benchmark for modern public architecture.National Library of France PlansFloor Plan | DPASection | DPANational Library of France Image GalleryAbout Dominique PerraultDominique Perrault is a celebrated French architect known for his innovative and minimalist approach to architecture and urban design. Born in 1953 in Clermont-Ferrand, France, he gained international acclaim with his winning design for the National Library of France in 1989. A graduate of the cole des Beaux-Arts and the cole Nationale des Ponts et Chausses, Perraults work often explores the interplay between form, function, and context. His projects range from cultural landmarks to infrastructural developments, with a focus on sustainability and integration within urban landscapes. Notes & Additional CreditsArchitect: Dominique Perrault Architecte, ParisClient: Ministry of Culture of FranceArchitectural Engineering: Perrault Associs SAStructural Engineering: Schaud & BossuytTechnical Management: HGM Guy Huguet SASecurity & Telecommunications: SysecaFluids: Technip Seri ConstructionEconomy: Pieffet, Corbin, and TomasinaAcoustics: ACVAgricultural Engineering: ric Jacobsen (Sauveterre)International Competition: Winning project, 1989Conceptual Design Start: August 1989Construction Start: March 23, 1992Completion: March 23, 1995Construction Duration: 3 yearsSite Area: 65,300 mBuilt Area: 365,178 mBuilt Volume: 1,500,000 mLandscape Area: 10,782 m (250 trees: oak, wild pine, birch)Esplanade: 58,811 mPublic Reading Rooms: 1,556 placesResearch Reading Rooms: 2,034 placesTotal Reading Capacity: 3,590 seats (59,070 m)Reception & Public Services Area: 23,000 mConference Rooms: 3,000 mStock Rooms: 71,000 m (400 km of shelves, 20 million volumes)Administration: 36,000 m (16,000 m office space in towers)Technical Space: 35,000 mUnderground Parking: 700 cars (20,500 m)

Plateau ParadiseLeopold Banchini Architectss Dar El Farina relies on sun, soil, and water in MoroccoByKelly Pau December 26, 2024Interiors, International (Rory Gardiner)SHAREFrom afar, Dar El Farina practically blends into the flat, desert-like plateaus of Al Haouz, a province in the central part of Morocco. Its linear volume and rammed earth walls blend into the textures of the beige landscape. If it werent for the various structures on its roofstepped, circular, and rectilinear volumes perched atop the residence like its own city skylinethe house would be easily missed at a distance.Leopold Banchini Architectsand local architect Sana Nabaha designed Dar El Farina as an off-grid house that is part of the land physically and aesthetically while standing out against it. The rural home is situated parallel to Al Haouzs main infrastructure: amesrefor small water channel filled a few times per year for agriculture, and akhetaraor an underground draining gallery built to bring water to Markesh from distant groundwater. Like a line drawn in the sand, Dar El Farina divides the space in two. On one side of the home, the desert land is preserved and remains scarce. On the other side of the residence, a lush garden stretches the length of the structure, filled with plants native to the area and alive thanks to the sites water infrastructure.Read more about the residence on aninteriormag.com. Morocco

2024 was my second full calendar year working on BLAG, having launched in April 2022. It's now six issues in (BLAG 06 ships in January), and things like the shop are now well-established, while BLAG Meet has become a staple for each issue. I continue to experiment with the BLAG Forum as a private space for members away from social media, but know that there is more potential to be realised there.All of this is made possible by those that pay for my work, and I'm happy to have welcomed around 100 new members over the last twelve months. I'm looking forward to the next year, and continuing to steadily grow and connect the community through the publication.Top Ten 2024The bl.ag online site now has well in excess of 200 articles and features straddling a broad range of sign painting and lettering topics. Just like 2022 and 2023, I've worked through the analytics to identify the ten most popular across the calendar year. Strictly, this should include pieces relating to BLAG back issues, but I've omitted these to keep the focus on stand-alone articles.However, I have included the three articles that made it two years running in the Top Ten, while Larry Stammer's piece for 'lefties' is the only piece to make three successive appearances in the extended Top Twenty: go lefties!It's been a pleasure to publish a variety of new contributors this year, and these are represented in the Top Ten below, which is once again dominated by the Learning and People categories. While some of the other categories might not feature, I will continue to maintain the breadth of what's published, as well as the international focus; both are important to me and what I'm doing with the publication.So, without further ado, here are the top ten bl.ag online articles for 2024, in reverse order...10. Doc Guthrie: A TributeFew have made a greater impact on contemporary sign painting than Doc Guthrie, and this extended tribute tells his story. (In fact, that influence is felt in this Top Ten, with two of the articles penned by LATTC alumni.)Doc Guthrie: A TributeTribute to Doc Guthrie, sign painter, mentor, and teacher on the LATTC Sign Graphics Program.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersDoc Guthrie in his LATTC Uniform. Photo: Mike Languein.9. Tips for Left-Handed Sign Painters from Larry StammersLarry's timeless article proves left-handedness should be no barrier to becoming a sign painter, provided you learn how to mitigate against some of the challenges it presents.Tips For Left-Handed Sign Painters from Larry StammersBeing left-handed is no barrier to becoming a sign painter, and these tips will help you get going.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersStrokes from Larry's guide for Lefties.8. Meet Earl Phillips: Cleveland's Greatest Living Sign PainterSome sign painters become an institution in their locale, none more so than Earl Phillips, whose story is captured in a wonderful biopic.Earl Phillips: Clevelands Greatest Living Sign PainterBiopic of Earl Phillips, proprietor of Clevelands U-Need-A-Sign Co. at 131st Street since 1960.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersEarl Phillips in 2018. Photo: John Skrtic.7. Getting Into It: Sign Painters' Stories Around the WorldThere's no single route into the trade these days, and Lauren Kerbel's piece profiles the journeys of six different sign painters around the world.Getting Into It: Sign Painters Stories Around the WorldSix sign painters tell the stories of their paths into the trade, and offer their advice to others.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersMichelle 'Meng' Nguyen is one of the six sign painters that tell us how they got into all this.6. Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: George Biles, King of SignwritersThe stories of individual sign painters and sign shops are a personal favourite of mine, and the account of George Biles' life and work was a very special one to work on.Ye Olde Sign Shoppe: George Biles, King of SignwritersThe diverse and prolific output of sign painter George Biles and his Bridport Signs Service Studios.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersGeorge Biles' work-in-progress on a 'Welcome to Bridport' sign.Also check out the retrospective exhibition of George Biles' work that was held in Bridport in August 2024.5. How to Prepare MDO Plywood for Sign PaintingHow to Prepare MDO Plywood for Sign PaintingStep-by-step guide to tools, materials and techniques to prepare MDO Plywood for exterior signs.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersAgustin McCord's step-by-step is once again in the Top Ten, up from eighth place last year. (The latest on his blog is 'Repainting a Sand Blasted Sign'.)Learn more about spackling paste in Agustin's guide.4. Where Can I Learn the Craft of Sign Painting?This guide to ways to learn the craft includes listings of regular workshop providers around the world. The 'Events Roundup' email list is then where I share details of other events of note.Where Can I Learn the Craft of Sign Painting?Overview of sign painting workshops, courses, apprenticeships, and places to learn the craft online.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersLiane Barker's workshops and online courses are profiled in the feature on ways to learn the craft of sign painting.3. The Basics of Letter Shades: Left, Right, Up and DownErwin Indrawan's guide continues to prove most useful, explaining the fundamentals of letter shades in a clear and accessible way.The Basics of Letter Shades: Left, Right, Up and DownAn introduction to the placement of shades on different types of lettering used in sign painting.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersFind out in Erwin Indrawan's guide.2. Why Lead Paint Makes Signs Last: A Toxic LegacyAfter years of seeking an explanation for this phenomenon, Jill Strong answered the call with this extended feature on the legacy of lead.Why Lead Paint Makes Signs Last: A Toxic LegacyAn account of the enduring (and highly toxic) legacy of lead paint on signs, and sign painters.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersLoaded with lead: 1 Shot Light Green. From Jill Strong's feature on lead paint.1. Intro to Foundational Sign Painting Strokes: The Gothic AlphabetAnd top spot in this year's list of the most popular bl.ag online articles goes to Jenna Homen's guide to the strokes of the Gothic alphabet.Intro to Foundational Sign Painting Strokes: The Gothic AlphabetBuilding the Gothic (Block) alphabet with tips on brush technique, materials, and practise strokes.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureJenna HomenStrokes and variants for painting curves from Jenna Homen's Gothic guide.Everything published at bl.ag online is made possible by BLAG's wonderful paid members, patrons, and sponsors. Join today to add your support to our adventures in sign painting, and independent, advertising-free publishing.Make it a Top 20And, as a small bonus, here are the articles that came in places 1120.11. Enjoy a Free Fileteado Porteo Lesson from Gustavo FerrariEnjoy a Free Fileteado Porteo Lesson from Gustavo FerrariStart learning the Fileteado Porteo artform via the new online course from Gustavo Ferrari.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters12. Meet the Letterheads: Keeping the Craft AliveMeet the Letterheads: Keeping the Craft AliveThe Letterheads movement continues to go from strength to strength as it nears its 50th anniversary.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters13. Reflections on the Impact of Sign Painters, Ten Years LaterReflections on the Impact of Sign Painters, Ten Years LaterSign Painters stars reflect on its influence, alongside those whose sign painting lives it changed.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters14. Bringing a Gilded Victorian Transom Window Back to LifeBringing a Gilded Victorian Transom Window Back to LifeAndy at AJ Signs in Dorset gives a new lease of life to a beautiful piece of Victorian glasswork.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters15. The Apprentice: Colossal StyleThe Apprentice: Colossal StyleInside Colossal Medias apprentice program, learning to paint large-scale mural advertising signs.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters16. Marketing Without Social Media: Advice for Your Creative BusinessMarketing Without Social Media: Advice for Your Creative BusinessThe problems with marketing creative businesses on social media, and alternatives to set you free.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters17. Peeling Back the Layers of Chrystel Crickx's Typographic LegacyPeeling Back the Layers of Chrystel Crickxs Typographic LegacyChrystel Crickxs novel contribution to lettering and type history is celebrated in a new book.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters18. An Origin Story of Sorts: Better LettersAn Origin Story of Sorts: Better LettersA decade ago, Better Letters launched. But its origins go back further, as Sam Roberts reflects.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters19. 60 Years On the Brush: The Barker Signs Story60 Years On the Brush: The Barker Signs StoryMaurie Barker founded Barker Signs in 1964, with his daughter Liane now keeping things hand-painted.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters20. An Introduction to Quick Showcard Lettering, Norwegian StyleAn Introduction to Quick Showcard Lettering, Norwegian StyleReproduction, with English translation, of a rare Norwegian showcard lettering and layout booklet.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter LettersHere are the Top Ten lists from 2022 and 2023, with even more inspiration from the articles and features at bl.ag online.2023BLAGs Top Ten for 2023, and Reflections on the YearRound-up of the years most popular articles from the adventures in sign painting at bl.ag online.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters2022BLAGs Top Ten for 2022, and Reflections on the YearRound-up of the years most popular articles from the adventures in sign painting at bl.ag online.BLAG Magazine: Adventures in Sign Painting Craft, Community & CultureBetter Letters

close Gifts, eggnog, flight delays: Expert shares holiday travel tips Travel expert Gabe Saglie explains his top holiday travel tips on Your World. Got new electronics for the holidays? Whether you've unwrapped a shiny new smartphone, tablet or laptop, the first steps you take can set the tone for your entire experience.We'll walk you through essential steps to ensure your devices are secure, functional and ready for your enjoyment.From setting strong passwords to enabling tracking features, these tips will help you make the most of your new gadgets. A person opening up new tech gifts. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)What do I do if I get a new laptop, tablet or smartphone?Set up strong passwords and PINsChange default passwords and PINs immediately. Use a combination of letters, numbers and special characters. Avoid using easily guessable information like birthdays or names. Consider using apassword manager to generate and store complex passwords.Enable two-factor authentication (2FA)Wherever possible, activate2FA for added security. This provides an extra layer of protection by requiring a second verification step, such as a text message or authentication app.Consider privacy screen protectors (for smartphones and laptops)Privacy screen protectors can prevent others from viewing your screen from the side, enhancing your privacy when using your device in public spaces.Create a backup system for photos and documentsIf your device stores important data (e.g., photos, documents), immediately set up a backup system. This can be done throughcloud services orexternal storage devices to ensure your data is safe.Install strong antivirus protection on all your new devicesThe best way to ensure that your devices are protected and that no one is snooping around on your data orbrowsing history is by purchasing antivirus software. To protect yourself from having your data breached, have antivirus protection installed on all your new devices. Having good antivirus software actively running on your new devices will alert you of any malware in your system, warn you against clicking on any malicious links in phishing emails, and ultimately protect you from being hacked.Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android and iOS devices. A woman looking at her new smartphone. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Avoid these common mishaps on your new deviceIgnoring updates: Dont skipsoftware updates when setting up your new device. These updates often include critical security patches and new features. Enable automatic updates wherever possible to ensure your device remains up-to-date.Overloading with apps: Its tempting to download every app or tool that catches your eye. However, too many apps can slow your device and increase the risk of downloading malicious software. Stick to trusted sources like the Apple App Store or Google Play.Forgetting about privacy settings: Take time to review and configureprivacy settings on your devices. Disable features likelocation tracking ordata tracking if theyre not necessary for your usage.Neglecting physical protection: A single drop can ruin your brand-new device. In order to protect and enhance them, it's important that you have some quality accessories, like a laptop bag or backpack, messenger bag, laptop sleeve, portable hard drive, headphones, webcam cover, attachable portable display, portable laptop stand, Bluetooth mouse, a good power strip and surge protector for your devices. Youll also want a good phone charger. Check out our picks for thesefive best portable phone chargers. The last thing you'll want is a device that dies on you all because you didn't have a decent charging accessory.Set your new devices to be findable if lostThe best step to take if you have received a new laptop, tablet or smartphone, whether it's an Apple orAndroid product, is to turn on any 'Find My' settings in case your device ever gets lost or stolen. Here are the steps you can take for the following options:How to turn on Find My on iPhoneOpen theSettings app.Tap yourname.SelectFind My.TapFind My iPhone and toggle it ON. Steps to turn on Find My on iPhone. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)WHAT IS ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE (AI)?How to turn on Find My on my MacBookGo to theApple menu (the small Apple icon) in the top left corner and selectSystem Settings.Then clickPrivacy & Security in the sidebar (you may need to scroll down).ClickLocation Services on the right.Turn ONLocation Services, then turn ONFind My in the list of apps.Note:Details, then turn on Find My Mac.How to turn on Find My Device on Windows 11Select theStart button at the bottom left of your PC screen.Go toSettings.SelectPrivacy & security.SelectFind My Device and select ON.Go toLocation Services and select ON.How to turn on Find My on iPadGo toSettings.Tap yourName.ClickFind My.TapFind My iPad and select ON.How to turn on Find My Device on Android or Google TabletSettings may vary depending on your Android phones manufacturer.Go to yourSettings app.Select Security.TapFind My Device.EnableFind My by toggling the slider on.What do I do if I get a new Smart TV? A boy playing a video game on a Smart TV. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)Smart TVs are a great device to receive for the holidays. Not only do they give you access to tons of streaming apps, but they also allow you to browse the internet, stream music and videos, and even look at photos. With all these features comes a certain amount of risk regarding targeted ads and malware. While any Smart device can be infected with malware, Smart TVs are usually not the devices that experience this kind of attack. Although it has happened in the past with both Samsung and Apple TVs, those cases are extremely rare. However, before you begin enjoying your favorite movies and TV shows, take these steps to protect your Smart TV:Disable ads and trackingDisabling ads and tracking on your Smart TV will mostly limit your TV from collecting data on you and the content you're watching. Here's how to disable that feature on Samsung, LG and Vizio TVs:LGSome models may have different settings or options, so you should always check the user manual or the official website of LG for the most updated information.Go toSettings >Additional Settings >General.SelectLive Plus to disable Automated Content Recognition (ACR).SelectAdvertisements and change the setting to"Do Not Sell My Personal Information."Review terms of use and privacy policy and thenopt out of Viewing Information, Voice Information, Interest-Based & Cross-Device Advertising, and Live Plus Automatic Content Recognition.SamsungSome models may have different settings or options, so you should always check the user manual or the official website of Samsung for the most updated information.For example, some models may haveSmart Features instead ofSupportin the Settings menu.Go toSettings >Support >Terms & Privacy >Privacy Choices.SelectViewing Information Services to disable Automated Content Recognition (ACR).SelectVoice Recognition Services to adjust voice data collection.VizioSome models may have different settings or options, so you should always check the user manual or the official website of Vizio for the most updated information.Go to Settings>Admin & Privacy.SelectViewing Data to turn off Automated Content Recognition (ACR).SelectAdvertising to adjust ad tracking.GET FOX BUSINESS ON THE GO BY CLICKING HEREDisable all camera and voice recognition settingsMost Smart TVs do not come with built-in microphones and cameras, but there is a way to turn off those features for the brands that do.SamsungSome models may have different settings or options, so you should always check the user manual or the official website of Samsung for the most updated information.For example, Some models may haveSmart Features instead ofSupportin the Settings menu. Some models may haveVoice Recognition instead ofVoice Recognition Services in the Terms & Policies menu.Go toSettings >Support >Terms & Policies.Go toVoice Recognition Services and select Off.Some Samsung models come with retractable cameras in the middle of the device. Gently push it back without touching the lens until you hear it click to turn it off.LGGo toSettings > All Settings > General.SelectUser Agreements.Disable theVoice Information setting.Some LG TV models come with retractable cameras. Keep the lens pushed down when you are not using it.Other Smart TV brands may come with external cameras. Make sure they are unplugged whenever you are not using them.Sell, donate or recycle your old devices A woman scrolling on her smartphone. (Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson)If you have old devices that you dont need, you can sell them or recycle them. Some services will pay you even if your devices are not working. To get the best deal for your devices, you need to choose the right service. Here are some services that you can use:Amazon Trade-In: If you're a big Amazon shopper, it might be worth it to try trading in your old device with their trade-in company. You can swap your device in exchange for an Amazon gift card, and they accept even non-functional items. This is a convenient way to get rid of your unwanted electronics and get some credit for your future purchases on Amazon. You can also check the trade-in value of your device before sending it in. Before you do get rid of your old device, be sure to follow these steps: How to securely get rid of your old PC or Mac.Kurt's key takeawaysAs you dive into setting up your new electronics, remember that taking a few moments to secure and personalize them can save you a lot of headaches down the line. By following these initial steps, you're not just protecting your investment; you're also enhancing your overall experience.CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APPHave you encountered any challenges while setting up your new devices? How did you overcome them? Let us know by writing us atCyberguy.com/ContactFor more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/NewsletterFollow Kurt on his social channels:Answers to the most-asked CyberGuy questions:New from Kurt:Copyright 2024 CyberGuy.com.All rights reserved. Kurt "CyberGuy" Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on "FOX & Friends." Got a tech question? Get Kurts free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Squid Game season 2NetflixSquid Game season 2 has finally arrived after three years, the follow-up to the most-watched Netflix series of all time which has become a full-on brand for the service. A second season was never supposed to exist in the first place, but with how successful it was, there was no choice, it seemed.However, as very early reviews roll in, these initial scores are below what they were for season 1, at least so far. Though it may end up being no surprise a follow-up is not going to quite capture the viral magic of the original. Heres the score difference right now, though I will update it over time as more reviews come in:Squid Game Season 1 95% critic score, 84% audience scoreSquid Game Season 2 83% critic score, 77% audience scoreSo not bad by any means, but lower than season 1. Some of the negative reviews critique that the series has been cut from 9 episodes to just 7, a symptom of streaming culture whereit can take three years to make seven episodes of a new season of a show.Squid GameNetflixThe main question about Squid Game season 2 is not critic scores, but rather viewership. Again, Squid Game is the most-watched show in Netflix history by a decent margin. Heres the top 10 list for all-timer viewership:MORE FOR YOUSquid Game season 2.2 billion hours viewed, 265.2 million viewsStranger Things season 4 1.83 billion hours viewed, 140.7 million viewsWednesday season 1 1.72 billion hours viewed, 252.1 million viewsDahmer 1.03 billion hours viewed, 115.6 million viewsBridgerton season 1 929.3 million hours viewed, 113.3 million viewsBridgerton season 3 846.5 million hours viewed, 106 million viewsThe Night Agent season 1 803.2 million hours viewed, 98 million viewsThe Queens Gambit 746.4 million hours viewed, 112.8 million viewsMoney Heist: Part 4 710.2 million hours viewed, 106 million viewsFool Me Once 629 million hours viewed, 98.2 million viewsSo, you can see here that sometimes, later seasons of shows have big jumps in viewership like Stranger Things. Others, like Bridgerton, peak at season 1, even if other seasons also do well. What will Squid Game do? My guess is that it cannot reach those heights as the original was such a viral sensation I just dont think its going to be possible to repeat that. It feels less necessary than getting through the full arc of Stranger Things, but rather like something Netflix had to make regardless of whether it was what people were actually were dying to see, no pun intended.That said, it will do well, of course. It may even be a sure thing for the top 10 or top 5 list, just based on the original alone. But #1 or #2? I very much doubt that.Follow me on Twitter, YouTube, Bluesky and Instagram.Pick up my sci-fi novels the Herokiller series and The Earthborn Trilogy.

Japan Airlines Boxing Day disruption as hackers attack.SOPA Images/LightRocket via Getty ImagesJapan Airlines has confirmed that it has been the victim of a Dec. 26 cyberattack that delayed more than 20 domestic flights, although it is understood that the situation is now under control and there was never any impact on flight safety. Heres what we know.Japan Airlines Comes Under Denial Of Service Hack AttackThe attack against the Japan Airlines internal and external computer systems is understood to have started early on Boxing Day morning and continued for a number of hours. JALs ticket sales for both domestic and international fights scheduled for departure on Thursday were suspended, an Associated Press report said, with the airline pointing the finger in the direction of a distributed denial of service attack.The Kyodo News said that Japan Airlines had reported no personal information was leaked and no damage was caused by computer viruses, as a result of the cyberattack. The publication also said that Japan Post Co. had reported that both mail and parcel deliveries were affected by the Japan Airlines cyberattack flight disruptions.MORE FOR YOUJapans Transport Ministry Requested Japan Airlines Repair Systems As Soon As Possible Following The DDoS AttackJapans Chief Cabinet Secretary, Yoshimasa Hayashi, told a press conference that the transport ministry had requested JAL to repair its system as soon as possible to respond appropriately to affected customers."A DDoS attack can be made effective by utilizing multiple compromised computer systems to launch the traffic overload, with exploited machines often including Internet of Things devices. From a high level, Cloudflare describes a DDoS attack as like an unexpected traffic jam clogging up the highway, preventing regular traffic from arriving at its destination.I have reached out to Japan Airlines for an official statement and will update this breaking story as soon as any further information is available. Currently there is no indication as to who was behind the attack or what the motive for it may have been.

Something to look forward to: Handheld gaming PCs are becoming increasingly popular these days, but the upcoming Ayaneo 3 promises something unique: according to the maker, it's the world's first modular handheld. That modularity refers to the several magnetic controller modules, which can be swapped around based on user preference. The Ayaneo 3 will be the company's first handheld powered by the Ryzen AI 9 HX 370, the same chip used in the GPD WIN 4 2025. There's also an option featuring the Ryzen 7 8840U APU.The Ayaneo 3 looks to be incredibly customizable. It uses the new Magic Module technology that Ayaneo has been developing for two years. These magnetic modules connect via a set of pogo pins and unlock with the press of a button, which activates two custom miniature stepper motors.There are several modules featuring combinations of analog sticks, buttons, 6/8-way d-pads, and trackpads one module consists of six buttons. If you don't like one or find that certain games are more suited to particular controller setups, just swap and change as you please. They can even be rotated 180 degrees, so you can, for example, place the sticks higher or lower.Ayaneo says over 50 layout combinations will be available. There's no word yet on whether buyers get to choose their modules when buying the Ayaneo 3, or if they will be sold separately.As for the rest of the specs, the Ayaneo 3 will use a 7-inch "high-refresh" display, either OLED (AMD Ryzen AI 9 HX 370 version) or LCD (Ryzen 7 8840U). Opting for the newer APU means you get the Radeon 890M GPU with 16 RDNA 3.5 compute units (up to 2.9GHz), while the Ryzen 7 features 12 RDNA 3 compute units (up to 2.7GHz). The handheld is available in either black or white.No word yet on price, storage, resolution, etc., but Ayaneo will reveal more details during a live streaming that takes place today (12/26/2024).Ayaneo finally made its official entry into the US gaming market a few months ago. It launched its 7-inch Next Lite and 8.4-inch KUN handheld devices at Best Buy and via the company's website.

Why it matters: Self-driving vehicles are typically loaded up with expensive sensor arrays such as lidar, radar, and high-res cameras. But one DIY builder has shown that for certain closed environments, you can ditch all the fancy gear and still get autonomous driving with just one camera. YouTuber Austin Blake is one of those people who just happens to have a self-built go-kart lying around at home. After christening it "Crazy Cart," he decided to convert it into his very own self-driving test platform. For this, he first designed a makeshift track laid out on the floor of his workshop using contrasting tape markers. As you can see in the image below, the space is pretty tight, but so is the cart's turning radius.Then came the hard part actually giving Crazy Cart its self-driving skills. For this, Blake employed a technique called behavioral cloning via a trained neural network model. First, he recorded around 15,000 images while manually driving the kart around the track, using the steering angles at each point as training labels. He then fed this data into a convolutional neural network, which learned to associate the image inputs with the corresponding steering directions.Getting a well-performing model took quite a bit of trial and error. Initial tests failed as the network had trouble distinguishing the track edges and navigating sharp turns. Blake tried data augmentation tricks, tweaking hyperparameters, using multiple cameras, and even adding wide-angle lenses to enhance the field of view.However, the real breakthrough came when he added bright blue tape as an outer border, increasing contrast.With the track clearly defined, his creation could autonomously zip around the floor track using just monocular vision no expensive sensors required.What it did take, though, was a total of three Arduinos. One relayed the steering predictions from the computer to the second Arduino, which combined that data with positional feedback to operate a motor controlling the steering angle. The third Arduino handled the throttle by feeding control signals to the kart's speed controller. // Related StoriesOf course, this is a fairly constrained use case compared to navigating real public roads with their complexities and unpredictability. Blake readily acknowledges the latter is an exponentially harder challenge that arguably necessitates richer sensor data beyond just cameras.Still, the project is an impressive demo of how capable modern machine learning can be at distilling driving intelligence from humble vision inputs. Scaling the project will likely require a lot more training data, but there's only so much one person can do.

DreamWorksTable of ContentsTable of ContentsMore than just a simple Star Trek parodyHow geek culture changed (for better and worse)The limitations of toxic fandomWith 25 years of hindsight, 1999 was the last breath of rarified air before Hollywood plunged headfirst into geek culture, the deep well of intellectual properties born of comic books, pulp novels, cult television, and video games. Though theaters were blessed with a variety of incredible films across genres from The Sixth Senseto 10 Things I Hate About You to The Matrix, the top-grossing film of 1999 was Star Wars: Episode I The Phantom Menace, which capitalized on a decade-long multimedia effort to create a new generation of Star Wars fans.At the same time, a gap in the 20th Century Fox release schedule fast-tracked production on the first X-Men movie. Warner Bros. bought the film rights to the first four Harry Potter novels, while in New Zealand, filming began on Peter Jacksons unprecedented three-part adaptation of the seminal fantasy novels of J.R.R. Tolkien.Recommended VideosStudios were going all-in on large-scale, effects-driven franchises, and everything any Gen X-er was ever bullied for enjoying was about to become a billion-dollar industry. In the midst of this, theres Galaxy Quest, a movie celebrating a culture of benign, starry-eyed misfits that no longer exists. In fact, maybe it never did.RelatedDreamWorksGalaxy Quest features Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and Alan Rickman as actors who once starred on an optimistic space adventure TV series based very, very closely on Star Trek, down to the friction within the cast. To their shock, these actors discover that an alien civilization has mistaken their show for a documentary and patterned their entire culture and technology in its image. The cast must use what they remember from TVs Galaxy Quest to try to command an actual starship through actual cosmic peril.Of course, most of them dont actually remember that much about how the NSEA-Protector works. Galaxy Quest was just a gig after all, and not even one they were all proud to have on their resum. So, when they need a crash course on the inner workings of an imaginary spaceship and the intricate mythology around it, who else can they turn to but their die-hard fans, the Questerians.DreamWorksAs much as Galaxy Quest (the film) is a loving parody of Star Trek, its also a gleeful fantasy about fandom. On a literal level, its about validation. What if the silly thing that everyone makes fun of you for obsessing over was actually urgently important? What if you were actually cool and smart for caring about it, and now only you can save the day? (This is, essentially, the same fantasy offered by Ready Player One.)Tim Allens character, the pig-headed actor Jason Nesmith, loves the show and its fans as an extension of loving himself they adore him and made him famous, but he doesnt really get it. His journey in the film is understanding what makes Galaxy Quest so important to other people, and his responsibility to protect its values of friendship, courage, and self-sacrifice. The Thermians the aliens who enlist Nesmith and company on their space mission are the ultimate fans, viewers who were so moved by Galaxy Quest that they completely remodeled themselves in its image. They believe in it like a religion. It gives them meaning and purpose, and shattering their faith is one of the cruelest things you could do to them.Theyre essentially hyperbolic extrapolations of the human Questerians, led by Justin Longs Brandon, who may lack the resources to make their fantasy a reality but who nevertheless draw strength and community from it. Its shaped their identity and given them something to believe in, even if they know that something isnt literally real.DreamWorksThe other thing that the Questerians and Thermians have in common is their status as their respective worlds punching bags. The Questerians are depicted, as sci-fi nerds often were at the time, as awkward social outcasts who have lost themselves in fantasy. They have no friends, unless you count the fellow weirdos they met on that newfangled internet in chat rooms or Usenet groups. (The film shows Brandon and his buddies communing via video chat, which was pretty rare in the 90s but is more interesting to watch in a movie.)Likewise, the Thermians are cringey and embarrassing to the human actors, and we learn that the interstellar community hasnt been kind to them, either. The Thermians commitment to Galaxy Quest may have ended war and strife on their planet, but theyve also gotten their ass kicked to the tune of an actual genocide. Theyve literally been bullied to death, with the crew of the NSEA-Protector being the only survivors of their race.To both the Questerians and the Thermians, the fact that theyre seen as pathetic doesnt seem to bother them. They know what makes them happy, they know what they believe in, and they value the community with whom they share it, even if no one else does.This is what geek culture used to be.and worse)DreamWorksFlash forward 25 years, and this culture is unrecognizable. Social media has surfaced just how popular these niche interests actually are, shattered stereotypes as to who enjoys them, and allowed them to organize. A generation of validation from sci-fi, fantasy, and superhero blockbusters has made them mainstream. It has also turned fandom into an extremely valuable economic force. Fan engagement drives marketing both within and outside of insular fan communities. The cottage industry of fan magazines has exploded into a massive and lucrative world of YouTube channels offering daily updates and analysis, algorithmically incentivized to be either uncritical cheerleaders or venomous haters.Organized fandom now has the ability to shape how the general public perceives a mass market release through review-bombing and social media campaigns. Fans have always made demands, but now theres an expectation that those demands will be appeased, and writers, actors, producers, and even other fans can expect harassment if the die-hards are not satisfied. The business behind the stories fans enjoy is more transparent than ever. Publicly-traded media companies, fearful of a bad quarter, are far more inclined to pander to a pre-invested, highly-engaged audience than to risk doing something new or different. Fans understand the leverage they hold over the corporations that produce those stories, and they intend to use it.But these arent the actions of fans. These are the actions of stockholders.Galaxy Quest is not a documentary, and its depiction of fandom is not complete or unbiased. In its own way, it too pandered to the egos of science fiction fans who ached to see themselves as heroic and powerful. But it is also a historical document, a snapshot of a period in culture when there was still something a little cute and pure about being a fan. Somewhere between Galaxy Quest and now, fandom became less about finding belonging in something and more about something belonging to you, something youve invested in and is therefore beholden to you.Toxic fandom is not a new phenomenon. Trekkies sent hate mail to Paramount over the then-rumored death of Spock in 1982s Star Trek II: The Wrath of Khan. What they couldnt do was actually change the ending of the movie, and when they saw it, they loved it. The solution is also not relentless positivity or deference to the massive conglomerates who profit from the passion of fans. It is possible to enjoy something deeply without trying to exert control over it. It is healthy to love one chapter of a story while being disinterested in another, and to accept that someone with the opposite opinion is still one of you.DreamWorksWhat ultimately matters about your Star Trek, your Star Wars, your Lord of the Rings isnt the canon, the nuts and bolts knowledge that would help you save the day if Jason Nesmith ever called to tell you that its all real. Its not real. Even in Galaxy Quest, the thing that made it real for the Thermians wasnt the fact that they built the ship but that it helped them rebuild their lives. It made them better. Corporate profits be damned, thats where its value lies. If the thing that you love no longer does that for you, if its making you worse, you can let it go. It may be part of you, but it doesnt belong to you.Galaxy Quest is streaming for free on Pluto TV.Editors Recommendations