BBC Earth App

It's probably stupid to write about an app. I never would think I would do that but I do feel the need to write about this new BBC Earth app.

Well it's really simple indeed. It plays curated lists of clips of years of BBC Earth documentaries with different themes, ranging from deep of the sea to begin of time. Quality is great, even will adjust video quality according to the bandwidth.

It's fantastic as expected. But I always want more. For years I have been loving the contents BBC produces. For me BBC RADIO 4 is always my favorite. But for its documentaries and most other contents it's really hard for people outside of UK, especially in China, to be able to see. I get it. BBC gets its funding from UK government there is no way to give all of the BBC to the world for free. But, it's sort of a waste just to let those go. Maybe, at this time of history, BBC would learn a bit from other media companies and have a more robust global strategy.

posted from Bloggeroid

Telegram WhatsApp and China

There is an article floating on the internet, pushing for telegram voice calls ( http://telegra.ph/Why-Telegram-Voice-Calls-Are-Blocked-in-Countries-Like-China-or-Iran-04-19 ). While I have no problem for marketing a product on its own media platform ( aka telegra.ph ) but using availability in China proving telegram is better than WhatsApp in privacy prospective , is ridiculous, and for billions of Chinese, unfair.

Over the years living in China, I have tried both telegram and WhatsApp. When telegram first came out a lot of friends of mine were talking about it and using it daily, and it was soon blocked by Chinese government. No surprise there. Till today, some of my friends are still using it, as a secure alternative to native IMs, that are clearly monitoring everything. But in order to use telegram, people inside of China has to use circumvention tools. These tools are difficult to setup and mostly a pain to use. Then came WhatsApp. Until now WhatsApp as an app is usable on both Android and iOS, yet its web version and its entire website is blocked. Although, if installed the pc client still works. And I have been using WhatsApp with my gf and friends ever after. Oh btw WhatsApp's encrypted voice calls work inside of China.

I don't want to go into details here, on encryption itself comparing telegram and WhatsApp, for I am no security expert. But for public knowledge we know: WhatsApp is using a open source encryption method, and its way of utilization is checked by various security experts. While telegram is using a in house close source encryption method, and I am not aware of any third party source checking so far.

That's pretty much the situation so far for security minded users inside of China. What drives me nuts in that article is that conspiracy attitude. Because WhatsApp works means it's less secure? Because telegram is blocked by China, a "regime", it means it's better in protection against government intrusion? Sorry this logic just doesn't stand for me. AND by the way as a don't give a fuck and user comes first company telegram let me ask you something, what have you done to your users inside of China? Being blocked makes you happy that you want to wear it like a badge of honor? Shame on you.

What China build on its internet, is called GFW, great firewall of China. It is getting more and more attention everyday. Recently Pinterest has been blocked. US made it a trade barrier. And China is willing to export the technology to Russia. But I have not seen ANY meaningful moves from the devs across the globe engaging it, although eventually it will help free up billions of people on earth. No. You guys have the skills and are happy in your first world bubbles. Fine. Just don't use us, internet users inside of China, as your marketing schemes. Thank you.

posted from Bloggeroid

Negativity At Work

I have a co worker that is, and has been, very negative. I know there always is one or another reason people turns negative towards the work they do everyday. Be it the working environment, the boss, the pay, other co workers, hell lot of them. And sometimes, a bit of negativity is not a bad thing. Nobody is a sheep and we are human after all. But recently this one's negativity has been growing out of control. I guess I am the only person there to listen to him complaining all the time? When I finally gave up give one or two comments on his endless daily, even hourly complain, this co worker finally decided to quite.

I don't know if this one really would quite or not. It's beyond hard to find a job these days. But his negativity is really becoming toxic. For some reason subtly is not his thing, he would always like to comment pointedly and often openly on things that should be kept below the table. And most of time he would look at my direction for support. Sure most of the topics he dislikes really need improvement, but negativity won't solve a damn thing. On the contrary, negativity is really the easy way. For me, current work environment is not perfect, but because of my previous experience in other companies, it is not unique or even worst at all. If you can't cop with this one, well, I don't think any other company would be any better at all. Unless, you are lying to yourself.

Changing a job sometimes I don't think requires so much negativity.

posted from Bloggeroid

LG V20's Sad Update Status

I have been on this LG V20 for quite some time. It's almost all I have wanted for a phone: nice yet not flashy design, tons of useful features and swappable batteries. But the sad thing is, system update is just unreasonable.

According to my own experience and this unofficial page for V20's update (https://lg-firmwares.com/lg-h990ds-firmwares/#more-3756) some models have not seen an system update since November 2016. Think about that. And then think about all the security holes found and patched by Google in between.

Yeah I guess I kind of getting it that LG has probably been busy with its new shinny G6 and what new skin that comes with it. Fine. And considering the fact that, LG must have a small dev team because, they just use most of Google's service, unlike Samsung. But lagging for sooooo long is, ridiculous. My phone tells me it's running the latest OS while the last update was the end of 2016, making the transition from a Nexus 6p extra hard for me.

Come on LG! As a customer from your Nexus 4 days at least release some security updates or something. I want nothing new on that G6 because I have no interest in that phone. Just do your job and have some security update!

posted from Bloggeroid

Age of Empires Castle Siege Lags Like Shit on Android

Well Microsoft's copycat mobile game is now on Android. Generally speaking the gaming experience has much similarities with other mobile games, which exploit the worst of human beings in order to make some in app micro payment. It's the thing these days but the problem is, during battle the frame rate would drop, so severe that it looks like a colorful PowerPoint. In a word, this game lags like shit. Devs are doing nothing. Testing is a joke. Aside from the icon looks like… literal pile of shit:



Mind you I have been running this game on a powerful enough 2016 flagship.

Releasing a game at a stage like this, is a fucking shame, Microsoft.

posted from Bloggeroid

OK… I Guess?

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The way to die: pebble watch

Following Fitbit acquisition, Pebble rolling out update to ensure watches will function indefinitely http://9to5google.com/2017/04/05/pebble-functionality-after-fitbit-acquisition

posted from Bloggeroid

这些收购竟然能过反垄断检查也是醉了

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Could be useful

Automatically generated resume (in English)
http://writecodeeveryday.github.io/projects/resumegen/

posted from Bloggeroid