Ross's Micro Blog

In which me, an old and cynical dude, adds his current opinions about AI to the pile.

Here’s the thing. People are saying “It’s not like blockchain”.

And it really is, from my vantage point.

https://rosswintle.uk/2025/04/my-latest-thoughts-on-ai/

I had genuine contact with people I consider “celebrities" in my world today. It's been properly delightful. Like when Twitter was actually good.

Woah!! Back in 2019 I was pondering "deepfakes" of words.

I mention a Podcast where "They discuss and critique how AI could so quickly churn out fake words, articles, and even fake interviews!”

I think this was all done with relatively simple Markov chains.

We REALLY didn't know what was coming, did we?

https://rosswintle.uk/2019/12/are-text-based-deep-fakes-ok/

And if you’re wondering, after my question about video/screencasting tools. The answer, as I thought it might be, is both ScreenStudio (which has so many great features for an initial edit of a screen recording) AND ScreenFlow (for final edit with annotations, slides, etc)

I’ve never done a full demo video for Turbo Admin before.

That is changing!!

If you really want to see all the ways my tool makes the WordPress admin better, hold tight!! It’s coming!!!

I’m on DadOps for a few days as it’s school holidays.

We have virtually no plans.

Expect randomness.

First up:

I swear… I SWEAR… that the “Play” button in my podcast app somehow summons a child with a request. EVERY! TIME!!

It’s a magic child-summoning button.

And yet. I bet if I ever used it to try and summon a child, they would stubbornly remain in place.

Two major things that bother me about all this generative AI:

1. It could go away at any moment. I’m certain it won’t. But it’s remote and under someone else’s control. Fine. Use it. But don’t become dependent on it!

2. I see it being used for things that a simpler, deterministic system could do better and more cheaply. Code refactoring. Data analysis. Stuff like that. Seems crazy to use non-deterministic, generative tech for that.

Yes! I did Connections on “Hard Mode”! Backwards order and no errors.

Connections
Puzzle #664
🟪🟪🟪🟪
🟦🟦🟦🟦
🟩🟩🟩🟩
🟨🟨🟨🟨

One does not simply update one’s dependencies!

“I started trying to explain what I was doing and why, and as I did so I realised all the many, many things you have to understand for this process to make sense.”

https://rosswintle.uk/2025/04/one-does-not-simply-update-ones-dependencies/

Is there some weird virus going round where the only symptom is lethargy/tiredness?

I’ve had this two days this week. No fever. No headache. No cold symptoms. Just… extreme bleaugh and sleepiness and brain fog.

Feels like we NEED a bit of frivolous fun right now. More than ever. And people are doubling down on eliminating it all.

Can we not just all groan along with the forced and obvious bad jokes? Is that just what we need? No? Am I missing something?

I’m genuinely curious. Why do people hate April Fools Day so much? And is there a reason I should too that I don’t know about?

I’ve find it genuinely fun finding all the tricks and have seen some excellent marketing in there too.

The Worldle was just excellent.

NGL. Feeling a bit YOLO RN.

Don’t worry though. My YOLO is probably just everyone else’s normal level of adventurous.

Hmm…

I need to do some more screencast recording. It’s been a while.

Was wondering if I should upgrade my old ScreenFlow license. Then researched other options.

Screen.studio looks great. Much easier for certain things. But I’m shocked that it does do any overlays/cards for text content.

Any others I should try? (macOS please!)

Summer js coming and my garden office is starting to get hot. I need a decent, quiet fan. Probably a tower fan. It’s not worth doing cheap A/C.

I’m surprised that the super-expensive Dyson tower fans seem to genuinely come up top in all the reviews. Are they really worth the money?

I’m willing to invest in good office equipment if they are.

Experiences?

Apple. Please note. I never, ever, wand to send a full-size HEIC photo to anyone. If I copy, drag and drop, or otherwise make use of a photo, I probably want a JPEG of it.

PLEASE?????

UNLIKE FLIPPIN MACOS PHOTOS WHICH IS THE MOST USER HOSTILE PILE OF APPLICATION POOP IN EXISTENCE AND I HATE IT!!!!!!!

Sorry.

Rant over.

Indie software is just frickin awesome. People who actually care about user experience and making cool shit.

Wondering what happened to Arc, and inspired by many others, I checked out @zenbrowser.

Yes, it's based on Firefox, which could die at any moment. And yes it’s a little rough around the edges. But it’s GREAT!!

Combined with Kagi search a bunch of other things and the actual internet is almost usable again. And I don't mind paying for it!!!!