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  • In memoriam of Chuck Peddle

    MOS 6502 - In memoriam of Chuck Peddle
    650x Processor

    In memoriam of Chuck Peddle: Many of us will have started with a C64, that was powered by the 6502 Processor. The device became the most popular home computer, mainly because it was self contained: at the same time it hat all functionality a computer needed, and was still simple enough for everyone to understand.

    In it’s popularity, the same 6502 Processor that was sold between 12.5 – 17 million times in shape of a C64 (according to pagetable.org) during it’s lifetime was also used in many other devices, including the Apple I, the similarly popular Atari 2600 gaming console, or much later, the Tamagotchi digital pet.

    The processor contributed to the transformation of a a whole generation with these devices and became so popular, that even today, creative computer users leverages these devices to produce ‘demos’, that rely on this processor. Until today, in particular the demoscene still produces for computers with this processor, most noteworthy the C64. (again).

    In other noteworthy sources, the 6502 has been completely simulated, and among others is available as a visual representation. Visual 6502 allows you to watch and see all of the devices internals, while they are working. The website gives you javascript visual insight into microchip operations, the possibility to play around, stop and step through individual instructions. If you are into this, it gives you the opportunity to understand computing from ground up, without having to tinker with electronics, in your browser.

    One of two chip designers, Charles ‘Chuck’ Peddle reportedly passed away this week. Thank you for the great work and rest in peace.

    Source: Chuck Peddle 6502 In Memoriam via Slashdot.

  • Netflix (Security) on Youtube

    Netflix (Security) on Youtube: Netflix Security runs a YouTube Channel! As opposed to the company channel, it does not only broadcast previews! This is a great subscription for security practiconers!

    Via Stephanie Olsen (on LinkedIn).

  • Kampf gegen Facebook: Rückenwind für Schrems vor EuGH

    Schon seit den Snowden Leaks setzt Max Schrems sich gegen Facebook und für Datenschutz in Europa ein. Noch am 19.12.2019 hat das EuGH in seinem Sinn entschieden, schreibt der Österreichische Rundfunk:

    Am Donnerstag errang er [Max Schrems] einen Etappenerfolg: Der Generalanwalt des Europäischen Gerichtshofs (EuGH) empfahl dem Gericht, bei einigen Grundsatzfragen zum Datenaustausch zwischen den USA und EU in Schrems’ Sinne zu entscheiden.

    news.orf.at

    Source: Kampf gegen Facebook: Rückenwind für Schrems vor EuGH – news.ORF.at

  • Quitting Google

    Nithin Coca of The Next Web went on a quest to quitting Google. In this article, he describes his experience and gives plenty of pointers on how to achieve the same. He start out making a point about individual privacy, and points out individual alternatives to popular Google services. Starting from using Firefox over Chrome to particular services for daily office use. At the end of the year, this little “Quitting Google” guide contains little news, but serves as a good starting point to maybe develop a new years resolution and be more sensitive about privacy in the upcoming year 2020.

    Nithin Coca of The Next Web
    Nithin Coca of The Next Web

    Over the past six months, I have gone on a surprisingly tough, time-intensive, and enlightening quest — to quit using, entirely, the products of just one company — Google. What should be a simple task was, in reality, many hours of research and testing. But I did it. Today, I am Google-free, part of the […]

    Source: How I fully quit Google (and you can, too)

  • Facebook Data Leak

    Just in time for Xmas, Facebook dropped a huge package of user data.

    Mark Zuckerberg
    Mark Zuckerberg

    More than 260 million U.S. Facebook users’ IDs, phone numbers, and names were exposed to an online database that could potentially be used for spam and phishing campaigns. Comparitech reports that before the database was taken down, it was found on a hacker forum as a downloadable file.

    Source: Facebook Faces Another Huge Data Leak Affecting 267 Million Users | Digital Trends

  • More Female Founders

    Not only more Female Founders, but also more successful Female Founders, measured by unicorns, have entered the startup universe. Those are companies that passed the $1 billion in valuation. Crunchbase, the leading platform for professionals to discover innovative companies, has the data:

    Crunchbase data shows what ‘overperforming’ really means: 2019 has been a historic year for female-founded unicorns, which were born at an unprecedented pace.

    https://news.crunchbase.com/news/more-female-founded-unicorns-were-born-in-2019-that-before-data-shows/
  • Munich-based Mylivn raises €5.5 million

    Mylivn raises €5.5 million
    Mylivn raises €5.5 million

    Mylivn is a social network aimed at the ‘slash’ generation who have more than one career or passion, e.g. developer / photographer.

    Source: Munich-based Mylivn raises €5.5 million and launches social network for next-Gen content creators | EU-Startups

  • 5 (Digital) Product Management Skills

    It’s a bit like learning to drive a car. Even though you’ll not become a mechanic, you will have to understand how a gearbox works. And the clutch. For managing products, you should bring a minimum understanding of the digital realm. Allan Wintersieck from ‘The Startup‘ explains 5 (Digital) Product Management Skills.

    • How the Internet Works
    • The (very) Basics of Web App Architecture
    • Open Source Libraries vs. Custom Code
    • Technical Debt
    • Automated Testing

    via Medium.

  • Understanding Internet Disruptions

    David Belson, former Akamai Internet Analyst, now working for Internet Society, explained “Internet Shutdowns” in his latest blog post.

    Internet Disruptions
    Understanding Internet Disruptions

    In March 2019, in a move described in one news report as a “government-imposed Internet shutdown,” the president of Sri Lanka temporarily blocked Facebook, WhatsApp, Instagram, Viber, and other services. In this case, limited access to a class of applications was inaccurately painted as a full-scale Internet shutdown. Unfortunately, this isn’t unusual. Media coverage and […]

    Source: From Content Blocking to National Shutdowns: Understanding Internet Disruptions | Internet Society