Notices by VM (Vicky) Brasseur (vmbrasseur@social.vmbrasseur.com), page 2

@OpenForumEurope Hey there, folks.

If you need help finding women to keynote, there are plenty of us who will lend a hand with that.

It Is Now Legal to Hack McFlurry Machines (and Medical Devices) to Fix Them

The exemption that allows for the circumvention of software locks on “a lawfully acquired medical device or system, and related data files, when circumvention is a necessary step to allow the diagnosis, maintenance, or repair of such a device or system,” was also renewed, as were exemptions for farm equipment and a host of other devices.

https://www.404media.co/it-is-now-legal-to-hack-mcflurry-machines-and-medical-devices-to-fix-them/

Standard Ebooks has just released “The Stainless Steel Rat" by Harry Harrison. NEAT!

https://standardebooks.org/ebooks/harry-harrison/the-stainless-steel-rat

#SFF #OpenCulture

The woman who revolutionized the fantasy genre is finally getting her due

A woman with dwarfism, Judy-Lynn del Rey was best known for founding Del Rey Books, a science fiction and fantasy imprint that turned fantasy in particular into a major publishing category.

https://theconversation.com/the-woman-who-revolutionized-the-fantasy-genre-is-finally-getting-her-due-240198

#SFF

My face when I enjoy your post then see there's no alt tag on the image.

In the face of DEI backlash, belonging plays a key role to future success

“Research shows that companies with diverse teams are 70% more likely to capture new markets and are 87% better at making decisions. Additionally, 85% of CEOs report diverse workforces improving profitability.”

https://theconversation.com/in-the-face-of-dei-backlash-belonging-plays-a-key-role-to-future-success-230289

#DEI #business #leadership

<ahem>

📢 TODAY IS BANDCAMP FRIDAY

📢 THIS IS NOT A DRILL

📢 GO FORTH AND SUPPORT MUSICIANS

http://bandcamp.com

#BandcampFriday

After years of discrimination, US makes a historic $2.2 billion payout to Black farmers

“The payouts were made to over 23,000 farmers across the country are an “acknowledgement” of the long and documented history by the USDA toward Black farmers, Biden said in a statement. Most went to farmers in Mississippi and Alabama and ranged from $10,000 to $500,000.”

https://www.salon.com/2024/08/22/after-years-of-discrimination-us-makes-a-historic-22-billion-payout-to-black-farmers/

The FTC’s noncompete agreements ban has been struck down

“A federal judge has blocked the Federal Trade Commission’s ban on noncompete agreements that make it difficult for workers to join their employers’ rivals or launch competing businesses. The ruling prevents the FTC’s ban on noncompete agreements from taking effect on September 4th, though the agency could still appeal the decision.”

https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/21/24225112/ftc-noncompete-agreement-ban-blocked-judge

How 12,000 Tonnes of Dumped Orange Peel Grew Into a Landscape Nobody Expected to Find

‘"This is one of the only instances I've ever heard of where you can have cost-negative carbon sequestration," says ecologist Timothy Treuer from Princeton University.’

https://www.sciencealert.com/how-12-000-tonnes-of-dumped-orange-peel-produced-something-nobody-imagined

Artists Score Major Win in Copyright Case Against AI Art Generators

‘U.S. District Judge…advanced all copyright infringement and trademark claims in a pivotal win for artists. He found that Stable Diffusion, Stability’s AI tool…may have been “built to a significant extent on copyrighted works” and created with the intent to “facilitate” infringement. The order could entangle in the litigation any AI company that incorporated the model into its products.’

https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/artists-score-major-win-copyright-case-against-ai-art-generators-1235973601/

#copyright #ai

#AskFedi:

Aside from Gentoo, what other #OpenSource projects have policies about how to handle #AI-assisted contributions?

#PleaseBoost

“Since John Roberts became its chief justice in 2006, the court has made prosecuting corruption, especially at the state and local level, nearly impossible for federal prosecutors.”

https://theconversation.com/this-supreme-court-has-redefined-the-meaning-of-corruption-233424

#uspol #scotus #corruption

‘Being a woman in tech is insane. We do not work in the same moral system model as most of the people that we interact with daily and we can’t talk about it, because when we do, we are the ones portrayed as crazy or hysterical. In situations where we assume that people will behave in rational ways (e.g., when codes of conduct are not needed because we “trust” everyone), the default is simply to reinforce the patriarchy.’

https://irenezhang.net/blog/2024/07/24/misogyny.html

Another day, another friend who has to go on #disability due to #LongCovid.

You or your loved ones could be next. The pandemic isn't over. Stop the spread. Wear a mask.

Hello, #Fediverse!

The first US Presidential Debate happens _today_.

For the sake of the rest of the world (and Americans who don't want the noise), please remember to tag your debate-related posts with #uspol, hide them behind a `uspol` spoiler alert, or both.

Thank you!

Solar Passes 100% of Power Demand in California

For 56 days in a row, electricity from solar, wind, and water (hydro) power has exceeded 100% of power demand on California’s main grid for part of the day. Also, going back further, that has been achieved in 80 out of the last 86 days. That is since early March (International Women’s Day), late winter.

https://cleantechnica.com/2024/06/02/solar-passes-100-of-power-demand-in-california/

Unionized YouTube Workers Learn Google Laid Them All Off During City Council Meeting, from @404mediaco

https://www.404media.co/unionized-youtube-workers-learn-google-laid-them-all-off-during-city-council-meeting/

The “AI" didn't “hallucinate”.

It fabricated. Like the software-robot it is.

Stop implying there's any sort of consciousness behind these massive if-then statements.

Greece legalises same-sex marriage

🇬🇷🏳️🌈💕

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-68310126

#LoveIsLove