Training Computer Vision Models on Random Noise Instead of Real Images

2021-12-09 Martin Anderson

Researchers from MIT Computer Science & Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (CSAIL) have experimented with using random noise images in computer vision datasets to train computer vision models , and have found that instead of producing garbage, the method is surprisingly effective

https://www.unite.ai/training-computer-vision-models-on-random-noise-instead-of-real-images/

GoPower Plus gives low Hz

I recently bought a GoPower Plus from Walmart. I plugged a Kill A Watt into it and a floor lamp into the Kill A Watt. It said it’s getting 10Hz instead of the standard 60Hz. That’s strange, but it powered the fluorescent floor lamp OK. 

The model number is HD-008.

Illegal Content and the Blockchain

2021-03-17 Bruce Schneier

Security researchers have recently discovered a botnet with a novel defense against takedowns. Normally, authorities can disable a botnet by taking over its command-and-control server. With nowhere to go for instructions, the botnet is rendered useless. But over the years, botnet designers have come up with ways to make this counterattack harder. Now the content-delivery network Akamai has reported on a new method: a botnet that uses the Bitcoin blockchain ledger. Since the blockchain is globally accessible and hard to take down, the botnet’s operators appear to be safe.

https://www.schneier.com/blog/archives/2021/03/illegal-content-and-the-blockchain.html

Also

https://www.wired.com/story/opinion-bitcoins-greatest-feature-is-also-its-existential-threat/