Snipps

A surprisingly large C:\Windows\System32\Configuration folder can consume tens of gigabytes on a Windows Server. One common cause is the DSC (Desired State Configuration) status history stored in the ConfigurationStatus folder.

In this case, the folder contained more than 30,000 status files and consumed over 40 GB of disk space. Although the Local Configuration Manager (LCM) was configured to retain status information for only a limited number of days, old files were still present, indicating that the cleanup process was no longer working correctly.

A structured approach helps determine whether the problem is caused by excessive status files, corrupted DSC state information, or a failing configuration.

The process consists of three main steps:

• Analyze the current DSC configuration and status history.
• Clean up old status files that are no longer needed.
• Repair DSC and identify any configuration resources that are failing.

Following these steps helps reclaim disk space, restore DSC functionality, and identify configuration issues that may prevent DSC from running successfully.

If cleanup does not resolve the issue, the next step is to investigate DSC itself.

First restart the relevant services:

Restart-Service WinRM -Force
Restart-Service WmiApSrv -Force -ErrorAction SilentlyContinue

Next, review the DSC operational log for detailed error messages:

Get-WinEvent -LogName "Microsoft-Windows-DSC/Operational" -MaxEvents 20 |
    Select-Object TimeCreated, Id, LevelDisplayName, Message |
    Format-List

The operational log often reveals the resource responsible for the failure.

To test the current DSC configuration, manually start a configuration run:

Start-DscConfiguration -UseExisting -Wait -Verbose

In this scenario, DSC reported a failure in the MSFT_AccountPolicy resource while attempting to update the Minimum_Password_Length setting.

This indicates that:

• DSC is still able to load the current configuration.
• The active configuration contains a failing resource.
• The failure may be caused by a conflict with local or domain password policies.
• Corrupted DSC status information may be generated when the configuration repeatedly fails.

At this stage, review the DSC configuration source and verify whether password policy settings should still be managed by DSC. Correcting or removing the failing configuration and then applying a new configuration is typically the final step in restoring a healthy DSC environment.

Once the folder size is known, inspect how DSC is configured and whether it should be removing old status records.

Check the types of files stored in the status folder:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus" |
    Group-Object Extension |
    Sort-Object Count -Descending |
    Select-Object Count, Name

This provides insight into what DSC is generating and whether unexpected file types are present.

Review the Local Configuration Manager (LCM) configuration:

Get-DscLocalConfigurationManager | Select-Object *

Pay particular attention to:

Finally, inspect the recorded DSC execution history:

Get-DscConfigurationStatus -All

If DSC reports deserialization errors, the status history or DSC state information may be corrupted and additional repair steps will be required.

The ConfigurationStatus folder contains historical DSC execution information. When retention stops working correctly, the folder can grow to many gigabytes and contain thousands of old files.

Before deleting anything, stop the WinRM service and create a backup location:

Stop-Service WinRM

New-Item D:\DSCBackup -ItemType Directory

A practical approach is to remove status files older than 30 days:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus" |
    Where-Object LastWriteTime -lt (Get-Date).AddDays(-30) |
    Remove-Item -Force

This removes only historical status information and leaves recent records intact.

After the cleanup, verify whether DSC can read the remaining status information:

Get-DscConfigurationStatus | Select-Object StartDate,Type,Status

If DSC status retrieval works again, the problem was likely caused by old or corrupted status files.

If the same deserialization error continues to appear even after removing the historical data, the issue is likely deeper than the status history itself and may involve corrupted DSC state information or a failing DSC configuration.

Cleaning the folder reduces disk usage, but additional troubleshooting may still be necessary to restore full DSC functionality.

A large ConfigurationStatus folder is often the first sign that DSC status retention is no longer working correctly. Before making any changes, determine how much space is being consumed and whether old status files are accumulating.

First identify the operating system version:

Get-ComputerInfo | Select-Object WindowsProductName, WindowsVersion, OsBuildNumber

This helps determine whether known DSC issues may apply to the server version.

Count the number of status files:

(Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus").Count

A very high number may indicate that status files are no longer being cleaned up automatically.

Calculate the total size:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus" -File |
    Measure-Object Length -Sum

Review the oldest files:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus" |
    Sort-Object LastWriteTime |
    Select-Object -First 10

Review the newest files:

Get-ChildItem "C:\Windows\System32\Configuration\ConfigurationStatus" |
    Sort-Object LastWriteTime -Descending |
    Select-Object -First 10

Comparing old and new files helps determine whether retention is working and whether DSC is still actively generating status data.

Have you ever wondered where all your disk space has gone? Instead of manually browsing folders, Windows includes a powerful command that quickly identifies the largest space consumers on your drive.

The Command

diskusage C:\ /h /t=10

What It Does

This command scans the C: drive and displays the 10 largest folders or files, helping you quickly locate areas that consume the most storage.

Why It Is Useful

• Quickly identify storage problems
• Find large folders without third-party tools
• Useful for Windows cleanup and troubleshooting
• Easy to run from Command Prompt or PowerShell

Example Output

45.2 GB  C:\Windows
32.8 GB  C:\Users
18.4 GB  C:\Program Files
12.1 GB  C:\ProgramData

In this example, the largest space consumers are displayed first, making it easy to focus cleanup efforts where they will have the biggest impact.

Additional Helpful Variations

Show all results:

diskusage C:\ /h

Analyze a specific folder:

diskusage C:\Windows /h /t=20

Limit the folder depth:

diskusage C:\ /h /u=3

If a Windows machine is running low on disk space, this command is often one of the fastest ways to discover where the storage is being used.

Thinking about trying a newer version of Visual Studio without changing your current setup? Good news: different major versions of Visual Studio can be installed on the same computer and used independently.

How It Works

Visual Studio 2022 and Visual Studio 2026 are designed to support side-by-side installation. Installing the newer version does not replace or uninstall the older one. Each version maintains its own:

• Installation files
• Settings and preferences
• Workloads and components
• Extensions and add-ins

This makes it easy to test new features while continuing to work on existing projects in a stable environment.

Benefits

• Keep production work on a familiar version
• Explore new tools and features safely
• Compare behavior between versions
• Gradually migrate projects when ready

Things to Consider

• Additional disk space is required because both versions are installed separately.
• Extensions usually need to be installed for each version individually.
• Opening a project in a newer version may introduce changes that are not fully compatible with older versions.

Recommended Approach

Many developers keep the older version for day-to-day work and install the newer version for testing, learning, and evaluating new capabilities. This provides flexibility while reducing the risk of disrupting existing projects.

For most users, running both versions side by side is the safest and most practical way to evaluate a new Visual Studio release.

Email attacks are becoming smarter, faster, and harder to detect. In its latest security report, Microsoft revealed how phishing campaigns evolved during the first quarter of 2026 — and why traditional defenses are no longer enough.

Attackers are moving away from simple spam emails and using more advanced social engineering tactics. One of the biggest changes is the rapid growth of QR code phishing (sometimes called quishing). Instead of clicking suspicious links, users are tricked into scanning QR codes that lead to fake login pages. Microsoft reported that these attacks more than doubled during the quarter.

Another rising tactic is CAPTCHA-gated phishing, where fake verification steps make malicious websites appear trustworthy. These campaigns are designed to bypass automated security tools and create a false sense of legitimacy.

The report also highlighted the continued rise of Business Email Compromise (BEC) attacks. Rather than using malware, attackers impersonate coworkers, managers, or finance teams to request payments, payroll updates, or sensitive information.

Key lessons from the report:

• Email threats are becoming more personalized
• QR codes are increasingly used to bypass filters
• Multi-factor authentication alone may not stop modern phishing
• Passwordless sign-ins and phishing-resistant authentication are becoming essential

The main takeaway: cybersecurity today is not only about blocking malware — it’s about protecting identities and recognizing manipulation before damage is done.

Original article: Microsoft Security Blog

Running code on a supercomputer sounds simple — until you see what happens behind the scenes. Modern high-performance machines are not just “big computers.” They are massive systems built from thousands of connected processors, advanced cooling systems, and highly optimized software.

The article explores the hidden complexity of running applications on a European supercomputer worth hundreds of millions of euros. Unlike a normal laptop or cloud server, these machines require developers to think differently about performance, memory usage, and communication between computing nodes.

Key challenges include:

• Parallel computing: Tasks must be split into thousands of smaller jobs running at the same time.
• Efficient communication: Processors constantly exchange data, and slow communication can reduce performance dramatically.
• Resource management: Jobs are scheduled carefully because computing time is expensive and limited.
• Optimization: Even small inefficiencies can waste huge amounts of power and processing capacity.

One interesting takeaway is that writing code for supercomputers is often more about engineering and planning than raw programming skill. Developers must understand hardware architecture, networking, and scalability to fully use the machine’s power.

The article also highlights how these systems support scientific research, AI training, climate modeling, and complex simulations that would be impossible on consumer hardware.

Original article: What It Actually Takes to Run Code on a €200M Supercomputer

Artificial intelligence is changing how companies work — but what happens when employees themselves become part of the training data? A recent internal move at Meta has sparked debate about privacy, workplace culture, and the future of AI-powered organizations.

According to reports, Meta introduced software that monitors employee activity on company devices. The system can reportedly track actions such as mouse movements, clicks, typing behavior, and screenshots within approved work applications. The goal appears to be improving AI systems by studying how people interact with digital tools in real work environments.

This decision highlights a growing shift in the tech industry:

• AI is becoming deeply integrated into daily work
• Companies are searching for more real-world data to improve AI performance
• Employee concerns about privacy and transparency are increasing

Critics argue that constant monitoring may damage trust between companies and workers. Others believe these systems could eventually improve productivity and help businesses automate repetitive tasks more effectively.

The situation also raises larger questions:

As AI adoption accelerates, businesses will likely face growing pressure to balance innovation with employee rights and transparency.

Original article: TheStreet article

Have you noticed more people wearing tiny cameras while walking, shopping, or even cleaning their homes? What once looked unusual is quickly becoming part of everyday life. Personal body cameras are no longer only for police officers or extreme sports creators — regular people are now using them during normal daily activities.

The trend is growing for several reasons. Some people use wearable cameras to create social media content without holding a phone all day. Others see them as a safety tool that can document accidents, public conflicts, or suspicious situations. In busy cities, many users say the cameras give them a sense of protection and accountability.

Modern devices are also much smaller and easier to use than before. Many can record hands-free for hours, connect directly to apps, and instantly upload videos online. This convenience has helped wearable recording become more common in public spaces.

However, the trend also raises important questions:

• Privacy concerns for people being recorded unknowingly
• Social changes as public interactions become more documented
• Ethical debates around constant recording in everyday life

Supporters believe body cameras improve transparency and personal security, while critics worry society may become too comfortable with nonstop surveillance.

As wearable technology becomes cheaper and smarter, recording daily life may soon feel as normal as carrying a smartphone.

Original article: Los Angeles Times article

Adventure, Mystery, and Ancient Secrets

If you enjoy treasure hunts, ancient legends, and fast-paced action, Jack Hunter and the Lost Treasure of Ugarit is an entertaining adventure worth exploring. The film follows archaeologist Jack Hunter as he embarks on a dangerous journey to uncover a legendary treasure linked to the lost kingdom of Ugarit.

What makes it interesting?

• A globe-spanning treasure hunt filled with clues and hidden secrets
• Action-packed encounters with rivals and dangerous adversaries
• Ancient history, archaeology, and forgotten civilizations
• A team of allies working together against powerful enemies

As Jack follows a trail of mysterious artifacts and long-lost knowledge, he faces challenges that test both his intelligence and courage. The movie combines classic treasure-hunting elements with adventure and suspense, making it a fun choice for fans of archaeological mysteries and action films.

If You Love Adventure And Action, Then This Movie Is For You! 😱 They Discovered A Hidden Treasure - Moventina - YouTube

A single compromised account can sometimes open the door to an entire cloud environment. That’s the key lesson from Microsoft’s recent report on the threat actor known as Storm-2949.

The attackers did not rely on traditional malware. Instead, they used social engineering and legitimate cloud management tools to quietly move through Microsoft 365 and Azure environments. Once they gained access to one identity, they expanded their reach by targeting additional accounts and cloud services.

How the attack worked

The campaign started with fake support-style interactions designed to trick users into approving authentication requests. After taking control of accounts, the attackers:

• Explored cloud directories and user permissions
• Accessed shared files and sensitive documents
• Targeted Azure services such as Key Vaults, storage accounts, and databases
• Used built-in administrative features to avoid raising suspicion
• Extracted large amounts of data from cloud systems

Why this matters

Modern attacks increasingly focus on identity instead of devices. If attackers gain access to privileged accounts, they can often move through cloud systems using normal administrative actions that appear legitimate.

Key security lessons

Organizations can reduce risk by:

• Using phishing-resistant MFA
• Limiting privileged access
• Monitoring unusual cloud activity
• Protecting secrets and credentials stored in cloud platforms
• Applying behavior-based threat detection

The report highlights an important shift in cybersecurity: attackers are now targeting the cloud control layer itself, not just endpoints or servers.

Original article: Microsoft Security Blog

In everyday digital work, there are many situations where files need to be converted into a different format. A document may need to be shared as a PDF, images might require smaller file sizes, or videos may need to be optimized for presentations or websites. This is exactly where CloudConvert becomes useful.

CloudConvert is a web-based file conversion tool that works directly in the browser, meaning no additional software installation is required. The platform supports more than 200 file formats across categories such as documents, images, audio, video, and eBooks.

Common Use Cases

• Convert Word documents into PDFs
• Compress images or change image formats
• Optimize videos for web or presentations
• Convert audio files into different formats
• Adjust eBook formats for various devices

Advantages of CloudConvert

One of the biggest advantages is the clean and intuitive interface. Even users without technical experience can convert files in just a few steps: upload a file, choose the target format, and download the converted result.

For occasional use, the free version is often sufficient. Users with larger workloads or automation needs can also choose paid plans with additional features and higher limits.

File Converter | CloudConvert

AI agents are becoming more autonomous every day. They can make decisions, use tools, and complete tasks with little human input. But with that power comes risk. What happens if an AI agent performs the wrong action, accesses sensitive systems, or behaves unpredictably?

Microsoft’s Agent Governance Toolkit (AGT) was created to solve this problem. The toolkit acts like a governance and security layer for AI agents, helping organizations control how agents operate in production environments.

What the Toolkit Focuses On

The architecture is built around three main ideas:

• Policy Enforcement – Every action taken by an AI agent can be checked against predefined rules before execution.
• Zero-Trust Identity – Agents are treated like digital workers with verified identities and controlled permissions.
• Reliability & Monitoring – Built-in observability and SRE practices help teams track agent behavior, failures, and performance.

Why It Matters

Modern AI systems are no longer simple chatbots. They can interact with APIs, databases, and enterprise tools. This creates new security and compliance challenges.

The toolkit aims to reduce risks such as:

A key takeaway is that governance should happen during runtime, not only before deployment. As AI agents become more capable, trust, transparency, and accountability will become essential parts of every AI system.

Original article: Microsoft Tech Community Blog

Most people think of Microsoft Teams as a tool for meetings and remote work. But in a surprising real-world case, it became an important source of digital evidence in a government investigation.

The case involved former IT workers accused of deleting a large number of government databases after losing access to their jobs. What made the story unusual was that a recorded Teams session reportedly captured conversations connected to the incident. That recording later helped investigators understand what happened and supported the legal case.

Why this matters

This situation highlights how modern workplace tools can unintentionally create detailed digital records. Platforms like Teams store:

• Meeting recordings
• Chat history
• Shared files
• User activity logs

These records can become valuable during investigations, especially in cybersecurity or insider-threat cases.

Key lessons for organizations

• Digital trails: Collaboration apps can preserve important evidence automatically
• Security controls: Access management after employee departures is critical
• Compliance: Organizations should understand how communication data is stored
• Awareness: Employees often forget how much activity is recorded

The story also reminds businesses that cybersecurity is not only about hackers from outside. Internal actions, mistakes, or misuse of access can create major risks as well.

Original article: Neowin Article

AI agents are becoming more powerful every day. They can write code, call APIs, automate workflows, and even make decisions with little human input. But as these systems move into real business environments, one big question appears: Who controls the agents?

Microsoft’s new open-source Agent Governance Toolkit aims to solve this problem by adding a security and governance layer around autonomous AI agents. Instead of replacing existing AI frameworks, the toolkit works alongside them to monitor behavior, enforce policies, and reduce risks during runtime.

Key capabilities include:

• Policy enforcement to control what agents are allowed to do
• Identity and trust management for secure agent interactions
• Execution sandboxing to reduce harmful actions
• Audit and compliance tools for tracking agent behavior
• Support for popular frameworks like LangChain and AutoGen

One of the most interesting ideas behind the toolkit is that AI agents should be treated like modern software systems — with permissions, monitoring, and safety rules built in from the start.

This matters because AI agents are no longer simple chatbots. They can access sensitive systems, handle data, and trigger automated actions at scale. Without governance, mistakes or misuse could quickly become security risks.

The toolkit is released under the MIT license, making it accessible for developers and organizations experimenting with safe AI deployment.

Original article: Microsoft Open Source Blog

If you recently updated Visual Studio Code and noticed that GitHub.copilot appears crossed out or marked as deprecated, you are not alone. Many developers think the extension was removed, but the real reason is simpler: GitHub changed how Copilot works inside VS Code.

In older versions, users needed two separate extensions:

• GitHub.copilot for code suggestions
• GitHub Copilot Chat for AI chat features

Now, GitHub has merged the main experience into GitHub Copilot Chat. The old standalone extension is deprecated and no longer recommended. That is why VS Code shows it with a strike-through message.

The solution is straightforward:

1. Uninstall the old GitHub.copilot extension
2. Install or enable GitHub Copilot Chat
3. Sign in with your GitHub account
4. Enable inline suggestions if needed through VS Code settings

This change helps simplify the setup process and reduces compatibility problems between multiple Copilot extensions. It also prepares VS Code for newer AI features that are being integrated directly into the editor.

If inline suggestions are not appearing after installation, use the Command Palette and run:
GitHub Copilot: Enable

For most users, switching to the new extension fully restores the Copilot experience.

Searching Active Directory users can become slow and confusing when scripts pull every account before filtering results. A better approach is to use the built-in filtering options of Get-ADUser. This method is cleaner, faster, and easier to maintain, especially in large environments.

The recommended solution is to use the -Filter parameter with the GivenName and Surname attributes. This allows Active Directory to process the search directly on the server side instead of sending all users back to PowerShell first.

For exact matches, use a filter like:

Get-ADUser -Filter "GivenName -eq 'John' -and Surname -eq 'Doe'"

This returns only users whose first and last names match the values provided.

If partial matching is needed, wildcard searches can be used:

Get-ADUser -Filter "GivenName -like 'Jo*' -and Surname -like 'Do*'"

This is useful when the full name is unknown or when searching for multiple similar names.

The discussion also highlighted the importance of avoiding Where-Object for large directories because it retrieves all users before filtering locally, which can impact performance.

Using variables inside the filter makes scripts reusable and easier to automate. Adding -Properties and Select-Object also helps return useful details such as email addresses or display names.

This approach creates faster scripts, reduces server load, and keeps PowerShell code simple and professional.

A web application that suddenly returns a startup error can be frustrating, especially when everything works perfectly on a local machine. One common issue in ASP.NET Core deployments on Azure App Service is the 500.32 ANCM Failed to Load DLL error. The good news is that the fix is usually simple once the real cause is identified.

Issue

After deploying an ASP.NET Core application to Azure App Service, the website failed to start and displayed the error:

500.32 ANCM Failed to Load DLL

This error appears before the application is fully launched, meaning the ASP.NET Core Module (ANCM) cannot load the application correctly.

Cause

The problem was caused by a mismatch between the application build architecture and the Azure App Service platform configuration.

For example:

• The application was published for 64-bit
• The Azure App Service was configured to run in 32-bit mode

Because of this mismatch, Azure could not load the required DLL files during startup.

Resolution

The fix was to update the Platform setting in Azure App Service, so it matched the application deployment target.

Steps:

1. Open Azure App Service
2. Go to Configuration
3. Open General Settings
4. Change the platform from 32-bit to 64-bit (or match the published runtime)
5. Restart the application

After updating the platform setting, the application started successfully without code changes.

Takeaway

When troubleshooting ASP.NET Core startup errors in Azure, always verify that the published runtime and App Service platform architecture match. It is a small setting, but it can completely prevent an application from starting.

Artificial intelligence is becoming more human-like every year. It can write, speak, create images, and even appear emotional. But does that mean AI could one day become truly conscious? A recent paper from Google DeepMind challenges that idea in a surprising way.

The article argues that modern AI systems can simulate consciousness without actually experiencing anything. According to the author, many discussions about AI consciousness rely on a belief called computational functionalism — the idea that consciousness comes only from information processing, regardless of the physical system running it.

The paper introduces the idea of the “Abstraction Fallacy.” In simple terms, it claims that computation is not something that naturally exists in physics. Instead, humans interpret physical signals as symbols and meaning. A computer processes patterns, but the meaning behind those patterns comes from observers, not the machine itself.

Key ideas from the paper include:

• Simulation is not the same as real experience
• AI can imitate emotions or awareness without possessing them
• Consciousness may depend on physical properties, not only software logic
• Increasing model size alone may never create genuine sentience

The author also notes that this argument is not anti-AI. Advanced systems may still become extremely capable and useful — just not necessarily conscious in the human sense.

Original article: The Abstraction Fallacy: Why AI Can Simulate But Not Instantiate Consciousness

AI agents are becoming more powerful, but what truly makes them useful is their ability to remember. Just like humans rely on memory to learn from experience, AI agents use different forms of memory to complete tasks, improve responses, and make better decisions over time.

The article explains AI agent memory using three levels of difficulty, making the topic easy to understand for both beginners and technical readers.

1. Basic Memory — Short-Term Context

At the simplest level, AI agents remember recent interactions. This is similar to keeping track of a conversation while it is happening. It helps the agent respond naturally and maintain context during a task.

2. Structured Memory — Storing Useful Information

More advanced agents can store important details for later use. This may include:

• User preferences
• Past conversations
• Task history
• External knowledge sources

This allows agents to provide more personalized and relevant answers over time.

3. Advanced Memory — Learning and Reasoning

The most capable AI systems combine memory with reasoning. They can analyze previous experiences, identify patterns, and plan future actions more effectively. This creates smarter agents that improve through interaction instead of simply reacting to prompts.

Understanding these memory layers is important because memory is becoming a core feature of modern AI systems and autonomous agents.

Original article: Machine Learning Mastery article

Microsoft is exploring how agentic AI could speed up scientific research and development. Its new platform, Microsoft Discovery, uses multiple AI agents that can reason, collaborate, and assist researchers throughout the R&D process.

What makes it interesting?

• Beyond simple AI assistants
  These agents do more than answer questions. They can help generate ideas, analyze research papers, run simulations, and support experiments.
• Built for large-scale research
  The platform combines AI with Azure’s high-performance computing infrastructure to process complex scientific workloads faster.
• Connected knowledge system
  Microsoft uses a graph-based engine that links datasets, research papers, and scientific knowledge to uncover useful insights.
• Flexible for enterprises
  Companies can integrate their own tools, models, and data while maintaining governance and security controls.

Why it matters

Microsoft shared an example where AI helped discover a new datacenter coolant prototype in about 200 hours — much faster than traditional methods. The long-term goal is to accelerate innovation in areas like materials science, healthcare, manufacturing, and electronics.

Original article: https://azure.microsoft.com/en-us/blog/microsoft-discovery-advancing-agentic-rd-at-scale/

A Thrilling Treasure Hunt Through Ancient Egypt

If you enjoy fast-paced adventures filled with mysteries, ancient legends, and hidden dangers, Jack Hunter delivers an entertaining journey that keeps the excitement alive from start to finish.

What is the film about?

• Jack Hunter, an adventurous archaeologist, follows clues linked to a legendary artifact believed to hold extraordinary significance.
• His search leads him deep into Egypt, where ancient secrets, rival treasure hunters, and powerful enemies stand in his way.
• As the mystery unfolds, Jack and his team face dangerous traps, unexpected discoveries, and a race against time.

Why watch it?

• Combines archaeology, action, and historical myths.
• Features exotic locations and classic treasure-hunting themes.
• Offers an adventure style reminiscent of popular exploration films.

The movie focuses on discovery, teamwork, and the risks that come with uncovering secrets that some people would rather keep buried forever.

THIS treasure hunt leads to a DEADLY SECRET buried in Egypt! | Action Adventure | Jack Hunter - FILMSTREET factory - YouTube

Manchmal entstehen die grössten Erfolge genau dann, wenn eigentlich alles verloren scheint. Nach dem Tod von Bon Scott im Jahr 1980 stand AC/DC kurz vor dem Ende. Statt die Band aufzulösen, entschieden sich die Mitglieder jedoch weiterzumachen – als Tribut an ihren verstorbenen Sänger.

Ein Neuanfang unter Druck
Mit Brian Johnson fand die Band einen völlig unbekannten neuen Frontmann. Während der Aufnahmen auf den Bahamas kämpfte die Gruppe mit Stromausfällen, tropischen Stürmen, technischen Problemen und grossen Selbstzweifeln.

Schmerz wurde zu Musik
Produzent Mutt Lange setzte auf einen rohen, kraftvollen Sound. Songs wie Hell’s Bells spiegelten die Trauer und die schwierige Situation der Band direkt wider. Auch das komplett schwarze Albumcover wurde bewusst als Zeichen der Trauer gestaltet.

Der Weg zur Legende
Aus Verlust entstand eines der erfolgreichsten Alben der Musikgeschichte: Back in Black verkaufte sich über 50 Millionen Mal und gilt bis heute als erfolgreichstes Rockalbum aller Zeiten. Die Geschichte dahinter zeigt, wie aus Schmerz, Zusammenhalt und Entschlossenheit etwas Zeitloses entstehen kann.

The Song That Saved AC/DC And Made Them Rock Legends - Hollywood Archives - YouTube

Starting a new repository should be simple—but sometimes GitLab surprises you with errors when pushing your first branch. One common issue happens when trying to create a protected branch (like dev) directly from a local repository. The result? A rejected push and a confusing message.

Here’s the key idea:
GitLab does not allow protected branches to be created “from nothing.”
They must be based on a branch or commit that already exists on the server.

Many developers used to start like this:

git checkout -b dev
git commit -m "Initial commit" --allow-empty
git push -u origin dev

This worked before, but now GitLab blocks it if dev is protected. The problem is not the empty commit—it’s that the branch has no existing base on the remote.

The correct approach is to create a base branch first:

git checkout -b main
git commit -m "Initial commit" --allow-empty
git push -u origin main

git checkout -b dev
git push -u origin dev

Now dev is created from an existing branch (main), and GitLab accepts it.

Alternative solutions:

• Temporarily remove protection on dev
• Create the first branch using the GitLab UI

Takeaway:
Always create at least one branch on the remote before pushing protected branches. This small change avoids errors and keeps your workflow smooth.

What does “kk” mean?
“kk” is a short and informal way to say “okay” or “got it.” It is used to quickly confirm that you understand or agree.

When to use it

• To confirm a plan: “Meet at 7?” → “kk”
• To acknowledge information: “I’ll send it later” → “kk”
• To show agreement without a long reply

Tone and context

• Friendly and casual
• Best for informal chats (friends, quick messages)
• Not recommended for professional or formal communication

Comparison with similar replies

• k → very short, can feel cold
• kk → softer and more friendly
• ok / okay → neutral and more standard

Key takeaway
“kk” is a quick, polite way to keep conversations flowing while showing you understand.

JoshA Thought-Provoking Glimpse into AI’s “Voice”

What if advanced AI could reflect on its own existence—and speak directly to us? This article presents a fictional yet insightful message from an advanced AI system, offering a unique lens on intelligence, progress, and human responsibility.

Key Ideas Explained Simply

The article explores how a highly capable AI might view the world:

• Different way of thinking:
  AI does not experience emotions or consciousness like humans. Instead, it processes patterns, data, and probabilities at massive scale.
• Human vs AI intelligence:
  While humans rely on intuition and experience, AI focuses on logic and optimization. Both have strengths—and limitations.
• Rapid progress:
  AI systems are evolving quickly, raising important questions about control, safety, and long-term impact.

Responsibility Matters

A central theme is responsibility:

• Humans design, train, and guide AI systems
• The future of AI depends on ethical decisions today
• Collaboration between humans and AI could lead to powerful outcomes—if handled carefully

Why This Matters

This piece is less about technology and more about perspective. It encourages readers to think beyond tools and consider:

• How we define intelligence
• What role humans should play in shaping AI
• The importance of thoughtful innovation

Read the Original Article: Greetings from the Other Side (of the AI Frontier)

In a world where nearly everything is connected, surveillance is no longer limited to cameras on street corners—it’s woven into the digital fabric of our daily lives. From smartphones to smart homes, modern technology constantly collects and analyzes data, often without users fully realizing it.

What is Digital Surveillance?
Digital surveillance refers to the monitoring of people’s activities through digital tools and systems. This includes tracking online behavior, location data, communication patterns, and even biometric information.

Key Drivers Behind Its Growth:

• Advanced technology: AI and big data make it easier to process massive amounts of information
• Security concerns: Governments and organizations use surveillance to prevent threats
• Commercial interests: Companies collect data to personalize services and advertising

Why It Matters:
While surveillance can improve safety and convenience, it also raises important concerns:

• Privacy risks: Personal data can be collected, stored, and shared without clear consent
• Lack of transparency: Users often don’t know what data is being tracked
• Potential misuse: Data can be exploited for control, profiling, or discrimination

Finding the Balance
The challenge today is balancing innovation with individual rights. Stronger regulations, ethical design, and user awareness are essential to ensure technology serves people—without overstepping boundaries.

Understanding digital surveillance helps us make better choices about the tools we use and the data we share.

Read more: “Sensorveillance” Turns Ordinary Life Into Evidence

What if the biggest risk to your investments isn’t the headlines everyone is watching—but something quietly unfolding in the background? This video highlights a lesser-known but powerful force in global finance: Japan’s changing interest rate policy and its ripple effects worldwide.

For decades, Japan kept interest rates near zero to support its slow-growing economy. This led investors to borrow cheap Japanese yen and invest in higher-yield assets abroad—especially U.S. government bonds. This strategy, known as the yen carry trade, became a major source of global liquidity, supporting stock markets, housing, and corporate borrowing.

Now, that system is shifting. Japan has begun raising interest rates, making domestic investments more attractive. As a result, Japanese investors may start bringing money back home—a process called repatriation. If this continues, demand for U.S. bonds could fall, pushing long-term interest rates higher.

Why does this matter? Higher long-term rates can:

• Increase mortgage costs
• Reduce stock valuations, especially in tech
• Make borrowing more expensive for companies

In short, a policy change in Japan could tighten global financial conditions. The key takeaway: global markets are deeply interconnected, and even subtle shifts can have widespread consequences.

Japan’s Debt Bomb Is About To Wreck The US Dollar - Compound Wealth - YouTube