Snake oil

[Analog Kid]

Here's ANOTHER one:
https://www.thesun.co.uk/money/33818907/energy-meter-warning-issued-to-thousands/

SWITCH OFF Energy meter warning issued to thousands across the UK – key switch to make or risk losing water  and electricity supply

One thing I don't get, being from the US: why in the world would utility customers be responsible for upgrading their meters, no matter whether electric, gas or water?

Here, the utility companies do all the upgrading; we don't even have a choice. (And yes, I know this angers those who don't want smart meters for whatever reason, and while I sympathize, there's nothing you can do about it.) They'll notify us of the change, but they send their people out to install the meters and that's that.

Why do you guys in the UK have to upgrade your utility meters on your own initiative? I thought you lived in even more of a cocoon/nanny state than we do over here.

[Nominal Animal]

(Fix your quote!)

Why do you guys in the UK have to upgrade your utility meters on your own initiative? I thought you lived in even more of a cocoon/nanny state than we do over here.

Because it's not a one-dimensional cocoon/nanny to non-cocoon/non-nanny scale.

For example, here in Finland, it is illegal to use more violence than is absolutely necessary to defend oneself.  (Someone just tried to push for something similar in California, and was promptly shut down.)

Yes, many (most?) actually disagree with that here, and think that law is unjust, as it often leads to victims having to pay their attackers' medical costs.  We do have at least one case when someone stopped a street rape by punching the rapist, and ended up having to pay fines (a couple of hundred €) to that rapist.

On the other hand, we don't have the "I'll sue you for millions!" court system.  Typically, lawyers' fees (a few k) are greater than the penalties.  Biggest costs are when someone loses their ability to work, as then the insurance companies can bill you for a long time.  Even the fines and reparations for "hate speech" haven't gotten higher than 40k or so, to my knowledge –– but it does feel strange that it is cheaper to puch someones teeth in or break both their arms, than call them names in public.  If you want to kill someone, do it while drunk driving, and you'll likely get off with a suspended sentence (precedents exist).

So, I'd say it is all about local quirks and historical precedent and cultural details, than being "on" some nanny scale.

[SteveThackery]

HOW?

Water SUPPLY? So my tap will stop giving out water?
Is that bullshit? and scare mongering?

Water supplies run off mechanical meters or battery operated "smart" meters independent of household electrical supply.

It's bullshit because - in the UK - the Water Industry Act 1999 makes it illegal to cut off the water supply to a residential property for non-payment of bills.

Also, UK water meters do not have the physical capability to shut off the water supply.
(EDIT: I mean by remote command.)

Here is the FAQ from one UK water company, but the same laws apply to the others.

https://www.eswater.co.uk/smartfaqs

[MrMobodies]

Laura McGuire

Its the Sun... if its the Sun, The Daily Fail, Evening Standard, or even worse, - The Telegraph, and it is related to technology/health/Medicine/Science - chances are its bollocks.

https://www.linkedin.com/in/laura-mcguire-6793aa171/

Laura McGuire
Education
Institute of Technology, Carlow
Bachelor's degree, Communication and *Media Studies
2016 - 2019

*What is such a subject doing in there in what is SUPPOSE to be an "Institute of Technology"?

With a "communications" bachelors degree shouldn't she know better?

Jeremy Kyle_ Irish audiences reactions and perceptions to Reailty Televison.pdf

Jeremy Kyle once generated a cult-like following on day-time television, but how exactly did his programme mould the depiction of working-class people in the media?

and here she's talking to her readers like they are stupid and "lower" than herself... the contempt she has for the readers reading her stuff.

Not all "working class" people are stupid.

[shabaz]

SWITCH OFF Energy meter warning issued to thousands across the UK – key switch to make or risk losing water..

Thankfully, this is illegal for obvious reasons (at least in most countries with reasonable legislation) because water companies can't be trusted to do the right thing.

Water often has special status in other ways too. For instance, in some countries, if you're dying of starvation, stores may be entitled to charge you whatever they want in exchange for food, however, they are only entitled to charge a 'reasonable amount' for water if you're dying of thirst. Obviously this would in practice be a very contrived situation, but at least it's been considered to a small fraction.

Most people will never entertain the thought of charging for food or water in such a situation, of course (and yet, sadly [but there are some reasons, granted], in many jurisdictions, you're perfectly entitled to walk past a starving or drowning person and not try to help, provided you don't 'stoke the fire' by pouring more water on a drowning person for instance). Fictional, of course, but a slightly related movie is 'Mother India' (highly recommended - I'm not Indian but was able to follow it with subtitles, and I am not usually a fan of typical Bollywood movies either).

[Buriedcode]

Yeah, its clearly a click-baity article with little basis in fact, targetting the older generation who don't like change, and can fall victim to such scare-mongering.  Certain media outlets rely on the fact most don't bother checking anything because it "feels" right.

When I call these outlets "bollocks" it isn't just a reaction, its pretty consistent that the writers will twist somewhat ambiguous wording of technological or controversial standards/policies/regulations in order to get people to click links, read columns, buy papers - often with a retraction a few days later.  It can be beneficial to not necessarily assume its wrong, but have in mind that the entire purpose of the article is to get someone to read it, or sell something.  Not a public service.

[helius]

Thomas Jefferson, in a letter to John Norvell in 1807:
"Nothing can now be believed which is seen in a newspaper. Truth itself becomes suspicious by being put into that polluted vehicle."

I venture that nothing much has changed.

[MrMobodies]

https://sonoff.tech/product/gateway-and-sensors/rf-bridger2/

Traditional 433MHz Remote Control Devices, Instantly Become Smart

My old Philips RU 950 Pronto could do it (via built in 433MHz RF) but that doesn't make it "smart".

[EEVblog]

"Twisted pair" audiophoolery 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001031260857.html

[grumpydoc]

I think I'd buy that just for the novel appearance, bar for the price that is.

But, as far as I can tell, the actual foil is 4mm x 0.25 mm - or 1mm² - roughly 17AWG, max current ~ 3A so you are not going to drive any decent speakers with them. 

[Analog Kid]

But, as far as I can tell, the actual foil is 4mm x 0.25 mm - or 1mm² - roughly 17AWG, max current ~ 3A so you are not going to drive any decent speakers with them. 

Wellll, my stereo setup has decent (not great) speakers connected by something like 24 gauge wire. Not by choice, but because that's what I had on hand when I set it up.
I keep saying I'll replace it with something heavier when I get a round tuit, but nah.
It sounds fine. So much for the "you need big honking solid-copper 8 gauge wires for any chance at decent sound out of your speakers".

[TimFox]

But, as far as I can tell, the actual foil is 4mm x 0.25 mm - or 1mm² - roughly 17AWG, max current ~ 3A so you are not going to drive any decent speakers with them. 

Wellll, my stereo setup has decent (not great) speakers connected by something like 24 gauge wire. Not by choice, but because that's what I had on hand when I set it up.
I keep saying I'll replace it with something heavier when I get a round tuit, but nah.
It sounds fine. So much for the "you need big honking solid-copper 8 gauge wires for any chance at decent sound out of your speakers".

When I moved to my present house and connected my speakers (on the opposite wall from the amplifier), I went to my local True Value Hardware store and bought 2x14AWG SO cable to go down to the basement and up again to the speakers.
The teenager at the store was curious about my purchase, which I explained, and he replied "Where are your speakers?  In Schaumburg?"

[grumpydoc]

Thinking about it the 3A figure on the AWG table that I used is probably too conservative, something higher - say 10A - is probably closer.

I normally go for QED 79 strand personally.

[MrMobodies]

"Twisted pair" audiophoolery 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001031260857.html

1M ￡26.79 (￡32.67 17% off)
2M ￡34.69 (￡42.30 17% off)
3M ￡42.49 (￡51.82 18% off)
5M ￡58.19 (￡70.96 17% off)

Even without the discounts it's a lot cheaper than the thousands or tens of thousands some audiofoolery brands charge.

Viborg VS903+VB401 Banana Plug Cable

Conductor:Flat OFC
OD:6.0*12.0mm
Copper:* 4.0W*0.25T Foil twist
Insulation:PVC
Connector:VB401 Pure Copper banana Plug

I bet Photonicinduction could make that thing glow like a set of Christmas lights in the dark.

[McBryce]

"Twisted pair" audiophoolery 

https://www.aliexpress.com/item/4001031260857.html

1M ￡26.79 (￡32.67 17% off)
2M ￡34.69 (￡42.30 17% off)
3M ￡42.49 (￡51.82 18% off)
5M ￡58.19 (￡70.96 17% off)

Even without the discounts it's a lot cheaper than the thousands or tens of thousands some audiofoolery brands charge.

Viborg VS903+VB401 Banana Plug Cable

Conductor:Flat OFC
OD:6.0*12.0mm
Copper:* 4.0W*0.25T Foil twist
Insulation:PVC
Connector:VB401 Pure Copper banana Plug

I bet Photonicinduction could make that thing glow like a set of Christmas lights in the dark.

All well and good, but was the copper extruded in the correct direction to enhance clarity and openness? If there's no direction arrows on the cable, then it's just another piece of copper! 

McBryce.