Quit gaming some time ago, more a result of no time, but also because of the state of modern gaming. After much deliberation, picked up a Play Date for some casual handheld when I have opportunity to relax, and it's been great fun. Maybe not for everyone -- the screen requires an overhead light source -- but it takes me back to my gameboy days for sure.

Playdate. Order now!

It’s yellow. It fits in your pocket. There’s a crank. It comes with 24 free games to get you started. Say hi to Playdate from Panic.

Encryption must never be backdoored. This is something so fundamental to the notion of what encryption is, that there must never be a compromise here. Pulling an encryption feature rather than rendering it worthless is the only noble path, when faced with these options. Removing Signal from the UK app store (when the addled bureaucrats target it next) is the only noble option.

Let's be clear: I'm far from an Apple apologist, but they didn't "cave" here. A publicly traded company exists to make money, and they'll tap dance to any song the government plays if it means the money keeps flowing. Beings act as they are. It's UK officials who failed, and by proxy, the people who allow them to exist as officials in the first place. That you've allowed mentally addled goofballs into office who think backdoors in encryption are even an option is the failure.

The UK is an embarrassment.

MacRumors

Apple Pulls Encrypted iCloud Security Feature in UK Amid Government Backdoor Demands

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection iCloud feature from the United Kingdom following government demands for backdoor access to encrypt...

I am watching Cubs preseason baseball. Even as they prattle on about the NFL locally (as if there's anything to talk about, really), the thinkin' man's game is back, and I am grateful.

I own the Japanese version of this deck and highly recommend for those who are or might be in to distraction free writers. https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pomera-full-suite-typewriter-for-focused-writing#/

Punxatawny Phil — the past-his-prime fraud who has a success record of 35% — saw his shadow. Thankfully, that hack doesn’t hold a candle to Woodstock Willy, who is 85% correct since he made his way into the prediction game in ‘95 — Willy says an early Spring!