Google what our chatbot tells you... says Google

Google says people should use its search engine to check whether information provided by its chatbot, Bard, is actually accurate.

Some have suggested chatbots like Bard and ChatGPT could "kill" traditional search, which is dominated by Google. But users have found the information they provide can be wrong or even entirely made up.

Google's UK boss Debbie Weinstein said Bard was "not really the place that you go to search for specific information". Speaking to the BBC's Today programme, she said Bard should be considered an "experiment" best suited for "collaboration around problem solving" and "creating new ideas". "We're encouraging people to actually use Google as the search engine to actually reference information they found," she said. 

Ms Weinstein pointed out users had the opportunity to give feedback on the answers Bard gave them via thumbs up or thumbs down buttons.

Bard's homepage does also clearly state it has "limitations and won't always get it right", but doesn't repeat Ms Weinstein's advice that all results should be checked using an orthodox search engine.

www.bbc.co.uk

The annual "System Administrator Appreciation Day" is the 28th July. Show your love!

Your network is secure, your computer is up and running, and your printer is jam-free. Why? Because you’ve got an awesome System Administrator keeping your business up and running. So say IT loud; say IT proud …

Happy SysAdmin Day! Wait… what exactly is SysAdmin Day? Oh, it’s only the single greatest 24 hours on the planet… and pretty much the most important holiday of the year. It’s also the perfect opportunity to pay tribute to the heroic men and women who, come rain or shine, prevent disasters, keep IT secure and put out tech fires left and right.

At this point, you may be thinking, "Great. I get it. My sysadmin is a rock star 😂. But now what?" Glad you asked! Nice n' easy, & no cost to you at all: give Donline some feedback (please)...

As a valued Donline client, I would like to invite you to go to this link (Trustpilot) & offer honest feedback on my services. If you have previously submitted feedback - I thank you 💖.

www.sysadminday.com

Google: How to stay safe on the internet - don't go there!

Google on Wednesday is starting a new pilot program where some employees will be restricted to internet-free desktop PCs, CNBC has learned.

The company originally selected more than 2,500 employees to participate, but after receiving feedback, the company revised the pilot to allow employees to opt out, as well as opening it up to volunteers. The company will disable internet access on the select desktops, with the exception of internal web-based tools and Google-owned websites like Google Drive and Gmail. Some workers who need the internet to do their job will get exceptions, the company stated in materials.

In addition, some employees will have no root access, meaning they won’t be able to run administrative commands or do things like install software.

Google is running the program to reduce the risk of cyberattacks, according to internal materials. “Googlers are frequent targets of attacks,” one internal description viewed by CNBC stated. If a Google employee’s device is compromised, the attackers may have access to user data and infrastructure code, which could result in a major incident and undermine user trust, the description added.

www.cnbc.com

Today's Reading: On the present moment, and our plans for the future

Never, in peace or war, commit your virtue or your happiness to the future. 

Happy work is best done by the man who takes his long-term plans somewhat lightly and works from moment to moment “as to the Lord.” 

It is only our daily bread that we are encouraged to ask for. 

The present is the only time in which any duty can be done or any grace received.

I remember being taught (many years ago) to set personal short, medium & long term plans (goals), and keep checking progress, to stay on target. A waste of time, & poor idea.

I love life, and by the Grace of God accept & am grateful for whatever comes my way. 

Take your plans easy, don't overstress yourself. 

Try to discern God's will, base your plans around that. 

Commit your plans to the Lord. 

Pray they are His will: if they are you will succeed! 
Always be flexible!

By: C.S. Lewis

From The Weight of Glory

An incredible true story of triumph over adversity

 

Chris and Denise Arthey were involved in a life-changing road accident while on a motorcycle road trip in 2008. They both lost their left legs above the knee.

On work assignment in the USA, they were exploring South Texas when a drunk driver veered into their lane at 80mph, colliding with them almost head-on. They both suffered multiple injuries and Chris was in a coma for many days with internal injuries and severe concussion.

After a long and painful recovery, they were both able to resume the vocations they love. They both enjoy physical fitness, and Chris competes in endurance sports. Using prosthetic legs he has run marathons, competed in the British Paratriathlon Championships, climbed Kilimanjaro and trekked to Everest Base Camp.

They are both ambassadors for Blatchford who make their prostheses, helping with training, trade shows and conferences, product development and testing. Chris now has a master’s degree in Biomechanical Engineering.

I have met Chris & Denise a couple of times at Motolegends breakfast meetings. They are lovely people & truly inspirational! With the extent of their injuries, many people would have given up but they have both risen above their disabilities to greater heights and achievements. Their faith shines through their book, and is truly an inspiration to us all. I love their book & can highly recommend it - enjoy!

www.chrisarthey.co.uk

Business Insurance by Superscript - get £20 off your cover!

When it comes to business insurance, Superscript are bringing flexy back! No yearly commitment, tweak your cover for free and customise your dream policy by choosing only what you need and nothing you don’t.

Business insurance is designed to protect you from the risks associated with running a business. It's a catch-all term to describe a range of covers that protect your business from the risks it faces. Whether you’re a sole trader, running a partnership, or a limited company, you'll want to think about your business's set of risks, and whether you want to cover them.

At Superscript, we’ll help you select exactly what you need. If you want to adapt your level of cover, no problem! You can do so any time at no extra cost.

I've just moved my business insurance to Superscript - a painless clean process. Easy online quote & signup, with helpful staff (should you need). My previous business insurance provider was constantly hiking prices - even though I've made zero claims in 17 years! Superscript quoted me happy for great cover :0).

Use this Superscript referral link to get £20 off your cover: 

http://gosuperscript.com/r/donline-9t4egr

www.gosuperscript.com

Dune: Part Two - watch the trailer here

 

The saga continues as award-winning filmmaker Denis Villeneuve embarks on “Dune: Part Two,” the next chapter of Frank Herbert’s celebrated novel Dune, with an expanded all-star international ensemble cast. The film, from Warner Bros. Pictures and Legendary Pictures, is the highly anticipated follow-up to 2021’s six-time Academy Award-winning “Dune.”

“Dune: Part Two” will explore the mythic journey of Paul Atreides as he unites with Chani and the Fremen while on a warpath of revenge against the conspirators who destroyed his family. Facing a choice between the love of his life and the fate of the known universe, he endeavors to prevent a terrible future only he can foresee.

Villeneuve directed from a screenplay he co-wrote with Jon Spaihts based on Herbert’s novel. The film is produced by Mary Parent, Cale Boyter, Villeneuve, Tanya Lapointe and Patrick McCormick. The executive producers are Josh Grode, Herbert W. Gains, Jon Spaihts, Thomas Tull, Brian Herbert, Byron Merritt, Kim Herbert, with Kevin J. Anderson serving as creative consultant.

Villeneuve is again collaborating with his “Dune” creatives: Oscar-winning director of photography Greig Fraser; Oscar-winning production designer Patrice Vermette; Oscar-winning editor Joe Walker; Oscar-winning visual effects supervisor Paul Lambert; Oscar-nominated costume designer Jacqueline West. Oscar-winning composer Hans Zimmer is again on hand to create the score.

www.youtube.com

25% price increases coming for iCloud

Apple has raised iCloud prices in many markets around the world – and suffice to say, subscribers are not happy.

Customers in the UK, Scandinavia, Eastern Europe, the Middle East and South America are among those affected by the move, which will see iCloud subscription prices jump by around 25% from next month.

In the UK, for instance, Apple’s 50GB iCloud plan has increased from £0.79 to £0.99, the 200GB plan from £2.49 to £2.99, and the 2TB plan from £6.99 to £8.99. US prices remain unaffected for now, as do Apple One prices globally.

www.techradar.com