### Issue 1769 - Friday 20th January, 2023

## In Today's Issue

- ACMA to collect data on self regulation of disinformation on social media
- ACCC cracks down on influencers not disclosing they're getting paid
- Wikipedia's desktop web layout gets a mild redesign
- Apple releases Lisa source code, GeForce Now gets RTX4080s, Windows Notepad to get tabs
- Friday Forum Update
- Cheap B&O portable speakers, Nokia G20 smartphne, refurb iPad Mini 4, Boost Mobile SIM, TCL 4K TV & soundbar combo

## The News

### ACMA to collect data on self regulation of disinformation on social media

ACMA is getting "new information-gathering and record-keeping powers" to monitor if digital platforms (i.e: Google, Meta & TikTok) are doing what they said they'll do under the voluntary Australian Code of Practice on Disinformation and Misinformation cooked up by lobby group DIGI at the government's request late last year. ACMA will develop this into a mandatory code if they find that the platforms aren't doing a good enough job at meeting their own set of guidelines. You can view the code in all its glory on DIGI's website. The law firm Gilbert & Tobin has a summary of a draft version of the code from mid-2022.

### ACCC cracks down on influencers not disclosing they're getting paid

That other 4 letter agency, the ACCC, will "next week launch a national sweep of online platforms such as Instagram and TikTok, and is warning those with large followings to be more up-front about whether they are getting paid for product placement" and has even "reached out to its own followers on Facebook, encouraging them to dob in influencers doing the wrong thing". Thank fuck for that. If I was the ACCC I'd take it a step further and mandate a warning on sponsored content like those ads on a box of ciggies with the decaying feet and rotting lungs.

### Wikipedia's desktop web layout gets a mild redesign

If ya didn't already know, Wikipedia got a makeover. Considering the huge scale of Wikipedia and the relative lack of change on one of the world's most visited websites - it's the first update to the desktop site in a decade - this is a big deal. The most noticeable changes are the "sticky header" and table of contents that stay put when you scroll. Having the contents on the side is a good change. They've also limited the width of the content area, so if you have a large window the text isn't one super long, difficult to read line. For something designed by committee, it's pretty good. Congrats on not fucking up Wikipedia!

## Something I Saw On The Internet

### Apple releases Lisa source code, GeForce Now gets RTX4080s, Windows Notepad to get tabs

- The Computer History Museum in Moutain View convinced Apple into releasing source code for the Lisa, just in time for its 40th birthday. You still have to agree to a EULA, which has in it the condition that you do not "publish benchmarking results about the Apple Software or your use of it". Good luck enforcing that Timbo.
- Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming game service now has RTX 4080 "SuperPODs" for rent that take the quality of graphics up a notch. This new option means you can stream your favourite games at 4K and 120fps without having to outlay the cash for a gaming rig of such caliber. You need an internet connection capable of at least 45Mbps though.
- Microsoft is testing a version of Notepad in Windows 11 that adds tabs. There's also "new keyboard shortcut keys to support managing tabs as well as some improvements to managing unsaved files, like automatically generating the file name/tab title based on content and a refreshed unsaved changes indicator". About time.

## Friday Forum Update

Here's five interesting discussions over on The Sizzle's paid subscriber forum for you to enjoy over the weekend. If you are not a paid subscriber but want to get involved, visit https://thesizzle.com.au/payme to get onboard.

- mattd's new place has absolute ratshit NBN speeds and poor LTE/5G coverage, so they're after any alternatives
- georgeharito is in the market for a new Mac and wants to know if it's worth spending the extra cash for 32GB of RAM
- dalan kicked off a show and tell thread for your home's network equipment
- jez chucked Linux Mint on their work computer and likes it enough to keep it there
- warkolm wants to know what people do with the tech gear they're no longer using

## Bargains

- Bang & Olufsen Beosound Explore Portable Speaker - $266 from David Jones
- Nokia G20 unlocked Android smartphone - $109 from Mobileciti
- Refurb iPad Mini 4 - $239 from Mobileciti
- Boost Mobile 140GB 12-Month SIM - $170 from Boost
- TCL 65" C835 4K Full Array Mini LED QLD TV & bonus TS3010 Soundbar - $1,567.40 from JB Hi-Fi

## Image Of The Day

A member of the Ansar Dimachk Brigade, part of the Asood Allah Brigade which operates under the Free Syrian Army, uses an iPad during preparations to fire a homemade mortar at one of the battlefronts in Jobar, Damascus September 15, 2013. (Mohamed Abdullah)

## The End

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