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WEEKLY NEWSLETTER 23 - 28 SEPTEMBER, 2024
Hello and Welcome,
Meeting TODAY
2024/09/21 — 14:00-16:00 — September, Sat — Web Design
SPCTUG Zoom Web Design Meeting
Time: Saturday, 21st September, 2024, 14:00 Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86141133224
Meeting ID: 861 4113 3224
Passcode: WebDesign
Meetings This Week
NO MEETINGS
Meeting Next Week
2024/10/01 — 18:00-20:00 — October, Tue — Main Meeting
SPCTUG Zoom Main Meeting
Time: Tuesday 1st October, 2024, 18:00 Canberra, Melbourne, Sydney
Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84608773479
Meeting ID: 846 0877 3479
Passcode: SydPCMain
Schedule of Current & Upcoming Meetings
First Tuesday 18:00-20:00 — Main Meeting
Third Tuesday 10:00-12:00 — Tuesday Group
Third Saturday 14:00-16:00 — Web Design
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Go to the official Sydney PC Calendar for this month's meeting details.
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ASCCA News:Tech News:
Google Brings Back Archived Page Links
See the InfoPackets article by John Lister on September 16, 2024, at 01:09 pm EDT.
Google is to make it easier to find copies of pages that are no longer available on websites. The change comes several months after Google removed its cache of web pages.
Instead, users will be able to follow a link to the archived copy at the Internet Archive's "Wayback Machine."
Before this year, many Google search results included a link to Google's cached copies of web pages. Google made these copies when scanning a web page for content and links to help decide when and where it should appear in search rankings.
The cached copy available in the search results is the most recent copy Google had of the page while it was still online. That would be hugely useful if the web page were no longer available, for example, if it was from a website that had closed down or deleted old content. It was also helpful if a website was overloaded and the page was temporarily inaccessible.
Cache Links 'Unnecessary'
Earlier this year, Google ditched the feature, saying it was no longer necessary because websites were now more dependable. At the time, Google's Danny Sullivan said he'd like to add links to the Internet Archive in their place, which is now happening.
The Internet Archive aims to be a historical record of online content, including web pages, media files, and software. Its idea is to be a permanent record for historians and researchers similar to how some libraries try to keep physical copies of books and printed documents.
Among the Internet Archive's features is the Wayback Machine, which lets users search for a site or type in a URL. They can then look back through a calendar to get links to archived web page copies from different dates over the years.
Bonus Results Feature
Google search results will soon include a link to the relevant Wayback Machine page. It will be accessible in the search results by clicking or tapping on the three vertical dots by the side of the website address and then looking through the "About this result" section for the "More About This Page" option. (Source: searchengineland.com)
Not all pages on the Internet Archive will be accessible this way, though, thanks to Google's slightly more cautious legal approach. It notes, "the link to archived webpages will not be available in instances where the rights holder has opted out of having their site archived or if the webpage violates content policies." (Source: archive.org)
What's Your Opinion?
Have you ever used Google's cached links? Have you heard about the Internet Archive and the Wayback Machine? Is this a smart replacement for Google's cached links?
Comments
Wayback Machine — Submitted by ronangel1 on Mon, 16/09/2024 — 14:40.
This will stop many people and make them think twice about libelling people and then quickly remove the content when they threaten to sue!
I often used the cached links — Submitted by doulosg on Mon, 16/09/2024 — 14:50.
I have missed the cached links in search results, but not enough to look for the Internet Archive (a term I haven't heard before) or the Wayback Machine (which I have heard of). I expect to use the new feature, which may be a valuable introduction to the WBM.
Will it be the old cache? — Submitted by Chief on Mon, 16/09/2024 — 16:58.
How do we know Google won't "sanitize" the link?
With all the talk (and action) about "mis-" and "dis-" information, how do we know?
This will be interesting to watch, comparing our archived snapshots with their "links".
As you may have guessed, I don't trust them one bit (or byte).
Not the old cache — Submitted by doulosg on Mon, 16/09/2024 —- 18:09.
The way I read the article, these are NOT the "old cache" but a different link (presumably not Google's) entirely.
Do you read it differently?
Are they identical? — Submitted by Chief on Mon, 16/09/2024 — 18:52.
That's exactly how I read it, so I don't trust them.
Google Reveals Election Security Efforts
See the InfoPackets article by John Lister on September 6, 2024, at 03:09 pm EDT.
Google has revealed a series of measures aimed at better informing US voters while reducing the risk of malicious misinformation. These include restrictions on its AI tools and better protection against cyber-attacks for election and campaign officials.
The measures broadly break down into three categories. The first is better information for users trying to learn more about elections. For example, users who search YouTube for the name of an election candidate will get an information panel detailing the official website and video channel links for the candidate. (Source: engadget.com)
Similarly, people searching for voter registration will get a list of "authoritative information" from state election offices. This will effectively override whatever the normal Google algorithm would consider the "best" results for such a search.
AI Tools Restricted
The second category is artificial intelligence, which is timely given Google's recent heavy push for its Gemini tool. Results created by Gemini will be heavily restricted or removed from search results or video summaries relating to the election topic. Again, that's an admission that the results aren't reliable or trustworthy enough for such a sensitive topic.
Google is also reviewing how people may use AI and similar tools to try to violate some of its core policies on elections, such as when it sells online advertising. For example, while candidates can make claims about their rivals that some may consider misleading, Google doesn't automatically crack down on this. Contrastingly, advertisers cannot falsely claim voting dates to mislead opposing supporters.
Account Security Boosted
Google notes, "We are not seeing dramatic shifts in tactics compared to previous election cycles. To the extentwe see bad actors use AI, it generally increases the speed or scale of their information operations, rather than deploying new strategies." (Source: blog.google)
Finally, Google says it's continuing to offer strengthened account security and defences against denial-of-service attacks and other cyber threats against users at high risk during an election period. This includes journalists, election officials, and candidates. The theory here is that a hijacked journalist account could be used to spread false information more credibly.
What's Your Opinion?
Are these smart moves by Google? Do any of them go too far? How much responsibility do big tech firms have for reducing misinformation during an election period?
Keyboard Shortcuts
Hello All Web Designers,
While there are literally hundreds of keyboard combinations that allow blind and physically disabled users to navigate a webpage, the following examples are ideal for quick access and checks by web designers:
Manage Extensions: Ctrl + Shift + A
Show/Hide Bookmarks Bar: Ctrl + Shift + B — Very handy if you want to take a screenshot but not reveal all your Bookmarks [ — Ed ].
Open "Page Inspector": Ctrl + Shift + C
Find words/numbers on the Page: Ctrl + Shift + G
Show/Hide Responsive Web-pages: Ctrl + Shift + M
Note: "C" opens the full Page Inspector, while "M" opens just the responsive view.
Enjoy,
Cheers,
— John Lucke
Fun Facts:
OPPO X 2021 — Rollable Concept Handset, Unroll the Infinite
See the OPPO article on the X 2021 Rollable Phone.
OPPO Rollable Phone
OPPO X 2021 — Infinitely Rollable, Infinite Possibilities
The OPPO X 2021 is a rollable concept phone featuring a scroll-like display. Built with an OLED flexible screen that measures as small as 6.7 inches and as large as 7.4 inches, thanks to a dynamic sliding frame, it extends and retracts smoothly with no complex folding involved.
Rollable Display
No Folding, No Boundaries
You can define your boundaries with a continuously variable OLED display that is infinitely adjustable between a minimum of 6.7 inches and a maximum of 7.4 inches.
With infinite power in your hands, you have instant access to a phone or tablet without the screen creases often associated with traditional folding screens.
Dynamic Sliding Frame
Smooth Rolling, Dependable Support
Rollable Phone — Closed
Rollable Phone — Open
A combination of a fixed frame and a sliding frame helps protect the device regardless of its display size. As the display unrolls or retracts, the sliding frame and the rear battery cover move off the panel to provide better protection and a seamless experience.
Magic Side Button
Swipe to Unroll or Retract
The side button works to lock and unlock the device and extend and retract the rollable display. Swipe up to instantly unroll an expanded vision. Swipe down or double-click to retract into a compact device.
Roll Motor:
Where the Rolling Magic Happens
To create a display that automatically retracts and extends smoothly, OPPO's structural engineers custom-developed the Roll Motor powertrain. Two built-in drive motors generate a constant force for the display, and as the display moves in or out, stress is equally distributed so that the display can sustain even a sudden push or pull without damage.
6.8mm Axis: the Secret to a Traceless Rollable Display.
After extensive testing, OPPO engineers discovered that the central axis's 6.8-millimetre diameter allowed the display to bend without leaving any visible traces or creases on the screen. As the display unrolls or retracts, it moves along this central axis, with the slider ensuring it follows a smooth arc.
2-in-1 Plate:
Strong, Seamless Support
The innovative 2-in-1 Plate supports the display with zero gaps between segments. Two support substrates on either side of the device feature comb-like structures that enable the 2-in-1 Plate to effectively support the display and prevent it from collapsing inward.
When the display retracts, a single surface forms as the two support substrates interlock; when the display unrolls, one substrate slides out to support the display.
Warp Track Laminate: Flexible Resilience
Inspired by Caterpillar Tracks
The increase in the display's overall thickness affects the degree to which it can bend, making it necessary to develop a screen that is both thick and resilient. OPPO's self-developed Warp Track laminate successfully raises the screen's overall strength while keeping it flexible.
Rollable Phone — Tracks
1. High-strength rolled steel
2. Linear caterpillar track patterns
3. 0.1 mm at its thinnest
4. Tank track toughness
A New Solution for Hardware
The OPPO X 2021 redefines the inner dynamics of mobile devices by optimizing the layout for cameras, batteries, speakers and antennas, unlocking new possibilities for future smartphone form factors and how we use our phones.
OPPO X 2021
Forever Unrolling Boundaries
The OPPO X 2021 Rollable Concept Handset marks the arrival of the third generation of foldable smartphones. Its infinitely adjustable screen size and traceless bending screen represent the beginning of an entirely new experience for electronic devices. With the rollable phone, you hold an infinite world in your hands.
Meeting Location & Disclaimer
Bob Backstrom
~ Newsletter Editor ~
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