Category: Tech

Revolutionary Tests

I have read many varying opinions of original Thorens turntable belts vs. Thakker belts. Using an RPM phone app, I made my own comparison.

The Thorens belt in my TD-166 MKII has been installed for about six months. It spins 0.49% fast above 33.33 rpm.

The new Thakker runs 0.73% slow, while the graph appears to show less flutter than the Thorens belt. Running slightly fast is generally considered to be preferable to slow on a belt drive turntable. The reason why would take too long to explain.

My direct drive Technics table doesn’t have a quart-locked motor to guarantee speed accuracy. It spins just a tiny bit slow, with noticeably less flutter than either of the belt measurements.

Turntable belts always stretch with use. I’ll leave the Thakker installed in the Thorens table and check the speed periodically.

Those graphs are reminding me to make one of my occasional Kardia heart checks. No flutter here!

In Musk They Trust

How about a review of the Social Security Administration’s processes? Let’s assemble a team of experienced managers and technologists from within the administration, especially if they have concerns about how the administration operates.

Knowledgeable outsiders, including business experts and past SSA personnel, will also be recruited. Input from many beneficiaries will be solicited. After a careful review, new procedures will be recommended and a implementation plan developed for upgrading the technology.

Nah, let’s not do that. Let’s assume there is rampant waste to be found, and we’ll toss a bunch of nervy, inexperienced kids in there, with no knowledge of the existing systems or underlying technology. They’ll tear everything apart, let the chips fall where they may, and everybody will have to hope for the best, especially those who receive Social Security benefits.

https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2025/03/what-could-possibly-go-wrong-doge-to-rapidly-rebuild-social-security-codebase/

Tapping Touch

Kindle Paperwhite (10th generation)

My Kindle e-reader is just new enough to support a feature that’s coming in a firmware update. I’ll be able to tap the side or back of the unit, rather than the screen, to advance to the next page.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/newer-kindles-get-a-work-around-for-touchscreen-page-turning-in-new-software-update/

Having been a fan of the physical buttons on my long dead Kindle Keyboard, I’m looking forward to giving this a try. I could do the update manually via USB, but I’ll wait for it to be pushed out over WiFi.

Kindle Keyboard playing Dragnet MP3

Update: My mistake. Re-reading that article, I see the update on a 10th generation Kindle only includes the Recap feature. I’m not going to buy a new model just to get double-tap and a USB-C connector, rather than the Micro USB on my Paperwhite.

Choose Carefully

A recap: Google notified registered users of its Pixel 4a phone that an update would affect battery performance. Three alternatives were offered in compensation.

I chose to take the $100 credit at the Google Store. Combined with a sale price that was already $100 off, I bought a Pixel 8a for $300.

All’s well that ends well… except when it doesn’t.

I planned to… switch my “appeasement,” but then I noticed the fine print: No changes are possible after making a selection. So—no money for me.

https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2025/03/how-google-nerfed-my-pixel-4a-then-stuck-it-to-me-too/