The Actuator – April 1st

sqlrockstar over 4 years ago 1 minute read time

This week’s Actuator comes to you from the middle of week 3 of 7, as our schools are closed until May the Fourth (Be With You). Here in Massachusetts, we’re entering the beginning of the curve, as testing becomes readily available. Wash your hands and stay home, people.

As always, here's a bunch of links I hope you find useful. Enjoy!

Microsoft Wants You to Snack Freely Without Irritating Your Video Conferencing Colleagues
Glad to know the folks in Redmond are focusing on the important stuff.

Netflix, YouTube cut video quality in Europe after pressure from EU official
Understandable, I do the same thing to my children’s devices during the day, so my wife and I can get work done.

Coronavirus slowdown ripples across U.S. grid
This isn’t a story we hear on the news, but one worth telling and sharing.

What the 1918 flu pandemic can teach us about COVID-19, in four charts
Don’t be like Philly.

Awkward pauses in online calls make us see people differently
I find using client applications for meetings (Teams, etc.) helps remove some latency and jitter, as opposed to joining a meeting within a browser.

Trolls exploit Zoom privacy settings as app gains popularity
I’ve never been a fan of Zoom, as their default settings have always been a bit sketchy for my liking.

COVID19 Phishing Scam Tricks People With ‘You Might Be Infected’ Warning
Be safe out there, folks.

Great visualization to remind us all why staying at home is important.

Top Comments

david.botfield over 4 years ago +1

Thanks for the articles. The graphic is a great way to show how social distancing and staying at home works.
ScottRich over 4 years ago +1

The graphic is perfect! thanks for the post.
bobmarley over 4 years ago +1

Thanks for the post!

brianj over 4 years ago

Regarding Zoom, I recently saw an article claiming Elon Musk has ordered his employees to not use Zoom until they have addressed their security issues. I doubt this will have a significant impact on use of Zoom.
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rschroeder over 4 years ago

Phishing, no matter COVID-19 related or not . . . recognize it and treat it appropriately.
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rschroeder over 4 years ago

Awkward pauses are . . . . . . awkward. I agree with a lot of the findings in this story.
But I have a good friend whose mind works differently than mine, and although we live in different countries, and converse via Skype or cell phone, his long and awkward pauses are part of who he is. I've grown comfortable with them and think of them as opportunities to ponder what was just said, and then craft a calm and reasoned response.
Pauses can be . . . good.
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rschroeder over 4 years ago

Trolls. Enough said. Shut 'em down. Find 'em & shut 'em down. No one has time for that behavior, yet their anonymity creates false bravery. Consequences are what are needed. Well, that and better parenting.
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rschroeder over 4 years ago

The Popular Science article about the 1918 Pandemic was excellent--thank you for sharing it. I wish that story were mandatory reading in the public schools every year. Studying history helps us prevent repeating its worst aspects.
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