Grumpy Old Geeks Episode 669: HamFest Summary

Release Date: October 12, 2024
Hosts: Jason DeFilippo, Brian Schulmeister, with Dave Bittner

1. WordPress vs. WP Engine Drama

The episode kicks off with a heated discussion about the ongoing conflict between Matt Mullenweg, CEO of Automattic (parent company of WordPress), and WP Engine. Jason and Brian delve into the complexities of trademark infringement accusations leveled by Matt against WP Engine for using "WP" in their branding.

• Jason DeFilippo explains, “[Matt] has been trying to strong arm these people for money for ages” ([01:01]).

• Brian Schulmeister highlights the company’s internal turmoil: “An alignment bonus was offered, and 8% of WP Engine took it up” ([03:25]).

The hosts criticize Matt’s approach, suggesting it reflects broader issues within tech oligarchs. They argue that Automattic’s significant commitment to WordPress core development doesn't excuse the overreach in trademark enforcement.

• Jason DeFilippo states, “Shutting off WordPress users on WP Engine from getting their plugin updates was a complete and utter overreach” ([04:55]).

2. Irvine Police Department's Tesla Cybertruck

Jason and Brian transition to discussing the Irvine Police Department's adoption of Tesla’s Cybertruck, emphasizing concerns over its practicality for law enforcement.

• Brian Schulmeister remarks, “The new cybertruck is only going to be used for the DARE anti-drug program. It’s not suited as a patrol car” ([11:30]).

• Jason DeFilippo critiques the promotional choices: “The promo video set to music from the Terminator... they do know that the bad guy in the second movie is dressed up as a cop” ([12:07]).

They express skepticism about Tesla’s vehicles meeting the demanding needs of police work, especially in high-speed pursuits.

3. Apple Intelligence and AI Summaries

The hosts explore Apple’s upcoming AI features, particularly the text summarization tool introduced in iOS 18.1.

• Jason DeFilippo shares a cautionary tale: “Man learns he's being dumped via dystopian AI summary of texts” ([18:43]). He narrates how an AI summary of breakup texts stripped personal emotions, making the experience feel dystopian yet manageable.

Brian questions the efficacy and sensitivity of AI in nuanced human interactions, pondering its broader implications.

4. Issues with X (Formerly Twitter)

Discussions shift to the legal and operational challenges facing X (formerly Twitter).

• Brian Schulmeister reports, “Despite X's decision to abide by the Brazilian Supreme Court, it isn't back online due to payment errors” ([19:48]).

• Jason DeFilippo adds, “X paid its fines to the wrong bank, delaying restoration for five to seven business days” ([20:44]).

The duo also touches upon X's failed legal maneuver in Australia, where the company claimed it should not be held accountable under the name "Twitter," a stance dismissed by the courts.

5. Internet Archive Under Siege

The Internet Archive faces multiple denial-of-service attacks coinciding with a previous data breach.

• Brian Schulmeister summarizes, “The Internet Archive has been hit with a series of DoS attacks during a breach disclosure” ([21:13]).

• Jason DeFilippo expresses concern over the platform’s security: “It's more disconcerting that it was two separate entities that took them down” ([22:09]).

They lament the vulnerability of crucial internet resources to malicious attacks.

6. Instagram and Threads’ Moderation Backlash

Aggressive content moderation on Meta’s Threads and Instagram platforms has sparked user backlash.

• Jason DeFilippo notes, “Instagram and Threads head Adam Mosseri is looking into moderation complaints” ([23:20]).

• Brian Schulmeister cites a specific incident: “Verge writer Umar Shakir had his Instagram account disabled after being mistakenly flagged as underage” ([23:42]).

The hosts criticize the overzealous use of AI in moderation, leading to unwarranted account restrictions and deletions.

7. Decline of Web Development Tools

The conversation turns to the declining popularity and usage of traditional web development platforms like WordPress, despite available alternatives.

• Brian Schulmeister observes, “There are viable, much better alternatives to WordPress out there, but they aren’t gaining traction” ([07:41]).

• Jason DeFilippo adds, “Most people aren’t making websites like they used to; everything’s app-based these days” ([08:15]).

They discuss platforms like Ghost and Directus, acknowledging their niches but questioning their widespread adoption.

8. Media and Entertainment Reviews

The hosts share their opinions on recent films and TV shows, ranging from superhero narratives to avant-garde cinema.

• Jason DeFilippo praises The Penguin: “The makeup with Colin Farrell is just... he is not in there. It’s amazing” ([26:19]).

• Brian Schulmeister criticizes The Joker, with Jason admitting, “I lasted 37 minutes. I tried. I just couldn’t do it” ([28:43]).

They also touch on upcoming spin-offs and documentaries, reflecting on quality and audience reception.

9. Tesla’s Cyber Cab and Manufacturing Critiques

Tesla’s latest venture, the Cyber Cab, is scrutinized for unrealistic promises and poor build quality.

• Jason DeFilippo cynically remarks, “This thing's never coming out. It’s going to cost $30,000 and come out... maybe by 2030” ([61:59]).

• Brian Schulmeister adds, “Even the Teslas that have been around are shoddily built, frankly” ([62:25]).

The hosts draw parallels to past disappointments with Tesla’s product launches, emphasizing skepticism toward Elon Musk’s commitments.

10. Ham Radio and Technological Nostalgia

Dave Bittner brings a nostalgic perspective, contemplating obtaining a ham radio license for preparedness during natural disasters.

• Dave reflects, “Ham radio has stepped up and provided useful functionality during natural disasters” ([67:13]).

• Jason DeFilippo empathizes with the sentiment: “Maybe this would be a fun thing to do, a fun project to get my license” ([73:12]).

The conversation highlights the balance between embracing old technologies for practical uses and resisting the urge to cling to nostalgic gadgets that no longer serve a purpose.

11. Community Engagement and Feedback

Towards the end, the hosts mention feedback from listeners, including tips and suggestions on app functionalities.

• Jason DeFilippo addresses a listener’s request: “You can use shortcuts automation to toggle screen rotation on an app-by-app basis” ([51:43]).

• Brian Schulmeister shares community observations: “We see a lot of fake posts about celebrities on Threads” ([39:24]).

They encourage audience interaction through donations and reviews, though noting a quieter response in this episode.

Notable Quotes:

• Jason DeFilippo ([01:01]): “Matt just has a bug up his ass because they're eating his lunch over at WP Engine.”

• Brian Schulmeister ([03:25]): “Not insignificant.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([04:55]): “Shutting off WordPress users on WP Engine from getting their plugin updates was a complete and utter overreach.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([11:30]): “The new cybertruck is only going to be used for the DARE anti-drug program. It’s not suited as a patrol car.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([18:43]): “Man learns he's being dumped via dystopian AI summary of texts.”

• Brian Schulmeister ([23:42]): “Verge writer Umar Shakir had his Instagram account disabled after being mistakenly flagged as underage.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([26:19]): “The makeup with Colin Farrell is just... he is not in there. It’s amazing.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([28:43]): “I lasted 37 minutes. I tried. I just couldn’t do it.”

• Brian Schulmeister ([39:24]): “We see a lot of fake posts about celebrities on Threads.”

• Jason DeFilippo ([61:59]): “This thing's never coming out. It’s going to cost $30,000 and come out... maybe by 2030.”

Conclusion

Episode 669 of Grumpy Old Geeks offers a critical and in-depth analysis of the latest tech controversies, ranging from corporate disputes to the pitfalls of AI moderation. The hosts blend nostalgia with skepticism, particularly highlighting the decline of once-dominant platforms like WordPress and the questionable advancements of firms like Tesla. Personal anecdotes and community feedback enrich the discussion, providing listeners with both expert opinions and relatable insights. Despite the apparent decline in listener engagement, the episode remains a comprehensive exploration of current tech struggles, embodying the show’s signature blend of grumpiness and geekery.