The Off Topic Topic

[Syt]

[mongers]

The canberras had to fly 10ft above the heads of the scientists as part of a programme to calibrate radars. Full story here:

The Cold War secrets behind a butterfly sanctuary

[grumbler]

The canberras had to fly 10ft above the heads of the scientists as part of a programme to calibrate radars. Full story here:

The Cold War secrets behind a butterfly sanctuary

Another reason to question anecdotal evidence.  If aircraft are trying to fly at ten feet above that van, you are going to have some runs result in Rapid Aircraft Kinetic Disassembly when the wind lulls.  I'm not even sure the aircraft altimeters of that period were accurate within 10 feet.

[Syt]

Die Tagespresse (Austrian version of The Onion) had a stunt a while back where they wrote to restaurants in Lower Austria in letters that purported to be from the FPÖ that urged them to put schnitzel on the menu and remove foreign dishes.

The FPÖ sued and the courts agreed that Tagespresse has to commit to not doing this in future. They also had to cover the legal costs (EUR 40,000). But there were no damages awarded (not sure if they could in this scenario in Austria, but whatever).

Additionally, the FPÖ was permitted to publish the court decision in Lower Austrian media at the expense of Tagespresse (estimated EUR 62,700) within 4 weeks. Unfortunately, the FPÖ misread and thought the Tagespresse had to publish the decision, so now the deadline has passed and the decision isn't published, so the Tagespresse now gloats and runs a story that the FPÖ "gifted" them this amount. Oops.

Just goes to show what kind of "experts" are working for the FPÖ.

[mongers]

To a layman a drone conjures up words like, small, or agile, clearly Kim knows better:



N Korea's Kim inspects test of 'AI suicide attack drones'

N Korea's Kim inspects test of 'AI suicide attack drones'

Jake Lapham


North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has been pictured inspecting new suicide drones, which state media say have been equipped with artificial intelligence (AI).

The undated images released by the secretive state's official Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) show Kim flanked by officials on a runway inspecting a drone.

Kim agreed to a plan for expanding production of the equipment, KCNA added.

Analysts have said the development of the technology was likely assisted by Russia, which North Korea has supported recently by sending its soldiers to help with Moscow's war in Ukraine.

James Patton Rogers, executive director of the Cornell Brooks Tech Policy Institute and drone expert, agreed the attack drone was evidence of the "fruits" of the increasingly close ties the two have forged in recent years.

Though Im not sure the bbc is showing the right image, as that thing looks a lot like the old US long range recon drone, called compass? something?

How difficult would it be for the USAF or Korean air force to find that thing in the huge haystack that is Korean airspace?

[Tonitrus]

Though Im not sure the bbc is showing the right image, as that thing looks a lot like the old US long range recon drone, called compass? something?

How difficult would it be for the USAF or Korean air force to find that thing in the huge haystack that is Korean airspace?

Global Hawk ripoff. 

[mongers]

Though Im not sure the bbc is showing the right image, as that thing looks a lot like the old US long range recon drone, called compass? something?

How difficult would it be for the USAF or Korean air force to find that thing in the huge haystack that is Korean airspace?

Global Hawk ripoff. 

Yes the name I was thinking of, the Compass Cope, was this successful 1970s prototype, the program for which was cancelled:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ryan_YQM-98_R-Tern

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

'AI suicide attack drones'

In other words, a fucking cruise missile.

[frunk]

'AI suicide attack drones'

In other words, a fucking cruise missile.

The difference is they've made it self-aware so it knows the agony of death.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

The difference is they've made it self-aware so it knows the agony of death.

So, it's just a Tomahawk with feels.

[Josquius]

The twist is it's not actually AI at all. Rather the control system is the disembodied head of a dissident in a jar.

[Baron von Schtinkenbutt]

A dissident is probably a bad choice for such a system, as it's likely to decide to swing back and take out the launch base.  Better to use a true believer who will gladly give up their life for the Emperor Dear Leader.

[Josquius]

Anyone know much about cars?
I've had a problem lately with the cars engine light coming on when the battery is first powered up, then going off when driving. My GF insisted oil level was OK and it was just a problem with the scanner...
Upon checking it though nope, its been running without oil for months.
I could really do without spending my savings on a new car so I've had to put some in. First I went with the one recommend by a shop but I suspect they sold me some hyper expensive premium shit I didn't need. And now I have to put more in- that little bottle barely went over the minimum level and now the light is back.

This question:

https://www.reddit.com/r/explainlikeimfive/comments/4umcp8/eli5_the_ratings_of_engine_oil_ie_5w10_5w30_etc/

Is a very good one for understanding the basics of what engine oil ratings mean.

However I have found in trying to figure out which one I need there's a lot more to it than just e.g. 5w30. There's a lot of other letters before this too

Checking Halford's website for this given number for instance

https://www.halfords.com/search?q=5w%2F30

I see INEO, NFC, ECS, ones with no extra codes, and all sorts.

These seem to be more than just brand names, just what do all these extra letters and numbers mean?

Is 5w30 (or any other code) always the same or is there some big material difference between the different types?

I note for instance this Halfords recommends me this
https://www.halfords.com/motoring/engine-oils-and-fluids/engine-oil/quartz-ineo-rcp-5w30-5l-367123.html?_gl=1*1nida2l*_up*MQ..*_gs*MQ..&gclid=Cj0KCQjwtJ6_BhDWARIsAGanmKfJ6_viwKX8iRXU6ttVCa0l4rtdgVnXxPMjc9v4oSZwT0RLT9mP8RAaAugvEALw_wcB&gclsrc=aw.ds&plpPlacement=2

but googling a random site seems to show this very similar but somehow different (slightly differnt box highlighted on the bottle) for half the price


https://www.mister-auto.co.uk/engine-oil-totalenergies-963-213683-p/

[mongers]

Anyone know much about cars?
I've had a problem lately with the cars engine light coming on when the battery is first powered up, then going off when driving. My GF insisted oil level was OK and it was just a problem with the scanner...
Upon checking it though nope, its been running without oil for months.
I could really do without spending my savings on a new car so I've had to put some in. First I went with the one

Is 5w30 (or any other code) always the same or is there some big material difference between the different types?

.. snip ....

Sounds like a British car. 

Those are the only things I know, used to have an allegro that burnt 1 pint of oil per 100 miles, so yes that just had the bog standard stuff you mention.

[Grey Fox]

Go to a shop. A pint was not enough.