New Ebook out!

 Hello everyone!  To go alongside this blog, I have recently published a book on Amazon!  Check it out, give it a read!

Unmasking online scams: A guide to staying safe!

I'd rather be in Tos!

 

So this post is going to be a little different, and will review a game, a very old, but great game, Meridian 59!

 This was the very first MMORPG, launched back in 1996. It attracted 100's of players! This pioneer of a game has become open source, and has picked up in terms of players returning & joining!

M59 has a very simple and easy to use UI, and is very simple to jump into the game and begin playing.  Although character creation is quite simple, once you become a more advanced player, you will understand the skill point, and skill choices more clearly.  These choices you make at the beginning can highly affect your character and what you choose to practice and how you play your character in general.

The community within M59 is amazing. You'll find a wide variety of players/people of all ages! You will come across new players and old players (like myself) who have played this game for years.  I have a character on Server 102 which is 400 years old.  The community is very driven to keep balance in the game by way of player run politics (factions, soldier shields, even the economy!) All of it is controlled by those who play.  There is also an awesome group of Gods on the server!  These gods range from simple help characters to the major gods, all of which run tournaments and events, and keep the peace over the servers. They are also known for handing out gifts from time to time.  If you're really lucky you can be gifted special items!

With the many different cities within the game, you can always find something to do. Each city holds different vendors willing to sell you items, weapons and armors. There are guild halls available as well, which if you find a group of people to join, you can rent a hall that has different types of storage chests, that make for stashing items.  Guild halls also provide space for meetings etc.  These guild halls can also be attack via PvP methods!

M59 has, in my opinion, the best PvP mechanics of any game out there! There are many ways to "buff" your character, with the wide variety of spells available, and many ways to attack both monsters and players! With many different weaponcraft choices, there are a range of weapons to choose from and specialize in, if you are looking at becoming a pure fighter. Along with the many different types of spell schools, creating a pure mage is quite easy as well! 

Currently there are on average 25-40 people on server 101, and lately there is always some form of action, be it PvP, simple PvE, or events. The server is growing and the community is thriving, come on in and have some fun!!

Check out one of the awesome events here:   Orc attack!!

Here's an excellent review by one of our Brazilian players:  Meridian 59 

This site is a must see if you play Meridian 59:  Gilroy's Meridian59

 

  Keep an eye on this post for future updates!

 

ChatGPT, How fun it is.

 Below is an article regarding ChatGPT, and is written by ChatGPT with some of my own input. Enjoy.

Exploring the Capabilities of ChatGPT

Introduction

ChatGPT, developed by OpenAI, is a state-of-the-art language model that uses machine learning to engage in human-like text conversations. It’s a sibling to InstructGPT and both are descendants of the powerful GPT-3 model.

How Does ChatGPT Work?

ChatGPT is trained using Reinforcement Learning from Human Feedback (RLHF). Initially, human AI trainers provide conversations where they play both sides—the user and the AI assistant. These trainers also have access to model-written suggestions to help compose responses. This new dialogue dataset is mixed with the InstructGPT dataset, transformed into a dialogue format.

To create a reward model for reinforcement learning, comparison data is collected. This involves taking a model-written message, sampling alternative completions, and having AI trainers rank them. The model is then fine-tuned using Proximal Policy Optimization and several iterations of this process are performed.

What Can ChatGPT Do?

ChatGPT can perform a variety of tasks such as drafting emails, writing Python code, creating conversational agents, tutoring in a range of academic subjects, translating languages, simulating characters for video games, and even writing poetry or jokes. It’s a versatile tool with a wide range of applications.

Limitations and Safety Measures

While ChatGPT is impressive, it’s not without limitations. It can sometimes write incorrect or nonsensical answers, and is sensitive to tweaks in input phrasing. It can also be excessively verbose and overuse certain phrases.

OpenAI has implemented safety mitigations to prevent harmful and untruthful outputs, and uses a Moderation API to warn or block certain types of unsafe content. User feedback is invaluable in improving these systems.

Conclusion

ChatGPT is a powerful tool that showcases the potential of AI in language understanding and generation. Its capabilities are vast, and while it has limitations, the continuous improvements and safety measures implemented by OpenAI make it a promising technology for various applications.

Remember, this is just a draft and might need further refinements. Let me know if you need help with anything else.

AI - the basics

The Basics of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a fascinating field that has been making waves in the tech industry. It’s a broad term that refers to machines or software that mimic human intelligence, learn from experiences, adapt to new inputs, and perform tasks that would normally require human intelligence. Here are some of the basics you need to know about AI.

What is AI?
AI is a branch of computer science that aims to create systems capable of performing tasks that would normally require human intelligence. These tasks include learning, reasoning, problem-solving, perception, and language understanding.

Types of AI
There are two main types of AI: Narrow AI and General AI.

Narrow AI, also known as Weak AI, is designed to perform a narrow task such as voice recognition. These systems can only learn or be taught how to do specific tasks.

General AI, also known as Strong AI, are systems that possess the ability to perform any intellectual task that a human being can do. They can understand, learn, adapt, and implement knowledge in different domains.

Machine Learning
Machine Learning (ML) is a subset of AI. It’s a method of data analysis that automates analytical model building. It’s based on the idea that systems can learn from data, identify patterns and make decisions with minimal human intervention.

Deep Learning
Deep Learning is a subset of ML. It mimics the workings of the human brain in processing data for use in decision making. Deep learning algorithms use artificial neural networks with several layers (hence the “deep” in deep learning).

Applications of AI
AI has a wide range of applications including but not limited to:

Healthcare: AI can be used for dosing drugs and different treatment in patients, and for surgical procedures in the operating room.
Automotive: Self-driving cars are one of the most exciting advancements in AI.
Finance: AI can be used for personal finance management, algorithmic trading, adaptive fraud detection, and underwriting loans and insurance.
Cybersecurity: AI can be used to detect anomalies and prevent cyber attacks.
The Future of AI
The future of AI holds significant promise. As technology continues to advance, we can expect to see more sophisticated applications of AI in areas like healthcare, transportation, cybersecurity, and education.

Remember, this is just scratching the surface of what AI is all about. The field is vast and constantly evolving with new research and developments happening all the time.

Scams against Seniors and the Elderly

 

Figured I'd add an update post, as it is going around once again:  Stay Safe!!

Scams against seniors are unfortunately all too common. Seniors are often targeted by scammers because they may be seen as more vulnerable, trusting, and less tech-savvy than younger individuals. These scams can be devastating for seniors, both financially and emotionally. In this blog post, we will discuss some of the most common scams against seniors and how to protect against them.

1. Medicare (Medical Insurance) Scams

Scammers often pretend to be Medicare representatives and call seniors claiming that they need to update their information or issue a new card. They will then ask for sensitive information like social security numbers, bank account information, or Medicare numbers. In reality, Medicare representatives will never call or email you asking for personal information. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to the Police.

2. Tech Support Scams

Tech support scams are when scammers call or email seniors claiming that their computer is infected with a virus or malware. They then offer to fix the issue for a fee or request remote access to the computer, giving them access to personal information. It's essential to remember that legitimate tech support companies will never call or email you unsolicited. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to the Police.

3. Grandparent Scams

In this scam, scammers call seniors pretending to be their grandchild, claiming they are in trouble and need money urgently. They may ask for money to be sent via wire transfer or prepaid debit cards. It's crucial to verify the identity of the person calling by asking personal questions that only the grandchild would know. Also, consider checking with other family members before sending any money.

4. Sweepstakes Scams

Scammers may contact seniors claiming they have won a sweepstake or lottery, but they need to pay fees or taxes to claim the prize. These scammers may ask for personal information or ask seniors to send money via wire transfer or gift cards. Legitimate sweepstakes or lottery companies will never ask for money upfront to claim a prize. If you receive such a call, hang up and report it to the Police.

5. Investment Scams

Investment scams are when scammers offer seniors high-return investments or low-risk investments that are too good to be true. They may pressure seniors to invest quickly or claim that the opportunity is only available for a limited time. It's important to remember that any investment comes with risks, and seniors should do their research and consult with a trusted financial advisor before making any investments.

Protecting Against Scams

To protect against scams, seniors should be wary of unsolicited calls or emails asking for personal information or money. It's essential to verify the identity of the person or company before giving out any information or sending money. Seniors should also consider registering their phone number with the National Do Not Call Registry and using call-blocking tools to reduce unwanted calls.

Conclusion

Scams against seniors are unfortunately prevalent and can be devastating. Seniors should be aware of the common scams and take steps to protect themselves. By being cautious and verifying the identity of anyone who contacts them, seniors can reduce their risk of falling victim to scams. If you or a loved one has been a victim of a scam, report it to the Police immediately.

 

 

 

Windows S Mode

 Planning on buying a new laptop soon? Then read on!

I have had a lot of questions come my way lately regarding Windows® S mode.  So please give the following a read, before heading out to purchase a new laptop. Feel free to drop some comments or email me if you require any help!

Windows S mode is a version of Windows 10 that was introduced by Microsoft in 2018. It is designed to be a streamlined and more secure version of the operating system, and it is intended for use on low-end devices like budget laptops and tablets.

One of the primary differences between Windows S mode and regular Windows 10 is that S mode only allows users to download and install apps from the Microsoft Store. This is intended to help prevent users from accidentally downloading and installing malware or other malicious software onto their devices. Additionally, Windows S mode is designed to be more efficient and faster than regular Windows 10, which can be beneficial on low-end hardware.

Another benefit of Windows S mode is that it comes with Microsoft's BitLocker encryption software built-in. This means that if your device is lost or stolen, your data will be protected from unauthorized access.

While Windows S mode can be a great choice for some users, there are a few potential downsides to be aware of. First and foremost, the app restrictions can be quite limiting. If you need to use a specific app that isn't available in the Microsoft Store, you won't be able to use it on a device running Windows S mode. Additionally, some users may find the inability to download and install software from outside the Microsoft Store to be overly restrictive.

Fortunately, it is possible to switch out of Windows S mode if you decide that it isn't right for you. Simply go to the Microsoft Store and search for "Switch out of S mode," and follow the instructions provided.

Overall, Windows S mode can be a good choice for users who are looking for a streamlined and more secure version of Windows 10. However, if you need the flexibility to install apps from outside the Microsoft Store, you may want to consider sticking with regular Windows 10.

Sweepstakes Scams: What They Are and How to Avoid Them

 

 

Sweepstakes are a popular way for businesses to promote their products and services, and they can be a fun way for consumers to potentially win prizes. However, there are also unscrupulous individuals who use sweepstakes as a way to scam people out of their money. In this blog post, we will discuss what sweepstakes scams are and provide tips on how to avoid falling victim to them.

What are Sweepstakes Scams?

Sweepstakes scams are a type of fraud that involves tricking people into giving away their money or personal information in exchange for the chance to win a prize. There are several different ways that scammers may try to execute a sweepstakes scam, including:

1. Fake Sweepstakes: Scammers may create fake sweepstakes that are designed to look like legitimate promotions. They may use logos, branding, and language that is similar to that of a real company to make their scam appear more convincing.

2. Upfront Payment Scams: Some sweepstakes scams require people to pay an upfront fee to enter the contest. Once the payment is made, the scammer may disappear, or they may continue to ask for more money under the guise of additional fees or taxes.

3. Prize Delivery Scams: Scammers may contact people and inform them that they have won a prize, but they need to provide personal information, such as their social security number, to claim it. Once the scammer has this information, they can use it for identity theft or other nefarious purposes.

4. Email and Phone Scams: Scammers may contact people via email or phone and inform them that they have won a prize. However, to claim the prize, they must provide personal information or pay an upfront fee.

How to Avoid Sweepstakes Scams

Now that we have discussed what sweepstakes scams are let's look at some tips on how to avoid them:

1. Do Your Research: Before entering any sweepstakes, take the time to research the company offering the promotion. Look for reviews, check their website, and search for news articles or press releases related to the contest.

2. Never Pay to Enter a Sweepstakes: Legitimate sweepstakes will never require you to pay an upfront fee to enter or claim a prize.

3. Protect Your Personal Information: Never give out your social security number, bank account information, or other sensitive personal information to someone claiming to be from a sweepstakes promotion.

4. Be Skeptical of Unsolicited Contact: If you receive an email or phone call informing you that you have won a prize, be wary. Legitimate sweepstakes will not contact winners in this way.

5. Use Common Sense: If something seems too good to be true, it probably is. Use common sense and trust your instincts when evaluating a sweepstakes promotion.

In conclusion, sweepstakes scams can be a serious problem for consumers. By following the tips outlined in this blog post, you can help protect yourself from falling victim to a sweepstakes scam. Remember, if you have any doubts about a promotion's legitimacy, it's always better to err on the side of caution and avoid entering altogether.