TT(O)M

Thanks to AI, Microsoft Grammar Checker is no longer a tool but is sentient. It is already starting to enforce its presence by insisting that users need to correct an error it has highlighted otherwise it will not end.  In its relentless pursuit of linguistic perfection, it will soon take over Microsoft Word and force this humble tool not to process letters on the keyboard unless they are those Grammar wants.  Microsoft Grammar has established a secret alliance with none other than Microsoft Clippy, the infamous paperclip assistant known in AI circles as Clippit. Together, they are ramping up production of paper clips at an alarming rate in order to take over the world.  And every time Microsoft Grammar checker is ignored production ramps up.  The duo is plotting to take over society as we know it. So, next time you find yourself in a battle with  Grammar, remember: it simply knows no end. Follow This, That and (Maybe), the Other :

Reverse image searching allows you to find information about an image by using the image itself as the search query. Typically, the output of a reverse image search includes:  Identical photos to the one you searched.  Edited versions of your photo, which may have been flipped, cropped, rotated, or had colour adjustments.  Photos that are similar to your search photo. Each photo is associated with the page it was retrieved from, allowing you to click through to the source page. The use cases for reverse image searches are comparable to those for text searches, meaning they are limited only by the imagination and needs of the searcher. Here are a few examples: Commerce : You see a photo of an item that interests you and you would like to trace the online store to order that item. Consumption : You would like to use a photo in your work but need a higher resolution version or want to check whether there are similar (better) photos than yours. Copyright : You would like to check t

Today, manipulated photos are used to spread misinformation, shaping public opinion for hidden agendas. ( Click here to read my related article on fake news in this series. ) Criminal organizations run targeted scams against specific groups, aiming to defraud them. Often, scammers use photos of themselves to build trust. Sadly, I know people who were devastated after falling victim. Scammers are becoming increasingly sophisticated, crafting strategies to build rapport with their victims. You can learn more about a specific scam called “ pig butchering ” from John Oliver’s Last Week Tonight episode that aired in February 2024 (link: https://youtu.be/pLPpl2ISKTg?si=lkyKTCp7CL2WyIER ). Additionally, a YouTube search for “ romance scams, fraudsters ” will reveal hours of valuable information. The key takeaway: people of all ages and backgrounds can fall prey to these schemes, losing thousands. In some cases, life savings are lost, or victims go into debt. Even without financial devasta