Despite sanctions and a lack of leading-edge fab tools, CXMT keeps developing new DDR5 and LPDDR5X memory chips that offer higher capacity and performance than their predecessors. However, the big question is whether it can produce DDR5-8000 and LPDDR5X-10667 in high volumes.
Source: Latest from Tom’s Hardware.
Torniamo con la seconda parte del nostro pezzo sui servizi e le attività del teatro Politeama-Foglietti di Catanzaro, dopo la prima di ieri (leggi qui: https://irriverentemente.com/?p=24795), parlando ancora di quello di accoglienza-assistenza degli spettatori in occasione degli spettacoli. E vediamo come stanno le cose tra bandi fatti e forse persino… omessi. Rispetto a cui la Pec inviata dalla Fondazione agli operatori delle agenzie per l’organizzazione di eventi recita, inizialmente, “il numero di maschere (hostess e steward richiesti, ndr) verrà comunicato, per ciascun spettacolo, degli uffici della Fondazione, una volta verificata la partecipazione del pubblico. La ditta si impegna a rispettare tutte le norme relative agli obblighi fiscali, previdenziali e assistenziali, le norme antinfortunistiche e di sicurezza, di protezione dei lavoratori, con specifico riferimento ai locali di pubblico spettacolo”. Che, sempre tradotto dal linguaggio tecnico come fatto ieri, significa: l’azienda aggiudicatrice deve farsi carico di tutti gli “annessi e i connessi”, in termini economici, riferiti alla somministrazione del servizio. A fronte, come ovvio, della cifra stabilita nell’avviso, al netto del massimo ribasso per vincere la gara.
La somma complessiva stabilita
Ma ecco subito la somma stabilita, utile a pagare solo un’hostess o uno steward per 3 ore di lavoro a serata fino a notte inoltrata. In merito la Pec della Fondazione recita: “L’offerta economica è relativa a un modulo persona/servizio (una ragazza o un ragazzo, qui citati nel freddo linguaggio burocratico, il cosiddetto burocratese, ndr) al costo unitario a base per affidamento servizio pari a euro 54 (di partenza, perché come vedremo immediatamente a seguire, con il ribasso d’asta si scende di ulteriori 9€, ndr). Le offerte al ribasso non potranno essere inferiori a euro 45 per modulo persona/servizio. Il costo unitario base è calcolato a modulo persona/servizio, considerando una durata media degli spettacoli di 3 ore ciascuno”. Ma vi è anche di più. Perché l’operatore che si è rivolto a noi, fornendoci copia firmata della Pec ricevuta al pari di altri 6/7 colleghi imprenditori dal Dg del Teatro si è pure lamentato della tempistica. Davvero serrata in rapporto a una stagione che invece si prepara da mesi.
Tempi europei? No, quasi da record
Tempi europei? No, quasi da record. Considerato come, a fronte di una comunicazione inviata giovedì scorso, si precisi nella stessa mail che: “L’offerta economica, sottoscritta dal legale rappresentante della ditta, dovrà pervenire a mezzo Pec al seguente indirizzo [email protected] entro le ore 12 di dopodomani (venerdì 28 novembre, ndr) e dovrà evidenziare il costo modulo persona/servizio in base agli elementi sopra forniti”. E, relativamente poco, anche il tempo concesso, una volta vinto il bando per così dire, per organizzare il primo “turno di lavoro” con 6 unità (hostess/steward) per un, non meglio precisato nella Pec del Foglietti, evento esterno molto importante.
Ma qual è il prezzo giusto per un ragazzo impegnata una serata intera, fino a notte, al Foglietti Politeama
Alla luce di quanto scritto, quindi, per ogni giovane impegnato, prevalentemente in orario serale e notturno un giorno festivo o prefestivo, la Fondazione Politeama pagherebbe all’agenzia che li mette a disposizione (una volta applicato il quasi sicuro massimo ribasso d’asta) 15€ all’ora. Anzi, no! Perché le 45€, diviso 3 per le ore di lavoro svolte, non sono nette, bensì lorde. Considerato che bisogna defalcare tutte le spese da sostenere (come premesso per rispettare doverosamente le varie “norme relative agli obblighi fiscali, previdenziali e assistenziali, antinfortunistiche e di sicurezza, di protezione dei lavoratori, con specifico riferimento ai locali di pubblico spettacolo”) e il legittimo margine di guadagno della ditta fornitrice del servizio accoglienza. La domanda, allora, è (e resta) una: quanto bisognerebbe dare all’ora a hostess e steward: 5, 6 o 7, euro all’ora? Salvo, per un imprenditore privato, non solo non guadagnarci per il suo lavoro quanto addirittura rimetterci, una volta affrontate le spese obbligatorie per garantire il servizio. Seconda e ultima domanda la poniamo infine nuovamente sul bando pubblicità per la stagione teatrale ormai alle porte, quella cioè fatta tramite la fornitura e diffusione di brochure e depliant. Avviso che vorremmo tanto leggere.
Source: Irriverentemente.
Black Friday deal alert: Normally priced at $399, the Cricut Maker 3 is now available at a 27% discount for Black Friday, bringing the price down to $280. That’s not only a great bargain, but it’s your new excuse to score one of the most creative crafting machines on the market.
One of the things I enjoy most about my Cricut is the many ways I can use it. While the clever car decals and cutesy T-shirts are fun, it’s not always obvious how much this machine can do until you have one in your home.
I’ve made a puzzle with a photo of my sister’s favorite family, custom place cards for family dinners and unique vinyl runners for my kitchen cabinets — all from this same machine. I’ve even made acid-etched glassware as gifts for a bridal party, which was its own adventure.
My friends and family frequently ask me which Cricut is the right one to buy, and for the last four years, my answer has always been the same. Even though Cricut just released its new Explore 4 and Maker 4 machines, I think the best Cricut for the money right now remains the Maker 3. And since it’s not the latest model, you can get it for much less than the newest machine.
Right now, the basic Cricut Maker 3 is available for $119 offduring Amazon’s Black Friday sale. That drops the price down to $291 from its usual list price of $399.
When the Cricut Maker 3 was released, it represented a massive shift in the crafting world. Cricut as a company had already become something of a household name in maker circles, but the Maker 3 is effectively everything you need to start a small craft business wrapped up in a single machine. It supports over 300 different materials and allows you to easily swap out the primary cutting tool for a ton of other options.
Whether you’re printing out a sticker for a custom candle or faux suede for decorative roses to add to a flower crown, the Maker 3 gets the job done quickly and consistently. A lot of this ease of use comes down to the excellent Design Space app, which runs on just about every type of device and makes creating new projects wildly simple.
On the Cricut Explore 3 and Maker 3, these Smart Materials cut the fastest and are widely considered to be a more reliable product despite the added cost associated with the brand name.
With the Cricut Explore 4 and Maker 4, a lot of third-party vinyl and iron-on material will cut faster than the previous models because these new machines are able to apply more precise pressure to the cutting mats. These speed improvements do not quite reach the performance level of Smart Materials, but it does make it possible for someone running a small business to consider using alternative materials without slowing down the production line by much. And if that’s something you’re concerned about, the Maker 4 may be worth a closer look for you.
These five titles, recommended by therapists and researchers, can help you curb the urge to scroll.
Source: NYT > Well.
I’ve dealt with neck pain since my early 20s. Becoming a full-time writer in my late 30s did not help matters. I discovered the concept of a split ergonomic keyboard and wondered whether one could stop my shoulders from bunching up around my ears. It did.
Of course, my case is not your case. Finding the best ergonomic keyboard for your needs depends on one thing: your body. But if I can’t say which of these boards will help you the most, I can say that I tried each one (and many others that didn’t make the cut) to gauge how each board’s features and design relate to comfort. This guide also spells what different ergo features do — all to help you find the best ergonomic keyboard for you.
You might be looking into ergonomic accessories to help with a specific problem, such as carpal tunnel or tendonitis. Or maybe you’re simply looking for a way to make long hours at your desk more comfortable. It can help to know some of the terminology and reasons behind various features, which we explain below. Just keep in mind that new equipment alone won’t solve the problem. Changing positions, doing regular stretches and taking walk breaks will all go a long way towards making you feel better while you work.
Most ergonomic keyboard layouts fall into two categories: unibody (or Alice) and split. The former is a single board with the two halves of the keys rotated about 30 degrees apart at the bottom. The separation forms an A-shaped space between the keys — which has nothing to do with why it’s called an Alice layout, it’s just a happy coincidence. This subtle tweak pushes your elbows away from your ribs while keeping a straight line from your forearm to your middle knuckle. Using one, I pretty instantly felt more open along the front side of my body. This layout more closely resembles a traditional keyboard, so it should be easier for most folks to get used to than a fully split option.
Speaking of, split boards break the keys into two separate parts you can position individually. You can put them shoulder distance apart, bring them closer together or angle them as much as feels comfortable. You can also put your mouse between the halves, which may feel like an easier trip for your cursor hand and could potentially help with conditions like repetitive strain injuries (RSI). Personally, I like being able to put my current snack between the two parts. I’ve also found that pairing a split keyboard with a good ergonomic mouse has helped me even more, particularly a vertical mouse.
You can find ergonomic keyboards with and without number pads. Not having those number keys on the right hand side lets you keep your mouse closer in, minimizing overall reach. But if you work with numbers a lot, you’ll likely want that pad included. Some programmable boards allow for the use of layers, which temporarily repurpose keys and can provide you with a ten-key option through clever remapping of letter keys.
Tenting raises the middle of the keyboard up, so your hands move closer to a “handshake” position. Alice keyboards usually angle up towards the middle and always to a fixed degree, since the two sides are connected. Split boards often let you adjust the degree of tenting, going from flat to subtle to extreme lift.
You may have encountered keyboards with an optional lift at the back of the board, raising the top keys higher than the space bar. Every set of hands is different, but for most people, pulling the backs of the hands towards the forearms increases strain. Negative tilt has the opposite effect by sloping in the other direction, lowering the top number keys while raising the edge with the spacebar. Many Alice and some split keyboards offer an optional negative tilt. I found it was more comfortable to enable that feature when I’m standing, and I preferred to have the keys flat when sat at my desk.
This decision seems to be one of the more hotly-contested among ergo enthusiasts. A conventional keyboard has staggered keys, with each row slightly offset to the rows above and below it — so the A key is about halfway between the Q and W above it. This is a holdover from vintage mechanical typewriters, in which each press activated a hammer that smashed ink onto paper in the shape of a letter. To fit the hammers as close together as possible, while still allowing for finger pads, the keys were staggered.
Columnar or ortholinear keyboards stack the keys in orderly columns, often with rows that are not linear. Proponents claim this makes the keys easier to reach. Whether that’s true will be up to your fingers to decide, but I can say for certain that if you learned to type on a staggered keyboard, switching to a columnar layout is tough. It will take days, possibly weeks before you instinctively hit the C key. The N, M and B keys don’t fare much better.
With a few exceptions, most ergonomic keyboards will work with PCs or Macs as a standard typing input, but the use of function and hot keys may require some remapping. It can be as easy as an onboard switch to toggle between Mac and PC layouts, or as involved as downloading software to change up the keys. Some boards even include (or let you buy) extra keycaps to change, say, the Mac’s Command and Option keys to PC’s Start and Alt buttons. Those are what’s called hot-swappable keys, meaning you just pull the old key off (usually with a provided key puller) and stick the new one on, no soldering required.
For some boards, remapping or programming keys using software is a crucial feature. Gaming peripherals have extra keys that you can set to execute a series of keystrokes with the push of a single button, and we cover the best gaming keyboards in a separate guide. Keyboards that work with layers, in which a single button can perform several functions, typically allow you to change what those are. Some ergo keyboards have non-standard layouts, like thumb clusters with multiple keys near the space bar that you operate with your thumb. You’ll also be able to program those.
Ergonomic keyboards come in mechanical, membrane, and scissor switch versions. Which works best for you is, again, up to your preference. I won’t get too deep into the particulars here, as we have an entire guide devoted to the best mechanical boards, but the short of it is that membrane and scissor switches are less customizable than mechanical and typically cheaper. Typing on them tends to be quieter and softer. Mechanical switches are more customizable, offer a more responsive typing experience and are usually pricier.
You’ll also have the option of wired or wireless ergonomic boards. All other things being equal, wired models are less expensive. Competitive gamers who rely on split-second responses may prefer the zero-lag of wired keyboards. Wired models also never run out of battery life and have fewer connectivity issues. But wireless keyboards keep your desk less cluttered.
Some ergonomic keyboards come with permanent or removable wrist or palm rests, which can be cushioned or hard. This is another area where opinions diverge: proponents claim they help you maintain a neutral hand position, while detractors say they put pressure on the tendons and can cause wrist pain or even exacerbate conditions like carpal tunnel. Ideally, your palms should be resting, not your wrists, and you might find you like having that support or you may find the pressure uncomfortable.
All our guides begin with extensive research to figure out what’s out there and what’s worth testing. We consider brands with good reputations that we’ve heard good things about from colleagues and look at keyboard reviews in forums and other trusted publications. For this guide, I looked for keyboards with ergonomic features like tenting, split keys, palm support and so on. I also zeroed in on boards that didn’t require a deep amount of familiarity with the vast and exhaustive world of custom keyboards.
Once I settled on ten boards, I acquired them and used each one for anywhere from a few days to a few weeks. I tried out the remapping and macros software and considered the comfort, design, price and durability of each model before arriving at picks I think will work best for the most people out there. For subsequent updates to this guide, I have continued to acquire and test out new keyboards as they come on the market, adding and replacing the top picks as warranted. If and when Microsoft ergonomic keyboards, like the Sculpt, come back on the market, as a collaboration with Incase has promised, I’ll try those models, too.
I first tried out the Naya Create during CES 2025 and was immediately smitten with the design. It’s a deliriously well-made fully-split keyboard with built-in modules at each thumb. You can swap in a trackball, dial, trackpad and the Float module — a dial/joystick combo for manipulating 3D imagery.
Each half of the board hinges in two places for minutely customizable center tenting. It has low profile keys with responsive yet quiet mechanical switches. It works wirelessly or corded, has thumb cluster keys and, of course, it’s all fully programmable. It’s lovely to type on and the thumb clusters and modules make it easy to keep your fingers in the home position to minimize repetitive travel.
I’m still in the process of testing the board, and working with Naya’s co-founder to get the modules customized to my liking. At $500 to $700, it’s not cheap. It’s also a still very new device from a small company, so I’m waiting to give it a proper assessment until the board is fully set up properly. In the meantime, batches of the Naya Create keep selling out, so it’s apparent I’m not the only one who sees this board’s potential.
If you want something fully split with thumb clusters and a columnar layout but that’s a little less minimal than the Zsa Voyager— and wireless to boot — the Advantage 360 from Kinesis, makers of the popular Advantage 2 is a good one to check out. It looks like it comes from an ‘80s-era IBM office, but is somehow also from the future. The tenting goes from low to intense and the key well curves concavely to meet your fingers where they naturally land. The 360 is per-key programmable, works with layers and has four macros keys.
For a mechanical Alice keyboard with both wireless and wired capabilities, the Periboard 835 is a good pick. The Mac and Windows-compatible board has a solid build, low profile switches, RGB lighting, comfortable tenting and a few extra programmable keys.
I remember wondering if something like the Goldtouch Elite Adjustable existed when I first started testing ergonomic keyboards. It didn’t at the time, as far as I could tell, but now a connected yet adjustable split board is indeed a product you can buy. It’s a solidly-built board and the ball joint connecting the two halves feels like it will put up with a lot of use. A squeeze of the lever at the top of the keys lets you set the board just how you like, adjusting both the vertical tenting and the angle between the two halves. There’s no programming to speak of, just the ability to swap a few function keys like print screen and home.
Unfortunately, the tenting doesn’t work for me. Because of the extra keys at the outer edges, raising the middle edges upwards lifts the center keys considerably, which brings my wrists and forearms off the desk instead of letting them rest. Holding them like that created extra neck and shoulder strain on my part, which is sort of the opposite of the goal. But if you’re not into tenting anyway and want a flat, Alice-split board with an adjustable splay, this works quite well.
The idea behind the Kinesis Form Split Touchpad Keyboard is pretty ergonomic: put the trackpad between the two halves and minimize travel for your mouse hand. The distance between the two puts your elbows at a comfortable distance and keeps your wrist nearly in-line with your forearms. The build is excellent, with low profile mechanical switches that feel smooth and just the right amount of clacky. The trackpad is responsive, but gestures only work with Windows computers. Even dragging and dropping doesn’t work on a Mac here, so I don’t see Apple users getting much use out of the board. I also found myself wishing for the slightest rotation of the keys — though they’re a good distance apart, a slight angle would keep my wrists fully unbent. There’s no tenting or negative tilt either, both of which could help a bit more, ergonomically speaking.
While it’s a perfectly fine and affordable Bluetooth keyboard, the Logitech Wave has minimal ergonomics. The keys rise up slightly in the middle and there’s a comfortable wrist rest attached, but the layout is the same as any other keyboard, with no splitting of the keys to open up your arms or keep your wrists straight.
Most ergonomic keyboards fall into two categories: fully split which separates the board into two pieces, and unibody split, also known as an Alice design, which angles the keys outward at the bottom. When the keys are rotated outward or split into two halves, it allows for a wider spread between your elbows for a more relaxed typing position. Other ergonomic features, such as thumb clusters, center tenting and negative tilting are sometimes added to either type of board.
Since every person is different, there’s no one best ergonomic keyboard layout. The standard QWERTY layout is what most people are used to. The Dvorak, Colemak and Workman layouts rearrange the board to put the more commonly used letters closer to the home-key position. All three are intended to minimize your finger movements. That may indeed feel more comfortable and less fatiguing, but people used to the QWERTY layout will likely need to relearn how to type.
You might feel some relief with a fully split keyboard if you find yourself tensing up at the shoulders as you type on a standard board. Putting some distance between your hands may allow your chest to stay more open, which for some is an easier position to maintain. You may also appreciate being able to place your mouse or trackpad between the two halves of the board to minimize the distance your cursor hand needs to travel.
That depends on the type of keyboard. Since the Alice-split design simply rotates the keys apart, typing on it feels fairly similar to the regular keyboards you’re already used to. A fully split board will take a little more adjustment, particularly if it uses thumb clusters. The enter, shift and control buttons may now be operated by your thumbs instead of your other fingers and that can be tough to get used to. It took me a full month to get completely comfortable with a fully split keyboard with thumb clusters. But now, I prefer it to typing on regular boards.
This article originally appeared on Engadget at https://www.engadget.com/computing/accessories/best-ergonomic-keyboard-130047982.html?src=rss
Xiaomi spin-off brand Poco has partnered with Bose to help its new F8 phones stand out in an increasingly crowded market. Both the F8 Pro and F8 Ultra feature stereo speakers designed collaboratively with the audio company, and the Ultra goes one step further by including a subwoofer too.
Both new F8 phones feature the same dual stereo speakers tuned by Bose, though you’ll have to buy the Ultra if you want the benefits of the subwoofer as well, which Poco says delivers “deeper, more impactful bass.” Additionally, there are two sound profiles tuned by Bose engineers: a Dynamic mode that delivers extra bass, and a Balanced option that emphasizes vocals and a more even soundstage.
“By combining Bose’s expertise in acoustic engineering with Poco’s innovation in design and technology, Poco F8 Series achieves a level of clarity and depth that redefines what’s possible in mobile sound,” said Nick Smith, president of audio technology and chief strategy officer at Bose.
The two phones are otherwise fairly typical affordable flagships. The F8 Ultra has a more powerful Snapdragon 8 Elite Gen 5 chipset, with a large 6.9-inch OLED display, triple 50-megapixel rear camera, and wireless charging. The F8 Pro uses last year’s Snapdragon 8 Elite, a smaller 6.59-inch screen, and downgrades to each of the three rear lenses. Both have IP68 ratings though, plus batteries bigger than 6,000mAh, which should deliver decent longevity.
The F8 Pro starts from $579, while the Ultra is available from $729, though a $50 early bird discount is available at launch. The two phones were announced alongside a pair of sub-$400 tablets, the Pad X1 and Pad M1, both of which lean on high resolution displays and Dolby Atmos speakers to serve as good value entertainment options.
Source: The Verge.
Greens expected to sign on to 11th-hour compromise after Labor offers new concessions
Anthony Albanese is yet to land a deal to rewrite federal nature laws ahead of parliament’s final sitting day of the year, leaving the long-promised reforms at risk of collapse for the second time in 12 months.
But political, industry and environment movement sources expect the Greens will eventually accept an 11th-hour compromise after Labor offered new concessions to secure the minor party’s support.
Source: World news | The Guardian.
In the 83 days since UK Chancellor of the Exchequer Rachel Reeves announced the date of her second budget, she’s told both bond-market investors and Labour Party backbenchers that it’s been drafted with them in mind. On Wednesday it becomes clear whether she can please both of these very different audiences, when she stands at the dispatch box and puts an end to months of speculation. Bloomberg’s Lizzy Burden is in Westminster with a preview. (Source: Bloomberg)
Source: Bloomberg Markets.