Technology

xAI open sources Grok

Published

1 month ago

March 18, 2024

On March 11th, Elon Musk said xAI would open source its AI chatbot Grok, and now an open release is available on GitHub. This will allow researchers and developers to build on the model and impact how xAI updates Grok in the future as it competes with rival tech from OpenAI, Meta, Google, and others.

A company blog post explains that this open release includes the “base model weights and network architecture” of the “314 billion parameter Mixture-of-Experts model, Grok-1.” It continues saying the model is from a checkpoint last October and hasn’t undergone fine-tuning “for any specific application, such as dialogue.”

As VentureBeat notes, it’s being released under the Apache 2.0 license that enables commercial use but doesn’t include the data used to train it or connections to X for real-time data. xAI said in a November 2023 post that the LLM Grok was “developed over the last four months” and is targeted for uses around coding generation, creative writing, and answering questions.

After Musk bought Twitter (now X), the code behind its algorithms was eventually released, and Musk has openly criticized companies that don’t open-source their AI model. That includes OpenAI, which he helped found but is now suing, alleging the company breached an original founding agreement that it would be open source.

Companies have released open-source or limited open-source models to get feedback from other researchers on how to improve them. While there are many fully open-source AI foundation models like Mistral and Falcon, the most widely used models are either closed-sourced or offer a limited open license. Meta’s Llama 2, for example, gives its research away for free but makes customers with 700 million daily users pay a fee and won’t let developers iterate on top of Llama 2.

Technology

The best movie trailers for the week of April 21st

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

The best movie trailers for the week of April 21st

I’ve been making more of an effort to keep up with movies lately and even managed the rare feat of seeing one in an actual movie theater. I saw Guy Ritchie’s The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare, which stars Henry Cavill, Alan Ritchson, Alex Pettyfer, Elza González, Babs Olusanmokun, and others in what I interpreted as a goofy spaghetti western / spy / heist film.

I suppose it’s also a war movie, being based (very loosely) on a true story about a collection of unstoppable guys set on an unsanctioned secret mission to destroy a German U-boat resupply ship during World War II. It doesn’t try to ruminate on the weight of the mission, which was to clear the way for American ships to cross the Atlantic and join the war effort. Ministry is all vibes and style. You know, a Guy Ritchie movie.

It’s also the sort of mostly mindless fun I expect from the biggest movie that got a new trailer last week: Deadpool & Wolverine.

I don’t have to sell the trailer for the Deadpool & Wolverine movie to you. Between Hugh Jackman (Logan) finally wearing the yellow and blue Wolverine suit, Leslie Uggams (Deadpool 2) inviting Ryan Reynolds (Spirited) to do cocaine by making a Frozen reference, and Madonna’s Like a Prayer, you already know if you want to watch this. Besides Reynolds, Jackman, and Uggams, it also stars Morena Baccarin (Fast Charlie) and Emma Corrin (The Crown). It’s out on July 26th.

This year’s Russell Crowe exorcism movie, called The Exorcism, is not a sequel to last year’s The Pope’s Exorcist. I looked it up. It’s about an actor shooting an exorcism movie who thinks he’s backsliding into addiction, but it turns out he’s probably actually possessed? The movie also stars Sam Worthington (Avatar: The Way of Water), Ryan Simpkins (Please Baby Please), Adam Goldberg (Running with the Devil), and David Hyde Pierce (The Perfect Host) — a not-shabby cast, all told! It’s out on June 7th.

In the black comedy / thriller Blink Twice, Channing Tatum stars as a probably-evil tech billionaire named Slater King who whisks a group of women to his private island to party. But of course, if it’s a party, then it’s the creepy murder kind with some maybe spooky supernatural stuff going on. First-time director Zoë Kravitz (The Batman) nabbed quite a cast for this movie: Besides Tatum, it stars Naomi Ackie (Whitney Houston: I Wanna Dance with Somebody), Christian Slater (Freelance), Geena Davis (Fairyland), Haley Joel Osment (Drug Store June), Alia Shawkat (Drift), and Kyle MacLachlan (Miranda’s Victim). It’ll be in theaters on August 23rd.

Technology

Why does my PC freeze and how do I fix it? Expert answers

Published

5 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Why does my PC freeze and how do I fix it? Expert answers

Computers are complex machines. They sometimes run into issues like any machinery. One common issue many of us face is our computer freezing or becoming unresponsive.

If you are dealing with a PC that locks up occasionally, don’t worry; you’re in the right place.

We’ll discuss what causes a computer to freeze and what you can do to fix it and get your computer running smoothly and efficiently again. (Mac users, get these 8 tips to speed up your Mac’s performance.)

CLICK TO GET KURT’S FREE CYBERGUY NEWSLETTER WITH SECURITY ALERTS, QUICK VIDEO TIPS, TECH REVIEWS AND EASY HOW-TO’S TO MAKE YOU SMARTER

A man using a laptop (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

Why do PCs freeze up?

PCs can freeze up for a variety of reasons, some related to software and others purely mechanical. Here are a few different reasons your computer might be freezing up.

Insufficient RAM: If your PC does not have enough memory (RAM), running too many programs, or even browser tabs, at once can cause your computer to freeze due to a lack of system resources.

Overheating: If your computer’s CPU (central processing unit) or GPU (graphics processing unit) generates too much heat, it might lock up as a preventative measure. Rising temperatures within your PC can cause a shutdown to protect its integrity. Check out our best cooling pads for your laptop by clicking here.

Software or Driver Conflicts: Errors in a program can create conflicts and cause your PC to freeze up. Driver conflicts often create instabilities in your computer’s internal system, including freezes. A device driver, such as a USB driver, can also cause a device to freeze if it’s outdated, conflicts with another driver or does not work properly.

Hardware Issues: A defective stick of RAM, hard drive, video card or other hardware can cause your PC to freeze.

Corrupt Operating System Files: Corrupt operating system files can cause several problems, including your PC locking up.

A man working on his PC (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: BEST VPNs FOR PC

How to fix a frozen PC

More often than not, a frozen PC is an issue that has simple solutions. Here’s a step-by-step guide to help you unfreeze your computer and get it running smoothly again.

Step 1 — Give it a moment

Sometimes PCs appear frozen, but they are actually just slowly processing tasks. Give it a minute or two to see if it resolves itself first.

Step 2 — Check for overheating

Make sure to check that your computer’s vents are not blocked and that your internal cooling fans are working properly.

TIDY UP YOUR TECH: SPRING-CLEANING TIPS FOR SAFEGUARDING YOUR DATA

Computer fans (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: QUICK WAYS TO SPEED UP YOUR COMPUTER

Step 3 — Close unresponsive programs on your PC

Press Ctrl+Alt+Delete and select Task Manager. From the task manager, you can end any programs and processes using a lot of CPU power. If your Windows desktop, including the taskbar and Start menu, freezes, you can sometimes restart Windows Explorer to fix these problems.

Step 4 — Restart your PC

If the above steps haven’t worked, try restarting your computer.

Step 5 — Check for updates and drivers

Ensure that your operating system and all your drivers are up to date. Outdated software can often cause system freezes. By default, Windows will scan your computer’s programs and install the recommended drivers for system stability. Make sure Windows Update is turned on for automatic updates.

Step 6 — Run a virus scan

Malware can also cause computers to freeze. We recommend running a full system scan using antivirus software to ensure your computer is malware- and virus-free. The best way to protect yourself from clicking malicious links that install malware that may get access to your private information is to have antivirus protection installed on all your devices. This can also alert you of any phishing emails or ransomware scams. Get my picks for the best 2024 antivirus protection winners for your Windows, Mac, Android & iOS devices.

Step 7 — Free up disk space

If your hard drive is full, it can slow down your PC and cause it to freeze up. In that case, you’ll want to try to optimize your computer’s performance by cleaning the files on your computer.

Images of microprocessors (Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson)

MORE: BEST WAYS TO KEEP SNOOPS OUT OF YOUR COMPUTER

Step 8 — Install more RAM

If your PC frequently freezes, you may need more RAM. Consider upgrading its memory. Depending on where you are, you can bring your computer into a BestBuy or MicroCenter, and a technician can install the RAM. Depending on which company built your computer, you can also likely send it in for a RAM upgrade.

Step 9 — Restore to an earlier state

Use the Windows System Restore feature to restore your computer to its previous state. Beware, though, that using system restore will restore everything on your PC to its original state on the date you selected. Make sure to back up anything you need.

Is it time for a new desktop or laptop?

If you are working with an older laptop or desktop, it might be time to look at new computers on the market. Our list of the best desktop computers is available here, and our list of the best laptops is available here.

Kurt’s key takeaways

It’s always a good idea to keep your PC updated and regularly check for potential hardware issues. If any problems related to freezing persist, you might want to consider getting professional help. Remember also to regularly back up your data to prevent any potential losses.

Can you share a “computer freeze” horror story and the lessons it taught you about computer maintenance? Let us know by writing us at Cyberguy.com/Contact

For more of my tech tips and security alerts, subscribe to my free CyberGuy Report Newsletter by heading to Cyberguy.com/Newsletter

Ask Kurt a question or let us know what stories you’d like us to cover

Answers to the most asked CyberGuy questions:

Kurt “CyberGuy” Knutsson is an award-winning tech journalist who has a deep love of technology, gear and gadgets that make life better with his contributions for Fox News & FOX Business beginning mornings on “FOX & Friends.” Got a tech question? Get Kurt’s free CyberGuy Newsletter, share your voice, a story idea or comment at CyberGuy.com.

Technology

Have a look at this Terminator 2 fan restoration project

Published

12 hours ago

April 28, 2024

Press Room

Have a look at this Terminator 2 fan restoration project

Terminator 2: Judgment Day was — and is, for some — the standard-bearer for bombastic tentpole action films after it was released in 1991, but many of its fans have been less than enthusiastic about its Blu-ray releases. In recent years, though, people who love the movie have been restoring it using 35mm prints, and one of those efforts has been making the rounds over on X.

Jon W., who frequently posts about movies and projects like these, compiled a few screenshots in a thread comparing the new version with other transfers. They didn’t credit the person working on this directly, but did post a screenshot of text from “the person who restored Terminator” — Googling some of it verbatim led me to Rob’s Nostalgia Projects.

The background in the fan version (top) implies, like the shadows, a sun that’s low in the sky.

Image: Jon W.

A big part of this effort is aimed at “fixing” the coloring of this movie, which is very muted throughout — that was pretty common in a lot of movies back then, especially grim films like Terminator 2 or Robocop. I’m not sure it’s an improvement, but I do like some of what’s seemingly aimed for here.

Take the fan project’s (top) now-much-warmer shot from a scene in which Robert Patrick’s T-1000 questions some youths about John Connor’s whereabouts and other versions of the movie. It makes the scene feel more like it’s set in the early morning or late evening, which makes sense given the long shadows in this and other, adjacent sequences. I’ve always thought there are parts of this movie that are too cold-looking for me, and this gives it some life it doesn’t otherwise have.

The fan restoration (top) goes for bluer shadows.

Image: Jon W.

But there are a lot of places it doesn’t work — for instance, the transition from these blue shadows to the sandy colors where the sun hits the ground is too harsh. Comparing this shot to the lower one from the Blu-ray, as well as my almost 30-year-old copy of The Ultimate Edition DVD, it seems like the dustier brownish gray of those transfers is just how director James Cameron wanted it to look.

Arnold is so orange now!

Image: Jon W.

The fan version’s heavy-handed coloration also shows up in the above shot, where much of the detail that was there before ends up crushed in blown-out reds. But the Blu-Ray version of this scene has a weirdly salmon-colored pall that goes redder a few moments later. Again, I’m not sure it’s better, but the fan version’s colors do feel a little more consistent at times.

Is the deep contrast better?

Image: Jon W.

Ultimately, the biggest benefit this transfer gives the movie, in my opinion, is letting the movie be grainy. People complain that the Blu-ray transfers overuse digital nooise reduction, resulting in a sort of waxen look, and seeing the film grain in 1080p is really comforting, somehow. It’s just a shame the color grading feels so unpolished.

Still, I applaud efforts like this as much as I do the folks who brought us the Star Wars theatrical restoration project known as “The Silver Screen Edition,” which attempts to deliver the version of that movie as it was shown in theaters originally before it even had “Episode IV: A New Hope” added to the opening text crawl.

I might not prefer this version of Terminator 2, but it’s still fun to watch in the same way that turning the color saturation down on my TV just to see how my color movies look in black and white is. Especially when you’ve seen the same movie a hundred times, and you just want something a little different.