Post B7g3jF0LOujV7f0Xtw by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
(DIR) More posts by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
(DIR) Post #B7dcNpRY9hkkgbNX6m by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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...Continuing (2/3)* Negative Press and Media Backlash * AMD64: In the PC industry, manufacturers face a barrage of criticism - often numbering in the tens of thousands - over the course of a year for mistreating tech otakus or botching product launches. Moreover, while PC hardware performance is carefully engineered, it remains subject to unpredictable variables. It acts like a "random system event" in a game interface, constantly delivering a level of drama to tech otakus that no scripted narrative could match. For instance, a microcode defect in Intel’s Raptor Lake processors caused widespread hardware degradation, abruptly flip public opinion. Some independent media outlets specialize in exposing corporate misconduct; YouTube’s GamersNexus, for example, has personally investigated numerous scandals involving PC manufacturers - earning a reputation among tech otakus as the 60 Minutes of the hardware world. * AKB48: In the idol industry, companies face a barrage of criticism - often numbering in the tens of thousands - over the course of a year for mistreating idol otakus or mishandling talent. Moreover, while an idol's growth is carefully engineered, it remains subject to unpredictable variables. It acts like a "random system event" in a game interface, constantly delivering a level of drama to idol otakus that no scripted narrative could match (rather than merely satisfying a desire to pry into a celebrity's private life). A single violation of the "no-dating rule" can abruptly flip public opinion. Certain media outlets specialize in exposing industry scandals; Shūkan Bunshun, for instance, is dedicated to investigating the entertainment world, with its exposés dubbed Bunshun Cannons by idol otakus.* Rumors and Leaks * AMD64: Tech otakus are constantly bombarded with a flood of rumors and leaks online. These rumors swing wildly between being absurdly accurate and absurdly wrong. Blurry photos of CPU-Z screens - snapped with smartphones - frequently surface online, allegedly showing the CPUID of next-generation engineering sample (ES) chips. There are also YouTube channels - such as Moore's Law is Dead, RedGamingTech, and AdoredTV - that specialize in spreading rumors based on claims of having "insider sources." Due to the proliferation of rumors, a Google Sheet tracking "leak accuracy" even appeared on Reddit's r/hardware; its maintainer passionately declared, "We’re going to nail sensationalist rumor-mongers to the wall of shame!" - though others thought the OP was crazy. * AKB48: Idol otakus are constantly bombarded with a flood of rumors and leaks online, These rumors swing wildly between being absurdly accurate and absurdly wrong. Blurry photos - reminiscent of "Area 51 UFO" sightings - frequently surface online, allegedly showing an idol meeting with an unidentified person; social media is also rife with "insider" accounts claiming to have "connections on the inside." The rumor mill is so active that a group of idol otakus on 2ch even made a hobby out of analyzing and vetting these claims.* Factions and Infighting * AMD64: Tech otakus can choose support the hardware industry as a whole, yet forums are constantly plagued by toxic arguments between between "Team Red" (AMD) and "Team Blue" (Intel) partisans, with "Apple zealots" frequently trading insults with both groups. Meanwhile, those who simply recommend the best value-for-money products often face "unfair" accusations from partisan factions simultaneously. * AKB48: Idol otakus can choose to support the entire scene through "hako-oshi", or supporting multiple idols/groups by being a "DD". Yet, forums are constantly plagued by toxic arguments between "tan-oshi" (solo stans) and "antis," while "DDs" are often accused of being "unprincipled" by partisan factions simultaneously (in fact, the term "DD" itself is a derogatory one used by partisans).* Cult-like Chanting Slogans * AMD64: Tech otakus at events might shout slogans that seem cult-like to outsiders, such as "AMD YES! (see 7:35)" * AKB48: Idol otakus at events might shout slogans that seem cult-like to outsiders, such as "Tiger, Fire, Cyber, Fiber, Diver, Viber, Jarjar!"* SKU Marketing and Bulk Purchasing * AMD64: To maximize sales, hardware manufacturers artificially create numerous versions of a product with only slight differences - such as "K" vs. non-"K" models, or toggling features like VT-d or ECC on and off - without any technical necessity; this ensures tech enthusiasts with varying budgets can all make a purchase. Additionally, extreme overclockers buy large quantities of identical processors to cherry-pick the chips with the best performance potential for showing off their skills or chasing benchmark scores. * AKB48: To maximize record sales, idol projects release numerous versions with only minor variations - such as different cover art, tracks, or bonus items (e.g., Type-A/B/C, First Press Limited Editions, Theater Editions, Standard Editions, or versions bundled with General Election ballots, "Request Hour" votes, or handshake event tickets) - encouraging well-funded fans to buy multiple copies in bulk. Extreme *tan-oshi* (solo stans) buy massive quantities of the same single to cast as many votes as possible, aiming to demonstrate their level of devotion and boost vote counts of the idol they support.To be continued... (2/3)
(DIR) Post #B7dcROuwiha7Zlpd6u by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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...Continuing (3/3)* Language Barriers and Fansubs * AMD64: To get the latest scoops, news, and rumors about hardware, one needs to watch YouTube and read Reddit and Hacker News; learning English must be prioritized by tech otakus to ensure access to the full picture. However, even without foreign language skills, one can rely on fansub groups within the tech community. For example, in China the fansub group TeamXOD's translation of the "Whole-Room Water Cooling" series single-handedly made LinusTechTips famous in China in 2015. Later on, the NixieSubs group became LTT's official, dedicated fansub team. * AKB48: To get the latest scoops, news and rumors about idols, one needs to watch television and read 2ch; learning Japanese must be prioritized by idol otakus to ensure access to the full picture. However, even without foreign language skills, one could rely on fan-run fansub groups within the idol fandom. For instance, in China, the fansub groups "ANTI," "AAA," and "AKB Section ⑨" translated vast amounts of AKBINGO! during the early days. Later on, almost every idol had their own dedicated fansub team, with 20-30 groups active during the peak era!Therefore, AMD64 <=> AKB48. Q.E.D.The most important thing is excitement for something new. As we get older, we are surprised by fewer and fewer things, but as children we are constantly amazed. That excitement becomes less frequent as we grow up. What I try to do is make something new, like AKB48, and try to capture that special kind of excitement. That’s my job…to create that feeling of excitement we have as children.- Yasushi Akimoto, 2011 WSJ interview---AKB48 exploded in popularity in early 2010. For a decade, I couldn't understand why anime fans were collectively shifted to TV variety shows and song-and-dance performances by real-life stars. A few days ago, while browsing the Japanese Wikipedia, I realized - even though I didn't recognize anyone involved - that the narrative arc was exactly like the state of r/hardware after the launch of AMD Zen. It finally clicked: the AKB48 theater tickets sold on the upper floors of Akihabara malls and the AMD64 processors sold on the ground floors were essentially the same thing.The 2010–2015 period happened to be the most boring Post-Sandy Bridge era - the perfect window to defect from the PC scene to the idol fandom just to kill time. Sadly, I didn't grasp this back then and missed the opportunity entirely.
(DIR) Post #B7dcf7aTwvrTsjnnrU by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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I wrote an expanded edition of the AMD64 as the PC idol group thesis. CC @whitequark@social.treehouse.systems
(DIR) Post #B7fJr2M7iUPyJnyT56 by tfb@functional.cafe
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@niconiconi > Q.E.D.That's a particularly nice touch at the end there 👍
(DIR) Post #B7fhOxL3AuzLY6cCXY by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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Japanese record labels are constantly releasing “first-press limited edition w/ bonuses” for marketing. In an era when the timeline of advanced semiconductor nodes is becoming increasingly slow, chipmakers should learn from it. CPUs can be released as First Run Limited Edition, Micro Center Exclusive, and CES On Site Exclusive - with skyrocketing prices. They include special bonuses such as a personal message from Pat Gelsinger, a group photo of Jim Keller’s team, Lisa Su’s autograph, scrap wafers, and Computex tickets.
(DIR) Post #B7fj0ffLQiSThFehRw by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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We are almost here, since we already had Founder's Editions, Core i7-8086K 40th Anniversary Edition, and Pentium G3258 Anniversary Edition.
(DIR) Post #B7g3jF0LOujV7f0Xtw by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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Chipmakers don’t offer the First Press Limited Editions like Japanese record labels, but the semiconductor world has its own Last Time Buy concept during product discontinuation. Japanese record labels could certainly learn from this and release Final Press Limited Editions to profit from rebuying fans. They could even adopt the NRND concept. Imagine this: at a record store in Akihabara, a newbie fan picks up a Morning Musume album and, just as they’re about to check out, notices a big yellow warning label on the cover: ⚠️ NRND (Not Recommended For New Devotees) - "This product offers a limited experience and is not recommended for new buyers. It is intended solely for veteran fans seeking nostalgia. Please head to the right to purchase the latest single by Nogizaka46 with the Active status." The newbie, startled, quickly put the album back. A veteran fan nearby, seeing this, was so enraged that they bought 10 copies on the spot.
(DIR) Post #B7g47THHz6kWLAUHqK by jra@soc.jra.sh
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@niconiconi Special handshake event with TSMC engineers as part of the 2nm celebration world tour.
(DIR) Post #B7kAZAlPn1alNy0ie0 by niconiconi@mk.absturztau.be
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"AMD has officially re-released Ryzen 7 5800X3D as [the AM4 platform's] 10th Anniversary Edition"My prediction that "the semiconductor industry to create more artificial special editions" came true just days after I said it.