In today’s happy accident, I generated images with grok and the prompt: ‘Bob Ross painting a Vietnam War scene on a canvas, wearing OD green military fatigues, with his afro visible, standing to the left presenting his right side, with the canvas clearly showing the combat scene he is painting, outside in Vietnam rice paddies’
sudo apt install code
sudo code –no-sandbox –user-data-dir ~/Desktop
It seems like every update vbox guest additions breaks or gets partially autoremoved. If you cant copy paste back and forth and you are geting drag and drop operation failed or other errors, try this.
There you go! Now get back to copy pasting I mean coding.
If anyone installing vscode on Kali linux
sudo apt install code
sudo code –no-sandbox –user-data-dir ~/Desktop
from within VSCode hit Ctrl+Shift+X
then click install under python support
then search for yapf formatter
hit install
go to run, select add config, then paste in the yaml lines below to force style, close and save
“yapf.args”: [
“–style”,
“{based_on_style: google, indent_width: 2, column_limit: 100}”,
],
| AWS Instance Family | Instance Generation | CPU Architecture | Processor | Memory Type | Network Performance | Storage Type | Date Implemented | Country of Design | Country of Manufacture | Estimated Units Implemented |
| General Purpose (T2) | 2nd Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon E5-2676 v3 (Haswell) | DDR3 | Up to Moderate | EBS-Optimized | 2014 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~100,000 |
| General Purpose (T3) | 3rd Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon Scalable (Skylake, Cascade Lake) | DDR4 | Up to 5 Gbps | EBS-Optimized | 2018 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~200,000 |
| General Purpose (T3a) | 3rd Generation (variant) | x86 | AMD EPYC 7000 | DDR4 | Up to 5 Gbps | EBS-Optimized | 2019 | United States (AMD) | United States (AMD) | ~150,000 |
| General Purpose (T4g) | 4th Generation | ARM-based | AWS Graviton2 (ARM Neoverse N1) | DDR4 | Up to 5 Gbps | EBS-Optimized | 2020 | Israel (Annapurna Labs) | Taiwan (TSMC) | ~100,000 |
| Compute Optimized (C4) | 4th Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon E5-2666 v3 | DDR3 | 10 Gbps | EBS-Optimized | 2015 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~80,000 |
| Compute Optimized (C5) | 5th Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon Platinum 8000 (Skylake, Cascade) | DDR4 | 25 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2017 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~200,000 |
| Compute Optimized (C5a) | 5th Generation (variant) | x86 | AMD EPYC 7000 | DDR4 | 20 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2020 | United States (AMD) | United States (AMD) | ~150,000 |
| Compute Optimized (C6g) | 6th Generation | ARM-based | AWS Graviton2 (ARM Neoverse N1) | DDR4 | Up to 25 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2020 | Israel (Annapurna Labs) | Taiwan (TSMC) | ~100,000 |
| Memory Optimized (R4) | 4th Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon E5-2686 v4 (Broadwell) | DDR4 | 10 Gbps | EBS-Optimized | 2016 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~80,000 |
| Memory Optimized (R5) | 5th Generation | x86 | Intel Xeon Platinum 8000 | DDR4 | 25 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2018 | United States (Intel) | United States (Intel) | ~150,000 |
| Memory Optimized (R5a) | 5th Generation (variant) | x86 | AMD EPYC 7000 | DDR4 | 20 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2019 | United States (AMD) | United States (AMD) | ~120,000 |
| Memory Optimized (R6g) | 6th Generation | ARM-based | AWS Graviton2 (ARM Neoverse N1) | DDR4 | Up to 25 Gbps | NVMe (local storage optional) | 2020 | Israel (Annapurna Labs) | Taiwan (TSMC) | ~100,000 |
I made a table to compare the actual products side by side and cut the marketing fat out of the analysis.
| Category | Azure | AWS | GCP |
| Compute | Virtual Machines (VMs) via Azure Virtual Machines | EC2 instances (Elastic Compute Cloud) | Google Compute Engine (GCE) |
| Azure Functions (Serverless) | AWS Lambda (Serverless) | Cloud Functions (Serverless) | |
| Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) | Amazon Elastic Kubernetes Service (EKS) | Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE) | |
| Storage | Azure Blob Storage | Amazon S3 | Google Cloud Storage |
| Azure Disk Storage (SSD, HDD options) | Amazon EBS (Elastic Block Store) | Google Persistent Disks | |
| Azure Archive Storage (cold tier) | Amazon Glacier | Coldline and Archive Storage | |
| Networking | Azure Virtual Network (VNet) | Amazon VPC (Virtual Private Cloud) | Google Virtual Private Cloud (VPC) |
| Azure ExpressRoute (private connection) | AWS Direct Connect | Google Cloud Interconnect | |
| Load Balancer, Traffic Manager, Application Gateway | Elastic Load Balancing (ELB), Route 53 | Google Cloud Load Balancing | |
| Database | Azure SQL Database (PaaS), Cosmos DB (NoSQL) | Amazon RDS (Relational), DynamoDB (NoSQL) | Cloud SQL (Relational), Firestore (NoSQL) |
| Azure Database for MySQL, PostgreSQL | Aurora (MySQL/PostgreSQL-compatible), Redshift (Data Warehouse) | Cloud Spanner (Globally distributed SQL DB), BigQuery (Data Warehouse) | |
| AI/ML Services | Azure Machine Learning, Cognitive Services | Amazon SageMaker, AWS AI/ML Services | AI Platform, Vertex AI |
| Azure OpenAI Service | AWS Deep Learning AMIs | Google DeepMind, AutoML | |
| Global Network | 60+ regions | 100+ availability zones in 32 regions | 35 regions, 106 zones |
| Hybrid Solutions | Azure Arc (for hybrid and multi-cloud deployments) | AWS Outposts (extend AWS on-premises) | Anthos (multi-cloud and hybrid management) |
| Containers | Azure Container Instances, Azure Kubernetes Service (AKS) | Amazon ECS (Elastic Container Service), EKS | Google Kubernetes Engine (GKE), Cloud Run |
| Security | Azure Security Center, Azure Active Directory | AWS Identity and Access Management (IAM), AWS Shield | Google Cloud IAM, Google Security Command Center |
| Monitoring | Azure Monitor, Application Insights | AWS CloudWatch, X-Ray | Google Cloud Monitoring, Google Cloud Operations Suite |
| Pricing Models | Pay-as-you-go, Reserved VMs, Spot pricing | On-demand, Reserved Instances, Spot Instances | Pay-as-you-go, Sustained Use Discounts, Committed Use Contracts |
| DevOps Tools | Azure DevOps, GitHub (owned by Microsoft), Azure Pipelines | AWS CodePipeline, CodeCommit | Google Cloud Build, Cloud Source Repositories |
| Big Data | Azure HDInsight, Azure Synapse Analytics | Amazon EMR (Elastic MapReduce), Redshift | Google BigQuery, Cloud Dataflow |
| IoT Solutions | Azure IoT Hub, Azure Digital Twins | AWS IoT Core, AWS Greengrass | Google Cloud IoT Core, Edge TPU |
| Free Tier | 12-month free services, limited always free | 12-month free services, always free tier (750 hours/month EC2) | 12-month free services, always free (300 USD credit for new users) |
I believe they are all predatory but Amazon has the least ulterior motive and greatest value proposition of the three options.
Historically, Amazon actually sells goods and services and is customer service focused, whereas Microsoft and Google are both focused on virtual products and provide little, if any, service and support. Amazon offers training and education for free, whereas Google and Microsoft have freemium and paid tiers to bait and switch customers like cloud addicts. Microsoft has a bigger share price, but it has historically had an inflated value due to government contracts and engineered dependency of financial technology and businesses on Microsoft products. Amazon is consistently valued and is more flexible and less ego driven than Microsoft and Google. Historically, Amazon has employed more women than Microsoft and Google also so they demonstrate a commitment to fair employment practices, which are crucial for evolution of technology ecosystems like cloud computing.
Azure is a top heavy mess just like Windows. GCP is certainly the most accessible and most emulates the Apple UX experience. AWS is the most responsible and cost structured.
Conclusion:
Even if these work well and have become the standard, they seem deficient and soulless. There needs to be a linux based cloud service like OpenStack, CloudStack, or NextCloud, and like LLMs there needs to be a common path toward building on a cloud platform that isn’t a monetized extension of flush companies that dominate the market. As taxpayers we are already subsidizing the networks, companies, and taxes of the executives, so I would like to see a universal basic cloud computing credit as a dividend on my investment as a taxpayer. Just like we should be getting internet, medical, water, and food discounted or comped because we already work and pay for the subsidies, grants, loans, tax breaks, and awards that built the cloud. Given this lopsided deal, it seems Amazon steals the least from the hostage consumer and gives you what you pay for without deceptive marketing.
American manufacturing isn’t dead, it’s just gotten smarter and more creative than ever. We just know better than to export certain CNC machines. CNC Machine export is controlled by the Bureau of Industry and Security (BIS) to prevent the proliferation of advanced weaponry and other national security concerns, so you have to do business with us to enjoy the highest quality prototyping and CNC manufacturing. Don’t buy your CNC machines on AliExpress, use in person or try someone else’s first! Here’s
Capability, not just type: The focus is on the machine’s capabilities, not just its designation (milling machine, lathe, etc.). Machines with higher precision and advanced features are more likely to be regulated.
Positioning and contouring: Machines with high positioning and contouring accuracy (measured in microns) can be especially controlled. Five-axis machines that can move and cut along simultaneous axes are generally restricted.
End-user and destination country: The intended use and the destination country also play a role. Machines going to certain countries or for specific uses may require licenses.
Here are some highly-rated American-made options to consider from various manufacturers, along with some key features that set us apart and keep us competitive.
Hurco VMX Series Vertical Machining Centers
Hurco is a prominent manufacturer of CNC machines based in Indianapolis, Indiana. Their VMX Series includes 5-axis vertical machining centers that are known for their user-friendly controls, wide range of configurations, and powerful capabilities.
HAAS UCM-5000 Universal Milling Machine
Haas Automation, founded in California, is a well-respected brand known for its production-oriented CNC machines. The UCM-5000 is a 5-axis universal milling machine designed for high-speed machining and offers excellent value for its price point.
DMG MORI SEIKI M Deckel Maho DMC 640 V Linear
DMG MORI SEIKI is a large corporation with manufacturing facilities around the world, including the United States. Their M Deckel Maho DMC series offers high-precision and advanced automation capabilities, making them suitable for demanding applications in the aerospace and medical sectors. The NHX Series offers 5-axis machining centers known for their speed and precision, making them well-suited for mold making and other applications requiring intricate details.
Mazak INTEGREX i-2000
Mazak is another major player in the global CNC machine market, with a strong presence in the United States. Their INTEGREX i-series offers 5-axis machining centers known for their durability, reliability, and advanced features for multitasking and automation.
Fadal Performance Series VMC 3016
Fadal, based in California, has been a manufacturer of CNC machines for many years. Their Performance Series VMC offers high-performance 5-axis vertical machining centers at a competitive price.
Extron 5X 5-Axis Machining Center
Extron is a company located in California that manufactures high-quality CNC machines for various industries. Their 5X Series offers 5-axis machining centers designed for performance and efficiency.
Denford 5-Axis Bridge Mills
Denford is a manufacturer of CNC machines based in Minnesota. Their 5-axis bridge mills are known for their compact size and user-friendly design, making them a good option for smaller shops or hobbyists.
JET Wave 5X 5-Axis Machining Center
JET, headquartered in South Carolina, offers a range of metalworking machinery, including CNC machines. Their Wave 5X is a 5-axis machining center designed for production environments and heavy-duty applications.
Kearney & Trecker CNC Machines
Kearney & Trecker has a long history as a manufacturer of heavy-duty machine tools. While the company was acquired by GF Machining Solutions in 2000, there are still Kearney & Trecker 5-axis CNC machines available on the used market. These machines are known for their durability and precision.
Remember, these are just a few examples, and there are many other American manufacturers of 5-axis CNC machines. It is important to consider your specific needs and budget when making your choice.
Taiwanese CNC machines aren’t quite American, but they are very high quality and have great english speaking Christian support.
Taiwan is a major hub for the manufacturing of CNC machines, boasting a reputation for high-quality and competitively priced machines. Here are some of the top CNC machine companies in Taiwan:
Goodway Machine Corp.
Founded in 1970, Goodway Machine Corp. is a prominent manufacturer of a wide range of CNC machines, including turning centers, machining centers, and vertical machining centers. They are known for their reliability, durability, and affordability.
Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd.
Established in 1969, Tongtai Machine & Tool Co., Ltd. is a major player in the global CNC machine market. They offer a comprehensive range of CNC machines, including machining centers, turning centers, and multitasking machines. They are known for their advanced technology, high-quality components, and strict quality control processes.
Kao Fong Machinery Co., Ltd.
Founded in 1978, Kao Fong Machinery Co., Ltd. specializes in manufacturing horizontal machining centers and boring machines. They are known for their high-precision machines, rigid construction, and ability to handle large workpieces.
Maxmill Machinery Co., Ltd.
Established in 1990, Maxmill Machinery Co., Ltd. is a leading manufacturer of CNC vertical machining centers and machining centers. They are known for their user-friendly controls, high-performance machines, and excellent value for money.
Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co.
Founded in 1940, Victor Taichung Machinery Works Co. is one of the oldest and most respected CNC machine manufacturers in Taiwan. They offer a wide range of CNC machines, including lathes, machining centers, and milling machines. They are known for their durable construction, reliable performance, and extensive experience in the machine tool industry.
Hiwin Technologies Corp.
Established in 1989, Hiwin Technologies Corp. is a major manufacturer of linear motion components and CNC machine tools. They are known for their high-quality linear bearings, ball screws, and CNC machining centers.
Litz Hitech Corp.
Founded in 1990, Litz Hitech Corp. specializes in manufacturing CNC lathes and turning centers. They are known for their high-precision machines, advanced features, and ability to handle complex machining tasks.
These are just a few of the many prominent CNC machine companies in Taiwan. The best choice for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements. Consider factors like the type of CNC machine you need, your budget, and the features that are most important to you.
Chinese made 5 axis contour control CNC machines are available but until security and economic situations improve, some amazing innovations and just great copies are available with great risk. With really affordable freight shipping and the right keywords, it’s really easy to deep dive the Chinese CNC machine market. Companies that make the most expensive and finest machines are:
Dongguan Jieshang Jiangde Cnc Machine Tool
Ningbo Gongcheng Machinery Co., Ltd.
Anhui Mingju Intelligent Equipment Co., Ltd.
Honorfuture
Uniontech
Dongguan Lewei Machinery Co., Ltd.
Sunrise Mechatronic Technology Co., Ltd.
Rakoncnc
While the Chinese CNC machines are relatively inexpensive alternatives, they have very little if any support and require an electronic engineering degree if you have a problem.
Here are some resources to learn more:
U.S. NATIONAL SECURITY AND THE PEOPLE’S REPUBLIC OF CHINA: This report discusses export controls on machine tools, including CNC machines, to address national security concerns https://www.fbi.gov/news/stories/chinese-government-poses-broad-and-unrelenting-threat-to-u-s-critical-infrastructure-fbi-director-says
Critical Technology Assessment: Five Axis Simultaneous Control Machine Tools: This document by the BIS details considerations for exporting five-axis CNC machines https://www.bis.doc.gov/index.php/other-areas/office-of-technology-evaluation-ote/technology-assessments
Great article on PPC compatible linux distros
https://www.pcwdld.com/best-powerpc-linux-distros
It’s a common misconception that DC-AC Inverters are capable of any single output exceeding 120V @ 10A. The maximum possible load on any inverter is dictated by the receptacle or hardwire terminal provided. Without exception all manufacturers outside of the US use 10A US IC receptacles or surface mount GFCIs. Only Xantrex/Schneider Electric, AIMs, Magnum, and Sigineer use 20A GFCIs receps from what I have seen. The end result is multiple 1200W receptacles but no inverters that have the correct gauge terminals to support a continuous 120V 5kW output.
Recommended wire size for a 12V 5000W pure sine inverter would have:
Wire cross-sectional area (A)
209.5kcmil
Wire gauge
0000 (4/0) AWG
Wire diameter (d)
0.4577in
Therefore, no 12V inverter on the market is capable of more than 1250W from any single IC receptacle except for the few with 4 posts instead of 2.
The AC terminal blocks on the amazon toys are questionable, with the renogy being the only one with a positive review but all using 12AWG stranded. As far as inverters go, there is no justification for mod sine or underrated designs.
Please be careful out there, as any inverter input terminals will dictate the maximum safe load that can be utilized and it rarely matches the label.
If you are an inverter manufacturer and you have a 2000W pure sine wave inverter that has 1/0AWG post input and 10AWG AC terminal block output you are on the right track and I would be happy to review your product.