Using AI for your taxes, what VPNs won't do, and SAP is making big AI moves
Plus, my spectacular CNC failure, a cheap camera hack for your 3D printer, Big Ben Rickrolls, a super-strong drywall anchor, and more
I’m David Gewirtz. Welcome to this week’s Advanced Geekery newsletter. It’s been an exciting week. Let’s dive in.
My latest video
This week, I added an inexpensive camera to the Anycubic Kobra 3. This is a walkthrough on how to make it work.
My articles
Here’s a quick recap of the articles I published in the last week on ZDNET.
5 ways AI can help with your taxes - and 10 major mistakes to avoid: Tax preparation is changing fast but AI still has flaws. Here's where AI tax tools shine, where they fail, and how to use them wisely.
The end of data silos? How SAP is redefining enterprise AI with Joule and Databricks: SAP's new AI-driven data platform integrates SAP and non-SAP data, breaks silos, and enables next-gen automation with Joule AI agents. Is your business ready?
10 common dangers VPNs won't protect you from online - and how to avoid them: Think a VPN makes you invincible online? Think again. While VPNs offer security, they won't protect you from these 10 mistakes that could expose your data, finances, and personal information.
This week’s project: attempting a clamp rack
If you watched my recent video about super-simple wood storage, you saw how my clamps are blocking all my shelves. I decided to install some French cleats (wood bars with 45-degree angles that slot into each other), in an effort to make a new home for my clamps.
The cleats themselves went in well. I used some new tools and toys (I’m spotlighting the drywall anchors I used in the Tool of the Week section below). But otherwise, the project went a bit off the rails. Since this is the Digital-First Workshop, I decided to use the CNC to make the shelves. This happened.
The first rack cut out well enough, but when I tried to cut the second design, the bit hung up in the wood. Since that traversal path should have had the bit above the wood, I’m guessing it slipped out of the router. I’ll have to fix that, and I may need a new bit.
Also: The Ultimate Space-Saving CNC Cart - Motorized Lift!
I did manage to get some of my smaller clamps up on the wall, but all the dimensions in the clamp rack are wrong. The clamps don’t hang right. I had to hand cut a piece of the rack because I didn’t account for the height of the cleat holder. The whole thing turned out a bit wonky. And then, as I mentioned, the CNC failed.
I’m not giving up. I put a fifth cleat above the four shown here. I should be able to place modified racks on the bottom, middle, and top cleats. We’ll see. Hopefully, I’ll be able to show you those next week.
Wasn’t it Thomas Edison who said, “I have not failed. I've just found 10,000 ways that won't work”?
Tool of the week
This SnapToggle drywall anchor is a modern take on the old toggle bolts. What I like is that the metal screw connects to the metal bar, there’s no hinge, and it’s entirely metal on metal. The tie wrap is used to place the toggle and snug it up, but all the structural support is entirely metal.
Here, I’m getting ready to install it in the wall. As you saw above, it was able to hold the weight of a bunch of clamps.
All you need is a half-inch drill bit. I did have to drill a recessed hole in my cleats for the round head screw, but that’s what drill presses are for.
Note: As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.
Must-watch YouTube
Moving on, let’s queue up some interesting YouTube videos for your entertainment and edification.
CNBC took a fairly in-depth look at Amazon’s counterfeit problem, and how they’re fighting back.
One of the first Hitchcock movies I ever saw was Rear Window, and I was hooked. This guy has an in-depth analysis about the approach Hitchcock took to make the movie such a suspenseful masterpiece.
When it comes to Rickrolling, even Big Ben gets into the action. Click it. Go ahead. You know you want to. Click. It. The main event starts 35 seconds in.
Interesting reads
And now, some good stuff from around the Internet, well worth reading.
A woman hiking in the Alps discovered 280 million year old fossils.
Get ready for the Blood Moon. Put it on your calendar for March 13-14.
ZDNET’s Erin Carson has a fascinating article about how VR on the International Space Station is helping keep the astronauts sane.
Send in your projects
I’d like to regularly spotlight a reader project or two here. Your project doesn’t have to be a big Kickstarter launch. If you’ve built something cool, it has some pretty pictures, and you’re proud of it, I might be able to share it here.
If you have a photogenic reader project, send an email to me at david@zatz.com with the subject “READER PROJECT,” a few pictures, and a short one-paragraph description. If you have a social media link or a link to the project, include that, too.
Both my EPs are now streaming
Available on all your favorite streaming services.
More clicky
I’ve got a lot happening all over the web. Here are links to my various stuff:
House of the Head: home for my published music
ZATZ Labs: where I host my published software projects
Feel free to dig around, visit, and say hey!
Leave some comments
Substack supports comments, so feel free to leave some. I promise to read them. Just, please, let’s keep our personal politics out of any discussion.
That should do it for this week. This newsletter is really starting to pick up subscribers. Please help it out by sharing links on all your socials.
Have a great week!