Topic: Amd

The Federal Trade Commission is facing legal challenges from the Chamber of Commerce over its new ban on non-compete agreements. The tech industry is expected to be most affected, as companies like Intel and AMD have historically used these contracts to protect circuit designs and trade secrets from being carried to competitors by departing engineers.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has proposed a new rule to ban non-compete clauses in employment contracts, labeling them as coercive and anti-worker. This move would significantly impact Silicon Valley companies like Intel and AMD, where such clauses often prevent engineers from moving to competitors for several years. The ban could empower workers recently laid off from major tech firms to start new ventures.

The hosts discussed the history of AMD stock and its volatility in the trading market. They also addressed a message from the "Awake Not Woke" podcast regarding the implementation of the value-for-value model. The discussion clarified that value-for-value is a pricing mechanism based on voluntary exchange rather than a "tip jar" system, which the hosts view as diminutive.

A host recounts experiences serving as an expert witness in the AMD vs. Intel legal battles. The process involved lengthy depositions designed to rack up legal fees, with lawyers questioning the host's expertise and credentials in the technology sector.

Intel and other chip manufacturers face a deep-seated security flaw affecting processors made over the last decade. The vulnerability involves "speculative execution" where processors guess future tasks, potentially allowing attackers to read sensitive memory. Fixes for the bug are expected to slow computer performance by 12% to 30%, particularly impacting cloud services like Amazon EC2 and Microsoft Azure.

A significant security flaw affecting Intel processors is identified, potentially allowing unauthorized access to system subsystems. Software patches designed to fix the vulnerability are reported to cause performance degradation of up to 30% on affected hardware. Intel and AMD are engaged in public disputes regarding which architectures are susceptible to the glitch.

The hosts note the passing of Dutch soccer legend Johan Cruyff at age 69 and Intel co-founder Andy Grove at age 79. Dvorak shares personal anecdotes about Grove, describing him as a "hard-driving" CEO who used a Macintosh and was an obsessive "clean freak." He also mentions Grove's long-standing feud with AMD, which Grove pursued against the wishes of Robert Noyce.

A discussion ensues regarding how individuals in specific professional circles, such as the State Department or major tech companies, adopt unique linguistic patterns and pronunciations. One host shares an anecdote about being able to identify employees of AMD, Dell, and Microsoft based solely on their appearance and mannerisms at an awards ceremony in Brazil. They note the shift in pronunciation of words like "allies" among political elites.

The hosts identify a trend of "neo-prohibitionism" in media, citing a *Mythbusters* episode that compared tired driving to low-level alcohol consumption. They also debunk a study from Australia claiming that drinking four beers a day can lead to age-related macular degeneration (AMD). The study is criticized for using vague language like "might" and "could" while ignoring other factors like smoking.

The European Union, led by Commissioner Neelie Kroes, fines Intel $1.45 billion for anti-competitive practices against AMD. John C. Dvorak discusses his history with Silicon Valley lawsuits and the potential for further legal trouble for Intel under Sarbanes-Oxley regulations.

The benefits of custom-engineered silent computers from NPC Noise in Vancouver, Washington, are explored. These machines utilize specialized Antec cases, large slow-moving fans, and soundproofing to maintain high performance without the noise typical of standard PCs. A comparison is made to loud AMD sample machines that sounded like jet testing centers.

Despite the economic slowdown, low stock prices for companies like Intel and AMD are viewed as a "buying opportunity of a lifetime." As consumers save more and the economy grinds to a halt, retailers like Walmart are reintroducing layaway programs through email marketing to accommodate the shift in spending habits.

Personal experiences serving as an expert witness in high-stakes Silicon Valley technology lawsuits are shared. The discussion covers the tactical use of document stalling in cases like Intel vs. AMD and the process of providing depositions for companies like Microsoft and Lindows.

The episode concludes with the hosts sharing their plans for the upcoming week. One host mentions an upcoming meeting with AMD and cleaning his office, while the other prepares for a Fourth of July parade involving a deli promotion. They sign off from their respective locations in the United Kingdom and Northern California.