Day: May 20, 2013

Spell to hack your Mac

Who’d have thought that Apple had such huge Harry Potter fans:

The SMC, or system management controller, is a chip used to regulate a Mac’s current and voltage, manage its light sensor, and temporarily store FileVault keys. Turns out that the SMC contains undocumented code that is invoked by entering the word “SpecialisRevelio,” the same magic words used to reveal hidden charms, hexes, or properties used by wizards in the Harry Potter series written by author J. K. Rowling.

via “SpecialisRevelio!” Macs use Harry Potter spell to unlock secret “backdoor” | Ars Technica.

Bechdel test

Interesting way to evaluate gender bias in fiction:

The Bechdel test is used to identify gender bias in fiction. A work passes the test if it features at least two women who talk to each other about something other than a man. Commentators have noted that a great proportion of contemporary works fail to pass this threshold of representing women.

via Bechdel test – Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.