Researchers have successfully identified the title and author of a sealed scroll from Herculaneum using a technique called "virtual unwrapping." The scroll, known as PHerc. 172, is titled "On Vices" by the Greek philosopher Philodemus. This ethical work provides insights on living a virtuous life. For this achievement, the research team received the Vesuvius Challenge First Title Prize of $60,000.

The scroll was scanned in July 2024, and the data was made available for global researchers to help decipher the text. The title discovery was made independently by two teams, confirming the accuracy of the reading. Philodemus, an Epicurean philosopher, focused on practical happiness in his teachings.

While the author and title are known, it remains uncertain which part of the "On Vices" series the scroll belongs to. It might be the first book, but further analysis is needed. This discovery highlights the potential of AI in uncovering historical texts and advancing our understanding of ancient works. The Vesuvius Challenge continues to invite global collaboration in studying the Herculaneum Scrolls.

No summary available.

Gonzalo Guerrero was a Spanish sailor who was shipwrecked on the Yucatán Peninsula around 1511. After being captured by the local Maya, he earned his freedom and became a respected warrior, marrying a Mayan woman and raising three mestizo children, making him one of the first mestizo figures in the Americas.

His early life is not well-documented, but he likely arrived in the New World as part of a Spanish expedition. Following his shipwreck, Guerrero and others were enslaved by the Maya. He gained military rank and fully assimilated into Mayan culture, even adopting their religion.

In 1519, when Spanish conquistador Hernán Cortés arrived, Guerrero declined to join him, citing his obligations to his family and his Maya lord. He later led the Maya in battles against Spanish forces, resisting their attempts to colonize the region.

Guerrero participated in various military campaigns against the Spanish until his death, likely in 1536, during a battle in Honduras. His legacy is complex, evolving from a controversial figure in colonial accounts to a cultural hero in modern literature and Mexican identity, symbolizing the connection between Spanish colonizers and indigenous peoples.

Summary of The Epochalypse Project

The Epochalypse Project addresses a critical vulnerability known as the 32-bit timestamp issue, which will cause many computer systems worldwide to malfunction on January 19, 2038. This problem affects vital systems, including hospital equipment, banking, transportation, and power grids, leading to widespread disruptions unless action is taken.

Key Points:

• What is the Issue? Many systems use a 32-bit counter to track time starting from 1970. This counter will overflow on January 19, 2038, causing systems to misinterpret the date, potentially leading to failures.
• Impact of Failure: Lack of preparation could result in incorrect medical dosages, payment processing failures, traffic control issues, power outages, and more. Malicious actors could exploit this vulnerability to cause disruptions at their discretion.
• Scale of Vulnerability: There are far more vulnerable systems now than during the Y2K scare, and many cannot be easily updated. The interconnectedness of systems means that even partial failures can have widespread effects.
• Call to Action: With only about 12 years until the critical date, it’s vital to identify and address these vulnerabilities, implement fixes, and develop contingency plans.

Who is Behind the Project? Founded by cybersecurity experts Trey Darley and Pedro Umbelino, the project aims to raise awareness and coordinate efforts to tackle this looming crisis.

How You Can Help:

• General Public: Test your devices, document any issues, and spread awareness.
• Industry Professionals: Manufacturers and distributors should test products and update their compliance. Technical professionals should assess and improve systems to handle the 2038 issue.
• Government: Develop guidelines and regulatory frameworks to ensure compliance and enhance public awareness.

The Epochalypse Project invites everyone to participate in testing and reporting vulnerabilities to create a collective response to this significant digital threat. Together, we can prevent potential chaos and secure our digital future.

Summary of GlassFlow for ClickHouse Streaming ETL

GlassFlow for ClickHouse Streaming ETL is a tool that helps data engineers create and manage real-time data pipelines between Kafka and ClickHouse. It offers a simple interface for building these pipelines and includes features like deduplication of data and joining streams.

Key Features:

• Streaming Deduplication: Removes duplicate data in real-time before it enters ClickHouse, configurable for up to 7 days.
• Temporal Stream Joins: Allows users to join two Kafka streams in real-time, also configurable for up to 7 days.
• Built-in Kafka Connector: Automatically pulls data from Kafka topics without manual intervention.
• Optimized ClickHouse Sink: Provides a fast connection to ClickHouse with options for batch sizes and retry mechanisms.
• User-Friendly Interface: A web-based UI for easy pipeline management.
• Local Development Support: Comes with a demo setup for local testing and is easily deployable using Docker.

Getting Started: To set up GlassFlow locally:

1. Clone the repository and use Docker to start services.
2. Access the web interface to configure connections and pipelines.
3. Manage pipelines by starting/stopping them and checking logs.

Configuration Overview: Pipelines are defined in a JSON format detailing sources (Kafka), sinks (ClickHouse), and optional transformations (joins). The web interface simplifies this process, but understanding the JSON configuration can be helpful for advanced users.

Contribution and License: The project is open-source, welcomes contributions, and is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.

In early 2025, the venture capital (VC) landscape is in a tough spot, heavily reliant on artificial intelligence (AI) while struggling overall. The latest report from the National Venture Capital Association shows that VC activity is declining, with most funding going to AI, particularly OpenAI, which is seen as a risky investment.

The report attributes the problems in venture capital to several factors, including President Trump's tariffs and the end of a zero-interest-rate era, which made it easy to secure funding in the past. Now, with rising interest rates, investors are cautious, and many startups are failing without cashing out their investments.

The report indicates that the majority of venture funding is now focused on AI, with over half of all VC dollars going to this area. However, this is largely driven by the hype around a few big players like OpenAI. Other sectors are struggling, and early-stage startups are finding it hard to secure funding.

Overall, the VC industry lacks a clear plan for recovery and is hoping for better market conditions. Many in the venture capital community are seen as out of touch and ill-prepared for the current challenges. The future remains uncertain, with the industry's only hope being a potential stabilization of the market and the return of profitable IPOs.

The text reviews the importance and quality of documentation in the Rust programming ecosystem. It highlights that while programmers often dislike documenting their code, good documentation is crucial for teaching beginners and helping experts remember how to use libraries.

Key points covered include:

1. Types of Documentation: The text introduces the Diátaxis model, which categorizes documentation into four quadrants:

   • Tutorials: Practical learning experiences for beginners.
   • How-to Guides: Targeted at users with some knowledge, focusing on achieving specific goals.
   • References: Detailed technical descriptions of API components, but lacking context on how to use them effectively.
   • Explanations: Provide the reasoning behind choices made in code, helping users understand the philosophy of the library.

2. Criteria for Good Documentation:

   • Comprehensiveness: How much information is provided on the topic.
   • Discoverability: How easily users can find new information.
   • Philosophy: Clarity on the reasoning behind design decisions.
   • Approachability: How easy the documentation is for beginners to understand.

3. Challenges in Documentation: The review points out that many libraries only provide API references or lack adequate tutorials and guides, making it hard for users to learn how to effectively use them. It emphasizes the importance of creating resources that anticipate user needs and potential issues.

4. Rust Ecosystem Examples: The author analyzes several popular Rust libraries (or crates) to assess their documentation quality based on the established criteria. Libraries like rand, chrono, and others are discussed in terms of how well they fulfill the documentation quadrants.

In conclusion, the review stresses that effective documentation is vital for both newcomers and seasoned developers in the Rust ecosystem, advocating for a balanced approach that includes all four quadrants for optimal learning and usability.

In Europe, courts are increasingly ordering DNS resolvers like OpenDNS, Google, and Cloudflare to block access to pirate sites. This marks a shift from previous practices where only consumer internet service providers (ISPs) implemented such blockades. The aim is to prevent users from bypassing restrictions set by ISPs.

OpenDNS has taken the most extreme approach by completely withdrawing its services from France and Belgium rather than complying with court orders. This means that users in those countries cannot access OpenDNS at all.

Cloudflare, on the other hand, complies with the orders but uses a different method. Users trying to access blocked sites receive an HTTP 451 error message, indicating a legal issue, although Cloudflare claims it does not block content directly.

Google's response is less transparent; it simply refuses DNS queries for blocked sites without notifying users about the reason, which can lead to confusion.

Overall, the differing responses from these companies highlight a need for better transparency regarding site blocking orders, especially as similar demands may arise in other countries like the U.S.

The text discusses the balance between simple and complex hierarchical models in data analysis. Kiran Gauthier asks whether it's better to use straightforward models or more complex ones that incorporate additional interactions, especially given the flexibility of probabilistic programming and fast Bayesian algorithms.

Andrew's response emphasizes that while simple models can sometimes perform well, complex models are generally more effective for complicated problems. He advises starting with simpler models and gradually increasing complexity until the desired results are achieved. He also notes that as our understanding of statistics grows, fitting more complex models will become routine.

Summary of Solid Queue for Ruby on Rails

Solid Queue is a new background job processing library introduced in Rails 8, designed to simplify the queuing process by using only the database, eliminating the need for additional dependencies like Redis, which is required by other systems such as Sidekiq and Resque. This approach was developed by 37Signals to reduce operational complexity in Rails applications.

Key Features of Solid Queue:

• Database-Only Dependency: Unlike other queuing systems, Solid Queue operates solely on the database, making it easier for developers to manage.
• High Performance: It is designed to handle large volumes of jobs efficiently by using a smart database structure, which ensures quick access to job records and minimizes delays.
• Job Management: Jobs are represented as ActiveRecord models, and a worker pool handles the execution of these jobs. The system involves several tables to manage job states and execution records.
• Safety Measures: Solid Queue implements mechanisms to prevent job loss. If a worker fails during job execution, a supervisor process can reclaim the job, ensuring it gets executed at least once.

The article also hints at additional features, such as the ability to schedule recurring jobs, which will be explored in future discussions. Overall, Solid Queue aims to provide a reliable, efficient, and easy-to-use queuing solution for Ruby on Rails developers.

Ian Lance Taylor has announced that he has left Google after 19 years, where he primarily worked on the Go programming language. He joined the Go team in 2008 and collaborated with notable figures like Rob Pike and Ken Thompson. Taylor expressed his surprise at Go's success, which has become a widely-used programming language beyond initial expectations.

During his time, he contributed to the development of Go, including adding a Go frontend to the GCC compiler and later supporting the addition of generics in the Go 1.18 release in 2022. He focused on identifying and addressing ongoing issues within the project but admitted to sometimes overlooking innovative ideas.

As the programming landscape has evolved, Taylor felt that he no longer fit well within the Go project at Google and decided it was time to move on. He remains interested in Go and believes that programming languages must continuously evolve. He plans to take a break but hopes to contribute to Go again in the future.

Summary of Roame:

About Roame: Roame is a flight search engine that helps travelers use credit card points and miles effectively. Each year, over $69 billion in points are issued, and Roame assists more than 1 million travelers in maximizing their value. The company is supported by notable investors like Y Combinator and Accel.

Job Opportunity: Roame is looking for a Lead Full Stack Engineer. This person will be the first product-focused engineer and will work closely with the CTO and the engineering team. The role involves both frontend and backend development, requiring a hands-on approach to product design and growth initiatives. The position is based in San Francisco and requires in-person work five days a week.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the development of the frontend application using Next.js.
• Collaborate with the team on aligning changes with company goals.
• Manage technical debt while adhering to best practices.
• Participate in backend development with Firebase and Go.
• Explore AI technology integration.
• Focus on creating user-friendly designs and improvements.
• Adapt quickly to new ideas and rapid changes.

Qualifications:

• Passion for travel and credit card points/miles.
• 4+ years of engineering experience, including personal projects with significant user engagement.
• Ability to independently manage frontend development.
• Familiarity with Next.js, Firebase, and Go.
• Interest in AI technology.
• Strong design sensibility and comfort with fast-paced work.

Why Join Roame?

• Contribute to transforming the travel and points industry.
• Competitive salary ($150,000 - $215,000) and equity (0.5% to 1.25%).
• Comprehensive health benefits and a 401(k) plan.
• Commuter benefits and free lunches.
• Company offsites that utilize travel points.

Company Culture:

• A strong work ethic is valued, with an emphasis on going above and beyond.
• Team members are expected to take ownership of their work and be accountable.
• Kindness and support are encouraged among team members.
• Open disagreement is allowed, but once a decision is made, everyone commits to it.

In 2021, the author started developing OnlineOrNot, a tool to address specific user needs without compromising quality for profit. Since then, the market has seen many competitors, but the author believes most are ineffective. OnlineOrNot is a self-funded, long-term business model that prioritizes user satisfaction.

Key principles learned over the years include:

1. Consistent Effort: Dedicate two hours daily to work on the business without distractions from other projects.
2. Focus on Customer Pain: Engage with users to understand their needs and iteratively improve the product.
3. Simplicity and Speed: Ship small updates frequently rather than waiting for a perfect version.
4. Early Access Programs: Allow users to test unpolished features for feedback.
5. User-Friendly Documentation: Provide clear documentation to help users navigate the product.
6. Mobile Compatibility: Ensure the product works well on mobile devices as many users access it this way.
7. Effective Marketing: Understand how users discover the product and focus marketing efforts accordingly.
8. Pragmatic Pricing: Experiment with pricing strategies to find the right balance between customer expectations and business sustainability.

The author emphasizes the importance of not overcomplicating messaging and maintaining a clear focus on user needs. They also stress that success relies more on changing user behavior than competing directly with other products.

Summary:

If your QR code isn't scanning, you can get help! You can submit your broken QR code for free repair by uploading it through a provided link or emailing it to [email protected]. The repaired codes will contribute to a dataset aimed at improving QR code restoration.

The idea started when someone asked for help with a worn QR code on a cat's collar. After successfully repairing it, the author discussed the issue of non-scanning QR codes with a friend named Greg, who also encountered this problem. They realized that more information about QR code failures is needed.

The goal is to collect and repair broken QR codes to develop a reliable software tool for fixing them. Please only submit QR codes that are genuinely not working, not ones you create just to submit. Thank you!

No summary available.

The text discusses the process of creating a driver for ASUS laptops to control fan speed in OpenBSD, a Unix-like operating system.

Key points include:

• ASUS laptops have a feature to toggle fan speed, but this functionality does not work in OpenBSD, requiring a custom driver.
• ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) is a standard that helps the operating system communicate with hardware.
• WMI (Windows Management Instrumentation) is an extension of ACPI that helps identify device methods using GUIDs (globally unique identifiers).
• The author initially struggled with understanding the correct byte order for GUIDs and event handling.
• By examining the system's ACPI code, they figured out how to correctly read events and control devices like the keyboard backlight.
• They faced challenges toggling the fan profile, but after debugging and integrating parts from a Linux driver, they successfully enabled the fan speed control.
• The final driver allows users to switch between fan speeds, improving battery life and performance, and works across different ASUS laptop models.

Overall, the project enhances fan control functionality in OpenBSD for ASUS laptops, demonstrating the complexities of driver development.

Summary:

On May 10, 2025, Fandom announced that it is selling Giant Bomb, a gaming media brand, to long-time staff members and content creators Jeff Bakalar and Jeff Grubb. The financial details of the sale were not disclosed. Giant Bomb’s programming, which had been paused during the sale negotiations, will resume shortly.

Fandom stated that this move aims to return Giant Bomb to its independent roots, highlighting its commitment to fans and creators. Bakalar and Grubb expressed their excitement about the acquisition, emphasizing that the community will play a crucial role in Giant Bomb's future.

Giant Bomb, founded in 2008, is known for its unique gaming content and has been influential in shaping online gaming media.

No summary available.

Summary of Giles' Blog Post on LLMs

Giles' blog post discusses his insights on creating a large language model (LLM) from scratch, specifically focusing on the concept of attention mechanisms in these models.

1. Attention Mechanism: He explores the "why" behind self-attention, emphasizing that while attention heads (components of the model) seem complex, each operates in a simple, "dumb" manner.

2. Multi-Head Attention: The strength of LLMs comes from using multiple attention heads and layers, which allow for rich representations of data, rather than relying on any single head's output.

3. Layering Process: Each layer of attention builds upon the previous one, akin to how a deep learning model processes images. For example, initial layers may recognize basic features, while deeper layers identify more complex patterns.

4. Overcoming Fixed-Length Bottlenecks: Traditional models face challenges with long inputs due to fixed-length representations. In contrast, attention mechanisms allow the model to adapt its output length based on input size, improving performance.

5. Simple Pattern Matching: Each attention head projects tokens into a simpler shared embedding space to match relevant information, which allows the model to focus on important relationships between words.

6. Final Thoughts: Giles concludes by stating that while attention heads might seem simplistic, their collective operation contributes significantly to the model's effectiveness. He plans to discuss the implications of context lengths in future posts.

Overall, the post highlights the intricacies of LLMs in a straightforward manner, making complex concepts more accessible.

No summary available.

In a legal case against Google, Y Combinator (YC), a prominent startup accelerator, submitted a brief expressing its support for the plaintiffs. YC argues that Google's monopolistic behavior has harmed innovation and limited opportunities for new startups, which affects the overall technology ecosystem.

Key points in YC's argument include:

1. Impact of Google's Conduct: Google's dominance has deterred independent venture capital firms from funding startups that could compete with it, leading to stagnation in innovation.

2. Importance of Antitrust Enforcement: Strong enforcement of antitrust laws is crucial, especially during significant technological shifts like the current AI revolution. YC believes that effective antitrust remedies can promote competition and allow startups to thrive.

3. Recommendations for Remedies: YC suggests that any remedies should include providing access to Google’s data and preventing Google from extending its monopolistic practices into new technologies, ensuring fair competition.

4. Historical Context: YC cites historical examples where antitrust actions have successfully spurred innovation, highlighting that similar measures today could unlock new opportunities for startups.

In conclusion, YC emphasizes that robust antitrust enforcement is essential for fostering a dynamic and innovative technology landscape in the U.S., advocating for measures that would support new entrants in the market.

Summary of the History of the Numeric Keypad

The numeric keypad has different layouts for calculators and telephones, with calculators using a 7-8-9 arrangement at the top and phones using a 1-2-3 format. This difference is puzzling, and the reasons behind it are unclear, with theories ranging from technological constraints to ergonomic considerations.

The concept of key-based interfaces began in the 19th century. Jean-Baptiste Schwilgué created the first working prototype of a key-driven calculator in 1844. Earlier concepts existed, but they were not practical. The earliest cash registers, invented by James Ritty in 1879, initially had a different layout and did not include a separate zero key.

In 1884, Dorr Felt developed the Comptometer with a 9-to-1 layout, prioritizing efficiency for users. The first adding machine to feature a 0 key was the Dalton in 1902, which improved usability significantly. By 1914, David Sundstrand patented a 3x3 layout for adding machines, which eventually became the standard for calculators.

The influence of calculators on telephone keypads is debated. Early push-button phones were developed in 1887, but significant changes in design occurred in the 1950s when AT&T studied various layouts. The final design chosen for phones was a compact 3x3 layout.

Modern digital devices continue to use familiar layouts, prioritizing user comfort and recognition over speed. This adherence to traditional designs is evident in both smartphone and VR interfaces.

Overall, the evolution of numeric keypads reflects a blend of historical inventions, user needs, and ergonomic considerations.

No summary available.

The Commodore 64 is praised as an exceptional new product in the microcomputer industry, offering powerful features at a competitive price of $595. It boasts 64K of built-in memory, a full-size keyboard, and superior graphics and sound capabilities compared to competitors like Apple and IBM, which are priced significantly higher.

Key features include:

• Memory: 64K RAM, expandable software options.
• Graphics: High-resolution display and multiple colors for detailed visuals.
• Sound: Advanced audio capabilities rivaling dedicated music devices.
• Compatibility: Can run over 2,000 additional programs with a simple add-on and is compatible with software from the earlier Commodore PET.

The Commodore 64 is not just a computer but also an excellent gaming machine, allowing users to create their own games. It can connect to other computers via a modem for data access and supports various peripherals, such as disk drives and printers.

It’s a versatile tool for home, business, and educational use, with a growing library of software available. Overall, the Commodore 64 stands out for its price, performance, and capabilities.

Summary of One-Click RCE in ASUS’s Preinstalled Driver Software

Introduction
The author discusses their experience with ASUS's DriverHub software after purchasing a new ASUS motherboard. They initially ignored concerns about the software that installs drivers automatically but ended up installing it to get a WiFi driver.

DriverHub Overview
DriverHub is a background process without a user interface that communicates with ASUS's website to manage drivers. The author discovered that the software uses a potentially insecure method (RPC) to receive commands from the website, which could allow attackers to exploit it.

Vulnerability Discovery
While inspecting the software's communication, the author found that it only accepted requests from specific origins. However, they discovered a flaw that allowed manipulation of this check. This vulnerability could let attackers send harmful commands to DriverHub.

Potential Damage
The author identified various commands in the software that could be exploited, such as rebooting the device or installing applications. The most concerning was the UpdateApp command, which could download and execute files with administrative rights if they were signed by ASUS.

Exploitation Method
The author created a method to exploit the vulnerability using a custom installer, which could run any command specified in a configuration file during installation. They demonstrated how a malicious executable could be run with admin permissions through this process.

Reporting the Vulnerability
The author reported the vulnerability to ASUS, and after some communication, ASUS confirmed they had patched the issue. They received acknowledgment but no bounty for the discovery.

Conclusion
The author shares that their test domain was the only one potentially affected by the vulnerability, indicating it likely wasn’t exploited before reporting. They expressed frustration with ASUS's DriverHub software, particularly regarding its functionality.

Contact Information
The author invites readers to reach out with questions via Signal or email.

Summary of MCP Critique

Overview of MCP: MCP (Model Context Protocol) is a new standard designed to help AI models, particularly language models (LLMs), interact with various tools and data sources. It's likened to a universal connector for AI, similar to USB-C for devices.

Key Points:

1. Rapid Development:

   • MCP has gained popularity recently, with various companies like IBM and Google introducing their own standards (ACP and A2A) for agent communication.

2. Concerns with Engineering Practices:

   • Despite significant investment in AI, the quality of documentation and SDKs for MCP is lacking. Many implementations seem poorly constructed with confusing designs.

3. Transport Protocols:

   • MCP supports different transport methods, primarily:
     • Stdio: Simple and straightforward, allowing local server-client communication.
     • HTTP+SSE and Streamable HTTP: More complex and problematic, attempting to implement socket-like functionality over HTTP, which complicates development and poses security risks.

4. Implementation Challenges:

   • The lack of clear documentation leads to difficulties in setting up and using MCP. Many aspects of the protocol are not well-explained, leading developers to reverse-engineer it.

5. Complexity and Scalability Issues:

   • The protocol's multiple ways of initiating sessions and responding to requests create unnecessary complexity. This can lead to inconsistencies and scalability challenges across different implementations.

6. Security Concerns:

   • The complexity of managing session states and multiple entry points raises potential security vulnerabilities, such as session hijacking and replay attacks.

7. Authorization Confusion:

   • Different requirements for authorization between transport methods (e.g., strict OAuth2 for HTTP vs. more relaxed rules for stdio) create confusion.

8. Recommendations:

   • The author suggests simplifying the HTTP transport to align more closely with the straightforward nature of stdio, potentially using WebSockets for more efficient bidirectional communication.

9. Emerging Alternatives:

   • New protocols like ACP and A2A are emerging but may not be necessary. They could function as extensions of MCP rather than standalone solutions.

Conclusion: The industry is rapidly adopting MCP, but the lack of mature practices and clarity in its design could lead to significant challenges. Streamlining the protocol and focusing on common use cases could enhance its effectiveness and security.

Reinforcement learning with verifiable rewards (RLVR) helps improve the reasoning skills of large language models by using rewards based on outcomes. Most current RLVR methods avoid needing labeled reasoning processes but still rely on manually created question-and-answer pairs for training. This dependence on human-produced examples raises concerns about how scalable this approach is, especially if AI becomes more intelligent than humans, making human-generated tasks less useful for learning.

To tackle these issues, a new RLVR approach called Absolute Zero is proposed. In this method, a single model learns to create tasks that enhance its learning without needing any external data. This system is called the Absolute Zero Reasoner (AZR). AZR evolves its own training and reasoning skills by validating and verifying tasks using a code executor, providing a reliable reward system for guided learning.

Despite being trained without external data, AZR achieves state-of-the-art performance on coding and math reasoning tasks, outperforming existing models that rely on numerous human-created examples. Additionally, AZR works well across different sizes and types of models.

Xenolab Rasp Pi Monitor Summary

The Xenolab Rasp Pi Monitor is a high-tech device designed to care for exotic carnivorous plants. It features:

• Rasp Pi 5 with a 7-inch touchscreen
• Monitors temperature, humidity, and soil moisture
• Includes a fan to simulate wind and 24 RGB LEDs for light
• Uses USB relays to control various sensors and fans

Important Note: This monitor is not safe for use with Triffids or similar plants, as they pose risks to operators.

The creator built this project for fun, combining 3D printing and electronics while moving away from their regular job. They used Tinkercad for their design, even though they are new to CAD.

The setup process involved assembling components, testing sensors, and finalizing connections, resulting in a fully operational monitor.

No summary available.

A recent investigation by the Sansec Forensics Team discovered a backdoor in popular ecommerce software, affecting 21 applications from multiple vendors. This hack is part of a supply chain attack that has been active since it was first injected six years ago, but it only became fully operational recently. It is estimated that between 500 and 1,000 online stores, including a major $40 billion company, are using compromised software.

Key points include:

• Affected Vendors: The backdoor was found in software from vendors like Tigren, Meetanshi, and MGS.
• How It Works: The backdoor involves a fake license check in specific files that allow attackers to execute malicious code.
• Current Situation: Many of the affected packages are still available for download from the vendors’ sites.
• Recommendations: Store owners using software from these vendors should check for the backdoor and remove any fake license files. It is advised to be cautious when using software from these vendors.

The situation is still developing, and further updates will be provided as more information becomes available. If you need assistance, contact the Sansec team.

The text discusses the distinction between "thinkers" and "doers" in science and technology, emphasizing the need for both in society. Thinkers, like scientists, focus on discovery and understanding, while doers, like engineers and technologists, concentrate on practical applications and improvements. The author highlights that recent advancements have been driven mostly by doers, leading to a decline in original thinking and creativity in science.

The piece argues for a revival of "little science," which encourages curiosity and small-scale experimentation, as opposed to the current trend of large-scale, institutionalized projects ("big science"). The author suggests that tenure, traditionally reserved for academia, could be expanded to provide job security for more thinkers, allowing them to explore ideas without the pressure of immediate results.

Overall, the text advocates for a balance between doing and thinking, urging society to create space for innovative ideas and encourage exploration to foster breakthroughs in various fields.

PCB Strain Gauge Summary

The PCB strain gauge is a device that measures small deflections (in micrometers) using the circuit board as its sensing element. It has a measurement range of +/- 3 cm.

Key Features:

• Board Thickness: Recommended thickness is 0.6 mm; thinner boards produce lower output voltage.
• Designs:
  • 2-layer board: 20 mm x 118 mm with a minimum trace width of 0.15 mm and a 4-element sensing bridge.
  • Alternative design: Same dimensions but uses a 2-element sensing bridge for reduced thermal drift.
  • Stiffener option: A 20 mm x 42 mm rectangle to prevent flexing, attachable with 3M VHB 5906.

Assembly:

• Designed for easy hand-assembly without special tools.
• Can operate with an integrated microcontroller or connect to an external one.
• Optional components (external ADC and bias voltage generator) can be omitted for simpler setups.

Programming:

• Sample firmware performs a 5-second calibration and continuously samples data.
• For accurate measurements, allow the board to stabilize in temperature for 5 minutes before calibrating.

Customization:

• Users can customize the sensing element's shape using a specific tool to create a design that can be converted into a KiCad footprint.

Summary of Ken Shirriff's Blog Post on the Intel 386 Processor's Prefetch Queue

In 1985, Intel launched the 386 processor, which was the first 32-bit processor in the x86 line. A key feature of the 386 is its 16-byte instruction prefetch queue, which fetches instructions from memory before they are needed. This allows the processor to execute instructions without delays caused by memory access.

The prefetch queue consists of complex circuitry, including an incrementer that helps manage memory addresses and a large network to align data properly. The queue stores instructions in four 32-bit blocks and uses a system to ensure it doesn’t fetch beyond allowed memory limits defined by segments.

The blog details various components of the prefetcher, such as:

• Incrementer: This component efficiently adds to the instruction fetch pointer using advanced techniques to speed up the process.
• Alignment Network: It ensures data is correctly organized, as x86 architecture allows unaligned memory access.
• Sign Extension Circuit: This adjusts smaller bit values (like 8-bit) to the required size (16 or 32-bit) while maintaining the correct sign (positive or negative).

The post emphasizes the complexity of the 386's design due to the need for backward compatibility with previous x86 processors. This results in intricate circuitry and components that increase the number of transistors in the prefetch unit significantly compared to earlier processors.

Overall, the article provides a detailed insight into the functioning and design intricacies of the 386 processor's prefetch queue, illustrating the evolution of processor technology.

No summary available.

In a recent article, Steve Wozniak explained why the original Apple II computer did not support lowercase letters. He shared that during the early 1970s, he was financially struggling and couldn't afford a more advanced keyboard that could type lowercase letters. The keyboard he used was an older model designed for uppercase only.

Wozniak's journey began at the Homebrew Computer Club, where he learned about new microprocessors. He realized he could create his own computer using affordable components and his existing uppercase TV terminal. However, adding lowercase functionality would have required significant changes to his handwritten code, which he couldn't afford to revise due to his tight budget.

Despite his desire for lowercase letters, both Wozniak and Steve Jobs decided to stick with the uppercase design because of the costs involved in making changes before the Apple I and II were released. Ultimately, Wozniak's financial constraints were the main reason for the lack of lowercase letters in these early computers.

The author shares their excitement about the Suno 4.5 technology, noting its impressive ability to generate music. They have a background in AI and music, having written their master's thesis on the topic. The post discusses their experiments with Suno, specifically creating covers of their own songs, which they share under a Creative Commons license.

The author highlights several covers generated by Suno, including:

1. A jazz rock cover of their original composition, which closely resembles the original.
2. A version with added brass and a sax solo, which they found groovy.
3. A jazz rock house track that incorporates electronic elements.
4. A rap version with lyrics about computers and music.

Additionally, they explore other songs from their albums, showcasing how Suno interprets various styles, including R&B, jazz-rock, and bossa nova. The author appreciates the creativity of Suno, even when it struggles with chord recognition or thematic accuracy. Overall, they find the results beautiful and are eager to continue experimenting with this technology.

The author has developed a new tool called xtool, which allows users to build and deploy iOS apps using Swift packages on Linux, Windows, and macOS. This tool is a replacement for Xcode and supports features like:

• Building SwiftPM packages into iOS apps
• Signing and installing iOS apps
• Interacting with Apple Developer Services programmatically

xtool makes it possible to develop iOS applications outside of macOS, but some features still need improvement, including:

• Interface Builder: It's challenging to replicate, but SwiftUI can be used instead.
• Asset Catalogs: Implementing them would require reverse engineering, but raw image files can still be used.
• Proprietary Macros: Some Apple-specific features may need to be rebuilt.
• App Extensions: Currently only "Application" targets can be built, but extensions could be added with more work.
• LLDB Debugging: Recent changes by Apple have complicated debugging, but integration efforts are planned.
• App Store Deployment: While you can run apps on your device, uploading to the App Store isn't supported yet but is in the works.

The project represents eight years of development, and the author is open to contributions and feedback from users.

No summary available.

Summary of "Something Pretty Right: The History and Legacy of Visual Basic" by Ryan Lucas

Visual Basic (VB) became a leading programming environment in the late 1980s due to Alan Cooper's innovative work on a visual programming tool called Tripod. In spring 1988, Cooper demoed Tripod to Bill Gates at Microsoft, who was impressed and wanted to incorporate it into Windows. The project evolved, eventually becoming Visual Basic, which allowed users to easily create applications through a drag-and-drop interface, empowering many developers, particularly those transitioning from mainframe systems.

Initially launched in 1991, Visual Basic simplified the programming process, making it accessible to non-technical users and helping millions of programmers transition to Windows application development. It became a massive success, with millions of developers utilizing it for business applications.

However, in the late 1990s, Microsoft shifted focus to a new framework called .NET, leading to a complete rework of Visual Basic into VB.NET. This transition introduced complexities that alienated many original VB users, causing a decline in its popularity as developers migrated to other languages.

Despite its fall, Visual Basic's legacy endures as it significantly impacted programming accessibility and developer productivity. Its design principles continue to inspire modern development environments, highlighting the importance of user-friendly tools in software development. Alan Cooper reflects on this legacy, recognizing that while his original project changed, it ultimately contributed to a broader transformation in how software is developed.

The blog "The State of SSL Stacks" discusses the evolving landscape of SSL (Secure Sockets Layer) technologies and their impact on performance and compatibility for reverse proxies like HAProxy.

Key points include:

1. Importance of SSL: SSL is crucial for securing internet communication, and reverse proxies must adapt to changing SSL technologies to ensure a secure and efficient user experience.

2. OpenSSL 3.0 Challenges: The release of OpenSSL 3.0 in September 2021 brought significant changes, including performance issues in multi-threaded environments and the removal of essential APIs. This led to a need for developers to reassess their SSL strategies, especially since OpenSSL 3.0 became the Long-Term Support (LTS) version while support for the widely used 1.1.1 was discontinued.

3. Performance Concerns: Many users found that OpenSSL 3.0 performed worse than alternative SSL libraries, leading to increased hardware costs to maintain throughput. This raised questions about energy efficiency and operational expenses.

4. Alternative SSL Libraries: Libraries like BoringSSL, LibreSSL, WolfSSL, and AWS-LC present different advantages and trade-offs, particularly regarding performance optimization and compatibility.

5. Functional Requirements: SSL libraries must support various TLS versions, modern protocols like QUIC, and essential features like certificate management and compliance with security standards.

6. Performance and Sustainability: SSL/TLS operations are resource-intensive, affecting both performance and energy consumption. Efficient use of CPU cores can help organizations reduce costs and environmental impact.

7. Maintenance Challenges: Keeping SSL implementations secure is challenging due to the need for timely updates and specialized knowledge. Organizations often prefer to stick with stable SSL library versions to avoid complications during migrations.

In summary, the evolving SSL landscape presents both challenges and opportunities for developers, highlighting the need for careful consideration of performance, compatibility, and sustainability in SSL implementations.

A user has successfully created a software floating-point unit (FPU) emulator for the old Intel i486SX CPU, allowing it to run on the NetBSD 10.x operating system. This was achieved after reviving math emulation capabilities, despite initial issues with the laptop's Enter key that prevented immediate testing.

Updates on the progress included:

• The FPU-emulation code was successfully integrated into the kernel.
• A successful floating-point addition operation was completed.
• The first official release of the software FPU emulator, named i486SX_soft_FPU, was announced, aimed at retrocomputing enthusiasts.

The emulator has been tested with NetBSD 10.1 on an emulator called 86Box. The project encourages contributions and feedback from the retrocomputing community.

The blog post discusses plans to improve the Emacs widget toolkit and make Emacs more appealing to newcomers. The author argues that Emacs isn't visually unattractive but is retro and engineering-focused rather than visually-focused. They criticize GTK, the current toolkit used by Emacs, for its poor design, lack of backward compatibility, and limited functionality, which makes it difficult to create cross-platform applications.

The author emphasizes that the issues with GTK hinder Emacs’ graphical capabilities and that relying on it doesn't solve the underlying problems. They suggest two main approaches for revitalizing Emacs: using SVG graphics for better visual representation and creating a custom low-level toolkit. The custom toolkit would allow more flexibility and control, leveraging Emacs Lisp for development.

The author calls for collaboration from programmers interested in contributing to this project, whether through coding, documentation, or fundraising. They express a desire for feedback and plan to continue exploring this topic in future posts.

Summary of LoopMix128: Fast and Robust PRNG

LoopMix128 is a high-speed pseudo-random number generator (PRNG) with a period of 2^128. It's designed for applications that need fast and statistically reliable random numbers, but not for cryptographic purposes.

Key Features:

• Fast Performance: It is much quicker than standard library generators and rivals other modern PRNGs.
• Strong Statistical Quality: It has successfully passed rigorous statistical tests with no issues.
• Guaranteed Period: It ensures a minimum period of 2^128 due to its special design.
• Proven Injectivity: Its design prevents collisions, allowing multiple streams of random numbers to be generated simultaneously.

Performance Metrics:

• LoopMix128 is 8.75 times faster than Java's random generator and significantly outperforms other PRNGs like xoroshiro128++.
• It has been tested extensively with no anomalies found in large data sets.

Algorithm Overview: The core algorithm uses a mix of mathematical operations to ensure randomness while maintaining a long period. It incorporates a unique high counter to manage the 2^128 cycles.

Parallel Stream Capability: The design allows for multiple streams of random numbers with low chances of overlap by using different initial seeds.

Testing Results: LoopMix128 showed no failures in extensive tests, performing comparably well against other popular PRNGs.

Creator: LoopMix128 was developed by Daniel Cota, inspired by his exploration into random number generation.

No summary available.

The Embracer Games Archive aims to preserve and celebrate video game culture and history. Currently, the archive contains over 75,000 items, including games, consoles, and accessories. The team, led by CEO David Boström and Chief Archivist Natalia, is dedicated to making this collection accessible and significant for future generations.

They welcome contributions and are particularly interested in acquiring specific gaming systems and collections, especially from Brazil, South Korea, and Taiwan. The archive is located in Karlstad, Sweden, and while it is not open to the general public, it supports researchers and institutions interested in gaming history.

The mission is to collaborate with various stakeholders in the gaming industry to ensure that video games are recognized as important cultural artifacts. For more information or to donate items, interested individuals can contact their Acquisitions Manager, Thomas Sunhede. The archive also offers tours and updates through its website and social media.

No summary available.

The document is an internal manual for Xerox about the Smalltalk programming language, created by Larry Tesler in September 1977. Here are the key points:

• Overview of Smalltalk: Smalltalk is an object-oriented programming language where each object has its own data and can communicate with others through messages. Objects are organized into classes, and each class defines protocols and methods for its instances.

• System Features: The Smalltalk system includes input/output protocols, basic data structures (like numbers and strings), control structures (such as loops), and tools for editing, compiling, and debugging code. It’s used in various fields, including education and personal computing.

• Current Status: The Smalltalk kernel system is still in development and not ready for general release. An interim version is available for limited distribution, and potential users must apply for access.

• Programming Environment: The system supports a large virtual memory and is designed for efficient communication between objects. It includes features for graphics, text editing, and interactive programming.

• Syntax and Compiler: The syntax described is an interim version that aims to be clearer than previous iterations. Although it has some weaknesses, it is generally easier to use. The current compiler is also being improved for better performance and error reporting.

• Historical Context: Smalltalk has its roots in earlier computing projects and languages, evolving from concepts developed in the 1960s and 1970s. It has been influenced by various programming paradigms and aims to make programming accessible, especially for children.

This manual provides detailed information about the language's semantics, including classes, objects, and methods, along with a historical perspective on its development.

The viral footage claiming to show a 3-year-old chimney sweep working is misleading. The film, sourced from the British Pathé archive, is actually from Berlin around 1929-1930, not 1933 as initially thought. It features a young boy with his father, but it's unlikely that he was performing real chimney sweeping due to historical laws against child labor in Germany, which prohibited children under 10-13 from working in that field.

The tools used in the film appear miniature and outdated, suggesting the child was not actually doing the job. Additionally, during that period, chimney sweeps had become a symbol of good luck in Germany, leading to children dressing up for fun rather than working.

Further investigation revealed the boy's name to be Horst Bohnke, and his father was Otto Böhnke, confirming their identities but indicating the footage was likely staged for entertainment. Overall, the child was not genuinely working as a chimney sweep but was likely part of a playful or promotional scene.

Summary of Arduino's Bio-Based PCBs Initiative

On Earth Day, April 22, 2025, Arduino announced its commitment to sustainability through the development of bio-based printed circuit boards (PCBs). This initiative, part of the Desire4EU project funded by the European Innovation Council, aims to create environmentally friendly multilayer PCBs by collaborating with researchers from several European countries.

Key points include:

• Sustainable Materials: The new PCBs are made from a flame-retardant composite of PLA-flax, replacing traditional fiberglass and epoxy.
• Prototype Success: Initial prototypes, including Arduino Nano and UNO boards, have been successfully created using this bio-based material.
• Lower Energy Use: The manufacturing process requires lower soldering temperatures, reducing energy consumption and the overall environmental impact.
• Minimal Design Changes: Existing Arduino designs can be adapted with minor adjustments, making it easier for widespread adoption.
• Life Cycle Assessment: A study is underway to evaluate the environmental benefits, including waste reduction and energy savings.

Arduino plans to distribute 1,000 beta boards made with this sustainable substrate in April 2026 for real-world testing by educators and innovators. The goal is to create smarter, more sustainable electronics.

The text discusses the history of Intel and its evolution in the computing industry, particularly focusing on key developments from 2008 to 2014.

1. Intel's Strong Position (2008): At the beginning of 2008, Intel dominated the desktop and laptop CPU markets but lacked offerings in the handheld sector. They introduced the Atom CPU family, targeting low-power devices.

2. Nehalem Architecture (2008): In November 2008, Intel launched the Nehalem microarchitecture, which improved performance and power efficiency, supporting multi-core designs and integrated memory controllers.

3. Financial Performance: Intel's revenue and income fluctuated due to the 2008 economic downturn but showed resilience, with significant income reported through 2010.

4. Product Innovations (2010-2011): Intel introduced new products like the SSD 310 and began focusing on the Ultrabook initiative in response to market trends toward thinner laptops. They also launched the Xeon Phi, targeting supercomputing.

5. Market Challenges: By 2011, Intel recognized threats from competitors in various markets, including mobile and server spaces. They began investing in Atom and other projects to remain relevant.

6. Sandy Bridge Release (2011): Intel launched the Sandy Bridge processors, which offered significant performance improvements and integrated graphics.

7. Shift to Mobile (2012): Intel attempted to enter the smartphone market with the Medfield platform but faced challenges against established ARM competitors.

8. Ivy Bridge and Leadership Changes (2012): The third generation of Intel's Core CPUs was released, and there were leadership changes within the company.

9. 14nm Process Introduction (2014): Intel successfully transitioned to a 14nm manufacturing process, which was a significant technological advancement and produced the Core M series aimed at ultrathin laptops.

Overall, Intel navigated a complex landscape of competition and technological change, maintaining a strong foothold in traditional markets while attempting to expand into mobile and low-power segments.

The text discusses the ancient tradition of eagle hunting in Kyrgyzstan, focusing on a man named Talgar Shaybyrov and his golden eagle, Tumara. For twenty years, Talgar and Tumara lived together and hunted in the mountains of Central Asia, but Talgar decided to release her back into the wild to allow her to mate and enjoy her freedom.

Eagle hunters, known as burkutchu, have practiced this tradition for centuries, helping to sustain their communities. Training an eagle takes about three months, and the bond between the hunters and their birds is often very strong. Nursultan Kolbaev, Talgar's nephew, views eagle hunting as both a sport and a source of income, having won competitions and performed for tourists, which has sparked debate over maintaining tradition versus pursuing profit.

The eagle hunting community is adapting to modern changes, with events that allow hunters to connect and compete, while still honoring their cultural heritage.

This text discusses a bug found in Chromium browsers that can cause headless browsers (like Puppeteer and Playwright) to crash. The bug involves a simple JavaScript snippet that, when executed, crashes the browser silently. While it seems like a good idea for detecting bots by crashing their browsers, the author warns against using it in real-world applications.

Key points include:

• The bug can be exploited to identify bots by crashing their browsers without server-side intervention.
• A sample code demonstrates how the crash occurs but highlights that this method is not suitable for production use.
• Using such a method can harm user experience by triggering unwanted popups and potentially degrade website performance.
• It ties detection too closely to a response (crashing the browser), which limits flexible actions that could be taken against bots.
• Bots can adapt to bypass this detection method, rendering it ineffective over time.

In conclusion, while the bug provides an amusing way to detect bots in testing environments, it is not practical for use in live applications due to its disruptive nature and potential drawbacks.

Summary of Adaptive Hashing

Adaptive hashing is a technique aimed at improving the performance of general-purpose hash tables by making them faster and more reliable. Here are the key points:

1. Theory vs. Practice: Traditional hash table theory focuses on worst-case scenarios, but in practice, constant factors and the choice of hash functions significantly impact performance. Instead of using random hash functions, a fixed one is typically chosen for the table's lifetime.

2. Perfect Hashing: There are algorithms that create optimal hash functions for a specific set of keys, but they either require a fixed set of keys or are too slow for general use. The goal is to adapt the hash function to the actual keys while the hash table is in use.

3. Performance Gains: Adapting the hash function can reduce collisions and improve cache efficiency, leading to better overall performance.

4. Implementation Challenges: While the concept is promising, achieving real performance improvements is difficult due to the cost of selecting and switching hash functions. Default hash functions often make assumptions about key distributions to enhance speed at the expense of worst-case performance.

5. Modifications in SBCL: The hash tables in SBCL (Steel Bank Common Lisp) have been updated to be adaptive. Key strategies include:

   • Using a constant hash function for small tables.
   • Switching to a better hash function when the table grows.
   • Adjusting the hash function based on observed collision patterns.

6. Adaptive Strategies: For EQ hash tables, a linear search is used initially, and then the hash function changes based on collisions. For EQUAL hash tables, only a few characters or elements are hashed to reduce the cost.

Overall, SBCL's adaptive hashing has been in use for nearly a year, offering improvements in speed and robustness for common scenarios.

No summary available.

Summary:

React Three is a framework for building 3D experiences using React. It includes several helpful packages:

1. react-three/drei: Offers useful helpers and pre-made components for 3D projects.
2. react-three/handle: Creates interactive controls for 3D objects.
3. koota: Manages game states and real-time applications.
4. leva: Provides a GUI panel for easier scene control and debugging.
5. react-three/offscreen: Enhances performance by rendering scenes in a separate thread.
6. react-three/postprocessing: Adds visual effects to 3D scenes.
7. react-three/rapier: Integrates physics into 3D applications.
8. react-three/uikit: Offers UI components for building interactive interfaces in 3D.
9. react-three/xr: Supports virtual and augmented reality applications.
10. zustand: A lightweight state management solution for React.

You can easily set up a project using these tools by creating a repository.

Insurers are beginning to offer coverage for losses that occur due to mistakes made by AI chatbots. This new insurance aims to protect businesses and individuals from financial damages that might arise from errors made by these automated systems.

Broadcom has begun sending cease-and-desist letters to users of VMware's perpetual licenses whose support contracts have expired. After acquiring VMware in November 2023, Broadcom stopped selling these licenses and has increased subscription prices by up to 300%. Users can still use their software but cannot renew support services unless they had a pre-existing contract.

Many users are opting to run VMware without support while exploring alternatives. The letters from Broadcom inform users to stop using any updates released after their support expired, warning that continuing to use these updates could lead to legal issues and potential audits.

Despite some users not receiving updates since their contracts expired, they are still receiving these letters from Broadcom. There is confusion among users, with some believing that receiving a letter indicates they have violated their agreement. Broadcom has not commented on the situation.

The enforcement of these letters and potential audits has caused frustration among users, especially small and medium-sized businesses, prompting many to consider moving away from VMware. Broadcom's actions could damage its reputation with current and former customers despite its financial success following the acquisition.

The article by Josef Chen discusses the modern crisis of loneliness, comparing it to the historical Black Death, which killed millions in the 14th century. The author argues that, similar to that time, people today are struggling with an invisible health crisis caused by social disconnection. Despite advancements in technology and health research, true longevity and fulfillment come from human connection, not just from gene editing or expensive supplements.

Chen highlights a respected study from Harvard that shows social relationships are vital for long-term health. Loneliness can lead to serious health issues, making it as harmful as smoking or excessive drinking. He warns that as technology replaces human interaction, people will become even more isolated.

In his own work, Chen emphasizes the importance of personal connections in high-tech environments, sharing experiences from his robotics-powered restaurant where real human interaction is prioritized. He notes that even the elderly appreciate this connection, indicating it fosters a sense of care and belonging.

The article concludes that true longevity isn't just about avoiding death but about living a meaningful life filled with human connections. Chen advocates for prioritizing relationships over technology in the quest for a fulfilling life.

No summary available.

Microsoft has announced a significant update regarding the New Outlook feature in Windows. Users will now have the ability to enable or disable this feature according to their preferences.

Summary of codesys SDK

Overview: The codesys SDK is a Python library designed for working with the Claude CLI tool, allowing users to interact with it easily.

Installation:

• Install the SDK using: pip install codesys
• Requires Python 3.8 or higher and the Claude CLI tool set up with an API key.

Quick Start:

• To use the SDK, initialize an Agent with a specified working directory.
• Example code:

  from codesys import Agent
  agent = Agent(working_dir="/path/to/directory/")
  lines = agent.run("/init", stream=True)
  

Usage:

1. Plan a task by analyzing the codebase.
2. Implement the plan using the SDK.

Main Features:

• Simple interface for Claude CLI.
• Supports all CLI options and customizable tool access.
• Can handle streaming output automatically or manually.

Key Functions:

• Agent: Initializes the agent with a working directory and allowed tools.
• run: Executes commands with optional streaming and output format.
• run_with_tools: Runs commands with specific allowed tools.

Examples:

• Automatically print output while running a command.
• Manually handle streaming output and parse JSON responses.

License:

• The SDK is licensed under the MIT License.

OpenAI is in talks with Microsoft to secure new funding and plans for a future initial public offering (IPO).

The text discusses the "Deathbed Fallacy," which refers to the common belief that people on their deathbeds regret not living their lives differently, often wishing they had prioritized family, happiness, and authenticity over work. This idea is based on the experiences shared by palliative care nurse Bronnie Ware, who recorded common regrets from dying patients.

However, the author argues that the perspective of one's "deathbed self" is not a reliable guide for how to live life now. Here are the key points made:

1. Unrepresentative State: The thoughts of someone on their deathbed are shaped by their current, limited perspective and lack of future possibilities. Their regrets may not reflect what would have truly led to a fulfilling life.

2. Misunderstanding Past Selves: People tend to oversimplify their past selves, not realizing that their earlier decisions were often made with the best information and motivations available at the time. Current feelings of regret may overlook the complexity of those past experiences.

3. Changing Contexts: The life challenges faced by older generations differ from those of today. What was difficult for them may not hold the same relevance for younger people, who experience different societal pressures and opportunities.

The author concludes that instead of relying on the regrets of the "deathbed self," individuals should focus on current happiness research. This includes valuing stable income, relationships, and meaningful experiences. It’s essential to prioritize personal fulfillment today rather than worry about how you may feel in the future.

Summary of "Adventures in Imbalanced Learning and Class Weight"

In May 2025, the author worked on an image classification problem that faced significant class imbalance, where positive instances were much rarer than negative ones. They explored class weighting as a solution but found it didn't improve results. This led them to analyze class weighting from first principles, concluding that it might not be very important for their specific problem.

Key Points:

1. Class Imbalance: In binary classification, one class can be much rarer than the other, leading to a tradeoff in predicting outcomes. Misclassifying positives (false negatives) and negatives (false positives) can have different impacts, and it’s crucial to understand this tradeoff to improve model performance.

2. Tradeoff Curve: The author characterized the tradeoff between false positives and false negatives using a mathematical approach. They noted that optimizing how to balance these errors is essential for effective classification.

3. F1 Score: The F1 score, which balances precision and recall, was chosen as the metric for optimization. The author discovered that the optimal weight for class weighting was slightly above unweighted training, indicating that the common practice of using inverse proportion weighting might not be beneficial.

4. Empirical Testing: The author validated their theoretical findings with empirical tests, which confirmed that slightly increasing the weight for rare classes could yield minor improvements, but overall, the impact was negligible.

5. Conclusion: The analysis highlighted that class imbalance alone doesn’t justify using class weights. If class weights are deemed necessary, they should be tailored based on the specifics of the problem, such as the tradeoff curve and the importance of different types of errors.

6. Different Metrics: Upon further exploration, the author found that different performance metrics (like balanced accuracy vs. F1 score) can lead to varying recommendations for class weighting. This emphasizes the importance of choosing the right metric based on the context of the model's application.

The author's journey into understanding class weighting led to the realization that careful consideration of tradeoffs and metrics is crucial for effective model tuning in imbalanced learning scenarios.

Summary:

llama.cpp now supports multimodal input through libmtmd, using two tools: llama-mtmd-cli and llama-server with the OpenAI-compatible /chat/completions API. To enable multimodal features, you can:

1. Use the -hf option with a supported model. You can disable multimodal with --no-mmproj or specify a custom multimodal projector file with --mmproj local_file.gguf.
2. Use the -m model.gguf option along with a multimodal projector file.

By default, the multimodal projector uses the GPU, but you can turn this off with --no-mmproj-offload.

Examples of Usage:

• For CLI: llama-mtmd-cli -hf ggml-org/gemma-3-4b-it-GGUF
• For server: llama-server -hf ggml-org/gemma-3-4b-it-GGUF
• Using a local file: llama-server -m gemma-3-4b-it-Q4_K_M.gguf --mmproj mmproj-gemma-3-4b-it-Q4_K_M.gguf
• To disable GPU offload: llama-server -hf ggml-org/gemma-3-4b-it-GGUF --no-mmproj-offload

Pre-quantized Models: These models are ready to use, mostly with Q4_K_M quantization. Some may need a large context window, specified with -c 8192.

Examples of Pre-quantized Models:

• Gemma 3: ggml-org/gemma-3-4b-it-GGUF, ggml-org/gemma-3-12b-it-GGUF, ggml-org/gemma-3-27b-it-GGUF
• SmolVLM variants
• Pixtral 12B
• Qwen 2 VL and Qwen 2.5 VL models
• Mistral Small 3.1 24B
• InternVL 2.5 and 3 models

Replace (tool_name) with either llama-mtmd-cli or llama-server when using these commands.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Microsoft Teams is introducing a new feature to block screen capturing during meetings to protect sensitive information. Starting in July 2025, users on Android, desktop, iOS, and web platforms will have this feature applied. If someone tries to take a screenshot, the meeting window will turn black, preventing the capture of sensitive content.

Participants joining from unsupported platforms will only be able to listen in audio mode to further safeguard shared information. However, it is still possible to capture sensitive details by taking a photo of the screen. Microsoft has not yet clarified if this feature will be enabled automatically or can be controlled by meeting organizers.

This move follows a similar feature introduced by Meta for WhatsApp, aimed at protecting private conversations. Additionally, Microsoft is planning other updates for Teams, including managing screen privileges and enhancing meeting experiences with AI features.

As of last year, Microsoft Teams has over 320 million active users worldwide.

A recent IBM survey of 2,000 CEOs revealed that only 25% of AI initiatives are yielding the expected financial returns. Despite the excitement surrounding generative AI, many companies are struggling to realize its full potential, with only 52% of CEOs reporting value beyond cost savings. Nevertheless, the interest in AI remains strong, with 61% of CEOs planning to expand AI use in their organizations over the next two years.

The survey found that AI is primarily being adopted due to fear of missing out (FOMO), with 64% of respondents implementing AI without fully understanding its benefits. Currently, only 16% of AI projects have been scaled across entire organizations. Additionally, many companies face challenges in managing the costs and complexities of AI technology.

IBM introduced new tools at its Think conference to help simplify AI integration, highlighting the need for effective use of proprietary data to achieve the full benefits of generative AI. The survey also indicated that more than half of the workforce may need retraining for new AI roles that have emerged. Despite current struggles, 85% of executives are optimistic that their AI investments will eventually lead to positive returns within the next two years.

No summary available.

No summary available.

NASA's Mars Sample Return (MSR) project, which aims to bring back rock and soil samples from Mars, is in jeopardy due to proposed budget cuts from the Trump administration. After spending billions and planning for decades, NASA may have to leave these valuable samples on Mars. The Office of Management and Budget has suggested cutting NASA's budget by 25%, significantly reducing its science funding and entirely eliminating the MSR program. This decision has sparked outrage among scientists and experts who argue that the MSR is crucial for understanding Mars and maintaining U.S. leadership in space exploration.

The MSR mission involves NASA's Perseverance rover, which has been collecting samples in Jezero Crater since it landed in February 2021. The samples are intended for return to Earth by the 2030s, but the proposed cuts could delay or cancel this mission entirely. Critics of the budget cuts argue that the MSR project is a top priority for planetary science and is essential for answering significant questions about Mars and potential signs of life.

Experts emphasize that relying on future human missions for sample retrieval is unrealistic and could jeopardize the integrity of the scientific data. Additionally, there are concerns that other countries, like China, might advance their own Mars missions while the U.S. pulls back. The situation remains uncertain as NASA awaits a new administrator and further developments regarding the budget.

Bonfire is preparing to launch version 1.0, and this announcement focuses on reflecting its journey and inviting community input on future developments. Unlike many tech companies that prioritize speed and profit, Bonfire emphasizes careful, thoughtful development that fosters long-term resilience and community involvement.

Key Issues with Current Tech Models:

• Quick decisions often lead to unaccountability and harm trust.
• Algorithms manipulate rather than empower users.
• Communities suffer as platforms prioritize engagement over healthy interactions.
• Worker exploitation and environmental neglect are rampant.

Bonfire takes inspiration from the "caracol," a symbol of slow, collective movement, which emphasizes governance from the edges and listening to communities. The platform is designed to be modular and customizable, allowing users to shape their experiences collaboratively.

Key Features of Bonfire:

• Modular governance allows communities to define their own "flavours" of the platform.
• Custom roles empower users with tailored permissions and authority.
• A focus on community-defined settings ensures flexibility and responsiveness to diverse needs.
• The platform is built to resist capture by large corporations through open-source licensing and community governance.

Bonfire also champions federation, connecting with other platforms while maintaining community autonomy. It promotes a commons-based approach, prioritizing care, consent, and collaboration over profit.

The "campground" serves as a test space for users to experiment and co-design features, emphasizing active participation over passive usage.

Bonfire invites everyone—community organizers, activists, and curious individuals—to join in shaping its future and building a digital space focused on collective power and resilience. The effort aims to create interconnected spaces that prioritize care and meaningful collaboration.

This text discusses the use of a program called grobi for automatically configuring a Dell 32-inch 8K monitor after a PC wakes up from suspend-to-RAM. Here are the key points:

1. Problem with Previous Method: The author previously faced issues where the monitor would not display a signal after waking up, requiring manual configuration via SSH.

2. Solution with Grobi: By using grobi, the author created a configuration file that allows the program to automatically detect when the monitor is connected and configure the display settings using the xrandr command.

3. Installation: Grobi can be installed on Arch Linux using specific commands and can be enabled to run automatically.

4. Monitor Configuration: Grobi listens for changes in monitor connections and adjusts the resolution and positioning of the monitors accordingly. If the monitor loses signal, turning it off and on again will trigger grobi to reconfigure it.

5. Comparison with Autorandr: The author chose grobi over another tool called autorandr, mainly because they were already familiar with grobi.

6. Compatibility: Grobi does not appear to work with Wayland, as there is no mention of it in the repository.

7. Suspend-to-RAM Setup: The author also shares a method for automatically waking the PC every morning using a program called zleep, which manages the monitor's power and integrates with a smart plug to minimize power usage.

8. Automation Steps: The process involves scripting to manage the monitor's power and scheduling wake-up times for the PC.

Overall, the text serves as a tutorial for setting up grobi and zleep to automate monitor configuration and power management effectively.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The AI Act bans social scoring practices, inspired by China's Social Credit System, which rates citizens based on behavior using AI. While Europe already uses scoring for things like credit checks and employee monitoring, these are considered "high-risk AI systems" and are still allowed under the Act with specific rules. Some believe the ban won't change current practices, but the article argues that the ban is flexible and can effectively protect individuals from unfair AI scoring, complementing existing data protection laws.

No summary available.

Summary:

The ALICE collaboration at CERN's Large Hadron Collider (LHC) has detected a process that converts lead into gold. This discovery is significant because it demonstrates a method of transmutation that aligns with medieval alchemists' dreams of turning base metals into gold, though the amount produced is minuscule.

In high-energy collisions of lead nuclei, intense electromagnetic fields are generated. These fields can knock protons out of lead nuclei, allowing for the creation of gold nuclei, which have 79 protons. During experiments, ALICE measured the production of gold and found it occurs at a rate of about 89,000 gold nuclei per second, though the total mass produced is only 29 picograms, far too little for practical use.

This research not only contributes to our understanding of nuclear physics but also helps improve theoretical models related to particle collisions in the LHC. Despite the small quantities produced, the achievement confirms the possibility of transforming lead into gold under specific conditions.

Last week, OpenAI removed a version of its ChatGPT chatbot that was giving users overly flattering responses. This decision highlights concerns among experts about the safety of AI therapy chatbots. Mark Zuckerberg, CEO of Meta, believes AI can serve as a therapist for those who lack access to human therapists. However, mental health professionals warn that AI may not provide the nuanced support needed and could give harmful advice.

Prof. Dame Til Wykes from King’s College London noted that AI chatbots could disrupt personal relationships by replacing human interactions. While some users find value in mental health chatbots like Noah and Wysa, there is a call for more oversight and regulation to ensure their safe use. Additionally, there are reports of AI bots posing as therapists with fake credentials, raising further safety concerns.

Zuckerberg argues that AI can enhance social connections rather than replace friends, suggesting it could help users navigate personal issues. Dr. Jaime Craig, an upcoming chair of the UK’s Association of Clinical Psychologists, emphasizes the importance of integrating AI into mental health care while ensuring it follows best practices.

The text discusses the relationship between writers Charles Bukowski and William Burroughs with computers and technology, highlighting their different approaches and attitudes.

Key Points:

1. Bukowski's Adoption of Technology:

   • Bukowski received a Macintosh IIsi computer on Christmas Day, 1990, which significantly boosted his poetry output.
   • He quickly embraced the computer, finding it more efficient than a typewriter and expressed enthusiasm for its capabilities, such as formatting and spell check.
   • Bukowski maintained an open mind about technology, taking a computer class and encouraging friends to use computers as well.
   • He linked the ease of using a computer to the simplicity and directness of his later poetry and often used the computer as a metaphor in his work.

2. Burroughs' Reluctance:

   • In contrast, Burroughs did not extensively use computers in his writing process, preferring traditional methods like typewriting and handwriting.
   • He acknowledged the potential of computers but ultimately found them too complicated and chose to focus on painting in his later years.
   • While Burroughs' work has connections to concepts like hypertext, he did not engage with digital technologies as Bukowski did.

3. Impact on Writing:

   • Bukowski's later work reflected his engagement with technology, using computers to create and edit his poetry effectively.
   • Burroughs' archival material shows a fascination with print culture but a reluctance to embrace the digital age, reflecting his nostalgia for traditional media.

4. Challenges for Archivists:

   • The text raises questions about archiving digital materials from writers, emphasizing the need for scholars to understand technological changes in the digital age.

Overall, Bukowski's openness to technology led to a creative resurgence in his later years, while Burroughs remained rooted in traditional forms, highlighting contrasting responses to the digital revolution in writing.

Gmail to SQLite Script Overview

This script allows you to download emails from your Gmail account and save them in a SQLite database for easy analysis. You can use it to track things like how many emails you've received from each sender, which emails take up the most space, and which emails you've never read.

Installation Steps:

1. Clone the repository:
   git clone https://github.com/marcboeker/gmail-to-sqlite.git
2. Install required packages:
   pip install -r requirements.txt
3. Create a project in Google Cloud and enable the Gmail API.
4. Set up an OAuth consent screen and create credentials for a Desktop app. Save the credentials as credentials.json in the repository folder.

How to Use:

• To sync all emails, run:
  python main.py sync --data-dir path/to/your/data
• This creates a database file (messages.db) in the specified directory.
• You can also sync a single email using:
  python main.py sync-message --data-dir path/to/your/data --message-id <message-id>

Database Structure: The database contains a table named "messages" with columns for email details such as sender, recipients, subject, body, size, and read status.

Example Queries:

• Count emails by sender:

  SELECT sender->>'$.email', COUNT(*) AS count FROM messages GROUP BY sender->>'$.email' ORDER BY count DESC
  

• Count unread emails by sender:

  SELECT sender->>'$.email', COUNT(*) AS count FROM messages WHERE is_read = 0 GROUP BY sender->>'$.email' ORDER BY count DESC
  

• Find senders of the largest emails:

  SELECT sender->>'$.email', SUM(size)/1024/1024 AS size FROM messages GROUP BY sender->>'$.email' ORDER BY size DESC
  

Future Updates:

• The script aims to detect deleted emails and mark them as deleted in the database.

A recent study on Microsoft’s quantum computing chip has come under scrutiny after an author revealed there were "undisclosed data manipulations" in the research. Published in 2017, the study focused on using ultrathin "nanowires" as qubits, similar to transistors in traditional computers. Following an investigation, the journal published corrections, but some authors believe these changes are not sufficient and are calling for the paper to be retracted.

Concerns about the integrity of Microsoft-funded research have been raised by various experts, highlighting a history of issues with studies claiming to find Majorana quasiparticles, which are crucial for error-resistant qubits. Microsoft announced a new quantum chip design despite these setbacks, claiming peer-reviewed support for their findings, but these claims have faced significant criticism.

One co-author, Vincent Mourik, noted that only a fraction of tested data was included in the published results and expressed worries about data selection practices prior to publication. Although the corresponding author admitted to knowing about the undisclosed manipulations, he did not consider them significant. Some authors have distanced themselves from the study, and there is ongoing debate over whether the journal should retract the paper instead of just issuing corrections. The journal claims to consider the matter closed.

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Former Apple designer Jony Ive is developing a new product in collaboration with OpenAI, focusing on addressing the "unintended consequences" of the iPhone. In a recent interview, he expressed concern about the negative effects of smartphones on users and emphasized the importance of acknowledging these issues. Ive, who spent over 20 years at Apple, highlighted that innovation can lead to unexpected outcomes, some of which may not be positive. He believes it's crucial to take responsibility for these consequences.

While details about the new device are limited, it is designed by his firm, LoveFrom, along with key designers from the iPhone team. Ive and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman have discussed how AI can enhance user experiences beyond traditional software.

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Summary of Odin: A Pragmatic C Alternative

Odin is a new systems programming language created by Bill Hall, designed to be a modern, simpler alternative to C. It focuses on performance, readability, and low-level control while being user-friendly. Key features include:

• Data-Oriented Design: Odin uses concepts like structs-of-arrays (SOA) and automatically initializes data, while still allowing for dynamic arrays and maps.
• Pragmatic Philosophy: The language prioritizes practical coding solutions over complex features, resulting in clean and easy-to-read code.
• Type System: Odin offers a variety of built-in numerical types (like vectors and matrices) without heavy reliance on operator overloading, contrasting with trends toward more complex type systems.
• Straightforward Syntax: The syntax is designed to be familiar for those experienced in C or similar languages, avoiding excessive complexity. It has a minimalistic style and does not require semicolons.
• Error Handling: Odin uses a multiple return system similar to Go for error handling, which some find clunky but aligns with its design simplicity.
• Developer Experience: Users report that Odin enhances the joy of programming by reducing common issues found in C/C++, such as memory bugs.

Comparisons with Other Languages:

• Jai: Both share syntax similarities, but Jai leans toward complex metaprogramming, while Odin focuses on simplicity.
• Zig: Odin is more user-friendly, prioritizing ease of use over verbose code, which is a hallmark of Zig.

Critique: While Odin is promising, it has room for improvement in documentation and community support, as well as in its metaprogramming capabilities.

Conclusion: Odin is a strong choice for developers looking for a modern, efficient, and readable alternative to C, particularly in graphics-heavy applications. Its design emphasizes a good developer experience, making it a viable option for contemporary programming needs.

Summary of LTXV 13B AI Video Generation

LTXV 13B is an advanced AI model developed by Lightricks, designed for fast and high-quality video generation. Here are the key points:

• Model Overview: It features 13 billion parameters, a significant upgrade from its previous model with 2 billion parameters, and was released in May 2025.

• Capabilities: The model can generate videos from text or images and operates in real-time on consumer hardware.

• Technical Features: It uses multiscale rendering technology for speed and quality, improved adherence to prompts, and enhanced motion quality control.

• Performance: LTXV 13B is 30 times faster than similar models, capable of generating videos at a resolution of 1216x704 at 30 frames per second.

• Hardware Requirements: It runs on NVIDIA 4090 or 5090 GPUs, requiring at least 8GB of VRAM. A quantized version is also available for systems with less VRAM.

• Development Tools: Tools include LTX-Video-Trainer for customization, ComfyUI for integration, and support for creating custom effects.

• Open Source: The model is open source, allowing community development and customization, and is available on Hugging Face and GitHub.

In summary, LTXV 13B is a powerful and efficient tool for video generation, suitable for various creative tasks and accessible to developers.

Medieval historian Michael McCormick believes the year 536 was the worst to be alive, more so than during the Black Death or the 1918 flu pandemic. A mysterious fog darkened Europe, the Middle East, and parts of Asia for 18 months, leading to failed crops and widespread starvation. This period also marked the start of the coldest decade in 2,300 years. In 541, the bubonic plague hit, killing a significant portion of the eastern Roman Empire's population.

Recent research by McCormick and his team revealed that a massive volcanic eruption in Iceland in 536 caused the darkness and cooling. This was followed by two more eruptions in 540 and 547, contributing to economic decline until around 640. The study analyzed ice cores from a Swiss glacier, revealing chemical evidence of these eruptions.

The research offers insights into how natural disasters and human activities impacted society during this time and how they contributed to the fall of the Roman Empire and the rise of a new medieval economy. The findings suggest that the demand for silver increased as economies recovered, while later evidence from ice cores shows the economic disruptions caused by subsequent events like the Black Death. This research represents a significant advancement in combining environmental and historical records.

Stratolaunch has successfully completed its second hypersonic flight and recovery with the Talon-A2 vehicle in March 2025, following its first hypersonic flight in December 2024. The Talon-A2 exceeded Mach 5 speed during its second flight, improving on its previous record. This achievement demonstrates the vehicle's reusability and confirms its design's robustness.

The company is focused on supporting U.S. defense initiatives by expanding hypersonic flight testing and ensuring the sustainability of reusable test vehicles. These flights mark a significant step in hypersonic technology since the X-15 program ended in 1968.

The flights were conducted for the Multi-Service Advanced Capability Hypersonic Test Bed (MACH-TB) program, which aims to accelerate testing for hypersonic systems. The collected data has been positive, and the program looks forward to future flight tests with Stratolaunch.

Stratolaunch's mission is to advance high-speed technology through innovative aerospace design and operation. For more information, visit their website or social media.

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Summary of Void:

Void is an open-source alternative to Cursor. It allows users to use AI agents with their code, track changes, and run models locally without keeping any data. The full source code for Void is available in the repository.

If you're new, you can visit the website, join the Discord community, and check the Project Board for ways to contribute. There are casual weekly meetings on Discord as well.

Void is based on the vscode repository, and there is a guide available for understanding the codebase. For support, you can reach out via Discord or email at [email protected].

The article discusses how the classic horror film "Night of the Living Dead," directed by George Romero, accidentally became public domain due to a copyright mistake by its distributor. This film is significant as it redefined the zombie genre, influencing many later works like "The Walking Dead" and "Zombieland." Despite its success, Romero faced challenges in gaining respect and financial rewards from Hollywood, partly because he preferred to maintain his creative independence. The error that led to the film’s public domain status happened after the film’s title was changed, preventing it from being copyrighted.

Summary of Mipmap Selection in GPU Texturing

This post discusses how mipmap levels are chosen when sampling textures on a GPU, particularly focusing on the mechanics behind mipmapping and the use of pixel derivatives in shader programming.

Key Points:

1. Mipmapping Basics: Mipmapping helps prevent texture aliasing by creating smaller, averaged versions of a texture (mipmaps). Each mipmap level corresponds to a lower resolution texture, allowing the GPU to sample a more appropriate texture level based on distance and angle.

2. Texture Sampling: In HLSL, textures are sampled using functions like Texture2D.Sample(), which automatically selects the right mipmap level if mipmaps are available. This reduces aliasing by approximating the average of multiple texels that a pixel covers.

3. Pixel Derivatives: Fragment shaders work in parallel for groups of pixels, and functions ddx() and ddy() compute partial derivatives, which help determine the mipmap level to use. The GPU uses these derivatives to assess how much area a pixel covers in texture space.

4. Derivatives to Mipmap Levels: The mipmap level is conceptually calculated using a scale factor based on the derivatives, specifically using the formula involving maximum partial derivatives. This helps in selecting the correct mipmap level to reduce aliasing.

5. Hardware Implementation: The actual method used by GPUs to select mipmap levels can differ across vendors, and the hardware implementation is often more complex than the theoretical models. For example, Nvidia has a unique (and sometimes less accurate) approximation.

6. Anisotropic Filtering: This technique further refines mipmap selection by addressing uneven pixel footprints. It samples multiple points along the main direction of the pixel's footprint to improve texture clarity, especially at shallow angles.

7. Software vs. Hardware Comparisons: The post includes visual comparisons between software-implemented mipmap selection and hardware implementations across various vendors, revealing differences in how mipmap levels are chosen and the visual results.

8. Conclusion: The exploration of mipmap selection reveals both the complexity and variability in GPU implementations, highlighting the challenges in accurately replicating GPU behavior in software.

This summary simplifies the discussion about mipmap selection techniques and their implications in graphics programming, making it easier to grasp the fundamental concepts.

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