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A search engine is now able to index PDF files, a process that will take several months to complete. Extracting text from PDFs is challenging because PDFs store text as graphics rather than as straightforward text. This makes it difficult to identify key elements like headings and paragraphs.

To improve text extraction, some methods have been developed:

1. Identifying Headings: Headings are often distinguished by font size and weight. A method is proposed to analyze font sizes on each page rather than relying on a global standard, as different documents use various size conventions. A factor of 20% above the median font size of each page can help identify headings.

2. Joining Headings: Headings may be split into multiple lines, and determining when to join them is complex. A simple rule is to join consecutive lines that share the same font size and style.

3. Identifying Paragraphs: Current tools like PDFTextStripper can identify paragraphs fairly well but struggle with varying line spacing. A statistical approach can help refine this by analyzing the spacing between lines on a page.

Overall, while extracting text from PDFs is inherently imperfect due to the format's design, improvements can enhance the relevance and coherence of the extracted information for search engines.

This mini-site documents my experiences learning Snobol, a programming language focused on pattern matching, and creating a simple Forth interpreter using Snobol.

Key Points:

• Learning Snobol: Snobol has been on my programming list for a long time, and I find it fascinating due to its unique approach to pattern matching. Unlike Awk, Snobol relies solely on pattern matching for control flow, making it quite different from modern programming languages.

• Snobol Structure: Each line in a Snobol program contains five optional parts: label, subject, pattern, replacement, and goto. This simplicity can be helpful for beginners but may lead to challenges in larger programs.

• Creating a Toy Forth Interpreter: To apply what I learned, I decided to implement a toy Forth interpreter in Snobol. I based it on the "99 Bottles of Beer" program, resulting in a Forth interpreter under 500 lines of code.

• Learning Through Projects: I believe having a specific target program helps in understanding a new language. This method proved effective in testing my Snobol skills.

• Resources: I've created additional materials, including introductory guides on Snobol and insights into my project development.

This project was completed in a relaxed setting, often late at night. All content is my own and I created the visuals using a free drawing program.

Summary:

The Microsoft Store package is available for Windows LTSC versions: 2019, 2021, and 2024. However, the Microsoft Store no longer works on Windows 10 LTSC 2019, as it requires an update to function. Users will need to uninstall it using an Uninstall.bat file if it's already installed. To install the package, simply download it and double-click to run. After installation, you may need to update the Microsoft Store in its settings for the best experience.

In a high-stress work environment, it's common to feel overwhelmed and consider quitting. However, it's important to remember that everyone is under pressure, and snapping at colleagues can damage your professional relationships. These connections are crucial for future job opportunities, as you may need recommendations later. Instead of focusing on deadlines or tasks, prioritize your relationships with coworkers, as every interaction is a human one. Staying respectful and supportive can help you maintain a positive reputation, even in tough times.

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Coffee stains appear darkest at the edges when they dry due to the way the liquid evaporates. When a drop of coffee lands on a surface, it spreads out, but the edges are hindered by imperfections in the surface. As the coffee evaporates, the evaporation occurs more quickly at the edges than in the center. This causes more liquid, which carries dark coffee particles, to flow towards the edges. When the liquid evaporates, the coffee particles remain, leading to a higher concentration of color at the edges. Thus, the edges of the stain end up being darker than the center.

Summary: A Programming Language Made for Me

The author discusses their experience with the Odin programming language, highlighting its incorporation of favorite C practices learned while working at a game engine company. Key features of Odin include:

1. Custom Allocators: Odin has built-in support for allocators, allowing for advanced memory management compared to traditional C.

2. Temporary Allocators: Efficiently manage memory for short-lived allocations (like in video games) with a built-in temporary allocator.

3. Tracking Allocators: Helps detect memory leaks by recording allocations and deallocations, making debugging easier.

4. Zero Initialization (ZII): All variables in Odin are automatically initialized to zero, reducing bugs from uninitialized memory.

5. Designated Initializers: Allows specific fields in structures to be initialized while others default to zero, enhancing code readability.

6. Cache-Friendly Programming: Odin supports "Structure of Arrays" (SoA) for better CPU cache efficiency, simplifying memory layout management.

7. Simplicity: Odin aims to maintain the simplicity of C while integrating modern features, making it approachable for programmers.

The author encourages those unfamiliar with programming to seek additional resources, like their book on Odin, to help with learning. They invite readers to join a Discord server for discussions on Odin and game development.

Summary of FastVLM: Efficient Vision Encoding for Vision Language Models

FastVLM is a new system designed to enhance how images are processed in vision-language models, aimed at improving efficiency and speed. Key features include:

• FastViTHD Encoder: A hybrid vision encoder that reduces the number of tokens and speeds up encoding for high-resolution images.
• Performance: The smallest model variant is 85 times faster than LLaVA-OneVision-0.5B and has a vision encoder that is 3.4 times smaller. Larger models surpass recent competitors, offering 7.9 times faster performance.
• Mobile App: There is a demo app for iOS to showcase the model's capabilities on mobile devices.

Getting Started: To use FastVLM, follow instructions from the LLaVA codebase for training and running your models. Set up the environment with specific commands provided.

Model Availability: Various model versions are available for download, with checkpoints for different sizes (0.5B, 1.5B, and 7B).

Usage: Instructions are given for running model inference using Python, including special guidelines for Apple Silicon devices and general Apple devices.

Citation: Users are encouraged to cite the paper if they find the code useful.

Acknowledgements and License: The project acknowledges contributions from others and includes licensing information for using the code and models.

The text describes the official GitHub repository for Mozilla's Firefox web browser. Here are the key points:

• Repository Overview: The Firefox repository is public and managed by Mozilla. It currently has over 3,400 stars and 120 forks.
• Structure: The repository contains various directories for different components of the browser, such as browser, devtools, and extensions, among others.
• Documentation: Users can find an explanation of the directory structure and how to build Firefox from source code through specific links provided in the README file.
• Nightly Builds: Developers can download nightly builds for testing, but these may contain bugs.
• Contributing: There are resources for developers to ask questions and contribute to the project.

Overall, it serves as a central hub for Firefox's source code and development information.

Summary of Switch Project Part 1

The author has been working on an open hardware Ethernet switch since around 2012, which has influenced other projects like ngscopeclient and high-speed probes. The initial version of the switch, called "open-gig-switch," faced limitations due to the available hardware and the author's developing skills in high-speed digital design. Despite some progress, it ultimately became a dead-end project.

Over the years, the author gained experience and improved equipment, allowing for better designs. A new project, named LATENTPINK, was developed as a prototype. This board successfully integrated various components, including a VSC8512 PHY for 10G Ethernet. However, the project uncovered the need for more powerful hardware to support advanced features.

The next iteration, LATENTRED, aims to be a more powerful 1U switch with dual 24-port line cards and enhanced uplink capabilities. The design will include multiple PCBs and innovative interconnect solutions to improve performance and reduce complexity. The author has made significant progress on the hardware but still needs to finalize the switch engine architecture and software integration.

While there is more work ahead, the author anticipates having a functional prototype by mid-2026. The project continues to evolve, incorporating new technologies and designs based on previous learnings.

Summary of A5 - Global Geospatial Index

A5 is a geospatial index that divides the world into pentagonal cells, offering 32 resolution levels. The largest cell covers the entire globe, while the smallest is less than 30mm². Each cell at a resolution level has nearly equal area (within 2%), making it easier to analyze spatial data, such as relationships between different variables or the distribution of point data like holiday rentals.

Key features of A5 include:

• Uniform cell sizes, reducing bias in data representation.
• High resolution of 30mm² at the finest level, using a 64-bit integer for encoding.
• Minimal distortion in cell areas globally.

A5 uses a unique pentagonal tiling of a dodecahedron, which helps maintain the shape of cells when projected onto a sphere, resulting in less distortion compared to other systems that use regular shapes like triangles, squares, or hexagons.

A5 is open source, implemented in TypeScript, and available for use as a library with API documentation.

The term "anti-personnel computing" refers to the use of computing devices in ways that harm the users and benefit other parties. An "anti-personnel computer" is a device that primarily serves this purpose. The name is inspired by the concept of "anti-personnel mines" and combines it with "personal computing" and "personal computer."

The article discusses the evolution of asynchronous programming in Java, from its early use of Threads to the more modern StructuredTaskScope introduced in Java 21.

Key Points:

1. Asynchronous Programming: It's essential in modern programming languages, with Java having less seamless syntax compared to languages like JavaScript or Go.

2. Early Java Threads: Initially, Java required manual management of threads, which was complex and error-prone.

3. ExecutorService: Introduced in Java 5, it simplified thread management but still had blocking issues with result retrieval.

4. ForkJoinPool: Launched in Java 7, this was designed for CPU-intensive tasks and used a work-stealing algorithm.

5. CompletableFuture: Introduced in Java 8, it allows non-blocking task chaining, improving how asynchronous tasks are handled.

6. ParallelStreams: Also from Java 8, this feature enables concurrent processing of collections, optimizing performance for large datasets.

7. Flow API: Added in Java 9, it supports reactive programming for managing streams of asynchronous data.

8. Virtual Threads: Introduced in Java 21, these lightweight threads improve CPU utilization and can handle multiple tasks without blocking.

9. Structured Concurrency: Also in Java 21 (preview), it allows grouping concurrent tasks, ensuring that if one fails, the others can be canceled, simplifying error management.

10. Choosing Concurrency Techniques: Java offers various APIs for different scenarios, such as simple tasks, CPU-bound or I/O-bound tasks, and reactive systems, allowing developers to choose based on their specific needs.

In summary, Java has significantly evolved its concurrency capabilities, making it easier for developers to manage asynchronous programming.

The author is resigning from the National Science Board and the Library of Congress Scholars Council due to concerns about the erosion of these institutions' integrity and their ability to fulfill their missions. Despite the dedication of many civil servants, the political environment has become increasingly hostile, leading to the dismissal of key figures and the obstruction of meaningful work.

The National Science Board, which has historically supported scientific freedom and innovation, is now hindered by political interference, reducing its role to a mere formality. The author feels that discussions are no longer impactful, and the advisory body has lost its significance.

Similarly, the Library of Congress is experiencing democratic decay, highlighted by the recent dismissal of its Librarian, Dr. Carla Hayden, which reflects broader political targeting. This change signals a struggle over who controls knowledge dissemination.

The author emphasizes that remaining in these roles would imply complicity with the current system, which undermines knowledge. Resigning is framed as a refusal to participate in dishonesty, aiming to advocate for a more honest and effective approach to knowledge stewardship. The decision to leave is both a personal and a political stance, intending to amplify the voices of those still working within these institutions.

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Summary:

The Barbican is a remarkable architectural complex in London, built between 1965 and 1976. The author, initially skeptical of its design, has grown to appreciate its beauty and rich history. During a recent visit, the author took a two-hour guided tour with friends, learning fascinating details about the estate, including:

• Residents can live through various life stages in the same place.
• The complex is designed like a maze, making it easy to get lost.
• It includes hidden areas accessible only to residents, who have special keys.
• Barbican was built on Roman and Medieval ruins, including a 1,000-year-old Jewish burial ground.
• The architecture is inspired by ancient Egyptians and features references to famous designers.

The Barbican is also a popular site for media and photography. For those interested in learning more, the author recommends several books on the topic, including "Barbican Residents" and "Building Utopia: The Barbican Centre."

A recent study found that remote work during the COVID-19 pandemic led to more employees starting their own businesses. Researchers analyzed data from LinkedIn and IP addresses to track this trend, concluding that about 11.6% of new businesses formed post-pandemic can be linked to remote work.

Factors like reduced commuting time, increased productivity, and flexible schedules allowed employees to explore entrepreneurship while still having a steady income. However, this trend poses a challenge for companies, as they risk losing key employees who may start competing firms.

While some studies suggest that remote work can reduce the desire to start new businesses due to existing workplace flexibility, this research highlights that remote work can foster entrepreneurship, particularly in growing sectors like biotech.

Many large tech companies are now limiting remote work, citing reasons like improved teamwork and productivity, despite evidence suggesting that remote work boosts overall productivity. As of 2025, remote work still makes up a significant portion of paid workdays for many Americans.

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The European Vulnerability Database (EUVD) has officially launched, providing a platform to track important security flaws as the US struggles with its own vulnerability tracking system due to budget cuts and delays. The EUVD aims to enhance vulnerability management and offers a transparent source of information for users of affected ICT products.

ENISA's Executive Director, Juhan Lepassaar, highlighted that the database will help users find mitigation measures for vulnerabilities. The EUVD is similar to the US National Vulnerability Database (NVD) but promises more timely updates and better navigation.

The EUVD features three dashboards for critical vulnerabilities, those actively exploited, and those coordinated by EU cybersecurity teams. It pulls data from various sources, including open databases and vendor advisories. ENISA can also assign CVE identifiers as part of its role in the CVE program, which faces uncertainty due to funding issues in the US.

Overall, the EUVD is a timely response to the challenges faced by the US in managing cybersecurity vulnerabilities.

Air traffic control (ATC) has faced ongoing challenges due to years of underfunding, mismanagement, and outdated practices. This situation has evolved from the early days of aviation when there was little need for ATC, as there were few planes and limited technology. The development of aviation radio during World War I marked a significant turning point, allowing for better communication between pilots and ground control.

In the 1920s, the U.S. Post Office initiated Air Mail services, which played a crucial role in funding the aviation industry and led to the establishment of flight service stations that provided weather information and tracked flights. By the mid-1930s, ATC became a government responsibility with the creation of en-route control centers to manage increasing air traffic.

World War II brought significant advancements, including the introduction of radar, which transformed air defense and later ATC practices. After the war, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) was established to unify civil and military aviation control and improve safety following high-profile mid-air collisions.

The FAA initiated major investments in ATC modernization, including implementing radar systems and computer technologies to enhance tracking and safety. However, challenges persisted, including the complexity of coordinating military and civilian air traffic.

Flight service stations, which originally provided support for pilots, have gradually diminished in importance due to automation and privatization. Today, the FAA continues to grapple with outdated systems and overlapping functions, leading to inefficiencies in the National Airspace System. Overall, ATC has evolved significantly but still faces ongoing issues that impact aviation safety and efficiency.

Modern large language models (LLMs) face slowdowns not just from computing power but also from how they communicate data. Multi-head Latent Attention (MLA) addresses this by using smaller, low-rank matrices for key-value (KV) layers, which reduces the size of cached data and speeds up processing. MLA also uses a special matrix to improve performance, sacrificing some computation to lower communication needs.

While MLA has proven effective in certain models, many companies still use Group Query Attention (GQA) and haven’t switched to MLA. This paper shows that GQA can be represented by MLA without adding to the data overhead, but not the other way around. To promote MLA's use, the authors introduce TransMLA, a method that converts popular GQA-based models (like LLaMA and Qwen) into MLA-based ones. After conversion, these models can be further trained to enhance performance without increasing data size. The authors also plan to create techniques to keep the models fast after transformation, improving efficiency in future applications.

Summary of "Can You Really Trust That Permission Pop-Up On macOS? (CVE-2025-31250)"

Key Points:

1. Vulnerability Overview: A flaw in macOS (CVE-2025-31250) allowed one application (A) to create a permission pop-up that looked like it was coming from a different application (B), while the user's consent was applied to yet another application (C). This could potentially lead to security risks.

2. Patch Status: Although a patch was released in macOS Sequoia 15.5, it was discovered that earlier versions (macOS Ventura 13.7.6 and macOS Sonoma 14.7.6) were not patched, leaving systems vulnerable.

3. Technical Details:

   • The issue stemmed from the TCC (Transparency, Consent, and Control) permissions system, which did not properly validate the application requesting permission.
   • The vulnerability involved sending specific messages to the TCC daemon, enabling the spoofing of consent prompts.

4. Exploitation Method: Attackers could exploit this by timing the spoofed prompts to appear when a user is focused on a legitimate app, increasing the chances of the user granting permission unknowingly.

5. Consequences: If exploited, attackers could gain user consent for critical permissions like camera and microphone access, potentially leading to malicious activities.

6. Apple's Fix: Apple has released a patch that enhances the validation process for permission requests, effectively fixing the vulnerability.

7. Conclusion: Users should remain cautious about permission prompts and regularly update their macOS to protect against such vulnerabilities. The article also hints at the importance of security awareness and the ongoing nature of security research.

Final Note: The author emphasizes the need for vigilance in cybersecurity, as vulnerabilities can often be complex and require thorough investigation to resolve effectively.

Summary of 15 Years of Shader Minification

Demosceners create complex animations in small file sizes using a tool called Shader Minifier, which optimizes GLSL code. This blog post discusses the tool's development over 15 years.

Origins: In 2010, the demand for impressive 4k intros in the demoscene led to the creation of Shader Minifier. It automates tedious tasks like removing extra spaces and renaming variables to reduce file size.

Compression Challenges: Initially, the tool used macros to shorten code, but it was found that these actually hindered compression with tools like Crinkler. It became clear that modern compressors are better at optimizing the code on their own.

Variable Renaming: Renaming variables to single letters seemed beneficial, but reusing names proved more effective for compression. The tool aggressively reuses variable names and has even revealed bugs in the GLSL compiler due to its optimizations.

8k Intros: Transitioning to 8k intros brought new challenges, requiring Shader Minifier to adapt. It has implemented features like static analysis and inlining to further reduce file sizes. The tool now helps create 8k intros more efficiently while maintaining readability.

Future Improvements: Shader Minifier continues to evolve, with potential improvements for even larger 64k intros. The goal remains to simplify the development process and make it easier for creators to produce compact, high-quality animations.

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The article discusses Andy Clarke's design project for Emmy-award-winning game composer Mike Worth. Mike wanted a website that reflects his love for '90s animation without being overly nostalgic. Andy aimed to incorporate a playful and expressive design while ensuring the site is modern, accessible, and responsive.

Andy reflects on the use of image maps, a web design technique from the '90s, which allows clickable areas over images. Although image maps have declined with the rise of CSS and JavaScript, they still offer benefits like being lightweight and accessible. However, they come with challenges, such as being hard to maintain and lacking visual feedback.

In his design, Andy experimented with image maps but found them insufficient for his needs. Instead, he opted to use inline SVGs with invisible clickable paths, allowing for larger interactive areas and better user feedback. This approach enabled him to create a modern design that captures the expressiveness of '90s websites.

Ultimately, Andy emphasized the importance of choosing the right tools for design, blending old techniques with modern methods to achieve a unique and functional website.

Summary of the Conversation with Jason Pruet on AI for Science

Jason Pruet, the Director of the National Security AI Office at Los Alamos National Laboratory, discusses the transformative impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on science and security. He believes AI is no longer just a helpful tool but represents a fundamental change in how scientists solve problems and make discoveries.

Key Points:

• Investment in AI: Los Alamos has invested more in AI this year than ever before, reflecting a renewed commitment to scientific progress similar to post-World War II government support for science.
• Collaboration with Universities: The Lab is collaborating with universities to provide access to advanced computing resources, crucial for AI research.
• Advancements in AI: The introduction of transformer models has significantly enhanced AI capabilities, leading to breakthroughs in various fields.
• AI's Development and Potential: While AI shows remarkable abilities, there is still much to learn about its full potential. Current AI models are outperforming humans in many benchmarks.
• Global Competition: The race for AI capabilities is likened to an arms race, with countries recognizing AI's strategic importance for economic and defense advancements.
• Risks and Safety: While AI offers great potential, it also poses risks, including job displacement and security threats. There is a need for responsible development and international collaboration to manage these risks.

Pruet emphasizes that AI's evolution is accelerating, and the focus should be on how quickly society can adapt to this change. Overall, he sees AI as a pivotal force that will shape the future of many sectors.

Summary: P-Hacking and How to Avoid It

P-hacking is a practice where researchers manipulate data or analyses to achieve statistically significant results, often compromising the integrity of scientific findings. Here are five common ways it can occur:

1. Ending Experiments Early: Researchers may stop an experiment once they find a significant result before reaching their planned sample size, leading to unrepresentative findings.

2. Repeating Experiments: Some may run experiments multiple times until they get a significant result, selectively reporting only the successful attempt and ignoring failures.

3. Cherry-Picking Results: Researchers might highlight only the favorable outcomes from their data while omitting others, creating a biased view of their findings.

4. Tweaking Data: Decisions on including or excluding data points can be influenced by the desire to achieve significance, instead of being based on scientific reasoning.

5. Selective Reporting: Focusing only on results that support a hypothesis while neglecting those that do not can mislead others in the scientific community.

To avoid these pitfalls, researchers should predefine their sample sizes, report all results transparently, and stick to established data analysis practices. This helps maintain the credibility and reproducibility of scientific research.

No summary available.

USENIX has decided to end its Annual Technical Conference (ATC) as of May 11, 2025. The conference, which started in 1975, was once a key platform for sharing innovative ideas in systems research. Over the years, the conference shifted towards an academic focus, losing touch with industry practitioners. In 2004, concerns grew about the lack of industrial participation, leading to discussions about the future of systems research.

Despite the decline of USENIX ATC, new programming languages like Go and Rust emerged as significant contributions to the field, largely driven by open-source development rather than traditional academic channels. The rise of open-source systems has changed the way innovation occurs in the industry.

The decline of USENIX ATC was also influenced by the challenges of organizing in-person conferences, especially as online events became more popular. Although the conference was once a vital platform for groundbreaking work, it struggled to remain relevant in recent years. The last notable paper at ATC focused on validating AI infrastructure, highlighting the conference's legacy in addressing real-world problems.

In summary, while USENIX ATC played an important role in the past, it struggled to adapt to the changing landscape of technology and research, leading to its discontinuation.

Nextcloud, a European software company, claims that Google is unfairly limiting its Android Files app, which has over 800,000 users, by revoking its access to all files on devices. This permission was crucial for the app's functionality, allowing it to read and write all file types. Google has suggested that Nextcloud use more privacy-focused alternatives, but Nextcloud argues these options do not meet their needs.

Since Google changed its policy in 2024, Nextcloud has struggled to get the permission reinstated, receiving only generic responses from Google in return for their appeals. The app remains fully functional on other platforms like F-Droid, but its Google Play Store version suffers from these restrictions.

Nextcloud believes Google's actions are part of a broader strategy to suppress competition from smaller companies. The company has encountered similar issues with other tech giants and has criticized the slow regulatory processes that fail to protect smaller developers. Nextcloud emphasizes that these changes threaten their ability to compete effectively. Google has not responded to requests for comment on the situation.

Summary:

A team from the University of Texas at Austin, along with other institutions, has made a significant breakthrough in fusion energy research. They have developed a new method that predicts the movements of particles in fusion reactors much faster—ten times quicker—than the traditional approach, while still maintaining accuracy.

The challenge in fusion energy has been containing high-energy particles, which, if they escape, can disrupt the fusion process. Current methods to locate these escape points are time-consuming and inefficient. The new method uses symmetry theory to identify flaws in magnetic confinement systems, specifically for a type of reactor called a stellarator, which has been a challenge for nearly 70 years.

This innovation could also aid in addressing similar issues in another fusion reactor design, the tokamak, by helping to control high-energy electrons. The research, which could accelerate the path to reliable fusion energy, was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy.

Summary of "Understanding LucasArts' iMUSE System: A Historical and Technical Analysis" by Nick Porcino

The document explores the iMUSE (Interactive Music Streaming Engine) system developed by LucasArts in the early 1990s, which revolutionized interactive music in video games. It aims to explain how iMUSE worked and how its concepts can be applied today.

Key Points:

1. Historical Context: iMUSE was first fully implemented in Monkey Island 2, influenced by the game Loom. It allowed music to adapt dynamically based on player actions.

2. Core Features:

   • Markers and Hooks: Markers are points in the music where transitions can occur, while hooks are conditions that trigger these transitions. Together, they allow music to change in response to gameplay without breaking immersion.
   • Composition Database: This is a pre-game structure containing musical sequences and logic that dictates how music behaves during gameplay.

3. Time Management: iMUSE effectively managed three types of time: absolute time (for audio fidelity), musical time (perception of music), and game time (player-driven progression). This synchronization ensured smooth musical transitions.

4. Implementation Details:

   • System commands enable control over audio playback, such as starting, stopping, and transitioning sounds.
   • MIDI commands were extended to allow for interactive features, such as jumping to specific musical points and sharing instrument parts between sequences.

5. Modern Applications: The principles of iMUSE remain relevant for contemporary game audio development, influencing modern audio engines like FMOD and Wwise. The document suggests that new tools can enhance music interactivity and composition processes today.

6. Conclusion: iMUSE set a foundational model for interactive music, emphasizing the active relationship between music and gameplay. Modern implementations can build on its principles while leveraging current technology for richer audio experiences.

This analysis serves as both a historical overview and a guide for game developers and audio composers interested in creating dynamic audio systems inspired by iMUSE.

The Cyclauto is a modern cargo bike inspired by a design from the 1930s created by French industrialist Auguste Reymond. Unlike typical cargo bikes that have a long frame with the rider positioned behind the cargo, the Cyclauto places the rider above the front wheel, allowing direct pedaling without a chain, which cuts down on maintenance. It features a three-speed gearbox for easier starts.

The bike's cargo area is detachable, similar to a semi-trailer, allowing various trailer styles to be used, making it versatile for transporting cargo, people, or commercial items like food carts. Its two-piece frame can be taken apart for easy transport, fitting into a trunk. Additionally, the shorter wheelbase enhances maneuverability in urban settings. While the Cyclauto has been showcased at bike events, production dates are still pending.

Summary of HealthBench Introduction

HealthBench is a new evaluation tool for assessing AI systems in healthcare, developed with input from 262 physicians across 60 countries. Its main goal is to improve how AI models interact with health information and support clinicians.

Key points include:

1. Purpose: HealthBench aims to measure the effectiveness and safety of AI models in real-world health scenarios, ensuring they can enhance access to health information and quality of care.

2. Realistic Evaluations: The evaluation consists of 5,000 simulated health conversations, graded based on criteria created by doctors. This helps ensure the AI responses are meaningful and trustworthy.

3. Evaluation Standards: HealthBench focuses on three main principles:

   • Meaningful: Scores should reflect real-world impacts and complex scenarios.
   • Trustworthy: Evaluations should align with healthcare professionals' standards.
   • Unsaturated: The benchmarks should allow for continuous improvement of AI models.

4. Evaluation Process: Each AI response is scored against 48,562 specific criteria, which ensures comprehensive assessment. Grading is done by an AI model (GPT-4.1) based on how well responses meet these criteria.

5. Real-World Application: The tool includes examples of how AI should respond to various health-related inquiries, emphasizing the importance of quick and accurate actions in emergencies.

Overall, HealthBench sets a new standard for evaluating AI in healthcare, aiming to improve both AI performance and patient outcomes.

No summary available.

No summary available.

This text discusses a proposed feature for Ruby called "namespace on read," which allows developers to define virtual top-level namespaces for organizing code. Here are the key points:

1. Purpose: The feature aims to help avoid naming conflicts between libraries, ensure independence of modules, and allow multiple versions of gems without conflicts.

2. Implementation:

   • It introduces namespaces where libraries can be loaded and dependencies are managed separately.
   • The feature is initially disabled by default but can be activated using an environment variable (RUBY_NAMESPACE=1).

3. Namespace Types:

   • Root Namespace: Contains built-in classes and modules accessible without requiring additional libraries.
   • User Namespaces: Created by programmers, these can run user-defined Ruby scripts and allow for separate definitions of classes and modules.

4. Functionality:

   • Constants, class variables, and global variables are isolated within their namespaces.
   • Methods defined in a namespace operate under that namespace, even when called from others.

5. Example Usage: The document includes code snippets illustrating how to define and use namespaces, showing how different applications can operate without interference.

6. Future Considerations: There are discussions about potentially introducing a new syntax for namespaces in future Ruby versions to further enhance usability.

In summary, the "namespace on read" feature aims to improve Ruby's modularity and manageability, allowing developers to work with code in a more organized and conflict-free manner.

Summary of N-body Simulation Tutorial

This tutorial consists of 5 steps aimed at teaching beginners how to create N-body gravity simulations using Python. It assumes you have basic knowledge of Python and Calculus but provides detailed explanations for easy understanding.

Key Points:

1. Objective: Learn to write efficient N-body simulation code in Python.
2. Structure: The tutorial includes code snippets and a full code example at the end of each step for reference.
3. Steps Covered:
   • Step 1: Initial setup
   • Step 2: Implementing gravity
   • Step 3: Writing your first N-body program
   • Step 4: Exploring higher-order algorithms
   • Step 5: Using adaptive time-stepping
   • Extra: Techniques for plotting and animation
4. Final Project: After completing the tutorial, you are encouraged to create your own N-body simulation project.
5. Resources: Source code and tutorial materials can be found at the provided GitHub link and the tutorial website.

By the end of this tutorial, you should be able to create your own N-body simulations in Python.

Legion Health is transforming psychiatry by creating a new system that uses AI to provide fast and affordable care from licensed professionals. Unlike other startups that simply add AI to existing processes, Legion Health is redesigning the entire approach to mental health care. Their technology streamlines operations and reduces administrative work, allowing for better patient care. This is an opportunity to use AI to make a real difference in mental health services.

A recent NASA study has revealed surprising new information about Venus' crust. Scientists expected Venus's crust to become thicker over time, but the research indicates that it undergoes a process called metamorphism, where denser parts either break off or melt instead. This is different from Earth's crust, which is shaped by moving tectonic plates.

Venus has a single, thick crust averaging about 25 miles (40 kilometers) deep, and up to 40 miles (65 kilometers) at its thickest. This thinner crust is unexpected given Venus's extreme conditions. The melting and breaking off of crustal material can recycle elements back into the planet, potentially driving volcanic activity.

Future missions like NASA's DAVINCI and VERITAS, along with ESA's Envision, aim to gather more data to confirm these findings and better understand volcanic activity on Venus. Currently, scientists are uncertain about the extent of volcanic activity on the planet.

In today's world, many people feel the need to verify online interactions due to the rise of AI-driven scams. Nicole Yelland, a public relations professional, now conducts thorough background checks before accepting meeting requests from unknown individuals, especially after being targeted by a job scam. Scammers are using advanced technology, like deepfake videos, to impersonate real people, making it hard to identify fraud.

Reports of job-related scams have surged, with losses rising significantly. To protect themselves, some professionals are using old-school verification methods, such as asking for code words or requesting additional identification through video calls. This cautious approach has created an atmosphere of distrust, as many feel they must treat every interaction with suspicion.

Researchers, too, are struggling with fraud in their studies, spending excessive time screening participants to ensure data integrity. Despite the challenges, some common sense and careful observation can help identify scams, such as recognizing unrealistic job offers. Overall, the increasing prevalence of scams has led to a heightened sense of paranoia in professional communications.

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This is the first chapter of the "Elixir, 7 Steps to Start Your Journey" series, where we explore the Erlang Virtual Machine (BEAM) and its significance for the Elixir programming language.

What is Erlang?

• Erlang is a programming language created in the 1980s for telecommunications but is now used for various applications.
• It is known for being distributed, fault-tolerant, and capable of handling many tasks simultaneously.
• Key features include a declarative style, high-level pattern matching, and first-class functions.

Erlang Ecosystem:

• Erlang is more than just a programming language; it includes the OTP framework, various tools, and the BEAM virtual machine.
• This ecosystem is designed for creating highly reliable systems.

About the BEAM:

• The BEAM runs Erlang code and manages processes crucial for concurrency.
• It allows efficient execution of processes, error detection, and automated memory management, ensuring system responsiveness and scalability.

Elixir on the BEAM:

• Elixir, influenced by Erlang, runs on the BEAM, benefiting from its features and libraries.
• Elixir's syntax is user-friendly and compact, making it easier to write and maintain code.
• It combines the robust foundation of Erlang with a more approachable coding style.

In the next chapter, we will discuss how Erlang processes work and their role in building scalable systems.

Author: Lorena Mireles is a backend developer passionate about Elixir and promoting women's participation in technology.

Summary of "Demonstrably Secure Software Supply Chains with Nix"

Maintaining secure software development can be challenging and costly, often requiring strict measures like air-gapped environments and thorough employee vetting. These practices can slow down development and increase vulnerabilities.

Regulatory agencies worldwide are demanding proof of software security, especially for critical systems. This article discusses how Nix, a package manager, provides a solution to meet these security requirements without the overhead of traditional methods. Nix allows organizations to verify the origin and integrity of their software, enabling developers to work more freely while ensuring compliance.

Key benefits of using Nix include:

• Proving Integrity: Organizations can demonstrate that their software was built from specific, trusted sources.
• Tracking Sources: Nix tracks all application sources and toolchains, ensuring full transparency.
• Auditing Outputs: It allows for the export and archiving of all sources for third-party audits.

Nix is particularly beneficial for developers, compliance officers, and security professionals by allowing reproducible and secure builds without maintaining separate software forks.

The article provides an example project that showcases how Nix can be used to build a secure software image, demonstrating how to track dependencies and gather necessary sources for compliance.

In conclusion, Nix simplifies the proof of supply chain integrity, transforming compliance from a burden into a manageable process. It enables teams to use the latest tools while ensuring the security of their software, making robust supply chain guarantees achievable and cost-effective.

Organizations looking to implement Nix for supply chain security can seek assistance from experts to navigate the adoption process effectively.

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General Motors (GM) is developing a new battery technology called lithium manganese-rich (LMR) that aims to provide more range for electric vehicles (EVs) at a lower cost. This technology is expected to be available in trucks by 2028 and will reduce the use of cobalt, making the batteries lighter and cheaper, comparable to lithium iron phosphate (LFP) batteries while offering greater energy density.

GM has been working on this technology with LG Energy Solution and has already prototyped about 300 full-size LMR cells. The new LMR batteries will have a range of approximately 350 miles, positioned between LFP and nickel manganese cobalt (NMC) batteries, which offer the highest range.

Additionally, GM plans to produce these batteries in the U.S., sourcing materials locally to reduce costs and improve efficiency. This localization of production aims to streamline the supply chain and minimize shipping delays, which can complicate battery quality control.

Overall, GM's focus is on making EVs more affordable to encourage mass adoption, aiming for price parity with gasoline vehicles. If successful, these advancements could significantly impact the EV market and promote wider acceptance of electric vehicles.

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wtfis Summary

wtfis is a command-line tool designed for people to easily gather information about a domain, fully qualified domain name (FQDN), or IP address using various open-source intelligence (OSINT) services. It is user-friendly and provides clear results, making it easier for non-technical users to understand.

Key Features:

• Data Sources:
  • Virustotal: Main source for hostname, domain, or IP analysis, including reputation scores and popularity ranks.
  • IP2Whois: Optional source for detailed Whois data about domains.
  • IPWhois: Provides geolocation and ASN data for IP addresses.
  • Shodan: Retrieves information on open ports and services for IP addresses.
  • Greynoise: Identifies whether an IP is associated with suspicious activity.
  • URLhaus: Shows if a hostname or IP is linked to malware distribution.
  • AbuseIPDB: Provides reports on malicious IP addresses.

Installation:

• Install via pip: $ pip install wtfis
• Also available via conda and Homebrew.

Usage:

• Basic command: $ wtfis [hostname/domain/IP]
• Optional flags allow users to specify additional data sources or format the output.

Environment Variables:

• Users need to set API keys for various services in environment variables or a configuration file.

Display Options:

• Customize output with flags for color, layout, and maximum results.

Docker Support:

• wtfis can also be run from a Docker image for easy deployment.

This tool is particularly useful for those who want to quickly analyze network entities without deep technical knowledge.

Lumoar offers a free platform to help startups prepare for SOC 2 compliance quickly and easily. Key features include:

• Guided Checklists: Step-by-step SOC 2 checklists to help you understand requirements and track progress.
• Policy Generator: Tools to create SOC 2-compliant policies quickly.
• Evidence Management: A system to centralize evidence and link files to specific controls for easier audits.
• Team Collaboration: Manage tasks and evidence requests within your team on one platform.

For those interested in more advanced features, there's a waitlist for upcoming automation tools and integrations. You can start organizing your compliance for free without needing a credit card.

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ALTCHA Summary

ALTCHA is a security solution that protects websites and online services from spam and abuse using a proof-of-work mechanism. It is self-hosted, respects user privacy by not using cookies or fingerprinting, and complies with GDPR and accessibility standards.

Key Features:

• User-Friendly: Uses proof-of-work instead of visual puzzles for a smooth experience.
• Privacy-Focused: No cookies or tracking, fully GDPR-compliant.
• Accessible Design: Meets WCAG 2.2 AA standards and adheres to the European Accessibility Act.
• Lightweight: Small file size (17 kB when compressed), making it faster than alternatives like reCAPTCHA.
• Self-Hosted Option: Operates independently of third-party services, with a SaaS option available.

Integration:

• Easy to implement using a simple <altcha-widget> tag in forms.
• Supports various programming languages and platforms, including React, Vue, WordPress, and more.

Customization:

• Offers various configuration options to adapt to specific needs, including spam filtering and data obfuscation.
• Events can be tracked to monitor widget state changes.

Spam Filter:

• Integrates a Spam Filter to reduce unwanted submissions by analyzing form data.

Installation:

• Install via npm or use a script tag to integrate into your website.

For more information, visit the ALTCHA website.

Dutch scientists have created a unique soft robot that can run and swim using only air, without any electronic brain. This robot mimics the movements of gazelles and dogs, achieving lifelike movement through air pressure and tube oscillations.

The robot's design features a 3D-printed body with tubes that act as legs. By controlling the air flow into these tubes, the robot can adjust its speed and movement patterns. Interestingly, the synchronization of its limbs happens naturally due to the shared air input, allowing it to adapt its gait based on whether it's on land or in water.

Initially, the robot was tethered and required a lot of power to operate. The scientists reduced its limbs from four to two and redesigned them to use less energy, enabling a new, untethered version powered by a small battery. This version can move autonomously using light sensors.

Despite its advancements, the robot still faces challenges in controlling its behavior in complex environments. The researchers aim to develop systems that rely more on physical properties instead of complex programming, which could lead to practical applications like an artificial heart that adjusts automatically without needing updates.

This site provides an overview of creating websites and web applications using basic web standards—HTML, CSS, and JavaScript—without relying on build tools or frameworks.

Key topics include:

• Components: Using Web Components to create basic building blocks instead of relying on frameworks like React or Vue.
• Styling: Utilizing modern CSS features instead of tools like CSS Modules or SASS.
• Sites: Building and deploying web projects with Web Components without frameworks or server-side logic.
• Applications: Developing single-page applications using basic techniques, including routing and state management.

This tutorial is aimed at those who already have some knowledge of HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It is not suitable for beginners; they should start with resources like The Odin Project Foundations Course or MDN Learn web development.

The site emphasizes that while modern frameworks offer quick development of complex applications, they also introduce complexity and require ongoing maintenance. In contrast, the plain vanilla approach prioritizes simplicity and low maintenance, leveraging the strong support for web standards in current browsers.

Next, the tutorial will cover using Web Components for content composition, styling, and behavior.

Summary of FedRAMP 20x Progress - One Month Update

One month ago, the General Services Administration (GSA) launched FedRAMP 20x, aimed at modernizing the FedRAMP program by prioritizing security and promoting innovation. Here are the key updates:

1. Authorizations:

   • 29 new cloud services were authorized, bringing the total to 73 this year.
   • 7 services received "FedRAMP Ready" designations, with a total of 40 this year.
   • The review queue for agency authorizations has been reduced to its smallest size since July 2022.

2. Community Engagement:

   • Responded to over 1,200 inquiries about FedRAMP.
   • Engaged with industry stakeholders and Congress on program updates.
   • Hosted public meetings and discussions, drawing over a thousand attendees.

3. Standards Improvement:

   • Posted new proposed standards for public feedback.
   • Revised guidance on authorization boundaries and addressed bottlenecks in processing change requests.

4. AI Initiatives:

   • Developed new tools and systems to enhance FedRAMP’s use of AI and improve operational efficiency.

5. Next Steps:

   • The Phase One pilot of FedRAMP 20x is now open, allowing qualifying cloud services to gain a 12-month authorization.
   • New public comment periods are open for proposed standards addressing security indicators and assessment scopes.

The FedRAMP team is committed to advancing the program despite challenges, aiming for continuous improvement through collaboration and public input.

Airweave Summary

Airweave is a tool designed for agents to search through various applications using semantic queries. It connects with any app, database, or API, allowing users to turn data into knowledge that agents can easily access.

Key Features:

• Processes both structured and unstructured data to make it retrievable.
• Supports data synchronization from over 25 sources.
• Offers semantic search capabilities for agent queries.
• Includes a user-friendly dashboard and API for interaction.

Quick Start Guide:

1. Clone the repository and navigate to it.
2. Run the provided script to start the application.
3. Access the dashboard via your web browser.

Integrations and SDKs:

• Available SDKs for Python and TypeScript/JavaScript to facilitate integration.
• API documentation is accessible for developers.

Technology Stack:

• Built using React, FastAPI, PostgreSQL, and Docker/Kubernetes for deployment.

Future Plans:

• More source integrations and additional features like webhooks and Kubernetes support.

Community and Support:

• Contributions are welcome, and help is available through Discord and GitHub.

Airweave is open-source and licensed under the MIT license.

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Summary of Spade Hardware Description Language

Spade is a new hardware description language designed to simplify hardware design while minimizing errors. It incorporates principles from software programming to provide robust features without sacrificing low-level control over hardware generation.

Key Features:

1. Pipelines: Spade treats pipelines as a core concept, allowing easy adjustments to timing and structure without manually defining registers. Changes to pipeline stages can be made by simply modifying "reg" statements, with the compiler guiding updates to maintain original behavior.

2. Types and Enums: Spade features a strong type system, including structs, arrays, and enums with associated data. This enhances code reliability and makes it easier to integrate with other modules. Enums can represent complex data, such as CPU instructions, ensuring that only valid fields can be accessed.

3. Pattern Matching: The language supports pattern matching, which helps in managing different cases in code easily. This is useful for building components like an arithmetic logic unit (ALU) and ensures all scenarios are accounted for in code.

4. Type Inference: Spade offers automatic type deduction, reducing the need for extensive type declarations while maintaining the benefits of static typing.

5. Error Messages: The compiler provides clear and informative error messages, aimed at helping users quickly understand and fix issues.

6. Tooling: Spade includes tools for dependency management, project creation, and testing. Tests can be written in Python and can leverage higher performance tools if needed. Generated waveforms are automatically annotated with type information.

Planned Features: Future updates may include integer ranges as types, generics, and improved clock domain handling.

Getting Started: Users can refer to the Spade book for instructions and follow its development on Gitlab or Discord. Spade is still evolving, and users should expect potential bugs and incomplete features.

Development and Licensing: Spade is developed as an open-source project at Linköping University, Sweden, under the EUPL-1.2 license and other licenses for its standard library and website.

Summary: Community-Led Fork of Organic Maps Update (May 12, 2025)

The community is actively developing a fork of Organic Maps called CoMaps. This project emphasizes transparency, community decision-making, non-profit goals, open-source principles, and privacy.

Key points:

• The project is moving quickly, with work underway on its technology and first release.
• The name "CoMaps" is temporary, and the community is invited to help choose the final name by voting until May 20th on Codeberg.
• People can get involved by joining development efforts, participating in decision-making, promoting the project, or helping with the website and social media.
• Donations are welcomed and will be managed transparently through Open Collective.

Negotiations with Organic Maps shareholders are stalled, as one shareholder seeks to maintain control while the project's future remains uncertain.

The text discusses common issues beginners face with CSS, particularly regarding the height property not behaving as expected. Key points include:

1. Height vs. Width: In CSS, height and width are calculated differently. Width is based on the parent element, while height depends on the child elements. This can create a circular dependency where setting a height percentage on a child element might not work if the parent’s height is determined by its children.

2. Knowable Heights: To make percentage heights work, the parent needs a fixed height that doesn't rely on the child. For instance, setting a parent element's height in pixels or rem allows child elements to use percentage heights effectively.

3. Box Model Considerations: When using padding, the height percentage is calculated based on the content box, not the total height of the element. This means padding reduces the available space for child elements.

4. Using CSS Layouts: To avoid issues with height, switching to CSS Grid or Flexbox can help. These layout methods allow child elements to fill the available space without being constrained by their content.

5. Practical Solutions: The article illustrates how to implement fixed heights using CSS Grid or Flexbox, making it easier to manage layouts without overflow issues caused by content size.

In summary, understanding how CSS calculates height and width, and using appropriate layout techniques, can help solve common problems when working with heights in CSS.

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StarGuard: Trust Scores for GitHub Repositories

StarGuard is a command-line tool designed to assess the trustworthiness of GitHub repositories by identifying risks such as fake stars, dependency issues, and license problems. It automates the review process, making it quick and efficient.

Key Points:

• Purpose: StarGuard helps detect fake stars, malicious dependencies, and risky licenses in open-source projects, addressing the growing issue of supply chain attacks and fake popularity metrics.

• Features:

  • Stars: Analyzes star activity for irregularities and generates trust scores.
  • Dependencies: Checks for issues in package dependencies across various programming languages.
  • Licenses: Flags high-risk licenses.
  • Maintainers: Assesses the activity level of contributors.
  • Code Signals: Scans for suspicious code patterns.

• Output: Provides reports in various formats (JSON, Markdown, plaintext) and visual star history plots.

• How It Works: Utilizes the GitHub API to gather data, applies algorithms to detect unusual star patterns, and normalizes the data to generate a trust score.

Quick Start:

• Requirements: Python 3.9 or higher and a GitHub personal access token for enhanced rate limits.
• Basic Commands: Users can run full scans or quick burst detection scans via command-line instructions.

Use Cases:

• CTOs: Evaluate open-source contributions.
• Security Teams: Schedule regular scans for security assessments.
• Investors: Quickly assess the credibility of popular developer tools.
• Open-Source Maintainers: Display trust scores to improve transparency.

Contribution and Privacy:

• Contributions are welcome under the Apache License 2.0, with a focus on maintaining security and privacy by only accessing public data unless a token is provided.

StarGuard aims to streamline the process of open-source due diligence, making it easier for organizations to manage risks associated with using external code.

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Summary of Tailscale 4via6 – Connect Edge Deployments at Scale

Tailscale provides a secure way to connect various devices, but real-world networks can be complicated with issues like overlapping IPs and strict firewalls. The new 4via6 subnet routing feature helps to address these challenges, making it easier to connect complex edge deployments, such as robots and sensors.

Traditional VPNs struggle with these situations, but 4via6 allows seamless connections between many similar networks without needing to manage IPs or ports. It isolates customer networks, connects their devices, and grants secure remote access. This is especially useful for managing fleets of autonomous robots, which can consist of multiple devices requiring connectivity.

With 4via6, each network gets a unique identifier, and devices can be accessed easily through specific naming conventions. This feature also supports cloud deployments, allowing for connections across different environments or cloud providers.

Overall, Tailscale's 4via6 simplifies the connectivity of edge devices, making it a valuable tool for complex deployments.

William Leonard Pickard was a significant figure in the underground LSD world for over twenty years. In 2001, while in prison, he shared his story. Arrested in late 2000, Pickard, a Harvard graduate, was accused of being a major LSD manufacturer, capable of producing large quantities of the drug.

LSD production is difficult to detect because labs can be set up quickly, and the key ingredient, ergotamine tartrate, is heavily regulated but often smuggled from Europe. The LSD trade is unique in that many involved are driven by idealism rather than just profit. Pickard's upcoming trial will likely expose the secretive world of LSD manufacturing and reflect the clash between 1960s counterculture and 1990s materialism.

Most LSD consumed in the past few decades came from makeshift labs in California's Bay Area, known as the Acid Triangle. Pickard, who has a history of drug-related legal issues, once aspired to use his knowledge for good, but his life took a turn due to a betrayal by a business associate. His story highlights the complexities of drug culture and the evolution of LSD use over time.

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The article discusses the effects of congestion pricing in New York City, highlighting key changes such as fewer cars on the road, faster travel times, and less noise from honking. The reporters gathered insights from various sources, including the M.T.A., the Fire Department, restaurant-booking platforms, and researchers. While the changes are noticeable, some questions about the long-term effects remain unanswered. The report emphasizes that policy changes typically take time to demonstrate their full impact.

Nintendo has updated its User Account Agreement to warn users that if they hack their Switch consoles or play pirated games, Nintendo may permanently disable their devices. This new language specifies that unauthorized use could lead to the console becoming inoperable. The rules apply to both the current Switch and the upcoming Switch 2.

The update also states that Nintendo can suspend access to its services without prior notice if they believe a violation will occur or for other necessary reasons. Violations include playing pirated games and modifying the console in any unauthorized way.

Nintendo has a history of detecting hacked consoles and banning them from online services. The new agreement suggests they may now completely disable hacked devices, even for offline use. It is not clear how they will enforce this or if users can restore disabled consoles. Overall, Nintendo is taking a stronger stance against hacking and piracy.

NASA has turned data from space telescopes into music, creating "cosmic soundscapes" that represent the activities around black holes. This process, called sonification, uses data from the Chandra X-ray Observatory, James Webb Space Telescope, and IXPE.

Three new sound pieces showcase different aspects of black holes:

1. WR124: A massive star shedding its outer layers, producing a nebula. The sound starts with a scream-like noise and includes various instruments as the stellar material expands.

2. SS 433: A binary star system where a sun-like star orbits a neutron star or black hole. The sounds fluctuate based on X-ray emissions, with background stars represented by chimes.

3. Centaurus A: A galaxy with a supermassive black hole at its center, launching a powerful jet. The sonification combines wind chimes and string instrument tones to capture the galaxy's sounds.

These sonifications allow people to "hear" the universe in a new way, translating complex astronomical data into musical form.

A security researcher discovered serious vulnerabilities in the Cerca Dating App, exposing private user information like messages, passport details, and sexual preferences. After reporting these issues to the Cerca team on February 23, 2025, and having a productive follow-up call, the researcher received no updates on the remediation efforts despite multiple follow-ups. The researcher confirmed that the vulnerabilities were patched before publishing the findings on April 21, 2025.

Key issues included a flaw in the one-time password (OTP) system, allowing anyone to access accounts with just a phone number. The researcher could easily find sensitive user data, including personal identification information (PII), through unprotected app endpoints. This situation raised concerns about user privacy and security, as the app failed to protect sensitive data adequately.

The researcher emphasized that such vulnerabilities can lead to severe consequences, like identity theft and stalking, and criticized the rushed approach many startups take towards app security. They argued for the need to prioritize user safety over quick market launches, especially for applications dealing with personal information.

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Starbucks has acknowledged that its strategy of replacing staff with machines has not worked out as expected. CEO Brian Niccol stated that the company's efforts to reduce labor in stores, believing machines could handle the workload, were misguided. Following disappointing earnings in Q2 2025, where revenue increased only 2% and profits fell by 40% compared to last year, Starbucks is now focusing on hiring more staff instead of relying on automation.

Over the past two years, Starbucks has cut its workforce from 402,000 to 361,000, even while expanding the number of stores worldwide. However, sales in North America have declined, highlighting that automation is not effective in customer-facing roles. Niccol emphasized that investing in employees is more beneficial for improving service and sales than investing in new equipment.

The company is also trying to enhance the customer experience by adding personal touches, such as handwritten notes on cups. Starbucks has a growing union representing its workers, who are advocating for better staffing and support. Overall, Starbucks is shifting back to valuing human interaction in its cafes.

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On May 6, 2025, Raymond Chen asked about the MS-DOS programs that used the stock icons from progman.exe in Windows.

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Summary of AZR Proposed Programs

The AZR (Absolute Zero Reasoner) proposed programs involve generating and testing code using advanced models. Key points include:

1. Embedding and Visualization: Code samples are embedded with a model and visualized in 2D using UMAP. Users can explore different models and lock their selections by hovering over points on the visualization.

2. Model Options: Several models are available, including:

   • AZR Coder 7B
   • AZR Base 7B
   • AZR Coder 14B
   • AZR Base 14B

3. Example Task: An example task is to create a simulation of balls bouncing inside a spinning hexagon, which incorporates elements like gravity and friction.

4. Python Code Implementation: The provided code samples illustrate how to implement the task using Pygame, focusing on initializing the display, defining colors and constants, creating the hexagon shape, and handling the physics of bouncing balls.

5. Training Method: The AZR employs a self-learning strategy, where the model generates tasks, solves them, and improves through self-play without relying on human-curated data.

6. Reasoning Modes: The AZR operates in three reasoning modes:

   • Deduction: Predicting outputs from programs and inputs.
   • Abduction: Inferring inputs from known outputs and programs.
   • Induction: Creating programs based on input-output pairs.

7. Continuous Improvement: The model updates itself based on performance feedback, enhancing its reasoning capabilities over time.

8. Experimental Results: The results show that the AZR can outperform traditional models on various benchmarks, indicating its effectiveness in reasoning and coding tasks without needing pre-existing data.

Overall, the AZR represents a significant advancement in autonomous reasoning and coding capabilities, focusing on self-improvement and learning from generated tasks.

Summary: Optimizing PyPI's Test Suite

Trail of Bits has worked with PyPI to enhance its security and features, including improving the performance of its test suite. A robust test suite is crucial for code reliability, but as the number of tests increases, so does the execution time, which can hinder development. Recently, the test suite for Warehouse (the backend of PyPI) was optimized from 163 seconds to just 30 seconds, achieving an 81% speed improvement while increasing the number of tests from 3,900 to over 4,700.

Key strategies for this optimization included:

1. Parallel Test Execution: Implementing parallel execution with pytest-xdist reduced execution time significantly by allowing multiple tests to run simultaneously.
2. Efficient Coverage Measurement: Using Python 3.12's sys.monitoring for coverage instrumentation improved performance by reducing overhead.
3. Optimizing Test Discovery: Configuring pytest to limit test discovery to relevant directories cut down unnecessary searching time.
4. Removing Unneeded Imports: Identifying and removing modules that were not needed during testing reduced startup time.

The combined effect of these changes led to faster tests, encouraging more frequent testing and enhancing overall software security without sacrificing coverage or test quality.

For others looking to improve their test suites, the article suggests:

• Parallelizing tests using pytest-xdist.
• Optimizing coverage instrumentation for Python 3.12+.
• Focusing test discovery on relevant directories.
• Eliminating unnecessary imports.

These changes can lead to significant performance gains, making tests quicker to run and thereby reinforcing their role in maintaining software security.

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Researchers from MIT, Amazon Robotics, and the University of British Columbia have developed a new method that allows robots to determine the weight, softness, and other physical properties of objects just by picking them up and shaking them. This technique uses the robot's internal sensors, avoiding the need for cameras or external tools, making it cost-effective.

The robots use a process called proprioception to "feel" the object through their joints, similar to how humans sense weight. The system collects data from the robot's joint movements to estimate the object's characteristics quickly and accurately.

Key points include:

• The method can accurately guess an object's mass and softness without complex equipment.
• It is especially useful in challenging environments, like dark spaces or debris from disasters.
• The technique relies on simulations that model both the robot and the object to identify properties during interaction.
• It uses differentiable simulations to understand how changes in object properties affect the robot's movements.

The researchers aim to enhance this method with computer vision in the future and explore applications in more complex robotic systems. Their work shows that robots can learn about their environment effectively using only internal sensors.

toyDB Summary:

toyDB is a distributed SQL database created in Rust for educational purposes. Its main features include:

• Raft Consensus: Ensures reliable state machine replication.
• ACID Transactions: Supports multi-version concurrency control (MVCC) for consistent transactions.
• Storage Options: Offers pluggable storage engines, including BitCask and in-memory options.
• SQL Interface: Allows complex queries with joins, aggregates, and transactions.

The project was initiated in 2020 to explore database internals and has been refined based on real-world experience from working on distributed SQL databases at CockroachDB and Neon. The focus of toyDB is on simplicity and understanding rather than performance and scalability.

Usage: To run a local cluster, a Rust compiler is needed. The command ./cluster/run.sh starts a five-node setup. You can connect to the first node using the command cargo run --release --bin toysql.

Testing: toyDB uses scripted tests to ensure consistent behavior and supports various SQL features. Testing can be executed using cargo test.

Performance: While not optimized for speed, it includes a benchmark tool to test different workloads (like read and write operations). Results show that write performance is low due to certain constraints, but using in-memory storage improves it.

Debugging: toyDB can be debugged using VSCode with specific configurations.

Overall, toyDB serves as a straightforward example of distributed SQL database architecture and concepts.

On May 11, 2025, the Armbian development team announced several important updates. Key improvements included:

1. OpenMediaVault Integration: Armbian now supports OpenMediaVault, allowing users to easily turn single-board computers into network storage devices. This feature can be installed directly through the armbian-config interface without manual setup.

2. User Experience Enhancements: A prompt asking, "Disable Wireless Hotspot?" was removed when no hotspot was enabled, simplifying the setup process for new users.

3. Hardware Upgrades: The Orange Pi 5 Max now boots using mainline U-Boot, which improves future updates. The PocketBeagle2 also received a boot configuration upgrade for better standardization.

4. Rockchip64 Platform Improvements: New Operating Performance Points (OPPs) were added for better energy efficiency and stability, and outdated fixes for wireless issues were removed.

5. Codebase Cleanup: The team cleaned up unused code to keep the system efficient and prepared for future testing of new features.

For more information on using OpenMediaVault and other features, updated documentation is available in the Armbian Software User Guide.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has postponed the enforcement of its "click-to-cancel" rule, which requires companies to make cancelling subscriptions just as easy as signing up for them. The new deadline for compliance is now July 14th, 2025. This rule, part of the Negative Option Rule, aims to prevent companies from creating complicated cancellation processes compared to the sign-up process.

The FTC decided to delay enforcement after evaluating the challenges companies might face in meeting the original May 14th deadline. The decision to push back the rule was supported by a 3-0 vote, although two commissioners were absent due to being fired unlawfully. Starting July 14th, companies must comply with the entire rule, but the FTC is open to making changes to the regulations if any issues arise during enforcement.

Summary of the Text:

The author discusses the creation of a minimal Language Server Protocol (LSP) client using Clojure, which took around 200 lines of code. They initially attempted to integrate large language models (LLMs) with LSP but found it challenging. The LSP is a standardized protocol that allows text editors (clients) to communicate with language-specific tools (servers) for tasks like code navigation and linting, simplifying the development process for both language and IDE authors.

Key points include:

• LSP Overview: LSP enables a common communication interface for IDEs and programming languages, reducing the need for separate integrations.
• Client Implementation: The author describes implementing essential components of LSP, including communication layers and JSON-RPC for message formatting, while skipping certain features like document syncing.
• Creating a Linter: The author attempts to build a command-line linter using the LSP client but encounters limitations, as many language servers do not support direct diagnostics requests. Instead, they send notifications when code issues arise.
• LSP Lifecycle: Proper LSP integration involves initializing the server, notifying it of its capabilities, and properly shutting it down.
• Challenges with Language Servers: The author faced difficulties in finding a suitable language server for demonstrating the linter due to the lack of direct request support for diagnostics.

In conclusion, the author appreciates the benefits of LSP for text editors but notes its limitations for command-line tools, suggesting that managing multiple language servers and their states can be complex. Despite its imperfections, the LSP is considered a significant improvement over previous integration methods.

Summary of Multiplexing in Electronics and Databases

Multiplexing is a method in electronics that combines multiple communication channels into one single channel for transmission. A multiplexer (mux) gathers signals and sends them through this single line, while a demultiplexer separates them back into their original form at the receiving end. Each signal is identified by a key that indicates its source.

Key points about multiplexing:

1. Bitwise Operations: Multiplexing can be seen in how bitmaps encode multiple boolean values into a single integer. This is efficient since operations can be performed in parallel.

2. Batching: Instead of making several individual requests to a service, multiple keys can be sent at once, and results returned in a single response, maintaining the same key association.

3. Relational Multiplexing: In databases, instead of creating separate tables for each user, data can be combined in a single table with a user identifier. This allows for efficient querying and indexing. By structuring data with prefixes (like user IDs), multiple data types can be managed in a single key-value space.

4. Query Decorrelation: This involves transforming a correlated subquery into a join operation, effectively eliminating dependencies between queries. This process can simplify and optimize database operations.

Overall, multiplexing is a versatile concept that applies across various fields, enhancing efficiency in data transmission and management.

Friedrich Nietzsche, a significant philosopher of the early 20th century, is known for his controversial ideas, particularly his criticism of modern society and Christianity. His most famous work, "Thus Spoke Zarathustra," introduces the concept of the "superman" (Űbermensch), representing an ideal individual who transcends conventional morality.

Nietzsche famously declared "God is dead," suggesting that traditional religious values are no longer relevant in a rapidly changing, secular world. He believed that Christianity promotes self-denial and guilt, which stifles human potential. He also criticized the modern nation-state, viewing it as a threat to individuality and creativity, calling it the "new idol."

In "Zarathustra," Nietzsche portrays the common person as part of a complacent "herd," lacking true creativity and originality. He advocates for a transformation of humanity, urging individuals to embrace their solitude and think independently, even if it means facing rejection from society.

Despite his critiques, Nietzsche's ideas have been misinterpreted and misused, notably by figures like Hitler. Nonetheless, he has influenced many philosophers and artists, and his message of individualism remains relevant today in a world dominated by conformity and mass culture.

Researchers are exploring ways to compress large-language models (LLMs) more effectively. While most focus on compression after training, a new method called Rate-Constrained Training (BackSlash) addresses compression during training. BackSlash uses a technique that balances model accuracy with complexity, allowing it to reduce unnecessary parameters while keeping performance intact. Tests show that BackSlash can cut memory usage by 60% to 90% without losing accuracy, outperforming post-training compression methods. Additionally, it helps improve generalization, maintains accuracy even with significant pruning, and simplifies models for faster use on smaller devices.

Petrichor is the pleasant, earthy smell that occurs when rain falls on dry soil. The term was created by scientists Isabel Joy Bear and Richard Grenfell Thomas in 1964, combining Greek words for "stone" and "the blood of the gods."

The scent is caused by oils released from plants during dry periods, which get absorbed by the soil and rocks. When it rains, these oils, along with a compound called geosmin produced by certain bacteria in the soil, are released into the air. This is why the smell is often stronger after light rain.

The process involves raindrops creating bubbles in the soil, which release aerosols carrying the scent and other microorganisms. Humans can detect geosmin at very low concentrations, and some scientists suggest that our attraction to this scent may be linked to our ancestors’ reliance on rain for survival.

In summary, petrichor is a unique and recognizable scent associated with the first rain on dry ground, resulting from natural oils and soil bacteria.

Summary: How to Hack Your Clock for Better Focus

If you often get distracted and want to improve your focus, you can use your computer's clock as a reminder. Here’s how to set it up:

Requirements:

• Ubuntu with GNOME desktop
• Panel Date Format extension
• A simple bash script

Steps:

1. Install the Panel Date Format Extension:

   • If you don’t have the GNOME Shell extensions manager, run:

     sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions
     

   • Then install the Panel Date Format from the GNOME Extensions website.

2. Create a Focus Script:

   • Make a file named focus.sh and add the following code:

     #!/bin/bash
     if [ -z "$1" ]; then
       echo "What's your current focus?"
       read FOCUS
     else
       FOCUS="$1"
     fi
     
     if [ -z "$FOCUS" ]; then
       dconf write /org/gnome/shell/extensions/panel-date-format/format "'%b %d  %H:%M'"
     else
       dconf write /org/gnome/shell/extensions/panel-date-format/format "'%b %d  %H:%M  Focus: $FOCUS'"
     fi
     
     echo "Focus set to: $FOCUS"
     

   • Make the script executable with:

     chmod +x focus.sh
     

3. Add to Your PATH:

   • For easy access, add this line to your ~/.bashrc or ~/.zshrc:

     export PATH="$PATH:/path/to/your/script"
     

Usage:

• Run focus.sh Coding or focus.sh Marketing to set your focus, which will display on your clock.

Why It Works:

• Requires No Willpower: The reminder is automatic.
• Always Visible: You see the clock frequently.
• Helps Reset Focus: Each glance prompts you to refocus.
• Non-Intrusive: It doesn’t interrupt your work.

Extensions:

• You can add features like Pomodoro timers, color-coding tasks, or time tracking.

This method helps you stay focused by leveraging something you already look at daily.

No summary available.

The author has developed a new open-source tool called "xtool," which allows users to build iOS apps using Swift on Linux, Windows, and macOS. This tool enables users to create Swift packages, sign and install apps, and interact with Apple Developer Services, making it a cross-platform replacement for Xcode.

Key features of xtool include:

• Building SwiftPM packages into iOS apps.
• Signing and installing iOS apps.
• Programmatic interaction with Apple Developer Services.

While xtool covers many functionalities of Xcode, there are some limitations:

• Interface Builder is challenging to replicate, but SwiftUI is a viable alternative.
• Asset catalogs may require reverse engineering, though images can still be added as raw files.
• Apple-specific macros might need rebuilding from source.
• Currently, only "Application" targets can be built, but App Extensions may be added later.
• LLDB debugging needs updates due to recent changes in iOS 17.
• App Store deployment is not yet available, but it could be feasible in the future.

The author has put in eight years of work into iOS app deployment and is open to contributions to improve xtool further. If anyone uses xtool, the author encourages them to share their experiences.