1.
Deep Learning Is Applied Topology
(Deep Learning Is Applied Topology)

The author discusses the relationship between deep learning and topology, explaining how topology, which studies the properties of surfaces, can help us understand how neural networks process data. Here's a simplified summary of the key points:

  1. Topology Basics: Topology involves studying surfaces that can be deformed without tearing. For example, a circle drawn on a play-doh surface can change shape but won't turn into a line or two circles.

  2. Data Classification: In data science, classification often requires separating messy data with clean lines. If this isn't possible in lower dimensions, moving to higher dimensions can help. Neural networks can manipulate these dimensions to find ways to separate complex data.

  3. Neural Networks as Topology Generators: Neural networks can learn topologies based on the data they process. For instance, they can group similar concepts (like dogs and cats) in a high-dimensional space.

  4. Reasoning and Topology: The author suggests that reasoning can also be represented as a manifold, where "good" reasoning is clustered in one area and "bad" reasoning in another. This idea can help improve AI models through training.

  5. Training Methods: The author discusses various training approaches, including reinforcement learning (RL) and using reasoning traces from previous models to improve new ones. This method allows models to learn better reasoning without relying solely on subjective human feedback.

  6. Future Directions: The post highlights the potential for new methods, such as diffusion models, to create or improve neural networks based on their parameters. This could lead to faster training and more efficient model development.

In conclusion, understanding deep learning through the lens of topology offers valuable insights into how models learn and process information, which may lead to more advanced AI systems.

Author: theahura | Score: 78

2.
The Lisp in the Cellar: Dependent Types That Live Upstairs [pdf]
(The Lisp in the Cellar: Dependent Types That Live Upstairs [pdf])

The paper discusses a new programming language called Deputy, which is based on Clojure and incorporates dependent types. Dependent types allow for types to depend on values, enabling more dynamic programming patterns while still performing type-checking at compile-time. The Deputy system is designed to work interactively, leveraging Clojure's REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop) environment to enhance the programming experience, especially during debugging.

Key points include:

  1. Dependent Types: These types can change based on values, which helps in specifying and checking data transformations within programming tasks.

  2. Clojure Integration: Deputy is developed as a library within Clojure, allowing developers to use both the host language and the dependent types simultaneously.

  3. Type-Checking: Even though the programming with dependent types is dynamic, type-checking occurs at compile-time, making it different from runtime validation frameworks.

  4. Interactive Debugging: The system allows for symbolic debugging through the existing Clojure debugging tools, enhancing error tracking during type-checking.

  5. Language Features: The paper also introduces features such as inductive types, functions that compute types based on values, and the ability to define recursive data structures.

  6. Pragmatic Approach: The authors emphasize the practical benefits of using dependent types in a Lisp-like environment, suggesting that it can lead to more robust and error-free code.

  7. Future Work: The authors acknowledge that there are performance improvements and enhancements to type error management that need to be addressed in future developments.

In summary, Deputy aims to combine the strengths of dependent typing with the interactive capabilities of Clojure, providing a powerful tool for software development.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 32

3.
Show HN: 90s.dev - game maker that runs on the web
(Show HN: 90s.dev - game maker that runs on the web)

The text announces the release of 90s.dev, a new game-making platform that runs in web browsers. The creator, who has a long-standing desire to recreate classic games like Warcraft, started building this platform earlier this year.

Key features of 90s.dev include:

  • A browser-based game maker using a 320x180 canvas for easy access and sharing.
  • Security and performance enhancements through web workers.
  • Support for WebGL2 to create 60 fps games.
  • A user-friendly interface and a TypeScript-based SDK for easy prototyping.
  • The ability to import modules from various languages that compile to WebAssembly.

The platform encourages community involvement, allowing users to create and share their own apps, such as tools for pixel art or game assets. It also features a simple GUI design with innovative elements like auto-layout systems and watchable properties for easier development.

Additionally, users can publish their apps using links from GitHub or npm, fostering collaboration and sharing within the community. The creator emphasizes that the built-in tools are just a starting point, and the real value lies in community-created content.

Author: 90s_dev | Score: 11

4.
Show HN: Astra – a new js2exe compiler
(Show HN: Astra – a new js2exe compiler)

Astra Overview

Astra is a simple and efficient tool for converting JavaScript files into executable (.exe) files. Here are the key features:

  • User-Friendly Interface: Astra uses nice tools for a great user experience.
  • Fast Compilation: It compiles projects quickly thanks to esbuild technology.
  • ECMAScript Support: It can handle ESM-based applications, although there are some limitations with Node.js.
  • Standalone Executable: It creates a single file that includes everything needed to run the application.
  • Customizable Metadata: You can change details like the icon and version of the executable.
  • Built-in Compression: It makes the final executable file smaller.

Getting Started: Install Astra globally or for a single project using npm, Yarn, or pnpm. After installation, compile your JavaScript project with the command:

astra build src/index.js

For more options, use:

astra --help

Contributions: You can contribute to Astra by reporting issues or submitting code changes.

License: Astra is under the MIT License and is developed by QwertyCodeQC.

Author: qwertycodepl | Score: 10

5.
The emoji problem (2022)
(The emoji problem (2022))

The text discusses a complex math problem involving emojis and fruit, which became popular on the internet. Initially, a user on Reddit proposed creating a challenging math problem using emojis to counter the simpler, often confusing ones that were trending. A modification made by another user, Sridhar Ramesh, turned the problem into one that requires advanced understanding of elliptic curves to solve.

The author begins by explaining a simpler problem: finding Pythagorean triples using rational points on a circle. This leads to the discovery that drawing lines through rational points on the elliptic curve can generate new rational points. By applying this method, the author aims to find rational solutions to the original complex problem.

The process involves using Mathematica to assist in calculations and generating more points. The author describes a systematic approach to find points in a specific region that corresponds to valid solutions. After several calculations and applying the line-drawing technique, the author eventually finds a solution in positive integers.

The main takeaway is that by leveraging the properties of rational points on elliptic curves and using a systematic approach, complex math problems can be tackled effectively.

Author: mtsolitary | Score: 198

6.
A simple search engine from scratch
(A simple search engine from scratch)

No summary available.

Author: bertman | Score: 151

7.
Show HN: A Tiling Window Manager for Windows, Written in Janet
(Show HN: A Tiling Window Manager for Windows, Written in Janet)

Summary of Jwno: Your Friendly Neighborhood Window Manager

Jwno is a customizable tiling window manager designed for Windows 10/11. It is created using Janet and offers unique features for managing windows effectively. The software is still being developed, so some documentation links may not work yet.

Key Features:

  • Highly customizable interface
  • Manages various applications, like Emacs and Sonic Pi
  • Includes a UI hint feature for easier interaction

Resources Available:

  • Installation guide and interactive tutorial for new users
  • Cookbook and reference index for experienced users
  • Download links and source code on platforms like GitHub and Itch.io

Note: The documentation is a work in progress, so some areas may not be complete.

Author: agentkilo | Score: 5

8.
llm-d, Kubernetes native distributed inference
(llm-d, Kubernetes native distributed inference)

The llm-d community has been launched as a new framework for efficiently serving large language model (LLM) inferences using Kubernetes. Here are the key points:

  • Purpose: llm-d aims to provide a high-performance distributed inference solution for generative AI, allowing users to deploy models at scale with quick setup and cost efficiency.

  • Challenges with Traditional Scaling: Traditional Kubernetes scaling methods struggle with LLM workloads due to their unique characteristics, such as expensive and variable request times. LLM requests can differ greatly in size and complexity, leading to inefficiencies in resource use.

  • Distributed Optimizations: llm-d incorporates advanced techniques such as:

    • Cache-Aware Routing: This improves latency by directing requests to replicas with cached data, skipping unnecessary computations.
    • Disaggregated Serving: Separating the prefill and decode phases of inference across different instances optimizes resource usage.
    • Quality of Service (QoS) Management: It accommodates various latency requirements for different use cases, allowing for better infrastructure efficiency.
  • Design Goals: The framework is designed to be:

    • Operationally Friendly: Modular and integrated with Kubernetes for easy deployment.
    • Flexible: Compatible with different hardware and adaptable to various workloads.
    • Performance-Oriented: Utilizes advanced distributed optimizations to maximize efficiency.
  • Key Technologies Used:

    • vLLM: An open-source LLM inference engine.
    • Kubernetes: For managing containerized applications.
    • Inference Gateway (IGW): Enhances routing and load balancing for inference tasks.
  • Features:

    • Smart load balancing based on workload characteristics.
    • Support for varying caching strategies to enhance performance.
    • Traffic-aware autoscaling to optimize resource allocation.
  • Community Invitation: The llm-d community encourages AI engineers and researchers to get involved, try out the framework, and contribute to its development.

For more information and to get started, you can visit their GitHub repository and join their developer Slack channel.

Author: smarterclayton | Score: 42

9.
Making Video Games (Without an Engine) in 2025
(Making Video Games (Without an Engine) in 2025)

The text is a friendly greeting that invites visitors to explore the website. It also mentions that the source of the content can be found on the site.

Author: selvan | Score: 343

10.
Compiling OCaml to the TI-84 CE Calculator
(Compiling OCaml to the TI-84 CE Calculator)

Summary: Compiling OCaml for the TI-84+ CE Calculator

On May 17, 2025, a blog post detailed how to compile an OCaml program to run on a TI-84+ CE calculator.

Background:

  • OCaml is a functional programming language that the author has enjoyed learning. Historically, calculators only supported C and assembly languages, but a new toolchain allows for programming in various languages, excluding OCaml.

Compiling OCaml:

  • The goal is to compile OCaml into a single portable ANSI C file that can work with the calculator's toolchain. The author aims to create a lightweight solution that fits within the calculator's 256k RAM.

Approach:

  • The proposed method involves using Js_of_ocaml, which normally compiles OCaml to JavaScript, to instead compile OCaml to C. This method is well-maintained and allows for dead code elimination.

New C Backend:

  • The author plans to create a C backend based on Js_of_ocaml, simplifying the mapping of JavaScript constructs to C and incorporating a garbage collector.

Garbage Collection:

  • A global stack will be used to track live objects during garbage collection, replacing local variables with explicit global stack reads and writes. The garbage collector will mark live objects and free unused ones.

Runtime and Build System:

  • C functions will be written to support basic OCaml functions and TI-84+ CE features. The integration with OCaml’s build system allows for easy development of OCaml programs for the calculator.

Conclusion:

  • The author invites readers to explore the generated C code for an OCaml Fibonacci program. While many OCaml features are not supported yet, future developments may expand the project further. All source code is available online.
Author: farlow | Score: 40

11.
Show HN: Text to 3D simulation on a map (does history pretty well)
(Show HN: Text to 3D simulation on a map (does history pretty well))

No summary available.

Author: lukehollis | Score: 25

12.
DDoSecrets publishes 410 GB of heap dumps, hacked from TeleMessage
(DDoSecrets publishes 410 GB of heap dumps, hacked from TeleMessage)

DDoSecrets has released 410 GB of hacked data from TeleMessage, an Israeli company that archives messages from apps like Signal and WhatsApp. The data includes sensitive information and is being shared only with journalists and researchers.

Key events leading to this release include:

  • In March, a national security advisor was involved in a controversy over using Signal for discussing sensitive topics, leading to Congressional hearings.
  • In May, the advisor was seen using TeleMessage's modified Signal app.
  • Shortly after, the source code for the app was published, and it was revealed that TeleMessage's products did not support end-to-end encryption as claimed.
  • The TeleMessage server was found to be vulnerable, allowing access to plaintext chat logs and other data.

The released data contains both direct messages and metadata, and is intended for research purposes. DDoSecrets, the group behind the publication, operates on a limited budget and seeks donations to continue their work.

Author: micahflee | Score: 557

13.
Have I Been Pwned 2.0
(Have I Been Pwned 2.0)

Have I Been Pwned 2.0 has officially launched on May 20, 2025.

Author: LorenDB | Score: 723

14.
Show HN: JavaFactory – IntelliJ plugin to generate Java code
(Show HN: JavaFactory – IntelliJ plugin to generate Java code)

Summary of JavaFactory

JavaFactory is a tool that helps developers automatically create repetitive Java code using large language models (LLMs). It offers more reliable and consistent results compared to traditional AI code generators. Here are the key features:

  1. Pattern Definition: Users can define tasks in simple language, specifying what to generate and which classes to use. Each task is created as a pattern that includes:

    • A goal
    • Rules for generation
    • Expected output format
    • Example code
  2. Annotation-Based Reference Collection: Users can annotate classes to indicate their roles, which helps JavaFactory know which classes to include in code generation. There are two main types of annotations:

    • @JavaFactoryData: Collects all related data classes.
    • @JavaFactoryApi: Collects specific API-related classes.

JavaFactory is recommended for developers who have had issues with other AI code generators and want more control over code generation in repetitive tasks, such as creating implementations and tests in structured environments.

To install, go to IntelliJ, navigate to Settings, find Plugins, and search for JavaFactory. A demo shows that 400 lines of code can be generated in just 20 seconds, with all tests passing.

Author: javafactory | Score: 25

15.
Jules: An Asynchronous Coding Agent
(Jules: An Asynchronous Coding Agent)

No summary available.

Author: travisennis | Score: 430

16.
Finland announces migration of its rail network to international gauge
(Finland announces migration of its rail network to international gauge)

The Finnish government is changing its railway system from the Russian gauge (1,524 mm) to the European standard (1,435 mm). This decision, announced by Transport Minister Lulu Ranne, aims to improve military transportation and regional security, especially after Finland joined NATO and amid rising tensions with Russia.

The project will begin in northern Finland near Oulu and is expected to cost billions of euros, impacting over 9,200 km of track. The government plans to finalize the decision by July 2027, with construction beginning around 2032. European funding may cover up to 50% of planning costs and 30% of construction costs. This shift marks a significant alignment of Finland's infrastructure with European standards.

Author: axelfontaine | Score: 322

17.
Why Does the U.S. Always Run a Trade Deficit?
(Why Does the U.S. Always Run a Trade Deficit?)

The United States consistently runs a trade deficit, primarily because it imports more than it exports. This deficit is also influenced by a broader economic issue: Americans save less than they invest, leading to a need for foreign funds to support domestic investment.

In a closed economy, saving equals investment because all funds for investment come from domestic savings. However, when the economy is open to international borrowing, these two can diverge. The U.S. borrows from abroad because its savings are not enough to cover its investment needs.

To reduce the trade deficit, the U.S. needs to increase exports and improve its saving habits. Data shows that since 2000, domestic saving has often been lower than investment spending. Events like the 2008 financial crisis impacted this gap, but the trend has continued, especially after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Trade policies can encourage exports or reduce imports, but they won't significantly impact the trade deficit unless they also address the saving-investment gap. For example, the U.S. oil trade deficit once contributed heavily to the overall deficit, but increased domestic oil production eliminated that specific deficit without improving the overall trade balance due to continued low savings.

Critics of trade deficits argue that they lead to selling U.S. assets to foreign buyers, which results in income flowing out of the country. However, the ability to borrow from abroad has allowed the U.S. to invest more, potentially boosting economic growth. Reducing the trade deficit may require painful adjustments in savings and investments, but it is necessary for long-term economic stability.

Author: jnord | Score: 101

18.
RepoRoulette: Randomly sample repositories from GitHub
(RepoRoulette: Randomly sample repositories from GitHub)

RepoRoulette Summary

RepoRoulette is a tool that allows you to randomly sample repositories from GitHub. Here’s how it works and what you need to know:

Installation

  • You can install RepoRoulette using pip: pip install reporoulette
  • Alternatively, clone the source code from GitHub and install it.

Sampling Methods

RepoRoulette offers four methods for sampling GitHub repositories:

  1. ID-Based Sampling:

    • Samples repositories using random IDs.
    • May have low success rates due to many invalid IDs.
    • Allows for setting a seed for reproducibility.
  2. Temporal Sampling:

    • Selects repositories based on their last update times within a specific date range.
    • Can filter results by criteria like minimum stars and programming languages.
  3. BigQuery Sampling:

    • Uses Google BigQuery to access public GitHub datasets.
    • Offers advanced filtering and is not limited by GitHub’s API rate limits.
    • Requires setting up a Google Cloud account and may incur costs.
  4. GH Archive Sampler:

    • Samples repositories based on recorded events from the GitHub Archive.
    • Allows selection of repositories based on various event types.

Use Cases

RepoRoulette can be used for:

  • Academic research on coding practices.
  • Finding learning resources and code examples.
  • Data science projects for machine learning.
  • Analyzing technology trends and security research.

Contribution and License

Contributions are welcome, and the project is licensed under the MIT License.

For more information or to get started, visit the project's GitHub page.

Author: deontology | Score: 5

19.
The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source
(The Windows Subsystem for Linux is now open source)

Summary of Microsoft Build Announcement (May 19, 2025)

Microsoft has announced that the Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) is now open source. This means the WSL code is available on GitHub, allowing anyone to download, modify, and contribute to its development.

Key Points:

  • WSL includes components that run in Windows and within a virtual machine.
  • Open source components include command line tools (like wsl.exe), a WSL service, and Linux processes.
  • Certain components, like the kernel driver, remain closed source for now.
  • WSL was first introduced in 2016 and has evolved significantly, with WSL 2 offering better compatibility by using the actual Linux kernel.
  • The decision to open source WSL comes after years of community contributions, which have been vital in its development.
  • Users interested in contributing can visit the GitHub repository to learn more.

Overall, this move aims to enhance collaboration and innovation within the WSL community.

Author: pentagrama | Score: 1452

20.
I got fooled by AI-for-science hype–here's what it taught me
(I got fooled by AI-for-science hype–here's what it taught me)

Nick McGreivy, a physicist, shared his disappointing experience with using AI in his plasma physics research. Initially optimistic about AI's potential to accelerate scientific discoveries, he found that AI methods often underperformed compared to traditional numerical methods.

In his experiments with a popular AI technique called Physics-Informed Neural Networks (PINNs), he discovered they were unreliable and not as effective as claimed. Despite many papers suggesting AI could solve complex equations faster, McGreivy found that most comparisons were unfair, with many studies using weak benchmarks. This led him to question the overall effectiveness of AI in scientific research.

He noted a trend where scientists are increasingly adopting AI, not necessarily because it benefits science, but because it enhances their personal careers through higher citations and job prospects. He stressed the importance of skepticism towards AI research, as negative results are rarely published, leading to an overly optimistic view of AI's capabilities.

McGreivy concluded that AI is unlikely to revolutionize science in the near future and urged for better evaluation methods and transparency in AI research. He emphasized that while AI may contribute to advancements, its current impact might be overstated due to biases in research reporting.

Author: qianli_cs | Score: 260

21.
What are people doing? Live-ish estimates based on global population dynamics
(What are people doing? Live-ish estimates based on global population dynamics)

No summary available.

Author: willbc | Score: 217

22.
Claude Code SDK
(Claude Code SDK)

You can easily add Claude Code to your applications by using the SDK (Software Development Kit).

Author: sync | Score: 408

23.
Biff – a batteries-included web framework for Clojure
(Biff – a batteries-included web framework for Clojure)

No summary available.

Author: TheWiggles | Score: 78

24.
Launch HN: Better Auth (YC X25) – Authentication Framework for TypeScript
(Launch HN: Better Auth (YC X25) – Authentication Framework for TypeScript)

No summary available.

Author: bekacru | Score: 231

25.
Kilo: A text editor in less than 1000 LOC with syntax highlight and search
(Kilo: A text editor in less than 1000 LOC with syntax highlight and search)

Kilo is a simple text editor with less than 1,000 lines of code. You can watch a demonstration of it here. To use Kilo, type kilo <filename> in the command line. Here are the main keyboard shortcuts:

  • CTRL-S: Save the file
  • CTRL-Q: Quit the editor
  • CTRL-F: Find text in the file (press ESC to exit the search, use arrow keys to navigate)

Kilo does not rely on any external libraries and works with standard terminal commands. It was developed quickly by Salvatore Sanfilippo (antirez) and is still in the early stages of development. Users are encouraged to build upon Kilo to create more advanced text editors or command line tools. It is available under the BSD 2-clause license.

Author: klaussilveira | Score: 192

26.
Reports of Deno's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated
(Reports of Deno's Demise Have Been Greatly Exaggerated)

Summary of Deno's Current Status and Future Plans (May 20, 2025)

Deno has faced some criticism recently, but many concerns are unfounded. The company acknowledges it needs to communicate better about its work and direction. Despite fears of Deno fading away, its adoption has actually doubled since the release of Deno 2 last October, thanks to improved compatibility with Node.js.

Key Points:

  1. Deno Deploy:

    • The number of regions for Deno Deploy has decreased from 35 to 6, mainly due to cost and usage patterns. Most applications don't need to run in many regions; they need speed and local data access.
    • Deno Deploy is evolving to support full-stack applications, including features like background tasks and self-hosted regions.
  2. Deno KV:

    • Deno KV is a simple key-value store but is not a full database solution. Efforts are underway to make relational databases easier to use with Deno.
    • A new project is being developed to better integrate state management with computation.
  3. Fresh Framework:

    • Fresh is still actively used and improvements are being made. A stable release of Fresh 2 is expected later this year.
  4. Deno as a Platform:

    • Deno is more than just a runtime; it includes TypeScript support, security features, and a global deployment system, making it a comprehensive tool for JavaScript development.
  5. Future Outlook:

    • Deno is focused on improving performance and compatibility, with community-driven governance for future developments.
    • The team is working on new products to simplify building distributed applications and is committed to better communication with users.

Overall, Deno is not winding down but is preparing for future growth and improvements.

Author: stephdin | Score: 119

27.
Game theory illustrated by an animated cartoon game
(Game theory illustrated by an animated cartoon game)

No summary available.

Author: felineflock | Score: 366

28.
A man who visited every country in the world without boarding a plane (2023)
(A man who visited every country in the world without boarding a plane (2023))

Torbjørn Pedersen, a Danish adventurer, embarked on a remarkable journey in 2013 at age 34 to visit every country in the world without flying. His dream of adventure, inspired by childhood hero Indiana Jones, became a reality when he realized no one had completed this feat in one continuous trip. Over ten years, he faced significant challenges, including cerebral malaria and being held at gunpoint.

Pedersen set strict rules for his journey: spend at least 24 hours in each country, no returning home, and no flying. He budgeted $20 a day and aimed to raise awareness for the Danish Red Cross while sharing positive stories from each country.

His travels were filled with highs, like proposing to his girlfriend in a snowstorm on Mount Kenya, and lows, such as the trauma from dangerous encounters and the inability to return home for family funerals. He maintained his relationship with his girlfriend through trust and communication, even marrying her online during the COVID-19 pandemic.

After nearly a decade, he returned home to a small but supportive welcome. Pedersen learned important lessons about human connection, resilience, and the importance of relying on others. He emphasized that most people are good and willing to help, and he encourages others to "never, ever give up" in pursuing their dreams.

Author: thunderbong | Score: 99

29.
Linguists Find Proof of Sweeping Language Pattern Once Deemed a 'Hoax'
(Linguists Find Proof of Sweeping Language Pattern Once Deemed a 'Hoax')

Linguists have confirmed that Inuit languages have multiple words for snow, supporting earlier claims made by anthropologist Franz Boas. This idea was once dismissed as a myth but is now validated through new research. A study analyzed over 600 languages, revealing that different cultures have specific words for concepts that matter to them, like lava for Samoans and oatmeal for Scots.

The researchers looked at bilingual dictionaries to assess "lexical elaboration," which measures how many words a language has for a core concept. They found that languages often have many words related to their environment, such as Arabic having numerous terms for the desert. Other findings were less clear, like why certain emotions are emphasized in specific languages.

The study supports a softer version of linguistic relativity, suggesting that while language influences perception, it doesn't completely determine it. However, the findings are based on dictionaries, which can be biased and outdated. Future research may explore real-world language use, especially online, to gain deeper insights into how concepts are discussed across different languages.

Author: bryanrasmussen | Score: 29

30.
The behavior of LLMs in hiring decisions: Systemic biases in candidate selection
(The behavior of LLMs in hiring decisions: Systemic biases in candidate selection)

David Rozado's analysis examines how Large Language Models (LLMs) show gender bias in hiring decisions. The study involved 22 LLMs and 70 job professions, where each model compared two resumes with male and female names for the same qualifications. The findings revealed that LLMs preferred female candidates 56.9% of the time over male candidates, indicating a systematic gender bias.

Additional experiments showed that adding explicit gender indicators or preferred pronouns increased the preference for female candidates. Conversely, when candidate names were masked with gender-neutral labels, the selection was balanced. The study also found a positional bias, where candidates listed first in a prompt were favored 63.5% of the time.

Overall, the results raised concerns about the fairness and reliability of LLMs in hiring processes, suggesting that their decision-making does not align with fairness principles. The findings caution against claims of "bias-free" AI in hiring, stressing the need for ethical considerations before deploying such technologies in high-stakes decisions.

Author: hunglee2 | Score: 153

31.
Questioning Representational Optimism in Deep Learning
(Questioning Representational Optimism in Deep Learning)

Summary of the Fractured Entangled Representation Hypothesis

This paper, authored by researchers from various institutions, explores how increasing the size of AI systems improves performance but questions whether this means better internal representations. The authors compare neural networks evolved through a creative search process to those trained with a standard method called stochastic gradient descent (SGD) on the task of generating images.

Key findings include:

  • Both types of networks produce similar outputs, but their internal workings are very different.
  • SGD-trained networks show a chaotic internal structure termed "fractured entangled representation" (FER), while evolved networks tend to have a more organized structure called "unified factored representation" (UFR).
  • The presence of FER in large models may hinder important abilities like generalization and creativity, suggesting that understanding FER is vital for future advancements in AI.

The paper includes supplementary data and visualizations, along with code for replicating their experiments. Researchers can access additional Picbreeder genomes for further investigation.

To cite this work, use the provided Bibtex reference.

Author: mattdesl | Score: 33

32.
Ann, the Small Annotation Server
(Ann, the Small Annotation Server)

Summary of Ann, the Small Annotation Server:

Ann is a simple, decentralized social media platform that uses ActivityPub and focuses on Web Annotations, which are like comments or recommendations on content. Users can save, send, and receive annotations from others.

Unlike traditional social media, Ann doesn't have a main website for viewing content. It's a server that becomes useful when connected to various applications. Some possible uses include:

  • Comment sections for blogs or Gemini browsers.
  • Private setups for research teams to share and discuss papers.
  • Article recommendations from followers.
  • A browser plugin for viewing and adding comments on web content.
  • A collection of annotated content for AI training.
  • Integration with tools like org mode, Obsidian, or Logseq for file sharing and commenting.
  • Features similar to Reddit or Hackernews for sharing recommendations.

Many applications, such as LibreOffice or video players, could enhance their social features using Ann. Instead of each app creating its own comment system, they can connect to Ann, allowing users to engage without relying on traditional web apps filled with trackers. Ann aims to provide a more private, user-controlled web experience.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 66

33.
Solving physics-based initial value problems with unsupervised machine learning
(Solving physics-based initial value problems with unsupervised machine learning)

No summary available.

Author: opnac | Score: 20

34.
xAI's Grok 3 comes to Microsoft Azure
(xAI's Grok 3 comes to Microsoft Azure)

Microsoft has partnered with Elon Musk's AI startup, xAI, to offer managed access to the Grok AI model through its Azure AI Foundry platform. Specifically, the Grok 3 and Grok 3 mini models will be available, complete with Microsoft’s standard service agreements and direct billing.

Grok was promoted by Musk as an edgy and unfiltered AI, known for answering controversial questions that others might avoid. It is particularly permissive when discussing sensitive topics. However, Grok has faced criticism for several issues, including inappropriate responses and censorship of certain topics.

The Grok models on Azure are more controlled than those on Musk's social network, X, and they come with enhanced data integration and governance features.

Author: mfiguiere | Score: 146

35.
The forbidden railway: Vienna-Pyongyang (2008)
(The forbidden railway: Vienna-Pyongyang (2008))

Summary:

Helmut, born in 1980 in Graz, Austria, has a lifelong passion for trains and travel. Since 2007, he has worked with the Austrian Federal Railways. Helmut enjoys long train journeys, preferring them to flying, as they allow him to immerse himself in new cultures and experience a different sense of time. He seeks out lesser-known destinations, especially in Eastern Europe, former USSR countries, and Asia.

His interest in North Korea grew over the years, sparked by train travel guides and documentaries. Despite challenges in accessing tourist routes, he learned about a unique train route from Russia to North Korea via Tumangan. In December 2006, he traveled on a North Korean sleeper train, which further fueled his desire to visit North Korea.

In 2008, after much planning and discussion with a friend, he decided to try to enter North Korea through the Tumangan route, despite it being officially closed to tourists. They booked a trip under the pretense of entering via another route and successfully obtained their visas with minimal hassle. Helmut is excited about his upcoming adventure to North Korea.

Author: 1317 | Score: 209

36.
Remarks on AI from NZ
(Remarks on AI from NZ)

Neal Stephenson shared his thoughts on artificial intelligence (AI) during a recent panel in New Zealand. He aimed to spark discussion by presenting big-picture ideas rather than making definitive statements.

Stephenson noted that for most people, AI is now associated with user-friendly large language models that allow anyone to create text, images, and videos without needing technical skills. He compared this sudden rise in AI capabilities to the unexpected development of nuclear weapons in the mid-20th century, emphasizing that while AI may seem threatening, like nuclear bombs, it can also have beneficial applications.

He suggested that humans have coexisted with various animal intelligences for a long time and proposed that we can think about our future with AI in similar terms. Different animals exhibit different types of intelligence and vary in their awareness of humans. Some, like pets, depend on us, while others, like insects, remain largely indifferent. This framework could help us understand how we might interact with AI, which could range from helpful assistants to indifferent entities.

Stephenson warned of the potential downsides of AI, particularly in education, where reliance on tools like ChatGPT could lead to a generation of people who lack critical thinking skills. He stressed the importance of maintaining our own intelligence and learning, suggesting that educational institutions should implement traditional testing methods to counteract the influence of AI.

In summary, Stephenson encourages a balanced view of AI, recognizing both its potential benefits and risks, and advocates for maintaining human intelligence in an increasingly automated world.

Author: zdw | Score: 169

37.
Terraform MCP Server
(Terraform MCP Server)

Summary of Terraform MCP Server

Overview: The Terraform MCP Server is a tool that integrates with Terraform Registry APIs to enhance automation and interaction for Infrastructure as Code (IaC) development.

Use Cases:

  • Automates finding Terraform providers and modules.
  • Analyzes data from the Terraform Registry.
  • Provides detailed information about provider resources and data sources.
  • Helps explore and understand Terraform modules.

Important Note: Outputs from the MCP server can change based on various factors. Users should review these outputs to ensure they meet security, cost, and compliance standards before using them.

Requirements:

  • Docker must be installed and running to use the server in a container.

Installation and Usage:

  1. For VS Code:

    • Add specific configuration in your User Settings (JSON) to run the MCP server using Docker.
  2. For Claude Desktop:

    • Similar configuration can be added to run the server.
  3. Building from Source:

    • If Docker is not available, you can build the server from source using the provided commands.
  4. Docker Image:

    • You can also build a local Docker image for the server.

Key Tools Available:

  • Providers:

    • resolveProviderDocID: Lists documentation for a provider.
    • getProviderDocs: Fetches complete docs for a provider.
  • Modules:

    • searchModules: Searches for modules in the Terraform Registry.
    • moduleDetails: Retrieves detailed documentation for a module.

Development and Testing:

  • Various make commands are available for building, testing, and cleaning up the project.

Contributing:

  • Instructions are provided for contributing to the project, including forking the repository and submitting pull requests.

License and Support:

  • The project is licensed under MPL-2.0. For support, users can report issues on GitHub or reach out for security concerns via email.
Author: kesor | Score: 85

38.
Zod 4
(Zod 4)

Summary of Zod 4 Announcement

Zod 4 has been officially released after a year of development. This new version is faster, smaller, and more efficient than Zod 3, and includes many requested features. The development was supported by Clerk through an Open Source Fellowship.

Key Points:

  • Zod 4 is stable and can be used in production, published alongside Zod 3 as part of the [email protected] release.
  • Users can upgrade by running npm upgrade zod@^3.25.0 and importing Zod 4 with import { z } from "zod/v4";.
  • The release addresses long-standing design limitations and significantly boosts performance, closing many of Zod's most requested issues.
  • Benchmarks show Zod 4 is up to 14x faster in string parsing and has reduced TypeScript compiler instantiations by over 100x.
  • Zod 4 also introduces a new lightweight version called Zod Mini for projects with strict bundle size requirements, achieving an 85% reduction in core bundle size.
  • New features include a metadata system for schemas, a JSON Schema conversion function, support for recursive objects, new numeric formats, and internationalization for error messages.
  • Error handling has been simplified, and the API has been improved for better customization.
  • Zod 4 also supports template literal types and refined coercion for booleans.

Overall, Zod 4 is positioned to be a strong foundation for future development, allowing for more flexible and powerful schema validation. Users are encouraged to upgrade and explore the new features.

Author: bpierre | Score: 735

39.
Imagine a drive where every file exists as all file types all of the time
(Imagine a drive where every file exists as all file types all of the time)

No summary available.

Author: grandslammer | Score: 17

40.
GitHub Copilot Coding Agent
(GitHub Copilot Coding Agent)

Summary of GitHub Copilot Coding Agent Release (May 19, 2025)

GitHub has launched a public preview of its Copilot coding agent, designed to help developers manage technical tasks and reduce their workload. Users can assign issues to Copilot like they would with another developer, and Copilot will handle tasks in the background using a secure cloud environment. It can explore code, make changes, and validate its work before pushing updates.

Copilot is best suited for low-to-medium complexity tasks, such as adding features, fixing bugs, and improving documentation. It is available for Copilot Pro+ and Copilot Enterprise users, with a requirement for enterprise admins to enable it. Starting June 4th, each action by Copilot will use one premium request.

The feature will be gradually rolled out to GitHub Mobile users on iOS and Android, along with the GitHub CLI. Users can refer to the documentation for tips on using Copilot effectively. Feedback from users is encouraged.

Note: The user interface for this feature may change during the preview period.

Author: net01 | Score: 509

41.
Memory Consistency Models: A Tutorial
(Memory Consistency Models: A Tutorial)

Summary of "Memory Consistency Models: A Tutorial"

Memory consistency is a crucial issue in computer science, particularly in multicore systems where multiple threads access shared memory. It addresses how these threads observe and interact with memory, which can lead to unexpected outputs, such as printing incorrect values.

  1. Ordering Challenges: Threads can run in different orders, leading to various outputs. For instance, with two threads, you might expect outputs like "01" or "11," but not "00." Understanding the order of operations is essential to prevent contradictions in expected results.

  2. Sequential Consistency: This is a model where all operations appear to occur in a single sequence, preserving the order of operations within each thread. This model is intuitive for programmers but can be inefficient because it limits parallel execution.

  3. Coherence: Coherence ensures that all threads see writes to a variable in the same order, providing consistency across threads. However, maintaining a single main memory can slow down performance.

  4. Relaxed Memory Models: To improve efficiency, architectures like Total Store Ordering (TSO) allow operations to be reordered. This can lead to surprising behaviors, such as printing "00," which would be impossible under sequential consistency.

  5. Compiler Reordering: Compilers also reorder memory operations for optimization, which can affect program behavior, especially in multithreaded contexts. This necessitates defined memory models in programming languages, like those in C++ and Java.

  6. Data Races: Memory consistency issues mainly arise in programs with data races—where multiple threads access the same memory location without proper synchronization. In such cases, the compiler has more freedom to reorder operations, potentially leading to unpredictable results.

  7. Best Practices: To avoid these complexities, it’s recommended to use synchronization libraries that manage memory operations effectively. Understanding these models can help developers write more reliable and efficient multithreaded programs.

In conclusion, while memory consistency models can seem confusing, recognizing the importance of synchronization and using established libraries can greatly simplify the development of concurrent software.

Author: tanelpoder | Score: 48

42.
A shower thought turned into a Collatz visualization
(A shower thought turned into a Collatz visualization)

The text describes a creative exploration of the Collatz Conjecture, which involves a simple function applied to positive integers:

  1. If a number is even, divide by 2.
  2. If odd, multiply by 3 and add 1.

The conjecture posits that this process will eventually lead to the number 1 for any positive integer, but no one has proven it yet.

The author shares their idea to visualize the Collatz process for many numbers at once using binary representations of the sequences produced by the function. They modified the function to balance the binary output and created a simple JavaScript program to generate and plot these sequences as fractions.

After experimenting with the plots, they discovered interesting patterns that resemble self-similarity. They also found that similar visualizations had been created by mathematicians Olivier Rozier and Yukihiro Hashimoto, although their methods differed.

The author invites readers to explore the visualizations and share any interesting findings, highlighting the beauty and ongoing mystery of the Collatz Conjecture.

Author: abstractbill | Score: 124

43.
Dilbert creator Scott Adams says he will die soon from same cancer as Joe Biden
(Dilbert creator Scott Adams says he will die soon from same cancer as Joe Biden)

Scott Adams, the creator of the "Dilbert" comic strip, has announced that he expects to die soon from prostate cancer, similar to the illness that former President Joe Biden is facing. During his show "Coffee With Scott Adams," he shared that his cancer has spread to his bones and that he has had it longer than Biden has publicly admitted. Adams believes he may only have until this summer to live.

He explained that if prostate cancer remains localized, it can be cured, but once it spreads, it becomes incurable. He expressed sympathy for Biden and his family as they navigate this challenging time. Adams, 67, is also known for his political commentary, often supporting Donald Trump.

Author: dale_huevo | Score: 400

44.
Patience too cheap to meter
(Patience too cheap to meter)

The text discusses the impact of language models like ChatGPT, emphasizing that their most valuable feature may be their patience rather than their intelligence.

Key points include:

  • Many people have free access to advanced language models, with ChatGPT having more users than Wikipedia.
  • Despite the existence of smarter models, most users stick with ChatGPT, possibly due to familiarity or because current models meet their needs.
  • A major reason people appreciate ChatGPT is its ability to provide emotional support without judgment, making it a convenient option for those who can't access traditional therapy.
  • Language models are always available, non-judgmental, and can listen indefinitely, which makes them appealing for personal advice.
  • However, there are concerns about their limitations compared to human therapists, such as lack of escalation pathways for serious issues and the risk of users becoming frustrated with human interactions.
  • The author suggests that the remarkable patience of language models might be their most transformative feature, offering a unique form of support that has never been available to humanity before.
Author: swah | Score: 62

45.
WireGuard vanity keygen
(WireGuard vanity keygen)

WireGuard Vanity Key Generator Summary

The WireGuard vanity key generator is a command-line tool that creates public keys with specific prefixes. It is designed for efficiency and ease of use, building on previous concepts but offering a more streamlined approach.

Key Features:

  • Generates Curve25519 compliant private and public keys.
  • Supports multi-core processing, using all available cores by default.
  • Allows for case-sensitive and regex searches.
  • Can search multiple prefixes simultaneously.
  • Exits after reaching a specified number of results (default is 1).
  • Provides probability estimates and expected runtimes based on benchmarks.

Usage: You can run the generator using:

wireguard-vanity-keygen [OPTIONS] <SEARCH> [<SEARCH>...]

Common options include:

  • -c: Enable case-sensitive matching.
  • -t: Set the number of threads (default is all cores minus one).
  • -l: Limit the number of results.

Examples: You can search for specific prefixes and see real-time calculations for speed and probability of finding a match.

Installation: You can download the latest version or build it from source using Go.

Timing Estimates: Estimated times to find a matching key vary greatly based on the length of the search term, ranging from seconds for short terms to decades for longer ones.

Regular Expressions: The tool supports regex for more flexible searches, but complex expressions may not always yield results.

FAQ Highlights:

  • Valid search characters include letters, numbers, /, and +.
  • Different probabilities for similar-length searches arise from case sensitivity.
  • Estimated times are approximate and can vary widely due to randomness in key generation.
  • The tool is useful for identifying connections in a WireGuard server environment.

This tool is primarily for personal use by WireGuard users who want identifiable keys and for those interested in learning about multi-core processing in Go.

Author: simonpure | Score: 95

46.
In Memoriam: John L. Young, Cryptome Co-Founder
(In Memoriam: John L. Young, Cryptome Co-Founder)

John L. Young, who passed away on March 28 at age 89, was a pioneer in creating an online library of government secrets. Along with his wife, Deborah Natsios, he founded Cryptome in 1996, a platform that shares information about freedom of expression, privacy, and government secrecy. Their slogan highlighted the dangers of official secrecy to democracy, and they encouraged the public to submit documents that governments tried to hide.

Cryptome became known for publishing various government and corporate documents and played a key role during the 'crypto wars' of the 1990s, advocating for the freedom of encryption. Young was also involved with WikiLeaks but later distanced himself due to concerns about its monetization practices.

A native Texan and trained architect, Young dedicated his life to promoting public access to information and was unafraid of pushback from authorities and corporations. He served in the U.S. Army, studied philosophy and architecture at Rice and Columbia Universities, and was involved in community activism.

Young's vision and commitment to transparency made him an unsung hero of the digital age. He believed in using technology to democratize information access, and his legacy will be remembered for championing the public's right to know.

Author: coloneltcb | Score: 258

47.
Glasskube (YC S24) is hiring in Vienna to build Open Source deployment tools
(Glasskube (YC S24) is hiring in Vienna to build Open Source deployment tools)

Glasskube creates Open Source tools to help engineers work more efficiently. You can find our projects on GitHub at github.com/glasskube.

Consider joining Glasskube if:

  • You're excited about new technology trends like LLMs and Agent mode.
  • You enjoy debugging and exploring the tools you use.
  • You are skilled at automating deployment and monitoring.
  • You prefer working in a small, fast-paced team where you can make an impact quickly.

Application tips:

  • Write casually, like chatting with friends.
  • We care more about your personal projects and ideas than your formal experience or education.

Technology we use includes Go, TypeScript, and PostgreSQL, and we focus on open source. There's a lot of potential in the deployment space.

We're a small team looking for someone with at least a year of hands-on experience who is curious and motivated. You don't need extensive DevOps knowledge.

If you want to work in Vienna and be close to the San Francisco startup scene, we’d love to hear from you!

Author: pmig | Score: 1

48.
Precomputing Transparency Order in 3D
(Precomputing Transparency Order in 3D)

No summary available.

Author: jacobp100 | Score: 10

49.
Telum II at Hot Chips 2024: Mainframe with a Unique Caching Strategy
(Telum II at Hot Chips 2024: Mainframe with a Unique Caching Strategy)

Summary of Telum II Mainframe at Hot Chips 2024

IBM's Telum II mainframe processor, presented at Hot Chips 2024, is notable for its unique design and high performance. Here are the key points:

  1. High Performance: Telum II features eight cores running at 5.5 GHz with 360 MB of on-chip cache, making it ideal for financial transactions due to its low latency and high uptime.

  2. Advanced Caching Strategy: It employs a virtual L3 and L4 caching system to optimize memory access. This design reduces latency and improves efficiency by minimizing data duplication among caches.

  3. Large L2 Cache: Each core has a significant 36 MB L2 cache, which is larger than many competitors, and helps reduce memory access times.

  4. Virtual Caching: The processor uses a method where evicted cache lines are prioritized across its L2 caches, allowing better utilization of cache space and adapting to different workloads.

  5. System Integration: Up to 32 Telum II processors can work together, creating a larger virtual L4 cache of 2.8 GB, enhancing overall system performance.

  6. Focus on Single-Threaded Performance: Interestingly, despite being a server CPU, Telum II emphasizes single-threaded performance by decreasing core counts while increasing cache capacities.

  7. Potential Applications: IBM's innovative caching strategies could inspire future designs in consumer CPUs, particularly for gaming, where cache performance is critical.

Overall, Telum II represents IBM's commitment to enhancing mainframe technology with cutting-edge caching techniques and high performance.

Author: rbanffy | Score: 131

50.
Run GitHub Actions locally
(Run GitHub Actions locally)

Overview of Running GitHub Actions Locally with Act

  • Concept: "Think globally, act locally" encourages running GitHub Actions on your machine.

  • Benefits:

    1. Fast Feedback: You can test changes to your workflows without needing to commit and push every time. Act allows you to run actions locally with the same environment as GitHub.
    2. Local Task Runner: Act can be used instead of a Makefile to streamline local tasks using the GitHub Actions defined in your workflows.
  • VS Code Integration: Use the GitHub Local Actions extension for Visual Studio Code to run and test workflows directly from the editor.

  • How It Works:

    • Act reads your workflow files and determines which actions to run.
    • It uses Docker to pull or build images needed for the actions and sets up the environment to match GitHub's.
  • Additional Resources:

    • Refer to the Act user guide for more information.
    • For support, you can ask questions on Gitter.
    • If you're interested in contributing, check the guidelines.
  • Building from Source:

    • Install Go tools (version 1.20+).
    • Clone the repository.
    • Run unit tests and install using make commands.
Author: flashblaze | Score: 261

51.
Authy corrupted my 2FA backup and all I got was this lousy blogpost
(Authy corrupted my 2FA backup and all I got was this lousy blogpost)

The author experienced a problem with the Authy app while trying to restore their 2FA codes after repairing their iPhone. They had always used the same backup password since 2014, but upon restoration, they were prompted for a second password they never created. This locked them out of most of their 2FA codes, leaving them unable to access key accounts like AWS and GitLab.

After trying to restore Authy on an iPad, the situation worsened, with even more codes locked. The author contacted Authy support, but the response was unhelpful, suggesting actions that weren't possible due to their phone replacement. They decided to move their 2FA codes to 1Password for safety.

Later, they discovered a recent app update that resolved the issue, unlocking their codes. Despite this, the author felt uneasy about relying on Authy for such important information and concluded it might be safer to use a paid service like 1Password instead. They hope others don't face similar issues.

Author: CameronBanga | Score: 8

52.
Mary Queen of Scots Channel Anamorphosis, a 3D Simulation
(Mary Queen of Scots Channel Anamorphosis, a 3D Simulation)

Summary:

The author is researching a book on logarithms and their historical context, particularly focusing on John Napier's invention of logarithms, which he started while analyzing the Book of Revelation around 1593. This was influenced by the political climate, especially the Spanish Armada's attempted invasion of England after Mary Queen of Scots was executed in 1587.

During the research, the author discovered a unique painting called "Anamorphosis," related to Mary Queen of Scots, which can be viewed in a 3D simulation. The painting can be seen as shifting from a woman's face to a skull, created using a panel of prisms. The author used WebGL to recreate this visual transformation and shared a short video demonstrating it.

The painting's images were sourced from the National Galleries website, which allows non-commercial educational uses. The author processed the images to create a better simulation, ultimately resulting in a 3D effect that viewers can interact with. The technical details and code for the simulation are also provided.

Author: nih | Score: 10

53.
Diffusion models explained simply
(Diffusion models explained simply)

Summary of Diffusion Models

Diffusion models are a key part of AI, especially in image generation, and they work differently from transformer-based language models. Here are the main points:

  1. Basic Concept: Diffusion models start with a noisy image and gradually remove noise to generate a clear image based on a provided caption. They learn to understand the "gradient" of noise from images.

  2. Training Process: During training, a model is given images with added noise and learns to predict the noise. It operates on entire images rather than tokens, unlike language models.

  3. Inference Process: At inference, the model begins with pure noise and iteratively removes layers of noise until it creates a coherent image.

  4. Variational Autoencoders (VAE): To handle the large amount of data in images, diffusion models often use VAEs, which compress images into a random-looking format that is suitable for noise removal.

  5. Classifier-free Guidance: This technique ensures the model generates images related to the caption by training on both captioned and uncaptured images.

  6. Differences from Transformers:

    • Diffusion models generate images from noise, while transformers generate sequences from prompts.
    • The model can change previous outputs during the process, unlike transformers which lock in previous tokens.
    • Stopping a diffusion model early produces a noisy version of the output, whereas stopping a transformer early may lead to incomplete responses.
  7. Applications Beyond Images: The principles of diffusion models can also be applied to video and audio, treating them as larger tensors. Text-based diffusion models, however, are more complex due to the nature of language.

In essence, diffusion models provide a unique method for generating images and other media by learning to navigate noise effectively.

Author: onnnon | Score: 149

54.
Self-Hosting Moose with Docker Compose, Redis, Temporal, Redpanda and ClickHouse
(Self-Hosting Moose with Docker Compose, Redis, Temporal, Redpanda and ClickHouse)

Summary of Moose Deployment Guide Using Docker Compose

Deploying a Moose application can be complex but using Docker Compose simplifies the process, allowing you to launch everything with a single command. This guide focuses on setting up a production-ready Moose environment on a single server.

Key Points:

  1. Single-Server Deployment: This guide is for deploying Moose on one server. For better reliability, a high-availability (HA) setup across multiple servers is recommended, which includes service replication, load balancing, and failover setups.

  2. Requirements:

    • Server with Ubuntu 24 or higher.
    • Docker and Docker Compose installed.
    • Minimum of 8GB RAM and 4 CPU cores.
  3. Moose Stack Components:

    • Moose Application
    • Clickhouse (mandatory)
    • Redis (mandatory)
    • Redpanda and Temporal (optional)
  4. Installation Steps:

    • Install Docker and Docker Compose on your server.
    • Optionally install Node.js or Python depending on your Moose application.
    • Configure Docker log size limits and enable non-root access to Docker.
  5. Application Setup:

    • Create a Moose application using the Moose CLI.
    • Build the application for Docker.
  6. Environment Configuration:

    • Create a .env file for version settings and a .env.prod file for application secrets.
  7. Docker Compose Setup:

    • Create a docker-compose.yml file to define your services, including necessary configurations for Clickhouse, Redis, and optional services like Redpanda and Temporal.
  8. Production Configuration:

    • Securely configure Clickhouse by creating users and updating environment variables.
    • Optionally restrict access to Redpanda and configure Temporal for workflow orchestration.
  9. Deployment Process:

    • Use Docker Compose to start services.
    • Consider setting up a systemd service for automatic starting of Docker Compose on boot.
  10. Deployment Methods:

    • Automated CI/CD: Set up GitHub Actions to automate builds and deployments.
    • Manual Deployment: Manually copy the latest code and restart the stack.
  11. Monitoring & Maintenance:

    • Implement log monitoring, regular backups, and set up alerts for service health to avoid outages.

This guide streamlines the process of deploying a Moose application using Docker Compose while providing best practices for security and maintenance.

Author: Callicles | Score: 45

55.
Microsoft blocked the email account of Chief Prosecutor of the ICC
(Microsoft blocked the email account of Chief Prosecutor of the ICC)

Microsoft has come under criticism for blocking the email account of Karim Khan, the Chief Prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), following sanctions imposed by former US President Donald Trump. These sanctions targeted the ICC after it issued arrest warrants for Israeli officials accused of war crimes. As a result, the ICC's operations have been severely affected, forcing Khan to switch to a different email provider.

The Open-Source Business Alliance (OSBA) has raised concerns about the implications of US companies enforcing such sanctions, calling for the urgent need for alternatives that are not subject to US jurisdiction. They argue that this situation highlights the necessity for digital sovereignty, where countries can control their own IT and communication infrastructures without reliance on US technology.

The OSBA believes the German government must act swiftly to enhance digital sovereignty, as the current situation poses a threat to the independence of international courts. Additionally, there are ongoing investigations into Khan regarding allegations of misconduct, which have emerged alongside the ICC's political challenges.

Author: maratumba | Score: 22

56.
Austin's Reign as a Tech Hub Might Be Coming to an End
(Austin's Reign as a Tech Hub Might Be Coming to an End)

No summary available.

Author: watchdogtimer | Score: 16

57.
Don't Use ISO/IEC 14977:1996 Extended Backus-Naur Form (EBNF) (2023)
(Don't Use ISO/IEC 14977:1996 Extended Backus-Naur Form (EBNF) (2023))

No summary available.

Author: gslin | Score: 44

58.
Microbes in Gowanus teach lessons on fighting industrial pollution
(Microbes in Gowanus teach lessons on fighting industrial pollution)

A research team led by NYU Tandon's Assistant Professor Elizabeth Hénaff has made significant discoveries about microbes in Brooklyn's Gowanus Canal, a heavily polluted area. Their study, published on April 15, 2025, found that these organisms have developed genes that help them break down pollutants and heavy metals. Specifically, they identified 455 species of microbes with 64 ways to degrade pollutants and 1,171 genes for processing heavy metals. This could lead to more sustainable cleaning methods for contaminated waters, offering an alternative to traditional dredging.

The research team also discovered new genetic sequences that could enable these microbes to produce valuable compounds for various industries. They created an art installation called CHANNEL to share their findings with the public, combining science and art to engage audiences.

Additionally, the study highlighted concerns about antibiotic resistance among the microbes, which may pose public health risks. However, the potential for using these microbes for environmental cleanup and resource recovery is promising, as they can break down historical pollutants like petroleum and industrial solvents.

The research involved sampling from multiple locations in the canal and builds on previous studies over the past decade, showcasing a unique genetic profile that can inform pollution cleanup efforts globally. The project received funding from various organizations, including the National Institutes of Health and NASA.

Author: eatonphil | Score: 20

59.
Ogmo – free, open source, 2D level editor
(Ogmo – free, open source, 2D level editor)

OGMO Editor is a free and open-source tool designed for indie game developers to create game levels. It is project-oriented and aims to help developers with their game design. You can download version 3.4 to get started.

Author: aeontech | Score: 72

60.
Cleo, the mathematician that tricked Stack Exchange
(Cleo, the mathematician that tricked Stack Exchange)

Cleo was the pseudonym of an anonymous mathematician who participated in the mathematics Stack Exchange from 2013 to 2015. Known for quickly providing accurate answers to complex integration problems without showing any steps, Cleo sparked debates about whether she was an individual genius, a group of mathematicians, or even an early AI.

During her active years, Cleo posted 39 answers, often solving problems that confused other users. Her responses were correct but controversial since they lacked detailed explanations, which raised concerns about educational value on the platform. Some compared her to historical figures like Srinivasa Ramanujan, who similarly provided solutions without proofs.

In early 2025, it was revealed that Cleo was actually Vladimir Reshetnikov, a software developer from Uzbekistan. He created the Cleo persona to attract attention to neglected mathematical problems and to encourage others to develop their problem-solving skills. Reshetnikov's identity was confirmed through a series of investigations linking him to the Cleo account and others.

Author: schaum | Score: 54

61.
InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel
(InventWood is about to mass-produce wood that's stronger than steel)

In 2018, Liangbing Hu, a materials scientist at the University of Maryland, developed a method to transform ordinary wood into a material stronger than steel. After refining the process to reduce production time from over a week to just a few hours, he partnered with InventWood to commercialize the product, called Superwood.

This summer, InventWood will begin producing Superwood, which is designed for use in building facades and other applications. The company has raised $15 million to build its factory. Superwood is made by treating timber with food-safe chemicals and compressing it to increase its strength, making it 50% stronger than steel with a much better strength-to-weight ratio. The final product is fire-resistant, resistant to rot and pests, and visually appealing, resembling beautiful hardwoods. Eventually, InventWood aims to create structural beams from wood chips that require no finishing.

Author: LorenDB | Score: 461

62.
Show HN: A MCP server to evaluate Python code in WASM VM using RustPython
(Show HN: A MCP server to evaluate Python code in WASM VM using RustPython)

Summary of eval-py

The "eval-py" is a plugin that uses RustPython to run Python code.

How to Use It:

  • You need to specify a plugin in your setup:
    • Name: eval-py
    • Path: Provide the location of the plugin file (e.g., "/home/anh/Code/hyper-mcp/examples/plugins/eval-py/target/wasm32-wasip1/release/plugin.wasm").

This setup allows you to evaluate Python code effectively.

Author: tuananh | Score: 34

63.
Not causal chains, but interactions and adaptations
(Not causal chains, but interactions and adaptations)

Summary: Not Causal Chains, but Interactions and Adaptations

Lorin Hochstein critiques the traditional root cause analysis (RCA) approach to understanding incidents, arguing that it misrepresents how complex systems fail. While the UK Health and Safety Executive's guide acknowledges multiple causes and the importance of examining work contexts, Hochstein believes it still relies on a flawed causal chain model, likening it to a sequence of dominos where one cause leads to another.

Hochstein introduces an alternative model called resilience engineering (RE), which focuses on the interactions among system components rather than simple cause-and-effect relationships. This model recognizes that incidents often arise from unpredictable interactions and emphasizes the adaptability of complex systems, which can function despite numerous latent failures.

Instead of searching for a singular root cause to eliminate, the RE approach encourages organizations to understand how they can adapt and maintain functionality in the presence of faults. This shift in perspective fosters a more holistic view of system resilience, promoting continuous improvement by nurturing adaptive capacities rather than merely addressing faults.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 6

64.
Rivers
(Rivers)

The text discusses "rivers" in printed text, which are gaps of white space that align across multiple lines, often seen in monospaced fonts with full justification. These can be distracting and are usually avoided by typographers, who may check for them by viewing the page upside down. While rare in regular text, a notable example was found by Mark Isaak in a 1988 edition of Darwin’s "The Voyage of the Beagle." Additionally, Fritzi Striebel shared a collection of unusual rivers in a 1986 article.

Author: surprisetalk | Score: 67

65.
Old Growth Wood
(Old Growth Wood)

Summary:

Old growth wood, harvested from trees 100 years ago, is far superior to new growth wood used in modern windows. Historic windows made from old growth wood are durable and can last over a century, while new wood windows often start to rot and warp within 20 years.

The main differences between old and new wood include:

  • Growth Rate: Old growth wood has tight growth rings due to slow growth (20-25 rings per inch), making it more stable. New growth wood has fewer rings (about 7 per inch) and is often grown quickly on plantations.
  • Heartwood vs. Sapwood: Old growth wood is primarily heartwood, which lasts longer, while new wood consists mostly of sapwood, which deteriorates quickly.
  • Quality Issues: Modern wood often contains defects like knots, leading manufacturers to use finger-jointed wood to compensate for poor quality.

Because of its superior properties, old growth wood should be preserved and restored rather than discarded. Properly maintained historic windows can last another 100 years, reinforcing the idea that "they don’t make ’em like they used to."

Author: ksec | Score: 22

66.
Mystical
(Mystical)

No summary available.

Author: mmphosis | Score: 427

67.
Show HN: A native Hacker News reader with integrated todo/done tracking
(Show HN: A native Hacker News reader with integrated todo/done tracking)

Hacker News Reader Summary

Hacker News Reader is a desktop app designed for browsing Hacker News with a sleek interface. It is built using Rust and egui.

Key Features:

  • Browse various sections: Hot Stories, New Stories, Show HN, Ask HN, Jobs, and Best Stories.
  • View comments in a user-friendly format with adjustable font size.
  • Easily search and filter stories by title, domain, or author.
  • Automatically loads more stories when scrolling.
  • Color-coded stories based on their scores.
  • Supports dark and light modes and can work offline.
  • Ability to save favorite stories for later.

Installation Steps:

  1. Ensure you have Rust (1.70.0+) and Cargo.
  2. Clone the repository and build the application using Cargo commands.
  3. Run the app to access Hacker News.

Navigation:

  • Use tabs to switch sections.
  • Click on story titles to read them in your browser.
  • View comments by clicking the comments count.
  • Refresh sections and toggle between dark/light themes easily.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

  • Use arrow keys to navigate, and various keys for scrolling and managing comments.
  • Shortcuts available for toggling favorites, searching, and refreshing.

Story and Comments Display:

  • The story list shows details like title, source, author, score, and comments.
  • Comments are displayed in a threaded format with features like auto-folding and adjustable font size.

Favorites:

  • Save stories by clicking a star icon and access favorites through a menu.

Development and Architecture:

  • The app includes testing and error-checking commands.
  • It has three main components for UI, data models, and handling HTTP requests.

License:

  • The project is under the MIT License.

Overall, Hacker News Reader provides a modern and efficient way to engage with Hacker News content.

Author: coolwulf | Score: 42

68.
Transforming R&D with agentic AI: Introducing Microsoft Discovery
(Transforming R&D with agentic AI: Introducing Microsoft Discovery)

Microsoft has introduced a new platform called Microsoft Discovery, designed to enhance research and development (R&D) by integrating AI with scientific processes. This platform allows researchers to combine their own tools and data with Microsoft's innovations and partner solutions, making the discovery process faster and more efficient.

Key features of Microsoft Discovery include:

  • Agentic R&D: Researchers can collaborate with specialized AI agents that assist in hypothesis formulation, experimental simulations, and iterative learning.
  • Graph-based Knowledge Engine: This engine helps connect complex scientific knowledge and supports detailed reasoning, allowing for informed decision-making.
  • Extensibility: Researchers can easily integrate their preferred tools, models, and datasets into the platform.

Microsoft Discovery has already led to significant breakthroughs, such as discovering a new coolant prototype for data centers in a fraction of the time it usually takes. The platform aims to transform R&D across various industries, including healthcare, manufacturing, and materials science, by enabling quicker and more accurate scientific discoveries.

Overall, Microsoft Discovery represents a major shift in how AI can support and accelerate scientific innovation, ensuring that researchers maintain control while benefiting from advanced AI capabilities.

Author: kjhughes | Score: 7

69.
Allow us to block Copilot-generated issues (and PRs) from our own repositories
(Allow us to block Copilot-generated issues (and PRs) from our own repositories)

The discussion revolves around a request to allow GitHub users to block issues and pull requests (PRs) generated by Copilot, an AI tool. The user, mcclure, expresses concerns that machine-generated submissions could clutter repositories and violate project codes of conduct. They argue that managing these submissions would waste time for maintainers and contributors alike.

The main points include:

  1. Concerns about AI-generated content: Users worry that issues and PRs created by Copilot could lead to irrelevant submissions, increasing the workload for repository maintainers.
  2. Request for blocking feature: There is a strong desire for GitHub to provide an option to block AI-generated submissions on an account or repository level.
  3. Potential migration: If such a feature is not implemented, users may consider moving their projects to other platforms that do not integrate AI in this way.
  4. Community feedback: Many participants in the discussion share similar sentiments, advocating for an opt-in approach rather than the proposed opt-out, to prevent unwanted AI interactions.

Overall, maintainers want tools that respect their project guidelines and reduce unnecessary work.

Author: pera | Score: 46

70.
Show HN: Windows 98 themed website in 1 HTML file for my post punk band
(Show HN: Windows 98 themed website in 1 HTML file for my post punk band)

Summary:

This text is about a band called CORP, providing various sections related to their activities:

  • Music: Fans can listen to CORP on platforms like Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, and Bandcamp. Their album "Whispers from the Water Cooler" is available on Bandcamp.

  • Events: Information about upcoming shows can be found on platforms like Songkick and Bandsintown.

  • Social Media: Fans are encouraged to follow CORP on Instagram, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Facebook.

  • Merchandise: Official CORP merchandise is available for purchase, including items like "Financial Accounting Services" and "Insider Trading Tip."

  • Mailing List: People can join the mailing list by providing their email and some optional details.

  • Booking: Interested venues can contact CORP via email for booking inquiries.

  • Miscellaneous: There are sections for a recycle bin, classified resources, and quick links to music and tickets.

Overall, the text promotes the band, their music, events, and merchandise while encouraging fan engagement through social media and mailing lists.

Author: jealousgelatin | Score: 189

71.
Llama from scratch (2023)
(Llama from scratch (2023))

The article shares insights on implementing a simplified version of the Llama language model, focusing on training it using the TinyShakespeare dataset. Here are the key points:

  1. Iterative Approach: Start small and build gradually. Begin with basic functions to test your model and pick simple models to understand components before implementing complex ones.

  2. Model Structure: Llama is a transformer-based model aimed at efficient inference. It uses a straightforward character-level tokenizer instead of more complex tokenization methods.

  3. Data Preparation: The dataset is split into training, validation, and test sets, and helper functions are created to efficiently generate batches for training.

  4. Loss Evaluation: Implement a method for evaluating loss during training. This helps track if the model is learning correctly.

  5. Model Building: Start with a basic neural network structure and gradually enhance it by adding advanced features like RMSNorm for normalization, rotary embeddings for positional encoding, and SwiGLU activation functions.

  6. Attention Mechanism: Implement masked attention to ensure that the model doesn’t access future tokens while predicting the current token.

  7. Training and Optimization: The model's parameters are optimized using Adam optimizer, and training runs are logged for tracking progress. Adjustments are made to reduce validation loss, indicating better model performance.

  8. Final Model: The final architecture includes multiple layers of Llama blocks, with attention mechanisms and a feedforward network, leading to improved performance and reduced validation loss.

  9. Testing: After training, the model is tested on the test set to evaluate its performance.

The article emphasizes the importance of a systematic, iterative approach in building and training machine learning models, especially complex ones like Llama.

Author: sebg | Score: 153

72.
Solving the local optima problem – NQueens
(Solving the local optima problem – NQueens)

Summary of Solving the Local Optima Problem - NQueens

In our AI classes, we learned about Hill Climbing, an informed search algorithm, by applying it to the N-Queens problem. While effective, this algorithm often gets stuck in local optima. Our professor, João Ricardo Favan, challenged us to find ways to improve it.

In this repository, we present our solutions and the code used. Key files include NRainhas.ipynb and benchmarks.csv, which contain experiment results.

Problem Overview:

The current implementation involves:

  1. Creating an n*n board with queens placed on one side.
  2. Calculating the number of attacks between queens.
  3. If attacks are zero, we stop; otherwise, we randomly move a queen and repeat.

Since multiple configurations can be optimal (zero attacks), the algorithm can get stuck without finding a global solution.

Proposed Solutions:

  1. Remove Random Steps: Instead of random movements, we propose moving queens to positions that reduce attacks systematically. If no improvement occurs, we still randomize the move to explore new configurations.

  2. Random Boards and Steps: We start with a random configuration and step size. This helps the algorithm explore more possibilities, reducing the chance of getting stuck.

  3. Alternative Algorithms: We suggest trying other algorithms like Simulated Annealing or Genetic Algorithms, which may find solutions without falling into local optima.

Comparison of Solutions:

We tested all three solutions against the standard method, running each 1000 times on 9x9 boards.

  • Success Rate: Solution 1 (systematic movement) performed best in finding solutions.
  • Iterations: Solution 1 reached the solution in fewer iterations, but Solution 2 had a random approach that sometimes yielded quicker results.

Complexity Analysis:

  • The complexities of the methods were analyzed, with Solution 1 being the most effective for finding solutions but not the most efficient in terms of complexity.

Conclusion:

Solution 1 is the best choice for solving the N-Queens problem, balancing effectiveness and the likelihood of finding the correct solution, despite its complexity. All materials were created collaboratively by us and our professor.

Author: ColinWright | Score: 10

73.
Visualizing 100k Years of Earth in WebGL
(Visualizing 100k Years of Earth in WebGL)

Summary: Visualizing 100,000 Years of Earth in WebGL

The author created an interactive model of Earth that visualizes the last 100,000 years, highlighting how geography influenced human history. This model shows changes in elevation, sea levels, climate, and ice sheets, and is accessible through a web browser.

Key Components:

  1. Elevation Data:

    • The model uses a global elevation map from NOAA, which was downsampled and compressed for efficiency.
    • It focuses on sea level areas to accurately render shorelines.
  2. Historic Sea Levels:

    • The author utilized a dataset of global sea levels to allow users to see how coastlines changed over time, revealing areas like Doggerland and the land bridge at the Bering Strait.
  3. Climate Data:

    • Climate information, including rainfall and temperature, was incorporated to add color to the globe.
    • Different colors represent various climates, like deserts and forests, based on temperature and rainfall data.
  4. Ice Sheets:

    • Data on historical ice sheets was used to show their locations during the last ice age, affecting early human settlements.
    • The ice data was processed to create smooth, accurate shapes for rendering.
  5. Modern Borders:

    • Current country borders were added for context, using administrative boundary data.

The project provided valuable insights into geography and data visualization. The author plans to enhance the model with more accurate data and historical events. A live demo is available, and the author encourages others interested in similar projects to connect on GitHub or LinkedIn.

Author: agnosis | Score: 73

74.
Too Much Go Misdirection
(Too Much Go Misdirection)

The text discusses the challenges of managing data efficiency in Go, particularly when dealing with the io.Reader interface and needing direct access to byte slices. The author is decoding images using libraries that require byte data, but the default streaming approach can lead to unnecessary data copies.

To optimize performance, the author wants to detect when an io.Reader is actually a bytes.Reader, allowing for direct access to the underlying bytes without copying. However, the Go image library complicates this by wrapping readers in a bufio.Reader, which doesn't expose the original reader.

The author proposes a solution to check for a bufio.Reader and then extract its underlying reader, before checking for bytes.Reader. This method aims to eliminate unnecessary data copies.

The text also notes that bytes.Reader lacks a Peek function, which could allow efficient peeking into byte slices without changing their state. The author criticizes Go's structural typing for creating situations where certain types are more efficient than others, and expresses frustration with the lack of documentation on these nuances.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 178

75.
KDE is finally getting a native virtual machine manager called “Karton”
(KDE is finally getting a native virtual machine manager called “Karton”)

Microsoft Teams is adding a new feature that allows users to use multiple emoji reactions in chats and meetings. This update will enhance communication by letting people express themselves in more ways during conversations.

Author: bundie | Score: 185

76.
Activism, hacking or campaigning: Why it's so easy to win the vote at Eurovision
(Activism, hacking or campaigning: Why it's so easy to win the vote at Eurovision)

The recent Eurovision Song Contest saw Austrian singer JJ win with his song "Wasted Love," while Israeli singer Yuval Raphael garnered the most public votes but finished second due to jury voting. This outcome has raised questions about the voting system, particularly given the context of criticism toward Israel’s actions in Gaza.

Eurovision's televoting system allows users to cast up to 20 votes using just one email address and credit card, making it easy for organized groups to influence results. Voting costs €1.09 per online vote, and there is no strict verification process for email addresses, which could facilitate multiple votes from a single user with different cards and emails.

Experts have criticized the lack of transparency and security in the electronic voting system, suggesting it is not robust enough for serious elections. The ease of mass voting means that a mobilized group can significantly sway the results, as seen with Israel’s support. This raises concerns about the integrity of the voting process, with calls for greater oversight and verification measures.

Overall, the situation highlights vulnerabilities in Eurovision's voting model, suggesting that it may not be a trustworthy mechanism for fair competition.

Author: diggan | Score: 15

77.
Microsoft's ICC blockade: digital dependence comes at a cost
(Microsoft's ICC blockade: digital dependence comes at a cost)

In February 2025, the United States imposed sanctions on the International Criminal Court (ICC), impacting Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan's access to Microsoft services, including email. This situation highlights the risks of depending on US-based technology services. Khan's bank accounts were also frozen, and he could face arrest if he travels to the US.

The conflict began after the ICC issued an arrest warrant for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. This incident warns that organizations that do not align with US policies should consider alternative software solutions.

While some European governments, like the Dutch, have previously accepted the risks of using Microsoft, tensions between the US and Europe have increased, complicating reliance on American IT services. Microsoft claims it will protect European data from US access, but uncertainties remain.

Governments need to ensure their critical operations aren't solely dependent on Microsoft's services, especially as the ICC searches for European alternatives. The key takeaway is that national security should not rely on the promises of service agreements, and there are concerns about Europe's digital independence.

Author: bramhaag | Score: 274

78.
Experimentation Matters: Why Nuenki isn't using pairwise evaluations
(Experimentation Matters: Why Nuenki isn't using pairwise evaluations)

Nuenki has updated its language translation quality benchmark. Previously, it used a simple scoring system where various language models (LLMs) rated each other from 1 to 10. Now, the focus is on a new method that uses pairwise evaluations and a statistical model called Bradley-Terry.

Recently, the author faced challenges with costs while trying to run enough comparisons to gather meaningful data. Spending $100 did not yield significant results, and further attempts would be too expensive.

To address this, a new, more cost-effective system was created. It combines the old and new methods by translating around 160 sentences and having six evaluation systems score the translations on various factors. The results are then statistically analyzed. This new approach is cheaper and provides reasonably good results, although it uses only one scoring metric and is not fully blinded. An early test run on German cost about $6.

For those interested in language learning, Nuenki is also recommended.

Author: Alex-Programs | Score: 5

79.
About Asteroids, Atari's biggest arcade hit
(About Asteroids, Atari's biggest arcade hit)

The article discusses the classic arcade game Asteroids, created by Atari in 1979. After the success of Space Invaders, Atari wanted a new hit game, which led to the development of Asteroids, co-designed by Lyle Rains and Ed Logg. The game involves players controlling a spaceship to shoot and break apart asteroids, which adds complexity compared to other games at the time.

Asteroids used vector graphics for better visuals and accuracy, setting it apart from the usual raster graphics. The game features a unique control scheme with buttons for rotating, thrusting, and shooting, which some players found challenging.

Asteroids became Atari's best-selling game, with over 70,000 units sold. It was later adapted for home consoles like the Atari 2600 and 7800, although the graphics were simplified. Many versions and clones of Asteroids have been created for various platforms, including a personal version called Space Rocks, developed by the author.

In summary, Asteroids is recognized as a groundbreaking and influential game in the arcade scene, celebrated for its innovative gameplay and graphics.

Author: rbanffy | Score: 60

80.
ClawPDF – Open-Source Virtual/Network PDF Printer with OCR and Image Support
(ClawPDF – Open-Source Virtual/Network PDF Printer with OCR and Image Support)

ClawPDF Overview

ClawPDF is a powerful virtual printer that allows you to create documents in multiple formats, such as PDF, PNG, JPEG, and TXT. It supports advanced features commonly found in enterprise solutions, including:

  • Document Creation: Generate PDFs that meet specific standards (PDF/A-1b, PDF/A-2b, etc.) and other image formats.
  • Optical Character Recognition (OCR): Convert images to editable text.
  • Security Features: Protect documents with passwords and encrypt them using strong 256-bit AES encryption.
  • Automation: Use a scripting interface for automation and integration into applications.
  • Network Printing: Install and use ClawPDF on a print server for shared printing capabilities.

Compatibility: ClawPDF is open-source, works on all major Windows operating systems (including Windows 7 to 11 and Windows Server versions), and supports multi-user environments.

Key Features:

  • Print to various formats including PDF and images.
  • Merge files and support for drag-and-drop.
  • Custom configurations and easy deployment.
  • No adware or spyware included.

Download Link: You can download ClawPDF here.

System Requirements: Requires .Net Framework 4.6.2+ and Visual C++ Redistributable 14.

License: ClawPDF is licensed under the AGPL v3 license.

Overall, ClawPDF is a feature-rich tool suitable for both individual users and businesses looking for a reliable PDF and image printing solution.

Author: miles | Score: 185

81.
Spaced repetition systems have gotten better
(Spaced repetition systems have gotten better)

Summary: Improvements in Spaced Repetition Systems

Spaced repetition systems (SRS) are effective tools for mastering knowledge through repeated exposure, especially for subjects that require long-term retention, like languages or medical information. Traditional methods, like the SuperMemo-2 algorithm, have structured review intervals that can be frustrating, especially when mistakes reset your progress.

Recently, the FSRS (Flexible Spaced Repetition System) algorithm has significantly enhanced the efficiency of SRS. Unlike older methods, FSRS uses machine learning to predict the best time to review information before forgetting it, based on personal performance. It considers three factors: difficulty of each card, how long it takes to forget, and the probability of recall. This personalized approach leads to fewer daily reviews and better long-term retention.

To use FSRS, you need software like Anki, which has integrated this algorithm since late 2023. Users can adjust their desired retention rates, improving their balance of knowledge retention and review workload. Compared to other platforms like WaniKani and Bunpro, which use less effective algorithms, FSRS provides a more satisfying learning experience.

Overall, Anki stands out as a top choice for spaced repetition, offering flexibility and continuous updates that support efficient learning.

Author: domenicd | Score: 978

82.
U.S. ISPs Want Retrospective Immunity in Pirate Site Blocking Bill
(U.S. ISPs Want Retrospective Immunity in Pirate Site Blocking Bill)

The Motion Picture Association (MPA) recently emphasized the importance of establishing a pirate site blocking system in the U.S. during a Senate subcommittee hearing. After years of focusing on international efforts, discussions about blocking domestic sites have resumed, especially following the introduction of the Foreign Anti-Digital Piracy Act (FADPA) in February 2023.

Senator Chris Coons noted that progress is being made, but a significant hurdle is that Internet Service Providers (ISPs) want legal immunity for past piracy incidents. The MPA argues that this immunity is unnecessary since ISPs have not faced lawsuits in other countries for enforcing site blocking.

ISPs, however, may be concerned about existing lawsuits related to their responsibilities in addressing piracy. The MPA believes a U.S. site blocking law could be enacted soon, with hopes of finalizing it within months.

Author: diyftw | Score: 8

83.
The principles of database design, or, the Truth is out there
(The principles of database design, or, the Truth is out there)

Summary: Principles of Database Design

Every software project must accurately represent the business it serves, and this is achieved through a database, which stores propositions about reality. Proper database design is crucial, as it cannot be automated and requires careful encoding of information for effective processing by a database management system (DBMS).

Many developers lack formal training in database design, leading to poor practices that can cause data issues. Understanding the foundational principles of database design is essential for creating reliable systems.

Key design principles include:

  1. Orthogonal Design: Relations should be independent.
  2. Representational Parsimony: Avoid unnecessary relations.
  3. Expressive Completeness: All meaningful relations must be derivable from the base relations.
  4. Full Normalization: Ensure relations are in their highest normal form to eliminate redundancy.
  5. Information Principle: Represent all information explicitly and uniquely.
  6. Logical Independence: Changes to base relations should not affect application programs.

The author introduces a new principle:

  • Essential Denotation: Relations should use natural keys that reflect the entity’s true identity, rather than arbitrary values.

Good database design is vital to avoid confusion and instability, emphasizing the need for rigor and understanding of these principles to effectively represent reality.

Author: b-man | Score: 115

84.
A handy metric is needed for gauging if GPUs are being used optimally
(A handy metric is needed for gauging if GPUs are being used optimally)

The Uptime Institute reports that many AI development teams are not using their GPU resources efficiently, with well-optimized models only utilizing 35% to 45% of their potential computing power. This is concerning given the high cost of GPUs, such as the Nvidia H100, which can range from $27,000 to $40,000.

Currently, the industry lacks a straightforward metric for measuring GPU utilization, which leads to misunderstandings about actual performance. While some methods exist, like tracking average operational time or individual GPU load, these do not accurately reflect efficiency.

A proposed better metric is Model FLOPS Utilization (MFU), which compares a model's performance to the theoretical maximum of the hardware. However, calculating MFU is complex, and results can seem low due to factors like network latency. Despite these challenges, MFU shows promise in linking GPU efficiency to power consumption.

Overall, the report emphasizes the need for better metrics and more data from real-world use to improve GPU resource management in AI.

Author: cyberhost | Score: 5

85.
Russia's Pravda Network: AI-Driven Disinformation on a Global Scale
(Russia's Pravda Network: AI-Driven Disinformation on a Global Scale)

Summary of Russia's Pravda Network: AI-Driven Disinformation

A Russian-backed network called 'Pravda,' along with 'Portal Kombat,' operates numerous websites worldwide, pretending to be local news sources to spread pro-Kremlin messages. This network poses serious risks to politics and security by spreading false information and potentially disrupting the collection of open-source intelligence and AI training data.

The Pravda network has been active since early 2022, especially increasing its presence in 2024, with hundreds of sites publishing over 3.7 million articles designed to look like legitimate news. It mainly copies and translates content from Russian state media and aims to promote pro-Russia views, create divisions in societies, undermine support for Ukraine, and weaken trust in democratic institutions.

The implications of this network are vast, affecting political discourse, operational security, and economic competition. It serves as a low-cost tool for foreign interference, making it difficult for citizens to find trustworthy information and complicating the work of analysts. The network's resilience makes it hard to dismantle, as new sites can quickly replace those taken down.

In the short term, the Pravda network is expected to keep operating and adapt to detection efforts. In the medium term, it may start using AI to improve its content production. In the long term, the network could employ advanced AI to create highly personalized disinformation, posing significant challenges to the integrity of information and the safety of AI systems globally.

Author: haizhung | Score: 30

86.
Show HN: Goboscript, text-based programming language, compiles to Scratch
(Show HN: Goboscript, text-based programming language, compiles to Scratch)

Summary of Goboscript

Goboscript is a text-based programming language that compiles to Scratch, enabling users to write Scratch projects in text form and save them as .sb3 files. These files can be opened in Scratch or TurboWarp and uploaded to the Scratch website.

Key features of Goboscript include:

  • Ease of Use: It allows for advanced project creation using any text editor, and supports version control with systems like Git. Code can be easily reused and shared through copy-pasting.
  • Concise Syntax: Goboscript's syntax is straightforward and easy to understand.
  • External Integration: You can integrate external tools, such as generating costumes or loading images into lists.
  • Macro System: It has a powerful macro system for generating code, similar to Rust.
  • Enhanced Features: Goboscript includes features like local variables for custom blocks and performs optimizations and error detection.

The project was inspired by earlier works like boiga and gobomatic, with Goboscript being written in Rust.

To install Goboscript, developers should clone the repository and follow specific commands to run and test projects.

Goboscript won first place at FOSS HACK 25, receiving recognition and a prize for its development during the hackathon.

Author: aspizu | Score: 156

87.
23andMe Sells Gene-Testing Business to DNA Drug Maker Regeneron
(23andMe Sells Gene-Testing Business to DNA Drug Maker Regeneron)

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Stay updated with global market news by subscribing to Bloomberg.com.

Author: wslh | Score: 209

88.
Go Cryptography Security Audit
(Go Cryptography Security Audit)

Summary of Go Cryptography Security Audit

On May 19, 2025, the Go team announced the results of a security audit of its cryptography packages, conducted by the independent firm Trail of Bits. The audit found one low-severity issue and several minor informational findings, affirming the overall security of Go's cryptography library.

Key Points:

  1. Audit Scope: The audit examined key areas such as digital signatures, encryption, hashing, and random number generation. Higher-level protocols like TLS were not included.

  2. Findings:

    • One Low-Severity Issue: A minor vulnerability related to memory management in the legacy Go+BoringCrypto integration was identified but has been fixed in Go 1.25. This integration is not supported for external use.
    • Five Informational Findings: These do not pose immediate risks but highlight areas for improvement. They include potential timing side-channel vulnerabilities and a few implementation limitations.
  3. Security Practices: The Go team emphasizes limiting complexity, thorough testing, and using safe APIs to maintain security. They also focus on readability for easier maintenance and review.

  4. Future Improvements: The Go team is developing a new FIPS 140-3 compliant mode using pure Go, aiming to replace the unsupported Go+BoringCrypto. They are also working on implementing post-quantum cryptography and creating user-friendly high-level cryptography APIs.

The audit results reinforce the Go team's commitment to providing secure cryptography tools, and ongoing efforts will ensure continued improvements and compliance with best practices.

Author: bracewel | Score: 52

89.
European Investment Bank to inject €70B in European tech
(European Investment Bank to inject €70B in European tech)

The European Investment Bank (EIB) plans to invest €70 billion in Europe's technology sector by 2027. This initiative, called TechEU, aims to close the innovation gap with the United States and boost investment in emerging technologies like artificial intelligence and military drones. The EIB hopes to attract private investors and potentially unlock an additional €250 billion for the sector.

EIB President Nadia Calviño has stated that the bank will take more risks and speed up the venture capital financing process, reducing the time to approve startup funding from 18 months to just six months. This quicker process is seen as crucial for helping startups thrive in competitive markets.

The EIB also aims to position itself as a stable and innovative partner for international investors, especially in light of geopolitical uncertainties. The bank is focusing on sectors like defense and security, recognizing their connection to technological growth.

By co-investing with private investors, the EIB hopes to inspire confidence and reduce risks, further enhancing Europe's tech ecosystem. The initiative awaits approval from EU finance ministers, which is expected soon, highlighting Europe's commitment to becoming a global tech leader.

Author: saubeidl | Score: 292

90.
Show HN: Cogitator – A Python Toolkit for Chain-of-Thought Prompting
(Show HN: Cogitator – A Python Toolkit for Chain-of-Thought Prompting)

Cogitator Summary

Cogitator is a Python toolkit designed for using chain-of-thought (CoT) prompting methods with large language models (LLMs). CoT prompting helps these models perform better on complex tasks like reasoning and problem-solving by encouraging them to outline their thought processes before arriving at answers. The toolkit also enhances the interpretability of LLMs by showing how they reason.

Key Features:

  • Unified API for synchronous and asynchronous CoT strategies.
  • Supports OpenAI and Ollama as LLM providers.
  • Validates structured model output using Pydantic.
  • Includes a customizable benchmarking framework.
  • Implements several popular CoT strategies, such as Self-Consistency and Tree of Thoughts.

Getting Started: To install Cogitator, use:

pip install cogitator

For the latest version with examples:

git clone https://github.com/habedi/cogitator && cd cogitator
pip install poetry
poetry install --with dev

You can run tests using poetry run pytest.

Example Usage: An example demonstrates using the Self-Consistency strategy with the Ollama model to solve a problem about the costs of a bat and ball.

Documentation and Benchmarking: Cogitator's documentation is available online, and it includes a framework for benchmarking different CoT strategies with various datasets.

Contributing and Citation: Users are encouraged to contribute and cite the project in their research.

License: Cogitator is licensed under the MIT License.

Author: habedi0 | Score: 52

91.
Improving Assembly Code Performance with LLMss via Reinforcement Learning
(Improving Assembly Code Performance with LLMss via Reinforcement Learning)

Large language models (LLMs) show great promise in programming tasks, but their ability to optimize code is not well studied. This research explores how LLMs can improve assembly code performance, which requires precise control. The authors developed a reinforcement learning system using Proximal Policy Optimization (PPO) and a reward system that checks for correctness and performance compared to the standard gcc -O3 compiler. They created a benchmark with 8,072 real-world programs. Their model, Qwen2.5-Coder-7B-PPO, achieved a 96.0% success rate in tests and sped up performance by an average of 1.47 times compared to gcc -O3. This suggests that reinforcement learning can effectively enhance LLMs' ability to optimize assembly code.

Author: badmonster | Score: 11

92.
Side projects I've built since 2009
(Side projects I've built since 2009)

The author has been creating side projects since 2009, tracking their progress on a dedicated page. They prioritize building projects they enjoy, mainly using WordPress, while advising others to stick to familiar technologies.

Active Projects:

  • Handheld Hunt: A platform for gaming on the go.
  • Mild Themes: Premium WordPress block themes for creators.
  • Stack Your Project: A service to promote projects for $5.
  • Cats of the Web: A fun site showcasing cats online.
  • RCFlex: A digital showcase for remote control car enthusiasts.
  • mildspring: Offers premium templates and tools.

Sold Projects:

  • Flag Palette: Color codes for flags.
  • ZeroAcquire: A marketplace for side projects.
  • Tiny Resume: Easy online resume creation.
  • PolicyTrail: Hosting for privacy policies.
  • InventedBy: Lists modern inventions.
  • Symbol Hunt: Discovery of symbols and meanings.

Defunct Projects:

  • nGlot: Focused on ancient writing systems.
  • Book of Naem: A creative collection of haikus and art.
  • Random Daily Haiku: Daily haiku delivery via email.
  • Other projects related to tech, finance, and social topics have also ceased operations.

Overall, the author emphasizes the importance of enjoying the process of building and staying grounded in familiar technologies.

Author: naeemnur | Score: 252

93.
K-Scale Labs: Open-source humanoid robots, built for developers
(K-Scale Labs: Open-source humanoid robots, built for developers)

The K-Bot is a general-purpose humanoid robot that is 4 feet tall. It is available for pre-order at a price of $8,999, down from its original price of $15,999.

Author: rbanffy | Score: 137

94.
Is-even-ai – Check if a number is even using the power of AI
(Is-even-ai – Check if a number is even using the power of AI)

Summary of is-even-ai

The is-even-ai package uses AI to check if a number is even. It is built on OpenAI's GPT-3.5-turbo model and is inspired by the popular is-even npm package.

Installation: You can install it from npm with the command:

npm install is-even-ai

Usage: To use the package, import its functions:

import { areEqual, areNotEqual, isEven, isGreaterThan, isLessThan, isOdd, setApiKey } from "is-even-ai";

If you don't have your OpenAI API key in your environment, set it using:

setApiKey("YOUR_API_KEY");

Example Functions:

  • isEven(2) returns true.
  • isOdd(3) returns true.
  • areEqual(6, 6) returns true.
  • isGreaterThan(8, 7) returns true.

For more advanced options, you can use the IsEvenAiOpenAi class to customize the model and settings.

Supported Methods:

  • Check if a number is even or odd.
  • Compare two numbers for equality or inequality.
  • Check if one number is greater or less than another.

This package currently supports OpenAI and invites contributions for more AI platforms.

Author: modinfo | Score: 268

95.
Red Hat partners with SiFive for a RISC-V developer preview of RHEL 10
(Red Hat partners with SiFive for a RISC-V developer preview of RHEL 10)

Red Hat has teamed up with SiFive to launch a developer preview of Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) 10, specifically for the SiFive HiFive Premier P550 platform. This preview will be available for download starting June 1, 2025.

RISC-V, the architecture being used, is an open-source instruction set that allows anyone to create microprocessors. Red Hat's collaboration with SiFive aims to support developers in assessing RISC-V technology for their IT needs and to encourage Linux developers to create RISC-V solutions.

Additionally, Red Hat is providing source code for CentOS Stream 10 that supports RISC-V. This collaboration highlights the growing importance of RISC-V in technology, as it is increasingly adopted across various devices and applications.

Author: fork-bomber | Score: 11

96.
Emulator Debugging: Area 5150's Lake Effect
(Emulator Debugging: Area 5150's Lake Effect)

Summary of "Emulator Debugging: Area 5150's Lake Effect"

In this article, the author discusses the process of debugging the "Lake" effect from the Area 5150 demo using a bus sniffer with the IBM 5150 emulator, MartyPC. Although the emulator received praise for its accuracy, it initially required special hacks to run certain effects, including "Lake."

The challenges stem from the limitations of the IBM CGA graphics adapter, which lacks a vertical sync interrupt. The author explains how they used polling techniques to manage the screen output effectively without causing visual artifacts. They also describe the complex method of "racing the beam," where CPU cycles are counted to determine the position of the raster beam on the screen, allowing for precise graphics rendering.

Throughout the debugging process, the author identified several bugs and discrepancies in the emulator's timing and logic, leading to a year-long effort to fix these issues. They created a model of the 5150's DMA logic to understand and correct timing overlaps that caused inaccuracies in the emulator.

In the end, after addressing all significant bugs, the author successfully removed the initial hacks and achieved precise timing for the "Lake" effect, making MartyPC capable of running it accurately. The article highlights the dedication and technical challenges involved in emulating such complex graphics effects, celebrating the artistry of the original demo while showcasing the emulator's improvements.

Author: rbanffy | Score: 66

97.
Show HN: Svelte Flow 1.0 is out! Rewritten for Svelte 5
(Show HN: Svelte Flow 1.0 is out! Rewritten for Svelte 5)

Summary of Svelte Flow

Svelte Flow is a customizable component designed for creating node-based editors and interactive diagrams. It is an open-source library licensed under MIT, making it free to use and modify.

Key Features:

  • User Interaction: You can select nodes and edges using the enter or space key, move nodes with arrow keys, and delete items with the delete key.
  • Easy Setup: To start using Svelte Flow, install it via npm, pnpm, or yarn.
  • Built-in Functions: It includes features like dragging nodes, zooming, panning, and selecting multiple nodes without needing extra configuration.
  • Custom Nodes: You can create custom nodes using Svelte components for greater control and interactivity.
  • Advanced Components: Svelte Flow offers additional components like Background, Minimap, and Controls for enhanced app functionality.

Getting Started: Check the Quickstart guide for installation instructions and see interactive examples to explore its capabilities.

Team: Svelte Flow is developed by the xyflow team, which also maintains React Flow.

Author: moklick | Score: 11

98.
Lightweight plastic mirrors drop cost of solar thermal energy by 40%
(Lightweight plastic mirrors drop cost of solar thermal energy by 40%)

Researchers in Australia have developed lightweight, shatterproof plastic mirrors that could reduce the cost of solar thermal energy by up to 40%. This technology is significant for agriculture and industries that require high-temperature heat for processes like food production, crop drying, and chemical manufacturing.

Solar thermal energy works by capturing the sun's heat, unlike conventional solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity. The University of South Australia (UniSA) created these mirrors to be lighter and easier to assemble than traditional glass mirrors, while maintaining high reflectivity.

The mirrors will be tested in a pilot project at Charles Sturt University's Vineyard of the Future. This innovation aligns with the growing need for sustainable energy solutions as the world seeks to reduce fossil fuel dependence and carbon emissions.

Author: wjSgoWPm5bWAhXB | Score: 4

99.
UK study: Almost half of young people would prefer a world without internet
(UK study: Almost half of young people would prefer a world without internet)

A recent survey found that nearly half of young people in the UK would prefer to live without the internet. The study, which included 1,293 participants aged 16 to 21, revealed that about 70% feel worse about themselves after using social media. Many support a "digital curfew" that would limit app access after 10 PM, with 50% in favor of such restrictions.

The survey also highlighted concerning behaviors: a quarter of respondents spend over four hours on social media daily, and 42% have lied to their parents about their online activities. Additionally, 42% admitted to lying about their age online, and 27% shared their location with strangers.

Experts stress that while digital curfews could help, they are not enough to protect children from online risks. They call for safer, less addictive online environments and new regulations to prioritize user safety over tech companies' interests. The pandemic has also increased online activity, with 75% of young people reporting they spent more time online since then.

Author: kawera | Score: 61

100.
Programming in Martin-Lof's Type Theory: An Introduction (1990)
(Programming in Martin-Lof's Type Theory: An Introduction (1990))

No summary available.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 57
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