PNG (Portable Network Graphics) is making a comeback with a new specification released on June 24, 2025. This is exciting as PNG had not seen significant updates for over 20 years. Notably, it is recommended by major institutions like the U.S. Library of Congress.

Key updates in the new PNG spec include:

1. HDR Support: Proper support for High Dynamic Range (HDR) images, which enhances color representation.
2. Animated PNGs (APNGs): Official recognition of animated PNGs, which have gained wider support since their initial proposal.
3. Exif Data Support: Official inclusion of Exif data, allowing storage of extra information like copyright and GPS data.
4. General Improvements: Corrections and clarifications have been made to the specification.

The revival of PNG was driven by the need for HDR support in various technologies, with contributions from major companies like Adobe, Apple, Google, and the W3C.

Many popular applications, including Chrome and Photoshop, already support this new PNG spec. The PNG Working Group is also working on future updates to enhance compression and interoperability between HDR and Standard Dynamic Range (SDR) images.

Overall, the new PNG spec aims to keep the format relevant and competitive as technology evolves.

The text provides a link to a GitHub repository for a project called "gemini-cli" by Google. The link is: gemini-cli on GitHub.

To make OpenAI transcriptions faster and cheaper, you can speed up your audio files using ffmpeg before sending them for transcription. By running audio at 2x or 3x speed, you reduce the duration of the audio, which lowers the number of tokens needed and saves you money. The process involves extracting audio from a video, speeding it up, and then sending it to OpenAI's API for transcription.

The author discovered this method while trying to summarize a long talk by Andrej Karpathy. Initially, they attempted to use YouTube's auto-transcription feature but faced technical issues. After updating their tools, they realized that speeding up the audio was an effective workaround for the duration limit of OpenAI’s transcription models.

The author conducted tests showing significant cost savings: speeding up the audio reduced input token costs by up to 33%. They found that while speeding up the audio may slightly affect fidelity, the transcriptions remained comprehensible. The best speeds for this technique seem to be 2x and 3x, while 4x may produce unusable results.

In summary, if you want to save time and money on transcriptions, consider using ffmpeg to accelerate your audio before uploading it for transcription.

Lovable, a startup that enables users to quickly create apps with minimal coding, has achieved $75 million in annual recurring revenue (ARR) within just seven months. This impressive growth raises questions about its pricing and monetization strategies.

Key insights include:

1. Value Proposition: Lovable’s value is not as clear-cut as other tools since it offers a new way to build apps. It primarily benefits users in developing simple software quickly, particularly for MVPs (minimum viable products) or niche applications.

2. Churn Risk: Lovable may face high customer churn because MVPs are temporary solutions. To maintain subscriptions, Lovable must provide ongoing value beyond initial app creation.

3. Monetization Opportunities: Lovable can explore various monetization strategies:

   • Subscriptions: Currently, it offers a simple subscription model, but ongoing value delivery is essential.
   • Add-ons: It could introduce additional features or partner with other vendors, creating an app marketplace.
   • AI Services: Lovable might develop AI-driven agents to assist users, creating a potential marketplace for AI consultants.
   • Investing: There is potential for Lovable to invest in startups using its platform, fostering growth.

4. Pricing Challenges: Lovable’s pricing is currently based on AI credits, but as usage patterns develop, it may need to adapt its pricing structure to prevent user frustration and optimize revenue.

5. Future Directions: Lovable could further disrupt traditional workflows and expand its capabilities, potentially evolving into a central platform for running SaaS businesses.

Overall, while Lovable is growing rapidly, its long-term success will depend on refining its pricing strategy and continuing to provide substantial value to its users.

The article discusses how to read the NFC chip in a passport using Linux, focusing on the author's experience with their own canceled passport. Here are the key points:

1. NFC Chip Basics: The NFC chip in a passport stores information protected by a password found in the Machine Readable Zone (MRZ). This password is required to access the chip's data.

2. Recreating the MRZ: The author had to recreate the MRZ because part of it was cut off when the passport was canceled. The MRZ consists of the passport number, date of birth, expiration date, and associated checksums.

3. Reading Canceled Passports: Despite the physical alteration, the NFC chip can still be read as it remains intact.

4. Security and Brute-Forcing: The article explains the cryptography involved in passport security and discusses the feasibility of brute-forcing the password. It notes that while it’s possible to guess the password, doing so is impractical due to the vast number of combinations.

5. Tools and Installation: The author recommends using a specific library, pypassport, for reading the passport. They provide Python code examples for generating the MRZ and reading passport data.

6. Extracting Data: The passport data can be structured into different groups, allowing for the retrieval of personal details like name, photo, and biometric information.

7. Conclusion: The author concludes that while reading a passport electronically may not be useful for obtaining sensitive information, it can provide a way to access the personal information that is already visible on the passport. They also caution that their method does not verify the authenticity of the passport.

Overall, the article serves as a guide for those interested in reading passport NFC chips using Linux, offering practical advice and insights into the process.

The working paper titled "Third Places and Neighborhood Entrepreneurship: Evidence from Starbucks Cafés" by Jinkyong Choi, Jorge Guzman, and Mario L. Small explores how neighborhood cafés, specifically Starbucks, influence local entrepreneurship. The authors found that when Starbucks cafés were introduced in U.S. neighborhoods without coffee shops, there was a significant increase in the number of new businesses, ranging from 9.1% to 18% (or 2.9 to 5.7 firms) per year over seven years. This effect was even stronger in underprivileged neighborhoods due to a partnership between Starbucks and Magic Johnson. The research suggests that these increases in entrepreneurship are linked to enhanced networking opportunities provided by these cafés.

No summary available.

Summary of "How to Write Compelling Software Release Announcements"

A software release announcement should highlight how the user's experience has improved, rather than simply listing new features. Here are the key points to create an effective announcement:

1. Focus on User Benefits: Instead of just stating what developers did, explain how changes benefit users. For example, instead of saying "added a duplicate button," say "create events 10x faster with our new Duplicate feature."

2. Differentiate Release Announcements from Release Notes: Release announcements should be engaging and user-focused, while release notes can be more technical and exhaustive. Avoid boring changelogs.

3. Highlight Impactful Changes: Choose features that genuinely enhance the user experience. Ask what users can now do, or which tasks have become easier or faster.

4. Celebrate Improvements: When fixing bugs, focus on how the user experience has improved rather than just stating what was fixed. For example, highlight a significant speed increase in a feature.

5. Avoid Vague Language: Don’t use phrases like “various improvements and bugfixes.” If you can’t articulate a benefit, don’t include it.

6. Use Clear Visuals: Incorporate screenshots that highlight new features clearly. Make the important elements obvious without requiring the reader to zoom in.

7. Keep Demos Short: If including animated demos, ensure they are concise (under 15 seconds) to respect users' time.

8. Plan Early: Consider the announcement during development to ensure that the release includes features that will excite users.

In summary, make release announcements engaging by focusing on user benefits, using clear visuals, and avoiding technical jargon.

Summary of Qodo Gen CLI Announcement

Qodo Gen CLI is a new command-line tool launched in alpha on June 25, 2025, designed to help developers build and manage AI agents throughout the software development lifecycle (SDLC). It allows for the automation of workflows and can integrate with any IDE, making it a versatile tool for development teams.

Key Features:

• Custom Agents: Developers can create agents tailored to their specific needs, defining triggers, inputs, actions, and outputs.
• Automation Across Workflows: Agents can be activated by events like pull requests or CI failures, streamlining repetitive tasks.
• Web UI Support: A browser interface is available for those who prefer an interactive experience.
• Intelligent Code Review: Agents can automate code reviews, summarize changes, and ensure code quality.
• Test Coverage Automation: The tool can generate tests for untested code based on pull request changes.

Deployment Options: Qodo Gen CLI supports various deployment formats for enterprises, including SaaS and on-premise solutions.

Getting Started: Installation is quick via npm with the command npm install -g @qodo/gen.

Future Developments: Upcoming features will focus on enhancing automation and standardizing coding practices across teams.

Overall, Qodo Gen CLI aims to simplify and enhance the development process by reducing manual tasks and improving collaboration.

Summary:

The text describes a simple text editor inspired by the old MS-DOS Editor, featuring a modern interface similar to VS Code. It's designed for users who may not be familiar with terminal commands.

Installation:

• You can download the editor from the Releases page or install it on Windows using WinGet with the command: winget install Microsoft.Edit.

Building the Editor:

1. Install Rust and the nightly toolchain.
2. Optionally, set the environment variable RUSTC_BOOTSTRAP=1.
3. Clone the repository and run: cargo build --config .cargo/release.toml --release for a release build.

Package Maintenance Notes:

• The main executable is called "edit," with "msedit" as an alternative. To avoid conflicts, it’s recommended to name packages "msedit" instead of just "edit."
• For the Search and Replace feature, the editor depends on the ICU library. Specific settings for the library's name may need to be configured based on your operating system.

To test your setup, use the command: cargo test -- --ignored.

No summary available.

Framework has exciting news to share:

1. Framework Laptop 12 Reviews: Reviews for the new Framework Laptop 12 are now available, highlighting its features as a 12.2” touchscreen convertible that is easy to repair, durable, and upgradeable. It comes in five colors and has received positive feedback from reviewers, praising its design and build quality.

2. Shipping Information: The first units of the Framework Laptop 12 will start shipping this week, with pre-orders still open for batches shipping in Q3. There's an option to receive one sooner by donating $250 or more to Hack Club, a non-profit supporting coding education for high school students. This opportunity ends Friday at 5 PM Pacific.

3. Framework Laptop 13 Availability: The Framework Laptop 13, featuring AMD Ryzen 300 Series, is now in stock, with orders shipping within five business days. It is becoming popular among power users and developers, especially those using Linux.

4. Upcoming Events: Framework will participate in several events this year, starting with the Open Source Summit North America in Denver from June 23-25 and ISTELive in San Antonio from June 29 to July 2. They will showcase their products and engage with attendees.

Overall, Framework is ramping up production and engaging with the community while offering innovative and user-friendly laptops.

In 2024, Uber reported earning $6.9 billion in cash, a significant turnaround from its $303 million loss in 2022. Two academic studies have accused Uber of using complex algorithms to increase its profits by raising fares for riders and reducing pay for drivers.

The first study from Columbia Business School analyzed over 24,000 trips and found that since introducing a new pricing system in 2022, Uber's share of each fare has risen from about 32% to over 42%. Similarly, a UK study from the University of Oxford revealed that Uber's share of fares in the UK increased from 25% to 29%, with some trips seeing shares above 50%.

Both studies highlight concerns about "algorithmic price discrimination," where Uber adjusts prices based on what it believes riders are willing to pay and what drivers will accept. Uber has defended its pricing methods, claiming they are transparent and fair, and insists that drivers are guaranteed to earn at least the national living wage. The company disputes the findings of the Oxford study.

These controversies add to Uber's history of legal and regulatory challenges, including a 2021 court ruling that recognized drivers' rights to minimum wage and paid holidays.

Video is a powerful medium, but creating even a minute of video can be time-consuming and complex. AI is set to revolutionize video production in the next few years, enabling faster and more engaging content creation.

The company is focused on helping fast-growing startups produce high-quality videos much quicker, using advanced AI technology that integrates voice, video, and reasoning models. They have backing from notable investors, including YCombinator and Meta.

The team is based in Soho, NYC, and is currently looking for founding engineers to join them. They aim to expand their team as they find a strong fit with their customers. Ideal candidates should be ambitious, willing to take ownership of projects, and ready to innovate.

Immediate tasks for new hires may include developing core workflows, enhancing real-time collaboration tools, prototyping AI models, optimizing video rendering processes, and creating special effects.

The company values small, talented teams that prioritize customer feedback and are eager to learn and tackle new challenges through broad prototyping and innovative product development.

The author struggled with distractions from social media and regular site blockers weren't effective. To overcome this, they created a tool called "Scream to Unlock." This tool requires users to say something embarrassing out loud, and the louder they scream, the longer they can access social media. It has helped the author stay focused. The tool is open source, meaning it's transparent and doesn't collect or track user data; all audio processing is done locally in the browser without saving recordings.

You can find the extension here and the source code on GitHub.

The text discusses advancements in using Python for one-off scripts with the help of a new package manager called uv, which is written in Rust. It simplifies running Python scripts by creating a temporary virtual environment with the correct Python version and dependencies automatically.

Key Points:

1. uv Package: A fast Python package and project manager that allows easy execution of Python scripts without worrying about environments or dependencies.

2. uvx Tool: Similar to the JavaScript tool npx, uvx enables users to run Python tools within packages seamlessly.

3. PEP 723: This is a Python Enhancement Proposal that introduces a way to embed metadata in single-file Python scripts. This metadata helps tools recognize the required Python version and dependencies.

4. Example Usage:

   • A simple script can be run using uv, which installs necessary packages quickly.
   • An example script is provided for extracting YouTube transcripts, demonstrating how to use inline metadata and a proper shebang line.

5. Conclusion: The author expresses excitement about using Python more effectively for quick tasks, noting that they previously preferred Go for its ease in creating self-contained binaries. They also mention a project they created for extracting YouTube transcripts available on GitHub.

Overall, uv and PEP 723 greatly enhance the ease of running Python scripts by automating environment setup and dependency management.

Summary: Foreign Scammers Exploit U.S. Banks to Defraud Americans

Asian crime syndicates are conducting large-scale online scams, known as "pig-butchering," which cheat victims worldwide out of over $44 billion annually. U.S. banks have struggled to prevent these scams, allowing accounts to be opened fraudulently under false names.

Key Points:

1. Pig-Butchering Scams: These scams involve grooming victims to invest more money in seemingly successful schemes before taking all their deposits. They are often run by Chinese gangs from Southeast Asia.

2. Bank Involvement: Scammers use U.S. banks to transfer stolen funds. Accounts rented from banks are used to launder money, often converting cash into cryptocurrency to hide the transactions' origins.

3. Account Fraud: Cases like that of Middlesex Truck and Coach illustrate the problem, where a scammer opened an account in the business's name without proper verification, leading to lawsuits against innocent victims.

4. Banking System Weaknesses: U.S. banks have been criticized for inadequate fraud detection, as regulations do not require them to have effective monitoring systems. Many fraudulent accounts can be opened online without proper identification.

5. Victim Experiences: Many victims, lured by promises of easy money, unknowingly wire large sums to these fraudulent accounts. Despite attempts to recover funds, banks often do not assist victims effectively.

6. Rising Legal Action: Victims are beginning to sue banks for their role in these scams, but legal success is difficult due to the challenge of proving banks knew about the fraud.

7. International Responses: Other countries are implementing stricter regulations to protect consumers, such as mandatory reimbursements for scam victims, while the U.S. lacks similar protections.

Overall, the combination of sophisticated scams, weaknesses in the banking system, and insufficient regulatory measures has made it easy for fraudsters to exploit U.S. banks and defraud innocent individuals.

No summary available.

Summary:

Piet Mondrian, a prominent artist, passed away in 1944 while working on his painting "Victory Boogie Woogie," which he believed would encapsulate his artistic ideals. In his final days, despite suffering from bronchitis, he focused intensely on this piece, which was left unfinished at the time of his death. Since then, many have speculated on how the painting might have looked if completed, with some suggesting mathematical approaches to finish it. However, art historians argue that Mondrian’s work was largely intuitive and not strictly formulaic.

"Victory Boogie Woogie" is part of the De Stijl movement, which emphasized abstraction and simplicity in art. Mondrian's innovative use of colored tape instead of paint reflected his evolving artistic process. After his death, discussions arose about how to preserve the painting due to its unfinished state, leading to various preservation methods.

Recent studies using advanced imaging techniques revealed that while some areas of the painting were more or less complete, Mondrian was still making decisions about smaller details. His last-minute changes added a sense of dynamism, suggesting his struggle with mortality influenced his creative choices. The painting embodies themes of unfinishedness and reflects a departure from classical coherence, making it a lasting source of fascination. Overall, "Victory Boogie Woogie" captures the human element of imperfection and the complexities of life and art.

The text describes an experimental Translator and Language Detector API that provides translation functionality.

Key Points:

• Browser Compatibility: Check compatibility before using this technology in production.
• Interface Features:
  • Input Quota: Read-only measure of how much text can be translated.
  • Source Language: The original language of the text.
  • Target Language: The language into which the text will be translated.

Methods:

• availability(): Checks if the AI model is available for use.
• create(): Creates a new Translator instance for translations.
• destroy(): Deletes the Translator instance.
• measureInputUsage(): Shows how much quota a translation will use.
• translate(): Translates the input text.
• translateStreaming(): Provides a streaming translation of the input text.

Examples:

• Creating a Translator instance to translate from English to Japanese.
• Generating a translation and using streaming to receive the translation in chunks.

For more detailed usage, refer to the examples provided in the API documentation.

Since Google Glass was introduced in 2012, there has been excitement about augmented reality (AR) technology improving productivity in various industries. However, there has been limited actual use of AR in workplaces. The potential benefits, such as hands-free access to information and video calls, seem valuable, but adoption has been slow. There are some interesting pilot programs using AR, like the Hololens in US defense and healthcare in Serbia. The text asks for examples of AR use in industries and explores potential challenges, like effectiveness, display quality, and cost.

No summary available.

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The text discusses the author's observations of Asunción, Paraguay, particularly focusing on the city's lack of aesthetic coherence in urban planning. The author compares Asunción's development to that of Southeast Asian cities like Phnom Penh, noting a mix of modern high-rises with dilapidated buildings.

Key points include:

1. Aesthetic Coherence: The author uses "aesthetic coherence" to describe how well-planned and uniform a city's design is. Asunción lacks this coherence, with a chaotic mix of building styles and poor urban planning.

2. Government Spending: Paraguay's government spends significantly less on public services compared to other Latin American countries, contributing to the city's disorganized development.

3. Taxation Issues: A small percentage (about 7%) of Paraguayans pay personal income taxes, largely due to a high rate of informal employment and low tax collection. This limits government revenue for urban planning and services.

4. Foreign Investment: Most of the new housing in Asunción is bought by foreign investors, particularly from Argentina, rather than locals. These properties are often rented out to foreigners.

5. Development Incentives: Laws in Paraguay provide tax incentives to real estate developers, encouraging the construction of modern buildings aimed at foreign buyers, which contributes to the city's uncoordinated urban landscape.

Overall, the author highlights the contrast between Asunción's modern developments and its lack of coherent urban planning, shaped by economic challenges and foreign investment.

For the first time, an AI-driven penetration tester named XBOW has topped the US leaderboard on HackerOne, a major platform for bug bounties.

Here's a simplified summary of how XBOW achieved this:

1. Benchmarking and Testing: XBOW started by testing its capabilities through existing challenges and creating its own benchmarks to simulate real-world scenarios. This helped it identify zero-day vulnerabilities in open-source projects.

2. Real-World Application: To understand how well it could perform in actual environments, XBOW participated in public and private bug bounty programs on HackerOne, treating the process like any independent researcher would, without any internal knowledge.

3. Scalability: XBOW can scan many web applications at once, but with hundreds of thousands of potential targets, it needed a strategic approach. It developed a scoring system to identify high-value targets based on various factors like technology and security measures.

4. Automated Discovery: While XBOW is effective at finding vulnerabilities, ensuring accuracy is crucial. To achieve this, it uses automated validators to confirm each vulnerability it discovers.

5. Impressive Results: XBOW reported over 1,060 validated vulnerabilities affecting well-known companies. Despite not aiming for the top rank, it achieved this by consistently delivering quality findings.

6. Diverse Vulnerabilities: The types of vulnerabilities found included Remote Code Execution, SQL Injection, and Cross-Site Scripting, among others. As of now, many of these findings are still being resolved.

7. Future Insights: The team plans to share detailed blog posts in the coming weeks, showcasing some of XBOW's most significant discoveries.

Overall, XBOW's success demonstrates the potential of AI in cybersecurity, particularly in identifying and resolving vulnerabilities efficiently. If companies are interested in XBOW, they can request a demo via email.

Summary of "Temporal Resources: Managing Time When Time Doesn't Exist"

The article discusses the complex relationship between time management and modern physics, particularly the idea that time may not actually exist in the way we think. Key points include:

1. Reality of Time: Time management in the workplace often relies on the assumption that time is a real, measurable resource. However, scientific theories, especially in quantum mechanics, suggest that time might be an illusion created by quantum entanglement.

2. Historical Context: Humans have been managing time for thousands of years, developing tools like sundials and calendars. Notable figures like Isaac Newton viewed time as absolute, while Albert Einstein showed that time is relative and affected by motion and gravity.

3. Quantum Mechanics: The Wheeler-DeWitt equation indicates that at a fundamental level, the universe operates without a time variable, raising questions about how we perceive deadlines and schedules.

4. Emergence of Time: Recent theories suggest that time emerges from the interactions of quantum systems, which means it may not exist independently. Consciousness might play a role in creating our experience of time.

5. Practical Implications: To manage time effectively, it’s suggested to embrace flexible scheduling, focus on engagement to enhance productivity, and recognize that deadlines may vary based on individual perspectives.

6. Final Insights: The article concludes that our understanding of time is evolving, and productive work is not just about managing time but participating in the creation of temporal experience. Thus, procrastination might be viewed as a missed opportunity to engage in this process.

Overall, the text encourages readers to reconsider traditional views on time and productivity in light of emerging scientific insights.

British politicians are raising concerns about the government's decision to allow Fujitsu to bid for public sector contracts, despite the company's previous promise to refrain from bidding until a public inquiry into the Horizon scandal is complete. The Horizon scandal involved faulty IT systems that led to wrongful convictions of subpostmasters. Although Fujitsu had stated it would only bid for contracts if invited, it recently won a £125 million contract for Northern Ireland's land registry system, which the Northern Ireland government did not request.

Members of Parliament are asking the government to clarify Fujitsu's contracting role while the inquiry is ongoing. There are worries that Fujitsu continues to secure lucrative contracts without having compensated victims of the Horizon scandal. Recent questions in Parliament have focused on whether the government has assessed Fujitsu's suitability for these contracts, especially given the company's unresolved obligations to victims.

Officials have stated that procurement rules allow Fujitsu to bid, but the government has not yet responded to various inquiries about the appropriateness of Fujitsu's participation in these contracts. The situation remains under scrutiny as concerns about Fujitsu’s past and its impact on future contracts persist.

The text discusses the challenges and solutions related to using X11 for DPI scaling and drawing a circle of a consistent physical size across different screens. The author aims to demonstrate that it's possible to draw a two-inch circle on various displays, despite claims that X11 cannot handle such scaling.

Key points include:

1. X11 Limitations: Many believe X11 cannot support DPI scaling, fractional scaling, or multiple monitors effectively.

2. Experiment Setup: The author sets out to draw a circle using OpenGL on different screens with varying resolutions and sizes, including a laptop, desktop monitor, and TV.

3. Circle Drawing: The process involves writing a shader to calculate the circle's size based on the screen's physical dimensions, ensuring it remains two inches regardless of the display.

4. Code Implementation: The author provides a simplified explanation of the code used to fetch screen dimensions and adjust the circle's size accordingly.

5. Results: The experiment successfully maintains the circle's size across different monitors, proving that X11 can perform the task despite previous belief to the contrary.

6. Conclusion: The author encourages readers to disregard naysayers and highlights the importance of exploring possibilities, as they were able to achieve what they set out to do even without prior experience in this specific task.

Overall, the text promotes a hands-on approach to problem-solving and challenges the notion that certain technical feats are impossible.

Summary of Subsecond: Hot-Patching for Rust

Subsecond is a Rust library that allows developers to update running applications without needing to restart them, making it ideal for long-running software like game engines and servers. It enhances the development process by speeding up code compilation with a feature called "ThinLink."

Key Features:

• Hot-Patching: Update code while the application is running by redirecting function calls to their latest versions using a special jump table.
• Simplified Use: Developers can easily implement it by calling their functions through Subsecond, which handles updates automatically.
• Dioxus CLI Tool: The recommended way to use Subsecond is with the Dioxus CLI, which enables hot-reloading and simplifies the development workflow.

How It Works:

• Subsecond uses a jump table to manage function pointers without modifying the application's memory directly, enhancing safety and stability.
• It currently supports updating global variables and thread-local storage, but with some limitations, such as not calling destructors for new globals.

Limitations:

• Structs cannot be hot-reloaded due to strict layout and alignment requirements.
• Changes to static variables are tracked but not properly destructed, and there are issues with thread-local storage resetting on updates.

Platform Compatibility: Subsecond works on multiple platforms, including Android, iOS, Linux, macOS, Windows, and WebAssembly. However, some platforms, like iOS devices, have restrictions due to code-signing issues.

Conclusion: Subsecond is a powerful tool for Rust developers aiming to streamline the process of updating applications in real-time. While it has some limitations, it offers significant advantages in development efficiency and safety.

Summary of "How to Think About Time in Programming"

Time management in programming can be complex and often causes confusion among developers. The text explains two main concepts of time: absolute time and civil time.

1. Absolute Time: This refers to specific moments in time, known as "instants," which can be measured using "durations." An "epoch" is a reference point from which time is measured. For example, Unix time starts counting from January 1, 1970.

2. Civil Time: Humans use civil time to communicate time in a more relatable way, typically through calendars like the Gregorian calendar. This system labels instants with dates and times (year/month/day/hour/minute/second), making it easier for humans to understand.

3. Modern Timekeeping:

   • UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) is the standard for global timekeeping, defined by atomic clocks. Leap seconds are occasionally added to adjust for discrepancies between atomic time and Earth's rotation.
   • Time zones allow different regions to relate their local times to UTC, but they can change due to local governance, leading to variations like Daylight Saving Time.

4. Handling Time in Programming:

   • It's crucial to understand that civil time and absolute time can differ due to leap seconds and time zone transitions, making some civil days longer or shorter than 24 hours.
   • When programming, developers must consider how to store and convert time accurately, as assumptions about time may lead to bugs.

5. IANA Timezone Database: This database tracks historical changes in time rules globally, helping programmers convert absolute time to civil time correctly.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of understanding the nuances of time in programming and the potential pitfalls when handling time-related functions. It encourages developers to be aware that timekeeping is not just a technical issue but a complex interplay of social and political factors.

Summary: Writing Toy Software Is A Joy

The author emphasizes the importance and joy of creating "toy programs," which are simple software projects that allow developers to explore and understand programming concepts better. They reference Richard Feynman's quote, "What I cannot create, I do not understand," highlighting that building software enhances knowledge more than theoretical learning.

In today's software development landscape, where AI and commodification threaten the craft, toy programs provide a refreshing way to reconnect with the joy of coding. These projects typically follow the 80:20 rule, where 20% of the effort yields 80% of the functionality. The author encourages developers to avoid over-engineering and to tackle projects that challenge their understanding of software constraints.

The text includes a list of toy projects, rated by difficulty and estimated time to complete, such as:

• Regex Engine: Understand regex by building a simple engine (Difficulty: 4/10, Time: 5 days).
• x86 OS Kernel: Create a basic operating system kernel (Difficulty: 7/10, Time: 2 months).
• Game Emulators: Develop a GameBoy or NES emulator (Difficulty: 6/10, Time: 3 weeks).
• Physics Engine: Implement a 2D physics engine (Difficulty: 5/10, Time: 1 week).
• Text Editor: Build a personal text editor (Difficulty: 5/10, Time: 2-4 weeks).
• Chess Engine: Create a simple chess engine (Difficulty: 5/10, Time: 2-5 days).

The author also advises against relying on AI tools for these projects, emphasizing that true learning comes from exploration and overcoming challenges. In essence, writing toy software can reignite the excitement of coding and deepen understanding of complex concepts.

The presentation "How to Think about Parallel Programming: Not!" features Guy L. Steele Jr., who argues that programmers should not have to manage parallelism themselves. Instead, programming languages should automatically handle parallel tasks. This approach focuses on designing languages that support independent algorithms and utilize a "build-and-conquer" method rather than breaking down problems linearly.

Guy Steele is a respected figure in computer science, with a background in applied mathematics and artificial intelligence from Harvard and MIT. He is currently a fellow at Sun Microsystems Laboratories.

The presentation was recorded at the Strange Loop conference, which encourages innovation and creativity in software development by exploring new technologies and methodologies.

The HDMI Forum has officially released the HDMI 2.2 specification, allowing manufacturers to create devices and cables that support high data transfer rates of up to 96Gbps. The new Ultra96 HDMI cables will enable video resolutions up to 16K at 60Hz, as well as support for 4K at 480Hz and 8K at 240Hz. This is a significant upgrade from the previous HDMI 2.1 standard, which maxed out at 48Gbps and supported up to 10K resolutions.

The HDMI 2.2 specification aims to help consumers easily identify the right cables, using the Ultra96 label to indicate support for the new standard. Additionally, it introduces the Latency Indication Protocol (LIP) to improve audio and video synchronization, especially in setups with soundbars or AV receivers. However, despite the advancements, it may take time before 16K TVs and content become widely available.

On June 4, 2025, Raymond Chen humorously discusses a typo related to the opera "Turandot."

Canal Boat Simulator Summary

The writer shares their experience creating a game inspired by a late-night conversation about canal boats. Initially joking about making a "gritty canal boat game," the idea stuck, leading them to actually develop it over about 2 months.

They used the Godot game engine, despite challenges in 3D modeling and game mechanics. The project taught them about game development, including the importance of fun gameplay and the need for discipline to avoid endless polishing.

The game is a prototype, lasting only 3 minutes, but the author reflects on the learning process and the power of game engines. They also mention how helpful ChatGPT and YouTube tutorials were for understanding game dynamics.

In the end, they humorously acknowledge that their game diverged from the original vision of a cute indie game proposed by a friend. The writer encourages readers to check out a more polished canal boat game made by someone else.

Summary of "Playing First Contact in Eclipse, a Spectacular 3-day Sci-Fi Larp"

Eclipse is a three-day sci-fi live-action role-playing (larp) event set in 2059, where players simulate a mission to establish first contact with aliens on the planet Gliese 628A. This immersive experience, created by the Italian group Chaos League, emphasizes themes such as human self-destructiveness and existential questions, influenced by films like Arrival and Interstellar.

The event includes 150 players who don jumpsuits and utilize tablets with customized software to enhance the experience. The setting is housed in Alvernia Planet, a unique venue resembling a futuristic landscape. Eclipse is part of a trend of ambitious, international larps that attract participants from various countries, but some traditional larpers criticize the high costs and elaborate setups as distractions from the core elements of role play and storytelling.

Players prepare by selecting characters from detailed backstories and engaging in pre-larp workshops to understand the game mechanics. The gameplay is centered around teamwork in three divisions: Hard Science, Soft Science, and Exploration, each with distinct roles and activities. Throughout the event, players navigate personal relationships and moral dilemmas, reflecting on issues like colonization and the nature of intelligence.

The narrative progresses through missions and interactions with alien life, culminating in a dramatic conclusion where players face difficult decisions about humanity's future. Despite some players feeling that their individual contributions were limited, the collective storytelling and emotional connections formed during the larp created a memorable and impactful experience. After the event, players gathered to discuss their experiences, emphasizing the collaborative nature of larping as a unique form of storytelling and interaction.

In mid-May 2025, Cloudflare successfully blocked the largest recorded DDoS attack, reaching 7.3 terabits per second (Tbps). This attack was 12% larger than their previous record and targeted a hosting provider that uses Cloudflare’s Magic Transit for protection.

The attack sent an enormous amount of data—37.4 terabytes in just 45 seconds—equivalent to streaming over 7,480 hours of high-definition video. It involved a variety of attack methods, primarily UDP floods, but also included reflection attacks like QOTD and NTP.

The attack came from over 122,000 unique IP addresses across 161 countries, mainly from Brazil and Vietnam. Cloudflare's systems autonomously detected and mitigated the attack across 477 data centers worldwide, using advanced techniques to differentiate between legitimate and malicious traffic.

This incident showcased the effectiveness of Cloudflare's DDoS protection, which operates automatically to defend against such threats without human intervention. Cloudflare aims to provide robust Internet security while helping to build a better and safer Internet.

No summary available.

Summary of ChipSHOUTER-PicoEMP

The PicoEMP is an affordable Electromagnetic Fault Injection (EMFI) tool designed for hobbyists and self-learners. It is a simpler alternative to the more advanced and expensive ChipSHOUTER, which is known for its extensive documentation and safety certifications.

Key Features:

• Community Contributions: Developed with input from several contributors who improved its hardware and firmware.
• Design Focus: Prioritizes safe operation and low cost, while ensuring usability, although it may not perform as well as the ChipSHOUTER.
• DIY Assembly: Users must build the PicoEMP themselves, either from scratch or using an easy-assemble kit. Safety precautions are vital, as it can expose users to high voltage.
• Programming and Probes: Users need to program the device and create their own injection tips for EMFI.
• Usage: Instructions include arming the device, monitoring LED indicators, and applying pulses to a target while emphasizing the importance of safety.

Technical Differences from ChipSHOUTER:

• The ChipSHOUTER has more powerful output capabilities and better energy management, while the PicoEMP is designed for lower power and ease of use.

Safety Note: The PicoEMP lacks certain safety features found in ChipSHOUTER, so users must be cautious when using it.

Overall, the PicoEMP serves as an accessible tool for those interested in exploring EMFI technology without the high costs associated with professional equipment.

Summary:

This text discusses switching from pip to uv in Dockerized Flask and Django applications, resulting in a significant speed increase.

1. Dependency Management: Replace the requirements.txt file with a pyproject.toml file to manage dependencies more effectively. The pyproject.toml allows for better dependency handling and includes a lock file for version control.

2. Dockerfile Adjustments: Key steps in the Dockerfile include:

   • Setting environment variables before installing dependencies.
   • Using specific commands to install uv and manage dependencies without needing a virtual environment.
   • Ensuring proper permissions and using scripts to update the lock file.

3. Using uv: The uv tool simplifies dependency management with commands to add, update, or remove packages. It provides a way to maintain a consistent lock file and manage dependencies efficiently.

4. Scripts for Management: Example scripts are provided to facilitate adding or updating dependencies and checking for outdated packages.

5. Demo Video: A YouTube video is available to demonstrate the changes and commands discussed.

The overall process is straightforward and improves project management in Dockerized applications.

A recent Pew Research Center survey reveals that most Americans do not pay for news, with 83% stating they haven't subscribed or donated in the past year. Many encounter paywalls while searching for news, with 74% reporting they hit these barriers at least sometimes. When faced with a paywall, 53% of people look for information elsewhere, and only 1% pay for access.

The main reason people don’t pay for news is the availability of free alternatives, cited by 49%. Other reasons include lack of interest (32%), cost (10%), and dissatisfaction with the news quality (8%).

Only 17% of adults are paying for news, with higher rates among college graduates (27%), Democrats (21%), and older adults (25%). In contrast, only 8% of the lowest income group pay for news. Additionally, 20% of White Americans have paid for news, compared to 11% of Black Americans and 10% of Hispanic Americans.

The text discusses the importance of replacing goals with rules to achieve better outcomes in personal development. Here are the key points:

1. Goals vs. Rules: One-time actions don't define your habits. Instead, consistent choices shape who you are. Goals can motivate but are often hard to achieve because motivation can wane.

2. Setting Rules: Establishing clear, specific rules helps you make decisions ahead of time, reducing the need for motivation. For example, instead of saying "I want to lose weight," set a rule like "No refined carbs in the house."

3. Examples of Goals and Their Corresponding Rules:

   • "I want to get fit" becomes "Work out for 30 minutes daily."
   • "Read 20 books this year" turns into "Read for 30 minutes each day."
   • "Sleep 8 hours a night" is simplified to "No screens after 8 p.m."

4. Sustainability: It's crucial to create rules that you can follow consistently over time. A harsh rule that lasts a week is less valuable than a simple rule you can stick to for a year.

5. Commitment: Once you set a rule, treat it seriously, just as you would with ethical principles. Your habits determine your results.

In summary, transforming goals into specific, sustainable rules can help you make lasting changes in your life.

No summary available.

The author experienced a coding block while developing a battling card game due to the tedious nature of data entry. They created the game using Unity3D but struggled with translating character spells and traits into the game’s system, especially due to complexity in the Unity editor. To overcome this, the author decided to convert their game asset files into C# code, which they found easier to manage than using Unity’s editor.

They recognized that large language models (LLMs) could help with the conversion process but needed to provide clear structure to guide the LLM. The author developed a detailed prompt for the LLM to generate C# code from their Excel data, focusing on specific attributes and existing game structures. This process involved several steps, including analyzing spell descriptions and identifying necessary properties.

The final result was a comprehensive prompt that allowed the LLM to assist in automating the data entry task, saving the author time and reducing burnout, enabling them to focus on problem-solving and coding.

This project is an open-source plant enclosure called the Oasis Terrarium. It features:

• High-power LED lights
• A built-in water tank and mister
• Fans for airflow
• Sensors for temperature and humidity
• Wi-Fi connectivity for remote control and monitoring

The project was originally started during COVID using a Raspberry Pi and basic parts. After improving the prototype through redesigns, the creator has gained valuable knowledge in electronics, 3D modeling, and software development using Rust.

For more information, you can check out the demo video and various resources on their website:

• Demo video: Oasis Terrarium
• Build guide: Build Guide
• Interactive 3D model: 3D Model
• Electronics design details: Electronics
• 3D-printable models: 3D Models

Feel free to reach out with any questions!

On June 23, 2025, FICO announced it will start including buy-now-pay-later (BNPL) loans in credit scores for the first time. This change is significant because over 90 million Americans are expected to use BNPL for their purchases this year. Critics believe traditional credit scores do not fully reflect a person's ability to repay loans.

FICO will introduce two new credit scores that incorporate BNPL data, which will help lenders better understand consumers' repayment behaviors. A study indicated that most people with multiple BNPL loans might see their credit scores improve or remain unchanged. However, some critics warn that BNPL can create "phantom debt," potentially harming credit scores, especially since a significant portion of BNPL users were reported to have paid late in the past year.

Affirm, a BNPL provider, recently started reporting its short-term purchases to credit agencies, though these won't immediately affect traditional credit scores. The CEO of the Financial Technology Association expressed support for this modernization of credit scoring, noting that responsible BNPL users should see positive impacts on their credit scores.

The author shares their experience playing a Doom map called "My House," which intrigued them enough to purchase the game. They were impressed by the creativity and effort that went into the map, which features a confusing and eerie atmosphere reminiscent of the book "House of Leaves." The author appreciates the ongoing community of Doom modders who create unique content using old technology, highlighting that great creativity doesn't require advanced graphics.

They discuss the importance of software that allows users to express their creativity and solve unique problems, likening this to the way spreadsheets were creatively used in the past. The author reflects on how programming can be a highly creative endeavor and expresses a desire for more tools that empower everyday users to create their own experiences.

They also mention the potential of modern tools, like large language models (LLMs), to help non-programmers build applications easily. The post concludes without a strong ending, as the author mainly wanted to share their enjoyment of the game and encourage thoughts on how to create more tools for creativity.

The text appears to be a data table related to the levels of certain chemicals (like DEHP, DBP, BBP, etc.) in products, measured in nanograms per gram or per serving. It compares these levels for toddlers (weighing 14 kg) and adults (weighing 70 kg) against safety standards set by EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) and EPA (Environmental Protection Agency). The data indicates the percentage of the tolerable daily intake (TDI) for toddlers and adults or the reference dose (RfD) for both groups. There is also a note on how to interpret the data and an option to download it.

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Summary:

Nordic Semiconductor has acquired Memfault, a leading cloud platform for managing connected products. This acquisition allows Nordic to offer a complete chip-to-cloud platform, combining hardware, software, and cloud services. This new platform simplifies product development and enables continuous software upgrades, improving security and performance.

By integrating Memfault’s capabilities, Nordic aims to enhance its existing services and support customers in managing their connected devices more efficiently. The partnership is expected to set a new standard in the semiconductor industry, making it easier for developers to innovate while ensuring device reliability.

Nordic is committed to supporting all IoT device makers, including existing Memfault customers, and plans to continue enhancing the platform with advanced features. This move is designed to help customers reduce costs and speed up their time-to-market.

Doug Brown recently discovered a hidden "easter egg" in the Power Mac G3's ROM that has gone undocumented for 27 years. While exploring the ROM, he found a JPEG image of the team who worked on these Macs, which had previously been noted but not accessible.

Brown used tools to investigate the ROM and found clues suggesting a way to display the hidden image. He discovered a string labeled "secret ROM image" that hinted at how to activate the image. After some research, he learned that similar easter eggs existed in earlier Macs, but the method for the G3 was not documented.

He analyzed the ROM's code and figured out that if a RAM disk was named "secret ROM image," the hidden image would be saved as a file called "The Team." With help from others, he confirmed that formatting the RAM disk with the special name would trigger the image to appear.

This easter egg likely went unnoticed until now, and it may be one of the last remaining easter eggs in Macs before Steve Jobs banned them in 1997. Brown invites anyone who worked on the project to share their experiences.

The U.S. National Archives holds important records created by federal agencies, including:

• Text documents
• Military records from WWI and WWII
• Photographs and videos
• JFK assassination files
• Architectural maps

The National Archives is located at 8601 Adelphi Road, College Park, MD, and is open Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Research appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are welcome. Researchers can contact specific departments for assistance and consultation.

Visitors can find directions, research room policies, and other information on the National Archives website. There are also online tools for research, and opportunities for volunteering and internships. The Archives offers resources for educators and hosts events.

For more information, you can reach out via phone or email, or visit their website.

ReBarUEFI Summary

ReBarUEFI is a UEFI DXE driver that enables Resizable BAR on systems that don't officially support it. This feature enhances performance, particularly for Intel Arc GPUs.

Requirements:

• Optional 4G Decoding: This may need to be enabled for better BAR size limits. Without it, you might be limited to 1GB or even 512MB. Adjusting TOLUD could help increase the limit to 2GB.
• Optional BIOS Support for Large BARs: Some patches can resolve related issues.

Usage Steps:

1. Follow the wiki guide to add the FFS module and make necessary changes.
2. Ensure 4G decoding is enabled and CSM is off.
3. Use ReBarState (available in Releases) to set the Resizable BAR size, typically to 32 (unlimited), but smaller sizes may be needed if problems arise.
4. Report successful setups to the List of working motherboards.

How It Works: The ReBarDxe module modifies the UEFI firmware to check for and set the Resizable BAR capability on each boot.

Patching UEFI: Most UEFI firmwares struggle with 64-bit BARs. Use UEFIPatch from the UEFIPatch folder to apply fixes. Patches include removing size limits and fixing USB issues.

Building the Driver: Use the buildffs.py script in an edk2 tree to build the DXE driver, with ReBarState built using CMake.

FAQ Highlights:

• Resizable BAR may work on PCIe Gen2 systems.
• Linux can use Resizable BAR without BIOS changes, but Windows typically requires modifications.
• If an unsupported BAR size is set and the system won’t boot, clear the CMOS to disable it.
• Even suboptimal BAR sizes can improve performance.

Credits: Thanks to contributors and tools like the Linux kernel, EDK2, and UEFITool for their support in developing this project.

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is gaining popularity for its ability to help build agents and complex workflows using language models (LLMs). While not revolutionary, MCP is effective due to several factors:

1. Improved Models: Current LLMs are more reliable, which reduces the complexities of integrating tools and workflows. This has made it easier to create more robust applications.

2. Vendor-Neutral Protocol: MCP provides a standardized way to define tools that can be used with any LLM, making integration simpler and reducing compatibility issues that plagued previous attempts.

3. User-Friendly Tooling: MCP offers straightforward tools and SDKs in various programming languages, allowing developers to quickly create and deploy tools without excessive setup.

4. Strong Momentum: Major players like OpenAI and Google are adopting MCP, and a growing ecosystem of resources and services is developing around it, enhancing its appeal and usability.

Overall, MCP shows promise for long-term use in the tech landscape because it addresses shortcomings of earlier technologies and simplifies the process of building and using language model applications.

A friend claimed that the "dir" command in Windows is better than the "ls" command in macOS. In response, I created a tool called "windowfied" for macOS, available on Homebrew. You can install it with the command: brew install mnky9800n/tools/windowfied. I hope you enjoy using it! More information can be found at windowfied.com.

Summary: Why Engineers Hate Their Managers (And What to Do About It)

Engineers often feel frustrated with their managers due to several common issues:

1. Frequent Interruptions: Managers often interrupt engineers during deep focus work for meetings, disrupting their flow and making it hard to regain concentration.

2. Uninformed Technical Decisions: Managers without coding experience make technical choices that can be unrealistic or overly simplistic, leading to frustration among engineers.

3. Credit Misallocation: Engineers can feel demotivated when managers take credit for their work instead of recognizing their contributions.

4. Excessive Meetings: Many meetings feel unnecessary and take away valuable time that engineers could spend on actual work.

5. Ineffective Feedback: Annual reviews often lack meaningful, specific feedback, which can leave engineers feeling unappreciated and overlooked.

The article also highlights that many managers share similar frustrations, as they are often under pressure and face their own challenges. Good management involves respecting engineers' focus time, making informed decisions, giving credit where it's due, and providing timely, constructive feedback.

Ultimately, the key to improving the relationship between engineers and managers lies in mutual understanding and collaboration. When both parties respect each other's roles and challenges, they can work effectively towards common goals.

Compatibility FirstWorks is designed to work well on popular shells and operating systems. You can use it in a variety of environments!

Summary of Circular Microcomputers by Citronics

Citronics has introduced the world’s first circular microcomputers, which are small embedded computers made from recycled smartphone components. These microcomputers offer various connectivity options like 4G LTE, WiFi, and Ethernet, and are powered by a powerful multi-core CPU and GPU running on a Linux-based operating system. They can be scaled from one device to 10,000.

Key Features:

• Sustainable Design: Made from repurposed smartphones.
• Powerful Performance: Equipped with advanced processing capabilities.
• Scalability: Flexible to fit various project sizes.

Product Offerings:

• DevKit: A development kit for testing and prototyping.
• Custom Microcomputers: Tailored solutions for specific needs, focusing on size reduction and cost efficiency.

Services Provided:

• Cloud Management: Secure monitoring and updates for deployed devices.
• Engineering Support: Training and coaching for efficient product development.

Applications: Citronics microcomputers can be used in various fields such as energy monitoring, education, and industrial automation, offering solutions like residential heating optimization and image recognition clusters.

Benefits:

• Cost-effective compared to traditional electronics.
• Quick deployment and integration into existing systems.
• Enhanced sustainability, improving carbon footprint per device.

Call to Action: Interested parties can book a call or pre-order to learn more about these innovative products and services.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The Bitter Lesson is Coming for Tokenization - Summary

The article discusses the future of tokenization in machine learning, particularly in the context of large language models (LLMs). It argues for moving away from traditional tokenization methods to more efficient, general-purpose approaches that utilize computational power and data better.

1. Tokenization's Role: Tokenization, such as Byte-Pair Encoding (BPE), compresses vocabulary from datasets but can create problems like poorly represented tokens, leading to performance issues in models.

2. Challenges with Current Tokenization: There are documented issues with how tokenization affects model capability, causing inefficiencies and limiting learning. For example, certain tokens may be poorly modeled, leading to glitches.

3. Exploring Alternatives: The article suggests that instead of optimizing existing tokenization, researchers should consider removing it entirely. Some models, like Google's ByT5, have shown that byte-level modeling can achieve competitive performance without traditional tokens.

4. New Architectures: The article highlights several new architectures, particularly the Byte Latent Transformer (BLT), which aims to integrate byte-level processing more effectively while maintaining efficiency.

5. Performance Evidence: The BLT model demonstrates improved performance on various tasks compared to traditional subword models. It utilizes dynamic patching to handle byte sequences more flexibly and efficiently.

6. Future Implications: The article suggests that as models evolve, we might see a shift away from standard tokenizers toward more adaptive methods that could better suit various tasks and modalities, ultimately enhancing model performance and scalability.

In essence, the future of tokenization in machine learning may involve moving to more generalized, efficient methods that better leverage current computational capabilities.

VSCode extensions can access your system fully, which poses security risks. Many malicious extensions have already been found. To address this, a security researcher created a free tool called VSCan that scans VSCode and Cursor/Windsurf extensions for hidden malware, dangerous permissions, vulnerable dependencies, and suspicious network activities. Users have detected hundreds of vulnerabilities using this tool.

Key findings from scanning 1,077 extensions include:

• 3 extensions flagged as malicious
• 7 with harmful network connections
• 33 with critical vulnerabilities
• 39 containing sensitive information
• 204 with poor development practices
• 71 with excessive permissions

VSCan provides a detailed, easy-to-understand security report for users. The researcher has also developed a sandboxing architecture to limit malicious activities of extensions. For more information or to try the tool, visit VSCan. Feedback is welcomed!

No summary available.

Summary of Gemini CLI Announcement

Gemini CLI is a free, open-source AI agent designed for developers to integrate directly into their command line terminals. It enhances productivity by providing easy access to AI capabilities, enabling tasks like coding, problem-solving, content generation, and task management.

Key features include:

• High Usage Limits: Developers can use Gemini CLI for free with a Google account, allowing up to 60 requests per minute and 1,000 requests per day.
• Powerful AI Functions: It supports code understanding, file manipulation, command execution, and dynamic troubleshooting, improving workflow efficiency.
• Integration with Google Tools: It works with Gemini Code Assist, allowing seamless coding support in both VS Code and the CLI.
• Open and Extensible: Developers can inspect, contribute to, and customize the code to fit their needs.

Getting started is easy; simply install Gemini CLI with an email address to experience its benefits.

No summary available.

Haiku SQLite RAG Overview

Haiku SQLite RAG is a library that enhances document retrieval using SQLite. Here are the key features:

• Local Storage: No need for extra servers; it runs locally with SQLite.
• Embedding Support: Works with various embedding providers like Ollama, VoyageAI, and OpenAI, or you can add your own.
• Hybrid Search: Combines vector search and full-text search for better results.
• Automatic File Monitoring: When set up as a server, it automatically indexes files in specified directories.
• Wide File Format Support: Can handle over 40 file types, including PDFs, DOCX, HTML, and audio.
• MCP Server: Offers tools for AI assistants through a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server.
• Command Line Interface (CLI): Manage documents and perform searches directly from the terminal.
• Python Client: Integrate with Python applications using the Haiku RAG client.

Installation: Use the command uv pip install haiku.rag. You can specify different embedding providers with extra options.

Configuration: Set environment variables to monitor directories and choose embedding providers.

CLI Commands: Key commands include:

• List documents: haiku-rag list
• Add documents from text, file, or URL: haiku-rag add
• Search documents: haiku-rag search
• Start file monitoring: haiku-rag serve

File Monitoring: Automatically updates the document store when files are added, modified, or deleted.

Using Haiku RAG in Python: You can create, retrieve, update, and delete documents using the Haiku RAG client, as well as perform searches.

This library provides a powerful way to manage and search documents using advanced techniques without needing complicated setups.

Summary of Gemini Robotics On-Device

On June 24, 2025, Gemini Robotics introduced its latest AI model designed for robotic devices, called Gemini Robotics On-Device. This model is efficient, operates independently of a data network, and is optimized for real-time tasks, making it ideal for situations with limited connectivity.

Key Features:

• General-Purpose Dexterity: The model can perform various tasks that require fine manipulation, such as unzipping bags and folding clothes.
• Task Adaptation: It can quickly learn new tasks with just 50 to 100 demonstrations, allowing developers to fine-tune its performance for specific applications.
• Robust Performance: The model shows strong ability to follow natural language instructions and generalizes well across different scenarios and robot types, including bi-arm robots and humanoids.

Gemini Robotics On-Device is part of a broader initiative to make advanced robotics technology more accessible. Developers can experiment with the model using a provided SDK and are encouraged to join a trusted tester program for early access.

Safety and responsible development are priorities, with ongoing assessments to minimize risks while maximizing societal benefits.

Overall, this development aims to enhance innovation in robotics by addressing latency and connectivity challenges, enabling the community to leverage AI in practical applications.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The article discusses the evolving understanding of infinity in mathematics, highlighting recent developments by mathematicians Juan Aguilera, Joan Bagaria, and Philipp Lücke, who have introduced two new types of infinity called "exacting" and "ultraexacting" cardinals. These new infinities challenge the established hierarchy of larger infinities previously defined by Georg Cantor and others.

Mathematicians typically work within a framework known as ZFC, a set of axioms that guide most of mathematical reasoning. However, Gödel’s incompleteness theorem suggests that no system of axioms can fully capture all mathematical truths, leading to the idea that the mathematical universe (denoted as V) is fundamentally unknowable.

The new cardinals appear to fit within the existing hierarchy initially, but when combined with smaller cardinals, they produce unexpectedly larger infinities. This phenomenon suggests that there may be more complexity and chaos in mathematics than previously understood.

While some mathematicians are excited by these discoveries and their implications for understanding the structure of infinity, others remain skeptical, emphasizing the need for more evidence to support the consistency of these new infinities with established mathematical principles. The ongoing debate reflects a broader exploration of the mathematical universe and its complexities.

The text explores solving a variant of the N-Queens problem on a colored board using Haskell. Here are the key points simplified:

1. The Puzzle: You need to place N queens on an N-sized colored board so that:

   • Each row, column, and color region has one queen.
   • Queens do not touch each other diagonally, but can be on the same diagonal if not adjacent.

2. Coding Setup: The board is represented using Haskell's Data.Array. Sample code is provided to create the board and set up the initial problem.

3. Backtracking Approach: The problem is solved using a backtracking method, where you place queens in valid positions and check if the arrangement can lead to a complete solution. Concepts such as "partial placement" (where some queens are placed) and "soundness" (ensuring no rules are broken) are introduced.

4. Improvement Steps: Several attempts to optimize the algorithm are discussed:

   • Marking Eliminated Cells: Adapt the data structure to keep track of cells that cannot have queens after one is placed.
   • Detecting Dead Ends: Introduce a method to identify if a partial solution cannot lead to a full solution early on.
   • Generating Candidates: Refine how candidate positions for new queens are selected.
   • Using Strategies: Introduce strategies to minimize backtracking by identifying critical placements based on the current board state.

5. Performance Benchmarking: The various algorithm attempts were benchmarked for efficiency. The final version consistently solved puzzles quickly, with comparisons made against SMT solvers like Z3, which were slower in this context.

6. Conclusion: The problem is framed as a constraint-satisfaction challenge, similar to Sudoku. The effectiveness of the solution hinges on how queens are placed and the strategies used to explore potential solutions. The goal is to balance the complexity of heuristics with the speed of the search process.

Overall, the text details a systematic approach to solving a complex board puzzle using Haskell, emphasizing algorithm optimization and performance evaluation.

No summary available.

Summary: The Jumping Frenchmen of Maine

In the late 1800s, a strange neuropsychiatric condition was found among French-Canadian lumberjacks in northern Maine. These "Jumping Frenchmen" had an extreme startle reflex, reacting dramatically to loud noises or sudden movements by jumping, screaming, or following commands without hesitation. The condition first caught the attention of neurologist George Miller Beard in 1878, who observed the jumpers and noted their unusual behaviors.

Beard suggested the jumping might be linked to tickling and indicated a possible genetic basis, as many affected individuals came from the same families. Although initially associated with French-Canadians, reports later indicated similar behaviors among other ethnic groups in North America.

In the 1960s, interest in the condition resurfaced, with new cases documented that did not fit the original ethnic profile. Some researchers believe the jumping behavior is not a neurological disorder but a learned response to the social isolation of lumber camps. The National Organization for Rare Disorders recognizes it as extremely rare, with ongoing research needed to better understand its causes.

Overall, the Jumping Frenchmen phenomenon may reflect more on social behavior than medical issues, arising from the unique environment of lumberjacks in isolated communities.

Summary of Basic Economy Fares and Price Discrimination in Airlines

Basic Economy fares are low-cost airline tickets with strict limitations, introduced by major U.S. airlines in the 2010s as a strategy to segment the market and maximize revenue. These fares allow airlines to charge different prices based on customers' willingness to pay and their tolerance for restrictions.

Key Points:

1. Price Discrimination: This is when a company charges different prices for the same product to different customers. In airlines, it is categorized into three degrees:

   • First-Degree: Charging each customer the maximum they are willing to pay (rare in practice).
   • Second-Degree: Offering various versions of a product at different prices (Basic Economy fits here).
   • Third-Degree: Charging different prices based on identifiable customer traits (e.g., discounts for students or seniors).

2. Basic Economy Implementation:

   • Airlines like Delta, United, and American began offering Basic Economy to compete with low-cost carriers by providing cheaper options with fewer benefits (like no advance seat selection and last boarding group).
   • Delta pioneered this fare in 2012, and others quickly followed. Each airline has implemented its own version with varying restrictions.

3. Revenue Management:

   • Basic Economy fares have led to significant revenue increases for airlines. For example, Delta reported over $421 million in upsell revenue in a single quarter due to customers opting for higher fare classes when presented with Basic Economy.

4. Consumer Behavior:

   • Many travelers opt for basic economy only when the savings are substantial. Airlines use psychological tactics, like highlighting the restrictions of Basic Economy, to nudge consumers toward higher-priced options.
   • There is a risk of customer backlash due to confusion over restrictions and perceived unfairness, leading to regulatory scrutiny.

5. Market Impact:

   • The introduction of Basic Economy has blurred distinctions between full-service and low-cost airlines, forcing traditional carriers to adopt ULCC pricing strategies.
   • This has intensified competition and changed consumer expectations regarding what economy fares should include.

6. Regulatory Concerns:

   • Basic Economy has drawn criticism for potentially misleading consumers and for increasing overall travel costs through hidden fees. Regulatory bodies have expressed concerns about transparency and consumer rights.

In conclusion, Basic Economy fares exemplify how airlines leverage price discrimination to enhance profitability while reshaping the competitive landscape in air travel. While these fares offer lower prices for budget-conscious travelers, they complicate the buying process and raise concerns about fairness and transparency in the industry.

The NSF–DOE Vera C. Rubin Observatory has released its first data, showcasing a stunning image of the southern region of the Virgo Cluster, located about 55 million light-years from Earth. This image reveals a vibrant array of about 10 million galaxies, just a small fraction of the 20 billion galaxies the observatory will capture over its 10-year Legacy Survey of Space and Time.

The observatory's advanced imaging capabilities allow it to create detailed and colorful images by combining multiple exposures taken at different times and with various filters. This approach reveals faint details that single images cannot capture. Bright stars in the foreground are part of the Milky Way, and scientists will use these observations to better understand the galaxy's structure and history.

Rubin's ongoing survey will also track changes in the night sky, capturing events like supernovae and the movements of asteroids, which can help in monitoring potentially hazardous objects. The observatory aims to address key questions about dark matter, dark energy, and the evolution of the Universe.

Overall, this initial release represents a significant step toward unlocking the mysteries of the cosmos, with the observatory set to provide a wealth of data for scientists worldwide.

Ayush from Autumn introduces their open-source tool that simplifies payment and billing management on top of Stripe. Autumn helps users manage pricing plans, feature permissions, and payments more easily, unlike traditional methods that require complex coding for checkouts and billing adjustments.

Key features include:

1. Simplified Payment Flows: One function call handles all payment processes, making it easier to manage checkouts, upgrades, and downgrades.
2. Flexible Pricing Management: Users can adjust pricing models like subscriptions or usage-based plans through an intuitive UI without extensive coding or database changes.
3. Support for Non-Technical Users: It's designed for fast-moving founders and non-technical developers, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Users can explore Autumn for free, access the source code on GitHub, and find documentation online. Feedback is welcomed to improve the service.

On June 24, 2025, eleven automotive companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to work together on open source software development. This collaboration aims to improve the speed, efficiency, and security of vehicle software, which is becoming increasingly complex.

The MoU was signed at the International Automotive Electronics Congress and is supported by the German Association of the Automotive Industry (VDA). The companies recognize that much of the software in vehicles is not user-facing, allowing them to develop certain software components collaboratively.

The initiative includes a new development process for ensuring safety in automotive software, and it will use a code-first approach to streamline development. The software will be developed transparently through the Eclipse Foundation as part of the S-CORE project, allowing for contributions from various companies.

The goal is to have a modular software platform for autonomous driving ready by 2026, enabling manufacturers to focus on unique features while sharing core components. This initiative is seen as a way to foster innovation in the automotive industry.

Key executives from participating companies emphasized the importance of open-source collaboration for enhancing mobility solutions, improving industry standards, and accelerating the transition to software-defined vehicles. Overall, this initiative aims to create a secure and collaborative software ecosystem for the automotive sector.

Summary of Hardware Epidemics in Macs

Computers, including Macs, can face significant issues due to manufacturing failures, which can lead to early breakdowns. Here are three major problems that have affected hardware over the years:

1. Capacitor Plague (1999-2007): Capacitors are essential components in electronics but can fail if made from cheap materials. Many manufacturers used counterfeit capacitors to cut costs, leading to overheating and even fires. This issue impacted several computer models, though Apple products were less affected. Problems with capacitors still exist in older computers.

2. Lead-Free Solder (2006-2017): The EU banned lead in electronics to reduce environmental harm, prompting manufacturers to use lead-free solder instead. While this was a good move for health and safety, the new solder often led to higher failure rates, particularly in high-performance graphics cards in Macs and other laptops. Although newer manufacturing techniques have improved reliability, early failures were common.

3. Butterfly Keyboards (2015-2019): Apple introduced butterfly keyboards in MacBooks to make them thinner and more stable. However, many users experienced issues with keys sticking or failing due to dust accumulation. Despite redesign attempts, Apple eventually reverted to the traditional scissor mechanism in 2019, leading to extensive repair programs.

Apple has a strong reputation for customer service, often offering repairs or replacements for issues, even after warranties expire. Currently, they have active service programs for specific Mac models to address known problems.

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Scientists in Singapore have created a new type of paint that helps keep buildings cool without using air conditioning. This innovative, cement-based paint works by reflecting sunlight and evaporating water, which mimics the natural cooling process of sweat. Unlike traditional cooling paints that repel water, this new paint is effective even in hot and humid climates.

The researchers combined three cooling methods: reflecting sunlight, evaporating water, and radiating heat away. They tested their paint on small houses over two years, and found that while other paints turned yellow, their paint remained white and maintained its cooling effectiveness. This passive cooling solution does not require electricity, making it an energy-efficient option for hot environments.

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Fortescue Metals Group, an Australian mining company, is developing an innovative project called the "Infinity Train," which aims to replace diesel locomotives with battery-electric trains that recharge themselves using regenerative braking. This technology allows the trains to generate electricity while going downhill, eliminating the need for external charging stations. The goal is to make mining operations cleaner by 2030.

The Infinity Train is designed for specific mining sites where there are enough downhill slopes to power the train during its journey. Fortescue is exploring how this system will perform in different environments and whether it can be adapted for broader use.

This project is part of Fortescue's larger commitment to green technology through its subsidiary, Fortescue Future Industries, which is also working on other sustainable initiatives, including ammonia-powered ships and hydrogen fuel cell mining trucks.

Hi HN! We’re Adit and Raunak, co-founders of Reducto, a startup that transforms unstructured documents like PDFs and spreadsheets into structured data. This makes it easier to retrieve information and use it in various AI applications.

We started Reducto after seeing that most data is stuck in messy formats, which limits its use in AI. Initially, we launched a simple API for developers, but we soon realized our customers needed more. They wanted a way to create and manage document processing workflows without needing advanced technical skills.

To address this, we are launching Reducto Studio, a web platform that builds on our API. With Studio, users can:

• Upload files and get detailed accuracy scores.
• Automatically create and improve data extraction processes.
• Save and compare different extraction attempts.

You can try it out without needing a demo or payment. We welcome your feedback on the platform, including any issues you face or features you'd like to see. Thank you for checking us out!

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The Svalboard Lightly is an ergonomic keyboard designed to reduce pain and improve comfort while typing. Key features include:

• Adaptable Design: It has a unique fitment system to accommodate various hand sizes and shapes, ensuring a comfortable typing experience.
• Magneto-Optical Keys: The keyboard uses lightweight, tactile keys that require minimal finger movement, significantly reducing hand fatigue.
• Multiple Pointing Options: Users can choose between a trackball, trackpoint, or touchpad for navigation.
• Customizable Layout: The keyboard supports QWERTY, Colemak, and Dvorak layouts, which can be easily modified without needing to reflash the device.
• Self-Print Kit: A kit is available for those who want to print and assemble their own keyboard.
• Durability and Repairability: Designed to be robust and easy to maintain, all parts can be made using common 3D printers, allowing for repairs and modifications.

The Svalboard Lightly aims to provide a pain-free typing experience and is supported by a community of users worldwide.

The author is trying to understand why their Raspberry Pi 4 is too slow to act as a server for restoring backups from a VPS to a local setup. They previously used a powerful VPS and want to switch to a Raspberry Pi for cost reasons. However, during tests, the restore speed is extremely slow, estimated to take around 250 days for a 2.8GB backup.

Key points of the investigation include:

1. Setup: The Raspberry Pi is connected to a fast fiber internet and uses an NVMe SSD via USB. The VPS has much better hardware (16 vCPU and 48 GB RAM).

2. Possible Issues:

   • Network Speed: The network speed is tested and found to be sufficient (around 900 Mbps).
   • S3 Provider Issues: The author tested the S3 provider, Scaleway, and found it could only download data at 1-2 MB/s.
   • Kopia Backup Speed: Kopia, the backup tool in use, was analyzed, revealing that its use of encryption and data chunking can slow down operations. The Raspberry Pi struggles with the AES encryption used by Kopia.

3. Disk Performance:

   • The SSD connected to the Raspberry Pi is limited by the USB controller, impacting read speeds significantly. Encryption further slows down performance.
   • Tests show that without encryption, read and write speeds improve greatly (up to 350 MB/s).

4. Kopia Configuration: Testing revealed that the CPU is a bottleneck when using AES encryption. The author then migrates the repository to use a faster encryption algorithm (ChaCha) and tests it again. The restore speeds improve but are still not sufficient for production use.

5. Conclusion: The Raspberry Pi is not powerful enough for the intended use as a production server due to its CPU limitations with encryption. The author decides to purchase a more powerful machine for their services. They express gratitude to colleagues for their help during troubleshooting.

Overall, the Raspberry Pi 4 is found to be unsuitable for the author's needs in this context, leading them to seek a more capable server solution.

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Scientists have discovered a new dinosaur species called Khankhuuluu mongoliensis in a Mongolian museum, which changes our understanding of tyrannosaur evolution. This species, dating back 86 million years, is the closest known ancestor to all tyrannosaurs, including the famous T.rex. Khankhuuluu, meaning "Dragon Prince of Mongolia," was a smaller, earlier version of these predators, weighing about 750 kg compared to T.rex's potential weight of up to 6,000 kg.

This discovery highlights the transition from small, agile predators to the massive tyrannosaurs we know today. Researchers found features in Khankhuuluu's skull that indicate the early development of powerful jaws, essential for hunting larger prey. The two skeletons studied were originally thought to belong to another species but were reclassified after closer examination.

The findings, published in Nature, reveal how tyrannosaurs evolved over time and how they spread between North America and Asia, adapting to different environments. This research shows that the ancestors of T.rex were once smaller creatures before becoming the dominant predators of their time.

A graduate student named Aishik Ghosh has developed a new method using deep neural networks to improve data analysis at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), which has faced challenges due to quantum interference. This interference complicates measurements, as it can obscure results by making certain events less likely to be observed.

Ghosh was initially tasked with studying a specific particle pathway related to the Higgs boson but realized that the interference made it difficult to focus on a single pathway. This led him to explore a method called Neural Simulation-Based Inference (NSBI), which skips traditional classification and directly infers results from simulations.

With the help of a supportive team, Ghosh tested NSBI against previously analyzed data and demonstrated significant improvements in precision. This success has encouraged the ATLAS collaboration to adopt NSBI more widely, allowing for more accurate searches for new particles and enhancing understanding of quantum phenomena.

Overall, Ghosh's work is reshaping future research at the LHC by providing better tools for analyzing complex data, leading to more precise scientific projections.

A native Discord app for Windows on Arm is currently being developed.

Summary of "Can I Speak to Your Manager? Hacking Root EPP Servers to Take Control of Zones"

On June 12, 2023, the hackcompute group published findings on the security vulnerabilities of country-code top-level domain (ccTLD) registries, revealing that they could gain control over various domains by exploiting weaknesses in the Extensible Provision Protocol (EPP) used for domain management.

Key Points:

1. Registries and Registrars: Registries manage domain names within their zones, while registrars act as intermediaries for consumers. EPP facilitates communication between them.

2. EPP Protocol: EPP runs on port 700 and uses XML over SSL/TLS. While simple, many registries secure their servers with strict access controls.

3. Vulnerabilities Identified: The researchers found that many EPP servers were susceptible to XML External Entity (XXE) attacks, particularly those using CoCCA Registry Software.

4. Attack Methods: By modifying a Python EPP client, they successfully executed XXE attacks on vulnerable servers, which allowed them to access sensitive files, including user credentials and system information.

5. Impact of Findings: They demonstrated the potential for significant damage, especially with the .AI ccTLD, where they accessed private keys and database backups, leading to full control over domains.

6. Next Steps for Security: The vulnerabilities have been patched by the CoCCA team, but the researchers plan to investigate other registry software, including Nomulus (used by Google) and Fred (managed by nic.cz), for further security assessments.

7. Acknowledgments: The group thanked the CoCCA team and individuals involved for their cooperation in addressing these issues.

Overall, this research highlights serious security concerns in the management of internet domains that could be exploited to take control of large numbers of domains worldwide.

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