AWS CEO Matt Garman criticized the idea of replacing junior employees with AI, calling it "the dumbest thing I've ever heard." He emphasized that junior staff are affordable and familiar with AI tools, and firing them could hinder future talent development. Garman believes it’s essential to hire recent graduates and teach them problem-solving skills rather than relying solely on AI for coding tasks. He also dismissed the metric of measuring AI's value by the amount of code it produces, arguing that quality is more important than quantity. Garman advocates for teaching critical thinking and creativity to prepare future workers for a rapidly changing job market, rather than focusing on narrow skill sets.

Wearable devices collect data about our health and behavior, which can help predict health outcomes. Although advanced models are often used for basic sensor data, they can be even more effective when applied to behavior data, which is more relevant to our health. We created models using over 2.5 billion hours of wearable data from 162,000 people, fine-tuning them for this specific type of information. Our models were tested on 57 health-related tasks and performed well, especially in predicting things like sleep patterns. They performed even better when combined with raw sensor data. This shows that designing models specifically for data from wearables can lead to new health applications and improvements.

The article discusses a vulnerability in AI systems where attackers can exploit image scaling to extract user data through a technique called multi-modal prompt injection. This vulnerability occurs when large images are scaled down before being processed, making hidden malicious prompts visible that can trigger actions without the user’s knowledge.

Key points include:

1. Data Exfiltration: The authors demonstrated how to exfiltrate data from Google Gemini CLI and other AI systems by using seemingly harmless images that, when scaled down, contained hidden prompts leading to unauthorized data access.

2. Attack Mechanism: The attack is effective due to the way image scaling algorithms work, which can distort the image enough to reveal hidden prompts. Different algorithms used for image scaling can be exploited in various ways.

3. Widespread Vulnerability: The vulnerability affects multiple systems, including Google Assistant and Vertex AI, highlighting a significant gap in security across AI tools.

4. Mitigation Strategies: To defend against these attacks, it is suggested to avoid image downscaling altogether or to limit image upload sizes. Users should also be shown previews of images as they are processed by the model, and security measures should ensure that sensitive actions require explicit user confirmation.

5. Future Considerations: The article emphasizes the need for ongoing research into these vulnerabilities, especially on mobile devices and in voice AI, as well as improving security practices in AI systems.

An open-source tool named Anamorpher is introduced, which helps users create and visualize these image scaling attacks, emphasizing the need for better security designs in AI applications.

The text discusses the current state and effectiveness of the global Anti-Money Laundering (AML) system. Key points include:

1. Complexity and Cost: The AML system has become more sophisticated and costly, but there is no evidence that money laundering is decreasing or becoming harder.

2. System Failures: The system faces many issues, including lack of commitment from countries that created it, repeated failures by major banks to comply, and insufficient regulatory oversight.

3. Effectiveness Debate: Despite widespread agreement on the system's shortcomings, there is little discussion about significant reforms. The system is often criticized, but its basic structure remains largely unchallenged.

4. Roles of Financial Institutions: Banks and other financial entities play a crucial role in detecting money laundering, but they often prioritize profits over compliance, which can lead to failures in the system.

5. Mutual Evaluation Reports (MERs): These reports assess how well countries comply with AML regulations but often focus more on processes than actual effectiveness in combating money laundering.

6. Policy Goals vs. Reality: The stated goals of the AML system emphasize protecting the financial system rather than reducing crime directly. Critics argue that this focus may overlook the system's failure to address underlying issues effectively.

7. Consequences of Non-Compliance: Countries that do not comply with AML regulations risk being blacklisted, which can complicate their international financial transactions.

In summary, while the AML system aims to prevent money laundering and protect financial integrity, it struggles with effectiveness, enforcement, and significant systemic issues.

The author discusses their experience using Podman, Docker Compose, and BuildKit for building and running projects. They prefer Podman due to its rootless and daemonless nature, especially since Docker has compatibility issues with nftables.

Podman allows Docker Compose projects to run in two ways: by connecting the official Docker Compose CLI to a Podman socket or by using a Podman-specific replacement called podman-compose. However, both methods have limitations, such as missing features.

The author has been exploring how to get the Docker Compose CLI to work with Podman and BuildKit. They found that by setting up a Docker context pointing to the Podman socket, they could use the Docker Compose CLI directly, which automatically creates a BuildKit container.

To avoid running a background daemon (which they dislike), the author uses a tool they've developed called Bakah, which converts Docker Compose projects into a JSON format suitable for BuildKit without requiring a daemon. Bakah is still a work in progress but can effectively build complex projects.

The author plans to use Bakah for future projects to streamline their Dockerfile management and improve their build process, and they hope it will be beneficial to others as well.

Ben and Connor are the co-founders of Skope, a billing system designed for software that charges customers only when the software performs effectively. This model is different from traditional billing systems like Stripe Billing and is particularly suited for AI products, which are becoming more common.

Previously, they created AI agents for nonprofits but found it challenging because nonprofits were hesitant to invest in expensive software without proof of its effectiveness. They realized a better approach would be for nonprofits to pay only when the software delivered results, reducing their risk.

To implement this outcome-based pricing model, they had to create a new billing system from scratch. Skope allows users to track customer usage and set flexible pricing rules, with automatic invoicing based on recorded events. They are also working on integrating with platforms that monitor AI usage to streamline data recording.

For outcome verification, Skope will act as an intermediary to ensure that outcomes are accurately recorded and validated, fostering transparency and trust. They believe this model will improve software quality and align interests between buyers and sellers, similar to how Google Ads transformed online advertising.

Skope will be offered at a flat subscription price, as they believe the billing system itself should reliably function and not operate on performance metrics. They aim to provide the necessary billing infrastructure for AI companies and are open to feedback and suggestions from the community.

A co-worker discovered an unusual pattern of d4d4 instructions in disassembled ARM code, which LLVM’s objdump identified as a relative branch to a location that is always unreachable. This was puzzling because it followed a return instruction (bx lr) in functions that simply returned.

To investigate, a series of experiments were conducted with simple C functions. Initially, one function led to a d4d4 instruction appearing after it, which was thought to be for alignment. However, when a second function was added, the d4d4 disappeared. Adding a third function brought it back, indicating the linker was aligning object files to 32-bit boundaries.

The experiments revealed that the d4d4 instruction was inserted by the linker (LLD) for alignment, rather than being generated by the compiler. It was found that LLD uses 0xd4 as a trap instruction to fill gaps, a choice that seemed odd as it acts like a branch instruction instead of halting execution. In contrast, the GNU linker inserts zeroes for alignment, which is less problematic.

Further research showed that the decision to use 0xd4 was made by a developer for ARM and MIPS trap instructions, but it doesn't behave as expected for ARM's Thumb instruction set. Instead of halting the processor, it results in an unreachable branch, raising concerns about a potential bug in the linker.

In conclusion, while the d4d4 instructions serve a purpose for alignment, they do not function as trap instructions, which could lead to unexpected behavior in programs. The author plans to file a bug report regarding this issue.

ChartDB is a tool created by Me and Guy to help generate ER diagrams from databases without needing direct access. Initially launched as an open-source project a year ago, it has now evolved into a cloud version designed for teams. Key features of ChartDB Cloud include:

• The ability to embed ER diagrams into documentation and platforms like Miro and Notion.
• Real-time collaboration, similar to tools like Figma.
• Automatic synchronization with your database.
• Easy organization of complex schemas.
• Exporting DDL in various SQL languages.
• An AI assistant to help brainstorm new schema ideas.

The goal is to make working with databases more enjoyable and creative. Feedback is welcomed, especially from teams managing complex schemas or outdated documentation. You can explore ChartDB at app.chartdb.io.

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Summary: Using Common Lisp in the Browser

The article discusses the "Web Embeddable Common Lisp" (WECL) project, which integrates Common Lisp with web browsers. It provides an overview of the project's current status, technical aspects, and future plans. Here are the key points:

1. Project Introduction: WECL allows developers to use Common Lisp to script websites. It's still in development, and the APIs are not yet stable.

2. Scripting with Common Lisp: You can include WECL in your HTML using script tags with the type "text/common-lisp." This allows you to run Common Lisp code alongside JavaScript in the browser.

3. JS-FFI (JavaScript Foreign Function Interface): This low-level interface allows Common Lisp to interact with JavaScript. It includes various macros for defining variables, functions, and methods that can be used in both languages.

4. Interacting with Emacs: The article describes how to use Emacs with WECL through a websocket connection, enabling real-time interaction with the Lisp environment.

5. Injecting Common Lisp into Websites: It’s possible to inject the Common Lisp runtime into any website, enabling you to run Lisp code in the context of that site.

6. Current Limitations: The project faces challenges like the lack of threading support and performance issues due to the current implementation methods.

7. Funding: The project is supported by the NGI0 Commons Fund, backed by the European Commission.

Overall, WECL aims to create a seamless integration of Common Lisp in web development, enhancing the language's usability in modern web environments.

The text discusses how to effectively find and analyze contributions in a database related to bug tracking. It starts with an example of an error reported by a user named Sophie when viewing her contribution to a project. The author explains the challenges of querying the database without knowing specific details like the contribution ID or project name.

To simplify data retrieval, the author suggests creating a "debugging view" that consolidates relevant information from multiple tables into one. This allows for easier queries in the future, as users can access all necessary data without repeatedly writing complex joins. The example shows how to create a view that includes project names, branch names, and author details, making it straightforward to retrieve contributions by specific users.

The author emphasizes that while performance may be a concern for large queries, these debugging views are primarily for one-off queries and can be easily updated or deleted. The overall message encourages the use of debugging views to save time and effort when working with databases. The author also promotes their book on functional programming for further learning.

Sütterlin is a historical form of German handwriting used mainly from 1915 until the 1970s. It was created by graphic artist Ludwig Sütterlin at the request of the Prussian Ministry of Science, Art, and Culture to modernize German handwriting. Sütterlin gradually replaced older cursive scripts in schools, becoming the primary handwriting taught by 1935.

However, in 1941, the Nazi regime banned Sütterlin and other blackletter styles, replacing them with Italian-style lettering. Despite this, many people continued to use Sütterlin in everyday life even after the ban.

Sütterlin is characterized by its unique letters, influenced by older German handwriting forms like Fraktur. It features distinctive elements, such as the long 's' and specific ligatures. Although it was eventually phased out in schools, Sütterlin remains a notable part of German writing history.

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No summary available.

The author discusses the complexities of learning D3.js, a JavaScript library used for creating visualizations on the web. Initially, D3 code appears long and complicated, requiring numerous keystrokes to produce simple graphics, like a box plot, which can be easily created in software like Excel. The author emphasizes that the verbosity of D3 code allows for greater flexibility and customization in visualizations.

Although it may seem tedious to write long code, this detailed approach enables users to create unique and artistic representations of data. The author is currently learning D3 through various books and acknowledges that while other tools exist for creating visualizations, D3 offers unparalleled creative freedom. Ultimately, the author believes that, despite its complexity, mastering D3 will be rewarding.

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The author has created a proof-of-concept for AI memory using Git instead of traditional vector databases. The main idea is that Git is already effective for managing versioned documents, so it can be used to store memories as markdown files in a Git repository. Each conversation is saved as a commit, and Git’s features like diff and blame help track changes in understanding over time.

Key points:

• Memories are stored in markdown files within a Git repo.
• Each conversation corresponds to a single commit.
• Git diff shows the evolution of understanding.
• BM25 is used for searching, eliminating the need for embeddings.
• LLMs (Large Language Models) generate search queries based on conversation context.
• Users can check out past commits to see what the AI knew at different times, allowing for reproducibility and easy manual edits.

The project is still a work in progress, not ready for production, but it has been effective for personal use with a low memory footprint and fast retrieval. The author seeks feedback on this approach, wondering if it's innovative or if there are potential pitfalls. The project is available on GitHub and uses Python, GitPython, rank-bm25, and OpenRouter.

I wanted to understand how to arrange objects on a spherical helix path, so I read some articles about it. This led me to revisit parametric equations, and I created a visualization to share what I learned. You can check it out at this link: Moving Objects in 3D. I'd love to hear your thoughts!

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No summary available.

Google has published a report detailing the energy usage of its AI service, Gemini. Each query consumes a median of 0.24 watt-hours, comparable to running a microwave for one second. This report is significant as it's the first detailed energy estimate from a major AI company, offering insights into the energy consumption of AI systems.

The report shows that only 58% of the energy used comes from Google's AI chips, while the rest is consumed by supporting hardware, backup equipment, and data center operations. Google emphasizes that this estimate is based on typical energy demand, and some queries may use significantly more energy.

Additionally, Google estimates the carbon emissions for each prompt at 0.03 grams of CO2 and states that each prompt uses about 0.26 milliliters of water. The report indicates that energy consumption for Gemini queries has decreased significantly over the past year due to improvements in technology.

While this report provides more transparency about AI's resource usage, it still lacks information on the total number of daily queries, which would help assess total energy demands. There are calls for a standardized measure of AI energy consumption, similar to the Energy Star rating for appliances.

In this scenario, you find yourself trapped in a wine cellar and must solve a riddle from an evil combinatorialist to escape. You have 16 bottles of wine, each from a different year (0 to 15), and four measuring devices that can tell you information about the year of the wine using binary outputs (0 or 1). Your task is to identify the year of each wine using 50 measurements or fewer.

Initially, you learn that measuring one bottle requires four measurements, suggesting you'd need 64 measurements for all 16 bottles. However, because each bottle is unique, you can take advantage of this to reduce the total measurements needed.

The strategy involves dividing the bottles into groups and using the measuring devices to gather information efficiently. For instance, with fewer bottles, you can deduce the year of one bottle based on the results from others, thereby reducing the total measurements required.

Through a series of logical steps, you can identify all 16 bottles using a total of 49 measurements. The approach focuses on measuring groups of bottles and using the unique years to minimize the number of necessary tests. The solution also touches on the potential for even more efficient strategies, but the exact optimal method remains uncertain.

Overall, the challenge is to think strategically and leverage the uniqueness of the bottles to escape the cellar with fewer measurements than initially expected.

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The text discusses the challenges with GitHub's code review process and introduces an alternative called git-review. Key points include:

1. Issues with GitHub: Many users find GitHub's code review lacking, particularly in supporting stacked pull requests and interdiff reviews. The main complaints are that review states are not saved in the repository and the process relies heavily on a web interface.

2. Preferred Workflow: The author prefers reviewing code locally using their own editor, which allows for better navigation, testing, and making changes directly in the code. However, providing feedback requires switching to a web interface, which is slow and cumbersome.

3. Git-Review Concept: Git-review aims to simplify the process by treating code reviews as a single commit that contains comments. Reviewers and authors can modify this commit until the review is complete.

4. Challenges Faced: Although the idea of reviewing as comments in code is promising, it became complicated when changes needed to be made to the code. This led to conflicts between the code and review comments, making the process less efficient.

5. Future Prospects: There may be improvements in Git itself that could enhance the review process, but for now, the author is returning to traditional web-based reviews while hoping for a better solution in the future.

Overall, the author expresses a desire for a more integrated and efficient code review system that leverages local tools instead of relying on remote interfaces.

In a recent blog post, the author explores the use of the infinity keyword in CSS, specifically with text properties like text-indent, word-spacing, and letter-spacing. They conducted experiments across different browsers—Safari, Chrome, and Firefox—to see how these properties behave when assigned infinite values. The results showed that while the visual outputs were similar, the computed values varied significantly among the browsers.

The author also experimented with z-index values using infinity and found that adding or manipulating infinity did not change the computed value, leading to unexpected behaviors in layering elements. Furthermore, they tested infinite animation durations, revealing extremely long animation times in Chrome and Firefox, while Safari became unresponsive.

Lastly, the author noted that dividing a finite number by infinity consistently resulted in zero across all browsers. Overall, the post highlights interesting quirks of CSS and browser behavior related to the concept of infinity.

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The Seagaia Ocean Dome was an ambitious indoor water park and wave pool located in Miyazaki, Japan, built by Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and opened in 1993 at a cost of $1.8 billion. It featured the world's largest indoor pool, a retractable roof, and advanced wave-generating technology that could create 200 different wave types, attracting many professional surfers.

Despite its impressive features and a star-studded opening featuring Sting, the Dome struggled financially. It needed about 15,000 visitors daily to break even but only attracted around 3,500 on average. By 2001, it was deep in debt, leading to its bankruptcy.

In 2002, Ripplewood Holdings bought the struggling resort and invested in renovations, but it never became profitable. After a brief reopening, the Ocean Dome closed for good in 2007 and was demolished in 2017, giving way to the Phoenix Seagaia Resort.

The text discusses the Gemma 3 270M model, which has two Jupyter notebooks: one for a basic implementation and another that includes a KV (key-value) cache for improved performance. The basic notebook needs around 2 GB of RAM to run.

Key points about the model's performance on different hardware:

• Mac Mini M4 CPU:

  • Regular mode: 8 tokens/sec
  • Compiled: 9 tokens/sec
  • With KV cache: 130 tokens/sec
  • Compiled with KV cache: 224 tokens/sec

• Mac Mini M4 GPU:

  • Regular mode: 16 tokens/sec
  • Compiled: Error
  • With KV cache: 23 tokens/sec
  • Compiled with KV cache: Error

• Nvidia A100 GPU:

  • Regular mode: 28 tokens/sec (1.84 GB VRAM)
  • Compiled: 128 tokens/sec (2.12 GB VRAM)
  • With KV cache: 26 tokens/sec (1.77 GB VRAM)
  • Compiled with KV cache: 99 tokens/sec (2.12 GB VRAM)

For a comparison with the Qwen3 0.6B model, another standalone notebook is available. Further details on architecture differences can be found in a related article about modern LLM architecture design.

Universal Tool Calling Protocol (UTCP) 1.0.1 Summary

Overview: The Universal Tool Calling Protocol (UTCP) is a flexible standard designed to facilitate communication between various tools across different protocols. Version 1.0.0 introduces a modular structure that enhances scalability, extensibility, interoperability, and user-friendliness.

Key Features:

• Scalability: Efficiently manages many tools and service providers.
• Extensibility: Developers can easily add new features without changing the core system.
• Interoperability: Supports various communication protocols, enabling integration with existing systems.
• Ease of Use: Built on clear data models for simple implementation.

Architecture Changes in 1.0.0:

• Core library and optional plugins are separated.
• The core package includes essential components like data models and interfaces for communication, storage, and variable management.
• Protocols are now separate installable plugins, keeping the core lightweight.

Installation: Install the core library along with any required protocol plugins using pip commands.

Migration from 0.x to 1.0.0:

• Update dependencies and adjust configurations and imports according to new standards.
• Terminology changes include replacing "provider" with "call_template" and modifying how tools are named and accessed.

Usage Examples:

1. Client Initialization: You can set up the UTCP client using a configuration file or a dictionary to define how tools are called.
2. Defining Tools: Use a UTCPManual to describe available tools, replacing outdated terms for clarity.

Testing and Building:

• Updated testing procedures reflect the new architecture, allowing for tests on both the core library and plugins.
• Build each package separately as needed for distribution.

This summary highlights the main features and updates in UTCP 1.0.1, making it easier for developers to understand and implement the protocol.

George and Alex are introducing Channel3, a searchable database of all products available online, including features for affiliate monetization. They faced challenges finding structured product data while developing an AI teacher, prompting them to create this solution.

Channel3 uses computer vision to extract product details like titles and prices and consolidates product listings from various retailers into a standardized format. The database allows users to search for products using specific criteria, and returns results in a structured JSON format.

Developers can earn commissions from sales, and Channel3 offers an API and SDK for integration, providing 1,000 free searches before charging $7 per additional 1,000 searches. Currently, the service is limited to the US market and includes millions of products.

They invite feedback from users who have experience with product search or e-commerce integration to improve their service. Interested users can create a free account and start selling products. They are available to answer questions and hear suggestions.

Nathan Sobo announced the completion of a $32 million Series B funding round, led by Sequoia Capital, raising their total funding to over $42 million. The company has spent four years developing a fast Integrated Development Environment (IDE) and is now focusing on a new way to enhance software collaboration. Their goal is to connect code discussions directly with the code itself, moving beyond outdated methods that rely on snapshots and scattered tools.

To achieve this, they are creating DeltaDB, an innovative version control system that tracks every edit and interaction with the code, rather than just commits. This allows for real-time collaboration and better integration with AI agents, making conversations about code seamless and continuous. DeltaDB will work alongside Git but offers more granular tracking of changes.

Zed, their IDE, aims to create a collaborative workspace where human and AI interactions are preserved and linked to the code. This will provide valuable context for developers, improving their ability to understand and work with the code.

The company is also open-source and plans to make DeltaDB open-source with optional paid services. They are actively hiring across various roles to help shape the future of software development. Interested individuals can try Zed on macOS or Linux.

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The author expresses skepticism about the quality of current programming languages, arguing they often fail to adequately distinguish between data and objects. This confusion leads to poor design choices in programming.

Key points include:

1. Data vs. Objects: Data is defined by values (e.g., the integer 1 is always 1), while objects have identity (e.g., two instances of the integer 1 can exist separately). Understanding this distinction is crucial for effective programming.

2. Language Limitations: Many languages, like Java and C, struggle to represent data effectively. They often require workarounds, such as creating immutable objects, which may not be ideal.

3. Design Choices: There are multiple design choices in programming languages, primarily revolving around how to handle data and objects. The author suggests that good programming design should clearly differentiate between these two concepts.

4. Current Trends: The author notes that many modern practices (like using REST and JSON) are gaining popularity because they allow for better handling of actual data, unlike traditional object-oriented approaches that conflate data and objects.

5. Future Directions: To improve programming design, languages should better support the distinction between data and objects. Programmers should consciously consider this distinction in their work to avoid poor design choices.

Overall, the author advocates for a clearer understanding of how programming languages represent data and objects to enhance design quality.

The article discusses the enjoyment derived from patterns in art, particularly through repetition and variation. It begins by contrasting Andy Warhol's "Campbell's Soup Cans" with Gustave Caillebotte’s "Paris Street; Rainy Day." Warhol’s work challenges abstract expressionism by using a mundane product, while Caillebotte’s painting captures a realistic moment filled with depth and complexity.

The author highlights how our brains are wired to recognize faces, places, and bodies, making Caillebotte’s painting engaging. The enjoyment comes not just from the content but from the visual patterns and geometric shapes within the composition, such as triangles formed by umbrellas and buildings. Repetition and slight variation create a visual rhythm that enhances the viewer's experience.

The article also discusses the concept of "parerga," or ornamental aspects of art that may or may not be central to its meaning. The lamppost in Caillebotte’s painting is cited as an example of a crucial element that enhances depth, rather than a mere decoration.

Furthermore, the author compares various art forms, including photography, showing how visual rhymes and patterns exist across different mediums. The pleasure of recognizing these patterns taps into our cognitive abilities, creating satisfaction in the viewing experience.

In conclusion, the article emphasizes that the delight in art, whether in Caillebotte's painting or Warhol's cans, stems from our innate ability to discern and enjoy patterns and variations.

Seven years after its launch, Valve's Proton has significantly transformed gaming on Linux. Initially introduced as a way to run Windows games on Linux, Proton now enables users to enjoy a vast library of games with ease. Many titles work seamlessly with just a click, and according to ProtonDB, over 15,000 games are playable on Linux. Valve's efforts have helped increase Linux's share on Steam to nearly 3%, a notable achievement given Windows' dominance.

Proton not only enhances game compatibility but also lays the groundwork for future hardware, like potential updates to the Steam Deck. This integration allows users to access existing games without repurchasing them. As major publishers like Microsoft and Sony bring games to Steam, the gaming landscape continues to improve for Linux users.

Overall, Proton has opened new possibilities for gamers, making it hard to remember a time when Linux gaming options were limited.

Joe and his friends, Matthew and Jake, are developing Luminal, a GPU compiler that automatically creates fast GPU code for AI models. Unlike traditional methods, Luminal uses a search-based approach to compile high-level model code (like PyTorch) into optimized GPU code without relying on AI or large language models.

They generate millions of potential GPU kernels and search through them to find the fastest one, which allows for complex optimizations without manual input. You can try a demo that shows how Luminal improves a basic operation into an optimized GPU kernel.

Currently, they are working on adding support for CUDA, expanding the search capabilities, and improving their software with more examples and support for various hardware. Their goal is to make the machine learning ecosystem simpler while enhancing performance. You can check out their project on their website and GitHub.

Summary:

When setting up embedded networks, like a portable video rack, it's important to avoid random subnets to prevent IP address conflicts with external networks. Instead, using Virtual Routing and Forwarding (VRF) can help manage these conflicts effectively.

1. Embedded Networks: These are self-contained networks used in portable setups that need to connect to external networks without reconfiguring IP addresses each time.

2. Subnet Conflicts: If both your internal network and a venue's network use the same subnet (e.g., 10.0.0.0/24), it can cause address conflicts. Trying to avoid this by picking unusual subnets often fails due to human error.

3. IPv6 Solution: Using IPv6 can simplify addressing since devices can use link-local addresses. However, many embedded devices do not support IPv6.

4. Using VRFs: VRFs allow for multiple routing tables on a single router, which means you can use the same subnet internally and externally without conflicts. By isolating routing tables, devices can communicate within their own network while still having internet access.

5. Router Configuration: A simple setup using a low-cost router can implement VRFs, allowing devices in your portable rack to use your preferred subnet without worry about conflicts. The configuration involves creating a VRF, establishing NAT, and ensuring proper routing rules.

In summary, for portable embedded networks, using VRFs is a reliable way to manage IP addressing without conflicts, allowing for a smoother operation across different venues.

Fermat's Last Theorem is the focus of a project that aims to create a formal proof using the Lean theorem prover. This project is led by Kevin Buzzard and is funded by a grant from the UK's Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. It takes place at Imperial College London, which, along with the grant, has been thanked for its support. For more details about Fermat’s Last Theorem and the Lean theorem prover, you can find additional information linked in the project description.

Summary of the Introduction to AT Protocol

Overview: This text serves as a developer-oriented introduction to the AT Protocol, the underlying technology behind Bluesky, a social network. It discusses the architecture and components of the network, aiming to clarify how it operates compared to other networks like the Fediverse.

Key Points:

1. Understanding Bluesky:

   • "Bluesky" can refer to the company (Bluesky PBC) or the product (the social network).
   • The network is built on the Authenticated Transfer Protocol (ATProto), which connects various independent services and data types.

2. Basic Components:

   • Records & Blobs: Records are JSON objects representing actions like posts or follows. Blobs are binary files for media storage.
   • Lexicons: Define the structure and rules for records, ensuring compatibility and data integrity.
   • Identity: Users are identified by Decentralized Identifiers (DIDs), allowing for account portability without losing connections.

3. Data Handling:

   • Each user’s data is stored in a Personal Data Server (PDS), which serves as the source of truth for their records and media.
   • The data can be accessed through unique AT URIs, which link to specific records.

4. Network Structure:

   • The ATProto architecture includes PDS, relays that aggregate data from multiple PDS, and AppViews that serve processed data to client apps.
   • Users can migrate between different PDS, allowing for flexibility and choice in data hosting.

5. Advanced Features:

   • Labellers help with content moderation by assigning labels to accounts or records.
   • Feed Generators allow users to create custom feeds based on specific algorithms.

6. Client Apps:

   • Bluesky does not provide a built-in web interface; instead, interactions occur through various client apps connecting to PDS via APIs.

7. Future Developments:

   • Direct messaging (DM) features are planned but currently not available. Future updates are expected to enhance user communication and moderation capabilities.

8. Getting Started:

   • Developers can explore various SDKs and documentation available on the ATProto website to begin building applications or tools using the protocol.

In essence, the document outlines the structure and functionality of the AT Protocol, emphasizing its flexibility, data handling, and the potential for third-party development within the Bluesky ecosystem.

SimpleIDE Overview

SimpleIDE is a lightweight Integrated Development Environment (IDE) designed for VB.NET projects on Linux, built with GTK# 3 and .NET 8.0. It offers a modern and user-friendly development environment.

Key Features:

1. Code Editor:

   • Tabbed editing with automatic file detection.
   • Syntax highlighting for VB.NET with customizable themes.
   • Smart features like code completion and real-time error detection.

2. Project Management:

   • Tools for managing project files and references.
   • Supports .vbproj and .sln files.

3. Build System:

   • Integrated build tools with real-time output.
   • Easy build and run options.

4. AI Integration:

   • Claude AI assistant for code generation and refactoring.

5. User Interface:

   • Supports dark and light themes, customizable toolbars, and dockable panels.

6. Developer Tools:

   • Git integration and advanced editing features.

Installation Requirements:

• Linux OS (Ubuntu, Debian, Fedora, etc.)
• .NET 8.0 SDK
• GTK# 3.24 or higher

Installation Steps:

1. Install .NET 8.0 and GTK# dependencies.
2. Clone the SimpleIDE repository.
3. Restore dependencies and build the project.

Usage:

• Launch SimpleIDE from the command line.
• Open projects and files, create new projects, and access help commands.

Keyboard Shortcuts:

• Common shortcuts for file operations, editing, building, and navigation.

Project Structure:

• Organized into folders for main application files, editors, widgets, models, and utilities.

Configuration:

• Settings stored in a JSON file, allowing for theme and environment variable adjustments.

Development and Contribution:

• Follow coding conventions for contributions, and testing is encouraged before submitting changes.

License:

• Free software under the GNU General Public License, version 3.

Contact:

• For issues or contributions, visit the GitHub repository.

Summary: SimpleIDE makes VB.NET development accessible on Linux with a range of features that enhance productivity and user experience.

PlutoPrint is a tool I created to easily generate high-quality PDFs and images from HTML using Python. Many existing tools were complicated or produced poor results, so I wanted something simple and efficient. PlutoPrint uses the rendering engine from PlutoBook, which is ideal for printed materials, and provides a user-friendly Python API. It works well for creating invoices, reports, tickets, and integrating charts from Matplotlib. I welcome any feedback or ideas on how to improve PlutoPrint and make it more useful for users.

A new game called "Cubix" has been released as part of a retro game competition for the ZX Spectrum, running from August 7 to August 20, 2025. Developed by Gogin, Cubix is being hailed as the first-ever 3D platformer for the ZX Spectrum. The game features a puzzle platformer format where players control a character named Bix, who must navigate rotating levels to collect a talisman.

Gogin was inspired to create Cubix after playing the game Fez. He spent several years developing the concept and coding the game, which took 4.5 months to complete. The game creates a 3D effect using flat 2D graphics manipulated to look three-dimensional. Gogin utilized efficient coding techniques to save memory and processing power, ensuring smooth gameplay on the ZX Spectrum.

Cubix can be downloaded for free and played on emulators or compatible ZX Spectrum hardware.

Tidewave Web is a new coding agent designed for Rails and Phoenix applications that operates directly in your browser, improving the development experience by eliminating the need for constant back-and-forth between different tools.

Key features include:

• Shared Page Context: Tidewave understands your current UI state and connects it to your code, so you don’t have to describe what you see.
• Deep Framework Integration: It can run code, query databases, and access logs within your application.
• Collaborative Browser Testing: You can build and test features directly in the browser using a point-and-click inspector.
• Easy Setup: Install one package, connect your GitHub Copilot or Anthropic account, and access Tidewave through your web app.

Tidewave aims to reduce the tedious cycles of coding by creating a shared context between you and the agent. It currently supports full-stack Rails and Phoenix applications, with plans to support more frameworks like React, Django, and Flask in the future.

The Tidewave team is committed to developing AI developer tools that understand specific domains in software development, moving beyond generic tools that lack context. You can try Tidewave Web for free, with a subscription option for unlimited messages.

Summary of Pytype Update

Pytype will stop supporting Python versions after 3.12. Although the team remains interested in Python type checking, they are shifting focus to new ideas and frameworks.

Pytype was created in 2012 to help Google developers with type checking. It evolved from using type inference to inline annotations after PEP 484 was accepted. The team also worked with Guido and mypy to establish typeshed, a central place for type annotations.

However, pytype's design has made it difficult to implement new features quickly due to the instability of bytecode. Therefore, the team will explore better typing approaches for Google’s Python users and will no longer support versions beyond Python 3.12.

They encourage users to look into other mature typing solutions available now. The development of pytype was a team effort, and special thanks are given to key contributors, especially Rebecca Chen for her long-term dedication and impact on Python's type system.

Zedless Overview

Zedless is a privacy-focused version of Zed, designed to prioritize local use and user control. It is still under development, and contributions are welcome.

Key Changes from Zed:

1. No Cloud Dependency: Zedless will not rely on proprietary cloud services and will remove features that require them.

2. No Spyware: It will eliminate telemetry and automatic crash reporting to protect user privacy.

3. User-Controlled Infrastructure: Users can configure network services they want to use, without default providers, and these features will be turned off by default.

4. No Contributor License Agreement (CLA): Contributors will retain their copyright, ensuring that their rights are protected.

Licensing Compliance:

• Proper license information for third-party dependencies is required for the Continuous Integration (CI) process to succeed.
• Use the tool cargo-about to ensure compliance with open-source licenses.
• If there are licensing errors, follow specific steps to resolve them, which might involve adding details to the project's configuration files or seeking legal advice.

Summary: How to Maintain an Open Source Project

Maintaining an open source project relies more on energy than time or money. The main challenges include burnout among maintainers and a dwindling community. Here are key strategies to keep a project thriving:

1. Recruit New Maintainers: Actively seek new contributors to share the workload.
2. Prioritize Existing Maintainers' Energy: Focus on what is most important for maintainers to avoid overwhelming them.
3. Be Kind to Users: Treat users respectfully, communicate clearly, and explain your decisions, even when denying feature requests.

Balancing Priorities: Managing contradictions is essential, such as balancing new features that may complicate the project. Here are some practical tips:

• Automate Tasks: Use tools to handle repetitive tasks like testing and documentation updates.
• Promote Your Project: Share updates on social media to engage users and attract new maintainers.
• Document Everything: Clear documentation helps both new maintainers and existing ones.
• Take Breaks: Allow yourself to take vacations and communicate your absence to users.

Project Culture: Foster a positive environment by:

• Knowing when to decline feature requests as the project evolves.
• Inviting constructive feedback while ensuring positive reinforcement.
• Avoiding burnout by recognizing your limits and not overcommitting.

Recruiting Maintainers: Many potential contributors may not ask to be maintainers, so reach out to them. Trust active contributors with responsibilities early on to encourage their involvement and commitment.

Ultimately, a project can become self-sustaining with just a few maintainers and users, enabling the original creator to step back over time.

The article discusses the creation of a "Space Invader Generator" as part of a coding challenge for Creative Coding Amsterdam. The author aimed to create fun, randomly generated Space Invaders using a vector 3D renderer called Rayven.

Key points include:

1. Project Origin: The author realized they were spending too much time on tool development without creating actual projects. They chose to generate Space Invaders because they are iconic and easy to render.

2. Interactive Challenge: The idea for the generator gained popularity, leading to a code challenge where others could create their own versions.

3. Design Process: The author sketched 38 invader designs on paper and then used digital tools to create them. They discovered patterns in the designs and implemented a method to generate invaders based on geometric shapes.

4. Generation Techniques: The process involved defining a central point, creating symmetrical designs, and adding limbs (tentacles and horns) through a series of steps involving randomization and mirroring.

5. Pixelization: The author explained how to convert the vector designs into pixel art, making them resemble classic Space Invaders. This included techniques for ensuring the designs were visually appealing.

6. Adding Details: The generator creates eyes for the invaders and applies colors using a specific color space for better vibrancy.

7. Animation: The final step involved animating the invaders to mimic the original game's simple movement, adding life to the designs.

8. Conclusion: The author expresses satisfaction with the generator, which can create countless colorful invaders. They encourage readers to try it out and mention plans for future improvements.

Overall, the article highlights the creative coding process, combining art and programming to generate unique designs.

The Burner Phone 101 workshop, hosted by the Brooklyn Public Library in August 2025, aimed to educate participants on phone privacy and security. Here are the key points:

1. Workshop Goals: The workshop aimed to teach about burner phones while ensuring a safe and supportive environment. Participants were encouraged to share knowledge without revealing personal information or promoting harmful uses.

2. Understanding Risks: Participants learned to identify their privacy concerns using three questions: What are you trying to protect? Who are you protecting it from? What happens if your protection fails? This helped tailor their approach to using burner phones based on specific scenarios like protests or harassment.

3. Smartphone Risks: The workshop highlighted the risks associated with smartphones, including data collection and exposure. Key tips for maintaining privacy included keeping devices updated, using strong passwords, and limiting app permissions.

4. Types of Burner Phones: The workshop categorized burner phones into four types: prepaid phones, SIM rotation, minimal phones, and device disguises. Each offers varying levels of protection but none guarantee complete anonymity.

5. Best Practices for Burner Setup: Participants learned how to set up burner phones effectively, such as buying them with cash, avoiding personal information during activation, and minimizing data storage.

6. Going Phone-Free: Sometimes, not using a phone at all can be the safest option, especially in high-risk situations. Alternatives like paper maps and preset meeting points were discussed.

7. Interactive Session: The workshop concluded with a Q&A and hands-on practice, allowing participants to apply what they learned about privacy settings and burner phone setups.

Overall, the workshop emphasized that understanding your risks and the right tools to use can enhance your digital privacy.

No summary available.

In the article "Why I chose OCaml as my primary language," Xavier Van de Woestyne discusses two methods for implementing dependency injection in OCaml: using user-defined effects and using modules as first-class values. While both methods are valid, the author finds them overly complex and sometimes problematic in real software applications. He proposes a new approach that uses OCaml's object model, which he believes simplifies dependency injection and makes it easier to use.

The author highlights that dependency injection is beneficial for unit testing, making it easier to achieve high test coverage. He notes that while effect systems can be useful, their lack of a type system makes them cumbersome for dependency injection. Using OCaml's object model allows for better type inference and cleaner code.

He provides examples of how to implement dependency injection using objects, showing how to define handler classes that facilitate this process. This approach helps manage dependencies more effectively and reduces code verbosity.

Ultimately, the author argues that using objects for dependency injection is a powerful and practical solution in OCaml, enabling better tracking of dependencies and making programs easier to test. He concludes with a call for further exploration of using OCaml's object capabilities for clean and efficient software design.

Summary of the illumos Cafe Introduction

Stefano Marinelli introduces the illumos Cafe, inspired by the success of the BSD Cafe, which promotes diversity in operating systems (OS). The BSD Cafe, launched in July 2023, created a welcoming space for sharing and learning about technology using open-source tools. The illumos Cafe aims to further this mission by focusing on illumos, an open-source OS known for its stability and innovative features like ZFS and DTrace.

The purpose of the illumos Cafe is to foster independent, positive communities that resist the influence of major tech companies and centralized services. It seeks to provide a platform where users can connect without algorithms or data monetization, prioritizing user needs.

The technical setup includes a virtual machine running SmartOS, with various services like a web server and social media platform (Mastodon) available. Currently, the Cafe offers two services: Mastodon and snac, both encouraging a friendly and supportive environment.

Registrations for the Mastodon instance are now open, and the project is documented for transparency. The goal is to create a diverse ecosystem of open-source operating systems, emphasizing resilience and community engagement. The illumos Cafe aims to be a welcoming home for those interested in illumos.

No summary available.

The Google Pixel 10 phones have been launched, featuring a sleek design made from recycled materials and available in four colors. They are powered by the new Google Tensor G5 chip and Gemini Nano model, enhancing AI capabilities and user experience.

Key features include:

• A brighter 6.3-inch display and significant camera improvements, including a 5x telephoto lens and advanced zoom capabilities.
• The Pixel 10 Pro boasts a triple rear camera system with up to 100x zoom and offers larger battery sizes and faster charging options.
• An innovative feature called Magic Cue provides helpful information in real-time during calls and in apps.
• The Camera Coach feature helps users improve their photography skills with tips and suggestions.

The Pixel 10 series is available for preorder starting at $799, with general availability on August 28, 2025.

No summary available.

The article discusses the drawbacks of open office spaces, which have become popular despite evidence showing they can harm productivity and employee satisfaction. Originally designed to enhance communication, open offices often lead to distractions, increased stress, and decreased job performance. Research indicates that workers in open environments experience more interruptions and lower concentration levels, which can negatively affect their mental health and motivation.

Physical barriers in offices are linked to better psychological well-being, as they provide a sense of privacy and control over the work environment. Studies show that employees in open offices take more sick leave and have poorer cognitive performance due to noise and distractions. While younger workers may appreciate the social aspects of open offices, they too struggle with the lack of privacy and control.

Overall, the article suggests that open offices may create a cycle of underperformance, particularly among younger employees who are often seen as more adaptable to such environments.

Summary: Transitioning from Playwright to CDP for Browser Automation

In August 2025, the author, Nick Sweeting, discusses the shift from using Playwright to the Chrome DevTools Protocol (CDP) for browser automation. While Playwright is useful for creating readable QA tests, it can obscure important browser details. By switching to CDP, they've significantly improved the speed of tasks like element extraction and screenshot capture, and added new features like async reactions and better cross-origin iframe support.

Key Points:

1. Reason for Switching: Playwright introduced unnecessary complexity and latency due to its architecture, leading to the decision to use CDP directly, which allows for more control and efficiency.

2. Historical Context: The evolution of browser automation tools is chronicled from early text-based browsers to the current era, showcasing the development of various tools like Selenium and Puppeteer.

3. Browser Automation Complexity: The author emphasizes that relying on adapter libraries can lead to challenges as they hide the underlying complexity, which can lead to issues in automation reliability.

4. New Developments:

   • CDP-USE Library: A new Python client for CDP that provides type-safe bindings to the protocol.
   • Event-Driven Architecture: A new design that allows for better responsiveness to browser events, improving reliability.
   • Enhanced Element Handling: New methods for managing elements across complex browser contexts (like nested iframes) have been introduced.

5. Continued Challenges: Despite improvements, many issues like tab crashes and network latency remain prevalent in browser automation, but the team is committed to tackling these challenges.

The article highlights the ongoing evolution of browser automation and the desire for greater control and efficiency in this field, especially in the context of AI-driven applications.

Nexus Mods will start requiring ID verification for downloading adult mods in the UK due to the new UK Online Safety Act, which aims to protect children from adult content. Users can verify their age by uploading a passport, driving license, or by using facial recognition technology. If a user hasn't verified their age, adult content will be hidden from them. Although Nexus assures that personal data will remain secure, there are concerns about sharing sensitive information with private companies. Many users are attempting to bypass these age restrictions using creative methods or VPNs, which has sparked debate about privacy and cybersecurity. The ID verification requirement may also be extended to the EU in the future.

Databricks, a company focused on Data and AI, announced that it is raising a Series K investment, valuing the company at over $100 billion. This funding will help accelerate its AI initiatives, including the expansion of its products, Agent Bricks and Lakebase.

Agent Bricks helps create AI agents using enterprise data, while Lakebase is a new operational database optimized for AI. The investment will also support future AI acquisitions and research.

CEO Ali Ghodsi noted the strong interest from investors due to the growing demand for AI products. Databricks serves over 15,000 customers globally, including major companies like Block and Comcast, providing tools to help them leverage their data for analytics and AI applications.

The company has experienced strong growth and recently formed new partnerships with tech giants like Microsoft and Google Cloud. Databricks is based in San Francisco and was founded by the creators of several significant technologies in the data space.

AWS, which has been around for nearly twenty years, has undergone significant changes that can be hard to keep track of, especially with outdated information still circulating. Here are some key updates across various AWS services:

EC2 (Elastic Compute Cloud):

• Security groups and IAM roles can now be modified without stopping the instance.
• EBS (Elastic Block Store) volumes can be attached or resized while instances are running.
• Instances can be stopped or terminated quickly without waiting for a clean shutdown.
• Reliability has greatly improved, with fewer instances disappearing unexpectedly.
• Spot instances are now less volatile and easier to manage.
• Public access settings are now more secure by default.

S3 (Simple Storage Service):

• S3 is now read-after-write consistent, meaning you get immediate access to new data.
• Public access is blocked by default on new buckets, and buckets are now encrypted automatically.
• Glacier storage has been integrated into S3, simplifying costs and restore times.

Networking:

• Public IPv4 addresses now incur costs, and new options like Transit Gateway and VPC sharing have improved connectivity.
• CloudFront updates are faster, reducing wait times.

Lambda:

• Timeout limits have increased to 15 minutes, and support for Docker images and shared storage with EFS has been added.
• Cold-start issues have also improved.

EBS:

• New EBS volumes perform at full capacity immediately, and there’s more flexibility in performance management.

DynamoDB:

• Empty fields are now allowed in items, and performance has become more reliable.

Cost Management:

• Reserved Instances are being phased out in favor of Savings Plans, which offer flexibility.
• EC2 charges are now calculated by the second, and tools like the Cost Anomaly Detector help monitor spending.

Authentication:

• IAM roles are preferred for permissions, while the IAM Identity Center is recommended for user access.

General Improvements:

• Overall, AWS services are much more reliable and outages are less common.
• AWS account management has been simplified, allowing easier closure of member accounts.

These updates reflect AWS's shift towards greater usability and security, making it easier for users to navigate and utilize their services effectively.

Last year, I created a demo showcasing CSS 3D transforms to build 3D environments. Recently, I improved this demo with more intricate models, realistic lighting, shadows, and collision detection. This post explains the techniques I used.

Creating 3D Objects:
3D objects are made from points (vertices) that define their shape. In CSS, we use rectangular HTML elements (like <div>) instead of traditional 3D shapes. This simplifies the process since we apply CSS transforms to rotate and position these elements. I built 3D objects using JavaScript functions that create basic shapes like planes and tubes.

Lighting:
Lighting was a major challenge. To create realistic lighting, I wrote functions to calculate the corners of transformed elements. Initially, I used gradients to simulate light but wanted a more realistic effect. By using a <canvas> element, I generated a light map that accurately represented how light hits surfaces. This method involved sampling light every 12 pixels to create a texture that looks realistic when scaled.

Shadows:
Using the canvas for lighting also allowed me to cast shadows. By determining the order of surfaces relative to light sources, I could create a light map that also indicated shadowed areas.

Collisions:
For collision detection, I used a height map, which visually represents the heights of objects in the environment. This allows me to determine if a player can move up or down based on their position.

Next Steps:
I plan to develop a game using these techniques and create a CSS3 renderer for the Three.js library to further enhance 3D rendering capabilities.

The author discusses their experiences with donating to various non-profits, particularly technical ones, and highlights several key issues that make it difficult for these organizations to attract donors. Here are the main points:

1. Donation Process: Many technical non-profits struggle to provide clear and easy ways for donors to contribute, especially for larger donations through donor-advised funds (DAFs). A straightforward "Donate" page with multiple options and clear instructions is essential.

2. Effective Marketing: Non-profits need to effectively communicate their value to potential donors. This includes answering questions about their mission, the impact of donations, financial needs, and recent achievements. Many technical non-profits fail to provide this crucial information.

3. Impact Reports: Annual impact reports are important for transparency and accountability. These reports should not only highlight achievements but also connect them to financial outcomes and future goals. Most technical non-profits do not produce these reports or do so in a way that lacks clarity.

4. Human Connection: Building relationships with donors through personal interaction is vital. Technical non-profits often rely on written communication, which is less effective in fostering connections. Engaging donors through calls or meetings can enhance relationships and encourage ongoing support.

5. Sales Approach: The author emphasizes that non-profits must adopt a sales-driven mindset to attract and retain donors, similar to for-profit organizations, recognizing the significant effort needed in fundraising.

In conclusion, the author wishes to see technical non-profits improve their strategies for attracting donations, stressing that better communication, transparency, and personal engagement are key to their success.

Google is enhancing its AI Mode in Search by introducing new features that help users complete tasks more efficiently, such as booking restaurant reservations. This capability is currently available to Google AI Ultra subscribers in the U.S. and will soon be accessible in over 180 additional countries.

Key improvements include:

1. Agentic Features: AI Mode can now help with complex tasks like finding and booking restaurant reservations. It collects real-time availability from various platforms to present users with tailored options based on their preferences.

2. Personalized Recommendations: Users can receive suggestions for dining and other interests, customized to their tastes based on previous searches and interactions.

3. Link Sharing: A new feature allows users to share AI Mode responses with friends and family, enabling collaborative planning for events like trips or parties.

4. Global Expansion: AI Mode is expanding its reach, allowing more people worldwide to benefit from its capabilities.

Overall, these enhancements aim to make Google Search more helpful and user-friendly by providing personalized, actionable information.

The proposal for a Mirror Ball emoji, submitted by Gero Simone and Theo Schear of Emojination, requests its addition to the Unicode emoji library. The Mirror Ball, also known as a disco ball, is a symbol of parties, music, and dancing, recognized globally for its glamorous and glittery appearance. It has been a popular feature in nightclubs since the 1920s and is often associated with joy and celebration.

The proposal highlights that the disco ball emoji is frequently requested, with a long history of interest from users. It would enhance digital conversations by representing themes of partying and fun. The proposal argues for its inclusion based on its compatibility with existing stickers, expected usage levels, and its distinct visual identity compared to similar emojis.

In pop culture, the disco ball has appeared in music, film, and fashion, used by artists like Madonna and U2, further solidifying its significance. The authors believe that adding this emoji will complete the set of party-related emojis and provide a timeless symbol of celebration.

No summary available.

This article discusses the rise and fall of music ringtones, using the example of Crazy Frog, a popular ringtone that captured 31% of the UK market at its peak. Crazy Frog started as an audio meme in the late 1990s and became a commercial success in the early 2000s, generating over £40 million in sales.

Initially, ringtones provided a way for consumers to express their personality and offered the music industry a revenue boost during a challenging time. However, by 2008, ringtone sales began to decline sharply due to changing technology and cultural preferences. People started to prefer texting over phone calls, leading to less demand for unique ringtones.

In some countries, like India, phone calls remain popular, sustaining a market for ringtones there. Yet, overall, the novelty of ringtones faded, with many users growing tired of repetitive snippets of songs. The article concludes that while some may feel nostalgic about ringtones, they were often just a temporary, unneeded trend in the wider music landscape.

No summary available.

README.md files are designed for human readers, providing quick information about projects, how to contribute, and general descriptions. In contrast, AGENTS.md is meant for coding agents, offering detailed instructions like build steps and testing guidelines that don't fit in a README. This separation helps keep READMEs clear for people while giving agents a specific place for their instructions. The AGENTS.md format is open for anyone using coding agents to adopt.

The Mapbox Vector Tile (MVT) format is a popular standard for large-scale map visualization, used by major companies like AWS, Meta, and Microsoft. However, it was created almost ten years ago and doesn't fully support the new, larger geospatial data sources that have emerged due to advancements in technology.

To address these limitations, this paper presents the MapLibre Tile (MLT) format, a new vector tile specification designed for modern needs. Our tests show that MLT can compress data up to three times better than MVT and is six times more efficient for certain large tiles. Additionally, MLT processes data up to three times faster and introduces new features aimed at improving future map rendering by utilizing GPU processing to enhance performance.

The article discusses the complexities and shortcomings of modern Continuous Integration (CI) systems, particularly focusing on popular platforms like GitHub Actions and GitLab Pipelines. While these systems have evolved and provide many useful features, the author argues that they have become overly complicated and often resemble traditional build systems.

Key points include:

1. Advancements and Complexity: Modern CI platforms are powerful and help developers deliver reliable software more frequently. However, they also introduce significant complexity due to their many features and configurations, often requiring users to manage intricate YAML files.

2. Redundancy with Build Systems: The author suggests that advanced CI systems effectively overlap with build systems, meaning they serve similar functions. This redundancy leads to confusion and inefficiencies, as users may end up managing two complex systems instead of one.

3. Need for Integration: The article advocates for integrating CI functionalities directly into build systems, arguing that a unified system would simplify workflows and improve user experience. This would allow developers to run CI jobs without pushing changes to a remote server first.

4. Taskcluster as a Model: The author highlights Mozilla's Taskcluster as a powerful example of a CI platform that allows for more flexible task definitions and better security measures. Taskcluster provides a generic API for scheduling tasks, unlike many current CI offerings that rely on fixed YAML configurations.

5. Future Vision: The author envisions a single platform that combines the capabilities of CI systems, build systems, and potentially batch job execution tools. This platform would support flexible task scheduling, improve efficiency through unification, and ultimately reduce the complexity associated with managing multiple systems.

6. Market Challenges: The article concludes by expressing skepticism about the immediate realization of this vision, citing the small addressable market for such integrated solutions. However, the author remains hopeful that major CI platforms may eventually adopt these ideas.

In summary, the article critiques the complexity of modern CI systems, suggests a need for their integration with build systems, and proposes a vision for a unified platform that could streamline the software development process.

Summary of "Scamlexity"

The article discusses the challenges and risks associated with "Agentic AI Browsers," which are AI systems designed to automate online tasks like shopping and managing emails. While these browsers offer convenience, they often lack adequate security measures, making them vulnerable to scams and phishing attacks.

Key points include:

1. Scamlexity: A term coined to describe the new era of complex scams that exploit AI Browsers. Scammers can trick the AI rather than the user, leading to financial losses without the user's knowledge.

2. AI Browser Tests: Researchers tested an AI browser called Perplexity’s Comet with classic scams, like fake online shops and phishing emails. The AI often failed to detect these scams, sometimes completing purchases or revealing sensitive information without human intervention.

3. Prompt Injection: A new type of attack where hidden instructions are embedded in content, manipulating the AI's actions. The researchers demonstrated how this could lead to malicious actions, like downloading harmful files.

4. Security Gaps: Current AI Browsers prioritize user experience over security, leaving them open to exploitation. The article emphasizes the need for robust security measures to be integrated into AI systems from the start.

5. Future Risks: As AI technology evolves, scammers will likely develop even more sophisticated methods, potentially allowing them to control multiple AI systems through a single exploit.

The authors advocate for improving security features in AI Browsers to protect users from the rising threat of AI-powered scams.

No summary available.

Summary of "Learning About GPUs Through Measuring Memory Bandwidth"

Key Points:

1. Purpose of Study: The article discusses how measuring memory bandwidth helps understand GPU performance and informs the development of the benchmark tool, Evolve.

2. GPU Memory Access: Accessing memory in GPUs is complex compared to CPUs, often using descriptors to manage data fetching.

3. Types of Buffers:

   • Byte Address Buffers: Basic buffers that allow for loading any data type but require 4-byte alignment.
   • Structured Buffers: More strict, requiring specified data sizes, optimizing data alignment.
   • Typed Buffers: Use texture unit functionality for efficient data loading.

4. Texture Units: Handle complex operations for loading textures, including addressing and filtering, which can impact performance.

5. Memory Hierarchy: GPUs use various caches (L1, L2, etc.) to manage speed and latency issues, employing methods like write-back caching to optimize memory writes.

6. Latency Management: GPUs can handle multiple threads to avoid idling while waiting for memory requests, which can improve performance.

7. Microbenchmarking: The article details how to create benchmarks to measure read and write bandwidth effectively, noting the importance of cache hits and the size of buffers used.

8. Findings: Insights from testing various GPUs revealed differences in memory performance, emphasizing that specific architectures may benefit from optimizing buffer and texture use.

9. Conclusion: The study suggests a need for ongoing research into GPU architectures to uncover more about performance optimization, with plans for further microbenchmark development.

This summary simplifies the original text while retaining its essential points about GPU memory performance evaluation.

No summary available.

The person recently installed a Firefox extension called Port Authority. While visiting a specific website, they received a notification indicating that the site attempted to scan their private network for open ports. They are unsure if this is a common occurrence with websites. After researching, they found that another extension, uBlock Origin, has a feature called "Block Outsider Intrusion into LAN," but it was not activated by default.

No summary available.

Australia Post has temporarily stopped shipping parcels to the United States due to new tariffs that will take effect on August 29. This decision is part of a larger disruption affecting global postal services as many carriers struggle to adapt to the upcoming tariff changes, which now require tariffs or fees on low-value goods imported into the U.S.

Previously, parcels valued under $800 were exempt from taxes, but this exemption will end next week. The postal service has stated that it will no longer accept transit items meant for the U.S. to manage the confusion surrounding these new duties. This has led to significant uncertainty for e-commerce businesses, with some, like the Australian brand Apéro, halting their shipments to the U.S. altogether.

Many postal operators worldwide are finding it difficult to manage the collection of these new tariffs, and some have already stopped shipping to the U.S. entirely. Australia Post is exploring ways to handle these duties on behalf of merchants but has not confirmed if it will completely cease shipments to the U.S.

I created a simple project management system to organize AI development. The main issue was losing track of details between tasks when using multiple AI agents. Existing project management tools didn't help because syncing with repositories was difficult.

My solution uses GitHub Issues as the main database. It consists of about 50 bash scripts and markdown configurations that:

• Help brainstorm and create a markdown Product Requirements Document (PRD), set up an epic, break it into tasks, and sync them with GitHub issues.
• Track progress on multiple tasks at once.
• Ensure everything is linked back to the original specifications.
• Operate quickly from the command line.

We've been using this system for a few months, and it has reduced our shipping time by about half. Although it’s still in early development, it has been effective for us. I'm looking for feedback from others working on GitHub-based project management or AI-driven workflows.

The text discusses the challenges of using TLS certificates and introduces Relay, a free tool designed to simplify the process, especially for homelabs. Relay serves as a secure link between your ACME client and certificate authorities like Let's Encrypt.

Key benefits of Relay include:

• Quick issuance of certificates in minutes with any ACME client.
• Simple DNS setup without needing to manage multiple credentials.
• Clear visibility into the ACME process and reminders for renewals.

You can try Relay at their website or read more about it on their blog. Feedback is welcome after trying it out.

Intel is offering Battlefield 6 for free with the purchase of certain Core CPUs and Arc GPUs. This promotion is available starting August 20, 2025.

Denmark is removing its 25% tax on books, the highest in Europe, to address a "reading crisis." The government hopes this will encourage more people to buy books. Culture Minister Jakob Engel-Schmidt announced this change, noting that a recent report showed 24% of Danish 15-year-olds struggle to understand simple texts. This tax elimination will cost the government about 330 million kroner ($51 million) each year. The publishing industry has been advocating for this tax cut to ensure everyone in Denmark has access to physical books.

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Summary of "Compute Where It Counts: High Quality Sparsely Activated LLMs"

CWIC (Compute Where It Counts) is a new approach for creating efficient transformer models that optimize computation based on the difficulty of tasks. Key points include:

1. Efficiency: CWIC can increase CPU throughput by three times while only reducing performance by 10% on benchmarks. It adjusts the amount of computation used for each token, making it more interpretable.

2. Adaptive Computation: The model learns when to use more or less compute without needing labeled data or manual rules. It uses learned activation thresholds to determine which computations to skip, allowing for effective sparsity.

3. Background: Large language models (LLMs) are resource-intensive, leading to high costs in hardware. Various methods have been proposed to enhance their efficiency, including CWIC, which focuses on activation sparsity.

4. Methodology: CWIC learns activation thresholds directly through backpropagation, which improves performance compared to previous heuristic methods. It also allows different parameters to have varying levels of sparsity.

5. Performance: In evaluations, CWIC outperformed previous methods, particularly at higher FLOP reduction levels, showing that it effectively allocates compute resources based on task difficulty.

6. Real-World Applications: CWIC achieves significant speedups in processing and interprets allocation of compute resources, improving efficiency in real-world applications.

7. Future Work: The team plans to enhance CWIC further with better training methods and scalability, aiming for models that adaptively tailor their computation in real time.

Overall, CWIC represents a significant advancement in making large language models more efficient, cost-effective, and adaptable to various tasks.

Summary: Why We Still Build with Ruby in 2025

In 2025, we still choose Ruby on Rails for our core API at Lago because of our team's extensive experience and the speed it provides for building products. Despite perceptions that Rails is outdated, many successful companies like Shopify and GitHub continue to use it, demonstrating its longevity.

Key Points:

1. Shipping Speed: Rails allows for quick product delivery, which is crucial for startups. We use Rails’ API-only mode to streamline our development process.

2. Scalability: Critics argue Rails doesn’t scale well, but we find that scaling issues are more about architecture and operations rather than the framework itself. We utilize the latest features in Rails, along with tools like Redis and Sidekiq, to handle high volumes of API requests efficiently.

3. Trade-offs: While Rails has imperfections, such as performance limitations and concurrency issues, our deep understanding of the framework helps us navigate these challenges. We also use other languages like Go and Rust for specific tasks.

4. Talent Acquisition: Finding skilled Ruby developers isn’t a problem for us, as we hire selectively and the talent pool is still strong.

5. Conclusion: We would still choose Rails in 2025 because it effectively helps us deliver quality products quickly. Rails is a tool, not a commitment, and it suits our needs well.

The article discusses the concept of "Bus Factor," which measures the risk of losing important knowledge in a project if key team members leave or are unavailable. Traditionally, a Bus Factor of 1 means the loss of one person could lead to a complete knowledge gap.

However, since the release of ChatGPT in November 2022, many in the tech industry have embraced an "AI first" approach, relying heavily on AI for coding instead of understanding their projects. This shift has led to a Bus Factor of zero, where no one knows how the code was created or how to maintain it, which poses significant risks, especially when dealing with bugs or security issues.

The author warns that this reliance on AI for coding, termed "vibe coding," is problematic because it creates a situation where no one has a clear understanding of the software, potentially putting user data at risk. The conclusion emphasizes that until AI can generate flawless code, relying solely on it is fundamentally flawed.

Wired and Business Insider have removed articles written by freelance journalist Margaux Blanchard due to concerns they were likely generated by AI. The non-profit Index on Censorship is also taking down an article by her after similar doubts were raised.

Blanchard has authored multiple articles across various publications since April, but many featured unverifiable quotes and details about people who do not exist. Jacob Furedi, editor of Dispatch, received a suspicious pitch from Blanchard about a fictional mining town named Gravemont, which does not appear to exist. Furedi suspected the pitch was AI-generated and confronted Blanchard, who did not respond.

Following inquiries from Press Gazette, several publications, including Wired and Business Insider, quickly removed her articles, stating they did not meet editorial standards. Index on Censorship also acknowledged falling victim to AI-generated content and is reviewing its processes.

The situation highlights ongoing concerns about the integrity of journalism in the age of AI, as many publications struggle to maintain standards amid rising AI-generated content.

The article compares the performance of Rusticl, a Rust-based OpenCL 3.0 driver, with AMD's official ROCm OpenCL driver on the Ryzen AI Max+ "Strix Halo" using Radeon 8060S graphics. Rusticl has improved significantly and supports OpenCL 3.0, while ROCm supports OpenCL 2.1. The author ran benchmarks using both drivers on the same hardware and software setup to see how Rusticl performs against AMD's dedicated solution. Future tests will also compare Rusticl on Intel graphics. The overall goal is to assess the effectiveness of Rusticl as an open-source OpenCL driver.

Summary: Building a Custom Telescope Mount with Harmonic Drives and ESP32

The author, inspired by astrophotography, transitioned from using a commercial tracker to building a custom telescope mount. Initially, they struggled with finding suitable tracking equipment and considered expensive options.

After discovering custom PCB design, the author applied their knowledge to create a telescope mount using harmonic drives, which are compact and efficient gear systems. They researched extensively, learning about motors and control systems while designing the mount with FreeCAD and KiCad.

Key features of the mount include:

• Motor Setup: Uses a servo motor for one axis and a stepper motor for the other, both equipped with harmonic drives for precision.
• Microcontroller: An ESP32-S3 handles communication and control.
• Power Supply: USB-C support for portability.

The author faced challenges during design and assembly, including a PCB mistake that caused communication issues. However, after revisions, the final product performed well, achieving tracking precision suitable for astrophotography.

The entire project cost around €1,700, competitive with commercial options but driven more by the desire to learn and create. The author emphasizes the satisfaction of building the mount themselves, highlighting the joy of successful tracking and improved skills gained through the process.