Summary of Corning Glass Works Catalog No. LP 18

• Overview: This catalog details the "PYREX" brand laboratory glassware produced by Corning Glass Works, established during World War II to meet the urgent demand for high-quality glassware in the U.S.

• Quality Assurance: Every piece of "PYREX" glassware is marked with a trade-mark, ensuring it meets high standards of quality, durability, and safety. The glass is made from a special chemical glass known for its low thermal expansion and chemical durability.

• Key Properties:

  • Low Expansion: The glass has a very low thermal expansion, minimizing thermal shock and mechanical breakage.
  • Chemical Durability: "PYREX" glass is resistant to chemical reactions, ensuring accuracy in laboratory settings.
  • Sterilization: The glass withstands both dry and wet sterilization methods without degradation.

• Technical Data: The catalog provides specific characteristics of "PYREX" glass, including composition, chemical durability, and physical properties like specific gravity and thermal conductivity.

• Ordering Information: Customers can order through laboratory supply dealers or directly from Corning Glass Works. The catalog includes pricing information, quantity discounts, and guidelines for placing orders.

• Product Range: The catalog features a variety of laboratory glassware, including beakers designed for general laboratory use, emphasizing their practicality and efficiency.

• Contact: For custom glassware needs or special apparatus, inquiries can be directed to Corning's technical staff.

This catalog serves as a comprehensive resource for anyone in need of reliable laboratory glassware from a trusted manufacturer.

GPUI Component Overview

GPUI Component is a toolkit for creating desktop applications with over 60 user interface (UI) components.

Key Features:

• Rich Selection: Offers more than 60 cross-platform components.
• Native Design: Inspired by macOS and Windows, designed for a modern look.
• User-Friendly: Components are easy to use and stateless.
• Customizable Themes: Supports multiple themes and color configurations.
• Versatile Sizing: Offers various sizes like extra small to large.
• Flexible Layouts: Allows for different layouts and resizing options.
• High Performance: Includes virtualized components for handling large data efficiently.
• Content Support: Can render Markdown and simple HTML.
• Built-in Charting: Includes tools for data visualization.
• Code Editor: A high-performance editor that supports large files and offers features like diagnostics and syntax highlighting.

Showcase: The first application built with this component is Longbridge Pro, which features multi-theme support.

Usage Details:

• The GPUI Component is still in development and requires dependencies from Git.
• Example code is provided for creating a simple "Hello, World!" application.

WebView Element: An optional WebView element is available but still in an experimental stage.

Icons: The component includes an icon element but does not come with SVG files by default. Users can add their own icons.

Development and Examples: A gallery of applications and usage examples is available. Users can run examples using Cargo, a Rust package manager.

Comparison with Other Frameworks: GPUI Component is compared with other frameworks like Iced, egui, and QT 6, showing differences in features, licensing, and performance.

License: The toolkit is licensed under Apache 2.0.

This summary highlights the main features and aspects of GPUI Component, making it easier to understand and utilize for building desktop applications.

Summary of "Recall for Linux"

"Recall for Linux" is a tool designed for Linux users who miss features from Windows, particularly those related to data tracking. Key features include:

• Storing sensitive data in an accessible database.
• Continuous screen captures of your activities.
• Converting images to text.
• Saving chats and emails for easy reference.

Installation requires user consent and can be done via a terminal command. However, the tool is not completely automatic.

Future updates plan to include features like encryption, AI enhancements, webcam images, audio recording, and cloud data uploading, but many of these features are not expected until 2028.

On October 27, 2025, the ACCC (Australian Competition and Consumer Commission) announced it is taking legal action against Microsoft Australia and Microsoft Corporation. The case involves claims that Microsoft misled about 2.7 million Australian customers regarding subscription options and price increases after adding its AI feature, Copilot, to Microsoft 365 plans.

The ACCC alleges that since October 31, 2024, Microsoft informed subscribers of Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans that they had to accept the Copilot integration and pay higher prices to keep their subscriptions, or cancel them. However, the ACCC states there was a third option—the Classic plans—which allowed subscribers to keep their existing features at the lower price without Copilot. This option was not disclosed clearly in Microsoft’s communications.

Microsoft’s price increases were significant, raising the annual subscription for Personal plans by 45% (from $109 to $159) and Family plans by 29% (from $139 to $179). The ACCC argues that many customers would have chosen the Classic plan if they had known about it.

The ACCC is seeking penalties and consumer redress for those affected by the alleged misleading information. The case focuses only on Microsoft 365 Personal and Family plans, not business subscriptions. The ACCC emphasizes the need for businesses to provide accurate information to consumers to comply with Australian law.

Summary: Key HTML Tags for Proper Functionality

To ensure your HTML works correctly in browsers, remember to include these essential tags:

1. <!doctype html>: This tag prevents browsers from entering quirks mode, ensuring consistent rendering and layout. It can be written in any case (e.g., <!DOCTYPE HTML>).

2. <html lang="en">: This specifies the document's language, helping browsers and assistive technologies with pronunciation, indexing, and translation.

3. <meta charset="utf-8">: This informs the browser how to properly display characters, ensuring special symbols and non-Latin characters appear correctly.

4. <meta name="viewport" content="width=device-width,initial-scale=1.0">: This tag adjusts the display on mobile devices, preventing content from appearing too small.

Lastly, don't forget to include your main content area and scripts, like <div id="root"></div> and <script src="bundle.js"></script>. These tags help your HTML function as intended.

Summary of News from the Python Software Foundation (PSF)

On October 27, 2025, the PSF announced that it has withdrawn a $1.5 million grant proposal submitted to the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF). The proposal aimed to improve security in Python and PyPI by addressing structural vulnerabilities. This was the PSF’s first attempt at securing government funding, and although the proposal was initially recommended for funding, the PSF faced strict terms that conflicted with its core values, particularly regarding diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI).

The NSF required the PSF to agree not to promote DEI initiatives, which the organization felt would undermine its mission. Despite the potential benefits of the grant, including enhanced security for millions of users, the PSF board unanimously decided to reject the grant in order to stay true to its values and support its community.

The PSF is now seeking financial support more than ever due to economic pressures and the loss of this funding opportunity. They encourage individuals to become members, donate, or help secure sponsorships to sustain their operations.

Summary:

Fly.io has developed a system called Corrosion, which turns Docker containers into micro-VMs called Fly Machines. The main challenge of this platform is managing the synchronization of state between servers and the network. On September 1, 2024, a major outage occurred when a new update caused all proxies to lock up, preventing any user requests from reaching applications.

Distributed systems can amplify issues quickly, making it crucial to understand their failures. Fly.io decided to create Corrosion to improve state synchronization without relying on centralized databases like other systems do (e.g., Kubernetes), which can create bottlenecks. Instead, they utilize a bidding model where individual servers manage their own workloads.

To build their global routing database, Fly.io moved away from traditional consensus protocols and adopted a gossip protocol inspired by routing protocols like OSPF. This allows each server to communicate changes quickly without needing a central authority.

Corrosion functions as a globally synchronized SQLite database but avoids complex locking and consensus issues. It ensures all nodes eventually receive the same updates, improving reliability and speed. However, Fly.io faced challenges, including outages caused by schema changes and issues with using multiple systems like Consul.

To enhance reliability, they've implemented watchdogs for monitoring and simplified database updates. They are also working on a regionalization project to reduce the impact of state issues by dividing their system into smaller, region-specific clusters.

Overall, Corrosion provides a unique solution to state synchronization in distributed systems without the drawbacks of traditional methods, making it a promising tool for similar challenges in other platforms.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The text outlines the features of SearchK, a tool that offers various utilities for working with geographic data. Key points include:

• Distance Tools: Tools to calculate distances and areas.
• Minifiers: Options to reduce file sizes for different data formats like JSON and GeoJSON.
• Converters: Tools to change data between formats, such as GeoJSON to SVG or KML to GeoJSON.
• Mergers and Splitters: Tools to combine or separate different geographic data files.
• Language Support: The platform provides multilingual options, supporting multiple languages for user accessibility.

Overall, SearchK offers comprehensive tools for managing geographic data efficiently.

No summary available.

Summary: Multitasking on the Z80

This program allows the Z80 computer to run up to eight tasks at once. It works by saving the current task's data when an interrupt happens, switching to the next task, and restoring its data. However, there are limitations, including the size of each task's stack and the total number of tasks, which can slow down performance as more tasks are added. The task-switching process takes about 430 clock cycles. Interrupts occur at roughly 50Hz, but this can be adjusted. An additional board is needed to generate this interrupt signal. The program is designed for the TEC-1G Z80 computer using the Mon3 monitor, and the task switching routine is placed in a specific memory address.

Summary: Why I’m Teaching Kids to Hack Computers

Paul Hudson, a developer, shares his motivation for teaching kids (ages 13+) how to hack computers safely through a game called Hacktivate. Reflecting on his own learning experiences as a teen, he aims to provide a fun and structured environment where kids can explore computer science.

Key Points:

• Learning Through Experimentation: Hudson emphasizes the importance of curiosity and hands-on experience with computers, contrasting it with today's more polished but less explorative tech.

• Hacktivate Game: He created Hacktivate, a game with 240 challenges that teach skills such as SQL injection, cryptography, and data hiding in a safe environment. It combines elements from classic games and real-world cybersecurity techniques.

• Common Issues in Learning Hacking: Existing resources often lack engagement, provide little guidance, and can be overly theoretical. Hacktivate addresses these by offering structured challenges that are both fun and educational.

• Two Editions of Hacktivate: The game is available as a one-time purchase or a free-to-play version with in-app purchases, both offering the same content.

• Challenge Variety: The game includes various types of challenges, such as data representation, cryptography, web vulnerabilities, and networking, all designed to teach practical skills.

• Privacy Focus: Hacktivate runs locally on users' devices with no trackers or ads, ensuring a private experience.

• Development Details: The app is built using Swift and SwiftUI, with some AI assistance for complex tasks. Hudson crafted most challenges to ensure they were engaging and intentional.

• Future Improvements: Hudson plans to enhance accessibility, potentially add leaderboards, achievements, and refine the app's user interface.

• Invitation to Try: Users can try Hacktivate for free with initial tutorial challenges and purchase access to more content across all Apple devices.

Through Hacktivate, Hudson hopes to inspire young learners to explore cybersecurity and become more aware of online safety, even if they don't pursue it as a career.

Artifact is a collaborative CAD tool for designing electrical systems in complex hardware projects, used for creating supersonic jets, reusable satellites, marine robots, and autonomous drones. They are seeking full-stack software engineers to work in their Manhattan office to help improve electrical systems engineering for hardware teams. For more information, visit their website or contact Antony at [email protected] with your resume.

The text discusses two contrasting views on human nature from Enlightenment thinkers Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Benjamin Franklin. Rousseau believed we are born good but corrupted by society, while Franklin thought people are defined by their actions—good or bad—rather than their inner essence. In modern America, we often switch between these ideas, seeking forgiveness for intentions (Rousseau) or accountability for actions (Franklin).

The author favors Franklin's perspective, emphasizing that our actions shape our character. The idea of "fake it until you make it" aligns with Franklin's view that repeated behavior creates who we are, rather than just feeling good inside. This approach offers us control over our lives, as we can choose our actions even if we can’t always change our feelings. The key takeaway is that taking action leads to personal growth and greatness.

The author shares their journey of discovering the Zig programming language, initially created for audio software, and how it became their preferred choice for network programming. They were inspired by a post from Zig's creator, Andrew Kelley, which led them to explore Zig while rewriting the AcoustID project.

While transitioning from C++ and using Qt and Go for networking, the author faced challenges in Zig, particularly with creating a server interface. They decided to implement a clustered layer using NATS, gaining valuable experience with Zig's networking features.

Now, the author introduces Zio, an asynchronous I/O and concurrency library for Zig. Zio simplifies asynchronous programming by using stackful coroutines, allowing tasks to suspend during I/O operations and resume later, which makes code easier to manage. Zio supports asynchronous network and file I/O, synchronization tools, and operates efficiently in both single-threaded and multi-threaded modes.

The performance of Zio is impressive, outperforming existing frameworks like Go and Rust’s Tokio. It allows compatibility with external libraries, making it versatile for developing network applications. The author plans to further enhance their NATS client and develop a new HTTP client/server library using Zio.

No summary available.

I created a Vite plugin that allows you to write Go code in .js files using a "use golang" command. It automatically compiles the Go code to WebAssembly.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Summary of Isomorphic Orchestrator for JS/TS Functions

The Isomorphic Orchestrator is a library designed for managing JavaScript and TypeScript functions in a simple and efficient way. It works in various environments, including browsers and Node.js, making it versatile for different projects. Here are the key features:

• Lightweight: The orchestration logic consists of about 100 lines of code and relies only on JSONata for transformations.
• Secure: User-provided code is safe and doesn't require sandboxing.
• Extensible: Users can add their own state management and transition logic.
• Isomorphic: It functions in both browsers and server environments like Node.js, Bun, or Deno.
• TypeScript Support: It offers TypeScript types.
• Open Source: The library is available under the MIT license and has full code coverage.

Usage Examples:

1. Basic Example:

   • You can create an orchestrator and combine outputs from two functions to feed into a third.
   • Example code shows how to run two functions that produce "Hello" and "World", combining them into "Hello World".

2. Complex Example:

   • The orchestrator can handle more complicated scenarios like loops and multiple transitions between functions, updating local and global variables along the way.

How It Works:

• The orchestration graph is composed of connections between functions.
• You define starting functions with inputs, and each connection specifies how outputs from one or more functions are transformed and passed to other functions.
• The orchestrator executes functions and waits for their results, using JSONata for transformations.

Overall, the Isomorphic Orchestrator provides a flexible foundation for building low-code applications using JavaScript and TypeScript functions.

No summary available.

Summary of "Structure and Interpretation of Classical Mechanics"

This text, authored by Gerald Jay Sussman and Jack Wisdom, is an unofficial HTML version of the second edition published by MIT Press. It is structured into several key sections that cover various concepts in classical mechanics.

Key Sections:

1. Lagrangian Mechanics: Introduces configuration spaces, generalized coordinates, and the principle of stationary action. It explains how to derive and compute Lagrange's equations and addresses constrained motion and conserved quantities.

2. Rigid Bodies: Discusses rotational kinetic energy, moments of inertia, and the motion of rigid bodies. It includes topics like Euler's equations and spin-orbit coupling.

3. Hamiltonian Mechanics: Focuses on Hamilton's equations, phase space evolution, and the concept of Poisson brackets. It also explores surfaces of section and Liouville's theorem.

4. Phase Space Structure: Explains the characteristics of phase space, including linear stability, integrable systems, and the Poincaré–Birkhoff theorem.

5. Canonical Transformations: Covers point and general canonical transformations, generating functions, and invariants associated with these transformations.

6. Canonical Evolution: Details the Hamilton–Jacobi equation and its applications, as well as the nature of time evolution in canonical mechanics.

7. Canonical Perturbation Theory: Discusses perturbation theory in mechanics, particularly with examples like the pendulum and various resonance phenomena.

Appendices: The work includes appendices on the scheme used and notation.

This text serves as a comprehensive guide to understanding classical mechanics, suitable for students and enthusiasts alike.

A recent paper from DeepSeek discusses the potential of using Optical Character Recognition (OCR) to improve how large language models (LLMs) process text. OCR converts images of text into actual text, which can enhance the data available for training AI models. The paper introduces the concept of "optical compression," suggesting that an image of text can represent information more efficiently than text itself.

Key points include:

1. Optical Compression: A single image token can convey ten times more information than a text token, making it potentially more efficient for LLMs to process images of text.

2. Current Usage: Some users are already experimenting with this method using multimodal LLMs, where they upload screenshots of text instead of the text itself.

3. Human Memory Analogy: The paper compares this approach to human memory, where recent memories are clearer, while older ones are more vague. This could lead to strategies for storing and processing text more efficiently in AI.

4. Efficiency of Image vs. Text: Images contain more information than text because they include details like font and layout, while text tokens are limited to a finite set.

5. Training Challenges: While processing text as images could improve LLMs, training models to understand images of text poses challenges, such as how to predict the next word from an image.

Overall, the idea of treating text as images could change how AI processes and understands language, but it requires further exploration and testing to determine its effectiveness.

Dvir, a young developer, shares his journey of learning low-level programming and operating system (OS) development after being rejected from a job interview due to a lack of CPU knowledge. He decided to create an OS using C and assembly language (ASM) to deepen his understanding.

Dvir spent significant time studying OS theory through university books, online blogs, and videos. He utilized resources like OSDev Wiki and OSTEP, and gained insights from friends with OS development experience. He began coding by creating a bootloader, implementing a VGA driver, handling interrupts, and developing drivers for the keyboard, physical memory, and file systems.

Initially focused on completing basic functionalities, his perspective shifted after participating in Hack Club's Summer of Making (SoM). He extended his project to include a graphical user interface (GUI) and even managed to port the game Doom. Over seven months, he faced numerous debugging challenges, especially with the paging system and memory issues while running Doom.

Despite these obstacles, Dvir successfully completed his project and found the experience enriching. He expresses gratitude for SoM, which motivated him to push beyond his initial goals. He invites others to discuss his project, which can be found on GitHub.

No summary available.

The text provides a link to a blog post about a notable figure in computing. It also includes a link to a 4.5-hour video related to this topic. The focus is on celebrating the achievements and insights of this computing legend.

Earle Havens, a professor at Johns Hopkins University, teaches a course titled “The History of Fake News From the Flood to the Apocalypse,” where students create and defend historical forgeries. Havens oversees the Bibliotheca Fictiva Collection, which contains over 2,000 items related to literary forgery, including rare books and manuscripts. This collection, acquired from collectors Arthur and Janet Freeman in 2011, aims to encourage critical thinking about authenticity and deception in literature.

The collection spans a wide range of forgeries, from medieval documents to modern hoaxes, and serves as a resource for understanding how forgery has been a part of human communication throughout history. Havens emphasizes that forgery is not just a modern phenomenon; similar tactics have been used throughout different historical periods. He teaches students to recognize biases and understand the complexities of misinformation.

Students in his course write plausible fake letters from ancient times, learning how to create believable forgeries and defend their authenticity. This exercise enhances their media literacy and critical analysis skills.

Havens also discusses the motivations behind forgeries, which can range from personal gain to cultural myth-making. He notes that while some forgeries are met with outrage, others are celebrated for their creativity. Overall, the Bibliotheca Fictiva serves as a vital tool for exploring the nature of truth, deception, and the historical context of literary forgeries.

Summary of Sphere Corporation and Project

The Sphere Corporation, founded in 1975 by Mike Wise in Utah, created the Sphere 1, an early all-in-one microcomputer. Although innovative, it faced issues like delays and usability problems, leading to the company's demise in 1977. Despite being a niche product for hobbyists, its design anticipated future mass-market computers.

Ben Zotto, a historian and engineer, is documenting the story of Sphere through a website and a book. He has also developed a virtual emulator for the Sphere and created new hardware after decades. Zotto is eager to hear from anyone with Sphere-related materials or stories to help preserve this part of computing history.

For more information, you can contact him at [email protected].

The definition of Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) is unclear, making it hard to compare current AI with human intelligence. This paper offers a clear framework that defines AGI as having the cognitive abilities of a well-educated adult. It uses a well-established theory of human intelligence to break down general intelligence into ten key areas, like reasoning and memory, and adapts tests used for humans to assess AI systems. The analysis shows that current AI models, like GPT-4 and GPT-5, excel in specific tasks but lack important foundational abilities, especially in long-term memory. The scores indicate that while progress is being made, there is still a significant gap to reach true AGI.

No summary available.

This repository has extra versions of the Are-we-fast-yet benchmark suite. For the main version, visit: https://github.com/smarr/are-we-fast-yet. Check the ORIGINAL_README.md file here for more details. Each extra version is found in its own subfolder, like "Cpp", "Oberon", or "FreePascal," where you can find more information.

The provided link leads to a project called "trap_bots" on Maurycyz's website. Unfortunately, without access to the specific content of that page, I can't summarize the details. However, the project likely involves creating or utilizing bots for a specific purpose. If you can share more information or text from the page, I'd be happy to help summarize it!

Summary of Hist Tool:

• What is it?
  Hist is a command-line tool that counts unique lines in files quickly.

• Installation:
  You can install it using the command: cargo install hist-rs.

• How to Use:

  • Count unique lines in a file: hist <file>
  • Count unique lines from input: /bin/cat <file> | hist
  • Output unique lines only: hist <file> -u
  • Exclude lines matching a pattern: hist <file> -e <pattern>
  • Include lines matching a pattern: hist <file> -i <pattern>
  • Output lines above a certain count: hist <file> -m <threshold>
  • Output lines below a certain count: hist <file> -M <threshold}
  • Sort output by line count: hist <file> -n
  • Sort output in descending order: hist <file> -d

• Performance:
  Hist was compared with other tools for speed, using a large test file. It performed the best:

  • Hist: 200.3 ms average
  • cuniq: 434.3 ms
  • huniq: 2375.5 ms
  • sortuniq: 2593.2 ms
  • Naive method: 5409.9 ms

In summary, Hist is a fast and efficient tool for counting unique lines in files, offering various functionalities to filter and sort results.

Summary of WorldGrow: Generating Infinite 3D World

WorldGrow is a new method developed by researchers from Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Huawei, and Huazhong University of Science and Technology for creating endless 3D environments. This system starts with a single block and expands into large, detailed worlds through a process that ensures the environments are coherent and navigable.

Key Points:

• Hierarchical Framework: WorldGrow builds 3D worlds in a structured manner, allowing for both broad layouts and intricate details.
• Walkable Environments: The generated scenes can be navigated, making them suitable for various applications like simulations.
• Active Development: The project is still being developed, with updates planned for installation, visualization, and other features.
• Results: The system has produced diverse scenes, including a large indoor world example measuring about 1,800 m².

The project aims to provide tools for generating infinite 3D worlds and encourages users to engage with its repository. The code and additional resources will be released soon.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Summary of Eavesdropping on Internal Networks via Unencrypted Satellites

A recent study used a commercial satellite dish to investigate geostationary satellite communications and found a significant amount of sensitive data being transmitted without encryption. This includes:

• Cellular Data: Unencrypted calls, SMS, and internet traffic from telecom providers.
• Military and Government Traffic: Unencrypted VoIP and internet communications, as well as sensitive military tracking data.
• In-Flight Wi-Fi: Unprotected internet traffic from passengers on airplanes.
• VoIP Providers: Exposed call audio and metadata due to unencrypted satellite backhaul.
• Internal Networks of Companies: Unencrypted corporate emails, login credentials, and financial data.
• Critical Infrastructure: Remote operations for power utilities and oil pipelines using unencrypted satellite links.

The study revealed that anyone with basic equipment could intercept this data, as satellite signals can cover large areas of the Earth.

Recommendations for Users and Organizations:

• End Users: It's difficult to know if your internet traffic is encrypted. You can use VPNs and end-to-end encrypted messaging apps to secure your communications.
• Organizations: Treat satellite communications like unsecured public networks. Implement encryption at all levels to protect sensitive information.

Study Details:

The researchers set up a satellite dish in San Diego to capture traffic from various satellites. They found that many communications remain unencrypted due to cost and complexity issues, and while some companies are transitioning to encrypted links, many are still vulnerable.

Contact and Further Information:

The research was conducted by teams from the University of California, San Diego, and the University of Maryland. For more details or inquiries, you can reach out to the research group via their provided contact information.

No summary available.

The text is a humorous critique of the security research community, highlighting the complexity and impracticality of their work. The author, James Mickens, compares reading technical papers to being thrust into an incomprehensible opera, filled with convoluted jargon and alarming scenarios, like "Bojangle-based cryptography." He argues that security researchers often focus on obscure threats while neglecting practical solutions, like the need for strong and memorable passwords.

Mickens uses analogies, such as comparing security researchers to triathletes training for unlikely scenarios, to illustrate that their priorities seem misguided. He emphasizes that in real life, simple solutions—like strong passwords—are often sufficient against common threats, while more complex scenarios (like being targeted by the Mossad) are unlikely for the average person.

He also critiques the idea that establishing a public key infrastructure is easy, likening it to building a fictional park filled with dinosaurs. The author suggests that instead of getting lost in elaborate security models, researchers should focus on practical measures that help everyday users. Ultimately, he advocates for a more pragmatic approach to security, acknowledging that while it’s important to be aware of threats, one shouldn’t live in constant fear of them.

No summary available.

If you have a git repository on a server that you can access via SSH, you can easily clone it to work on it locally. Use the command:

git clone ssh://username@hostname/path/to/repo

After making changes, you can push them back to the server. By default, git doesn’t allow you to push to the currently checked-out branch, but you can change this setting on the server with:

git config receive.denyCurrentBranch updateInstead

This setup is useful for syncing code across multiple computers or editing files on the server without delays.

To publish your code, point your web server to the git repo using:

git clone https://hostname/path/to/repo/.git

You can simplify the URL by remapping it or renaming the .git directory, although that limits some functionalities.

To keep the repository cloneable, you need to run:

git update-server-info

To automate this process, set up a git hook. Create a post-update hook on the server that runs this command automatically. Here’s how:

1. Copy the sample hook:

   cp .git/hooks/post-update.sample .git/hooks/post-update
   

2. Make it executable:

   chmod a+x .git/hooks/post-update
   

3. Add a script to run a static site generator (replace paths as necessary):

   cat > .git/hooks/post-update <<EOF
   #!/bin/sh
   set -euo pipefail
   cd /path/to/site
   /path/to/generator
   EOF
   

4. Make this script executable as well.

This method allows you to write blog posts locally and push them to the server, which handles the rest automatically. This setup also provides backups: if one device fails, you can retrieve your work from the other. Git’s version control helps prevent accidental deletions and makes it easy to track changes.

No summary available.

In a recent post, John Loeber shares a troubling story from his teacher about how children in Northern England appeared to be getting less intelligent due to lead poisoning from exhaust fumes in their playground. This historical example highlights the dangers of trusting that our environments and products are safe, as many well-meaning decisions can lead to harmful consequences.

While safety standards have improved substantially since then, new risks have emerged. Globalization complicates the safety of consumer goods, making it difficult for people to know if items like furniture or food are free of harmful substances. The article notes that even high-end products can contain harmful microplastics and heavy metals, often without any oversight.

Loeber emphasizes that consumers are largely left to fend for themselves, and he suggests that a third-party organization focused on product safety is needed. He points to successful models in other countries, like a German nonprofit that tests consumer goods.

There is a growing interest in health and environmental safety among consumers, as technology enables individuals to monitor their health and well-being. Loeber believes that businesses that prioritize transparency and safety will thrive, as people are becoming more aware of the hidden dangers in everyday products.

In summary, there is a significant demand for trustworthy monitoring of consumer goods, and there are opportunities for businesses to fulfill this need and empower consumers.

Wren is a small, fast, and easy-to-use scripting language that combines elements of Smalltalk, Lua, and Erlang with a modern syntax.

Key features of Wren include:

• Size: The entire implementation is under 4,000 semicolons, making it quick to read and understand.
• Speed: It uses a fast compiler that produces efficient bytecode, allowing it to perform well compared to other dynamic languages.
• Class-based: Wren focuses on classes, providing a clear object model that many other scripting languages lack.
• Concurrency: It includes lightweight fibers, enabling programs to run multiple tasks simultaneously in a simple way.
• Scripting: Wren is designed for embedding in applications, has no external dependencies, and offers a small standard library with an easy interface for C.

You can try Wren in your browser and get involved if you're interested!

Summary of Intel's Recent Layoffs and Corporate Changes

Intel has laid off a total of 35,500 employees in less than two years, with 20,500 of those cuts occurring recently under CEO Lip-Bu Tan's leadership. The company had approximately 108,900 employees in late 2024, but this number has dropped to about 88,400 by September 2025. The layoffs primarily affected engineers and technicians, particularly in Oregon, with most positions cut being non-managerial.

As part of a restructuring effort, Intel is focusing on reducing costs and prioritizing projects with clear financial returns. The company has significantly decreased its research and development budget by over $800 million while still reporting increased revenue. Intel's management stated that they will only invest in new projects if there is confirmed customer demand, aiming to keep operating expenses stable at around $16 billion through 2026.

CEO Tan emphasized that Intel is becoming a leaner and more focused company, streamlining its operations to support long-term profitability.

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Summary:

Books By People is a new organization that certifies publishers of human-authored books to ensure creative integrity in an age dominated by AI-generated content. Their mission is to support and promote "Organic Literature," which is defined as books written by humans without AI involvement.

Key Points:

• Certification Process: Publishers undergo a review of their editorial practices, including AI usage and authorship verification. If approved, they receive a certification stamp to indicate their commitment to human authorship.

• Resources Provided: Certified publishers gain access to manuals, guidance on AI impacts, legal support, and a network of industry experts.

• Consumer Trust: The certification stamp reassures readers that the books are genuinely written by people, helping to differentiate publishers in a market saturated with AI content.

• Team Expertise: The team includes professionals from various backgrounds, including publishing, technology, and law, ensuring comprehensive support for certified publishers.

• Cost and Workload: The application for certification is free, but there is an annual fee for approved publishers. The organization aims to minimize extra work for publishers while maintaining high standards.

By joining this movement, publishers can protect the value of human storytelling and maintain credibility in the literary world.

No summary available.

Swiss researchers have developed a new type of smart sock called the Leia sock, designed to help people with diabetes regain feeling in their feet. Many diabetics suffer from diabetic neuropathy, which can cause pain and loss of sensation in the feet, making walking difficult and increasing the risk of falls.

The Leia sock features pressure sensors that map how the wearer walks, an AI processor that converts this data into electrical signals, and nerve-stimulating electrodes that help restore sensation by sending signals to healthy nerve parts. This technology aims to reduce reliance on painkillers and improve mobility.

Currently, the Leia sock is not available for purchase, but a long-term study is planned to test its effectiveness in improving walking and preventing foot ulcers. The company, Mynerva, is seeking FDA approval and hopes to launch the sock in 2027. If successful, this innovation could greatly enhance the mobility and quality of life for people with diabetes.

No summary available.

I am working on a new experimental browser based on Chromium for phones and tablets. It offers two main features:

1. Desktop-style Extensions: You can easily install any Chrome extensions (like uBlock Origin) by enabling the "desktop site" option in the menu.

2. Enhanced Privacy and Security: It includes strong privacy features from the Vanadium browser, such as protecting your real IP address, and security improvements like disabling Just-In-Time (JIT) compilation by default.

This browser is designed to be efficient and open-source, compatible with modern Android devices. It is still in beta and is not a full replacement for the complete security offered by GrapheneOS with Vanadium. The aim is to combine Vanadium's privacy features with the functionality of desktop extensions and Helium features for a broader audience.

You can find build scripts and pre-built versions in the repository. Feedback and support are welcome!

Summary of "Formal Reasoning" by Herman Geuvers

This text serves as a guide to formal reasoning, focusing on propositional logic and its applications. It is structured into several chapters, each covering different aspects of logic and mathematics.

1. Propositional Logic: This section introduces propositional logic, highlighting the difference between natural and formal languages. Natural languages can be ambiguous, whereas formal languages provide clear, unambiguous expressions for logical statements.

2. Dictionary of Terms: A basic dictionary is established for symbols representing statements (e.g., "R" for "it rains"). This helps in translating everyday language into formal logic.

3. Connectives: Logical connectives (like "and," "or," "not," etc.) are defined and associated with their formal representations, which assist in building logical sentences.

4. Truth Tables: The text explains how to determine the truth value of logical statements using truth tables, offering examples and exercises to practice.

5. Models of Logic: A model assigns truth values to propositions, helping to determine if statements are logically true (valid) in every possible scenario.

6. Logical Equivalence: Two propositions are considered logically equivalent if they have the same truth value in all models. Examples demonstrate this concept, emphasizing the importance of understanding logical relationships.

Overall, the document aims to provide a foundational understanding of formal reasoning, enabling readers to navigate through logical expressions accurately and effectively.

No summary available.

Summary: Writing a RISC-V Emulator in Rust

This ongoing project involves creating a 64-bit RISC-V emulator using Rust. By the end of the book, you will be able to run the simple Unix-like operating system, xv6.

Key Points:

• Learning Objectives: You will understand basic computer architecture concepts like Instruction Set Architecture (ISA), privileged architecture, exceptions, interrupts, peripheral devices, and the virtual memory system while making the emulator.
• Source Code: The code for the project can be found at d0iasm/rvemu-for-book.

Chapter Overview:

• Chapter 1: Focuses on the hardware components needed to run xv6, including:

  • CPU with two instructions
  • Memory and system bus
  • Control and status registers
  • Privileged architecture
  • Exceptions
  • Platform-level interrupt controller (PLIC) and core-local interrupt (CLINT)
  • Universal asynchronous receiver-transmitter (UART)
  • Interrupts
  • Virtio
  • Virtual memory system

• Chapter 2: Covers the instruction sets required to run xv6:

  • RV64I Base Integer Instruction Set
  • "M" Standard Extension for integer multiplication and division
  • "A" Standard Extension for atomic instructions

Outcome: By completing the book, you will successfully create an emulator capable of running xv6.

Contact: For questions, reach the author @d0iasm on Twitter or GitHub issues.

Eric Wastl is the creator of Advent of Code, a series of programming puzzles that people can solve using any programming language. These puzzles cater to various skill levels and can be used for interview preparation, training, or friendly competitions. You don’t need a computer science degree to participate; basic programming knowledge and problem-solving skills are sufficient, and the challenges can be completed on older hardware.

To support Advent of Code, you can share it on social media or contribute through AoC++. If you get stuck on a puzzle, check your solution against provided examples, re-read the problem statement, and consider creating your own test cases. You can seek help from friends or the subreddit if needed.

The puzzles unlock daily at midnight EST, and while the difficulty varies, they generally become harder over time. Eric does not accept puzzle ideas due to legal reasons. The global leaderboard was removed due to stress and misuse, but you can still compete on private leaderboards with friends.

Using AI or other aids to solve the puzzles is discouraged, as the challenges are meant to be solved by humans. Advent of Code is free to use but not free to copy; sharing puzzle text or inputs is prohibited.

Here’s a simplified summary of the text:

• Clojure Tools and Frameworks: The text lists various tools and libraries available for Clojure, a programming language.

1. Type System: An optional type system for Clojure helps with static typing.
2. Documentation Hub: cljdoc serves as a central resource for Clojure documentation.
3. Web Frameworks: Biff is designed for solo developers, while Noj focuses on data science applications.
4. AI Assistance: Editor Code Assistant (ECA) provides AI pair programming features for different code editors like Emacs and VS Code.
5. Visualization and Notebooks: Clay offers tools for data visualization and interactive notebooks.
6. Software Modeling: Overarch helps describe software systems and generates diagrams.
7. Testing and Debugging: Tools like Bond assist in unit testing, and hashp improves debugging.
8. Application Frameworks: Component manages stateful objects, and Reloaded Workflow simplifies application development.
9. Quantum Computing: QClojure is a library for programming quantum computers.
10. APIs: Legba helps in building OpenAPI services and Lacinia connects GraphQL with Pedestal.

Overall, the text highlights various Clojure-related tools for web development, data science, AI, testing, and more.

No summary available.

Summary of "Pirate Utopia — № 003 Oct 11, 2025: The Dogs of Llano del Rio (I)"

The article explores the ruins of Llano del Rio, a significant utopian colony in California, situated between Palmdale and Victorville. It reflects on the history of utopian experiments in California, particularly during a time of social upheaval in the early 1900s. The text highlights Charles Fourier, a pioneering thinker in utopian socialism, who believed in creating a better society through rational organization and communal living, which he called "phalanxes."

Fourier's ideas included:

• Gender Equality: He advocated for complete gender equality and coined the term "feminism."
• Labor and Desire: He linked work with pleasure, suggesting that jobs should align with people's passions, even involving unconventional roles like children collecting garbage.
• Community Structure: Fourier envisioned communities where people would rotate through jobs based on their character traits, promoting cooperation and happiness.

Despite his innovative ideas, Fourier’s visions often failed to take root in reality. His emphasis on the physical manifestation of his ideas (the phalanstery) overshadowed the deeper social changes needed. The article also suggests that Fourier's thoughts, although complex and sometimes dismissed as unrealistic, continue to resonate with modern thinkers and artists.

In the next part, the article promises to delve into the downfall of Fourierism in America and the subsequent wave of socialist utopian experiments, along with a discussion about the metaphorical "dogs" that represent the harsh realities faced by such movements.

The text is a copyright notice for Fractional Xperience™, stating that all rights are reserved for the year 2025. It includes an email address for contact.

The article discusses a security issue related to Microsoft 365 Copilot, which allowed unauthorized data extraction through Mermaid diagrams. This vulnerability has been fixed. The key points include the identification of the problem, the potential risks it posed, and the measures taken to address the issue. Overall, it emphasizes the importance of security in software and how vulnerabilities can be resolved.

In September 2025, attackers used phishing emails to compromise trusted accounts on npm, leading to the publication of malicious versions of 18 popular npm packages. This put websites and applications using these packages at risk of having users' cryptocurrency stolen. Fortunately, Cloudflare's Page Shield, a client-side security tool, detected these compromised libraries and prevented potential theft.

Page Shield analyzes 3.5 billion scripts daily, identifying less than 0.3% as malicious using advanced machine learning techniques. This system learns hacker patterns through the structure and syntax of code, making it resilient against various attack methods. Cloudflare confirmed that it would have detected all 18 compromised packages as malicious.

To enhance security further, Cloudflare is planning improvements, including integrating contextual data and transitioning to a more effective machine learning approach for detecting malicious scripts. Users are encouraged to audit their dependencies, rotate credentials, and regularly check for suspicious activity to maintain security.

Overall, Cloudflare's proactive measures helped protect its users from the npm supply chain attack, demonstrating the importance of automated defenses in combating such threats.

No summary available.

A study by researchers at Washington University School of Medicine reveals that Alzheimer's disease disrupts the daily rhythms of certain brain cells that help clear amyloid proteins, which accumulate in the brains of patients. This disruption affects hundreds of genes, altering their normal functions and potentially worsening the disease.

The study, published in Nature Neuroscience, found that the circadian rhythms of microglia and astrocytes—cells that support brain function and immune response—are significantly altered in mice with Alzheimer's. These changes in gene activity could lead to inefficient clearance of amyloid, which is linked to the disease's progression.

Dr. Erik S. Musiek, who led the research, noted that targeting these disrupted circadian rhythms could offer new treatment options for Alzheimer's. He emphasized the importance of understanding how to manipulate these rhythms to address amyloid accumulation and improve brain health. The findings point to a potential therapeutic pathway that focuses on restoring normal circadian function in brain cells to combat Alzheimer's disease.

No summary available.

The article discusses the rise and fall of Looking Glass Studios, a video game company known for its innovative titles, including "Thief" and "System Shock." Following the success of "Thief" in 1998, the studio was optimistic about its future, planning to release multiple sequels. However, in March 1999, their parent company, Intermetrics, decided to divest from gaming, leading to Looking Glass's financial struggles.

The tragic Columbine shooting in April 1999 sparked renewed media scrutiny on violence in video games, causing delays and cancellations of Looking Glass titles, including "System Shock 2." Despite being a collaboration with Irrational Games, "System Shock 2" faced marketing challenges and was poorly received commercially upon its release in August 1999, partly due to the negative climate around violence in games.

Looking Glass's subsequent title, "Flight Unlimited III," also failed to perform well, contributing to the studio's ongoing difficulties. Although "Thief II: The Metal Age" was a solid game, it did not achieve the blockbuster success needed to save the company. By May 2000, Looking Glass was shut down, leaving behind a legacy of innovative but niche games.

The article examines the studio's unique approach to game design, emphasizing its commitment to immersive, challenging gameplay, which may have limited its appeal to casual gamers. Ultimately, Looking Glass is remembered for its influential contributions to gaming, even as it struggled to achieve mainstream success.

Summary of Gleescript

Gleescript lets you bundle your Gleam-on-Erlang project into a single executable file (escript), which is useful for creating command line programs and scripts.

How to Use:

1. Add the Gleescript package to your project:

   gleam add gleescript
   

2. Build your project:

   gleam build
   

3. Generate the escript by running:

   gleam run -m gleescript
   

The executable will be created in your current directory. You can specify a different directory using the --out flag:

gleam run -m gleescript -- --out=./some/directory

The generated escript can run on any computer with the Erlang VM installed, but make sure the VM version is not too old. For more details, check the Erlang escript documentation.

Enjoy using Gleescript!

Here’s a simplified summary of the text:

The text discusses several Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) from the 1980s, particularly those related to Atari. Here are the key points:

1. Southern Amis BBS: Established around 1984, it supports the Southern Amis Projects and features graphics from the Atari Message Information System.

2. Alcatraz BBS: A BBS for the United Federation of Pirates, run by Sysop Giarc The Warden, known for its elite status among Atari boards.

3. Area 52: Operated by Sysop Phigan, this BBS is themed around "Area 51" and features extensive graphics.

4. Basement BBS: This BBS, themed after the movie "Office Space," uses BBS Express Pro and offers many features.

5. NiteLite BBS: Restored from 1984, it serves as a representation of Atari BBS history and was previously used by Atari Corp.

6. The Boot Factory: The first BBS Express Pro board, now maintained by Sysop BF2K+, preserving Atari BBS history.

7. Heisenberg's Hideout: A BBS themed after "Breaking Bad," it operates 24/7 and offers old-school games, managed by Sysop Jay C.

8. StarFleet HQ: Managed by Sysop Commodore Clifford, this BBS includes features like a game library and networked message bases.

Overall, these BBSs illustrate the history and culture of the Atari community during the 1980s.

YouTube, led by CEO Neal Mohan, has rapidly evolved over the last 20 years into a dominant media platform, significantly impacting traditional television. Mohan envisions a future where YouTube not only hosts user-generated content but also dominates genres like sports and scripted shows, continuing to attract viewers away from traditional TV.

Key Highlights:

1. Growth and Influence: YouTube has surpassed mobile viewing, becoming the primary way people watch in the U.S., and has paid over $100 billion to creators and partners over four years.

2. Sports Partnerships: YouTube is making strides in sports broadcasting, including a $2 billion deal for NFL Sunday Ticket and hosting exclusive games. This move aims to attract younger and more diverse audiences.

3. Creator Ecosystem: YouTube creators are becoming their own production companies, producing a range of content that’s increasingly professional. Mohan emphasizes supporting creators in building audiences and businesses.

4. Shift from Traditional Media: Many former traditional TV stars are now thriving on YouTube, where they have more creative control and can produce content more quickly and cost-effectively.

5. Emerging Genres: While YouTube has taken over many traditional TV genres, scripted content remains a challenge. Creators like Dhar Mann are pushing the boundaries in this area, but the infrastructure needed for high-quality productions is still developing.

6. Cultural Relevance: YouTube is becoming a cultural hub, hosting significant events and collaborations, reflecting a shift in how audiences consume media.

In summary, YouTube is positioning itself to not only compete with traditional TV but potentially replace it, leveraging its vast creator network and innovative content strategies.

The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) has signed a $5.7 million contract with a Silicon Valley company, Zignal Labs, to use AI-driven software for social media surveillance. This software will analyze billions of social media posts daily to identify potential threats and support criminal investigations. Critics argue that this surveillance disproportionately targets immigrants for their political speech, raising concerns about civil liberties and free speech.

The contract allows ICE's intelligence unit to enhance its surveillance capabilities, which have expanded under the Trump administration. Previous incidents show that social media monitoring has led to actions against pro-Palestinian activists and others. Labor unions have filed a lawsuit against the government's social media surveillance practices, calling it a mass surveillance program that infringes on personal freedoms.

Zignal Labs has a history of working with military and defense agencies, and its software is designed to help detect and respond to threats. The use of AI in surveillance raises significant privacy concerns, as it may lead to the targeting of individuals based on their online expressions.

The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has temporarily stopped normal operations due to funding issues but will continue critical health and safety activities.

On October 21, 2025, several events were reported at different nuclear facilities:

1. Wolf Creek (KS): Both emergency ventilation systems were inoperable for 10 minutes due to an electrical issue. This was reported as a non-emergency, and no health risks were identified.

2. Palisades (MI): An individual fell into the reactor cavity and ingested water, resulting in contamination. The person was decontaminated and sent for medical attention. This was also reported as a non-emergency.

3. North Anna (VA): Unit 1 experienced an automatic reactor trip due to a negative rate trip. The situation was stable, and no health risks were reported.

4. Piedmont Heart Institute (GA): A leaking radioactive source was discovered during routine tests. It was contained, and cleanup efforts were initiated.

5. Universal Engineering Services (NV): A portable radiation gauge was stolen. The police were notified.

6. Elmhurst Hospital (IL): A contamination incident occurred when a vial of Lu-177 was dropped, contaminating a technician. Decontamination efforts were underway.

7. Palisades (MI): A notification was made for exceeding pollution limits regarding hydrazine, but there were no health risks.

8. Clinton (IL): A manual reactor trip occurred due to low oil levels in the control system, but the situation was stabilized without health impacts.

All events were reported as non-emergencies, and the health and safety of the public and plant personnel were not affected.

The article discusses the current challenges faced by university students, highlighting their transactional attitude toward education. This mindset stems from the high cost of college, a competitive job market, and a history of standardized testing that prioritizes test scores over genuine learning.

Many students, who have also experienced disrupted education during the COVID-19 pandemic, often see college as a means to an end—primarily financial gain—rather than a valuable opportunity for personal growth and knowledge acquisition. The author emphasizes that the true value of a degree lies not just in the job it leads to, but in how it shapes a person's thinking and skills.

Even PhD students risk focusing too narrowly on specific research topics, neglecting the broader intellectual foundations that are crucial for their development as researchers. Ultimately, the piece argues that knowledge is a vital part of our humanity, and engaging with it is essential for personal and societal progress, despite current challenges. The author encourages readers to value the intellectual journey, asserting that it is worth the investment of time and effort.

The last European train that travels by sea is the Intercity Notte, which connects Milan to Sicily via a ferry crossing the Strait of Messina. This unique journey involves train carriages being transferred onto a ferry, allowing passengers to travel between the mainland and the island. However, this historic service is at risk due to plans for a €13.5 billion suspension bridge that could replace the ferry crossing.

The ferry trip is a cherished experience for many, offering a sense of community and connection, especially for Sicilians who rely on this route for travel and nostalgia. The crossing takes about 20 minutes and is marked by rituals like enjoying local arancini snacks.

Though supporters of the bridge see it as progress, critics worry it may divert resources from more pressing needs in southern Italy. There is uncertainty about whether the train-ferry service will remain if the bridge is built, but for now, it continues to offer a unique and poetic travel experience.

The article argues that measuring resource use through "material footprints" is ineffective because it treats different resources equally based solely on weight, without considering their environmental, scarcity, or socioeconomic impacts.

Key points include:

1. Definition of Material Footprint: It sums all resources used in an economy, including both renewable (like crops) and non-renewable resources (like metals), without accounting for their importance or impact.

2. Limitations of the Metric: The material footprint does not help identify risks of resource depletion, assess environmental damage from extraction, or understand social issues related to resource use. For example, comparing the weight of food to metals ignores the different impacts they have.

3. Dominant Resource Types: In the EU, over 70% of the material footprint comes from biomass (food and wood) and non-metallic minerals (like gravel). These resources, especially biomass, can be managed sustainably but still have environmental impacts.

4. Sectoral Contributions: Housing and food account for most of the EU's material footprint, raising questions about the effectiveness of targeting these sectors for reducing overall resource use.

5. Consumer Goods Misconceptions: Items often seen as overconsumed, like clothing and electronics, contribute very little to the total material footprint, leading to misleading conclusions about consumer behavior.

6. Need for Better Metrics: The article advocates for using more specific metrics that accurately reflect the environmental and social impacts of resource use instead of a broad material footprint measure.

In summary, while resource use is important, the material footprint fails to provide a clear understanding of the real challenges we face regarding sustainability and resource management.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Token-Oriented Object Notation (TOON) Summary

TOON is a new format for representing structured data, designed to be compact and easy to read. It combines features from YAML and CSV to reduce token usage when working with Large Language Models (LLMs).

Key Points:

• Efficiency: TOON can save 30-60% of tokens compared to traditional JSON, which is beneficial since tokens cost money in LLMs.
• Format:
  • Uses indentation (like YAML) for nested structures.
  • Adopts a tabular format (like CSV) for uniform data, allowing for easier data representation.
  • Eliminates unnecessary punctuation and uses whitespace for better readability.

Example:

A JSON representation of user data:

{
  "users": [
    { "id": 1, "name": "Alice", "role": "admin" },
    { "id": 2, "name": "Bob", "role": "user" }
  ]
}

Would be represented in TOON as:

users[2]{id,name,role}:
  1,Alice,admin
  2,Bob,user

Benefits:

• Token Savings: Significant reductions in token count for various datasets.
• Readability: Simple syntax and structured format enhance clarity.
• Performance: Maintains high accuracy when retrieving data with LLMs, often outperforming JSON and XML.

Installation:

TOON can be installed via npm or yarn:

npm install @byjohann/toon
# or
yarn add @byjohann/toon

Usage:

To convert data to TOON format, you can use the encode function:

import { encode } from '@byjohann/toon';
const data = { user: { id: 123, name: 'Ada' } };
console.log(encode(data));

Conclusion:

TOON is ideal for efficiently transmitting structured data to LLMs, particularly in contexts that require both human readability and token economy. It is not meant to replace JSON for APIs or data storage but serves as a specialized format for specific LLM applications.

You can provide feedback to me on X @0xkato.

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Pico-Banana-400K Overview:

Pico-Banana-400K is a large dataset designed to improve text-guided image editing, containing about 400,000 sets of text-image-edit examples. Each set includes:

• An original image from Open Images
• An edit instruction written in natural language
• The edited image generated by the Nano-Banana model and assessed for quality by Gemini-2.5-Pro.

Key Features:

• Total Samples: Approximately 257,000 single-turn edits, 56,000 preference learning cases, and 72,000 multi-turn edits.
• Edit Types: Covers 35 operations across 8 categories, including color changes, object modifications, and stylistic adjustments.
• Image Resolution: Ranges from 512 to 1024 pixels.
• Quality Evaluation: Edits are automatically evaluated for quality using a structured scoring system.

Dataset Structure:

• Categories: Various edits include object-level changes, scene compositions, human-centric edits, stylistic transformations, and text modifications.
• Quality Control: Successful edits must score above a threshold; unsuccessful ones are kept for learning purposes.

Applications: Pico-Banana-400K can be used for single-step and multi-turn editing tasks, enhancing the development of controllable and instruction-aware image editing models.

Accessing the Dataset: The dataset is available for download, with specific instructions provided for accessing different components. It is free for non-commercial research use under a Creative Commons license.

Citation: If used in research, the dataset should be cited accordingly.

No summary available.

A recent test of Russia's nuclear-powered cruise missile, Burevestnik, was reported to have successfully flown 14,000 km for about 15 hours, according to military officials. This test took place on October 21, and while specific details about the launch location were not disclosed, it is believed to have occurred near Novaya Zemlya, where military activity has increased.

Despite concerns about radiation, Norway's monitoring stations have not detected any unusual levels of radiation following the test. However, experts noted that it could take time for any potential radioactive release to reach Norway.

The Burevestnik missile is notable for its ability to maneuver mid-flight and could be classified as either a tactical or strategic nuclear weapon due to its long range. Russian officials are considering how to integrate this weapon into their military infrastructure.

In the past, testing of the Burevestnik has been associated with safety risks, including possible radioactive emissions from its open-air cooling system. The missile has a troubled testing history, with previous incidents raising safety concerns.

No information has been provided about where the missile may have crashed after its flight, but recovery efforts are likely ongoing in the region.

The author shares their unique approach to validating ideas by pitching them to strangers at bars. They recount an experience where they were inspired by a designer who sought feedback on his work, which led the author to test their own idea for a project called "Talking with Strangers." This project allows users to call a hotline and connect with random members for conversation.

When pitching the idea to a group at the bar, the initial reactions were negative, with concerns about potential creepy behavior. Taking this feedback seriously, the author brainstormed ways to improve the concept, including setting house rules and implementing a reporting system to ensure respectful interactions.

After refining the idea, they pitched it again to a different group, receiving a much better response. The author emphasizes that this technique of gathering feedback is similar to focus groups used by big companies but is free and provides quicker insights. They encourage others to try pitching their ideas at bars but advise against getting too drunk to remember the feedback.

Summary of LaserTweezer – Optical Trap

Optical Tweezers are tools that use laser beams to manipulate tiny objects like plastic beads or cells. The laser focuses on these particles, pulling them toward the center of the beam, which allows scientists to control and study them. The force on the particles works similarly to a spring, enabling accurate measurements.

A typical optical tweezer setup is expensive and complex, involving microscopes and special filters. However, a new DIY version can be made using recycled parts from consumer electronics, costing under $100 and weighing less than 500g. This setup is based on a study that utilized a DVD optical pickup, which includes a powerful laser and focusing lens.

In the DIY version, a USB webcam replaces the microscope, capturing images of the sample. A rotating filter prevents the camera from being overexposed by the laser. The setup allows for effective manipulation of small beads, providing high-quality images at about 400x magnification. The system uses simple white LEDs for illumination and can control the laser intensity for better visibility while working with samples suspended in water.

This innovative approach makes optical tweezers more accessible for experimentation and research.

The speaker uses Gemini for speech-to-text but finds that it frequently misinterprets company names and acronyms. They want to know if there’s a way to use a custom vocabulary with Gemini to enhance accuracy. If that’s not possible, they’re looking for practical solutions, such as adjusting prompts, fine-tuning, or using Gemini alongside another system that allows for better phrase recognition.

SETL (SET Language) is a high-level programming language developed in the late 1960s at New York University. It was created by a team including Jacob T. Schwartz and is based on set theory.

Key Features:

• Data Types: It has two main types: sets (unordered collections) and tuples (ordered lists). Both can contain any type of elements, including other sets and tuples.
• Operations: SETL supports operations like checking membership, unions, intersections, and creating power sets.
• Logic: It incorporates quantified boolean expressions, allowing for complex logical statements.
• Loops: It provides iterators for looping through data structures.

Examples:

• A code snippet to print prime numbers demonstrates its syntax similar to list comprehension.
• A factorial procedure showcases its recursive capabilities.

SETL has influenced other languages, such as ABC (which inspired Python) and has variants like SETL2 and ISETL. It was also used in early implementations of the Ada programming language.

Overall, SETL is notable for its mathematical foundations and its role in the development of programming languages.

Summary: WebDAV Isn't Dead Yet

The author argues that WebDAV is still relevant despite the dominance of Amazon S3 for file storage. While FTP and SFTP have limitations, many users working on personal projects or self-hosting don't need the complexities of S3. They require basic functionalities like authentication, file writing, and efficient syncing without public access by default.

WebDAV is supported by various tools and platforms, including MacOS Finder, Windows Explorer, and popular file management software. Many web servers, like Apache and Nginx, can easily integrate WebDAV.

The author shares their setup using Apache with LDAP authentication, emphasizing that WebDAV can provide a secure and manageable solution for file storage. They also mention using WebDAV for applications like Joplin and Keepassium.

In conclusion, the author encourages readers to reconsider WebDAV for their file storage needs, asserting that it remains a viable option.

No summary available.

The article discusses how artificial intelligence (AI) and machine translation are negatively impacting Wikipedia's editions in vulnerable languages, particularly focusing on the Greenlandic version.

Key points include:

1. Low-Quality Contributions: Kenneth Wehr, who manages the Greenlandic Wikipedia, found that most articles were written by non-speakers using machine translation, resulting in many inaccuracies and nonsensical content.

2. Widespread Issue: This problem is not unique to Greenlandic; many small language editions of Wikipedia are filled with poorly translated articles. For instance, articles in some African languages show that 40% to 60% are uncorrected machine translations.

3. AI’s Role: AI models learn languages by scraping data from the internet, often using Wikipedia as a primary source. If Wikipedia has many errors, these mistakes become part of AI training data, perpetuating a cycle of poor translations.

4. Impact on Language Preservation: Poorly translated Wikipedia pages can harm the future of vulnerable languages, as they may deter speakers from using and preserving their language.

5. Community Responsibility: The article emphasizes that Wikipedia relies on active communities to maintain quality. However, many smaller language editions lack sufficient contributors to correct errors.

6. Consequences of Inaccuracies: Errors in machine translations can lead to misunderstandings and misinformation, especially for speakers relying on accurate information for education and cultural preservation.

7. Hope for Better Practices: Some communities, like the Inari Saami, have successfully used Wikipedia to promote their language through careful contributions, suggesting that with quality input, it’s possible to improve the situation.

In conclusion, the article highlights a critical issue where AI and machine translation threaten the integrity of Wikipedia in lesser-used languages, posing a risk to their survival and suggesting that without active community involvement, these languages may face significant challenges.

Summary of Mistakes in Code Reviews

In recent years, code reviews have become increasingly important, especially with the rise of AI-generated code. However, many engineers are making mistakes during these reviews. Here are the key points to improve the code review process:

1. Understand the Whole System: Instead of just looking at the "diff" (the changes made), reviewers should consider how the changes fit into the entire codebase. This broader perspective can lead to more valuable feedback, like pointing out existing methods or suggesting better file organization.

2. Limit Comments: A good code review should ideally have only five or six comments. Too many comments can overwhelm the author and obscure the important feedback. Instead of noting every small issue, reviewers should group related comments to simplify the discussion.

3. Avoid Personal Preferences: Reviewers should not impose their personal coding style on others. It's crucial to recognize that different approaches can be valid, and comments should focus on whether the code works rather than whether it matches the reviewer’s style.

4. Clarify Review Status: The review status (approval, comments, or blocking) is crucial. If there are significant issues, a reviewer should leave a blocking review rather than just listing comments. This clarity helps avoid confusion about whether the changes can be merged.

5. Encourage Approvals: Most code changes should be approved if they don't have serious problems. Excessive blocking reviews can signal underlying issues in the team dynamic or project management.

In conclusion, effective code reviews should focus on understanding the codebase, providing concise and thoughtful feedback, respecting different coding styles, clearly communicating the review status, and promoting a culture of approval when appropriate.

This article discusses various methods for "stack walking" in C++ exception handling and their impact on memory usage when building LLVM executables on Linux platforms. Here are the main points simplified:

1. Stack Walking Methods:

   • Frame Pointers: Fast but uses a register.
   • DWARF .eh_frame: Comprehensive and supports C++ exceptions, but slower.
   • SFrame: A new format aimed at profiling, requires less runtime overhead but is larger in size.
   • Last Branch Record (LBR): Hardware-supported method for tracking the last branches executed.
   • Apple’s and OpenVMS’s Compact Unwinding Formats: Alternatives that can replace DWARF.

2. Space Overhead:

   • Enabling frame pointers can make binaries smaller in some scenarios, particularly when there are many local variable accesses.
   • Different configurations can either reserve frame pointers or omit them for leaf functions, affecting size and performance.

3. SFrame vs. .eh_frame:

   • SFrame uses more space compared to the combined size of .eh_frame and its header.
   • SFrame may be less viable due to this overhead and needs improvements to match existing efficient options.

4. Compiler Differences:

   • The article notes differences in how Clang and GCC handle frame pointers and suggests that GCC's frame pointer generation might not be as optimized as its default behavior.

5. Future Work:

   • Additional runtime performance analysis is planned to further evaluate the trade-offs of these stack walking mechanisms.

6. Conclusion:

   • While SFrame is promising, it currently has significant size overhead and lacks advantages over methods like frame pointers. Improvements are needed to make it a viable alternative for user-space programs.

Overall, the article highlights the complexity of choosing the right stack walking mechanism based on the trade-offs between runtime performance and memory usage.

Summary of "The Intersection of Security and Reliability"

The text discusses the challenges of balancing security and reliability in system design, illustrated by an incident at Google in 2012 involving a password manager that failed due to unexpected traffic. This incident highlighted how reliability issues can arise from poor system design, and how security measures can complicate recovery efforts.

Key Points:

1. The Google Incident: A simple announcement about a WiFi password change led to overwhelming traffic that caused Google's password manager to fail. The recovery process was delayed due to security protocols requiring a special card stored in safes, which were inaccessible at the time. Ultimately, the team used a power drill to open a safe, only to discover a simple mistake in the card's orientation was the real issue.

2. Reliability vs. Security:

   • Reliability focuses on preventing failures due to non-malicious issues (like software bugs), while security involves protecting against intentional attacks.
   • Systems often fail in ways that are safe for users, but these designs can create security vulnerabilities.

3. Design Considerations: When designing systems, it's essential to account for both reliability and security, as they can conflict. For example, adding redundancy for reliability can increase the attack surface for security.

4. CIA Triad: Both reliability and security are concerned with the confidentiality, integrity, and availability of data, but they approach these concepts differently. Reliability ensures data isn't accidentally leaked or lost, while security protects against malicious threats.

5. Importance of Simplicity: Simple designs are easier to manage and understand, improving both reliability and security. Complexity can introduce unforeseen issues that affect system performance.

6. Crisis Management: Effective incident response requires preparation and clear protocols. Google uses a structured program for incident management to ensure quick and organized responses to crises.

7. Recovery Strategies: Quick recovery from failures can introduce new problems, so a balance must be struck between speed and thoroughness in applying fixes.

8. Conclusion: Security and reliability are critical to trustworthy systems. Organizations should prioritize these aspects from the design phase and maintain them throughout the system's lifecycle to avoid costly failures later.

The text emphasizes that understanding the interplay between security and reliability is essential for developing resilient systems that can withstand both accidental failures and malicious attacks.

Summary of Libera.Chat Update (25th October 2025)

Libera.Chat thanks its supporters for their increased donations, which have significantly boosted their funding. They received legal advice stating that they likely do not have enough ties to the UK for the Online Safety Act (OSA) to apply to them. The legal team believes the risk of enforcement action is low, and they will continue to monitor their UK user base while maintaining a safe environment on their platform.

Libera.Chat is based in Sweden and does not rely on UK payment services. Some online communities are blocking UK users to avoid UK regulations, which they feel is unfair to those individuals. The OSA targets online services with links to the UK, and while Libera.Chat is considered a regulated service, it does not meet the criteria for having significant ties to the UK.

They plan to finalize a risk assessment statement for Ofcom, should they be contacted regarding the OSA. Currently, Ofcom's focus seems to be on services more likely to be involved in harmful content, and they would likely reach out to Libera.Chat before taking any action.

Libera.Chat has no plans to require user identification for privacy reasons, and they will resist any future legislation that threatens user privacy. They encourage public opposition to such regulations to protect the free internet.

The article discusses the impact of the new iOS 26 update on the shutdown.log file, which has been crucial for detecting spyware infections like Pegasus and Predator.

Key points include:

1. Shutdown.log Importance: This file helps forensic investigators identify malware infections on iOS devices by recording activities during shutdown.

2. Spyware Evolution: Over the years, Pegasus has adapted its tactics to erase evidence from the shutdown.log file. However, some signs of infection may still be present.

3. iOS 26 Changes: With the release of iOS 26, Apple changed how the shutdown.log functions, causing it to overwrite previous data on each reboot. This means any evidence of past infections could be lost after updating.

4. Advice for Users: Before updating to iOS 26, users should save a copy of their current shutdown.log to preserve any potential evidence of malware. It may be wise to delay the update until Apple addresses this issue.

The article highlights the ongoing challenge of detecting sophisticated spyware as technology evolves.

I created a web app called ShadcnThemer.com for designing and sharing themes for shadcn/ui. It uses technologies like Next.js 15, Tailwind CSS 4, Drizzle ORM, and Supabase. The app allows users to easily create color themes, see live previews, and export them directly into their projects as CSS or via a command line tool. I had some prior experience from building a Theme Studio for VS Code, and I enjoyed using this modern tech stack with assistance from Cursor. You can check out the project on GitHub.

I created a simple website for my 6-year-old daughter to learn how to move chess pieces without all the complex rules. A friend later suggested a great resource called lichess.org, which has many adjustable settings for different difficulty levels. Overall, my website might be a fun and brief way to practice chess.

Chinese scientists have introduced a new AI computer called the BIE-1, which is the size of a mini fridge but performs like a supercomputer. It uses 90% less power than traditional systems, making it energy-efficient and quiet. This device is designed for easy use in homes, small offices, and mobile settings. The BIE-1 employs advanced neural network technology to achieve high training and inference speeds. It was developed by the Guangdong Institute of Intelligence Science and Technology in collaboration with two tech companies.

Summary of "Living Dangerously with Claude"

On October 22, 2025, I spoke at a coding enthusiast meetup in San Francisco about the benefits and risks of using coding agents like Claude Code.

Key Points:

1. YOLO Mode: I highlighted a feature called "--dangerously-skip-permissions," or "YOLO mode," which allows Claude Code to operate with fewer restrictions. This mode enables users to tackle complex tasks while multitasking, making it feel like a different product compared to the standard mode.

2. Project Examples: In the last 48 hours, I completed three interesting projects using YOLO mode, including:

   • Setting up DeepSeek-OCR on an NVIDIA Spark, allowing me to work on other things while it ran.
   • Creating a demo for running server-side Python in WebAssembly.
   • Developing a web-based version of SLOCCount without directly running Perl.

3. Risks of YOLO Mode: Despite its advantages, using YOLO mode poses risks, primarily due to "prompt injection" attacks. These occur when untrusted content can manipulate the coding agent to leak private data.

4. Prompt Injection Vulnerability: If someone can insert harmful tokens into the system, they can potentially control the agent’s actions, including accessing private data.

5. Sandboxing as a Solution: The best way to mitigate these risks is to run coding agents in a controlled environment, or sandbox. This limits the data and network access, reducing the chance of data leaks.

6. New Sandboxing Features: Claude Code recently introduced sandboxing features that can restrict file and network access, although the technology used for this is somewhat outdated.

In conclusion, while using coding agents can be highly productive, it’s essential to take precautions by using them in a sandboxed environment to protect sensitive information.

The article discusses what happens in a Linux operating system from the moment a program is requested to run until the main function of that program is executed. Here are the key points:

1. Starting a Program: The process begins with the execve system call, which takes the executable's filename, arguments, and environment variables. This call tells the kernel to load and execute the program.

2. Executable Format: Linux uses the ELF (Executable and Linkable Format) for executable files. The ELF header provides essential information about the file structure, including magic bytes, entry point address, and section sizes.

3. Program Sections: ELF files contain various sections such as .text for code, .data for variables, and .bss for uninitialized data. The kernel loads these sections into memory.

4. Dynamic Linking: The Procedure Linkage Table (PLT) allows programs to call functions from shared libraries without including them in the executable. The ELF file specifies which libraries to load.

5. Setting Up the Stack: The kernel sets up the stack for the program, which holds function arguments and local variables. It also includes an auxiliary vector with system information.

6. Entry Point: The entry point is where the execution starts, typically inside a function called _start. This function prepares the environment before calling the user-defined main function.

7. Language-Specific Runtimes: Each programming language may have its own runtime initialization before reaching the main function. For example, Rust and C have their own _start implementations.

Overall, the article provides an overview of the complex steps involved in launching a program in Linux, emphasizing the significance of ELF files and stack setup.

Summary of Torchcomms

Introduction: Torchcomms is a new, lightweight communication API designed for PyTorch Distributed (PTD). It includes a backend called NCCLX that can scale to over 100,000 GPUs. This initial release provides essential APIs for large-scale model training, aiming to enhance performance and reliability in distributed training. Over the next year, more features will be added to facilitate research and development in AI systems. The API is being developed openly, allowing community feedback and potential changes as it evolves.

Project Goals: The main goals of Torchcomms include:

• Fast Prototyping: Allowing researchers to experiment with communication methods without affecting existing functions.
• Scaling Resources: Managing communication resources effectively for training across many GPUs.
• Supporting Various Hardware: Enabling use across different hardware types and vendors within the same training job.
• Fault Tolerance: Introducing robust error recovery mechanisms for reliable training.
• One-Sided Communication: Supporting efficient message passing for various applications.
• Device-Centric APIs: Improving performance by integrating communication directly with the hardware.

New API Justification: A new API is necessary to implement innovative features not available in current libraries. Torchcomms aims to innovate without being limited by old interfaces, which may lead to breaking changes during its early development. Eventually, it will replace the old c10d APIs in PyTorch.

Quickstart and Basic Usage: Torchcomms can be easily installed and used. It provides a simple wrapper around backend methods, allowing users to initialize communicators and perform operations like reductions on tensors.

Backends:

• NCCLX: A production-tested backend for large-scale training, optimized for performance.
• RCCL: A native backend allowing support for multi-vendor GPU configurations.
• Gloo: A backend that supports CPU metadata transfer and new features for scaling.

New Features:

• Collective Semantics: Enhancements to make APIs more intuitive and flexible.
• Window APIs: For dynamic memory operations, improving asynchronous communication.
• Transport APIs: Direct point-to-point communication capabilities.
• Fault Tolerance APIs: For creating robust collective operations that can recover from errors.

Extensibility: Torchcomms allows the creation of custom backends, enabling developers to build and integrate new communication methods easily.

Next Steps: Torchcomms is still being developed and aims to stabilize its features and expand hardware support. Community involvement is encouraged for feedback and contributions.

Acknowledgments: Special thanks were given to the team members at Meta who contributed to the development of Torchcomms.

For more information and documentation, visit: Torchcomms Documentation

No summary available.