The text compares conventional graphs with fuzzy graphs for various equations. Here are the key points:

1. Equations and Graphs:

   • Several mathematical equations are presented, including expressions like ( \frac{y}{x^2+y^2} = \frac{x+1}{x^2+y^2} ) and ( x^2 + y^2 = 0 ).
   • Both conventional and fuzzy versions of these equations are mentioned, indicating that there are two interpretations or visualizations of the same mathematical relationships.

2. Types of Graphs:

   • The graphs include various forms such as:
     • Linear combinations of ( x ) and ( y ) (e.g., ( (y-x)(y+x)=0 )).
     • Trigonometric functions (e.g., ( y = 4 \sin(x) + \sin(2.7y) )).

3. Purpose:

   • The distinction between conventional and fuzzy graphs likely highlights different approaches to visualizing or interpreting the equations, though the exact differences are not detailed in the text.

Overall, the text focuses on comparing the conventional and fuzzy representations of mathematical graphs for different equations.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Summary:

XDP (eXpress Data Path) is a powerful packet processing framework in Linux that typically only handles incoming (ingress) traffic. A team at Loophole Labs discovered a way to utilize XDP for outgoing (egress) traffic by using Virtual Ethernet (veth) interfaces, significantly improving performance to 10 times better than existing solutions without modifying the Linux kernel.

Key Points:

1. Performance Needs: Loophole Labs focuses on live migrating workloads efficiently, requiring high-speed packet processing (line-rate) across clouds.

2. XDP's Limitation: XDP traditionally only processes incoming packets, which poses a challenge for egress traffic generated by workloads on the same compute nodes.

3. Traffic Control (TC) Issues: While TC can manage both ingress and egress, it is slower, processing packets later in the network stack and suffering from performance bottlenecks.

4. Innovative Solution: By using veth interfaces, packets sent out are treated as incoming on the other end, allowing XDP to process them and ensuring high performance with zero-copy processing.

5. Implementation Challenges: Bypassing the kernel means the XDP program must handle routing, checksumming, and ARP resolution, which requires careful management.

6. Benchmark Results: Testing showed that using XDP on veth interfaces achieved nearly line-rate speeds, outperforming traditional methods like iptables and TC.

7. Future Development: Loophole Labs plans to create a Docker network plugin that leverages this technique to enhance container networking without requiring infrastructure changes.

8. Broader Impact: This discovery not only aids in live migrations but also has the potential to optimize container networking, reducing CPU usage and improving throughput.

In conclusion, Loophole Labs' innovation allows for efficient processing of egress traffic using XDP, promising significant enhancements in network performance for containerized applications.

Summary of "A p2p Vision for QUIC"

This article discusses how the QUIC protocol can improve peer-to-peer (p2p) networking, especially for connections between devices behind Network Address Translators (NATs). Here are the key points simplified:

1. NAT Basics: NATs allow multiple devices on a local network to share a single public IP address but restrict incoming connections. This creates challenges for direct p2p communication.

2. Traditional Methods:

   • STUN: Used to discover a device's public IP by sending requests to a STUN server. This helps determine if a device is behind a NAT.
   • ICE: Facilitates “hole punching” by having both peers send packets simultaneously, allowing them to establish direct connections if successful.
   • TURN: Acts as a relay server when hole punching fails, but this can slow down connections and incur costs.

3. QUIC's Advantages:

   • Connection Migration: QUIC allows connections to switch between different IP addresses and ports without losing connection state, which is useful for mobile devices.
   • Address Discovery: A new draft proposes that QUIC can help devices discover their public addresses directly during a connection, eliminating the need for separate STUN servers.

4. Hole Punching Coordination: The proposed method allows peers to coordinate hole punching attempts through QUIC, simplifying the process and making it more efficient.

5. UDP Proxying: QUIC can also proxy UDP packets through HTTP, enabling communication even when direct p2p connections are not possible.

6. Future Directions: The article mentions ongoing developments in QUIC, such as multipath extensions, which would allow multiple simultaneous connections for improved performance.

7. Implementation Status: While the ideas presented have not yet been fully implemented in production, various drafts are being developed and have gained traction in the IETF standards process.

In summary, the authors propose leveraging QUIC to enhance p2p communication by simplifying NAT traversal and improving connection efficiency.

The author, Mr. TIFF, has dedicated over 10,000 hours to accurately credit the inventors of hardware and software in his books. He emphasizes the importance of interviewing multiple sources to verify facts about historical inventions. Specifically, he discusses the development of the AIFF audio standard by Steve Milne and Mark Lentczner at Apple, which helped shape QuickTime and video formats.

While researching the TIFF image format, he struggled to find its creator, initially only linking it to Aldus, a company known for desktop publishing. After extensive searching, he discovered that the creator was Stephen Carlsen, whose contributions were obscured due to misspellings in historical records. After a long search, the author finally contacted Carlsen, who confirmed his role in developing the TIFF standard.

Sadly, shortly after their correspondence, Carlsen passed away. The author reflects on the worth of his research upon receiving news of Carlsen's death, realizing that his work helped acknowledge Carlsen's contributions. The author updated the Wikipedia page for TIFF to credit Stephen Carlsen as its creator, marking the importance of recognizing individuals behind significant technological advancements.

Apple's recent beta release of iOS 26.2 will allow users in Japan to install third-party app stores on their iPhones, starting in December. This change is in response to new Japanese laws aimed at reducing the power of major tech companies like Apple. Currently, only users in the EU can access alternative app stores, but Japan's new legislation requires Apple to enable this feature as well.

The Japanese Fair Trade Commission has also set guidelines to prevent companies like Apple and Google from blocking alternative app stores and payment systems. These guidelines will take effect by December 18, 2025. Epic Games plans to launch Fortnite and its game store on iOS in Japan by late 2025.

Summary:

The research paper titled "Learning from Failure to Tackle Extremely Hard Problems," authored by Sangyun Lee and Giulia Fanti from CMU ECE, addresses challenges in machine learning when dealing with very difficult problems like drug discovery and theorem proving. The authors introduce an algorithm called BaNEL (Bayesian Negative Evidence Learning) that focuses on learning from failed attempts instead of relying on positive examples, which are often scarce.

Key points include:

1. Challenges in Machine Learning:

   • Sparsity: Generative models often receive near-zero reward signals, making it hard to learn effectively.
   • Costly Evaluations: Evaluating the quality of solutions can be expensive and risky, such as needing clinical trials for medical solutions.

2. BaNEL Approach:

   • BaNEL learns solely from negative rewards (failed attempts) while minimizing the number of reward evaluations needed.
   • It models the patterns of failures to improve future attempts, akin to how human scientists learn from mistakes.

3. Methodology:

   • BaNEL uses a separate generative model trained on negative examples to identify similarities in failures.
   • It employs Bayesian updates to refine the learning process, progressively concentrating on more promising solutions.

4. Experimental Results:

   • In tests, BaNEL significantly improved success rates in adversarial attacks and reasoning tasks compared to traditional methods, showcasing its effectiveness in exploring hard problems.

5. Conclusion:

   • By leveraging failures, BaNEL opens new possibilities in generative modeling, suggesting that learning from mistakes can lead to better outcomes in complex scenarios.

Overall, the research emphasizes the importance of learning from failures in advancing the capabilities of machine learning models.

Summary of SPy Overview

SPy is a project aimed at creating a new programming language that is a statically typed variant of Python, focusing on performance improvements. It is not intended to be a complete Python compiler, as it will not support all Python features, and SPy code will be saved in files with a .spy extension.

Key Points:

1. Purpose: SPy seeks to optimize Python's performance by removing dynamic features that slow it down while allowing for a Python-like experience.

2. Integration: SPy will support importing Python libraries and modules, though this feature is still under development. Currently, SPy can generate extensions for CPython.

3. Performance Goals: SPy aims to be 10 to 100 times faster than CPython, addressing inherent performance issues found in Python.

4. Dynamic Features: SPy will limit Python's dynamic capabilities but will allow some dynamic programming through an opt-in system, maintaining a balance between performance and usability.

5. Type System: SPy enforces static typing, ensuring type errors are caught at runtime. This differs from Python's current type system, which is less reliable.

6. Design Principles: SPy is designed to be easy to use, provide predictable performance, support metaprogramming, and maintain a rich set of features without incurring extra runtime costs.

7. Redshifting Concept: SPy introduces a method where expressions are categorized as either "blue" (evaluated at compile time) or "red" (evaluated at runtime), optimizing performance by evaluating as much as possible during compilation.

8. Future Development: The project is still in early stages, with ongoing work to implement and refine its features. The community is encouraged to participate in its development.

Overall, SPy aims to combine the ease and expressiveness of Python with the performance of more low-level languages, making it an interesting new tool for developers.

The author reflects on their family's long-time use of a TUI (Text User Interface) application for business operations, which has been in place since 1993. This system manages important tasks like customer management, ordering, and invoicing. Although they have upgraded from old terminals to modern emulators, the core application remains unchanged.

The author, who originally worked with this system and later became a software engineer, returned to help modernize some old automation scripts using Python. They express a fondness for the TUI application, noting its efficiency and the challenges of training new employees to use it.

They wonder if other businesses still rely on TUI applications like theirs, or if they would have switched to modern systems without the author's past improvements. The author is interested in hearing from others who might still use TUI systems or who are transitioning their old automation scripts to newer frameworks.

Lastly, they mention that the TUI system is now owned by Epicor, having been sold under different names over the years.

The text discusses a project called chemparse in Python, which helps convert chemical formulas into dictionaries that show the quantity of each element. It can handle various formula types like simple formulas (e.g., "H2O"), fractional compositions (e.g., "C1.5O3"), and complex nested structures (e.g., "K4[Fe(SCN)6]").

The author aims to create a similar parsing tool using the Factor programming language, leveraging EBNF (Extended Backus-Naur Form) to define a grammar for parsing. The parsing process is broken down into steps where symbols, numbers, and pairs are defined. It includes functions to split formulas and flatten the parsed results into a more usable format.

The text concludes with examples of unit tests to verify that the parsing works correctly for various chemical formulas. The project is also available on GitHub.

No summary available.

Woz, a company in San Francisco, is offering a unique job opportunity as a Founder in Residence. They have created the first AI App Factory, which can develop high-quality mobile apps quickly. This role allows aspiring founders to create real app businesses with full access to Woz's platform, a salary, a marketing budget, and a share of the revenue they generate.

They are looking for candidates who:

• Are technical builders with problem-solving skills (experience with React Native and TypeScript is a plus).
• Have previously launched products or businesses.
• Understand marketing and growth strategies, especially creative or viral marketing.
• Are eager to learn and work in-person in San Francisco for at least the first three months.

Interested candidates can apply through the provided link.

Andrea Gallo is the CEO of RISC-V International, where he previously served as Vice President of Technology. He has over ten years of experience at Linaro, focusing on various technology sectors.

RISC-V is an open industry standard, similar to USB or Wi-Fi, allowing engineers worldwide to design products using its publicly available specifications. Decisions about the standard are made collectively by RISC-V International and its members, ensuring transparency and continuity in updates.

Recently, RISC-V International was recognized as a PAS (Publicly Available Specification) Submitter by the ISO/IEC Joint Technical Committee (JTC 1), enabling it to propose its specifications, like the RISC-V Instruction Set Manual, for international standardization. This recognition is significant because international standards help ensure compatibility between products from different manufacturers.

Achieving this status required RISC-V to prove its organizational alignment with JTC 1’s standards. The process has strengthened RISC-V International’s collaborative network and its commitment to openness and regulation.

Establishing the RISC-V Instruction Set Architecture (ISA) as an international standard is crucial for wider acceptance and market access. It will distinguish compliant products and has the potential to foster further innovations as RISC-V continues to evolve.

In summary, RISC-V is paving the way to become the first international standard ISA, enhancing global collaboration and trust in open computing technology.

No summary available.

This is a blog by David Turner. It features various recent posts, including topics such as:

• Blue Prince (1989)
• Responses to a comment on Hacker News about mistakes
• Mistakes he made and one he avoided
• Creating a game with the Real Engine
• Updates and design for "Middles," a daily word game
• A puzzle review from "Quern: Undying Thoughts"
• A post titled "Turds"
• A development journal for his new indie game "Deco Deck"
• Uncommon game mechanics

These posts cover games, personal experiences, and game development insights.

Summary:

Hypothesis is a Python library for property-based testing. It allows you to write tests that should pass for all possible inputs you define, while it randomly selects inputs to test, including edge cases. For example, you can test a sorting function with randomly generated lists of numbers.

To get started, new users should begin with the tutorial or the quickstart guide. Additional resources include practical how-to guides, explanations for deeper understanding, and a technical API reference.

Summary of TUI for Managing Bluetooth on Linux

Prerequisites:

• You need a Linux OS with BlueZ installed.
• Consider installing Nerd Fonts for proper icon display.

Installation Options:

1. Binary Release: Download pre-built binaries from the release page.
2. From crates.io: Use the command cargo install bluetui.
3. Arch Linux: Install using pacman -S bluetui.
4. Gentoo: Enable the lamdness overlay and install with:

   sudo eselect repository enable lamdness
   sudo emaint -r lamdness sync
   sudo emerge -av net-wireless/bluetui
   

5. X-CMD Users: Run x install bluetui.
6. Build from Source: Clone the GitHub repository and build:

   git clone https://github.com/pythops/bluetui
   cd bluetui
   cargo build --release
   

   The executable will be in target/release/bluetui.

Usage:

• Global Controls:

  • Tab: Switch sections.
  • j/Down: Scroll down.
  • k/Up: Scroll up.
  • s: Start/Stop scanning.
  • ?: Show help.
  • esc: Close help pop-up.
  • ctrl+c/q: Quit.

• Adapter Controls:

  • p: Enable/Disable pairing.
  • o: Power on/off adapter.
  • d: Enable/Disable discovery.

• Paired Devices:

  • u: Unpair device.
  • Space/Enter: Connect/Disconnect.
  • t: Trust/Untrust device.
  • e: Rename device.

• New Devices:

  • Space/Enter: Pair device.

Custom Keybindings:

• Customize keybindings in $HOME/.config/bluetui/config.toml.

License: GPLv3

Credits: Logo by Marco Bulgarelli.

ASUS has announced the ProArt Display 8K PA32KCX, the world's first 8K HDR mini LED professional monitor, set to be available in October 2025. Key features include:

• High-Quality Display: It has a resolution of 7680 x 4320 pixels, with 4032-zone local dimming and a peak brightness of 1200 nits, ensuring sharp and vivid visuals ideal for content creators.

• Color Accuracy: The monitor offers 95% Adobe RGB and 97% DCI-P3 color coverage, achieving factory calibration with a Delta E<1 color accuracy. It supports various HDR formats, including Dolby Vision and HDR10.

• Calibration Features: A built-in motorized colorimeter allows for easy self-calibration, and ASUS ProArt Calibration software helps maintain color accuracy over time.

• Connectivity and Workflow: It includes dual Thunderbolt 4 ports and a built-in Auto KVM feature for seamless switching between devices. The monitor also supports Picture-by-Picture and Picture-in-Picture modes.

• Ergonomic Design: The stand offers multiple adjustments for comfort, and a wraparound hood helps reduce screen glare.

Additionally, buyers in select regions will receive a three-month subscription to Adobe Creative Cloud with their purchase.

Kosmos is an AI scientist designed to enhance data-driven scientific discovery by automating the processes of data analysis, literature searching, and hypothesis generation. It can run for up to 12 hours, performing these tasks in cycles to create scientific reports. Unlike previous AI systems, Kosmos uses a structured world model that allows it to effectively share information between its different agents, enabling it to work coherently across multiple tasks.

During its operation, Kosmos can execute about 42,000 lines of code and read 1,500 research papers. It also ensures that all of its claims are backed by code or literature, making its reasoning clear and traceable. Independent evaluations show that 79.4% of its statements are accurate, and collaborators found that a single run of Kosmos can achieve what would take them six months of research. The number of significant findings generated increases with more cycles of operation.

Kosmos has made seven notable discoveries in various fields, including some that replicate existing research and others that introduce new insights to the scientific community.

Summary of Intervaltree in Rust

The Intervaltree crate provides an interval tree implementation in Rust that can be accessed in Python using PyO3. This allows users to create a tree from tuples of intervals, add new intervals, find overlapping intervals, and delete intervals.

Requirements:

• Rust toolchain for building the extension
• Python 3.8 or higher
• Maturin for installation

Quick Start:

1. Create a virtual environment:

   python -m venv .venv
   source .venv/bin/activate
   

2. Install Maturin:

   pip install maturin
   

3. Build and install the package:

   maturin develop
   

4. Alternatively, install the package directly:

   pip install intervaltree_rs
   

Usage Example: After installation, you can use the interval tree in Python:

from intervaltree_rs import IntervalTree

# Create an interval tree from tuples
intervals = [(5, 10, "a"), (12, 18, "b"), (1, 4, "c")]
tree = IntervalTree.from_tuples(intervals)

# Insert a new interval
tree.insert((8, 11, "d"))

# Search for overlapping intervals
hits = tree.search(9, 10)
for left, right, value in hits:
    print(left, right, value)

# Delete an interval
removed = tree.delete((12, 18))
print("Removed:", removed)

Search Options: You can customize the search to be inclusive or exclusive by using the inclusive flag.

Building a Distributable Wheel: To create a distributable package for PyPI, run:

maturin build --release

The wheels will be located in the target/wheels/ directory.

Running Tests: You can run tests for the Python bindings with:

cargo test

No summary available.

The speaker is concerned about the introduction of AI, specifically co-pilot features, in Excel. They stress that Excel is crucial for the economy and highlight the importance of mid-level employees like Brenda, who are skilled in using Excel. Brenda creates important financial reports, and if a higher-up relies on AI to make changes instead of going back to Brenda, it could lead to mistakes, as AI may misinterpret data. The speaker believes that while AI might seem smarter, it cannot match Brenda's expertise and understanding of Excel.

No summary available.

Summary: Moving Tables Across PostgreSQL Instances

When migrating tables from one PostgreSQL instance to another, using Google's Database Migration Service (DMS) is not an option if you only want to transfer specific tables. Instead, the process involves native logical replication, which is more complex but allows for greater flexibility.

Key Steps:

1. Grant Access: Ensure user accounts on both the source and destination instances have replication access.

2. Copy Schema: Use pg_dump to copy the schema of the tables, creating them without constraints and indexes for a quicker initial dump.

3. Logical Replication: This process has two modes:

   • Initial Dump: Copies data from the source to the destination.
   • CDC (Change Data Capture): Applies ongoing changes in real-time.

4. Create Publication and Subscription: Set up a publication on the source instance for the tables being migrated and a subscription on the destination instance to start the data transfer.

5. Monitor Replication: Use built-in PostgreSQL views to check the status of the data transfer and ensure it has switched to CDC mode.

6. Add Indexes and Foreign Keys: Once replication is active, create indexes and constraints based on the post-data dump.

7. Analyze Data: Run the ANALYZE command to help PostgreSQL optimize query performance on the new instance.

8. Switchover: Update sequences manually on the destination, stop writes to the source, and redirect all traffic to the destination instance. Using PgBouncer can help minimize downtime during this transition.

9. Cleanup: After confirming the migration is successful, drop the publication and subscription to clean up the setup.

By following these steps, you can effectively and efficiently move tables between PostgreSQL instances, ensuring minimal disruption to your services.

Lunchtime at Benjamin N. Cardozo High School in Queens has become much louder and more social since a smartphone ban was implemented. Students, like 15-year-old Jimena Garcia, enjoy playing games like Jenga instead of being glued to their phones. The ban encourages students to connect with each other and make new friendships, according to school president Alyssa Ko.

The ban applies to all internet-enabled devices, with some exceptions for specific needs. Schools have different ways to store phones, like magnetic pouches or lockers. Teachers report improvements in classroom engagement and student interactions, with many students reading more books. However, some students oppose the ban, feeling it restricts their freedom.

Despite occasional rule-breaking, such as sneaking in extra phones, students have found creative ways to communicate, like passing notes. The school is seeing a decline in phone distractions, leading to better focus and traffic flow in hallways. Overall, the ban is shifting the school environment towards more face-to-face interactions and analog activities.

Grayskull is a lightweight computer vision library designed for microcontrollers and other low-resource devices. It specializes in processing grayscale images and includes efficient algorithms that require minimal code (under 1 kilobyte). The library is written in pure C99 and has no dependencies or dynamic memory allocation.

Key Features:

• Image Operations: Copy, crop, resize, and downsample images.
• Filtering: Apply blur, detect edges, and perform different types of thresholding.
• Morphology: Perform erosion and dilation.
• Geometry: Analyze connected components and apply perspective warping.
• Feature Detection: Use FAST/ORB methods for object tracking and local binary patterns (LBP) for detecting faces and vehicles.
• Utilities: Read and write PGM image files.

The library is simple to use, with a single header file and straightforward functions. Users can allocate memory for image buffers as needed. An online demo is available for testing Grayskull in a browser.

Example Use: To use Grayskull, include the header file, read an image, apply a blur and threshold, and then write the result to a file.

License: Grayskull is licensed under the MIT License, allowing for free use in research and products.

GNOME Mutter has officially removed support for the X11 back-end, focusing exclusively on Wayland environments. This change was implemented following a merge request by Bilal Elmoussaoui, which was approved recently. The X11 support was already disabled by default in GNOME 49, and now it has been completely eliminated for GNOME 50. While GNOME 50 will continue to support XWayland for running X11 applications, it will only operate in Wayland desktop sessions moving forward.

The text is about a question regarding the SHFormatDateTime function and its use of an unaligned FILETIME. The date mentioned is November 3, 2025, and the author is Raymond Chen. The focus is on understanding why SHFormatDateTime requires this specific type of FILETIME.

Microsoft has acknowledged that it cannot guarantee the protection of European data from U.S. authorities. During a French Senate inquiry, Anton Carniaux, Microsoft's director of public and legal affairs in France, stated that he could not assure that French citizens' data would not be shared with U.S. officials without French permission. He mentioned that while Microsoft resists unwarranted requests from the U.S., the Cloud Act allows U.S. companies to be compelled to provide data regardless of where it is stored.

This revelation has raised significant concerns about data sovereignty in Europe. Experts, including Mark Boost, CEO of cloud provider Civo, emphasized that U.S. laws can impact national security and privacy. The inquiry is part of Project Bleu, a collaboration involving Microsoft, Orange, and Capgemini, which has led to worries about the separation of health data on Microsoft's Azure platform.

The situation highlights the EU's reliance on major U.S. cloud providers, as a report showed that U.S. companies hold 69% of the cloud market in Europe, compared to only 13% for EU firms. There is a growing push for developing local solutions to ensure true data sovereignty.

The author, rameerez, discusses their experience moving away from cloud services, specifically AWS, to save money and improve performance for their projects. They reduced their monthly costs from around $1,400 to under $120 while enhancing server capabilities. Despite facing backlash from some in the tech community, who rely on cloud services for their jobs, rameerez argues that many developers are unaware of cheaper, effective alternatives for managing servers.

Key points include:

1. Cost Savings: Switching to providers like Hetzner can significantly lower infrastructure costs compared to AWS. For example, a bare-metal server with 80 cores costs about $190/month, while similar AWS services can range from $2,500 to $3,500/month.

2. Managing Your Own Servers: The author believes many developers overestimate the complexity and risks of managing their own servers. They assert that with modern tools and guidance, even those with limited experience can successfully operate their own servers.

3. Misconceptions About the Cloud: The article challenges the notion that cloud services are necessary for most software businesses, pointing out that many small businesses can operate without them and save considerable money in the process.

4. Cultural Resistance: There is a cultural pushback from developers who are invested in cloud technologies, leading to irrational arguments against the benefits of self-hosting. The author suggests that this is partly due to job security concerns for those working in cloud-related roles.

5. Empowerment Through Knowledge: The author encourages developers to learn about server management, suggesting that understanding the infrastructure can lead to better decision-making and cost savings.

In summary, rameerez advocates for self-hosting as a practical, cost-effective alternative to cloud services, while highlighting a cultural shift in the tech industry towards returning to on-premises solutions.

David Cook shared his experience of modifying the SimpleText application to open a smaller text window at startup. Initially, he thought it would be a simple task, but it turned out to be more complex. Here are the key points:

1. Understanding the Code: He needed to disassemble the SimpleText code using a code editor and search for specific routines related to window size.

2. Challenges with Resizing: He discovered that he had to avoid resizing code for different types of windows (like images or videos) and could not find easy constants to change.

3. Creating a Workaround: Instead of directly inserting code, he created a jump to his own routine at the end of the code, which allowed him to check if the window was a text window and adjust the size accordingly.

4. Storing Information: To keep track of window sizes across different routines, he had to find a way to store variables within the code itself due to limitations in using global variables.

5. Technical Tips: He provided several technical tricks for working with CodeWarrior, such as using specific register calls, managing function placements, and handling routine definitions.

6. Final Thoughts: Although he doubts many will find this information useful, he hopes it helps others who try to modify old software. He attached the modified version of SimpleText for reference.

In summary, David Cook detailed the complex process of modifying SimpleText to change its startup window size, highlighting his challenges and solutions along the way.

The text is a footer from a website, listing important links and policies. It mentions the Terms of Service, Privacy Policy, Cookie Policy, Accessibility information, and Ads information for X Corp., dated 2025.

No summary available.

Chrome plans to remove XSLT (Extensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) from its browser by late 2026 due to security concerns and declining usage. XSLT is used for transforming XML documents into HTML, but it has become outdated and poses security risks through vulnerabilities in its processing libraries.

Key Points:

1. Removal Timeline:

   • XSLT is officially deprecated as of December 2025.
   • It will be disabled in Chrome by default in March 2026 and removed entirely in November 2026.

2. Security Risks:

   • The libraries that handle XSLT are complex and have known vulnerabilities, making them risky to keep.
   • Modern web development practices have shifted towards safer JavaScript-based solutions.

3. Migration Options:

   • Developers are encouraged to move XSLT processing to the server side or use JSON for client-side rendering.
   • A polyfill is available to maintain some existing functionality by simulating XSLT processing in JavaScript.

4. Specific Use Cases:

   • For RSS and Atom feeds, developers can use HTML links to avoid users accidentally opening raw XML.
   • Embedded devices generating XML can continue functioning with an extension that applies the polyfill.

The overall goal of this change is to enhance browser security while simplifying the web platform for developers.

Developers are increasingly choosing older AI models based on specific tasks rather than simply upgrading to the newest versions. Data from October 2025 shows that while Sonnet 4.5's usage declined, Sonnet 4.0's usage rose, suggesting developers are selecting models that fit their needs rather than just following trends.

Key differences between the models include:

• Reasoning and Action: Sonnet 4.5 engages in deeper reasoning but takes fewer actions per message, while Sonnet 4.0 favors quicker execution. GPT-5 balances between the two.
• Output: Sonnet 4.5 generates more total text and tool outputs compared to Sonnet 4.0, but may have slower response times due to its deeper thinking process.
• Task Specialization: Each model has strengths for different tasks: Sonnet 4.5 excels in complex reasoning, Sonnet 4.0 is reliable for structured tasks, and GPT-5 is good for explanations and documentation.

Overall, developers are not looking for a single best model, but rather a combination of models that work best for their specific workflows. This shift indicates a move toward specialization in AI tools, similar to how different types of databases are designed for various workloads. The focus is now on matching the right model to the task at hand.

Summary: Preventing Kubernetes from Pulling the Pause Image from the Internet

This blog post emphasizes the importance of ensuring your internal Kubernetes (k8s) platform does not rely on external internet resources for reliability. By default, Kubernetes nodes pull the "pause image" from the internet (specifically from registry.k8s.io) when creating pods. This can create unnecessary dependencies.

To avoid this, you can configure your containerd settings to use a local version of the pause image. This change can be made in the containerd configuration file, allowing you to run Kubernetes without relying on external sources.

The pause image serves as a "sandbox" for pods, managing Linux namespaces, and is part of the CRI (Container Runtime Interface) spec. It is critical to mirror this image to a local registry for better uptime and reliability, as the official registry has no guaranteed uptime.

In conclusion, it's recommended to mirror the pause image to your own controlled location and adjust your configuration accordingly to avoid dependencies on the internet.

Summary of "The Benefits of Bubbles"

The article discusses the current state of the AI industry, suggesting it is experiencing a financial bubble similar to past tech bubbles. OpenAI, for example, has made deals worth $1.4 trillion while reporting only $13 billion in revenue, indicating a significant disparity between investments and actual earnings.

Historically, bubbles have led to long-term benefits despite their eventual bursts. Carlota Perez's work highlights how speculative investment during bubbles can lay the groundwork for future technological advancements. For instance, the dotcom bubble led to the creation of essential internet infrastructure, even if many companies failed.

Byrne Hobart and Tobias Huber's book further categorizes bubbles into "inflection bubbles," which can drive innovation and progress, as opposed to "mean-reversion bubbles," which are more harmful. Inflection bubbles lead to breakthroughs that are significantly better than their predecessors, encouraging investment and development across sectors.

The article expresses cautious optimism about the AI bubble, noting that while there are concerns about overspending on short-lived components like GPUs, investments in long-lasting infrastructure like chip manufacturing and power generation could yield significant benefits. The surge in AI interest may also accelerate innovation across various technological areas, leading to new discoveries and advancements.

In conclusion, while bubbles can cause temporary chaos, they can also serve as catalysts for substantial progress and infrastructure development, which can benefit society in the long run.

The IRS has announced that its free online tax filing service, known as Direct File, will not be available in the 2026 tax season. This decision was communicated to 25 states via email, which mentioned that no future launch date has been set. Direct File was introduced in 2024 and received positive feedback from over 296,500 users, but faced opposition from tax preparation companies and some Republicans.

The IRS is now directed to explore alternatives through public-private partnerships, as the existing Free File option has seen very low usage among eligible taxpayers. Critics, including Sen. Elizabeth Warren, argue that this move favors large tax prep companies, forcing taxpayers to spend more on filing taxes.

No summary available.

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is proposing a significant expansion of biometric data collection related to immigration applications. This means that not only immigrants but also many U.S. citizens connected to them may need to provide biometric data, such as iris scans, DNA samples, and facial recognition data.

Key points include:

1. Expanded Collection: Biometric data will be required from anyone associated with an immigration application, including U.S. citizens, lawful permanent residents, and minors, unless exempted.

2. New Definitions: DHS plans to broaden the definition of biometrics to include various biological and behavioral characteristics, allowing for the collection of new types of data as technology evolves.

3. Types of Data: The proposal includes collecting DNA, voice prints, and ocular imagery. This data will be used for identity verification, national security, and other administrative purposes.

4. Concerns: Critics are worried about potential overreach and privacy violations, comparing the proposal to practices in authoritarian regimes. Many public comments on the proposal have been negative.

The DHS is accepting public comments on this proposal until January 2, 2026.

Summary of "Frozen String Literals: Past, Present, Future?"

Overview
The article discusses the concept of frozen string literals in Ruby, explaining their purpose, history, and potential future changes.

Key Points

1. What are Frozen String Literals?

   • In Ruby, the comment # frozen_string_literal: true is added to files to make string literals immutable, which helps with performance by reducing unnecessary memory allocations.

2. Mutable vs. Immutable Strings

   • Ruby strings are mutable, meaning they can be changed after creation, unlike many other programming languages that use immutable strings. This can lead to performance issues due to frequent memory allocations.

3. Benefits of Immutable Strings

   • Immutable strings can be shared without duplication, are safer in multi-threaded environments, and are better for use as dictionary keys since their hash codes don't change.

4. Ruby's Approach

   • Ruby supports both mutable and immutable strings. Mutable strings can be frozen to create an immutable version, which optimizes memory usage.

5. History of Frozen String Literals

   • The idea of frozen string literals was proposed to optimize performance by avoiding duplication of string literals. It became part of Ruby in version 2.1 and was further developed to become a default feature in Ruby 3.0.

6. Community Adoption

   • Many Ruby projects have adopted the use of frozen string literals, although some older or less active projects have not. The comment has become widely accepted, even if not everyone is aware of its performance benefits.

7. Future Considerations

   • There is ongoing discussion about making frozen string literals the default in Ruby. A new approach called "chilled strings" was proposed to help transition developers by emitting warnings when mutable strings are used.

8. Conclusion

   • The future of frozen string literals in Ruby remains uncertain, with some community members opposing the change. However, the author advocates for their adoption due to the performance benefits and hopes for a cleaner approach without requiring the magic comment in the future.

TechTarget and Informa Tech have merged their digital businesses, combining over 220 online platforms that cover more than 10,000 topics and reach over 50 million professionals. They provide valuable, objective content to help businesses make informed decisions.

Recent discussions highlight how poor leadership can hinder game development. Developers have shared experiences showing that ineffective leadership traits, such as failing to understand game development processes, distrust in employees, and slow decision-making, contribute to delays and frustrations in project timelines. Key issues include unrealistic expectations, lack of clear feedback, and the tendency to prioritize popular trends over the team's capabilities.

Overall, improving leadership in the gaming industry is essential for enhancing efficiency and productivity, as technology alone cannot resolve these foundational issues. Listening to developers and fostering trust within teams are crucial steps toward better game development practices.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Anna's Archive, a popular shadow library for pirated books, has become a major target for copyright holders. In three years, publishers and authors have requested Google to remove 749 million URLs from its search results related to the site, making up 5% of all copyright-related takedown requests to Google.

Launched in late 2022 after a crackdown on Z-Library, Anna's Archive allows users to find free books and articles. Despite facing legal issues and being blocked in some countries, the site remains accessible.

Google allows copyright holders to request the removal of infringing URLs, and Anna’s Archive has seen a significant number of these requests. While The Pirate Bay has also faced many takedowns, the volume targeting Anna’s Archive is much higher due to the extensive content it hosts.

Prominent publishers like Penguin Random House and John Wiley & Sons are leading the efforts against the site, with over 1,000 authors and publishers filing takedown notices. Despite ongoing efforts, around 10 million new URLs related to Anna’s Archive are reported weekly, making it challenging for publishers to fully suppress access to the site, which still appears in search results.

Plexe, founded by Vaibhav and Marcello, builds machine learning (ML) models based on natural language descriptions. Users can simply describe the ML problem they want to solve and connect their data, and Plexe automates the entire process from data analysis to model deployment.

Key points:

• ML teams often spend too much time on repetitive tasks, which Plexe aims to reduce by automating 80% of these tasks.
• Users can describe their problem (e.g., "fraud detection") and Plexe will:
  • Analyze data and engineer features automatically.
  • Experiment with different model architectures.
  • Provide comprehensive evaluation reports and actionable recommendations.
  • Deploy the best model with monitoring and automatic retraining.

Plexe has launched a commercial platform that includes interactive features, model evaluations, and analytics dashboards. It also has an open-source version for local development. The commercial product is usage-based, starting with a $10 minimum. Users can sign up on their website and use a promo code for a discount.

The founders are seeking feedback on their platform and the challenges it addresses.

Kalason Oto: The Singing Bus Horns of West Sumatra

The article celebrates Pak Budahar, a musical legend from West Sumatra known for playing the kalason oto, a unique musical bus horn. This tradition began in the 1950s when buses carried migrants from West Sumatra to other parts of Indonesia. The kalason oto was a modified car horn that could play melodies, providing a comforting soundtrack for passengers during emotional journeys.

Pak Budahar started his career as a kalason player at a young age, learning to play while riding with his brother. Over the years, he became a skilled musician, entertaining passengers and adapting local folk tunes to the kalason sound. This musical style became popular, with many passengers eagerly awaiting rides on buses featuring kalason.

As time went on, larger modern buses replaced the older ones, leading to the decline of the kalason tradition. Although Pak Budahar retired in the 1980s, he experienced a revival of interest in kalason music when he heard it being played in a restored car in 2012.

Sadly, Pak Budahar passed away in 2023, marking the end of an era for this unique musical tradition. Despite his passing, there are still remnants of kalason culture, and the hope remains that it may continue in some form in the future.

No summary available.

Summary of the Isotemp OCXO107-10 Oven Controlled Crystal Oscillator

The Isotemp OCXO107-10 is a large and stable oscillator I purchased for $5. It outputs a frequency of 5 MHz, which is less common today compared to the 10 MHz output used in many devices.

Key Information:

• Background: These oscillators used to be very expensive (over $1000). They were used by Lucent and have age codes from the 1980s.
• Power and Connection: The unit has a DE-9 connector for power and control, and an SMA connector for the output. The power connections include +5V and +12V, with a reference voltage pin for tuning the frequency.
• Initial Measurements: When powered, the unit initially pulls 320 mA but stabilizes around 69 mA after heating. The output power measured was -1.80 dBm.

Internal Structure:

• The OCXO is housed in a Dewar flask, which provides thermal insulation to maintain stability against temperature changes. This design makes it fragile and expensive.
• The internal components include a heating element and a control board for temperature regulation.

Future Plans:

I aim to conduct long-term tests comparing this oscillator with other time references in my lab, but I need to create a more suitable power supply for the long stabilization times required for accurate measurements.

No summary available.

Summary of Nest Thermostat Firmware Setup

Warning: This firmware is experimental. Do not use it on critical thermostats, as it may cause your device to malfunction. Ensure you have a backup thermostat before proceeding.

Overview: This guide provides tools to install custom firmware on Nest Thermostat devices, which will allow them to operate independently from Nest/Google servers and connect to a different platform called NoLongerEvil.

Key Steps to Set Up the Firmware:

1. Clone the Repository:

   • Use Git to clone the project from GitHub.

2. Install Prerequisites:

   • For Linux (Debian/Ubuntu): Install necessary packages using the command line.
   • For macOS: Install Xcode Command Line Tools and then use Homebrew to install libusb.

3. Build the Firmware Loader:

   • Run the build script to create the necessary tools for your operating system.

4. Start the Firmware Installer:

   • Execute the installer script before rebooting your thermostat.

5. Put Your Nest Device in DFU Mode:

   • Charge the device, remove it from the wall, connect it to your computer, and reboot it to enter DFU mode.

6. Wait for the Device to Boot:

   • Keep the device connected and wait for it to finish booting after flashing.

7. Register Your Account:

   • Go to the NoLongerEvil website, create an account, and link your device using an entry code displayed on the thermostat.

What Gets Installed:

• Three components are flashed onto the device:
  • x-load.bin (first-stage bootloader)
  • u-boot.bin (second-stage bootloader)
  • uImage (Linux kernel)

Security Considerations:

• This setup gives low-level access to your device. Use it responsibly and only on devices you own, as incorrect firmware can render the device unusable.

Acknowledgments:

• This project is built upon the work of various researchers and developers who contributed to the ability to flash custom firmware on Nest devices.

Open Source Commitment:

• The firmware and server code will be open-sourced soon, supporting transparency and the right-to-repair movement.

pg_lake: Overview

pg_lake is an extension that integrates Iceberg and data lake files with PostgreSQL, allowing users to leverage Postgres as a lakehouse system. Here are the key features:

• Iceberg Table Management: Users can create and modify Iceberg tables directly in Postgres, ensuring transaction safety.
• Data Querying and Importing: It supports querying and importing various data formats (Parquet, CSV, JSON) from object storage like S3.
• Data Exporting: Users can export query results back to storage in different formats using COPY commands.
• Geospatial Support: It can read geospatial formats like GeoJSON.
• Flexible Queries: Users can combine different data formats in queries without restrictions.

Setting Up pg_lake

pg_lake can be set up in two ways:

1. Using Docker: For an easy test environment.
2. Building from Source: For manual setup or development.

Creating Extensions: Users can create necessary extensions in Postgres with a single command.

Running pgduck_server: This standalone process helps execute queries using DuckDB, making it accessible through Postgres commands.

Connecting to S3: Users need to set up cloud credentials and specify where Iceberg tables are stored.

Using pg_lake:

• Creating Iceberg Tables: Users can create tables and run queries easily.
• Data Transfer: You can import/export data using the COPY command.
• Creating Foreign Tables: Directly create tables from files in S3 without needing to specify column types.

Architecture

pg_lake consists of PostgreSQL with its extensions and pgduck_server, which enhances performance by delegating tasks to DuckDB.

Modular Design: The system is built with multiple components to allow easier updates and maintenance.

History: Developed by Crunchy Data and later open-sourced by Snowflake, pg_lake aims to provide robust Iceberg support in PostgreSQL.

Documentation and License: Full documentation is available, and pg_lake is licensed under Apache 2.0.

Dependencies: It relies on third-party projects like Apache Avro and DuckDB, which may have separate licensing terms.

No summary available.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Juliette van Haren and Frank Delbressine are creating a device that can transfer premature babies from a natural womb to an artificial womb, potentially saving lives. This technology could offer hope to parents who have experienced the loss of premature infants, as it aims to provide more time for babies to develop outside the womb.

Premature birth is a major cause of infant mortality, and many premature babies face severe health challenges. The artificial womb, still in development, could change the future of neonatal care by allowing babies born as early as 22 weeks to survive and grow in a controlled environment that mimics the womb.

The AquaWomb prototype features a fluid-filled chamber where babies would be placed after birth, connecting them to a man-made placenta that provides oxygen and nutrients. This approach seeks to bypass the complications associated with premature lung development.

While this technology offers hope, it also raises ethical questions about parenthood, the definition of life, and the emotional impact on parents. Many parents of premature infants express a desire for more interventions, but they also fear the implications of using such technology, including feelings of coercion and the anxiety of making the right decisions for their children.

As the technology progresses, parents will face difficult choices about its use. The emotional complexities of premature birth and loss are profound, and the introduction of artificial wombs could reshape the experiences of parenthood and the way society views pregnancy and care for premature infants.

The text discusses a minimal computer vision library called Grayskull, which focuses on using basic grayscale images and straightforward algorithms without complex structures or libraries. Here are the key points:

1. Grayscale Images: A grayscale image consists of pixels represented by single bytes, where 0 is black and 255 is white. The library uses a simple way to store and manipulate these images in a 1D array.

2. Basic Operations: You can perform basic image processing tasks like inverting, mirroring, cropping, resizing, and rotating images using simple functions.

3. Image Processing Techniques: The library introduces convolutional filters for tasks such as blurring, sharpening, and edge detection. Common filters like box blur and Gaussian blur are defined using small weight matrices.

4. Thresholding: The process of converting grayscale images to binary (black and white) images is essential for object segmentation. Fixed-level thresholding and Otsu’s method are used to determine optimal thresholds.

5. Morphological Operations: These operations, like erosion and dilation, help clean up binary images by removing noise or filling holes in objects.

6. Blob Detection: The library can identify connected components (blobs) in a binary image using algorithms like flood-fill and a two-pass method to assign unique labels to blobs and calculate their properties.

7. Keypoints and Descriptors: For more complex object detection, the library implements keypoint detection using the FAST algorithm and descriptors using ORB to recognize features in images regardless of scale or rotation.

8. Specialized Detection: The library also includes Local Binary Patterns (LBP) for efficient object detection through a cascade classifier, allowing quick identification of specific objects like faces.

Overall, Grayskull aims to simplify computer vision by providing an understandable toolkit for basic image manipulation and object detection, emphasizing that significant results can be achieved without heavy frameworks.

No summary available.

No summary available.

YouTube has deleted over 700 videos from three Palestinian human rights organizations: Al-Haq, Al Mezan Center for Human Rights, and the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights. This action occurred in early October 2025, as a response to U.S. government sanctions imposed by the Trump administration. These sanctions were aimed at suppressing accountability for alleged Israeli war crimes in Gaza and the West Bank.

The deleted content included important documentaries and investigations into human rights violations, such as the killing of Palestinian civilians and the destruction of homes. The human rights groups expressed disappointment and concern that YouTube's decision undermines freedom of expression and accountability for human rights abuses.

YouTube stated that it complied with U.S. sanctions, which prohibit any interaction with the sanctioned organizations. Critics argue this move aligns with a broader trend of censorship against Palestinian voices and is seen as part of the Trump administration's efforts to limit information about Israel's actions.

The organizations affected are now considering seeking alternative platforms outside the U.S. to continue sharing their messages, as they fear further censorship on U.S.-based services. Overall, the situation raises serious concerns about the impact of government sanctions on free speech and the sharing of critical information about human rights violations.

Source maps are tools that help developers connect minified JavaScript code back to its original source code. When debugging, these maps allow you to see the original variable names and formatting, making it easier to identify issues in your code.

Here's how source maps work:

1. Stages of JavaScript Building: The process of creating JavaScript usually involves three steps:

   • Transpilation: Converting TypeScript to JavaScript.
   • Bundling: Combining multiple modules into one file.
   • Minification: Reducing file size for production.

   Each of these stages retains a link to the original source code through source maps.

2. Source Map Format: Source maps are typically JSON files with a .js.map extension. Key components include:

   • version: Indicates the version of the source map.
   • file: The name of the generated file.
   • sources: Paths of the original source files.
   • names: Original variable and function names.
   • mappings: Encoded data showing how the generated code maps to the original source.

3. Mappings and VLQ Encoding: The mappings field contains compressed data that links positions in the minified file to the original code using a format called Variable Length Quantity (VLQ). This encoding allows efficient storage of offsets, making source maps smaller and easier to manage.

4. Understanding Segments: Each segment in the mappings represents a mapping from a position in the generated file to the original source. Segments can have different lengths depending on whether they include additional information like variable names.

5. Base64 Conversion: The encoded values are converted to Base64 characters for compact representation, which further reduces the size of the source map.

In summary, source maps are essential for debugging minified JavaScript by allowing developers to trace back to the original code efficiently. Understanding how they work enhances the debugging process and improves code management.

No summary available.

Summary: Customize Nano Text Editor

Nano is a popular text editor available on all Linux distributions. To enhance your Nano experience, you can edit the .nanorc file in your home directory. Here are some useful configurations:

1. Mouse Support: Enable mouse clicks to position the cursor and select text.

   • Add: set mouse

2. Tab Size: Change the tab size to a number greater than 0 (default is 8).

   • Example: set tabsize 2

3. Tabs to Spaces: Replace tabs with spaces for consistent spacing.

   • Add: set tabstospaces

4. Cursor Position Tracking: Keep track of the cursor position in recently closed files (up to 200 files).

   • Add: set positionlog

5. Line Wrapping: Wrap long lines across multiple rows for better readability.

   • Add: set softwrap and set atblanks

6. Auto Indentation: Automatically indent new lines based on the previous line's indentation.

   • Add: set autoindent

7. Line Numbers: Show line numbers on the left side.

   • Add: set linenumbers

8. Scrollbars: Display a scrollbar on the right side to indicate your position in the text.

   • Add: set indicator

These configurations can significantly improve your editing experience in Nano.

The owner is selling the "No CS Degree" website, which helps people learn to code by sharing interviews with self-taught developers and bootcamp graduates. The website has a domain rating of 39, an email list with nearly 9,500 subscribers, social media accounts, and various content like interviews and blog posts.

Reasons for Sale: The owner lacks time to manage the site due to other projects and wants to pass it on to someone who can grow it.

What's Included:

• The website and domain
• Email list
• Social media accounts
• Content (200+ interviews and blog posts)
• A YouTube channel and podcast

Target Buyers: Potential buyers include companies wanting to reach developers, coding bootcamps, newsletter experts, job board owners, and tech recruiters.

Time Commitment: The site can be managed in about 5 hours a week.

Monetization: Currently, it earns mostly through newsletter sponsorships, with past revenue from job postings and affiliate links. Total earnings since 2019 are around $24,205.

Costs: The main expenses include email and blogging software, totaling approximately $1,532 in the past year, resulting in a loss due to low active management.

Traffic: The site had around 2,300 visitors in the last 30 days and 27,000 over the past year, mostly from organic search.

Demographics: Most visitors are from the US and UK, primarily in their 20s and 30s.

Conclusion: The site has potential for growth, especially with its existing email list and SEO foundation. The owner is looking for offers in the five-figure range. Interested buyers can contact [email protected].

Phomemo-tools Summary

Phomemo-tools is a package designed to help print pictures using Phomemo thermal printers (models M02, M110, M120, M220, and T02) from Linux systems. The package was created by analyzing Bluetooth communication from the Phomemo Android app.

Key Features:

1. Bluetooth Connection:

   • Use bluetoothctl to find and pair with the printer.
   • Connect using a command that establishes a Bluetooth RFCOMM connection.
   • To print, run a Python script that sends an image to the printer via the established connection.

2. USB Connection:

   • Connect the printer via USB and verify it is recognized using lsusb and dmesg.
   • Print by running a command that sends the image to the USB printer device.

3. CUPS Installation:

   • Install CUPS on Debian with relevant commands.
   • Configure the printer using either a graphical interface or command line options.

4. Printer Configuration:

   • Pair the printer and add it in CUPS settings.
   • Use specific commands to define printer settings for different models.

5. Printing Commands:

   • Use the lp command to print text or images through CUPS.
   • Different media types can be specified for various printer models.

6. Protocols:

   • Documented protocols for the M02 and M110/M120/M220 printers include command structures for headers, block markers, and footers, which facilitate image printing.

This package streamlines the process of printing from Linux systems to Phomemo printers, making it user-friendly for various printing needs.

The Whole Earth Catalog was an influential counterculture magazine launched by Stewart Brand from 1968 to 1998. It focused on self-sufficiency, ecology, and "do it yourself" practices, featuring product reviews and essays centered around its slogan "access to tools."

Following this, CoEvolution Quarterly, started in 1974, explored the concept of co-evolution in various disciplines. It featured a mix of articles, including essays by notable figures like Paul Ehrlich and Ursula Le Guin.

The Whole Earth Software Review was introduced in 1984 to evaluate computing tools, but it was short-lived, publishing only two issues. Later, the Whole Earth Review emerged in 1985, combining elements of the previous publications with a focus on ecological and social topics.

Whole Earth Magazine continued this legacy from 1997 to 2002, emphasizing access to tools and ideas. Additionally, Whole Earth produced special publications that addressed specific themes, often reprinting previous articles with new content.

Surfers in Munich are upset after the famous Eisbach wave, known as the "mother of all river waves," disappeared following a recent cleanup of the canal. This stationary wave, which has attracted surfers for decades, is crucial for freshwater surfing, a sport that began in the 1970s.

The wave's disappearance has left surfers confused, as it did not form after water was released back into the canal, resulting instead in unstable rapids. City officials are investigating the issue, noting that no structural changes were made during the cleanup. To revive the wave, they plan to divert more water into the canal.

The Eisbach wave is popular with tourists and is typically largest in winter, but it had previously closed after a tragic incident involving a surfer. New rules now prohibit night-time surfing to enhance safety.

The Pied Piper legend, popularized by writers like the Grimm Brothers and Robert Browning, is believed to be based on a real event from history. In the town of Hamelin, Germany, Michael Boyer dresses as the Pied Piper and leads tours, highlighting the town's charming medieval architecture and its ongoing connection to the tale.

The story involves a Piper who was hired to rid Hamelin of rats. When the town refused to pay him, he lured away the children instead. Historical records suggest that on June 26, 1284, 130 children went missing, and various theories exist about their fate. Some suggest they may have migrated to Eastern Europe, while others propose they were victims of a children's crusade or a dancing mania.

The consistent date of June 26, linked to pagan midsummer celebrations, raises questions about a possible local tragedy, with theories ranging from a massacre by Christian factions to children being taken to monasteries. The legend of the Pied Piper not only reflects a historical mystery but also serves as a cultural touchstone recognized in many countries, connecting people through shared heritage.

Summary: Should We Trust Google?

The author, Aaron P. MacSween, argues that we should not trust Google, citing recent decisions regarding web standards, particularly the potential removal of support for XSLT (eXtensible Stylesheet Language Transformations) in Chrome.

1. Background: The discussion arose when Chrome developers proposed dropping support for XSLT, which helps display RSS feeds in a user-friendly way. Many developers rely on RSS for their content delivery, and removing support could harm their businesses.

2. What is RSS?: RSS (Really Simple Syndication) allows users to subscribe to updates from websites, similar to checking a newsstand for new articles. It is beneficial because it doesn't require users to share personal data like email addresses.

3. XSLT's Role: XSLT transforms raw XML data from RSS feeds into readable HTML. Without it, users who accidentally click on an RSS feed link may only see confusing XML code instead of a formatted webpage.

4. Google’s Stance: Google claims it lacks the resources to maintain XSLT support, despite being immensely wealthy. The author criticizes this reasoning, suggesting that Google avoids spending on open-source projects to maximize profit.

5. Impact on Web Standards: The removal of XSLT support could weaken the open web, as Google controls a significant portion of browser usage. The author argues that decisions about web technologies should not be based solely on usage statistics but also on their broader implications for users.

6. Power Imbalance: The author highlights that Google’s influence over the web ecosystem poses risks to developers and users. If Google drops support for certain technologies, it can effectively kill them, even if they are still technically available.

7. Call to Action: The author urges readers to recognize the monopolistic behavior of Google and to take action against it, advocating for alternative methods to access and share information online without relying on Google.

In conclusion, MacSween emphasizes the need for awareness and resistance against Google's growing control over web standards and technologies.

Summary: What Is a Manifold?

A manifold is a mathematical concept introduced by Bernhard Riemann in the mid-19th century, which helps us understand complex shapes and spaces. While we often perceive the world as flat, manifolds can be curved or have more complicated structures that still appear flat when viewed closely.

Key points about manifolds include:

1. Definition: A manifold looks like Euclidean space at a small scale. For example, a circle is a one-dimensional manifold because it appears straight when zoomed in on any point, while a figure eight is not a manifold because it doesn't look straight at the intersection.

2. Historical Context: Riemann's ideas were initially met with skepticism but later gained recognition for their significance in mathematics, especially in geometry and topology.

3. Importance: Manifolds are essential in various fields, including physics, data analysis, and engineering. They help in understanding the universe, as seen in Einstein's theory of relativity, where space-time is modeled as a four-dimensional manifold.

4. Applications: Manifolds allow mathematicians to solve complex problems by using familiar Euclidean techniques. For example, the behavior of a double pendulum can be studied on a toroidal manifold to simplify understanding.

Overall, manifolds serve as a foundational concept in mathematics, much like the alphabet in language, enabling deeper exploration of geometric and physical phenomena.

No summary available.

The text discusses the complexities of planning international travel, particularly with respect to visas, residency, and immigration rules. Here are the key points simplified:

1. Travel Planning Challenges: When booking a flight, one must quickly check various requirements like visas, passport validity, and residency rules, which can be overwhelming and time-consuming.

2. Complex Regulations: Different countries have their own rules for tracking days spent within their borders, which can lead to confusion. For example, the UK counts physical presence differently than Schengen countries.

3. Data Management: The author created a spreadsheet to keep track of their travel history for visa applications. Over the years, this evolved into a more sophisticated tool to simulate potential travel plans and identify any issues that might arise.

4. App Development: The author developed an app called "Residency" to help users know how their travel plans might affect their residency status. The app calculates days spent in different jurisdictions while keeping the user's data private and secure.

5. Local Functionality: The app operates offline to avoid issues with data privacy and legal demands, allowing users to access crucial information without needing internet connectivity.

6. Continuous Improvement: The app has grown based on user feedback and needs, adding features like visa requirements and document expiry checks.

7. Successful Use Case: The author successfully used the app to purchase a flight to Iceland, ensuring it wouldn't conflict with their residency status or visa requirements.

In summary, navigating travel regulations can be complex and time-consuming, but the author developed a practical solution to help travelers manage their status and avoid potential pitfalls.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Asian markets experienced their biggest drop in seven months on Wednesday, following a significant decline in global stock markets due to fears about overvalued artificial intelligence (AI) companies. This downturn affected markets in the US, Asia, and Europe after warnings from bank executives about a potential market correction.

In the US, the tech-heavy Nasdaq and S&P 500 saw their largest one-day percentage drops in nearly a month, with key AI stocks like Nvidia, Amazon, Apple, Microsoft, Tesla, Alphabet, and Meta all falling. Palantir, a data analytics company, also dropped nearly 8% despite raising its revenue forecast, partly due to criticism from investor Michael Burry, who bet against it and Nvidia.

Asian markets mirrored the US declines, with Japan and South Korea indexes dropping over 5% from recent highs. European markets in the UK, France, and Germany also saw slight declines.

Bank CEOs, including those from Morgan Stanley and Goldman Sachs, echoed concerns about a market correction, joining JP Morgan's Jamie Dimon, who warned of a potential crash in the next one to two years. Analysts noted a growing hesitance among investors regarding high tech valuations, impacting sentiment.

Additionally, Bitcoin's price fell below $100,000 for the first time since June as investors pulled back from riskier assets like cryptocurrencies, following a poor monthly performance.

iRobot, once a leader in consumer robotics known for its Roomba vacuum cleaners, is facing significant challenges and may not survive much longer. The company has struggled with privacy issues, regulatory scrutiny, and poor reviews for recent products. After layoffs and a failed sale to Amazon, iRobot's new leadership expressed doubts about its future, stating they might shut down soon.

While iRobot has released a new lineup of Roombas, these models are criticized for being similar to cheaper competitors and lack the charm of older models. The classic Roombas were well-regarded for their simplicity, ease of repair, and effective cleaning, but newer models have more advanced technology that often results in better performance, albeit with less personality.

The shift in design has led to a loss of repairability, which was a selling point for previous models. Despite the new Roombas being faster and smarter, they have not captured the same affection from users as the older ones did. As the market becomes saturated with capable alternatives, Roomba's unique features seem to have faded away.

For fans of older Roomba models, it is advisable to stock up on spare parts, as these may soon become harder to find. Ultimately, while the new robotic vacuums are efficient, they lack the distinctive qualities that made Roombas special in the first place.

No summary available.

The CEO of Substack recently celebrated a surge in traffic from Twitter (now called X), believing it was due to a change in how tweets with links are treated. However, the increase in traffic is actually because when users click on a link in a tweet, the linked page now loads in the background.

The author, who runs an e-commerce store, also noticed a significant increase in traffic and initially thought it was due to a favorable algorithm change. They later realized the reason for the traffic boost.

Nikita Bier, a figure at X, suggested that links had lower reach because they cover posts, which makes it hard for the platform to gauge how good the content is. This claim seems to downplay past practices where links were actively suppressed. Elon Musk and others had previously criticized the promotion of links to other platforms, leading to a ban on accounts that shared such links.

The Model Context Protocol (MCP) is a standard that helps connect AI agents to various external systems without needing custom integrations for each tool. This makes it easier to scale and manage integrations. Since its launch in November 2024, MCP has gained popularity, with thousands of servers and SDKs available for different programming languages.

However, as the number of tools connected to MCP grows, agents can experience slower performance and higher costs due to excessive token usage. This happens mainly in two ways:

1. Tool Definitions Overload: When agents load all tool definitions at once, it takes up a lot of space in the context window, slowing down response times.
2. Intermediate Results Consume Tokens: Agents often need to pass large amounts of data back and forth, which can lead to inefficient token usage.

To address these issues, the article suggests using code execution. By presenting MCP servers as code APIs, agents can load only the tools they need and process data before sending it to the model. This method significantly reduces token consumption and improves efficiency.

Key benefits of this approach include:

• Efficient Context Usage: Agents can load tools on demand and filter data before it reaches the model.
• Improved Control Flow: Agents can use familiar coding patterns for loops and conditionals, enhancing their effectiveness.
• Privacy: Sensitive data can be kept out of the model's context, enhancing security.
• State Management: Agents can save and resume their work, allowing for better tracking of progress.

Overall, while code execution adds some complexity, it offers substantial improvements in efficiency and cost-effectiveness for AI agents using MCP.

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Check out the demos at the provided link: Linux WASM Demos.

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The text discusses the difficulties developers face when deploying applications on Amazon Web Services (AWS). The author highlights that setting up AWS can be complicated, requiring multiple steps, such as creating an account, setting up user permissions, and configuring various services. This complexity can frustrate new developers who prefer simpler, more user-friendly platforms like Vercel or Netlify, which allow for quick deployment with minimal setup.

The author contrasts AWS's complicated processes with the more streamlined approach of Google Cloud Platform (GCP), which allows projects to communicate easily by default. The text suggests that AWS's complicated structure may deter new developers, especially those from younger generations who are less willing to navigate such difficulties.

Overall, the author warns that AWS's powerful cloud platform could lose relevance if it doesn’t improve the user experience, especially as new developers increasingly favor easier options.

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The article discusses the often-overlooked diode, a fundamental component in electronics, highlighting its functions and uses.

Key Points:

1. Diode Basics: A diode is a semiconductor device consisting of p-type and n-type materials, forming a p-n junction. It allows current to flow in one direction when a specific voltage threshold is exceeded (forward bias) and blocks it in the opposite direction (reverse bias).

2. Applications:

   • Circuit Protection: Diodes can protect circuits from voltage spikes by acting as a crowbar that diverts excess voltage away from sensitive components. This includes Zener diodes, which are designed to break down at specific lower voltages.
   • Voltage References: Zener diodes can also be used to create stable voltage references, maintaining a consistent output despite variations in input voltage.
   • Rectifiers: Diodes are used in rectifier circuits to convert AC to DC. Half-wave and full-wave rectifiers utilize diodes to allow current to flow during specific phases of the AC cycle.
   • Voltage Doublers: These circuits use diodes to produce a higher DC voltage from an AC input.
   • DC Restorers: Also known as clampers, these circuits shift AC waveforms so that their negative peaks align closer to zero volts.
   • Logic Gates: Diodes can be configured to create simple logic gates like OR and AND gates, but they are not suitable for complex digital logic used in computers.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of diodes in various electronic applications, from basic circuit protection to more complex functionalities in voltage regulation and logic circuits.

A 2013 blog post discusses using bloom filters to create a compact full-text search index for small document collections. Each document has its own bloom filter that includes all its words, but querying involves checking every document's filter, making it inefficient for large datasets.

The author suggests ways to improve this method for larger document collections, highlighting that the primary advantage of bloom filters is their small size compared to traditional inverted indexes. However, scaling up poses challenges, particularly with query performance due to the complex nature of language and document overlap.

Two ineffective ideas were proposed: sorting bloom filters and structuring them in a tree format. Both approaches failed to reduce the number of filters that need to be checked during a query due to overlapping content in documents.

A more promising idea is to create an inverted index using bloom filters, which allows for efficient searching by storing filters for words in a structured manner. This approach can improve query times to logarithmic complexity.

Despite these improvements, the author concludes that using bloom filters for large document corpuses is often not space-efficient compared to inverted indexes. Bloom filters do not share information between documents, leading to increased space usage as the number of documents grows. In contrast, inverted indexes efficiently store each word only once, making them more scalable for larger collections.

In summary, while bloom filters can be effective for small documents, they become less efficient as document size increases, and inverted indexes are generally the better choice for larger datasets.

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Portuguese authorities recently intercepted a narco-submarine in the Atlantic Ocean, seizing over 1.7 tonnes of cocaine. The vessel was found about 1,000 nautical miles off the coast of Lisbon and was headed for the Iberian peninsula. Four crew members, including two Ecuadorians, a Venezuelan, and a Colombian, were arrested.

The operation was supported by the UK's National Crime Agency and the US Drug Enforcement Administration. Due to poor weather and the vessel's fragile condition, it could not be towed and eventually sank. This incident highlights ongoing drug trafficking issues, as a similar sub was seized earlier this year with 6.5 tonnes of cocaine. Additionally, there are concerns regarding US military actions against drug smuggling vessels in the Caribbean.

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Summary of BoxLambda OS Software Architecture Draft

The BoxLambda project aims to create a retro-style FPGA-based microcomputer, designed for experimentation with software and hardware (gateware). The author has completed the gateware and is now focused on developing the software architecture.

Key Features of BoxLambda:

• Uses an Arty-A7-100T FPGA.
• Equipped with an Ibex RISC-V core and various hardware support features.
• Supports low-latency memory access, video graphics, audio, and multiple I/O interfaces.
• Includes a software build system based on Linux tools.

OS Requirements: The operating system (OS) must be:

1. Simple and easy to use.
2. Understandable by one person.
3. Deterministic in operation timing.
4. Self-hosting, allowing software development without a host PC.
5. Capable of low-level programming and automated testing.

The OS should also support interactive programming (REPL), assembly-level programming, and include essential tools like a text editor and debugging facilities.

Forth Language: The author expresses a strong interest in the Forth programming language, recognizing its suitability for constrained systems. Forth's unique capabilities, such as combining an interpreter and compiler, make it appealing for the BoxLambda project.

OS Architecture Proposal: The proposed architecture includes:

• A kernel (BoxKern) and a Mecrisp Forth environment.
• The kernel will manage system operations, while the Forth environment allows for programming.
• A REPL that functions as a text editor.
• Proxies for drivers and libraries to interact seamlessly with the Forth environment.

Future Steps: The author is exploring various programming languages and operating systems (like DuskOS and Mecrisp Forth) for integration but aims to create a unique system rather than simply porting existing solutions. The focus is on iterative development, starting from a basic working system and gradually adding features.

Overall, the project is a creative endeavor to build a custom OS for a homebrew computer, emphasizing simplicity, experimentation, and low-level programming capabilities.

Client ID Metadata Documents (CIMD) allow OAuth clients to identify themselves using a URL without needing prior registration. This system simplifies the authentication process and supports dynamic environments, making it easier for different systems to work together.

Here's how CIMD works:

1. The client creates a JSON document with its details and hosts it at a secure URL.
2. Instead of using a pre-registered client ID, the client provides this URL when making requests.
3. The authorization server retrieves and checks this JSON to ensure it's valid and matches the client's information.

CIMD helps prevent client impersonation by verifying that the URL's origin matches the client's details.

Use cases for CIMD include:

• Connecting AI tools and servers without complex registration.
• Supporting developer tools and apps that need easy OAuth integration.
• Helping SaaS platforms manage multiple integrations without extensive client registrations.

For more technical details, you can refer to the IETF draft or related blogs.

Summary of "Precompiled Headers and Why Squid Won’t Be Using Them" by Francesco Chemolli

Precompiled headers are a feature used to speed up the compilation process by saving an intermediate state of key header files. This reduces the need to repeatedly parse the same files across multiple source files. Different compilers handle precompiled headers differently:

• GCC: Uses a .gch suffix for precompiled headers and can automatically use them if they are present.
• Clang: Uses a .pch suffix and requires a specific command to include the precompiled header.
• MSVC: Not currently targeted for Squid.

Theoretically, precompiled headers could benefit Squid, as its coding guidelines force the inclusion of several headers, leading to a lot of parsing work. Initial tests showed a slight performance improvement when using precompiled headers (about 5% faster compilation), but integration with the existing build system (autotools) presented significant challenges.

For GCC, it was possible to set up precompiled headers, but it required some hacks in the build scripts. In contrast, Clang's requirement to include the precompiled header using a specific option complicated the integration further. The inability to control the build order was a major issue, leading to build failures if the header was missing.

Ultimately, the author concluded that the benefits of using precompiled headers do not outweigh the complexities and potential issues involved in integrating them into Squid's build process. Improvements in compiler behavior, especially from Clang, could make precompiled headers easier to use in the future.

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Here are the main points:

• Job Posting Guidelines: Only post if you are part of the hiring company, not a recruitment firm or job board. Limit to one post per company and explain what your company does if it’s not well-known.

• Active Hiring: Posts should be from companies actively hiring and committed to responding to applicants.

• Comment Policy: Do not reply to job posts with complaints; stay on topic.

• Interest in Jobs: Readers should only email if they are genuinely interested in the job.

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• Related Thread: Check out the thread titled "Who wants to be hired?" for more opportunities.