The author shares their experience using Linux on a Fujitsu Lifebook U729 laptop. They find the laptop delightful, noting that Linux works perfectly and all hardware functions well without additional setup. The only challenge faced was disabling Secure Boot, which they resolved.

Key Points:

• The author previously used a MacBook Air but switched to a Fujitsu Lifebook U729 after the screen broke.
• They appreciated the laptop's specs (16 GiB RAM, 512 GiB SSD) and lightweight design (1.1 kg), purchasing it for 250 AUD.
• Installing Linux required disabling Secure Boot, which was initially difficult but was resolved by installing Windows 11 first and updating the BIOS.
• The laptop includes some corporate spyware called Absolute Persistence, which can be disabled in the BIOS.
• Most features like WiFi, Bluetooth, sound, and touchscreen work flawlessly out of the box.
• The author has not tested the microphone or fingerprint sensor.

Overall, they are satisfied with the laptop and the Linux experience.

No summary available.

Charles le Brun, a 17th-century artist, created distinctive portraits that used animal features to suggest character traits. For example, an ox-faced man appears hardworking, while a fox-faced man seems like a thief. Le Brun's work included decorating Louis XIV’s palace at Versailles, where he had to differentiate between various characters in his paintings.

He was also instrumental in founding key French artistic institutions, such as the Gobelins Manufactory and the Académie royale de peinture et de sculpture. In a lost lecture from 1671, he discussed how human and animal features relate to personality, which was later reconstructed in a publication featuring his works and insights from his student, Claude Nivelon.

Le Brun's teachings emphasized the connection between emotions and physical expressions, influenced by René Descartes’ ideas about emotions. His method aimed to help artists accurately portray emotions, moving away from the impassive faces of earlier art.

The accompanying Dissertation explores physical traits that indicate character, but it is not a moral guide. It highlights how certain physical features, like a prominent nose, are associated with heroism, while variations can suggest different traits. Overall, le Brun's work sought to advance art by linking physical appearance with character traits.

The article discusses an investigation into Archive.today, a website that allows users to save snapshots of web pages. The FBI is reportedly looking into the site, issuing a subpoena for information about its operator, Denis Petrov, amidst concerns related to copyright and child sexual abuse material (CSAM).

Recently, a French organization called the Web Abuse Association Defense (WAAD) pressured a service called AdGuard DNS to block Archive.today, claiming it hosted illegal content. However, AdGuard found this request unusual since they are not a hosting provider and sought legal advice, discovering that French law may require them to comply.

AdGuard contacted Archive.today, which confirmed that they would remove any illegal content and had not previously been notified about the URLs in question. They suggested that WAAD might be part of a campaign of false complaints against them.

Further investigation revealed that WAAD's registration and operations appear suspicious, with limited information available and potential links to impersonation of a real lawyer. The illegal content was removed, but there are concerns about the legitimacy of the complaints and possible criminal behavior involved. AdGuard plans to report these findings to the French police while the FBI's investigation into Archive.today continues.

The article, "The Internet is Cool. Thank you, TCP," explains the importance and functionality of TCP (Transmission Control Protocol) in making the internet reliable. Here are the key points simplified:

1. Overview of TCP: TCP is crucial for ensuring that data sent over the internet is reliable, orderly, and without corruption. It supports various applications like websites and email.

2. Why TCP is Necessary:

   • The internet can be unreliable (e.g., data packets can get lost or corrupted).
   • TCP operates at the transport layer, ensuring that data is correctly directed to the right application on a device.

3. Flow and Congestion Control:

   • TCP manages the amount of data sent based on how much the receiving machine can handle (flow control).
   • It also prevents network congestion by adjusting the data flow based on network conditions.

4. Basic TCP Server Example: The article provides a simple C code example for creating a TCP server that echoes back messages from a client.

5. TCP Segment Structure: Each TCP segment has a header containing important information like source and destination ports, sequence and acknowledgment numbers, and flags for connection management.

6. Connection Establishment: TCP uses a three-way handshake (SYN, SYN-ACK, ACK) to establish a connection and a four-way handshake to terminate it.

7. Reliability Mechanisms: TCP uses checksums to ensure data integrity, retransmission for lost packets, and sequence numbers to maintain the order of data.

8. Conclusion: The article highlights the impressive technology behind TCP that allows for the reliable and continuous functioning of the internet today, enabling everything from simple data transfers to high-definition streaming.

Overall, TCP is described as a crucial technology that makes modern internet communication possible by addressing the inherent unreliability of the network.

Summary: Implementing Generics in C

C does not support generics natively, but you can implement type-safe generics using existing tools. Here are the common methods:

1. Function-like Macros: Simple but leads to loosely typed code.

   • Example: #define vector_push(vector, item) vector.buf[vector.idx++] = item;

2. Void Pointers: Allows generic functions but requires recasting types, which can lead to undefined behavior.

3. Dispatch Specializations via Macros: Uses macros to create type-specific functions but can hinder code completion features.

Recommended Approach

A preferred method is to use header instantiation for generics, which maintains type safety and avoids excessive use of macros. Here’s how it works:

• Define a type and optional suffix:

  #define VEC_ITEM_TYPE long long
  #define VEC_SUFFIX num
  #include "vector.h"
  

• This creates a function vector_push_num.

Implementation Steps

1. Define Macros for Name Mangling:

   • Use a macro to append the type to function and struct names to ensure uniqueness.

   #define G(name) name##_##VEC_ITEM_TYPE
   

2. Enforce Type Definition:

   • Ensure VEC_ITEM_TYPE is defined and provide a default for VEC_SUFFIX.

3. Implement Functions:

   • Wrap your function definitions with the G macro to ensure they are properly specialized.

4. Handle Redeclaration Errors:

   • Use conditional compilation to manage declarations and implementations, allowing for clean header usage:

   #ifndef VEC_IMPLEMENTATION
     bool G(vec_pop)(G(vec_Vector) *vec, VEC_ITEM_TYPE *dest);
   #else
     // Implementation here
   #endif
   

5. Prevent Multiple Definitions:

   • Use #undef to clear definitions at the end of the header to avoid redeclaration errors.

6. Final Header Structure:

   • Combine all elements into a final header that checks for type definitions, includes necessary libraries, and defines the vector structure and functions.

Conclusion

This method allows you to create a flexible and reusable generic vector library in C while maintaining type safety and avoiding common pitfalls associated with macros and void pointers.

Every minute, nine different AI models create a new clock.

Summary: Messing with Bots

On November 13, 2025, the author discusses how web scrapers can unintentionally overload public websites, prompting small web service operators to seek protection advice. Instead, the author proposes a method to counteract these scrapers by feeding them fake data using a tool called a Markov chain babbler.

Key Points:

1. Scraper Problem: Many bots scrape websites, often with malicious intent, seeking sensitive files like .env and .php. The author typically blocks these requests but decides to respond with fake data instead.

2. Markov Chain Babbler: The author created a babbler that generates realistic-looking content based on existing data, aimed at wasting the scrapers' time and resources.

3. Static Server Approach: To enhance efficiency, the author developed a static server that serves fake content quickly, using public domain texts like "Frankenstein" to generate endless posts.

4. Caution: While the project is fun and engaging, the author warns that using such methods could risk being misclassified as spam by search engines, potentially harming legitimate sites.

5. Fun Experiment: The project, while playful, is intended as a way to combat web scraping without affecting legitimate website operations significantly. The author concludes that while these techniques can be entertaining, they should be approached with caution, especially for important sites.

Summary of One-Handed Keyboard Project

We received a request to help create a one-handed keyboard for a girl who lost the use of her right hand after a serious accident. The keyboard we designed is a mechanical model that includes a trackball and uses QMK firmware, with contributions from the QMK community.

Key Features:

• The keyboard is designed for one-handed use, integrating a trackball for easier navigation.
• It includes hardware details and specifications for three different models of keyboards.
• The project is open-source with all necessary files available on GitHub and Gitee.

Components:

• The keyboard has multiple PCBs made from FR-4 material, with different layouts for left and right-handed versions.
• It includes guidelines for assembly, wiring, and firmware installation.
• Various materials are recommended for different parts, such as keycaps and the keyboard casing.

Assembly Instructions:

1. Connect small PCBs to the main PCB and upload the firmware.
2. Install key switches, the trackball, and ensure all components function correctly.
3. Assemble the keyboard in the correct order, ensuring all parts fit together properly.
4. Insert keycaps to complete the assembly.

This project represents our first open-source effort, and we welcome feedback for improvement. Thank you for your support!

No summary available.

Summary:

HelixML is developing a system to create interactive desktop environments for AI agents, allowing users to watch and collaborate with these agents in real-time. They initially explored various streaming protocols and settled on Moonlight, a gaming protocol known for its speed and efficiency. However, Moonlight was designed for single-user gaming, which posed challenges for HelixML since they needed multiple users to access the same AI agent at once.

To address this, they implemented a workaround called "apps mode," but it had limitations. Recently, they discovered "lobbies mode," a new feature that allows multiple users to connect to a shared session effortlessly. This mode simplifies their architecture and resolves several issues they faced in apps mode.

Currently, HelixML is migrating to lobbies mode, which will enable better multi-user support and easier management of agent sessions. They are working on fixing some bugs in this new mode. The streaming technology they are using provides low latency and high-quality video, making it suitable for AI applications.

Overall, HelixML emphasizes the importance of using the right protocols for their needs and their commitment to improving the user experience with AI agents. They invite interested users to join their private beta to experience the streaming technology.

Captions often represent spoken words in the same way, which can make it hard to convey the emotional nuances of speech, like tone and volume. This paper suggests improving captions by adding visual elements that reflect these vocal qualities, such as changes in font weight and spacing. Researchers tested this idea by showing participants a new type of typography that changed with the speech’s loudness and pitch. When asked to match these visual representations to their original audio, participants correctly identified the audio about 65% of the time. Feedback from participants revealed that their understanding of this new typography varied greatly.

Teams for Linux Overview

Teams for Linux is an unofficial Microsoft Teams client designed for Linux users. It enhances the web version of Teams with features like:

• System notifications
• System tray integration
• Custom backgrounds and themes
• Screen sharing
• Support for multiple account profiles

This project is independent and not officially affiliated with Microsoft, so some features may be limited.

Sponsorship

Recall.ai offers an API for recording and transcribing meetings across various platforms, including Microsoft Teams. Supporting this sponsorship helps with the development of Teams for Linux.

Installation Instructions

To install Teams for Linux, you can use package repositories or download it manually:

• For Debian/Ubuntu:

  1. Set up the keyring and repository.
  2. Run sudo apt update && sudo apt install teams-for-linux.

• For RHEL/Fedora:

  1. Import the repository key.
  2. Install with sudo dnf -y install teams-for-linux.

You can also download an AppImage, deb, rpm, or snap file from GitHub Releases.

Quick Start

After installation, launch the app with teams-for-linux. Configuration can be done by creating a config file if necessary.

Documentation and Support

The project provides detailed documentation, including installation guides, configuration options, troubleshooting tips, and more. Community support is available through chat and a bug reporting system.

Security

For better security, it’s recommended to use system-level sandboxing options like Flatpak or Snap, as Electron's built-in features are disabled to enhance functionality.

License

The project is licensed under GPL-3.0, and icons are sourced from Icon Duck.

No summary available.

Summary:

A new AI model being tested by Google, referred to as Gemini, shows remarkable improvements in handwriting recognition and reasoning abilities. Users on Google’s AI Studio found it could transcribe handwritten documents with nearly expert-level accuracy, achieving a character error rate (CER) of just 1.7% and a word error rate (WER) of 6.5%. When excluding punctuation errors, the accuracy significantly improved to 0.56% CER and 1.22% WER.

The author, a historian, tested the model on challenging historical documents and was impressed by its ability to not only transcribe but also infer context and meaning from the text. For example, it successfully deduced the weight of sugar from a merchant ledger based on the pricing information, demonstrating a level of reasoning previously thought unattainable for AI.

This capability suggests that AI models may not only process text visually but also interpret historical documents in a meaningful way, bridging the gap between recognition and reasoning. If this trend continues, it could revolutionize how historians and researchers utilize AI for understanding historical texts, indicating a significant leap in AI's ability to reason abstractly and understand context.

Lawmakers in Wisconsin and Michigan are pushing for strict age verification laws that could ban the use of Virtual Private Networks (VPNs) in an effort to "protect children." Wisconsin's proposed bill, A.B. 105/S.B. 130, requires websites with potentially “sexual content” to verify users' ages and block VPN access. This could widen the definition of “harmful to minors” to include educational content, discussions about human anatomy, and even LGBTQ+ resources.

The bill has already passed the Wisconsin State Assembly and could impact many users, including businesses, students, and vulnerable individuals who rely on VPNs for privacy and security. Blocking VPNs could lead to privacy violations, as users would have to submit personal information to access content, making them vulnerable to data breaches.

Critics argue that the law is technically unfeasible, as websites cannot accurately determine if a user is connecting via a VPN from Wisconsin or elsewhere. Even if it passes, users will likely find workarounds, leaving legitimate users at a disadvantage while not effectively preventing access to harmful content.

Overall, the focus should be on protecting privacy rather than restricting it. Lawmakers should consider better education and support for parents instead of imposing strict regulations that infringe on digital freedom. If you live in Wisconsin, it's important to voice your concerns to your Senator about the implications of this bill on privacy rights.

No summary available.

Summary of Go's Sweet 16 Blog Post

On November 10, 2025, the Go programming language celebrated its 16th anniversary since its open-source release. Key points from the blog include:

1. Recent Releases: Go 1.24 was released in February, and Go 1.25 followed in August, featuring new tools and enhancements aimed at improving software reliability and security.

2. New Testing Tools: The new testing/synctest package simplifies testing concurrent code, making it quicker and more reliable. Additionally, new APIs enhance the testing experience.

3. Containerization Improvements: Go 1.25 introduced container-aware scheduling, improving performance for Go applications running in containers.

4. Enhanced Security: Go has made significant progress in secure software development, including a successful security audit and advancements in its cryptography packages, which are now set to achieve FIPS 140-3 certification.

5. Performance Upgrades: Under-the-hood changes include a complete redesign of the map implementation and a new garbage collector called Green Tea, which reduces overhead and improves performance.

6. Development Platform Growth: The Go language server, gopls, has seen multiple updates, introducing features to aid developers. New tools for modernizing code help maintain coding standards and compatibility.

7. AI Integration: Go is focusing on AI development, with new SDKs and frameworks being released to support building AI applications.

8. Future Plans: The Go team aims to enhance developer productivity, improve its libraries, and better involve the community in its development processes.

Overall, the Go team is committed to evolving the language to meet modern development needs while maintaining its core principles.

Summary of "Löb and möb: Strange Loops in Haskell"

Overview: The text discusses two interesting functions in Haskell, loeb and moeb, which demonstrate the concept of strange loops in programming. These functions are both simple to implement yet complex to understand.

loeb Function:

• Definition: loeb :: Functor f => f (f a -> a) -> f a
• Purpose: It computes values based on a list of functions that reference the results they produce, creating a loop of dependencies.
• Example Usage: loeb can be used to mimic spreadsheet behavior where each cell's value can depend on the values of other cells.
• How It Works: For a list of functions (e.g., calculating values based on previous results), loeb allows you to evaluate the list in a circular manner, enabling dynamic updates similar to a spreadsheet.

Example of loeb:

• If you have functions that generate sequences like [1, 2, 3, 4], those functions can be defined in terms of the results they produce, allowing for flexible evaluation.

moeb Function:

• Definition: moeb :: (((a -> b) -> b) -> c -> a) -> c -> a
• Purpose: It generalizes the behavior of loeb by allowing abstraction over the mapping function (fmap), thus expanding its use cases.
• Connection to fix: It behaves similarly to the fix function, which is used for defining recursive functions, showing that moeb and fix are different flavors of recursion.

Conclusion: Both loeb and moeb illustrate advanced concepts in functional programming, particularly how functions can reference themselves and interact in complex ways, akin to how cells in a spreadsheet can refer to one another for calculations.

The text appears to be a navigation menu or a section heading for a website or application related to "Kagi" and "Orion." There are no specific details provided to summarize further. If you have more context or text you'd like summarized, please share!

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The early railroad history in the United States began shortly after the Revolutionary War, with the first steam locomotives developed in the late 18th and early 19th centuries. While early railroads were primarily developed in the UK, American railroads had to adapt to different conditions, such as larger distances and lower populations, leading to winding routes and less robust construction.

One notable innovation in the US was the "strap rail" system, which used a thin iron plate attached to timber, making it much cheaper to build than British solid iron rails. However, strap rail tracks decayed quickly and required high maintenance costs, leading to safety issues. By 1847, New York banned strap rail for public use, and it was largely replaced by iron rails by 1860.

Despite its decline in commercial railroads, strap rail was used in horse-drawn streetcars and some private railways until the late 19th century. Another low-cost option, the "pole road," was also used for logging but became rare due to similar decay issues. Overall, the development of rail technology in the US was influenced by economic constraints and the specific challenges of the American landscape.

The article, written by Jennifer Justus, reflects on the author's grandmother, Beulah Culpepper, who worked in school cafeterias for nearly 30 years. She raised her eight children primarily through home cooking and later became a beloved lunch lady at Blue Ridge Elementary School in Georgia. Known for her generosity, Beulah often provided extra food to students in need, ensuring no child left hungry.

The piece highlights the challenges faced by school nutrition workers today, including budget cuts and the struggle to provide healthy, fresh meals. Modern lunch ladies, like Stephanie Dillard and Lisa Seiber-Garland, continue Beulah's legacy, advocating for better nutrition and access to meals for all students. They emphasize the importance of community connections and the emotional support they offer students beyond just food.

The article discusses the political landscape affecting school lunches, including funding cuts and debates over food quality, showcasing a need for more resources to support scratch cooking and local sourcing. It also acknowledges the deep commitment of cafeteria workers to their communities, often going above and beyond to ensure that every child is fed and cared for, similar to Beulah's approach in her time. Overall, the story serves as a tribute to the vital role of school lunch workers and the enduring impact of one grandmother's dedication to her community.

Summary of "Spec-Driven Development: The Waterfall Strikes Back"

Spec-Driven Development (SDD) is a modern approach that emphasizes detailed documentation before coding, reminiscent of the old Waterfall model. While it aims to provide structure for AI-assisted programming, it can hinder agility by overwhelming developers with excessive Markdown documents.

Key points include:

1. Rise of Specification: SDD helps developers use coding agents (like AI) by generating detailed specifications and tasks to guide them. This involves tools such as Spec-Kit, Kiro, and Tessl.

2. Issues with SDD:

   • Context Blindness: Coding agents may overlook important existing functions.
   • Markdown Madness: Developers face excessive text, making it hard to find errors.
   • Systematic Bureaucracy: The documentation process is often too complicated.
   • Faux Agile: Misuse of terms like "User Stories" can confuse developers.
   • Double Code Review: Developers must review both the specs and final code, increasing workload.
   • False Sense of Security: Coding agents may not follow specifications accurately.
   • Diminishing Returns: SDD works better for new projects but struggles with larger, existing codebases.

3. Critique of SDD: The author argues that SDD tries to replace developers with coding agents, which is counterproductive. It replicates the failures of the Waterfall model by requiring extensive documentation.

4. A New Hope: Agile methods offer a more adaptable approach to development, allowing for iterative and simpler problem-solving without heavy documentation. The author suggests a method called Natural Language Development, where coding agents help build software through straightforward instructions and collaboration.

5. Conclusion: The author criticizes SDD as a backward step, advocating for empowering developers through simpler, iterative practices rather than returning to excessive documentation.

Overall, the article promotes a shift towards using coding agents in a way that enhances agility and collaboration instead of complicating the development process.

Summary of SQLORM

SQLORM is a new ORM (Object-Relational Mapping) tool designed for Python, inspired by SQLAlchemy but with a focus on simplicity and control. Here are the key points:

• Design Preferences: The creator prefers immediate execution of SQL queries, the ability to work with objects across different databases, and the option to write SQL directly instead of using a query builder.

• SQL as a Core Feature: SQLORM allows users to create SQL queries using standard Python functions. Queries can be defined in the function's docstring, and parameters are safely escaped.

• User-Friendly Connections: It uses context managers for managing database connections and transactions, making code cleaner and easier to manage.

• Flexibility with Data: Rows can be returned as dictionaries or mapped to objects. SQLORM also follows the Active Record pattern, allowing for easy CRUD (Create, Read, Update, Delete) operations on model classes.

• Model Classes: Users can define model classes with optional type annotations for better code quality. These models can have their own SQL methods.

• Database Independence: Model classes are not tied to a specific database engine, enabling operations like reading from a replica and writing to a primary database easily.

• Documentation and Integration: SQLORM comes with comprehensive documentation and has integration features for Flask.

Overall, SQLORM aims to blend the strengths of SQL and Python while providing a straightforward and flexible ORM experience.

Summary

The author discusses their experience with the Plannar EL640.480-AM series monochrome LCD panels, which require a specific controller for operation. These panels are dual-scan, need continuous refresh at 120 Hz, and transmit pixel data in a unique way.

Key Challenges:

• Finding an appropriate STN LCD controller is difficult since many have become obsolete.
• Alternatives include using high-speed microcontrollers or FPGAs. The author opts for the RP2040 microcontroller, utilizing its powerful I/O engine (PIO) to drive the display.

Initial Methods:

• The first attempt involved directly controlling the screen using a simple bit-banging method, which consumed all CPU cycles and resulted in noticeable flickering.
• The author then shifted to using PIO to send data more efficiently, but faced synchronization issues between state machines that drove the display.

Improvements:

• A working solution involved synchronizing PIO state machines to ensure proper timing and data transfer, which successfully eliminated flickering.
• Further enhancements included using Direct Memory Access (DMA) to offload data copying from the CPU, allowing it to perform other tasks while the display was refreshed.

Final Approach:

• The final implementation used both PIO and DMA for efficient data transfer and synchronization. The CPU load was significantly reduced, allowing for better multitasking capabilities.
• The code was optimized to handle timing with minimal CPU intervention, achieving about 0.009% CPU usage during display refresh.

Conclusion: The author notes that while the method works well, there are opportunities for further optimization. All provided code is available for public use under the MIT license.

The text is from a 2015 issue of the journal "Il Covile," directed by Stefano Borselli. It discusses historical and theoretical aspects of typography, specifically focusing on the concept of dynamic fonts. These fonts allow for variations in letter design, enabling them to mimic handwritten text. The authors Jacques André and Bruno Borghi are credited with pioneering studies on these types of fonts in 1989.

The article emphasizes that dynamic fonts can capture the complexity of real-world writing, which is not deterministic. It also reflects on the evolution of typography standards and methodologies over the years, noting that advancements in technology have improved the availability and quality of fonts. The discussion includes references to various applications of typography in design, advertising, and personal correspondence.

Additionally, the text mentions the potential for new creative designs using randomization techniques in fonts, suggesting a move towards more personalized and varied typography. Overall, the article explores the intersection of technology, design, and the evolution of typography in the digital age.

The blog post by Michael Imfeld discusses the process of exploiting a vulnerability in the INSTAR IN-8401 2K+ IP camera, leading to unauthorized remote code execution (RCE).

Key points include:

1. Research Context: This follows previous work on exploiting vulnerabilities in ARM devices, focusing on IoT targets.

2. Device Overview: The IN-8401 is a surveillance camera with a web interface, and it shares firmware with other models, making it a common target. There are around 12,000 of these devices visible online.

3. Firmware Access: The author gained access to the device's firmware through a UART interface, allowing further exploration and analysis.

4. Vulnerability Discovery: After studying the device's architecture and exploring its web stack, two main components were identified for potential exploitation: fcgi_server and ipc_server.

5. Methodology: The author used fuzzing and static/dynamic analysis to identify vulnerabilities, which led to the discovery of a stack-based buffer overflow in the basic authentication handler of the fcgi_server.

6. Exploitation Strategy: The exploitation utilized a Return-Oriented Programming (ROP) chain due to the presence of security mitigations like NX and ASLR. The strategy involved manipulating the Global Offset Table (GOT) to bypass ASLR without needing an address leak.

7. Implementation: The post details the construction of the ROP chain, including the selection of gadgets, adjusting registers, and ultimately redirecting execution to the system function to gain control of the device.

8. Outcome: The successful exploit allowed for a root shell on the camera, demonstrating the vulnerability's severity. The author responsibly disclosed the findings to INSTAR, which subsequently released a patch.

Overall, the post provides a comprehensive look at the methods and techniques used in modern IoT exploitation, highlighting both the technical challenges and the ethical responsibilities involved.

No summary available.

Winamp for macOS Summary

Winamp for macOS is an application designed to recreate the classic Winamp experience for playing MP3 and FLAC audio files. Key features include:

• Support for MP3 and FLAC playback
• Winamp-inspired user interface
• Playlist management (M3U)
• Full playback controls (play, pause, stop, next, previous)
• Spectrum analyzer visualization
• 10-band equalizer
• File browser with drag-and-drop functionality
• Multiple visualizations, including Milkdrop with fullscreen and lyrics overlay

Requirements:

• macOS 13.0 or later
• Xcode 15.0 or later

Building the Application: You can build the app using Xcode or Swift Package Manager.

License: The app is under the MIT License, allowing users to use and modify it freely.

Support for the development can be provided via "Buy Me a Coffee."

The HugstonOne team recently faced a troubling situation where they developed a unique feature for their AI application, a memory toggle that allows users to choose whether the AI remembers past interactions. Shortly after they celebrated their success, they noticed a similar feature launched on the ChatGPT platform, raising concerns about potential idea theft.

The team’s innovation was built to enhance user experience, making AI more human-like, but they were shocked to see it replicated without credit or consent. This isn’t the first time they’ve experienced this; they previously developed another feature only to see a similar one appear on ChatGPT soon after. They are worried that their ideas are being copied, possibly through data scraping or other means.

HugstonOne operates under a paid plan with ChatGPT that explicitly states their data should not be used for training. However, they are uncertain if their ideas are being appropriated or if it’s merely a coincidence. They emphasize the importance of protecting intellectual property in the fast-evolving AI industry and are determined to document their innovations to safeguard their work.

The team believes in open innovation but is calling for clear boundaries and respect for creators' rights. They want to ensure that innovation remains incentivized and recognized, stressing the need for the industry to address these concerns to protect smaller companies from larger corporations. They are committed to continuing their work while advocating for better protections for innovators in the AI space.

Edward Burtynsky, a Canadian photographer, focuses on "altered landscapes" that showcase human impact on the environment. In 1999, he photographed a massive tire pile near Modesto, California, which he described as surreal, with tires stacked high and stretching far. A few months later, the pile caught fire, creating over 250,000 gallons of molten oil that threatened local soil and water.

Burtynsky's work often serves as a warning about environmental issues. Since 2012, he has also aimed to capture "pristine landscapes" that inspire hope. Recently, he photographed Shark Bay in Australia, known for its ancient stromatolites, without disturbing the site, documenting nature from the air instead. This balance of highlighting environmental damage and showcasing untouched beauty is central to his photography.

No summary available.

On October 20, there was an AWS outage affecting many developers, which was caused by a bug in a DNS service. In response, Hightouch decided to upgrade their system to handle more events. However, when they tried to do this on October 23, they encountered another bug in AWS Aurora RDS that prevented a successful database failover.

Hightouch's Events product helps organizations collect user data and manage it for analysis and real-time applications. Their system relies on Kubernetes, Kafka, and Postgres for event processing. During the outage, they faced issues connecting to AWS Kafka, and their system experienced a backlog of events.

When attempting to upgrade their Aurora database, Hightouch followed a planned procedure, but the failover did not work as expected, with the original writer instance remaining active instead of promoting the new one. After two failed attempts, they investigated and discovered that both instances were trying to process writes at the same time, leading to crashes.

This issue was confirmed by AWS as a bug related to how failovers were handled, specifically a race condition during the process. AWS is aware of the problem and is working on a fix.

Ultimately, Hightouch successfully completed their upgrade by pausing writes during the failover and made several updates to their systems and processes to prevent similar issues in the future. Key lessons learned included the importance of being prepared for unexpected issues during upgrades, maintaining good monitoring, and recognizing that test environments may not always reflect production conditions accurately.

Summary of "Continuous Architecture: A Decade of Designing for Change"

The concept of Continuous Architecture, introduced ten years ago, emphasizes that the focus should be on the architecture work rather than the architects themselves. Over time, architects have transitioned from making all decisions to guiding teams, reflecting a shift in how architecture is approached.

Key Points:

1. Sustainable Value Delivery: Continuous Architecture aims to provide a steady flow of business value, adapting to the rapid technological changes and user expectations for seamless digital experiences.

2. Evolution of Architecture: The approach has shifted from comprehensive modeling to a continuous flow of decisions, allowing for faster responses to complex system demands.

3. Importance of Software Architecture: With the rise of agile and DevOps practices, software architecture has become crucial for managing systems with independent components, requiring collaboration among more team members rather than relying on a few architects.

4. Six Principles of Continuous Architecture:

   • Architect products, not just projects: Focus on creating long-term products rather than short-term project solutions.
   • Prioritize quality attributes: Emphasize resilience, security, and scalability over just functional requirements.
   • Delay design decisions: Make architectural decisions based on actual needs rather than assumptions.
   • Design for change: Use small, flexible components to improve adaptability.
   • Consider the full lifecycle: Account for building, testing, deploying, and operating in architecture design.
   • Align team organization with architecture: Structure teams in a way that supports the system's design, following Conway’s Law.

These principles remain relevant and practical, helping organizations adapt to modern software delivery challenges like cloud computing and microservices. The ongoing challenge is ensuring these principles are consistently applied in practice.

In future discussions, the author plans to explore the importance of quality attributes and how architecture supports the software delivery lifecycle.

Summary of "On Async Mutexes"

The author reflects on a contradiction in their beliefs about programming language design and concurrency. They note that one advantage of single-threaded concurrent programming is the elimination of mutexes, as only one function runs at a time, preventing data races. However, they acknowledge that mutual exclusion must still be explicitly marked in the code to avoid logical races, especially when using async functions.

The author describes their work on TigerBeetle, a system that relies on single-threaded execution for implicit exclusion. During data compaction, TigerBeetle manages numerous concurrent disk operations. The code shared demonstrates how these operations interact with shared state, emphasizing the need to prevent concurrent modifications.

If the author were to apply strict mutual exclusion, they would need to wrap the entire compaction process in a mutex, leading to a potentially inefficient system with a single global lock. This situation highlights a fundamental difference between two approaches to concurrency: the async/await model, which typically focuses on independent threads, and TigerBeetle’s state machine/actor style, which centers on shared state and uses manual callbacks instead of async syntax.

In conclusion, the author recognizes the complexity of managing concurrency in systems like TigerBeetle and the challenges of ensuring safe access to shared resources.

The article discusses concerns about a new EU initiative called "Chat Control 2.0," which aims to monitor online messages. The author, Patrick Breyer, warns that this system could invade people's privacy by scanning their texts and restricting access for teenagers. He believes that the EU is misleading the public about the intentions and implications of this program. Breyer argues that such measures are not only unnecessary but also potentially harmful to personal freedoms.

No summary available.

This is a character-level language model designed for generating text. It is a modified version of Nanochat's GPT model and has been trained on Tiny Shakespeare. With only 10.7 million parameters, it can easily be run on local machines.

Summary of ucs-detect

What is ucs-detect?

• ucs-detect is a tool that tests how well a terminal emulator supports various Unicode features, such as Wide characters, Emoji Zero Width Joiner (ZWJ), and Variation Selector-16 (VS-16) sequences.

How to Install and Use:

• To install or upgrade, run: $ pip install -U ucs-detect
• To use it, simply type: $ ucs-detect
• For detailed testing and saving results, use: $ ucs-detect --save-yaml=data/my-terminal.yaml --limit-codepoints=5000 --limit-words=5000 --limit-errors=500

Test Results:

• Over twenty modern terminal emulators for Windows, Linux, and Mac have been tested, and results are available at a specified URL.
• There are also articles detailing the findings and updates for specific versions of ucs-detect.

Issues it Addresses:

• Many East Asian languages use Wide characters that take up more space, and some characters have no width at all. This can cause problems in how they are displayed in terminal emulators, especially when these emulators are not updated to support new Unicode standards.

How it Works:

• ucs-detect checks compliance with the wcwidth library by using a special cursor position query to determine how characters are displayed.

Updating Results:

• To update results for existing terminals or submit new ones, specific commands are provided.

Error Investigation:

• Users can run tests with options that stop at errors to investigate specific language issues.

Data Sources:

• The tool uses the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) translations as a dataset to evaluate terminal support across different languages.

Version History:

• The document also includes a brief history of updates and changes made to ucs-detect over time.

This summary simplifies the main points about ucs-detect, its purpose, installation, usage, and the issues it helps to solve.

No summary available.

Summary of GEN-0: Embodied Foundation Models That Scale with Physical Interaction

The Generalist AI Team introduced GEN-0, a new type of embodied foundation model designed for robotics. Here are the key points:

1. Purpose: GEN-0 aims to enhance robot intelligence by using large amounts of real-world interaction data, moving beyond traditional vision-language models.

2. Key Features:

   • Harmonic Reasoning: Combines thinking and action in real-time, allowing robots to respond quickly in physical environments.
   • Scalability: The models show improved performance with larger sizes and more training data, especially past a certain threshold (7B parameters). Smaller models struggle to learn from complex data.
   • Cross-Embodiment: Works across various robot types, demonstrating versatility in different physical interactions.

3. Data and Training:

   • GEN-0 is pretrained on over 270,000 hours of diverse real-world manipulation data, with a growing collection rate of 10,000 hours weekly.
   • The model's performance is enhanced by the quality and diversity of the training data, not just the quantity.

4. Scaling Laws: The research shows predictable improvements in performance with increases in model size and training data, guiding how resources can be allocated for optimal results.

5. Future Implications: GEN-0 represents a shift towards models that learn effectively from real-world experiences, potentially leading to significant advancements in robotic capabilities.

Overall, GEN-0 is positioned as a groundbreaking step in robotics, leveraging physical interaction data to create smarter, more capable robots.

The Minisforum MS-R1 is a new mini PC that features a 12-core Arm CPU and a Mali G720 integrated GPU, similar to the Orion O6 model previously reviewed. While it aims to compete with devices like the Apple M1 Mac mini, its actual performance is mixed.

Key Features:

• The MS-R1 has a robust hardware setup with numerous ports, including 9 USB ports and support for high-speed networking (dual 10 Gbps NICs).
• It also allows for hardware upgrades with a full-size PCIe slot and additional storage options.

Performance:

• In benchmarks, the MS-R1 outperforms basic single-board computers (SBCs) but falls short of the Apple M1.
• It runs smoothly for tasks like streaming 4K video, but its power efficiency is a concern, particularly during idle times, where it consumes more energy than expected.

Testing Insights:

• Performance can vary significantly based on the tasks being run, and some benchmarks revealed unexpected results likely due to the CPU architecture.
• Energy efficiency is below par, especially during idle states, which is contrary to the typical advantages of Arm processors.

Graphics and Upgrades:

• The built-in GPU is suitable for basic tasks, but for gaming or AI work, a dedicated GPU is recommended. The MS-R1 can accommodate compatible GPU cards, though driver installation on the provided Linux OS can be tricky.

Conclusion:

• The MS-R1 is a capable Arm desktop, especially for enthusiasts; however, its value is questionable at a price range of $500-$600, particularly compared to alternatives from Intel, AMD, or the Mac mini. While it presents an interesting option in the Arm desktop market, there are concerns about performance consistency and energy efficiency that need addressing.

No summary available.

The author discusses the common misunderstanding between being "poor" and being "broke."

1. Broke vs. Poor: Being broke is a temporary situation where you have limited money but can manage basic needs until the next payday. Being poor, however, means there's no relief coming; financial struggles are ongoing and severe.

2. Misconceptions: People often think poor individuals lack skills or are lazy. They suggest solutions like learning new skills or working more jobs, not realizing that poor people often already work hard and possess many skills but still struggle financially.

3. Real Costs: The author uses the example of needing to repair a van. Even if they have the skills, they can't afford the parts needed for repairs, illustrating that poverty is a lack of money rather than a lack of ability.

4. Daily Struggles: Poor individuals often have already cut out non-essential expenses like dining out or subscriptions. The common advice to save money by eliminating small luxuries is not applicable because they are already living frugally.

5. Food Insecurity: The author highlights that many poor individuals must wait in long lines for food at food banks, which shows that they are already unable to provide for themselves, and advice about cooking at home is irrelevant.

In summary, the author urges readers to understand that being poor is a much more complex and permanent condition than simply being temporarily broke, and that common advice often fails to address the real issues faced by poor individuals.

Sasha Chapin shares his journey of learning to connect socially, which was initially difficult for him. He reflects on six stages he went through to develop his social skills:

1. Dazzling Persona: As a child, he was awkward and often bullied. He tried to impress others by being knowledgeable and interesting, which earned him mixed reactions.

2. Playing the Game: Working in restaurants, he observed that successful servers adapted to the social dynamics of their customers. He learned to be flexible and responsive in conversations instead of sticking to a fixed persona.

3. Loosening the Grip: He noticed a colleague who was quirky and nonchalant, which made people feel relaxed. Adopting a similar, more playful approach helped him connect better.

4. Dancing to the Music: After becoming more aware of body language and emotional cues through meditation, he learned to engage more authentically, leading to richer interactions.

5. Projecting Love and Acceptance: As a writing coach, he experimented with being open and present, which surprisingly allowed him to foster deep connections with others.

6. Connection as a Choice: He realized the need to balance his desire for connection with self-sufficiency. He learned to adjust his approach based on the situation, allowing for conversations ranging from deep emotional exchanges to light pleasantries.

Overall, Chapin emphasizes that social skills are not innate but can be developed through practice and self-awareness. He has come to appreciate the value of genuine connection while also recognizing the importance of personal boundaries.

The text discusses the idea that some words are untranslatable and uses linear algebra as an analogy to explain why this is the case.

1. Language and Mathematics: The author compares language translation to changing the basis in linear algebra. Just as a vector can be expressed in different ways depending on the chosen basis, the same concept can be expressed in different languages but may require different lengths or complexities.

2. Abstract Concepts: Concepts in our minds are like abstract mathematical objects. To communicate them, we use words from a chosen language, similar to how we represent vectors with coordinates based on a selected basis.

3. Untranslatable Words: Some words in one language have no direct equivalent in another. This means that translating them often requires using more words, which can lose nuance. For example, the Japanese term "mono no aware" captures a complex idea that can't be succinctly conveyed in English.

4. Communication Challenges: Translators face practical limits on how much they can convey. Using too many words can introduce misunderstandings or misinterpretations, while the finite nature of language means that some nuances can't be fully captured.

5. Conclusion: The analogy highlights the reality of untranslatability in practice. Although the mathematical analogy is useful, language also involves subtleties that go beyond mere words, demonstrating the complexity of conveying meaning across different languages.

Summary of Operating Margins Analysis

Operating margin is calculated by dividing a company's income by its revenue, showing the percentage of revenue that remains as profit. This metric helps understand business behavior, such as why companies like Amazon focus on higher-margin operations like cloud hosting.

In 2025, the operating margins of over 10,000 public companies were analyzed across various categories. The median margin for most companies hovered around 10%, but larger companies often had much higher margins due to their pricing power.

Key Findings:

1. High Margin Categories:

   • Monopolies: Categories like Toll Road Operators and Stock Exchanges had average margins around 49%. These are often regulated monopolies, limiting competition.
   • Quasi-Monopolies: Companies like Nvidia and Mastercard showed high margins (61% and 54%, respectively) due to significant capital investment barriers for competitors.
   • Unusual High Margins: Cement and Building Materials had average margins of about 15%, despite being low-tech. This is likely due to incumbent companies underpricing new entrants.

2. Franchising Success:

   • The Pizza category had a strong margin of 20%, largely due to franchisors profiting without operating stores. Similarly, the Beverages category showed high margins at 29%.

3. Strong Unit Economics:

   • Some companies, like Zhejiang NHU Co., Ltd. in dietary supplements, achieved high margins (37%) by creating products worth significantly more than their raw materials.

4. Country Variations:

   • Operating margins varied greatly by country, influenced by factors like resource availability. For example, South Africa had a high average margin of 82%, while the U.S. had a much lower margin of 22.6%.

Conclusion: Understanding operating margins is crucial for evaluating business performance. The analysis highlights the importance of industry characteristics and market dynamics on profitability.

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IncusOS: Introduction

IncusOS is a new operating system designed to be efficient and user-friendly. Its main goal is to provide a seamless experience for users, whether they are on personal computers or servers. IncusOS focuses on simplicity and performance, making it easy for users to navigate and use various applications. The system is built to enhance productivity and support a wide range of devices.

Jason and Matt are introducing Tweeks, a new browser extension that allows users to customize any website easily. Unlike traditional userscript managers like Violentmonkey or Tampermonkey, Tweeks lets users describe their desired changes in simple language, and it automatically generates the necessary modifications.

The internet is often cluttered with unwanted ads and elements, which can make browsing frustrating. Tweeks aims to help users personalize their web experience without relying on fully automated browsing agents.

Users simply open the Tweeks extension, type in their request (like removing cookie banners), and an AI processes the request, applying the changes in real-time. These modifications can be saved, turned on or off, and shared with others.

Some examples of what users have done include removing YouTube Shorts, filtering posts on Hacker News, and theming Google to look like a 1970s terminal. Tweeks is currently free to use, but it operates on a token system to prevent abuse. Users are encouraged to provide feedback and share their customizations.

For more information, visit tweeks.io.

The article discusses the belief in Artificial General Intelligence (AGI) among those at OpenAI, highlighting how this belief can hinder practical engineering efforts. Key points include:

1. AGI Belief: OpenAI members, including co-founder Ilya Sutskever, strongly believe that AGI can be achieved, viewing it as either beneficial or harmful to humanity.

2. Founder's Concerns: Elon Musk founded OpenAI partly out of fear that competitors might create AGI for malicious purposes.

3. Scaling Issues: OpenAI's approach emphasizes enhancing language models like GPT-2 based on the assumption that language alone can lead to AGI, disregarding the need for real-world understanding.

4. Environmental Impact: The push for AGI leads to massive data centers that harm the environment and exploit data workers, all justified by the potential high value of AGI.

5. Questionable Value Estimates: Arguments supporting AGI often rely on exaggerated probabilities and values, ignoring the tangible negative impacts on society and the environment.

6. Engineering Focus: The author argues that instead of chasing the AGI dream, efforts should focus on practical problem-solving with generative models, employing a more efficient and ethical engineering approach.

Overall, the text suggests that the pursuit of AGI is a distraction from effective and responsible technology development.

No summary available.

The article discusses the author's journey of switching to XMonad, a tiling window manager, after using i3wm for nearly five years. The author initially transitioned to Gnome on Fedora but missed the control that a tiling window manager provides. They began using XMonad while learning Haskell, appreciating its robust configuration capabilities.

Key points include:

• Configuration in Haskell: The author enjoys writing XMonad configurations in Haskell, utilizing its strong type system for keybindings and modular structure for better organization.

• Custom Setup: The author's setup includes various directories and files for managing keybindings, layouts, and themes. They created a single project that can be easily cloned, compiled, and installed on different systems.

• Enhanced Features: XMonad allows for customized layouts per workspace and modifications to the title bar for better aesthetics. The author uses a magnified layout for better readability of PDFs.

• Type Safety: Writing keybindings in a functional style ensures safety and reduces errors.

• Scratchpads: The author utilizes scratchpads for quick access to applications, remapping keybindings for efficiency.

Overall, the article highlights the author's positive experience with XMonad and encourages others to explore its features and customization options.

The text discusses an issue with the Magit project, specifically that the websites magit.vc and emacsair.me are currently down. A user named "ador" reported the problem on November 4, 2025, stating they wanted to access tutorials that are unavailable because the website is not working. Several comments followed, confirming the issue and inquiring about alternative access methods, such as IP addresses or mirrors of the documentation.

One contributor, "tarsius," mentioned that hosting costs had dramatically increased due to web scraping, leading to the shutdown of their hosting account. They noted that the Magit manual is best accessed through Emacs' built-in documentation viewer (M-x info), which is always available.

As of November 8, 2025, it was reported that the websites were back online, but the manuals were still missing. The issue was later marked as closed, indicating it had been addressed, but the documentation access remains a concern.

Summary of "Zig GUI From Scratch (Part 1)"

This post marks the beginning of a series where the author plans to build a cross-platform desktop GUI application using the Zig programming language. The intention is to share insights and experiences throughout the process, with a focus on learning rather than perfection.

Motivation and Tech Choices:

• The author seeks a challenging project that allows for creativity in coding, likening code to art.
• The chosen tech stack includes:
  • Zig for its novelty and challenge.
  • WebAssembly (Wasm) for web compatibility, alongside native code for other platforms.
  • OpenGL/WebGL for graphics, starting with WebGL for compatibility across browsers.
  • SDL2 for cross-platform window management and basic input handling.

Application Structure:

• The application will use a modular approach, with platform-specific modules that share a common API.
• Key modules will include the main application entry point, platform implementations, and a graphics library.
• The author plans to gradually refine the architecture as the project develops.

Development Challenges:

• The author faces challenges related to the limitations of WebAssembly, especially regarding POSIX features.
• There’s an ongoing need to create cross-platform code, particularly for logging and event handling.
• The author utilizes JavaScript for web interactions and is developing custom bindings to facilitate communication between Zig and JS.

Initial Steps:

• The project begins with a simple graphics demo that clears a window's color using OpenGL/WebGL.
• The author integrates SDL2 for native builds and sets up a basic HTML structure for the web version.

Future Directions:

• The author aims to improve the code generation for OpenGL bindings and streamline the development process for both web and native environments.
• Plans to continue sharing progress and insights as the project evolves.

Overall, this post outlines the author's journey in creating a GUI application from scratch, emphasizing a learning-focused approach while navigating the complexities of cross-platform development.

The author expresses disappointment with Grafana products based on personal experiences. Initially, they found success using Grafana with Loki and Prometheus for monitoring in a small software company. However, after switching jobs to a Kubernetes environment, they faced challenges with Grafana's evolving tools and frequent changes, which included deprecated features and new, complex setups.

Despite past satisfaction, the author now struggles with Grafana's rapid development pace, which has made stability difficult. New products like Grafana Alloy, while promising, lack complete support for existing standards, leading to complications. The author feels overwhelmed by the constant need to adapt their monitoring setup and questions the management of Grafana products.

Ultimately, they desire a stable and straightforward monitoring solution that doesn't require frequent restructuring, emphasizing that monitoring should be a reliable necessity rather than a constant source of change.

Summary of xqerl

xqerl is an XQuery 3.1 processor and XML database written in Erlang. It can be used within Erlang or Elixir applications or as a standalone tool. Users write code in XQuery, which is compiled to BEAM, the virtual machine for Erlang and Elixir.

Key Features:

• Supports serialization and higher-order functions.
• Implements XQuery Update Facility 3.0.
• Does not support schema-aware data features or full-text search.

Limitations:

• Lacks a graphical user interface (GUI) and web-based administration tools.
• Active development state means features may change, and data compatibility is not guaranteed across versions.

Using xqerl:

• Compile XQuery modules using xqerl:compile(FileName).
• Load data with xqldb_dml:insert_doc(DocUri, Filename) and delete with xqldb_dml:delete_doc(DocUri).
• Built using rebar3, with tests running via rebar3 ct --spec "test/test.specs".

Contributions are welcome, whether in code, documentation, or ideas. Future improvements include a query-rewrite phase, cost-based implementations, and added indexing capabilities.

For more information, visit its GitHub page or join the xqerl Slack workspace.

No summary available.

The text outlines various sections of a digital platform, likely for a gaming or software service like Steam. Key sections include:

• Store: Where users can browse and purchase games or software.
• Community: Features discussions, workshops, markets, and broadcasts for user interaction.
• Support: Assistance and help resources.
• Language Options: A list of available languages for users to choose from.

There is also a mention of a technical function that improves user experience by providing tooltips in the navigation area.

On September 19, 2025, Russia conducted a brief air incursion into Estonian airspace, lasting almost 12 minutes. Although these incursions are usually minor, they increase tensions with NATO. Historically, NATO has intercepted Russian aircraft to demonstrate their readiness and capability, but previous incursions had not deterred Russia.

The Russian Mig-31 Foxhound, a fast long-range interceptor, often conducts these incursions, exploiting its speed and large operational area. NATO recognized that traditional interception methods were ineffective. In response, NATO decided to change its approach to show that it would no longer tolerate these provocations.

During the incident, Italian F-35s played a crucial role by using stealth and advanced technology to monitor the Russian aircraft without being detected. Swedish Gripens assisted by providing additional surveillance. The F-35s were able to gather data on the Russian aircraft and effectively jammed their communication systems.

As the Russian pilots were unaware of the NATO presence, they were forced to leave Estonian airspace after being ordered to do so via emergency radio. This operation demonstrated NATO's superior capabilities and effectively sent a strong message to Russia, leading to a notable decrease in such incursions afterward. The incident highlighted NATO's advancements in air combat and its readiness to respond decisively to Russian provocations.

No summary available.

Summary of RegreSQL: Regression Testing for PostgreSQL Queries

RegreSQL is a tool designed to enhance the testing of SQL queries in PostgreSQL applications by applying the same regression testing methods used in PostgreSQL development. It helps identify bugs and performance issues before changes are made in production.

Key Points:

1. Purpose: RegreSQL aims to catch both correctness bugs and performance regressions in SQL queries, addressing the common oversight of insufficient testing in SQL.

2. Testing Methodology: Unlike standard testing practices that often ignore SQL queries or treat them as simple code, RegreSQL treats SQL as a string and systematically tests it. This includes checking for mismatches after schema changes and tracking performance over time.

3. Basic Regression Testing: Users can run regression tests on their queries, which validates that the expected results match the actual results. This allows for early detection of issues when schema or query changes are made.

4. Performance Regression Testing: RegreSQL tracks performance baselines to catch performance issues, such as missing indexes or inefficient query execution plans, ensuring queries remain efficient after changes.

5. Integration with ORMs: RegreSQL can capture and test SQL generated by Object-Relational Mappers (ORMs), helping to identify performance problems that might arise from ORM-generated queries.

6. Test Data Management: The tool includes a fixture system that allows users to define test data in YAML files, ensuring that tests have consistent and reproducible data. This system supports realistic data generation and maintains data integrity across tests.

7. Future Development: RegreSQL is still evolving, with plans for further improvements, better documentation, and community engagement to enhance its capabilities and usability.

Overall, RegreSQL provides a structured approach to SQL query testing, aiming to improve the reliability and performance of PostgreSQL applications.

Summary of Statistical Process Control and Deming's Work

William Edwards Deming, known as "The Father of Quality Management," greatly influenced production processes and quality management, particularly in post-World War II Japan. His ideas emphasize that problems in production often stem from the systems in place rather than individual workers. Key points include:

1. Systems Thinking: Deming believed in managing the entire company as a system, focusing on how processes affect outcomes rather than ranking individual performance.

2. Red Bead Experiment: This experiment demonstrated that performance can be random due to the system’s design, suggesting that rewarding or punishing individual workers is often misguided.

3. Statistical Process Control: Deming advocated for using statistical methods to manage quality. He introduced the concept of the "Shewhart cycle" (Plan-Do-Check-Act), which he renamed the "Deming cycle," emphasizing the need to "Study" rather than simply "Check".

4. Common vs. Special Causes of Variation: Deming distinguished between common causes (normal variations in a process) and special causes (specific, identifiable issues). Treating them differently is crucial:

   • For common causes, improve the process as a whole.
   • For special causes, address them individually.

5. Control Charts: These are used to monitor processes and distinguish between common and special causes. A process is "in control" when only common cause variations are present.

By implementing these principles, organizations can enhance quality and efficiency, moving away from inspection-based quality control to a system that builds quality into the production process from the start.

Summary:

Scientists at UC San Diego have made a significant breakthrough in producing xanthommatin, a natural pigment that helps octopuses and other cephalopods camouflage. They developed a new method that allows large-scale production of this pigment in bacteria, yielding up to 1,000 times more than traditional lab methods.

This innovation, which involves bioengineering bacteria to link their survival to xanthommatin production, opens up new possibilities for using the pigment in various industries, including cosmetics, environmental sensors, and color-changing materials.

The study, published in Nature Biotechnology, highlights the potential for sustainable material production by moving away from fossil fuels and embracing nature-inspired alternatives. Researchers are optimistic about the future applications of xanthommatin, especially in fields like skincare and military technology.

Mullvad VPN is highlighting a concerning proposal called "Chat Control," which aims to allow mass surveillance of EU citizens' communications under the guise of protecting children from abuse. Even though this idea has faced significant backlash and was previously rejected by the European Parliament, it is being revived by some EU countries with slight changes in presentation.

Key points include:

1. Mass Surveillance Risks: The proposal could lead to mandatory scanning of all private messages, even those that are encrypted, violating privacy rights and EU laws.
2. Corruption and Lobbying: The push for this proposal is linked to lobbying efforts by Ashton Kutcher's organization, Thorn, which sells the scanning technology it advocates. Thorn has also influenced child rights organizations to support Chat Control.
3. Legal and Human Rights Concerns: Various legal bodies, including the UN, have criticized the proposal as incompatible with fundamental human rights, leading to fears of widespread surveillance and self-censorship among citizens.
4. Political Maneuvering: Despite opposition, the EU Commission is trying to push the proposal through the Council, using tactics like micro-targeting on social media to rally support.
5. Call to Action: Mullvad VPN urges people to demand transparency and oppose initiatives that threaten privacy, warning that without public resistance, Europe could face a future of extensive surveillance and loss of personal freedoms.

The situation remains ongoing, with the future of Chat Control uncertain, but the fight for privacy continues.

The text discusses the transition of the GNOME desktop environment from the X11 display server to a new system. This change marks the end of the X11 era, which has been in use for decades. The new system aims to improve performance and modernize the user experience. Key points include the benefits of this transition and its significance in the evolution of Linux desktop environments.

The text discusses recent advancements in AI image generation, particularly focusing on a new model called Nano Banana, which is also known as Gemini 2.5 Flash Image, released by Google. It highlights that while other models like Stable Diffusion and Imagen have been popular, ChatGPT's image generation feature became a benchmark due to its user-friendly and viral prompt capabilities.

Key points include:

1. Nano Banana's Capabilities: It has strong prompt adherence, meaning it can effectively follow detailed instructions for image generation. This makes it suitable for generating specific and nuanced images.

2. Free Image Generation: Users can create images for free through the Gemini app or Google AI Studio, with options for developers to use the API for image generation at a low cost.

3. Prompt Engineering: The author shares experiences testing Nano Banana with various complex prompts, demonstrating its ability to generate creative and contextually accurate images, including edits to existing images.

4. Performance: Nano Banana performs well in adhering to detailed prompts and can even handle complex tasks like rendering detailed JSON descriptions or HTML layouts. However, it struggles with style transfers and has been noted to allow for the generation of images featuring popular intellectual properties.

5. Concerns: The text raises issues about moderation and the potential for generating inappropriate content, as Nano Banana has been found to be more lenient in this regard compared to other models.

Overall, the author aims to illustrate the capabilities and potential of Nano Banana while providing insights into effective prompt engineering techniques, emphasizing the growing potential of generative AI in creative fields.

The text defines "alnum," which is an alphanumeric character. Alphanumeric characters can be either letters or digits.

• A "digit" is any number from 0 to 9.
• A "letter" can be a lowercase letter, an uppercase letter, or a specific Unicode character.

No summary available.

No summary available.

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The article discusses skepticism around a recent claim by Anthropic about a cyber espionage campaign allegedly involving AI. The author criticizes major tech publications like the WSJ and NY Times for not asking critical questions about the role of AI in these attacks.

Key points include:

1. Expertise Gap: There is a shortage of experts in both cybersecurity and AI, making it difficult for reporters to accurately cover such stories.

2. Skepticism: The author urges a cautious approach to claims made by security vendors, emphasizing the need for concrete evidence regarding the attacks mentioned by Anthropic.

3. Open Source Tools: The tools used in the attacks are readily available as open-source, raising doubts about the uniqueness of the AI involvement.

4. Misleading AI Narratives: The use of anthropomorphic language to describe AI capabilities can lead to overblown claims. The author argues that LLMs (large language models) do not think like humans and their role in the attacks may have been exaggerated.

5. Historical Context: The article suggests that the claim of a largely automated cyberattack is not new, referencing earlier instances from the 1990s.

In conclusion, while recognizing the importance of machine learning security, the author calls for a grounded and realistic approach to understanding these issues.

Summary of "Match it again Sam"

The blog post discusses the implementation of a structural regular expressions engine inspired by Rob Pike's ideas, particularly from his work on the Sam text editor. Structural regular expressions allow for composing regular expressions in a way that better captures the structure of the text being analyzed.

Key Points:

1. Structural Regular Expressions: Introduced by Rob Pike, they help in breaking down text into meaningful segments, making it easier to work with inconsistent formats.

2. Example Use Case: The author illustrates how to extract names and programming languages from a text block using both a Python script and structural regular expressions.

3. Execution Steps:

   • Split the text into blocks.
   • Filter out non-relevant blocks.
   • Extract desired information.
   • Print the results.

4. Operators and Actions: The engine uses operators (like x, g, y, v) for matching and filtering, combined with actions (like a, i, c, d, p) to manipulate the text.

5. Parallel Processing: The author introduces the concept of parallel processing within the expressions, allowing multiple pipelines to execute simultaneously, which can handle different types of data in one go.

6. Structex Engine: A Rust crate called "structex" is developed to create a more general-purpose engine that separates the matching logic from actions, enabling a wider range of applications.

7. Implementation Examples: The blog provides code snippets demonstrating how to use structex for text manipulation tasks, such as swapping words and modifying text based on conditions.

8. Future Directions: The author mentions potential improvements and extensions for the engine, including performance enhancements and the possibility of building a full language like AWK.

The overall theme is about enhancing text processing capabilities using structural regular expressions, making it more intuitive and flexible for developers.

No summary available.

No summary available.

Tesla has recently shared new crash data for its Full Self-Driving (FSD) system, claiming it has improved safety compared to older models and non-FSD Teslas. This data replaces previous, often criticized reports about Autopilot, which were misleading. The new data shows that FSD-equipped Teslas have a significantly better safety record, with almost 1.5 times fewer collisions on city streets compared to similar Teslas without FSD, and four times better than very old models.

Tesla's earlier reports falsely suggested that driving with Autopilot was ten times safer than in an average car, largely because they only compared freeway driving. The new data provides detailed comparisons across different types of roads and conditions, allowing for more accurate assessments.

However, there are concerns about driver complacency when using systems like FSD, which might lead some drivers to be less attentive. While the data suggests that FSD generally increases safety, there is skepticism about Tesla's transparency, given its history of misleading statistics. Tesla plans to release quarterly updates, but has not yet provided historical data to show trends over time.

Overall, while the new data indicates that FSD may enhance safety, it is not yet ready for completely unsupervised driving. Further analysis and data from future quarters will be necessary to fully understand its effectiveness.

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Researchers have successfully transformed germanium, a common semiconductor, into a superconductor for the first time. This breakthrough was achieved by carefully integrating gallium atoms into the crystal structure of germanium. As a result, the modified germanium can conduct electricity without any resistance, which is a significant advancement for computing and quantum technologies.

The study, published in Nature Nanotechnology, highlights that this new form of germanium could enhance the performance of electronic devices and reduce energy consumption. Scientists used a technique called molecular beam epitaxy to precisely incorporate gallium atoms, allowing the crystal structure to remain stable while enabling superconductivity at very low temperatures (3.5 Kelvin).

This achievement could lead to the development of more efficient quantum circuits and devices, as germanium is already widely used in electronics. The research was a collaborative effort involving scientists from various institutions, marking a pivotal step towards integrating superconducting properties into everyday materials used in technology.

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Summary of Code Wiki

Code Wiki offers a new approach to software development, providing always-updated documentation generated by an AI agent. Key features include:

• Interactive Documentation: Connect your repository to get a live, interactive Code Wiki that updates automatically with every code change.
• Deep Understanding: Users can explore code section by section, diving into specific areas to understand how they work.
• Visual Diagrams: Transform complex code into clear visuals for better understanding of the architecture.
• Natural Language Interaction: Ask questions about the codebase and receive answers in everyday language, similar to having a personal engineer available at all times.

Overall, Code Wiki aims to enhance the understanding of code while eliminating outdated documentation.

The text discusses advancements in utilizing AMD GPUs for artificial intelligence (AI) applications, particularly through a programming framework called HipKittens. Here are the key points:

1. AI Hardware Needs: AI requires significant computational power, and the team is exploring how to optimize AI for AMD hardware.

2. AMD GPU Performance: AMD's latest MI355X GPU offers impressive capabilities but lacks mature software support for AI tasks. The team aims to unlock this potential with HipKittens, which provides specialized programming tools.

3. GPU Architecture: The MI355X features 256 processing units, but it has limitations compared to NVIDIA GPUs, such as less SRAM and no support for certain advanced features. However, it has a larger register file and more processing units.

4. Chiplet Architecture: AMD is moving to chiplet designs, which group processors into smaller units, improving scalability but complicating memory access patterns.

5. Programming Strategies: The text outlines challenges and solutions for optimizing memory access and scheduling tasks on AMD GPUs. Traditional NVIDIA strategies, like wave specialization, don't work well on AMD due to hardware limitations.

6. New Scheduling Patterns: Two effective scheduling techniques for AMD GPUs are introduced:

   • 8-wave ping-pong: Alternates between memory and compute tasks across two waves.
   • 4-wave interleave: Switches between memory and compute tasks within a single wave.

7. Chiplet-aware Scheduling: A new strategy for scheduling tasks that accounts for AMD's disaggregated memory structure to enhance cache reuse and performance.

8. Performance Achievements: The HipKittens framework allows AMD GPUs to achieve competitive performance in AI workloads, challenging other hardware standards.

9. Call for Open Hardware: The authors emphasize the need for diverse hardware options in AI development and express a desire to enhance accessibility to high-performance computing resources.

In summary, the team is advancing the use of AMD GPUs for AI through innovative programming practices and addressing hardware limitations, aiming for better performance and broader accessibility in the field.

Mozilla is working on a new AI assistant for Firefox called "Window AI," which will be an additional browsing mode alongside Normal and Private tabs. This feature is still in development, and users can opt in if they choose to try it. However, early feedback from users has been overwhelmingly negative, with all 52 responses in a discussion forum rejecting the idea and asking Mozilla to remove AI features from Firefox.

The author notes that it's unclear if this negative feedback represents the views of most Firefox users, but it highlights a struggle for Mozilla to balance the interests of users who dislike AI with those who want AI features. Mozilla aims to provide a flexible browsing experience that accommodates different user needs regarding AI, stating that with Firefox, users retain control over their choices.

For those who prefer a browser without AI features, alternatives like LibreWolf, Waterfox, and Zen Browser are available.

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Summary:

Recall issues in the automotive industry are costly, prompting a company to create an analytics department focused on warranty claims. Traditionally, this team used SQL for data classification, but SQL struggles with complex language in claims, leading to inefficiencies.

In 2023, the company began automating warranty classification using supervised models but faced challenges with data labeling and preprocessing. They established a complex pipeline for handling messy claim data, which took a long time to develop.

After testing various modeling approaches, they found that XGBoost was the most effective but faced a data shortage when shifting to production. Initially, they tried using GPT-3.5 but had poor results. However, advancements in large language models (LLMs) two years later prompted them to benchmark six modern models against their existing classifiers.

They discovered that while XGBoost outperformed LLMs overall, Nova Lite provided a good balance of cost and performance. By iterating on prompt designs for Nova Lite, they managed to match or slightly surpass the performance of their traditional model in several categories after multiple refinements.

The main takeaway is that using LLMs allows for more flexible and efficient classification processes, especially in situations where data is scarce or constantly changing, thus transforming how the company handles warranty claims.

Summary: Adding Customizable Frame Contrast to KDE Plasma

A new feature is being introduced in KDE Plasma that allows users to customize the frame contrast in high-contrast color schemes, which has been a long-desired addition. Previously, frame outlines were set to a fixed value, but now users can adjust this value themselves.

This feature will be included in Plasma 6.6 and is currently available for KDE Linux users to try. The settings interface has been updated to allow for easy adjustments, and although there are still some bugs with immediate updates, the team is working on resolving them.

The motivation for not changing the entire color scheme is due to technical challenges. Many apps rely on a specific color mixing method, and changing this would require extensive updates across numerous applications. Instead, users can now adjust the frame contrast value without needing to rework all the apps.

The process of implementing this feature involved significant development work, including updates across multiple libraries and styles to ensure everything functions correctly. The team also plans to improve accessibility by linking this feature to a desktop portal interface for users who need high-contrast settings.

In the longer term, there are plans to enhance the color management system to make it more robust and user-friendly. The team hopes this new feature will greatly benefit users who require high-contrast options.

Genergo, an Italian deep-tech company, has developed the world's first propellantless space-propulsion system. This innovative technology has been successfully tested in space across three missions and is protected by international patents.

Traditional satellites use propellant for maneuvers, which adds weight and risk, and limits their operational time. Genergo's system avoids this by generating thrust using electrical energy and electromagnetic impulses, eliminating the need for propellant. This makes it more sustainable, as it doesn't involve hazardous materials, pressurized components, or space contamination risks.

The technology has undergone extensive testing, achieving over 700 hours of operation in space since 2022 and reaching a Technology Readiness Level of 7-8. It has demonstrated reliable performance, producing measurable changes in spacecraft speed.

Several Italian institutions contributed to the project, ensuring thorough testing and validation. Genergo's technology promises new possibilities for space missions, with the first commercial use focused on controlled satellite deorbiting to safely guide them back to Earth.

VisiData is a powerful tool for working with tabular data, combining features of spreadsheets, terminal efficiency, and Python capabilities. It can easily handle large datasets, including various formats like CSV, Excel, JSON, and more.

Key Features:

• User-friendly terminal interface for quick data exploration and insights.
• Supports over a dozen data formats, including CSV, TSV, JSON, and databases.
• Allows for instant visualizations like histograms and scatterplots.
• Sessions can be saved for later use, and it supports batch processing for data pipelines.

VisiData is highly praised by users for its design and functionality. You can install it easily and access tutorials and resources to get started.

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The text outlines the structure of a digital store and community platform, likely for gaming or software. It includes sections for:

• Store: Features like Home, Discovery Queue, Wishlist, Points Shop, News, and Stats.
• Community: Includes Home, Discussions, Workshop, Market, and Broadcasts.
• Support: An area for help and assistance.

Additionally, there is a login option and a list of languages available for users, ranging from Simplified Chinese to Ukrainian. There is also a mention of a feature related to tooltips for user interface enhancement.

This article is the final part of a series on running your own Internet Service Provider (ISP) at home. It focuses on how to change the geolocation of IP addresses you announce, allowing you to display IP locations from unusual places like North Korea or Antarctica.

Key Points:

1. Purpose of Modifying IP Geolocation:

   • Show IPs from obscure locations.
   • Use a single Virtual Private Server (VPS) for global IP addresses.
   • Access region-locked content.
   • Operate a one-person Internet Data Center (IDC).

2. Prerequisites:

   • IP Databases: These provide mappings of IP addresses to geographic locations. Popular ones include Maxmind and IPInfo.
   • WARP: A VPN service by Cloudflare that assigns IP addresses based on the location of the user’s connection.

3. Submitting Geolocation Corrections:

   • IP locations can be inaccurate, and databases accept user corrections.
   • To submit corrections, prepare by updating your IP allocation in the RIPE Database and then request changes from IP databases like Maxmind or IPInfo.

4. Using WARP for IPv4 Addressing:

   • WARP can provide an IPv4 address that matches the desired geolocation if the databases reflect your changes.
   • Follow a setup guide to configure WARP on your server.

5. Geofeed Submission:

   • For those with many IPs, using a Geofeed allows for bulk submissions to update locations in databases automatically.

6. Final Steps:

   • After testing the new IP geolocation, you can set up a proxy on your VPS to use the newly assigned IP.

7. Conclusion:

   • The series has covered various technical aspects of running an ISP, including BGP configuration and IP geolocation spoofing.

The article provides a detailed guide for tech enthusiasts looking to experiment with IP geolocation and ISP setups from home.

Summary: Protecting Our Merchants from Extortion

Last week, Checkout.com faced a criminal extortion attempt by a group called "ShinyHunters," who claimed to have accessed data from a legacy cloud storage system. This system was outdated and used for internal documents before 2020. Importantly, our live payment processing platform was not affected, and no merchant funds or card information were compromised.

We take full responsibility for this incident, as the legacy system was not properly decommissioned. We regret any concern this has caused for our partners and are working with law enforcement and regulators to address the issue.

Instead of paying the ransom, we are donating that amount to Carnegie Mellon University and the University of Oxford's Cyber Security Centers to support cybercrime research. We are committed to security, transparency, and maintaining trust with our merchants. For any questions or assistance, merchants can reach out to their usual Checkout contacts.

The author has organized the Epstein files to improve transparency and hopes this will assist with research. They plan to refine the data about organizations and individuals further but feel the current version is helpful for now.

Genie 3 is a new general-purpose world model developed by Google DeepMind. It can create a wide variety of interactive environments. This technology aims to enhance experiences by allowing for diverse and engaging settings.

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UnisonDB Overview

UnisonDB is an open-source database designed for Edge AI and Edge Computing. It operates as a log-native, real-time database that functions like a message bus, enabling instant data replication across multiple nodes.

Key Features:

• Multi-Modal Storage: Supports key-value, wide-column, and large objects.
• Streaming Replication: Fast replication to over 100 edge replicas with sub-second latency.
• Real-Time Notifications: Instant updates with minimal delay.
• Durable Storage: Utilizes B+Tree storage and Write-Ahead Logging for reliability.
• Edge-First Design: Optimized for edge computing environments.
• Namespace Isolation: Supports multiple tenants through namespace-based isolation.

Use Cases: UnisonDB is ideal for systems where data and computation are closely integrated, allowing for rapid responses and reduced latency. It merges database functionality with application needs for efficient real-time operations.

Quick Start Instructions:

1. Clone the repository and build the project.
2. Run it in replicator mode.
3. Use the HTTP API to interact with the database.

Performance Testing: UnisonDB has been benchmarked against BadgerDB and BoltDB, focusing on throughput and latency with a Redis-compatible interface. It emphasizes efficient replication and low-latency responses.

Architecture: UnisonDB combines storage, replication, and streaming into a unified system, leveraging a specialized Write-Ahead Log File System (WALFS) for efficient data handling.

Why UnisonDB? Traditional databases and streaming systems have limitations in real-time data propagation and consistency. UnisonDB integrates both features, providing a seamless experience without the need for multiple systems, ensuring instant data availability and strong consistency.

Core Components:

1. WALFS: Optimized for both writing and reading, facilitating continuous replication and real-time data streaming.
2. Engine: Manages data storage using WAL, in-memory buffers, and persistent indexing.
3. Replication Architecture: Employs WAL-based streaming for efficient and real-time data distribution across nodes.

UnisonDB provides a robust solution for modern applications that demand high performance, low latency, and effective data management at the edge.

Dithering is a technique used to simulate more colors in digital images when color memory was limited. It helps smooth out color gradients that would otherwise appear as harsh transitions due to quantization.

In simple terms, dithering adds noise using nearby colors to trick our eyes into seeing a smooth gradient, similar to a low pass filter.

There are different methods of dithering, with two common ones being:

1. Ordered Dithering: Uses a 2x2 Bayer matrix to compare pixel values against a threshold map. This method can create noticeable patterns and generally produces only a few shades of gray.

2. Error Diffusion Dithering (Floyd–Steinberg Algorithm): This method compares each pixel to a single threshold and then spreads the error (the difference between the original and new value) to surrounding pixels, creating a more natural gradient without noticeable patterns.

While dithering was essential in the past due to low color depth, we now have high bit-depth colors, making dithering mostly a retro aesthetic today.