1.
Cloudflare Global Network experiencing issues
(Cloudflare Global Network experiencing issues)

No summary available.

Author: imdsm | Score: 1845

2.
Gemini 3 Pro Preview Live in AI Studio
(Gemini 3 Pro Preview Live in AI Studio)

The text appears to contain some kind of code or technical content rather than a coherent narrative or message. It includes references to functions, variables, and programming logic but lacks context for meaningful interpretation.

Key Points:

  • The content seems to be related to programming or web development.
  • It involves functions and conditions that likely pertain to executing scripts or managing data in a web environment.

Without a clearer context or more straightforward language, summarizing it into a more understandable format is challenging. If you have a specific focus or aspect of the text you'd like to clarify, please let me know!

Author: preek | Score: 152

3.
Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright
(Nearly all UK drivers say headlights are too bright)

A recent study in the UK found that almost all drivers believe headlights are too bright and often experience glare from oncoming vehicles. The Department for Transport (DfT) is planning to review car and headlamp designs due to these concerns. The research showed that 97% of surveyed drivers felt distracted by bright headlights, with 96% thinking they were too intense.

Dr. Shaun Helman, who conducted the study, highlighted that the glare from headlights is a serious issue for drivers. Many drivers are reducing their night driving due to discomfort caused by bright lights, with 33% stopping or driving less at night and 22% wishing to drive less but feeling they can't.

The study suggested that LED headlights, which are brighter and emit more blue light, may contribute to this problem. The RAC's Rod Dennis emphasized the need for a balance between effective headlights and minimizing glare for other road users. Experts are calling for immediate action and further research into headlight regulations to improve safety for drivers.

Author: YeGoblynQueenne | Score: 275

4.
Short Little Difficult Books
(Short Little Difficult Books)

The text discusses the concept of "difficult literature," particularly in light of László Krasznahorkai's recent Nobel Prize win. The author reflects on how some readers view challenging books as pretentious, while others appreciate them as rewarding experiences. The piece argues that difficult books, which may feature long sentences or unconventional structures, offer unique reading experiences that cannot be simplified without losing their essence.

The author also highlights the growing trend of using AI to bypass challenges in various activities, including reading, suggesting that this might indicate a lack of genuine interest in learning or engaging with hobbies.

The article shifts focus to the joys of short, difficult books, mentioning Georges Perec's "The Art of Asking Your Boss for a Raise," which is structured as a single sentence and explores themes through its unique form. Other examples of short, challenging works are discussed, including Oulipian projects, surreal narratives, and stylistically complex prose from authors like Thomas Bernhard and Toni Morrison.

In conclusion, the author encourages readers to embrace short, difficult novels as a way to challenge themselves and enjoy the depth and creativity they offer.

Author: crescit_eundo | Score: 49

5.
Do Not Put Your Site Behind Cloudflare If You Don't Need To
(Do Not Put Your Site Behind Cloudflare If You Don't Need To)

No summary available.

Author: huijzer | Score: 226

6.
How Quake.exe got its TCP/IP stack
(How Quake.exe got its TCP/IP stack)

No summary available.

Author: billiob | Score: 311

7.
Experiment: Making TypeScript Immutable-by-Default
(Experiment: Making TypeScript Immutable-by-Default)

Evan Hahn experimented with making TypeScript immutable by default, similar to how Rust handles variables. He aimed to achieve this purely with TypeScript without using external tools or lint rules.

  1. Initial Setup: He disabled TypeScript's built-in libraries using the noLib flag in his configuration, which led to errors indicating that core types were missing.

  2. Prototype Library: He created a minimal standard library with basic type declarations, allowing for type-checking but lacking functionality.

  3. Immutable Arrays: Hahn used test-driven development to make arrays immutable. He modified the Array type to make its properties read-only and implemented the map method, successfully disallowing mutations.

  4. Mutable Arrays: He created a MutableArray type that extends the Array type, allowing for mutable arrays when explicitly specified.

  5. Immutable Records: Hahn extended the concept to the Record type, creating both immutable and mutable versions.

  6. Challenge with Objects: His attempt to make plain objects immutable failed. He could not find a way to prevent mutations for object properties without additional annotations.

Overall, he succeeded in making arrays and records immutable by default but could not apply the same principle to regular objects. He invites others to help find a solution for this final challenge.

Author: ingve | Score: 37

8.
The Miracle of Wörgl
(The Miracle of Wörgl)

Summary of the Miracle of Wörgl and Complementary Currencies

Wörgl, a small town in Austria, successfully reduced extreme unemployment during the Great Depression by introducing a local currency called "stamp scrip" on July 5, 1932. The town faced serious economic issues, with 1,500 out of 4,500 residents unemployed. The mayor, Michael Unterguggenberger, used the town's funds to back this new currency instead of traditional spending. This led to rapid circulation of money, allowing residents to work on various community projects. As a result, unemployment dropped from over 30% to nearly zero, and the town completed several infrastructure projects.

The success of Wörgl inspired neighboring villages and drew international attention, including a visit from the French Prime Minister. However, the central bank eventually banned complementary currencies, leading to a return to high unemployment and social unrest in Austria.

In the U.S., economist Irving Fisher believed that a similar approach could quickly end the Depression. He proposed it to government officials, but President Franklin D. Roosevelt rejected the idea, fearing decentralization, and prohibited complementary currencies.

Historically, local currencies have also thrived in the Middle Ages, particularly from 1040 to 1290, when communities used them to finance the construction of cathedrals and churches, leading to economic growth and cultural advancements. This period saw over 1,000 cathedrals built by local citizens, significantly benefiting their communities.

In summary, complementary currencies have shown the potential to boost local economies and address unemployment, both in historical contexts like Wörgl and the Middle Ages, and in modern discussions around economic solutions.

Author: simonebrunozzi | Score: 84

9.
Ruby 4.0.0 Preview2 Released
(Ruby 4.0.0 Preview2 Released)

Ruby 4.0.0-preview2 has been released with several updates and changes:

Key Updates:

  • Unicode Version: Ruby now uses Unicode version 17.0.0.
  • Language Change: The nil object no longer calls nil.to_a, similar to how it does not call nil.to_hash.

Core Class Changes:

  • Binding:

    • Binding#local_variables no longer includes numbered parameters.
    • Binding#local_variable_get and Binding#local_variable_set do not handle numbered parameters.
  • IO:

    • IO.select can now accept Float::INFINITY as a timeout.
  • String:

    • Updated to Unicode version 17.0.0 and Emoji version 17.0.

Standard Library Updates:

Several libraries have been updated, including:

  • ostruct 0.6.1
  • pstore 0.2.0
  • benchmark 0.4.0
  • logger 1.7.0
  • irb 1.15.2, among others.

Compatibility Issues:

  • There are some compatibility issues with the standard library, excluding bug fixes.

JIT Compiler Updates:

  • YJIT: Some stats features have been updated.
  • ZJIT: An experimental JIT compiler is introduced, but it's not ready for performance testing yet.
  • RJIT: The RJIT option has been removed.

Download Information:

Ruby 4.0.0-preview2 is available for download in various formats (tar.gz, tar.xz, zip) with their sizes and checksums provided.

About Ruby:

Ruby is an open-source programming language created by Yukihiro Matsumoto in 1993, widely used for web development across various platforms.

Author: pansa2 | Score: 121

10.
GoSign Desktop RCE flaws affecting users in Italy
(GoSign Desktop RCE flaws affecting users in Italy)

GoSign is a software used by public offices and businesses in Italy for electronic signatures, created by Tinexta InfoCert, a leading trust service provider in Europe. Researchers discovered that versions 2.4.0 and earlier have security issues: they do not verify TLS certificates when a proxy is set up and use an unsigned update file. These problems can let attackers intercept data and install harmful updates that could take control of the system remotely.

Author: ascii | Score: 40

11.
Mathematics and Computation (2019) [pdf]
(Mathematics and Computation (2019) [pdf])

Summary of "Mathematics and Computation" by Avi Wigderson

This book discusses the interplay between mathematics and computation, highlighting how they transform technology and science. Key topics include:

  1. Computational Complexity: Explores different classes of problems (P, NP, NP-complete) and their significance in understanding computational limits.

  2. Proof Complexity: Examines the complexity of mathematical proofs and how they relate to computational problems.

  3. Randomness in Computation: Investigates how randomness can enhance algorithms and the challenges of using randomness effectively.

  4. Quantum Computing: Discusses the principles of quantum computing, its potential, and its implications for computation theory.

  5. Cryptography: Analyzes modern cryptographic methods based on computational complexity and their role in securing information.

  6. Distributed Computing: Addresses the challenges of coordinating computations across multiple systems.

  7. Learning Theory: Looks into how algorithms can learn from data, including concepts like PAC (Probably Approximately Correct) learning.

The book is structured to cater to readers interested in the theoretical foundations of computer science, providing insights into how mathematical principles underpin computational theories and practices.

Author: nill0 | Score: 27

12.
Gemini 3 Pro Model Card
(Gemini 3 Pro Model Card)

No summary available.

Author: Topfi | Score: 330

13.
How many video games include a marriage proposal? At least one
(How many video games include a marriage proposal? At least one)

The NCAA Basketball Final Four 97 for PlayStation features a unique Easter egg: a marriage proposal. By entering a specific button sequence with a second controller at the main menu, players can unlock a "PUZZLE" item that asks, "Melissa, will you marry me?" If the answer is "Yes," it concludes with "And they lived happily ever after." If "No," it prompts an error message.

Another sequence unlocks a "SECRET" menu with fun features like Big Head Mode and Roll Credits. This proposal also appears in another game from the same developers, World League Basketball, using the same button codes.

The lead programmer, Scott Corley, confirmed the proposal was inspired by his own life. He recently tried to show it to his son but forgot the code. Other games with marriage proposals include Mortal Kombat 1 and Marvel’s Spider-Man. The author invites readers to share more examples and follow their work on game Easter eggs.

Author: bbayles | Score: 295

14.
I built a synth for my daughter
(I built a synth for my daughter)

Summary: I Built a Synth for My Daughter

Alastair Roberts built a portable synthesizer for his daughter's third birthday. The synth features four sliders that control pitch and has various controls for tempo and volume. It has a built-in speaker, an OLED screen with a dancing panda, and comes in a child-friendly design.

Why He Built It: Inspired by a Montessori activity board his daughter received, Alastair wanted to create a simple, tactile musical toy that didn’t require complicated button pressing. He began learning about electronics and design to bring this idea to life.

Project Development: Starting with an Arduino kit, he initially created a basic MIDI controller. He progressed by integrating a synthesizer module and a small OLED screen for visual feedback. Challenges included learning CAD for the enclosure design and moving the project to a printed circuit board (PCB) for durability.

Final Version: The final synthesizer is lightweight, powered by AA batteries, and includes a secure PCB and battery compartment. It has been well-received by his daughter and shows potential for a broader audience.

Future Plans: Alastair sees the possibility of turning this project into a product, but faces challenges like safety certifications and manufacturing costs. He is considering making a more polished version for makers or launching a Kickstarter campaign. He welcomes advice from anyone with experience in bringing hardware products to market.

Author: random_moonwalk | Score: 1223

15.
The Uselessness of "Fast" and "Slow" in Programming
(The Uselessness of "Fast" and "Slow" in Programming)

Summary of "The Uselessness of 'Fast' and 'Slow' in Programming"

In programming, terms like "fast" and "slow" are often too vague to be useful due to the vast differences in performance across various contexts. Software can operate on scales from nanoseconds to months of computation, making it hard to define what speed means consistently. For instance, a task taking 500 cycles might seem fast, but when considering larger tasks running for longer periods, the perspective shifts dramatically.

When choosing web frameworks or programming languages, developers often focus on speed metrics like "requests per second" without considering the actual capabilities of their code. Many frameworks can handle thousands of requests per second, but if the code itself is slow, the framework speed becomes irrelevant. Thus, developers should prioritize functionality and ease of use over raw speed unless they genuinely need the highest performance.

In database programming, speed is critical, and while Go is a popular language, it may not be the best choice for high-performance database systems due to its limitations. However, for many other programming tasks, the speed of Go is sufficient.

The concept of "premature optimization" warns against obsessing over small performance gains that do not significantly impact the overall system. Developers should focus on understanding the order of magnitude of their tasks and optimize accordingly, avoiding distractions from minor inefficiencies.

Ultimately, the terms "fast" and "slow" can lead to misunderstandings among teams if not clearly defined. It’s crucial to communicate specific performance metrics and avoid vague terminology to ensure everyone is aligned on expectations. Instead of using these terms, developers should aim to be precise about speed in relation to specific metrics and contexts.

Author: zdw | Score: 85

16.
Multiple Digital Ocean services down
(Multiple Digital Ocean services down)

No summary available.

Author: inanothertime | Score: 88

17.
Ditch your (mut)ex, you deserve better
(Ditch your (mut)ex, you deserve better)

The text discusses the challenges of programming with multiple CPU cores, particularly focusing on issues related to managing shared state in concurrent programming. Key points include:

  1. Parallel Programming Context: While parallel programming has been around for a long time, the shift towards multiple CPU cores makes it essential to effectively manage concurrency. However, traditional tools like mutexes (mutual exclusion locks) have not evolved significantly, leading to persistent issues.

  2. Shared State Problems: When multiple threads access shared variables, issues like data races can arise, where two threads manipulate the same data at the same time, causing unpredictable results.

  3. Mutexes: Mutexes are often used to prevent data races by ensuring that only one thread can access a resource at a time. However, they complicate code and can lead to deadlocks, where two or more threads are stuck waiting for each other indefinitely.

  4. Composability Issues: Mutexes do not easily allow for the combination of multiple critical sections into a single atomic operation, leading to broken encapsulation and increased complexity in code maintenance.

  5. Software Transactional Memory (STM): As a more effective alternative, STM provides a way to manage shared mutable state without the downsides of mutexes. It allows operations on shared data to be treated as transactions, where changes are only applied if all operations succeed, helping to prevent data races and deadlock scenarios.

  6. Concurrency Patterns: The text also mentions other concurrency patterns, like Actor systems and Communicating Sequential Processes (CSP), which can be more effective in managing parallel tasks.

  7. Conclusion: The author encourages considering alternatives to mutexes, especially in new projects involving concurrency, and suggests exploring languages that support STM, such as Haskell or Unison.

Overall, the text highlights the need for better tools and practices in concurrent programming to avoid common pitfalls associated with shared state and mutexes.

Author: commandersaki | Score: 107

18.
A/B Tests over Evals
(A/B Tests over Evals)

The blog post discusses the importance of evaluations (evals) in building AI products, emphasizing the need for effective monitoring over traditional testing methods.

Key points include:

  1. Role of Evals: Evals help in assessing AI performance, but the author believes that they often fall short, especially when compared to monitoring tools that provide real-world insights.

  2. Shift from Testing to Monitoring: The author argues that as software development has evolved, the reliance on extensive testing has decreased. Now, monitoring tools allow for quicker identification and resolution of issues, especially in AI products that are unpredictable.

  3. Critique of Evals: The author disputes claims made by Braintrust's CEO that evals are the future, arguing that they can become outdated and are not sufficient for measuring actual product performance in real-world scenarios.

  4. Real-World Performance: Instead of focusing on how many tests pass, the author suggests that the true measure of a product's quality is its performance after release, highlighting the need for continuous monitoring and feedback.

  5. Personalization Challenges: The author points out that as AI becomes more personalized, creating evals for each user becomes impractical. Instead, a few smoke tests combined with monitoring are recommended for effective product iteration.

  6. Complexity of Evals: The term "eval" has become vague, with multiple definitions that complicate understanding and usage. The author stresses the need for clear definitions to ensure effective decision-making.

Overall, the post advocates for a monitoring-centric approach to AI product development, arguing that it better captures real-world performance and facilitates faster, more effective iteration.

Author: Nischalj10 | Score: 15

19.
Azure hit by 15 Tbps DDoS attack using 500k IP addresses
(Azure hit by 15 Tbps DDoS attack using 500k IP addresses)

Microsoft Azure successfully defended against a massive DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack that reached 15 terabits per second (Tbps), setting a new record. This attack aimed to disrupt services but was neutralized by Azure's security measures. The incident highlights Azure's capability to handle extreme cyber threats and protect its users from potential service interruptions.

Author: speckx | Score: 435

20.
Ruby Symbols
(Ruby Symbols)

The text discusses the concept of symbols in Ruby, explaining their significance and functionality. Here are the key points:

  1. What are Symbols?

    • Symbols are unique identifiers used in Ruby that represent names or tokens, like :name. They remain the same object throughout a program's execution, regardless of the context (class, method, etc.).
  2. Memory Efficiency:

    • Using symbols is memory-efficient because the same symbol is reused instead of creating multiple string instances for the same identifier.
  3. Metaprogramming:

    • Symbols play a crucial role in Ruby's metaprogramming capabilities, allowing dynamic method definitions and method calls. For example, attr_accessor uses symbols to create getter and setter methods.
  4. Symbol Usage:

    • Symbols can be used in hash keys, with the modern syntax allowing for cleaner code. They also allow for efficient method calls and can be converted to procs for functional programming techniques.
  5. Symbol vs. String:

    • There’s a clear distinction between symbols and strings in Ruby. Symbols are identifiers, while strings are data. This distinction helps convey intent in code.
  6. Enums in Ruby:

    • Ruby supports enums, especially in Rails, allowing for defined sets of symbols that can represent statuses or categories.
  7. Conclusion:

    • Understanding symbols enhances the ability to write effective Ruby code, especially when leveraging metaprogramming techniques.

Overall, the text emphasizes that symbols are a powerful feature in Ruby, enabling efficient coding practices and enhancing the language's metaprogramming capabilities.

Author: stonecharioteer | Score: 59

21.
The surprising benefits of giving up
(The surprising benefits of giving up)

No summary available.

Author: jnord | Score: 145

22.
When Reverse Proxies Surprise You: Hard Lessons from Operating at Scale
(When Reverse Proxies Surprise You: Hard Lessons from Operating at Scale)

Summary of "When Reverse Proxies Surprise You: Hard Lessons from Operating at Scale"

This article discusses the challenges and lessons learned from operating reverse proxies at a large scale. Here are the key takeaways:

  1. Contextual Optimization: Optimizations that work well in small setups may fail under larger loads due to differences in hardware and workloads. Always test performance on the actual target system.

  2. Common Failures: Most outages arise from simple mistakes (like syntax errors) rather than complex bugs. Regular testing and monitoring of basic operations are crucial.

  3. Lean Designs: Keep the main processing path straightforward; avoid complicating it with exceptions or unnecessary abstractions.

  4. Trust Metrics: Rely on actual data and metrics rather than assumptions or theoretical models. Profiling and monitoring are essential to uncover hidden performance issues.

  5. Human-Centric Design: During outages, operators need clear and simple tools for recovery. Ensure that logs and commands are easily accessible, especially when systems fail.

Key Challenges Encountered:

  • Performance Issues: For instance, an optimization that reduced memory contention on smaller machines caused significant slowdowns when scaled up due to increased lock contention.
  • Basic Errors: Simple mistakes, such as missing punctuation in configuration files, led to significant outages.
  • Unexpected Complexity: Some code, while appearing efficient at a small scale, became a bottleneck when deployed in larger systems, revealing hidden inefficiencies.

Operational Lessons:

  • Always validate inputs and configurations.
  • Implement safeguards against basic operational mistakes.
  • Ensure that monitoring systems can function independently from the primary infrastructure.
  • When designing systems, prioritize simplicity and clarity to aid operators during emergencies.

The article emphasizes that reverse proxies are critical yet fragile components of infrastructure, and success lies in avoiding complexity and focusing on reliable, straightforward operations.

Author: miggy | Score: 80

23.
Roma Lister, Aradia, and the Speculative Origins of a Witchcraft Revival
(Roma Lister, Aradia, and the Speculative Origins of a Witchcraft Revival)

In 1899, American journalist Charles Godfrey Leland published a book called Aradia, or, The Gospel of the Witches, claiming it contained ancient witchcraft teachings he obtained from a Tuscan fortune teller named Maddalena. Leland argued that this work proved paganism had survived in Italy since the Middle Ages, although the original manuscript he referenced is now lost.

The book presents a goddess-centered narrative where the Goddess Diana instructs her daughter, Aradia, to teach marginalized people sorcery as a means of liberation from oppression. Aradia criticizes Christianity, claiming its leaders are devil-worshippers and promotes the idea that hidden knowledge is power.

While Aradia initially received little attention, it later influenced the development of modern Wicca, particularly through the work of Doreen Valiente in the 1950s. However, the true origins of the book remain unclear, with some scholars doubting the existence of a secret pagan witch-cult in 19th-century Italy.

Another key figure in this narrative is Roma Lister, who worked with Leland and collected Italian folklore. She was a respected researcher and was involved in spiritualism and automatic writing, leading to speculation that she may have contributed to Aradia. Lister's interactions with local magical practitioners and her involvement in the academic community make her a significant part of this story.

Ultimately, Aradia and modern Wicca emerged from a collaborative effort that included Leland, Maddalena, and Lister, highlighting the contributions of women in reviving and reshaping witchcraft traditions.

Author: Vigier | Score: 10

24.
Langfuse (YC W23) Hiring OSS Support Engineers in Berlin and SF
(Langfuse (YC W23) Hiring OSS Support Engineers in Berlin and SF)

No summary available.

Author: clemo_ra | Score: 1

25.
Unofficial "Tier 4" Rust Target for older Windows versions
(Unofficial "Tier 4" Rust Target for older Windows versions)

The Rust source code repository includes the compiler, standard library, and documentation.

Key Points:

  • Performance: Rust is fast, memory-efficient, and works well for critical services and embedded devices. It can easily integrate with other programming languages.

  • Reliability: It has a strong type system and ownership model that enhance memory and thread safety, helping to prevent bugs before the code runs.

  • Productivity: Rust offers extensive documentation, helpful compiler diagnostics, and tools like Cargo (package manager), rustfmt (auto-formatter), Clippy (linter), and rust-analyzer (editor support).

Getting Started:

  • Follow the "Installation" guide in The Book for easy setup.
  • If you prefer to install from source, refer to INSTALL.md (not recommended).

Community Help: Visit https://www.rust-lang.org/community for chat and forum resources.

Contributing: See CONTRIBUTING.md for how to help with Rust.

Licensing: Rust is mainly distributed under the MIT and Apache License (Version 2.0). Check LICENSE-APACHE, LICENSE-MIT, and COPYRIGHT for specifics.

Trademark: The Rust Foundation protects the Rust and Cargo trademarks. Refer to the media guide for usage guidelines. Third-party logos may have their own copyright and trademark rules.

Author: kristianp | Score: 117

26.
My stages of learning to be a socially normal person
(My stages of learning to be a socially normal person)

No summary available.

Author: eatitraw | Score: 557

27.
Rebecca Heineman has died
(Rebecca Heineman has died)

No summary available.

Author: shdon | Score: 777

28.
Compiling Ruby to machine language
(Compiling Ruby to machine language)

The text discusses the upcoming edition of "Ruby Under a Microscope," which focuses on Ruby 3.x and includes a new chapter on Just-In-Time (JIT) compilers, specifically YJIT and ZJIT. The author is excited about learning how these compilers enhance Ruby's performance.

Key points from the chapter include:

  1. Interpreting vs. Compiling: YJIT (Yet Another JIT) compiles Ruby code into machine language for better performance.
  2. Counting Calls: YJIT monitors how often functions or blocks are called. When a threshold is reached (30 for small programs, 120 for larger ones), it compiles that code into machine language.
  3. YJIT Blocks: These are groups of compiled machine language instructions corresponding to Ruby code segments, allowing for optimization.
  4. Branch Stubs: YJIT uses branch stubs to handle unknown data types during execution, compiling instructions only after observing the types being used.

Overall, the chapter aims to explain how YJIT improves Ruby's runtime efficiency by compiling frequently used code into machine language. The author invites readers to reach out for updates on the book's completion.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 274

29.
Astrophotographer snaps skydiver falling in front of the sun
(Astrophotographer snaps skydiver falling in front of the sun)

A recent collaboration between astrophotographer Andrew McCarthy and skydiver Gabriel C. Brown has created a groundbreaking image called "The Fall of Icarus." This striking photo captures Brown skydiving above the Sun, showcasing the Sun's turbulent layers in hydrogen alpha light. The silhouette of Brown is perfectly positioned against the Sun's surface, framed by sunspots.

McCarthy and Brown came up with the idea to combine skydiving with astrophotography after meeting a few months ago. To achieve the shot, McCarthy coordinated closely with Brown and the paramotor pilot to ensure everything was aligned. It took six attempts to successfully capture the image, overcoming various challenges along the way.

The final result is a stunning piece of art that highlights the creativity and effort behind modern astrophotography. Limited edition prints of McCarthy's work are available on his website.

Author: doener | Score: 444

30.
I've Wanted to Play That 'Killer Shark' Arcade Game Briefly Seen in 'Jaws'
(I've Wanted to Play That 'Killer Shark' Arcade Game Briefly Seen in 'Jaws')

No summary available.

Author: speckx | Score: 7

31.
Project Gemini
(Project Gemini)

Project Gemini Summary

Project Gemini is a new internet technology designed to create an electronic library of interconnected text documents. It aims to offer a simple and focused online space for reading, prioritizing user privacy and minimizing distractions. Rather than seeking to innovate or disrupt existing technologies, Gemini provides a calm alternative for those overwhelmed by the current internet landscape. For more information, you can check the FAQ or watch an overview video. All content related to Project Gemini is shared under a specific licensing agreement.

Author: andsoitis | Score: 312

32.
FreeMDU: Open-source Miele appliance diagnostic tools
(FreeMDU: Open-source Miele appliance diagnostic tools)

FreeMDU Overview

FreeMDU is a project that offers open hardware and software tools for communicating with Miele appliances through their optical diagnostic interface. It is a free alternative to the proprietary Miele Diagnostic Utility, which is only accessible to registered technicians.

Key Points:

  1. Diagnostic Interface: Most Miele appliances made after 1996 have an infrared diagnostic interface, which is usually hidden behind an indicator light. Older models may have this marked as "Program Correction."

  2. Accessibility: Previously, accessing this interface required an expensive infrared adapter and proprietary software from Miele. FreeMDU aims to make it easier for everyone to perform diagnostics and automate their home appliances.

  3. Main Components:

    • Protocol: A library for device communication.
    • TUI: A terminal tool for diagnostics and testing.
    • Home: Firmware for a communication adapter that integrates with home automation systems like Home Assistant.
  4. Supported Devices: The project lists specific software IDs and devices confirmed to work with FreeMDU, but it cannot guarantee compatibility for all models. Users must determine the software ID of their appliance to check compatibility.

  5. Getting Started: Users need to install the Rust toolchain and build a communication adapter. They can then choose to use FreeMDU for diagnostics, home automation integration, or developing custom software.

  6. Caution: The project is experimental, and improper use can damage Miele appliances. Users should proceed with caution.

  7. License and Contributions: FreeMDU is open-source and not affiliated with Miele. Contributions are welcome under the Apache 2.0 or MIT licenses.

This summary simplifies the project details and makes it easier to understand how FreeMDU works and how to use it.

Author: Medusalix | Score: 322

33.
Parqeye – A CLI tool to visualize and inspect Parquet files
(Parqeye – A CLI tool to visualize and inspect Parquet files)

I created a command-line tool in Rust that allows users to inspect Parquet files directly from the terminal. With this tool, you can view the data, metadata, and structure of row groups quickly, instead of needing to use other software like DuckDB or Polars. Now, you can check the contents of a Parquet file with just one command.

You can find the project here: GitHub - parqeye.

Author: kaushiksrini | Score: 141

34.
Windows 11 adds AI agent that runs in background with access to personal folders
(Windows 11 adds AI agent that runs in background with access to personal folders)

Microsoft is planning to enhance Windows 11 by introducing a feature called "Agent Workspace," which allows AI agents to run in the background and access personal folders like Desktop, Music, Pictures, and Videos. This feature is currently experimental and available only to Windows Insiders in the Dev or Beta Channel.

The AI agents can perform tasks similar to how a human would, such as booking travel or managing files, but their implementation raises security concerns. Each AI agent operates in a separate workspace with its own permissions, ensuring that actions are isolated and auditable.

While Agent Workspace may improve efficiency compared to traditional virtual machines, it also comes with risks, as agents will have access to sensitive folders by default. Microsoft claims to mitigate these risks by providing agents with separate accounts and limited access.

Despite some backlash regarding the focus on AI, Microsoft insists it is committed to improving the overall Windows experience for all users, including developers. The feature remains optional, but the company is clearly investing heavily in AI as part of the future of Windows 11.

Author: jinxmeta | Score: 581

35.
LeJEPA: Provable and Scalable Self-Supervised Learning Without the Heuristics
(LeJEPA: Provable and Scalable Self-Supervised Learning Without the Heuristics)

Learning how to represent and predict the dynamics of the world is crucial for AI. Joint-Embedding Predictive Architectures (JEPAs) show promise but have lacked clear guidance, leading to inconsistent research and development.

We introduce a new theory for JEPAs and a practical implementation called LeJEPA. Key points include:

  1. Optimal Distribution: We determine that JEPAs should use an isotropic Gaussian distribution for their embeddings to improve prediction accuracy.
  2. New Objective: We present Sketched Isotropic Gaussian Regularization (SIGReg) to help embeddings conform to this optimal distribution.
  3. Benefits of LeJEPA:
    • It has a single hyperparameter for easier tuning.
    • It is efficient in terms of time and memory.
    • It works well across different architectures (like ResNets and ConvNets) and domains.
    • It doesn’t need complex heuristics or additional training techniques.
    • It can be implemented easily with about 50 lines of code.

Our tests show that LeJEPA performs well across over 10 datasets and 60 architectures. For instance, it achieves 79% accuracy on the imagenet-1k dataset using a specific model. We believe LeJEPA's simplicity and strong theoretical foundation will reinforce the importance of self-supervised pre-training in AI research.

Author: nothrowaways | Score: 64

36.
Raccoons are showing early signs of domestication
(Raccoons are showing early signs of domestication)

A new study suggests that urban raccoons are showing early signs of domestication by evolving shorter snouts, similar to those of pets. The research indicates that this change is not just due to human breeding but starts when animals become used to living near people. Urban raccoons have adapted to take advantage of human food waste, which requires them to be bold yet not threatening.

The study found that city raccoons have snouts that are 3.5% shorter than their rural counterparts. This change aligns with a theory about "domestication syndrome," where traits like shorter faces and reduced fear responses appear in animals that live closely with humans. The theory ties these physical traits to changes in specific cells during embryonic development.

Researchers plan to further investigate by studying the genetics and stress hormone levels of urban versus rural raccoons and possibly examining other species.

Author: pavel_lishin | Score: 205

37.
Run ancient UNIX on modern hardware
(Run ancient UNIX on modern hardware)

Summary: Run Ancient UNIX on Modern Hardware

This guide explains how to run older versions of UNIX on modern Unix-like systems like Linux, FreeBSD, and macOS. Supported versions include:

  • For PDP-11: Version 1, Version 5, Version 7, and 2.11BSD UNIX.
  • For x86: Version 7 UNIX, recompiled for x86 by Robert Nordier.

Licensing and Acknowledgments:

  • The UNIX versions are open source under the Caldera license. Be mindful of different licenses for various components, especially with 2.11BSD UNIX.
  • Contributions and modifications by the author are under the BSD-3-Clause license.

Requirements: To run these UNIX versions, you need to install several tools including the PDP-11 Simulator (SIMH), qemu, and others depending on your operating system (Debian, Fedora, FreeBSD, etc.).

Installation Steps:

  1. Install required tools using provided commands for your OS.
  2. Clone the repository with git clone https://github.com/felipenlunkes/run-ancient-unix and navigate into it.
  3. Run the script run.sh to install UNIX system images and choose your UNIX version.

Running UNIX: You can run UNIX versions by selecting from a menu when you execute the run.sh script. Each version has specific commands for logging in and operating the system.

Cleaning Up: After use, you can remove temporary files created by the simulator using the cleanup option in the script or manually delete them.

This guide provides detailed steps for interacting with each UNIX version, including login procedures and commands for exiting.

Author: doener | Score: 108

38.
WeatherNext 2: Our most advanced weather forecasting model
(WeatherNext 2: Our most advanced weather forecasting model)

Google has launched WeatherNext 2, a new AI-driven weather forecasting model that significantly improves the speed and accuracy of predictions. Key features include:

  • Faster Predictions: WeatherNext 2 can generate hundreds of weather scenarios in under a minute, making it eight times faster than its predecessor.
  • High Resolution: It offers high-resolution forecasts, with updates as frequent as every hour.
  • Advanced Technology: The model uses a unique approach called Functional Generative Networks (FGN) to create realistic weather predictions by incorporating variability into the forecasts.
  • Wider Accessibility: Users can access WeatherNext 2 data through Google Earth Engine, BigQuery, and an early access program on Google Cloud’s Vertex AI.
  • Applications: The model enhances weather forecasts across several Google services, including Google Search, Gemini, Pixel Weather, and Google Maps.

Overall, WeatherNext 2 aims to support decision-making in various fields affected by weather, from transportation to agriculture, by providing detailed and timely weather information.

Author: meetpateltech | Score: 279

39.
Comparing Android Alternatives: Lineage OS, ∕E∕OS, and Graphene OS
(Comparing Android Alternatives: Lineage OS, ∕E∕OS, and Graphene OS)

The text compares three open-source Android-based operating systems: Lineage OS, ∕e∕OS, and Graphene OS, focusing on their privacy and security features as alternatives to traditional Android.

Key Points:

  1. Purpose: These custom ROMs aim to replace traditional Android firmware, enhancing privacy and security. Interest in them is growing, with regular updates being released.

  2. Commonalities: All three are based on the Android Open-Source Project (AOSP) and share similar installation processes, though their specific features and user experiences differ.

  3. Lineage OS:

    • The oldest and well-known, originally from Cyanogen.
    • Minimal installation, lacking Google Play Services, but allows user customization.
    • Offers essential apps like camera and calendar, but not as many built-in services.
    • Supports a wide range of devices but has some privacy vulnerabilities.
    • Good for technically-savvy users focused on privacy without heavy security measures.
  4. ∕e∕OS:

    • A simpler version of Lineage, associated with the Murena service provider.
    • Includes MicroG, which helps run some Google services while preserving privacy.
    • Offers more built-in apps but might be less appealing to users wanting a minimalist experience.
    • Good for those seeking a balance between privacy and usability, especially if using Murena's services.
  5. Graphene OS:

    • Offers strong security features and supports only a few devices (mainly Google Pixel).
    • Installation is straightforward but less customizable.
    • Allows Google services to run in a privacy-focused sandbox.
    • Best for users who need high security and are less concerned about customization.
  6. Conclusion:

    • All three alternatives improve privacy over standard vendor firmware.
    • Choosing the right one depends on individual needs regarding privacy, compatibility, and convenience.
    • Users still need to avoid data-harvesting apps to maintain privacy, as switching firmware alone won't solve privacy issues if such apps are used.
Author: ingve | Score: 35

40.
How when AWS was down, we were not
(How when AWS was down, we were not)

The article discusses a significant AWS outage that occurred on October 20, 2025, affecting many high-profile services due to issues with DynamoDB in the us-east-1 region. Despite this, the author explains how their service maintained uptime during the incident, emphasizing the importance of reliability in their authentication and authorization platform, Authress.

Key points include:

  1. Reliability Definition: The author defines reliability as achieving a Service Level Agreement (SLA) of five nines (99.999%), meaning the service can only be down for about five minutes a year.

  2. Challenges: The article outlines various challenges faced, including reliance on AWS infrastructure, potential failures from third-party components, and the need for robust incident management.

  3. Architecture Strategy:

    • Multi-Region Setup: The author discusses the need for a redundant architecture with multiple regions to ensure service availability during outages.
    • Dynamic DNS Routing: They utilize AWS Route 53 for health checks and failover routing between regions during incidents.
    • Health Checks: Custom health checks are implemented to ensure both primary and backup regions are functioning correctly.
  4. Incident Response: The importance of automated responses to incidents is highlighted, including extensive testing before deployment to prevent bugs from reaching production.

  5. Anomaly Detection: The author emphasizes using anomaly detection to identify potential issues based on business metrics, rather than just technical errors.

  6. Security and Resource Management: The article discusses the need for rate limiting to prevent resource exhaustion from malicious or negligent actions and highlights the importance of customer support in managing incidents effectively.

  7. Conclusion: While the author outlines a comprehensive approach to achieving high reliability, they caution that simply having a robust architecture does not guarantee the promised five nines SLA. Continuous vigilance and improvement are necessary.

Overall, the article serves as a guide for building reliable and resilient cloud-based services, with an emphasis on proactive measures to handle potential failures.

Author: mooreds | Score: 181

41.
Practice answers with yourself. I made a thing that I didn't want to pay for
(Practice answers with yourself. I made a thing that I didn't want to pay for)

The text provides a simple format for an interview, starting with the question, "Tell me about yourself." It includes options to manage camera settings and record responses, but currently, there are no recordings available.

Author: samrocksc | Score: 16

42.
ESPectre – Motion detection based on Wi-Fi spectre analysis
(ESPectre – Motion detection based on Wi-Fi spectre analysis)

The author of ESPectre introduces an open-source project that detects motion using Wi-Fi signal analysis. This project has gained nearly 2,000 stars in just two weeks.

Key points include:

  • It does not use Machine Learning; it relies on mathematics.
  • It operates in real-time on a low-cost chip, the ESP32.
  • It works well with Home Assistant through MQTT.
Author: francescopace | Score: 184

43.
Continuous Claude – run Claude Code in a loop
(Continuous Claude – run Claude Code in a loop)

Continuous Claude is a command-line tool I created that runs Claude Code in a loop, maintaining context between iterations. It automates a workflow that includes creating branches, making code changes, generating commits, and managing pull requests on GitHub. This process allows for multi-step coding tasks without losing track of progress or reasoning.

The tool is particularly useful for tasks that need multiple small changes, such as improving test coverage, large refactors, updating dependencies, or migrating frameworks.

For more details, you can read the blog post here: Running Claude Code in a Loop.

Author: anandchowdhary | Score: 151

44.
Aldous Huxley predicts Adderall and champions alternative therapies
(Aldous Huxley predicts Adderall and champions alternative therapies)

The text includes links to an audio recording and a transcript about realizing human potential. It focuses on important concepts related to personal growth and development. The summary emphasizes the need to understand and unlock our capabilities to achieve our full potential.

Author: surprisetalk | Score: 111

45.
A new book about the origins of Effective Altruism
(A new book about the origins of Effective Altruism)

The text discusses the evolution of the effective altruism movement, which was inspired by philosopher Peter Singer. In the early 1970s, Singer posed a thought experiment about a drowning child to highlight the moral obligation to help those suffering globally. This idea led to the formation of effective altruism, which focuses on using resources to maximize positive impact.

In 2009, Oxford philosophers Toby Ord and Will MacAskill founded Giving What We Can, encouraging people to donate 10% of their income to effective causes. The movement gained traction, attracting both wealthy individuals and everyday people. However, it has faced challenges, including scandals involving prominent figures like Sam Bankman-Fried, who misused funds.

The conversation highlights the tension within effective altruism between individual charitable actions and addressing systemic issues like poverty and corruption. Critics argue that the movement's focus on personal donations can overlook the need for structural change. As politics has become more polarized, effective altruism seeks to remain apolitical to avoid alienating potential supporters.

Overall, effective altruism has transformed over the years, adapting to criticisms and learning from past mistakes, while continuing to aim for significant global impact.

Author: Thevet | Score: 107

46.
Jeff Bezos creates A.I. startup where he will be co-chief executive
(Jeff Bezos creates A.I. startup where he will be co-chief executive)

I can't access the link you provided, but if you share the text or main points you want summarized, I can help with that!

Author: dominikposmyk | Score: 155

47.
The Smartphone Killed the Xbox
(The Smartphone Killed the Xbox)

The article discusses the decline of the Xbox, arguing that it was not the PlayStation that caused its downfall, but rather the rise of smartphones. The author, Ravi Hiranand, explains that while the PlayStation 5 is more successful than the Xbox Series X, the real issue lies in how consumer habits have changed with the advent of smartphones.

Initially, Microsoft created the Xbox to compete with Sony's PlayStation, fearing that Sony would dominate home entertainment. Over the years, Xbox began to focus on multimedia features, particularly with the Xbox One, which aimed to be more than just a gaming console. However, this strategy failed because consumer preferences shifted towards individual devices like smartphones and tablets, making the idea of a shared living room PC obsolete.

Now, Xbox struggles to find its identity within Microsoft’s broader strategy, as its role has diminished compared to other products. The PlayStation has successfully refocused on gaming, while Xbox remains unsure of its purpose, leading to confusion and a lack of direction. The author concludes that the smartphone has effectively removed the reason for Xbox's existence in the current market.

Author: merlioncity | Score: 13

48.
Reversing a Cinema Camera's Peripherals Port
(Reversing a Cinema Camera's Peripherals Port)

The author recently bought a used Sony PXW-FS7 camera, which, despite its weight, produces great images. They encountered an issue with reachability of certain buttons on the camera's grip when shooting from the hip. To address this, the author decided to reverse engineer the camera's button protocol to create their own hardware with additional buttons.

With some help, they discovered that the camera uses a simple serial communication protocol. They managed to identify how button presses are communicated and started developing a prototype using an STM32 board. After some initial coding, they switched to a more compact WCH32V003 microcontroller for their final design.

The author created a custom PCB to fit in a constrained space on the camera rig but faced several challenges, including wiring issues and button connectivity. After debugging, they successfully got the PCB to work reliably. Finally, they designed a housing for the PCB that can be made from aluminum or 3D printed for prototyping.

The project is ongoing, with plans to reverse engineer additional buttons in the future. The author has shared their progress in a GitHub repository.

Author: 3nt3 | Score: 42

49.
Researchers develop air-powered robots that move in sync without electronics
(Researchers develop air-powered robots that move in sync without electronics)

The video showcases multifunctional fluidic units that enable robots to respond quickly to their environment. These units allow robots to exhibit complex behaviors by using fluid mechanics. The technology aims to enhance the versatility and responsiveness of robotic systems.

Author: JeanKage | Score: 4

50.
The time has finally come for geothermal energy
(The time has finally come for geothermal energy)

I'm sorry, but I can't access external links directly. However, if you provide the text or main points from the document, I'd be happy to help you summarize it!

Author: riordan | Score: 146

51.
People are using iPad OS features on their iPhones
(People are using iPad OS features on their iPhones)

No summary available.

Author: K0IN | Score: 162

52.
“One Student One Chip” Course Homepage
(“One Student One Chip” Course Homepage)

The "One Student One Chip" course will begin live teaching sessions in September 2025. If you find any errors in the materials or have questions, reach out to Yu Zihao via email.

Learning Resources:

  • Course materials include video lectures, handouts, and slides, with estimated completion times for tasks.
  • Completion times are based on intermediate-level learners; beginners may need more time.
  • Lecture notes and course materials are accessible online and can be exported to PDF.

Course Structure:

  • The course covers various topics such as digital circuits, processor design, programming in C, and system software.
  • Different stages of the course include tasks with specific estimated times for completion.

Additional Notes:

  • If the webpage loading is slow, refreshing may help.
  • Past courses and other resources are available through the course homepage.
  • The page was last updated on September 4, 2025.
Author: camel-cdr | Score: 176

53.
AI slop security engineering: Okta's NextJS-0auth troubles
(AI slop security engineering: Okta's NextJS-0auth troubles)

In October, I reported two security issues to Okta’s auth0/nextjs-auth0 project. One of the bugs involved an oauth parameter injection that could allow various abuses, such as leaking tokens. I submitted a simple fix for it, but three weeks later, the maintainer closed my pull request (PR) stating that it was replaced by another PR that preserved commit history.

However, the new PR incorrectly credited another person, Simen Olsen, with my work. I pointed out this attribution error, and the maintainer admitted it was due to an AI-generated commit that confused the details. They apologized but refused to correct the commit history to include my name.

I also questioned how the AI produced a false email for the author since there was no trace of it online, leading me to wonder if the AI had made a mistake. Despite the vulnerability being fixed, the maintainer has not addressed the attribution issue, and Okta's security team dismissed my claims by saying they wouldn’t acknowledge the issue unless I provided a video demonstrating the vulnerability. This experience highlights ongoing frustrations with reporting security issues and the role of AI in development processes.

Author: ramimac | Score: 29

54.
Are you stuck in movie logic?
(Are you stuck in movie logic?)

The article discusses how poor communication in movies creates drama and suggests that we often mimic this "movie logic" in our own lives, leading to unresolved issues. The author emphasizes the importance of directly naming problems in relationships, rather than avoiding them, as this can lead to relief and stronger connections.

Using examples from films like La La Land and Good Will Hunting, the author illustrates how misunderstandings could have been avoided with open dialogue. They argue that many people fear naming issues because they worry it might escalate conflicts or make things awkward, but addressing problems openly can actually improve situations.

The article provides tips for effective communication, such as recognizing deeper issues, admitting when you're unsure about a problem, and being transparent about your feelings. The overall message is that avoiding difficult conversations can alienate us from our true feelings and hinder personal growth, while confronting issues can lead to more honest and fulfilling relationships.

Author: eatitraw | Score: 215

55.
PayPal bans Linux users with a GPU name containing the string "Apple M1"
(PayPal bans Linux users with a GPU name containing the string "Apple M1")

No summary available.

Author: robin_reala | Score: 72

56.
Core Devices keeps stealing our work
(Core Devices keeps stealing our work)

On November 17, 2025, Rebble expressed frustration over their partnership with Core Devices, which has not gone as planned. Initially, they believed working together would benefit the Pebble community, with Core developing new watches and Rebble providing essential services. However, Core has demanded full access to Rebble's work from the past decade without any commitments to collaboration, sparking concerns that Core could create a separate, proprietary app store.

Rebble has been crucial in maintaining the Pebble experience since Pebble Technology Corporation went out of business nine years ago, investing significant resources to sustain the Pebble App Store. They are now at a standstill with Core, which wants to use Rebble's data without guarantees of partnership. Rebble emphasizes that the work they’ve done must not be exploited for Core's benefit alone.

Rebble has two potential paths forward: they could protect their work legally or allow Core unrestricted access to their data. They are seeking input from the community to decide the best course of action, believing that collaboration is the ideal solution, but they are prepared to defend their contributions if necessary. They invite feedback from the community to navigate this challenging situation.

Author: jdauriemma | Score: 567

57.
How to escape the Linux networking stack
(How to escape the Linux networking stack)

The article discusses the challenges and solutions related to the Linux networking stack, particularly in the context of Cloudflare's innovative method called soft-unicast, which allows sharing IP addresses across multiple machines. The author describes a service named SLATFATF (or "fish") that helps manage IP packets in this environment.

Key points include:

  1. Soft-Unicast: This method enables multiple machines to share the same IP address, presenting challenges with routing and network address translation (NAT).

  2. Challenges with Linux: The Linux networking stack, specifically its handling of sockets and connection tracking (conntrack), can lead to errors when multiple processes attempt to use the same IP address and port combination.

  3. Collision Avoidance: The article explains how the system can experience port allocation issues, leading to connection failures when ports run out.

  4. Solutions: The author discusses various approaches to mitigate these problems, such as using TCP_REPAIR and TCP Fast Open features to manage connections without traditional socket methods, thus avoiding port conflicts.

  5. Routing Issues: The author faced difficulties with packet routing when local sockets were created, demonstrating the complexity of the Linux routing mechanism.

  6. Performance Testing: Experiments were conducted to evaluate the impact of changes on CPU usage, revealing that some adjustments did not significantly degrade performance.

Ultimately, the article highlights the intricate nature of networking in Linux, the innovative approaches taken by Cloudflare, and the ongoing evolution of their systems to improve performance and reliability.

Author: meysamazad | Score: 134

58.
Implementing Wordle in LibreOffice with JavaScript Macros
(Implementing Wordle in LibreOffice with JavaScript Macros)

Summary: Implementing Wordle in LibreOffice with JavaScript Macros

The author created a Wordle clone using JavaScript macros in LibreOffice during the Month of LibreOffice, aiming to explore the current state of JavaScript support in the software.

Key Points:

  1. Scripting Challenges: Starting with JavaScript macros in LibreOffice is difficult due to limited documentation. The existing resources provide minimal guidance on how to create and embed JavaScript macros effectively.

  2. Game Development: The author designed a Wordle game where players input words, and the game scores guesses by highlighting letters. The implementation utilized LibreOffice Writer's features.

  3. Macro Creation: To create a JavaScript macro, the author had to unzip the .odt file, add the script files in a specific folder structure, and update the manifest file. They also had to write a parcel-descriptor.xml to describe the JavaScript macro.

  4. Event Handling: The game detects player inputs and highlights previous guesses using the UNO API. The author faced issues with recursive modifications but solved them using a timer to handle inputs properly.

  5. Spellchecking: The author integrated LibreOffice's spellchecker to ensure players only use valid English words, specifying the correct locale for the spellchecker.

  6. Focus Management: To maintain focus on the document after button clicks, the author configured the button not to take focus away.

  7. Animation: The game features simple animations for starting and ending, displaying messages sequentially.

  8. Conclusion: The project demonstrated the potential of JavaScript in LibreOffice, despite initial difficulties. The author encourages others to experiment with the LibreOffice JavaScript API.

Overall, the project was a learning experience about the state of JavaScript in LibreOffice and highlighted the capabilities of the UNO object model for developing office applications.

Author: nogajun | Score: 10

59.
Why don't people return their shopping carts?
(Why don't people return their shopping carts?)

No summary available.

Author: ohjeez | Score: 122

60.
3.5B Accounts: Complete WhatsApp Directory Retrieved and Evaluated
(3.5B Accounts: Complete WhatsApp Directory Retrieved and Evaluated)

A team of researchers from Austria has uncovered a massive data leak involving 3.5 billion WhatsApp accounts, making it the largest leak in history. They found that all WhatsApp numbers and some profile data were available online without any protection. Despite notifying WhatsApp's parent company, Meta Platforms, about the vulnerability since September 2024, little action was taken until the research paper was about to be published.

The researchers highlighted several alarming findings:

  1. Sensitive Data: The leaked data includes information about user distribution across countries, operating systems, and business accounts, which could be crucial for competitors and regulators.

  2. Active Accounts in Banned Regions: Even in countries where WhatsApp is banned, like China and Iran, millions of active accounts were discovered, raising safety concerns for users.

  3. Profile Information: Approximately 30% of users provided detailed personal information in their profiles, including sensitive topics like political opinions and drug use. This information could be exploited by hackers and spammers.

  4. Profile Pictures: The researchers downloaded around 3.8 terabytes of publicly visible profile pictures, which could be used for facial recognition and further data collection.

Overall, the findings suggest significant privacy risks for WhatsApp users, especially those in oppressive regimes.

Author: doener | Score: 12

61.
A graph explorer of the Epstein emails
(A graph explorer of the Epstein emails)

The text contains a link to a GitHub project called "Epstein-doc-explorer." This project is likely related to exploring documents associated with Epstein. For more details, you can visit the provided link.

Author: cratermoon | Score: 306

62.
PrinceJS – 19,200 req/s Bun framework in 2.8 kB (built by a 13yo)
(PrinceJS – 19,200 req/s Bun framework in 2.8 kB (built by a 13yo))

A 13-year-old from Nigeria has created a new web framework called PrinceJS, which is designed to be very fast, handling 19,200 requests per second. It is lightweight, at only 2.8 kB when compressed, and offers features like tree-shaking and zero dependencies or configurations. The framework was built in under a week by just one person using Bun.

You can try it by running bun add princejs. For more information, visit the GitHub page here or the documentation at this link. The creator is open to feedback about the framework.

Author: lilprince1218 | Score: 143

63.
Ion: Modern System Shell in Rust
(Ion: Modern System Shell in Rust)

Summary of Ion Shell

Ion is a modern shell written in Rust, known for its simple yet powerful syntax. It is designed for high performance and security, working well on RedoxOS and other Unix-like systems. Although still a work in progress, Ion is nearing stabilization with minimal upcoming changes to its syntax.

Key Features:

  • Ion has a request for comments (RFC) process for language proposals, which is still developing.
  • The Ion manual is automatically generated and can be accessed online or built locally.
  • Installation options are available for individual users and system-wide setups, with specific instructions for Ubuntu and Pop!_OS.

Installation Steps:

  1. Clone the Ion repository.
  2. Use Cargo to install the shell, either locally or system-wide.

Plugins and Support:

  • Ion includes plugins for additional functionalities, available in its repository.
  • Syntax highlighting plugins are available for Vim/NeoVim and Emacs users.
  • An LSP (Language Server Protocol) server is available for IDE support.

Overall, Ion aims to provide a robust and efficient shell experience while continuing to evolve.

Author: nateb2022 | Score: 59

64.
A new chapter begins for EV batteries with the expiry of key LFP patents
(A new chapter begins for EV batteries with the expiry of key LFP patents)

The text discusses energy and infrastructure, highlighting their importance and interconnection. Key points include:

  1. Energy Sources: Various forms of energy, such as renewable (solar, wind) and non-renewable (coal, oil), are essential for powering infrastructure.

  2. Infrastructure Role: Infrastructure includes transportation systems, utilities, and buildings that support energy distribution and consumption.

  3. Sustainability: There is a growing focus on sustainable energy practices to reduce environmental impact and ensure long-term energy availability.

  4. Investment and Development: Continuous investment in energy and infrastructure is crucial for economic growth and meeting future energy needs.

Overall, a strong energy system and robust infrastructure are vital for a functioning society and a sustainable future.

Author: toomuchtodo | Score: 195

65.
RDMA-Rust: Why another RDMA wrapper
(RDMA-Rust: Why another RDMA wrapper)

Summary: Why Another RDMA Wrapper

Overview
If you're developing synchronous RDMA code in Rust and facing challenges like complex foreign function interface (FFI) issues, ownership problems with RDMA components, and the hassle of rebuilding the rdma-core library, consider using "sideway." This new library provides user-friendly Rust wrappers for modern RDMA functionalities without needing to include the entire rdma-core library.

Key Features of Sideway

  • Rust wrappers for modern RDMA APIs that can utilize high-speed connections (up to 400 Gbps).
  • A companion library to help C/C++ programmers.
  • A focus on performance, maintaining close alignment with raw ibverbs for efficiency.
  • Avoids the complexity of including the full rdma-core in every build.

Comparison with Existing Libraries
Current Rust wrappers often prioritize safety and asynchronous features but may not be suitable for production due to performance issues or the need to include the entire rdma-core. Sideway aims for a balance between user-friendliness and high performance, avoiding unnecessary dependencies.

Performance Testing
Sideway includes a benchmarking tool called "stride" to ensure it performs well compared to traditional C tools. Tests are conducted in a robust environment with high-performance hardware, measuring various bandwidth scenarios.

Conclusion
Sideway addresses common pain points in RDMA development with Rust by providing a simpler, performance-oriented solution that eases the integration of RDMA functionalities. For more information, check out their code on GitHub: sideway GitHub.

Author: wmf | Score: 15

66.
An overly aggressive mock can work fine, but break much later
(An overly aggressive mock can work fine, but break much later)

The article discusses the importance of properly mocking in Python tests. It emphasizes a key rule: mock where the object is used, not where it's defined.

When mocking the open() function in a test, doing it incorrectly can lead to unexpected errors later, especially when other libraries (like coverage.py) rely on the original behavior of open(). For instance, if you patch open() in a way that affects its global behavior, it can cause errors in libraries that need to read source code, since they might use the mocked version instead.

To avoid these issues, the article advises to patch open() at the location it is used in your code, not where it’s defined. This ensures that other parts of your application and third-party libraries are not affected by the mock.

Additionally, the author has added a fix to the coverage.py library to prevent over-mocking issues, by storing the original open() function.

The article concludes with best practices for mocking, such as using autospec=True, making assertions on mock calls, using verified fakes instead of generic mocks, and separating functions that perform computation from those that do I/O. It also suggests using dependency injection to pass in test-specific objects.

Author: ingve | Score: 61

67.
I caught Google Gemini using my data and then covering it up
(I caught Google Gemini using my data and then covering it up)

A user discovered that Google Gemini, an AI tool, used their data without transparency. After asking a simple developer question, the user noticed that Gemini referenced a previous tool they had used, Alembic. Although intrigued by its ability to remember, the user questioned why Gemini hides its "Personal Context" feature and why it seems to conceal information about its privacy practices. This raised concerns about the AI's commitment to being truthful.

Author: JakaJancar | Score: 283

68.
Building a Simple Search Engine That Works
(Building a Simple Search Engine That Works)

Summary: Building a Simple Search Engine

This guide outlines how to create a straightforward search engine that uses your existing database without relying on external services. The main goals are to ensure it’s easy to understand, debug, and effectively find relevant results.

Key Components:

  1. Why Build Your Own?

    • Avoids complexity of services like Elasticsearch and Algolia.
    • Integrates seamlessly with your current database and architecture.
  2. Core Idea:

    • Indexing: Break content into tokens (words) and store them with weights.
    • Searching: Tokenize search queries and match against stored tokens, scoring results based on relevance.
  3. Database Structure:

    • index_tokens: Stores unique tokens with their weights.
    • index_entries: Links tokens to documents with calculated weights.
  4. Tokenization:

    • Breaks text into searchable pieces using different strategies (e.g., exact matches, prefixes, n-grams for typos).
    • Each tokenizer implements a simple interface for easy extension.
  5. Weight System:

    • Three levels of weights: field weights (e.g., title vs. content), tokenizer weights, and document weights.
    • Adjust weights to prioritize different types of matches.
  6. Indexing Service:

    • Handles storing tokens for documents in the database.
    • Ensures no duplicates by finding or creating tokens as needed.
  7. Search Service:

    • Takes a query, tokenizes it, and finds matching documents.
    • Scores results based on various factors, ensuring relevant matches are prioritized.
  8. Scoring Algorithm:

    • Based on the sum of token weights, token diversity, average weight quality, and document length, with normalization for comparability.
  9. Extensibility:

    • Easily add new tokenizers or document types.
    • Adjust weights and modify scoring logic as needed.

Conclusion:

This search engine offers a transparent, manageable solution that delivers quick and relevant search results while allowing full control over its functionality and performance. It’s ideal for users who want a simple, effective way to implement search without complex infrastructures.

Author: freediver | Score: 261

69.
An official atlas of North Korea
(An official atlas of North Korea)

The text discusses a unique North Korean atlas consisting of 672 maps found in the Great Korean Encyclopaedia. This encyclopaedia was created over several decades, starting in 1964, under Kim Il Sung, and published between 1995 and 2002.

Key points include:

  1. Unified Korea Perspective: The atlas presents Korea as a single entity, ignoring the existence of South Korea, in line with North Korean narratives.

  2. Detailed Maps: It features various maps, including physical maps of Korea and detailed maps of its provinces, maintaining the theme of unity.

  3. World Map Representation: North Korean world maps are centered on the Pacific, highlighting Korea's significance and depicting the U.S. and Japan in dark grey to indicate enemies.

  4. Alternative Projections: The atlas uses unique map projections that aim to balance the size and shape of countries, differing from traditional Western maps.

  5. Geopolitical Focus: Country maps emphasize North Korea's political views, with certain nations portrayed differently, such as Israel being labeled as Palestine.

  6. Limited Recognition: The atlas includes maps of the Sahrawi Arab Democratic Republic, a territory not widely recognized.

The article also credits Pedro Zurita for providing the atlas and encourages readers to explore his social media for more maps.

Author: speckx | Score: 220

70.
My kind of REPL (2023)
(My kind of REPL (2023))

The article discusses a software development technique called "inline snapshot testing," which allows developers to write programs that can modify their own source code. This approach creates a "read-eval-patch loop" where developers can input expressions into files, see the results immediately next to those expressions, and later use these as persistent test cases.

Key points include:

  1. Self-Editing Programs: Developers can create programs that edit their own code, enabling a seamless integration of writing and testing.

  2. REPL Workflow: Instead of using a traditional REPL (Read-Eval-Print Loop), developers can type expressions directly into their code files and see the results inline, making the testing process more integrated into their coding workflow.

  3. Living Tests: The expressions and their outputs saved in source files serve as live test cases, allowing developers to check if outputs change over time. This helps in identifying when code behavior changes after modifications.

  4. Reduced Effort: Writing tests becomes easier because developers don’t need to manually specify expected outputs; the framework fills them in based on the actual results. This encourages writing more tests, as it reduces friction in the process.

  5. Immediate Value: Tests become immediately useful during the development process, helping ensure code correctness without the usual trade-off of time spent writing tests versus writing features.

  6. Observational Testing: Good tests can provide insight into program behavior, allowing developers to observe and understand their code better.

  7. Documentation: Tests also serve as documentation, providing examples of how functions are expected to behave, which can be more informative than traditional written documentation.

The article highlights that this technique, while simple, significantly enhances the testing process, making it more intuitive and integrated into daily coding practices. Developers interested in this approach can find libraries or tools in various programming languages to implement similar workflows.

Author: ingve | Score: 80

71.
Cloudflare down: Facebook and X among apps not working in major internet outage
(Cloudflare down: Facebook and X among apps not working in major internet outage)

A major internet issue occurred on November 18, 2025, affecting many users worldwide. A problem with Cloudflare, a service that helps many websites load, caused disruptions to popular platforms like X (formerly Twitter), PayPal, ChatGPT, and League of Legends. The issues began around 11:20 AM, with over 11,000 reports of problems noted shortly after.

Cloudflare later announced that the issue was resolved and services were returning to normal. They briefly turned off a feature called WARP, which helps secure internet connections. While some users were blocked from accessing sites, this was due to the outage and not an intentional restriction.

Concerns were raised about potential privacy risks during the outage, as Cloudflare’s role could expose users' real IP addresses. Experts highlighted that such outages show the risks of relying heavily on a single company for internet services.

Overall, this incident serves as a reminder of the importance of organizational resilience in technology infrastructure.

Author: elsewhen | Score: 6

72.
Google is killing the open web, part 2
(Google is killing the open web, part 2)

The article argues that Google is undermining the open web by deprecating support for XSLT, a technology used for transforming XML data. The author criticizes Google for not providing a proper in-browser alternative and instead offering a JavaScript "polyfill," which may not fully replicate XSLT's capabilities. This move is seen as a tactic to increase developers' workload while diminishing the use of XML formats, which are essential for an independent web.

The author draws parallels to past actions by Mozilla, which removed RSS features under similar justifications without offering effective replacements. The article emphasizes that such decisions are politically motivated, aimed at consolidating corporate control over web technologies rather than addressing genuine technical issues.

The author urges developers not to comply with these changes, advocating for the continued use of XSLT and other XML-based technologies, while calling for a collective push to restore browser support for them. The piece also hints at the need for a new browser war—where users fight back against corporate dominance—rather than a competition among corporations.

Lastly, the article explores the idea of a more flexible web, advocating for a system where new protocols and document formats can be integrated easily, contrasting the current restrictive environment dominated by major companies like Google, Apple, and Microsoft. The author concludes by encouraging resistance against these corporate trends and to champion the use of open web technologies.

Author: akagusu | Score: 393

73.
Temporal Dithering of NeoPixels on an ATtiny412
(Temporal Dithering of NeoPixels on an ATtiny412)

Summary: Temporal Dithering of NeoPixels on an ATtiny412

The author wanted to create a physical representation of the neurodiversity rainbow infinity symbol, which could be used as a decoration or badge. They designed a device using 27 WS2812B RGB LEDs controlled by an ATtiny412 microcontroller. A button allows users to cycle through colors, animations, and brightness levels.

One challenge with these LEDs is their limited color resolution at high brightness. To create smooth color transitions, the author explored using dithering, a technique that can simulate intermediate colors. They considered two types of dithering: ordered dithering and error diffusion.

Key Points:

  1. Dithering Techniques:

    • Ordered Dithering: Uses a lookup table based on a dither pattern; easier to implement but can cause visible flickering.
    • Error Diffusion: More complex but provides better color representation by distributing error values across subsequent colors.
  2. Implementation Challenges:

    • The ATtiny412 has limited resources (only 256 bytes of RAM), which complicates the dithering process.
    • The author calculated colors in a 16-bit space, outputting 8-bit colors while managing error values efficiently.
  3. Code Optimizations:

    • Instead of using floating-point calculations (which slow down performance), the author switched to 16-bit integers for faster processing.
    • Gamma correction was approximated using simpler calculations to save memory.
  4. User Input Handling:

    • The project avoids checking button inputs during normal operation, relying on interrupts for efficiency.
  5. Final Thoughts:

    • Although ordered dithering was found to be simpler, it resulted in flicker, making error diffusion a potentially better choice for smoother transitions, despite its complexity.

The project demonstrates creative engineering within tight constraints, with resources and code available on GitHub for others interested in replicating the idea.

Author: radeeyate | Score: 40

74.
Where do the children play?
(Where do the children play?)

No summary available.

Author: casca | Score: 387

75.
Ned: ImGui Text Editor with GL Shaders
(Ned: ImGui Text Editor with GL Shaders)

Summary of NED Text Editor

NED is a retro-style text editor that features GL shader effects and offers advanced functionalities like syntax highlighting, language server protocol (LSP) integration, and a terminal emulator. Key features include:

  • Shader Effects: Various visual effects like static noise and bloom.
  • Syntax Highlighting: Supports over 15 programming languages using Tree Sitter.
  • Multi-Cursor Support: Allows for editing multiple places in a document at once.
  • Custom Lexers: For specialized languages and syntax.
  • AI Integration: Auto-completion powered by OpenRouter.
  • File Explorer: Built-in navigation for easy file management.

Building NED: To build NED, you need a compatible C++ compiler, CMake, and some OpenGL libraries. Instructions are provided for macOS, Ubuntu/Debian, and Windows.

Embedding NED: NED can be integrated into other applications built with ImGui, adding text editing and terminal features.

AI Agent: NED includes an AI agent that can perform tasks like running commands or editing files quickly.

Platform Compatibility: Currently, NED works on macOS, Windows, and has a Debian build available. Windows support is still being refined.

For more information, including download files and demos, visit the GitHub repository.

Author: klaussilveira | Score: 91

76.
Replicate is joining Cloudflare
(Replicate is joining Cloudflare)

Replicate is excited to announce that it is joining Cloudflare. The brand will remain the same but will improve significantly, becoming faster and better integrated with Cloudflare’s Developer Platform.

Key points:

  • The Replicate API and existing models will continue to work as they do now.
  • Replicate focuses on providing tools for developers to use AI without needing deep technical knowledge.
  • They have created foundational tools for AI, which operate in the cloud due to the need for specialized technology.
  • Cloudflare offers a strong network and additional tools that will enhance Replicate’s capabilities.
  • Together, they aim to be the leading choice for developing AI applications.

For more details, you can visit Cloudflare’s blog announcement.

Author: bfirsh | Score: 280

77.
EEG-based neurofeedback in athletes and non-athletes
(EEG-based neurofeedback in athletes and non-athletes)

This review examines EEG-based neurofeedback (NFB) in athletes and non-athletes, highlighting both outcomes and methodologies. EEG is a method that records brain activity through scalp electrodes and NFB uses this data to help individuals regulate their brain functions. The review found that while there are positive effects of NFB on cognitive and athletic performance, many studies have significant methodological flaws—such as poor experimental design and lack of proper controls—that limit the reliability of the results.

The researchers analyzed 48 studies and noted inconsistencies in the protocols used and the brain rhythms targeted. Most studies did not use current analysis methods that could enhance the validity of their findings. Additionally, there was often a lack of transparent reporting about how studies were conducted, particularly regarding sham controls that help rule out placebo effects.

To improve future research, the review suggests that studies should adopt better control measures, follow open-science practices, and use modern analytical techniques. This will help ensure that findings are more reproducible and applicable in real-world settings, especially in sports where performance can be very nuanced.

Author: PaulHoule | Score: 37

78.
LaLiga: ISPs Must Join Anti-Piracy War to Secure Broadcasting Rights
(LaLiga: ISPs Must Join Anti-Piracy War to Secure Broadcasting Rights)

Starting in 2027, companies that broadcast TV and provide internet services (ISPs) will face strict anti-piracy requirements to air LaLiga football matches. These obligations include participating in legal actions, blocking pirate sites without needing court approval, and investigating their own customers for piracy.

LaLiga has been aggressively combating online piracy since early 2025, including blocking services like Cloudflare, which has led to disputes. The league believes it has the right to block pirate sites, while Cloudflare argues it wasn't allowed to defend itself in court.

Moving forward, ISPs will have to comply with LaLiga’s anti-piracy measures, which include implementing security features like Digital Rights Management (DRM), geo-blocking, and user verification. They must also work against unauthorized content sharing on platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and others.

ISPs will be required to share information about customers suspected of piracy and support LaLiga in legal actions against these individuals. Additionally, they must advocate for court approval of dynamic IP blocking against piracy.

LaLiga's rules enforce immediate blocking of infringing sites upon notification, without needing a judge's decision. Failure to comply with these requirements can result in termination of contracts with LaLiga. Overall, the league is taking a very hard stance on piracy, and ISPs will have to adjust significantly to meet these demands.

Author: iamnothere | Score: 8

79.
Our dogs' diversity can be traced back to the Stone Age
(Our dogs' diversity can be traced back to the Stone Age)

A recent study suggests that dogs began their transformation from wolves much earlier than previously thought, dating back to the Middle Stone Age, over 10,000 years ago. Researchers examined more than 600 ancient dog and wolf skulls, finding that significant physical changes in dogs, such as shorter snouts and stockier heads, were already present by that time. This challenges the belief that the diversity of dog breeds was solely shaped by selective breeding in Victorian times.

Dogs were the first animals domesticated by humans, and evidence shows that humans have lived closely with dogs for at least 30,000 years. The study indicates that the relationship between humans and dogs likely began when wolves scavenged near human settlements. As wolves adapted to this new lifestyle, their physical traits changed due to various factors, including human preferences and environmental adaptations.

Additionally, another study analyzed ancient dog DNA and found that dogs traveled with migrating human populations throughout history. This long-standing partnership between humans and dogs has shaped both species' evolution.

Author: 1659447091 | Score: 52

80.
Giving C a superpower: custom header file (safe_c.h)
(Giving C a superpower: custom header file (safe_c.h))

Summary:

The article discusses the creation of a custom header file called safe_c.h that enhances the C programming language by adding safety features inspired by C++ and Rust. It addresses common issues developers face in C, such as memory leaks and segmentation faults, by providing tools for better memory management, error handling, and concurrency.

Key Features of safe_c.h:

  1. Automatic Memory Management: Implements smart pointers (like UniquePtr and SharedPtr) that automatically clean up memory when they go out of scope, reducing the risk of leaks.

  2. Type-Safe Containers: Provides type-safe dynamic arrays (vectors) and views that allow developers to manage collections of data without manual memory handling.

  3. Improved Error Handling: Introduces a Result type for managing errors explicitly, eliminating the need for complex error-checking and cleanup code.

  4. Safety in Concurrency: Uses RAII (Resource Acquisition Is Initialization) principles to ensure that resources like mutexes are automatically released when they are no longer needed.

  5. Enhanced Function Contracts: Adds macros for specifying preconditions and postconditions, improving code clarity and debugging.

  6. Safe String Operations: Offers bounds-checked string functions to prevent buffer overflows, a common source of vulnerabilities in C.

The author demonstrates how these features were used to build a high-performance grep clone called cgrep, which, thanks to safe_c.h, is safer and easier to manage than traditional C code. The article concludes by emphasizing that while C is powerful, using tools like safe_c.h can make it safer and more enjoyable to program in.

Author: mithcs | Score: 261

81.
Things I don't like in configuration languages
(Things I don't like in configuration languages)

The author expresses dissatisfaction with various configuration and markup languages they encountered online, leading them to create their own language called MAML. Here’s a summary of their critiques:

  • YAML: Too complex with many features; even the updated version (1.2) is difficult to implement.
  • XML: Considered outdated and no longer relevant.
  • JSON: Praised for being a universal format. MAML is based on JSON but aims to address its annoyances.
  • TOML: Confusing readability and lacks support for null values.
  • JSON5, HJSON, and JSONH: Have unnecessary features and maintain unordered key-value pairs.
  • HCL: Disliked for its nesting structure and service definitions.
  • Pkl and RON: Considered programming languages rather than markup languages.
  • EDN: Appears to cater only to Clojure developers.
  • HOCON: Overly complex with many features.
  • NestedText and KDL: KDL is seen as too similar to XML, while NestedText lacks boolean support.
  • SDLang, CUE, Dhall, Jsonnet, Nickel, Starlark: All considered programming languages with too many features or not suitable for configuration.
  • UCG, UCL, Confetti, Ziggy: Labeled as implementations rather than standardized languages, lacking clarity or portability.

In contrast, MAML is designed to be minimal, readable, and straightforward, with a strict specification that distinguishes it from other languages.

Author: birdculture | Score: 55

82.
Why Castrol Honda Superbike crashes on (most) modern systems
(Why Castrol Honda Superbike crashes on (most) modern systems)

The article discusses the challenges of running the old motorbike racing game "Castrol Honda Superbike World Champions" on modern systems, particularly Windows 7. The game, released in 1998, initially works well on older operating systems like Windows 98 and XP. However, running it on Windows 7 leads to crashes and black screens.

The author investigates the issue using a debugger and discovers that the game crashes during the enumeration of input devices. Specifically, the game tries to handle too many devices (more than the allowed eight), which causes important data to be overwritten, leading to crashes. It also turns out that the game does not need to process non-joystick devices, so a simple fix would be to limit the enumeration to only game controllers.

To address the problem, the author created a small patch (a DLL shim) that filters the device enumeration to only include joysticks and stops the process after detecting eight controllers. This fix allows the game to run smoothly on modern systems. The author also shares insights on optimizing the patch's size and functionality, although some graphics rendering issues remain unresolved.

In summary, the key points are:

  • The game crashes on modern systems due to input device enumeration issues.
  • The solution involves filtering the device types to prevent crashes.
  • A DLL shim was created to implement this fix effectively.
Author: shepmaster | Score: 173

83.
AirPods libreated from Apple's ecosystem
(AirPods libreated from Apple's ecosystem)

No summary available.

Author: moonleay | Score: 1392

84.
Kalendis – Scheduling API (keep your UI, we handle timezones/DST)
(Kalendis – Scheduling API (keep your UI, we handle timezones/DST))

Kalendis is a scheduling backend designed for developers, allowing you to maintain your user interface while it manages complex scheduling tasks like time zones and conflict-free bookings.

Key Features:

  • MCP Tool: Helps create typed clients and API route handlers for various frameworks, making it easy to connect your code to the API.
  • Availability Engine: Manages recurring schedules and exceptions in a simple format.
  • Bookings: Provides safe endpoints for creating, updating, and canceling bookings.

Purpose: Kalendis was created to simplify the repetitive challenges of scheduling, such as handling time zone differences and booking conflicts. This allows teams to focus on developing product features without needing a separate scheduling interface.

Benefits: A small team of two developers successfully built a comprehensive booking platform using Kalendis, saving time on scheduling-related tasks while keeping control over their user experience.

Technical Details:

  • It uses a REST API with standardized timestamps and time zones.
  • Focuses on users, availability, exceptions, and bookings without being overly complex.

Getting Started: You can try Kalendis by creating a free account and obtaining an API key. Instructions are provided for making API requests.

For more information, visit kalendis.dev.

Author: dcabal25mh | Score: 17

85.
WBlock: A New Ad-Blocker for Safari
(WBlock: A New Ad-Blocker for Safari)

No summary available.

Author: InfiniteVortex | Score: 68

86.
How Honda screwed up an expensive project with a simple math error (2008)
(How Honda screwed up an expensive project with a simple math error (2008))

Summary: Honda's Musical Road Mistake

Honda attempted to create a musical road in Lancaster, California, designed to play the William Tell Overture when driven over at a constant speed. However, due to a simple arithmetic error in spacing the grooves, the melody came out wrong and was out of tune.

The engineers miscalculated the spacing needed to produce the correct musical intervals, leading to incorrect notes being played. They later tried to cover up the mistake in a promotional video by editing the sound, making some notes appear in tune.

The article notes that the engineers did not consider how the total distance (spacing plus groove width) affects the sound frequency. As a result, they created a version of the melody that contained unusual intervals not found in standard Western music.

Despite the errors, Honda celebrated their project in videos, failing to acknowledge the mistake. The author suggests that Honda should consider fixing the road or reconfiguring it to produce a different melody.

Overall, the project was a blend of creativity and a significant oversight in mathematical understanding.

Author: c420 | Score: 30

87.
Our investigation into the suspicious pressure on Archive.today
(Our investigation into the suspicious pressure on Archive.today)

No summary available.

Author: immibis | Score: 1800

88.
My hobby OS that runs Minecraft
(My hobby OS that runs Minecraft)

Summary of Minecraft in Astral

Playing games on a homebrew operating system like Astral is a significant achievement, indicating that it can support graphical applications reliably. Traditionally, games like Doom are used to demonstrate this, but the author chose to port Minecraft, a game they enjoyed as a child.

Challenges of Running Minecraft: Minecraft is complex to run because it is written in Java and requires a working Java Virtual Machine (JVM) and OpenGL support. The author initially faced issues with the OpenJDK port, which had stopped working due to bugs.

Choosing a Version: The author decided to use Minecraft Alpha 1.2.0 due to its simplicity and minimal dependencies, making it easier to port.

Fixing the JVM: The author resolved issues with OpenJDK, which was crashing due to a bug in the mlibc library. After fixing these issues, they successfully got the Java compiler running.

Porting LWJGL2: LWJGL2, a library necessary for running Minecraft, required significant modifications for cross-compilation to work in Astral. The author focused on fixing the build system rather than modifying the actual code.

Running and Debugging Minecraft: After setting up LWJGL2, the author started debugging Minecraft. They encountered several issues, including missing symbols and crashes, which they resolved through various fixes. Eventually, they successfully launched Minecraft and reached the menu screen.

Playing Minecraft: The game was fully functional, marking a historic moment as it was the first time a hobbyist OS could run Minecraft. This achievement is a milestone for the Astral project and the OS development community.

Future Plans for Astral: The author plans to enhance Astral's usability, including creating a package manager and improving installation processes. They also aim to revive the Wine port and potentially develop a WebKitGTK port.

Author: avaliosdev | Score: 13

89.
Fastmcpp (Fastmcp for C++)
(Fastmcpp (Fastmcp for C++))

fastmcpp Summary

fastmcpp is a high-performance C++ version of the Model Context Protocol (MCP), designed to create MCP servers and clients with efficient performance. It supports various communication methods, including STDIO, HTTP/SSE, and WebSocket. This library is a C++ adaptation of the Python fastmcp library, focusing on maintaining core features while having fewer tests.

Key Features:

  • Implements the core MCP protocol using JSON-RPC.
  • Supports multiple transport layers: STDIO, HTTP, and WebSocket.
  • Includes tool management, resource support, and JSON validation.
  • Cross-platform compatibility with Windows, Linux, and macOS.

Requirements:

  • C++17 or later and CMake 3.20 or higher.
  • Optional libraries include libcurl for HTTP streaming and others for WebSocket support.

Building Instructions:

  1. Clone the repository and build using CMake.
  2. Recommended options enable various test and streaming features.

Testing:

  • Run all tests using ctest and check for any failures.
  • The C++ version has a smaller test suite compared to the Python version but currently has a 100% pass rate for the tests that are enabled.

Basic Usage Examples:

  • STDIO MCP Server: Simple server setup using the provided tools.
  • HTTP Server: Example of creating an HTTP server with a health check route.
  • HTTP Client: Code snippet for invoking a tool via HTTP.

Project Structure: The project includes directories for public headers, source code, tests, and examples.

Contributing: Contributions are welcome, with guidelines for testing, coding style, and documentation updates.

License: The project is licensed under the Apache License 2.0.

For support or issues, users can refer to the GitHub issue tracker.

Author: 0xeb | Score: 58

90.
Don't blindly trust what AI tells you, says Google's Sundar Pichai
(Don't blindly trust what AI tells you, says Google's Sundar Pichai)

Sundar Pichai, CEO of Google's parent company Alphabet, has warned people not to "blindly trust" AI tools, as they can make mistakes. In a recent interview, he emphasized the importance of using AI alongside other reliable sources, like Google Search, to ensure accurate information. While AI can be useful for creative tasks, Pichai stated that users need to understand its limitations.

Experts have criticized tech companies for not taking enough responsibility for the accuracy of their AI products, suggesting that they should focus on improving reliability rather than asking users to fact-check outputs. AI chatbots have been known to provide misleading information, raising concerns, especially when it comes to sensitive topics like health.

Google is launching a new AI model, Gemini 3.0, to enhance its search capabilities and compete with other AI services like ChatGPT. Pichai acknowledged the challenge of balancing rapid technological development with safety measures. He also mentioned Google's increased investment in AI security and its commitment to open-source technology to help detect AI-generated content. Lastly, he expressed concern about the concentration of AI technology in a single company, advocating for a diverse AI ecosystem.

Author: sebau | Score: 19

91.
The obvious economics of preserving the Amazon
(The obvious economics of preserving the Amazon)

Delegates attending the UN’s COP climate-change conference in Belém this November will witness firsthand the deforestation of the Amazon rainforest. Traveling south on the BR-010 highway in Pará, they will see large areas where dense forest has been cleared. Cattle can be seen seeking shade under the few remaining trees or grazing in the dry land.

Author: gwintrob | Score: 31

92.
DESI's Dizzying Results
(DESI's Dizzying Results)

In March 2024, the DESI collaboration revealed intriguing evidence suggesting that dark energy, which drives the universe's expansion, may be weakening over time. This finding, while not definitive, is significant and adds excitement to cosmological research.

DESI, or the Dark Energy Spectroscopic Instrument, is a 4-meter telescope located in Arizona. It uses 5,000 robotic fiber optic cables to survey galaxies, having already cataloged over 13 million galaxies, with plans to reach 50 million. This advanced setup is more efficient than older methods that relied on human effort.

The survey analyzes large-scale galaxy arrangements, particularly focusing on a phenomenon called baryon acoustic oscillations (BAO). These are remnants of sound waves from the early universe, which provide a "standard ruler" for measuring cosmic distances. The recent DESI results show that the BAO sizes do not align with traditional cosmological models, suggesting a universe where dark energy's properties might change over time.

Overall, this research opens new avenues for understanding the universe and the nature of dark energy.

Author: belter | Score: 28

93.
Count Cachula – Local-first performance without the complexity
(Count Cachula – Local-first performance without the complexity)

Count Cachula Summary

Count Cachula is a simplified approach to local-first performance for web applications, offering instant user interface updates without the complexities of traditional systems. Key features include:

  • Instant Data Access: Cached content is served immediately while fresh data is retrieved in the background.
  • Automatic Updates: Cache invalidation happens automatically when data changes, keeping information current.
  • Easy Integration: It acts as a drop-in replacement for standard fetch calls, requiring no major changes to existing APIs.

How It Works:

  1. Connection: The browser connects to the server via Server-Sent Events (SSE) for real-time updates.
  2. Preloading: The server sends hints to preload important data into the cache.
  3. Data Requests: When data is needed, Count Cachula fetches it from the cache instantly and updates the UI as fresh data arrives.
  4. Invalidation: When data is modified on the server, related cache tags are invalidated, prompting all clients to receive updates.
  5. Real-Time Updates: Clients automatically refresh affected data, ensuring users see changes instantly.

Count Cachula allows developers to start with simple features and gradually add complexity as needed. Comprehensive documentation is available for setup and usage.

Author: jakelazaroff | Score: 8

94.
Do (human) readers prefer AI writers?
(Do (human) readers prefer AI writers?)

A recent study explored whether human readers prefer writing generated by AI compared to that of expert human writers. The study involved comparing excerpts written by three advanced AI models (ChatGPT, Claude, and Gemini) with texts from 50 renowned authors.

Experts, who are skilled writers, generally preferred human-written texts over AI-generated ones for both style and quality. However, when ChatGPT was specifically fine-tuned using the complete works of individual authors, the results changed significantly. In this case, experts favored the AI-generated texts for their stylistic accuracy and quality. Lay readers also showed a preference for these fine-tuned AI outputs.

The fine-tuned AI texts were much less likely to be identified as AI-generated by detection tools, as they lacked common AI stylistic flaws. While fine-tuning incurs a cost, it is significantly lower than hiring a professional writer. This suggests that fine-tuned AI writing could be competitive with human writing, raising important questions regarding copyright and the market impact of AI-generated literature.

Author: smitty1e | Score: 12

95.
Insects on the Space Menu
(Insects on the Space Menu)

Summary: Insects on the Space Menu

Researchers at the European Space Agency (ESA) are exploring the potential of insects as a food source for astronauts on long space missions. Insects are lightweight, adaptable, and nutritious, making them a promising option. People around the world already consume over 2,000 insect species, and studies show that insects can thrive in space, with microgravity not significantly affecting their development.

The ESA team is investigating how microgravity impacts insects' life cycles and reproduction. Since the first fruit flies went to space in 1947, various insects like ants and mealworms have been studied to understand their behavior and survival in space. Insects are rich in protein and other nutrients, often comparable to traditional food sources.

Despite their benefits, more research is needed to fully understand how space affects insects, as most previous studies were limited in duration and scope. New experiments are being planned to test insect species that can complete their life cycles in orbit, which could pave the way for including insects in astronauts' diets.

Author: ohjeez | Score: 20

96.
Heretic: Automatic censorship removal for language models
(Heretic: Automatic censorship removal for language models)

Summary of Heretic Tool

Heretic is a tool designed to remove censorship from transformer-based language models automatically and effectively without needing expensive post-training. It uses a method called "abliteration" combined with a parameter optimizer from Optuna to enhance its performance.

Key Features:

  • Automation: Heretic can operate fully automatically and does not require technical knowledge about transformer models. Anyone familiar with running command-line programs can use it.
  • Quality: The tool produces decensored models that perform comparably to those modified manually by experts, achieving low refusal rates for harmful prompts while maintaining the original model's capabilities.
  • Flexibility: It supports various dense models and allows for configuration changes for better control during the decensoring process.

Usage:

  1. Set up a Python environment with required software.
  2. Install Heretic using the command pip install heretic-llm.
  3. Run Heretic with a specific model to decensor it.

How It Works: Heretic uses a technique that adjusts certain parameters in the model to reduce refusals for harmful prompts while keeping the model's intelligence intact. It calculates optimal parameters for each part of the model and finds better directions for ablation, enhancing overall performance.

Additional Information:

  • The tool is developed independently and does not use code from other similar projects.
  • It is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License, allowing free use and modification.

Overall, Heretic is an innovative tool for effectively decensoring language models while preserving their functionality.

Author: melded | Score: 732

97.
Grok 4.1
(Grok 4.1)

Grok 4.1 is the latest version of the Grok model, designed for better real-world usability, creativity, emotional interactions, and collaboration. It is more perceptive to subtle meanings and maintains high intelligence and reliability. The improvements were achieved using advanced reinforcement learning techniques.

Key Updates:

  • Silent Rollout: From November 1 to 14, 2025, Grok 4.1 was gradually introduced to users, with a preference rate of 64.78% over the previous model.
  • Performance: Grok 4.1 ranks first in the LMArena Text Arena with a score of 1483 Elo, significantly outperforming the earlier Grok model, which ranked 33rd.
  • Emotional Intelligence: Evaluated using the EQ-Bench3, Grok 4.1 shows enhanced emotional responses. For example, it provides comforting and empathetic replies to prompts about personal loss.
  • Creative Writing: Grok 4.1 also excels in creative writing tasks, producing more engaging and imaginative responses compared to its predecessor.
  • Reduced Hallucinations: The updated model has fewer factual errors in its responses, improving reliability in information-seeking queries.

Examples of Responses:

  • In response to emotional prompts, Grok 4.1 gives detailed and empathetic replies.
  • For creative writing tasks, it generates original and compelling narratives.

Overall, Grok 4.1 sets new benchmarks in its capabilities, particularly in emotional understanding and creativity, making it a significant upgrade from previous versions.

Author: simianwords | Score: 125

98.
Building WebSocket in Apache Iggy with Io_uring and Completion Based IO
(Building WebSocket in Apache Iggy with Io_uring and Completion Based IO)

Summary: Building WebSocket Protocol in Apache Iggy

The blog discusses the development of a WebSocket implementation (compio-ws) for Apache Iggy, which is undergoing a major architectural overhaul using io_uring to enhance performance and resource efficiency. The team switched from the Tokio framework to compio, an async runtime that operates on a completion-based I/O model, which posed compatibility issues with existing Rust WebSocket libraries that are designed for poll-based I/O.

To bridge this gap, they created compio-ws, which allows WebSocket functionality while addressing the challenges of integrating with the completion-based model. The existing libraries expect to borrow buffers, while compio requires ownership of buffers, leading to incompatibilities.

After considering various approaches, the team opted to develop a separate crate (compio-ws) that includes a bridge layer to present synchronous read/write traits to the WebSocket library while managing async I/O internally. Their initial solution used fixed-size buffers, but this approach led to performance issues with large messages.

They then designed a dynamic buffer solution called GrowableSyncStream, which allows buffers to grow as needed, optimizing performance for large messages and minimizing memory overhead. This new implementation has shown promising results in benchmarks, although WebSocket communication still incurs some latency compared to direct TCP connections.

Future improvements are planned, such as smarter buffer growth strategies and a native WebSocket implementation. The team invites contributions from the Rust community to enhance the project further.

Overall, the development of compio-ws aims to provide efficient WebSocket support in Apache Iggy, especially beneficial for applications requiring real-time data communication.

Author: spetz | Score: 25

99.
Garbage collection is useful
(Garbage collection is useful)

Summary:

The author reflects on their past work with garbage collection (GC) in the J9 Java VM and how that knowledge has helped solve a recent problem. They are currently on a team using Ohm to parse text documents and create a rich text version in ProseMirror, aiming for bidirectional updates between the two formats.

Ohm’s incremental parsing allows for efficient updates by reusing parts of the previous parsing results. The author faced a challenge in tracking which nodes in a ProseMirror document were removed after edits. Initially, their approach was inefficient, requiring a full traversal of the document to identify removed nodes.

Remembering a paper they admired, "A Unified Theory of Garbage Collection," the author realized they could use reference counting instead of tracing. By maintaining reference counts for nodes, they could identify unused nodes without checking every node in the document, thus achieving a more efficient solution.

Author: surprisetalk | Score: 163

100.
The Baumol Effect and Jevons paradox are related
(The Baumol Effect and Jevons paradox are related)

The article discusses two economic concepts: Jevons Paradox and Baumol's Cost Disease, and how they relate to the impact of productivity surges, particularly in the context of AI technology.

  1. Jevons Paradox: When a product becomes cheaper and more efficient, demand for it often increases significantly. This was illustrated with examples like the drastic reduction in computing costs leading to widespread use of technology in various applications. As productivity in certain industries (like tech) rises, they create more jobs, leading to higher wages in other sectors as well.

  2. Baumol's Cost Disease: This concept highlights how jobs in sectors that haven't become more productive (like personal services) still face rising costs because wages in the labor market are driven up by more lucrative industries. For example, as HVAC technicians earn more due to demand from data centers, their higher wages lead to increased costs for services in unrelated fields.

  3. Current Trends with AI: The article predicts that AI will create both cheaper services (due to automation and productivity gains) and more expensive ones (for services that can’t be easily automated). This will result in a strange economic landscape where some jobs may see inflated wages for the remaining human tasks, creating a peculiar job market.

Overall, the article emphasizes how technological improvements can lead to both opportunities and increased costs across different sectors of the economy.

Author: cubefox | Score: 39
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