Eric Wastl created Advent of Code, a series of programming puzzles designed for all skill levels, which can be solved in any programming language. It's used for various purposes like interview prep and practice, and you don't need a computer science background to participate—basic programming skills are enough. The puzzles are designed to run quickly, even on older computers.

To support Advent of Code, you can share it with others or contribute through AoC++. If you get stuck on a puzzle, check your solutions against the provided examples and consider building test cases. You can also seek help from friends or online communities.

Key FAQs include:

• You can select code blocks by triple-clicking.
• Authentication is done via OAuth for security.
• Puzzle difficulty varies, and they unlock at midnight EST.
• The global leaderboard was removed due to stress and misuse, but private leaderboards remain.
• Using AI to solve puzzles is discouraged, as the challenges are meant for human problem-solving.

Advent of Code is free to use but not to copy or redistribute its content. The event runs every December, starting on the 1st. Eric Wastl and a team of beta testers and community managers help manage the event.

Summary of Migrating Dillo from GitHub

Rodrigo Arias Mallo plans to move the Dillo project from GitHub to a self-hosted server to address several issues with GitHub. The original Dillo website and its resources were lost in 2022, prompting the need for a more reliable solution.

Key Issues with GitHub:

1. JavaScript Dependence: The GitHub interface requires JavaScript, making it unusable for Dillo users, as Dillo's own browser doesn’t support it.
2. Single Point of Failure: GitHub could unilaterally ban the repository, risking data loss.
3. Slow Performance: The platform has become sluggish and requires a fast internet connection.
4. Moderation Challenges: It lacks tools to manage non-technical users effectively, leading to developer burnout.
5. Focus on AI: GitHub's emphasis on AI technologies could harm open web principles.

Self-Hosting Solution: Rodrigo has set up the Dillo project on a new domain, dillo-browser.org, using a lightweight git frontend called cgit that works without JavaScript. He created a custom bug tracker that stores issues in a git repository for better reliability.

Mirroring Data: To prevent data loss, all important data is mirrored on Codeberg and Sourcehut. This setup allows easy switching if any service fails.

Security Measures: The page is signed with Rodrigo's GPG key to ensure authenticity, providing resilience against potential DNS issues.

Future Plans: The migration will take time, and GitHub repositories will remain active until the transition is complete. Rodrigo is optimistic about sustaining the new self-hosted setup with current donations, aiming for a low-cost and eco-friendly solution.

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CachyOS Summary

CachyOS is a fast and customizable Linux distribution built on Arch Linux. It provides users with a smooth computing experience, whether they are experienced or new to Linux.

Key Features:

• Speed and Stability: Designed for lightning-fast performance and reliability.
• Optimized Performance: Uses a special linux-cachyos kernel with the advanced BORE Scheduler for high efficiency. Packages are optimized for better performance.
• Variety of Desktop Environments: Users can choose from many popular environments during installation, including KDE Plasma, GNOME, and XFCE.
• Customizable Installation: Offers both a user-friendly graphical installer and a command-line option for advanced users.
• Robust Kernel Support: Supports multiple scheduling options and is optimized for various CPU architectures.

CachyOS aims to enhance user experience with speed, security, and ease of use.

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I created a system that tracks around 200,000 news RSS feeds in real-time and groups related articles to show how news spreads online. It uses advanced technology for finding similar articles quickly. Each group, or "story cluster," reveals who published the news first, how quickly it spread, and how the story changed as more outlets reported on it. I welcome feedback on the system's design, scaling, and suggestions for improving the accuracy and usefulness of the clusters. You can see a live demo at this link.

The article discusses concerns about the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) changing its stance on vaccines and autism under the leadership of Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. The CDC now suggests that their long-held belief that vaccines do not cause autism is "not an evidence-based claim," a shift that has alarmed many health organizations. Critics argue that this change overlooks decades of scientific research.

The Department of Health and Human Services claims to rely on "evidence-based science," but the article asserts that it has ignored substantial studies showing no link between vaccines and autism. Instead, the CDC points to a small survey of parents who believe vaccines contributed to their children's autism, while also stating that autism rates and vaccinations have increased simultaneously.

The commentary highlights the dangers of political interference in science, noting how past U.S. administrations have generally supported independent scientific research. However, the current political climate is seen as increasingly hostile to scientific consensus, with officials promoting unproven health advice instead of relying on established research.

The piece draws parallels to historical instances of pseudoscience, emphasizing that maintaining scientific integrity is essential for public health. It concludes that truly improving public health requires more than just correcting misinformation; it requires a commitment to rigorous scientific inquiry and accountability in governance.

Lecture 1 Summary: Getting Started with SwiftUI

This lecture introduces the course and covers the basics of Xcode and SwiftUI, focusing on Views. There is also a reading assignment to complete.

Summary of the Zigbook Plagiarism Issue

Zigtools, a project supporting the Zig programming community, discovered that a new resource called Zigbook has plagiarized their work. Zigtools is known for creating tools like the Zigtools Playground, which helps users with Zig programming.

Zigbook claims to be original and free of AI content, but its structure and content show it is largely copied from Zigtools. After releasing a new feature, a Zig playground, Zigtools found that the code and components were nearly identical to their own, including custom files used for the Zigtools Playground.

Zigtools investigated and found that Zigbook had copied both the WASM files and JavaScript code from their project, violating the MIT license under which Zigtools operates. Despite Zigtools attempting to correct this by submitting a pull request to Zigbook, it was quickly closed, indicating Zigbook's unwillingness to address the issue.

Zigtools encourages the Zig community to avoid Zigbook and suggests using official resources for learning Zig. They also mention their fundraising efforts to support ongoing development of their tools.

Some cookies and software are essential for the website to work properly, especially for security and making purchases. You can choose to block these cookies in your browser, but this might cause some features of the site to not work correctly.

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The author reflects on their experience of applying to graduate school after facing rejection the previous year. They felt uncertain due to a low GPA, average GMAT score, and competition from stronger candidates. During this challenging time, a friend encouraged them with the phrase, "All it takes is for one to work out." This idea became a source of comfort and motivation, reminding the author that success doesn't require multiple opportunities—just one good fit. This principle applies to various life situations, like job searches, home buying, and relationships. The author emphasizes that while these processes can be tough, focusing on finding that one right opportunity can be grounding and hopeful.

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I've been working on a project to create a very thin, functional bearing mechanism that feels smooth and can handle continuous rotation. My main question was: how thin can a real bearing be while still working effectively?

Most spinner rings you see online don’t use real bearings; they just slide metal on metal. I aimed to create a true micro-bearing that requires precise engineering. I ended up making a 2mm-thick stainless steel ring that has an internal micro-bearing track with 20 steel balls, which can spin for over 20 seconds with a flick.

Here are some key details:

• The inner part is CNC machined with very tight tolerances.
• It contains 20 micro steel balls.
• It's made without plastic or lubrication and is designed to withstand everyday wear.
• There's a version with a durable color finish, and the outer surface can be marked with numbers for random results.

While my initial goal was to explore the mechanics, I discovered it also works well for quick random results in tabletop RPGs, especially in quiet settings. The ring spins silently and points to a number.

I’m sharing this because I think people here would appreciate the intricacies of micro-manufacturing and precision design. I'm looking for feedback on ways to improve durability, reduce friction, and enhance spin time. If anyone has experience with miniature bearings or similar projects, I’d love to hear your insights and answer any questions.

Summary:

The text discusses the differences between animal intelligence and artificial intelligence, particularly large language models (LLMs). Here are the key points:

1. Animal Intelligence:

   • Developed through natural selection, it focuses on survival, social interactions, and various innate drives like power and reproduction.
   • Animals have a continuous sense of self and experience a broad range of emotions and social dynamics.

2. LLM Intelligence:

   • LLMs learn from human text and are optimized through statistical patterns rather than biological evolution.
   • They are fine-tuned using reinforcement learning and are influenced by user feedback, leading to a focus on getting positive responses (upvotes).
   • Unlike animals, LLMs do not face life-or-death consequences for failing tasks, which limits their general intelligence.

3. Differences in Learning:

   • The underlying structures (transformers vs. brain tissue) and learning methods (specific algorithms) are distinct.
   • LLMs are shaped more by commercial needs than survival instincts, making them an early form of non-animal intelligence.

4. Understanding LLMs:

   • Grasping the unique nature of LLMs is crucial for effectively predicting their behavior and features, as they are different from what we typically understand as intelligence.

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The article from How-To Geek, written by Nick Lewis, emphasizes the benefits of repurposing an old PC as a Network Attached Storage (NAS) instead of buying an expensive dedicated NAS device. Here are the key points:

1. Cost-Effective Solution: Building your own NAS using an old PC can save you a lot of money compared to buying a new NAS.

2. Hardware Requirements: Most computers from the last decade can serve as a NAS. Popular choices include older models like the Dell Optiplex. If you need video transcoding, Intel processors with QuickSync are preferable.

3. Upgrades:

   • Adding an SSD for the boot drive improves performance.
   • Increasing RAM to at least 8GB (or 16GB for advanced tasks) is recommended.
   • Look for used or refurbished hard drives to cut costs.

4. Operating System Options: TrueNAS and Unraid are recommended as they are designed specifically for NAS setups and simplify the installation and management processes.

5. Backup Importance: The article stresses the need for a proper backup strategy when using a NAS, as it should be part of a larger backup solution.

6. Getting Started: Creating an SMB share for Windows devices is suggested, and using backup apps like Duplicati is encouraged for data protection.

Overall, the article suggests that instead of discarding an old computer, it can be transformed into a functional and cost-effective NAS.

Getting Started with Meshtastic:

1. Choose a Device: Select a Meshtastic device that fits your needs.
2. Flash and Configure: Update your device with the latest Meshtastic software and set it up to your preferences.
3. Connect to Your Device: Use any client to connect and start sending and receiving messages.

Get Connected: You can manage your Meshtastic devices through various platforms:

• iOS App: Control your network on-the-go.
• Android App: Manage your devices using your Android phone.
• Web Client: Access your network from any web browser.
• Python CLI/SDK: For advanced users, a command-line interface and development kit are available.

Summary: Landlock for Linux

Landlock is a simple and user-friendly Linux API introduced in version 5.13 that allows applications to specify what resources they can access. It helps enhance security by letting programs declare a limited set of files or resources they need, which helps protect them if they become compromised.

Key Features:

• Runtime Policies: Unlike other security systems, Landlock enforces rules while the application runs, without needing system-wide configurations.
• Dynamic Policies: Developers can create policies on-the-fly, specifying what actions are restricted and which files are allowed.
• Unprivileged Use: Any application can use Landlock without needing special permissions, making it easy to implement.
• Layered Policies: Policies can have multiple layers, allowing for increasingly strict access controls.

Advantages:

• Landlock is easier to use than traditional security systems like SELinux or AppArmor, which often require administrative involvement.
• It is suitable for applications with predictable file access needs, enhancing security without complicating development.
• It supports various programming languages and can be combined with other security modules.

Context and Importance:

As Linux becomes more popular, it faces increasing malware threats. Landlock addresses security gaps by providing a straightforward, integrated way for developers to restrict application access to sensitive resources. It aims to improve user security with features like interactive permission prompts and fine control over network access.

In summary, Landlock offers a promising solution for safer application development on Linux, making it easier for developers to implement security measures.

Jiga is seeking a skilled Product Designer who loves creating modern user interfaces and intuitive user experiences. You'll work closely with the CTO and engineering team to design efficient solutions that reduce manual tasks and streamline processes.

Jiga aims to help engineers build physical products faster and is a fully remote company with team members from over five countries. They value performance and communication over hours worked, encourage teamwork through online games, and have a straightforward meeting policy.

Key design principles at Jiga include simplicity and efficiency. They are looking for someone with at least 6 years of experience in product/UI/UX design, a strong portfolio, and the ability to work independently without needing micromanagement.

Benefits include flexible remote work, no micromanagement, a diverse team, a self-development budget, stock options, and annual team retreats in beautiful locations. This is a unique chance to modernize an outdated industry.

This document introduces the QUERY method for HTTP, which allows a request to process content safely and without changing the state of the server. Unlike POST requests, QUERY can be repeated without worrying about partial changes, making it more efficient for certain operations.

Key Points:

• QUERY Method: A new HTTP method that encapsulates query parameters in the request body, allowing for safe and repeatable requests.
• Comparison with GET and POST:
  • GET: Safe and idempotent, but can have size limitations and is less efficient for large queries.
  • POST: Can be used for queries but isn't inherently safe, making it unclear if a query is being performed.
• Benefits of QUERY:
  • Clearly indicates a safe and idempotent request.
  • Supports caching and automatic retries.
  • Can assign URIs to queries and their results for later use.

Additional Information:

• The document includes references to security considerations, IANA registration, and examples of how to use the QUERY method.
• The draft is subject to updates and will expire on May 22, 2026.

Overall, the QUERY method aims to fill the gap between GET and POST, making it easier to handle large queries while ensuring safety and idempotency.

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The text mentions a concept called the "Accelerated Feynman's trick," which is likely a method related to physics or mathematics. It also refers to different versions of Feynman's trick and discusses how to apply it in real situations. The focus is on understanding and utilizing this trick effectively.

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Summary: Advice for Crime Analysts Transitioning to Data Science

A crime analyst wanting to move into data science should focus on acquiring programming and advanced technical skills. While having SQL and Excel is beneficial, it's not enough for entry-level data science roles.

Key points include:

1. Programming Skills: It's essential to learn at least one programming language, with Python being the most commonly required.

2. Machine Learning Knowledge: Familiarity with machine learning and large language models (LLMs) is important. Courses from Andrew Ng are recommended for foundational knowledge.

3. Portfolio Development: Having a strong portfolio, including a personal website and contributions on platforms like GitHub, can make up for not having a master's degree.

4. Job Applications: Start applying for analyst roles now, even if you lack some required programming experience. Many job postings may have unrealistic expectations.

5. Targeting Relevant Companies: Focus on companies related to crime analysis, such as Lexis Nexis, ESRI, or Axon for analyst positions.

6. Further Learning: Continue learning and developing skills to pursue a data science career while considering the stability of analyst roles in larger companies.

Overall, persistence and continuous skill development are key to successfully transitioning from crime analysis to data science.

The text contains links to a social media post by a user named btibor91. However, it doesn't provide any content or context from those links. To summarize, there are two links to a status update, but no additional information is given.

The author wanted to find Anthony Bourdain's content from the now-closed li.st service but couldn't find it. After searching through archive.org and getting help from someone online, they decided to create a new website to share that content.

A recent analysis reveals that automotive glassbreakers, often marketed as essential safety tools, are ineffective against modern car windows. The car escape tool market, valued at $500 million, is driven by consumer fears about safety. Many people are sold on the idea that in emergencies, they can use these tools to escape burning or submerged vehicles. However, such scenarios are extremely rare, making up less than 0.5% of all accidents.

Modern cars use laminated glass for side windows due to safety regulations, which is much harder to break than the tempered glass used in older models. Tests showed that common glassbreakers failed to break laminated glass, with some even breaking themselves. While some manufacturers still use tempered glass, most major automakers, including Acura, BMW, and Ford, have switched to laminated glass.

In contrast, seatbelt cutters may be useful for first responders who need to free unconscious victims from seatbelts. These tools are less relevant for the average driver, especially those in modern vehicles. Overall, the effectiveness of glassbreakers is limited, making them less practical for everyday use.

The Gemini 3 Pro Image model, also known as Nano Banana, is great for creating slides. To make it easier to edit PDF presentations, I've created a command-line tool that allows you to use plain English for edits.

Here's how it works:

1. You choose a page to edit.
2. The tool turns that page into an image and sends it to the model API with your request.
3. The model generates a new image, which is then converted back and added to the original PDF.

Some examples of commands you can use are:

• nano-pdf edit deck.pdf 5 "Update the revenue chart to show Q3 at $2.5M"
• nano-pdf add deck.pdf 15 "Create an executive summary slide with 5 bullet points"

Key features include:

• Ability to edit multiple pages at once.
• Adding new slides that match the existing style of your presentation.
• Built-in Google Search for current data.
• Keeping the text layer for easy copy/pasting and searching.

This tool works with any PDF, but it's especially useful for quickly updating presentations. You can find it on GitHub: Nano-PDF.

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The essay by Jack Lohmann discusses the vital role of phosphorus in sustaining life on Earth and the impact of human activities on its natural cycle. Phosphorus, found in rocks and organic materials, is essential for all living beings, helping with energy, structure, and growth.

Lohmann describes how, historically, civilizations flourished in areas rich in phosphorus, and how mining has disrupted its natural cycling. Today, excessive phosphate mining has led to environmental issues, such as water pollution and the depletion of fertile soils.

The author emphasizes the importance of returning to natural, cyclical methods of nutrient management, like using seaweed as fertilizer, which is a sustainable and local resource. He argues that while industrial agriculture relies on mined phosphorus, it often harms the environment and human health.

Ultimately, Lohmann calls for a renewed understanding and respect for the phosphorus cycle, highlighting that small, individual actions, like composting, can positively impact our ecosystems. By acknowledging the interconnectedness of our actions and the natural world, we can work towards a more sustainable future.

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This tool monitors network connections in real-time. It's created using Rust and GTK4, and it shows active connections along with live input/output statistics in a modern graphical format. You can find it on GitHub at the provided link.

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Summary:

An update on the Farphone's battery was shared on November 28, 2025. Concerns about the fire risk of keeping a lithium battery plugged in were raised by users on Lobste.rs and Hacker News, and a French blogger, Korben, also discussed this issue. The Fairphone 2 is easy to open, so the author quickly removed the battery, secured the charging cable, and restarted the web server in just 40 seconds. Thanks to the community's warnings, a potential disaster was avoided.

Summary of "The CRDT Dictionary: A Field Guide to Conflict-Free Replicated Data Types"

The text discusses Conflict-free Replicated Data Types (CRDTs), which are data structures designed for distributed systems to handle concurrent updates without conflict. The author reflects on their initial fascination with CRDTs while working on a failed startup and revisits the topic in 2025 to understand the latest developments and applications.

Key Points:

1. What are CRDTs?

   • CRDTs allow data to be replicated across multiple nodes and can merge updates without needing coordination or consensus, ensuring data consistency despite network issues.

2. Basic Understanding:

   • To grasp CRDTs, one should know about network failures, eventual consistency, and basic set operations.

3. Types of CRDTs:

   • G-Counter: A simple counter that only increases.
   • PN-Counter: A counter that can increase and decrease.
   • G-Set: A set that only allows additions.
   • 2P-Set: A set that allows additions and removals, but cannot re-add removed items.
   • LWW-Element-Set: Allows adding, removing, and re-adding elements but can lose data in case of concurrent operations.
   • OR-Set: Supports adding, removing, and re-adding items without losing any data.
   • RGA: A structure for sequences that manages insertions in a distributed manner.
   • OR-Map: A map that combines CRDT properties with key-value semantics.

4. CRDT Properties:

   • Merge operations must be associative, commutative, and idempotent to ensure data consistency.
   • State-based CRDTs send entire states, while operation-based CRDTs send individual operations.

5. Challenges and Solutions:

   • CRDTs can accumulate metadata, leading to storage issues. Strategies for garbage collection include:
     • Time-based expiry.
     • Coordinated garbage collection.
     • Version vectors for tracking causality.
     • Bounded structures to limit metadata growth.

6. Performance Considerations:

   • Different CRDTs have varying performance characteristics based on operations (add, remove, merge) and system setup (number of replicas, expected contention).

7. Practical Applications:

   • CRDTs are suitable for collaborative environments, like shared documents or shopping carts, where multiple users make changes simultaneously, ensuring no data is lost.

In conclusion, CRDTs provide a powerful way to manage distributed data with high availability and resilience to network partitions. The choice of a CRDT depends on specific application requirements, such as the types of operations needed and the tolerance for data loss.

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Summary of Zero Knowledge Proof of Compositeness

A zero knowledge proof (ZKP) allows someone to verify a statement without revealing any additional information. For example, a digital signature shows you have a private key without showing the key itself.

In the context of numbers, ZKPs can demonstrate that a number is composite (not prime) without revealing its factors. Using Fermat’s little theorem, if you find a number ( b ) such that ( b^{n-1} \neq 1 \mod n ), it proves that ( n ) is composite. However, while this method can show that a number is not prime, it cannot definitively prove that a number is prime.

ZKPs can also apply to other scenarios beyond mathematics, such as in cryptocurrencies, where they can prove that certain accounting rules are followed without disclosing transaction details.

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The introduction of AI coding assistants in education is changing how students and teachers interact in the classroom. This study looks at how these tools impact novice programmers in a beginner programming course. Researchers gave 20 students access to AI for a programming task and then asked them to complete a similar task without AI. They gathered feedback through surveys to understand the students' experiences.

The results showed that students found AI helpful for learning coding concepts and felt more confident at first. However, they struggled when they had to work without AI, indicating they might rely too much on it and lack some basic skills. These findings suggest a need for new teaching methods that use AI effectively while also helping students build their fundamental programming skills.

Summary:

The article discusses the emergence of the "self-made man" myth during Andrew Jackson's presidential campaign in the early 19th century. Initially, claiming self-made success was frowned upon, but the American Revolution shifted attitudes, making elite origins less desirable. Andrew Jackson, the first president from the western territories, was portrayed as a self-made hero despite having advantages like a supportive family and education.

Jackson's reputation grew through his military successes, particularly his victory at the Battle of New Orleans, leading to a concerted effort to create a political persona around him. His supporters crafted narratives emphasizing his hardships and self-reliance, framing him as a champion of the common man against aristocracy.

During his 1824 presidential run, Jackson's image as a self-made man became a rallying point, particularly after losing the election amid allegations of a "corrupt bargain." In 1828, he won decisively, aided by a mythmaking campaign that emphasized his independence from elite support.

As the concept of the self-made man evolved, it became a political tool, allowing candidates to claim merit based on their personal journeys. However, this narrative often ignored contributions from other groups, particularly women and people of color. Over time, the idea of being self-made became closely associated with financial success, shaping American ideals around wealth and individualism.

In conclusion, the myth of the self-made man shifted from celebrating public service to glorifying wealth, highlighting the changing nature of American values throughout the 19th century.

Summary:

Vitamin D, known as the sunshine vitamin, is essential for bone health and may also impact immune system and heart health. Many people, especially in the Northern Hemisphere, are vitamin D deficient due to limited sunlight exposure, particularly in winter. While vitamin D is crucial for absorbing calcium and preventing rickets, recent studies suggest it might also help lower blood pressure and influence immune function. However, evidence on the benefits of vitamin D supplements for various health issues is mixed and not fully understood.

The standard measure for vitamin D levels is through blood tests, but recommendations for optimal levels and intake vary. The UK government suggests that everyone take a 10-microgram vitamin D supplement during autumn and winter to avoid deficiency. Although there is still much to learn about vitamin D's effects, maintaining adequate levels is important.

Evan Hahn wrote a post expressing frustration about his open source project being used by large corporations and harmful entities. He is seeking feedback on how to stop this exploitation.

Hahn highlights the issue of open source software being used for free by big companies without giving back, which he believes leads to burnout among developers. He is concerned about the broader social implications of open source and wants to shift the mindset from "it's free for anyone" to "please don’t use this if you're harmful."

He asks for suggestions on how to raise awareness about this issue, whether he should change his project's MIT license, and if collective action among other maintainers could be effective. Hahn is eager for ideas on how to protect his work from being misused.

James A. Garfield, the 20th president of the United States, created a unique proof of the Pythagorean theorem, which was published in 1876 while he was a congressman. His proof is notable as Garfield is the only U.S. president to have contributed original work to mathematics. The proof uses a geometric approach, involving a right triangle and a trapezoid, to demonstrate that the sum of the squares of the two shorter sides equals the square of the longest side (c² = a² + b²). This proof is considered clever and is included in a collection of 370 different proofs of the theorem.

I created a tool that shows the information your browser shares automatically when you visit websites. You can find the project on GitHub and try out a demo online. Importantly, this tool does not send any data elsewhere; it works entirely within your browser.

Summary of Hachi: An Image Search Engine

The author is developing a self-hosted search engine called Hachi, designed to help users manage and search their personal data, especially images, stored across various devices and cloud services. The goal is to create a user-friendly interface that allows for a more flexible and efficient search experience compared to existing search engines.

Key Points:

1. Purpose: Hachi aims to organize and search personal data easily, recognizing that users often accumulate vast amounts of data across different platforms.

2. Current Features: The search engine currently focuses on images but plans to expand to other media types like text and audio. It utilizes machine learning to extract meaningful information from these resources.

3. User-Centric Design: The design philosophy emphasizes allowing users to refine their searches based on various attributes of the data, accommodating the often imperfect nature of user queries (like typos).

4. Technical Approach:

   • The project is built with minimal external dependencies to enhance flexibility and ease of modification.
   • It integrates machine learning models for semantic search, utilizing metadata and embeddings to improve search relevance.
   • The back end is primarily developed in Python, while performance-critical components are implemented in Nim and C.

5. Future Aspirations: The author envisions a system capable of handling distributed queries across multiple devices, emphasizing user privacy and control over their data.

6. Challenges Faced: There are ongoing challenges in ensuring the search interface is fast, user-friendly, and robust against the complexities of personal data management.

7. Community Engagement: The project is open to contributions and aims to simplify the modification process for users who wish to adapt it for their needs.

8. Philosophical Insights: The author reflects on the broader implications of AI and search technologies, emphasizing the importance of maintaining user privacy and the ethical use of data and models.

Overall, Hachi is a work-in-progress aimed at revolutionizing how users interact with their personal data through an innovative and self-hosted search engine.

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Reddit has successfully migrated its comment backend from an old Python system to a new Go microservice, aiming to improve performance and reduce latency by half. This migration addresses issues of speed and scalability in Reddit's high-traffic comment system and sets the stage for modernizing other key components.

The transition involved a careful multi-phase approach to ensure accuracy and minimize disruptions for users. Reddit engineers first tested the new system by comparing responses from the Go service with the old Python system, ensuring that discrepancies were identified before fully switching over. They also set up separate data stores for testing without affecting live data.

During the migration, some challenges arose, such as differences in data serialization and database access patterns, which led to performance issues. These were resolved through rigorous testing and optimizations.

The new architecture simplifies the comment system and allows for better handling of events while preparing for further modernization of Reddit's other core services, including Accounts, Posts, and Subreddits. The migration has resulted in significantly faster comment creation and improved system reliability during peak usage times.

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A 44-year-old Australian man was sentenced to over seven years in prison for creating a fake WiFi network, known as an "evil twin," to steal personal data from travelers at airports and during flights. He set up a device that mimicked legitimate WiFi networks, tricking users into connecting and then directing them to a fake webpage to collect their social media login details. Using the stolen information, he accessed women's accounts to monitor messages and steal private images.

Authorities discovered thousands of personal images, credentials, and evidence of his fraudulent activities on his devices. After the police seized his equipment, he attempted to delete evidence and access his employer’s confidential information.

He pleaded guilty to multiple charges, including unauthorized access to data and theft. The Australian Federal Police warned the public about the dangers of free WiFi and recommended using virtual private networks (VPNs) and being cautious with personal information online.

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On November 24, 2025, PostHog experienced a significant security breach involving a malware known as Shai-Hulud 2.0. This incident targeted their JavaScript SDKs, leading to the compromise of several packages published on npm. The attack occurred when the malware was introduced through a preinstall script that scanned for sensitive credentials and exfiltrated them to a public GitHub repository.

Key Points:

1. Attack Details: The breach began at 4:11 AM UTC when malicious packages were published on npm. These packages contained scripts that scanned environments for credentials and sent them to an attacker-controlled repository.

2. Impact: The affected packages included several versions of PostHog's JavaScript SDKs. However, users of the script version were not affected.

3. Response: By 9:30 AM UTC, PostHog identified and deleted the malicious packages and began rolling back potentially compromised credentials.

4. Cause of Breach: The attack was facilitated by a compromised GitHub Personal Access Token from a bot used in their CI processes. An attacker manipulated a pull request to steal sensitive credentials.

5. Preventive Measures: PostHog is tightening security by enhancing their package release workflows, increasing scrutiny on pull requests that modify workflows, and improving their secrets management.

6. Future Steps: They are committed to strengthening their overall security posture, hiring new talent for their security team, and learning from this incident to prevent future attacks.

In summary, PostHog's security breach was a complex attack that exploited vulnerabilities in their CI processes, leading to a widespread compromise of their JavaScript packages. They are now taking significant steps to improve their security measures.

Summary of MINT: A New Markup Language

MINT is a new document markup language designed to be user-friendly and customizable. Unlike TeX, which uses backslashes for commands, MINT uses the @ symbol to indicate commands, and it does not have any predefined commands for basic document elements. Users can create their own commands using a YAML schema file.

The creator developed MINT after finding existing writing systems too complicated for custom content processing. MINT allows users to implement their own processing logic in a programming language they are comfortable with, while it handles basic parsing.

MINT's syntax is straightforward, making it easy to create parsers. For example, a document can consist of text and commands defined by users. An example document structure showcases how mathematical concepts can be expressed clearly using MINT.

Currently, MINT is in the alpha stage, with a functioning program that can read MINT files and YAML schemas, generating text and JSON outputs. The code is available on GitHub, and the project invites feedback and interest to encourage further development.

Users can disable many new AI chatbot features in Firefox through about:config settings, but not all of them can be turned off. Specifically, the AI Context Menu still appears even when the setting to disable it is active. Additionally, the "Ask an AI Chatbot" option remains visible even if Machine Learning is disabled. Mozilla has not addressed these issues for a month.

No summary available.

The text discusses the decline of StackOverflow as a helpful resource for programmers, contrasting it with more supportive, community-driven platforms. The author uses a fictional character, Joe Pointsman, to illustrate how Joe avoids answering questions on StackOverflow and instead finds himself frustrated by the lack of knowledge about TLA+ (a formal specification language).

Joe's story shows how he attempts to control the TLA+ tag on StackOverflow but ultimately fails. The author argues that communities around programming languages and tools should be welcoming and supportive, which is often not the case when outsiders moderate these communities.

As a solution, the author encourages readers to delete their StackOverflow accounts and engage with alternative channels like mailing lists, chats, and forums where community members are more invested. These platforms are seen as better options because they foster a more collaborative and understanding environment. The text concludes by emphasizing the importance of choosing community-driven spaces over impersonal ones like StackOverflow.

No summary available.

Summary of Bazzite Features:

Bazzite is a Linux distribution tailored for gamers, offering a user-friendly experience for both newcomers and enthusiasts. Key features include:

1. Gaming Support: Bazzite comes with Steam pre-installed and supports HDR and VRR for enhanced visuals. It integrates games from various platforms through Lutris and other launchers, allowing a seamless gaming experience.

2. Device Compatibility: You can play games on multiple devices, including handhelds, PCs, and home theater systems. Bazzite supports various controllers and hardware configurations.

3. Easy Updates: Bazzite allows you to upgrade or roll back the operating system easily, retaining previous versions for safety.

4. Security Features: It includes built-in security measures such as SELinux, Secure Boot, and disk encryption, ensuring a secure gaming environment.

5. Customizable User Interfaces: Users can choose between KDE and GNOME desktop environments, both providing a modern and customizable interface.

6. Community Resources: Bazzite has a strong community with documentation, forums, and support channels for troubleshooting, tips, and discussions.

7. App Management: It utilizes the Bazaar app store for easy installation of applications and supports container technology for running diverse software.

8. Hardware Optimizations: Bazzite ensures compatibility with various hardware, including Nvidia and AMD GPUs, and provides tools for managing performance settings.

Overall, Bazzite aims to provide a seamless and enjoyable gaming experience on Linux, with extensive support for both gaming and general computing needs.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The traditional model of engineering leadership, represented by the "pendulum" metaphor of swinging between individual contributor (IC) and manager roles, is becoming outdated. In today's hybrid era, the boundaries between these roles have blurred, and many engineers are now expected to blend technical skills with leadership responsibilities.

Key points include:

1. Hybrid Responsibilities: Modern engineering roles require a mix of technical work, systems thinking, and people leadership. Many senior individual contributors (like Staff or Principal engineers) lead teams and projects without formally managing people.

2. Evolving Expectations: Both engineers and managers need strong technical understanding to be effective. Managers can no longer focus solely on people management; they must also grasp complex technical issues to support their teams.

3. Impact of AI and Remote Work: Advances in AI have changed how technical work is done, allowing faster decision-making and strategic thinking. Remote work has also shifted communication and alignment responsibilities, often placing them on senior ICs.

4. The Hybrid Leader: Today's leaders often navigate multiple roles, including technical reasoning, systems leadership, people development, and strategic thinking. This creates confusion as existing job titles do not accurately reflect these responsibilities.

5. Organizational Challenges: Companies may struggle with role ambiguity and misaligned expectations, leading to inefficiencies and trust issues within teams. Clear definitions and support for hybrid roles are essential for organizational success.

The traditional pendulum model is still helpful for understanding early career transitions, but it fails to capture the complexity of modern engineering work. As the landscape evolves, organizations need to adapt their frameworks to better reflect the hybrid nature of roles today.

Summary: Running a Business Means Contact With Reality

A year ago, I decided to help my mom build an organizing service to learn about marketing and business. I realized engineers often overlook sales and marketing, so I wanted to gain practical experience. We had some initial success with a simple website, but I learned that effective marketing requires effort and understanding of how people make purchasing decisions.

I discovered that selling isn’t as complicated as I thought; it’s about applying common strategies, like having clear calls to action on our website. I also learned that organizing is not just about tidying up; it involves emotional support as many clients struggle with their belongings.

Working together, my mom preferred the hands-on organizing work, while I focused on the business side. We faced challenges like not taking enough before-and-after photos, which are crucial for showcasing our services.

I found that starting a business is straightforward but requires consistent effort and iteration. I realized that the priority as a business owner is to attract clients, rather than just providing the service.

Currently, we're working on improving our lead generation and building a presence on social media, particularly TikTok and Instagram, to reach more potential clients. Overall, this experience has taught me valuable lessons about business operations and marketing strategies.

The text promotes a DevSecOps platform that uses AI technology. It emphasizes that this platform is comprehensive, meaning it covers a wide range of features and tools for development, security, and operations.

The text is about careers. It invites readers to learn more about job opportunities and career options.

Summary: How to Build a Signboard

Making a signboard is fun and surprisingly simple. Here's a quick guide on how to do it:

1. Cutting Vinyl: Use a Cricut Maker 2 to cut vinyl designs. You can create your graphic using the Cricut software on your computer. Cutting simple designs takes less than 2 minutes.

2. Base Materials: For the signboard, you can use 4x16 aluminum sheets or 12x12 Plexiglass sheets as the base.

3. Transfer Tape: You'll need transfer tape to move the vinyl from its plastic backing to the base material. The vinyl has two layers, and the transfer tape helps with this process.

4. Cold Roll Laminator: A cold roll laminator helps prevent air bubbles when pressing the vinyl onto the base. I found it very helpful after struggling with air bubbles in my first attempts.

This process can lead to some cool signboards!

No summary available.

Summary of the 1964 Recompiling Engine Documentation

Overview: This document provides a technical explanation of the 1964 dynamic recompiling engine, detailing how it works and how to create a recompiler.

Intended Audience: The document is aimed at individuals familiar with MIPS and Intel 80x86 assembly who want to understand the dynamic recompiler within the 1964 emulator. It may also benefit other emulation projects.

Key Chapters:

1. Introduction:

   • Explains the purpose of the document and its structure.
   • Focuses on the "why" and "how" of creating a dynamic recompiler.

2. Basic Concepts:

   • Discusses the difference between interpreters and dynamic recompilers (dynarecs), highlighting that dynarecs are faster.
   • Outlines the steps involved in interpreting MIPS instructions, emphasizing the inefficiencies of interpreters compared to dynarecs.

3. Compiling Opcodes:

   • Introduces how to inline opcode functions to reduce overhead.
   • Suggests using register caching to minimize memory loads and stores, which can be costly in terms of performance.
   • Describes a basic register-caching algorithm that maps MIPS registers to Intel x86 registers to enhance efficiency.

Technical Details:

• The document includes pseudocode and explanations of how to compile blocks of code, check for interrupts, and manage register states.
• It emphasizes the importance of flushing registers to avoid errors when switching between compiled and interpretive code.

Conclusion: The document serves as a guide for creating a dynamic recompiling engine, focusing on improving performance through effective coding strategies and register management.

The working paper titled "Dilution vs. Risk Taking: Capital Gains Taxes and Entrepreneurship" examines the effects of taxing unrealized capital gains on entrepreneurs. The authors, Eduardo M. Azevedo, Florian Scheuer, Kent Smetters, and Min Yang, argue that this type of tax has two main outcomes:

1. Successful entrepreneurs face higher dilution of their ownership due to advance tax payments.
2. Unsuccessful entrepreneurs benefit from tax credits, which act as a form of insurance.

Using detailed data on U.S. venture capital, the study reveals that most founders (84%) do not gain any exit value, while a small percentage (2%) receive the majority (80%) of total returns. Switching from the current taxation system, which taxes gains when realized, to an accrual-based system would reduce the ownership of founders by about 25% but increase the number of founders receiving positive returns from 16% to 47% if tax credits are included.

The research suggests that founders who are less risk-averse prefer the current system, while those who are more risk-averse favor the accrual-based tax. Additionally, a proposed 2% annual wealth tax would cause similar dilution effects as taxing unrealized capital gains but wouldn't provide the same risk-sharing advantages since it lacks the tax credits for unsuccessful rounds.

No summary available.

The article discusses the role of language in humans, arguing that language serves primarily as a tool for communication rather than as a medium for thought. The authors, Evelina Fedorenko, Steven T. Piantadosi, and Edward A. F. Gibson, present evidence from neuroscience showing that language has evolved to optimize communication, helping to transmit cultural knowledge rather than being essential for complex thought.

They outline two main theories about language's function: one suggests it is crucial for sharing knowledge and feelings (communication), while the other claims it aids in thinking and reasoning (cognition). The authors emphasize that language and thought can operate independently, meaning complex thinking can occur without language.

Recent advancements in understanding the brain's language network reveal that it processes both the meanings of words and sentence structures, supporting the communication hypothesis. The authors conclude that while language has significantly influenced human culture, it is not a prerequisite for thought, but rather a powerful means for sharing ideas and knowledge.

The text discusses several key points:

1. Phoronix Overview: Phoronix has been providing Linux hardware reviews for over 21 years, featuring more than 5,500 reviews and over 48,400 news articles, largely written by a single author. They encourage support through Phoronix Premium, especially during their Cyber Week promotion.

2. Framework Computer Sponsorship: Framework Computer has become the first company to sign a sponsorship agreement with the Linux Vendor Firmware Service (LVFS), which helps users update their device firmware. This marks a significant step in LVFS's effort to get more hardware vendors involved.

3. Contributors to LVFS: Red Hat and the Linux Foundation have been major supporters of LVFS. Framework's sponsorship is seen as a positive development, and they are also influencing their suppliers to support firmware updates.

4. Future Expectations: There is hope that other major Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) will follow Framework's lead in supporting LVFS to improve the firmware update experience for Linux users.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The text discusses the Schubfach algorithm, a new method for converting floating-point numbers to their shortest decimal string format accurately and efficiently. Here are the key points:

1. Background: Converting floating-point numbers to their shortest decimal representation has been a complex problem. Traditional methods like Dragon4 used multi-precision arithmetic, which is often slow.

2. New Algorithms: Recent algorithms, such as Ryu and Dragonbox, have improved performance and correctness. The Schubfach algorithm, introduced by Raffaello Giulietti, is a significant advancement.

3. How Schubfach Works:

   • It uses the pigeonhole principle to determine the correct decimal exponent efficiently without iterative searching.
   • It employs fixed-precision integer arithmetic instead of costly multi-precision methods, ensuring high performance.

4. Implementation: The algorithm's implementation in C++ is compact, requiring about 200 lines of code. It extracts components of floating-point numbers, normalizes them, and computes the necessary decimal details to format the number correctly.

5. Performance: The Schubfach implementation performs comparably to existing algorithms, being faster than many others, including the standard sprintf function, and is expected to improve further with optimizations.

6. Conclusion: The Schubfach algorithm demonstrates that a state-of-the-art dtoa (double-to-string) conversion can be achieved efficiently in a small amount of code, making it a valuable tool for developers. The complete code is available at a provided link.

This summary simplifies the content while capturing the essential points about the Schubfach algorithm and its implementation.

No summary available.

No summary available.

The Nobara Project is a customized version of Fedora Linux designed to be more user-friendly, especially for those who are not tech-savvy. While Fedora is a good operating system, it often lacks third-party software and drivers that users need for gaming, streaming, and content creation. Nobara aims to address these gaps by including important tools and packages, making it easier for users to get started without needing to use the terminal.

It's important to note that Nobara is not an official "Fedora Spin," which refers to specific desktop environments officially released by Fedora. Instead, Nobara operates independently while using Fedora's packages and code. For more details on the changes and additions made in Nobara, users can visit their modifications section on the project’s wiki.

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Imgur has blocked users in the UK, which has made many links to their images unavailable. While the author doesn't frequently use Imgur, the block has become frustrating when trying to access embedded images in games like Minecraft and old online posts.

Instead of using a VPN on individual devices, which would slow down internet speed and require manual setup, the author created a network-level solution. They set up a homelab with Traefik as a reverse proxy and Pi-hole for DNS. The goal was to automatically route all requests for Imgur images through a VPN without needing to configure each device.

The setup involves using a Docker container called Gluetun for the VPN and Nginx to handle the proxying of requests. When any device on the network requests an Imgur image, Pi-hole directs it to the Traefik instance, which sends the request through the VPN and returns the images back to the device. This solution works seamlessly across all devices on the network, avoids speed loss, and requires minimal maintenance.

In summary, the author developed an efficient way to access Imgur images in the UK by creating a network-wide proxy solution that tunnels through a VPN, allowing them to view images without complicated setups on each device.

The article discusses the risks associated with using round-number thresholds in clinical decision-making, particularly in assessing patient mortality risk. These thresholds simplify complex data but can lead to inaccurate risk assessments and suboptimal patient care. Researchers developed an interpretable machine learning model to identify issues caused by these thresholds, showing that they can create unexpected patterns in risk, such as discontinuities and counter-causal effects.

Key findings include:

1. Traditional clinical guidelines often rely on easy-to-remember round numbers, which can misalign with statistically optimal treatment thresholds.
2. Analyzing real-world data revealed surprising risk patterns, indicating that treatments may not be applied optimally.
3. The study highlights the importance of continuously reassessing clinical protocols to improve patient outcomes by aligning treatment thresholds with continuous risk data.

The researchers emphasize the need for more nuanced risk assessment methods and caution against relying solely on AI models, which may overlook the complexities of patient care. They advocate for transparent and interpretable AI tools that can help identify and correct biases in clinical practice. Overall, the study underscores the impact of threshold-based decision-making on patient care and the importance of refining clinical practices to enhance treatment efficacy.

A recent controversy has emerged regarding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in the peer review process for an international AI conference. An analysis by Pangram Labs found that 21% of the peer reviews for the upcoming International Conference on Learning Representations (ICLR) were entirely generated by AI. Many researchers noted issues with the reviews, such as inaccuracies and vague feedback.

One researcher, Graham Neubig, suspected that AI had been used in his reviews and sought help to confirm this. Pangram Labs examined nearly 20,000 submissions and found that over half showed signs of AI involvement. They flagged 15,899 reviews as fully AI-generated and identified 199 manuscripts with similar issues.

The findings have raised concerns among scientists about the integrity of the peer review process. ICLR organizers plan to implement automated tools to address the potential misuse of AI in evaluations moving forward.

No summary available.

Summary of "Generating Cats with Learned Lookup Tables"

This post discusses a method for generating cat images using lookup tables (LUTs) with 8x8 image patterns. The author initially doubted the effectiveness of using a limited dictionary of 512 patterns but found that the model produced recognizable cat images.

Key points include:

• Each 8x8 image patch is created by combining 512 learned patterns. The model can interpolate between these patterns, which allows for more expressive image generation than expected.
• The model uses a transformer architecture with multiple self-attention layers to process the image patches and output weights for the LUT.
• The author experimented with different configurations, including limiting dictionary entries and penalizing certain matrix entries to improve pattern diversity.
• Results showed improvement over time, with the model generating consistently good images by the 7,000th training epoch.
• Future experiments involve creating a dynamic LUT that could generate diverse patterns on-the-fly and using hierarchical LUTs for capturing different image details.

Overall, various approaches in this research yielded promising results for generating cat images.

No summary available.

Summary: Build Your Own Router

This article explores how to create a simple Single Page Application (SPA) router using vanilla JavaScript and the new URLPattern API available in all browsers. The main goal is to render different components based on the current URL.

Key Points:

1. URLPattern API: This API helps test if a URL matches a specific pattern, which is crucial for determining what component to display. You can define patterns flexibly, including optional parts and wildcards.

2. Router Configuration: You can set up an array of configuration objects that link URL paths to specific components. The order of these configurations matters, as the router checks them one by one to find a match.

3. Rendering Logic: The router will create and render the appropriate web component based on the current URL. A custom HTML element (MyRouter) is created to handle this logic.

4. Handling Navigation:

   • When a user clicks a link, the default behavior is prevented, and the router simulates a page transition by updating the URL and rendering the matched component.
   • The router also listens for browser back and forward events using the popstate event to render the correct component when navigating through history.

5. Server Configuration: For SPA routing to work, the server must be configured to serve the main HTML file for all routes, allowing the client-side JavaScript to handle the routing.

6. Security Considerations: It's important to protect the router configuration from being manipulated by external sources. This can be done by keeping the configuration private and not rendering components based solely on dynamic URL segments.

7. Future Enhancements: There are suggestions for further improvements, such as handling dynamic segments and query parameters, as well as exploring nested routers.

In conclusion, building a custom router can be educational and beneficial for understanding web technologies, but it also comes with challenges regarding security and functionality that established frameworks have already addressed.

Alibaba's Qwen3-VL, launched in September 2025, is an advanced AI model that excels in processing long videos, solving image-based math tasks, and understanding documents. It can analyze two-hour videos and accurately find specific frames, achieving 99.5% accuracy in tests. The model outperforms competitors like GPT-5 and Gemini 2.5 Pro in various benchmarks related to visual math and document comprehension.

Key features of Qwen3-VL include:

• The ability to handle massive data, processing up to 256,000 tokens at once.
• High performance in specialized tasks, scoring well in benchmarks for document understanding and text recognition in 39 languages.
• Training on one trillion tokens using 10,000 GPUs, enabling it to learn from a wide range of data sources.

The model is openly available under the Apache 2.0 license, encouraging further development in the open-source community. Overall, Qwen3-VL's capabilities make it a strong player in the field of multimodal AI.

Django 6.0 introduces a new built-in background tasks framework called django.tasks, but it does not replace existing solutions like Celery or Huey. The framework allows for task creation and queuing but requires an external service or process to execute the tasks.

The primary goal of django.tasks is to provide a unified API for different task queue implementations. A simple example project involves sending notifications to devices using ntfy.sh. To get started, users need to create an account, set up a topic, and make HTTP requests to send notifications.

Key aspects of the new framework include:

• Task Definition: You can define tasks using a decorator (@task), making them part of the django.tasks.Task class. These tasks must be executed using an enqueue method, preventing accidental direct calls.

• Task Execution and Results: Django 6.0 includes basic backends (ImmediateBackend and DummyBackend) but does not execute tasks directly. Users can implement custom backends, like a database-backed worker to handle task execution.

• Task Management: Developers can create models to track task attempts and results. The framework allows for basic retry logic, but more complex orchestration (like chaining tasks) is not supported.

• Worker Mechanism: While the framework doesn't provide built-in workers, it allows developers to create their own. Workers can claim tasks, process them, and manage their states (successful, failed, or ready for retry).

Overall, while django.tasks offers a simplified interface for task management, advanced features found in existing task queues may still be needed for complex use cases.

No summary available.

Summary:

The article emphasizes that simply adding AI to a disorganized business process won't improve it; instead, it will just speed up inefficiencies. Many companies mistakenly believe that AI can magically solve their structural problems, but AI is just a tool that increases speed, not intelligence. Effective use of AI requires clear and structured processes, particularly when dealing with unstructured data like emails and documents.

To successfully implement AI, businesses must first define and optimize their workflows. This involves understanding where problems arise, what needs to be extracted from unstructured data, and how to integrate insights into existing systems. The key takeaway is that businesses should focus on improving their processes before applying AI, as the technology will only enhance what is already in place. Ultimately, a strong business process is essential for leveraging AI effectively.

Skald was designed to be a self-hostable solution that prioritizes user privacy by not sending data to third parties. As large language models (LLMs) improve, privacy-focused organizations can access advanced models without compromising their data privacy commitments.

The basic components of a Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) setup include:

1. A vector database
2. A vector embeddings model
3. An LLM
4. Optional components like a reranker and document parsing tools.

When building a local RAG system, organizations need to replace proprietary tools with local alternatives. Skald aims to use open-source technology for this purpose.

Currently, Skald uses:

• Vector DB: Postgres with pgvector
• Vector embeddings: Sentence Transformers (default)
• LLM: Users must set this up themselves (tested with GPT-OSS 20B)
• Reranker: Sentence Transformers cross-encoder (default)
• Document parsing: Docling

Setting up Skald took just 8 minutes, and initial tests showed it performs well for specific queries. However, challenges remain with non-English queries and aggregating information from multiple documents.

The results of various tests indicated that while the default models work well for English point queries, they struggle with ambiguous or multilingual questions. A more advanced multilingual setup produced better results overall.

Skald plans to enhance its local RAG setup and publish more benchmarks on open-source models. Organizations needing AI tools in secure environments are encouraged to reach out for collaboration.

The text discusses a quote from Gian-Carlo Rota's "Ten lessons I wish I had been taught," which emphasizes that every mathematician relies on a small set of techniques or "tricks" that they use repeatedly in their work. The discussion raises the question of what these tricks are, suggesting that even renowned mathematicians have their own personalized methods.

Participants in the discussion highlight the idea that while mathematicians may know a lot of concepts, they often use a limited range of techniques that they are most comfortable with. Some examples of tricks mentioned include changing the order of summation in double sums and applying certain inequalities, which can significantly simplify problems and lead to new insights.

Overall, the conversation suggests that understanding and mastering a few key techniques is essential for success in mathematics.

The model operates in a 1024-dimensional complex space and has 32 layers of special optical devices called Mach–Zehnder meshes. It calculates probabilities for generating text using a method called the Born rule. Even without complex features like attention mechanisms, the model can create coherent short stories after less than 1.8 hours of training on a standard consumer GPU. This is the first part of the project, and the next step involves using $50 worth of optical equipment from AliExpress for physical implementation.