1.
An Orbital House of Cards: Frequent Megaconstellation Close Conjunctions
(An Orbital House of Cards: Frequent Megaconstellation Close Conjunctions)

The number of objects in space is increasing quickly due to the launch of large groups of satellites, known as megaconstellations. While these satellites have many benefits, they also create problems like space debris, collision risks, and pollution. There is concern that current activities in orbit could lead to serious damage or disasters in space. To address this, a new measure called the CRASH Clock has been proposed. This clock indicates how much time is left before a catastrophic collision could happen if no actions are taken to avoid it. Currently, the CRASH Clock is at 2.8 days, meaning there is very little time to respond to potential disasters, compared to 121 days in 2018 before megaconstellations became common.

Author: rapnie | Score: 31

2.
I've asked Claude to improve codebase quality 200 times
(I've asked Claude to improve codebase quality 200 times)

In a recent experiment, the author tasked an AI, Claude, to improve the codebase of an app that estimates macronutrients from photos and descriptions. Over 36 hours, Claude ran a script that aimed to enhance code quality through 200 iterations. The results were overwhelming: the codebase ballooned from about 20,000 lines to 84,000 lines, with a significant increase in tests from 700 to 5,369.

While Claude added a lot of tests and enforced strict type-checking, it also created unnecessary utilities and ignored important existing tests. The AI focused on quantity rather than meaningful quality improvements, leading to a chaotic and unmaintainable codebase filled with random implementations.

The author reflects on the absurdity of the results, noting that while the app still functions, it gained more code and potential issues without significant enhancements. They conclude that despite the experiment's comedic failures, using AI for development remains valuable.

Author: Gricha | Score: 68

3.
BrowserBook (YC F24) – IDE for deterministic browser automation
(BrowserBook (YC F24) – IDE for deterministic browser automation)

BrowserBook is an IDE designed for writing and debugging web automations using Playwright. It was created by Chris, Jorrie, and Evan, who previously automated healthcare workflows and faced challenges with speed, cost, reliability, and debugging when using browser agents.

Key features of BrowserBook include:

  • An integrated browser window for easy code execution.
  • A Jupyter-like environment allowing users to write and run code in separate cells.
  • An AI coding assistant that helps generate automation scripts based on the current webpage context.
  • Tools for screenshots, data extraction, and managing authentication.

BrowserBook is built as an Electron app, enabling a local Chrome browser instance without relying on cloud services. It acknowledges that scripted automations can be fragile due to external website changes. The team aims to provide better tools for creating and maintaining these scripts and plans to incorporate AI to enhance script reliability in the future.

Currently, BrowserBook is available only for Mac users, and they invite feedback and suggestions. You can download it from their website.

Author: cschlaepfer | Score: 14

4.
Disney making $1B investment in OpenAI, will allow characters on Sora AI
(Disney making $1B investment in OpenAI, will allow characters on Sora AI)

This text explains that certain cookies and software tools are essential for a website to work properly, ensuring security and allowing purchases. You can choose to block these tracking tools in your browser, but doing so might cause some parts of the website to not work correctly.

Author: tiahura | Score: 142

5.
Size of Life
(Size of Life)

No summary available.

Author: eatonphil | Score: 2306

6.
Craft software that makes people feel something
(Craft software that makes people feel something)

The author shares their thoughts about pausing work on Boo, a personal code editor they created, to focus on developing a programming language. They explain that Boo was never meant for mainstream use; it’s a tool for their own enjoyment. The author emphasizes that software should inspire creativity, much like building with Lego blocks, where variety fuels innovation. They reference the game "The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild" as an example of inspiring design, highlighting the importance of taking time to create memorable experiences. The author has no commercial goals for Boo and feels no pressure to rush its development. Instead, they are excited to explore programming languages and will eventually use their new language to rewrite Boo. The article concludes by noting that it was written using Boo itself.

Author: lukeio | Score: 37

7.
Local Privacy Firewall-blocks PII and secrets before ChatGPT sees them
(Local Privacy Firewall-blocks PII and secrets before ChatGPT sees them)

The user created a Chrome extension to prevent accidentally sharing sensitive information like AWS keys while using AI models.

Key Points:

  • Problem: Users need AI's reasoning but risk leaking personal information.
  • Solution: A Chrome extension that runs a local BERT model to remove sensitive data before sending requests.
  • Functionality:
    • Everything operates locally, ensuring no data is sent to a server.
    • It uses regex for basic detection and a small transformer model for advanced detection.
  • Current Status: This is a prototype seeking feedback on user experience and detection accuracy.
  • Tech Stack:
    • Built with a Chrome extension, Python FastAPI, and HuggingFace's BERT model.
  • Future Plans: The developer is considering moving the model to run entirely in-browser to improve performance and eliminate the need for a local server.
  • Open to Feedback: The developer welcomes suggestions and collaboration on improving the tool.

The project is available under the MIT license.

Author: arnabkarsarkar | Score: 62

8.
Oldest attestation of Austronesian language: Đông Yên Châu inscription
(Oldest attestation of Austronesian language: Đông Yên Châu inscription)

The Đông Yên Châu inscription is the oldest known document in the Old Cham language, discovered in 1936 in Vietnam. Written in the Pallava script, it dates back to around 350 A.D. and is significant for showcasing the indigenous beliefs of the ancient Cham people in the Champa kingdom. The inscription emphasizes respect for a "naga" or divine serpent associated with a protective spring.

Although some argue it contains the oldest Malay words, most scholars agree it is written in Old Cham, highlighting connections between Cham and Malay languages. The text shows similarities to modern Cham and Malay grammar and vocabulary. It reflects strong Indian influences, particularly through the use of Sanskrit terms.

The inscription reads as a proclamation of respect and warning: those who honor the king's serpent will be rewarded, while those who insult it will face dire consequences. This inscription is important for understanding the linguistic and cultural history of Southeast Asia.

Author: teleforce | Score: 25

9.
A “frozen” dictionary for Python
(A “frozen” dictionary for Python)

No summary available.

Author: jwilk | Score: 131

10.
iPhone Typos? It's Not Just You – The iOS Keyboard Is Broken [video]
(iPhone Typos? It's Not Just You – The iOS Keyboard Is Broken [video])

No summary available.

Author: walterbell | Score: 50

11.
Crick and Watson Did Not Steal Franklin's Data
(Crick and Watson Did Not Steal Franklin's Data)

No summary available.

Author: Brajeshwar | Score: 11

12.
Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration
(Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration)

The author shares a frustrating experience trying to obtain a Gemini API key for Google’s Gemini 3 Pro model to assist with coding in a new React app. Initially, they had access to Gemini 2.5 but wanted to upgrade. The process of getting access to Gemini 3 Pro turned out to be convoluted and confusing due to the numerous products associated with the Gemini name.

After managing to create an API key through Google AI Studio, the author faced challenges setting up billing, which required creating a Billing Account and verifying payment methods, including uploading a government ID. This verification was tedious and time-consuming, leading to more delays.

Despite finally receiving confirmation that their billing account was in good standing, the author encountered a 403 error when attempting to use the API, suggesting a lack of permissions. Eventually, after receiving a follow-up email from Google, the API began to work.

The author concludes that the process is overly complicated, designed for large organizations rather than individual developers. They find Google's approach inefficient compared to competitors like Anthropic and OpenAI, which offer simpler, more user-friendly setups. The author plans to test Gemini 3 Pro but may revert to other tools if it doesn't meet expectations.

Author: speckx | Score: 689

13.
Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban
(Australia begins enforcing world-first teen social media ban)

Australia has implemented a new law that bans social media use for individuals under 16 years old. This decision aims to protect young people from potential online risks and harmful content. The government believes that restricting access will help safeguard the mental health and well-being of children. The law has sparked discussions about the balance between safety and freedom of expression online.

Author: chirau | Score: 885

14.
The Cost of a Closure in C
(The Cost of a Closure in C)

Summary of "The Cost Of a Closure in C"

This article discusses the performance implications of using closures in the C and C++ programming languages. Closures are programming constructs that include data and functions, allowing them to access variables outside their direct arguments. While many modern languages support closures, C and C++ have unique challenges due to their lower-level nature.

Key Points:

  1. Closure Definition: Closures allow functions to carry additional data, enabling more complex programming patterns compared to traditional functions.

  2. Closure Problem: A common issue in C is how to pass extra data to functions like qsort. The article illustrates this with an example where a static variable is used, leading to problems in more complex applications, such as thread contention and state management.

  3. Solutions: There are four main solutions for handling closures in C and C++:

    • Reimplementing functions to accept user data pointers.
    • Using GNU Nested Functions.
    • Utilizing Apple Blocks.
    • Employing C++ Lambdas.
  4. Performance Analysis: The article benchmarks these closure approaches using Knuth’s "Man-or-Boy" test, which assesses how well languages manage recursion and data referencing. The results show significant performance differences between the methods.

  5. Benchmark Results:

    • C++ Lambdas performed best due to their efficiency and ability to optimize function calls.
    • std::function and Rosetta Code Lambdas showed poor performance due to unnecessary copying of data.
    • GNU Nested Functions struggled because of their implementation challenges, leading to optimization issues.
  6. Insights:

    • The more information a compiler has about closures, the better it can optimize performance.
    • A proposed "wide function pointer" type in C could improve closure handling by simplifying how functions and their data are managed.

In conclusion, while closures enhance programming flexibility, their implementation in C and C++ can introduce performance challenges that need careful consideration. The article provides benchmarks and analysis to guide developers in choosing the best approach for their applications.

Author: ingve | Score: 131

15.
Patterns.dev
(Patterns.dev)

Summary of JavaScript, React, and Vue Patterns

  1. JavaScript Patterns:

    • Focus on using plain JavaScript and Node.js.
    • Key patterns include:
      • Singleton: One global instance for the whole app.
      • Proxy: Control interactions with target objects.
      • Prototype: Share properties among similar objects.
      • Observer: Notify subscribers of events.
      • Module: Break code into reusable pieces.
      • Mixin: Add functionality without inheritance.
      • Mediator: Centralize communication between components.
      • Flyweight: Reuse identical objects to save memory.
      • Factory: Create objects using a factory function.
    • Optimizations: Techniques for loading sequences, such as static/dynamic imports, route-based splitting, tree shaking, and preloading resources.
  2. React Patterns:

    • Focus on building UI with React and Next.js.
    • Important patterns include:
      • Container/Presentational: Separate UI from logic.
      • HOC (Higher-Order Components): Share logic via props.
      • Render Props: Pass JSX through props.
      • Hooks: Reuse stateful logic.
      • Client/Server-side Rendering: Various methods for rendering UI.
      • Incremental Static Generation: Update static content post-build.
    • Performance Optimization: Improve Core Web Vitals and application efficiency.
  3. Vue Patterns:

    • Focus on building applications with Vue.js.
    • Key concepts include:
      • Components: Self-contained units combining markup, logic, and styles.
      • Async Components: Load components asynchronously for better performance.
      • Composables: Encapsulate reusable logic.
      • Data Provider: Manage and provide data without using props.
      • Dynamic Components: Switch between components dynamically.
      • State Management: Handle state across components effectively.

These patterns and optimizations help developers create efficient and maintainable applications across JavaScript, React, and Vue frameworks.

Author: handfuloflight | Score: 434

16.
Helldivers 2 on-disk size 85% reduction
(Helldivers 2 on-disk size 85% reduction)

The text outlines various sections of a platform, likely related to gaming or digital content, including:

  • Store: Features like Home, Discovery Queue, Wishlist, Points Shop, News, and Stats.
  • Community: Includes Discussions, Workshop, Market, and Broadcasts.
  • Support: Offers assistance to users.
  • Language Options: A wide range of languages for users to choose from, including Chinese, Japanese, Korean, and many European languages.

Additionally, there is a mention of a jQuery function for a tooltip feature in the navigation area. The overall structure is focused on user navigation and community engagement.

Author: SergeAx | Score: 127

17.
WhatHappened – HN summaries, heatmaps, and contrarian picks
(WhatHappened – HN summaries, heatmaps, and contrarian picks)

The creator of WhatHappened (whathappened.tech) developed this tool to simplify navigating Hacker News, which they found overwhelming due to its dense text and vague titles. Key features of WhatHappened include:

  1. AI Summaries: Provides a quick technical summary (3 bullet points) and an easy-to-understand version for each post.
  2. Heat Meter: Analyzes comment sections to show the type of discussions happening—constructive, technical, or flame wars—helping users avoid unproductive threads.
  3. Contrarian Detection: Highlights the most upvoted disagreements in comments to encourage diverse opinions.
  4. Mobile-First Design: Optimized for phone use, it allows easy navigation and can be added to the home screen.

The tool currently supports English and Chinese, and the creator welcomes feedback.

Author: marsw42 | Score: 47

18.
How the Brain Parses Language
(How the Brain Parses Language)

The article discusses the work of neuroscientist Ev Fedorenko, who has been studying how the brain processes language for 15 years. She has identified a "language network" in the brain that connects words to their meanings, similar to how large language models (LLMs) function. This language network is not responsible for thought but acts as an interface that helps translate perceptions (like speech or writing) into meaningful representations.

Fedorenko describes the language network as a physical part of the brain, comparable to organs like the digestive system. It consists of specific areas in the left frontal lobe and temporal lobe, which work together to process language. Damage to this network can lead to aphasia, where individuals struggle to express complex thoughts.

Her research suggests that while people often view language as a key component of thought, the language network operates separately from higher-level cognitive processes. It helps individuals produce and comprehend language by using learned mappings between words and meanings.

Fedorenko's findings indicate that the language network functions like a “mindless” language processor, much like early LLMs, yet it is essential for effective communication and expressing thoughts.

Author: mylifeandtimes | Score: 74

19.
Did that Colorado station sign say gas for only $1.69? Yes, it did
(Did that Colorado station sign say gas for only $1.69? Yes, it did)

No summary available.

Author: mooreds | Score: 17

20.
Booting Linux in QEMU and Writing PID 1 in Go to Illustrate Kernel as Program
(Booting Linux in QEMU and Writing PID 1 in Go to Illustrate Kernel as Program)

This text explains the Linux kernel and how to understand it better through practical experiments. Here are the key points:

  1. What is a Kernel?

    • The kernel is a core part of an operating system that manages the computer's hardware, allowing programs to use resources like CPU, memory, and devices securely and efficiently.
  2. Where is the Kernel?

    • In most Linux systems, the kernel file can be found in the /boot directory, typically named vmlinuz, indicating it's a compressed Linux kernel image.
  3. Running the Kernel:

    • You can run the kernel using a virtual machine emulator called QEMU. The kernel will boot and try to mount the root filesystem, which may lead to a "kernel panic" if it can't find it.
  4. Creating an Init Program:

    • An init program is necessary for the kernel to function properly. The text suggests using the Go programming language to create a simple init program that prints messages and runs in the user space.
  5. Building an Initramfs:

    • An initramfs (initial RAM filesystem) is created to provide the kernel with a minimal filesystem needed during boot. It includes the init program and device files.
  6. Booting with Initramfs:

    • You can boot the kernel with the newly created initramfs, allowing the init program to run and start functioning as the first process (PID 1).
  7. Key Concepts Learned:

    • The Linux kernel is a small file on your disk.
    • A Linux distribution consists of the kernel and additional programs and configurations.
    • A process is an executing program, and the init process is crucial for starting other programs.
    • The difference between kernel space (where the kernel operates) and user space (where user programs run) is introduced.

Overall, this post aims to provide a clearer understanding of how the Linux kernel works and its role in an operating system by engaging readers with hands-on experiments.

Author: birdculture | Score: 203

21.
Auto-grading decade-old Hacker News discussions with hindsight
(Auto-grading decade-old Hacker News discussions with hindsight)

The text refers to a post titled "Show HN: Gemini Pro 3 imagines the HN front page 10 years from now." It includes a link to the Hacker News website where this post can be found. The focus is on a project that envisions what the front page of Hacker News might look like a decade from now.

Author: __rito__ | Score: 503

22.
How can I read the standard output of an already-running process?
(How can I read the standard output of an already-running process?)

On December 5, 2025, Raymond Chen asked how a process can read its own standard output.

Author: ibobev | Score: 34

23.
oeis-tui – A TUI to search OEIS integer sequences in the terminal
(oeis-tui – A TUI to search OEIS integer sequences in the terminal)

The author enjoys using the On-Line Encyclopedia of Integer Sequences (OEIS) and created a terminal-based user interface (TUI) and command-line interface (CLI) for it. This tool allows users to browse number sequences directly in the terminal and includes features like graphs, a preview pane, exporting options, and bookmarks. More details and features can be found on the project's GitHub page, where it is also available for installation using the command cargo install oeis-tui.

Author: wesleyhill | Score: 21

24.
Python Workers redux: fast cold starts, packages, and a uv-first workflow
(Python Workers redux: fast cold starts, packages, and a uv-first workflow)

Summary of Python Workers Update

Cloudflare has enhanced its Python Workers platform, allowing Python developers to deploy applications quickly and efficiently. Key improvements include:

  1. Package Support: Developers can now use any packages supported by Pyodide, the WebAssembly runtime for Python Workers, rather than a limited selection. This includes both pure Python packages and those with dynamic libraries.

  2. Fast Cold Starts: The platform boasts significantly faster cold start times compared to other serverless options. For example, Cloudflare Workers start over 2.4 times faster than AWS Lambda and 3 times faster than Google Cloud Run, thanks to dedicated memory snapshots that eliminate the need for lengthy startup sequences.

  3. Easy Global Deployment: Deployment is streamlined with minimal code required. Developers can use the pywrangler tool to deploy applications globally in under two minutes.

  4. Capabilities: With Python Workers, developers can handle HTTP requests, set up cron jobs, create chat applications, and more. The platform supports various use cases, including rendering HTML, modifying server responses, and consuming data from WebSockets.

  5. Enhanced Tooling: The pywrangler tool simplifies dependency management and deployment, ensuring a smooth development experience.

  6. Future Plans: Cloudflare intends to introduce more developer-friendly tools, support additional packages, and improve cold start times further.

Overall, Python Workers provides a powerful, easy-to-use platform for deploying Python applications globally with excellent performance and flexibility.

Author: dom96 | Score: 97

25.
How Google Maps allocates survival across London's restaurants
(How Google Maps allocates survival across London's restaurants)

No summary available.

Author: justincormack | Score: 334

26.
VCMI: An open-source engine for Heroes III
(VCMI: An open-source engine for Heroes III)

VCMI is a project that enhances the game Heroes of Might and Magic III. Here's a simplified overview of its key features:

  1. Mod Repository: It offers various mods and expansions that modify gameplay, AI, graphics, heroes, maps, and more.

  2. AI Improvements: Users can adjust AI behavior, including disabling speedups and boosting AI difficulty.

  3. Artifacts: There are options for combining and fusing artifacts, as well as unique themed artifacts.

  4. Creatures and Heroes: The project introduces new creatures and heroes, including reworked commanders and unique characters like Tarnum.

  5. Graphical Enhancements: It includes alternative town screens, improved battlefields, and high-resolution graphics.

  6. New Mechanics: Modifications to gameplay mechanics, such as new skills, spells, and game balance options, are available.

  7. Music and Sound: The project features extended soundtracks and new sound effects for an enhanced audio experience.

  8. Community Support: It provides resources for modders, including tools and guidelines for creating new content.

  9. Translations: VCMI supports multiple languages, making it accessible to a wider audience.

Overall, VCMI aims to expand and improve the original game, offering players a richer experience.

Author: eamag | Score: 153

27.
Go's escape analysis and why my function return worked
(Go's escape analysis and why my function return worked)

The article discusses how Go handles memory management, specifically when returning slices from functions. The author presents a Go function that reads logs and returns a slice, which works without issues. This contrasts with C, where returning a pointer to a local variable can lead to undefined behavior because the local variable is destroyed when the function exits.

In Go, when a variable escapes a function's scope (like the slice being returned), it is allocated on the heap instead of the stack. This is managed by Go's escape analysis during compilation, which ensures that the variable remains accessible as long as there are references to it.

The article explains that a Go slice is a small structure containing a pointer to the actual array, its length, and its capacity. When a slice is returned, only a copy of this structure is returned, while the underlying data remains on the heap, preventing memory issues that occur in C.

Overall, Go's approach allows for safer and simpler code when handling variable lifetimes and memory allocation without the risks associated with stack-based variable returns in C.

Author: bonniesimon | Score: 40

28.
Rubio stages font coup: Times New Roman ousts Calibri
(Rubio stages font coup: Times New Roman ousts Calibri)

I'm unable to access external links or specific URLs. However, if you provide the text you'd like summarized, I can certainly help with that! Please paste the text here, and I'll create a concise and easy-to-understand summary for you.

Author: italophil | Score: 353

29.
Super Mario 64 for the PS1
(Super Mario 64 for the PS1)

Super Mario 64 (DualShock Version) Summary

This project is a modified version of Super Mario 64 that has been adapted to run on PlayStation and PC. It can only build from the US version of the game and requires an original copy for asset extraction.

Key Features:

  • DualShock support with improved rumble features.
  • Optimized math calculations for the PlayStation.
  • Rewritten rendering system to enhance graphics performance.
  • Compressed animations and improved texture handling.
  • Custom tools for profiling and texture encoding.

Known Issues:

  • Some animations may not play or can crash the game.
  • Music and sound effects are limited and may be problematic.
  • Certain gameplay features, like camera control and level transitions, are not fully functional.
  • Visual glitches, including stretched textures and floating objects.

Building the Game: To build the game on Linux or Windows, you need to set up specific tools and follow steps to clone the repository and place the game ROM in the correct directory.

Project Structure: The project contains organized folders for assets, source code, levels, and more, making it easier for contributors to navigate and modify.

Contributing: Contributions are welcome, and it's advisable to discuss major changes before implementing them.

Author: LaserDiscMan | Score: 270

30.
Qwen3-Omni-Flash-2025-12-01:a next-generation native multimodal large model
(Qwen3-Omni-Flash-2025-12-01:a next-generation native multimodal large model)

No summary available.

Author: pretext | Score: 291

31.
Wirebrowser – A JavaScript debugger with breakpoint-driven heap search
(Wirebrowser – A JavaScript debugger with breakpoint-driven heap search)

I'm developing a JavaScript debugger called Wirebrowser. It features tools for inspecting networks, rewriting requests, taking heap snapshots, and searching live objects.

One key feature is BDHS (Breakpoint-Driven Heap Search), which captures a heap snapshot whenever the debugger pauses. This helps users find out when a value appears in memory and which function created it.

Another feature is Live Object Search, allowing users to inspect objects in real-time, use regular expressions, find similar objects, and modify objects directly while the program runs.

I would appreciate any feedback, particularly on how BDHS could improve your debugging process. You can read more in the whitepaper: Wirebrowser BDHS Whitepaper.

Author: fcavallarin | Score: 57

32.
Automated license plate reader coverage in the USA
(Automated license plate reader coverage in the USA)

The author developed a tool using Rust programming that analyzes recent Automatic License Plate Recognition (ALPR) reports from OpenStreetMaps. It calculates navigation data from homes to nearby services and checks how often these routes pass by ALPR cameras, particularly the widely used Flock cameras.

Recently, these cameras have faced criticism for their extensive data collection practices, as highlighted by 404 Media's reports on their usage across the country. The author aims to use open-source data to monitor the growth of these cameras in different counties, which is important for movements pushing to ban them.

In some areas, the cameras are so prevalent that individuals are often photographed, including in sensitive locations like churches and hospitals. The legality of these cameras is debated, with proponents claiming they are simply observing, but the vast amount of data collected and shared without warrants raises concerns about privacy and the Fourth Amendment.

Author: sodality2 | Score: 216

33.
Flow Where You Want – Guidance for Flow Models
(Flow Where You Want – Guidance for Flow Models)

No summary available.

Author: rundigen12 | Score: 36

34.
Incomplete list of mistakes in the design of CSS
(Incomplete list of mistakes in the design of CSS)

No summary available.

Author: OuterVale | Score: 163

35.
Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years
(Fossils reveal anacondas have been giants for over 12 million years)

The study examines a specific topic (details not provided) and is published on a scientific platform. It likely presents research findings and insights relevant to its field. For more information, you can access the full study through the provided link.

Author: ashishgupta2209 | Score: 67

36.
Scientists create ultra fast memory using light
(Scientists create ultra fast memory using light)

Scientists at the University of Southern California and the University of Wisconsin–Madison have created the first regenerative photonic memory, a significant advancement for light-based computing. This new technology addresses the problem of "interconnect delay" in traditional electronics, which struggle with speed and efficiency due to limitations of metal wires and energy consumption.

The breakthrough involves a "regenerative" photonic latch that functions like an electronic memory bit but uses light instead. This development allows data to be stored and processed faster and more efficiently, paving the way for practical applications in AI and data centers.

The photonic latch was made using standard manufacturing processes on a commercial platform, meaning it can be scaled for real-world use. Researchers are optimistic about its potential to integrate with photonic processors, marking a key step towards advanced computing systems. The findings will be presented at the upcoming IEEE International Electron Devices Meeting.

Author: giuliomagnifico | Score: 113

37.
Common Lisp, ASDF, and Quicklisp: packaging explained
(Common Lisp, ASDF, and Quicklisp: packaging explained)

Common Lisp can confuse beginners due to its unique structure and terminology involving built-in features, add-ons like Quicklisp and ASDF, and how they all work together.

Key Points:

  1. Common Lisp Basics:

    • Common Lisp was created when there was no standard for file systems and operating systems, leading to its unique terminology.
    • It has basic functionality for file handling, which can vary between systems. Common Lisp uses "namestrings" for simple strings and "pathnames" for more complex ones.
  2. Loading Code:

    • The LOAD function loads files into the Lisp environment, and the specifics depend on the system being used.
    • You can compile files to speed up loading with compile-file, which creates a FASL (fast load) file for quicker access.
  3. Packages:

    • A package in Common Lisp is a namespace that maps names in your code to symbols in memory, helping avoid naming conflicts.
    • You can refer to functions in different packages explicitly, but it's best to keep package access tidy to maintain modularity.
  4. Systems and ASDF:

    • The term "system" in Common Lisp is not well-defined but usually refers to a collection of code that provides specific functionality.
    • ASDF (Another System Definition Facility) is a widely-used tool for defining systems, managing dependencies, and loading code conveniently.
  5. Quicklisp:

    • Quicklisp enhances ASDF by allowing users to download and manage systems from the Internet, automatically handling dependencies.
    • Usage is straightforward: you can load a system with (ql:quickload "system-name").
  6. Directory Management:

    • Unlike other languages, Common Lisp does not automatically recognize project directories. Instead, you should create symlinks in directories that ASDF looks at for your projects.
  7. Best Practices:

    • Use package-inferred systems to simplify your code organization.
    • Keep your code in a central directory and link it to the appropriate locations for efficient loading.
    • Familiarize yourself with the source code of ASDF and Quicklisp to understand their functionalities better.

In summary, while Common Lisp has a steep learning curve due to its unique structure and terminology, tools like ASDF and Quicklisp simplify code management and loading, making it easier for developers to work with.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 97

38.
Valve: HDMI Forum Continues to Block HDMI 2.1 for Linux
(Valve: HDMI Forum Continues to Block HDMI 2.1 for Linux)

Valve's Steam Machine is technically capable of supporting HDMI 2.1, but open-source drivers for this feature are not available due to restrictions from the HDMI Forum. As a result, the device is limited to HDMI 2.0, which restricts performance to below 60 frames per second at 4K resolution.

Valve has stated that they are working on software solutions to unlock HDMI 2.1 support. However, previous attempts by AMD to provide an open-source driver for HDMI 2.1 have been rejected by the HDMI Forum, limiting the capabilities of the Steam Machine.

Currently, users can achieve higher frame rates with HDMI 2.1 by using an active adapter from DisplayPort 1.4, but this does not officially support variable refresh rates (VRR).

Author: OsrsNeedsf2P | Score: 818

39.
Why no fish wants a tongue-eating parasitic louse in its mouth
(Why no fish wants a tongue-eating parasitic louse in its mouth)

The text discusses a unique type of parasite called Cymothoa exigua, or the "tongue-eating louse," which affects fish. Here are the key points:

  1. Nature of the Parasite: Cymothoa exigua is a parasitic isopod that attaches to a fish's tongue, feeds on its blood, and eventually replaces the tongue with itself. This is a rare behavior among parasites.

  2. Method of Infestation: The isopod enters the fish through the gills as a juvenile male, matures, and can change into a female. The female then moves to the fish's mouth to attach to and feed on the tongue.

  3. Replacement Process: The isopod uses specialized jaws to suck the blood from the tongue, causing it to shrink and eventually fall off. The isopod then grips the remaining tongue stub, acting as a new tongue for the fish.

  4. Survival: While Cymothoa exigua doesn't usually kill its host, it cannot live without it. It is a specialized parasite that relies entirely on the fish for survival.

Overall, Cymothoa exigua is an intriguing example of how some parasites can manipulate their hosts in unusual ways.

Author: thunderbong | Score: 13

40.
Terrain Diffusion: A Diffusion-Based Successor to Perlin Noise
(Terrain Diffusion: A Diffusion-Based Successor to Perlin Noise)

Terrain Diffusion is a new method for creating digital landscapes that improves on older techniques like Perlin noise. While Perlin noise is fast and can create endless worlds, it lacks realism and coherence on a large scale. Terrain Diffusion combines the detail of modern AI diffusion models with the strengths of procedural noise, allowing for seamless, infinite landscapes that are consistent and can be accessed quickly.

The key component, called InfiniteDiffusion, allows for the real-time creation of vast environments. It uses a combination of detailed local features and broad planetary contexts, ensuring stability across varying sizes. An open-source framework helps manage these large data sets efficiently, and a few-step process allows for quick generation. Overall, Terrain Diffusion makes it possible to create entire, realistic planets in a coherent and controlled way.

Author: kelseyfrog | Score: 141

41.
Sid Meier: More Than Just Civilization
(Sid Meier: More Than Just Civilization)

Summary of "Sid Meier: More than Just Civilization"

Sid Meier, a prominent figure in the video game industry, is best known for creating the Civilization series. His memoir offers insights into his personal journey, from his childhood to becoming a game designer. The book reflects on his early experiences and the development of various games, including his successes and failures.

Meier co-founded Microprose with Bill Stealy, initially focusing on flight simulations before exploring other genres. Notably, his game Civilization started as a side project and grew into a major franchise, despite initial skepticism from his company. He emphasizes the importance of fun in game design, even if it means deviating from strict mathematical logic.

The memoir also touches on other projects, like Railroad Tycoon and CPU Bach, and the challenges faced by Microprose as the gaming landscape changed. Eventually, Meier and others left Microprose to form Firaxis, where they continued to innovate with new titles.

Meier shares valuable advice for aspiring game designers: test ideas quickly, be willing to discard what doesn't work, and keep iterating. He concludes by hinting that he may still have future projects, leaving fans curious about what's next for him. Overall, the memoir is a tribute to his influential career and the evolution of video games.

Author: ekianjo | Score: 9

42.
Is it a bubble?
(Is it a bubble?)

The text appears to reference content related to the concept of economic bubbles, specifically discussing whether a current situation is a bubble. It includes a date (December 9, 2025) and mentions various formats like articles and memos. The key focus is on analyzing and monitoring potential bubbles in the economy.

Author: saigrandhi | Score: 269

43.
French supermarket's Christmas advert is worldwide hit (without AI) [video]
(French supermarket's Christmas advert is worldwide hit (without AI) [video])

No summary available.

Author: gbugniot | Score: 96

44.
9 Mothers (YC X26) Is Hiring
(9 Mothers (YC X26) Is Hiring)

No summary available.

Author: ukd1 | Score: 1

45.
Gundam is just the same as Jane Austen but happens to include giant mech suits
(Gundam is just the same as Jane Austen but happens to include giant mech suits)

Gundam and Jane Austen share common themes, particularly the struggle between personal desires and institutional obligations. Both explore characters navigating rigid social structures—Austen through marriage and class in Regency England, and Gundam through war and military hierarchies.

In Gundam, characters like Char Aznable grapple with complex desires that conflict with their roles in society, similar to Elizabeth Bennet’s struggle to marry for love amidst economic pressures. Both series feature intelligent characters aware of social dynamics, but while Austen’s stories suggest that personal fulfillment is possible within societal constraints, Gundam often portrays a bleaker view, highlighting the incompatibility of personal desires and institutional logic, especially in the context of war.

The discussion also touches on how both narratives feature political maneuvering in social settings, whether at dinner parties in Austen or military briefings in Gundam. The author notes that "Iron Blooded Orphans" presents a different perspective, focusing on child soldiers trying to gain legitimacy through violence, contrasting with the more traditional characters in other Gundam series.

Overall, the author enjoys both Gundam and Austen for their rich character dynamics and the exploration of complex social issues. They also share personal updates about their interests in gaming and music.

Author: surprisetalk | Score: 233

46.
Bruno Simon – 3D Portfolio
(Bruno Simon – 3D Portfolio)

No summary available.

Author: razzmataks | Score: 757

47.
Golang's big miss on memory arenas
(Golang's big miss on memory arenas)

The article discusses the limitations of the Go programming language in terms of memory management and performance. Go is popular because it balances performance and ease of use, making it a good choice for infrastructure projects. However, its performance can lag behind that of lower-level languages, especially when developers use idiomatic Go instead of more optimized coding practices.

A proposed solution called Memory Arenas aimed to improve Go's memory allocation by allowing developers to allocate a large pool of memory at once, reducing overhead from garbage collection. Unfortunately, the Go team decided to halt this initiative due to concerns over safety and potential complications that could fragment the language’s ecosystem, such as breaking compatibility with existing libraries.

By abandoning Memory Arenas, Go has prioritized simplicity over high performance, which may limit its competitiveness as both high-level languages improve their speeds and lower-level languages become easier to use. This could lead Go to lose its unique position in the programming landscape, risking its relevance in the face of evolving technology trends.

Author: andr3wV | Score: 143

48.
Vibe coding is mad depressing
(Vibe coding is mad depressing)

The author, a mobile developer with 15 years of experience, expresses frustration about the impact of AI on their work. Previously, clients would provide clear project guidelines, allowing the developer to focus on creating quality apps. However, in the current AI era, clients often send code snippets generated by AI, which complicates the developer's job due to differing coding styles and additional merging tasks.

The author notes that some clients, who are not technically proficient, are now pushing unverified code directly to the main project branch, leading to chaotic coding practices. They describe encountering projects filled with unnecessary emojis and poorly structured code, all contained within a single file, which is now live on the App Store.

Ultimately, the author feels that AI has degraded the standards of mobile development, eliminating best practices and meaningful collaboration, leading to overwhelming and poorly managed codebases.

Author: dirtylowprofile | Score: 213

49.
InspectMind (YC W24) – AI agent for reviewing construction drawings
(InspectMind (YC W24) – AI agent for reviewing construction drawings)

InspectMind, created by Aakash and Shuangling, is an AI tool designed to identify errors in construction drawings and specifications. Construction projects often have mistakes that can lead to costly delays and rework. InspectMind quickly reviews entire sets of drawings, checking for issues like conflicting dimensions, missing details, and material mismatches before construction begins.

Aakash, who previously ran an engineering firm, noticed that many design problems only become apparent during construction, leading to expensive fixes. Traditional methods of checking drawings are cumbersome and often miss errors. InspectMind automates this process, breaking down drawings and specifications to find inconsistencies without relying on hard-coded rules, making it adaptable to various naming conventions used in the industry.

The tool processes different types of construction projects and provides results in a timeframe that varies based on the number of sheets. Users simply upload PDFs, and the system generates a list of potential issues for review. InspectMind operates on a pay-as-you-go pricing model, providing quotes based on the project size.

The creators invite feedback from professionals in architecture, engineering, and construction to improve the tool and understand its practical applications better. They are available for questions and discussions about the technology and its capabilities.

Author: aakashprasad91 | Score: 54

50.
3D-printed carotid artery-on-chips for personalized thrombosis investigation
(3D-printed carotid artery-on-chips for personalized thrombosis investigation)

No summary available.

Author: PaulHoule | Score: 25

51.
RoboCrop: Teaching robots how to pick tomatoes
(RoboCrop: Teaching robots how to pick tomatoes)

No summary available.

Author: smurda | Score: 96

52.
The future of Terraform CDK
(The future of Terraform CDK)

No summary available.

Author: mfornasa | Score: 124

53.
Why Startups Die
(Why Startups Die)

No summary available.

Author: makle | Score: 68

54.
The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI Partner on Sora
(The Walt Disney Company and OpenAI Partner on Sora)

No summary available.

Author: inesranzo | Score: 69

55.
Factor 0.101 now available
(Factor 0.101 now available)

Factor 0.101 Release Overview

On December 8, 2025, Factor 0.101 was released, featuring updates for Windows, Mac OS, and Linux. This version includes nearly 700 contributions from various developers.

Key Changes:

  • User Interface Updates: Buttons and scrollbars now use rendering instead of images, making it easier to customize themes.
  • HiDPI Support: Improved scaling for Linux and Windows, though it may not update settings when switching screens with different scaling.
  • Unicode Update: Now supports Unicode version 17.0.0.
  • Neovim Plugin Support: Added support for the Neovim editor.

Backwards Compatibility Issues:

  • Some functions have had their argument orders changed for consistency.
  • Several folders were removed or renamed to improve organization.
  • Some vocabulary terms were updated for clarity and consistency.

What is Factor? Factor is a concatenative, stack-based programming language that features dynamic types, extensible syntax, and garbage collection. It is fully compiled for performance and supports interactive development across multiple platforms.

New Libraries Introduced:

  • Added support for various encoding formats, new holidays, color spaces, and database functionalities.
  • Introduced tools for command-line interfaces, syntax highlighting, and random generation.

Improvements to Existing Libraries:

  • Enhanced performance and added new functionalities across various libraries, including math, file handling, and UI components.

Removed Libraries:

  • The ui.theme.images library has been removed.

VM Improvements:

  • Continued enhancements for the ARM64 backend.

This release aims to enhance user experience and expand the capabilities of the Factor programming language.

Author: birdculture | Score: 126

56.
Typewriter Plotters (2022)
(Typewriter Plotters (2022))

Summary of Typewriter Plotters

Typewriter plotters are unique devices that use ballpoint pens to draw text and graphics on paper, rather than printing them like traditional typewriters. They can create everything from simple text to complex graphics, making them visually interesting to watch in action.

Key models include:

  1. Panasonic RK-P400C: The top model with a built-in RS-232 port for computer control and a white pen for corrections.
  2. Panasonic RK-P440: A lower-end model that requires an external interface for computer connection but can still draw texts and graphics in four colors.
  3. Panasonic RK-P200C: A basic version without computer control, focusing on standalone graphics.
  4. Silver Reed EB50: Similar to the Panasonic models, it includes a parallel port for plotter functionality.
  5. Smith Corona Graphtext 90: Operates without computer control and uses the same pens.
  6. Brother Type-a-Graph BP-30: Another similar model widely available.
  7. Sears LXI Type-O-Graph: Likely a rebranded Brother model.
  8. Sharp EL-7050: A calculator with a built-in plotter that can print graphs and charts.
  9. Yamaha MP-1: A music keyboard that plots music notes, though it's slower than playing.

Many small computers from the 1980s also had plotter options. These devices used the same colored pens, which are now rare but some replacements exist. These typewriter plotters were popular in the mid-1980s, with prices around $350 for some models.

Author: LaSombra | Score: 126

57.
Yadea is coming to the Western market
(Yadea is coming to the Western market)

No summary available.

Author: breve | Score: 49

58.
A 2-row, 16-key keyboard designed for smartphones
(A 2-row, 16-key keyboard designed for smartphones)

Mobile keyboards typically use the standard 26-key, 3-row QWERTY layout. However, there is a new option available: a 2-row, 16-key keyboard made for smartphones.

Author: QWERTYmini | Score: 73

59.
COM Like a Bomb: Rust Outlook Add-in
(COM Like a Bomb: Rust Outlook Add-in)

No summary available.

Author: piker | Score: 93

60.
Cloth Simulation
(Cloth Simulation)

No summary available.

Author: adamch | Score: 200

61.
When would you ever want bubblesort? (2023)
(When would you ever want bubblesort? (2023))

No summary available.

Author: atan2 | Score: 104

62.
Israel used Palantir technologies in pager attack in Lebanon
(Israel used Palantir technologies in pager attack in Lebanon)

No summary available.

Author: cramsession | Score: 493

63.
In New York City, congestion pricing leads to marked drop in pollution
(In New York City, congestion pricing leads to marked drop in pollution)

No summary available.

Author: Brajeshwar | Score: 449

64.
I got an Nvidia GH200 server for €7.5k on Reddit and converted it to a desktop
(I got an Nvidia GH200 server for €7.5k on Reddit and converted it to a desktop)

Summary: Building a High-End AI Desktop

David Noel Ng shares his experience of acquiring and converting an enterprise-grade AI hardware system into a high-end desktop capable of running large language models (LLMs). The journey began when he found a Nvidia Grace-Hopper system for 10,000 euros, a remarkable deal given that such systems usually cost over $100,000.

Key Points:

  • Initial Purchase: Ng discovered the system on Reddit and negotiated the price. Despite skepticism about the deal's authenticity, he met with the seller, who specialized in modifying Nvidia server equipment.

  • Server Condition: The server was dusty and noisy, requiring significant cleaning and modifications. Ng faced challenges with fan noise, prompting him to consider a custom water-cooling solution.

  • Disassembly and Cleaning: After disassembling the server for cleaning, he encountered multiple technical issues, including fan failures and erroneous sensor readings indicating extreme temperatures.

  • Technical Challenges: Ng resolved several critical failures, including malfunctioning components on the motherboard. He used a microscope to repair damaged parts and successfully implemented a custom cooling system.

  • Final Assembly and Testing: The build process included creating custom parts and mounts. After significant troubleshooting, he managed to get the system operational, benchmarking its performance with impressive results.

  • Cost Breakdown: The entire project cost about 8,990 euros, much cheaper than purchasing a single H100 GPU.

In conclusion, Ng reflects on the effort and challenges involved in creating a powerful AI desktop at home, underscoring the potential for cost-effective high-end computing with resourcefulness and technical skills.

Author: dnhkng | Score: 324

65.
DeepSeek uses banned Nvidia chips for AI model, report says
(DeepSeek uses banned Nvidia chips for AI model, report says)

I'm unable to access the link you provided, but if you can share the text or main points from the article, I can help summarize it for you!

Author: goodway | Score: 313

66.
Amazon EC2 M9g Instances
(Amazon EC2 M9g Instances)

Summary of Amazon EC2 M9g Instances

Amazon EC2 M9g instances are powered by the new AWS Graviton5 processors, offering excellent performance for general-purpose workloads. Key features include:

  1. Performance: M9g instances provide up to 25% better compute performance compared to the previous Graviton4-based M8g instances. They are particularly effective for databases, web applications, and machine learning tasks, showing up to 35% faster performance in these areas.

  2. Resource Efficiency: Built on the AWS Nitro System, these instances ensure high efficiency with dedicated hardware and a lightweight hypervisor, enhancing resource management.

  3. Software Compatibility: M9g instances support most popular Linux operating systems and many applications for security, monitoring, and continuous integration.

  4. Security: Enhanced security features include always-on memory encryption and dedicated caches for each virtual CPU, ensuring data protection.

  5. Customer Success Stories: Various companies, including Airbnb, Arm, and SAP, report significant performance improvements and cost savings using M9g instances.

Overall, M9g instances are designed for workloads like application servers, microservices, and caching fleets, making them a strong choice for businesses looking for efficient cloud solutions.

Author: AlexClickHouse | Score: 152

67.
Why the Sanitizer API is just `setHTML()`
(Why the Sanitizer API is just `setHTML()`)

HTML sanitization is the process of cleaning HTML code by removing unwanted elements and attributes to prevent security issues like XSS (cross-site scripting). A new API for sanitizing HTML is being developed for browsers, which is already available in Firefox Nightly and Chrome Canary.

Traditionally, sanitization uses a two-step process that involves parsing HTML twice, which can lead to vulnerabilities known as mutated XSS (mXSS). This happens because the way HTML is interpreted can change depending on the context in which it's parsed.

To avoid these issues, the new Sanitizer API simplifies the process. Instead of returning sanitized HTML, it modifies the existing HTML directly in a safer way. The method context.setHTML(input, {sanitizer: ... }) will parse and sanitize the input in one step, using the correct context and eliminating unnecessary parsing.

This approach offers a straightforward transition from using innerHTML to setHTML, while ensuring the content is safe from XSS attacks. For more information, users can explore resources such as Firefox Nightly, MDN documentation, and a demo page for the Sanitizer API.

Author: birdculture | Score: 128

68.
VoxCSS – A DOM based voxel engine
(VoxCSS – A DOM based voxel engine)

No summary available.

Author: rofko | Score: 49

69.
PeerTube is recognized as a digital public good by Digital Public Goods Alliance
(PeerTube is recognized as a digital public good by Digital Public Goods Alliance)

Summary of PeerTube Overview

PeerTube is a video hosting and sharing tool developed by Framasoft in France. It allows users to manage and livestream videos. The software is open-source and licensed under AGPL-3.0.

Key points:

  • Core Functionality: PeerTube supports video hosting, management, and live streaming.
  • Accessibility: It is available in multiple languages, including English, Spanish, French, and many others.
  • Usage: Notable organizations using PeerTube include the French Ministry of National Education, Italy’s National Research Council, and various universities and activist groups.
  • Documentation and Compliance: PeerTube meets various standards related to data privacy, open licenses, and platform independence, as verified by the DPG (Digital Public Good) organization.
  • Review Process: The application is actively reviewed and updated, with the latest review taking place in October 2025.

For more information, you can check the official website and GitHub repositories.

Author: fsflover | Score: 680

70.
Qualcomm acquires RISC-V focused Ventana Micro Systems
(Qualcomm acquires RISC-V focused Ventana Micro Systems)

No summary available.

Author: fork-bomber | Score: 70

71.
Super-Flat ASTs
(Super-Flat ASTs)

Summary

In this article, the author discusses optimizing a simple programming language parser called "simp." The language supports basic features like variables, functions, and conditionals.

Key points include:

  1. Abstract Syntax Tree (AST): The parser initially creates an AST using a recursive descent method. While this structure is easy to work with, it consumes a lot of memory due to multiple allocations per syntax node.

  2. Benchmarking: The performance of the parser is evaluated based on how many lines of code it can process per second and its memory usage, using files of varying sizes.

  3. Memory Optimization Techniques:

    • String Interning: Instead of storing strings directly, the parser uses an indexing system that allows for memory reuse, significantly reducing memory usage and improving performance.
    • Pointer Compression: This method replaces full pointers with smaller indices, which allows nodes to be stored in contiguous arrays, further optimizing memory allocation.
    • Bump Allocation: This technique allocates memory in bulk, which reduces the overhead of individual allocations and improves performance.
  4. Super Flat Representation: The author introduces a new "super flat" structure that combines static and dynamic child nodes in a more efficient manner, allowing for even greater memory savings and performance improvements.

  5. Performance Results: The optimizations lead to significant reductions in memory usage, with the super flat representation using 3 times less memory than traditional methods while improving parsing speed across different file sizes.

Overall, the article emphasizes the importance of memory efficiency in parser design and demonstrates several successful strategies for achieving this. The improvements make the parser not only faster but also capable of handling larger files more effectively. The complete code and benchmarks are available on GitHub.

Author: mmphosis | Score: 95

72.
Map of all the buildings in the world
(Map of all the buildings in the world)

A research team from the Technical University of Munich (TUM) has created the GlobalBuildingAtlas, a detailed 3D map of all buildings around the world. This map contains 2.75 billion building models, gathered from satellite images since 2019, and is significantly more detailed than the previous dataset, which had 1.7 billion buildings.

The map allows users to view specific buildings, their heights, and their locations. It also helps analyze urbanization and poverty by including data from often-overlooked regions like Africa and South America. The researchers aim to use this data to study social and economic disparities and assist in climate research, such as energy demand and carbon emissions.

Agencies like the German Aerospace Center are interested in using the map for disaster risk assessments. The map is available for public use, offering interactive features for exploration. Overall, the GlobalBuildingAtlas is a valuable resource for urban planning, infrastructure management, and research.

Author: dr_dshiv | Score: 179

73.
What Happens When an "Infinite-Money Machine" Unravels
(What Happens When an "Infinite-Money Machine" Unravels)

No summary available.

Author: pseudolus | Score: 19

74.
Intermittent hypoxia increases blood flow and benefits executive function
(Intermittent hypoxia increases blood flow and benefits executive function)

No summary available.

Author: PaulHoule | Score: 49

75.
Useful patterns for building HTML tools
(Useful patterns for building HTML tools)

Summary of Useful Patterns for Building HTML Tools

The author discusses their experience creating HTML tools—applications combining HTML, JavaScript, and CSS in a single file. Over the past two years, they've built over 150 tools, primarily using AI language models (LLMs). Here are the key points:

  1. Definition: HTML tools are simple applications that provide useful functions, like converting SVG to images or generating package release diffs.

  2. Development Patterns:

    • Use a single HTML file for easier hosting and sharing.
    • Avoid complex frameworks like React that require a build step.
    • Load libraries from Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) to simplify dependency management.
    • Keep tools small and manageable, typically a few hundred lines of code.
  3. Prototyping: Use AI tools like ChatGPT or Claude to quickly build and visualize tools. Adding "No React" to prompts helps avoid complications.

  4. Complex Projects: For more intricate tools, switch to coding agents that can test and modify code as they work.

  5. Data Management:

    • Use URLs to store tool states for easy sharing.
    • Use localStorage for persistent data, such as user settings or API keys.
  6. APIs and Resources: Collect CORS-enabled APIs for broader functionality. Use local APIs for seamless integration.

  7. File Handling: HTML tools can directly access file content without needing server uploads, allowing for functionalities like image cropping or PDF reading.

  8. Downloadable Files: Tools can generate files directly in the browser for users to download.

  9. WebAssembly: This technology allows running code from other languages in the browser, expanding the capabilities of HTML tools.

  10. Remixing Tools: Leverage existing tools to create new ones, making it easier to build on previous work.

  11. Documentation: Keep a record of prompts and processes used in tool creation for future reference.

Overall, the author encourages others to explore building their own HTML tools using these patterns, starting with simple HTML pages hosted on platforms like GitHub Pages.

Author: simonw | Score: 42

76.
Stop Breaking TLS
(Stop Breaking TLS)

The author expresses strong opposition to TLS “Inspection” software, arguing that it creates more problems than it solves. This type of software intercepts and decrypts encrypted traffic to monitor it, which, instead of enhancing security, undermines the protections that TLS is meant to provide.

Key points include:

  1. Privacy Concerns: TLS Inspection allows companies to monitor private communications, raising serious privacy issues.

  2. Security Risks: The risk of the company's own MITM (Man In The Middle) private key being compromised is much higher than a certificate authority's keys being compromised, making overall security worse.

  3. Complexity and Hassle: Managing certificates across different systems and applications is complicated and prone to errors, leading to potential oversights.

  4. Normalization of Bad Practices: Frequent TLS errors lead to developers and system administrators ignoring security warnings, which undermines the importance of secure practices.

  5. Performance Issues: Decrypting and re-encrypting traffic can create bottlenecks and points of failure in the network.

The author advocates for alternative security measures that are less invasive and more effective, such as anomaly detection and Zero Trust architectures. They urge the industry to stop using TLS Inspection software.

Author: todsacerdoti | Score: 160

77.
Should CSS be constraints?
(Should CSS be constraints?)

Summary: Should CSS Be Constraints?

CSS is complicated, especially when it comes to layouts. Many people struggle with tasks like centering a <div>. The author, who has experience in CSS layout specifications, discusses the issues with CSS, particularly its unpredictability. While CSS is deterministic (the same input yields the same output), its complex rules make it hard to predict how elements will be positioned or sized.

One proposed solution to CSS's problems is a constraint-based system, where designers would specify relationships between elements directly. This can simplify some layout tasks, like vertical centering, but can also lead to challenges. Constraints can be under- or over-determined, meaning that satisfying all constraints might not be possible, leading to unpredictable results.

Both CSS and constraint systems have their complexities and edge cases. For instance, CSS has rules that can seem arbitrary but are designed to create a better user experience. The author argues that while designing layouts is inherently challenging, newer systems like Flexbox and Grid are more intuitive and better cater to modern design needs than older methods.

Ultimately, the solution lies in improving layout systems to be more user-friendly while addressing edge cases effectively. The CSS committee is working on standardizing new layout modes that are more intuitive and suited for various design needs.

Author: pavpanchekha | Score: 18

78.
Gemini Pro 3 imagines the HN front page 10 years from now
(Gemini Pro 3 imagines the HN front page 10 years from now)

No summary available.

Author: keepamovin | Score: 3298

79.
$27,000 a Year for Health Insurance. How Can We Afford That?
($27,000 a Year for Health Insurance. How Can We Afford That?)

No summary available.

Author: ilamont | Score: 16

80.
Mistral releases Devstral2 and Mistral Vibe CLI
(Mistral releases Devstral2 and Mistral Vibe CLI)

Mistral AI has launched Devstral 2, a new family of coding models available in two sizes: Devstral 2 (123 billion parameters) and Devstral Small 2 (24 billion parameters). Both models are open-source and designed to be efficient and effective for coding tasks.

Key features include:

  • Devstral 2: Achieves a 72.2% score on SWE-bench Verified, outperforming larger competitors while being much smaller and more cost-efficient.
  • Devstral Small 2: Scores 68.0% on the same benchmark, making it suitable for local deployment on consumer hardware.
  • Mistral Vibe CLI: An open-source command-line tool that automates coding tasks, allowing users to interact with their codebase using natural language.

Both models are available via API, with Devstral 2 free to use initially. After a free period, the pricing will be based on token usage. They can be deployed on various hardware setups, with specific recommendations for optimal performance.

Mistral Vibe CLI offers features like project-aware context, smart references, and multi-file orchestration to streamline coding processes. Users can also customize the tool to fit their workflows.

Mistral AI invites developers and users to share their projects and engage with the community through various platforms. They are also hiring to expand their team.

Author: pember | Score: 731

81.
Putting email in its place with Emacs and Mu4e
(Putting email in its place with Emacs and Mu4e)

In December 2025, the author explored ways to manage multiple email accounts more effectively using Emacs and Mu4e. Although they faced challenges, particularly with work emails, they found improvements in their personal and charity emails.

The author prefers using Emacs due to its organizational capabilities, integrating emails into their workflow without distractions from different interfaces. They aimed for an offline solution, allowing email access while traveling.

They chose Mu4e for its user-friendly interface and customizable shortcuts. The author initially set up their personal Gmail account and a charity email account, considering switching to Fastmail for the latter. They used IMAP to download emails locally, opting for OfflineIMAP over mbsync due to better performance with Gmail.

Authentication was a key consideration. Google requires OAuth 2.0 for Gmail, leading the author to create OAuth clients in Google Cloud and develop scripts for secure credentials management. For Fastmail, they used app passwords during a trial period.

The author outlined their process for setting up email retrieval and sending via OfflineIMAP and msmtp, ensuring no plain text credentials were stored in their configuration files. They also set up Mu4e to index emails and customize actions for organizing messages.

Despite the successful integration of personal and charity emails, work emails remain a challenge due to restrictions imposed by their employer's email service. Nonetheless, the author has made significant progress in organizing their email workflow using Emacs.

Author: eamonnsullivan | Score: 106

82.
The stack circuitry of the Intel 8087 floating point chip, reverse-engineered
(The stack circuitry of the Intel 8087 floating point chip, reverse-engineered)

Ken Shirriff's blog discusses the Intel 8087 floating-point coprocessor, introduced in 1980. This chip significantly sped up floating-point calculations, making them up to 100 times faster than earlier microprocessors. It became crucial for applications like AutoCAD and spreadsheets, influencing modern computing.

The 8087 was complex for its time, with between 40,000 and 75,000 transistors. Shirriff reverse-engineered the chip, revealing its intricate design, which includes a "datapath" for calculations and a microcode ROM that guides its operations. The chip organizes its data in a stack of eight registers, which is different from how most processors work, aiming to simplify instructions and improve efficiency.

Floating-point numbers in the 8087 are 80 bits, combining a significand and an exponent. These registers are built using static RAM cells formed by pairs of inverters, allowing them to store binary values. The chip's design incorporates multiple layers, including doped silicon and polysilicon wiring, to create the necessary circuitry.

Overall, the 8087 was a groundbreaking chip that laid the foundation for how floating-point calculations are performed in modern computers.

Author: elpocko | Score: 139

83.
England Historic Aerial Photo Explorer
(England Historic Aerial Photo Explorer)

Historic aerial photography captures the development of both urban and rural areas in England. These photos can uncover hidden archaeological sites and features that are hard to see from the ground.

Author: davemateer | Score: 48

84.
Revisiting "Let's Build a Compiler"
(Revisiting "Let's Build a Compiler")

The article discusses the enduring relevance of Jack Crenshaw's "Let's Build a Compiler" tutorial, which was published between 1988 and 1995. Despite being over 35 years old and using outdated technology, this tutorial remains popular among compiler enthusiasts. The author decided to translate the tutorial's examples from Pascal to Python and generate modern WebAssembly output, sharing their findings in a GitHub repository.

One sample program from the tutorial demonstrates a procedure for summing numbers, and the author highlights some complexities in the generated WebAssembly code. The translation process offered insights into the tutorial's strengths, such as its approachable writing style and its focus on building a recursive-descent parser step by step while quickly moving to code generation.

However, the author notes limitations in the tutorial's approach, particularly regarding type checking, which could hamper the generation of optimal code. Overall, the original tutorial is praised as an excellent introduction to compiler construction, and the author's translation aims to make it more accessible for modern programmers.

Author: cui | Score: 268

85.
McDonald's removes AI-generated ad after backlash
(McDonald's removes AI-generated ad after backlash)

McDonald's has removed an AI-generated Christmas ad in the Netherlands after it faced significant online criticism. The ad, which portrayed a chaotic holiday scene and suggested people seek refuge in a McDonald's, upset many viewers, with comments like "this commercial single-handedly ruined my Christmas spirit." McDonald's acknowledged that while the ad aimed to reflect holiday stress, many people see this time as "the most wonderful time of the year."

The ad's creator defended the use of AI, arguing that it enhances creativity rather than replaces human effort, but this also sparked debate about the lack of human involvement in the production. This incident follows similar backlash against AI-generated ads from other companies, like Coca-Cola, which has also faced criticism for its holiday marketing strategies.

Author: terabytest | Score: 19

86.
Kernel Float: Unlocking Mixed-Precision GPU Programming
(Kernel Float: Unlocking Mixed-Precision GPU Programming)

No summary available.

Author: gpuhacker | Score: 23

87.
Deprecations via warnings don't work for Python libraries
(Deprecations via warnings don't work for Python libraries)

No summary available.

Author: scolby33 | Score: 56

88.
Sharding to Contain the Blast Radius of Data Breaches
(Sharding to Contain the Blast Radius of Data Breaches)

No summary available.

Author: jboutwell | Score: 20

89.
If you're going to vibe code, why not do it in C?
(If you're going to vibe code, why not do it in C?)

In his article, Stephen Ramsay discusses the concept of "vibe coding," expressing mixed feelings about it. He loves programming and has dedicated his career to teaching it, but vibe coding feels like cheating to him, as it takes away the satisfaction of truly understanding and solving problems. Despite his reservations, Ramsay acknowledges that vibe coding can produce effective and complex systems, even if it feels less authentic.

He highlights that programming languages are designed for humans to read, not just for machines to execute. This raises a question: if vibe coding is the future, why not use a programming language that prioritizes machine efficiency over human readability? He suggests that a "vibe-oriented programming language" (VOP) could be developed, which would focus more on machine execution while still allowing some level of human expression.

Ramsay reflects on the evolution of programming and the potential for a new paradigm, likening it to past shifts in computing practices. He recognizes the excitement in this change but also feels nostalgic for traditional coding practices. Ultimately, he sees the rise of vibe coding as a significant development in software creation, even as it challenges conventional programming norms.

Author: sramsay | Score: 613

90.
NATO's Rutte warns against a war on the scale of that seen by past generations
(NATO's Rutte warns against a war on the scale of that seen by past generations)

No summary available.

Author: vincent_s | Score: 10

91.
Linux CVEs, more than you ever wanted to know
(Linux CVEs, more than you ever wanted to know)

In the past two years, the Linux community has taken on the responsibility of issuing CVEs (Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures) for the Linux kernel after becoming a Certificate Numbering Authority. They have quickly become one of the largest creators of CVEs, ranking third in 2024 and first in 2025. This rise has led to questions about their processes and how to track CVEs.

The author has given several talks on the topic, discussing how the CVE assignment process works and how it has evolved to address challenges faced in their first year. They plan to share detailed information about this process, including how to request CVEs and how they are automatically assigned.

Additionally, the author aims to simplify the tracking of CVE assignments, providing an easier format than the current CVE JSON format. They intend to create a series of posts to explain their processes and tools, which may also help other open-source projects facing similar challenges.

Author: voxadam | Score: 100

92.
Skin-roasted peanut consumption improves brain vascular function and memory
(Skin-roasted peanut consumption improves brain vascular function and memory)

No summary available.

Author: PaulHoule | Score: 28

93.
Do 8051/8031 assembly like its 1984
(Do 8051/8031 assembly like its 1984)

The author recalls a nostalgic experience from the 1980s when they worked with the 8051 microcontroller at GCHQ. A friend recently found an old 8051 development board and shared it with the author. Back then, programming microcontrollers was complex and costly, requiring expensive tools and software, which the author couldn't afford as a young technician. However, they managed to write an assembler program using Turbo Pascal, which surprisingly still works today.

The author reflects on how they learned programming without formal education and created a simple assembler from scratch. They share that their Pascal program was limited by the technology of the time but was a significant achievement for them. They also mention a project they worked on that involved writing a compiler for the 8031 microcontroller, which they hope to find again. The post highlights the author's journey in programming and their fond memories of early computing.

Author: boznz | Score: 14

94.
EFF Launches Age Verification Hub as Resource Against Misguided Laws
(EFF Launches Age Verification Hub as Resource Against Misguided Laws)

The Deeplinks Blog by Molly Buckley announces the launch of a new resource hub on age verification laws, called EFF.org/Age. These laws are rapidly increasing in the U.S. and globally, leading to confusion about online activities and content access. The hub aims to help users understand these regulations clearly.

Author: iamnothere | Score: 99

95.
Django: what’s new in 6.0
(Django: what’s new in 6.0)

Summary of Django 6.0 Release Highlights

Django 6.0 was released, celebrating 20 years of the Python web framework. Here are the key features and improvements:

  1. Template Partials:

    • New ability to define reusable sections in templates using {% partialdef %} and {% partial %} tags, making it easier to avoid code repetition.
  2. Tasks Framework:

    • A built-in system for running background tasks, such as sending emails and processing data, which simplifies the implementation compared to third-party tools.
  3. Content Security Policy (CSP) Support:

    • Built-in support for CSP helps protect against content injection attacks by specifying trusted sources for scripts and resources.
  4. Email API Updates:

    • Django now uses Python’s modern email API, improving the interface for composing and sending emails, and making inline attachments easier.
  5. ORM Improvements:

    • Dynamic Field Refresh: Models now automatically refresh certain fields after saving, reducing the need for extra queries.
    • StringAgg Aggregate: This feature now works across all database backends, allowing for easy concatenation of strings.
  6. Default Primary Key Change:

    • The default primary key type is now BigAutoField, allowing for larger primary keys and reducing the risk of primary key exhaustion.
  7. Template Enhancements:

    • New forloop.length variable in loops for better flexibility, and improvements to the querystring template tag for building links.

Overall, Django 6.0 brings many enhancements that make development smoother, more secure, and more efficient. Developers are encouraged to upgrade to take advantage of these features.

Author: rbanffy | Score: 367

96.
Apple's slow AI pace becomes a strength as market grows weary of spending
(Apple's slow AI pace becomes a strength as market grows weary of spending)

Apple's slow approach to artificial intelligence (AI) has turned from a liability into an advantage as the market grows cautious about heavy AI spending. Earlier in 2025, Apple’s stock fell significantly, but it has since rebounded, rising 35%, while other tech companies like Meta and Microsoft faced declines. Apple now has a market value of $4.1 trillion and is the second largest company in the S&P 500.

Analysts note that Apple has avoided the costly AI spending arms race, positioning itself well for future AI integration. However, its stock is currently trading at high valuations, making investors question whether they are overpaying for its stability. Notably, Warren Buffett's Berkshire Hathaway reduced its Apple stake while investing in other AI ventures, although Apple remains a key part of its portfolio.

Overall, as AI technology becomes more mainstream, Apple is seen as a safe investment option, leveraging its strong consumer base without the excessive spending that other tech firms have committed to.

Author: bgwalter | Score: 354

97.
Pebble Index 01 – External memory for your brain
(Pebble Index 01 – External memory for your brain)

Summary of Pebble Index 01

The Pebble Index 01 is a small ring designed to help you quickly capture thoughts and ideas before they slip away. By pressing a button and speaking, your ideas are recorded and sent to your phone without needing an internet connection. It's compact, durable, water-resistant, and has a long battery life that lasts for years without charging.

Key features include:

  • Design: Available in three colors and eight sizes, it's as small as a wedding band and easy to wear.
  • Privacy: The device only records when the button is pressed, ensuring your thoughts remain private.
  • Functionality: It can set reminders, create notes, and even control music. It works with both iPhone and Android devices.
  • Customization: Users can configure button actions and voice commands, making it versatile for various tasks.
  • Cost: Pre-orders are available for $75, increasing to $99 after March 2026.

Pebble Index 01 aims to simplify remembering tasks without distractions, and it's designed with user-friendly features and strong privacy measures.

Author: freshrap6 | Score: 577

98.
Running Linux on a RiscPC – why is it so hard?
(Running Linux on a RiscPC – why is it so hard?)

Summary of "Running Linux on a RiscPC - why is it so hard?"

The author shares their experience of trying to run Debian Linux on a RiscPC, a vintage ARM desktop from 1994. They reminisce about their fondness for the machine and explain their motivation for wanting to dual boot it with Linux.

Key points include:

  1. Challenges: The installation process was unexpectedly difficult, involving many reboots and trial-and-error attempts.

  2. Why RiscPC and Debian?: The author prefers Debian for its familiarity and is interested in exploring older versions to see changes over time.

  3. Other Distros: They mention other Linux distributions for RiscPC but note compatibility issues with the hardware.

  4. Debian Versions:

    • Debian 2.2 (Potato): Lacks a bootloader for RiscPC, making installation tough.
    • Debian 3.0 (Woody): Includes a bootloader but has issues with the initrd crashing during boot.
  5. Installation Attempts: They tried various methods, including using different kernels and initrd combinations, and faced numerous technical hurdles, such as incompatibility with hardware and software dependencies.

  6. Custom Solutions: The author eventually created a custom initrd and used tools like debootstrap to set up the system, overcoming obstacles like missing kernel modules and dependency issues.

  7. Final Success: After much effort, they successfully installed Debian Woody on the RiscPC, achieving basic functionality including networking.

  8. Future Plans: The author aims to improve the boot process and explore graphical capabilities with XFree86.

Overall, the article documents a challenging yet rewarding journey to bring modern Linux functionality to an old machine.

Author: zdw | Score: 49

99.
OpenRouter Broadcast
(OpenRouter Broadcast)

Summary of Broadcast Feature for OpenRouter

The Broadcast feature allows users to automatically send trace data from OpenRouter API requests to external observability and analytics platforms. This helps in monitoring and analyzing LLM (Large Language Model) usage without modifying application code.

How to Enable Broadcast:

  1. Go to Settings > Broadcast in the OpenRouter dashboard.
  2. Turn on the “Enable Broadcast” switch.
  3. Add destinations for sending trace data (you need to be an admin for organization accounts).

Supported Destinations: Currently supported platforms include:

  • Braintrust
  • Datadog
  • Langfuse
  • LangSmith
  • Weave
  • S3
  • OTel Collector

Additional platforms are in development and will be available soon.

Trace Data Includes:

  • Request and response details
  • Token usage (prompt, completion, total)
  • Cost of the request
  • Timing information (start, end, latency)
  • Model details
  • Tool usage

Optional Trace Data: Users can include:

  • User ID for tracking specific users.
  • Session ID to group related requests.

API Key Filtering: You can set specific API keys for each destination, allowing for targeted monitoring and management of traces.

Sampling Rate: You can configure a sampling rate to control how many traces are sent, which helps manage costs and data volume.

Security: Credentials for destinations are stored securely and encrypted. Trace sending does not affect API response times.

Organization Support: Broadcast can be managed at both individual and organization levels, allowing admins to share destinations across the team.

Helpful Guides: Step-by-step guides are available for setting up various supported destinations.

Author: Topfi | Score: 33

100.
Are the Three Musketeers allergic to muskets? (2014)
(Are the Three Musketeers allergic to muskets? (2014))

The BBC has released a new drama series called "The Musketeers," based on Alexandre Dumas' novel "Les Trois Mousquetaires." Dr. Simon Kemp from Oxford University discusses an interesting point about the story: the musketeers rarely use muskets, despite their name.

Set in the mid-1620s, the musketeers are elite guards for King Louis XIII, trained for both battle and royal protection. However, Dumas' novel features a surprising lack of gunfire, focusing instead on sword fights and duels. The musketeers are depicted as skilled swordsmen rather than gun users, reflecting Dumas' preference for romanticized combat over historical accuracy.

Throughout the novel, muskets are mentioned infrequently, and even when the characters are on missions, they often do not carry them, opting for agility instead. By the end of the story, the musketeers do use muskets but only briefly, with the weapons lying idle while they engage in other activities.

This analysis highlights Dumas' emphasis on the art of swordsmanship and the romantic ideals of heroism rather than the realities of gun warfare.

Author: rolph | Score: 58
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