The author started a project to create 1-bit pixel art versions of Hokusai’s 36 views of Mount Fuji, inspired by their love for old Macintosh computers and the creative process. They aim to capture Hokusai's original vision while adhering to the Macintosh screen resolution of 512 x 342 pixels, using their Quadra 700 or PowerBook 100 with Aldus SuperPaint 3.0 software, which they fondly remember from childhood. They recently shared their pixel art rendition of "The Great Wave off Kanagawa," and plan to post more from the series. The work is licensed under Creative Commons, and they encourage sharing with proper credit. A downloadable version for Macintosh users is also available.

Summary of the Free Universal Construction Kit by F.A.T. Lab

The Free Art and Technology (F.A.T.) Lab has developed the Free Universal Construction Kit, a set of nearly 80 adapters that allow ten popular children's construction toys, like Lego and Tinkertoys, to connect and work together. This innovative kit promotes creative play by enabling children to mix different types of toys, fostering new designs and imaginative constructions.

Key Points:

• Purpose: The kit encourages interoperability among various toy systems, enhancing creativity in children's play.
• Adapters: It includes adapters for toys such as Lego, Duplo, K'Nex, and Lincoln Logs, allowing pieces to connect across brands.
• Availability: The 3D models for the adapters can be downloaded for free from platforms like Thingiverse, making it accessible for personal 3D printing.
• Motivation: The project aims to extend the usability of toys over time, ensuring that children's skills with different sets remain relevant as they grow.
• Legal Considerations: The kit is designed to avoid infringing on existing patents by focusing on older toys whose patents have expired.
• License: It is shared under a Creative Commons Non-Commercial license, allowing personal use and adaptation but prohibiting mass commercial production.

The Free Universal Construction Kit represents a grassroots effort to enhance children's play by breaking down barriers between different toy systems, encouraging creativity and collaboration.

国立国会図書館デジタルコレクションは、国立国会図書館が収集し保存しているデジタル資料を検索して閲覧できるサービスです。利用者は、特定の資料や情報をオンラインで簡単に探すことができます。このサービスには、画像調整や印刷オプションもあり、利用者は資料を自分のニーズに合わせてカスタマイズできます。さらに、資料はインターネット上で公開されており、ログインなしで閲覧可能です。

New 10 GbE USB adapters are now available that are smaller, cheaper, and cooler than older models. Previously, 10 gigabit networking required expensive and bulky Thunderbolt adapters. The new RTL8159-based 10G USB 3.2 adapters, like the $80 WisdPi model, offer a more compact solution.

While 10G adapters are more expensive than 2.5G or 5G options, they provide better performance if you need high bandwidth. However, not all computers can achieve full 10 Gbps speeds due to USB port limitations. For instance, the adapter reached full speed only on a desktop with a USB 3.2 Gen 2x2 port, while other tested devices got 6-7 Gbps.

For users with existing 10 Gbps networks, the new USB adapters are a good choice, but if you don't need that speed, 2.5G or 5G adapters are more cost-effective. The new adapters also run cooler than previous models, making them a more appealing option. Overall, if you need compact, affordable 10 Gbps solutions, these new adapters are worth considering, but check your computer's USB specifications first.

C64_music includes music files from Commodore 64 games from the 1980s. The goal is to help people understand how the music players work and how the music was created. Users are encouraged to modify and create new music while crediting the original author, Martin Galway. Although he currently holds the copyright, he acquired the rights to this music and code from Infogrames. The "1st Generation" player was used in games like "Wizball" from 1984 to mid-1987, while the "2nd Generation" player started with "Athena" and was later used in other games like Times Of Lore and Insects In Space.

No summary available.

Summary of the Framework Laptop 13 Pro Announcement

Framework, known for its repairable laptops, has announced the Framework Laptop 13 Pro, a significant upgrade that addresses previous model issues. Here are the key points:

• Improved Build Quality: The new laptop features a sturdy CNC-machined aluminum chassis, reducing screen wobble and enhancing overall durability.

• Enhanced Battery Life: It has a larger 74Whr battery, promising up to 20 hours of use, thanks to both the bigger battery and more efficient Intel Core Ultra Series 3 chips.

• Custom Display: The laptop includes a new IPS display with 700 nits brightness, a 1,800:1 contrast ratio, and touchscreen support, maintaining a 3:2 aspect ratio.

• Haptic Touchpad: A new haptic touchpad simulates clicks without moving parts, addressing user concerns from earlier models.

• Upgradeable RAM: The laptop uses LPCAMM2 memory modules, allowing users to upgrade RAM easily, with options up to 64GB.

• Backward Compatibility: Users can mix and match parts from older models, though some components like the keyboard and battery are not interchangeable.

• Official Linux Support: This model comes with Ubuntu pre-installed, marking the first time Framework offers a Linux-certified laptop, which has proven popular among users.

• Pricing: The DIY Edition starts at $1,199, with pre-built models ranging from $1,499 to $1,799. Pre-orders are open, with shipping expected in June 2026.

Overall, the Framework Laptop 13 Pro reflects the company's commitment to user feedback and innovative laptop design.

No summary available.

Summary of Discret 11, the French TV Encryption of the 80s

In the 1980s, France had limited TV channels, with Canal Plus launching in 1984 as a revolutionary fourth channel. It offered movies and sports without commercials, funded by subscriber fees. To prevent non-subscribers from accessing the content, Canal Plus used an encryption system called Discret 11.

Discret 11 worked by delaying video lines instead of encrypting them, using a secret 11-bit key to determine how much to shift each line. This was achieved with simple analog hardware, making it cost-effective. The system exploited the fact that not all parts of the TV signal were visible, allowing the original image to be reconstructed despite some data loss.

Audio encryption was less sophisticated, using amplitude modulation but not requiring a key for decryption. Subscribers received a "decodeur" device to access the encrypted signal. To prevent unauthorized access, keys were rotated monthly and had to be entered manually.

Despite its initial success, Discret 11 faced issues with compatibility on some TVs and was quickly leaked, leading to rampant piracy. The encryption was eventually replaced by a more secure system, Nagravision, in 1992, and Discret 11 was phased out by 1995. Canal Plus, however, grew into a major broadcaster in Europe.

The text appears to be a series of encoded or corrupted data, making it difficult to extract coherent information. However, I will summarize the key themes based on the recognizable patterns and terms:

1. Data Encoding: The text seems to involve some form of data encoding or scrambling, potentially representing instructions or commands related to a system or application.

2. Repetitive Elements: There are repeated phrases and symbols throughout, indicating a structured format, possibly for data transmission or storage.

3. Key Variables: Certain letters and symbols may represent variables or parameters within a system, though their exact meanings are obscured by the encoding.

4. Decoding Challenge: The complexity of the text suggests it may require specific software or algorithms for proper interpretation and understanding.

Overall, the text is likely technical in nature and designed for a specific purpose, but its current state makes it unreadable in a conventional sense.

Summary of grdpwasm

grdpwasm is a web-based RDP client that allows you to connect to a Windows Remote Desktop server directly from your browser without needing any plugins. It is built using Go WebAssembly.

How It Works:

• The system uses a Go proxy server to bridge WebSocket connections from the browser to the RDP server, since browsers can't open raw TCP sockets.

Requirements:

• Go version 1.24 or later.
• Access to an RDP server (Windows or compatible).

Building and Running:

1. Clone the repository: git clone https://github.com/nakagami/grdpwasm.git
2. Navigate to the folder: cd grdpwasm
3. Run make all to build the project, which produces:
   • static/main.wasm: The Go WASM binary.
   • static/wasm_exec.js: JavaScript support for Go runtime.
   • proxy/proxy: The WebSocket-to-TCP proxy server.
4. Start the proxy server with make serve or ./proxy/proxy -listen :8080 -static static.
5. Open your browser and go to http://localhost:8080.

Usage:

• Fill in the connection form with the RDP server's details (host, port, domain, user, password, and screen resolution) and click "Connect" to access the remote desktop.

Features:

• Standard keyboard and mouse inputs are supported.
• Remote audio is streamed and played through the browser.

Security Notes:

• The proxy accepts connections from any origin. It is recommended to run it on a trusted network or add authentication before using it publicly. For secure connections, use HTTPS/WSS.

Development Commands:

• Specific commands are provided to rebuild parts of the project or clean up build artifacts.

License:

• The project is licensed under GPLv3.

The text discusses the importance of distinguishing between the number of parameters and the amount of computation in deep learning models. While many focus only on model size (measured by parameters), computation should also be considered, as both affect model performance.

The authors introduce two new methods to explore this relationship:

1. Hash Layers: This method allows for increasing model size without increasing computation. It uses a simple routing mechanism based on hashing, where each word is assigned to a specific "expert" that handles part of the input. This reduces overall computation, making large models more efficient. In tests, this approach outperformed existing models while using fewer parameters.

2. Staircase Attention: This method increases computation without adding parameters by stacking Transformer models. The Ladder model stacks the same Transformer multiple times for more computation, while the Staircase model shifts Transformers forward in time, allowing for better handling of tasks that require maintaining an internal state. Both models showed improved performance on language tasks.

The authors suggest that these two approaches can be combined for even better results, emphasizing the need to treat computation and parameters separately in model design. Overall, they believe this perspective will lead to more powerful machine learning models.

No summary available.

The text refers to a project called LamBench, which is available on GitHub at the link provided. It seems to focus on aspects of intelligence, speed, elegance, and problem-solving, possibly related to a specific framework or tool (referred to as a "matrix"). The version mentioned is v1.

No summary available.

HEALPix, short for Hierarchical Equal Area isoLatitude Pixelisation of a 2-sphere, is a method for dividing a sphere into equal-area pixels, primarily used in cosmology to analyze maps of the cosmic microwave background. Developed in 1997 by Krzysztof M. Górski, it was first published in 1998.

The HEALPix projection maps a sphere to a flat plane and then creates a grid of pixels, with the most common being the H=4, K=3 projection, which divides the sphere into twelve diamond-shaped facets. This pixel arrangement is beneficial for complex calculations, like spherical harmonic transforms.

HEALPix is widely utilized in cosmological research, including the Gaia mission for identifying celestial sources. Alternatives to HEALPix include the Hierarchical Triangular Mesh (HTM) and the Quadrilateralized Spherical Cube, which offer different methods for representing spherical data.

In summary, HEALPix is an effective tool for mapping and analyzing spherical data in astronomy, noted for its equal-area pixelization and efficiency in cosmic studies.

Summary of "What's Missing in the ‘Agentic’ Story"

The article discusses the changing relationship between users and technology, particularly with modern internet-connected devices. Historically, computers operated as trusted tools that did exactly what users instructed. However, this trust is increasingly misplaced with today's technology, where devices often gather and share user data without full transparency or consent.

Key points include:

1. Declining Trust: Users often assume their devices work solely for them, failing to recognize that many technologies are designed to prioritize the interests of their creators over those of users. This has led to widespread privacy violations, such as TVs spying on users or companies mishandling private data.

2. User Agents as Protection: Web browsers serve as user agents, protecting users by managing how websites interact with their devices. They create a balance of interests between users and websites, allowing for collective bargaining power.

3. Challenges with AI: The excitement around AI, particularly "agentic" AI that acts on behalf of users, lacks a clear definition and structure. Without proper user agency frameworks, there is little assurance that AI will act in users' best interests, leading to potential misuse and eroded trust.

4. Need for Regulation and Standards: Establishing user agent roles for AI could improve accountability and foster trust between users and AI services. This would help create a marketplace where users feel secure in their interactions with technology.

5. Future Considerations: The article emphasizes the importance of developing AI platforms that respect user rights and promote a healthy ecosystem. It calls for a nuanced discussion about security and agency, advocating for a balance that empowers users while ensuring responsible AI development.

In summary, as technology evolves, the need for user agency and accountability in AI and internet-connected devices becomes increasingly critical to maintain trust and protect user interests.

Summary of Niri Release v26.04

Niri is a Wayland compositor that arranges windows in a scrollable, tiled format. It recently moved to a GitHub organization for better collaboration and issue management. The latest release, v26.04, introduces several key features and improvements:

1. Blur Feature: The most requested feature, allowing background blur effects for windows and layers, is now available. Users can configure blur effects through specific protocols or niri's config.

2. Optional Config Includes: Users can now make configuration file includes optional, which helps in managing different setups without errors if a file is missing.

3. Pointer Warping: Scrolling through windows now includes pointer warping for smoother navigation.

4. Screencasting Enhancements: Improvements have been made to screencasting features, including better cursor visibility in videos and a delayed start for dynamic casting.

5. Animation Fixes: Animation synchronization for window actions has been improved to provide a seamless experience.

6. Input Method Improvements: Support for input methods in pop-ups has been fixed, allowing for proper text entry.

7. Miscellaneous Fixes: Various performance and bug fixes, including GPU profiling integration and better handling of input devices, have been implemented.

Overall, this release focuses on enhancing user experience with new features, performance improvements, and fixing existing issues. Users can support the development of Niri through GitHub Sponsors.

Plain text, especially in the form of ASCII, has been a longstanding tool for diagramming and UI design, and it remains relevant today. There are several tools available:

• Mockdown: Works on the web and mobile.
• Wiretext: Web-based but only for desktop.
• Monodraw: A Mac application.

These tools appeal to users who prefer simple visuals for creating diagrams, often for use in source code and as a way to engage with generative AI.

The blog highlights the revival of these tools, drawing parallels to past technologies from the 1970s and 1980s, but with modern features like web access and improved usability. The author notes that practicing constraints in design is becoming increasingly important as technology advances. This approach can make tasks easier and help manage the complexities introduced by AI.

The enduring nature of plain text is celebrated for its portability and effectiveness in text editing. Lastly, the author mentions that using ASCII in tools like Mockdown offers a fun creative outlet, though the term "ASCII" is used loosely to describe a broader category of text-based designs.

The text discusses a modification to a quantum attack submission on the Elliptic Curve Discrete Logarithm Problem (ECDLP) that originally used IBM Quantum hardware. The modification replaces the quantum backend with a standard random number generator, /dev/urandom, to test the claim that quantum computing is necessary for key recovery.

Key points include:

1. Claim Tested: The submission claims to demonstrate a quantum attack on ECDLP using IBM Quantum hardware.

2. Modification: The code was altered to use /dev/urandom instead of IBM Quantum hardware, while keeping the rest of the code unchanged.

3. Results: The modified code was able to recover private keys at the same rate as the original quantum hardware runs. All recovered keys were identical to those reported by the author using quantum hardware.

4. Challenges: The modified code was tested on various challenges, successfully recovering keys for 4-bit to 10-bit challenges on the first try, and achieving a success rate of about 40% for a 17-bit challenge on a laptop.

5. Theoretical Support: The results align with theoretical expectations, showing that under certain conditions, random noise can effectively recover keys without the need for quantum computing.

6. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the original claim of a quantum attack is flawed, as the same results can be achieved classically without quantum hardware.

The overall conclusion is that the cryptanalytic claim of using quantum methods for ECDLP key recovery is not valid, as demonstrated by the ability to reproduce the results using classical methods.

Kevin will be attending two events in Amsterdam: Babashka Conf on May 8 and Dutch Clojure Days on May 9. He encourages attendees to reach out.

He reflects on how overthinking can hinder project progress. He often faces two scenarios when starting a project: either he jumps right in and completes it happily, or he gets bogged down by researching existing solutions, which can lead to wasted time and confusion about his goals.

For example, he recently completed a woodworking project with a friend by focusing on the fun of creating rather than stressing about perfection. In contrast, he spent too much time researching tools for semantic diffing, which distracted him from building a simple solution for himself.

He notes that unclear success criteria can lead to prolonged research without tangible results. He expresses a desire to embrace a more action-oriented approach, even if some projects might not turn out well.

Kevin also shares his experience with coding, emphasizing the importance of sticking to minimal scopes to avoid unnecessary complexity. He discusses his exploration of structural diffing tools and their limitations, seeking a way to review changes in a more intuitive manner.

His plan is to develop a simple tool for entity extraction and diffing that meets his needs without becoming overly complex. He is not focused on gaining recognition for his work, just wanting to create functional solutions for himself.

Lastly, he mentions his need for materials for a project and shares various interesting links and insights related to creative endeavors and programming.

Summary

A new approach for creating a 3D body model from just eight questions has been developed, eliminating the need for photos or complex technology. This method uses a small machine learning model (MLP) that processes user inputs to estimate 58 body parameters, achieving high accuracy in height (0.3 cm) and weight (0.3 kg).

Key Points:

• Background: The idea stems from a study showing that height and weight alone can predict body measurements fairly accurately. This method addresses privacy, speed, and cost issues compared to traditional photo-based techniques.

• Features Beyond Height and Weight: The model incorporates additional factors like body shape, muscle mass, and gender to improve accuracy. These features help differentiate between different body types that share the same height and weight.

• Model and Dataset: The MLP is trained on a dataset of synthetic bodies based on the Anny model. Two separate models are used for male and female bodies due to their distinct differences.

• Training and Results: The MLP was designed to ensure height and weight match user inputs exactly, yielding strong results with low mean absolute errors (MAE) for height, weight, and body measurements compared to existing methods.

• Lessons Learned: Adjustments were made regarding body density calculations, which significantly improved mass predictions. The importance of tailoring the model to fit real-world data was highlighted.

• Future Directions: The current method is not final. Future improvements may include more interactive features for users to adjust body attributes directly, enhancing user experience and accuracy.

• Access: The tool is available for use at clad.you, offering a quick way to generate a 3D body model from simple questionnaire responses.

Summary of Paraloid B-72:

Paraloid B-72, also known simply as B-72, is a thermoplastic acrylic resin developed by Rohm and Haas. It is primarily used for surface coatings, flexographic inks, and as an adhesive, especially in the conservation of ceramic and glass objects.

Key Features:

• Type: A copolymer made from ethyl methacrylate and methyl acrylate.
• Properties: It is durable, non-yellowing, and more flexible than many other adhesives, making it suitable for restoring sensitive items.
• Solubility: It dissolves in solvents like acetone, ethanol, and toluene.
• Advantages: Stronger and harder than polyvinyl acetate, it withstands stress better without being too brittle.
• Handling: It can be challenging to apply precisely, and its best solvent is acetone.

Conservators have recently started using B-72 as a fill material in glass restoration due to its transparency and adaptability.

Panic, a video game publisher, has received a surprising amount of creative mail from fans of their games due to a rewards program inspired by an old Activision initiative from the 1980s. Since mid-2024, players have been sending in letters, drawings, and even unusual items like a dead fly, a child's tooth, and an iPod Nano with a custom playlist as expressions of appreciation for games like "Thank Goodness You’re Here" and "Arco."

The program invites players who finish certain games to send a self-addressed stamped envelope for a game-themed patch, and encourages them to include notes to the developers. This has led to thousands of heartfelt messages, with players sharing how the games have impacted their lives, from rekindling memories to improving relationships.

Panic's marketing head, Kaleigh Stegman, sorts through the mail, which has turned part of their office into a busy “mailroom.” The response has exceeded expectations, with players creatively expressing their gratitude, including sending money, wedding invitations, and even a glitter bomb. The physical nature of the correspondence has been a pleasant surprise for Panic, who value the personal touch of handwritten notes.

Humpback whales are experiencing a remarkable recovery, with a record-setting observation of 304 individual whales spotted in a single day off the coast of South Africa in December 2025. This increase is attributed to the global whaling moratorium that began 40 years ago, which has allowed humpback populations to grow, particularly in the southern hemisphere, where numbers have risen by up to 12% annually.

Photographers Monique and Chris Fallows documented this phenomenon, noting the chaotic and overwhelming experience of being surrounded by so many whales. Super-groups, defined as gatherings of 20 or more whales, are becoming more common, though experts are unsure why. It may relate to changes in prey availability or simply a result of population recovery.

These whales typically feed in smaller groups but are now seen in large numbers during the austral summer when food sources, like krill, are abundant. Observing such large groups is a significant conservation success story, as just a few decades ago, humpbacks were nearly extinct due to whaling.

While their populations are recovering, humpbacks still face threats from fishing gear entanglements, vessel strikes, and climate change. The ongoing success of their recovery is crucial for marine ecosystems and overall ocean health.

Summary of GUI Wonderland #12a – Windows 2.x

In this episode of GUI Wonderland, we explore Windows 2.x, a significant update from Microsoft released on December 9, 1987. Unlike a full operating system, it operates as a graphical shell on top of MS-DOS, aiming to enhance user experience with features like desktop icons and keyboard shortcuts.

Key Points:

1. Development and Purpose: Windows 2.x was created to address the shortcomings of Windows 1.x while preparing users for a transition to OS/2, a more advanced operating system developed in partnership with IBM.

2. User Interface Improvements: The update introduced overlapping windows and a more user-friendly interface, influenced by successful designs from the Macintosh and other systems.

3. Legal Challenges: Apple sued Microsoft over similarities in their graphical user interfaces, claiming copyright violations. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Microsoft, stating that the elements Apple claimed were not copyrightable.

4. System Requirements: Windows 2.x required an 8086 processor, with 512 KB of RAM, and could run on both floppy disks and hard drives.

5. Reception: The update was better received than its predecessor, with improvements acknowledged by users and critics. However, it still needed MS-DOS to function, limiting its full potential.

In conclusion, Windows 2.x marked a crucial step in Microsoft’s journey toward creating a more robust graphical operating system, setting the stage for future successes like Windows 3.0. The next episode will cover OS/2 1.x, providing a contrasting perspective on this era of computing.

The author purchased a Rodecaster Duo for better audio quality while gaming and talking with their girlfriend. They found it easy to use and recommend it to others.

When updating the firmware, the author tried to capture how the update process works. They discovered the firmware was stored as a gzipped tarball and that the device had an interesting setup. There were no signature checks on firmware updates, and SSH was enabled by default with public key authentication.

After a failed update attempt on a Mac, the author switched to a Windows PC and used Wireshark to analyze the update process. They figured out the commands needed to enter update mode and flash new firmware. The update process involved sending specific commands and copying files to the device.

The author created custom firmware to enable SSH access and easily flash it to the device. They were surprised by how simple the process was and appreciated owning a device they could modify. They contacted Rode about the default SSH key but did not receive a response.

Overall, the author enjoys their Rode equipment and is interested in acquiring more gear. They welcome any questions from readers.

No summary available.

I created a wiki system for AI agents that uses markdown and git for storing information, with a Bleve (BM25) and SQLite index to help with retrieval. This system runs locally and allows users to easily keep their knowledge.

Key features include:

• Each agent has a private notebook and access to a shared team wiki.
• Notebook entries can be reviewed and added to the main wiki, with a system for managing old entries.
• There's an append-only log for facts that updates automatically.
• It includes features like broken-link detection and a daily check for errors.
• A command for quick lookups helps users retrieve information efficiently.

The system is designed to ensure durability and transparency, using markdown for easy access and a clear record of changes. However, it currently has some limitations, such as variable recall rates and a focus on single-office use.

A demo is available to showcase the system in action, and it can be integrated with existing AI setups. Further details and installation instructions can be found in the project’s GitHub repository.

Summary: Repairing the Ruins: Why AI Can’t Replace Education

In today's world, where AI can generate text effortlessly, authentic education must focus on more than just producing words. John Milton, a 17th-century writer, believed education should help restore our abilities that have been diminished over time. His ideas are relevant now because AI can create polished content, leading us to confuse language skills with genuine understanding.

AI tools like ChatGPT can help with tasks like summarizing or drafting, but they cannot replace the learning process. Education should not just be about producing correct answers; it should involve engaging with challenging questions and developing critical thinking skills. Real education requires interaction, questioning, and personal effort, which AI cannot provide.

Teachers play a crucial role in this process. They guide students through inquiry, helping them develop their understanding rather than simply transferring information. The best learning comes from discussions, debates, and hands-on activities, not just from receiving facts.

The challenge posed by AI is not just about maintaining academic integrity; it's about ensuring that learning remains focused on developing judgment and understanding. Rather than fearing AI, educational institutions should adapt by encouraging more active learning and personal engagement.

At home, families can support education by promoting conversation and critical thinking without distractions. This moment in education could lead to a renewal of focus on meaningful learning, where the goal is to cultivate thoughtful and responsible individuals.

Ultimately, while AI can assist, it cannot replace the essential human work of learning, understanding, and moral development. True education is about forming minds capable of deep thought and genuine engagement with the world.

Summary of Stash:

Stash is an open-source tool designed to enhance AI interactions by providing persistent memory, allowing AI to remember past conversations, preferences, and project details. This eliminates the need for users to constantly re-explain themselves, making interactions more efficient and context-aware.

Key Features:

1. Persistent Memory: Stash allows AI to remember previous conversations, preferences, and mistakes, so it can pick up where it left off without repetition.

2. Organized Memory: Memory is structured into "namespaces," similar to folders, allowing the AI to categorize and recall information easily.

3. Learning and Improvement: Unlike traditional methods that require users to input knowledge, Stash learns from experiences, builds a knowledge graph, and tracks goals over time.

4. Easy Setup: Stash can be set up quickly with minimal commands using Docker, making it accessible for users without extensive technical knowledge.

5. Compatibility: It works with any AI model, whether cloud-based or local, and does not lock users into a specific platform, ensuring data ownership and flexibility.

6. Cognitive Integration: Stash includes features like goal tracking, understanding failures, and causal reasoning, making the AI more intelligent and responsive.

In essence, Stash transforms how AI operates by providing it with a memory system that learns and grows, akin to a colleague that remembers everything and becomes more valuable over time.

Summary: How to Implement an FPS Counter

To implement an FPS (Frames Per Second) counter in a game, it's important to focus on how frames are processed over time rather than just the latest frame. Here are the key points for correctly calculating FPS:

1. Avoid Single Frame Measurement: Measuring the time for just the latest frame can be misleading. Instead, aggregate data across multiple frames for a more accurate representation of performance.

2. Rolling Window Technique: Use a rolling window of frames over a fixed duration (like one second) to calculate FPS. This method smooths out fluctuations and provides a clearer picture of performance.

3. Implementation Methods:

   • Method 1 (Not Recommended): Measures FPS based on the latest frame, which can be erratic.
   • Method 2 (Not Recommended): Uses a fixed number of recent frames for an average but still can be inconsistent due to dependency on frame rate.
   • Method 3 (Okay): Counts frames per second but updates only once a second, which may be too infrequent.
   • Method 4 (Recommended): Tracks frame timestamps in a rolling window, providing a smoother FPS reading.
   • Method 5 (Recommended): Tracks both timestamps and processing times, allowing for detailed performance insights.

4. Precision Timing: Use a high-precision timer (like SDL_GetPerformanceCounter or std::chrono::high_resolution_clock) for accurate measurements.

5. Bonus Method: A variation of Method 3 that updates the FPS display multiple times per second for a more responsive UI.

These methods aim to provide a reliable and user-friendly way to monitor game performance through FPS.

This paper discusses the emergence of a scientific theory of deep learning, which aims to explain key aspects of how neural networks learn. The authors identify five main areas of research contributing to this theory:

1. Idealized Settings: These are simplified scenarios that help us understand real learning processes.
2. Tractable Limits: These reveal fundamental insights about how learning works.
3. Mathematical Laws: Simple equations that describe important overall behaviors in deep learning.
4. Hyperparameter Theories: These simplify the understanding of hyperparameters by separating them from the training process.
5. Universal Behaviors: Common patterns seen across different systems that highlight which phenomena need further explanation.

These areas focus on the dynamics of training, describe overall trends, and aim for testable predictions. The authors propose calling this emerging theory "learning mechanics." They also compare this approach with other theories and address skepticism about the possibility and importance of a fundamental theory in deep learning. Finally, they outline future research directions and offer resources for beginners interested in this field.

Summary of Commenting and Approving Pull Requests

Jake Worth discusses his approach to reviewing pull requests (PRs) in a simple and effective way. Here are the key points:

1. Approval and Comments: When reviewing PRs, if his feedback consists mainly of minor suggestions or non-blocking issues, he approves the PR and leaves comments at the same time. Comments show consideration for the code and can highlight potential improvements or misunderstandings.

2. Trust in the Team: He emphasizes the importance of trusting his team to consider and implement his comments. He believes that the team can make changes quickly, and the review process should enable progress rather than slow it down.

3. Process Considerations:

   • Trust is essential; if you don't trust your team, you may need to address that first.
   • Some repositories reset approvals when new commits are made, which can affect this approach.
   • Tools like linters and formatters can reduce the need for minor comments, allowing reviewers to focus on more significant feedback.
   • He uses structured comments with labels (like nitpick or suggestion) to clarify his intent.

4. Handling Major Feedback: For significant issues, he may choose to only comment or block the PR based on the severity of the feedback. This is done on a case-by-case basis.

5. Encouragement to Try: He encourages others to try his method with a trusted teammate, suggesting that it fosters better conversations and code quality.

Overall, his goal is to make code reviews constructive and supportive, prioritizing team collaboration and improvement.

The evolution of email could have been very different if the X.400 standard, created in 1984, had been adopted instead of the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP). X.400 offered advanced features like message scheduling, auto-destruction, and built-in encryption, which were not available in early internet email. However, despite its potential, X.400 was complex and difficult to implement, which hindered its widespread adoption.

In contrast, SMTP was simpler and easier for developers to use, leading to its rapid acceptance and dominance. By the early 1990s, even organizations like the United Nations had to accept SMTP alongside X.400 due to its popularity and effectiveness.

While X.400 still exists in niche areas like aviation and some military applications, it ultimately failed to achieve the interoperability it promised. SMTP, with its straightforward design and the ability to evolve quickly, became the foundation of modern email. Today, email as we know it relies on SMTP's simplicity, allowing diverse systems to communicate effectively.

The text contains links to resources related to DeepSeek, which seems to be an AI tool. One link points to API documentation, while the other directs to a PDF document about DeepSeek V4 Pro. The main focus is on providing information about using DeepSeek.

Summary: Cosmology with Geometry Nodes

MohammadHossein Jamshidi, a Ph.D. student in physics and cosmology at Shahid Beheshti University, shares innovative ways to use Blender's Geometry Nodes for cosmological research. His focus is on Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB) radiation, which carries vital information from the early universe.

Key Points:

1. Cosmology Basics: Cosmology studies the universe's large-scale structures and history, particularly the Cosmic Microwave Background (CMB), which is nearly uniform radiation with tiny fluctuations that reveal insights about the universe's past.

2. Using Blender: Inspired by other creators, Jamshidi applied Blender's Geometry Nodes for visualization and computations related to CMB. This tool allows for real-time data processing and testing algorithms efficiently.

3. Data Storage: Properly storing spherical data is crucial; HEALPix pixelation is used to efficiently manage and perform calculations on this data.

4. Visualization Techniques: Geometry Nodes enable the visualization of CMB data on HEALPix spheres, including methods for maintaining pixel integrity during map transformations.

5. Map Transformations: The Geometry Nodes feature allows for pixel-preserving map rotations and the simulation of physical effects like Doppler aberration, enhancing the analysis of CMB data.

6. Machine Learning Applications: Geometry Nodes help in preparing data for machine learning by capturing square images from complex HEALPix maps.

7. Gravitational Lensing: The tool can simulate weak gravitational lensing effects, which occur when massive objects bend light, aiding in the understanding of cosmic structures.

8. Mapping and Projections: Jamshidi discusses using Geometry Nodes for various two-dimensional mappings of spherical data, like the Mollweide projection.

9. Spherical Harmonics: The project utilizes spherical harmonics for analyzing spherical maps, though it requires careful numerical handling to avoid instability.

10. Broader Applications: The techniques developed may be applicable in other areas of physics, such as astrophysics and materials science, encouraging further exploration.

Jamshidi acknowledges the support of his professors and collaborators in developing these techniques and sharing this knowledge.

Summary:

Writing can lead to unexpected discoveries, as illustrated by an essay on the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Initially, the author intended to argue that PCR technology hasn't significantly advanced since 1987 and that improvements in speed and cost are possible. However, the research revealed that while some advancements exist, the time savings are modest, and scientists are hesitant to adopt cheaper machines.

PCR is a common method for copying DNA, involving cycles of heating and cooling to amplify DNA. The process typically takes about an hour due to limitations in temperature changes and the efficiency of enzymes. Several strategies to speed up PCR include reducing the number of cycles, using faster enzymes, and improving thermocycler technology. However, most gains have already been achieved, and significant improvements are rare.

One innovative approach discussed is photonic PCR, which uses LEDs and lasers to heat small samples quickly. While this could theoretically reduce PCR time, calculations suggest that the overall time savings would be minimal. Additionally, there are challenges in getting scientists to adopt cheaper alternatives due to trust issues and the complexities involved in changing established workflows.

In conclusion, despite the high cost of traditional PCR machines and the potential for cheaper, faster alternatives, the entrenched nature of current technologies and the perceived risks associated with new tools make widespread adoption unlikely.

The text discusses the idea of "working with the garage door up," a concept inspired by Robin Sloan, which encourages creative individuals to share their work processes openly rather than just announcing completed projects. This approach allows audiences to see the struggles and decisions behind the work, fostering deeper connections and more engaged followings.

The author believes that openly sharing projects can lead to unexpected opportunities and connections, even if one feels unqualified. This idea is supported by Maggie Appleton, who notes that sharing your learning journey can enhance perceptions of competence.

The text also touches on the value of physical businesses that visibly engage with the community, like a glassblowing studio or a woodworking shop, highlighting how they signify presence and activity. In contrast, social media often leads to a focus on constant communication, making it easy for people to be overlooked if they aren’t always posting.

Ultimately, the text argues for a more authentic and visible approach to sharing work that reflects the quieter, productive efforts happening all around us.

The post discusses the significance of diners in American food culture, highlighting their unique characteristics and nostalgic appeal. It notes that while diners are less common today, they still exist and often resemble train cars due to their historical design.

Photographs from the Library of Congress showcase various diners, including one in Columbus, Georgia, which offers American and Korean food, and the Country Girl Diner in Vermont with its shiny aluminum exterior. Vintage images reveal diner menus and prices, such as 5-cent hot dogs in Maryland in 1940 and 75-cent breakfast specials in New York City in 1959.

The post mentions that truck drivers were a significant customer base for many diners, often open 24 hours. Modern diners, like the Sunliner Diner in Tennessee, still evoke the classic 1950s atmosphere, complete with vintage décor and menu items.

The author encourages readers to revisit diners for a nostalgic experience and provides links to explore more diner-related photographs.

Summary of "What Async Promised and What it Delivered"

As programming evolved, handling many simultaneous connections without overwhelming system resources became critical, especially highlighted by the C10K problem. Solutions emerged in waves, each addressing the previous one's flaws while introducing new issues.

1. Callbacks: This first solution avoided blocking threads by using callbacks, allowing operations to register functions to be called when complete. While effective, it created complex code (known as "callback hell"), made error handling cumbersome, and lacked a way to cancel operations.

2. Promises and Futures: The next step introduced promises, which represent future results instead of using callbacks. Promises improved readability and error handling but were limited to single-use and didn't support ongoing events, leading to a split in handling different types of asynchronous operations.

3. Async/Await: This approach made asynchronous code look sequential, enhancing readability. It became widely adopted in many programming languages. However, it introduced a "function coloring" problem, where every function must be either asynchronous or synchronous, complicating codebases and leading to issues with library compatibility and new types of bugs.

Overall, while these advancements improved the experience of writing asynchronous code, they also added structural complexities that affect larger codebases, creating challenges in managing dependencies and optimizing performance. Each solution has addressed specific issues but has also generated new problems, illustrating a recurring theme in software development where attempts to manage concurrency lead to increased complexity.

Turbo Vision Summary

Turbo Vision is a modern adaptation of the classic Turbo Vision 2.0 framework, which allows for creating text-based user interfaces. Developed as a personal project starting in late 2018, it was made open-source in May 2020 after achieving compatibility with the original Turbo Vision features. Key goals included:

• Making Turbo Vision functional on Linux while maintaining support for DOS/Windows.
• Ensuring compatibility with older Turbo Vision applications.

The project now supports Unicode and includes enhanced features like a Turbo text editor. Turbo Vision simplifies terminal application development by managing terminal capabilities, providing reusable widget classes (like windows and buttons), and enabling cross-platform compatibility without complex coding.

Key Features:

• Cross-Platform: Works seamlessly on Linux and Windows with no need for platform-specific code.
• Unicode Support: Supports Unicode input and output, allowing for international character use.
• Clipboard Interaction: Provides system clipboard access for text copying and pasting.
• Extended Color Support: Supports more than the original 16 colors, allowing for modern color specifications.

Usage:

Developers can begin using Turbo Vision by following the user guide and examining sample applications. The project is actively maintained, and while there are no stable releases yet, the latest updates can be accessed through its GitHub repository.

Build Environment:

Turbo Vision can be built on various platforms (Linux, Windows with MSVC/MinGW, and DOS with Borland C++). Detailed build instructions are provided for each environment, including dependency requirements.

Applications:

Various applications have already been developed using Turbo Vision, including text editors and terminal emulators, showcasing the framework's versatility.

Overall, Turbo Vision modernizes a classic framework, making it relevant for contemporary software development while preserving compatibility with legacy applications.

In March, Firefox 149 was released with several new features, including a built-in VPN, a Split View for side-by-side browsing, and a new file picker for Linux. One notable but overlooked addition is the inclusion of adblock-rust, an open-source ad and tracker blocking engine developed by Brave. This engine is designed to block network requests and can use filter lists similar to uBlock Origin, but it is disabled by default in Firefox.

To test adblock-rust, users should first turn off Firefox's Enhanced Tracking Protection for the website they want to test. Then, they can adjust settings in Firefox's configuration to enable adblock-rust and add filter lists for better ad blocking. After making these changes, users can visit ad-heavy sites to see if ads are being successfully blocked.

Summary of GPT-5.5 Release Announcement

On April 23, 2026, OpenAI released GPT-5.5, the latest version of its AI model, which is designed to enhance productivity and efficiency in various tasks. Key features include:

• Improved Efficiency and Intelligence: GPT-5.5 can understand and execute complex, multi-part tasks with minimal guidance, making it better at coding, researching, and data analysis than its predecessor, GPT-5.4.

• Speed and Token Efficiency: Despite being more advanced, GPT-5.5 operates at the same speed as GPT-5.4 and uses fewer tokens for tasks, improving efficiency.

• Enhanced Safeguards: The model comes with robust safety measures to prevent misuse, developed through extensive testing and feedback from trusted partners.

• Accessibility: GPT-5.5 is now available for Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise users in ChatGPT and Codex, with plans for API integration soon.

• Stronger Performance: In various benchmarks, GPT-5.5 outperforms previous models, demonstrating superior capabilities in coding, knowledge work, and scientific research.

• Real-World Applications: Early testers reported that GPT-5.5 effectively assists in complex engineering and research tasks, significantly reducing the time needed for problem-solving and project completion.

Overall, GPT-5.5 represents a significant step forward in the development of AI tools, enhancing the way users can work with technology across various fields.

Diatec, the company behind the popular FILCO mechanical keyboards, has officially ceased operations as of April 22, 2026. Known for their Majestouch series, Diatec offered products like the Majestouch Convertible3 and the split-type Majestouch Xacro M10SP, gaining a loyal following among keyboard enthusiasts. Their website now displays a notice about the closure, and they have assured customers that all personal information has been securely deleted in accordance with legal regulations.

The author shares their experiences with the Norseman race, where athletes jump into cold water early in the morning. They explain the importance of preparing for the cold shock response, which can be dangerous. When cold water first hits the skin, it triggers a panic response in the body, leading to hyperventilation and increased heart rate. This can be deadly if combined with the diving response, which slows the heart rate.

Most cold-water fatalities occur in the first few minutes after entering the water, often in places like harbors where people jump in unexpectedly. To reduce risks, the author advises:

1. Do not jump in; instead, walk in and let your body acclimate.
2. Practice cold-water exposure to lessen the shock response.
3. Dress appropriately for cold water to minimize skin exposure.
4. Never swim alone and ensure safety measures are in place.
5. Be aware of your heart health, especially if you have conditions or are over 40.

To help athletes prepare, they spray them with cold water on the ferry before the jump. This acclimatizes them and reduces panic, making the jump safer. The key takeaway is to respect the cold water and prepare for the initial shock to prevent drowning. The author has also written a book on cold water swimming for further guidance.

Lightwhale 3 has been released as an easy way to self-host Docker containers. It is a free, unchangeable Linux system that boots directly into a working Docker Engine, eliminating the need for installation and setup. Its simple design is user-friendly and it uses minimal memory, making it appealing during times of high RAM usage. If you're interested, check it out along with its easy Getting Started guide. Have a great day!

No summary available.

Summary: The Longest Train Journey in the EU

In 2026, the longest train journey within the European Union is set to be established, focusing on the route between Kemijärvi, Finland, and Lagos, Portugal. The geodesic distance between these two points is approximately 4088.33 km, surpassing the previous record of 3855 km.

The journey involves taking a total of 16 trains, covering 6251.5 km, and if everything goes smoothly, it would take about 87 hours and 29 minutes to complete. The route will start with a train from Kemijärvi to Haparanda, and then continue through multiple train connections across Europe, including stops in major cities like Stockholm and Madrid.

The article highlights the complexities of planning such a route, including the need to navigate different train stations and gauge changes. It suggests that future improvements in train schedules could shorten the travel time to around 80 hours.

Despite the focus on the longest journey, the author acknowledges that other routes could have longer distances if measured by the total route kilometers, but they emphasize that this calculation is complex due to varying train services.

In conclusion, this new record journey in the EU represents an exciting challenge for train travelers, with the potential for future optimizations to make the trip more efficient.

Larry McMurtry, a prominent writer, challenged the traditional cowboy myth in America by revealing a more nuanced and truthful portrayal of life in the West. This narrative is explored in David Streitfeld's biography, "Western Star: The Life and Legends of Larry McMurtry."

Growing up in Archer City, Texas, McMurtry was surrounded by storytelling, which shaped his writing. He famously preferred the fictionalized versions of family tales over the painful truths. Throughout his career, he examined the intertwining of truth and fiction in American history, particularly in the context of the cowboy myth, which he saw as an invented narrative created by various cultural figures.

McMurtry's novels, including "Horseman, Pass By," "Leaving Cheyenne," and "The Last Picture Show," depicted the struggles of characters in a changing Texas, moving away from romanticized views of the cowboy to portray ordinary people dealing with loss and disillusionment. His work often critiqued how Hollywood adapted his stories into films that reinforced the very myths he sought to dismantle.

Despite his disdain for Hollywood, McMurtry engaged with the film industry, contributing to adaptations like "Brokeback Mountain" and "Lonesome Dove," which maintained his critical lens on Western culture. He understood the importance of mythmaking in American identity and sought to reveal the reality behind those myths while acknowledging their persistent allure.

Ultimately, McMurtry's legacy lies in teaching readers to confront the complexities of American history and culture, recognizing the blend of myth and reality that shapes our understanding of the West.

The author expresses their concerns about the quality and support of Claude Code, an AI tool they have been using for software development. Initially, they had a positive experience with the tool, but over the last few weeks, they noticed a decline in performance and customer support.

Key points include:

1. Initial Enthusiasm: The author was excited about using Claude Code due to its good quality and fair token allowance.

2. Support Issues: They encountered problems when their token usage unexpectedly spiked, and the AI support bot provided unhelpful responses. Human support also failed to address their specific concerns.

3. Declining Quality: The author experienced a drop in the quality of the AI's outputs, leading to inefficiencies. They noted that the AI sometimes provided poor solutions, which cost them token usage unnecessarily.

4. Token Management Problems: The author faced confusion regarding token limits, including unexpected warnings and changes in the weekly reset.

5. Frustration with the Company: Despite being a fan of the product and acknowledging its potential, the author feels that Anthropic is struggling to manage its growing user base. Consequently, they decided to cancel their account.

Overall, the author highlights both the potential of Claude Code and the frustrations they faced, ultimately leading to their decision to stop using the service.

The Widener family's wealth came from the electricity industry, particularly through Peter Arrell Browne Widener, who transitioned from being a butcher to investing in electric trolley lines. By his death in 1915, his estate was valued at about $32 million, with significant contributions to companies like USSteel and the International Mercantile Marine Company. The Wideners built Lynnewood Hall, a lavish mansion showcasing both art and modern technology, reflecting their belief in the power of science and innovation.

The text highlights Francis Bacon's influence on this era, portraying him as a philosopher who advocated for empirical knowledge and the scientific method, which shaped modern capitalism and technology. Bacon's ideas emphasized the importance of observation and experimentation, leading to advancements that transformed society. However, his approach also led to a reduction of the world to what could be measured and controlled, promoting a "scientism" that dismisses other forms of knowledge.

Bacon's vision is critiqued for fostering a mindset that, while enabling scientific progress, also risks oversimplifying complex realities. The text concludes by noting the tragic fate of Harry Elkins Widener, who died on the Titanic, and how his legacy continues through the Widener Memorial Library at Harvard, which will contribute to the training of AI—a further example of knowledge being utilized in a purely functional way.

The authors have created a new browser framework that gives large language models (LLMs) more freedom to operate without the usual restrictions. They removed the constraints of traditional frameworks and allowed the LLM to self-correct and add new tools as needed.

Their system uses a library that wraps around Chrome, handling various tasks like element extraction and error management, which can be complex and tedious. Instead of coding for every possible issue, they found that LLMs are now capable of understanding Chrome's development protocols well enough to handle many edge cases themselves.

Key features of the new system include:

• A daemon to keep the Chrome WebSocket connection alive.
• Basic helper functions for tasks.
• A skill document explaining how to use the tools.

A notable example of the LLM's capability is when it autonomously created a function to upload files during a task. The new approach allows the LLM to work with greater flexibility and context, avoiding the silent failures common in other frameworks.

Some impressive achievements of this system include playing chess, setting a Tetris world record, and drawing shapes using JavaScript. Users can easily set it up by following instructions on GitHub.

The authors are considering what to call this new approach, suggesting it might be like a new dialect.

No summary available.

The text discusses the ideal design and functionality of iPads and MacBooks. It argues that iPads should be purely touch-based, with no keyboards or mouse support, and that their apps should be unique and immersive, filling the entire screen. The author believes iPads should focus on touch interactions, creating a playful experience for users.

Conversely, MacBooks should prioritize keyboard usage, allowing for efficient multitasking and serious work. The author reflects on how the introduction of the M1 MacBook Pro changed perceptions of MacBooks, while iPads remained limited by their software, failing to meet professional demands.

The author criticizes Apple for not clearly differentiating between iPadOS and macOS and suggests a future where iPads are simplified to focus solely on touch, while MacBooks should enhance their keyboard experience without incorporating touch functionality. The vision is for each device to serve distinct purposes, making them more effective tools for users. Ultimately, the text calls for a clearer separation between iPads and MacBooks to maximize their potential.

An Alberta startup is selling tractors that don't use advanced technology for half the usual price.

The text is an index listing various items or topics along with associated numbers. Here are the key points:

• CXG / Sphinx: 36
• Excalibur: 31
• Fidelity: 29
• Mephisto: 50
• Novag: 53
• Scisys, Saitek, etc.: 86
• Tandy, Radio Shack: 23
• Miscellaneous: 103

This index appears to categorize different brands or products along with their corresponding page numbers.

The guide on Apple Platform Security provides a comprehensive overview of security features across Apple devices and services. Key points include:

1. Hardware Security: Discusses the security of Apple’s hardware, including the Secure Enclave and biometric features like Face ID and Touch ID.

2. System Security: Covers secure boot processes, memory protections, and system integrity features to ensure the operating system's reliability.

3. Encryption and Data Protection: Explains how Apple encrypts user data, including the use of strong passwords, key management, and FileVault for disk encryption.

4. App Security: Details the app security measures in iOS, iPadOS, and macOS, including code signing, malware protection, and secure app data access.

5. iCloud Security: Describes security for iCloud, including data encryption, backup security, and recovery processes for iCloud Keychain.

6. Apple Pay and Wallet Security: Highlights how Apple Pay secures transactions and manages sensitive card information.

7. Network Security: Discusses security measures for Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connections, including VPN and TLS security.

8. Device Management: Outlines secure device management practices for organizations, including configuration enforcement and remote wipe capabilities.

Overall, this guide emphasizes Apple's commitment to user privacy and data protection through a multi-layered security approach.

Summary of Ada Palmer's "Inventing the Renaissance"

Ada Palmer's book, "Inventing the Renaissance," is highly praised as a brilliant and ambitious work that goes beyond traditional history to explore how the concept of the Renaissance has been created, changed, and interpreted over centuries. Palmer, an accomplished author, historian, and educator, teaches at the University of Chicago, where she uses innovative teaching methods, including a live-action role-playing game about Renaissance politics, to engage students with history.

The book focuses on "historiography," the study of how history is written, emphasizing that there is no single narrative of the Renaissance; instead, many overlapping and conflicting histories exist. Palmer illustrates this through detailed accounts of various Renaissance figures and their experiences, highlighting the complexities and contradictions of the era.

Additionally, Palmer discusses themes of censorship and free speech, connecting historical censorship to contemporary issues. Overall, "Inventing the Renaissance" is seen as both a significant historical analysis and a relevant commentary on modern society.

A U.S. soldier has been charged with using classified information to make profit from prediction market bets. The soldier allegedly accessed confidential military information to improve their chances of winning bets. This action raises serious concerns about national security and the misuse of sensitive data. The case highlights the importance of protecting classified information and the consequences of violating such laws.

The text discusses a pull request (PR #15377) for the SDL (Simple DirectMedia Layer) library that adds support for the DOS platform using the DJGPP compiler. Here are the key points:

• PR Overview: The PR titled "Add DOS platform support (DJGPP)" was created by Anders Jenbo (AJenbo) and merged by Ryan C. Gordon (icculus) on April 23, 2026. It includes 53 commits and integrates various features tailored for DOS.

• Features Added:

  • Video Support: Includes VGA and VESA framebuffer support, hardware page-flipping, and state saving.
  • Audio Support: Compatibility with multiple Sound Blaster models for audio playback.
  • Input Support: Uses PS/2 keyboards, mouse, and gameport joysticks.
  • Threading and Timing: Implements cooperative scheduling and a native timer.
  • Filesystem Functions: Basic path and POSIX operation support.

• Limitations: Audio recording and shared library loading are not included. Some standard formatting functions have issues that affect automated tests.

• Build Instructions: Users can build the DOS support using CMake with specific commands provided.

• Community Involvement: Several contributors helped with testing and development, indicating a collaborative effort in enhancing SDL for DOS.

Overall, this PR represents a significant advancement for SDL, allowing it to function on DOS systems while addressing many core functionalities expected in modern libraries.

Endless Toil Plugin Summary

Endless Toil is a plugin that plays recorded human groans as you code, increasing in intensity as the code becomes more complex or problematic.

Installation:

1. For Codex Desktop:

   • Clone the repository to your machine.
   • Open Codex Desktop and go to Plugins.
   • Search for Endless Toil, add it, and follow any setup steps.
   • Start a new thread and request Codex to use the plugin.

2. For Codex CLI:

   • Add the repository as a local plugin marketplace.
   • Open the plugin browser, install Endless Toil, and restart Codex if needed.

3. For Claude CLI:

   • Clone the repository and start Claude from that location.
   • Add the repository as a local marketplace and install the plugin.
   • Restart Claude if prompted, then activate it.

4. For Cursor:

   • Clone the repository and add it as a local plugin marketplace in Cursor.
   • Install Endless Toil, restart if needed, and ask the Cursor Agent to use it.

Testing Sounds: You can test the sounds with specific scripts in the directory.

Requirements:

• Python 3.10 or higher.
• An audio player compatible with your operating system (e.g., afplay for macOS, paplay for Linux).

If an audio player is not available, the plugin will still provide scan results without sound.

For more details, you can refer to the OpenAI Codex and Claude Code plugin documentation.

Summary of cc-canary

cc-canary is a tool designed to detect drift in Claude Code sessions, packaged as two installable Agent Skills. It analyzes JSONL session logs stored on your disk, generates reports, and requires no internet connection or account.

Key Features:

• Installation: Use npx skills add delta-hq/cc-canary to install the tool. You can choose to install just one skill:
  • cc-canary: Generates a markdown report.
  • cc-canary-html: Creates a dark-theme HTML report.
• Report Details: Each report includes:
  • Verdict (e.g., HOLDING, SUSPECTED REGRESSION)
  • Metrics comparing performance before and after a specified time window.
  • Weekly trends on costs, read/edit ratios, and other metrics.
  • Cross-version comparisons of different model versions.
  • Findings categorized by model-side, user-side, or ambiguous.

Usage:

• Commands like /cc-canary 60d or /cc-canary-html 30d can be run to generate reports based on a defined window (default is 60 days).

How It Works:

1. Scan: The tool scans session logs for data.
2. Dedupe: It removes duplicate messages based on certain identifiers.
3. Aggregate: It compiles session metrics (e.g., token use, cost).
4. Detect Inflection: It identifies significant changes in model performance.
5. Generate Report: It creates a markdown or HTML report that includes various metrics and insights.

Privacy: All processes are local, with no data shared over the network. Only files specified by the user are accessed.

Contributions: Users can report issues or suggest improvements on GitHub.

Note: The tool is currently in pre-alpha status, meaning its features and output formats may change.

License: MIT License.

This paper explores how language models, such as Transformers and RNNs, represent numbers using specific patterns called periodic features, mainly with periods of 2, 5, and 10. The authors identify a two-level system of these features. While various models learn basic periodic features, only some can create more complex, geometrically separable features useful for classifying numbers.

The study shows that having sparse features in the Fourier domain is necessary but not enough for achieving this geometric separability. Through experiments, the authors find that factors like the training data, model architecture, optimizer, and tokenizer significantly affect whether models can develop these advanced features. They also discover two main ways models can learn these features: by recognizing patterns in general text data that involve numbers or through solving multi-token addition problems. Overall, the findings reveal that different types of models can evolve similar features from various training methods.

No summary available.

Petter Törnberg argues that social media has shifted from being an interactive platform to a space dominated by passive content consumption, where users mainly watch videos and pictures from unfamiliar sources. He believes we are now in a "post-social media" era, and research needs to adapt to this change.

Key points include:

1. Algorithmic Shift: Social media platforms now prioritize algorithm-driven content over posts from friends, leading to a decline in social interactions.
2. Rise of AI: A significant portion of posts is becoming AI-generated, diminishing the role of human content creators.
3. Public Posting Decline: There has been a notable decrease in public posts, with conversations moving to private messaging apps.

Törnberg suggests that social media is fragmenting into three new forms: algorithmic broadcasting, semi-private groups, and AI-mediated communication. He emphasizes the need for new research methods to understand these changes better.

The Xpress solver has been updated to migrate from BCL to C API, now supporting Xpress 9.8 features such as indicator constraints, warm starts, and convex quadratic inequalities. The compiler has improved by removing non-array right-hand sides from variable declarations in FlatZinc, making it easier to parse .fzn or FlatZinc JSON files. Support for SCIP 10 has been added, while support for SCIP 7 and earlier has been removed. New versions of count_* constraints for booleans, floats, and sets of integers have been introduced for better solver compatibility. Additionally, a new option, --cleanup-time-limit, has been added to manage solver cleanup time before termination. The update also includes 15 bug fixes.

The text provides a sarcastic guide on how to be anti-social by promoting isolation and misunderstanding in social interactions. Here are the key points:

1. Assume Negative Intent: If someone confuses or upsets you, think they have bad or ignorant intentions.
2. Trust Your Fears: Interpret others' actions based on your own fears and feelings, without questioning your assumptions.
3. Avoid Weakness: Don't show any lack of knowledge; pivot conversations when challenged, and imply your original views are correct when asking questions.
4. Defend Your Narrative: Surround yourself with like-minded people and share selective details to support your perspective against any dissent.
5. Ignore Credentials: Don't consider the qualifications of those you disagree with unless you agree with them.
6. No Forgiveness: Don’t allow for mistakes from others, especially those you don't know.
7. Withdraw When Necessary: If a conversation becomes hopeless, retreat into yourself instead of trying to understand others.

This guide emphasizes a negative approach to socializing, encouraging misunderstandings and isolation rather than connection.

Summary: Reverse-engineering Infrared-Based Electronic Shelf Labels (ESLs)

Purpose of ESLs:
ESLs are designed to replace paper labels and offer benefits like ecological savings and price accuracy. However, these claims are often overstated. For instance, while ESLs save paper, their electronic components and batteries have environmental costs. They provide better price accuracy, but updates usually occur overnight, leaving room for human error. ESLs can help staff focus on customers, but this might also lead to job cuts. Some ESLs have NFC features, but few consumers use them.

Benefits for Retailers:
Retailers find ESLs valuable for instant price changes, easy management, visual marketing, and stock tracking, which can increase sales and efficiency. The system can pay for itself in a few years.

Reasons for Reverse-engineering:
People may want to hack ESLs for fun, learning, or to expose flaws. Possible mischievous actions include changing prices, locking tags, or draining batteries quickly.

ESL Brands and Technologies:
Various brands use different technologies for ESLs. Key players include Pricer, SES Imagotag, and Samsung, each with unique communication methods and security features. Infrared ESLs make up about 15% of the market, benefiting from speed and resistance to interference.

Infrared Communication:
Infrared ESLs transmit data using pulses of infrared light. They employ different modulation techniques, allowing for various data rates. The communication structure includes unique identifiers for each tag, commands, and error-checking mechanisms.

Tag Electronics:
There are two main types of ESLs: segmented (cheaper, limited display) and graphic (more expensive, versatile display). Both types share a proprietary microcontroller and communication system. Graphic ESLs often require more complex updates.

Transmitter Electronics:
Transmitters use specialized microcontrollers to send and receive signals. They are designed for precision and can be upgraded as needed.

In conclusion, while ESLs offer modern conveniences for retailers, there are significant environmental and social implications that warrant consideration, along with technical opportunities for hacking and reverse-engineering.

Summary: Mounting Tar Archives in WebAssembly

When working with data in tar.gz files, the traditional method involves downloading, decompressing, and copying files, which can be inefficient. A new approach allows us to use a small index file that records the size and position of each file within the tar archive. This enables direct access to the files without copying them, improving speed and reducing memory use.

This method is implemented in WebAssembly using Emscripten's WORKERFS, which allows read-only access to blob objects. The index file is simple JSON, and it can be created using the tar-vfs-index tool, which generates the necessary metadata from a tar file.

To use this in a project, you need the decompressed tar blob and the JSON metadata. After fetching these, you can mount the tar archive in Emscripten's virtual filesystem, allowing fast access to files without extraction.

Additionally, you can combine the index with the original tar file, so everything is packaged together. This self-contained format is used by WebR for its R packages, offering efficient loading with minimal memory overhead.

In conclusion, this method leverages the tar file structure, efficient blob access in the browser, and native decompression capabilities to enhance data handling in WebAssembly applications.

Summary: CSS as a Query Language

The text explores the idea of using CSS not just for styling web pages but as a query language or even a programming language.

1. Understanding CSS: CSS deals with "Things," which refer to HTML elements that exist independently of CSS. You can describe sets of these Things using selectors, like div for all div elements or .awesome for elements with the class "awesome."

2. Actions on Things: CSS allows you to define rules that apply styles to selected elements. For example, you can change the color and font size of all divs with the class "awesome." However, CSS has limitations; you cannot select elements based on their current styles (like color) because it doesn't allow feedback loops.

3. Complex Scenarios: The text discusses a practical example of styling elements based on their context (like dark mode), which in current CSS requires writing many specific rules. It suggests that a more advanced version, called CSSLog, could simplify this by enabling recursive definitions and allowing properties to influence selection.

4. Comparison with Datalog: The article compares CSS to Datalog, a query language that can handle complex relationships and recursion. Datalog allows you to derive new facts based on existing ones, which CSS cannot do. The authors propose that CSSLog could integrate these features into CSS.

5. Future Directions: While CSS currently lacks the capabilities of Datalog, the author suggests that combining CSS syntax with Datalog's logic could create a powerful new tool for working with tree-structured data, making it easier for developers to write complex queries.

The overall message is that while CSS has its limitations as a styling language, there is potential for it to evolve into a more powerful querying and programming language by learning from Datalog's principles.

The text discusses the current state of the internet and advocates for a return to a more authentic and user-controlled experience reminiscent of the late 1990s. Key points include:

1. Modern Internet Issues: Many people experience a limited internet life dominated by social media algorithms, leading to a shallow and manipulated content consumption.

2. Reclaiming the Internet: The author encourages users to break free from algorithmic control and utilize older internet protocols and technologies (like RSS feeds, IRC, and email) to gain more control over their online experience.

3. RSS Feeds: The author promotes using RSS feeds to curate content from reliable sources instead of relying on social media for information.

4. Communication Tools: IRC and XMPP are suggested as better alternatives for online communication, emphasizing privacy and simplicity.

5. Search Engines and Intentionality: Users should learn to use search engines effectively by asking detailed questions to find valuable information.

6. Archiving and Email: The importance of saving useful content and using email for direct communication is highlighted, with a caution against social media for privacy reasons.

7. Push-Only Approach: The author suggests using social media only to share content (not consume) and emphasizes owning your content.

8. General Internet Tips: Recommendations include using blocklists on routers, text-only browsers, and being intentional about online interactions.

9. Embracing Authenticity: The text calls for a focus on real human interaction and content, rejecting the manufactured nature of much modern online experience.

10. Conclusion: The internet has great potential for good, but users must navigate it carefully to avoid distractions and manipulation. Embracing authenticity and sovereignty is crucial for a better online experience.

Overall, the author advocates for using the internet with intention and authenticity, reminiscent of its early days, to foster a more fulfilling online experience.

Socket has reported that 73 cloned Open VSX extensions have been linked to a malware called GlassWorm. These extensions initially appeared harmless but have since been updated to deliver malware.

Over the past month, we noticed that some users felt Claude's responses had declined. We found three main issues related to Claude Code, the Claude Agent SDK, and Claude Cowork, but the API remained unaffected. As of April 20, these problems have been fixed.

1. Reasoning Effort Change: On March 4, we changed Claude Code’s default reasoning effort from high to medium to reduce latency, but this made the model seem less intelligent. After user feedback, we reverted this change on April 7, restoring the high effort default.

2. Clearing Old Thinking: On March 26, we implemented a change to clear Claude’s reasoning after an hour of inactivity to improve efficiency. However, a bug caused this to happen repeatedly, making Claude seem forgetful. We fixed this on April 10.

3. Verbosity Reduction: On April 16, we added a system prompt to reduce verbosity, which negatively affected coding quality. We reverted this change on April 20 after identifying the issue.

To prevent similar issues in the future, we will enhance our internal testing and review processes, implement more thorough evaluations for changes, and communicate more effectively with users about product decisions. We appreciate the feedback from users that helped us address these problems and are resetting usage limits for all subscribers as a gesture of thanks.

Spinel - Ruby AOT Compiler Summary

Spinel is a compiler that converts Ruby source code into standalone native executables, improving performance significantly compared to CRuby. It uses type inference and generates optimized C code. The unique feature of Spinel is that it is self-hosting, meaning it can compile its own backend, which is also written in Ruby.

How Spinel Works:

1. Parsing: Ruby code is parsed using the Prism library, which creates an Abstract Syntax Tree (AST).
2. Code Generation: The AST is processed to perform type inference and generate C source code.
3. Compilation: A standard C compiler is used to compile this C code into a native binary that runs without runtime dependencies.

Quick Start:

• To use Spinel, you need to fetch the Prism library and build the compiler. You can write a Ruby program and compile it using Spinel, which outputs a native executable that runs quickly.

Performance: Spinel shows significant speed improvements over miniruby (a lightweight version of Ruby), with tests indicating it can be up to 86.7 times faster on certain benchmarks.

Supported Features: Spinel supports many Ruby features, including:

• Core language constructs like classes and control flow.
• Block handling and exception management.
• Data types such as strings, arrays, and hashes.
• Global variables, memory management, and built-in regular expressions.

Optimizations: Spinel employs various optimizations during compilation, such as:

• Value-type promotion to reduce garbage collection overhead.
• Constant propagation and method inlining to improve execution speed.
• Efficient string handling to minimize memory allocations.

Architecture: The Spinel compiler consists of a command wrapper and components for parsing and code generation, all of which can be built and tested easily.

Limitations: Spinel does not support certain Ruby features like dynamic metaprogramming, threading, or deep lambda calculus.

Dependencies: It requires the Prism library for building but has no runtime dependencies beyond standard C libraries.

License: Spinel is released under the MIT License.

In summary, Spinel is a powerful tool for compiling Ruby code into efficient, standalone applications, with a strong focus on performance and optimization.

Gova Overview

Gova is a framework for creating desktop applications using the Go programming language. It allows developers to build native apps for macOS, Windows, and Linux from a single codebase, without needing to learn complex tools or languages like JavaScript or C++.

Key Features:

• Simple Structure: Uses Go structs for components and requires no complicated property handling.
• Explicit State Management: State and effects are directly tied to a visible scope, eliminating surprises during rendering.
• Native Integrations: Supports real macOS integrations and falls back to Fyne for Windows and Linux, ensuring consistent API usage.
• Single Executable: Compiles to a single static binary with no extra assets required.
• Hot Reload: Automatically rebuilds and reloads the app during development, preserving the UI state.
• Built on Fyne: While Gova is based on Fyne, it provides a stable API for developers.

Installation & Requirements:

• Requires Go version 1.26 or higher and a C toolchain (like Xcode on macOS).
• Install it using go get github.com/nv404/gova@latest.

Examples Provided:

• Basic counter app
• To-do list with state management
• Notes app with navigation
• Themed app for dark/light modes
• Native dialogs and dock integrations

Platform Support:

• Core UI and hot reload are available on all three platforms.
• Native dialogs are fully supported on macOS, with Fyne as a fallback for others.

Development Commands:

• gova dev: For hot reloading during development.
• gova build: To compile the app into a binary.
• gova run: To build and run the app once.

Contribution and License:

• Gova is open for contributions, and issues can be tracked on GitHub. It is licensed under MIT.

The text discusses the challenges and stigma associated with operating in adult and gambling industries, like online casinos and platforms similar to OnlyFans. Key points include:

1. Quick Profits vs. Longevity: Many entrepreneurs in these industries aim for quick financial gains rather than long-term commitment.

2. Stigma in Business Decisions: Stigma affects hiring, advertising, payments, and reputation. For example, advertising is restricted, and finding investors is challenging.

3. Employee Motivation: Employees may be drawn by higher pay or the allure of working in a taboo industry, but they may leave for more traditional jobs.

4. Payment Challenges: Payment providers often refuse to work with adult or gambling businesses, leading to reliance on risky or unreliable options.

5. Legal and Competitive Risks: Many businesses operate informally, increasing vulnerability to unethical competition, such as hacking or reputational sabotage.

6. Social Isolation: Individuals in these industries may struggle with societal disapproval, impacting their personal and social lives.

7. Reputation Management: Success in these stigmatized niches does not necessarily enhance one's professional reputation outside the industry, making it difficult to transition to more conventional fields.

Overall, the text highlights the complexities and burdens of operating in industries often viewed negatively by society.

Summary: Redesigning the Recurse Center Application

The Recurse Center (RC) has revamped its application process to attract curious programmers for 6 or 12-week programming sessions. The new application is inspired by the engaging questions from the Oxford All Souls Examination papers and aims to better reflect the RC experience.

Key Changes:

• The application now includes fun, thought-provoking questions for applicants to choose from, encouraging creative and concise responses.
• New questions include topics like the weirdest bug fixed, perspectives on code, and recent deep dives in programming.
• A question asking applicants about their proudest programming project has been added to highlight qualitative insights into their work.

Design Insights:

• The application should excite both applicants and reviewers, filtering in curious candidates while allowing unfit candidates to self-select out.
• A clear evaluation rubric should be shared, and applications should be engaging rather than just a formality.
• Avoid making applications too lengthy and consider ways to catch automated or insincere responses.

Overall, the goal of the redesign is to inspire applicants and better identify those who will thrive at RC.

The study discusses mysterious, star-like points in astronomical images that appear and disappear quickly, noted even before the launch of Sputnik. Researchers found that these transient objects are less common when Earth is in shadow and more frequent around the time of nuclear tests. Some skeptics believe these transients are just defects on the photographic plates. To improve identification of these objects, the researchers used machine learning (ML) to analyze images. They trained their model with 250 pairs of images classified by experts and achieved good accuracy. When applying this model to a larger dataset of over 107,000 previously identified transients, they found that the counts of these objects were significantly higher during nuclear testing periods and that the most likely real transients also clustered around these times. The study confirmed a significant drop in transients when Earth is in shadow, especially for those deemed most likely to be real. Overall, the results suggest the existence of a previously unrecognized group of transient objects that merits further investigation.

No summary available.

A researcher is studying privacy and has been tracking DMCA notices from UK Biobank sent to GitHub. So far, they have recorded 110 notices aimed at 197 code repositories created by 170 developers worldwide. This situation highlights ongoing governance issues for UK Biobank. Recently, it was discovered that personal data of half a million Biobank members is being sold online.

The DMCA takedown notices often target specific files rather than entire repositories. This approach may be used to meet legal requirements for copyright infringement. The researcher notes that a significant portion of the files involved are related to genetics, and many others contain health records or phenotype data.

Summary of "You Don't Want Long-Lived Keys" by Kelby Ludwig

Long-lived cryptographic keys can pose security risks as they increase the chances of unauthorized access over time. As people leave a company, the likelihood that someone outside has knowledge of a key grows, and the chances of an attacker guessing it also increase. Additionally, keys can become less secure with prolonged use.

To manage these risks, you can either limit what a key can do or regularly rotate keys. While limiting a key's scope is ideal, it’s often not feasible. Key rotation is necessary but can be challenging and may lead to outages if not handled properly.

Using ephemeral keys, which are only valid for a short time (e.g., a day), can simplify security management. For example, replacing long-lived SSH keys with temporary credentials reduces the risk of forgotten or misused keys. Similarly, using temporary tokens for package releases and short-lived passwords through Single Sign-On (SSO) enhances security.

However, not all long-lived keys can be eliminated. Reducing their number allows for more focused security efforts and easier management of infrastructure. It’s essential to limit the capabilities of long-lived keys, set a maximum lifetime for them, and aim to rotate them at least quarterly.

Overall, efficient management of long-lived keys requires a concentrated effort from a dedicated team, minimizing the burden on everyone else while ensuring rigorous security practices.

Summary of TorchTPU: Running PyTorch Natively on TPUs at Google Scale

TorchTPU is an initiative by Google to enable PyTorch, a popular machine learning framework, to run efficiently on Tensor Processing Units (TPUs), which are specialized hardware for AI tasks. The goal is to make it easy for developers to use TPUs without needing to change their existing PyTorch code significantly.

Key Points:

1. Challenges in AI Infrastructure: Modern AI requires distributed systems with thousands of processors. Software must adapt to this scale while being performant and reliable.

2. TPUs at Google: TPUs power Google's AI systems and are essential for cloud customers. It's important for the AI community to utilize TPUs effectively, especially those using PyTorch.

3. Usability and Performance: TorchTPU is designed to feel like native PyTorch. Developers can switch their code to run on TPUs with minimal changes.

4. Execution Modes: TorchTPU supports different execution modes:

   • Debug Eager: Slower but helps find errors.
   • Strict Eager: Faster, allows CPU and TPU to work together.
   • Fused Eager: Combines operations for better performance, achieving significant speed improvements.

5. Static Compilation: For those needing peak performance, TorchTPU integrates with a compilation system that optimizes code for TPUs, ensuring efficient execution.

6. Distributed Training Support: TorchTPU accommodates various distributed training methods and allows for code variations across different processes, making it easier for developers.

7. TPU Hardware Awareness: Models may need adjustments to maximize TPU efficiency. TorchTPU provides guidelines for optimizing models for this hardware.

8. Future Plans: In 2026 and beyond, TorchTPU will focus on reducing compilation times, expanding kernel libraries, and enhancing dynamic shape support to improve usability and performance.

Overall, TorchTPU aims to provide a seamless experience for PyTorch users on TPU hardware, enhancing performance and accessibility for AI development.

The text refers to a discussion about GPT-5.5 that took place on a platform called Hacker News in April 2026. The discussion generated a lot of interest, as indicated by 1,010 comments. The link provided leads to the original conversation.

Italy is becoming an appealing destination for wealthy individuals due to its attractive tax incentives. The French government has criticized Italy for luring rich residents away, especially as conflicts in the Middle East make Italy a more appealing alternative to the Gulf states.

Many wealthy people, including those from France, are attracted to Italy not just for its beauty and culture, but also for its favorable tax laws. Italy offers a flat tax on foreign income, capped at €300,000, which is much lower than taxes in France, where the wealthy often face high rates. Additionally, Italy has exemptions for first-time home buyers and no inheritance tax on property up to €1 million.

While many wealthy individuals are considering moving to Italy, some are still hesitant due to the complexities of relocating businesses and tax commitments. The ongoing war in the Middle East is also causing some to reconsider their plans to move to the UAE, making Italy a more viable option for those seeking a favorable tax environment. Overall, Italy's combination of tax advantages and lifestyle appeal is drawing the attention of the global elite.

Naomi Most, a programmer and artist, reflects on the legacy of her grandparents, John W. Mauchly and Kathleen "Kay" McNulty Mauchly Antonelli, who were key figures in the development of the ENIAC computer. She describes how ENIAC's programmers meticulously controlled electricity by hand, similar to weaving on a loom. The article highlights the historical significance of ENIAC in computing and acknowledges the contributions of its architects.

The journey to Mars is complicated and far-off due to the lengthy travel time and challenges in safety and logistics. While rockets can reach Mars, the trip takes about two years, compared to just ten days for a round trip to the Moon. This makes Mars missions risky, especially if an emergency arises.

An alternative mission that could serve as a stepping stone is an orbital trip to Venus. Although Venus has extreme conditions—such as high temperatures and pressure—its atmosphere offers several advantages. For instance, it can shield astronauts from radiation, and communication delays are shorter than those for Mars. Venus also has more manageable gravity, making it easier to develop technology for missions.

There are intriguing signs that Venus might have life in its clouds, such as the detection of phosphine, a gas that typically shouldn’t exist there. Exploring these anomalies could lead to significant scientific discoveries, whether confirming life or uncovering new chemical processes.

Missions to Venus could involve using balloons or airships, which have been successfully tested before, or even landers designed to withstand the harsh conditions. Despite the challenges, studying Venus could greatly enhance our understanding of terrestrial planets and their climates, and help us learn more about exoplanets we cannot yet visit.

Overall, Venus presents a promising opportunity for exploration and discovery, bridging the gap between our Moon missions and the more distant Mars endeavors.

This text describes a service that allows customers to clone software products from Y Combinator (YC) companies for a flat fee of $1,000. Here are the key points:

• Clone Software: Customers can pick a YC company, and the service will create a copy of its software tailored to the customer's brand. This includes delivering the source code and ensuring it stays updated with future releases.

• One-Time Payment: Instead of a recurring subscription, customers pay a one-time fee of $1,000, which covers everything, including ongoing updates forever. There are no hidden fees or additional charges.

• No Venture Capital: The company operates without venture capital funding, relying instead on angels and family offices, allowing for a business model focused on long-term customer satisfaction rather than short-term profits.

• Freedom from SaaS Lock-in: Unlike traditional SaaS companies that often lock customers into contracts and rising prices, this service provides customers full ownership of the software. If the service provider shuts down, the customer still owns and can use the cloned software.

• Ethical Approach: The service claims to be more ethical than traditional SaaS models, which can exploit users with hidden fees and lock-ins. They offer transparency and ownership instead.

• Simple Process: Customers simply select a YC company, pay the fee, and the service handles the rest, delivering a running version of the software in about a month.

Overall, this service aims to disrupt the typical SaaS model by providing affordable, owned software that remains updated without ongoing costs.

Summary of Honker

Honker is an extension for SQLite that adds features similar to PostgreSQL's NOTIFY/LISTEN, enabling efficient communication between processes without needing polling or a separate broker. It offers durable publish/subscribe, task queues, and event streams directly within SQLite.

Key Features:

• Integration: Works with multiple programming languages, including Python, Node.js, Ruby, Go, and more.
• Atomic Operations: Allows tasks like enqueueing jobs to be combined with business database writes in a single transaction, ensuring consistency.
• Efficient Notifications: Instead of polling, it checks for changes every millisecond, providing quick notifications to subscribers.
• Queue Management: Supports features like retries, priorities, and delayed jobs, all stored in the same SQLite database.
• Durable Streams: Offers streams with per-consumer offsets for reliable message delivery.

Usage Example:

Using Python, you can create a queue and enqueue tasks atomically with database operations. For example:

import honker

db = honker.open("app.db")
emails = db.queue("emails")

with db.transaction() as tx:
    tx.execute("INSERT INTO orders (user_id) VALUES (?)", [42])
    emails.enqueue({"to": "[email protected]"}, tx=tx)

Additional Information:

• Design Approach: Honker aims to keep everything within SQLite, reducing the need for additional services like Redis. It is designed for applications where SQLite serves as the primary database.
• Performance: It can handle thousands of messages per second with low latency.
• Development and Contributions: Honker is open-source under the Apache 2.0 license, and its components, including a Rust library and various language bindings, are organized in a structured repository.

Overall, Honker provides an efficient, integrated solution for messaging and task management within SQLite applications, simplifying the architecture by eliminating the need for external message brokers.

The author announces the launch of exe.dev, a new cloud service, explaining their motivation for starting this company. They are already a co-founder of a successful startup but feel compelled to create a cloud solution that they actually enjoy using. The author loves computers and finds current cloud offerings frustrating due to limitations in their design and functionality.

They highlight several issues with existing cloud services, including:

• VMs are poorly designed and not flexible enough.
• Cloud products often create unnecessary barriers, making simple tasks complicated.
• Remote storage solutions limit performance, especially with SSDs.
• Networking costs are high and cumbersome to navigate.
• Cloud APIs are difficult to work with, leading to reliance on tools like Kubernetes that only partially alleviate the pain.

The author believes the rise of AI agents will increase the demand for better cloud solutions, as more software will need to be managed. In response, exe.dev offers a more flexible cloud environment, allowing users to manage their own VMs based on CPU and memory resources, with improved performance and ease of use.

The author expresses hope that this new cloud service will meet the needs of developers and users, aiming to build a solution they genuinely want to use.

Summary:

Jiga is a platform designed to simplify the manufacturing process for engineers and companies like NASA and Tesla. It streamlines sourcing by connecting engineers directly with trusted manufacturers, making quoting and communication easier, and reducing administrative tasks through AI. This means that what used to take weeks can now take just hours.

Jiga promotes a transparent and efficient work culture, where team members have full visibility into company metrics and performance is prioritized over clocking hours. The company values quick decision-making, exceptional customer service, and hiring top talent. They focus on delivering high-quality products quickly and are financially stable, growing revenue without the need for constant fundraising.

Jiga is currently hiring for various remote positions in engineering, product, sales, and marketing. Interested applicants should submit a brief introduction and their LinkedIn profile.

No summary available.

A new mathematical tool has been developed by researchers Dror Bar-Natan and Roland van der Veen that helps distinguish between complex knots, a significant challenge in knot theory. This tool produces a colorful "QR code" for each knot, making it both visually appealing and easy to compute. Unlike previous knot invariants, which were either difficult to calculate or weak in distinguishing knots, this new invariant strikes a balance, enabling mathematicians to analyze knots with up to 300 crossings efficiently.

Knots are prevalent in various fields, from biology to physics, and understanding their structure is crucial in mathematics, particularly topology. The previous methods for distinguishing knots were limited, with many knots being hard to classify accurately.

The new invariant is based on an innovative approach that involves traffic models to represent the complexity of knots. It has been shown to identify over 97% of knots with 18 crossings, vastly outperforming existing methods. The researchers believe that this breakthrough will not only enhance knot classification but may also reveal deeper properties of knots and their complexities.

In essence, this discovery enhances mathematicians' ability to study and categorize knots, providing a powerful new tool in knot theory.

Apple has released a software update for iPhones and iPads to fix a bug that allowed law enforcement to retrieve deleted messages from messaging apps. The issue arose because notifications containing the messages were stored on the device for up to a month, even after the messages were deleted.

This problem was highlighted by 404 Media, which reported that the FBI could extract deleted Signal messages from an iPhone using forensic tools. Signal's president expressed concern and urged Apple to resolve the issue, stating that deleted message notifications should not remain on devices.

Apple has acknowledged this as a bug and has issued the fix for both the latest and older versions of iOS. Privacy advocates are worried about the implications of this exploit, especially for users who rely on message deletion features for privacy.

LILYGO has released a new DIY smartwatch called the T-Watch Ultra, designed for durability and versatility. Unlike typical DIY smartwatches that struggle with rain and rough conditions, the T-Watch Ultra has an IP65 rating, making it resistant to water and dust.

Key features include:

• ESP32-S3 Processor: A powerful dual-core chip that supports complex applications.
• Memory: 16MB flash and 8MB PSRAM for better performance.
• Display: A 2.01-inch AMOLED screen with a resolution of 410x502 and touch support.
• Battery: A 1,100mAh battery for longer usage.
• Connectivity: Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 5.0, and a Semtech SX1262 LoRa transceiver for long-range communication.
• Location Tracking: A GNSS module for accurate positioning.
• Sensors: Includes motion-based AI capabilities.
• Audio: Built-in microphone and amplifier for audio support.
• Storage: A microSD card slot for additional memory.

The T-Watch Ultra is programmable using popular platforms like Arduino and MicroPython, making it accessible for developers. It is currently available for pre-order at $78.32.

This text is an introduction to a series of articles written while creating a project called paella, based on Nora Sandler's guide on writing a C compiler. The author used this project to learn the programming language Zig while also keeping busy during a job search. The articles cover various topics, including:

1. Introduction
2. Unary operations
3. Binary operations
4. Logic
5. Variables
6. Conditions
7. Code blocks
8. Loops
9. Functions
10. Linking

The author plans to share more articles if they continue with the project.

The author discusses their decade-long experience in developing data infrastructure and identifies a persistent issue in software engineering: the gap between elegant programming concepts and the messy reality of implementing them. This often leads to systems that are hard to change and prone to errors, creating a stressful environment for engineers.

The author suggests that the key problem is the fragmentation of software systems, where components use different internal models but must interact through a lower-level, common model. This leads to brittleness and inefficiency in the systems we build. The author argues that instead of accepting fragmentation, we should aim for coherent systems that operate within a single, domain-aligned model.

Such coherent systems allow for better tooling, which can enhance productivity and reduce errors. However, most existing models are domain-specific and do not generalize well across different contexts. The author believes there is potential for a new, general-purpose model that could unify diverse domains in internet software development.

Finally, while acknowledging the rise of AI in software development, the author emphasizes that good models and coherence are still crucial. AI can assist but cannot replace the need for innovative programming models that improve how systems are built and function. The pursuit of these models is essential for the future of software development.

FusionCore Overview

FusionCore is a sensor fusion software development kit (SDK) designed for ROS 2, combining data from Inertial Measurement Units (IMUs), wheel encoders, and GPS to provide accurate positioning for mobile robots. It features self-tuning noise covariance and operates under the Apache 2.0 license.

Problem Addressed Mobile robots require accurate location data, which is often unreliable when sourced from individual sensors like IMUs (which can drift), wheel encoders (which may slip), and GPS (which can have jumps). Traditional sensor fusion solutions like robot_localization and its replacement, fuse, have limitations, prompting the development of FusionCore.

Key Features

• Core Filter: Uses Unscented Kalman Filter (UKF) with a 22-dimensional state vector.
• Full 3D Support: Offers native support for 3D data.
• IMU Bias Estimation: Includes built-in states for gyro and accelerometer biases.
• Advanced GPS Fusion: ECEF-native GPS support with quality gating.
• Multiple GNSS Receivers: Can handle data from multiple GPS units.
• Adaptive Noise Covariance: Automatically adjusts noise values based on sensor data.

Performance FusionCore outperformed existing solutions in benchmark tests, showing better accuracy in five out of six sequences tested against the University of Michigan's NCLT dataset.

Installation and Configuration To install FusionCore, users need ROS 2 Jazzy and a colcon workspace. It involves cloning the repository, installing dependencies, and building the packages. Users can run tests and launch FusionCore with specific commands.

Simulation and Testing FusionCore includes a simulation environment for testing without physical hardware. Users can run automated tests for various functionalities and verify sensor outputs.

Integration with Nav2 FusionCore seamlessly integrates with Nav2, providing all necessary outputs for navigation and localization without additional configuration.

Conclusion FusionCore is a robust, open-source solution for sensor fusion in robotics, addressing key limitations of previous systems and enhancing the reliability of mobile robot positioning through advanced algorithms and features.

The text describes a browser-based studio for creating and managing multi-agent systems without needing a backend. It uses WebAssembly (WASM) to run everything from a single HTML file, ensuring that all operations, including tool creation and code execution, happen securely within the browser.

Key features include:

• Safety: The use of WASM allows LLM-generated code to be executed safely without servers or containers.
• Orchestration Strategies: There are 10 methods for managing agent interactions, including Supervisor, Mixture of Experts, and Debate.
• Visual Team Building: Users can easily create teams by dragging and dropping tools onto a service graph and selecting an orchestration strategy.
• Export Functionality: Users can export their projects as Python files, maintaining the same logic as in the browser.
• Project Packs: Projects can be exported as a single file that detects necessary external services and aids in credential management.

The creator has some concerns, such as whether the number of strategies is excessive and the impact of initial load time on user experience. The system is built using various technologies including Pyodide and DuckDB-WASM, and the author is curious about how users perceive running LLM code in the browser.

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