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Beyond Code Yellow: A Startup's Guide to Tackling Tough Problems

2024-12-19

This article, penned by a seasoned tech executive turned investor turned founder, shares insights from his experiences at Instacart and Beacon. He critiques the overuse of 'Code Yellow' – a crisis-mode problem-solving approach – noting its effectiveness but also its negative impact on team morale. He proposes a more sustainable alternative: 'Sweating the Problem.' This involves removing hidden constraints (e.g., the 'keep the lights on' fallacy), running multiple solutions in parallel, avoiding premature scaling concerns, and breaking down departmental silos. The core is building team resilience and problem-solving muscle, fostering a culture where proactively tackling tough challenges is the default.

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(nilam.ca)
Startup problem-solving team management

Artist Trains Rats to Predict Forex Markets

2024-12-19

Austrian conceptual artist Michael Marcovici's project, "Rat Traders," trained rats to predict foreign exchange futures prices. He converted price fluctuations into piano notes, and the rats predicted subsequent note changes. Surprisingly, trained rats seemingly outperformed human traders after months, though this lacked rigorous statistical testing. Marcovici's project satirizes the belief in market prediction and the human desire for shortcuts to profit in a chaotic system. The project ultimately ended due to rats' limited trading capacity, highlighting the unreliability of market prediction.

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(www.theatlantic.com)
Misc finance

Java for Small Programs: Scripts and Notebooks

2024-12-18

This article explores the surprising effectiveness of Java for small programs, particularly scripting and exploratory programming. The author details how Java's features, like implicit classes, records, and enums, simplify code, highlighting the ease of running Java scripts without compilation (using JEP 330 and JEP 458). Managing external dependencies with JBang is also discussed. The article further delves into using Java within Jupyter Notebooks, acknowledging current limitations while expressing hope for future improvements in the ecosystem. The author's experience automating tedious tasks showcases Java's strength over alternatives like bash scripting and Python, emphasizing the advantages of static typing and robust tool support.

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(horstmann.com)
Development Scripting

Fish Shell 4.0 Released: Rewritten in Rust for Enhanced Performance

2024-12-19

Fish shell, a command-line shell known for its user-friendliness and smart features, has released version 4.0. The biggest change is a complete rewrite of the codebase from C++ to Rust, resulting in improved modern computing efficiency. Version 4.0 also boasts many new features, such as more natural keybindings and enhanced history search, designed to make the command line experience easier and more enjoyable. To ensure stability, the project has released a public beta inviting all users to participate in testing.

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(lwn.net)
Development

GitHub Project ted: A Turing Machine-based File Editor

2024-12-18

ted is a command-line tool written in Go that allows users to edit files according to the rules of a provided Turing machine. Inspired by the author's need to process log files, ted uses state machines to precisely extract the desired information. It supports various operations, including regular expression matching, sed command execution, variable assignment, capture and output control, and offers features such as multi-line capture, regex capture groups, and file head/tail movement.

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(github.com)
Development Turing Machine File Editing State Machine

Zipshare: Effortless Android Screen Sharing for Support

2024-12-18

Zipshare offers seamless Android screen sharing, perfect for internal help desks supporting retail staff or field employees. No signup or meeting IDs are needed for the screen sharer – just instant sharing, with the option to add your own voice or video chat. Created by Miso Software, Zipshare is a simple yet powerful tool for team collaboration.

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(www.getzipshare.com)
Development screen sharing Android app remote support

Visualizing 6D Mesh Parallelism in Deep Learning Training

2024-12-19

This article delves into the complexities of 6D mesh parallelism in deep learning model training. Using a series of visualizations, the author meticulously explains the communication mechanisms of various parallel strategies—data parallelism, fully sharded data parallelism, tensor parallelism, context parallelism, expert parallelism, and pipeline parallelism—during the model's forward and backward passes. The author uses a simple attention layer model to illustrate the implementation details of each parallel approach, highlighting their interactions and potential challenges, such as the conflict between pipeline parallelism and fully sharded data parallelism. The article concludes by discussing mesh ordering, combining different parallel strategies, and practical considerations.

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(main-horse.github.io)
AI parallel computing model training

Argentine Rodents Thrive in Dubai Oasis

2024-12-19

A surprising new population of Patagonian mara, rabbit-like rodents from Argentina, has established itself in the Al Qudra Lakes oasis outside Dubai. These long-legged, large-eared animals now roam the desert landscape, typically home to gazelles. Their arrival remains a mystery, possibly stemming from escaped pets of the wealthy. Despite the harsh desert climate, the oasis provides a suitable habitat, and the lack of natural predators has allowed the mara to flourish and reproduce for several years. The thriving population suggests successful adaptation and breeding in their unexpected environment.

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(apnews.com)
Misc Dubai Patagonian mara wildlife

Interpol Drops 'Pig Butchering' Term

2024-12-18

Interpol announced it will no longer use the term "pig butchering" to describe online scams, citing its potential to shame and discourage victims from reporting. The organization believes the term dehumanizes victims and prefers "romance baiting," a term it believes is more sensitive and respectful. This change highlights a shift towards prioritizing victim support and emphasizes the need for more considerate language when discussing sensitive crimes. However, many US law enforcement agencies continue to use the original term.

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(www.theregister.com)
Tech online scams Interpol victim support

GitHub Open Source Project yadm: Yet Another Dotfiles Manager

2024-12-19

yadm is a dotfiles manager based on Git, supporting system-specific alternative files or templated files and encrypting private data using tools like GnuPG and OpenSSL. It offers customizable initialization and hooks for executing custom scripts before and after any operation. Features include adding, committing, encrypting, and decrypting files, and creating OS-specific configurations. Project address: https://github.com/yadm-dev/yadm

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(github.com)
Development dotfiles management encryption

Bacteria: Tiny Organisms, Huge Impact on Earth and the Future

2024-12-13

This article unveils the hidden world of bacteria, revealing how these minuscule organisms have shaped the Earth and profoundly influence our future. From being among the first life forms on Earth 3.5 billion years ago, to the great oxygenation event and the formation of complex cells, bacteria's role is undeniable. Their astonishing diversity allows them to thrive in nearly every environment, forming intricate relationships with other life, including humans. Research into bacteria is revolutionizing our understanding of disease, the environment, and the future; harnessing their power offers potential solutions to major challenges like climate change, pollution, and infectious diseases.

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(www.oum.ox.ac.uk)
2
AI bacteria life origins biotechnology

Global Operation Takes Down 27 DDoS-for-Hire Sites

2024-12-17

Europol coordinated a 15-country operation, PowerOFF, shutting down 27 major DDoS-for-hire platforms ('booters' and 'stressers'). These platforms enabled cybercriminals and hacktivists to flood targets with illegal traffic, crippling websites and online services. The operation disrupted attacks targeting US government agencies, including the Department of Justice and FBI. While a significant victory, experts caution that criminals will adapt, necessitating ongoing efforts to combat DDoS attacks.

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(www.scworld.com)
Tech DDoS attacks international cooperation

GreptimeDB: A Deep Dive into Error Handling for Large Rust Projects

2024-12-19

This GreptimeDB blog post delves into their error handling practices within large Rust projects. It details how they built a cheaper, more accurate error stack to replace system backtraces, how they organize errors in large projects, and how they present errors differently to logs and end-users. GreptimeDB leverages the snafu crate for error management and implements a "virtual user stack." This approach proves more efficient and memory-friendly than system backtraces, providing clearer, more understandable error messages for both developers and end-users.

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(greptime.com)
Development

Bering Land Bridge Was More Swamp Than Steppe, Study Finds

2024-12-18

New research challenges the long-held assumption that the Bering Land Bridge, the ancient landmass connecting Siberia and Alaska, was a dry grassland. Using sonar and sediment cores, scientists have revealed a much wetter landscape, more akin to a swampy ecosystem with numerous rivers and lakes. This discovery complicates theories of human and animal migration across the bridge, as the watery terrain would have posed different challenges and opportunities for various species. Interestingly, mammoth DNA was found in the sediment, indicating that even in this marshy environment, large animals could thrive and traverse the area. This research offers a revised perspective on how ancient humans populated North America.

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(gizmodo.com)
Tech Bering Land Bridge ancient migration paleontology

“Bread and Circuses”: Reframing the Narrative of Roman Decline

2024-12-20

This article delves into the origins and meaning of the proverb “bread and circuses.” Tracing it back to Juvenal's satire, the author argues it's not a positive assessment of the Roman populace but a critique of their abdication of political responsibility in favor of basic needs and entertainment. The author challenges the common notion that “bread and circuses” caused Rome's downfall, attributing the decline to prolonged civil wars and instability, with the populace prioritizing peace above all else. Ultimately, the article reveals the true meaning of “bread and circuses”: a lament for the loss of political liberty and the constrained dreams of the Roman people.

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(acoup.blog)
Misc Roman history bread and circuses political decline

Post-WWII Highways: Debunking Myths and Unveiling the Truth

2024-12-17

This article explores key events and misconceptions surrounding the development of highways after World War II. It clarifies that Germany's Autobahn was not initially designed for military purposes, but rather to stimulate the economy and enhance national prestige. While Allied forces utilized the Autobahn in the later stages of WWII, this wasn't its original intent. The article debunks the myth that the US Interstate system was designed with one mile in five being straight and level for emergency bomber landings, explaining its true purpose was civilian benefit and economic development, although it also served military needs, such as troop movement and industrial production. Finally, the article reviews post-WWII attempts and exercises by various militaries to utilize highways as emergency runways for aircraft, highlighting their limitations and ultimate replacement by dedicated airfields.

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(wwiiafterwwii.wordpress.com)
Tech highways WWII

Tektronix DVST Graphic Terminals: Pioneers of Computer Graphics Displays

2024-12-19

This article recounts the legendary story of Tektronix's DVST (bistable direct-view storage tube) graphic terminals. From Bob Anderson's invention of the DVST in 1961, to Tektronix's launch of its first 611 display, and later the iconic models T4002, 4010, and 4014, Tektronix spearheaded the development of computer graphics display technology. These terminals, with their high resolution and stability, became essential devices for computer graphics applications at the time, ultimately driving the progress of the entire industry. Even after the advent of low-cost raster-scanned CRTs, Tektronix's DVST terminals held a significant market share for years due to their compatibility and reliability.

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(vintagetek.org)
Tech Computer Graphics

CCState: A Lightweight and Flexible State Management Library

2024-12-19

CCState is a lightweight, semantically clear, and flexible state management library designed for medium to large single-page applications with complex state management needs. It's built on three basic data types: computed, command, and state, offering a simple and intuitive API with 100% test coverage. Framework-agnostic, CCState works seamlessly with React, Vanilla JS, and other UI frameworks, boasting blazing-fast performance, outperforming Jotai in various scenarios. The core APIs – `state`, `computed`, and `command` – handle basic value units, derived computations, and side effects respectively. React Hooks like `useGet`, `useSet`, `useLoadable`, and `useResolved` simplify data access and Promise handling. CCState also offers subscription capabilities for reactive updates.

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(github.com)
Development state management JavaScript library

Confronting Shipwreck: Maritime Disasters and Ecological Collapse in Literature

2024-12-19

A nature writer battling a debilitating genetic kidney disease finds solace and healing in reading about maritime disasters amidst the backdrop of ecological collapse. The article lists ten books exploring shipwrecks and environmental devastation, ranging from Melville's *Moby-Dick* to Grann's *The Wager*. These narratives not only depict the harrowing events but also delve into humanity's relationship with nature, resilience, and the spectrum of human behavior during crisis. The author advocates for confronting adversity head-on and drawing strength from the experience as a vital step in overcoming personal and ecological challenges.

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(lithub.com)
Misc maritime literature ecological collapse healing

California's Math Education Reform Sparks 'Math Wars'

2024-12-19

The update of California's Mathematics Framework (CMF) ignited a fierce debate, dubbed the "math wars." Reformists advocated replacing traditional algebra with more engaging and inclusive data science courses to boost student interest and close achievement gaps. Traditionalists countered that data science courses lacked rigor and couldn't replace algebra, jeopardizing future STEM careers. The conflict spilled onto social media and into politics, resulting in significant controversy. Ultimately, the University of California reversed the data science substitution policy and formed a workgroup to establish better math standards, following pressure from experts and tech leaders. This "war" exposed weaknesses in US math education and spurred further reforms.

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(alumni.berkeley.edu)
Education math education reform data science

Python Dependency Management: A Raging Inferno

2024-12-15

This article delves into the complexities of Python dependency management, likening it to building a bonfire in a dry forest. The author argues that Python dependencies aren't simply a matter of `pip install`; they encompass project packages, system packages, the operating system, hardware, and the environment itself. Good dependency management is crucial for reproducibility—ensuring consistent results across different environments. The article details version control, environment isolation, definition files, lock files, and other key concepts. It then provides a comprehensive comparison of numerous tools, including pip, venv, virtualenv, pip-tools, Pipenv, Poetry, PDM, pyenv, pipx, uv, Conda, Mamba, conda-lock, and Pixi, analyzing their strengths, weaknesses, and use cases. Finally, the author offers tool recommendations based on different scenarios (administrative privileges, dependency types, operating systems, etc.) and looks ahead to future trends in Python dependency management.

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(nielscautaerts.xyz)
Development Python dependency management reproducibility Python tools

Music and Geometry: A Geometric Interpretation of Intervals and Scales

2024-12-19

This article explores the fascinating connection between music and geometry, specifically how intervals and scales are represented in geometric shapes. Using the relationships of intervals in twelve-tone equal temperament, the author constructs various geometric figures such as lines, triangles, squares, hexagons, dodecagons, and dodecagrams. These visuals illustrate the relationships between different intervals. The article also delves into just intonation, Greek modes, and symmetrical scales, offering a unique perspective on music theory through geometric visualization.

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(roelsworld.eu)
Misc music geometry intervals scales

A Senior Developer's Concerns: Growing Disconnect with Younger Generation

2024-12-19

A veteran developer with 25 years of experience expresses a growing disconnect with younger web developers. He observes a lack of understanding regarding traditional web development methods (non-single-page applications) and confusion between JavaScript frameworks and vanilla JavaScript. This prompts reflection on the evolving abstraction levels in programming education and the focus on specific skills. Using a developer game show as an example, he points out that some 'computer science' questions overly emphasize JavaScript specifics, neglecting broader computational principles. This isn't a criticism of younger developers, but an observation and concern about industry trends, and a reflection on the increasing specialization within the programming field.

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(rakhim.exotext.com)
Development generational gap

2024 World Chess Championship: A Data-Driven Deep Dive

2024-12-18

The 2024 World Chess Championship saw Gukesh Dommaraju triumph over Ding Liren, becoming the youngest World Champion ever. This analysis uses data-driven insights, including accuracy, error types, average centipawn loss, move times, conversion rate, and comeback rate, to dissect the match. Data suggests Ding Liren exhibited slightly higher precision and consistency, but a crucial blunder in the final game proved decisive. The author concludes that while data analysis offers an objective perspective, it needs to be combined with other factors for a holistic understanding of the match's complexities.

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(medium.com)
Game data analysis

Webb Telescope Discovers Young Galaxy Resembling Early Milky Way

2024-12-21

NASA's James Webb Space Telescope has made a groundbreaking discovery: a galaxy nicknamed 'Firefly Sparkle,' existing around 600 million years after the Big Bang, with a mass similar to that of our own Milky Way in its early stages. This galaxy, magnified by gravitational lensing, showcases ten distinct star clusters, providing unprecedented detail about early galaxy formation. Researchers found the 'Firefly Sparkle' is actively forming stars, with its uneven distribution of star clusters indicating a future of mergers and growth. This discovery offers invaluable insight into the evolution of galaxies in the early universe.

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(science.nasa.gov)
Tech James Webb Space Telescope Galaxy Formation Early Universe

Canva Engineering Cuts CI Build Times from Hours to Under 30 Minutes

2024-12-18

Canva's engineering team dramatically reduced their continuous integration (CI) build times, from an average of 80 minutes to under 30 minutes, sometimes as low as 15. This was achieved through a multifaceted approach. They identified and resolved Bazel caching issues, optimized pipeline structures, improved Git repository checkouts and caching, and leveraged Bazel Remote Build Execution (RBE). Extensive experimentation, including testing different instance types and adjusting Bazel configurations, played a crucial role. A series of incremental improvements significantly increased CI efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced the developer experience.

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(www.canva.dev)
Development Continuous Integration CI Optimization

MoonBit Compiler Goes Open Source: A High-Performance Language for WebAssembly

2024-12-19

After two years of development, the MoonBit compiler, including its Wasm backend, is now open source! MoonBit aims to be a WebAssembly-optimized programming language, known for its speed, compactness, and ease of use. This release uses a modified SSPL license, allowing users to freely choose the license for their generated artifacts and permitting modifications to the compiler for non-commercial purposes. The team chose this license to maintain stability while the project is still in beta and to prevent large cloud vendors from misusing their work. In the future, MoonBit plans to open source more components and generate revenue through hosting services and hardware SDKs, aiming to build a vibrant community ecosystem.

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(www.moonbitlang.com)
Development Open Source Compiler

Embedding Lua in Rust for Configurable Static SQL Analysis in sqleibniz

2024-12-19

sqleibniz, a static SQL analysis tool for the SQLite dialect, has been enhanced with Lua scripting for increased configurability and extensibility. The author details the integration using the mlua crate in Rust, covering data structure conversion, Lua function calls, and error handling. Lua scripts allow users to define custom rules and hooks, enabling flexible static analysis such as customized diagnostics and style checks. This significantly improves sqleibniz's extensibility and user experience.

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(xnacly.me)
Development Static Analysis

Open Source Solaar: A Linux Manager for Logitech Devices

2024-12-18

Solaar is an open-source Linux device manager for many Logitech keyboards, mice, and other devices connecting wirelessly via Unifying, Bolt, Lightspeed, or Nano receivers, as well as many Logitech devices connecting via USB cable or Bluetooth. It's not a device driver; it responds to special messages from devices otherwise ignored by the Linux input system. Solaar supports pairing/unpairing devices with receivers, configuring device settings, custom button configurations, and running rules in response to special messages from devices. Installation options include pre-built packages and source code compilation.

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(github.com)
Development
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