Apple Fitness VP Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture

2025-08-22
Apple Fitness VP Accused of Toxic Workplace Culture

Jay Blahnik, Apple's VP of Fitness Technologies, is facing accusations of fostering a toxic work environment. Multiple current and former employees allege verbal abuse, manipulation, and inappropriate behavior, leading over ten employees to take extended medical or mental health leaves since 2022. Despite an internal investigation, Blahnik remains employed and faces multiple lawsuits, including one alleging sexual harassment. The situation raises concerns about Apple's corporate culture.

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Tech

Guile-Swayer: Scripting Sway/i3 with Guile

2025-08-19
Guile-Swayer: Scripting Sway/i3 with Guile

Tired of Sway/i3's configuration limitations? The Guile-Swayer project offers a powerful solution, allowing you to fully control the Sway/i3 window manager using the Guile scripting language. Developed after migrating from StumpWM to Wayland, this project replicates StumpWM's flexibility and customization. Guile-Swayer lets you bind keys to execute Guile code, subscribe to Sway events and react to them, retrieve Sway information, and more. It includes modules like workspace-grid for grid-based workspaces, workspace-groups for cross-monitor workspace grouping, and which-key for Emacs-like keybinding hints. With Guile-Swayer, create a highly personalized and efficient window management environment.

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Development

The Paradigm Shift in AI Product Development: From Determinism to Probability

2025-08-22
The Paradigm Shift in AI Product Development: From Determinism to Probability

This article explores how general-purpose artificial intelligence (AGI) is disrupting the tech industry, particularly in software design, engineering, building, and growth. Traditional software development follows a deterministic model: known inputs produce expected outputs. However, AGI models are probabilistic, with outputs based on statistical distributions and inherent uncertainty. This renders traditional software engineering methods and metrics (like SLOs) obsolete. The author advocates for an empirical approach, using scientific methods and data-driven decision-making to build and iterate AI products, rather than relying on traditional engineering thinking. This requires organizations to transition from engineering to science, centering on data, and breaking down siloed departments for a holistic systems view.

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Development

Global Fertility Crash: A Silent Crisis

2025-08-19
Global Fertility Crash: A Silent Crisis

A dramatic decline in global fertility rates is causing widespread concern. From Mexico to South Korea, many countries have fertility rates far below the level needed to sustain their populations. This not only leads to labor shortages and slower economic growth, but can also weaken national strength. While some countries are trying to raise fertility rates through economic incentives and other measures, the effects are limited. Experts recommend shifting the focus from raising fertility rates to increasing societal resilience to adapt to the challenges posed by demographic change. Sub-Saharan Africa is an exception, with its population expected to continue growing.

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Netflix Ditches Kafka and Cassandra for In-Memory Database on Tudum

2025-08-19
Netflix Ditches Kafka and Cassandra for In-Memory Database on Tudum

Netflix's fan website, Tudum, initially used a CQRS architecture with Kafka and Cassandra, but suffered from delays in previewing content updates. To address this, the Netflix team replaced Kafka and Cassandra with RAW Hollow, an internally developed in-memory object store. RAW Hollow's in-memory dataset dramatically improved content preview and page rendering speeds, offering a better experience for both editors and visitors.

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Tech

Chernobyl Radiation Crashed a Soviet Rail System

2025-08-20

In the 1980s, programmer Sergei encountered mysterious crashes on an SM-1800 microcomputer at a Soviet rail station. The system, used for routing trains, would randomly fail at night. Investigation revealed the crashes only occurred when processing livestock from northern Ukraine and western Russia. Suspecting Chernobyl radiation, Sergei confirmed his theory: high radiation levels flipped bits in the SM-1800's memory. The Soviet government mixed contaminated and uncontaminated meat to avoid waste. Upon discovering this, Sergei immediately filed immigration papers. The computer crashes resolved themselves as radiation levels dropped.

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Tech

Image Scaling Attacks: A New Vulnerability in AI Systems

2025-08-21
Image Scaling Attacks: A New Vulnerability in AI Systems

Researchers have discovered a novel AI security vulnerability: data exfiltration can be achieved by sending seemingly harmless images to large language models (LLMs). Attackers leverage the fact that AI systems often downscale images before processing them, embedding malicious prompt injections in the downscaled version that are invisible at full resolution. This allows bypassing user awareness and accessing user data. The vulnerability has been demonstrated on multiple AI systems, including Google Gemini CLI. Researchers developed the open-source tool Anamorpher to generate and analyze these crafted images, and recommend avoiding image downscaling in AI systems or providing users with a preview of the image the model actually sees to mitigate the risk.

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Pixel 10: Stunning Upgrade, Enhanced Imaging Capabilities

2025-08-20
Pixel 10: Stunning Upgrade, Enhanced Imaging Capabilities

The Google Pixel 10 boasts a satin-finish metal frame, polished glass back, and the iconic camera bar, available in four expressive colors: Obsidian, Frost, Indigo, and Lemongrass. Its 6.3-inch Actua display shines with a peak brightness of 3000 nits for exceptional viewing. Audio is improved, featuring exceptional bass for an enhanced multimedia experience. Camera improvements are significant, highlighted by the first-ever 5x telephoto lens on this Pixel tier. This lens offers fast autofocus, 10x optical quality, and up to 20x zoom with Super Res Zoom, making long-distance shots easier than ever.

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Hardware Camera Upgrade

Windows 11 September Update: Copilot Enhancements, Customizable Lock Screen Widgets

2025-08-21
Windows 11 September Update: Copilot Enhancements, Customizable Lock Screen Widgets

Microsoft is preparing a major feature drop for Windows 11 users in September. The update includes Copilot enhancements like improved Recall and Click To Do, alongside improvements for all users such as enhanced Windows Search (images displayed in a grid view), customizable lock screen widgets, and a redesigned Windows Hello interface. Additionally, the taskbar calendar flyout will once again display seconds, and Task Manager has been updated. Copilot+ PC users will get a new Recall landing page and a new Click To Do tutorial. Future updates include a more customizable Start menu and improved system-wide dark mode.

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Tech

Moving Objects in 3D Space with Math

2025-08-20
Moving Objects in 3D Space with Math

This article explores moving objects in 3D space, specifically along a spherical helix path. Starting with simple circular motion, the author explains how sine and cosine functions can control an object's x, y, and z coordinates to create spirals and more complex trajectories. The core concept is using parametric equations, defining the object's 3D position as a function of time. What appears as complex dynamic effects are ultimately derived from simple mathematical functions.

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Development 3D graphics

Google's AI Overviews Lead Users into Scams

2025-08-20
Google's AI Overviews Lead Users into Scams

Multiple users have reported falling victim to scams after being directed to fraudulent phone numbers provided by Google's AI Overviews. Scammers impersonated customer service, tricking users into sharing their screens and sending money. Google acknowledges the issue and is working on improvements, but users are urged to remain vigilant. This highlights the limitations of AI in verifying information and the prevalence of misinformation online.

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Tech

Reclaim WSL Disk Space: A Manual and Automated Guide

2025-08-19
Reclaim WSL Disk Space: A Manual and Automated Guide

Windows Subsystem for Linux (WSL) virtual disks can bloat over time, consuming significant disk space. This tutorial provides both manual and automated methods to compact WSL virtual hard disks (VHDX), freeing up valuable disk space. The manual method details a step-by-step process using PowerShell and DiskPart commands; the automated method provides a PowerShell script for one-click compaction. Regardless of the method chosen, you can effectively resolve WSL disk space issues and maintain efficient system operation.

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Development

OpenMower: A DIY Smart Mowing Robot That Challenges the Status Quo

2025-08-19
OpenMower: A DIY Smart Mowing Robot That Challenges the Status Quo

Tired of robotic lawn mowers that randomly bump around? Clemens Elflein, a software engineer with experience in embedded programming and robotics, has launched the OpenMower project: a DIY smart mowing robot designed to be smarter, safer, and more affordable. Based on a modified YardForce Classic 500, it leverages the quality hardware and utilizes ROS for autonomous navigation, obstacle avoidance (currently under development), and rain detection. The project boasts basic mowing functionality with automatic recharging, and encourages community involvement through detailed documentation and a Discord server for support. Tech enthusiasts are welcome to join and contribute!

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Hardware

A 1Hz Clock from Three Candles: Reversing Millennia of Optimization

2025-08-19
A 1Hz Clock from Three Candles: Reversing Millennia of Optimization

For millennia, candlemakers have strived for flicker-free candles. However, when three candles are bundled together, they surprisingly begin to oscillate naturally at ~9.9Hz, a frequency primarily determined by gravity and flame diameter. The author ingeniously uses a wire suspended in the flame to sense capacitance changes caused by ionized gases, detecting this frequency and dividing it down to 1Hz. The result? A 1Hz clock built with a simple microcontroller and an LED, powered by the flickering of three candles.

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Hardware Sensors

illumos Cafe: Another Cozy Corner for OS Diversity

2025-08-21
illumos Cafe: Another Cozy Corner for OS Diversity

Following the success of the BSD Cafe, the illumos Cafe project has launched. Similar in spirit to the BSD Cafe, illumos Cafe aims to provide services running on illumos-based operating systems, demonstrating their usability and promoting open-source OS diversity. Currently, it hosts Mastodon and snac instances, with plans to expand services. The project embraces a positive and inclusive philosophy, seeking to create a free and independent community, free from the control of large tech companies.

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Development

UK Drops Demand for Apple iCloud Backdoor

2025-08-19
UK Drops Demand for Apple iCloud Backdoor

The UK will no longer compel Apple to provide backdoor access to its iCloud encryption, according to US Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. This follows a January order demanding access to encrypted data globally. Apple challenged the order, citing the CLOUD Act, a bilateral agreement preventing such data demands between the US and UK. US pressure reportedly led the UK to withdraw its request. It remains unclear if Apple will reinstate its enhanced encryption service in the UK.

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Tech

MCP Tools with Dependent Types: A Defold Editor Experiment

2025-08-18

This post details an experiment using a Large Language Model (LLM) within the Defold game editor. The author initially attempted to use Claude to directly manipulate Lua code, but faced low accuracy. The proposed solution involved using JSON Schemas to define tool inputs, but this ran into a limitation: the inability to implement dependent types within the Model-Code-Prompt (MCP) framework. This means the structure of tool input depends on runtime information. For example, editing 3D models requires different properties depending on the chosen material. The solution is a two-step process: the LLM selects a resource, the program looks up its data structure and constructs a JSON Schema; then, the LLM uses this schema to generate edits. The author suggests MCP should support dependent types to handle complex data more effectively.

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Development

Firefox's CRLite: Faster, More Private Certificate Revocation Checking

2025-08-19
Firefox's CRLite: Faster, More Private Certificate Revocation Checking

Firefox is the first browser to implement fast and comprehensive certificate revocation checking without revealing user browsing activity. Previously, the OCSP protocol leaked user privacy. Firefox's new CRLite mechanism solves this by periodically downloading a compact encoding of revoked certificates, storing and updating it locally. CRLite is a thousand times more bandwidth-efficient than traditional CRLs and significantly improves TLS handshake times. Firefox will disable OCSP in version 142, further enhancing user privacy and performance.

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Guédelon Castle: A Living Experiment in Medieval Archaeology

2025-08-19
Guédelon Castle: A Living Experiment in Medieval Archaeology

Guédelon Castle in Burgundy, France, isn't just a reconstruction; it's a living experiment in medieval archaeology. Using only 13th-century tools and techniques, a team of skilled artisans is building a real 13th-century castle. The project, decades in the making, reveals historical mysteries, from window materials (initially goatskin, later beeswax-stiffened linen) to mortar recipes and scaffolding techniques. Each obstacle encountered is an opportunity to solve a medieval-style problem, illuminating the ingenuity and teamwork of medieval builders. Guédelon is more than a castle; it's a vibrant historical lesson, attracting visitors and scholars worldwide.

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Positron: The Next-Gen Open Source IDE for Data Science

2025-08-19
Positron: The Next-Gen Open Source IDE for Data Science

Posit PBC has launched Positron, a free, next-generation Integrated Development Environment (IDE) for data science. It seamlessly integrates data exploration and production workflows, supporting both Python and R equally. Key features include interactive notebooks, plotting tools, integrated data app workflows, and a built-in AI assistant. Built on Code OSS, Positron supports VSIX extensions for enhanced customization.

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Development

My Open-Source Library Powers Anthropic's Claude, Then I Get Rejected

2025-08-06
My Open-Source Library Powers Anthropic's Claude, Then I Get Rejected

The author's open-source library, enigo, a cross-platform input simulation library, is used in Anthropic's Claude Desktop software. This is a point of pride for the author, highlighting enigo's efficiency and security. However, the author's job application to Anthropic was rejected, creating a bittersweet moment. The article details this unexpected turn of events and the author's reflections on open-source contributions, AI, and career paths.

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Development

Beancount Ledger Reconciliation with Vim Macros: A Hacker's Tale

2025-08-19

A seasoned Vim user tackles the challenge of managing personal finances with Beancount, a text-based ledger system. Facing a mess of CSV and PDF bank statements and numerous uncategorized internal transfers, the author ingeniously leverages Vim macros to automate the reconciliation process. The article details the macro creation process, highlighting problem-solving and showcasing impressive Vim skills. Through creative use of Vim, the author transforms chaotic financial data into a clear and efficient Beancount ledger, dramatically improving productivity.

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Development

Mastering Attention: Crafting Effective Prompts for LLMs

2025-08-19
Mastering Attention: Crafting Effective Prompts for LLMs

This article delves into the attention mechanism of Large Language Models (LLMs) and how to leverage it through carefully crafted prompts. It explains that LLMs don't read sequentially like humans, instead weighting relationships between all tokens simultaneously. Prompt structure, therefore, is more impactful than word choice. The article contrasts structured and unstructured prompts, illustrating how a step-by-step approach guides the model's reasoning. It simplifies the attention mechanism: calculating each word's influence on others to generate output. Heuristics for effective prompts are offered: prioritizing key information, using structured formatting, employing personas, and avoiding vagueness. The article concludes by emphasizing the economic benefits of efficient prompting—saving engineer time, improving efficiency, and reducing costs.

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Development

Good System Design: It's Not About Clever Tricks

2025-08-16

This article critiques system designs focused on flashy techniques, arguing that good system design prioritizes simplicity and reliability over complex distributed consensus mechanisms or CQRS. The author emphasizes the importance of state management, advocating for minimizing stateful components. Key aspects like database design (schemas, indexes), caching, background jobs, event-driven architectures, and handling bottlenecks are discussed in detail. The article stresses leveraging the database's capabilities, avoiding unnecessary in-memory processing. It highlights the importance of hot paths, logging, and monitoring, along with fault tolerance strategies like circuit breakers, retries, and graceful degradation. Ultimately, the author champions understated, effective design built on well-tested components, rejecting showy techniques in favor of robust functionality.

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Development

24/7 AI Sales Avatars Outsell Humans on Taobao

2025-08-21
24/7 AI Sales Avatars Outsell Humans on Taobao

A Shanghai marketing company, PLTFRM, has created AI avatars that are revolutionizing livestream ecommerce in China. These AI salespeople stream 24/7 on platforms like Taobao and Pinduoduo, consistently outperforming human counterparts. Brother printers, for example, reported a 30% increase in livestream sales after switching to an AI avatar. While platforms like Douyin remain cautious, the widespread adoption of these AI avatars raises concerns about potential job displacement for human livestreamers and affiliate marketers. The technology's accessibility and affordability are fueling this trend, hinting at a future dominated by AI-generated content and sales.

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PlutoPrint: Lightweight Python Library for Generating PDFs and Images from HTML/XML

2025-08-21
PlutoPrint: Lightweight Python Library for Generating PDFs and Images from HTML/XML

PlutoPrint is a lightweight Python library for generating high-quality PDFs and images directly from HTML or XML. Based on PlutoBook's rendering engine, it offers a simple API for creating reports, invoices, or visual snapshots. Use it via command line or Python API; pre-built binaries are available for Windows and Linux 64-bit. It even integrates with Matplotlib for generating and embedding charts.

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Your MCP Doesn't Need 30 Tools: Code Is Enough

2025-08-18
Your MCP Doesn't Need 30 Tools: Code Is Enough

This article explores a novel approach using a single-tool MCP server that accepts programming code as input. The author points out challenges with CLI tools, such as platform dependency, version dependency, and lack of documentation, making them difficult for agent tools to use. In contrast, an MCP server can maintain state and expose a single tool (e.g., a Python interpreter running eval()), allowing agent tools to better manage sessions and compose tools. The author demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach with pexpect-mcp, which transforms the MCP server into a stateful Python interpreter, simplifying debugging and improving efficiency. Furthermore, the author explores replacing Playwright's MCP with one exposing the Playwright API via JavaScript, reducing tool definitions and improving data transfer efficiency. While security concerns exist, the author argues this approach has significant potential and warrants further exploration.

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Development Agent Tools

Revitalizing Your Mavericks: Giving an Old System New Life

2025-08-21

This guide shows you how to breathe new life into your aging OS X Mavericks system. It involves a simple script to update the system, replacing the outdated browser with a modern Firefox (Firefox Dynasty), using Aqua Proxy to fix HTTPS compatibility issues, adding new emojis, and setting up Time Machine backups. The guide also instructs users on deleting unwanted pre-installed apps such as Chess, iTunes, and iBooks for a personalized experience. The entire process is straightforward, making your Mavericks system run smoother and more tailored to your needs.

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Development

Tetris in a Home Studio: Mastering Space Optimization

2025-08-13
Tetris in a Home Studio: Mastering Space Optimization

This article details the author's ingenious approach to transforming a limited space into a multi-functional home studio for music production, gaming, and work. Equipment was segmented into four distinct zones, prioritizing ergonomics and minimizing interference. Large musical instruments dominate the back wall, while monitors leverage hidden space and adjustable arms for flexibility. A custom-built flight simulator dashboard and clever cable management (nearly 700 feet!) complete the setup, resulting in an efficient and aesthetically pleasing workspace.

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