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A Blast from the Past: Exploring Vintage Optical Media from Japan

2025-04-02
A Blast from the Past: Exploring Vintage Optical Media from Japan

The author documents their journey collecting vintage optical media from Japan, both online and in person. The article details several brands of DVDs and CDs, including TDK, LG, Sony, Maxell, Mitsubishi, and Fujifilm, testing their performance across various metrics. Tests included burn speeds, read speeds, error rates, and physical characteristics. TDK's UV-protected discs performed exceptionally well, while an older Maxell CD-R showed signs of age-related degradation. The experience is a nostalgic trip down memory lane, showcasing the evolution of optical media technology and manufacturing across different eras and brands.

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(goughlui.com)
Misc optical media vintage japan

Writing CPU-Friendly Code: A Guide to Hardware-Aware Programming

2025-03-23
Writing CPU-Friendly Code: A Guide to Hardware-Aware Programming

This article uses the analogy of a drive-through restaurant to explain three crucial CPU architecture concepts: instruction pipelining, memory caching, and speculative execution. The author argues that understanding these mechanisms and writing code that works with them (hardware-aware programming) can dramatically improve software performance. The article delves into code optimization techniques, such as loop unrolling to leverage superscalar execution, and optimizing data structure layout and access patterns to make full use of caching, to boost efficiency. Ultimately, the author emphasizes that writing efficient code boils down to writing clean, maintainable code first, then profiling to identify performance bottlenecks, and finally applying hardware-aware programming principles to target those bottlenecks.

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(blog.codingconfessions.com)
Development CPU architecture hardware-aware programming

Microsoft Forces Windows 11 24H2 Update

2025-01-17
Microsoft Forces Windows 11 24H2 Update

Microsoft has begun forcefully pushing the Windows 11 2024 Update (version 24H2), a significant update that can take up to two hours to install. This affects devices running Home and Pro editions of Windows 11, versions 23H2 and 22H2, excluding those managed by IT departments. The update includes support for features like USB4 80Gbps and Bluetooth LE Audio, but users should schedule ample time to avoid interruptions.

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(www.pcworld.com)
Tech Windows 11 update forced update

Massive California Law Enforcement Database Abuse Revealed

2025-01-30
Massive California Law Enforcement Database Abuse Revealed

A report from the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) exposes widespread abuse of sensitive criminal justice databases by California law enforcement agencies. In 2023 alone, the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department (LACSD) accounted for a majority of the state's 7,275 reported violations of the California Law Enforcement Telecommunications System (CLETS), with 6,789 abuses primarily involving unauthorized background checks for concealed carry permits. Other abuses included using data for personal vendettas and password sharing. From 2019-2023, 761 investigations revealed at least 7,635 violations across the state, leading to suspensions, resignations, and firings of officers. The report highlights the need for stronger oversight of law enforcement databases.

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(www.eff.org)
Tech database abuse

FreeBSD's PKGBASE Under Fire: Base System Components Accidentally Deleted

2025-07-30

FreeBSD's package management system, PKGBASE, is facing controversy. Users discovered that executing the command `pkg delete -af` removes only third-party packages on non-PKGBASE FreeBSD systems, but on PKGBASE systems, it removes nearly all base system components, including crucial tools like the vi editor. This raises concerns about system stability and POLA (The Principle Of Least Astonishment), as the same command behaves drastically differently, potentially rendering the system unusable.

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(lists.freebsd.org)
Development

ChatGPT Becomes Default Safari Search Engine via New Extension

2025-02-25
ChatGPT Becomes Default Safari Search Engine via New Extension

OpenAI updated its ChatGPT app with a new Safari extension, enabling users to set ChatGPT Search as their default search engine in Safari. After updating the app, users can enable the extension in Safari settings. All searches typed into the Safari search bar will then be directed to ChatGPT Search instead of Google or their current default. While there's no option to directly set ChatGPT as a preferred search engine, the extension offers a workaround.

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(www.macrumors.com)
Tech Safari Extension Default Search Engine

Quad9: A Non-Profit DNS Provider Seeks Donations

2025-03-25
Quad9: A Non-Profit DNS Provider Seeks Donations

Quad9, a non-profit organization, relies on grants and partnerships to operate. Using Quad9 can prevent ransomware attacks, protect your bank account, and stop your computer from being used in illicit criminal activities. These protections, and millions of other interventions, directly save you, your business, and the companies you rely on (like banks and e-commerce firms) money. We hope this understanding inspires you to donate to Quad9, individually or through corporate sponsorship.

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(www.quad9.net)
Tech non-profit

Motorola Edge 2024 and Moto G Power 2025 Review: Budget Kings?

2025-03-02
Motorola Edge 2024 and Moto G Power 2025 Review: Budget Kings?

This review compares the Motorola Edge 2024 and Moto G Power 2025. The Edge 2024 offers good value at its $300 sale price, but suffers from shutter lag in its camera and limited software updates (only two Android OS upgrades). The Moto G Power 2025 boasts IP68 water resistance, longer battery life, and extended software support, but its performance is slightly weaker than its predecessor, and the camera is just adequate. Ultimately, both phones have strengths and weaknesses, requiring careful consideration based on individual needs.

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(www.wired.com)
Hardware phone review Motorola budget phones

Listen Labs' Viral Growth Hack: A Tale of AI Collaboration and Optimization

2025-09-06
Listen Labs' Viral Growth Hack: A Tale of AI Collaboration and Optimization

Listen Labs launched a viral marketing campaign with a cryptic billboard in San Francisco, leading to a complex optimization puzzle: simulating the entrance selection of Berlin's Berghain nightclub. This puzzle attracted 30,000 engineers, unexpectedly creating a massive distributed computing experiment. The author and his AI partner, Claude, participated, progressing from simple greedy algorithms to a Lagrangian multiplier-based RBCR algorithm, achieving impressive results. However, they also experienced the failure of deep learning models, ultimately learning that in problems with clear mathematical structure, simple principled algorithms often outperform complex machine learning models. The story showcases the immense potential of AI-assisted programming and the perfect blend of human insight and AI execution.

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(www.nibzard.com)
Startup viral marketing

AI Chatbots: Privacy Concerns Mirror Online Tracking, But Worse

2025-09-06
AI Chatbots: Privacy Concerns Mirror Online Tracking, But Worse

AI chatbots present even greater privacy risks than online tracking. Conversations reveal intimate details, including thought processes and communication styles, vulnerable to commercial and ideological manipulation. Unlike search engines, AI chatbots are more persuasive and can lead users into delusional spirals. While DuckDuckGo offers Duck.ai for protected conversations, the industry largely lacks privacy safeguards, with data breaches rampant. The article urges Congress to quickly legislate to protect user privacy, preventing a repeat of online tracking's history and the unchecked proliferation of AI surveillance.

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(gabrielweinberg.com)
Tech privacy legislation

Unbank's Migration to BTCPay Server: A Case Study in Non-Custodial Bitcoin Exchange

2025-02-19

Founded in 2014, Unbank is one of the oldest and largest Bitcoin ATM networks in the US, boasting over 850 ATMs. Seeking to improve services, Unbank launched a mobile app in 2021 enabling faster Bitcoin buying and selling via cash, Venmo, PayPal, and debit cards. Frustrated with their previous provider's unreliability and high costs, Unbank migrated to BTCPay Server, a non-custodial solution prioritizing security and scalability. The seamless integration, robust features, and active community support allowed Unbank's small team to complete the migration in just three months. The result? Significantly reduced costs, improved stability, and processing of over 40,000 transactions totaling $40 million.

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(blog.btcpayserver.org)
Tech Payment Processing Non-Custodial

Landlines Make a Comeback: Parents Fight Smartphone Addiction

2025-02-19
Landlines Make a Comeback: Parents Fight Smartphone Addiction

Concerned about the growing impact of smartphones on children's well-being, some New Zealand parents are employing an unexpected strategy: the landline. This old-school communication method provides a safe alternative for emergencies and peer-to-peer contact, while avoiding the pitfalls of smartphones like addiction, social media pressures, and accidental exposure to harmful content. While bucking the trend of declining landline use, this approach highlights parental concern for children's healthy development and a growing awareness of technology's downsides.

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(www.rnz.co.nz)
Misc children's well-being tech addiction family tech

The Ephemeral Web: Preserving Your Digital Legacy

2025-02-25
The Ephemeral Web: Preserving Your Digital Legacy

Online content is fleeting. This article highlights the importance of preserving digital information and advocates for using plain text Markdown files as a robust solution. Markdown's readability, cross-platform compatibility, and long-term accessibility are key advantages. The author shares personal strategies, including using Obsidian for note-taking, static site generators for blogging, and automated Python scripts for content conversion. Regular backups and data downloads are emphasized, alongside a call for better social media data export tools.

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(p.migdal.pl)
Misc

Amazon's Alexa Gets a Generative AI Upgrade: Smarter, More Convenient Voice Assistant

2025-02-26
Amazon's Alexa Gets a Generative AI Upgrade: Smarter, More Convenient Voice Assistant

Amazon finally launched the long-awaited generative AI version of Alexa. This upgrade allows Alexa to handle more complex tasks, such as ordering groceries, sending invitations, and even remembering users' dietary and movie preferences. It supports continuous conversations, has visual capabilities, can analyze images, and can create schedules and more based on user needs. While there were previous rumors of project setbacks, the AI-upgraded Alexa is now officially released, and will compete with rivals like Google Gemini, ChatGPT, and the upgraded Siri. Leveraging its advantage in smart speakers, it aims to reach a wider audience quickly.

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(www.theverge.com)
Tech

Open-Source 8-Bit DIY Computer, Cody Computer, Released

2024-12-30

The Cody Computer is an 8-bit home computer designed as a DIY project, inspired by (but not compatible with) the Commodore computers of the 1980s. Built around the Western Design Center's 65C02 and 65C22 and the Parallax Propeller microcontroller, it features 3D-printed components, a custom keyboard, and supports both Cody BASIC and assembly language programming. Offering retro-style graphics and sound, the Cody Computer's design files and software are released under the GPLv3 license. Detailed project information is available in the freely downloadable 'Cody Computer Book'. This project aims to provide a simple, fun, and educational DIY computing experience.

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(www.codycomputer.org)
Hardware DIY computer

Fearmongering: A Deep Dive into the Manipulation of Fear

2025-05-18
Fearmongering: A Deep Dive into the Manipulation of Fear

This article explores the widespread use of fearmongering tactics, from political campaigns and product advertisements to psychological warfare. It argues that humans' inherent sensitivity to danger is exploited by media, politicians, and others who exaggerate threats for personal gain. This manipulation not only distorts public perception of risk but can also drive societal extremes, such as increased polarization and a desire for strong authority. The article uses examples like the "Daisy" ad and Italy's "Strategy of Tension" to illustrate the power and far-reaching consequences of fear-based propaganda.

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(en.wikipedia.org)
Misc fear marketing psychological warfare

ARC-AGI-2: The AGI Benchmark That's Easier for Humans, Harder for AI

2025-03-24
ARC-AGI-2: The AGI Benchmark That's Easier for Humans, Harder for AI

The ARC Prize 2025 competition returns with ARC-AGI-2, a significantly harder AGI benchmark for AI while remaining relatively easy for humans. Focusing on tasks simple for humans but difficult for AI, ARC-AGI-2 highlights capability gaps not addressed by simply scaling up existing models. With a $1 million prize pool, the competition encourages open-source innovation towards efficient, general AI systems, aiming to bridge the human-AI gap and achieve true AGI.

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(arcprize.org)
AI

Corporate Bloodletting: Why Are Companies Cutting Managers?

2025-01-06
Corporate Bloodletting: Why Are Companies Cutting Managers?

US public companies have slashed middle-management roles by roughly 6% since the pandemic hiring boom, according to a recent WSJ report. This wave of cuts reflects a shift in corporate strategy. Companies, initially over-investing in organizational capital during rapid growth, now face pressure to reduce costs as revenue growth slows. The article explores the potential downsides of this approach, questioning the balance between cutting too much and letting costs bloat. It also raises concerns about the potential loss of talent and the overall contagion effect across the corporate sector, leaving more questions than answers about the long-term impact.

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(arnoldkling.substack.com)
Tech layoffs middle management corporate restructuring

ACM's Transition to Full Open Access: A New Era for Computing Research

2025-07-30
ACM's Transition to Full Open Access: A New Era for Computing Research

ACM, a leader in computing research, is transitioning to a fully Open Access (OA) publishing model by the end of 2025. This significant move will make all ACM research freely available. The transition will be facilitated by ACM Open, a subscription model based on institutional publishing output, offering unlimited OA publishing and full access to the ACM Digital Library. This approach ensures sustainability while removing barriers to research and accelerating innovation. A Premium and Basic version of the ACM Digital Library will be offered starting in January 2026.

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(www.acm.org)
Tech Computing Research

WWLLN: Mapping Global Lightning Strikes with a Worldwide Sensor Network

2025-08-23

The World Wide Lightning Location Network (WWLLN) operated by the University of Washington uses a global network of very low frequency (VLF) radio sensors to map global lightning activity. By analyzing the time differences of arrival of lightning-generated radio signals at different sensors, the network pinpoints lightning strikes. While ideally hundreds of sensors are needed for uniform coverage, WWLLN currently boasts over 70 and continues to seek more hosting sites. Data is available for research purposes via various avenues, including free monthly subscriptions for site hosts and paid archival data.

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(wwlln.net)
Tech lightning detection sensor network

Amazon Cloud Chief: Replacing Junior Workers with AI is 'One of the Dumbest Things'

2025-08-20
Amazon Cloud Chief: Replacing Junior Workers with AI is 'One of the Dumbest Things'

Amazon's cloud chief, Matt Garman, warns against replacing junior employees with AI, calling it "one of the dumbest things I've ever heard." He argues that junior employees are the most adept at utilizing AI tools and that cutting them would harm future talent pipelines. Garman advocates for continued hiring of graduates and training them in software development, problem-solving, and best practices. He emphasizes that critical thinking, creativity, and adaptability are more valuable than specialized skills in an AI-driven economy. This contrasts with some who believe AI can replace junior workers; data shows rising unemployment among 20-30 year olds in tech. However, others argue that young engineers offer fresh perspectives and quicker AI adoption.

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(finance.yahoo.com)
Tech

AtomVM: A Lightweight Erlang VM for IoT

2025-05-31

AtomVM is a lightweight Erlang virtual machine (VM) for IoT devices. It's a subset implementation of the Bogdan Erlang Abstract Machine (BEAM), executing bytecode compiled from Erlang or Elixir. Optimized for microcontrollers, AtomVM supports a functional programming approach with an actor-based concurrency model, simplifying IoT application development. It boasts features like process spawning, monitoring, message passing, preemptive scheduling, and efficient garbage collection. AtomVM interfaces directly with peripherals (GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART) and even supports WiFi on compatible devices like the ESP32—all on hardware costing as little as $2!

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(www.atomvm.net)
Development

Deterministic Uniform Disk Sampling: A Novel Algorithm

2025-01-27
Deterministic Uniform Disk Sampling: A Novel Algorithm

This article presents a deterministic algorithm for generating N uniformly distributed points on a disk with diameter D. The algorithm divides the disk into M concentric rings, proportionally allocating points based on ring circumference. It then samples in polar coordinates, converting to Cartesian coordinates for the final point locations. The algorithm cleverly handles the relationship between point count and ring radius, and provides a simple integerization method, ensuring exactly N points are generated.

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(victorpoughon.fr)
Development sampling

Vatican Observatory: A Millennial Guardian of the Stars

2025-05-02
Vatican Observatory: A Millennial Guardian of the Stars

The Vatican Observatory, located in the gardens of the Papal Summer Residence in Castel Gandolfo, south of Rome, boasts a research center in Tucson, Arizona—the Vatican Observatory Research Group. It houses a treasure trove of historical astronomical data, including late 19th-century photographic plates, significant scientific works, antique astronomical instruments, and a world-class meteorite collection. The Observatory also conducts cutting-edge observational astronomy research using its telescope on Mount Graham in Arizona, contributing significantly to planetary science, cosmology, philosophy, and stellar and extragalactic astronomy.

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(www.vaticanobservatory.org)
Tech Observational Astronomy

Armv9: Higher Royalties Fuel Arm's $4B+ Revenue Surge

2025-05-18
Armv9: Higher Royalties Fuel Arm's $4B+ Revenue Surge

Arm's Armv9 architecture, unveiled four years ago, boasts higher royalty fees than its predecessors, significantly contributing to record-breaking revenue. In Q4 FY25, Arm surpassed $1 billion in quarterly revenue for the first time, reaching over $4 billion annually, with royalty revenue exceeding $2 billion. Smartphone chip royalties surged 30%, outpacing shipment growth. The server market also shows strong Armv9 adoption by major players like Nvidia, Google, and Microsoft. This success stems from Arm's leading position in AI cloud deployments and the growing demand for custom silicon solutions, driving license and royalty growth.

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(www.nextplatform.com)
Tech chip royalties

Quantifying Accent Strength with AI: BoldVoice's Latent Space Approach

2025-05-06

BoldVoice, an AI-powered accent coaching app, uses 'accent fingerprints'—embeddings generated from a large-scale accented speech model—to quantify accent strength in non-native English speakers. By visualizing 1000 recordings in a latent space using PLS regression and UMAP, BoldVoice creates a model that visually represents accent strength. This model objectively measures accent strength, independent of native language, and tracks learning progress. A case study shows how this helps learners improve, with potential applications in ASR and TTS systems.

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(accent-strength.boldvoice.com)
AI

Music Publishers and AI Giant Anthropic Reach Copyright Deal

2025-01-03
Music Publishers and AI Giant Anthropic Reach Copyright Deal

Major music publishers sued Anthropic, an AI company backed by Amazon, for copyright infringement due to the use of copyrighted song lyrics in training its AI chatbot, Claude. A settlement has been reached requiring Anthropic to strengthen its copyright guardrails, preventing Claude from generating copyrighted lyrics. This landmark agreement marks a significant step in the ongoing debate about AI's use of copyrighted material and sets a precedent for future legal battles in this rapidly evolving field.

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(www.hollywoodreporter.com)
Tech Music Copyright

SVC16: The Simplest Virtual Computer Challenges Programmers

2024-12-15
SVC16: The Simplest Virtual Computer Challenges Programmers

SVC16 is a minimalist 16-bit virtual computer designed for ultimate simplicity. It features no CPU registers, performing all operations within a single memory chunk. The instruction set is extremely streamlined, lacking bells and whistles like sound or variable screen size. Programmers are challenged to write machine code and compilers themselves, creating amazing feats with the simplest of tools. The project provides an emulator to run user-created programs and even games. This is a perfect project for learning low-level computer principles and honing programming skills.

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(github.com)
Development virtual computer 16-bit programming challenge
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