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TextKit 2: Four Years Later, Not a Silver Bullet

2025-08-16

TextKit 2: Four Years Later, Not a Silver Bullet

Announced at WWDC21, TextKit 2, after four years, falls short of its promised ease of use. While the architecture is sound, the implementation is riddled with issues. NSTextContentStorage is the only viable storage implementation, severely limiting customization. Furthermore, the viewport mechanism, intended to optimize performance, results in unstable scrollbar positioning and jittering during scrolling. The author encountered numerous bugs, some unresolved for extended periods, significantly impacting user experience. In short, TextKit 2 is not a perfect text layout solution, especially for text editing UIs.

(blog.krzyzanowskim.com)

Development Text Layout

Linux Desktop: Great; Linux Server: A Mess? FreeBSD's Elegant Response

2025-03-31

Linux Desktop: Great; Linux Server: A Mess? FreeBSD's Elegant Response

The author contrasts the desktop and server experiences of Linux, finding the desktop remarkably user-friendly. However, the server side suffers from excessive complexity due to systemd and abstraction layers like Docker and Kubernetes, making troubleshooting difficult. FreeBSD, conversely, shines with its simplicity, stability, and ease of maintenance, even in disaster recovery scenarios. However, a growing trend of open-source software relying heavily on Docker deployment, lacking native installation methods, poses a challenge for FreeBSD users. The author highlights deployment difficulties with Immich and BunkerWeb as examples.

(aumont.fr)

Development Server Administration

Visual Math Proofs: A Gallery of Geometric Demonstrations

2025-06-18

This article presents a collection of visual proofs for various mathematical identities and theorems, drawing inspiration from a gallery of geometric demonstrations. It covers summations, geometric series, geometry, and miscellaneous topics. Examples include intuitive pictorial proofs of the Pythagorean theorem, triangle area formulas, and various summation formulas. These visual proofs offer a concise and insightful approach to understanding complex mathematical concepts.

(artofproblemsolving.com)

Misc mathematical proofs visual demonstrations

Clarification on Alleged ESP32 Backdoor

2025-03-11

Clarification on Alleged ESP32 Backdoor

Recent media reports claimed an ESP32 chip backdoor. Espressif clarifies that the reported functionality is internal debug commands for testing, not remotely accessible via Bluetooth, radio, or internet. These commands pose no security risk by themselves, though Espressif will provide a software fix to remove them. Only ESP32 chips are affected; ESP32-C, ESP32-S, and ESP32-H series are not. Espressif thanks the security researchers for their responsible disclosure.

(www.espressif.com)

Hardware

Beginner's Guide to Block Cipher Cryptanalysis: Crack AES!

2025-03-04

This page offers a hands-on introduction to block cipher cryptanalysis, focusing on AES. Instead of a simplified cipher, it dives straight into the real thing, guiding you through the implementation of AES. Don't worry, it's designed to be beginner-friendly!

(davidwong.fr)

Development cryptanalysis

Generating Complex Logic Puzzle Maps with WFC

2025-06-23

Generating Complex Logic Puzzle Maps with WFC

Logic Islands, a puzzle game, features six different rulesets for its maps. Initially, the developer used a traditional backtracking algorithm, but for three rulesets, map generation failed beyond 7x7. To overcome this, the developer cleverly applied the Wave Function Collapse (WFC) algorithm. By redefining tile types and their connection relationships, and setting constraints based on different rules, the developer successfully used WFC to generate large maps (up to 12x12) that satisfy various rules, solving the previous map generation problem. This case demonstrates the power of the WFC algorithm in generating complex logic puzzle maps and the importance of thinking about problems from different angles.

(sublevelgames.github.io)

Game WFC algorithm

Metamorphic Rocks: Messengers from Earth's Depths

2024-12-27

Metamorphic Rocks: Messengers from Earth's Depths

This essay explores the incredible journeys of metamorphic rocks. Starting as humble seabed sediments, these rocks are buried deep within the Earth's crust, undergoing intense heat and pressure that transforms them into new mineral forms. Their eventual return to the surface provides invaluable insights into the planet's deep interior. The author vividly describes this transformation as an epic journey, highlighting the importance of metamorphism in plate tectonics and the crucial role of water in the process. The story also contrasts the ease of exploring space with the challenges of accessing Earth's subsurface.

(aeon.co)

Tech metamorphic rocks Earth science Metamorphic rocks

Roundtable: Hiring a Business Leader to Build the Proof-of-Human Layer

2025-06-12

Roundtable: Hiring a Business Leader to Build the Proof-of-Human Layer

Roundtable, a research and deployment company, is building the proof-of-human layer in digital identity. They are looking for a business leader to join their C-suite and drive commercial growth. The role involves designing, managing, and executing the company's commercial strategy, including top-of-funnel and pipeline management, sales calls, and customer success. The ideal candidate is comfortable in both sales and product contexts and has experience building a commercial operation in the tech industry, though technical expertise isn't required.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Startup business development

In Defense of Text Labels: Why Icons Aren't Enough

2025-02-22

In Defense of Text Labels: Why Icons Aren't Enough

This article argues for the importance of text labels alongside icons in user interface design. The author contends that relying solely on icons increases cognitive load, as many icons lack immediate clarity and require extra interpretation, especially in complex interfaces with numerous icons. Text labels efficiently clarify meaning, reducing ambiguity and improving usability. The article also highlights inconsistencies in iconography across different applications, adding to user confusion. Therefore, the author advocates for a combined approach, using both icons and text labels for optimal user experience.

(www.chrbutler.com)

Design Icons Text Labels

Koniku: Building the Future of Computing with Living Neurons

2025-02-24

Koniku: Building the Future of Computing with Living Neurons

Koniku is attempting to build computers unlike any that have ever existed, using living neurons. Founder Oshiorenoya Agabi and his team in Berkeley, California, are developing a neuron-silicon hybrid chip, called the Koniku Kore, initially for chemical sensing, with future applications spanning drug development, agriculture, and neurological disease treatment. The company has secured contracts with defense and consumer product companies and plans to release a developer chip. While challenges remain, such as neuron cultivation and signal interpretation, Koniku's innovation lies in its fusion of biology and electronics, pushing towards 'wetware' AI and challenging the limitations of traditional silicon-based computing.

(proto.life)

AI biological computing neurons

My Secret Stash: Why I'm Hesitant to Share My Dotfiles

2025-08-06

My Secret Stash: Why I'm Hesitant to Share My Dotfiles

The author loves dotfiles – configuration files for software and operating systems – and enjoys sharing ideas and code. However, they're hesitant to publicly release their own extensive dotfiles repository, which includes configurations for zsh, tmux, neovim, vscode, a Homebrew package list, Stylus CSS rules, and is managed with GNU Stow. They feel their personalized customizations are too intimate to share, despite the coolness factor. This raises questions about the balance between personalized developer configurations and open-source sharing.

(hamatti.org)

Development

PowerPoint in PHP: A Roundup of Open-Source Libraries

2025-01-17

Tired of struggling with PowerPoint files in your PHP projects? Several open-source PHP libraries now make creating, editing, and converting PPT and PPTX files a breeze. These libraries not only streamline the development process but also offer a wide range of features, including formatting, merging, and protecting files. Whether you need to generate stunning presentations or handle large volumes of PPT files, these libraries will meet your needs and save you considerable time and effort.

(products.fileformat.com)

Development Open-Source Libraries

Bypassing Disk Encryption with Automatic TPM2 Unlock: A Critical Vulnerability

2025-01-17

This article exposes a critical vulnerability in systems using TPM2 for automatic disk encryption unlocking. An attacker with brief physical access can decrypt the disk without altering the TPM's state. The vulnerability stems from most setups failing to verify the LUKS identity of the decrypted partition. The attacker can use the initrd image in the unencrypted boot partition to create a fake LUKS partition with a known key, tricking the system into executing a malicious init program, thereby obtaining the original disk key. Solutions include using a TPM PIN or properly verifying the LUKS identity within the initrd.

(oddlama.org)

Tech Disk Encryption

Microplastics Found in Human Brains: A Growing Threat?

2025-02-15

Microplastics Found in Human Brains: A Growing Threat?

A recent study revealed the presence of significant microplastic levels in human brains. These microplastics, entering the brain via the bloodstream, are potentially linked to various illnesses. The article highlights the environmental and health dangers of our reliance on plastic, pointing to the polluting nature of its production and its persistence in the environment. While the US government has taken steps to regulate harmful chemicals in plastic production, the impact remains limited. The author urges accountability for the petrochemical industry rather than solely blaming consumers.

(www.scientificamerican.com)

Tech environmental pollution

A Gentle Introduction to Graph Neural Networks: Unveiling the Power of Graph Data

2024-12-20

A Gentle Introduction to Graph Neural Networks: Unveiling the Power of Graph Data

This article provides an accessible introduction to Graph Neural Networks (GNNs). It begins by explaining graph data and its real-world applications, such as social networks, molecular structures, and text. The article then delves into the core components of GNNs, including message passing, pooling operations, and various types of graph data. By building a modern GNN model step-by-step, it clarifies the role and motivation behind each component's design. Finally, it offers an interactive GNN playground, allowing readers to experience firsthand the construction and prediction process of a GNN model, deepening their understanding.

(distill.pub)

AI Graph Neural Networks Graph Data

Chrome's New `<permission>` Element: A Declarative Approach to Web Permissions

2025-06-15

Chrome's New `<permission>` Element: A Declarative Approach to Web Permissions

The Chrome permissions team is experimenting with a new declarative HTML `` element to simplify how web apps request powerful features like location access. Traditional imperative methods suffer from permission spam, poor contextualization, and difficulty in revoking permissions. The `` element offers a more secure and user-friendly approach, allowing developers to declaratively request permissions while the browser dynamically updates the element's text based on user interaction and provides clear permission management. Currently in origin trial in Chrome 126, it aims for standardization.

(developer.chrome.com)

Development Permission Management

Colorado Redefines Nuclear Energy as 'Clean', Sparking Environmental Backlash

2025-04-02

Colorado Redefines Nuclear Energy as 'Clean', Sparking Environmental Backlash

Colorado Governor Jared Polis signed a bill reclassifying nuclear energy as a 'clean energy resource,' despite opposition from environmental groups. The legislation allows future nuclear power plants access to grants previously reserved for renewables and contributes to the state's climate goals. Supporters argue new reactor designs are safer and provide stable, 24/7 power, creating jobs. However, environmentalists worry it diverts resources from wind and solar and poses environmental and community risks.

(www.cpr.org)

Tech

Deep Dive into Hygienic Macros in Scheme

2025-05-08

Scheme's macro system employs a 'hygiene' mechanism to prevent variable name clashes during macro expansion. This article delves into the concept of identifiers in Scheme, which encompass not only a symbolic name but also a lexical context and a historical context. The predicates `bound-identifier=?` and `free-identifier=?` compare identifier equivalence; the former focuses on the interchangeability of bound identifiers after macro expansion, while the latter focuses on free identifiers. The article uses multiple examples to illustrate the differences between these two equivalence relations and the role of historical context in the hygienic macro mechanism. Ultimately, it explains how Scheme uses the historical information of identifiers to ensure macro hygiene and prevent variable name conflicts.

(mnieper.github.io)

Development

Nostalgic Game 'Alley Cat' Remake Released

2024-12-17

Programmer Joflof has finally completed a remake of the classic 1983 game 'Alley Cat' after many years of work. This remake not only retains the original pixel graphics and sound effects but also adds five new levels and multiplayer modes for up to four kittens to play simultaneously. Additionally, Joflof has included special arcade mode configuration options for arcade enthusiasts. Currently, the game is only available for Windows, but the author hopes that enthusiasts will help port it to Linux and Mac systems.

(www.joflof.com)

Game retro game remake arcade game

2025 Alonzo Church Award: Unifying Lambda Calculus Research

2025-06-23

Paul Blain Levy received the 2025 Alonzo Church Award for his groundbreaking work on the Call-by-Push-Value (CBPV) calculus. His research unified the separate streams of pure logical and applied effectful lambda calculus research. CBPV serves as a unifying framework for studying computational and logical phenomena, including effects, polarization, term normalization, type isomorphisms, and program transformations. Levy's contributions span algebraic datatypes, operational semantics, denotational semantics, and equational theories, significantly advancing the semantic theory of lambda calculus and its application to programming language modeling.

(siglog.org)

Development Alonzo Church Award

Tesla Recalls 46,096 Cybertrucks Over Detachable Panel

2025-03-20

Tesla Recalls 46,096 Cybertrucks Over Detachable Panel

Reuters reports that Tesla is recalling 46,096 Cybertruck electric pickup trucks in the U.S. due to a risk of detachment of an exterior stainless-steel trim panel, posing a road hazard. This is one of several recalls for the Cybertruck since last year. Tesla will replace the affected part free of charge. While Tesla accounts for a significant portion of U.S. vehicle recalls, many issues are resolved with over-the-air software updates. Shares remained largely unchanged in premarket trading.

(www.cnn.com)

Tech

FAA Hiring Scandal: A Decade-Long Legal Battle and Political Firestorm

2025-02-05

FAA Hiring Scandal: A Decade-Long Legal Battle and Political Firestorm

This article exposes a 2013 hiring scandal within the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). In an effort to increase diversity among air traffic controllers, the FAA scrapped an effective aptitude test and implemented a flawed biographical questionnaire, resulting in numerous qualified candidates being rejected and sparking a decade-long legal battle. This event not only contributed to an air traffic controller shortage but also ignited political controversy, becoming a focal point of debate.

(www.tracingwoodgrains.com)

Tech hiring scandal

30 Euros to Stay Accountable: A Productivity Hack

2025-03-06

30 Euros to Stay Accountable: A Productivity Hack

Frustrated by infrequent blogging, the author adopts a unique productivity hack: a self-imposed 30-euro penalty for failing to publish a blog post each month. Inspired by the idea that consistent, lower-stakes output is better than infrequent, high-pressure posts, this commitment motivates him to write regularly. He extends this system to painting miniatures, aiming for 52 blog posts and 60 painted miniatures by year's end. The author plans to report back on the results and expand this method to other projects.

(www.krayorn.com)

Misc accountability

Make Your QEMU 10 Times Faster: A Weird Trick

2024-12-17

While debugging NixOS tests, Linus Heckemann discovered painfully slow data copying times (over 2 hours) in a QEMU virtual machine. Performance analysis with `perf` revealed that QEMU's 9p server used an inefficient linked list (O(n) complexity) for file lookups. By switching to a hash table provided by glib (O(1) complexity), he reduced the test time to 7 minutes and successfully contributed the optimization to the QEMU project.

(linus.schreibt.jetzt)

Development 9p protocol

Punched in the Stomach: A Surreal High-Paying Job

2025-02-18

Punched in the Stomach: A Surreal High-Paying Job

A programmer stumbles upon a job perfectly matching his skills, except for one bizarre detail: getting punched in the stomach by his boss daily. The high salary and benefits outweigh his concerns. The job, as surreal as it sounds, becomes his reality. He adapts, contemplates the meaning of work and life, and eventually quits, embarking on a new chapter. The story explores themes of absurdity, corporate culture, and self-discovery.

(www.scottsmitelli.com)

Misc absurdity life purpose

Cord-Cutting in Canada Accelerates as Streaming Soars

2025-03-25

Cord-Cutting in Canada Accelerates as Streaming Soars

The Canadian streaming market is booming, with a significant decline in traditional TV subscriptions. Convergence Research reports that an estimated 46% of Canadian households canceled their cable, satellite, or telecom TV subscriptions in 2024, a 4% increase from 2023, and projected to reach 54% by 2027. Streaming subscription revenue surged 15% to $4.2 billion, while linear TV revenue dropped 5%. Canadians subscribe to an average of 2.6 streaming platforms per household, but the majority of revenue flows to US companies, prompting the CRTC's "Online Streaming Act" requiring foreign streamers to invest 5% of Canadian revenue in local content. This act has faced pushback from US streamers.

(mobilesyrup.com)

Tech cord-cutting

Massive Data Breach: 190 Million Americans Affected by Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack

2025-01-25

Massive Data Breach: 190 Million Americans Affected by Change Healthcare Ransomware Attack

UnitedHealth Group confirmed that a ransomware attack on its subsidiary, Change Healthcare, in February 2024 affected approximately 190 million Americans – nearly double previous estimates. The attack resulted in the theft of massive amounts of sensitive health and insurance data, including names, addresses, birthdates, Social Security numbers, and medical records. Some data was even published online by the hackers. Change Healthcare paid ransoms to prevent further data release. This is the largest healthcare data breach in US history, highlighting critical vulnerabilities in the healthcare system's cybersecurity.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech healthcare security

Air Pollution Linked to Increased Dementia Risk: A Meta-Analysis

2025-08-09

Air Pollution Linked to Increased Dementia Risk: A Meta-Analysis

A new study published in The Lancet Planetary Health reveals a significant link between long-term exposure to air pollution (PM2.5, nitrogen dioxide, and soot) and an increased risk of dementia. A meta-analysis of data from over 29 million participants found that for every 10 μg/m³ increase in PM2.5, the relative risk of dementia increased by 17%; for every 10 μg/m³ increase in nitrogen dioxide, the risk increased by 3%; and for each 1 μg/m³ increase in soot, the risk increased by 13%. The research highlights the importance of air pollution control for public health and calls for an interdisciplinary approach involving urban planning, transport policy, and environmental regulation to prevent dementia.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Tech

Scream-Activated Smart Switch: A Pointless Yet Fun Project

2025-05-10

Tired of yelling at Siri or Alexa? This project details a scream-activated smart switch. Using a Sonoff S31 smart switch and an INMP441 microphone, along with ESPHome and Arduino code, the author created a system that controls the switch by detecting sound frequency and amplitude. While using ESPHome might be overkill, the project is straightforward, requiring no internet connection. Future iterations plan to improve hardware selection and explore further applications, such as controlling garage doors or changing light colors.

(rulethepla.net)

Hardware voice control

GameStop Bets Big on Pokémon Cards

2025-06-13

GameStop Bets Big on Pokémon Cards

GameStop CEO Ryan Cohen revealed a major strategic shift: a heavy focus on trading cards, particularly the wildly popular Pokémon cards, alongside its significant Bitcoin holdings. This is considered a "natural extension" of GameStop's business, offering high profit margins. The resurgence in Pokémon card popularity has created high demand and fueled scalping. GameStop is leveraging this, partnering with PSA for card grading services and seeing a massive revenue boost from this sector. Despite past struggles including store closures and layoffs, GameStop's foray into trading cards offers a promising path to recovery.

(www.gamespot.com)

Game Pokemon Cards Trading Cards

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