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YC-Backed San Francisco Team Building High-Performance Infrastructure

2025-03-19

YC-Backed San Francisco Team Building High-Performance Infrastructure

A tightly-knit team based in San Francisco is hiring. They serve clients ranging from fast-growing startups to established enterprises, prioritizing security, reliability, and performance. They are obsessed with customer feedback and build future-proof solutions. Backed by Y Combinator, General Catalyst, SV Angel, and founders from companies like Vercel, Slack, Dropbox, Replit, Stripe, and Algolia.

(markprompt.com)

Startup High-Performance

The Sackler Brothers and LSD: A Tale of Ideals and Profits

2025-01-30

The Sackler Brothers and LSD: A Tale of Ideals and Profits

This article unveils the little-known story of the Sackler brothers' involvement in early LSD research during the 1950s. Initially driven by the idealistic goal of curing mental illness, they actively participated in early LSD trials, attempting to link LSD research to their own hormonal imbalance theories. However, over time, their focus shifted to the commercial potential of pharmaceuticals, ultimately leading to infamy for developing and marketing OxyContin. The article highlights the conflict between idealism and profit motives, and the ethical and commercial considerations in technological advancement.

(resobscura.substack.com)

Tech Sackler Brothers Pharmaceutical Research

Designing Lenses with PyTorch: A Differentiable Optics Library

2025-03-21

Torch Lens Maker is an open-source Python library for differentiable geometric optics built on PyTorch. Its ambitious goal is to design complex real-world optical systems (lenses, mirrors) using modern computing and cutting-edge numerical optimization. The core is differentiable geometric optics: 3D collision detection and optical laws implemented in PyTorch. By cleverly treating optical elements as layers in a neural network, and leveraging PyTorch's auto-differentiation and optimization algorithms, designing lenses becomes surprisingly similar to training a neural network, unlocking the power of modern machine learning tools. The project is early-stage and the author is seeking funding to continue development.

(victorpoughon.github.io)

Development optical design

Could a Twin Earth Detect Us?

2025-02-05

Could a Twin Earth Detect Us?

A new study investigates whether an extraterrestrial civilization with technology similar to ours could detect Earth and evidence of humanity. Researchers found that Earth's radio signals, such as planetary radar emissions from the former Arecibo Observatory, are the most detectable technosignatures, potentially visible from up to 12,000 light-years away. Atmospheric technosignatures, like nitrogen dioxide emissions, are also becoming more detectable thanks to advancements like the James Webb Space Telescope and the upcoming Habitable Worlds Observatory. This research provides a multiwavelength framework for understanding the detectability of technology on other planets and shaping our search for extraterrestrial intelligence.

(www.seti.org)

Tech technosignatures

The US Govt's Failed Attempt to Replace Migrant Farmworkers with High Schoolers

2025-01-08

The US Govt's Failed Attempt to Replace Migrant Farmworkers with High Schoolers

In 1965, following the end of the Bracero Program, the US government launched the A-TEAM, recruiting high school students to replace Mexican migrant farmworkers. Facing brutal working conditions and inadequate housing, many students quit or went on strike. The program's failure highlights the exploitation of migrant workers and the lack of understanding regarding the arduous nature of their jobs. This historical event offers valuable insights into the complexities of immigration and labor issues.

(www.npr.org)

Misc immigration labor rights social experiment

Millau Viaduct: Where Architecture Meets Engineering

2025-08-11

Millau Viaduct: Where Architecture Meets Engineering

The Millau Viaduct transcends the typical bridge; it's a masterful blend of architecture and engineering. Its elegant cable-stayed design gracefully spans the Tarn River gorge, achieving both aesthetic beauty and structural efficiency. Setting multiple world records with its height and span, the viaduct's slender form minimizes its environmental impact, showcasing a triumph of modern bridge design.

(www.fosterandpartners.com)

Design bridge architecture structural engineering

SVG `<path>` Demystified: Mastering the Art of Curve Drawing

2025-08-22

SVG `<path>` Demystified: Mastering the Art of Curve Drawing

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide to the SVG `` element, a powerful tool for creating intricate curved shapes. It breaks down the commands – M, L, Q, C, and the notoriously tricky A (arc) – explaining their parameters and functionalities with clear examples and insightful analogies. The author tackles the complexities of the arc command, clarifying its often-confusing aspects. The post also covers the Z command, relative commands, and practical tips like smoothing chained Bézier curves. A must-read for web developers of all levels.

(www.joshwcomeau.com)

Development curve drawing

Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's $2 Note Named 2023 Bank Note of the Year

2024-12-28

The International Bank Note Society (IBNS) has announced that its members have selected the Eastern Caribbean Central Bank's $2 note as the 2023 Bank Note of the Year. Chosen from nearly 100 new banknotes released globally in 2023, the winning note features a vibrant design combining sports and environmental themes, symbolizing hope for a bright future. The front depicts cricket legend Sir Viv Richards, the 40th-anniversary logo, turtles, and fish. The reverse showcases fish, coral, turtles, and a map of the islands in contrasting bright blue. The ECCB selected this design to inspire the people of the Eastern Caribbean Currency Union and youth worldwide.

(www.theibns.org)

Misc banknote design International Bank Note Society Eastern Caribbean Central Bank

A Day in the Life of a Medieval King: Charles V of France

2025-07-21

A Day in the Life of a Medieval King: Charles V of France

Christine de Pizan's 'Livre des faits et bonnes mœurs du sage roy Charles V' offers a fascinating glimpse into the daily life of King Charles V of France (1364-1380). From morning prayers and hearing petitioners to council meetings, simple meals, and afternoon audiences, the book details a carefully structured day. Charles's routine reveals a balance between royal duties and refined leisure, strategically using public appearances to project an image of a just and accessible monarch.

(www.medievalists.net)

Misc Medieval History Charles V Monarchy

Viral Animal Illustrations Made Entirely of Circles

2025-04-02

Viral Animal Illustrations Made Entirely of Circles

Artist Dori's stunning illustrations of animals, constructed entirely from circles, have gone viral. The simple yet elegant designs sparked a wave of requests for high-resolution wallpapers and prints. Dori not only shared her creative process but also eventually published a full tutorial on Smashing Magazine. This story highlights the power of creative design and the engaging interaction between artist and audience.

(www.dorithegiant.com)

Design illustration

My Failed Attempt to Ditch Google Calendar for Proton

2025-01-15

My Failed Attempt to Ditch Google Calendar for Proton

The author attempted to migrate from Google Calendar to Proton as part of a larger effort to de-Google their digital life. While browser, email, and drive migrations were successful, the calendar proved a significant hurdle. Proton Calendar's 'Easy Switch' feature, while seemingly simple, only allowed read-only calendar exports, preventing edits from other apps like the iPhone's default calendar. Attempts to sync via iCalendar also failed due to the inability to export a private work calendar link. Ultimately, the author returned to Google, reflecting on the lack of standardization in cross-platform calendar sharing.

(shilin.ca)

Misc Calendar Sync

Volvo Recalls 7,483 PHEVs Due to Fire Risk

2025-03-29

Volvo Recalls 7,483 PHEVs Due to Fire Risk

Volvo is recalling 7,483 plug-in hybrid vehicles in the US due to a potential fire hazard. Affected models include the S60, V60, S90, V90, XC60, and XC90. The issue stems from a battery module production deviation that could cause a short circuit and thermal runaway. Owners are urged to stop charging their vehicles until the recall is addressed. Dealers will inspect and replace the battery module if necessary, and install new monitoring software. While two incidents have been reported, no injuries or accidents have occurred.

(www.carscoops.com)

Tech recall battery safety Volvo

Native Windows Todo App in Pure C

2025-05-11

Native Windows Todo App in Pure C

A modern, native Windows todo application built with C and the Win32 API. It allows users to create, edit, delete, and mark todo items as complete, with persistent storage in AppData. Features include system tray integration and a native Windows look and feel. The application supports up to 100 todo items. The source code is open-source and includes build instructions.

(github.com)

Development Todo App

A Decade of JavaScript Frameworks: From Chaos to Consolidation?

2025-03-01

A Decade of JavaScript Frameworks: From Chaos to Consolidation?

A decade on, JavaScript frameworks have evolved from small, lightweight options to large, feature-rich ecosystems. The rise of server-side rendering and improvements in browser APIs have enabled code sharing between client and server, leading to the emergence of 'meta-frameworks'. This post explores the strengths and weaknesses of popular frameworks like Next.js and React Router, advocating for simple, maintainable technology choices like a traditional React SPA with an Express API backend, or carefully chosen combinations depending on project needs (e.g., Fastify or NestJS for backend APIs, coupled with meta-frameworks for the UI). While framework choice remains abundant, the author suggests that recent improvements in the JavaScript ecosystem have significantly improved the developer experience.

(allenpike.com)

Development JavaScript Frameworks Meta-Frameworks

C3: A Refined Evolution of the C Programming Language

2025-04-03

C3: A Refined Evolution of the C Programming Language

C3 is a programming language built upon the syntax and semantics of C, aiming to evolve it while maintaining familiarity for C programmers. It's an evolution, not a revolution: C-like for those who like C. Full ABI compatibility with C allows seamless mixing of C and C3 code. C3 introduces modern conveniences such as generics, result-based zero-overhead error handling, and defer statements, while avoiding unnecessary complexity. Version 0.7.0 is stable and supports various operating systems with pre-compiled binaries and comprehensive documentation available.

(github.com)

Development

Kwai Leverages OceanBase's 400TB Single Cluster to Handle Massive Data

2024-12-28

Kwai, a short-video app with over 10 million daily active users, faced challenges with its existing MySQL sharding solution as data volume and concurrent requests grew. Storage bottlenecks and complex operations became major issues. Migrating to OceanBase distributed database, Kwai built a 400TB single cluster successfully supporting transaction verification and payment services. OceanBase's high performance, scalability, and ease of use solved Kwai's data storage and query problems, significantly improving system stability and efficiency while reducing operational costs.

(oceanbase.github.io)

Tech distributed database high concurrency

Framework's First All-in-One Mini PC: Powerful, But Not Upgradable

2025-02-25

Framework's First All-in-One Mini PC: Powerful, But Not Upgradable

Framework has launched its first all-in-one mini PC, boasting a compact 4.5-liter chassis, comparable to a game console. Powered by Ryzen AI Max processors and starting with 32GB of RAM, it's capable of 1440p gaming and workstation tasks. Pricing starts at $1099, topping out at $1999 for the highest configuration. While offering strong performance at a relatively competitive price, its soldered CPU, GPU, and RAM make it non-upgradeable – a significant departure from Framework's usual modular design philosophy.

(arstechnica.com)

Hardware mini PC

Amiga 4000T: The Last Hurrah of a Legend

2025-06-12

The Amiga 4000T, a tower-format Amiga produced by Escom, is widely considered the pinnacle of the classic Amiga line. Its exceptional expandability, featuring both SCSI and IDE interfaces and numerous Zorro III slots, made it a powerhouse for professional video, music, and graphics work. Though its release came too late to stem the tide of the rising PC, its robust build, modular design, and impressive performance have secured its place as a collector's item and a testament to Amiga's legacy. This article details a deep dive into its history and unique features.

(forgottencomputer.com)

Hardware

Mermaid Chart VS Code Plugin: Effortless Mermaid.js Diagramming in Your IDE

2025-04-02

Mermaid Chart VS Code Plugin: Effortless Mermaid.js Diagramming in Your IDE

The Mermaid Chart VS Code plugin empowers developers with a robust diagramming tool, directly within their Visual Studio Code environment. Create and edit Mermaid.js diagrams effortlessly – no account needed for basic features. Enjoy real-time rendering, syntax highlighting, and seamless Markdown integration. The plugin automatically recognizes .mmd files. Advanced capabilities like cloud sync, team collaboration, and AI-powered diagram generation are unlocked by logging into a Mermaid Chart account. Whether visualizing workflows, software architecture, or API flows, this plugin boosts productivity, supports offline editing, and integrates flawlessly with Git version control.

(docs.mermaidchart.com)

Development VS Code Plugin Diagramming Tool

LLVM Fortran Compiler Flang: A Decade in the Making, Officially Released

2025-03-12

After nearly a decade of development, the LLVM Fortran compiler, Flang, has finally been officially renamed from "flang-new" to "flang." This article recounts Flang's journey, from its initial development by the US National Labs and NVIDIA, to its adoption of LLVM's Multi-Level Intermediate Representation (MLIR), and its eventual integration into the LLVM project. Flang's creation aimed to provide a long-term, non-proprietary Fortran compiler, mitigating risks associated with single-point failures, and fostering growth within the Fortran community. Flang's journey also showcases advancements in compiler technology, such as the use of MLIR for optimizing Fortran code. Now mature and stable, with support from vendors like AMD, Flang stands as a powerful tool for Fortran developers.

(blog.llvm.org)

Development

Unraveling the Mango's Mystery: A Scientific Journey Across Asia

2024-12-16

Unraveling the Mango's Mystery: A Scientific Journey Across Asia

The sweet mango, a beloved fruit worldwide, hides a mysterious past. Dr. Emily Warschefsky, a Ph.D. student at Florida International University, embarked on a scientific journey across Asia to uncover the mango's origins. Visiting botanical gardens and forests, she collected numerous samples of Mangifera species and used DNA sequencing to study relationships between different mango species. Her research revealed genetic differences between Southeast Asian and Indian mangoes, challenging the traditional view of a single Himalayan origin. Several scenarios are proposed, including multiple domestication events and hybridization between different species. Warschefsky's work not only deepens our understanding of mango origins but also offers new insights for mango breeding and cultivation.

(fairchildgarden.org)

Misc mango origin DNA sequencing

Sophisticated Phishing Attack Leverages VPN Access

2025-01-29

The University of Toronto's Computer Science department was hit by a highly sophisticated phishing attack. The attacker spoofed a departmental email address, successfully phishing a user's password. Alarmingly, the attacker used the stolen credentials to quickly register the user for the department's VPN, then used the internal-only SMTP gateway to send spam. This demonstrates pre-attack reconnaissance of the target's VPN and email environment, highlighting increasingly advanced attack techniques and the need for robust cybersecurity defenses.

(utcc.utoronto.ca)

Tech VPN exploitation

Embedding User-Defined Indexes in Apache Parquet Files: No More External Indexes!

2025-07-15

It's a common misconception that Apache Parquet is limited to basic statistics and Bloom filters. This post reveals how to embed custom indexes directly into Parquet files without breaking compatibility. By leveraging footer metadata and offset-based addressing, you can add indexes like distinct value lists for specific columns, dramatically improving query performance, especially for highly selective predicates. The authors detail the mechanism and provide a practical example using Apache DataFusion, showing how to serialize, store, and read these custom indexes. Say goodbye to the complexities and risks of external indexes!

(datafusion.apache.org)

Development User-Defined Indexes

Super Snowflake Maker: A Winter Technological Wonder

2024-12-26

Super Snowflake Maker: A Winter Technological Wonder

The 'Super Snowflake Maker' is not just a toy; it's a technological marvel that uses physics to create intricately shaped ice crystals resembling snowflakes. A precise control system sprays water droplets into an ultra-low temperature environment, instantly freezing them into various snowflake forms. Its design blends scientific rigor with artistic creativity, offering a captivating spectacle. Science enthusiasts and art lovers alike will find unique enjoyment and inspiration.

(supersnowflakemaker.com)

Tech Physics Art

Talk to Me Human: A Breakthrough in AI Humanoid Conversation

2024-12-21

Talk to Me Human: A Breakthrough in AI Humanoid Conversation

"Talk to Me Human" isn't just science fiction; it's a real-world account of a significant leap in AI technology. It showcases remarkable progress in AI's ability to simulate natural, logical human conversations, even exhibiting hints of personality and emotion. This breakthrough opens exciting new possibilities for AI applications in customer service, education, and beyond, while also raising important questions about the future direction of AI development.

(talktomehuman.com)

AI natural language processing AI conversation

Jeep's Full-Screen Pop-Up Ads Spark Outrage: Glitch or Intentional?

2025-02-15

Jeep's Full-Screen Pop-Up Ads Spark Outrage: Glitch or Intentional?

Jeep owners have taken to Reddit to express their fury over full-screen pop-up ads appearing on their in-car screens. The ads promote Mopar extended warranties, but a software glitch prevented users from dismissing them permanently. Stellantis claims it was a temporary software error that's been fixed. However, the incident raises concerns about intrusive in-car advertising and the possibility of car manufacturers using such methods to test user tolerance. The author urges automakers to avoid such practices to prevent user backlash.

(www.theautopian.com)

Tech software glitch

FlashMLA: A Blazing-Fast MLA Decoding Kernel for Hopper GPUs

2025-02-24

FlashMLA: A Blazing-Fast MLA Decoding Kernel for Hopper GPUs

FlashMLA is a highly efficient MLA decoding kernel optimized for Hopper GPUs, designed for variable-length sequence serving. Achieving up to 3000 GB/s in memory-bound configurations and 580 TFLOPS in computation-bound configurations on H800 SXM5 using CUDA 12.6, FlashMLA utilizes BF16 precision and a paged kvcache with a 64 block size. Inspired by FlashAttention 2&3 and the cutlass projects, FlashMLA offers significant performance improvements for large-scale sequence processing.

(github.com)

Development MLA decoding

uBlock Origin: A Highly Efficient Ad Blocker

2024-12-23

uBlock Origin: A Highly Efficient Ad Blocker

uBlock Origin (uBO) is a highly efficient and lightweight content blocker for Chromium and Firefox browsers. It blocks ads, trackers, coin miners, and malware by default using multiple filter lists like EasyList and EasyPrivacy. Users can customize blocking rules and choose between a simple or advanced interface. Crucially, uBO emphasizes that using an ad blocker is not theft, but a means of protecting user privacy. The project is open-source and relies on community-maintained filter lists.

(github.com)

Development ad blocker

(Ab)using General Search Algorithms on Dynamic Optimization Problems

2025-02-18

This blog post compares four algorithms – Bellman's principle, Dijkstra's algorithm, Monte Carlo Tree Search (MCTS), and Pontryagin's Maximum Principle – on a simple dynamic optimization toy problem. The author finds that specialized algorithms (Bellman and Pontryagin) are significantly more efficient for this specific problem, while general-purpose algorithms, while capable of finding a solution, are less efficient in terms of speed and memory usage. The post includes animations visualizing the search process of each algorithm and benchmarks comparing their performance.

(dubovik.eu)

Development dynamic optimization Monte Carlo Tree Search

The Relentless Cycle of Homelessness: A Two-Year Struggle

2025-02-17

The Relentless Cycle of Homelessness: A Two-Year Struggle

Morrisette, a homeless individual, repeatedly experienced a cycle of setting up camp, having it cleared by authorities, and then rebuilding. For two years, despite the kind assistance of Barrows in applying for housing, he felt despair at failing to qualify for priority placement. This article recounts a poignant story of struggle within the system, highlighting the challenges and intertwined hopes of a homeless person seeking help.

(sfstandard.com)

Misc

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