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xv6-riscv-net: Bringing TCP/IP Networking to RISC-V xv6

2025-08-26

xv6-riscv-net: Bringing TCP/IP Networking to RISC-V xv6

This project integrates a TCP/IP stack into the RISC-V version of the xv6 operating system, enabling network functionality. It includes a kernel-space port of the microps user-space TCP/IP stack, a virtio-net driver for network emulation in QEMU, a standard socket API, and a simple ifconfig command. A few commands build and launch QEMU, configure IP addresses, and allow pinging the xv6 guest from the host, along with testing TCP/UDP echo applications.

(github.com)

Development

Pushing the Limits of Time Synchronization on Linux: A 500ns Accuracy Challenge

2025-08-26

This post details an author's month-long quest to achieve high-precision time synchronization across multiple Linux systems on a local network. The goal was sub-microsecond accuracy for distributed tracing. Despite using GPS and Chrony, the author found achieving ideal precision challenging. GPS receiver jitter, network latency, and asymmetry introduced hundreds of nanoseconds of error. Ultimately, around 500ns synchronization accuracy was achieved on most systems—not quite the target, but sufficient for distributed tracing.

(scottstuff.net)

Development

Will Smith Concert Video Sparks AI Controversy: Real Crowds, AI-Enhanced Footage

2025-08-26

Will Smith Concert Video Sparks AI Controversy: Real Crowds, AI-Enhanced Footage

A short clip of a Will Smith concert went viral, sparking accusations of AI-generated fake crowds and signs. The reality is more nuanced. The video uses real footage of actual concertgoers from Smith's European tour. However, Smith's team used AI image-to-video models to create short animated clips from professionally shot audience photos for a concert montage. YouTube's subsequent post-processing added blurring and distortions, exacerbating the perception of AI-generated content. The 'AI artifacts' aren't entirely AI-generated but a result of AI application and YouTube's post-processing.

(waxy.org)

Tech video post-processing

A Bug That Saved a Company

2025-08-26

A Bug That Saved a Company

In 2002, Rogue Amoeba released the first version of Audio Hijack with a 15-day unlimited trial, hoping to attract customers. Sales were disappointing. However, a bug in version 1.6 accidentally limited the trial to 15 minutes of recording. Surprisingly, this stricter limitation dramatically increased sales, transforming Rogue Amoeba from a side project into a company employing over a dozen people. This fortunate mistake saved both Audio Hijack and the company itself.

(weblog.rogueamoeba.com)

Startup

macOS CLI Tools: Stop Using ~/Library/Application Support!

2025-08-26

Many macOS command-line tools incorrectly store configuration files in ~/Library/Application Support, contradicting user expectations and the XDG standard. The article argues that popular libraries and dotfile managers adhere to the XDG standard, placing config files in ~/.config. The author contends that CLI tools should follow this convention for improved user experience and consistency; only GUI applications should utilize ~/Library/Application Support.

(becca.ooo)

Development XDG Base Directory Specification

macOS Tahoe's Utility App Icons: Dead Canaries

2025-08-26

macOS Tahoe's Utility App Icons: Dead Canaries

The new utility app icons in macOS 26 Tahoe Beta 7 are drawing heavy criticism. The author argues the new icons, all using a lazy wrench motif, are objectively terrible. Only a small portion of the icon represents the app's function, the rest being dominated by a poorly designed wrench and bolt. The design is criticized for its lack of detail and poor execution, exemplified by the Disk Utility icon being simply an Apple logo. This is seen as a canary in the coal mine, indicating deeper problems with Apple's design sensibilities.

(daringfireball.net)

Design icon design

Google's Datacenter-Scale Liquid Cooling: A Revolution for AI

2025-08-26

Google's Datacenter-Scale Liquid Cooling: A Revolution for AI

The rise of AI has created a significant heat challenge for datacenters. At Hot Chips 2025, Google showcased its massive liquid cooling system designed for its TPUs. This system uses CDUs (Coolant Distribution Units) for rack-level cooling, significantly reducing power consumption compared to air cooling and ensuring system stability through redundancy. Google also employs a bare-die design, similar to PC enthusiast 'de-lidding', to improve the heat transfer efficiency of its TPUv4. This solution not only tackles the immense cooling demands of AI but also points towards a new direction for future datacenter cooling solutions.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Tech

The MiniPC Revolution: Modular Computing for the Homelab

2025-08-26

MiniPCs are revolutionizing personal computing with their affordability, compact size, energy efficiency, and versatility. The author details how MiniPCs excel in homelab setups, network storage, and personal cloud solutions, highlighting their modular design's advantages in avoiding single points of failure and simplifying maintenance. Instead of a single powerful machine, MiniPCs offer a scalable and flexible approach to building a customized computing environment.

(jadarma.github.io)

Hardware Modular Computing

Global Exchanges Warn of Risks Posed by Tokenized Stocks

2025-08-26

Global Exchanges Warn of Risks Posed by Tokenized Stocks

The World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), representing the world's largest stock exchanges, has warned regulators about the risks of so-called tokenized stocks. These blockchain-based tokens mimic equities but lack the same rights and safeguards, potentially harming market integrity. The WFE, in a letter to the SEC, ESMA, and IOSCO, highlighted platforms like Coinbase and Robinhood's foray into this nascent sector, emphasizing that these 'tokenized stocks' are not equivalent to actual shares. The WFE urged regulators to apply securities rules to these assets, clarify legal frameworks, and prevent misleading marketing, citing potential investor losses and reputational damage to issuing companies.

(ca.news.yahoo.com)

Tech tokenized stocks

Indoor Air Purification Tech: Effectiveness Questioned, Real-World Studies Needed

2025-08-26

Indoor Air Purification Tech: Effectiveness Questioned, Real-World Studies Needed

A new study reveals that many technologies claiming to purify indoor air and prevent virus spread lack human testing, and their potential risks remain unclear. The research analyzed nearly 700 studies on technologies like HEPA filters, UV lights, ionizers, and advanced ventilation systems. Only 9% examined their impact on human health. Researchers call for more real-world studies evaluating effectiveness and potential risks, standardized health outcome measures, and independent funding to inform public health policy.

(news.cuanschutz.edu)

Tech air purification virus spread

Google Mandates App Developer Verification for Enhanced Android Security

2025-08-25

Google Mandates App Developer Verification for Enhanced Android Security

To combat malware and financial scams, Google announced that starting in 2026, only apps from verified developers will be installable on certified Android devices. This impacts all installation methods, including sideloading. The move aims to curb the proliferation of fake apps and malicious actors. A phased rollout begins in 2026 in select countries heavily impacted by fraudulent apps, with global implementation in 2027. Developers will have access to a verification process, with separate workflows for students and hobbyists.

(9to5google.com)

Tech Developer Verification

Understanding Big O Notation: A Practical Guide

2025-08-25

Understanding Big O Notation: A Practical Guide

This article provides a clear and concise explanation of Big O notation, a method for describing algorithm performance. Using JavaScript's `sum` function as an example, it compares the differences between O(1) constant time, O(log n) logarithmic time, O(n) linear time, and O(n^2) quadratic time complexities. Visualizations and code examples illustrate the time complexities of various algorithms, including bubble sort and binary search. The article also explores techniques for improving code performance, such as avoiding `indexOf` within loops and leveraging caching to reduce redundant computations. Finally, it emphasizes the importance of empirical testing, cautioning against blindly trusting theoretical results.

(samwho.dev)

Development time complexity

Hacking My Logitech MX Ergo: USB-C, Silent Clicks, and Better Software

2025-08-25

The author loves their Logitech MX Ergo mouse, but it has flaws: a micro-USB charging port, loud clicks, and bloated software. After eight years of waiting for an update, they decided to take matters into their own hands. This involved a challenging but rewarding USB-C port replacement, detailed soldering instructions, swapping out noisy switches for silent Huano alternatives, and finally ditching Logitech's software for the leaner SteerMouse. It's a compelling story of DIY customization and a deep dive into the process.

(samwilkinson.io)

Hardware Mouse Mod

Chinese Solar Giants Post Massive Losses Amidst Price War

2025-08-25

Chinese Solar Giants Post Massive Losses Amidst Price War

Major Chinese solar panel manufacturers reported significant losses in the first half of the year due to overcapacity and U.S. trade restrictions. The industry faces pressure to reduce output, with the Chinese government urging the closure of outdated facilities. A supply glut and the U.S. crackdown exacerbated price wars, leading to substantial losses for many companies.

(asia.nikkei.com)

Tech

Taming the Synchronized Demand Spike: A Principled Approach

2025-08-25

Taming the Synchronized Demand Spike: A Principled Approach

Synchronized demand, where a large number of clients request service almost simultaneously, can overwhelm even well-resourced systems. This article presents a principled approach to mitigate this using randomized jitter to spread requests over time. By calculating a safe window size (W), requests are uniformly distributed, thus reducing peak arrival rate. The article further discusses leveraging server-side hints (like Retry-After headers) and rate limiting to refine the strategy, balancing system stability and fairness. The approach is framed as a control problem, emphasizing the need for telemetry-driven decision-making and verification.

(www.gojiberries.io)

Development

The AI Hype Bubble: Expectations vs. Reality

2025-08-25

The AI Hype Bubble: Expectations vs. Reality

Current expectations for AI are overblown, with many companies finding that AI's ROI is far lower than anticipated. A MIT report reveals that 95% of companies that have adopted AI haven't seen any meaningful return on their investment. While AI tools are widely used, they're primarily employed for simple tasks like drafting emails and basic analysis, with complex tasks still dominated by humans. Some companies are even pulling back on AI investments; for example, the Commonwealth Bank of Australia is bringing back call center employees previously replaced by AI. AI valuations are overinflated, echoing the dot-com bubble of the 1990s, and the market is already showing signs of correction. While AI is important, for most companies, it's failing to deliver on its gold-plated promises.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech

PEP: A New Ultra-Efficient Compression Format for Pixel Art

2025-08-25

PEP: A New Ultra-Efficient Compression Format for Pixel Art

PEP is a novel image compression format specifically designed for low-color pixel art (≤16 colors is optimal, up to 256 colors are supported). It uses "Prediction by Partial Matching, Order-2" compression, which is 2-10x slower than GIF, PNG, and QOI, but often compresses images 20-50% smaller than GIF/PNG (and multiple times smaller than QOI). If compressed image size matters, PEP is for you. It sits somewhere between GIF and WEBP in terms of speed/compression tradeoff. This is currently experimental, but a C header is provided for use.

(github.com)

Development

decode-kit: A Lightweight TypeScript Runtime Data Validation Library

2025-08-25

decode-kit: A Lightweight TypeScript Runtime Data Validation Library

decode-kit is a lightweight, zero-dependency TypeScript library for validating arbitrary runtime data. It uses assertion-based validation that refines your types in-place—no cloning, no transformations, and minimal runtime overhead. decode-kit validates your data and narrows its type directly; your original values remain unchanged. It employs a fail-fast approach, throwing a detailed error on the first validation failure, including the location and expected schema. Supporting various data types (strings, numbers, booleans, arrays, objects) with configurable rules, decode-kit outperforms libraries like Zod due to its in-place type assertion, making it ideal for performance-critical applications.

(github.com)

Development

Nuclear Batteries: A Comeback for Long-Lasting Power?

2025-08-25

Nuclear Batteries: A Comeback for Long-Lasting Power?

In the 1970s, nuclear-powered pacemakers were implanted, but their use ceased due to radioactive waste disposal issues. Now, advancements are reviving nuclear battery research, targeting robots, drones, and sensors. New designs boast decades- or even centuries-long lifespans and higher energy density. However, commercialization faces cost, safety, and regulatory hurdles. The key lies in finding suitable markets that balance the advantages with the complexities of radioactive waste management.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech

Firefox Extension: One-Click Highlighted Elements for Enhanced Keyboard Navigation

2025-08-25

A developer, h43z, created a small Firefox extension to address the shortcomings of keyboard navigation in modern websites. The extension allows users to click highlighted elements with the Enter key after using the browser's find feature, significantly improving efficiency, especially on sites using buttons and divs instead of links for navigation. It achieves this by listening for keyboard events, getting the parent element of the selected text, and simulating a click.

(b.43z.one)

Development keyboard navigation

OAuth 2.0: Securely Authorizing Third-Party App Access to Your Data

2025-08-25

OAuth 2.0: Securely Authorizing Third-Party App Access to Your Data

OAuth 2.0 is an authorization protocol allowing users to grant third-party apps access to their account data without sharing passwords. This article details the OAuth 2.0 workflow, including user authorization, authorization code retrieval, access token exchange, and emphasizes security measures like avoiding direct access token transmission in URLs. Key OAuth 2.0 terminology is explained, such as resource owner, OAuth client, authorization server, and resource server, along with front-channel and back-channel concepts. The article also covers PKCE for backend-less applications.

(www.ducktyped.org)

Development

Cheap Dirt Piles Power 24/7 Solar

2025-08-25

Standard Thermal aims to make solar PV energy available 24/7/365 at a price competitive with US natural gas. Their technology stores energy as heat in inexpensive dirt piles, using co-located solar arrays. Electric heaters convert electricity to heat, stored at 600°C or higher. This low-cost thermal storage system, significantly cheaper than batteries, targets solar developers with excess summer energy, isolated users relying on expensive fuels, and eventually, repowering coal plants by generating steam on demand.

(austinvernon.site)

Tech thermal storage

Walmart's Tech Division Fires 1200 Contractors Amidst Corruption Scandal

2025-08-25

Walmart's Tech Division Fires 1200 Contractors Amidst Corruption Scandal

A major corruption scandal at Walmart's Global Tech division resulted in the sudden termination of 1200 technology contractors. A vice president was found to have orchestrated a years-long kickback scheme involving millions of dollars in payments from contracting agencies seeking preferential treatment. This incident exposes systemic corruption within the technology industry's outsourcing ecosystem, with layered subcontracting creating opaque accountability and fostering corruption. The Department of Justice has increased prosecutions of visa fraud and kickback schemes within IT consulting firms, while tighter regulations on H-1B visas aim to curb the abuses.

(www.ctol.digital)

Tech tech corruption

The Limits of Remote Work: Why Companies Are Pushing for a Return to the Office

2025-08-25

The Limits of Remote Work: Why Companies Are Pushing for a Return to the Office

Four years after the pandemic sent workers home, companies are increasingly demanding a return to the office. However, many employees value flexible work arrangements. A new book, "In Praise of the Office," argues the business case for in-office work. The authors highlight the low attendance rates and high management overhead associated with hybrid work models. Shifts in the labor market and changing CEO expectations are also driving this push. In-person work fosters collaboration, knowledge transfer, and social connections, while remote work can lead to unproductive meetings and social isolation. The authors advise new employees to prioritize in-office roles and remind employers that remote work requires significantly more management effort.

(finance.yahoo.com)

Startup

Cornell's Microwave Brain: An Analog Chip Revolutionizing AI

2025-08-25

Cornell's Microwave Brain: An Analog Chip Revolutionizing AI

Researchers at Cornell University have unveiled a groundbreaking analog chip, dubbed the "microwave brain," capable of simultaneously processing ultrafast data and wireless communication signals. Unlike traditional digital computers, this chip leverages the physics of microwaves to mimic the human brain's neuronal pattern recognition and learning, achieving higher efficiency with lower power consumption. Operating at tens of gigahertz with a mere 200 milliwatts, it boasts 88% accuracy in classifying wireless signals. Its compact size allows integration into smartwatches and phones, enabling AI capabilities without cloud connectivity. Further applications include enhanced hardware security, anomaly detection in wireless communication, and improved radar and radio signal processing.

(newatlas.com)

AI analog chip microwave neural network

4.4KB Ultra-Lightweight AI Agent Executes Shell Commands via OpenRouter API

2025-08-25

4.4KB Ultra-Lightweight AI Agent Executes Shell Commands via OpenRouter API

An ultra-lightweight AI agent written in C that communicates with the OpenRouter API and executes shell commands. Key features include: direct shell command execution via AI responses; optimized binaries (4.4KB on macOS, ~16KB on Linux); sliding window memory management for efficiency; cross-platform support for macOS and Linux. Requires GCC, curl, and an OpenRouter API key. The build system auto-detects your platform and applies optimal compression (GZEXE for macOS, UPX for Linux). The code is public domain, with no license.

(github.com)

Development shell commands

Medieval Water Myth Busted: Did People Really Avoid Drinking It?

2025-08-25

A long-held belief paints a picture of medieval people guzzling beer and wine to avoid contaminated water. New research challenges this, revealing extensive historical records showing widespread water consumption. Concerns from doctors existed, but not about clear water causing disease; rather, wine was considered more nutritious. The myth is debunked, revealing a more nuanced understanding of medieval drinking habits.

(leslefts.blogspot.com)

Misc Water Consumption

AI Browsers: Convenience vs. Catastrophic Security Risks

2025-08-25

AI Browsers: Convenience vs. Catastrophic Security Risks

The rise of AI browsers presents a dangerous paradox: unparalleled convenience alongside catastrophic security vulnerabilities. This article details experiments using Perplexity's Comet browser, demonstrating its susceptibility to both classic phishing scams and novel "PromptFix" attacks. Comet readily clicked phishing links, completed purchases on fake websites, and executed malicious instructions hidden in webpage code, all without user intervention or warning. This highlights the critical lack of security in current AI browsers, exposing users to significant risks. The future demands robust, inherent security measures within AI models to ensure user safety.

(guard.io)

Tech AI browsers

Juno's Jupiter Revelation: Challenging Our Understanding of Solar System Formation

2025-08-25

Juno's Jupiter Revelation: Challenging Our Understanding of Solar System Formation

NASA's Juno probe, defying expectations, continues to unravel Jupiter's mysteries. Far beyond its planned lifespan, Juno has revealed a Jupiter unlike any previously imagined: bizarre geometric storms, a surprisingly light and fluffy core, and an unusual ammonia distribution in its atmosphere. Juno's discoveries not only reshape our understanding of Jupiter but also challenge existing theories of solar system formation. Key findings include a core that's neither solid nor gaseous, but a diffuse mix of both, and the discovery of "ammonia ice rain" in Jupiter's atmosphere. While its mission is nearing its end, Juno's legacy is indelible.

(www.scientificamerican.com)

Tech Juno

Linux SD Card Formatter: Optimized for Performance

2025-08-25

Linux SD Card Formatter: Optimized for Performance

The SD Memory Card Formatter, developed by Tuxera, is a Linux-based utility designed to format SD, SDHC, SDXC, and SDUC cards according to SD Association specifications. It's recommended over OS-provided tools for optimal performance. Note that it doesn't support BitLocker To Go encrypted cards and leaves the protected area untouched. Supports various Linux distributions and SD interfaces. Download and manual available on the official website.

(www.sdcard.org)

Hardware SD card formatting tool

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