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Hardware-Level Network Time Security: Netnod's FPGA Implementation of NTS

2024-12-13
Hardware-Level Network Time Security: Netnod's FPGA Implementation of NTS

Following a 2019 software implementation of Network Time Security (NTS), Netnod has deployed NTS at the hardware level using FPGAs for their NTP and NTS protocols. This hardware implementation offers enhanced security, mitigating side-channel attacks and improving efficiency and scalability. While challenges existed in processing complex NTS packets, Netnod overcame them with a multi-engine parallel processing solution. Their NTS service is now in production.

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(labs.ripe.net)
Hardware network security hardware security

Scheduled Reboots: A Preventative Approach

2024-12-13

A university research team faced a challenging sysadmin problem: their servers had been running for too long and needed rebooting, but frequent reboots disrupt user experience. Their default was to avoid reboots, but a recent large-scale reboot due to prolonged uptime forced a change. To prevent similar issues, they've decided on a yearly reboot schedule—at least three times a year, aligning with the university's teaching schedule—balancing preventative maintenance with user experience.

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(utcc.utoronto.ca)
Development server maintenance system administration scheduled reboots

Microsoft Open-Sources MarkItDown: A File-to-Markdown Conversion Tool

2024-12-13
Microsoft Open-Sources MarkItDown: A File-to-Markdown Conversion Tool

Microsoft has open-sourced MarkItDown, a Python tool that converts various files (including PDF, PowerPoint, Word, Excel, images, audio, and HTML) into Markdown format. The tool boasts a simple API, supports a wide range of file types, and incorporates OCR and speech transcription for enhanced functionality, making it ideal for text analysis or indexing. Contributions are welcome, and the project adheres to the Microsoft Open Source Code of Conduct.

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(github.com)
Development Markdown conversion file conversion Python tool

Reading Skills and Brain Structure: A Neuroimaging Study

2024-12-13
Reading Skills and Brain Structure: A Neuroimaging Study

A new study reveals significant differences in brain structure between individuals with varying reading abilities. Analyzing open-source data from over 1,000 participants, researchers found correlations between reading proficiency and the structure of the left anterior temporal lobe and Heschl's gyrus. The left temporal pole integrates diverse information, while Heschl's gyrus, part of the auditory cortex, showed thickness correlated with reading ability. The study highlights brain plasticity, suggesting reading shapes brain structure, benefiting both individuals and humanity.

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(theconversation.com)
AI reading skills brain structure neuroimaging

Concurrent Cycle Collection: Garbage-Collected Smart Pointers in Rust for Scheme

2024-12-13

This article details the implementation of a concurrent cycle collector in Rust for garbage-collected smart pointers (Gc) within a Scheme interpreter. Gc functions similarly to Arc>, supporting interior mutability, cloning, and sending across threads. The article thoroughly explains the implementation of Gc, including thread-safe interior mutability using semaphores and read/write locks, and the implementation details of concurrent cycle collection based on the Bacon and Rajan algorithm. This includes the Trace trait, cycle detection, and mechanisms for handling concurrent modifications.

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(maplant.com)
Development Garbage Collection Concurrency

Open Source Pen Plotter Robot Project

2024-12-13
Open Source Pen Plotter Robot Project

Robertleoj has open-sourced a project on GitHub called Pen Plotter Robot, a pen plotting robot. The project includes the robot's design, construction, and control program, aiming to help makers and enthusiasts learn about robotics and mechanical design. The code and documentation are publicly available for learning and improvement.

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(github.com)
Hardware pen plotter

Maker Builds Laser Shooting Game: From Legoland Ride to ESP32-Powered Halloween Fun

2024-12-13
Maker Builds Laser Shooting Game: From Legoland Ride to ESP32-Powered Halloween Fun

Inspired by a Legoland Egyptian adventure ride, the author decided to create a similar shooting game. Using inexpensive ESP32 microprocessors, infrared laser guns, and homemade targets, he successfully built a Halloween-themed shooting game. Along the way, he learned Arduino and MicroPython programming, overcoming challenges in hardware connections, power supply, and communication. The game was a hit at school and home events. Future plans include improving target design, lighting effects, and circuit boards to enhance the gaming experience.

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(blog.langworth.com)
Development Maker

Caves of Qud's Gigantic World Map: A 13.8 Gigapixel Adventure

2024-12-13
Caves of Qud's Gigantic World Map: A 13.8 Gigapixel Adventure

The upcoming sci-fi roguelike Caves of Qud, launching December 5th, boasts a massive world map totaling an astounding 13.8 gigapixels! This immense map consists of 240 x 75 zones, each zone containing 25 x 80 tiles, with each tile being 16 x 24 pixels. A web viewer allows exploration of the surface and even the first underground level (the remaining 2 billion+ levels are omitted due to data size). This breathtaking scale promises an epic, fantastical adventure, ripe with exploration possibilities.

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(kernelmethod.org)
Game Caves of Qud World Map

New Hash Functions Rain Hashes: Speed and Security Combined

2024-12-13
New Hash Functions Rain Hashes: Speed and Security Combined

DOSAYGO Research has released Rain Hashes, a new family of hash functions featuring Rainbow and Rainstorm algorithms. Rainbow boasts exceptional speed, making it ideal for general-purpose hashing. Its C++ implementation has passed all SMHasher3 tests and is characterized by its concise and efficient code. Rainstorm prioritizes security; while not formally audited, its design incorporates elements from cryptographic hash functions and offers output sizes from 64 to 512 bits. The project provides C++, WASM, and Node.js implementations, along with a command-line tool and benchmark tests for easy evaluation and usage.

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(github.com)
Development hash function

Web Origami: A New Programming Language for Simplified Website Building

2024-12-13

Web Origami is a new programming language designed to simplify the creation of small- to medium-sized websites. Using a concise syntax that complements HTML and CSS, users can describe website structure using formulas similar to spreadsheets, transforming data and files into HTML and other website resources through simple programs. Even without JavaScript knowledge, features like full-text search and RSS feeds can be created. Origami provides a command-line interface, built-in functions, and an async-tree library, with support for JavaScript extensions. Its core concept is to abstract website building as data transformation, making site creation and deployment efficient, low-cost, and easy to understand.

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(weborigami.org)
Development programming language website development

Demonic Possession Predicted the Fall of the Carolingian Empire

2024-12-13
Demonic Possession Predicted the Fall of the Carolingian Empire

In the early 9th century, a Frankish courtier recorded a tale of demonic possession. The demon, Wiggo, confessed to destroying crops, livestock, and spreading plagues, blaming the Franks' sins and their rulers' many crimes. Wiggo described rampant greed, mutual suspicion among rulers, and lack of piety. This story mirrored the crisis of the Carolingian Empire: internal strife, economic instability, and famine. The courtier, Einhard, used this tale to subtly criticize the rulers' corruption and foreshadow the empire's decline.

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(www.smithsonianmag.com)
History Carolingian Empire Demonic Possession Medieval Europe

In Memoriam: Donald Bitzer, Pioneer of Computing

2024-12-13
In Memoriam: Donald Bitzer, Pioneer of Computing

The Computer History Museum mourns the passing of Donald L. Bitzer (1934-2024), a pioneering computer scientist. Co-inventor of the flat-panel plasma display and creator of the PLATO system—the world's earliest time-shared computer-based education system and a groundbreaking online community—Bitzer's innovations presaged many modern online features. PLATO included forums, message boards, online testing, email, chat rooms, instant messaging, and multiplayer games, laying the groundwork for the interconnected digital world we know today.

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(computerhistory.org)
Tech computer history plasma display PLATO system

Security Vulnerabilities Stemming from Dart/Flutter's Weak PRNG

2024-12-13
Security Vulnerabilities Stemming from Dart/Flutter's Weak PRNG

Zellic's research uncovered multiple security vulnerabilities caused by a weak pseudorandom number generator (PRNG) in Dart/Flutter. A flaw in the initialization of the `Random()` function within the Dart SDK resulted in insufficient entropy in generated keys, making them susceptible to brute-force attacks. This allowed attackers to easily gain access to the Dart Tooling Daemon, enabling them to read or write workspace files and even execute arbitrary code. Furthermore, Proton Wallet and SelfPrivacy projects were also affected by this weak PRNG, experiencing encryption vulnerabilities and predictable password issues, respectively. While the vulnerability has been patched, developers are urged to exercise caution when using the `Random()` function and utilize `Random.secure()` when cryptographically secure random numbers are required.

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(www.zellic.io)
Development Security Vulnerability

US Health Insurers Hiding a Dirty Secret: Soaring Denial Rates

2024-12-13
US Health Insurers Hiding a Dirty Secret: Soaring Denial Rates

This article exposes a dark secret within the US health insurance industry: claim denial rates have skyrocketed tenfold in the last decade. Insurers are no longer selling insurance, but a gamble. Government agencies have failed to fulfill their oversight responsibilities, allowing denial rates to soar, severely harming consumers. Some insurers deny up to 42% of claims, sparking public outrage and even leading to the murder of UnitedHealthcare's CEO. The article calls for government transparency on denial rates to protect consumers.

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(nypost.com)
Misc health insurance denial rates consumer protection

Revolutionary Idea: Applying Magit Principles to the jj Version Control System

2024-12-13

The author proposes a novel approach: applying the Magit version control interface from Emacs (which uses text files as its UI) to the nascent jj version control ecosystem. The article points out that Magit's text-based UI offers efficiency and portability. By leveraging the LSP protocol, a Magit-like experience can be implemented in various editors, avoiding redundant development. The author envisions generating specific text files (such as .jj/status.jj) and utilizing LSP features like semantic tokens, folding ranges, and goto definition to achieve Magit-like version control operations. The ultimate goal is to create a cross-platform, efficient user interface for jj version control.

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(matklad.github.io)
Development

Mirror Bacteria Research Raises Significant Risks, Scientists Warn

2024-12-13
Mirror Bacteria Research Raises Significant Risks, Scientists Warn

Synthetic biologists have achieved remarkable breakthroughs, such as creating bacteria with chemically synthesized genomes. However, two synthetic biologists recently joined other scientists in calling for a halt to research that could lead to the creation of "mirror bacteria." These bacteria are composed of the same components as natural cells but with opposite stereochemistry in all biopolymers. Because mirror bacteria might lack natural predators and evade immune systems, they pose a catastrophic risk. The article emphasizes that while scientific research should be open, certain research, like mirror bacteria research, is too risky given the potential for devastating consequences. Therefore, it should be stopped.

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(www.the-scientist.com)
Tech synthetic biology mirror bacteria biosafety

MIT Develops Noninvasive Imaging Method for Deeper Tissue Penetration

2024-12-13
MIT Develops Noninvasive Imaging Method for Deeper Tissue Penetration

MIT researchers have developed a novel noninvasive imaging technique that more than doubles the depth limit of metabolic imaging. Using high-powered lasers and a specialized fiber shaper, the method minimizes light scattering, allowing for clearer and faster imaging of living tissue. This label-free approach avoids tissue preprocessing, providing a more natural representation of cellular structures and functions. The increased depth penetration and speed promise significant advancements in cancer research, tissue engineering, drug discovery, and immunology.

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(news.mit.edu)
Tech biomedical imaging laser technology in vivo imaging

Eventual Consistency: Challenges and Patterns in Distributed Systems

2024-12-13
Eventual Consistency: Challenges and Patterns in Distributed Systems

Eventual consistency is unavoidable in distributed systems. This article explores four common patterns for handling eventual consistency: event-based eventual consistency, background sync eventual consistency, saga-based eventual consistency, and CQRS-based eventual consistency. Each pattern has its advantages and disadvantages. For example, the event-based pattern emphasizes loose coupling and scalability, but consistency takes time; while the saga-based pattern is suitable for complex, long-running transactions, ensuring consistency through compensating transactions. The choice of pattern depends on the specific needs and trade-offs of the system.

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(newsletter.systemdesigncodex.com)
Development eventual consistency distributed systems architectural patterns

AI Product Management: New Best Practices in a Generative AI World

2024-12-13
AI Product Management: New Best Practices in a Generative AI World

The rise of generative AI and AI-based developer tools is reshaping best practices in AI product management. This article highlights the importance of using concrete examples (inputs and desired outputs) to clearly define product specifications. This not only helps teams move faster but also improves the efficiency of assessing technical feasibility. For example, prompting LLMs to test their accuracy on specific tasks allows for quick validation of product ideas. Furthermore, tools like Replit and Vercel empower product managers to build prototypes independently and gather user feedback, accelerating iteration. In short, AI is revolutionizing AI product management, demanding that product managers master new best practices to meet the rapidly evolving market demands.

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(www.deeplearning.ai)
AI AI Product Management Generative AI Product Development

Mastering Ruby Debugging: From puts to Professional Tools

2024-12-13
Mastering Ruby Debugging: From puts to Professional Tools

This JetBrains RubyMine blog post delves into various approaches to debugging Ruby code, ranging from basic `puts` statements to interactive consoles (IRB and Pry) and powerful debuggers (byebug, debug, and the RubyMine debugger). Using a real-world bug example, it highlights the strengths and weaknesses of each tool, guiding developers in selecting the most appropriate debugger for improved efficiency. The article emphasizes that effective debugging isn't just about fixing errors; it's about gaining a fundamental understanding of the code to write more robust Ruby applications.

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(blog.jetbrains.com)
Development Ruby debugging debugging tools

Animal Adoption: A Balancing Act of Genes and Emotion

2024-12-13
Animal Adoption: A Balancing Act of Genes and Emotion

A lioness adopting a leopard cub sparks a fascinating exploration into the world of animal adoption. This article delves into the evolutionary mechanisms behind this behavior, examining kinship selection, environmental pressures, individual differences, and maternal instincts. Research suggests that animal adoption isn't solely an evolutionary strategy, but also reflects animal emotions and individual variations, challenging traditional evolutionary explanations.

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(nautil.us)
Misc animal behavior evolutionary biology kinship selection

Librebooting a ThinkPad T480: A Challenging Open-Source Journey

2024-12-13

This blog post details the author's experience librebooting a ThinkPad T480, a process fraught with challenges. From updating the BIOS and backing up the original firmware, to using a Raspberry Pi Pico W and SOIC-8 clip to read and write the BIOS chip, and finally compiling the Libreboot firmware (encountering numerous compilation errors and seeking help from the IRC community), the author documents the entire process. The post also shares post-libreboot experiences, including performance improvements, hardware compatibility issues, and troubleshooting tips, along with recommendations for screen, RAM, and storage upgrades.

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(ezntek.com)
1
Hardware Open-Source Firmware

The Age of Average: Design Homogenization in the Modern World

2024-12-13
The Age of Average: Design Homogenization in the Modern World

From interior design to automobiles and movie posters, a striking homogeneity pervades modern design. The article uses the example of Komar and Melamid's 'People's Choice' paintings to illustrate the surprising uniformity of aesthetic preferences. The sameness of Airbnb interiors, fast-casual architecture, car designs, and brand logos and advertising all exemplify this trend. The author argues this 'Age of Average' isn't accidental but a result of factors like technological constraints, cost pressures, and market convergence. However, this also presents an opportunity; bold brands and courageous companies that dare to be different and distinctive can thrive.

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(www.alexmurrell.co.uk)
3
Design design homogenization aesthetic convergence age of average

Fixing the Loading Issues in Myst IV: Revelation

2024-12-13
Fixing the Loading Issues in Myst IV: Revelation

This article documents the author's journey in fixing the notoriously slow loading times in Myst IV: Revelation. The game suffers from a two-second load time per click, even on SSDs. Using profiling tools, the author pinpointed the issue to the game's inefficient image loading via the LEADTOOLS library, which loads images row by row. The solution involved extracting game assets, converting images to the DDS format for faster loading, and implementing multithreading. However, challenges remain, such as crashes related to water effects, requiring further optimization.

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(medium.com)
3
Game game optimization performance profiling

Anthropic Unveils Clio: Privacy-Preserving Insights into Real-World AI Usage

2024-12-13
Anthropic Unveils Clio: Privacy-Preserving Insights into Real-World AI Usage

Anthropic has developed Clio, an automated analysis tool that provides privacy-preserving insights into real-world large language model usage. Clio analyzes conversations, grouping similar interactions into topic clusters, similar to Google Trends, without compromising user privacy. This allows Anthropic to understand how users employ their Claude model, identify potential misuse like coordinated spam campaigns or unauthorized resale attempts, and improve safety measures. Clio helps reduce false positives and negatives in safety systems, offering valuable data for enhancing AI safety and governance while upholding user privacy.

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(www.anthropic.com)
3
AI AI safety privacy preserving

Transformer Shortage Crisis: Can New Engineering Solve It?

2024-12-13
Transformer Shortage Crisis: Can New Engineering Solve It?

A global transformer shortage is delaying renewable energy projects, new home construction, and grid upgrades. The crisis stems from surging electricity demand and strained material supply chains. The article explores solutions, including redesigning transformers to use different materials, extending their lifespan, and creating more standardized, easier-to-manufacture designs. Researchers are also exploring new solid-state transformers for improved efficiency and reliability. While these new technologies are currently more expensive, their potential for enhancing grid resilience and adapting to future energy needs is significant, driving the power industry to accelerate R&D and investment to address this critical shortage.

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(spectrum.ieee.org)
2
Tech transformer shortage power grid renewable energy

Rust Compiler: A Query-Based Incremental Compilation Architecture

2024-12-13

To address the efficiency issues of traditional pipeline-based compilation, the Rust compiler employs a query-based incremental compilation architecture. This architecture breaks down the compilation process into a series of interdependent queries, utilizing a compilation database to cache intermediate results. This allows recompilation only of necessary code sections. Similar to a build system's dependency management, this significantly improves compilation speed, especially beneficial in scenarios like IDE integration. While introducing complexity, this approach offers a more stable and efficient incremental compilation experience for Rust compared to gradual improvements to traditional methods, now default for development builds.

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(lwn.net)
3
Development Compiler Incremental Compilation
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