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Proton VPN: The Digital Resistance Against Censorship

2025-01-27

Proton VPN: The Digital Resistance Against Censorship

In the face of escalating internet censorship, Proton VPN has become a crucial tool for millions seeking freedom of information under authoritarian regimes. This article details Proton VPN's battle against internet firewalls in Russia, Venezuela, and China, and how they navigate government crackdowns and blockades. Proton CEO Andy Yen points out that Big Tech companies contribute to autocratic control of the internet by removing VPN services from app stores. With its technological prowess and unwavering commitment to internet freedom, Proton VPN stands as a vanguard in the defense of online liberty, engaged in a continuous 'arms race' against censorship.

(www.compiler.news)

Tech Internet Censorship Digital Freedom

SpaceX Starship Debris Rains Down on Turks and Caicos

2025-02-01

SpaceX Starship Debris Rains Down on Turks and Caicos

The upper stage of a SpaceX Starship rocket exploded over the Atlantic Ocean near Turks and Caicos after its seventh test flight, scattering debris across the islands. While no injuries were reported, residents discovered wreckage near homes and on beaches, prompting concerns about safety and environmental impact. SpaceX's rapid iterative development strategy and its response to the incident have drawn criticism, with locals demanding cleanup and environmental assessment. The event highlights the potential risks of large rocket launches near populated areas.

(www.cnn.com)

Tech rocket debris

Species, Subspecies, and Conservation: A Taxonomic Debate

2025-02-05

Species, Subspecies, and Conservation: A Taxonomic Debate

This article delves into the complexities of species classification, focusing on the debate surrounding the definitions of 'species' and 'subspecies' and their implications for biodiversity conservation. The author argues that the traditional species concept is overly simplistic, neglecting the diversity and importance of subspecies. Using Noah's Ark as an example, the author illustrates the sheer number of animals that would have been needed to account for subspecies. The article further explores the limitations of 'species-first' conservation strategies and calls for a greater focus on subspecies conservation to achieve a more comprehensive understanding and protection of biodiversity.

(aeon.co)

Tech species classification subspecies conservation

Beej's Guide to Git: A Comprehensive Tutorial

2025-02-05

Beej's Guide to Git offers a comprehensive tutorial available in various PDF and HTML formats. The author humbly acknowledges potential errors and welcomes corrections. Multiple paper sizes and printing options (one-sided, two-sided, color, black and white) are provided for convenient printing. Translators and contributors are invited to clone the GitHub repository for collaboration.

(beej.us)

Development tutorial learning resource

Pixel 4a Battery Update Disaster: Old Firmware Gone, Users Trapped

2025-01-29

Pixel 4a Battery Update Disaster: Old Firmware Gone, Users Trapped

Google's Pixel 4a battery performance update has turned into a disaster. The update is causing extreme battery drain for many users, and worse, Google removed the older firmware, making it impossible to roll back. Intended to improve battery life, the update has instead made things significantly worse. Affected users are left with Google's compensation offer: a free battery replacement, $50 cash, or a $100 credit towards a new Pixel. This incident highlights the risks of software updates and Google's shortcomings in handling updates for older devices.

(www.androidcentral.com)

Tech Battery Update Software Glitch

Go's Design: A Deliberate Trade-Off

2025-01-31

This article delves into the design philosophy of the Go programming language, exploring its strengths and weaknesses. Born at Google, Go aimed to simplify writing and maintaining large-scale concurrent server code. The author analyzes Go's features – its simplified filesystem API, lack of operator overloading, explicit error handling, and interoperability with other languages – to explain the trade-offs behind its design choices. While criticized for aspects like its former lack of generics and less-than-stellar Windows support, the author argues these are conscious compromises made to achieve its primary design goals, ultimately making Go an efficient and easy-to-use language for engineering large projects.

(mattjhall.co.uk)

Development programming language design

/etc/glob: The Untold Story of Early Unix Shell Globbing

2025-01-13

This article delves into the history and function of `/etc/glob` in early Unix systems. Before the V7 Bourne Shell, Unix shell globbing wasn't handled by the shell itself but delegated to the external program `/etc/glob`. `/etc/glob` received the command and arguments, expanded wildcards, and then executed the command. The article details how `/etc/glob` worked across different Unix versions, including handling escaped characters and the rationale behind using an external program—likely due to resource constraints in early systems.

(utcc.utoronto.ca)

Development Unix history Globbing

SparkCat: Crypto-Stealing Malware Lurking in App Stores

2025-02-05

SparkCat: Crypto-Stealing Malware Lurking in App Stores

ESET researchers uncovered a cross-platform malware dubbed "SparkCat" hidden within Google Play and the App Store, affecting over 242,000 downloads. The malware embeds a malicious SDK, using OCR to identify images of cryptocurrency wallet recovery phrases in users' photo galleries and sending them to a C2 server. Attackers employed a custom C2 communication protocol written in Rust, increasing analysis difficulty. The malware aims to steal cryptocurrency and utilizes multiple techniques to evade security measures.

(securelist.com)

Tech app store security

A Global Collection of Modern Literary Novels

2025-01-31

This website celebrates the modern literary novel worldwide since the early 20th century, categorized by nationality. It's a personal yet extensive survey of literary fiction since 1900, constantly expanding. Discover over 1700 authors writing in or translated into English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, or Spanish. Each entry includes biography, bibliography, and selected book reviews. Created by a translator, this is a personal collection aimed at providing a valuable resource for literature enthusiasts. As Mia Couto says, "Books are never written. When we read them, we write them."

(www.themodernnovel.org)

Misc modern literature literary fiction world literature

Free Alt Text Checker: Boost Website Accessibility and SEO

2025-01-11

This free Alt Text Checker tool helps you quickly verify if your website images include alt text. Alt text improves website accessibility for visually impaired users and boosts search engine optimization (SEO). The tool automatically scans web pages, finds missing alt text descriptions, and generates a report to help you improve your site's inclusivity and user-friendliness.

(alttextgenerator.co)

Development website accessibility alt text

Google Offers Voluntary Exit Program for Platforms & Devices Team

2025-01-30

Google announced a voluntary exit program for US-based employees in its Platforms & Devices group, encompassing Android, Pixel, Fitbit, and more. This follows last year's merger of Pixel hardware and Android software teams. The program offers severance packages and aims to ensure remaining employees are fully committed to the company's mission and focused on efficient product development. It's not a company-wide layoff but rather a response to integration challenges and role adjustments following the merger.

(9to5google.com)

Tech restructuring

Linux 6.14 Kernel: KVM Virtualization Gets a Boost

2025-01-31

The upcoming Linux 6.14 kernel includes a significant number of updates to its Kernel-based Virtual Machine (KVM) subsystem. Improvements include removing redundant TLB flushes on AMD CPUs, an overhaul of the KVM x86 CPUID feature infrastructure for better vCPU capability tracking, continued work on Intel Trust Domain Extensions (TDX) VM support, refined VM-exit handling for improved VMX/SVM parity, and added Zabha, Svvptc, and Ziccrse extension support for RISC-V KVM guests. These changes promise enhanced performance and stability for virtual machines.

(www.phoronix.com)

Development

Musk-Linked Engineer Gains Full Control Over US Payment Systems: Treasury Officials in Panic

2025-02-04

Musk-Linked Engineer Gains Full Control Over US Payment Systems: Treasury Officials in Panic

A 25-year-old engineer with ties to Elon Musk has been granted full read-and-write access to the US Treasury Department's payment systems, sparking alarm among insiders. This access encompasses nearly all government payments, including Social Security and tax refunds, raising concerns about potential for irreversible changes or security breaches. Sources express worry about data leaks to Musk allies within the General Services Administration (GSA) and a lack of reporting channels. The incident highlights critical vulnerabilities in government IT systems and potential threats to crucial infrastructure.

(www.rawstory.com)

Tech Government IT

China's Xiangshan RISC-V Project Aims for 2025 Launch, Challenging Arm's Dominance

2025-01-08

China's Xiangshan RISC-V Project Aims for 2025 Launch, Challenging Arm's Dominance

The Xiangshan project, spearheaded by the Institute of Computing Technology at the Chinese Academy of Sciences, aims to develop high-performance chips using the open-source RISC-V instruction set architecture. Its third-generation chip, Kunminghu, is slated for a 2025 release, targeting performance comparable to Arm's Neoverse 2. Using the Mulan PSL-2.0 license, the designs will be fully open-source, posing a significant challenge to established players like Arm and reducing China's reliance on foreign technology. While the project has faced delays, its open-source nature and ambitious performance goals make it a compelling development to watch.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech Xiangshan Project Chip

Effective AI Code Suggestions: Less is More

2025-01-29

Effective AI Code Suggestions: Less is More

Qodo (formerly Codium) discovered a crucial lesson in using LLMs for code review with its AI-powered tool, Qodo Merge. Initially, prioritizing bug detection over style suggestions proved ineffective; the model got overwhelmed by the easier-to-find style issues, leading to suggestion fatigue among developers. The breakthrough came from simplifying the model's task: focusing solely on finding meaningful bugs and problems. This laser focus increased bug detection rates and the signal-to-noise ratio, resulting in a 50% jump in suggestion acceptance rates and an 11% increase in overall impact. The key takeaway: sometimes, eliminating distractions is more effective than complex prioritization.

(www.qodo.ai)

Development

Video Game History Foundation Launches Digital Library

2025-01-31

Video Game History Foundation Launches Digital Library

The Video Game History Foundation (VGHF) has launched its digital library, a treasure trove of historical video game materials. This includes scans of the 1999 E3 catalog and old PC Gamer magazines, even unearthing information on the obscure 3D racing game Pretzel Pete. Digitizing this information proved challenging, requiring the development of a custom text recognition tool to handle the complex layouts of 90s gaming magazines. While direct access to game ROMs is currently restricted by copyright, the VGHF continues to advocate for change.

(arstechnica.com)

Game

RCA: The Rise and Fall of a Roaring Twenties Tech Giant

2025-01-31

RCA was a household name in the 1920s, its stock price soaring 200-fold thanks to breakthroughs in radio broadcasting. However, after the 1929 crash and subsequent antitrust actions, RCA, despite a period of recovery, failed to find new avenues for growth. Ultimately, it was acquired by General Electric in 1986, ending its dramatic and ultimately short-lived reign. This article uses RCA's story as a case study to explore the rise and fall of technology companies, prompting reflection on the future of today's tech giants.

(globalfinancialdata.com)

Tech Stock Market

SQLite Page Explorer: A GUI for Peeking Inside Your Databases

2025-02-06

SQLite Page Explorer: A GUI for Peeking Inside Your Databases

A small GUI application, built with redbean, lets you explore your SQLite databases page by page, just as SQLite sees them. It's a single 6.5MB executable running natively on Windows, Linux, macOS, and more, offering insights into how indexes are stored, data compactness, and B-tree structures. While potential virus warnings exist due to the use of a polyglot executable, the project is trustworthy and offers a unique perspective for developers. It's a fun project that may be slow with larger databases.

(github.com)

Development

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of Book Blurbs

2025-02-05

The Rise and Fall (and Rise?) of Book Blurbs

This article delves into the controversial world of book blurbs—those quotes of praise adorning book covers. While acknowledging the time-consuming and often hyperbolic nature of blurbs, the author argues that they remain a crucial element in a crowded publishing landscape. Blurbs help readers filter through the massive number of books published, assist book reviewers and sellers in their choices, and ultimately contribute to a book's success, especially for lesser-known authors. The author suggests reforms to improve the blurb system, including limiting their number, avoiding blurbs for unsold manuscripts, and encouraging established authors to prioritize giving opportunities to newer voices.

(countercraft.substack.com)

Misc publishing industry book blurbs marketing strategies

Python Script Simplifies YouTube Video & Playlist Downloads

2025-01-28

Python Script Simplifies YouTube Video & Playlist Downloads

The Python script `Download-Simply-Videos-From-YouTube` makes downloading YouTube videos and playlists incredibly easy. It supports high-quality downloads, multiple formats, subtitles, and thumbnails, and automatically organizes files. Simply install Python and FFmpeg, run the script, and follow the prompts. Created by Pierre-Henry Soria, a software AI engineer passionate about automating content creation.

(github.com)

Development YouTube downloader video download

A Java JIT Compiler and Runtime in Common Lisp: OpenLDK

2025-02-06

A Java JIT Compiler and Runtime in Common Lisp: OpenLDK

OpenLDK is a Just-In-Time (JIT) compiler and runtime environment for Java, implemented entirely in Common Lisp. It bridges the gap between Java and Common Lisp by incrementally translating Java bytecode into Lisp, then compiling it into native machine code. This unique approach allows seamless mapping of Java classes to Common Lisp Object System (CLOS) classes, enabling effortless integration between Java and Common Lisp codebases. While not designed for high performance, OpenLDK offers a practical solution for integrating Java libraries into a Lisp workflow. Currently, it primarily supports Linux and SBCL, and is a work in progress with many features yet to be implemented, such as support for class files beyond Java 8 and bytecode verification.

(github.com)

Development

Showcasing Ruby on Rails Apps: We Use Rails

2025-01-10

Showcasing Ruby on Rails Apps: We Use Rails

We Use Rails is a platform showcasing web applications built with the Ruby on Rails framework. It features a diverse range of apps from startups to enterprises, spanning finance, gaming, e-commerce, and more. Developers can find inspiration, and businesses can explore Rails' capabilities. The platform offers free app submission and search, along with premium features for enhanced visibility.

(weuserails.com)

Development Web Applications

USB Gets a Much-Needed Logo Overhaul: Speed is King

2025-01-13

The USB Implementor Forum (USB-IF) has unveiled a new labeling scheme for USB docking stations and cables, aiming to simplify the confusing speed designations that plagued consumers. Previously, terms like "USB 3.2 Gen 2" were unhelpful. The new system clearly displays transfer speeds, such as "USB 80Gbps" or "USB 40Gbps." This clarity extends to USB4 and USB4v2, simplifying branding and removing the "USB4v2" designation. The updated logos also appear on cables, specifying data transfer rates and power delivery capabilities. This change promises a more user-friendly experience, making it easier for consumers to select appropriate USB devices and cables.

(www.pcworld.com)

Hardware Speed

CCL: A Minimalist Configuration Language Based on Category Theory

2025-01-11

The author presents CCL, a minimalist configuration language inspired by Category Theory. CCL's core is key-value pairs, eschewing complex features in favor of composability and extensibility. Clever use of whitespace and simple rules handle nested structures and comments, enabling powerful features like lists, comments, sections, and multiline strings while maintaining extreme simplicity. A unique fixed-point design elegantly solves key override conflicts. Leveraging monoids and monoid homomorphisms from Category Theory ensures correct and efficient configuration composition. CCL's code is concise, easily understood, and readily implemented, making it a valuable example of elegant software design.

(chshersh.com)

Development configuration language category theory

Virtual Pipes: A Simple and Efficient Method for Simulating Water Over Terrain

2025-02-06

Virtual Pipes: A Simple and Efficient Method for Simulating Water Over Terrain

This article introduces a simple and efficient method for simulating water flow over terrain in games – the virtual pipes method. Based on shallow water equations and using a staggered grid, this method treats water flow as columns connected by imaginary pipes. Water flow is accelerated based on water level differences, and outflow scaling prevents negative water amounts. The author details the three steps: flow acceleration, outflow scaling, and water column updating, providing code examples. This method is easy to understand, computationally efficient, and suitable for games requiring terrain modification and water simulation, such as city builders. While it has limitations such as lacking inertia and velocity diffusion, it's practical for most game scenarios.

(lisyarus.github.io)

Development water simulation

World's Largest Hydroelectric Dam Approved in Tibet

2025-01-05

World's Largest Hydroelectric Dam Approved in Tibet

China has approved the construction of the Yarlung Tsangpo Hydroelectric Project, set to become the world's largest hydropower dam complex. Located in Tibet near the India border, it's projected to generate nearly three times the electricity of the Three Gorges Dam, amounting to 300 TWh annually. While promising a significant boost to renewable energy, the project raises concerns about environmental impact, seismic risks in the region, and potential downstream effects on India.

(newatlas.com)

Tech Hydroelectric Dam Tibet Renewable Energy

Control Your iTerm from LLMs with iterm-mcp

2025-01-30

Control Your iTerm from LLMs with iterm-mcp

iterm-mcp is a Model Context Protocol (MCP) server providing LLM access to your iTerm session. It features efficient token usage by only reading the output the model needs; natural integration allowing LLMs to interact with iTerm, answering questions or performing tasks; and full terminal control with REPL support. Easy to install via npx and integrate with clients like Claude Desktop, it prioritizes simplicity. However, it lacks built-in safety restrictions, requiring users to monitor model activity and exercise caution.

(github.com)

Development

Four Reasons Why Zoom Meetings Are So Exhausting (and How to Fix It)

2025-01-09

Four Reasons Why Zoom Meetings Are So Exhausting (and How to Fix It)

Stanford researchers have identified four key causes of 'Zoom fatigue': excessive close-up eye contact, constantly seeing yourself on camera, restricted mobility, and increased cognitive load. Excessive eye contact and large face sizes create stress; constantly seeing yourself leads to self-criticism; limited movement and higher cognitive load exacerbate fatigue. Solutions include reducing Zoom window size, hiding self-view, increasing movement, and taking 'audio-only' breaks. A Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue (ZEF) scale is also being developed to measure the extent of Zoom fatigue.

(news.stanford.edu)

Tech Zoom fatigue video conferencing human-computer interaction

Elegant Parametric Speaker Cabinets: A 3D-Printed Odyssey

2025-01-28

Elegant Parametric Speaker Cabinets: A 3D-Printed Odyssey

This detailed post chronicles a multi-year journey designing and building fully parametric speaker cabinets using OpenSCAD. Inspired by the curves of Mission SX2 and Sony speakers, the author crafted an elegant design adaptable to various drivers and enclosure volumes. The build process, meticulously documented, covers 3D printing challenges (PLA curling, bed adhesion), assembly using clever screw-based clamping, and meticulous finishing to hide layer lines. The final product boasts exceptional sound quality and a professional finish, exceeding expectations for a DIY project.

(calbryant.uk)

Hardware speaker build

Kansas TB Outbreak: Largest in US History

2025-01-27

Kansas TB Outbreak: Largest in US History

Kansas is experiencing the largest tuberculosis (TB) outbreak in US history. As of January 17th, 66 active cases and 79 latent infections have been reported, primarily in the Kansas City metro area. While the outbreak is ongoing, health officials stress the risk to the general public is low. Active measures are underway to control the spread, including collaboration with the CDC and treatment for patients. After 10 days of medication and three negative sputum tests, active cases are generally no longer contagious.

(www.cjonline.com)

Tech Tuberculosis Outbreak Kansas

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