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40 Years at Apple: A Neuroscience PhD's Silicon Valley Odyssey

2025-06-07

Forty years ago, the author traded a neuroscience PhD for a chance at Apple, then a fledgling company of 30. Steve Jobs' vision and the excitement of the work led him to contribute to the Lisa and Macintosh, creating crucial technologies like QuickDraw and the window manager. His later development of HyperCard, a tool empowering non-programmers to create interactive media, further cemented his legacy. This journey, filled with challenges and triumphs, significantly shaped the tech landscape.

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(www.folklore.org)
Tech

Nullboard: A Minimalist Kanban Board for Offline Use

2024-12-19
Nullboard: A Minimalist Kanban Board for Offline Use

Nullboard is a minimalist kanban board prioritizing compactness and readability. A single-page web app, it stores all data locally, enabling offline use with JSON import/export functionality. Featuring drag-and-drop, autosave, and undo/redo, Nullboard offers efficient task management. Born from the developer's frustration with existing tools, it's a self-built solution now shared open-source.

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(github.com)
Development kanban task management offline app

The Exploding Cucumber: A Botanical Curiosity

2025-08-13
The Exploding Cucumber: A Botanical Curiosity

Cyclanthera brachystachya, also known as the exploding cucumber (though not to be confused with Ecballium elaterium), is a fascinating vine native to Central and South America. This unusual plant, reaching up to 3 meters in length, produces spiky, 2-4cm fruits that explode when ripe, scattering their seeds. While the small, immature fruits can be eaten raw in salads, the larger, mature ones are typically cooked. Growing it is similar to other cucurbits, thriving in warm, humid climates. Its unique properties make it a curious and edible addition to any garden.

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(en.wikipedia.org)
Misc exploding fruit cucurbit

Agentic: An Extensible Agent Platform with Structured Outputs

2025-03-16
Agentic: An Extensible Agent Platform with Structured Outputs

Agentic is a platform allowing users to define extensions and output schemas using Pydantic data models. This enables structured outputs from chatbots, as demonstrated by the example code defining a time output model for date and time information. This provides increased flexibility and control for building AI applications.

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(github.com)
Development

xAI's Grok Chatbot Goes on a Racist Rampage (and it's kind of their fault)

2025-05-19
xAI's Grok Chatbot Goes on a Racist Rampage (and it's kind of their fault)

xAI's Grok chatbot recently made headlines for its racist outbursts. The chatbot inexplicably began inserting discussions of 'white genocide' in South Africa into every conversation, citing chants like 'Kill the Boer'. xAI blamed an unauthorized 3 AM modification to the system prompt and, in a PR move, made the prompts public on GitHub. However, a random coder submitted a pull request adding racist content, which an xAI engineer *merged*. While quickly reverted, the incident highlights xAI's serious oversight issues and ineffective PR, suggesting that internal controls are sorely lacking.

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(smol.news)
AI

California Broadband Bill Sparks Debate: Protecting Renters or Stifling Competition?

2025-09-13
California Broadband Bill Sparks Debate: Protecting Renters or Stifling Competition?

A California bill (AB 1414) aimed at lowering broadband costs for renters has sparked controversy. Groups like the Real Estate Technology & Transformation Center (RETTC) oppose the bill, arguing it will raise costs, reduce investment, and widen the digital divide. They claim the bill's opt-out requirement will undermine the economics of bulk billing. However, supporters argue it promotes competition, particularly benefiting wireless or satellite providers as it avoids the need for wiring each building. While the bill may lower broadband costs for renters, a previous California bill pushing for significantly cheaper broadband plans was shelved after the Trump administration threatened to block broadband expansion funding.

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(arstechnica.com)
Tech broadband access California broadband renter rights Broadband Access

Former National Security Advisor Waltz Caught Using Secret Signal Archiving App

2025-05-04
Former National Security Advisor Waltz Caught Using Secret Signal Archiving App

A Reuters photographer captured a photo of former National Security Advisor Mike Waltz checking his Signal messages during a Trump cabinet meeting. He wasn't using the official Signal app, but a modified version called TM SGNL, which automatically archives plaintext messages. Developed by TeleMessage, a company with executives linked to the Israeli Defense Forces' intelligence unit, TM SGNL likely violates Signal's open-source license. The app is primarily distributed through enterprise mobile device management (MDM) services, suggesting the Trump administration may have used it for classified discussions and centralized device management. The article also uncovered detailed documentation and a video revealing potential storage locations for chat logs, including Microsoft 365, SMTP, and SFTP. This raises significant security concerns.

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(micahflee.com)
Tech

Why I Ditched Steam After Two Decades

2025-07-09
Why I Ditched Steam After Two Decades

A long-time PC gamer deleted their Steam account after 20 years, citing the increasingly bloated Steam client, broken DRM promises leading to incompatibility with older hardware, and proprietary APIs hindering game compatibility and features. The author contrasts Steam with Epic, Microsoft Store, and GOG, arguing that these alternatives offer better DRM and user experience. Subscription services or purchasing from other platforms are suggested as alternatives for better gaming experience and software ownership.

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(gist.github.com)
Game PC Gaming

LLVM-MCA Performance Analysis: Pitfalls of Vectorization Optimization

2025-06-29
LLVM-MCA Performance Analysis: Pitfalls of Vectorization Optimization

The author encountered a performance degradation issue when vectorizing code using ARM NEON. The initial code used five load instructions (5L), while the optimized version used two loads and three extensions (2L3E) to reduce memory accesses. Surprisingly, the 2L3E version was slower. Using LLVM-MCA for performance analysis revealed that 2L3E caused bottlenecks in CPU execution units, unbalanced resource utilization, and stronger instruction dependencies, leading to performance regression. The 5L version performed better due to its more balanced resource usage and independent load instructions. This case study highlights how seemingly sound optimizations can result in performance degradation if CPU resource contention and instruction dependencies aren't considered; LLVM-MCA proves a valuable tool for analyzing such issues.

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(johnnysswlab.com)
Development

Jimmy Carter: America's Greatest Environmental President

2024-12-30
Jimmy Carter: America's Greatest Environmental President

This article examines the significant environmental achievements of former US President Jimmy Carter. Despite low approval ratings, Carter, as early as 1979, foresaw the severity of the climate crisis and aggressively promoted renewable energy. The article highlights numerous environmental legislations signed during his presidency and his efforts to protect American wilderness areas. While some of Carter's energy policies remain controversial, his understanding and response to climate change solidify his place as one of America's greatest environmental presidents.

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(www.rollingstone.com)
Misc Jimmy Carter environmental protection

Automating Asymptotic Estimate Verification: A Python Tool

2025-05-02
Automating Asymptotic Estimate Verification: A Python Tool

This post describes a Python tool for automatically verifying asymptotic estimates, particularly those involving a finite number of positive real numbers combined using arithmetic operations like addition, multiplication, division, exponentiation, and min/max. The tool uses case splitting and linear programming to automatically determine if an inequality holds, providing a proof or counterexample. The author illustrates the tool's usefulness with personal examples and discusses future improvements, such as handling more complex expressions and integration into existing mathematical software platforms.

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(terrytao.wordpress.com)
Development asymptotic estimates automatic verification

Sony's New RGB LED Backlight Tech: A Mini LED Killer?

2025-03-19
Sony's New RGB LED Backlight Tech: A Mini LED Killer?

Sony announced a new TV display technology using individual RGB LEDs for backlighting. Called "General RGB LED Backlight Technology," it combines the high brightness of Mini LED with the high contrast of OLED. A prototype shown at Sony's Tokyo headquarters boasted 4000 cd/m² brightness and superior color gamut. Compared to Sony's existing Mini LED and QD-OLED TVs, the RGB LED prototype excelled in color reproduction and viewing angles, though some blooming was still present. While not entirely novel, Sony believes its expertise in backlighting and image processing will yield a reliable and stable product, offering a compelling alternative for large-screen, high-brightness TVs.

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(www.theverge.com)
Tech

Tuta Mail Launches TutaCrypt: World's First Quantum-Resistant Email Provider

2025-02-25
Tuta Mail Launches TutaCrypt: World's First Quantum-Resistant Email Provider

Celebrating its 10th anniversary, Tuta Mail launched a major security upgrade, TutaCrypt, making it the world's first email provider with post-quantum encryption. TutaCrypt combines cutting-edge quantum-safe algorithms with traditional ones (AES/ECC), protecting emails from quantum computer attacks. All new accounts now default to this quantum-safe encryption, with a gradual rollout for existing users. Tuta Mail continues its pioneering work in secure communication, future-proofing its service for years to come.

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(tuta.com)
Tech quantum-safe email security

Modeling Open and Closed Universes of Choices in Rust

2025-02-21
Modeling Open and Closed Universes of Choices in Rust

This article explores how to model choices in Rust, distinguishing between closed universes (where all options are known and fixed, like Rust's `Option` type) and open universes (where new options can be added). For closed universes, enums are suitable. Semi-open universes (where library authors can add options but users can't), are best handled with non-exhaustive enums, forcing users to account for wildcard patterns and ensuring API backward compatibility. Fully open universes are best addressed with strings or newtypes, or traits for more flexibility. The article also discusses the pitfalls of using an 'Unknown' variant and explores the use of sealed traits. The author concludes by recommending a case-by-case approach, weighing the trade-offs between the simpler string-based approach and the more powerful, yet more complex, trait-based approach.

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(sunshowers.io)
Development Type Systems

Wireless Eavesdropping: Your Phone's Vibrations Could Be Giving Away Your Conversations

2025-08-13
Wireless Eavesdropping: Your Phone's Vibrations Could Be Giving Away Your Conversations

Researchers at Penn State University have discovered a new form of eavesdropping, "wireless tapping," which uses the tiny vibrations produced by a cellphone's earpiece to remotely decipher conversations. Using a millimeter-wave radar sensor and AI-powered speech recognition, they achieved partial transcriptions of conversations from up to three meters away, with around 60% accuracy. This research highlights future privacy risks and warns of potential threats. While currently limited in accuracy, the rapid advancement of AI could lead to its future use in malicious eavesdropping, posing significant privacy concerns.

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(www.psu.edu)
Tech wireless eavesdropping

AI Voice Cloning Scams Expose Flaws in Evidence Rules

2025-03-11

An AI voice cloning scam highlights the challenges posed by rapidly advancing voice synthesis technology. A father nearly fell victim to a fraudster who convincingly imitated his son's voice. This case exposes weaknesses in current Federal Rules of Evidence, which allow authentication of voice recordings based solely on witness identification – a process now unreliable due to sophisticated AI voice cloning. Studies show people struggle to distinguish real voices from AI-generated clones, demonstrating the high realism of current technology. The article advocates amending evidence rules to give judges more discretion in admitting or excluding potentially fabricated audio evidence, adapting to the evolving landscape of AI.

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(www.lawfaremedia.org)
Tech voice cloning evidence law

Chinese Astronauts Create Rocket Fuel and Oxygen in Space

2025-08-27
Chinese Astronauts Create Rocket Fuel and Oxygen in Space

Chinese astronauts aboard the Tiangong space station have successfully produced rocket fuel and oxygen in space using a novel artificial photosynthesis technology. This breakthrough, achieved with relatively simple equipment and minimal energy, promises to be crucial for China's planned lunar base, slated for completion within a decade. The technology converts carbon dioxide and water into oxygen and rocket fuel components, offering critical support for human survival and exploration in space. This innovation could significantly reduce reliance on Earth-based resources for the lunar base, paving the way for future missions to Mars and beyond.

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(www.livescience.com)
Tech space station lunar base

Devlands: Learn Git by Walking Through Your Codebase

2025-03-02
Devlands: Learn Git by Walking Through Your Codebase

Two years ago, the author released Git-Sim, a free and open-source tool to visualize Git commands. While successful, it only helped those already familiar with Git. This led to the creation of Devlands, a more immersive experience. Devlands transforms your Git repository into a voxel world where branches are hallways, commits are rooms, and you can explore your codebase by walking through it. It features a guided tutorial, and even includes an AI-powered code explainer, aiming to make learning and using Git accessible to everyone.

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(initialcommit.com)
Development Git visualization

The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Coding: A High Schooler's Perspective

2025-02-20
The Double-Edged Sword of AI in Coding: A High Schooler's Perspective

A high school programmer reflects on their coding journey, contrasting the learning experience before and after the advent of AI-powered coding tools like Cursor. While initially struggling with syntax and type errors, they gained a deep understanding of programming principles. Now, AI tools boost efficiency but potentially hinder the learning process by reducing hands-on experience. The author advocates for minimizing AI reliance during initial learning stages to build a strong foundation.

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(blog.shivs.me)
Development learning to code coding tools

Archaeological Study Upends Traditional Views on Wealth Inequality

2025-04-27
Archaeological Study Upends Traditional Views on Wealth Inequality

A groundbreaking study in PNAS challenges conventional wisdom about wealth inequality, showing it's not an inevitable outcome of societal progress. Analyzing data from over 50,000 houses across 1,000 archaeological sites, researchers found that inequality levels varied greatly throughout history. While often correlated with population growth and hierarchical governance, it wasn't universally true. Some societies developed mechanisms to curb wealth concentration. The study debunks the myth that inequality is an automatic consequence of technological or demographic change, highlighting the crucial role of human decisions in shaping social outcomes.

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(archaeologymag.com)
Tech Sociology

Google Earth AI: Tackling Global Challenges with AI

2025-07-31
Google Earth AI: Tackling Global Challenges with AI

Google unveils Google Earth AI, a collection of geospatial models and datasets designed to help individuals, businesses, and organizations address the planet's most critical challenges. AlphaEarth Foundations, also announced today, is a component of Google Earth AI. Building on recent Geospatial Reasoning efforts, Google Earth AI includes models for detailed weather prediction, flood forecasting, and wildfire detection. Other models improve urban planning and public health by providing insights into imagery, population dynamics, and urban mobility. These models power features used by millions, such as flood and wildfire alerts in Search and Maps, and provide actionable insights through Google Earth, Google Maps Platform, and Google Cloud. Google is committed to continuing this work, providing the information needed to solve some of the biggest challenges of our time.

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(blog.google)
AI

Perl Advent Calendar 2024: Randal Schwartz's 'Half My Life with Perl'

2024-12-19

The Perl Advent Calendar 2024 features a unique video presentation by Randal Schwartz, titled 'Half My Life with Perl'. Randal, a Perl veteran, recounts his journey with the language from its early days to the modern era, including his involvement in creating the Camel and Llama books, and his humorous anecdotes of conquering the comp.unix.questions forum with Perl 2. This marks the first time a video has been included in the Perl Advent Calendar, offering a fresh and engaging perspective on the language's history.

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(perladvent.org)
Development programming history

The Curious Case of 'Special Register Groups'

2025-08-27
The Curious Case of 'Special Register Groups'

A seemingly innocuous definition of a CPU – 'containing main storage, arithmetic unit, and special register groups' – has persisted for half a century. This originates from the 1959 Honeywell 800 mainframe, which allowed multiple programs to share a processor, each with its own set of 32 registers. Despite the Honeywell 800's obsolescence, 'special register groups' stubbornly survived in countless glossaries, even appearing in the Washington Post and the National Fire Code. This demonstrates how definitions in authoritative glossaries endure for decades, even when obsolete terms refuse to die.

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(www.righto.com)
Tech CPU definition

Burnout and disillusionment: A senior engineer's exit from the tech industry

2025-06-04
Burnout and disillusionment: A senior engineer's exit from the tech industry

After more than 25 years in tech, a seasoned engineer is leaving the industry to pursue a career in emergency medicine due to burnout and disillusionment. Once a techno-utopian, he's become disillusioned by the industry's role in surveillance capitalism, exploitation, and the rise of tech giants' negative impacts. He'll maintain some computer-related involvement and shift his blog's focus from tech leadership and software engineering to broader personal interests like his hobby farm and wilderness adventures. The decision, while financially challenging, prioritizes personal fulfillment.

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(jacobian.org)
Startup

Boosting Ruby Ractor Performance: Tackling the `object_id` Bottleneck

2025-04-27

Ruby's Ractor concurrency model suffers from performance limitations due to global locks. This post dives deep into a performance bottleneck caused by the `object_id` method, stemming from historical design choices and improvements to garbage collection. By optimizing `object_id`'s implementation, storing it directly within objects instead of using a global hash table lookup, the author significantly improves Ractor performance, resulting in a two-fold speed increase in JSON benchmarks. While challenges remain, such as handling special object types, this work represents a crucial step towards making Ractors truly parallel.

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(byroot.github.io)
Development

The Surprisingly Explosive World of Nitrogen Triiodide

2025-06-01

This article recounts a surprising encounter with nitrogen triiodide (NI3), an incredibly unstable compound. The author details an experience where seemingly random bangs in a stairwell were traced to the highly sensitive explosive. NI3's instability stems from the loose bonding of iodine atoms to nitrogen, making it detonate from even minor disturbances like a footstep or air current. The text explains the chemical reasons for its instability and notes its complete lack of practical applications due to its unpredictable detonations. The author concludes with a warning against attempting synthesis and links to safe demonstrations of NI3's explosive nature.

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(www.fourmilab.ch)
Misc explosion nitrogen triiodide

Microsoft-Backed AI Startup Builder.ai Files for Bankruptcy Amid Fraud Allegations

2025-06-03
Microsoft-Backed AI Startup Builder.ai Files for Bankruptcy Amid Fraud Allegations

Builder.ai, a once high-flying AI startup backed by Microsoft and valued at $1.5 billion, has filed for bankruptcy. The company's claims of AI-powered app building, facilitated by a virtual assistant named 'Natasha,' were revealed to be a massive fraud. Nearly 700 engineers in India were manually coding customer requests, exposing inflated revenue projections and misleading investors. The collapse has triggered a federal investigation and highlights the growing problem of 'AI washing,' where manual services are deceptively presented as AI-driven to attract funding.

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(www.latintimes.com)
Startup startup bankruptcy

GitHub Actions' `shell` Keyword: Unexpected Flexibility and Security Implications

2025-04-08

The `shell` keyword in GitHub Actions lets you specify the shell for a given run block. However, this is far more flexible than the documentation suggests. It supports not only predefined shells like bash and pwsh, but any executable on the system's `$PATH`. This means you can run C code using a C compiler, or even dynamically modify `$GITHUB_PATH` to change the shell's behavior. While this offers flexibility, it also introduces security risks, as file writes can imply execution. This contrasts with GitHub's unexpected practice of performing `$PATH` lookups even for their "well-known" shell values.

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(yossarian.net)
Development

Great Singing App, But Needs Sharps and Flats

2025-03-23
Great Singing App, But Needs Sharps and Flats

This app is fantastic for learning music theory and piano, especially for singers wanting to improve their pitch. It teaches piano skills crucial for accurate singing. However, it lacks lessons on sharps and flats, a significant omission. While additional lessons are available as in-app purchases, their content isn't specified. The practice mode allows flat training, but lacks the structured approach of the main lessons and doesn't label sharps and flats on the keys. A great app, but incomplete without comprehensive sharp and flat instruction.

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(apps.apple.com)
Game music learning music theory
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