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Streaming Wars: Lost in the Content Jungle

2025-05-29

Streaming Wars: Lost in the Content Jungle

This article details the struggles of finding specific movies and TV shows in the age of streaming. The sheer volume of choices, coupled with poor user interfaces and ad-laden platforms, makes finding a particular film a Herculean task. Even avid moviegoers find themselves lost in a sea of endless titles. The author explores how technological advancements have paradoxically hindered art appreciation and calls for solutions, such as revisiting the theatrical experience or leveraging traditional methods like libraries to discover new films.

(www.salon.com)

Misc movie discovery

Amazon Hit with $2.5 Billion Penalty for Deceptive Prime Subscriptions

2025-09-25

Amazon Hit with $2.5 Billion Penalty for Deceptive Prime Subscriptions

The FTC has ordered Amazon to pay a record-breaking $2.5 billion – $1 billion civil penalty and $1.5 billion in refunds – for deceptively enrolling millions in Amazon Prime without consent and making cancellations difficult. The FTC alleged Amazon used manipulative user interfaces and deliberately complicated the cancellation process. This settlement marks a significant win for consumer protection and sets a precedent for combating deceptive subscription practices.

(www.ftc.gov)

Tech

Modernized Dockerfile Formatter: dockerfmt

2025-04-09

Modernized Dockerfile Formatter: dockerfmt

Introducing dockerfmt, a modernized Dockerfile formatter built on top of the buildkit parser. It offers improved support for RUN commands (though grouping and semicolons are not yet supported), basic inline comment support, and various command-line options for checking, writing, indentation, and newline handling. JS bindings are also provided for easy integration. While features like line wrapping for long JSON commands and the # escape=X directive are not yet implemented, dockerfmt provides a user-friendly and effective way to format your Dockerfiles.

(github.com)

Development formatter

The Unexpected Origins of the NYSE: Buttonwood, Tontines, and a Coffee House

2025-04-21

The Unexpected Origins of the NYSE: Buttonwood, Tontines, and a Coffee House

This article unveils the surprising history of the New York Stock Exchange. While the Buttonwood Agreement of 1792 laid the groundwork, the subsequent development hinges on the Tontine Coffee House. Funded by a unique annuity-like scheme called a tontine – a blend of retirement planning and lottery – the coffee house became a hub for early traders. Investors received dividends until death, with remaining funds increasing the payouts for survivors. This unusual financial instrument, combined with the coffee house's central role, ultimately led to the evolution of the modern NYSE. The story highlights the fascinating evolution of finance and the impact of an archaic financial tool on the modern financial system.

(tontinecoffeehouse.com)

Startup Financial History NYSE

From Audiobooks to Essays: A Writer's Journey

2025-04-16

From Audiobooks to Essays: A Writer's Journey

Starting with reflections on listening to the audiobook of Gabrielle Zevin's 'Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow,' the author delves into the relationship between audiobooks and traditional reading, and their own experiences in the creative process and recording audiobooks. The essay showcases personal reflections and, based on reader feedback, the author's decision to share more directly about life, writing, and opinions. The piece also promotes a podcast and writing workshop the author is involved with.

(newsandreviews.substack.com)

Misc audiobooks

Ghostwriter: An AI Assistant for the reMarkable 2

2025-02-08

Ghostwriter: An AI Assistant for the reMarkable 2

Ghostwriter is an AI assistant running on the reMarkable 2 that responds to handwritten or on-screen prompts using models like OpenAI, Anthropic, and Google Gemini, generating text or drawing responses. The developer iteratively improved handwriting recognition, image generation, and virtual keyboard functionality, adding support for various models and APIs. Ghostwriter currently offers text-assist and drawing modes, with ongoing development focusing on a robust evaluation system and expanded toolset for enhanced user experience.

(github.com)

Development

Conquering Insomnia: The Healing Power of Creation

2025-02-08

Conquering Insomnia: The Healing Power of Creation

The author, a former chronic insomniac, developed a series of quirky rules to combat his sleeplessness, even including avoiding the thought of a particular car air freshener. However, he ultimately discovered that the most effective method was to relinquish control over his sleep, allowing himself to create – writing, drawing, sculpting – whenever inspiration struck in the late hours. This creative process not only dispelled the anxiety of insomnia but also brought unexpected ease and satisfaction. The author encourages readers to try letting go of perfectionism and allow themselves to create, even if they're not good at it, to find healing and release.

(untested.sonnet.io)

Misc

Fudan University Achieves Breakthrough: 400-Picosecond Flash Memory

2025-04-20

Researchers at Fudan University have developed a groundbreaking 400-picosecond flash memory device, boasting a program speed of 25 billion times per second. This surpasses existing speed limits in information storage, achieving a record-breaking speed by leveraging two-dimensional Dirac band structure and ballistic transport characteristics for super-injection of charge. This technology promises significant applications in ultra-fast AI models, driving upgrades in storage technology and strengthening China's leadership in the field.

(www.fudan.edu.cn)

Tech Flash Memory Information Storage

Checking for Constant Expressions in C: A Macro Approach

2025-04-22

This article explores various methods for creating a C macro that detects if an expression is a constant expression. The author investigates several techniques, including C23's static compound literals, GNU extension `__builtin_constant_p`, `static_assert`, `sizeof` combined with compound literal arrays, `sizeof` with enum constants, and the comma operator. Each method has its pros and cons; C23 support is limited, `__builtin_constant_p` relies on GNU extensions, `static_assert` and `sizeof` methods might alter the expression's type, and the comma operator generates warnings. The author concludes that a perfect solution is elusive, and the best choice depends on specific needs and the C standard version.

(nrk.neocities.org)

Development Macro Constant Expression

Hidden Gems of Japan: Exploring the Country's Charming Small Towns

2025-04-14

Hidden Gems of Japan: Exploring the Country's Charming Small Towns

This article unveils a collection of captivating small towns across Japan, offering a refreshing escape from bustling city life. The author shares personal experiences in Ie Island (Okinawa), Kitsuki (Oita), Kotohira (Kagawa), Minoh (Osaka), Nakafurano (Hokkaido), Onomichi (Hiroshima), Tsuwano (Shimane), and Zao Onsen (Yamagata). Each town boasts unique charm, from stunning natural landscapes and preserved historical architecture to renowned onsen and local delicacies. The author recommends visiting during the shoulder seasons (May or October) for pleasant weather and fewer crowds, suggesting flexible travel plans to fully appreciate these hidden gems.

(japanstartshere.com)

Misc Japan Travel Small Towns Hidden Gems

LLMs are surprisingly good at generating CAD models

2025-04-23

Recent research demonstrates the surprising ability of Large Language Models (LLMs) to generate CAD models for simple 3D mechanical parts, with performance rapidly improving. An engineer combined an LLM with the open-source programmatic CAD tool OpenSCAD, successfully generating models like an iPhone case using natural language prompts. A subsequent evaluation framework, CadEval, tested various LLMs' CAD generation capabilities, revealing that reasoning models significantly outperform their non-reasoning counterparts. Startups are also entering the text-to-CAD space, but their performance currently lags behind the LLM-OpenSCAD approach. Future advancements in LLMs and related technologies promise widespread adoption of text-to-CAD in mechanical engineering, ultimately automating and intelligently enhancing CAD design.

(willpatrick.xyz)

AI CAD Modeling

Microsoft's Mandatory RTO: A Management Fail?

2025-09-25

Microsoft's Mandatory RTO: A Management Fail?

Microsoft's announcement of a mandatory return-to-office (RTO) policy for employees within 50 miles of its Redmond headquarters, starting February 2026, has sparked controversy. While the company denies it's a cost-cutting measure, many see it as a symptom of poor management, ignoring the success of remote work and employee well-being. The article criticizes the motivations behind the decision, suggesting it stems from distrust, misconceptions about remote work efficiency, and a desire for control. Mandatory RTO imposes additional burdens on employees (commute, childcare, etc.), negatively impacts mental health, and could lead to the loss of valuable employees.

(wordsrightman.beehiiv.com)

Tech

The Bundler Trademark Dispute: A Fight for Community Ownership

2025-09-25

For 15 years, the author has maintained Bundler, the Ruby dependency manager. From initial involvement to founding Ruby Together to fund maintenance, and finally a merger dispute with Ruby Central, the author registered the Bundler trademark to protect the community's interests. He pledges to transfer the trademark to an organization accountable to maintainers and the community, ensuring Bundler truly belongs to the Ruby community.

(andre.arko.net)

Development

Happy 30th Birthday, Java! A Conversation with James Gosling

2025-05-16

Happy 30th Birthday, Java! A Conversation with James Gosling

Java turns 30! This article celebrates the language's legacy and delves into the fascinating life of its creator, James Gosling. From a resourceful Canadian teen building computers from salvaged parts to a pioneering programmer at Sun Microsystems, Gosling's journey is full of anecdotes. He recounts legendary April Fool's pranks at Sun, while reflecting on Java's evolution and his current skepticism towards the overhyped AI revolution. Gosling emphasizes the continued importance of programming skills and the enduring relevance of Java in a rapidly changing tech landscape.

(thenewstack.io)

Development

Nanoplastics: The Invisible Killer from 75 Years of Plastic

2025-04-11

A new study published in Nature Communications reveals the molecular mechanism behind the massive production of nanoplastics. The research shows that the strength and durability of plastics are intrinsically linked to their propensity to form nanoplastics. Within the crystalline and amorphous layers of plastics, the amorphous layers are more susceptible to environmental degradation and breakage, leading to the fracturing of the hard crystalline layers and the formation of persistent and highly damaging nano- and microplastics. This discovery explains the widespread and persistent nature of plastic pollution over the past 75 years and its potential impact on human health.

(www.sciencedaily.com)

Tech nanoplastics environmental science

GiveCampus Hiring Senior Software Engineer (Remote)

2025-04-22

GiveCampus Hiring Senior Software Engineer (Remote)

GiveCampus, a leading fundraising platform for non-profit educational institutions, is hiring a Senior Software Engineer. Backed by Y Combinator and boasting six years of profitability and impressive growth, GiveCampus offers a remote-first opportunity with competitive compensation and benefits. The ideal candidate will have 8+ years of full-stack experience, proficiency in Ruby, Python, or Javascript/Node.js, familiarity with various databases and frameworks, and excellent teamwork skills. The role involves working on large-scale projects and contributing significantly to the platform's future.

(givecampus.breezy.hr)

Development

Transparency Isn't Enough: The Failure of Prop 65 and Privacy Policies

2025-04-19

Cory Doctorow critiques the ineffectiveness of California's Prop 65 and lengthy privacy policies, arguing that mere "transparency" is insufficient to protect consumer rights. He contends that instead of relying on consumers to assess the risk of carcinogens in products, stronger regulations should compel companies to minimize risks. Similarly, lengthy privacy policies are useless; real protection requires stricter privacy laws, not user comprehension of incomprehensible terms. Using his blog's humorous privacy policy as an example, he satirizes the absurdity of the current system and calls for stronger regulatory measures, such as adopting Stanford's Mark Lemley's proposed "default rules", to safeguard consumers.

(pluralistic.net)

Misc privacy policies

Bluesky Launches Blue Check Verification to Boost Trust

2025-04-21

Bluesky Launches Blue Check Verification to Boost Trust

To enhance user trust, decentralized social media platform Bluesky has introduced a new account verification system. This system features two types of blue checkmarks: a standard blue check issued proactively by Bluesky for notable and authentic accounts, and a scalloped blue check issued by trusted verifiers such as The New York Times. Users can see the source of verification and choose to hide all verification marks. Bluesky is not currently accepting direct applications for verification, but will open an application process in the future.

(bsky.social)

Tech account verification trust mechanism

Killing in Combat: Context Matters More Than the Act Itself

2025-04-18

Killing in Combat: Context Matters More Than the Act Itself

A large-scale study of Norwegian soldiers challenges the common belief that killing inevitably harms a soldier's mental health. Researchers compared two groups: soldiers deployed to Afghanistan on combat missions and those serving as peacekeepers in Lebanon. The study found that peacekeepers who had killed someone exhibited higher rates of PTSD, depression, anxiety, and alcohol use, and lower quality of life, compared to those who hadn't. However, no such difference was found among the combat soldiers. The study concludes that the context surrounding killing, rather than the act itself, significantly impacts mental wellbeing. The difference likely stems from the distinct mission objectives and rules of engagement between combat and peacekeeping operations. The findings highlight the need for context-specific psychological support and training for soldiers to minimize potential psychological harm.

(www.bps.org.uk)

Misc war trauma soldier psychology

A Curious Adventure in Implementing RNG and Cosine in Purely Functional Nix

2025-04-15

A Curious Adventure in Implementing RNG and Cosine in Purely Functional Nix

This post details the author's experience implementing a random number generator and a cosine function within NixOS, a Linux distribution built on the Nix language. The purely functional nature of Nix presents challenges when working with system randomness and standard mathematical functions. The author explores various approaches, including using Nix's `runCommandLocal` and custom infinite list implementations, ultimately overcoming caching and function-call quirks to achieve the goal. The journey highlights Nix's flexibility and power, but also exposes some limitations of its features.

(unnamed.website)

Development

Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby/Go, Kubernetes) - Remote

2025-04-24

Senior Backend Engineer (Ruby/Go, Kubernetes) - Remote

A mobile attribution company is seeking a Senior Backend Engineer experienced with Ruby (Rails/Sinatra) and Go, and proficient in Kubernetes. The ideal candidate will have a strong background in building and maintaining high-throughput distributed systems. Remote work, collaborative team, and focus on data-driven mobile marketing decisions.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development

California Running Out of License Plate Numbers; New System Incoming

2025-04-23

California Running Out of License Plate Numbers; New System Incoming

California is projected to exhaust its current license plate number system by the end of 2025. The existing 1-3-3 format (one number, three letters, three numbers), in use since 1980, will be replaced. The California DMV has announced a new 3-3-1 format (three numbers, three letters, one number), with plates like 000AAA1 anticipated. The last plate of the old system, likely 9ZZZ999, will become a collector's item, as will the first plate of the new system. A redesign of the plate itself may also accompany the change.

(www.thedrive.com)

Misc license plates DMV

How Cursor Got the Best Tab-Completion Model

2025-05-08

How Cursor Got the Best Tab-Completion Model

Cursor's code completion initially lagged behind Supermaven's Babble model, which boasted a massive context window and superior speed and accuracy thanks to its innovative edit-sequence-based training. However, Cursor acquired Supermaven, gaining Babble and leveraging its massive user data to solidify its leading position in code completion. This acquisition highlights the importance of AI model training methodologies and the crucial role of data scale in model performance.

(www.coplay.dev)

Development data advantage

LLMs Show Gender Bias in Job Candidate Selection

2025-05-20

LLMs Show Gender Bias in Job Candidate Selection

A study involving 22 leading Large Language Models (LLMs) reveals a consistent bias towards female candidates in job selection tasks. Even with identical resumes except for gendered names, LLMs favored female candidates across 70 professions. This bias persisted even when gender was explicitly stated or masked with neutral labels. The study highlights the presence of gender bias in LLMs and raises concerns about their use in high-stakes decision-making like hiring, emphasizing the need for thorough model scrutiny before deployment.

(davidrozado.substack.com)

AI

Typographic Portrait: A Finnish Printer's Remarkable Feat

2025-04-16

Typographic Portrait: A Finnish Printer's Remarkable Feat

In 1937, Finnish typographer Valto Malmiola painstakingly crafted a portrait of Jean Sibelius using tens of thousands of pieces of brass rule and spacing material. This wasn't simple printing; Malmiola treated the type as pixels, arranging them with incredible precision to create grayscale effects. The article details Malmiola's process, his inspirations from international trends and personal experiences, and explores his work's place in both contemporary and modern art. The article also addresses the controversial fact that Malmiola was a Nazi sympathizer.

(blog.glyphdrawing.club)

Design

North Korean Hackers Infiltrate Fortune 500 Companies

2025-04-08

North Korean Hackers Infiltrate Fortune 500 Companies

Thousands of North Korean citizens, posing as American software engineers using stolen or fake identities, have infiltrated Fortune 500 companies. They funnel their salaries to Kim Jong Un's regime, funding prohibited weapons programs. The scam has generated hundreds of millions annually since 2018. Harrison Leggio, founder of a crypto startup, estimates 95% of applicants are North Korean imposters. He now asks candidates to speak negatively about Kim Jong Un to weed out the fakes. Experts warn AI is making the scheme more sophisticated, with predicted expansion into Europe and Asia in 2025. The US government is fighting back, but the threat remains significant, jeopardizing national and corporate security.

(www.yahoo.com)

Tech Identity Fraud

Strange Traffic on IXPs: An Admin's Observations

2025-09-25

Strange Traffic on IXPs: An Admin's Observations

The author, operating one of the largest IXP networks on the internet, uses bgp.tools to monitor and reveal a surprising amount of unexpected traffic on IXPs. This includes various routing protocols (OSPF, IS-IS, RIP), auto-addressing protocols (DHCP, IPv6 RA), and vendor-specific protocols (LLDP, CDP, MNDP), all posing security risks like information disclosure and traffic hijacking, even causing outages. The author also highlights bizarre traffic like home networking protocols (UPnP), printer discovery protocols (MDNS), and erroneous broadcast DNS queries stemming from misconfigurations. The author calls for increased traffic monitoring and access controls on IXPs to enhance network security.

(blog.benjojo.co.uk)

Tech traffic monitoring

China's Display Dominance: 75% Global Capacity Share Projected by 2028

2025-08-26

Counterpoint Research's latest report projects China to control a staggering 75% of global display capacity by 2028, solidifying its dominance. The report forecasts a 4% CAGR for China's capacity, while South Korea, Taiwan, and Japan are expected to see declines. LCD TV/IT will remain the leading application, but OLED mobile/IT is poised for the fastest growth. While BOE will maintain its lead, its growth will slow; Tianma is predicted to be a major disruptor with strong growth from TM18 and TM19.

(display.counterpointresearch.com)

Tech display panels

AI Coding Assistants: Productivity Boost or Skill Atrophy?

2025-04-25

AI Coding Assistants: Productivity Boost or Skill Atrophy?

The rise of AI assistants in coding presents a paradox: increased productivity, but also the risk of skill atrophy through disuse. Research shows over-reliance on AI diminishes critical thinking and problem-solving abilities. This article explores the benefits and drawbacks of AI-assisted coding, suggesting developers adopt "AI hygiene" practices – verifying AI output, regularly coding without AI, etc. – to maintain sharp skills and avoid becoming overly dependent on AI, ultimately aiming to become truly skilled engineers.

(addyo.substack.com)

Development skill atrophy

Mind-blowing! These Unexpected Things Are Turing-Complete!

2025-04-27

From C++ templates to Magic: The Gathering, even PowerPoint—this article reveals a surprising array of seemingly simple systems that are, in fact, Turing-complete. The examples range from programming languages and hardware instruction sets to game mechanics and even image compression, showcasing the surprising ubiquity of Turing completeness and its unexpected applications. Some examples even leverage bugs or vulnerabilities to achieve unexpected computational power. Prepare to be amazed!

(beza1e1.tuxen.de)

Development

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