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Advanced Zig Unit Testing Debugging: Combining Print Debugging and the Debugger

2025-08-07

This article presents techniques to enhance Zig unit test debugging, combining print debugging and the debugger. The author first addresses the issue of verbose print debugging output by using `errdefer` to print only when a test fails, reducing clutter. Then, the `build.zig` script is leveraged to run the debugger during the build process, simplifying debugging of test binaries. Finally, conditional compilation, combined with the build option `-Ddebugger`, allows enabling debugger breakpoints only when needed, avoiding debugger interference during normal test runs. This approach significantly improves Zig unit test debugging efficiency.

(glfmn.io)

Development

Unofficial Discord Client for Windows 2000 and Beyond

2025-02-06

Unofficial Discord Client for Windows 2000 and Beyond

Discord Messenger is an unofficial Discord client surprisingly compatible with Windows 2000 and later. This open-source project, licensed under MIT, is a beta and carries the risk of violating Discord's ToS. While it boasts core features like messaging, attachment handling, and emoji support, building it requires technical skills. The project supports MinGW and Visual Studio builds and necessitates compiling or acquiring an OpenSSL library.

(github.com)

Development

FastHTML Best Practices: Streamlining Web Development

2025-06-05

FastHTML differs significantly from frameworks like FastAPI/React. Its best practices emphasize conciseness and efficiency, leveraging smart defaults to minimize code. This article highlights several key FastHTML best practices: simplifying database table creation with `db.create()`; using function names as route names; preferring query parameters over path parameters; utilizing return values for functional chaining; employing the `.to()` method for URL generation; leveraging PicoCSS's automatic styling; and adopting functional programming patterns. These techniques result in cleaner, more readable, and maintainable FastHTML applications.

(www.fastht.ml)

Development

NetChoice Sues Maryland Over Child Online Protection Law

2025-02-03

NetChoice Sues Maryland Over Child Online Protection Law

NetChoice has filed its tenth lawsuit challenging state internet regulations, this time targeting a Maryland law designed to protect children from harmful online content. NetChoice argues the law is an unconstitutional speech restriction, pointing to Maryland's existing online privacy laws. Building on previous Supreme Court victories establishing content moderation as First Amendment protected, NetChoice challenges a reporting requirement mandating platforms report their services' impact on children. They contend this allows subjective determination of 'best interests of children', leading to discriminatory enforcement. NetChoice maintains that even well-intentioned child safety measures can backfire, potentially creating data vulnerabilities. The lawsuit highlights the ongoing tension between online safety and free speech.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech

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.

(www.rollingstone.com)

Misc Jimmy Carter environmental protection

Sudoku: An Elegant Interplay of Graph Theory and Abstract Algebra

2025-04-13

Sudoku: An Elegant Interplay of Graph Theory and Abstract Algebra

The seemingly simple game of Sudoku hides deep mathematical principles. This article explores two approaches to solving Sudoku puzzles: graph theory and abstract algebra. The graph theory approach transforms the Sudoku grid into a graph, using vertex coloring algorithms to find solutions. The algebraic approach converts Sudoku rules into a system of polynomial equations, using Gröbner bases to find solutions. Both methods showcase the beauty of mathematics and offer novel approaches to solving Sudoku.

(chalkdustmagazine.com)

Misc

Apple's Password Monitoring Service: A 40% Performance Boost with Swift

2025-06-03

Apple's migration of its Password Monitoring service from Java to Swift resulted in a significant performance improvement. The new Swift-based service handles billions of daily requests, boasting a 40% performance increase and improvements in scalability, security, and availability. Driven by Java's limitations in memory management, the switch to Swift leveraged its concise syntax, protocols and generics, robust safety features (like optionals and safe unwrapping), and async/await capabilities for cleaner, safer, and more maintainable code. The result? A dramatic reduction in memory footprint and a freeing up of 50% of Kubernetes cluster capacity.

(www.swift.org)

Development

Scaling RL: Next-Token Prediction on the Web

2025-07-13

Scaling RL: Next-Token Prediction on the Web

The author argues that reinforcement learning (RL) is the next frontier for training AI models. Current approaches of scaling many environments simultaneously are messy. Instead, the author proposes training models to reason by using RL for next-token prediction on web-scale data. This leverages the vast amount of readily available web data, moving beyond the limitations of current RL training datasets focused on math and code problems. By unifying RL with next-token prediction, the approach promises to create significantly more powerful reasoning models.

(blog.jxmo.io)

AI

Tokasaurus: A New LLM Inference Engine for High Throughput

2025-06-05

Tokasaurus: A New LLM Inference Engine for High Throughput

Stanford researchers released Tokasaurus, a novel LLM inference engine optimized for throughput-intensive workloads. For smaller models, Tokasaurus leverages extremely low CPU overhead and dynamic Hydragen grouping to exploit shared prefixes. For larger models, it supports async tensor parallelism for NVLink-equipped GPUs and a fast pipeline parallelism implementation for those without. On throughput benchmarks, Tokasaurus outperforms vLLM and SGLang by up to 3x. This engine is designed for efficient handling of both large and small models, offering significant performance advantages.

(scalingintelligence.stanford.edu)

AI LLM inference engine high throughput

Massive NPM Package Supply Chain Attack: Millions of Downloads Compromised

2025-09-09

Massive NPM Package Supply Chain Attack: Millions of Downloads Compromised

A significant supply chain attack targeted the npm ecosystem, compromising multiple packages with over 2.6 billion weekly downloads. Attackers used phishing emails to gain access to a maintainer's account, subsequently injecting malware into several widely used packages. This malware intercepts cryptocurrency transactions in the browser, redirecting funds to attacker-controlled wallets. While some malicious versions have been removed by the NPM team, the incident highlights the vulnerabilities of software supply chains and the growing threat of phishing and browser-based attacks. The impact was mitigated somewhat as it only affected users with fresh installs during a narrow time window.

(www.bleepingcomputer.com)

Development

Plex Security Breach: User Passwords Compromised, Reset Now!

2025-09-09

Plex Security Breach: User Passwords Compromised, Reset Now!

Streaming server Plex experienced a security incident where hackers accessed a database, exposing some user emails, usernames, and hashed passwords. While passwords were encrypted, Plex is requiring all users to reset their passwords and log out of all connected devices as a precaution. The company has patched the vulnerability and implemented further security measures, urging users to enable two-factor authentication.

(nerds.xyz)

Tech

Craigslist: How an Accidental Disruptor Reshaped the News Industry

2025-08-03

Craigslist: How an Accidental Disruptor Reshaped the News Industry

Craig Newmark's Craigslist, a simple classifieds website, unexpectedly reshaped the news industry. Its cheap and efficient service quickly displaced newspaper classifieds, leading to significant losses for many newspaper giants. However, the article argues that the decline of newspapers wasn't solely due to Craigslist, but rather a combination of reader loss and failure to adapt to digitalization. Craigslist's success lay in its minimalist design and focus on user experience, while newspapers failed due to slow reactions and ineffective responses to digital transformation. Newmark himself transformed from an unassuming programmer to a successful entrepreneur and philanthropist, donating his vast fortune to support journalism, cybersecurity, and veterans' causes.

(www.poynter.org)

Tech News Industry

Securely Disposing of Smart Devices: Factory Reset is Key

2025-01-10

Securely Disposing of Smart Devices: Factory Reset is Key

A Rapid7 blog post highlights the importance of securely disposing of old smart devices. The author's experiment of buying used Amazon Echo devices revealed many were not factory reset, retaining user data like WiFi passwords and home addresses. This underscores the need to factory reset devices before disposal or resale, even if seemingly broken. The article emphasizes this applies to businesses as well as consumers, recommending businesses establish comprehensive IoT lifecycle management processes to mitigate security risks.

(www.rapid7.com)

Tech device disposal

SSL.com Domain Validation Flaw: Incorrectly Verifying Email Domains

2025-04-19

A security vulnerability has been discovered in SSL.com's domain validation system. By exploiting the BR 3.2.2.4.14 DCV method (Email to DNS TXT Contact), an attacker can trick the system into verifying their email domain, thus obtaining unauthorized certificates. For example, using `[email protected]` as the verification email, SSL.com incorrectly added `aliyun.com` to the list of verified domains, allowing the attacker to obtain certificates for `aliyun.com` and `www.aliyun.com`. This indicates a failure to accurately differentiate between the verification email and the target domain, posing a significant security risk.

(bugzilla.mozilla.org)

Tech domain validation

Diffusion Models for ARC AGI: A Surprisingly Difficult Task

2025-08-09

Diffusion Models for ARC AGI: A Surprisingly Difficult Task

This post details an attempt to solve the ARC AGI challenge using a diffusion model. The author adapted a fine-tuned autoregressive language model into a diffusion model, enabling non-sequential generation. While the diffusion approach achieved modestly better pixel accuracy, it didn't translate to improved task success rates. The key bottleneck was identified as the lack of efficient caching in the diffusion model's architecture, making it slower than the autoregressive baseline. Future work will focus on improving caching and developing more efficient candidate generation strategies.

(www.matthewnewton.com)

AI

Hagakure: Death, Loyalty, and the Way of the Samurai

2025-05-22

Hagakure: Death, Loyalty, and the Way of the Samurai

This excerpt from Hagakure explores the Bushido code. The author emphasizes that the essence of Bushido lies in readiness for death and unwavering loyalty to one's master. Through historical anecdotes and philosophical reflections, the text details the virtues of loyalty, courage, self-discipline, and proper conduct expected of a samurai, showcasing the depth and intensity of the Bushido ideal.

(hagakure.space)

Misc Bushido Loyalty

arXivLabs: Experimenting with Community Collaboration

2025-07-25

arXivLabs is a framework for collaborators to build and share new arXiv features directly on the website. Individuals and organizations involved share arXiv's values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv only partners with those who uphold these principles. Got an idea to enhance the arXiv community? Learn more about arXivLabs!

(arxiv.org)

Development

First-Person View Drones in Ukraine: A Disillusioning Reality Check

2025-06-26

First-Person View Drones in Ukraine: A Disillusioning Reality Check

A firsthand account from an international volunteer serving with the Ukrainian Armed Forces reveals the disappointing reality of using disposable first-person view (FPV) attack drones. Despite their marketing as cheap and effective precision-strike weapons, the author found their success rate to be a mere 20-30%, with most missions acting as secondary strikes on already-engaged targets. Technical limitations – susceptibility to interference, high malfunction rates, and difficult operation – were significant factors, alongside strategic deployment issues. The author concludes that investing in FPV drones is less effective than improving existing mortar capabilities and high-quality loitering munitions.

(warontherocks.com)

Tech

MCP Tools with Dependent Types: A Defold Editor Experiment

2025-08-18

This post details an experiment using a Large Language Model (LLM) within the Defold game editor. The author initially attempted to use Claude to directly manipulate Lua code, but faced low accuracy. The proposed solution involved using JSON Schemas to define tool inputs, but this ran into a limitation: the inability to implement dependent types within the Model-Code-Prompt (MCP) framework. This means the structure of tool input depends on runtime information. For example, editing 3D models requires different properties depending on the chosen material. The solution is a two-step process: the LLM selects a resource, the program looks up its data structure and constructs a JSON Schema; then, the LLM uses this schema to generate edits. The author suggests MCP should support dependent types to handle complex data more effectively.

(vlaaad.github.io)

Development

Renaissance Humanism and LLMs: A Cross-Temporal Dialogue

2025-05-16

Renaissance Humanism and LLMs: A Cross-Temporal Dialogue

This article explores the similarities and differences between Renaissance humanist education and modern large language models (LLMs). By analyzing examples from Erasmus's *Ciceronianus* and Rabelais's *Gargantua and Pantagruel*, the article points out that humanists trained their writing skills by imitating classical authors, similar to how LLMs generate text by training on corpora. However, humanist writing training can also lead to a generalized form of expression lacking specificity and communicative power for particular situations, much like LLMs sometimes produce seemingly plausible but factually unfounded 'hallucinations'. The article ultimately emphasizes the importance of listening and responding in interpersonal communication and cautions against the instrumentalization of language generation tools. Focusing on the social and interactive nature of language is key to effective communication.

(aeon.co)

AI Humanism

Android System Font Iterator Bug Hunt: A Tale of Hidden Symbols

2025-06-02

This blog post recounts a surprisingly lengthy bug fix. Android defines different API levels, with some symbols only available from a specific version. Firefox for Android (Fenix) uses `ASystemFontIterator_open`, available only from API 29. For backward compatibility, Fenix uses `__ANDROID_UNAVAILABLE_SYMBOLS_ARE_WEAK__` and `__builtin_available` for compile-time and runtime checks. However, Firefox's build system defaults to hidden visibility (`-fvisibility=hidden`), causing the weak symbol `ASystemFontIterator_open` to become undefined in the shared library, leading to crashes. The fix was a simple change to temporarily alter the default visibility when including Android system headers.

(serge-sans-paille.github.io)

Development Bug Fix

A Canary's Lifeline: A Coal Mine Resuscitation Cage

2025-06-10

A Canary's Lifeline: A Coal Mine Resuscitation Cage

Lewis, an assistant curator at the Science and Industry Museum in Manchester, reveals his favorite artifact: a cage used to revive canaries poisoned by carbon monoxide in coal mines. This seemingly unassuming object tells a story of early mining practices and the use of canaries as gas detectors. While the use of animals in such dangerous conditions is ethically questionable, the cage's design shows consideration for the canaries' well-being, highlighting the complex interplay between technological advancement and ethical dilemmas. Its worn and imperfect condition adds to its historical significance, offering a genuine glimpse into the past, rather than a sanitized narrative. The artifact prompts reflection on the impact of technological progress on animal welfare and the lessons learned from history.

(blog.scienceandindustrymuseum.org.uk)

Tech

Developer Marketing: Listen More, Sell Less

2025-02-22

Developer Marketing: Listen More, Sell Less

Daniel shares his insights on developer marketing, arguing that traditional marketing tactics are ineffective for developers. He emphasizes the importance of connecting with the developer community, understanding their pain points, and offering practical solutions. Using Permit.io as an example, he describes their approach of listening to developer needs, providing flexible tools and features, and engaging with the community through events like WeAreDevelopers Berlin. Their latest feature, Permit Share-If, pre-built UI components simplifying access sharing, exemplifies this approach. The article challenges the assumption that developers are a monolithic target audience and advocates for a multifaceted, community-driven marketing strategy.

(permit.substack.com)

Development developer marketing product launch

Darwin's Family Secrets: The Untold Story of Their Drawings

2025-04-16

On the 205th anniversary of Darwin's birth, a trove of previously unseen family drawings has surfaced. These range from Darwin's meticulous botanical sketches to charming doodles by his children, and even sketches by his wife, Emma. Highlights include a child's drawing titled "The Battle of the Fruit and Vegetable Soldiers," a whimsical creation adding a playful counterpoint to Darwin's serious scientific work. These artifacts reveal intimate glimpses into the Darwin family life, adding a human dimension to the legendary naturalist and showing how family influenced his work.

(theappendix.net)

Misc drawings

Create React App Deprecated: Embrace React Frameworks

2025-02-15

Create React App Deprecated: Embrace React Frameworks

The React team announced that Create React App (CRA) is entering maintenance mode and is no longer recommended for new projects. While CRA simplified React app creation, it has limitations in building high-performance production apps, lacking built-in solutions for routing, data fetching, and code splitting. The team recommends migrating to established React frameworks like Next.js or Remix, offering better performance and developer experience, addressing CRA's shortcomings. Migration guides are available for existing CRA projects. Documentation for building custom setups with Vite or Parcel is also provided for those with unique needs.

(react.dev)

Development Frameworks

JPMorgan Chase CEO Slams Remote Work: Inefficient, Damages Young Workers

2025-02-15

JPMorgan Chase CEO Slams Remote Work: Inefficient, Damages Young Workers

JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently slammed remote work, claiming it reduces efficiency and harms the development of young employees. He stated that remote work leads to distractions, a lack of face-to-face interaction, and hinders creativity and decision-making. Despite JPMorgan Chase's recent record-breaking performance, Dimon insists that all hybrid workers return to the office full-time by March. This move prompted a petition signed by approximately 950 employees, but Dimon remains firm, asserting the company's right to set its own standards, and employees are free to leave if they disagree.

(www.mediaite.com)

Startup JPMorgan Chase Jamie Dimon

Are We Building AI Tools Backwards?

2025-07-24

Are We Building AI Tools Backwards?

This article critiques the current approach to building AI tools, arguing that they neglect the essence of human learning and collaboration, leading to decreased human efficiency. The author proposes that AI tools should focus on enhancing human learning and collaboration, rather than replacing human thought processes. Using incident management and code writing as examples, the article explains how to build human-centric AI tools and emphasizes the importance of incorporating human learning mechanisms, such as retrieval practice and iterative improvement, into the design. Ultimately, the author calls for placing humans at the core of AI tools, building positive feedback loops instead of the negative ones that decrease efficiency.

(hazelweakly.me)

AI human learning

AI Takes Center Stage: Power Grids Embrace Artificial Intelligence

2025-07-15

AI Takes Center Stage: Power Grids Embrace Artificial Intelligence

PJM Interconnection, the nation's largest grid operator, partnered with Google to leverage AI software, Tapestry, for improved grid planning and faster connections for new power generators. Texas's ERCOT is exploring similar technologies. Australia's New South Wales showcases advanced AI applications, predicting rooftop solar power production and automatically adjusting grid integration. This shift highlights AI's expanding role in energy, moving beyond data center power needs to enhance grid efficiency and resilience, presenting significant opportunities for a modernized power infrastructure.

(www.technologyreview.com)

Tech

Sandia National Labs Deploys GPU-less, Storage-less Brain-Inspired Supercomputer

2025-06-06

Sandia National Labs Deploys GPU-less, Storage-less Brain-Inspired Supercomputer

Sandia National Labs has deployed SpiNNaker 2, a brain-inspired supercomputer that forgoes GPUs and internal storage. Supplied by SpiNNcloud, this top-five brain-inspired platform simulates 150-180 million neurons, achieving high speed through high-speed inter-chip communication and massive memory. Its energy-efficient architecture excels at complex event-driven computing and simulations, making it ideal for demanding national security applications like modeling nuclear deterrence missions. The system's architecture, initially developed by Arm pioneer Steve Furber, leverages 48 SpiNNaker 2 chips per server board, each with 152 cores and specialized accelerators.

(blocksandfiles.com)

Tech Brain-inspired computing Neuromorphic

Microsoft Cuts Hundreds More Jobs Amidst AI Boom

2025-06-03

Microsoft Cuts Hundreds More Jobs Amidst AI Boom

Weeks after its largest layoff in years, Microsoft has cut hundreds more jobs, highlighting the tech industry's cost-cutting measures despite massive AI investments. Over 300 employees across various roles, including software engineers, marketers, and researchers, were affected. This follows a previous layoff of 6,000 employees. Microsoft stated these cuts are part of ongoing organizational changes. The AI boom is reshaping the tech job market, with companies prioritizing AI-related roles and using AI to boost efficiency and reduce headcount.

(finance.yahoo.com)

Tech

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