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Reviving the UCSD p-System: A Cross-Platform Compilation Legend

2025-04-16

Reviving the UCSD p-System: A Cross-Platform Compilation Legend

The author revisits the UCSD p-System, a cross-platform operating system and compiler from the 1970s. It achieved portability across diverse machines (from PDP-11 to Apple II) through its p-machine virtual machine. The author shares personal experiences using Apple Pascal and UCSD Pascal in high school and plans to rebuild a p-machine emulator in Rust, continuing its legacy and addressing issues with missing documentation and outdated compiler dependencies in existing tools.

(markbessey.blog)

Development

Blocking All Crawlers Backfired: A robots.txt Lesson and Open Graph Protocol Deep Dive

2025-07-17

Blocking All Crawlers Backfired: A robots.txt Lesson and Open Graph Protocol Deep Dive

To protect blog data, the author blocked all crawlers via robots.txt, unintentionally breaking LinkedIn post previews and reducing reach. The LinkedIn Post Inspector revealed that robots.txt prevented the LinkedIn bot from accessing page metadata (Open Graph Protocol) needed for previews. Fixing the robots.txt file resolved the issue. This experience led to learning about the Open Graph Protocol and highlighted the importance of thoroughly testing code changes.

(evgeniipendragon.com)

Development

UK Passport Application: A Bureaucratic Adventure Game Solved with Haskell

2025-06-29

The UK passport application process is likened to a complex online game by a programmer. Applicants must gather various documents, akin to collecting artifacts, to prove British citizenship. The rules are intricate, filled with bureaucratic logic, even requiring ancestral birth certificates. Using Haskell, the programmer created a program simulating the process, generating all possible required document sets. This aids in understanding the complexity and sparks discussion on automating government processes and human-computer collaboration.

(jameshaydon.github.io)

Development UK Passport Bureaucracy

Generative AI Runs on a 20-Year-Old PowerBook G4?!

2025-03-25

Generative AI Runs on a 20-Year-Old PowerBook G4?!

A software engineer successfully ran Meta's Llama 2 large language model on a 2005 PowerBook G4. This vintage laptop, equipped with only a 1.5GHz PowerPC G4 processor and 1GB of RAM, achieved AI inference by porting the open-source llama2.c project and leveraging AltiVec vector extensions. It's a testament to ingenuity and the boundless possibilities of technology.

(www.macrumors.com)

Tech

Bird-Inspired Drone Uses Legs to Take Off

2025-01-10

Bird-Inspired Drone Uses Legs to Take Off

Researchers at EPFL have developed a bio-inspired drone, RAVEN, with bird-like legs that enable it to walk, hop, and even jump into the air for takeoff. This research not only reveals the efficiency of birds' jumping takeoffs but also offers a novel approach for fixed-wing drones. RAVEN uses its legs to store and release energy, resulting in a more energy-efficient and faster takeoff than conventional methods. Future applications could include cargo delivery.

(spectrum.ieee.org)

Tech bio-inspired robotics drone

Will Software Abstraction Kill Civilization? Debunking a Game Dev's Controversial Claim

2025-02-08

Game developer Jonathan Blow argues that software abstraction will lead to the end of civilization, claiming that excessive abstraction leads to the loss of low-level programming knowledge, ultimately jeopardizing the maintenance of critical software. This article meticulously refutes Blow's claims, highlighting numerous errors and misconceptions in his arguments, such as the misuse of the "five nines" (99.999% uptime) metric and an underestimation of modern software robustness and developer productivity. The author contends that while excessive abstraction does pose problems, software and hardware technology continues to advance, and the proliferation of open-source communities and educational resources are cultivating new low-level developers. Ultimately, the author suggests Blow's perspective is rooted more in personal experience and nostalgia than objective facts.

(datagubbe.se)

Development software abstraction civilization

Open Source's Coordination Problem: Lessons from Linux Desktop and LSP

2025-06-20

The author uses their experience with NixOS and a KDE application as a starting point to discuss the challenges of coordinating open-source software in the Linux desktop environment. They highlight the lack of a unified API standard in the Linux desktop, leading to a fragmented software ecosystem, described as an "Escher-like perpetual motion machine." This is contrasted with the release of the Language Server Protocol (LSP) by Microsoft a decade ago. While the implementation was mediocre, its mere existence solved the coordination problem for IDE features, driving industry progress. The author argues that the open-source community's lack of coordination led to the missed opportunity to create a unified IDE protocol before LSP. Linux's success, however, is attributed to the pre-defined API standard provided by POSIX, reducing coordination difficulties. This article prompts reflection on the open-source community's coordination mechanisms and software ecosystem development models. Category: Tech

(matklad.github.io)

Tech

PostHog.com: A Website That Feels Like an OS

2025-09-12

PostHog.com: A Website That Feels Like an OS

PostHog.com has undergone a complete overhaul! To solve the problem of information overload and poor navigation common on marketing websites, they've created a site that functions like an operating system. It features window snapping, keyboard shortcuts, and a bookmark app, allowing users to open and arrange multiple pages simultaneously. The author details the technical challenges and innovations, such as using JSON to drive page layouts, flexible theming and color schemes, and the creation of a customer database. While the initial experience might be jarring, its efficiency ultimately wins users over.

(posthog.com)

Development website design

Pure vs. Impure Engineering: Why Solo Devs Clash with Big Tech

2025-09-11

This article explores the difference between 'pure' and 'impure' software engineering. Pure engineering focuses on technical perfection, akin to art or research, while impure engineering prioritizes efficiency and real-world problem-solving. Big tech needs both, but the current market favors impure engineering, leading to clashes between pure and impure engineers. AI-assisted development benefits impure engineering more, as it helps tackle less novel, time-constrained problems, while pure engineering relies more on individual expertise. The author argues both types demand high skills, just with different focuses.

(www.seangoedecke.com)

Development Engineer Types

Regex Isn't Hard: Mastering the Core Concepts for Efficient Text Processing

2025-04-21

Regex Isn't Hard: Mastering the Core Concepts for Efficient Text Processing

This article argues that regular expressions aren't as complex as many believe. By focusing on core concepts—character sets, repetition, groups, and the |, ^, $ operators—one can easily master the power of regex. The article explains these core concepts in detail and suggests ignoring less-used shortcuts to avoid unnecessary complexity. The author emphasizes that regex allows for a lot of text processing with minimal code, far more efficiently than traditional procedural code.

(timkellogg.me)

Development

Google's Gemini Code Assist Adds Third-Party Tool Integration

2024-12-20

Google's Gemini Code Assist Adds Third-Party Tool Integration

Google announced support for third-party tools in Gemini Code Assist, its enterprise-focused AI code completion service. This allows integration with tools like Jira, GitHub, and Sentry via plugins, reducing context switching and boosting developer productivity. Currently in private preview for Google Cloud partners, this feature directly competes with GitHub's Copilot Enterprise, though Google highlights advantages like on-premises codebase support. The addition of tools aims to streamline workflows and enhance efficiency for developers.

(techcrunch.com)

Development AI code assistant third-party tool integration

Retro Computing: A Nostalgic Journey with the TI-99/4A

2025-02-19

Retro Computing: A Nostalgic Journey with the TI-99/4A

This article documents the author's exploration of the retro computer TI-99/4A, a machine released around the same time as the Atari 800 and Commodore VIC-20. Its unique architecture blends elements of both a game console and a minicomputer. The author begins with a history of the TI-99/4A and its distinctive graphics and sound chips, which were later used in many game consoles and computers. The article then uses an emulator to demonstrate programming in TI BASIC, creating simple graphics and animations. The author showcases the enhanced capabilities of Extended BASIC, including increased speed and improved graphics. Finally, the author briefly touches upon the TI-99/4A's sprite system and teases a future article delving into cartridge software development.

(bumbershootsoft.wordpress.com)

Tech

Groundbreaking Study: Beta-Blockers May Harm Women After Heart Attacks

2025-09-01

Groundbreaking Study: Beta-Blockers May Harm Women After Heart Attacks

Groundbreaking research reveals that beta-blockers, a first-line treatment for heart attacks for decades, don't benefit most patients and may increase hospitalization and death risk in some women, but not men. A large-scale trial showed women with minimal heart damage after a heart attack who received beta-blockers were significantly more likely to experience another heart attack, heart failure hospitalization, and nearly triple the death risk compared to those not receiving the drug. However, for patients with a left ventricular ejection fraction below 40%, beta-blockers remain standard care. This study highlights crucial gender differences in heart disease treatment and is likely to reshape international clinical guidelines.

(www.cnn.com)

Tech beta-blockers gender differences

Commonwealth Fusion Systems Secures $863M to Commercialize Fusion Power

2025-08-31

Commonwealth Fusion Systems Secures $863M to Commercialize Fusion Power

Commonwealth Fusion Systems (CFS), a fusion energy startup, has raised $863 million in a Series B2 funding round, bringing its total funding to nearly $3 billion—the most for any fusion startup. The round included participation from prominent investors like Nvidia, Google, and Breakthrough Energy Ventures. This investment will fuel the development of Sparc, CFS's prototype reactor, aiming for scientific breakeven by 2027. Following this milestone, construction of Arc, a commercial-scale power plant, is slated to begin in 2027 or 2028. Despite the multi-billion dollar cost of Arc, CFS has already secured a deal with Google to purchase 200 megawatts of its power, demonstrating significant market confidence in the technology.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech

The Biggest Mistakes Engineers Make in Massive Codebases

2025-01-07

Working with large, established codebases is notoriously difficult. This article shares a decade's worth of experience, highlighting the most common and deadly mistake: ignoring existing codebase patterns and focusing solely on clean code for a new feature. Maintaining consistency is paramount; it prevents unexpected issues, slows the codebase's descent into chaos, and enables future improvements. The author also stresses understanding the code's production footprint, being cautious about introducing new dependencies, removing redundant code, working in small PRs, and leveraging team expertise to catch errors. While challenging, mastering large codebases is crucial because they are usually the foundation of a company's most valuable products.

(www.seangoedecke.com)

Development codebase

Outdated Tech Costs Bank a GDPR Lawsuit

2025-06-11

Outdated Tech Costs Bank a GDPR Lawsuit

A Belgian bank lost a court case due to its outdated EBCDIC system's inability to handle accented characters, resulting in incorrect customer name records. This highlights the importance of system modernization in the digital age and the strict accuracy requirements for personal data under GDPR. The case raises concerns about the continued use of legacy technologies like EBCDIC, far inferior to Unicode, and their limitations in data processing.

(shkspr.mobi)

Tech

Mice Perform Instinctive Resuscitation: Heroic Behavior Observed

2025-03-09

Mice Perform Instinctive Resuscitation: Heroic Behavior Observed

Scientists have observed mice instinctively attempting resuscitation on unconscious peers. In experiments, when a mouse was anesthetized, a bystander mouse frequently responded by pawing, licking, and even clearing the airway of the unconscious mouse. This behavior, remarkably similar to human first aid, was observed even though the mice had no prior experience with unconscious animals, suggesting an innate survival instinct. The study, published in Science, highlights surprising altruistic behavior in the animal kingdom.

(www.thetimes.com)

Misc instinct resuscitation

X (formerly Twitter) Silently Shadow Bans Turkish Opposition Figure

2025-09-02

X (formerly Twitter) Silently Shadow Bans Turkish Opposition Figure

Following the arrest of Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu on corruption charges, his X account was restricted in Turkey, sparking controversy. While a new account gained some traction, his posts rarely appear on users' timelines, suggesting X is secretly shadow banning him. A poll shows the vast majority of users don't see his tweets, highlighting X's influence in political censorship and the immense political power wielded by Elon Musk.

(utkusen.substack.com)

Tech

SF and Oakland Police Caught Illegally Sharing ALPR Data with Feds

2025-07-14

SF and Oakland Police Caught Illegally Sharing ALPR Data with Feds

Records obtained by The Standard reveal that San Francisco and Oakland police departments appear to have repeatedly violated state law by sharing data from automated license plate readers (ALPRs) with federal agencies. Despite a 2015 state law prohibiting this, logs show data sharing with seven federal agencies, including the FBI, since installing hundreds of Flock Safety ALPRs last year. At least one instance involved an ICE investigation. This has drawn sharp criticism from privacy advocates and officials, who highlight the violation of individual privacy. Investigations are underway, with promises of accountability.

(sfstandard.com)

Tech ALPR

Silent Protest: Two Advisors Resign from Federal Agencies

2025-05-13

Silent Protest: Two Advisors Resign from Federal Agencies

Two advisors, serving on the National Science Board and the Library of Congress Scholars Council, resigned in protest against the U.S. government's political interference in knowledge institutions and suppression of academic freedom. They cited arbitrary interference with grants, restrictions on free speech, and the politically motivated persecution of key figures like the Librarian of Congress as severely undermining the independence and objectivity of these institutions. The advisors argued that remaining would lend false legitimacy to the government's actions, choosing instead to resign in protest and call for the restoration of these institutions' original purpose.

(time.com)

Tech knowledge institutions

Atlas of Space: An Interactive Guide to the Cosmos

2025-01-08

Atlas of Space isn't just a static star chart; it's an immersive, interactive online platform that lets you explore the known universe. It presents the vast data of planets, stars, and galaxies in an intuitive way, providing rich detail. Whether you want to understand the composition of the planets in our solar system or delve into the mysteries of distant galaxies, this platform caters to your curiosity. Zoom in on specific celestial bodies, learn about their size, distance, composition, and embark on a truly immersive journey through space. This is an invaluable resource for astronomy enthusiasts, students, and anyone with a thirst for cosmic knowledge.

(atlasof.space)

Tech interactive map astronomical data

Critical Google Account Flaw Allowed Phone Number Extraction

2025-06-09

Critical Google Account Flaw Allowed Phone Number Extraction

A security researcher discovered a critical vulnerability in Google accounts that allowed attackers to easily obtain users' phone numbers through brute-forcing. The exploit leveraged Google Looker Studio's document ownership transfer feature, allowing attackers to guess phone numbers without the victim's knowledge. Google has since patched the vulnerability and awarded the researcher $5,000. This flaw poses a significant risk to SIM swappers, enabling them to steal various accounts, including cryptocurrency and email, through identity theft.

(www.wired.com)

Tech

Manhattan Project: A Race Against Time and Uncertainty

2025-09-11

Manhattan Project: A Race Against Time and Uncertainty

The Manhattan Project, the WWII US program to build an atomic bomb, is recounted in detail. The article explores the immense challenges faced: the initial uncertainty surrounding nuclear fission and chain reactions; the monumental technological hurdles in uranium enrichment and plutonium production; and the eventual success in creating the bomb. The project's parallel pursuit of multiple approaches, massive funding, and relentless pace highlight the desperation and unprecedented scale of the wartime effort.

(www.construction-physics.com)

Tech Manhattan Project WWII Technology

The Million-Dollar Kickstarter Spoon Scam?

2025-03-16

The Million-Dollar Kickstarter Spoon Scam?

A Kickstarter campaign for Polygons, innovative origami measuring spoons, raised over $1 million in 2016, promising delivery by 2017. Years later, over a third of backers haven't received their spoons, sparking fraud accusations. Designer Rahul Agarwal acknowledges delays, insists it's not a scam, and projects delivery completion in 2025. This highlights the risks of crowdfunding and the importance of investor caution.

(arstechnica.com)

Misc

Boom, Bust, and the Next Industrial Revolution: A Review of Two Competing Visions

2025-05-21

Boom, Bust, and the Next Industrial Revolution: A Review of Two Competing Visions

This review essay examines two books tackling technological stagnation and the path forward: *Boom: Bubbles and the End of Stagnation* and *The New Lunar Society: An Enlightenment Guide to the Next Industrial Revolution*. The former argues that 'good bubbles' can break stagnation and drive technological progress, but its framework for distinguishing between 'good' and 'bad' bubbles lacks rigor. The latter takes a historical approach, using the example of Britain's Lunar Society to emphasize process innovation, sustained maintenance, and the role of government in technological development, while criticizing over-reliance on 'core competencies' and 'specialization'. While offering contrasting perspectives, both books provide valuable insights into overcoming technological stagnation, highlighting the crucial role of government in fostering technological advancement.

(americanaffairsjournal.org)

Tech Technological Stagnation Economic Bubbles

Retro Tech: Tektronix's Vintage Soldering Training Videos

2025-01-09

Retro Tech: Tektronix's Vintage Soldering Training Videos

This article highlights two vintage soldering training videos produced by Tektronix in the 1970s and 80s. The first video, aimed at assembly line workers, focuses on practical PCB soldering techniques. The second, geared towards repair technicians, delves into more advanced skills like desoldering and PCB repair. Both videos blend practical demonstrations with theoretical knowledge of soldering chemistry and tool usage, showcasing Tektronix's dedication to high-quality soldering.

(hackaday.com)

Hardware retro tech soldering techniques electronics repair

EA Origin Shutdown: Secure Your Games!

2025-01-25

EA Origin Shutdown: Secure Your Games!

EA is shutting down its Origin platform on April 17, 2025. All Origin users must migrate to the EA app to keep playing and preserve their game data. While the transition is relatively straightforward, it requires a 64-bit system, potentially necessitating an upgrade for some users. Alternatively, players can add their games to their Steam library to avoid using the EA app entirely.

(www.pcworld.com)

Game

LaLiga's Reckless Blockade: The High Cost of Internet Censorship

2025-05-26

LaLiga's aggressive anti-piracy campaign, sanctioned by a court order, has resulted in the mass blocking of Cloudflare IP addresses, impacting millions of innocent websites and potentially jeopardizing access to critical emergency services in Spain. Cloudflare CEO Matthew Prince has strongly condemned this “bonkers” strategy, warning of potential fatalities. While LaLiga claims legal compliance, Prince insists Cloudflare has always been willing to cooperate, offering a clear process that LaLiga refuses to use. The controversy, dubbed #laligagate, sparks intense debate over internet censorship and copyright protection, highlighting the significant risks and potentially deadly consequences of large-scale blocking.

(torrentfreak.com)

Tech

AI Insurance: An Overhyped Market?

2025-05-17

AI Insurance: An Overhyped Market?

With the widespread adoption of AI, AI risk insurance has emerged to address the potential for massive losses due to AI errors. However, the author argues this market may be overhyped. Historically, software errors have existed, yet the market for Technology Errors & Omissions (Tech E&O) insurance remains small. AI insurance faces similar challenges to Tech E&O: difficulty assessing risk, information asymmetry, and risk concentration. The author suggests that AI insurers need superior risk assessment capabilities than their clients and must diversify risks to survive. Currently, AI risk management is more focused on individual application risk control rather than insurance.

(loeber.substack.com)

AI AI insurance market size

DeepSeek: A Cost-Effective Open-Source LLM Challenging ChatGPT

2025-02-08

DeepSeek: A Cost-Effective Open-Source LLM Challenging ChatGPT

DeepSeek, an open-source large language model (LLM) developed by a Chinese AI research company, is challenging ChatGPT with its unique Mixture of Experts (MoE) architecture. Its efficiency comes from activating only necessary parameters, resulting in faster speeds and lower costs. Features like multi-head attention and multi-token prediction enable superior performance in long conversations and complex reasoning. Despite concerns about its data sources, DeepSeek's cost-effectiveness and direct output style make it a compelling alternative to ChatGPT.

(codedoodles.substack.com)

AI

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