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Teotihuacan Altar Unearthed at Tikal Reveals a Violent Chapter in Maya History

2025-04-12

Teotihuacan Altar Unearthed at Tikal Reveals a Violent Chapter in Maya History

A recently unearthed altar at Tikal, the ancient Mayan city in Guatemala, is rewriting our understanding of a pivotal period in Mayan history. Dating back to the late 300s AD, the altar's artistic style strongly resembles that of Teotihuacan, a powerful civilization located hundreds of miles away in modern-day Mexico. Researchers believe skilled artisans from Teotihuacan created the altar, suggesting a significant level of Teotihuacan influence and control over Tikal. This discovery, along with previous findings like a replicated Teotihuacan citadel and unique burial practices, points to a forceful takeover and subsequent regime change, highlighting a violent and transformative chapter in Mayan civilization. The altar's discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into the complex and often contentious relationship between the two ancient empires.

(phys.org)

Tech Maya Civilization Teotihuacan

Ghost Ransomware: FBI and CISA Issue Joint Warning

2025-02-21

Ghost Ransomware: FBI and CISA Issue Joint Warning

The FBI and CISA have issued a joint advisory warning of the Ghost ransomware, active since 2021 and impacting critical infrastructure across various sectors in over 70 countries. The attackers exploit known vulnerabilities, using tools like Cobalt Strike to move laterally, steal data, and encrypt files for ransom. Effective defenses include patching vulnerabilities, regular backups, and monitoring for unauthorized activities, such as PowerShell usage. Victims with unaffected backups often restored operations without paying.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech

Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

2025-03-29

Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

The author participated in a survival game called CTG, where players survive by completing challenges and voting. To survive, the author learned from previous players' experiences: staying low-key and avoiding the spotlight. In the game, players displayed various roles: leaders, organizers, data nerds, and so on. By meticulously observing and recording, and actively participating in challenges, the author successfully avoided early elimination. However, on day three, a high-risk collective abstention strategy ended in failure, and suspicion and accusations quickly spread among the players.

(www.wired.com)

Game survival game

Gowanus Canal Microbes Reveal Pollution-Fighting Genes

2025-05-20

Gowanus Canal Microbes Reveal Pollution-Fighting Genes

A research team from NYU Tandon School of Engineering has discovered that microorganisms in Brooklyn's polluted Gowanus Canal possess a vast collection of genes for degrading pollutants. They identified 455 species using 64 biochemical pathways to break down pollutants and 1,171 genes to process heavy metals, suggesting a cheaper and more sustainable cleanup method than dredging. The study also uncovered 2,300 novel genetic sequences with potential applications in medicine and industry. However, the research also revealed antibiotic resistance genes, raising public health concerns. The findings were showcased in an immersive art installation, highlighting the intersection of science and art.

(engineering.nyu.edu)

Tech Bioremediation Environmental Science

Superman Soars to Record-Breaking Box Office Debut

2025-07-13

Superman Soars to Record-Breaking Box Office Debut

James Gunn's Superman is on track for a record-breaking domestic box office opening, projected between $115 million and $120 million, following a stellar Friday with $56.5 million, including $22.5 million in previews. The film's success marks a significant reboot for DC Studios and its flagship franchise. The international launch is also exceeding expectations, adding to a strong global opening weekend exceeding $96.5 million. This marks a significant win for DC and a potential turning point for the superhero genre, which has faced recent struggles with 'superhero fatigue'.

(uk.news.yahoo.com)

Game

Going Mouseless: Building a Productive Keyboard-Only Desktop

2025-02-01

Tired of your mouse? This author shares their journey to a mouse-free desktop. By leveraging tools like the PaperWM scrollable tiling window manager, Firefox bookmark keywords, the Vimium browser extension, and the terminal-based email client Aerc, along with GNOME's Quake Terminal extension and Input Remapper, the author dramatically increased productivity and improved ergonomics. The article details how to use and configure these tools, and shares their experience hiding Emacs's menus and toolbars to further reduce mouse reliance.

(lwn.net)

Development mouseless desktop environment

Free Access to the History of CAD: The Engineering Design Revolution

2025-02-25

Shapr3D blog has released David E. Weisberg's "The Engineering Design Revolution," a comprehensive 650+ page history of CAD, covering key figures, companies, and systems from the 1950s to the early 2000s. Available for free online reading or download, readers are encouraged to donate to cancer research. The book details the origins and evolution of CAD technology, including the impact of companies like Applicon, Autodesk, and Computervision, providing an in-depth look at the history of CAD.

(www.shapr3d.com)

Tech CAD history engineering design

Desert Miracle: An American's Return After 26 Years

2025-07-25

Desert Miracle: An American's Return After 26 Years

In 1999, Robert Bogucki embarked on a solo trek into Australia's Great Sandy Desert, triggering a massive international rescue effort. Twenty-six years later, he returns to meet the people who saved him, revisiting a story of survival, cultural exchange, and spiritual questioning. Bogucki's deliberate journey sparked controversy, but his reunion with Aboriginal trackers reveals a powerful story of reconciliation and a deeper understanding of life's purpose.

(www.abc.net.au)

Misc survival story spiritual journey

Tilck: A Minimalist, Educational Kernel with Linux Compatibility

2025-07-16

Tilck: A Minimalist, Educational Kernel with Linux Compatibility

Tilck is an educational monolithic kernel designed for binary-level Linux compatibility, currently running on i686 and RISCV64. Its small, simple design makes it ideal for learning kernel programming, allowing comparison of user-mode code execution between Linux and Tilck. Tilck doesn't require custom applications; it runs mainstream Linux programs like the BusyBox suite. Future applications may include embedded systems demanding determinism and ultra-low latency, bridging the gap between Embedded Linux and real-time OSes like FreeRTOS or Zephyr.

(github.com)

Development

R.E.M.'s Rise and Fall: From College Radio Kings to Mainstream Muzak

2025-02-17

R.E.M.'s Rise and Fall: From College Radio Kings to Mainstream Muzak

This article chronicles the rise and fall of R.E.M., the iconic American rock band. Starting in a small college town outside Atlanta, their unique sound and commitment to independent artistry propelled them to fame as college radio darlings. However, their journey led them to a major label deal with Warner Bros., achieving mainstream success. Despite commercial triumphs, R.E.M. faced criticism for compromising their initial ethos. The article explores their successes and failures, their influence on subsequent rock acts, and the inherent tensions between independent music and commercialization, ultimately culminating in their 2011 breakup. The author questions why, despite their immense influence, R.E.M.'s legacy feels somewhat diminished today.

(yalereview.org)

Game Rock Music

Reverse Video Search: Mixpeek's Approach to Video Similarity Search

2024-12-30

Reverse Video Search: Mixpeek's Approach to Video Similarity Search

Mixpeek offers reverse video search, allowing users to query videos against a vector database using a video clip. Similar to reverse image search, this technology uses a video as input to find similar videos. The article details the process of embedding videos, searching, and comparing results using the Mixpeek API. Applications discussed include content creation, media monitoring, e-commerce, and security surveillance. Mixpeek also provides automated processing and database integration for efficiency.

(blog.mixpeek.com)

AI reverse video search video similarity search

Breakthrough: Artificial Blood Could Save Countless Lives

2025-07-25

Breakthrough: Artificial Blood Could Save Countless Lives

Tens of thousands die annually in the US from lack of timely blood transfusions, due to the perishability of regular blood. Scientists at the University of Maryland School of Medicine have developed a novel artificial blood, stored as a powder and reconstituted with water on-site. This synthetic blood utilizes hemoglobin extracted from expired blood, encased in a protective fat bubble to mitigate toxicity. Animal trials show successful resuscitation, and human trials are hoped for within two years. This could revolutionize emergency medicine and battlefield care.

(www.npr.org)

Tech emergency medicine

Fascinating Cab Numbers: Unraveling a Mathematical Puzzle

2025-01-21

This article delves into the mathematical enigma of 'Cab numbers,' which are numbers formed by the product of two factors whose digits, excluding zero, combine to form the same digits as the product. The article presents methods for solving Cab numbers with 3 to 9 digits, providing the count, minimum, and maximum values for each digit range. The author utilizes a Fortran program to compute these Cab numbers, analyzing the properties of their digital roots. The article concludes by listing some results and extending the exploration to scenarios involving three or more factors.

(www.shyamsundergupta.com)

Misc

sxwm: Minimal, Fast, Configurable Tiling Window Manager for X11

2025-05-04

sxwm: Minimal, Fast, Configurable Tiling Window Manager for X11

sxwm is a lightweight X11 tiling window manager prioritizing minimalism, speed, and configurability. It seamlessly switches between tiling and floating layouts, boasts 9 workspaces, and features a user-friendly configuration file (sxwmrc) requiring no C programming knowledge. Supporting mouse interactions, multi-monitor setups, and integration with tools like sxbar, sxwm delivers a highly efficient and responsive window management experience. Its key strengths lie in its incredibly low resource usage and blazing-fast performance.

(github.com)

Development

BiomeJS: A New Contender in JavaScript Code Formatting and Linting

2025-05-07

BiomeJS: A New Contender in JavaScript Code Formatting and Linting

BiomeJS is a rising star in the JavaScript ecosystem, challenging the dominance of Prettier and ESLint. This ambitious project combines code formatting and linting into a single, high-performance solution built with Rust. It boasts significantly improved speed, outperforming its predecessors by an order of magnitude. While offering similar functionality to Prettier and ESLint, BiomeJS currently lags in support for some frameworks and file types. Its ease of setup, intuitive error messages, and performance gains make it a compelling alternative, though it's still maturing compared to established tools.

(blog.appsignal.com)

Development

Markov Chains: A Visual Explanation

2025-02-28

Markov Chains: A Visual Explanation

This article provides a clear and visual explanation of Markov chains and their applications. Markov chains are mathematical systems that transition between different "states." The article uses the example of a baby's behavior (playing, eating, sleeping, crying) to illustrate the concept of a state space and transition probabilities. A simple two-state Markov chain is presented, along with its transition matrix. The article further demonstrates the practical application of Markov chains through a weather simulation example, highlighting the concept of 'stickiness' in real-world data. Finally, it mentions the use of Markov chains in Google's PageRank algorithm, showcasing their power and versatility.

(setosa.io)

AI Markov Chains Probability State Transition

Microsoft Kills Free VPN in Defender After Price Hike

2025-02-02

Microsoft Kills Free VPN in Defender After Price Hike

Microsoft's free VPN feature in Microsoft Defender, included with Microsoft 365 Personal and Family subscriptions since 2023, is being discontinued on February 28, 2025. This announcement follows a recent price increase for Microsoft 365 subscriptions, leaving users feeling shortchanged. While the price hike includes the new AI-powered Copilot, many consider the loss of the convenient VPN a significant drawback.

(www.windowscentral.com)

Tech

ELK is Outdated? GreptimeDB: The Next-Gen Cloud-Native Log Storage Solution

2025-04-28

ELK is Outdated? GreptimeDB: The Next-Gen Cloud-Native Log Storage Solution

With the explosive growth of log data, the traditional ELK architecture reveals problems such as high storage costs, severe resource waste, and complex maintenance. This article introduces GreptimeDB, a cloud-native database that uses a storage-compute separation architecture, offering advantages such as high compression rates, lightweight design, and easy maintenance. It demonstrates the complete process of log collection, storage, parsing, and querying by combining it with Vector, providing a more modern solution for real-time log monitoring and data analysis.

(greptime.com)

Development log storage

Apple Pulls Advanced iCloud Data Protection from UK After Government Backdoor Demand

2025-02-21

Apple Pulls Advanced iCloud Data Protection from UK After Government Backdoor Demand

Apple has withdrawn its Advanced Data Protection (ADP) iCloud feature from the UK following a government mandate for backdoor access to encrypted user data. The UK government, via a technical capability notice under the Investigatory Powers Act, demanded unrestricted access to encrypted iCloud content globally. Apple, prioritizing user security over compliance, chose to remove ADP rather than create a backdoor, citing the risk of malicious actors exploiting such access. While this affects iCloud data backups, other Apple services like iMessage and FaceTime remain end-to-end encrypted. The decision highlights the ongoing tension between government surveillance and user privacy in the digital age.

(www.macrumors.com)

Tech

Red Hat Undercuts VMware With OpenShift Virtualization Engine

2025-01-16

Following Broadcom's acquisition of VMware and subsequent pricing changes, many enterprise users are seeking alternatives. Red Hat is capitalizing on this with the launch of OpenShift Virtualization Engine (OVE), a virtualization-focused platform designed to attract VMware customers. OVE leverages the OpenShift platform, removing container capabilities to provide a pure virtualization solution. Integrated with Advanced Cluster Management (ACM) and Ansible automation, OVE simplifies VM migration and management. Red Hat also offers migration tools and professional services to ease the transition, particularly for large enterprises with substantial VM deployments.

(www.nextplatform.com)

Tech

Four Verbs: A Simple Daily Rhythm for Sustainable Productivity

2025-08-11

Four Verbs: A Simple Daily Rhythm for Sustainable Productivity

In a world obsessed with hacks, the author proposes a simpler approach: a daily rhythm built around four verbs: learn, reflect, act, prepare. This isn't a productivity system, but a living experiment focusing on consistent learning, thoughtful reflection, mindful action, and proactive planning. The author shares their experience of how this simple framework helps maintain a calm and productive lifestyle.

(opuslabs.substack.com)

Misc

Tech Giants Unite to Support Open-Source Chromium Development

2025-01-09

Tech Giants Unite to Support Open-Source Chromium Development

The Linux Foundation launched the "Supporters of Chromium-Based Browsers" initiative, backed by Google, Microsoft, Meta, and Opera. This initiative aims to fund and support the open development of Chromium projects, fostering collaboration between developers, academia, and tech companies to ensure the sustainability and innovation of the ecosystem. Operating on an open governance model, the project prioritizes transparency and community involvement. This move is seen as crucial for securing the future of Chromium-based browsers and promoting greater collaboration within the tech industry.

(betanews.com)

Development Linux Foundation

Tesla Found Partially Liable in Autopilot Wrongful Death Case

2025-08-03

Tesla Found Partially Liable in Autopilot Wrongful Death Case

A Miami federal jury has found Tesla partially liable in a 2019 wrongful death lawsuit involving its Autopilot system. George McGee, driving a Tesla Model S with Autopilot engaged, ran a stop sign and crashed into a couple, killing Naibel Benavides and severely injuring Dillon Angulo. While Tesla argued McGee was solely responsible, the jury determined Tesla bore one-third of the liability for selling a defective vehicle, awarding plaintiffs $129 million in compensatory damages and $200 million in punitive damages. This marks the first time a jury has found Tesla liable in a wrongful death case involving Autopilot.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

Microsoft Bing Integrates Sora: Free AI Video Generator Arrives

2025-06-10

Microsoft Bing Integrates Sora: Free AI Video Generator Arrives

Microsoft has integrated OpenAI's Sora video generation technology into its Bing mobile app, launching the free Bing Video Creator. Users can generate short, 5-second videos simply by typing text prompts. While currently limited to text-to-video generation and offering a limited number of free creations, its ease of use and accessibility make it a compelling tool for casual video creation. This move not only offers consumers a convenient video creation tool but also opens up possibilities for enterprise users to explore applications of AI video generation, such as automated video summaries, training materials, or marketing assets.

(venturebeat.com)

Tech

Facebook's Shocking Reliance on Ex-Intelligence Agents

2025-08-12

Facebook's Shocking Reliance on Ex-Intelligence Agents

An investigation reveals Meta's startling dependence on former US intelligence operatives. A significant number of employees from the CIA, FBI, and Department of Defense, particularly in crucial departments like trust and safety and content moderation, raise serious concerns about the blurring lines between platform impartiality and government influence. The article highlights this is not an isolated incident, with similar patterns observed in other tech companies, enabling indirect US government control over global information flow with minimal public oversight.

(mronline.org)

Tech

JSON: A Pragmatic Choice for Machine-Readable Output on Unix

2025-02-24

The author advocates for using JSON as the machine-readable output format, based on their experience deleting emails from a Postfix mail queue. While not perfect, JSON offers several practical advantages on Unix systems: clarity, broad compatibility, extensive tool support, and easy conversion to other formats. For new programs, the author suggests that using only JSON is the simplest approach, avoiding the complexities of designing custom formats and promoting interoperability between Unix programs.

(utcc.utoronto.ca)

Development Machine-readable output

Google Simplifies URL Display in Mobile Search Results

2025-01-23

Google Simplifies URL Display in Mobile Search Results

Google announced a simplification to how URLs are displayed in mobile search results. Previously, mobile search results included website breadcrumbs as part of the URL, but these were often truncated on smaller screens. Now, Google will remove breadcrumbs from mobile search results, displaying only the domain for a cleaner, more user-friendly experience. Desktop search results remain unchanged. This change doesn't require action from developers using breadcrumb structured data; it continues to be supported for desktop search.

(developers.google.com)

Tech Mobile Search URL Display

s3mini: Blazing Fast and Tiny S3 Client for Edge

2025-06-11

s3mini: Blazing Fast and Tiny S3 Client for Edge

s3mini is an ultra-lightweight (~14KB minified) TypeScript client for S3-compatible object storage, boasting ~15% faster operations per second than alternatives. It runs on Node.js, Bun, Cloudflare Workers, and other edge platforms, tested with Cloudflare R2, Backblaze B2, DigitalOcean Spaces, and MinIO. Featuring essential S3 APIs (put, get, delete, list, etc.) and AWS SigV4 support (no pre-signed URLs needed), s3mini is zero-dependency and perfect for resource-constrained environments. Browser support is not provided.

(github.com)

Development

GribStream: A Fast and Efficient Historical Weather Forecast API

2024-12-20

GribStream: A Fast and Efficient Historical Weather Forecast API

GribStream is a fast, efficient, and easy-to-use historical weather forecast API leveraging the National Blend of Models (NBM) and the Global Forecast System (GFS). It provides access to massive historical weather data; a single HTTP request can retrieve tens of thousands of hourly data points for months in seconds. The API supports various output formats (CSV, Parquet, JSON, etc.) and location queries. Its cost-effective pricing and powerful features allow developers to easily access the data they need without downloading and archiving.

(gribstream.com)

Development historical data

Constant-Time Sliding Window Aggregation: A Refined FIFO

2025-08-20

This post presents a refined FIFO data structure enabling constant-time sliding window aggregation. Traditional approaches using dual-stack structures prove inefficient. The author introduces a novel method, cleverly managing 'ingestion' and 'excretion' lists with their running and suffix products, to achieve aggregation over arbitrary monoids with worst-case constant-time complexity. This avoids the extensive copying and redundancy of prior methods, offering significant practical advantages. Python code is included for implementation.

(pvk.ca)

Development

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