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Building a Game Boy Cartridge from Scratch: A Deep Dive into Hardware and Software

2025-07-23

Allison Parrish's multi-year journey to build a Game Boy cartridge from scratch is documented in this comprehensive article. It details the inner workings of Game Boy cartridges, explaining concepts like memory mapping, Memory Bank Controllers (MBCs), chip select, and buses. The article dives deep into the specifics of various MBCs, particularly the MBC5, and addresses challenges like using flash memory instead of ROM and resolving conflicts between flash and MBC protocols. Hardware aspects such as battery-backed SRAM persistence and voltage conversion are also explored. This in-depth technical guide is perfect for anyone interested in Game Boy hardware and software development.

(abc.decontextualize.com)

Development

Visual Look Up on Apple Silicon Macs: A Power and Energy Analysis

2025-09-06

Visual Look Up on Apple Silicon Macs: A Power and Energy Analysis

This study analyzes the power and energy consumption of a single Visual Look Up (VLU) on Apple silicon Macs using Powermetrics and LogUI. Results show that the CPU performs the vast majority of the work (93%), with the GPU and Neural Engine (ANE) contributing only 4.6% and 2.2% respectively. While the ANE contributes to performance improvements during model execution, its overall energy consumption is low. The conclusion is that VLU, despite its impressive functionality, is not particularly demanding on the hardware.

(eclecticlight.co)

Hardware Visual Look Up Power Efficiency

Big Tech: The Government's Silent Partner in Surveillance?

2025-02-28

Big Tech: The Government's Silent Partner in Surveillance?

The US government has gained chilling access to citizens' daily lives through cooperation with tech giants like Meta, Google, and Apple. Over the past decade, these three companies have handed over details of over 3 million accounts to the government, with data requests skyrocketing. While used for investigations, this raises serious privacy concerns, as many requests lack judicial oversight and may lead to wrongful convictions. To maintain their business models, tech companies struggle to effectively protect user privacy, inadvertently becoming complicit in government surveillance.

(proton.me)

Tech

VP Vance's Apple Watch: A National Security Risk?

2025-02-09

VP Vance's Apple Watch: A National Security Risk?

An open letter from a former CIA case officer warns Vice President Vance about the significant national security risks posed by his Apple Watch. The letter highlights how the watch's microphone, GPS tracking, and biometric data collection features could be exploited by hostile intelligence agencies to steal secrets and even manipulate him. The author recommends safer alternatives such as the Sangin Instruments Neptune, Marathon 41mm Diver's Automatic (GSAR), or a Breitling “White House” Aerospace. This article offers a unique perspective on the potential national security implications of seemingly innocuous tech devices, prompting reflection on personal privacy and information security.

(www.watchesofespionage.com)

Tech intelligence smartwatch

DIY Slinky Antenna: A Ham Radio Hack

2025-04-26

This article details an amateur radio enthusiast's experiment building antennas from Slinky toys. The author documents the construction of both steel and brass Slinky dipoles, providing detailed instructions, measurements, and comparisons to traditional antennas. The Slinky antennas prove surprisingly effective, offering advantages in portability and compact storage. Tuning methods and relevant patents are also discussed, revealing a surprisingly rich history of Slinky antenna designs.

(nonstopsystems.com)

Tech ham radio antenna design Slinky antenna

Racing Simulator Built From a Wrecked Corvette

2025-01-14

Racing Simulator Built From a Wrecked Corvette

A father and son team transformed a wrecked Chevrolet Corvette (C3 generation) into an incredible racing simulator. Using the car's existing driver's compartment as a base, they ingeniously integrated custom electronics, gaming components, and a meticulously crafted interior. The project showcases creativity and clever engineering, resulting in a final product that retains the classic Corvette aesthetic while delivering a modern gaming experience.

(www.instructables.com)

Game racing simulator Corvette

RedNote's Dilemma: A Flood of 'TikTok Refugees' and the Threat of US Influence

2025-01-17

RedNote's Dilemma: A Flood of 'TikTok Refugees' and the Threat of US Influence

The impending US ban on TikTok has sent millions of users flocking to RedNote, a Chinese social media platform. However, this influx presents a challenge. To prevent US users from influencing its Chinese user base, RedNote may soon segregate users, sparking controversy. This move risks cutting off Chinese-Americans from Chinese culture and information, while simultaneously highlighting China's long-standing concerns about Western social media influence – a situation ironically mirroring the US's planned TikTok ban. RedNote's unexpected popularity has caught it off guard, forcing it to scramble to moderate English content and build translation tools.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

German Town's Geothermal Gamble: Deep-Rock Energy for a Cleaner Future

2025-03-04

German Town's Geothermal Gamble: Deep-Rock Energy for a Cleaner Future

Geretsried, Germany, once abandoned its hopes for geothermal energy after traditional methods failed. Now, Eavor is pioneering a new approach, building its first commercial power plant in the town. Their technology taps into deep, dry hot rock, drilling kilometers deep to create closed loops that heat water for electricity generation and district heating for around 36,000 homes. This innovative solution addresses Germany's energy transition challenges and holds global potential for a cleaner, more secure energy future, combating climate change.

(apnews.com)

Tech geothermal energy

Human Civilization at a Crossroads: Authoritarian Collapse or Superabundance?

2024-12-30

Human Civilization at a Crossroads: Authoritarian Collapse or Superabundance?

Dr. Nafeez Ahmed, a renowned systems theorist, argues in a new study published in Foresight that human civilization is on the verge of a 'giant leap' in evolution towards a 'networked superabundance' powered by distributed clean energy. However, this progress is threatened by rising authoritarianism and nationalist populism. Ahmed, who accurately predicted the 2008 financial crisis and the rise of clean energy, posits that industrial civilization is in decline, but emerging technologies like clean energy, cellular agriculture, and AI could create unprecedented prosperity. The success of this transition hinges on responsibly governing these new capabilities.

(www.eurekalert.org)

AI civilizational transformation authoritarianism

Become Each Other's Hypeman: The Positive Feedback Loop of Friendship

2025-05-24

Become Each Other's Hypeman: The Positive Feedback Loop of Friendship

This post explores the importance of 'rooting for your friends.' The author argues that genuinely celebrating friends' successes and offering active support fosters strong friendships and creates a positive feedback loop: mutual assistance leading to mutual growth. This is likened to a flywheel effect – your support boosts your friends, and they, in turn, help you. The post provides methods for identifying and becoming a 'hypeman' (someone who cheers for their friends), emphasizing the mutual benefit in friendship, and encouraging readers to reject jealousy and cultivate a supportive environment.

(josephthacker.com)

Misc positive mindset

Y Combinator's New Job Board: Find Your Dream Startup Team

2025-05-05

Y Combinator's New Job Board: Find Your Dream Startup Team

Y Combinator has launched a new job board connecting startups with talent and job seekers with exciting opportunities. The platform features a wide range of roles, including software engineering, design, product management, sales, marketing, and more, categorized by role and location. Remote positions are also available. Whether you're a seasoned engineer or a recent graduate, you can find the perfect fit and join a vibrant startup.

(www.workatastartup.com)

Startup

A Toast to Douglas Adams: The Humorist of the Cosmos

2025-03-15

A Toast to Douglas Adams: The Humorist of the Cosmos

Today marks the anniversary of Douglas Adams' birth. This article humorously remembers the science fiction master known for works like *The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy*, filled with absurd cosmic imaginings and profound reflections on the human condition. The author argues that Adams' work not only brought laughter but also changed how we think about technology, extinction, and the very nature of reality itself; his humorous philosophy continues to guide us in navigating an increasingly complex world.

(multiverseemployeehandbook.com)

Misc Douglas Adams Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy

Visualizing Complex Eigenvalues of Real Matrices with 3D Plots

2025-07-21

This article explores the 3D plot of the equation x²+(y+zi)²=1 (where x, y, z are real numbers and i is the imaginary unit), revealing a circle and a hyperbola. Separating the equation into real and imaginary parts yields two cases: when y=0, x²-z²=1 (a hyperbola); when z=0, x²+y²=1 (a unit circle). This visualization offers insights into the behavior of complex eigenvalues of real matrices that depend on a real parameter. Two examples of 2x2 matrices are provided, demonstrating how this method analyzes eigenvalues. The article concludes by suggesting that this approach can be extended to other 2x2 matrices dependent on a single real parameter.

(tobylam.xyz)

Math eigenvalues

Revisiting Deluxe Paint: A 40-Year-Old Pixel Art Powerhouse

2025-09-09

Revisiting Deluxe Paint: A 40-Year-Old Pixel Art Powerhouse

Forty years later, the author revisits Deluxe Paint III, a classic pixel art program. By working through the software's tutorials and testing animation tools, they explore its unique features such as color mixing, ranges, and stenciling, comparing them to modern image software. The article highlights Deluxe Paint's collaborative toolset, encouraging creative exploration rather than rigid precision, a stark contrast to modern software's focus on efficiency. The author concludes that Deluxe Paint remains a powerful and pure form of digital expression.

(stonetools.ghost.io)

Design

A Labyrinthine HTML Structure: Diving into a Deeply Nested Code

2025-03-14

A Labyrinthine HTML Structure: Diving into a Deeply Nested Code

This code snippet reveals an unusually complex, deeply nested HTML structure. Like a maze, layers upon layers of div elements make it difficult to discern the underlying logic. This brings to mind the intricate architectures of complex programs or websites, their internal complexities often exceeding imagination. While the code itself contains no actual content, the sheer complexity of its structure invites discussion. Is this a deliberate design choice? Or the result of a programming error?

(www.figma.com)

Development HTML structure

Entropy Attacks: Exploiting Flaws in Random Number Generation

2025-03-28

A cr.yp.to blog post reveals a critical vulnerability in random number generation—entropy attacks. The conventional wisdom holds that hashing multiple entropy sources enhances randomness, but the author demonstrates that if a single source is compromised, attackers can manipulate the hash output and control generated random numbers. This poses a significant threat to cryptographic systems relying on randomness, like DSA and ECDSA, enabling attackers to steal private keys. EdDSA, due to its deterministic signature generation, offers stronger resistance. The article advocates for minimizing entropy sources and employing deterministic cryptographic approaches to mitigate the risks associated with constantly adding new entropy.

(blog.cr.yp.to)

Tech

TCL Overtakes LG in Premium TV Shipments

2025-03-05

TCL Overtakes LG in Premium TV Shipments

TCL has surpassed LG to become the world's second-largest premium TV vendor in Q4 2024, according to Counterpoint Research. TCL's premium TV shipments more than doubled year-on-year, capturing a 20% market share, exceeding LG's 19%. While Samsung remains the leader, TCL's impressive growth, along with that of Hisense, signals a significant shift in the global TV market. Despite strong premium TV growth, the overall TV market saw slower growth, and new tariffs on Mexican-produced TVs could impact the industry.

(www.techspot.com)

Hardware Premium TV Market Share

Hugging Face Open-Sources Two Robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini

2025-05-31

Hugging Face Open-Sources Two Robots: HopeJR and Reachy Mini

Hugging Face Inc. has open-sourced the designs of two internally developed robots, HopeJR and Reachy Mini. HopeJR is a humanoid robot capable of 66 movements, including walking, with robotic arms controlled by specialized gloves. Reachy Mini is a desk-sized, turtle-like robot with a retractable neck, ideal for testing AI applications. Blueprints for both are open-source, with pre-assembled versions selling for approximately $250 and $3,000 respectively. Shipping is expected by year's end.

(siliconangle.com)

AI

Obscura: A VPN Built for True Privacy

2025-02-20

Obscura: A VPN Built for True Privacy

Carl Dong and his team of privacy experts introduce Obscura, a VPN designed to address the gap between promised and delivered privacy in existing VPN services. The team boasts a strong track record, including contributions to the Nix project, the Go standard library, hardware security token vulnerability fixes, and cryptocurrency security audits. Obscura focuses on delivering architecture-level privacy, not just promises, aiming to make secure and reliable internet access available to everyone.

(obscura.net)

Tech

Beware Fake Unsubscribe Links: A New Phishing Scam

2025-06-15

Beware Fake Unsubscribe Links: A New Phishing Scam

Online scammers are employing increasingly sophisticated tactics, including deepfake audio and AI-generated images. However, some continue to use simpler methods, such as fake unsubscribe links in emails. Clicking these links can lead to malicious websites designed to steal login credentials or other personal information. The article recommends using email service provider's 'list-unsubscribe headers' for safer unsubscribing, or simply marking as junk. Setting up dummy email accounts or leveraging browser privacy features are also effective countermeasures.

(www.popsci.com)

Tech email scams

Microsoft's Tough New Approach: Blocklists and 'Good Attrition'

2025-05-06

Microsoft's Tough New Approach: Blocklists and 'Good Attrition'

Microsoft is implementing two controversial management strategies signaling a tougher stance on employee performance. The company is now adding underperforming employees to a two-year blocklist, preventing rehiring. Furthermore, these layoffs are categorized as "good attrition," indicating a willingness to see these employees depart. These changes are part of a broader effort to streamline performance management, quickly removing low performers and deterring their return. While specific targets for "good attrition" haven't been publicly disclosed, it's gaining traction at the executive level as performance expectations rise. This mirrors Amazon's infamous "unregretted attrition" and similar practices at Meta, highlighting a broader industry trend toward stricter performance standards and less leniency. Earlier this year, Microsoft fired 2,000 underperformers without severance, further underscoring this shift.

(www.businessinsider.com)

Tech

Vim's Rebirth After the Passing of its Founder

2025-01-24

The death of Bram Moolenaar, Vim's creator, shook the community. However, the project continues under the stewardship of Christian Brabandt. The team tackled website modernization, security updates, and new feature development, including XDG directory support and Wayland support. While controversies, such as Tree-sitter integration, exist, the Vim community remains active and dedicated to the project's future.

(lwn.net)

Development

Where is London's Most Central Sheep?

2025-01-23

A blogger embarks on a quest to find the sheep closest to the center of London. The search leads him to Vauxhall City Farm, home to seven of the most centrally located sheep. He then discovers Spitalfields City Farm, which houses the eighth and ninth most central sheep. The article is a fun and engaging account of his visits, complete with anecdotes about the farm animals.

(diamondgeezer.blogspot.com)

Misc London City Farm Sheep

Anti-Personnel Computing: A New Malicious Paradigm in Early 21st Century Computing

2025-05-13

This article introduces the neologism "anti-personnel computing" to describe a malicious pattern in mainstream computing of the early 21st century: the use of computing devices harms user interests while benefiting third-party entities. An "anti-personnel computer" is defined as a device primarily used to the detriment of its user and for the benefit of third parties. The term draws an analogy to anti-personnel mines, highlighting the dark side of technology misuse.

(erratique.ch)

Tech anti-personnel computing computing ethics

Ashet Home Computer: A Hackable Retro-Inspired Home PC

2025-08-13

Ashet Home Computer: A Hackable Retro-Inspired Home PC

The Ashet Home Computer is a highly expandable and hackable computer inspired by the home computers of the 80s. Easy to understand yet powerful enough for a graphical desktop OS, it bridges the gap between Arduino and Raspberry Pi. The design phase is complete, and a functional prototype validating key features (PSRAM support, DVI video, etc.) has been built. The next stage involves engineering, schematics, PCB layout, and a crowdfunding campaign to fund production. The final design will be open-source and freely available.

(ashet.computer)

Hardware expandable

Basilisk II Black Screen Bug: A Twelve-Year Debugging Odyssey

2025-05-17

Twelve years ago, a black screen bug in the Basilisk II emulator plagued users on newer Windows versions. The author, through meticulous debugging, traced the issue to a subtle memory allocation detail: the order of two memory allocations in Windows caused the emulator's ROM to fail to load. The solution involved modifying the memory allocation code, resolving this long-standing problem and showcasing debugging skills and deep OS understanding.

(www.downtowndougbrown.com)

Development

Smoot-Hawley Tariff: An Epic Trade Disaster

2025-02-02

Smoot-Hawley Tariff: An Epic Trade Disaster

The Smoot-Hawley Tariff Act of 1930, a protectionist trade policy that dramatically increased tariffs on over 20,000 imported goods, is widely considered a major contributor to the Great Depression. Intended to shield American industries and workers, it instead triggered a global trade war, resulting in a sharp decline in US exports and imports, shrinking global trade and soaring unemployment. Despite warnings from economists, President Hoover signed the bill, a decision that exacerbated the economic crisis. The Smoot-Hawley Tariff remains a cautionary tale of the perils of protectionism.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Tech Smoot-Hawley Tariff Great Depression Protectionism

PhD Advisor Automates Writing Improvement with Shell Scripts

2024-12-14

To improve his PhD students' writing, an advisor created three shell scripts to detect passive voice overuse, weasel words, and duplicate words. Integrated into their LaTeX build system, these scripts encourage conscious choices for clarity and precision, rather than blind adherence to grammar rules. The advisor advocates for programmers using automation to combat writing weaknesses and recommends resources like "Style: The Basics of Clarity and Grace".

(matt.might.net)

Development Shell scripts Technical writing Automation

Plasma 6.4: Smoother, Friendlier, and More Powerful Desktop Experience

2025-06-17

Plasma 6.4: Smoother, Friendlier, and More Powerful Desktop Experience

KDE Plasma 6.4 is here, offering a smoother, friendlier, and more powerful desktop experience. Improvements span accessibility, color rendering, tablet support, window management, and more. Key features include customizable tile layouts per virtual desktop, an overhauled Spectacle screenshot tool, color visualization in KRunner, and enhanced support for digital artists and HDR displays. The update also refines notifications, widgets, and system monitoring. Plasma 6.4 focuses on creating a more convenient and efficient desktop environment.

(kde.org)

Development

Porn Sites Use SVG Files to Spread Malicious Script, Hijacking Facebook Likes

2025-08-10

Porn Sites Use SVG Files to Spread Malicious Script, Hijacking Facebook Likes

Security researchers have discovered multiple pornographic websites built on WordPress that use SVG files to spread malicious JavaScript code. This obfuscated code ultimately downloads a malicious script called Trojan.JS.Likejack, which silently likes specified Facebook posts if the user is logged in. This isn't a new tactic; previous incidents involved SVGs in cross-site scripting attacks and phishing scams. Researchers have identified dozens of affected websites. While Facebook shuts down accounts involved, these offenders consistently return with new profiles.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech

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