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Veav: An Experimental Web Browser Engine with Limited Functionality

2025-05-18

Veav: An Experimental Web Browser Engine with Limited Functionality

Veav is an experimental web browser engine supporting most display types (excluding grid), standard CSS cascade behavior, pagination using @page rules, print-to-PDF output, and all CSS units. It loads HTML and XHTML documents but has very basic networking capabilities, supporting only http:// and file://. Detailed compatibility information is available on their WPT status page. Installation instructions (using Arch Linux as an example) are provided, requiring several dependencies and the `clang-prefixed-release` compiler. An architecture diagram (tldraw format) is also available.

(github.com)

Development

Sega's Illegal Raid: The Bizarre Case of the Seized Game Prototypes

2025-09-12

Sega's Illegal Raid: The Bizarre Case of the Seized Game Prototypes

A non-profit game preservation museum attempted to save a collection of valuable undumped GBA, DS, DSi, and 3DS games, including prototypes of titles like Sonic Chronicles: The Dark Brotherhood. However, the seller was raided by British police, and the games were seized with Sega's involvement. The seller claims to have legally purchased the games and provides evidence, but Sega refuses to respond, and even the police warrant is questionable. This incident raises questions about the UK's warrant system and highlights the challenges of game preservation.

(www.timeextension.com)

Game police raid

Converge Hiring Senior Full-Stack Engineer: Build a Million-Dollar Marketing Measurement Platform

2024-12-16

Converge Hiring Senior Full-Stack Engineer: Build a Million-Dollar Marketing Measurement Platform

Converge, a Y Combinator-backed company with over $1M in ARR, is hiring a senior full-stack engineer. The small team (only 4 people) serves 180+ customers, processing billions of dollars in annual sales and billions of events per month. You'll build a unified marketing measurement stack, including customer data collection, identity resolution, and marketing attribution, with direct customer interaction and significant ownership. The company values action-orientedness, continuous learning, positive attitudes, and simplicity. Requires extensive full-stack experience, proficiency in React and backend development, and knowledge of production software deployment and scaling.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development Full-Stack Engineer Marketing Measurement

Running Windows NT 4 Server in Proxmox: A Retro Guide

2025-05-25

Running Windows NT 4 Server in Proxmox: A Retro Guide

This blog post provides a comprehensive guide on installing Windows NT 4 Server within a Proxmox virtual environment. It details crucial VM settings, including the correct CPU type, memory allocation, SCSI controller selection, and network adapter configuration. The author addresses common installation hurdles such as installing SCSI drivers, configuring mouse drivers, and enabling high-resolution display support. The step-by-step instructions, accompanied by screenshots, simplify the process. The end result is a fully functional Windows NT 4 Server virtual machine, allowing users to experience this classic OS.

(blog.pipetogrep.org)

Development

Ghibli-core: AI Art's Delight and Dilemma

2025-03-31

Ghibli-core: AI Art's Delight and Dilemma

OpenAI's integration of native image generation into ChatGPT unleashed a flood of Studio Ghibli-style art across social media. This sparked a debate about the future of AI, art, and attention. While the technical improvements were significant, the widespread adoption of the feature to create Ghibli-esque imagery highlighted the ease with which AI can reproduce distinct artistic styles. This led to discussions about the devaluation of artistic labor and the potential for AI to homogenize creative output. The incident underscores AI's capacity for both delight and disruption, emphasizing the growing importance of art direction in guiding AI-assisted creative processes.

(carly.substack.com)

AI Ghibli artistic value

The Biology of B-Movie Monsters: Where Science Meets Silver Screen Silliness

2025-03-28

University of Chicago professor Michael C. LaBarbera dissects classic B-movie monster flicks, revealing the hilarious disconnect between Hollywood's portrayal of size and the realities of biology. He uses examples like *The Incredible Shrinking Man*, *Dr. Cyclops*, and *Fantastic Voyage* to illustrate how changes in size impact surface area, volume, strength, heat loss, and more, highlighting the movies' frequent disregard for physics. LaBarbera further analyzes the skeletal limitations and locomotion challenges of giant creatures in films such as *King Kong*, *The Amazing Colossal Man*, and *Attack of the Fifty Foot Woman*. He also examines the physiological constraints of giant marine creatures and insects in movies like *It Came from Beneath the Sea*, *Mothra*, and *Them!*. Finally, he praises the biological accuracy of Spielberg's *Jurassic Park* and *E.T.*, explaining the latter's endearing appeal.

(fathom.lib.uchicago.edu)

Tech biomechanics science in film monster movies

Student Uses AI to Game Amazon's Interview Process, Sparks University Controversy

2025-03-27

Student Uses AI to Game Amazon's Interview Process, Sparks University Controversy

Columbia University student Roy Lee developed Interview Coder, an AI tool that solves LeetCode problems, a standard in software engineering interviews. After using it to secure an Amazon internship and posting a video online, he faced backlash from Amazon and the university. Amazon reported him, leading to an investigation, but the video's viral success and public questioning of LeetCode's relevance led to the university reopening the case. The incident sparked debate about AI's impact on education and employment, highlighting limitations of traditional interview methods. Lee advocates for assessing candidates based on real-world projects and code skills, rather than high-pressure timed tests.

(thepennpost.com)

Tech

Stagehand: Simplifying AI-powered Web Browsing

2025-01-09

Stagehand: Simplifying AI-powered Web Browsing

Stagehand is an AI web browsing framework built on top of Playwright, simplifying browser automation with three simple AI APIs: act, extract, and observe. It makes Playwright accessible to non-technical users and less vulnerable to minor UI/DOM changes. Stagehand allows building browser automations using natural language, such as logging into websites, extracting information, or performing specific actions. Combined with Browserbase, it offers powerful debugging tools like session replay and step-by-step debugging. Currently in early release, community feedback is welcome.

(github.com)

Development Browser Automation

Steffi Graf's Pickleball Pivot: From Tennis Legend to Competitive Newbie

2025-02-15

Steffi Graf's Pickleball Pivot: From Tennis Legend to Competitive Newbie

Twenty-five years after retiring from tennis, Steffi Graf finds herself competing in the fast-paced world of pickleball. While nerves were never an issue during her illustrious tennis career, the quick pace and unfamiliar dynamics of pickleball presented a new challenge. Graf, along with husband Andre Agassi, will be participating in the Pickleball Slam 3 in Las Vegas, vying for a $1 million prize purse. Graf highlights pickleball's accessibility and ease of learning, suggesting it complements rather than threatens tennis. Despite needing to adapt her style, Graf relishes the challenge and the chance to reignite her competitive spirit in this new arena.

(www.cnn.com)

Game Steffi Graf Andre Agassi

Windows Update Bricking USB Printers: Random Text Mayhem

2025-03-13

Windows Update Bricking USB Printers: Random Text Mayhem

Microsoft has acknowledged that recent Windows updates (KB5050092 and later, released since January 29th, 2025) are causing some dual-mode USB printers (supporting both USB Print and IPP over USB) to print random gibberish. This includes network commands and unusual characters. Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2/23H2 are affected; Windows 11 24H2 is not. Microsoft has fixed this via Known Issue Rollback (KIR), and the fix will also automatically roll out in a future update. For enterprise environments, IT admins need to install and configure specific group policies to resolve the issue on affected devices.

(www.bleepingcomputer.com)

Hardware Windows Update USB Printer

World-First? Meteorite Crash in Canada Caught on Home Security Camera

2025-01-18

World-First? Meteorite Crash in Canada Caught on Home Security Camera

A Canadian homeowner's security camera captured what might be the world's first video and audio recording of a meteorite impact. The meteorite landed precisely where the homeowner had been standing just minutes earlier on Prince Edward Island in July 2024. The homeowner, alerted by strange debris, reviewed the footage to witness the event. The University of Alberta confirmed the meteorite, named the "Charlottetown Meteorite," as an ordinary chondrite. This unique event, complete with sound recording, adds a new chapter to the island's natural history and highlights the unexpected value of home security footage in scientific research.

(www.smithsonianmag.com)

Tech meteorite security camera canada

The AI Hype Train: How Long Until the Brakes Are Applied?

2025-04-29

The AI Hype Train: How Long Until the Brakes Are Applied?

The past few years have seen an explosion of hype around AI, with businesses integrating it into products with mixed results. Apple has delayed its AI portfolio due to poor performance, and consumer research shows ambivalence or even hostility towards AI-integrated products. Intel admits its AI chips aren't selling, and cloud providers are slowing AI datacenter deployments. Despite this, the hype continues, fueled by daily announcements of breakthroughs and massive investment in companies like OpenAI, which despite a $30 billion valuation, lost $5 billion last year. This unsustainable model relies on pushing AI into every product until a profitable niche is found. The vague definition of 'AI' further inflates the hype, with everyday software marketed as AI. Eventually, like previous tech bubbles, the AI hype will likely subside, forcing a reassessment of its actual value and practical applications.

(newslttrs.com)

Tech AI Hype

Michael Larabel: 20 Years of Linux Hardware Benchmarking

2025-07-22

Michael Larabel, founder and principal author of Phoronix.com, has dedicated himself since 2004 to enriching the Linux hardware experience. He's penned over 20,000 articles covering Linux hardware support, performance, graphics drivers, and more. Beyond writing, he's the lead developer of automated benchmarking software like the Phoronix Test Suite, Phoromatic, and OpenBenchmarking.org. A true pioneer in Linux performance analysis.

(www.phoronix.com)

Tech

ChatGPT-powered Da Vinci Robot Performs Autonomous Gallbladder Removal

2025-07-26

ChatGPT-powered Da Vinci Robot Performs Autonomous Gallbladder Removal

Researchers at Johns Hopkins University integrated a ChatGPT-like AI with a Da Vinci surgical robot, achieving autonomous gallbladder removal. Unlike previous robot-assisted surgeries relying on pre-programmed actions, this system, SRT-H, uses two transformer models for high-level task planning and low-level execution. The high-level module plans and manages the procedure, while the low-level module translates instructions into precise robotic arm movements. Built upon the widely adopted Da Vinci platform, SRT-H demonstrates greater flexibility and adaptability, marking a significant leap forward in AI-assisted surgery.

(arstechnica.com)

AI AI surgery Da Vinci Robot

Ensō (Occult Vampire Keanu) Public Beta Released

2025-06-30

The new Ensō version, codenamed "Occult Vampire Keanu," is now available for public testing! This release focuses on a simplified UI, improved accessibility, and enhanced privacy. New features include a "Coffeeshop Mode" to conceal text, multiple accessibility-focused themes, and a refined text rendering engine. Future updates will include RTL support and more, but this version significantly improves the user experience.

(untested.sonnet.io)

Development UI update

Can We Understand This Proof? A Glimpse into Formalized Mathematics

2025-01-10

Can We Understand This Proof? A Glimpse into Formalized Mathematics

Stephen Wolfram delves into a long-standing mathematical puzzle: the proof of a surprisingly simple axiom for Boolean algebra. Generated using automated theorem proving, the proof is incredibly complex and remains incomprehensible to humans. The article explores the proof's intricacies, dissecting its 'machine code' level operations, and poses a challenge: to humanize this proof. It discusses the potential of Large Language Models (LLMs) to understand and simplify the proof, and the implications for the future of mathematics. The conclusion suggests that some mathematical proofs may inherently be uninterpretable, hinting that mathematics will increasingly resemble an experimental science.

(writings.stephenwolfram.com)

Mathematics automated theorem proving formalized mathematics computational irreducibility

Your ChatGPT Chats Might Be Indexable by Search Engines

2025-08-18

Your ChatGPT Chats Might Be Indexable by Search Engines

Recently, OpenAI ChatGPT users were shocked to find their search queries appearing in Google search results. OpenAI had disclosed this possibility, but most users overlooked it. More concerning, a court order compels OpenAI to retain all user conversation data, including deleted content, due to an ongoing copyright lawsuit. Google's Gemini AI also has a memory function, recording user chats by default. The article warns users to be cautious with AI chatbots, avoiding sensitive information, as all mainstream AI chatbots record user conversations by default.

(www.theregister.com)

AI

Pentagon Overhauls Software Procurement: Security First

2025-05-07

Pentagon Overhauls Software Procurement: Security First

The US Department of Defense (DoD) is overhauling its outdated software procurement systems, prioritizing security. CIO Katie Arrington launched the Software Fast Track (SWFT) initiative to reform software acquisition, testing, and authorization. SWFT addresses slow processes, lack of supply chain visibility, and concerns over open-source software security. It will define cybersecurity and supply chain risk management requirements, leveraging AI for secure software authorization. The DoD aims to finalize the SWFT framework and implementation plan within 90 days, ensuring rapid delivery of secure, high-quality software to enhance military capabilities. However, recent cyberattacks and leaks highlight the DoD's own security vulnerabilities, raising questions about the initiative's effectiveness.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech DoD Software Procurement

Fogus' 2024 Year in Review: Programming, Reading, and Life Reflections

2024-12-23

In his 2024 year-end blog post, Fogus reflects on his year in programming, reading, and life. He shares noteworthy articles and books he enjoyed, covering topics like the Elite game, amateur radio history, Japanese bathroom folklore, and the history of WordStar. He highlights favorite technical books like "And so FORTH" and non-technical books such as "Butcher's Crossing." Fogus details his experiences with the Clojure programming language and explorations into other languages like Joy and Forth. He concludes by outlining his plans for 2025, including the Clojure 1.13 release and continued work on his Juxt project.

(blog.fogus.me)

Development year in review reading recommendations

Microsoft's Universal Print Gets 'Pull Print' Feature for Enhanced Security

2025-08-14

Microsoft's Universal Print Gets 'Pull Print' Feature for Enhanced Security

Microsoft has made its 'Pull Print' feature for Universal Print generally available, addressing the security risk of sensitive documents left unattended at printers. Users can now release print jobs from any registered printer without pre-selecting a device, simply by authenticating. Two release methods are offered: direct print and secure release (via QR code). While alternatives exist, this free addition to Universal Print is particularly attractive for Microsoft 365 organizations already using the service, significantly improving both security and convenience.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech Universal Print Print Security

Firefox Addon Devs Targeted in Ongoing Phishing Campaign

2025-08-04

Firefox Addon Devs Targeted in Ongoing Phishing Campaign

Mozilla is warning of a phishing campaign targeting Firefox add-on developers. Attackers impersonate Mozilla or AMO (addons.mozilla.org), tricking developers into clicking malicious links to supposedly update their accounts, threatening access loss otherwise. The goal is likely to compromise trusted developer accounts to distribute malicious add-ons designed to steal cryptocurrency seed phrases. Security researchers highlight the constant emergence of such malicious extensions. Mozilla acknowledges the role of add-ons in crypto scams and is improving detection, but malicious developers are constantly adapting.

(www.theregister.com)

Development

Judge Rules Anthropic's Use of Books to Train AI is Fair Use

2025-06-24

Judge Rules Anthropic's Use of Books to Train AI is Fair Use

A federal judge ruled that Anthropic's use of published books to train its AI models without authors' permission is legal, marking the first time courts have acknowledged AI companies' fair use defense in LLM training. This decision is a setback for authors suing companies like OpenAI and Meta. While not setting universal precedent, it favors tech companies. The ruling hinges on the interpretation of fair use doctrine, outdated in the age of generative AI. However, a trial will address Anthropic's use of pirated books to build its 'central library' of copyrighted works, potentially impacting damages.

(techcrunch.com)

AI

Btrfs Allocator Hints: Optimizing Mixed Storage Performance

2025-02-11

Btrfs Allocator Hints: Optimizing Mixed Storage Performance

Btrfs now features allocator hints, allowing users to specify devices for metadata and data allocation, optimizing performance in mixed storage setups (e.g., SSDs and HDDs). By prioritizing faster SSDs for metadata and slower HDDs for data, users can improve filesystem responsiveness and storage efficiency. This requires a patched kernel and command-line configuration. Improper configuration can lead to out-of-space errors; careful monitoring is recommended.

(wiki.tnonline.net)

Development mixed storage

Ancient DNA Extraction from Paleolithic Artifacts Reveals Clues to 45,000-Year-Old Human Activities

2025-03-10

Ancient DNA Extraction from Paleolithic Artifacts Reveals Clues to 45,000-Year-Old Human Activities

A groundbreaking study successfully extracted ancient DNA from Paleolithic artifacts unearthed at the French sites of Quinçay and Les Cottés, and from Bacho Kiro Cave in Bulgaria and Denisova Cave in Russia. Researchers developed a non-destructive DNA extraction method using sodium phosphate buffer at varying temperatures to gradually release DNA, minimizing damage to the artifacts. This method yielded both human and animal DNA, offering invaluable genetic insights into human activities and behaviors dating back 45,000 years.

(www.nature.com)

Tech non-destructive extraction Paleolithic

Signal CEO Defends App After US Gov't Messaging Blunder

2025-03-25

Signal CEO Defends App After US Gov't Messaging Blunder

Signal President Meredith Whittaker defended the messaging app's security after a US government mishap involving a journalist in a private chat about military action. She highlighted Signal's open-source, non-profit nature and its end-to-end encryption as key differentiators, positioning it as a superior alternative to WhatsApp, which collects significantly more user data. Download numbers in the US are rising, reflecting increased user preference for a privacy-focused platform.

(www.yahoo.com)

Tech

Typage: Age Encryption with Passkeys

2025-07-16

Typage: Age Encryption with Passkeys

Typage, a TypeScript implementation of the age file encryption format, now supports passkeys for enhanced security. Version 0.2.3 leverages the WebAuthn API for symmetric encryption using passkeys, offering phishing resistance. A companion CLI plugin extends this functionality to hardware FIDO2 security keys. The implementation utilizes the WebAuthn PRF extension, creating a per-file hardware binding and unlinkability. This allows for seamless encryption and decryption across devices, while maintaining strong security guarantees. The new `age-encryption.org/fido2prf` format is central to this improved security.

(words.filippo.io)

Development file encryption

WebGPU Lands in Firefox 141 on Windows!

2025-07-16

WebGPU Lands in Firefox 141 on Windows!

After years of development, WebGPU is finally shipping in Firefox 141 on Windows! WebGPU provides web content with a modern interface to the user's graphics processor, enabling high-performance computation and rendering. Mozilla believes WebGPU will significantly improve web games, visualizations, and local computation. While initially available on Windows, support for macOS, Linux, and Android is planned for the coming months. WebGPU is already available in Chrome and will soon be in Safari.

(mozillagfx.wordpress.com)

Development Graphics Processing

Sesame's Leap: Bridging the Uncanny Valley in Conversational Voice

2025-03-02

Sesame's Leap: Bridging the Uncanny Valley in Conversational Voice

Sesame's research team has made significant strides in creating more natural and emotionally intelligent AI voice assistants. Their Conversational Speech Model (CSM) uses multimodal learning to generate contextually appropriate speech by considering context, emotion, and conversation history. This technology surpasses traditional text-to-speech (TTS) models and demonstrates improvements in naturalness and expressiveness through objective and subjective evaluations. However, the model currently primarily supports English, with future plans to expand to more languages and further enhance its understanding of complex conversational structures.

(www.sesame.com)

AI AI voice conversational model multimodal learning

Windows 10's End of Life Leaves Charities in a Bind

2025-03-15

Windows 10's End of Life Leaves Charities in a Bind

With Windows 10's free security updates ending this October, millions of PCs unable to upgrade to Windows 11 face obsolescence. This poses a significant challenge for charities that rely on these older machines. They're faced with a difficult decision: provide insecure Windows 10, switch to Linux, or scrap the computers. While Linux offers a viable alternative, the learning curve for unfamiliar users, especially seniors and students, is steep and could lead to increased tech support issues. The article explores this problem, showcasing different charities' strategies and the resulting e-waste dilemma.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Tech security updates

California Lithium Battery Plant Fire Sparks Clean Energy Safety Concerns

2025-01-26

California Lithium Battery Plant Fire Sparks Clean Energy Safety Concerns

A massive fire at one of the world's largest lithium-ion battery storage facilities in Monterey County, California, burned for five days, destroying roughly 80% of the batteries. This is the fourth fire at the Moss Landing Power Plant since 2019, raising concerns about California's increasing reliance on renewable energy and battery storage. The incident has prompted calls for stricter safety regulations and more local control over siting of battery storage facilities. A state assembly member has introduced a bill requiring local engagement in permitting and establishing buffer zones around sensitive areas. While initial EPA testing showed no immediate public health threat from toxic gases released, residents remain concerned about long-term impacts.

(www.yahoo.com)

Tech lithium battery safety

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