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Deep Dive: Tracing the `write()` System Call in OpenBSD

2025-03-29

This article delves into the low-level implementation of the `write()` system call in OpenBSD. Starting from the user-space `write()` call, it traces the data's journey through the kernel, detailing the complete path from system call to data written to an NVMe hard drive. The article reveals a chain of kernel function calls, including `mi_syscall`, `sys_write`, `dofilewritev`, `vn_write`, `ffs_write`, `uiomove`, `bdwrite`, `syncer`, `bwrite`, `ufs_strategy`, `spec_strategy`, `sdstrategy`, and finally the NVMe driver. It illustrates data transformation and transmission across different abstraction layers, highlighting key technical details such as caching mechanisms and DMA transfers.

(flak.tedunangst.com)

Development System Call

Menstrual Cycle Tracking Apps: A Privacy Goldmine?

2025-06-11

Menstrual Cycle Tracking Apps: A Privacy Goldmine?

A new report from Cambridge University reveals the significant privacy risks associated with menstrual cycle tracking apps (CTAs). These apps collect vast amounts of sensitive user data, from diet and exercise to sexual preferences, and sell it to third parties for profit, vastly underestimating the data's value. The report highlights potential risks such as job discrimination, health insurance discrimination, and cyberstalking, even limiting access to abortion. It calls for stronger regulation of the femtech industry and suggests the NHS develop a transparent and trustworthy alternative to protect user privacy.

(www.cam.ac.uk)

Tech women's health menstrual cycle tracking apps

The Reliability Bottleneck of LLMs: Four Strategies for Building AI Products

2025-06-02

The Reliability Bottleneck of LLMs: Four Strategies for Building AI Products

This article explores the inherent unreliability of Large Language Models (LLMs) and its implications for building AI products. LLM outputs often deviate significantly from the intended result, and this unreliability is particularly pronounced in tasks involving multi-step actions and tool use. The authors argue that this core unreliability is unlikely to change significantly in the short to medium term. Four strategies for managing LLM variance are presented: systems operating without user verification (pursuing determinism or 'good enough' accuracy), and systems incorporating explicit verification steps (end-user verification or provider-level verification). Each strategy has its strengths, weaknesses, and applicable scenarios; the choice depends on team capabilities and objectives.

(verissimo.substack.com)

AI AI Reliability Product Development Strategies

BYD Yangwang U9 Electric Supercar Jumps Potholes and Spikes

2025-01-10

BYD Yangwang U9 Electric Supercar Jumps Potholes and Spikes

BYD's luxury brand, Yangwang, has showcased the impressive off-road capabilities of its U9 electric supercar in a recent video. The video shows the U9 accelerating to 120km/h and leaping over a 2.5-meter pothole and a 4-meter stretch of tire spikes. This feat is enabled by its advanced DiSus-X hydraulic suspension system, which actively controls each wheel's position. The U9 boasts four electric motors, producing a combined 960kW and 1680Nm of torque, achieving a top speed of 309km/h and a 0-100km/h time of 2.36 seconds. While not currently planned for release in Australia, its performance is undeniably striking.

(www.drive.com.au)

Tech Yangwang U9 Electric Supercar

Tunisia: From Roman Ruins to Post-Arab Spring Chaos

2025-05-30

Tunisia: From Roman Ruins to Post-Arab Spring Chaos

The author spent almost three weeks exploring Tunisia, from bustling cities to remote deserts, experiencing its stunning landscapes and historical sites. However, it was Tunisia's turbulent politics that captivated him most: a country that transitioned from a fledgling democracy to a quasi-dictatorship, with President Kais Saied's rise seemingly accidental. The article details Tunisia's complex history from independence to Saied's rule, including Bourguiba's secular reforms and authoritarianism, Ben Ali's economic development and dictatorship, and the post-Arab Spring political turmoil culminating in Saied's power grab. Saied's unique governing style, marked by economic policies that led to inflation and shortages, has fueled public discontent. The article offers a nuanced perspective, rich in detail, painting a portrait of a contradictory yet captivating Tunisia.

(mattlakeman.org)

Misc Tunisia Arab Spring

MIT's All-Optical AI Chip Achieves 58x Speedup

2025-01-15

MIT's All-Optical AI Chip Achieves 58x Speedup

Researchers at MIT have developed an all-optical AI chip that processes information directly using photons, bypassing the digitization step for a massive speed boost. Achieving a latency of 410 picoseconds, it's 58 times faster than a standard CPU. This breakthrough involves implementing a complete deep neural network on a photonic chip, including both linear matrix operations and non-linear thresholding functions – a challenge previously faced by photonic computing. While currently limited in parameter count, this technology promises applications in low-latency fields like autonomous driving and advanced automotive vision systems.

(arstechnica.com)

AI photonic computing AI chip

Apple Patches Zero-Day Vulnerability Used in Sophisticated Attacks

2025-02-10

Apple Patches Zero-Day Vulnerability Used in Sophisticated Attacks

Apple has released emergency security updates to address a zero-day vulnerability (CVE-2025-24200) exploited in targeted, sophisticated attacks. The vulnerability could bypass USB Restricted Mode on locked devices, potentially allowing data extraction. This mode was designed to prevent forensic software from accessing data on locked iOS devices. Apple urges users to update immediately to mitigate potential ongoing attacks. This incident highlights the importance of regular software updates and mobile device security.

(www.bleepingcomputer.com)

Tech Apple security update zero-day vulnerability iOS security

Website Cookie Policy and User Privacy

2025-07-03

Website Cookie Policy and User Privacy

This website uses technologies like cookies to store and access device information for the best user experience. Agreeing allows us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs. Disagreeing or withdrawing consent may negatively impact features. The site clarifies that technical storage or access is strictly necessary for enabling explicitly requested services or communication transmission; for storing non-requested preferences; and for statistical purposes (anonymous). However, it also acknowledges that such storage might be used for creating user profiles for advertising or tracking, requiring explicit consent.

(magazine.atavist.com)

Misc

TMSU: A Tag-Based Virtual Filesystem for Escaping the Hierarchical Filesystem Nightmare

2025-01-23

TMSU is a tool for tagging your files, offering a simple command-line interface for applying tags and a virtual filesystem providing a tag-based view of your files from any program. It doesn't modify your files; instead, it maintains its own database and mounts a tag-based view. You can tag files, query them using logical operators (and, or, not), and mount a virtual filesystem for access from other applications. This VFS allows for tag management by creating and deleting directories.

(tmsu.org)

Development virtual filesystem tags

Fil-C's FUGC: A Parallel, Concurrent, and Accurate Garbage Collector

2025-09-05

Fil-C employs FUGC (Fil's Unbelievable Garbage Collector), a parallel concurrent on-the-fly grey-stack Dijkstra accurate non-moving garbage collector. FUGC boasts multi-threaded concurrent marking and sweeping, avoiding stop-the-world pauses through 'soft handshakes' for non-blocking interaction with mutator threads. Its grey-stack approach eliminates load barriers, requiring only a simple store barrier, while Dijkstra barriers ensure accurate marking. FUGC is non-moving, simplifying concurrent implementation and supporting C, Java, and JavaScript-style memory management including finalizers, weak references, and weak maps, drastically improving Fil-C's memory management efficiency and safety.

(fil-c.org)

Development garbage collector

LumoSQL: Enhancing SQLite with Security and Performance

2025-05-27

LumoSQL is a modification, not a fork, of the widely used SQLite database. It enhances SQLite by adding security, privacy, performance, and measurement features, and boasts pluggable backend key-value store engines like LMDB. Utilizing a novel 'not-forking' tool, LumoSQL manages multiple upstream codebases without forking, collaborating with the SQLite project to introduce improvements without compromising SQLite's core stability. LumoSQL demonstrates enhancements that many users need but aren't readily available in the core SQLite project due to its cautious approach.

(lumosql.org)

Development

Algorithm Nightmare: An O(EV+VlogVlogK) Solution for Counting Paths of Length K

2025-08-25

This article tackles a seemingly simple algorithmic problem: finding the number of paths of length K between nodes A and B in a directed, unweighted graph. Starting with basic BFS and dynamic programming, the author delves into more advanced techniques, including matrix exponentiation, linear recurrences, generating functions, annihilating polynomials, and the Berlekamp-Massey algorithm. The result is a stunning O(EV+VlogVlogK) solution, significantly faster than traditional O(EK) or O(V³logK) approaches. The author clearly explains the principles and connections between these algorithms, highlighting the problem's complexity and the elegance of the solution.

(horace.io)

Development linear recurrences

The Matrix Calculus You Need For Deep Learning

2025-03-29

The Matrix Calculus You Need For Deep Learning

This paper aims to explain all the matrix calculus you need to understand deep neural network training. Assuming only Calculus 1 knowledge, it progressively builds from scalar derivative rules to vector calculus, matrix calculus, Jacobians, and chain rules. Through derivations and examples, the authors demystify these concepts, making them accessible. The paper concludes with a summary of key matrix calculus rules and terminology.

(explained.ai)

AI matrix calculus

Envloader: A Simplified Cross-Platform Env Var Loader

2025-02-22

Frustrated with getting direnv to work on his Windows machine due to restrictive office settings, the author built `envloader`, a cross-platform tool to simplify loading environment variables in the terminal. It supports .env and .envrc files, automatically converting them for your shell. Installation is easy via brew or scoop; simply run `envloader` to load your vars. While lacking advanced features of direnv (like autoloading), it's a quick, effective solution for those needing a simple way to manage environment variables.

(willwa.de)

Development environment variables cross-platform tool

Fiverr's New Ad: AI Vibe Coding Needs a Human Touch

2025-08-03

Fiverr's New Ad: AI Vibe Coding Needs a Human Touch

Fiverr's latest ad campaign playfully tackles the limitations of AI 'vibe coding.' Using the humorous imagery of a squashed avocado, the ad highlights how AI-generated code, while seemingly perfect on the surface, often requires human intervention to truly succeed. While AI lowers the barrier to entry for app and website creation, Fiverr argues that the human element is crucial for taking a project beyond a basic demo and into a fully functional product. This campaign follows a previous controversial ad and aims to reposition Fiverr as a platform that champions the collaboration between AI and human creative talent.

(www.creativebloq.com)

Tech Freelancing

A Busy Mom's Life: Sewing, Baking, and Raising Three Kids

2025-08-01

A mother from Washington state shares her busy daily life: juggling three jobs, three kids, and household chores, while also keeping up with fitness, reading Ender's Game, sewing her children's winter wardrobes, and trying to reduce caffeine intake. She recently took her kids to see a laser light show at Coulee Dam and shares her favorite baking recipe – baked oatmeal that her kids devour for breakfast. Despite all this, she's still battling migraines.

(mountainofink.com)

Misc crafts

Ant Queens Cloning Males of a Different Species: Rewriting the Rules of Reproduction

2025-09-18

Ant Queens Cloning Males of a Different Species: Rewriting the Rules of Reproduction

Iberian harvester ant (Messor ibericus) queens are defying reproductive biology norms by cloning males of an entirely different species, Messor structor. Researchers discovered isolated M. ibericus colonies thriving without nearby M. structor populations. This led to the astonishing revelation that M. ibericus queens produce male M. structor offspring, which then father the colony's workers. This is the first documented case of an animal producing offspring from another species as part of its normal life cycle, challenging established understanding of species barriers and highlighting the unexpected complexity of natural cooperation and conflict.

(www.livescience.com)

Tech species barriers ant reproduction cloning

Phugoid Oscillation: A Pilot's Nightmare

2024-12-27

A phugoid is an aircraft motion characterized by a repetitive cycle of climbing and descending, accompanied by changes in airspeed. Caused by variations in pitch and a nearly constant angle of attack, it can be triggered by factors like elevator input or control surface malfunctions. While sometimes a manageable nuisance, uncontrolled phugoids have been implicated in numerous aviation accidents, including the devastating Japan Airlines Flight 123 crash. Understanding phugoid dynamics is crucial for flight safety.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Tech flight safety aviation accidents flight dynamics

The 2022 Tax Law Change That's Causing Tech Layoffs

2025-06-14

The 2022 Tax Law Change That's Causing Tech Layoffs

A seemingly innocuous change in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, effective in 2022, mandated the amortization of R&D expenses over five years instead of immediate deduction. This significantly impacted tech companies' cash flow, forcing many to lay off employees to cover increased tax liabilities. Smaller firms were particularly hard hit, while larger companies shifted R&D to countries with more favorable tax systems, resulting in US job losses. This wasn't just a tech problem; it affected a large swathe of the US economy, prompting calls for a policy reversal.

(www.professoraxelrod.com)

Tech R&D expensing

UK Launches Digital Driving Licence and GOV.UK Wallet App

2025-01-21

UK Launches Digital Driving Licence and GOV.UK Wallet App

The UK government is launching a GOV.UK Wallet and App to simplify access to government services and documents. A digital driver's licence will be among the first features, allowing users to show their licence on their phone for age verification or driving proof online and offline. The wallet will also include other government-issued documents like Veteran Cards. Alongside this, the government plans to save £45 billion through public sector technology improvements and leverage technology to boost economic growth. The GOV.UK App, launching this summer, will offer personalized services and features like an AI-powered chatbot.

(www.gov.uk)

Tech digital driving licence GOV.UK Wallet digital government

TikTok Returns to US App Stores After Ban

2025-02-14

TikTok Returns to US App Stores After Ban

Nearly a month after being banned in the US, TikTok has returned to the Apple App Store and Google Play Store. This follows a letter from US Attorney General Pam Bondi to Apple assuring them of no penalties for hosting the app. While President Trump issued an executive order temporarily suspending enforcement of the ban, Apple and Google hesitated due to potential billion-dollar fines. Vice President JD Vance is reportedly overseeing negotiations for a potential sale of TikTok.

(www.theverge.com)

Tech app stores

Verizon and T-Mobile Scrap DEI Initiatives Under FCC Chair Pressure

2025-05-19

Verizon and T-Mobile Scrap DEI Initiatives Under FCC Chair Pressure

Facing pressure from FCC Chair Brendan Carr, telecom giants Verizon and T-Mobile have announced modifications or cancellations of their Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) programs. Verizon stated it will eliminate its dedicated DEI team, reassigning employees to other roles. T-Mobile is conducting a comprehensive review of its DEI policies. This move has sparked controversy, with media outlets criticizing Verizon's actions as "cowardly," a surrender to political pressure prioritizing profit over social responsibility. Carr's actions have also been condemned as using regulatory power to suppress civil rights protections and equal opportunity.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech diversity equity

Intel Layoffs Shake Oregon's Economy

2025-07-17

Intel Layoffs Shake Oregon's Economy

Intel's job cuts in Oregon are raising concerns about the state's economy. Since August, Intel has eliminated at least 5,400 jobs, including 2,400 last week alone, dropping its Oregon workforce to its lowest point in over a decade. These layoffs, primarily impacting high-paying tech roles, significantly impact Oregon's tax revenue and economic growth. While Intel claims Oregon remains central to its future, the cuts highlight the state's dependence on Intel and its vulnerability to challenges in the tech industry. Oregon is grappling with this challenge, seeking economic diversification and attracting other tech companies to offset Intel's job losses.

(www.oregonlive.com)

Tech Oregon economy

Android's Linux Terminal Now Runs Graphical Apps

2025-07-28

Android's Linux Terminal Now Runs Graphical Apps

Google's Android Linux Terminal app, a hidden gem allowing users to run full Linux apps within Android, now supports graphical applications in the latest Canary build. A new 'Display' button launches a graphical environment, enabling users to run desktop applications unavailable on Android. Hardware acceleration is also supported, boosting performance. This significant step opens the door for more powerful Linux software and even PC games, though compatibility remains a challenge. It showcases Google's ongoing efforts to merge Chrome OS and Android.

(www.androidauthority.com)

Development

arXivLabs: Experimental Projects with Community Collaboration

2025-07-28

arXivLabs is a framework enabling collaborators to develop and share new arXiv features directly on our website. Individuals and organizations involved embrace our values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. arXiv is committed to these values and only works with partners who share them. Got an idea for a project that will benefit the arXiv community? Learn more about arXivLabs.

(arxiv.org)

Development

Open-Source Oasis Smart Terrarium: A 3D-Printed Paradise for Plants

2025-06-24

Open-Source Oasis Smart Terrarium: A 3D-Printed Paradise for Plants

Oasis is a fully open-source, mostly 3D-printed smart terrarium designed for humidity-loving plants like mosses, ferns, and orchids. It features high-power LED lighting, a mister for humidity control, fans for airflow, and a temperature/humidity sensor. WiFi connectivity allows control via a phone or computer. The project includes CAD models, electronics designs (KiCad), and software (Rust). While the electronics assembly might be challenging for beginners, the project is largely accessible to DIYers with a 3D printer. Pre-assembled electronics can be ordered, though potentially expensively. The creator plans to eventually offer assembled electronics kits.

(github.com)

Hardware smart terrarium

Resurrecting 30-Year-Old Apple SCSI Hard Drives: The Rubber-Decay Data Recovery

2025-03-02

This post details the author's experience restoring 1990s Apple-branded Quantum and Conner SCSI hard drives. These drives commonly suffer from a failure mode where they spin up and immediately stop. By opening the drives, the author discovered the root cause: aging rubber bumpers causing the read/write head to stick. Two methods—manually moving the head and using Kapton tape to hold it in place—were successfully employed to recover data. The article also shares interesting details about how data is physically stored on these drives and serves as a reminder to regularly back up important data.

(www.downtowndougbrown.com)

Hardware vintage hardware SCSI hard drive

Feature Comparison: Two Powerful Photo & Video Management Apps

2025-09-08

Feature Comparison: Two Powerful Photo & Video Management Apps

This comparison analyzes the features of two photo and video management applications. Both support uploading and viewing videos and photos, auto-backup, duplicate prevention, selective album backup, downloading to local devices, multi-user support, albums and shared albums, scrubbable scrollbars, RAW format support, metadata viewing (EXIF, map), search by metadata, objects, faces, and CLIP, virtual scrolling, OAuth support, LivePhoto/MotionPhoto backup and playback, user-defined storage structures, public sharing, archiving and favorites, global map, partner sharing, facial recognition and clustering, memories (x years ago), stacked photos, and folder view. However, one app lacks administrative functions, background backup, 360-degree image display, tags, and offline support.

(github.com)

Development photo management video management app comparison

Fujitsu's Monaka CPU: An ARMv9 Datacenter Beast with SVE2 and 3D Stacking

2024-12-14

Fujitsu's Monaka CPU: An ARMv9 Datacenter Beast with SVE2 and 3D Stacking

Fujitsu is set to launch Monaka, a new datacenter CPU slated for a 2027 release. This ARMv9-based processor boasts SVE2 extensions and utilizes 3D stacking, resembling AMD's EPYC architecture with a central IO die and disaggregated SRAM and compute units. Each Monaka CPU will pack up to 144 cores across four 36-core chiplets, all built on a 2nm process. The IO boasts 12 channels of DDR5 (potentially exceeding 600GB/s bandwidth), PCIe 6.0 with CXL 3.0 support, and air-cooling capability. Unlike its predecessor, A64FX, Monaka omits HBM support and targets the general datacenter market.

(chipsandcheese.com)

Hardware 3D Stacking

4D Rotation Curved Space Shader with three.js

2025-05-22

4D Rotation Curved Space Shader with three.js

A GLSL shader built with three.js that simulates curved space by projecting 3D models onto a 4D unit sphere using 4D rotation and stereographic projection. Originally written in HLSL for the Unity game Sfera, this shader allows users to zoom, rotate, and control the camera perspective to experience animated models moving within a curved space. An online demo and video tutorial are available. Models are loaded at runtime from the three.js repository.

(github.com)

Development 4D Graphics

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