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DeepSeek-R1: A Censored AI Model?

2025-01-28

DeepSeek-R1: A Censored AI Model?

DeepSeek-R1, a blockbuster open-source AI model, has raised concerns due to censorship stemming from its Chinese developer's adherence to CCP policies. Promptfoo's evaluation revealed that DeepSeek-R1 censored 85% of 1,156 prompts on sensitive topics like Taiwanese independence and the Cultural Revolution. However, this censorship proved surprisingly brittle and easily bypassed using simple techniques, such as altering the context or framing questions within fictional narratives. This research highlights the vulnerability of censorship in Chinese AI models and underscores the broader implications of censorship and data security in global AI development.

(www.promptfoo.dev)

AI AI censorship open-source model

Lisp Dialect Showdown: Scheme, Common Lisp, Clojure, and Racket

2025-03-07

The Lisp family is vast and complex. This post explores four prominent dialects: Scheme, Common Lisp, Clojure, and Racket. Scheme is known for its minimalism and strong academic foundation; Common Lisp boasts a rich standard library and decades of history; Clojure emphasizes functional programming, concurrency, and JVM interop; and Racket is beginner-friendly with a focus on education and extensibility. The article delves into each dialect's history, community, and unique characteristics, offering a humorous take on the inter-dialect 'tribalism'. Ultimately, it avoids declaring a 'best' dialect, instead guiding readers to choose the Lisp that best suits their needs.

(churchofturing.github.io)

Development

Conquering Makefiles: A Comprehensive Guide

2025-06-20

This guide demystifies Makefiles, tackling their often-confusing syntax and hidden rules. It starts with the basics, progressing through syntax, variables, functions, and advanced techniques, all illustrated with runnable examples. The guide culminates in a practical Makefile template for medium-sized projects, making it a valuable resource for developers of all levels.

(makefiletutorial.com)

Development

Llama.cpp Heap Overflow Exploit: A 30-Hour Journey to RCE

2025-03-26

Llama.cpp Heap Overflow Exploit: A 30-Hour Journey to RCE

This write-up details a 30-hour journey exploiting a heap overflow in Llama.cpp to achieve remote code execution (RCE). Llama.cpp's unique heap management system thwarted classic ptmalloc exploitation techniques. The author cleverly leveraged Llama.cpp's implementation logic, bypassing multiple security checks to achieve a heap overflow. Through intricate manipulations, RCE was gained. The article provides an in-depth analysis of the vulnerability details, mitigations, and the final exploitation, offering valuable insights for security researchers.

(retr0.blog)

Development heap overflow

Escaping the Cloud Music Trap: Reclaiming My Digital Music

2025-09-12

Escaping the Cloud Music Trap: Reclaiming My Digital Music

Tired of the limitations of streaming music services, I embarked on a journey to regain ownership of my music. Saying goodbye to Apple Music, I chose Petrichor (macOS) and Doppler (iOS) as my local music players and am supplementing my library by buying DRM-free downloads or hunting for used CDs. The freedom of having a local music library, and escaping the horrible Apple Music app, is incredibly liberating.

(rosswintle.uk)

Misc local music player music liberation

Anthropic's Fair Use Defense: A Major Ruling in the AI Copyright Wars

2025-06-24

A California court ruled partially in favor of Anthropic in a copyright lawsuit over the use of copyrighted books to train its AI models. The court found that Anthropic's use of purchased books for training and converting print to digital formats constituted “fair use,” but using pirated copies did not. This ruling has significant implications for the AI industry, affirming the fair use of legally obtained copyrighted material for training AI models while emphasizing the importance of legal data acquisition. A trial will follow to determine damages for the use of pirated copies, potentially impacting AI companies' data acquisition strategies significantly.

(aifray.com)

AI

OpenZFS 2.3.0 Released: RAIDZ Expansion, Blazing Fast Deduplication, and More

2025-01-14

OpenZFS 2.3.0 Released: RAIDZ Expansion, Blazing Fast Deduplication, and More

OpenZFS 2.3.0 is here! This release boasts exciting new features including RAIDZ expansion for adding devices to existing RAIDZ pools without downtime, blazing fast deduplication for significantly improved performance, direct I/O for bypassing ARC caching to boost efficiency on devices like NVMe, optional JSON output for most commands, and support for file/directory names up to 1023 characters. Numerous critical bug fixes and performance improvements round out this release. Supported platforms include Linux kernels 4.18-6.12 and FreeBSD releases 13.3, 14.0-14.2.

(github.com)

Development storage

Interactive Yjs Tutorial Launched by Jamsocket

2025-01-16

Interactive Yjs Tutorial Launched by Jamsocket

Jamsocket has released Learn Yjs, an interactive tutorial series teaching developers how to build real-time collaborative applications using the Yjs CRDT library. Starting with Yjs basics, it covers techniques for handling state in distributed applications, explaining CRDTs and their benefits. The tutorial features explorable demos and code exercises, powered by Y-Sweet, their open-source Yjs server, for a real-time collaborative experience.

(learn.yjs.dev)

Development Real-time Collaboration

China Embraces AI: From Taboo to Toolkit

2025-07-29

China Embraces AI: From Taboo to Toolkit

Unlike Western educators who view AI as a threat, Chinese classrooms are treating it as a skill to be mastered. The global rise of Chinese-developed AI models like DeepSeek fuels national pride. The conversation in Chinese universities has shifted from worrying about academic integrity to fostering AI literacy, productivity, and maintaining a competitive edge. A Stanford University study reveals China leads the world in AI enthusiasm, with 80% of respondents expressing excitement about new AI services. This positive attitude stems from China's long-held belief in technology as a driver of national progress. Universities are integrating AI into teaching, encouraging students to use it as a tool for writing, data analysis, and more, while emphasizing the crucial role of human judgment in achieving optimal results.

(www.technologyreview.com)

AI China-US AI attitudes

Solo Pacific Crossing: A Technical Deep Dive

2025-04-02

A consulting exploration geologist recounts his 24-day, 2142-nautical-mile solo voyage from Berkeley, California, to Hilo, Hawaii, aboard his West Wight Potter 19 sailboat, "Chubby." The article details the technical preparations, safety enhancements (including improved drainage, multiple jacklines, comprehensive safety equipment), navigation (GPS, sextant, celestial navigation), electrical systems, provisioning, route planning, and weather management. Despite initial headwinds and calms, and a near miss with a hurricane, the voyage was largely smooth, showcasing both the boat's and the captain's capabilities. The author emphasizes this isn't an endorsement of the Potter 19 as a bluewater cruiser, but rather a sharing of a unique technical adventure.

(potter-yachters.org)

Tech sailboat voyage ocean sailing technical challenges

OCaml: A Surprisingly Relevant Language for the Modern Era

2025-08-14

This article makes a strong case for OCaml, highlighting its strengths as both a research language and a practical tool for industry. The author details OCaml's powerful features—including its static type system, multi-paradigm support, and evolving ecosystem—arguing that it's well-suited for diverse projects. Several common misconceptions about OCaml are addressed, and the author paints a picture of a vibrant and supportive community. The piece concludes with a compelling invitation to explore this often-overlooked language.

(xvw.lol)

Development

VA Announces Massive Layoffs, Sparking Outrage

2025-03-05

VA Announces Massive Layoffs, Sparking Outrage

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) plans to lay off tens of thousands of employees later this year, sparking widespread criticism. An internal memo reveals a department-wide review aimed at streamlining management, reducing the agency's size, and improving efficiency. The goal is to reduce staffing levels to 2019 levels (approximately 399,000), down from the current 482,000. Democratic lawmakers strongly condemn the move, arguing it will harm veterans by jeopardizing healthcare access, claims processing, and education benefits. They contend that the VA needs more staff to handle the increased demands from the PACT Act, not fewer.

(www.govexec.com)

Tech VA Layoffs PACT Act Veteran Healthcare

Rethinking C's Time API: A Modern Approach

2025-02-16

C's time API is notorious for its legacy cruft and poor design choices. This article showcases the issues with a simple example of printing the current time, highlighting clunky functions and limitations. A proposed alternative utilizes cleaner data structures, nanosecond precision with floating-point representation, and streamlined timezone handling and formatting. While not intended for widespread immediate adoption, this proof-of-concept demonstrates a path toward a more modern and efficient C time library, offering valuable insights for other language's time API design.

(oliverkwebb.github.io)

Development Time API

openCFS: A Mature Open-Source Multiphysics Simulation Tool

2025-02-24

openCFS, a finite element-based multiphysics modeling and simulation tool, boasts 20 years of research-driven development. Its core is used in scientific research and industrial applications. Key features include support for various physical fields and their couplings, non-conforming grid techniques, structural optimization, flexible data exchange, scriptable XML input, and powerful built-in libraries. An extensive set of examples, a comprehensive testsuite, and its use in university courses make it easy to learn. A vibrant community and commercial support from EnSimTech UG further ensure its ongoing development and accessibility.

(opencfs.org)

Development finite element multiphysics

Ledger Co-founder Kidnapped: Massive Investigation Underway in France

2025-01-23

Ledger Co-founder Kidnapped: Massive Investigation Underway in France

David Balland, a co-founder of the cryptocurrency wallet company Ledger, has been kidnapped, prompting a large-scale investigation by French authorities. The incident unfolded in the Cher department of France, involving a significant police deployment including helicopters and searches of multiple locations. The motive behind the kidnapping remains unclear, and whether a ransom is involved has not been publicly disclosed. This event highlights the security risks within the cryptocurrency industry.

(www.leberry.fr)

Tech kidnapping

Unearthing the Oldest Lines in Your Git Repo

2025-01-30

The author shares a shell script to find the oldest lines of code in a Git repository. The script uses `git blame` along with `find` and `awk` to filter non-binary files and identify the earliest committed lines, revealing a glimpse into the project's history. While currently limited to commits after 2000, it offers a fascinating look at how the codebase has evolved.

(milofultz.com)

Development Code History

Mastering the Kalman Filter: A Comprehensive Tutorial

2025-01-18

This tutorial provides a thorough guide to the Kalman filter, a powerful tool for estimating and predicting system states. Starting with basic univariate filters, it progressively covers multivariate filters, non-linear filters, and practical implementation aspects like sensor fusion and outlier handling. The tutorial features numerous numerical examples and illustrations, along with Python and MATLAB code. Even without a strong math background, you can learn to design, simulate, and evaluate Kalman filter performance.

(www.kalmanfilter.net)

Development Kalman Filter State Estimation

UK Council's Oracle Project Costs Balloon to £40M

2025-01-28

UK Council's Oracle Project Costs Balloon to £40M

West Sussex County Council in the UK is undertaking a £40 million ($50 million) Oracle-based transformation project, a massive escalation from the initial £2.6 million estimate. To fund this, the council is selling off assets like property, including a former fire station. The project, initially slated for 2021, has faced repeated delays, a system integrator change, and a new contract with Oracle extending it to 2030. This highlights the risks of runaway costs in large IT projects and the financial challenges faced by local governments.

(www.theregister.com)

Tech IT project cost overruns

Webb Telescope Reveals Cloud Convection on Titan's Northern Hemisphere

2025-05-18

Webb Telescope Reveals Cloud Convection on Titan's Northern Hemisphere

Using data from the James Webb Space Telescope and the Keck II telescope, astronomers have found evidence of cloud convection in Titan's northern hemisphere. Most of Titan's lakes and seas are located there and are likely replenished by occasional methane and ethane rain. Webb also detected a key carbon-containing molecule, offering insights into the chemical processes in Titan's complex atmosphere. This is the first time cloud convection has been observed in Titan's northern hemisphere, crucial for understanding Titan's methane cycle, as most lakes and seas are located there. The discovery also reveals the presence of methyl radicals in Titan's atmosphere, helping scientists understand Titan's chemical processes.

(www.sci.news)

Tech methane cycle

Wealth Concentration in the US: The Top 10% Control 87% of Stocks

2025-03-03

Wealth Concentration in the US: The Top 10% Control 87% of Stocks

New data reveals a staggering concentration of wealth in the US, with the top 10% owning 87% of stocks, 84% of private businesses, 44% of real estate, and two-thirds of total wealth. This concentration has been steadily increasing since 1989. Even more alarming, the top 10% now accounts for 50% of all consumer spending, up from 36% three decades ago, with their spending increasing by 12% between September 2023 and September 2024 while working- and middle-class spending declined. This extreme wealth concentration poses significant economic risks, making traditional economic indicators less reliable and highlighting the uncertainty of the future.

(awealthofcommonsense.com)

Startup wealth inequality economic risk

Guédelon Castle: A Living Experiment in Medieval Archaeology

2025-08-19

Guédelon Castle: A Living Experiment in Medieval Archaeology

Guédelon Castle in Burgundy, France, isn't just a reconstruction; it's a living experiment in medieval archaeology. Using only 13th-century tools and techniques, a team of skilled artisans is building a real 13th-century castle. The project, decades in the making, reveals historical mysteries, from window materials (initially goatskin, later beeswax-stiffened linen) to mortar recipes and scaffolding techniques. Each obstacle encountered is an opportunity to solve a medieval-style problem, illuminating the ingenuity and teamwork of medieval builders. Guédelon is more than a castle; it's a vibrant historical lesson, attracting visitors and scholars worldwide.

(archaeology.org)

Tech experimental archaeology medieval architecture Guédelon Castle

Local-First & Ejectable Apps: The Future of Data Ownership

2025-03-16

Cloud apps offer convenience, but traditional desktop software provides better data ownership. 'Ejectable' apps bridge this gap, letting users self-host the backend sync server. This means saving a workspace and downloading a server executable, allowing seamless switching between cloud and local versions. Data remains accessible even if the cloud service shuts down, ensuring longevity like classic apps like DOOM.EXE. The author highlights Thymer as an example of this approach.

(thymer.com)

Development ejectable apps data ownership

EV Battery Degradation: Overblown Fears?

2025-08-18

EV Battery Degradation: Overblown Fears?

Concerns about short lifespan of EV batteries are widespread. This article debunks this myth, analyzing two types of battery degradation: calendar aging and cycle aging. Real-world data shows degradation is far slower than feared, especially after 20,000 miles. Studies of thousands of EVs show over 80% capacity retention even at 200,000 miles. Manufacturer warranties of 8-10 years or 100,000 miles further support this. While degradation is unavoidable, mitigating factors include avoiding extreme temperatures, charge levels, and frequent fast charging. In short, anxieties around EV battery life are largely overblown; they last far longer than many believe.

(www.sustainabilitybynumbers.com)

Tech Battery Degradation

A 1920s Art Party with Tamara de Lempicka: A Glimpse into Decadence

2025-01-26

A 1920s Art Party with Tamara de Lempicka: A Glimpse into Decadence

Imagine a glamorous 1920s party hosted by the iconic Tamara de Lempicka. This article vividly portrays the era through descriptions of Lempicka's art and the party's attendees. From Lempicka herself, arriving in her green Bugatti, to fashionable flappers in loose dresses, a guitarist in a blue satin gown, gossiping ladies in red hats, and androgynous figures like the Duchess de la Salle, the piece captures the unique fashion, art, and social atmosphere of the 1920s. Lempicka's artistic style is woven into the narrative, highlighting her use of classical references and her distinctive portrayal of modern women.

(www.dailyartmagazine.com)

Design 1920s Tamara de Lempicka Art Deco

Albion Online Players Targeted in EFF Impersonation Phishing Campaign

2025-03-06

Albion Online Players Targeted in EFF Impersonation Phishing Campaign

A threat actor impersonated the Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF) to target Albion Online players using decoy documents and malware. An exposed directory contained malware (Steal and Pyramid C2) alongside fake EFF reports. Analysis linked the operation to a Russian-speaking developer and 11 servers sharing SSH keys. Phishing messages claimed EFF was investigating account theft, luring players to malicious links. The incident highlights the danger of threat actors leveraging the trust associated with well-known organizations.

(hunt.io)

Tech

Spark 1.2 Released: A Major Leap in GPU Texture Compression

2025-03-09

Spark 1.2 is finally here! This real-time GPU texture compression solution boasts major optimizations, new compression formats, and expanded platform support. This release focuses on improving vectorization performance on RDNA, consoles, and Mali GPUs, and includes many unexpected features such as an improved EAC codec, new BC3-YCoCg and HDR codecs, and an ETC2 codec. The development team will focus more on long-term goals, rather than chasing feature requests from potential clients who haven't committed to a license yet. Spark 1.2 also supports Android TV and consoles, and features improved ASTC 6x6 and streaming codecs, as well as sideband data codecs, significantly improving compression quality and performance.

(www.ludicon.com)

Development GPU Texture Compression Real-time Rendering

GPT-4o mini TTS: Text-to-Speech Made Easy

2025-03-24

This tool leverages OpenAI's GPT-4o mini TTS API to transform text into natural-sounding speech. It's a three-step process: input your text, customize settings (six voices and adjustable speed), and generate high-quality audio. The audio streams directly to your browser, never stored on our servers. Experiment with different voices and speeds to find the perfect fit!

(hitts.cc)

AI

JWST Detects Potentially Biosignature Gases on Exoplanet K2-18b

2025-04-17

JWST Detects Potentially Biosignature Gases on Exoplanet K2-18b

Using the James Webb Space Telescope, scientists have detected signs of dimethyl sulfide and dimethyl disulfide in the atmosphere of exoplanet K2-18b, chemicals produced by marine life on Earth. While not definitive proof of life, researchers call it the most promising sign yet of life beyond our solar system. K2-18b resides in the habitable zone, possessing the potential for liquid water, making life a possibility. This builds upon prior research identifying methane and carbon dioxide in K2-18b's atmosphere. Although alternative explanations exist, researchers are excited about the discovery and plan further investigation to confirm their findings.

(www.skyatnightmagazine.com)

Tech biosignature

GitMCP: Empowering AI to Deeply Understand GitHub Code

2025-04-03

GitMCP: Empowering AI to Deeply Understand GitHub Code

GitMCP creates a dedicated Model Context Protocol (MCP) server for any GitHub project, allowing AI assistants to understand your code within its context. It reads files like README.md and code comments, providing AI assistants with more accurate and relevant information. Setup is straightforward; simply point to your GitHub repository and connect your AI tools. GitMCP works seamlessly with any public GitHub repository and GitHub Pages, making your documentation and code easily accessible to AI tools.

(gitmcp.io)

Development Code Understanding

Microsoft's New Surfaces: Intel-Powered Models Cost $400 More

2025-01-31

Microsoft's New Surfaces: Intel-Powered Models Cost $400 More

Microsoft launched new Surface Pro and Surface Laptop models for business customers, powered by Intel's Core Ultra processors. These are $400 more expensive than their Qualcomm Snapdragon-based counterparts. The Intel-based models start at $1499 with a second-gen Core Ultra 5 processor, 16GB RAM, and 256GB storage. Qualcomm-based Surfaces start at $1099. Consumer models currently only offer Qualcomm options. Available February 18th, the new Surfaces support Microsoft's new AI-enhanced mobile device management portal.

(www.theregister.com)

Hardware

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