Will Pay For This: Validating Market Demand

2025-01-12
Will Pay For This: Validating Market Demand

Will Pay For This is a tool designed to discover market demand. It gauges the viability of a product or service by assessing user willingness to pay, helping entrepreneurs and businesses pinpoint target audiences and refine their product strategies, thereby minimizing wasted resources. Users simply describe their idea, and the platform provides market demand feedback based on data analysis. This is a powerful tool for creators unsure of their product's market potential.

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Running LLMs Locally: A Developer's Guide

2024-12-29
Running LLMs Locally: A Developer's Guide

A developer shares their experience running Large Language Models (LLMs) on a personal computer. Using a high-spec machine (i9 CPU, 4090 GPU, 96GB RAM), along with open-source tools like Ollama and Open WebUI, they successfully run several LLMs for tasks such as code completion and note querying. The article details the hardware, software, models used, and update methods, highlighting the data security and low-latency advantages of running LLMs locally.

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Bird Flu Out of Control: Government and Industry Failures Set Stage for Pandemic

2025-01-13
Bird Flu Out of Control: Government and Industry Failures Set Stage for Pandemic

The U.S. is grappling with an out-of-control bird flu outbreak that has spread to cattle and even humans. Sluggish federal action, deference to industry, and neglect of worker safety have allowed the virus to spread across 16 states, infecting over 860 herds. Experts express deep concern, fearing the outbreak could become a pandemic. Investigations reveal key failures: prioritizing the farm industry over public health, inadequate funding, disregard for agricultural worker safety, and delayed federal interventions. Despite billions spent, the virus persists, threatening economic devastation and a potential pandemic. The article urges swift action, including improved worker protection, enhanced surveillance, and a more proactive approach to prevent a catastrophic outcome.

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Mercure: A Fast and Reliable Real-time Communication Solution

2025-01-02
Mercure: A Fast and Reliable Real-time Communication Solution

Mercure is an open, easy, fast, reliable, and battery-efficient solution for pushing data updates to web browsers and other HTTP clients. It's ideal for publishing asynchronous and real-time updates of resources served through web APIs, powering reactive web and mobile apps. The protocol and a production-ready Go implementation, along with libraries and a Docker image, are available on GitHub. A managed, highly scalable version is also offered at Mercure.rocks.

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SteamOS's Rise: A Threat to Microsoft's PC Gaming Dominance

2025-01-09
SteamOS's Rise: A Threat to Microsoft's PC Gaming Dominance

The success of the Steam Deck is no accident; it demonstrates that Windows isn't the optimal choice for handheld gaming. SteamOS-powered handhelds, with their excellent compatibility and competitive pricing, are gradually eating into Windows' market share. More significantly, SteamOS is opening up to more hardware partners, suggesting a potential expansion into gaming laptops and even desktops, posing a serious threat to Microsoft's Windows operating system. Microsoft's heavy investment in gaming is challenged by Windows 11 update issues and shortcomings in its overall gaming ecosystem.

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Game PC gaming

Can America Still Build Stuff? The Data Says Yes

2025-01-07
Can America Still Build Stuff? The Data Says Yes

This data-driven article refutes the claim that America has lost its ability to build large-scale projects. Using numerous charts and graphs, the author demonstrates continued growth in US construction across housing, roads, utility-scale solar plants, pipelines, and bridges. While acknowledging that regulations like environmental protection laws may cause some delays, the article argues their benefits outweigh the costs. The author contends that the focus on failed projects overshadows the numerous successful ones, suggesting that reduced large-scale construction often results from project completion rather than a decline in capacity. Examples such as high-speed rail projects illustrate this point.

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The Makefile Effect: Why We Copy-Paste Config Files

2025-01-11

This post explores the common "Makefile effect" in software engineering: engineers tend to copy-paste and tweak existing configuration files (like Makefiles, CI/CD configurations, etc.) instead of writing them from scratch. The author argues this isn't inherently bad, but suggests it indicates that tools might be overly complex, lacking good diagnostics and debugging support, making them inefficient and insecure to use. The post concludes with design recommendations to minimize this effect, improving development efficiency and security.

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Development tool design

Most People Don't Care About Quality: The Rise of 'Good Enough'

2025-01-01
Most People Don't Care About Quality: The Rise of 'Good Enough'

This article explores the disparity in people's perception of quality. It argues that while professionals like designers and photographers prioritize detail and perfection, most people are largely insensitive to differences in quality, favoring convenience and ease of consumption. The article uses Netflix as a case study, analyzing the success of its low-cost, high-volume content strategy and predicting a future dominated by AI-generated content. This isn't because AI-generated content is inherently good, but because most people don't notice or care about imperfections, prioritizing basic needs and accessibility. The article concludes with the observation that this 'good enough' mentality permeates various fields, from clothing and food to entertainment, where value for money and convenience outweigh the pursuit of ultimate quality.

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The US Govt's Failed Attempt to Replace Migrant Farmworkers with High Schoolers

2025-01-08
The US Govt's Failed Attempt to Replace Migrant Farmworkers with High Schoolers

In 1965, following the end of the Bracero Program, the US government launched the A-TEAM, recruiting high school students to replace Mexican migrant farmworkers. Facing brutal working conditions and inadequate housing, many students quit or went on strike. The program's failure highlights the exploitation of migrant workers and the lack of understanding regarding the arduous nature of their jobs. This historical event offers valuable insights into the complexities of immigration and labor issues.

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CERN Engineer Locks 1950s Pendulum Clock to Atomic Clock for Unprecedented Accuracy

2025-01-04

A CERN engineer acquired a vintage Elektročas HH3 pendulum clock from the 1950s, boasting an accuracy of 0.1 seconds per day. To push the limits further, he embarked on a project to synchronize it with CERN's cesium atomic clock. The innovative solution involved a Chain Controlled Oscillator (CCO) which subtly alters the pendulum's center of gravity, controlled by a Phase Locked Loop (PLL) to maintain synchronization. Tests demonstrated remarkable improvement in accuracy, even detecting the perturbation caused by the recent Turkey earthquake. This project showcases a blend of meticulous engineering, ingenious innovation, and a quest for extreme precision.

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IGNITE: The First All-IGS Art Pack Released!

2025-01-05
IGNITE: The First All-IGS Art Pack Released!

Mistigris art group and Break Into Chat have released IGNITE, the first-ever art pack entirely in the IGS (Instant Graphics and Sound) format. IGS is an obscure graphics protocol for BBSes, and IGNITE is a tribute to its creator, Larry Mears. The pack includes static images and animations on diverse themes and features a web-based IGS drawing tool, JoshDraw, created by the author. IGNITE supports Atari ST and is available in various compatible formats.

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Game art pack

Data-Driven Value Flywheel: Building a Data Ecosystem

2025-01-09
Data-Driven Value Flywheel: Building a Data Ecosystem

In today's competitive landscape, data-driven decision-making is paramount. This article introduces a "Data Value Flywheel" model, a four-phase process (clarity of purpose, challenge and landscape, next best action, long-term value) for building a data ecosystem to achieve sustained growth driven by data. The model emphasizes collaboration between data and business teams, using a data factory as the core engine to ensure the free flow and effective utilization of data within the organization, ultimately achieving continuous business value growth.

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NVIDIA Blackwell: AI-Powered RTX 50 Series GPUs Revolutionize Graphics

2025-01-07
NVIDIA Blackwell: AI-Powered RTX 50 Series GPUs Revolutionize Graphics

NVIDIA unveiled the GeForce RTX 50 Series GPUs, powered by the groundbreaking Blackwell architecture. Leveraging fifth-generation Tensor Cores and fourth-generation RT Cores, these GPUs deliver up to 2x performance improvements through AI-driven rendering. Key features include neural shaders, DLSS 4 (boosting performance up to 8x), and Reflex 2. The RTX 50 series also introduces AI-powered game characters and creator tools, such as RTX Neural Faces and NIM microservices, transforming gaming and content creation.

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Hardware RTX 50 Series

Python Concurrency: Threads, Processes, and Asyncio – A Deep Dive

2025-01-08
Python Concurrency: Threads, Processes, and Asyncio – A Deep Dive

This article summarizes the strengths and weaknesses of three approaches to Python concurrency: threads, processes, and asyncio. Threads share resources and are easy to use, but are limited by the GIL; processes have independent memory spaces, bypassing the GIL but with higher overhead; asyncio uses a single-threaded event loop, efficiently handling I/O-bound tasks, but requires non-blocking operations and has a steeper learning curve. The choice depends on the task type: CPU-bound tasks favor processes, I/O-bound tasks favor asyncio, and threads are suitable for other cases.

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Can You Optimize Your Way to a Better Person? Probably Not.

2025-01-07
Can You Optimize Your Way to a Better Person? Probably Not.

This article explores the concept of 'moral optimization,' the idea of using data and reason to maximize moral good. The author uses personal anecdotes and observations to illustrate how this perfectionistic mindset can lead to anxiety, self-criticism, and a disregard for human connection. Tracing the historical roots of optimization from 16th-century bookkeeping to modern AI, the article analyzes the applicability of data-driven optimization in different fields. It argues that this approach is limited in the moral realm, ignoring the complexity of morality and the importance of emotions. Ultimately, the author advocates for 'satisficing'—accepting uncertainty and imperfections, seeking a 'good enough' solution in moral choices, and balancing reason with emotion to maintain humanity and integrity.

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Whonix: The Ultimate Privacy OS

2025-01-12
Whonix: The Ultimate Privacy OS

Whonix is a Linux-based virtual machine operating system designed for maximum internet privacy and anonymity. It achieves this by routing all internet traffic through the Tor network and implementing multi-layered security measures, including browser fingerprinting protection, keystroke cloaking, and strict access controls, to protect users from tracking and malware. Whonix's design philosophy is 'all Tor,' and it offers features like anonymous web server hosting and Live Mode to ensure user security and anonymity online.

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Development anonymity

San Francisco Tech Purity Test: How 'Pure' Are You?

2025-01-01

A viral checklist called the 'San Francisco Purity Test' humorously catalogs experiences common among Bay Area tech workers. From applying to OpenAI to attending NeurIPS, from using stimulants to boost productivity to meeting VCs at Equinox, the list covers a wide range of scenarios. It's a satirical reflection of the Bay Area tech lifestyle, highlighting its unique culture and competitive pressures. Completing more items indicates deeper immersion, but also suggests a potential loss of perspective.

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California Bans AI-Only Health Insurance Claim Denials

2025-01-06
California Bans AI-Only Health Insurance Claim Denials

California has enacted a new law prohibiting health insurance companies from denying claims based solely on artificial intelligence algorithms. The law prioritizes human judgment in coverage decisions, aiming to prevent AI miscalculations from denying patients necessary care. While acknowledging AI's potential benefits in healthcare, the legislation emphasizes the irreplaceable role of human empathy and understanding of individual patient needs. The law's impact extends beyond California, with other states and even Congress considering similar legislation, highlighting growing national concerns about AI's use in insurance.

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Tech

ShredOS: Secure Disk Eraser for All Processors

2025-01-01
ShredOS: Secure Disk Eraser for All Processors

ShredOS is a lightweight, bootable Linux distribution built with Buildroot, designed for secure disk erasure. It features nwipe, a powerful tool offering various wiping methods including DoD 5220.22-M compliance, and supports both 32-bit and 64-bit processors. Bootable from USB or CD, ShredOS requires no installation and provides a user-friendly interface. It also includes utilities like smartmontools and hdparm for disk diagnostics and maintenance.

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Lightweight Reuters Alternative Frontend Launched

2024-12-30

About is a lightweight alternative frontend to Reuters, designed for speed and efficiency, inspired by Nitter. It's JavaScript, ad, and tracking-free, uses no cookies, and is typically under 10KB (compared to Reuters' 50MB+). Dynamic theming respects system preferences. You can use libredirect or a browser extension to automatically redirect Reuters links to this site. This is a work in progress; bug reports and suggestions are welcome on GitHub.

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Cosmos Keyboard: Design Your Perfect Ergonomic Keyboard

2025-01-14

Cosmos is a revolutionary keyboard design software that lets you create a personalized, ergonomic keyboard by scanning your hand. It supports a wide range of components, including various switches, keycaps, and add-ons like trackballs and OLED displays. Cosmos features error checking and auto-correction for smooth 3D printing, and exports in STL and STEP formats for further modification. With most of its code open-source, it aims to provide everyone with technology to alleviate and prevent typing pain.

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Hardware ergonomics

Marimo's Online Playground: Account-less WebAssembly Notebook Sharing

2025-01-14
Marimo's Online Playground: Account-less WebAssembly Notebook Sharing

Marimo has launched an online playground for creating and sharing Marimo notebooks for free, without needing an account. Notebooks can be easily shared via links and embedded in other web pages – as seen throughout Marimo's own documentation. Currently, only WebAssembly notebooks are supported, offering easy sharing and embedding, but with some limitations in package support and performance. New notebooks are created at marimo.new, saved locally in the browser or to the Community Cloud. GitHub notebooks can be directly opened, and data files can be included. Configuration options like read-only mode, hiding the header, and excluding code offer flexibility.

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12,795 Objects: A Photographer's Intimate Inventory

2025-01-01

Belgian photographer Barbara Iweins meticulously documented 12,795 objects in her home over four years, creating the project 'KATALOG'. From her daughters' socks to her anxiety medication, the project transcends a simple inventory, becoming a deeply personal exploration of her life, emotions, and memories. It reveals a unique perspective on the profound meaning hidden within everyday belongings.

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Supabase: Remote-First Open Source Firebase Alternative Hiring Now

2025-01-06
Supabase: Remote-First Open Source Firebase Alternative Hiring Now

Supabase, a fully remote and asynchronous open-source alternative to Firebase, is hiring globally! They offer excellent benefits including a hardware budget, full health coverage, and annual off-sites. Supabase values open collaboration and boasts a globally distributed team and large community. If you're passionate about open source and want to work in a vibrant and diverse team, apply for a position at Supabase.

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Development

Laid Off Twice in One Year: A Software Engineer's Story

2025-01-07

A software engineer shares his experience of being laid off twice in a single year, once a week into paternity leave and again just before Christmas. The article details the emotional rollercoaster, practical steps taken to find new employment (resume updates, unemployment benefits, job searching strategies), and reflections on the current state of the tech industry and personal self-worth. He offers advice on navigating layoffs, emphasizing the importance of resilience, networking, and continuous learning.

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Development

US Sues Six Major Landlords for Algorithmic Price Fixing

2025-01-07
US Sues Six Major Landlords for Algorithmic Price Fixing

The US Department of Justice filed an antitrust lawsuit against six of the nation's largest landlords, accusing them of using algorithms to manipulate rental prices and harm renters. Cortland Management settled, agreeing to cooperate and cease using competitors' sensitive data. The lawsuit alleges these landlords colluded to fix prices by sharing data through common algorithms and direct communication, exchanging sensitive information like rent and occupancy rates. Software company RealPage is also implicated, accused of facilitating the price manipulation. The case raises concerns about algorithmic pricing and data sharing in real estate, highlighting the need for tech regulation.

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The Decline of MSN: A Tech Giant's Fall From Grace?

2025-01-05

Once a dominant force in the internet landscape, MSN has faded into relative obscurity. It holds a significant place in the memories of many, serving as a gateway to the internet for a generation through instant messaging and its portal site. However, the rise of mobile internet and the emergence of new social media platforms led to MSN's decline, highlighting the importance of constant innovation even for industry leaders.

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RailsConf 2025: A Final Farewell and a New Beginning

2025-01-04
RailsConf 2025: A Final Farewell and a New Beginning

Ruby Central has announced that RailsConf 2025, taking place July 8th-10th in Philadelphia, will be the last. After nearly 20 years, this final gathering celebrates the legacy of Rails and its community. As a strategic shift, Ruby Central will host only RailsConf in 2025, postponing RubyConf to Spring 2026, where it will become the flagship event. This allows for a higher quality experience and increased support for open-source projects like RubyGems and Bundler. Rails will maintain a strong presence at future RubyConfs, alongside RailsWorld, creating a spring/fall rhythm for major Ruby and Rails events.

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Development

F-Droid Fake Signer PoC: Bypassing Certificate Pinning

2025-01-04
F-Droid Fake Signer PoC: Bypassing Certificate Pinning

This project is a proof-of-concept demonstrating vulnerabilities in F-Droid's APK signature verification. Attackers can exploit these flaws to forge signatures, bypassing F-Droid's certificate pinning and allowing malicious apps to masquerade as legitimate ones. The vulnerabilities stem from inconsistencies in how F-Droid handles certificate order and verification within the APK signing block. By manipulating these inconsistencies, attackers can inject false certificate information, tricking F-Droid into accepting them as valid. While fixes have been proposed and implemented, further vulnerabilities and bypasses have been discovered, highlighting ongoing challenges in securing APK signing verification.

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Babylonian Eclipse Omens: Dark Predictions from Ancient Astronomy

2025-01-09
Babylonian Eclipse Omens: Dark Predictions from Ancient Astronomy

Newly deciphered Babylonian clay tablets from 1900-1600 BC reveal the earliest known records of lunar eclipse omens. These omens are overwhelmingly ominous, predicting everything from pestilence and famine to the death of kings. The Babylonians believed the sky mirrored the earth, making eclipses dire warnings of divine displeasure. While mostly foretelling doom, kings could attempt to avert fate through rituals and even using substitutes to bear the brunt of the ill omen. This discovery offers a fascinating glimpse into ancient worldviews and how celestial events were interpreted.

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