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The JavaScript Proof-of-Work Arms Race Against LLMs

2025-05-28

Websites increasingly use JavaScript-based proof-of-work systems, like Xe Iaso's Anubis, to combat aggressive LLMs and web scrapers. However, LLMs can leverage compromised machines for substantial CPU power to solve these challenges. The problem is that LLMs operate in a hostile environment, making it difficult to distinguish genuine proof-of-work from malicious JavaScript. This exposes LLMs to CPU mining or other attacks. Trying to identify proof-of-work systems is a losing game for LLMs, as malicious actors have an incentive to mimic them. This creates an arms race between websites and LLMs, each trying to optimize resource usage while protecting their interests.

(utcc.utoronto.ca)

Development

A Programmer's Secret Weapon: Handwritten Notes Outperform Code Editors

2025-05-28

A Programmer's Secret Weapon: Handwritten Notes Outperform Code Editors

A software developer shares his unique insights on using a notebook for thinking and problem-solving. He argues that handwriting thoughts and diagrams in a notebook, before writing code directly on a computer, allows for better clarity and identifying solutions. This method helps transform vague ideas into concrete plans, discover flaws and design defects in code, and leaves a valuable record of the thought process for later reference. For him, a notebook is a more important tool than a code editor.

(hamatti.org)

Development Thinking Methods Note-Taking

Giant Object Discovered at the Edge of Our Solar System: Challenging Planet Nine?

2025-05-28

Giant Object Discovered at the Edge of Our Solar System: Challenging Planet Nine?

A team of scientists from Princeton University and the Institute for Advanced Study has discovered a trans-Neptunian object (TNO) named 2017 OF201 using advanced computational methods. This extremely distant object, with an orbital period of approximately 25,000 years, is potentially large enough to be classified as a dwarf planet. Its unusual orbit challenges the existing hypothesis of a 'Planet Nine' and suggests that the region beyond Neptune's orbit is not empty. The discovery highlights the power of open science, relying on publicly available archival data.

(www.ias.edu)

Tech solar system dwarf planet

Singularities: Physics' Unbreakable Dead Ends?

2025-05-28

Singularities: Physics' Unbreakable Dead Ends?

The birth of the universe and the center of a black hole both point to singularities—points where the fabric of spacetime breaks down. Einstein's general relativity predicts singularities, but it fails there. Recent research shows that singularities persist even when considering quantum effects, challenging physicists' efforts to build a complete theory of quantum gravity. This suggests that our universe may contain regions where spacetime structure completely disintegrates, time stops, and everything becomes unpredictable. Future quantum gravity theories might explain singularities, but the concept of spacetime may need redefinition.

(www.quantamagazine.org)

Tech

The AI Paradox: Proving You're Human in a Bot-Dominated World

2025-05-28

The AI Paradox: Proving You're Human in a Bot-Dominated World

The rapid advancement of AI has created a bizarre arms race: we struggle to prove we're human while machines easily bypass CAPTCHAs. This article explores the civilizational challenge this presents. Projects like Worldcoin and Humanity Protocol are attempting to solve this with biometric and blockchain-based 'proof of personhood,' but face controversy. Ultimately, the author predicts a future where AI agents outperform humans in various tasks, leading to a dystopian scenario where humans must prove they are represented by a bot to access digital services. This highlights a profound paradox: we built machines to replace ourselves, then built barriers to stop them, only to potentially end up needing AI agents as our digital delegates.

(talkingrobot.com)

AI

Alpenglow Consensus Protocol: Reference Implementation Released

2025-05-28

Alpenglow Consensus Protocol: Reference Implementation Released

Anza Technology has released a reference implementation of the Alpenglow consensus protocol. This includes a local cluster example runnable with 6 nodes communicating via UDP. A simulations binary provides various tests of Alpenglow's resilience and bandwidth requirements; a public ping dataset is needed for some simulations. Micro-benchmarks and a test suite are also included. For security issues, contact quentin (at) anza (dot) xyz directly.

(github.com)

Development

Monorepo: A Thorny Path to Developer Productivity

2025-05-28

This article explores the challenges and opportunities of building and maintaining a monorepo. The author cautions against blindly following the success stories of large tech companies, emphasizing that a monorepo isn't a silver bullet. Success hinges on clearly defined goals, such as improved code consistency, organizational coherence, and shared tooling efficiency. The article details optimization strategies for source control (limitations of git and alternatives), build systems (prioritizing single-language strategies), testing (O(change) not O(repo)), and CI/CD workflows within a monorepo environment. The author stresses the importance of carefully handling generated code and the asynchronous nature of service deployments to avoid incidents stemming from the illusion of atomic commits. Ultimately, the author argues that while challenging, the benefits of a well-maintained monorepo are worthwhile if the organization is committed to continuous tool and process improvement.

(blog.swgillespie.me)

Development

pg_test_fsync: Benchmarking Disk Write Performance for Databases

2025-05-28

This article introduces `pg_test_fsync`, a tool for quickly benchmarking disk or cloud storage write performance, particularly useful for database WAL logs and other low-latency write workloads. The author tests a consumer-grade Samsung 990 Pro SSD and an enterprise-grade Micron 7400 SSD, revealing significantly faster synchronous write speeds on the enterprise SSD due to its controller DRAM cache and power-loss protection. `fdatasync` proves faster than `fsync` or `O_SYNC`, but even `fdatasync` takes 1.6 milliseconds for a single 8kB write. The article notes that multiple small writes degrade performance, suggesting batching writes for efficiency.

(tanelpoder.com)

Development

SpaceX Starship Flight 9: Partial Success, Both Stages Lost

2025-05-28

SpaceX Starship Flight 9: Partial Success, Both Stages Lost

SpaceX launched its Starship megarocket for the ninth time, marking the first significant reuse of Starship hardware. While the upper stage reached space – a major improvement – both stages were ultimately lost before completing their flight goals. Leaks caused a loss of main tank pressure during the coast and re-entry phases, according to SpaceX CEO Elon Musk. Despite the loss, valuable data was gathered, and SpaceX plans three more Starship test launches in the next three to four weeks.

(www.space.com)

Tech

Wireless Gene Expression Control: Nanoparticles Enable a New Era of Precision Medicine

2025-05-28

Wireless Gene Expression Control: Nanoparticles Enable a New Era of Precision Medicine

Researchers at ETH Zurich have developed a novel method for the electromagnetic wireless control of transgene expression in mammals using nanoparticles. The approach employs magnetic fields to stimulate multiferroic nanoparticles (cobalt ferrite and bismuth ferrite), generating biosafe reactive oxygen species (ROS) that activate the cellular KEAP1/NRF2 pathway, precisely controlling the expression of therapeutic proteins like insulin. Successfully tested on a diabetic mouse model, this technology allows for remote and dynamic therapy adjustment without injections or implants. Promising applications include oncology, neurology, and regenerative medicine, potentially revolutionizing precision medicine.

(phys.org)

AI

Megakernels: Smashing LLM Inference Latency

2025-05-28

To boost the speed of large language models (LLMs) in low-latency applications like chatbots, researchers developed a 'megakernel' technique. This fuses the forward pass of a Llama-1B model into a single kernel, eliminating the overhead of kernel boundaries and memory pipeline stalls inherent in traditional multi-kernel approaches. Results show significant speed improvements on H100 and B200 GPUs, outperforming existing systems by over 1.5x and achieving drastically lower latency.

(hazyresearch.stanford.edu)

AI low-latency inference

Michael Larabel: 20 Years of Linux Hardware Benchmarking

2025-05-28

Michael Larabel, founder of Phoronix.com (2004), has authored over 20,000 articles focused on enriching the Linux hardware experience. His work covers Linux hardware support, performance, graphics drivers, and more. He's also the lead developer of the Phoronix Test Suite, Phoromatic, and OpenBenchmarking.org – key tools for automated benchmarking. A true veteran of the open-source community.

(www.phoronix.com)

Tech

Critical ChromeOS Vulnerability: Full System Compromise via Chrome Extensions

2025-05-28

A security researcher discovered a critical vulnerability in ChromeOS's file manager that allows malicious Chrome extensions to gain complete system control. Exploiting a filesystem:chrome://file-manager URL, the vulnerability allows reading and writing user files and executing arbitrary code. The flaw leverages outdated JavaScript APIs in ChromeOS and misconfigurations of chrome:// page permissions. The attacker can achieve full system compromise, accessing user data, modifying system settings, and even executing malicious code via Crostini. While patched, the vulnerability highlights the risk of long-standing design choices in large, complex systems like Chrome/ChromeOS.

(0x44.xyz)

Tech ChromeOS vulnerability

Fine-tuning LLMs Without Reinforcement Learning: Introducing Direct Preference Optimization (DPO)

2025-05-28

The Together platform now supports Direct Preference Optimization (DPO), a technique for aligning language models with human preferences without reinforcement learning. DPO trains models directly on preference data—prompts, preferred responses, and non-preferred responses—resulting in more helpful, accurate, and tailored AI assistants. Compared to traditional reinforcement learning methods, DPO is simpler, more efficient, and easier to implement. This post details DPO's workings, usage, and code examples, recommending a two-stage process: supervised fine-tuning (SFT) followed by DPO refinement.

(www.together.ai)

AI LLM Fine-tuning

OpenTPU: An Open-Source Reimplementation of Google's TPU

2025-05-28

OpenTPU: An Open-Source Reimplementation of Google's TPU

UC Santa Barbara's ArchLab has released OpenTPU, an open-source re-implementation of Google's Tensor Processing Unit (TPU). Based on details from Google's research paper, but lacking a formal specification, OpenTPU differs in several implementation details from Google's design. Currently supporting matrix multiplication and ReLU/sigmoid activation functions, OpenTPU is missing features like convolution and pooling. Implemented using PyRTL, the project includes hardware and functional simulators, along with a checker for verifying results. While lacking hard synthesis figures for a full 256x256 OpenTPU at this alpha release, its open-source nature offers valuable learning and improvement opportunities for researchers.

(github.com)

Hardware

UEFI App Saves My PoE-Powered x86 System

2025-05-28

UEFI App Saves My PoE-Powered x86 System

In 2015, the author encountered a challenge while developing PoE-powered embedded x86 computers: the system needed 23W to boot, but standard PoE only provided 15.4W. After failing to modify the BIOS, the author cleverly used a UEFI application to send LLDP packets before the OS started, successfully negotiating higher PoE+ power. This UEFI application, called PoePwrNegotiator, written in C, is now open-sourced, providing valuable experience for developers of similar projects.

(roderickkhan.com)

Development

VW Emissions Scandal: Four Managers Convicted, Prison Sentences Handed Down

2025-05-28

VW Emissions Scandal: Four Managers Convicted, Prison Sentences Handed Down

After nearly four years, a German court convicted four former Volkswagen managers for their roles in the diesel emissions cheating scandal. The former head of diesel development received a four-and-a-half-year prison sentence, while the head of drive train electronics got two years and seven months. Two others received suspended sentences. The scandal began in 2015 when the U.S. EPA revealed VW's use of software to manipulate emissions tests. VW has paid over $33 billion in fines and compensation. While former CEO Martin Winterkorn's trial is suspended due to health reasons, proceedings against 31 other suspects are ongoing.

(apnews.com)

Tech emissions scandal fraud

Image Compression: Make Your Website Fly

2025-05-28

A single unoptimized hero image can weigh more than your entire webpage budget! This article teaches you how to quickly master image compression techniques to improve website speed and SEO. It explains the difference between lossless and lossy compression, key metrics (quality, resolution, file size), common formats (JPEG, PNG, WebP, AVIF), and steps for using the SlimImg tool to compress images. An e-commerce case study shows that by compressing product photos, average page size was reduced by 68%, and conversion rates increased by 38%.

(slimimg.tools)

Development

Apple Accused of Colluding with Sony Music to Remove Musi App

2025-05-27

Apple Accused of Colluding with Sony Music to Remove Musi App

Musi app developers are accusing Apple of colluding with Sony Music and YouTube to secretly remove their app. Court documents reveal that Apple senior legal director Elizabeth Miles secretly contacted Sony Music executives to seek the removal of the Musi app. Apple tried to block key witnesses from testifying, including in-house counsel Violet Evan-Karimian, responsible for the removal decision, and Arun Singh, who handled the liaison with YouTube. Musi claims Apple's actions constitute a "backchannel scheme," while Apple denies this, stating that the complaint was never closed and YouTube was actively involved. This case raises concerns about Apple's App Store review process and the abuse of power by large tech companies.

(arstechnica.com)

Tech Music App

OnePlus Unveils AI-Powered Plus Key and Mind Space

2025-05-27

OnePlus Unveils AI-Powered Plus Key and Mind Space

OnePlus has announced its AI strategy, centered around the new Plus Key and AI Plus Mind. The Plus Key, replacing the Alert Slider, is a customizable physical button launching the camera, translator, or recorder, and importantly, activating AI Plus Mind. This feature captures and extracts information from on-screen text and images (schedules, event details, etc.), saving it to a searchable Mind Space. The Plus Key and AI Plus Mind debut on the OnePlus 13s in Asia, rolling out to other OnePlus 13 series devices via software update. Future OnePlus phones will include the Plus Key. Additionally, OnePlus is developing AI VoiceScribe, AI Translation, AI Search, and AI Best Face 2.0.

(www.engadget.com)

Tech OnePlus

Why Elliptic Curves for Diffie-Hellman?

2025-05-27

Why Elliptic Curves for Diffie-Hellman?

This article delves into the reasons behind using elliptic curves in Diffie-Hellman key exchange. Starting with group theory, the author explains why other groups, like the Monster group, are unsuitable. Through an exploration of group objects and category theory, the article reveals that elliptic curves aren't an arbitrary choice but almost the only viable option, even showing that finite field Diffie-Hellman is a special case of elliptic curve cryptography.

(keymaterial.net)

Development elliptic curves group theory

Qualcomm's 5G Modem Outperforms Apple's In-House Chip in New Tests

2025-05-27

Qualcomm's 5G Modem Outperforms Apple's In-House Chip in New Tests

A Qualcomm-funded study reveals that Android smartphones using its Snapdragon X75 and X80 modems significantly outperform Apple's first in-house 5G modem, the C1, in download and upload speeds, especially in challenging urban environments. Qualcomm-powered phones showed up to 35% faster downloads and 91% faster uploads. While Apple's modem performed adequately in ideal conditions, the gap widened in low-signal areas. This highlights the technological hurdles Apple faces in bringing this critical component in-house, compared to Qualcomm's two-decade head start and extensive licensing. Qualcomm's stock rose following the report, while Apple's remained relatively unchanged, raising questions about future improvements to its modem.

(finance.yahoo.com)

Tech

LLM 0.26: Large Language Models Get Terminal Tooling

2025-05-27

LLM 0.26: Large Language Models Get Terminal Tooling

LLM 0.26 is out, bringing the biggest feature since the project started: tool support. The LLM CLI and Python library now let you give LLMs from OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and local Ollama models access to any tool representable as a Python function. The article details installing and using tool plugins, running tools via the command line or Python API, and shows examples with OpenAI, Anthropic, Gemini, and even the tiny Qwen-3 model. Beyond built-in tools, custom plugins like simpleeval (for math), quickjs (for JavaScript), and sqlite (for database queries) are showcased. This tool support addresses LLM weaknesses like mathematical calculations, dramatically expanding capabilities and opening up possibilities for powerful AI applications.

(simonwillison.net)

Development Tool Support Plugins

Send Your Photo to Space!

2025-05-27

Send Your Photo to Space!

Mark Rober, a former NASA engineer, is launching a satellite called SAT GUS to take the most epic selfies from space! Simply upload your photo, it'll be displayed on a phone, and the satellite will snap a picture with Earth in the background. The satellite's name, a playful nod to Crunchlab's squirrel mascot, Phat Gus, adds to the fun and ingenuity of this project.

(space.crunchlabs.com)

Tech space selfie satellite

Vietnam's Chicano Scene: Tattoos, Lowriders, and the Search for Identity

2025-05-27

Vietnam's Chicano Scene: Tattoos, Lowriders, and the Search for Identity

In Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, a unique subculture has emerged: the "Viet Chicanos." Inspired by Chicano culture, these barbers and tattoo artists embrace bold fashion, tattoos, and lowrider aesthetics. Initially driven by fashion, their adoption of Chicano culture has evolved into a search for identity and belonging. Despite facing misunderstandings and social prejudice from older generations, they use social media to promote their culture and challenge stereotypes about tattoos and subcultures. Their story highlights the complexities of cultural exchange and the resilience of individuals in their quest for self-discovery.

(www.latimes.com)

Misc Cultural Identity Subculture Vietnam

The 512x342 Mystery: Why the Original Mac Had That Resolution

2025-05-27

The 512x342 Mystery: Why the Original Mac Had That Resolution

Why did the original Macintosh use a non-standard 512x342 resolution instead of the more common 512x384? This article delves into the reasons, revealing it wasn't simply a matter of technical limitations. The 128KB memory constraint, the CPU resource usage for a 60Hz refresh rate, and the pursuit of square pixels for optimal graphics and printing all played a role. This showcases Apple's masterful trade-offs in the original Mac's design, balancing performance, usability, and cost to achieve a surprisingly impressive product for its time.

(512pixels.net)

Hardware Apple History

Panasonic Kills the VGA Port: The End of an Era for Laptops?

2025-05-27

Panasonic Kills the VGA Port: The End of an Era for Laptops?

Panasonic's latest Let's Note laptops have dropped the VGA port, marking a significant shift in the industry. Driven by the rise of HDMI and the demand for thinner, lighter designs, Panasonic joins other manufacturers in phasing out this aging technology. While VGA offers robustness and reliable connectivity, its limitations in resolution and size are increasingly incompatible with modern laptops. This move also highlights the technological divergence between Japanese and Western markets.

(www.tomshardware.com)

Hardware laptops VGA port technology update

Improving the APT Solver: Elegantly Handling the Removal of Manually Installed Packages

2025-05-27

This post details improvements to an APT package manager solver. Initially, manually installed packages were treated as fixed facts, while automatically installed packages were optional unit clauses. However, allowing the removal of manually installed packages broke the solver; it could unnecessarily remove them. The author solves this by initially assuming all optional clauses, then iteratively unwinding these assumptions during the solving process. This approach, while not globally optimal, proves effective in practice for dependency resolution, avoiding the exponential complexity of a global search.

(blog.jak-linux.org)

Development

Marvel & DC Crossover: Deadpool vs. Batman

2025-05-27

Marvel & DC Crossover: Deadpool vs. Batman

After over two decades, Marvel and DC Comics are teaming up for an epic crossover event! This September and November, Deadpool and Batman will collide in separate one-shots. Marvel's *Deadpool/Batman*, written by Zeb Wells and illustrated by Greg Capullo, will see Deadpool take on a job in Gotham City, leading to a clash with the Dark Knight. DC's *Batman/Deadpool*, written by Grant Morrison and illustrated by Dan Mora, promises another exciting chapter. This collaboration brings together top creative talent from both companies, promising a thrilling comic book experience. Even better, another crossover is planned for 2026!

(ew.com)

Game Marvel Comic Crossover

Running GPT-2 on the GPU with WebGL Shaders: A Hacker's Journey

2025-05-27

This Hacker News hit details the author's experience implementing GPT-2 using WebGL and shaders on the GPU. The article explores the origins and evolution of general-purpose GPU programming, comparing traditional graphics APIs (like OpenGL) with compute APIs (CUDA and OpenCL). The author cleverly leverages textures and framebuffers as a data bus, using fragment shaders as compute kernels to perform neural network operations like matrix multiplication and GELU activation. While acknowledging limitations in shared memory, texture size, and precision, the article showcases the power and potential of GPU programming and demonstrates innovative use of graphics processing techniques for general-purpose computation. The code is available on Github.

(nathan.rs)

Development

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