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Reject Cookies: A Chrome Extension to End Annoying Cookie Banners

2025-04-29

Tired of annoying cookie consent banners? The Reject Cookies Chrome extension automatically rejects non-essential cookies and closes pop-ups. While initially using Cursor for development, the approach shifted to a more targeted method, focusing on specific vendors like OneTrust for better accuracy. The extension is a work in progress and welcomes user feedback and contributions to expand its coverage of cookie providers.

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(blog.bymitch.com)
Development

Amazon to Show Tariff Impact on Product Prices

2025-04-29
Amazon to Show Tariff Impact on Product Prices

Amazon plans to display the price increase resulting from Trump-era tariffs directly on product pages. This move aims to shift the responsibility for increased costs due to the trade war to the consumer rather than absorbing them itself. Consumers will soon see exactly how much tariffs add to the final price of each item.

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(punchbowl.news)
Tech

AI Chatbots' Surprisingly Minimal Impact on the Labor Market

2025-04-29
AI Chatbots' Surprisingly Minimal Impact on the Labor Market

A recent study in Denmark examining 25,000 workers across 11 occupations reveals that AI chatbots like ChatGPT have had a negligible impact on wages and employment. Despite many professions (accountants, journalists, software developers, etc.) being considered vulnerable to AI disruption, the research shows chatbot adoption hasn't significantly altered worker earnings or hours. While company investment in AI boosted tool adoption, saving users 64-90% of their time, the impact on work quality and satisfaction was mixed. AI created new tasks, offsetting some time savings; for instance, teachers now spend time detecting AI-generated cheating. Researchers attribute lower-than-expected economic gains to the fact that not all tasks are fully automatable and businesses are still figuring out how best to leverage these tools. Only a small portion of productivity gains translate into higher worker earnings. The study suggests that claims of transformative AI impact need to account for the minimal real-world economic effect seen two years after chatbot introduction.

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(www.theregister.com)
Tech

GOP's 100-Day Reconciliation Rush: A Tightrope Walk to Legislative Success

2025-04-29
GOP's 100-Day Reconciliation Rush: A Tightrope Walk to Legislative Success

The Republican Party faces a daunting challenge: passing President Trump's domestic agenda through reconciliation within 100 days. Internal divisions over slashing hundreds of billions in federal spending threaten to derail the process. Disagreements on tax policy, including the SALT cap and offsets for tax cuts, add further complications. The looming debt ceiling deadline, the so-called 'X date', presents a significant risk, potentially disrupting the entire timetable. Finally, unpredictable actions from President Trump could introduce further chaos. The success of this ambitious undertaking hinges on the GOP's ability to navigate these internal and external hurdles.

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(punchbowl.news)
Misc Budget Reconciliation Republican Party

Al-Jazari: The Father of Robotics and His Ingenious Machines

2025-04-29
Al-Jazari: The Father of Robotics and His Ingenious Machines

Al-Jazari (d. 1206), chief engineer for the Artuqid court in Diyarbakir, authored the Book of Knowledge of Ingenious Mechanical Devices, detailing remarkable inventions. These included water-raising devices, sophisticated astronomical clocks, singing automatons, and a showering system for King Salih (who disliked servants pouring water). He also invented bloodletting technologies, trick fountains, segmental gears, and a chest with four combination dials—a likely safe—earning him the title "father of robotics" for his lifelike butler that offered guests towels. His contemporaries hailed him as unique and unparalleled, a testament to his skill building upon Persian, Greek, Indian, and Chinese predecessors, and influencing Renaissance inventors.

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(publicdomainreview.org)
Tech Mechanical Engineering Historical Invention

Debian Opens Public Open Source Software Mirror

2025-04-29

The Debian project has announced a public open-source software mirror server. They state that the server's contents are publicly available, contain no sensitive information, and do not require reporting under their responsible disclosure policy. The server offers downloads for Debian versions 10, 11, 12, as well as testing (Trixie) and unstable (Sid) releases. Links to older releases and documentation are also provided.

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(ftp.bit.nl)
Development Mirror Server

Implementing Flash Attention Backend in SGLang: Basics and KV Cache

2025-04-29
Implementing Flash Attention Backend in SGLang: Basics and KV Cache

This blog post details the end-to-end implementation of the Flash Attention backend in SGLang, now the default attention backend in SGLang 0.4.6. It dives deep into how Attention Backends function in modern LLM serving engines and explains the inner workings of Flash Attention. The author shares implementation details, including KV cache and CUDA Graph support, and outlines future work such as Speculative Decoding, MLA, Llama 4, and multimodal support. Benchmarks show FA3 consistently delivers the highest throughput, outperforming FlashInfer and Triton.

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(hebiao064.github.io)
Development

Kagi Search: Ditching Google for Superior Search Results

2025-04-29
Kagi Search: Ditching Google for Superior Search Results

After losing hundreds of dollars due to misleading Google search results filled with ads and low-quality information during travel and hotel bookings, the author switched to the paid search engine Kagi. Kagi excels with its precise and efficient results, outperforming even Google's 'de-addified' mode, especially when searching for older articles. With 400-800 searches per month, Kagi has become the author's go-to, similar to how HBO provided higher-quality content in the cable TV era. Kagi offers an ad-free, high-quality search experience worth trying.

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(daringfireball.net)
Tech

Spain and Portugal Blackout: Can Renewables Save the Day?

2025-04-29
Spain and Portugal Blackout: Can Renewables Save the Day?

Spain and Portugal are facing a massive blackout, with power restoration posing a significant challenge. Their grids have limited external connections, but both countries boast abundant renewable energy sources, particularly hydropower and wind power. Hydro plants require minimal external power to start, and wind power can provide black start capabilities, though it's unclear if local wind turbines are equipped for this and if weather conditions will cooperate. While solar isn't ideal for black starting, its DC nature helps stabilize grid frequency. However, a lack of large-scale battery storage presents a major hurdle to restoring power. Restoration could take several days, depending on grid operators' ability to effectively leverage existing resources.

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(arstechnica.com)
Tech blackout grid restoration

Homebrew Channel Source Code Repository Reveals Massive Copyright Infringement

2025-04-29
Homebrew Channel Source Code Repository Reveals Massive Copyright Infringement

The source code repository for the Wii homebrew software, The Homebrew Channel, has been released, but its core library, libogc, has been exposed for massive copyright infringement. The libogc developers not only stole proprietary Nintendo code but also an open-source RTOS, RTEMS, removing all attribution and copyright information. The developers ignored inquiries, even resorting to abuse and deleting comments to avoid accountability. Due to the severity of the copyright issues, the project is archived and further development is discouraged. The incident underscores the importance of respecting copyright and adhering to legal regulations.

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(github.com)
Development

Trump Admin Order: Unleashing Law Enforcement

2025-04-29
Trump Admin Order: Unleashing Law Enforcement

This executive order aims to strengthen and empower US law enforcement to combat crime and protect innocent citizens. It provides legal defense for officers, increases resources and improves training. It also holds accountable state and local officials who obstruct justice or engage in discrimination, and utilizes national security assets to assist local law enforcement. The goal is a law-abiding society where officers protect the innocent and violations are not tolerated.

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(www.whitehouse.gov)
Misc crime

2PB of Traffic: The Cost of a Simple Auto-Updater Bug

2025-04-29
2PB of Traffic: The Cost of a Simple Auto-Updater Bug

A simple bug in the auto-updater of the screen recording app Screen Studio caused it to repeatedly download a 250MB update file every 5 minutes for a month, resulting in 9 million downloads and over 2 petabytes of Google Cloud traffic. Thousands of users had the app running in the background, leading to massive bills and internet service disruptions for some users. This incident highlights the importance of setting cloud cost alerts, writing code carefully, and regularly checking cloud resources.

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(pietrasiak.com)
Development auto-updater cloud computing costs

Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

2025-04-29
Connected Cars: Privacy's Price Tag?

Automakers are increasingly pushing subscription models to unlock car features, raising concerns about government surveillance. Police records reveal law enforcement's ability to access data from connected cars, with varying access levels depending on manufacturers and internet providers. This highlights how corporate policies and technology, not laws, largely determine driver privacy. GM, for example, requires court orders for location data, while others haven't responded to inquiries. Experts emphasize the role tech companies play in setting data access standards, mirroring practices seen with Google, Facebook, and Apple.

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(www.wired.com)
Tech

PhD Thesis: A Farcical Academic Misadventure

2025-04-29

A PhD student recounts a series of absurd and bizarre experiences during his doctoral studies in engineering science. From an absent advisor and lack of research equipment to plagiarism in academic papers, he witnesses the dark side of academia. Ultimately, he completes his studies in an almost farcical manner and escapes the stifling academic environment. This humorous account exposes some problems within academia, prompting reflection on academic integrity and the research environment.

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(mihaiolteanu.me)
Development academic corruption PhD life research struggles

Dissecting the Thigh: A Symphony of Biological Design

2025-04-29
Dissecting the Thigh: A Symphony of Biological Design

A medical student's dissection of a thigh reveals a stunningly intricate structure. The fascia isn't disorganized; it's a cohesive sheath enveloping the muscles, with the great saphenous vein tracing a clear path. This arrangement efficiently aids venous return, particularly during intense activity where muscle contractions boost blood flow to meet oxygen demands. The thigh muscles' elegant organization further underscores this design. The author concludes this isn't arbitrary but a product of natural selection, where motion is fundamental to evolution, and the lower limb is its pivotal point.

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(ponnekanti.net)
Misc

Greek Particles: More Than Just Filler Words?

2025-04-29

This paper challenges the traditional understanding of Greek particles. By comparing spoken English, rife with hesitations and filler words, to written Ancient Greek texts, the author argues that many Greek particles, previously interpreted as having specific grammatical or semantic functions, are actually meaningless expletives similar to 'um' or 'uh' in English. The author uses examples from Xenophon's Anabasis and Watergate transcripts to highlight the parallels between seemingly meaningless additions in spoken language and the frequent occurrence of Greek particles. The conclusion suggests a re-evaluation of how we interpret these particles, proposing they are more akin to speech artifacts than meaningful grammatical elements.

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(specgram.com)
Misc Ancient Greek Linguistics Particles

Chasing Darkness in the Age of Light

2025-04-29
Chasing Darkness in the Age of Light

Two friends bicycle through the Nevada desert, escaping the glow of Las Vegas to find a dark night sky. They observe constellations, learn about the night sky, and use a sky quality meter to measure light pollution. The article explores the impact of light pollution on stargazing and the importance of reconnecting with nature and the night sky in modern life.

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(www.hcn.org)
Misc night sky stargazing

Forensic Fandom: Dissecting the Rise of 'Detective' Fans

2025-04-29
Forensic Fandom: Dissecting the Rise of 'Detective' Fans

This article explores the phenomenon of 'forensic fandom,' where fans act as detectives, digging deep into the details of a work, the performers' lives, and constructing their own narratives. The rise of this trend is linked to technological advancements, mainstream media engagement, and the emergence of 'professional fans.' Social media platforms accelerate the spread of information and theory validation, but also fuel 'narrative dominance' battles among fans. The author argues this deep-dive interpretive model transforms fan-work interaction, creating new conflicts within fan culture.

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(exiledfan.substack.com)
Misc fan culture deep interpretation

Rad Type: Revolutionizing Gamepad Typing

2025-04-29

Rad Type introduces a revolutionary approach to gamepad text input. It utilizes a circular arrangement of letters controlled via the thumbstick, dramatically increasing typing speed compared to traditional gamepad keyboards. The article details four iterations of Rad Type, each refining the user experience, from an initial clock-face design to a streamlined final version. The author's journey, including challenges and solutions, offers valuable insights into improving gamepad text input.

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(www.tyleo.com)
Game gamepad text input

Duolingo Goes All-In on AI: A Bold Move for Scalability and Innovation

2025-04-29
Duolingo Goes All-In on AI: A Bold Move for Scalability and Innovation

Duolingo officially announced its transition to an AI-first company, marking a significant leap in leveraging artificial intelligence to boost efficiency and expand content creation. AI will enable faster content development and unlock features previously impossible, such as video call tutoring. This move aims to accelerate the growth of its global language learning platform and better fulfill its mission. While requiring fundamental workflow changes, Duolingo pledges support for employees to adapt and master AI tools.

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(www.theverge.com)
Tech Language Learning

Windows 7 Login Delay Mystery: Solid Color Backgrounds Are the Culprit?

2025-04-29
Windows 7 Login Delay Mystery: Solid Color Backgrounds Are the Culprit?

The author, a long-time user of solid color backgrounds since Windows 95, discovered a 30-second delay on the Windows 7 welcome screen when using a solid color wallpaper. This isn't a longer login time, but rather a timeout triggered when the system waits for a signal indicating wallpaper loading completion. Solid color backgrounds, lacking bitmap information, prevent this signal from being sent. A similar issue exists with the "Hide desktop icons" group policy, where a coding error prevents the ready signal from being sent. Microsoft fixed this in Windows 7 a few months after its release. The author also explains their preference for default settings, simplifying bug reporting and resolution.

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(devblogs.microsoft.com)
Development System Performance

Backblaze's Financial Troubles Spark Data Backup Concerns

2025-04-29
Backblaze's Financial Troubles Spark Data Backup Concerns

Cloud backup provider Backblaze, which went public in 2021, has been consistently losing money, with its stock price plummeting 71%. A recent report suggests Backblaze may face bankruptcy, raising concerns about the security of user data. Backblaze denies the report, claiming its financial data is accurate and its service is stable and reliable. However, the company's continued massive losses and negative reports still leave users worried about the security of their data backups, highlighting the importance of a robust backup strategy.

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(arstechnica.com)
Tech

One Million Chessboards: A Massively Multiplayer Chess Game Unlike Any Other

2025-04-28
One Million Chessboards: A Massively Multiplayer Chess Game Unlike Any Other

A developer built a website called 'One Million Chessboards' featuring, you guessed it, one million chessboards! All players share the same boards, moving pieces instantly without turns. The developer overcame significant technical hurdles, building the backend in Go (their first Go project!), utilizing a single writer thread and numerous reader threads, and implementing optimistic locking for concurrency. This project is a technical feat; play it and experience massively multiplayer chess like never before!

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(eieio.games)
Game Multiplayer Game Real-time Interaction

A 12-bit Rainbow Palette for National Grid: Live

2025-04-28

This article details a 12-bit rainbow palette designed for National Grid: Live. The palette consists of twelve colors carefully chosen considering human perception of luminance, chroma, and hue. Using a 12-bit color depth, each color requires only four hexadecimal characters, making it efficient for use in CSS or SVG. The design addresses the limitations of standard RGB palettes by leveraging the LCH color space, resulting in a visually pleasing and smoothly transitioning rainbow spectrum. This palette offers both efficiency and aesthetic appeal.

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(iamkate.com)
Design color design palette

ChatGPT's Shopping Upgrade: A Direct Challenge to Google

2025-04-28
ChatGPT's Shopping Upgrade: A Direct Challenge to Google

OpenAI announced an upgrade to ChatGPT's web search, enhancing the online shopping experience. Now, when users search for products, ChatGPT offers recommendations, images, reviews, and direct purchase links. OpenAI is rolling this out gradually across categories like fashion, beauty, and electronics. This move aims to compete with Google by offering a more personalized and convenient online shopping experience, leveraging ChatGPT's natural language processing capabilities to provide more accurate recommendations based on user history. While OpenAI's CEO previously opposed ads in ChatGPT, he's expressed openness to "tasteful" affiliate advertising.

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(techcrunch.com)
AI Shopping Search

Requirements Change Until They Don't: Formal Methods and System Evolution

2025-04-28
Requirements Change Until They Don't: Formal Methods and System Evolution

This article explores how to handle constantly changing requirements in software development. While extensive upfront formal modeling might be impractical with frequent changes, the author argues that formal methods become crucial when systems reach scale or undergo architectural shifts (phase transitions). Formal specification and verification ensure that improvements don't break existing functionality. Using the example of switching from synchronous to asynchronous updates, the author demonstrates how formal methods can verify that a new system satisfies old requirements, highlighting the importance of software maintenance and preventing the silent failure of features.

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(buttondown.com)
Development requirements change

Demystifying AEAD: Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data

2025-04-28
Demystifying AEAD: Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data

This article provides a clear explanation of Authenticated Encryption with Associated Data (AEAD) and its usage. AEAD, the current industry standard in encryption, combines encryption and authentication, handling associated data to prevent data tampering. By comparing traditional separate encryption and authentication methods with AEAD's concise API, the article highlights AEAD's security advantages and recommends developers use AEAD to ensure data security.

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(ochagavia.nl)
Development

SPROUT: A Vine Robot for Urban Search and Rescue

2025-04-28
SPROUT: A Vine Robot for Urban Search and Rescue

MIT Lincoln Laboratory and the University of Notre Dame have collaborated on SPROUT, a soft robotic vine that navigates collapsed structures to locate trapped individuals. This inflatable tube robot, equipped with cameras and sensors, flexibly maneuvers through tight spaces, mapping the environment for first responders. Addressing limitations of current search-and-rescue technologies, SPROUT offers a low-cost, easily operated solution for exploring unstable environments. Future development aims to enhance hazard detection and safety assessment, providing a comprehensive operational picture before human entry.

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(news.mit.edu)
Tech Soft Robotics Search and Rescue

Go Container Build Performance: Nix Isn't Always Faster

2025-04-28
Go Container Build Performance: Nix Isn't Always Faster

This article benchmarks different methods for building Go containers, comparing Docker and Nix. The author uses a simple Go program with Prometheus metrics to measure build times and image sizes. Docker caching significantly improved build speeds, while Nix, despite its reproducibility, wasn't faster. Scratch base images produced much smaller containers than distroless. UPX compression further reduced image sizes. Athens and Squid proxy caching were also tested. The author provides practical tips for faster Go container builds, including using a .dockerignore file to exclude the .git directory.

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(github.com)
Development Container Build Performance Benchmark
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