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Air France Plane Turns Back After Lost Phone Sparks Safety Concerns

2025-03-29

Air France Plane Turns Back After Lost Phone Sparks Safety Concerns

An Air France flight made an unscheduled return after a passenger's lost phone caused safety concerns. Experts warn that a phone trapped in a seat could overheat and catch fire due to pressure. The incident highlights growing airline concerns about lithium batteries and electronics on board. Many airlines are tightening restrictions on electronic devices, urging passengers to keep batteries and power banks readily accessible and avoid potential damage.

(www.nzherald.co.nz)

Tech lithium batteries

Google Search's Trust Crisis: Why I'm Considering Switching

2025-03-29

Google Search's Trust Crisis: Why I'm Considering Switching

Google Search has been my default for years, but recently, it's been riddled with errors. From incorrect sports scores to inaccurate song information and flawed troubleshooting advice, the results have become unreliable. The search results are swamped with outdated information, SEO spam, and AI-generated nonsense, eroding my trust in the platform. While this might be attributed to bugs in Google's Knowledge Graph, the over-reliance on AI and a perceived lack of responsiveness to user feedback are making me consider switching search engines.

(www.androidpolice.com)

Tech

Body Doubling: A Productivity Hack for Focus and Task Completion

2025-03-29

Body doubling is a productivity technique gaining popularity, especially among those with ADHD. It involves working alongside another person, either physically or virtually, to improve focus and task completion. The presence of the 'body double' acts as an external motivator, reducing distractions and fostering a sense of accountability. While long-term studies are limited, anecdotal evidence and expert opinions suggest its effectiveness as a complementary approach to medication and helpful for individuals with other conditions like autism or anxiety.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Development

The Regret of ChatGPT's Godfather: Has the Democratization of AI Failed?

2025-03-29

The Regret of ChatGPT's Godfather: Has the Democratization of AI Failed?

In 2017, Jeremy Howard's breakthrough in natural language processing laid the groundwork for tools like ChatGPT. He achieved a leap in AI's text comprehension by training a large language model to predict Wikipedia text. However, this technology fell under the control of a few large tech companies, leading Howard to worry about the failure of AI democratization. He and his wife, Rachel Thomas, gave up high-paying jobs to found fast.ai, dedicated to popularizing machine learning knowledge. Yet, they watched as AI technology became monopolized by a few corporations, becoming a tool for capital competition, leaving him deeply frustrated and anxious.

(www.abc.net.au)

AI Tech Democratization

Meta's Interoperability Proposal: Why XMPP is the Real Solution

2025-03-29

Designated a gatekeeper under the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), Meta must ensure interoperability between WhatsApp and Messenger. However, Meta's proposed solution, relying on restrictive NDAs, proprietary APIs, and centralized control, falls short of true interoperability. The article argues that the established open standard XMPP offers a superior alternative, enabling seamless federation, decentralized control, enhanced privacy, and scalability. The author urges Meta to adopt XMPP to create a truly open and competitive messaging ecosystem.

(xmpp.org)

Tech Interoperability

Chipmakers Slow Expansions in Japan and Malaysia Amid Weak Demand and Tariff Uncertainty

2025-03-29

Chipmakers Slow Expansions in Japan and Malaysia Amid Weak Demand and Tariff Uncertainty

Leading chipmakers and packagers, including TSMC and Intel, are slowing their expansions in Japan and Malaysia due to sluggish demand for older chips and tariff uncertainties. Companies like ASE Technology and SPIL are also scaling back Malaysian expansion plans, adopting a 'wait-and-see' approach alongside numerous other chip suppliers.

(asia.nikkei.com)

Tech chip industry investment slowdown global economy

Snake in tmux: A Game Built Entirely in Config Files

2025-03-29

Snake in tmux: A Game Built Entirely in Config Files

A developer, known for their tmux wizardry, has created a fully functional Snake game using only tmux configuration files. No external programs are needed; the game's logic, rendering, and input are all handled within the tmux environment. The author leverages tmux sessions, windows, and styling to build the game, creating a surprisingly elegant and functional implementation. Details include recursive window creation, clever input handling, and a concise game loop, showcasing the surprising power and flexibility of tmux.

(willhbr.net)

Game

Paged Out!: Resurrection and Evolution of a Tech Zine

2025-03-29

Paged Out!: Resurrection and Evolution of a Tech Zine

After a four-year hiatus caused by pandemics and various challenges, the tech zine *Paged Out!* has been successfully revived and is back on track. This blog post chronicles the magazine's journey from stagnation to resurgence, introducing the new management team and operational model. It also outlines future plans, including improvements to PDF processing, achieving financial self-sufficiency, and expanding the scope of topics covered.

(pagedout.institute)

Misc zine publishing

2.87 Billion Twitter Users' Data Leaked: Largest Social Media Breach Ever?

2025-03-29

2.87 Billion Twitter Users' Data Leaked: Largest Social Media Breach Ever?

A massive data leak affecting a staggering 2.87 billion Twitter (now X) users has been reported on the Breach Forums. The leak allegedly stems from a disgruntled former employee who stole the data during recent layoffs. While this would be the largest social media data breach in history, X hasn't publicly acknowledged the incident. The leaked data includes user IDs, usernames, profile information, and follower counts, but notably, not email addresses. The source of the leak and the identity of the leaker remain unknown, raising significant concerns about user privacy and data security.

(hackread.com)

Tech

RTABench: A New Benchmark for Real-Time Analytics Applications

2025-03-29

RTABench: A New Benchmark for Real-Time Analytics Applications

Traditional analytics benchmarks often overlook the needs of real-time applications, such as generating fast, targeted insights for specific users, devices, or transactions. RTABench addresses this gap by providing a benchmark that accurately reflects real-time analytics within applications, using a normalized schema, realistic dataset sizes, and queries that match real-world usage patterns. It includes 33 queries covering raw event queries, selective filtering, multi-table joins, and pre-aggregated queries to assess database performance on normalized schemas, selective filtering, and incremental materialized views. RTABench supports multiple databases and welcomes community contributions to expand its database support and optimizations.

(github.com)

Development real-time analytics database benchmark

vramfs: Turn Your GPU VRAM into a Filesystem

2025-03-29

vramfs: Turn Your GPU VRAM into a Filesystem

vramfs is a utility leveraging the FUSE library to create a filesystem in your GPU's VRAM. Similar to a ramdisk, but using video RAM, it's not for high-intensity use but works surprisingly well on consumer GPUs with 4GB+ VRAM. The developer achieved ~2.4 GB/s read and 2.0 GB/s write speeds, about 1/3 of a ramdisk. It uses OpenCL for memory management and FUSE for simplified development. Future improvements aim to reach PCI-e bandwidth limits.

(github.com)

Development Filesystem

Veloren Update Recap: Combat Overhaul, New Items, and Puzzles

2025-03-29

Veloren Update Recap: Combat Overhaul, New Items, and Puzzles

Veloren has seen a flurry of updates in recent months, introducing combat system improvements, shiny new items and equipment, plus puzzles and newspapers to add to the gameplay. The development team released three recap blog posts detailing these updates, covering combat refinements, new item additions, and engaging puzzle elements. These updates demonstrate Veloren's continued development and progress, enriching the player experience.

(veloren.net)

Game Game Update

Can Earth's Rotation Power a Generator? Physicists Debate a Novel Claim

2025-03-29

Can Earth's Rotation Power a Generator? Physicists Debate a Novel Claim

A controversial new study claims that electricity can be generated from Earth's rotation. Researchers have devised a device that uses Earth's magnetic field to produce a minuscule current, although only 17 microvolts. While the amount of electricity generated is tiny, the implications are significant. If scalable, this technology could provide clean energy to remote locations or for medical applications. However, the findings are disputed; some scientists express skepticism and call for further evidence to rule out other contributing factors. This research opens a new avenue for clean energy exploration, but also highlights the challenges and uncertainties inherent in scientific discovery.

(www.scientificamerican.com)

Tech Earth's rotation electricity generation

Learn Japanese Grammar with TypeScript: Introducing Typed Japanese

2025-03-29

Learn Japanese Grammar with TypeScript: Introducing Typed Japanese

Typed Japanese is a TypeScript type-level library that allows you to express complete Japanese sentences using the type system. It creates a domain-specific language (DSL) based on Japanese grammar rules, enabling the writing and verification of grammatically correct natural language using TypeScript's compiler. The project also explores an intermediate format for AI in language learning, potentially replacing JSON with a type-checked representation for improved accuracy. It supports various verb and adjective conjugations, phrase and sentence construction, aiming to create a type system for learning and verifying Japanese grammar. While still in early stages and relying on LLM-generated rules, it offers a unique approach to language learning and grammar verification.

(github.com)

Development Japanese Language Learning

Global Religious Switching: Christianity and Buddhism Hit Hardest

2025-03-29

Global Religious Switching: Christianity and Buddhism Hit Hardest

A Pew Research Center survey across 36 countries reveals significant variations in religious switching rates worldwide. Christianity and Buddhism have experienced particularly large losses, with a rise in religiously unaffiliated adults. In many countries, over one-fifth of adults have left the religion of their upbringing. South Korea shows the highest switching rates, while countries like India, Israel, Nigeria, and Thailand exhibit very low rates. Most switching is towards the religiously unaffiliated category. Age, education, and gender also influence switching rates, with younger and more highly educated individuals often showing higher rates.

(www.pewresearch.org)

Misc religious switching religiously unaffiliated Pew Research Center

The Rise and Fall (and Persistence) of AM Radio

2025-03-29

The Rise and Fall (and Persistence) of AM Radio

This nostalgic piece reminisces about the golden age of AM radio, where even small towns boasted diverse stations and unique DJs created a shared listening experience for a generation. The author contrasts this sense of community and shared culture with the individualized experience of streaming services. While AM radio's audience shrinks, its frequency remains a constant, waiting for a new voice to reignite its potential.

(www.discoursemagazine.com)

Misc

Converting LaTeX to Accessible HTML: A Case Study

2025-03-29

Converting LaTeX to Accessible HTML: A Case Study

LaTeX, while excellent for producing high-quality typeset documents, suffers from accessibility issues due to its PDF output. This article explores converting LaTeX to HTML for improved accessibility. It compares alternatives to LaTeX (Pressbooks, PreTeXt, Markdown) and focuses on LaTeXML and BookML as conversion tools. A case study detailing the conversion of an open logic textbook highlights challenges and tricks, such as handling mathematical formulas, alt text for images, and screen reader compatibility. The author's experience demonstrates the process of creating a more accessible online textbook, balancing the needs of various assistive technologies.

(richardzach.org)

Development

Berkeley Lab Synthesizes Novel Berkelocene Molecule, Potentially Revolutionizing Nuclear Waste Management

2025-03-29

Berkeley Lab Synthesizes Novel Berkelocene Molecule, Potentially Revolutionizing Nuclear Waste Management

Scientists at Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory have synthesized a new molecule, berkelocene, using the ultra-rare element berkelium. This 'sandwich'-like molecule, with a berkelium atom nestled between two carbon rings, defies theoretical expectations and offers a potential breakthrough in nuclear waste management. Working with an extremely small amount of the highly air-sensitive and radioactive berkelium, researchers overcame significant challenges, identifying the new molecule through a distinctive color change and X-ray diffraction. Published in Science, this discovery lays crucial groundwork for advancing nuclear waste disposal technologies.

(www.mercurynews.com)

Tech nuclear waste management berkelium new molecule

Bolt Graphics Unveils Ambitious Zeus GPU Architecture

2025-03-29

Bolt Graphics Unveils Ambitious Zeus GPU Architecture

Bolt Graphics announced its Zeus GPU architecture, a modular design based on the RISC-V instruction set. Employing a multi-chiplet approach, Zeus scales up to four chiplets, each boasting 64GB of LPDDR5X and abundant high-speed interconnect options like 800GbE and PCIe Gen5. Targeting large-scale GPU clusters through high memory capacity and bandwidth, Zeus aims to challenge Nvidia's dominance in high-performance computing. While still in early development, with developer kits slated for Q4 2025, its unique architecture and potential for cost-effectiveness warrant attention.

(www.servethehome.com)

Hardware

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

Microsoft Patches Windows 11 Bypass for Microsoft Account Login

2025-03-29

Microsoft Patches Windows 11 Bypass for Microsoft Account Login

The latest Windows 11 Dev Channel preview build removes the bypassnro.cmd script, previously allowing users to circumvent the mandatory Microsoft account login requirement. Microsoft states this change enhances security and ensures all users sign in with a Microsoft account while online. This will inconvenience users who prefer offline setup or local accounts, though Microsoft accounts offer benefits like easy access to subscriptions and data syncing. Local accounts, however, reduce notifications and upsells.

(arstechnica.com)

Development

Rubik's Cube Solutions and the Math Behind It: A Programmer's Perspective

2025-03-29

This article details a programmer's long journey with Rubik's Cubes and other puzzles. It features personal solving methods, deep dives into the underlying group theory, and a collection of various cubes and puzzles. The author explains Rubik's Cube solutions step-by-step, while delving into the mathematical concepts behind it, including group theory, commutators, and conjugates, drawing parallels with physics (quark theory). Anecdotes and historical notes on Rubik's Cubes complete the story.

(williambader.com)

Game Rubik's Cube Puzzles

Real-Time Chess: A Physical Board That Eliminates Turns

2025-03-29

Real-Time Chess: A Physical Board That Eliminates Turns

Tired of the long waits in turn-based chess? A developer has created a real-time physical chessboard that eliminates turns entirely. Each piece has an individual cooldown, enforced by electronics and electromagnets, preventing cheating. The project's PCB designs and firmware are open-source, but the author notes issues like inadequate power distribution and tight tolerances.

(github.com)

Hardware

The End of Microservices Discussions: A Pointless Architectural Debate

2025-03-29

The End of Microservices Discussions: A Pointless Architectural Debate

The author recounts his frustration with endless debates about microservices during an architecture review meeting. He argues that the lack of a clear definition, the detachment from business goals, and the neglect of organizational changes render these discussions unproductive. Many discussions about microservices are actually about wanting cutting-edge technology rather than solving real-world problems. The author proposes abandoning abstract discussions about microservices and focusing on concrete challenges like faster feature deployments, reduced coupling, and solving bottlenecks. Microservices only work when organizational structure and processes support them; otherwise, they just add complexity.

(blog.container-solutions.com)

Development

Quantum Drama: A Century of Debate Beyond Copenhagen

2025-03-29

Quantum Drama: A Century of Debate Beyond Copenhagen

Quantum Drama, a new book by Jim Baggott and John L Heilbron, offers a comprehensive look at the century-long history of quantum mechanics, going beyond the typical focus on the 1927 Solvay Conference. It delves into the ongoing debate surrounding interpretations of quantum mechanics, highlighting the experimental work of Aspect, Clauser, and Zeilinger on Bell's inequalities and the theoretical contributions of Zurek, Joos, and others on entanglement and decoherence. While accessible to a broad audience, some technical details might be more readily grasped by professional physicists. The book's timely release coincides with the centenary of quantum physics, providing a fresh perspective on this enduring scientific puzzle.

(cerncourier.com)

Tech Quantum Interpretation

Critical Ubuntu User Namespace Bypass Exploits Discovered

2025-03-29

Critical Ubuntu User Namespace Bypass Exploits Discovered

Qualys researchers have uncovered three critical security bypasses in Ubuntu 23.10 and 24.04's unprivileged user namespace restrictions. These bypasses, leveraging the aa-exec tool, busybox shell, and LD_PRELOAD technique, allow local attackers to create user namespaces with full administrative privileges, potentially exploiting kernel vulnerabilities. Canonical acknowledges these as limitations of their AppArmor defense, not vulnerabilities, and recommends administrative hardening steps such as enabling kernel.apparmor_restrict_unprivileged_unconfined=1 to mitigate the risks.

(www.bleepingcomputer.com)

Development

bknd: A Lightweight, Full-Featured Backend for Simplified App Development

2025-03-29

bknd: A Lightweight, Full-Featured Backend for Simplified App Development

bknd simplifies app development by providing a fully functional backend for database management, authentication, media, and workflows. Built on web standards, it's lightweight and deployable nearly anywhere, including within your framework of choice. No more deploying multiple separate services! It offers a REST API, React SDK, and React elements for authentication and media components, along with an easy-to-use admin UI. While still under active development (pre-v1.0.0), full backward compatibility isn't yet guaranteed.

(github.com)

Development

ChatGPT's Songwriting: A Nick Cave-Style Disaster?

2025-03-29

ChatGPT's Songwriting: A Nick Cave-Style Disaster?

Nick Cave expresses his disdain for numerous ChatGPT-generated songs sent to him, all supposedly in his style. He argues that ChatGPT can only replicate, not create genuine, moving songs, as algorithms lack the human experience of suffering, struggle, and transcendence. True artistic creation, he contends, involves grappling with vulnerability and limitations, culminating in an emotional outpouring that AI cannot replicate. He dismisses the AI-generated songs as grotesque parodies of human creativity, bluntly criticizing their poor quality.

(www.theredhandfiles.com)

AI Music Creation

Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

2025-03-29

Survival Game: Strategy, Betrayal, and Survival

The author participated in a survival game called CTG, where players survive by completing challenges and voting. To survive, the author learned from previous players' experiences: staying low-key and avoiding the spotlight. In the game, players displayed various roles: leaders, organizers, data nerds, and so on. By meticulously observing and recording, and actively participating in challenges, the author successfully avoided early elimination. However, on day three, a high-risk collective abstention strategy ended in failure, and suspicion and accusations quickly spread among the players.

(www.wired.com)

Game survival game

Three Principles for a Fulfilling Life: Help, Protect, Create

2025-03-29

This essay explores the meaning and purpose of life. The author proposes three core principles: help people, protect the world, and create good new things. These aren't moral imperatives, but rather pathways to fulfilling one's potential. Traditional ethics emphasized character development, neglecting the value of creation, as most people in past centuries had predetermined careers with little choice. Now, more can pursue creative work, becoming models like Archimedes, driving societal progress. The author encourages readers to boldly explore and create valuable new things; even if initially unappreciated, these creations may gain eventual recognition and indirectly benefit others and the world.

(paulgraham.com)

Misc philosophy of life

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