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Windows Update Bricking USB Printers: Random Text Mayhem

2025-03-13

Windows Update Bricking USB Printers: Random Text Mayhem

Microsoft has acknowledged that recent Windows updates (KB5050092 and later, released since January 29th, 2025) are causing some dual-mode USB printers (supporting both USB Print and IPP over USB) to print random gibberish. This includes network commands and unusual characters. Windows 10 22H2 and Windows 11 22H2/23H2 are affected; Windows 11 24H2 is not. Microsoft has fixed this via Known Issue Rollback (KIR), and the fix will also automatically roll out in a future update. For enterprise environments, IT admins need to install and configure specific group policies to resolve the issue on affected devices.

(www.bleepingcomputer.com)

Hardware Windows Update USB Printer

Tech Career Advice: Take it With a Grain of Salt (Especially From Old-Timers)

2025-03-13

Tech Career Advice: Take it With a Grain of Salt (Especially From Old-Timers)

Career advice from seasoned tech professionals may not be relevant for newcomers. The industry changes rapidly, making the experience of veterans less applicable to today's environment. The article highlights that breaking into tech is significantly harder now than before, rendering older advice potentially unhelpful. It suggests that newcomers should focus on the experiences of their peers rather than relying on outdated advice from long-time professionals.

(jacobian.org)

Development

Xata Agent: Your AI-Powered PostgreSQL Expert

2025-03-13

Xata Agent: Your AI-Powered PostgreSQL Expert

Xata Agent is an open-source AI agent that monitors your PostgreSQL database, identifies root causes of issues, and suggests fixes and improvements. Think of it as a seasoned SRE specializing in Postgres, now part of your team. It watches logs and metrics, proactively suggests configuration tuning, troubleshoots performance problems (including high CPU, memory, and connection counts), offers indexing advice, and even helps with vacuuming. Supporting models from OpenAI, Anthropic, and Deepseek, Xata Agent is easily deployed via Docker. The Xata team already uses it daily to manage numerous active Postgres databases. A cloud version is in development.

(github.com)

Development

Rich Nations Must Form 'Climate Finance Clubs' to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

2025-03-13

Rich Nations Must Form 'Climate Finance Clubs' to Avoid Climate Catastrophe

The COP29 climate summit failed to secure sufficient funding to meet the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting global warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. High-income countries pledged at least $300 billion annually to low- and middle-income countries by 2035, but their own contributions remain unspecified, and the diverse funding sources are inefficient. The article urges high-income countries to form 'climate finance clubs' to provide grants, not loans, prioritizing nations committed to emission reductions. This approach would facilitate decarbonization, prevent massive economic losses from climate change, and ultimately achieve global emission reduction targets.

(www.nature.com)

Tech climate finance

Apple's AI Blunder: Broken Promises and Tarnished Credibility

2025-03-13

Apple's AI Blunder: Broken Promises and Tarnished Credibility

This article criticizes Apple's over-promotion of the "more personalized Siri" features within "Apple Intelligence" at WWDC 2024. The author points out that Apple only demonstrated basic features, while remaining silent on more complex and ambitious functionalities, ultimately resulting in a delay until the following year. This, the author argues, reveals not only the immaturity of Apple's AI technology but also severely damages its reputation for product quality and reliability.

(daringfireball.net)

Tech

Microsoft's Time Travel Debugger: A Deep Dive into TTD

2025-03-13

Microsoft's Time Travel Debugger: A Deep Dive into TTD

Microsoft's Time Travel Debugging (TTD) is a powerful user-mode record-and-replay framework enabling developers to debug programs as if traversing a timeline. It injects a DLL to capture every state of a process's execution, storing this in a .trace file. The core is the Nirvana runtime engine, which emulates CPU instructions for fine-grained control. Even with challenges like floating-point operations, memory models, peripheral emulation, and self-modifying code, Nirvana uses dynamic binary translation and code caching for efficiency and accuracy. The article describes a bug encountered while debugging an obfuscated 32-bit PE file using TTD, highlighting the advantage of using the TTD trace file for debugging.

(cloud.google.com)

Development Code Replay

A Gentle History of Math: Strengths and Weaknesses

2025-03-13

A Gentle History of Math: Strengths and Weaknesses

This review examines Berlinghoff and Gouvêa's "Math Through the Ages: A Gentle History for Teachers and Others." Instead of a chronological narrative, the book uses 30 independent topical sketches, supplemented by a rich bibliography to facilitate further exploration. While the book contains some inaccuracies, particularly concerning the origins of zero and the history of computing, overall it serves as a reasonably priced and informative introduction to the history of mathematics. It's a good starting point for those developing an interest in the subject, though readers should be aware of potential historical oversimplifications.

(thonyc.wordpress.com)

Development

World's First Titanium Artificial Heart Patient Discharged from Hospital

2025-03-13

World's First Titanium Artificial Heart Patient Discharged from Hospital

A man in his forties from Australia has become the first person globally to be discharged from the hospital with a titanium artificial heart. The BiVACOR device, used as a bridge to transplant for heart failure patients awaiting donor hearts, previously required recipients to remain hospitalized in the US. After living with the device for over three months, he received a donor heart and is recovering well. This marks the sixth BiVACOR implantation worldwide and the first to exceed a month. Experts hail the innovation but emphasize the need for further research into long-term functionality and cost-effectiveness. BiVACOR, a total heart replacement with only one moving part, promises enhanced durability compared to traditional devices.

(www.nature.com)

Tech artificial heart

The Ostrich: From Biblical Texts to Arabian Souks

2025-03-13

The Ostrich: From Biblical Texts to Arabian Souks

This book's chapters are organized by region and period, starting with Palestine, Syria, and Arabia. While Leviticus and Deuteronomy deemed the ostrich unclean, North African Numidians feasted on it. (Quoting Dr. Duncan of the Department of Agriculture, the author suggests contemporaries try ostrich as a New Year or Easter bird.) Hebrew speakers called the ostrich bath haya’anah (“daughter of the desert”); Arabic speakers used similar epithets, calling it the desert’s father, but also the magician, the strong one, the fugitive, the stupid one, and the gray. While researching, the author found abundant ostrich feathers in the souks of Aleppo, Damascus, and Smyrna, and recounts an Islamic legend about the bird's weak wings: competing with a bustard, the ostrich forgot to invoke Allah's aid before flying near the sun, scorching its wings and those of all future generations.

(publicdomainreview.org)

Misc ostrich

Cracked Sudoku: A New Sudoku Variant Based on Voronoi Diagrams

2025-03-13

Cracked Sudoku: A New Sudoku Variant Based on Voronoi Diagrams

Tired of traditional Sudoku? Cracked Sudoku is here! This new Sudoku variant uses irregular Voronoi diagrams as its game board. The rules remain familiar to Sudoku fans, but 'rows' and 'columns' are replaced by 'runs'—connected sequences of cells without repeating numbers. The shapes of these runs are determined by the Voronoi diagram, creating a unique solving experience. The author shares the design philosophy and algorithms, and calls for experienced puzzle constructors to collaborate on creating more sophisticated levels, injecting more vitality into this innovative game.

(danielchasehooper.com)

Game Voronoi Diagrams

Deconstructing the Mozart Assassination: A Novelist's Wrestle with History

2025-03-13

Deconstructing the Mozart Assassination: A Novelist's Wrestle with History

American novelist David Weiss, fascinated by Mozart's life, wrote several fictional novels inspired by the composer. Among them, *The Assassination of Mozart* boldly hypothesized Mozart's death as a conspiracy. This article details the author's research in Temple University's archives, examining Weiss's manuscripts to uncover the truth behind his novel's creation. The research reveals that while Weiss consulted numerous historical sources, he intertwined his own speculation with facts, constructing a fictional story filled with conspiracy. This raises questions about the boundaries between fact and fiction in historical fiction and how authors use existing historical materials to build fictional narratives.

(contingentmagazine.org)

Misc historical fiction Mozart

PlanetScale Metal: Ditching the Cloud Database IO Bottleneck

2025-03-13

PlanetScale Metal: Ditching the Cloud Database IO Bottleneck

This article explores the history of computer storage technologies, from tape to hard disk drives to solid-state drives (SSDs), and the IO performance challenges brought about by cloud computing. Traditional cloud database services typically use network-attached storage (NAS), resulting in high latency and IOPS limitations. PlanetScale's Metal product uses local NVMe drives, directly connecting compute and storage, to achieve extremely low latency, unlimited IOPS, and high data durability, completely solving the IO bottleneck problem of cloud databases.

(planetscale.com)

Tech storage technology

AI and Math: A Clash of Cultures and a Call for Collaboration

2025-03-13

The 2025 Joint Mathematics Meeting highlighted the burgeoning intersection of AI and mathematics, revealing a cultural divide between academic mathematicians and industry AI researchers. Mathematicians prioritize understanding, while AI researchers often focus on results. This difference manifests in contrasting approaches to openness, transparency, and the very nature of proof. The article delves into the essence of mathematics, its culture and values, and explores AI's potential applications in literature management, theorem verification, and other areas. The author argues that AI should augment human mathematical capabilities, not replace human mathematicians, emphasizing the need for mutual respect and collaboration to advance the field.

(sugaku.net)

AI Cultural Differences

Dodge's Pop-Up Ads: A PR Disaster?

2025-03-13

Dodge's Pop-Up Ads: A PR Disaster?

Dodge owners are facing a new nightmare: intrusive pop-up ads for extended warranties appearing on their infotainment screens every time the car stops at a light. This move by Stellantis has sparked outrage, especially given Dodge's 29% sales drop in 2024. It highlights Stellantis' apparent disregard for customer preferences, making their boast of a 'greatest automotive comeback in 2025' ring hollow. The ads, often blocking navigation and music controls, are widely criticized as cheap and scam-like. This PR disaster underscores the risks of in-car advertising.

(fuelarc.com)

Tech car ads Dodge

Spark: AI-Powered Streamlining of Renewable Energy Development

2025-03-13

Spark: AI-Powered Streamlining of Renewable Energy Development

Spark is building an advanced AI research tool to help energy developers build solar farms and battery plants. The tool tackles a major challenge in renewables – navigating complex local regulations. Industry leaders like Colliers, Standard Solar, and Cypress Creek Renewables already use Spark to inform investment decisions. Their projects will generate the equivalent of 60GW – enough to power tens of millions of homes annually! Spark is seeking experienced engineers to build core APIs, AI infrastructure, and data pipelines, owning features from concept to production and customer feedback.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Tech Energy Tech

Microsoft's AI Gaming Copilot: A Second-Screen Sidekick

2025-03-13

Microsoft's AI Gaming Copilot: A Second-Screen Sidekick

Microsoft is launching Copilot for Gaming, an AI assistant for Xbox players. Initially available via the Xbox mobile app, Copilot will guide players through games, offer tips, and even help download and launch titles. Demos showcased Copilot offering tactical advice in Overwatch 2 and crafting guidance in Minecraft. While demos were impressive, the initial April release for Xbox Insiders will be limited. Microsoft plans to iterate based on user feedback.

(www.theverge.com)

Game AI gaming assistant

OpenAI Urges Federal Intervention in State AI Regulations

2025-03-13

OpenAI Urges Federal Intervention in State AI Regulations

OpenAI is urging the Trump administration to intervene, preempting state-level AI regulations with federal ones, to shield AI companies from a growing number of proposed state regulations. OpenAI argues that hundreds of pending state AI bills risk undermining America's technological progress. In exchange, companies would voluntarily provide their AI models to the federal government. This move aims to counter competition from China and ensure US AI leadership. OpenAI suggests the US AI Safety Institute as the main point of contact between the government and the private sector.

(finance.yahoo.com)

Tech

The Kings of Cinema's Cesspool: Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Other Unforgettable Movie Disasters

2025-03-13

The Kings of Cinema's Cesspool: Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Other Unforgettable Movie Disasters

This article explores some of cinema's most hated films and the actors behind them. Analyzing audience disapproval and the magnitude of disdain, it reveals that critically panned movies like Cats, Battlefield Earth, and Fifty Shades of Grey gained unexpected attention and discussion for their unique 'so bad it's good' quality. The article also examines Hollywood's current risk-averse strategies and how these contribute to a rise in one-star rated films. Ultimately, it concludes that in an era of content overload, even bad movies can avoid oblivion if they generate enough conversation.

(www.statsignificant.com)

Misc movies bad movies hollywood

Statistical Formulas for Programmers: A Cheat Sheet

2025-03-13

This article compiles commonly used statistical formulas for programmers, covering averages, proportions, count data, and distribution comparisons. Each formula is explained concisely with context and references provided for further learning. This practical guide empowers programmers to enhance their data analysis skills, turning raw data into insightful conclusions.

(www.evanmiller.org)

Development statistics

Static Type Analysis for Ruby Without Type Annotations

2025-03-13

Static Type Analysis for Ruby Without Type Annotations

Shopify engineers have developed a novel static type analyzer that infers type information for Ruby programs without requiring type annotations. The analyzer leverages an improved Sparse Conditional Constant Propagation (SCCP) algorithm and precise dataflow tracking to efficiently handle interprocedural type analysis, completing analysis in seconds even for programs with a large number of classes. This research offers a new approach to optimizing compilers for dynamic languages and opens up new possibilities for performance improvements in dynamic languages like Ruby.

(railsatscale.com)

Development static type analysis

Manhattan's Century-Old Steam System: A City's Thermal Legacy

2025-03-13

Since 1882, Manhattan has relied on a vast steam system to heat its buildings, from the Waldorf Astoria to NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital. This article delves into the history of this remarkable infrastructure, tracing its evolution from a solution to the heating challenges of a densely populated city to its continued role in supplying heat to much of Manhattan. The article also compares steam systems with modern hot water systems, exploring the role of district heating in the future of urban development.

(worksinprogress.co)

Tech urban infrastructure energy systems

Unearthing Lost Commodore 64 Master Tapes: A Retro Gaming Archaeology

2025-03-13

Unearthing Lost Commodore 64 Master Tapes: A Retro Gaming Archaeology

This article recounts the discovery and restoration of a vast collection of Commodore 64 game master tapes and disks, including rare materials from legendary programmer Gary J. Sabin. The find sheds light on the behind-the-scenes work of 80s game development, from the creation of loader music and the hectic process of mastering games to amusing development blunders. It's a fascinating blend of tech archaeology and nostalgic retro gaming history.

(spillhistorie.no)

Game

OODA Loops: Applying Military Strategy to Software Development

2025-03-13

OODA Loops: Applying Military Strategy to Software Development

This article explores the application of the OODA loop (Observe, Orient, Decide, Act), a military strategic model, to software development. The author argues that in software development, the primary 'enemy' is ourselves and our environment. By focusing on rapid iteration, plan variety, swift execution, and team harmony, we can accelerate the OODA loop and improve software development efficiency. The article highlights the importance of trust, psychological safety, and initiative in team collaboration, suggesting the adoption of methods from agile development and lean product design, such as MVPs and spikes, to encourage initiative and rapid iteration.

(spin.atomicobject.com)

Development OODA Loop

Ubuntu 25.10 to Ship with Rust-Rewritten Core Utilities

2025-03-13

Ubuntu 25.10 to Ship with Rust-Rewritten Core Utilities

Ubuntu engineers announced plans to replace core system utilities (e.g., ls, cp, mv) with modern Rust-based versions in Ubuntu 25.10. The goal is enhanced security and stability, not just performance. Rust's type system and borrow checker help mitigate memory safety vulnerabilities. A tool called `oxidizr` facilitates easy switching between implementations. While some compatibility issues exist, the project promises to enhance the overall robustness of the system in future Ubuntu releases.

(discourse.ubuntu.com)

Development System Utilities

Anthropic CEO Warns of Chinese Espionage Targeting US AI Secrets

2025-03-13

Anthropic CEO Warns of Chinese Espionage Targeting US AI Secrets

Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei has warned that Chinese spies are likely stealing valuable "algorithmic secrets" from top US AI companies, urging government intervention. He highlighted China's history of industrial espionage and the high value – potentially hundreds of millions of dollars – of seemingly simple code snippets. Amodei advocates for increased collaboration between the US government and AI companies to bolster security at leading AI labs, potentially involving US intelligence agencies and allies. This concern aligns with Amodei's previously expressed worries about China's use of AI for authoritarian and military purposes and his calls for stricter export controls on AI chips to China. His stance has drawn criticism from some who believe US-China collaboration on AI is necessary to prevent an uncontrollable AI arms race.

(techcrunch.com)

AI Chinese espionage algorithm theft

UK Tech Minister Uses ChatGPT, Sparking FOI Debate

2025-03-13

UK Tech Minister Uses ChatGPT, Sparking FOI Debate

UK's technology secretary, Peter Kyle, used ChatGPT to seek advice on the slow AI adoption in UK businesses and podcast recommendations. His ChatGPT interactions were released under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, a potential first in determining whether chatbot interactions are subject to such laws. ChatGPT's advice included improving awareness, addressing regulatory and ethical concerns, and increasing government support. While the government claims AI is used as a labor-saving tool, the incident raises questions about government use of commercial AI tools and transparency, setting a precedent for other nations with similar FOI laws.

(www.newscientist.com)

Tech Freedom of Information

Early Pirate Bay Backer Dies in Plane Crash

2025-03-13

Early Pirate Bay Backer Dies in Plane Crash

Carl Lundstrom, co-founder and early financial backer of The Pirate Bay, died in a plane crash in the Slovenian mountains. Lundstrom, also a member of the far-right Alternative for Sweden party, was flying from Zagreb to Zurich when his plane crashed. The 64-year-old's Piper Mooney Ovation M20R split in two upon impact. Bad weather hampered rescue efforts. He was previously convicted in 2012 for assisting in copyright infringement. Lundstrom also had ties to other Swedish political parties and unsuccessfully ran for office in 2021.

(www.independent.co.uk)

Misc Plane Crash

The Greenwich Time Lady: The Remarkable Life of Ruth Belville

2025-03-13

For nearly fifty years, Ruth Belville carried on a unique family tradition, personally delivering precise time readings to London's clockmakers. Inheriting the role from her grandmother, who took over the task from her husband, Ruth meticulously delivered time using an antique pocket watch, spanning the transition from mechanical to electrical timekeeping. Her dedication created a unique and enduring legacy, a personal touch in a rapidly changing technological landscape.

(eehe.org.uk)

Misc

Shadeform Hiring Senior Software Engineer for GPU Cloud Marketplace

2025-03-13

Shadeform Hiring Senior Software Engineer for GPU Cloud Marketplace

Shadeform is hiring a Senior Software Engineer to build core orchestration and managed services for its GPU cloud marketplace. The company provides affordable and reliable GPU compute to Fortune 100 companies, startups, and more. The ideal candidate will have experience with Go programming, orchestration (Kubernetes, Nomad, etc.), cloud (AWS and GCP), and GPU/ML infrastructure. Competitive compensation, equity, and remote work options are offered.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development GPU cloud computing

DIY Telescopes: A Beginner's Guide to Amateur Telescope Making

2025-03-13

This guide explores the world of Amateur Telescope Making (ATM), tracing its history from Russell Porter's pioneering work to the modern era. It emphasizes the rewarding aspects of building your own telescope: the satisfaction of crafting a tool for celestial observation, learning about optics, and the pride of accomplishment. The guide covers mirror grinding, optical testing, and telescope assembly, providing numerous resources and links, making it ideal for beginners.

(stellafane.org)

Hardware telescope making

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