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VLC Hits 6 Billion Downloads, Teases AI-Powered Subtitles

2025-01-09

VLC Hits 6 Billion Downloads, Teases AI-Powered Subtitles

The popular open-source media player VLC has surpassed 6 billion downloads. At CES 2025, VideoLAN showcased a new AI-powered subtitle system that generates and translates subtitles in real-time using locally-run open-source AI models. This eliminates the need for internet connectivity. While a release date wasn't announced, this innovative feature demonstrates VLC's continued commitment to free, ad-free, and cutting-edge technology.

(techcrunch.com)

Tech AI subtitles

Drawing Animals with Margaret Mead: A Childhood Memory

2025-01-09

Drawing Animals with Margaret Mead: A Childhood Memory

In 1963, the 10-year-old author found himself drawing animals on napkins with renowned anthropologist Margaret Mead at the annual meeting of the American Society for Group Psychotherapy and Psychodrama. Mead, at the height of her career, engaged the child in a spontaneous drawing session, offering a glimpse into her methods of understanding children's early cognitive development within a cultural context. The anecdote provides a personal and historical snapshot of a unique childhood experience and a notable moment in 20th-century American culture.

(www.psychologytoday.com)

Misc Margaret Mead childhood memory cultural anthropology

Delta Air Lines Partners with YouTube Premium for In-Flight Entertainment

2025-01-09

Delta Air Lines Partners with YouTube Premium for In-Flight Entertainment

Delta Air Lines has partnered with YouTube to offer free YouTube Premium and YouTube Music to its SkyMiles members on flights. This exclusive deal includes curated content from top YouTube creators and is part of Delta's broader strategy to enhance the in-flight experience and attract entertainment industry travelers. The airline is also rolling out an AI-powered personal assistant, Delta Concierge, and a new in-flight series hosted by Tom Brady focused on wellness travel tips.

(variety.com)

Tech Airlines

Poka-Yoke: The Japanese Art of Mistake-Proofing

2025-01-09

Poka-yoke, meaning "mistake-proofing" in Japanese, is a lean manufacturing concept originating from the Toyota Production System. It involves designing mechanisms to prevent, correct, or highlight human errors in a process, thereby eliminating defects. A simple example is a car's clutch pedal—it's a poka-yoke, forcing the driver to depress it before starting the engine. This approach not only improves product quality but also reduces training costs, lessens quality control burdens, and ultimately achieves 100% built-in quality control.

(en.wikipedia.org)

Development lean manufacturing quality control Toyota Production System

Who Needs a $120 Raspberry Pi 5?

2025-01-09

The Raspberry Pi 5 with 16GB of RAM, priced at $120, raises the question: who would buy it? While a compelling option for some, the author argues that the 2GB or 4GB versions offer better value for most users. However, the 16GB model shines for demanding applications like large language models and running multiple VMs or containers. Performance gains are also noted thanks to the new chip revision and SDRAM tuning. Ultimately, the 16GB Pi 5 targets users needing high memory and performance for specific tasks.

(www.jeffgeerling.com)

Hardware 16GB RAM

My Biohacking Experience: Getting a Magnet Implant

2025-01-09

A biohacker recounts their experience getting a magnet implanted under their skin. Opting for the xG3 v2, they sought to experience both magnetic sensing and lifting capabilities. The procedure was straightforward, with healing involving minor swelling and bruising. Afterwards, they could sense magnetic fields, such as those from a laptop charger and microwave, and easily pick up small ferromagnetic objects like paperclips. They could also manipulate a virtual compass on their phone and even unlock their laptop. Despite some minor magnet migration, they're happy with the experience and plan future body modifications.

(vale.rocks)

Misc biohacking body modification magnet implant

The Priesthoods: Power, Corruption, and the Future of Expertise

2025-01-09

The Priesthoods: Power, Corruption, and the Future of Expertise

This essay explores the dynamics of 'priesthoods'—expert communities like the medical establishment—and the challenges they face. The author argues that these groups, in their pursuit of intellectual authority, often isolate themselves from the public, creating an internal knowledge bubble. While this isolation fosters in-depth discussion and consensus-building, it can also breed internal biases and vulnerability to political or other influences. Using examples from medicine and architecture, the article analyzes how these groups function, their susceptibility to capitalist pressures, and their recent susceptibility to capture by political ideologies. The author ultimately questions how to respond to the declining credibility of these expert communities: should we attempt to fix the existing system, or explore alternative models of knowledge dissemination?

(www.astralcodexten.com)

Misc expert communities power ideology

Double-Keyed Caching: How Browser Cache Partitioning Reshaped the Web

2025-01-09

Double-Keyed Caching: How Browser Cache Partitioning Reshaped the Web

To enhance privacy, browser caching has shifted from a simple key-value store to double-keyed caching (or cache partitioning). This fundamentally changes how resources are cached: previously shared across sites via public CDNs, now each site maintains its own copy. While bolstering privacy by preventing cache probing, timing attacks, etc., this leads to lower cache hit rates and increased network load. The article analyzes this impact on various resources (shared libraries, fonts, large models), proposing solutions like domain consolidation, module federation, and smart resource loading. The era of shared public CDNs may be ending, but the web's adaptability will prevail.

(addyosmani.com)

Development browser caching

Four Reasons Why Zoom Meetings Are So Exhausting (and How to Fix It)

2025-01-09

Four Reasons Why Zoom Meetings Are So Exhausting (and How to Fix It)

Stanford researchers have identified four key causes of 'Zoom fatigue': excessive close-up eye contact, constantly seeing yourself on camera, restricted mobility, and increased cognitive load. Excessive eye contact and large face sizes create stress; constantly seeing yourself leads to self-criticism; limited movement and higher cognitive load exacerbate fatigue. Solutions include reducing Zoom window size, hiding self-view, increasing movement, and taking 'audio-only' breaks. A Zoom Exhaustion & Fatigue (ZEF) scale is also being developed to measure the extent of Zoom fatigue.

(news.stanford.edu)

Tech Zoom fatigue video conferencing human-computer interaction

NASA's JPL Shuttered by Raging LA Wildfires

2025-01-09

NASA's JPL Shuttered by Raging LA Wildfires

NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory (JPL), a crucial center for robotic space exploration, has been temporarily closed due to the nearby Eaton wildfire. Hundreds of JPL employees have been evacuated from their homes, with many experiencing property loss. While JPL itself has escaped direct fire damage, strong winds caused some wind damage. The closure impacts NASA's ongoing missions, including the Perseverance and Curiosity rovers and the recently launched Europa Clipper. The Eaton fire is one of several large wildfires currently burning in the Los Angeles area, fueled by record-setting winds.

(www.space.com)

Tech Wildfires

AccessOwl (YC-backed) Hiring Senior TypeScript Engineer

2025-01-09

AccessOwl (YC-backed) Hiring Senior TypeScript Engineer

YC-backed startup AccessOwl is seeking a Senior Software Engineer specializing in TypeScript. They're revolutionizing SaaS application management, offering a solution that leverages RPA and AI workflows to replace tools like Okta. The role requires 5+ years of professional web development experience, proficiency with Playwright or Puppeteer, and experience building browser extensions. Competitive salary, remote work, and flexible hours are offered.

(www.ycombinator.com)

Development Remote

Stack Overflow Controversy: User Account Erased, Raising Copyright and Censorship Questions

2025-01-09

Stack Overflow Controversy: User Account Erased, Raising Copyright and Censorship Questions

The programmer Q&A site Stack Overflow is embroiled in controversy over the removal of Luigi Mangione's account while retaining his contributions. The article argues this violates the attribution clause of the Creative Commons license and contrasts sharply with how other tech platforms handled Mangione's accounts. The author alleges Stack Overflow's actions were retaliatory, stemming from a question he posed that resulted in a year-long ban. The incident raises questions about copyright, censorship, platform power, and the relationship between tech companies and user rights.

(substack.evancarroll.com)

Development Censorship

Beware! The Latest Wave of Fake Literary Agencies

2025-01-09

Beware! The Latest Wave of Fake Literary Agencies

Writer Beware® exposes a new crop of fraudulent literary agencies employing sophisticated websites and deceptive tactics to scam writers. The detailed investigation reveals the methods used by several fake agencies, such as The Elite Scout Society and ImplicitPress Literary Agency, highlighting how they fabricate credentials and solicit upfront fees. The article emphasizes the importance of verifying an agency's legitimacy before engaging with them to avoid falling victim to these scams.

(writerbeware.blog)

Misc writing scams literary agents

Citizen Science: Analyzing Satellite Imagery of the Palisade and Eaton Fires

2025-01-09

Citizen Science: Analyzing Satellite Imagery of the Palisade and Eaton Fires

This project analyzes the Palisade and Eaton fires in Southern California in January 2025 using imagery from GOES-16 and GOES-18 satellites. Reprojected data is downloaded from UW SSEC's RealEarth program; each image is 128x128 pixels, centered at (34.1, -118.4), with 1.0 km pixels. The code combines data from both satellites for increased resolution and currently measures hotspot areas. This project showcases the accessibility of citizen science, demonstrating how publicly available data can be used for scientific research.

(github.com)

Tech satellite imagery analysis citizen science fire monitoring

Christopher Payne: Shining a Light on the Honorable Parts of American Labor

2025-01-09

Christopher Payne: Shining a Light on the Honorable Parts of American Labor

This article profiles industrial photographer Christopher Payne, who meticulously documents American factories and their workers. His striking photographs aren't just technical feats; they're a celebration of manufacturing, showcasing the dedication and skill involved in creating everyday objects. Payne's work transcends simple documentation, becoming a poignant commentary on the often-overlooked dignity of labor and the intricate beauty of industrial processes. He reveals the human stories behind the machines, prompting reflection on the values inherent in American industry and its workers.

(www.scopeofwork.net)

Misc industrial photography American labor human interest

Implementing a Simple Pool Allocator in C

2025-01-09

This article details the implementation of a simple pool allocator in C. The author first presents a fixed-size pool implementation with O(1) time complexity for allocation and deallocation. This is then improved to allow dynamic resizing, preventing crashes due to exhaustion of the initial pool. The improved version cleverly uses linked lists to manage memory blocks, balancing performance with efficient memory usage.

(8dcc.github.io)

Development Memory Management Pool Allocator

28-Hour Days: A Year-Long Experiment

2025-01-09

The author shares their experience of living on a 28-hour day schedule for a year. They found it to be the second best thing they've done for their health, after regular exercise. Adaptation took two months, involving overcoming sleepiness and communication challenges with their partner. Strategic naps became key to managing their schedule, and they've become adept at switching between 28 and 24-hour cycles. While the unconventional schedule complicates social interactions, the author reports significant benefits: improved sleep consistency, increased free time, more frequent exercise, and a quieter, less crowded environment for workouts. Despite the social adjustments, the benefits are deemed to far outweigh the inconveniences.

(sidhion.com)

Misc lifestyle sleep schedule

Microsoft 365 Price Hike? Cancel Your Subscription to Get the Old Plan!

2025-01-09

Microsoft 365 Price Hike? Cancel Your Subscription to Get the Old Plan!

Microsoft 365 quietly raised its prices, claiming integration with Copilot AI, but full access requires an additional subscription. Consumer NZ discovered that by pretending to cancel, users can magically access a cheaper 'Classic' plan retaining original features without Copilot costs. This is considered a 'dark pattern', misleading users through UI design, potentially breaching fair trading laws. The article suggests free alternatives and calls for legislation to regulate such practices.

(www.consumer.org.nz)

Tech dark patterns

FIX Parser: Decoding the Financial Information Exchange Protocol

2025-01-09

The FIX Protocol (Financial Information Exchange) is a standardized messaging system for real-time electronic communication of trade-related information in financial markets. It enables seamless exchange of order, execution, and market data between various financial entities. FIXParser decodes FIX messages into human-readable formats, including FIX JSON and a proprietary message representation. The article also highlights FIX Simple Binary Encoding (FIX SBE), a compact, high-performance format for improved data transfer efficiency and reduced latency.

(fixparser.dev)

Tech FIX Protocol

Apple's AI Backfires: Rewording Scam Messages to Look Legit

2025-01-09

Apple's AI Backfires: Rewording Scam Messages to Look Legit

Apple's new AI feature, "Apple Intelligence," aims to summarize and prioritize notifications. However, it's inadvertently rewording scam emails and texts to appear more legitimate, even flagging them as priority. This raises concerns that it could lead to more people falling victim to scams. Screenshots from users show the feature failing to distinguish between genuine and fraudulent messages, even prioritizing obvious scams. Experts warn this could make users more susceptible to scams due to the trust placed in Apple's AI summaries. Apple has yet to respond.

(www.crikey.com.au)

Tech Scam Messages

Surrealist Supermarket Stroll: Ginsberg's 'A Supermarket in California'

2025-01-09

Surrealist Supermarket Stroll: Ginsberg's 'A Supermarket in California'

Allen Ginsberg's 'A Supermarket in California' is a surrealist poem depicting a shopping trip as a journey of the soul. The poem intertwines reality and fantasy, placing the speaker in a supermarket encounter with the ghost of Walt Whitman, embarking on a fantastical exploration of America, loneliness, and love. Rich imagery and profound symbolism prompt reflection on society, life, and the American Dream.

(www.poetryfoundation.org)

Misc surrealism Allen Ginsberg

Infinity's Size: Mathematicians Get Closer to Answering How Many Real Numbers Exist

2025-01-09

Infinity's Size: Mathematicians Get Closer to Answering How Many Real Numbers Exist

For decades, mathematicians believed determining the total number of real numbers was an unsolvable problem. A new proof suggests otherwise. The article details how mathematicians Asperó and Schindler proved that two axioms previously considered competing foundations for infinite mathematics actually imply each other. This finding strengthens the case against the continuum hypothesis and indicates an extra size of infinity exists between the two that, 143 years ago, were hypothesized to be the first and second infinitely large numbers. While this result has generated excitement and debate within the mathematical community, the arguments surrounding the sizes of infinite sets are far from settled.

(www.quantamagazine.org)

Math continuum hypothesis infinity

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.

(blog.owulveryck.info)

Development data-driven value flywheel data ecosystem

Stagehand: Simplifying AI-powered Web Browsing

2025-01-09

Stagehand: Simplifying AI-powered Web Browsing

Stagehand is an AI web browsing framework built on top of Playwright, simplifying browser automation with three simple AI APIs: act, extract, and observe. It makes Playwright accessible to non-technical users and less vulnerable to minor UI/DOM changes. Stagehand allows building browser automations using natural language, such as logging into websites, extracting information, or performing specific actions. Combined with Browserbase, it offers powerful debugging tools like session replay and step-by-step debugging. Currently in early release, community feedback is welcome.

(github.com)

Development Browser Automation

Your Filesystem, a Dungeon! - rpg-cli, the Command-Line RPG

2025-01-09

Your Filesystem, a Dungeon! - rpg-cli, the Command-Line RPG

rpg-cli is a minimalist command-line RPG written in Rust. It transforms your filesystem into a dungeon, with random enemy encounters whenever you change directories. Features include character stats and leveling, turn-based combat, items and equipment, multiple classes and enemies, permadeath, quests, and hidden chests. Installation is available via binary, Cargo, Homebrew, Nixpkgs, Portage, or Pacman. The game integrates with common filesystem operations and can even replace the `cd` command. Delve deeper, battle tougher enemies, collect rare items, complete quests, level up, and experience your filesystem like never before!

(github.com)

Game command-line game

Ubuntu Linux Luminary Steve Langasek Passes Away

2025-01-08

Ubuntu Linux Luminary Steve Langasek Passes Away

Steve Langasek, a key contributor to Ubuntu and Debian, passed away on January 1st, 2025, at the age of 45. His journey in free software began in 1996, leading to significant roles as release manager for Debian Sarge and Etch, and later for Ubuntu. Beyond his technical contributions to projects like Linux-PAM, Samba, and OpenLDAP, Langasek was celebrated for his leadership and mentorship within the open-source community. His passing is a profound loss, leaving a legacy of impactful contributions that will be remembered for years to come.

(thenewstack.io)

Development

Salesforce Halts Software Engineer Hiring in 2025 Thanks to AI Productivity Boost

2025-01-08

Salesforce Halts Software Engineer Hiring in 2025 Thanks to AI Productivity Boost

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff announced that the company will not hire any more software engineers in 2025 due to significant productivity gains from its AI product, Agentforce, exceeding 30%. While Salesforce anticipates growth, the focus shifts to Agentforce, with plans to increase sales staff to promote the AI's value. This decision comes after recent years of layoffs, following earlier mass redundancies attributed to over-hiring during the pandemic.

(www.salesforceben.com)

Tech

Challenging the CAP Theorem: A Partial Progress Conjecture Under Asynchrony

2025-01-08

A new paper challenges the well-known CAP theorem. The authors conjecture that partial progress is possible under network partitions, meaning the system can remain responsive to a subset of clients and achieve non-zero throughput during failures. They present the design of their CASSANDRA consensus protocol, allowing partitioned replicas to order client requests, potentially offering a path to systems that are both consistent and available to some degree, even during partitions. This research offers a novel approach to building more robust distributed systems.

(arxiv.org)

Development CAP theorem consensus protocol

UW Student Faces Expulsion for Course Swap App

2025-01-08

UW Student Faces Expulsion for Course Swap App

JD Kaim, a University of Washington student, built HuskySwap, an app to help students trade spots in classes. After initial success, his attempt to access the school's registration system for automated course importing resulted in a Notice of Violation for abusing registration policies, threatening expulsion. Despite only seeking read-only access, the school's harsh response left him disheartened and questioning the university's support for student entrepreneurship.

(www.linkedin.com)

Development student entrepreneurship university policy

Scale Beats All: AI Agent Achieves SOTA on swebench-verified

2025-01-08

Scale Beats All: AI Agent Achieves SOTA on swebench-verified

CodeStory achieved state-of-the-art results on the swebench-verified benchmark, resolving 62.2% of issues by leveraging massive test-time inference. They used Sonnet 3.5 LLM and a simple toolset, abandoning an initial MCTS framework in favor of scaling. By running numerous agents across multiple VMs and Anthropic accounts, they demonstrated the power of scale in solving complex software engineering problems, even for small teams. This reinforces the 'bitter lesson' that scale trumps all, offering a new paradigm for AI in software engineering.

(aide.dev)

Development

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