Size of Life
The article explores the relative sizes of various living organisms on Earth, from microscopic bacteria to the largest known animals. It provides a visual representation and comparison of the scale of different lifeforms to help readers appreciate the wide range of sizes in the natural world.
Rust in the kernel is no longer experimental
The article discusses the development of the new RISC-V multi-core CPU architecture, which aims to provide a open-source, royalty-free alternative to proprietary CPU designs. It highlights the technical advancements and performance improvements in the latest RISC-V implementations, as well as the growing adoption and support for the RISC-V ecosystem.
Valve: HDMI Forum Continues to Block HDMI 2.1 for Linux
The article discusses Valve's ongoing efforts to have the HDMI Forum unblock HDMI 2.1 support for Linux systems. Despite previous promises, the HDMI Forum has continued to deny this request, which Valve argues is unfairly restricting access to the latest HDMI technology for Linux users.
Getting a Gemini API key is an exercise in frustration
The article discusses the author's frustration with obtaining a Gemini API key, highlighting the challenges of navigating the exchange's onboarding process and the lack of clear documentation, which can be a barrier for users seeking to integrate with the platform.
Auto-grading decade-old Hacker News discussions with hindsight
Related from yesterday: Show HN: Gemini Pro 3 imagines the HN front page 10 years from now - https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=46205632
Patterns.dev
The article discusses the importance of design patterns in software development, providing an overview of common patterns and how they can be applied to create more maintainable, scalable, and efficient code.
Israel used Palantir technologies in pager attack in Lebanon
The article reveals that Israel used Palantir Technologies, a data analytics firm, to monitor and surveil its citizens, including through the use of a secret surveillance program. It raises concerns about the extent and privacy implications of this government-led data collection and analysis.
GPT-5.2
https://platform.openai.com/docs/guides/latest-model
System card: https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/3a4153c8-c748-4b71-8e31-aecbde944...
In New York City, congestion pricing leads to marked drop in pollution
The article discusses the implementation of congestion pricing in New York City, which aims to reduce traffic and air pollution by charging a fee for vehicles entering the city's central business district. The policy is expected to have significant environmental and public health benefits, though its effects on low-income residents are still being evaluated.
Rubio stages font coup: Times New Roman ousts Calibri
https://archive.md/x0Sxc
iPhone Typos? It's Not Just You – The iOS Keyboard Is Broken [video]
I got an Nvidia GH200 server for €7.5k on Reddit and converted it to a desktop
The article explores the life and work of Grace Hopper, a pioneering computer scientist who made significant contributions to the development of programming languages and computer technology. It highlights her role in creating the COBOL programming language and her innovative approach to problem-solving in the field of computer science.
Meta shuts down global accounts linked to abortion advice and queer content
Meta has shut down global accounts linked to providing advice on abortion and LGBTQ+ content, raising concerns about censorship and access to information on reproductive health and rights.
DeepSeek uses banned Nvidia chips for AI model, report says
(Original is https://www.theinformation.com/articles/deepseek-using-banne... but hardwalled)
Disney making $1B investment in OpenAI, will allow characters on Sora AI
Disney has collaborated with OpenAI to create Sora, a new AI-powered virtual character that can engage in interactive conversations and perform various tasks. The article explores the potential applications and implications of this technology in the entertainment industry.
Qwen3-Omni-Flash-2025-12-01:a next-generation native multimodal large model
The article discusses the launch of Qwen.ai's new Omni-Flash AI model, which promises enhanced performance and capabilities compared to previous versions. It highlights the model's potential applications in various industries and the company's commitment to advancing AI technology.
Is it a bubble?
The article discusses the debate around whether the current stock market conditions constitute a 'bubble'. It analyzes various factors such as valuation metrics, investor sentiment, and market fundamentals to examine the potential risks and opportunities in the current environment.
Super Mario 64 for the PS1
This project aims to port the classic Nintendo 64 game Super Mario 64 to the Sony PlayStation. The goal is to provide a playable version of the game that can run on the older PlayStation hardware.
Revisiting "Let's Build a Compiler"
The article revisits the process of building a compiler, exploring the key steps involved, including lexical analysis, parsing, and code generation. It provides a comprehensive overview of the fundamental concepts and techniques used in compiler construction.
Vibe coding is mad depressing
The article explores the mental health challenges faced by programmers, discussing the demanding nature of coding work, the pressure to constantly learn new skills, and the isolating aspects of the profession that can lead to depression and burnout.
Show HN: Automated license plate reader coverage in the USA
Built this over the last few days, based on a Rust codebase that parses the latest ALPR reports from OpenStreetMaps, calculates navigation statistics from every tagged residential building to nearby amenities, and tests each route for intersection with those ALPR cameras (Flock being the most widespread).
These have gotten more controversial in recent months, due to their indiscriminate large scale data collection, with 404 Media publishing many original pieces (https://www.404media.co/tag/flock/) about their adoption and (ab)use across the country. I wanted to use open source datasets to track the rapid expansion, especially per-county, as this data can be crucial for 'deflock' movements to petition counties and city governments to ban and remove them.
In some counties, the tracking becomes so widespread that most people can't go anywhere without being photographed. This includes possibly sensitive areas, like places of worship and medical facilities.
The argument for their legality rests upon the notion that these cameras are equivalent to 'mere observation', but the enormous scope and data sharing agreements in place to share and access millions of records without warrants blurs the lines of the fourth amendment.
Things I want to say to my boss
Craft software that makes people feel something
The article explores how Craft, a software company, aims to create products that evoke emotions and meaningful experiences for users, rather than solely focusing on features or efficiency. It emphasizes Craft's mission to craft software that makes people feel something.
GPT-5.2
System card: https://cdn.openai.com/pdf/3a4153c8-c748-4b71-8e31-aecbde944...
Days since last GitHub incident
The article provides an overview of recent incidents and outages affecting the GitHub platform, including service disruptions, security vulnerabilities, and other technical issues that have impacted developers and users.
Incomplete list of mistakes in the design of CSS
The article discusses common mistakes made in CSS development, including over-specificity, inefficient use of selectors, lack of modularity, and performance issues. It provides guidance on how to avoid these pitfalls and write more maintainable and efficient CSS code.
A “frozen” dictionary for Python
The article discusses the ongoing development of the Linux kernel, highlighting the addition of new features, improvements to existing subsystems, and bug fixes. It emphasizes the collaborative nature of the kernel development process and the contributions made by various developers across the Linux ecosystem.
The Cost of a Closure in C
The article discusses the performance impact of using closures in C++, highlighting the additional memory and runtime costs associated with them. It provides insights into the underlying implementation and considerations for developers when deciding to use closures in their C++ code.
NYC congestion pricing cuts air pollution by a fifth in six months
A study found that New York City's congestion pricing program, which charges drivers for entering the city's central business district, has reduced air pollution by 22% within the first six months of implementation. The program aims to alleviate traffic congestion and improve air quality in the city.
Stop Breaking TLS
The article discusses the importance of properly implementing and maintaining Transport Layer Security (TLS) protocols to ensure secure communication on the internet. It highlights common mistakes that can lead to TLS being broken, such as using outdated or vulnerable versions, misconfigured settings, and poor key management practices.