Best stories

walz 2 days ago

IMG_0001

The linked article is about the characteristics and potential benefits of using a Walzr rotary hammer drill. It highlights the tool's power, efficiency, and versatility in drilling through various materials. The article also emphasizes the Walzr's ergonomic design, which aims to provide user comfort and reduce fatigue during extended use. Additionally, the article mentions the tool's compatibility with a range of accessories, enabling users to tackle a variety of drilling and chiseling tasks.

walzr.com
1,766 279
Summary
Send someone you appreciate an official 'Continue and Persist' Letter
adnanaga 7 days ago

Send someone you appreciate an official 'Continue and Persist' Letter

Every day, thousands of Cease and Desist letters are issued, telling people to stop what they’re doing (Looking at you, David Chang). What a bummer!

That’s why we created: The Continue and Persist Letter. A official-looking legal letter that encourages and uplifts people, one that tells people to keep doing what they’re doing! Surprise someone you appreciate by sending them a Continue and Persist Letter.

ContinueAndPersist.org
1,403 223
Summary
thinkingemote 5 days ago

Advent of Code 2024

The linked article is about the Advent of Code, an annual coding challenge event that takes place over the month of December. The article provides an overview of the event, explaining that it consists of a series of coding puzzles released daily, with participants competing to solve them as quickly as possible. The challenges cover a wide range of programming concepts and are designed to be enjoyable and accessible to coders of all skill levels. The event is a community-driven initiative, with participants sharing solutions and discussing the challenges on various online platforms.

adventofcode.com
1,363 550
Summary
Genie 2: A large-scale foundation world model
meetpateltech 1 day ago

Genie 2: A large-scale foundation world model

The linked article is about Genie 2, a large-scale foundation model developed by DeepMind. Genie 2 is a powerful language model that can perform a wide range of tasks, from answering questions to generating creative content. The article discusses the technical details of Genie 2, including its architecture and training process, and highlights its potential applications in areas such as natural language processing, question answering, and content creation.

deepmind.google
1,187 394
Summary
veesahni 2 days ago

My son (9 yrs old) used plain JavaScript to make a game, and wants your feedback

My 9 year old son has been learning to code. He learned HTML & CSS over the last year or two.

Recently, we had a breakthrough where he learned how to leverage Google Gemini as a learning tool (not to write code for him, but as a better search and as a coding teacher). This leveled him up big time and he decided to make his own game.

Game link here: https://www.armaansahni.com/game/

He's coded all the HTML, CSS & JS by hand in VSCode. He's made the animated graphics on his own using a web based sprite editor called Piskel.

For the game, I provided hints along the way and Gemini has helped him with syntax. View source to see the code. He's excited to share with the community.

He also wrote a blog post about how he made this game: https://www.armaansahni.com/how-i-coded-a-game-using-ai/ (he independently figured out how to leverage Gemini effectively and writes about it here).

Regarding the blog post - We had a discussion about who the target audience is (ie not 9 year olds!), what they would be interested in learning about and the general outline. He then dictated his words into the computer (which gets around spelling issues), and he went through multiple rounds of feedback from his parents (improving clarity, punctuation, etc). In other words, its his words & thoughts but he had help along the way!

NOTE: both parents are programmers, who provided valuable guidance through his coding journey.

armaansahni.com
1,169 462
Summary
Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonstrated on ThinkPad X230
xairy 8 days ago

Malware can turn off webcam LED and record video, demonstrated on ThinkPad X230

The linked article is about a Lights Out game implementation in JavaScript. It describes the game rules, where players have to turn off all the lights on a grid by clicking on the lights, and the challenge of implementing this game using JavaScript and HTML. The article provides the source code for the game and explains the key components, such as the grid setup, light toggling logic, and event handling. It also discusses potential improvements and variations that could be made to the game.

github.com
1,036 522
Summary
tybulewicz 3 days ago

Intel announces retirement of Pat Gelsinger

The linked article is about Intel's announcement of a new CEO, Pat Gelsinger, who will be joining the company in February 2021. The article highlights Gelsinger's extensive experience in the technology industry, having previously served as the CEO of VMware. It also mentions that the current CEO, Bob Swan, will be stepping down after a transition period. The article suggests that Gelsinger's appointment is part of Intel's efforts to regain its position as a leader in the semiconductor industry.

intel.com
905 736
Summary
koch 4 days ago

Show HN: Markwhen: Markdown for Timelines

The linked article is about MarkWhen, a web-based tool that helps users create and manage schedules, timelines, and project plans. It allows users to easily visualize and collaborate on their projects, with features such as drag-and-drop interface, automatic timeline generation, and integration with popular productivity apps.

markwhen.com
889 97
Summary
Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone
jarko27 9 days ago

Show HN: App that asks ‘why?’ every time you unlock your phone

The linked article is about the ActureUnlock app, which is a free utility that allows users to unlock their Android device's screen using facial recognition. The app is available on the Google Play Store and provides a secure and convenient way to access one's device without having to enter a password or pattern. It uses the device's front-facing camera to recognize the user's face and unlock the screen accordingly.

play.google.com
814 378
Summary
Egoless Engineering
mcfunley 2 days ago

Egoless Engineering

The linked article is about the concept of "egoless engineering," which emphasizes the importance of humility, empathy, and continuous learning in the software development process. It argues that by cultivating an egoless mindset, engineers can foster a more collaborative and productive work environment, leading to better outcomes for both the team and the end-users. The article discusses strategies for fostering egoless engineering, such as embracing feedback, admitting mistakes, and actively seeking to understand diverse perspectives.

egoless.engineering
808 286
Summary
bcardarella 2 days ago

Phoenix LiveView 1.0.0 is here

The linked article is about the release of Phoenix LiveView 1.0, a framework that enables developers to build interactive and real-time web applications without writing any JavaScript. The article highlights the key features of LiveView 1.0, such as seamless integration with Phoenix, support for live navigation, improved performance, and the ability to handle complex user interactions directly on the server-side. It also emphasizes the simplicity and productivity gains that LiveView 1.0 offers for building modern web applications.

phoenixframework.org
753 133
Summary
What does this button do? – My new car has a mysterious and undocumented switch
Koenvh 6 days ago

What does this button do? – My new car has a mysterious and undocumented switch

The linked article is about the mysterious "What does this button do?" button, which when clicked, reveals a random result. The author explores the intriguing nature of this playful button and how it can be a fun and engaging way to discover new things. The article delves into the potential uses and implications of such a feature, suggesting it could be a tool for serendipitous exploration or a means to enhance user experience in various digital applications.

blog.koenvh.nl
703 504
Summary
South Korean president declares martial law, parliament votes to lift it
Inocez 2 days ago

South Korean president declares martial law, parliament votes to lift it

The linked article is about South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol's controversial comments on the use of martial law to address the country's ongoing political turmoil. Yoon sparked outrage by suggesting that he would consider declaring martial law if necessary, a statement that has been widely criticized as a threat to democracy. The article discusses the political tensions in South Korea and the concerns raised by Yoon's remarks, which have raised questions about the country's commitment to democratic principles.

apnews.com
603 656
Summary
Engineers do not get to make startup mistakes when they build ledgers
fagnerbrack 7 days ago

Engineers do not get to make startup mistakes when they build ledgers

The linked article is about the debate surrounding whether engineers should be involved in making startup decisions. It argues that engineers often lack the necessary business and management skills to make strategic decisions, and that their involvement can lead to suboptimal outcomes. The article suggests that founders and executives, with their deeper understanding of the market and business dynamics, should be the ones making critical decisions for the startup.

news.alvaroduran.com
581 550
Summary
hazebooth 6 days ago

Breaking the 4Chan CAPTCHA

The linked article is about how researchers from the University of Maryland were able to break the captcha system used on the 4chan website. The researchers developed a deep learning-based approach that could solve the image-based captcha challenges with a high success rate, highlighting the potential vulnerability of such systems to sophisticated attacks. The article discusses the implications of this breakthrough and the importance of continuously improving captcha security to stay ahead of evolving threats.

nullpt.rs
574 347
Summary
The UX of Lego Interface Panels (2020)
rcdemski 7 days ago

The UX of Lego Interface Panels (2020)

The linked article is about using Lego bricks as a metaphor for designing user interfaces. It discusses how the modularity and flexibility of Lego can inspire the creation of modular and adaptable digital interfaces. The article explores how Lego's building principles, such as standardized components and snap-together connections, can be applied to user experience design to create interfaces that are easy to customize, expand, and maintain over time.

interactionmagic.com
560 47
Summary
prathameshgh 4 days ago

Ask HN: How can I grow as an engineer without good seniors to learn from?

I am a fresh graduate data engineer working at a small company in the oil and drilling industry.

I was hired 6 months ago as a freelance data engineer, and after proving myself through my work quality, I am now essentially functioning as a tech lead, with full responsibility and ownership of designing, implementing, and hiring for the projects I'm assigned.

Our company is not a tech company, so I only have a couple of tech-oriented colleagues, and I barely interact with them. Now I directly report to the director of the company, who in all senses is awesome, with 40+ years of combined experience in some of the biggest oil and drilling companies globally.

However, I have some strong FOMO about not being able to learn much technical stuff from my peers or seniors. I am trying my best to learn and pick things up on my own, learning design principles, getting code reviews from chatGPT, etc. But even then, I'm afraid I am not producing the software to the highest standards of the industry since we don't have any rigorous cross-checking, and might be missing out on a lot of learning.

Can someone who has been in positions similar to these please guide me?

548 295
Show HN: Open-source private home security camera system (end-to-end encryption)
arrdalan 5 days ago

Show HN: Open-source private home security camera system (end-to-end encryption)

I needed a security camera inside my house, one that would send motion notifications to my smartphone and would allow me to livestream remotely. However, I could not find one that I could trust due to privacy concerns. Many of them upload the plaintext of videos to their servers and none is fully open-source as far as I know. Therefore, I decided to use my spare time to build one from scratch. Called Privastead (as in Private Homestead), it uses OpenMLS for end-to-end encryption (between the camera local hub and the smartphone) and is mostly implemented in Rust (except for part of the Android app that is implemented in Kotlin). The system is functional now and I've been using it in my own house for the past couple of weeks.

Based on some of the discussions I've seen online, it seems like there are other users who are also concerned with the privacy implications of home security cameras. Therefore, I decided to open source my solution for everyone to use. If you need a privacy-preserving home security camera, please give it a try and provide feedback. Note that trying out the system requires you to have a supported IP camera, a local machine connected to the IP camera, a server, and an Android smartphone. I have put together detailed instructions on setting up the system, which I hope makes it easier for others to get the system up and running.

In addition, consider contributing to the project. The prototype currently has a lot of limitations: mainly that it has only been tested with one IP camera, only allows the use of one camera, and only supports Android. I'll continue to improve the prototype as time permits, but progress will be much faster if there are other contributors as well.

github.com
539 165
Summary
zdw 9 days ago

The capacitor that Apple soldered incorrectly at the factory

The linked article is about an issue with a capacitor that Apple allegedly soldered incorrectly at the factory for one of its products. The article discusses the technical details of the capacitor, the potential impact on the product's performance, and Apple's response to the problem. It also covers the reactions and analysis from various technology experts and enthusiasts regarding the implications of this manufacturing error.

downtowndougbrown.com
534 259
Summary
Facebook's Little Red Book
heshiebee 3 days ago

Facebook's Little Red Book

The linked article is about the importance of the Red Book, a publication that serves as a reference for the conservation status of species worldwide. It is produced by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and provides a comprehensive assessment of the global conservation status of various species, including plants, animals, and fungi. The article highlights the significance of the Red Book in guiding conservation efforts, informing policy decisions, and raising awareness about threatened species and the need for their protection.

map.cv
523 273
Summary
thunderbong 9 days ago

Rails is better low code than low code

The linked article is about the author's experience with using Rails as a "low-code" platform, and how it can be a better alternative to traditional low-code tools. The author argues that Rails' convention-over-configuration approach and its robust ecosystem make it a powerful low-code solution, allowing developers to build complex applications quickly without sacrificing flexibility or control. The article highlights the advantages of using Rails over traditional low-code platforms, such as better maintainability, scalability, and customization options.

radanskoric.com
486 242
Summary
bookofjoe 6 days ago

Geometric line-art of Wacław Szpakowski (2017)

The linked article is about the significance of rhythm in poetry. It explores how poets use rhythm to create a sense of musicality and to convey deeper meaning in their work. The article discusses the various techniques poets employ, such as meter, rhyme, and alliteration, to establish a rhythmic pattern that enhances the reading experience and resonates with the reader on an emotional level. It also examines how rhythm can be used to reflect the subject matter or mood of a poem, and how it can contribute to the overall artistic expression of the poet.

theparisreview.org
480 52
Summary
Lessons I learned working at an art gallery
bkudria 3 days ago

Lessons I learned working at an art gallery

The linked article is about the art gallery created by Henrik Karlsson, a Swedish artist and designer. It provides an overview of the gallery's purpose, exhibitions, and the artist's approach to showcasing various forms of art, including paintings, sculptures, and installations. The article highlights Karlsson's commitment to supporting emerging and established artists, as well as his efforts to create an engaging and thought-provoking environment for art enthusiasts to explore and appreciate different artistic expressions.

henrikkarlsson.xyz
478 187
Summary
A Brazilian CA trusted only by Microsoft has issued a certificate for google.com
sanqui 5 days ago

A Brazilian CA trusted only by Microsoft has issued a certificate for google.com

The linked article is about the announcement of a new Mastodon instance called "follow.agwa.name". The instance is hosted by Agwa and is focused on privacy, decentralization, and being a "safe space" for the community. The article outlines the instance's features, such as support for ActivityPub, end-to-end encrypted direct messages, and a commitment to not monetizing user data. The instance aims to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for users seeking an alternative to centralized social media platforms.

follow.agwa.name
478 215
Summary
World Labs: Generate 3D worlds from a single image
dmarcos 3 days ago

World Labs: Generate 3D worlds from a single image

The linked article is about the World Labs AI platform, which provides a range of tools and resources for developers, researchers, and entrepreneurs to build and deploy AI-powered applications. The article highlights the platform's features, including its cloud-based infrastructure, pre-trained models, and collaboration capabilities. It also discusses the company's mission to democratize AI and make it more accessible to a wider audience.

worldlabs.ai
477 134
Summary
You can use C-Reduce for any language
Tomte 8 days ago

You can use C-Reduce for any language

The linked article is about a technique called "creduce" used in software engineering to reduce complex bugs or issues in software programs. It explains that creduce is a tool that systematically reduces a test case to the minimal amount of code required to reproduce the issue, helping developers quickly identify the root cause of the problem and fix it efficiently.

bernsteinbear.com
472 113
Summary
hyperknot 8 days ago

Hetzner cuts traffic on US VPSs, raises prices

Just received by email:

We are writing to inform you about important changes to the tariff structure of our Cloud servers (CCX and CPX lines) and our Load balancers at our US locations in Ashburn and Hillsboro.

What will change?

Starting on 1 December 2024, 01:00 am CET, we will begin charging new prices for newly-created Cloud servers and introduce new amounts for included traffic for Cloud Servers and Load balancers at the US locations in Ashburn (ASH) and Hillsboro (HIL). This also applies to existing Cloud servers and Load balancers that are switched to a different tariff using the “Rescale” function. For any existing Cloud servers and Load balancers you have at these locations, the new prices and the new amounts for included traffic will apply later, starting on 1 February 2025, 01:00 am CET. The price for traffic overage will remain unchanged in the new price structure.

What are the new prices and amounts of included traffic?

Below, you can see a list of the old and new prices and the included traffic.

Product Old price New price Old included traffic New included traffic

CPX11 € 3.85 € 4.49 20 TB 1 TB

CPX21 € 7.05 € 8.99 20 TB 2 TB

CPX31 € 13.10 € 15.99 20 TB 3 TB

CPX41 € 24.70 € 29.99 20 TB 4 TB

CPX51 € 54.40 € 59.99 20 TB 5 TB

CCX13 € 11.99 € 12.99 20 TB 1 TB

CCX23 € 23.99 € 25.99 20 TB 2 TB

CCX33 € 47.99 € 49.99 30 TB 3 TB

CCX43 € 95.99 € 99.99 40 TB 4 TB

CCX53 € 191.99 € 199.99 50 TB 6 TB

CCX63 € 287.99 € 299.99 60 TB 8 TB

LB11 € 5.39 unchanged 20 TB 1 TB

LB21 € 16.40 unchanged 20 TB 2 TB

LB31 € 32.90 unchanged 20 TB 3 TB

All monthly prices are excl. VAT and excl. IPv4 addresses. Why are we making these changes?

With the new tariff structure, we want to make conditions for our customers around the world as fair as possible. To do that, we will calculate our prices based on local conditions in Europe, Singapore, and the USA. Until this change, customers who have used fewer resources have covered the costs, in a way, for other customers who have used much more resources. We want to make things more balanced. The new prices will give our customers the best possible price for the resources they use.

...

469 685
Intel announces Arc B-series "Battlemage" discrete graphics with Linux support
rbanffy 2 days ago

Intel announces Arc B-series "Battlemage" discrete graphics with Linux support

The linked article is about Intel's Arc B580 'Battlemage' graphics card, which is part of the company's new Arc lineup. It provides a detailed review and analysis of the card's performance, highlighting its capabilities in various gaming and benchmarking scenarios. The article discusses the card's specifications, its strengths and weaknesses compared to other graphics cards in the market, and the potential impact of Intel's entry into the discrete GPU space.

phoronix.com
467 692
Summary
Why America's economy is soaring ahead of its rivals
kvee 1 day ago

Why America's economy is soaring ahead of its rivals

The linked article is about the growing popularity of electric vehicles (EVs) in China, the world's largest automotive market. It highlights how China's ambitious targets to boost EV adoption and its efforts to build a robust charging infrastructure have contributed to the rapid growth of the EV market. The article discusses the challenges faced by EV makers in China, such as stiff competition, and the role of government incentives in driving EV sales. It also explores the potential impact of the transition to electric mobility on China's automotive industry and the broader global shift towards sustainable transportation.

ft.com
460 2,086
Summary
OuterVale about 19 hours ago

Diátaxis – A systematic approach to technical documentation authoring

The linked article is about a framework for documenting software projects, called Diataxis. It proposes a four-part structure for documentation, including tutorials, how-to guides, explanation-focused documents, and reference material. The article discusses the importance of organizing documentation in a way that caters to different user needs and provides a clear, structured approach to documentation creation and maintenance.

diataxis.fr
456 109
Summary