1. 55 GiB/s FizzBuzz (2021)
Total comment counts : 27
Summary
The article discusses a programming challenge called Fizz Buzz, in which a program needs to print numbers from 1 to infinity (or a very large number), replacing certain numbers with “Fizz” or “Buzz” according to specific rules. The goal is to find the most optimized implementation of the Fizz Buzz program in terms of speed. The article provides examples of valid output and mentions that parallel implementations and architecture-specific optimizations are allowed. It also mentions some of the best scores achieved by participants in terms of throughput. The article includes multiple code implementations in various languages, such as C, Python, Rust, and JavaScript. Each implementation is optimized differently to achieve the best performance. The article compares the speeds of these implementations on different systems and provides insights into the strategies used to optimize them.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the impressive architectural design of Linux that allows data to be piped from one program to another without accessing main memory, instead keeping it entirely in L2 cache. The author wonders if a similar design is possible with Mac OSX’s Mach ports or Windows’ Named Pipes.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a user named “ais523 - high effort answers” who provides detailed and helpful answers and comments. In this particular instance, the author engages in a discussion with someone who is having trouble running a program. The author suggests that the program may have been compiled with ASLR (Address Space Layout Randomization) turned on, which is causing issues. The bugs are attributed to the dynamic linker not respecting the alignment of the BSS segment, which leads to the problems faced by the user.
2. Ask HN: Who is hiring? (July 2023)
Total comment counts : 208
Summary
The article consists of job postings for various companies. The companies include Scribe, a startup that focuses on product-led growth and is seeking engineers to work on their documentation tool, YC (Y Combinator), an organization looking for an infrastructure engineer experienced in AWS and Ruby on Rails, HRL Laboratories, a scientific laboratory conducting research on quantum computing and in need of senior engineers and management for their compiler stack, a company in the quant trading industry seeking developers, traders, and quants, Giraffe, a startup working on software design for cities and hiring a senior JavaScript engineer, and Quatt, a startup building hybrid heat pumps for environmental impact and seeking full stack app developers and a Cloud Architect. Another company mentioned is Turnstile, which is developing a usage-based revenue platform and is hiring for technical lead and engineer positions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article is about Scribe, a product-led growth startup based in San Francisco. They are looking to hire a Senior Software Engineer with experience in React (Next.JS) and Python. Scribe’s product allows users to record themselves performing a workflow, and the software will automatically generate step-by-step documentation that can be shared with colleagues or customers. They have interesting engineering challenges and aim to make capturing and sharing knowledge fast, easy, and enjoyable. Interested applicants can apply through their website.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is a job posting by Y Combinator for an Infrastructure Software Engineer position. The company is looking for someone with a curious mindset and experience working with various technologies, including AWS, Ruby on Rails, and Terraform. The job will involve infrastructure work initially, but will also include developer experience and product engineering in the future. The article highlights the compensation and benefits offered by Y Combinator, as well as the positive work-life balance. It also mentions the opportunity to interact with YC’s programs, partners, and founders, which can be beneficial for those interested in startups. Interested individuals can contact mark@ycombinator.com or apply through the provided link.
3. Data-Oriented Design (2018)
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
I’m sorry, but you haven’t provided the text of the article. Can you please provide the text you would like me to summarize?
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the benefits of using entity-component architectures in line-of-business applications. The author suggests that developers who are used to a CRUD model struggle to think in terms of columns rather than rows. However, once they understand how polymorphic this approach can be, they may find it useful for various types of data. The article also mentions that this approach is not necessarily incompatible with object-oriented programming and cites an example of using Active Record for persistence in Ruby.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights the importance of considering multiple interpretations and perspectives when defining a data layout. It suggests that if there is only one valid view of the data, it may make sense to encode it in code. However, if there is any uncertainty, a relational-style model, such as SQL, is usually more effective. The author is curious about the reasons behind the trend of moving away from one large SQL database, even though most businesses do not face scalability challenges.
4. Lumia WOA Project – Windows 10 or Windows 11 Desktop OS for Lumia 950/XL
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article discusses a project that brings the Windows 10 or Windows 11 desktop operating system to Lumia 950 and Lumia 950 XL phones. The firmware provided is for testing purposes only, and users are advised to make backups of their data before installing it. The software is not approved for use with emergency services and should not be used as the primary phone device. The project includes features such as MobileShell, which mimics the appearance of Windows Mobile, and Dialer, which allows users to make calls and manage them. Other components of the project include WOA Deployer, BootShim, Lumia950XlPkg, Lumia Drivers, Color Profile, Advanced Info, Airwaves, RIL Init Service, and more. Some functionalities may be limited or not fully functional, and the software has not been approved for use with emergency services.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the Windows 11 for Surface Duo project, which aims to provide a usable Windows experience on the Surface Duo device. The author mentions that while there are some limitations, such as certain features not working properly, the overall experience is satisfactory. The article also mentions that compatibility with the upcoming Duo 2 device is currently a work in progress. Links to a full list of features that work and don’t work are provided in the article.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author questions whether the bloat and spyware have been removed from Windows 10. They note that Windows 10 feels slow on powerful desktop hardware, so they doubt that a smartphone with 3GB of RAM and a 2GHz CPU would perform any better.
5. Goodreads was the future of book reviews, then Amazon bought it
Total comment counts : 55
Summary
Goodreads, the book review website owned by Amazon, is facing criticism for its outdated technology and lack of moderation, allowing users to engage in targeted harassment known as “review bombing.” Former employees claim that Amazon has neglected the site, only using it for its user-generated data. Recent incidents, such as author Elizabeth Gilbert canceling the release of her novel due to one-star ratings based on political reasons, have highlighted the issue. Goodreads allows any user to leave ratings before books are released, leading to abuse and little recourse for authors. Despite its potential and initial excitement, Goodreads has failed to live up to expectations since Amazon acquired it in 2013. Critics argue that Goodreads needs better moderation tools to prevent harassment and maintain credibility.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article argues that while Goodreads was a good review site, it did not live up to being “the future of book reviews.” The author believes that Amazon should never have been allowed to acquire Goodreads because it was highly anti-competitive. The article suggests that Amazon had no intention of utilizing Goodreads and that the acquisition was merely a defensive move to prevent other companies from partnering with or acquiring Goodreads. By acquiring Goodreads, Amazon eliminated the potential competition that could have arisen from its database of books and reviews.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the limitations of Goodreads’ ranking system and suggests alternative methods for rating books. It points out that humans tend to rank items on a normal distribution, resulting in most books being ranked between 3.5 and 4.5 out of 5. The author argues that this is not an accurate representation of the average book, which should have a ranking of 2.5. The article suggests using a boolean rating system like Rotten Tomatoes, but notes that a sufficient number of reviews would be required for it to work effectively. The author also proposes a ranking system based on aggregated personal Elo, where users compare books they’ve read to determine which is better. This would provide a more comprehensive and robust ranking system compared to traditional star ratings.
6. Simula – The forgotten programming language
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the Simula programming language, its influence on modern languages like C++ and Java, and the author’s experience trying to run and write code in Simula. The author shares their struggles in finding a working implementation of Simula and eventually finding Portable Simula, a browser-based compiler. They provide examples of Simula code, including a “Hello World” program and functions. The article concludes by mentioning why Simula never gained widespread popularity and its lasting impact on programming techniques.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with Simula, a programming language that was the first to have classes. The author borrowed an old book and solved a puzzle in Simula. They were surprised at how modern it felt. However, the article does not mention the cool parts of Simula, such as simulations based on coroutines.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the development and impact of Simula, an early programming language that laid the foundation for Object Oriented Programming (OOP). The first version of Simula appeared in 1962, focused on simulation and not yet object-oriented. However, Simula 67 was the first general-purpose object-oriented programming language. It then mentions the arrival of Java in 1991, which adopted the object model of Simula 67. The article provides a link to a talk given by James Gosling on Java’s connection to Simula 67.
7. AI and the Automation of Work
Total comment counts : 25
Summary
The article discusses the impact of generative AI, large language models (LLMs), and ChatGPT on the future of automation and job displacement. It highlights that while new technologies have historically displaced certain jobs, they have also created new opportunities and increased overall prosperity. The author argues that automation, including advancements like LLMs, will likely follow this pattern. They refute the idea that there won’t be new jobs created this time by referring to the ‘Lump of Labour’ fallacy, which suggests that as automation makes certain tasks more affordable and efficient, it leads to new jobs and economic growth. The article also explores the challenges and complexities of integrating LLMs into existing workflows and emphasizes the importance of time and adaptation in the process. Additionally, it discusses the potential limitations and error rates of LLMs, highlighting that they currently rely on matching patterns rather than truly understanding the information provided. The article concludes by addressing the hypothetical scenario of achieving artificial general intelligence (AGI), noting that without it, the impact of LLMs should be viewed as another wave of automation rather than a revolutionary shift in employment.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the advancements in AI technology and argues that any job that can be done by a non-human is up for grabs. It suggests that manual jobs, such as those in a kitchen or as a security guard, can be performed by machines as long as they are capable and safe. However, it also raises concerns about the impact on employment opportunities, as not everyone can access high-level jobs involving AI. Additionally, it mentions the negative effect of social media and AI on cognitive abilities, particularly for children. Overall, the article highlights both the possibilities and challenges associated with AI in the workforce.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author initially had high expectations for GPT-4 but ultimately unsubscribed from using it on ChatGPT Plus due to lack of use. They find the technology interesting but doubt its ability to replace most jobs in its current form. The author is unsure if further scaling will lead to job replacement and believes that additional AI breakthroughs will be necessary.
8. The Xerox Smalltalk-80 GUI Was Weird
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
The author discusses their interest in the origins of object-oriented programming and design patterns like MVC. They wanted to fully understand these concepts by exploring the original Smalltalk-80 environment. They discovered a “by the Bluebook” implementation on GitHub which allowed them to emulate the original environment on modern hardware. The Smalltalk environment was different from traditional operating systems as it functioned more like an IDE running on bare hardware. It didn’t have a file system and the entire state of the system was stored as Smalltalk objects. There were no desktops, icons, pull-down menus, or controls like we see in modern operating systems. Operations on windows were done modally, requiring users to click and select actions before executing them. The article concludes that while the Smalltalk environment was revolutionary, it was not user-friendly for regular people. Apple borrowed from the Smalltalk environment but made significant improvements to create a user-friendly graphical user interface for the Lisa and Macintosh.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the implementation and features of the Smalltalk-80 programming environment. It mentions an implementation of Smalltalk-80 called “by the Bluebook” and provides a link to its repository on GitHub. The author notes that although the Blue Book implementation is nice to use, it can be awkward because it requires a three-button mouse, which most people do not have. The article also addresses the argument that Smalltalk-80 is not an operating system but rather an IDE (Integrated Development Environment) running on bare hardware. The author disagrees, stating that Smalltalk-80 is indeed an operating system, although it may not have traditional barriers like a kernel. The article acknowledges that the Smalltalk environment was revolutionary but also notes that it might have been challenging for everyday users to operate. Additionally, the article mentions that the GitHub link provides early snapshots of Smalltalk-80, which may lack certain features added later, and highlights that the machines running Smalltalk-80 came with a manual explaining how to use the interface. The article also briefly mentions the Lisa computer and its expensive price, which some attribute to its commercial failure.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a demo of a Xerox workstation at PARC in 1982, similar to the one Steve Jobs saw. The author claims that the workstation was more advanced than suggested in the article. The office applications were built on top of the described system, providing necessary functionality. While the programmer interface was worse, the existing programs still got the work done. The Lisa end user experience was similar to the Xerox Alto, and the Mac made simplifications to improve usability.
9. iAnnotate – Whatever happened to the web as an annotation system? (2013)
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the vision of Ted Nelson for hypertext, specifically in relation to annotation and its ability to correct misinformation in mass media. The mention of a project called CoNote, created in 1995 by Dan Huttenlocher and the author, is also made. CoNote supported annotation on web documents and was presented at the Computer Support for Cooperative Learning conference in the same year.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the challenges of implementing a distributed, third-party comment system. It mentions that one major challenge is ease of use, as it is difficult to get users to install extensions or use specialized browser apps. The article also mentions the issue of consolidating comments on different URLs and the adversarial nature of the problem. Additionally, the article highlights the challenge of spam moderation and the tradeoffs between cost and usefulness. However, the article suggests that an AI assistant could potentially serve a similar function as a web-wide commenting system.
10. Ericsson to WhatsApp: The Story of Erlang
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s father’s experience at Ericsson regarding the transition from in-house software to industry standard software engineering. There was a strong emphasis on moving away from the in-house PLEX and adopting practices such as object orientation, UML, design patterns, and using C++. Despite the failure of the AXE-N project, there was a push to ban Erlang, which was seen as a hindrance. The article concludes by pondering the current programming language used by Ericsson.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author recounts an experience from around 8 years ago at a CS jobs fair. They had included Erlang, a programming language they learned in a course, on their CV. A company representative at the fair questioned the choice of Erlang over Java for their work. The representative seemed irritated and only focused on the author’s familiarity with Erlang, not considering other aspects of their skills or interests.