1. Man found guilty of child porn because he ran a Tor exit node
Total comment counts : 36
Summary
The article discusses the case of William Weber, a former member of LowEndTalk who was involved in a court case in Austria related to running Tor exit nodes and the issue of child pornography. The article includes an interview with William, where he discusses his reasons for running a Tor node, the raid that took place at his apartment, and his legal situation. The article raises questions about the moral responsibility and legal consequences of operating Tor exit nodes. Despite the charges and conviction, William continues to be involved in controversial hosting activities.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the website of a hosting company that claims to have the ability to bribe officials in Kosovo, a corrupt country, in order to protect their clients. They also mention their Serbian connections which allow them to move servers between countries, effectively keeping content online indefinitely. The website mentioned is https://basehost.eu/.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article discusses the disappointment with how the original cyberpunk dream of freedom and anonymity on the internet has turned out. The author reflects on their experience in the Whonix community, where they met someone trying to create a way to access maps without internet. However, they were ultimately driven away by the prevalence of child pornography that seemed to be associated with topics of anonymity. The article laments how the cyberpunk scene has been coopted by child pornography, which has become a common and unfortunate consequence of anonymity online.
2. TokenFlow: Consistent diffusion features for consistent video editing
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
This article introduces a framework for text-driven video editing using a text-to-image diffusion model. The goal is to generate a high-quality video that aligns with a given target text while preserving the spatial layout and dynamics of the original video. The framework achieves consistency by propagating diffusion features based on inter-frame correspondences. It does not require training or fine-tuning and can be used with any off-the-shelf text-to-image editing method. The article demonstrates state-of-the-art editing results on various real-world videos. The key finding is that temporal consistency in the edited video can be achieved by enforcing consistency in the internal diffusion features across frames during the editing process.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the lack of a good video upscaler that can effectively enhance old DVD or VHS-quality videos. It mentions one application called Topaz Video Enhance AI, which has not made significant progress in recent years and sometimes produces worse results than earlier versions. The article also suggests that certain non-AI filters can achieve similar improvements.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article describes the author’s experience of stitching frames into a panorama from old footage. They used a trick of upscaling the footage to align frames visually, make them transparent, and improve the resolution. This technique resulted in a sharp picture with clearer details.
3. AOL pulls Nullsoft file-sharing software WASTE (2003)
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
Waste is a software application developed by Nullsoft that allows groups to set up private and secure file-sharing networks. It combines features of peer-to-peer file sharing, instant messaging, chat, and file searches. Waste can be used by small networks of up to 50 people, and it offers encryption and authentication to protect against unauthorized access. Nullsoft’s principal developer, Justin Frankel, quietly launched Waste after using it internally to share files within AOL. The software has similarities to file-swapping services like Kazaa and Napster, but its focus is on secure sharing within small networks of coworkers or friends. Nullsoft has had conflicts with AOL in the past, but some of its products, such as Winamp and Ultravox, have been successfully integrated into AOL’s services. AOL has not commented on Waste.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the benefits of using small networks to share information securely, rather than relying on large websites or platforms. It suggests that small networks managed by the participants themselves eliminate the need for advertising and tracking, making them more secure and private. The article concludes that this type of software is useful because it allows for secure communication without the drawbacks of larger websites.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article provides a link to the GPL licensed WASTE source code for anyone who is interested in examining it. The source code can be found at the given link.
4. I found an IT job thanks to this blog
Total comment counts : 28
Summary
The author of the article shares their experience of finding a job in Italy based on their abilities and passion rather than traditional credentials. After connecting with the CEO of a tech-based company, they were offered a job without being asked about their studies or references. They accepted the job and are now working as a DevOps or SysAdmin. Their main task is to build and program the network for data centers. They also implemented a monitoring system using Grafana and Prometheus, which allows them to monitor various hardware and send alerts. They built the system using Raspberry Pi units and low power consumption. The author shares screenshots of their dashboards and expresses their satisfaction with the project. They show enthusiasm for improving the software in the future.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the issue of employers focusing more on credentials and studies rather than actual skills and abilities. This not only affects people without computer science degrees, but also developers who have worked at small startups that haven’t scaled significantly. The lack of impressive accomplishments or credentials can result in being stuck in less rewarding positions, regardless of one’s true capabilities. The article suggests building open source projects or products to showcase abilities, but balancing these efforts with a full-time job can be challenging and lead to overextension. This situation can have a negative impact on both professional and personal life.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes the value of having a blog or a dusty old GitHub repository that showcases technical skills and problem-solving abilities. According to the author, even if the content is old, it can still give candidates an advantage in the early stages of the hiring process. This is because it demonstrates the candidate’s ability to code, write, and solve technical problems, which is the primary qualification employers look for.
5. Why SQLite does not use Git (2018)
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
This article explains why SQLite, a version control system, uses Fossil instead of Git. It highlights the advantages of Fossil, such as its superior timeline view, ability to easily see descendants of a check-in, helpful displays, and simplified operation compared to Git. The article also mentions the limitations of Git, including difficulty in reviewing historical branches and complex administration. It provides hints for Git users on how to access SQLite using Git. Furthermore, it offers instructions for installing and using Fossil and verifying the authenticity of the SQLite source code. Overall, the article emphasizes the benefits of Fossil over Git for SQLite.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article provides a list of revision control tools and the years they were created and last used by the author. The author highlights that these tools generally last around 15 years. However, when the author suggests to juniors that git will eventually become a distant memory for them, they find it strange. The author acknowledges that git is a valuable tool but hopes it won’t be the final solution for revision control.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the reputation of Git and the different ways it can be used. It mentions examples of tools and techniques, such as GitHub PRs vs pushing a branch and rebase vs merge, that achieve the same outcome but in different ways. It also touches on the complexities of history management and mentions the issue of reverse merges. The article highlights the confusion surrounding terminology and conventions, specifically referencing the terms “origin” and “fork.” Overall, it suggests that the varying approaches in using Git contribute to the mixed perception of the tool.
6. Vimspector – the Vim debugger rules all
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
The article discusses the usage of Vimspector, a tool used for debugging C programs in the Vim text editor. It provides instructions on installing and configuring Vimspector for debugging Vim as an example of a C program. The debugging process involves various windows and sections, including the code buffer, call stack, variables display, expressions execution, watches, and debugger state monitoring. The article also mentions the availability of keyboard shortcuts and the WinBar for ease of use. Overall, it serves as a tutorial for utilizing Vimspector for C program debugging in Vim.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses Vimspector, a multi-language debugging plugin for the Vim text editor. It provides a user interface that is built around the Debug Adapter Protocol (DAP). The article also mentions that Vimspector is not a complete integrated development environment (IDE).
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of a debugger tool and mentions that it can be used to debug programs other than Vim, despite the examples in the article primarily focusing on debugging Vim itself.
7. CoQ4 is a functional substitute for CoQ10 and can be targeted to mitochondria
Total comment counts : 5
Summary
The article discusses the importance of Coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10) as a cofactor and antioxidant for cellular processes. Deficiency in CoQ10 has been linked to various human disorders. The article suggests that less hydrophobic CoQ species with shorter isoprenoid tails can substitute for CoQ10 in human cells. CoQ4 is mentioned as a potential substitute that can perform multiple functions of CoQ10 at lower treatment concentrations. The article also discusses the synthesis and evaluation of compounds designed to target CoQ4 selectively to mitochondria. The results show promise for further development. No competing interests are declared by the authors.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses MitoQ, an orally active antioxidant that targets mitochondrial dysfunction. It is being developed by Antipodean Pharmaceuticals Inc and is currently in phase II clinical trials for Parkinson’s disease and liver damage associated with HCV infection. MitoQ has shown promising results in preclinical studies, aiming to mimic and enhance the antioxidant capacity of the endogenous mitochondrial antioxidant coenzyme Q10 (CoQ10). It is the first attempt to deliver an antioxidant to the intracellular region responsible for increased levels of reactive oxygen species. The results from the clinical trials with MitoQ will have significant implications for the effectiveness of a mitochondrial-targeted approach.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the search for recommendations on mitochondrial helping supplements and forums that discuss such topics. The author mentions ALCAR, citrulline, and d-ribose as some of the recommended supplements. They also recommend Reddit’s r/nootropics as a preferred forum for discussing such topics.
8. Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom (2003)
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the novel “Down and Out in the Magic Kingdom” by Cory Doctorow. It includes various positive reviews and comments about the book, its unique storyline, and Doctorow as a writer. Additionally, the article mentions that Doctorow is releasing the entire text of the book as a free e-book and explains his reasons for doing so. It also provides a summary of the license under which the book is being released. Lastly, the article introduces the main character of the novel, talks about his background, and hints at his role as a missionary in the Bitchun Society.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author praises a book for its depiction of certain concepts, such as “whuffie” and “comm,” which they believe could potentially exist in the future. They also speculate if smartphone designers took inspiration from the same book for features found in iPhones.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article discusses the author Cory Doctorow and how the reader was able to read one of his books on an iPod. The reader also praises the book itself and mentions that they continue to think about the concepts from the book.
9. How to make cheese at home
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
This article discusses the art of cheesemaking and provides guidance for making homemade cheese. It suggests starting with soft cheeses like Chevre or Mozzarella and explains the basic steps of cheesemaking, including coagulation, curding, shaping, salting, and aging. It also mentions the tools and ingredients needed for cheesemaking. The article offers variations for adding herbs, spices, honey, cranberries, and nuts to enhance the flavor of homemade cheese. Additionally, it provides alternative methods for making Mozzarella. The article concludes by emphasizing the importance of refrigerating and consuming fresh cheeses within a few days.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article cautions against starting with unpasteurized (raw) milk when making cheese at home. It explains that professional cheesemakers who use raw milk have extensive knowledge of the microorganisms present in the milk and its safety. In contrast, individuals making cheese at home do not have access to the same information and are essentially playing a risky lottery with each use of raw milk. The article also mentions that raw milk cheese can easily go bad and develop unpleasant textures due to bacterial and yeast contamination.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author recommends understanding the difference between mass-produced cheeses and homemade ones. They suggest visiting a good cheese store to try different types of cheeses and understand the complexities. The author personally finds hard cheeses like Gouda or Cheddar more rewarding than soft cheeses like mozzarella, except for Feta. The amount of work and time required to make cheese is a constant, regardless of the type, and aging time varies. To make cheese, one needs to consider a cheese cave for aging, a cheese press, and a source of good quality milk. The author shares their experience of starting with easy cheeses, getting a cheese press and cheese cave, and finding raw milk. They recommend cheesemaking.com for quality products and recipes. Youtube can also be helpful with tutorials on cheesemaking. The author states that they can now make cheeses as good as expensive gourmet ones, but they struggle with letting them age long enough.
10. Were small-brained early humans intelligent? Row erupts over scientists’ claim
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The article discusses the controversy surrounding the scientific claims made about the ancient human species Homo naledi. Researchers initially reported the discovery of burials, carved symbols, and tools made by Homo naledi, suggesting a level of complexity in behavior that was unexpected for a species with small brains. However, peer reviews of the study have criticized the claims as being inadequate and not based on strong evidence. Some scientists argue that the claims made about Homo naledi’s intellectual abilities are unsubstantiated and irresponsible. The controversy has raised questions about the credibility of the research and its potential impact on future funding and scientific study. The leader of the research team, Lee Berger, remains confident in the evidence and continues to investigate further.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article highlights the inherent bias in human understanding of consciousness and intelligence. It argues that our scientific knowledge is based solely on our own human consciousness, resulting in an unrealistic standard for animal and artificial intelligence. The author suggests that this bias is rooted in human arrogance and the belief that intelligence is measured by the ability to accumulate and control resources, rather than considering more communal or natural distribution. The article also questions whether certain traits, such as the ability to remember long sequences, are truly valuable if they do not align with human priorities, such as spending excessive time on technology.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is a peer-reviewed preprint from eLife. It is recommended to read the peer reviews, as they are described as brutal. The article can be accessed at the following link: [0] [1].