1. The ReMarkable Streaming Tool v2: Elevating Remote Work Efficiency
Total comment counts : 27
Summary
The author developed a tool to stream the content of their reMarkable tablet, which was useful for sketching during conference calls. The tool had a slightly cumbersome activation process, so the author aimed to eliminate the need for a local service. They revamped the tool to have a more user-friendly design and improved performance. The tool consists of a server, client, and renderer. The server extracts the picture only when the client is connected, and the client encodes the image in JPEG and adds it to an MJPEG stream. The renderer can read this stream via HTTP. However, this setup requires a specific network topology. To simplify the process, the author eliminated the client and implemented an HTTP server within the server component. They also switched to using a JavaScript client instead of gRPC. The author faced challenges in handling the image size and reducing data transfer, so they used packing techniques and the Run Length Encoding (RLE) algorithm. They also optimized the tool to transmit new frames only when there is a change to reduce CPU usage. The tool is available on GitHub.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author is introducing an updated version of their reMarkable streaming tool, which allows them to stream content from their tablet to their laptop. They discuss the architecture, components, and process of improving user experience. They focused on simplifying the tool’s activation process and eliminating the need for a local service to optimize network consumption. The article is targeted towards those interested in DIY tech solutions, optimizing remote work setups, and innovative projects.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests using SuperNote as an alternative tool for drawing diagrams during meetings. It highlights the feature of screen mirroring and the convenience of quickly sketching ideas. However, it mentions that SuperNote requires a small webserver and Firefox to access it, which may be inconvenient if your company policy prevents such usage. Nonetheless, SuperNote and RM2 are recommended for those who prefer the feeling of writing on paper and enjoy doodling in their notes.
2. Shouldn’t distant objects appear magnified?
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article explains the concept of the “Angular diameter distance turnaround” in relation to the expansion of space. It states that as space expands, distant objects appear larger. The article uses the example of galaxies observed by the James Webb Space Telescope that existed 400 million years after the big bang, which would appear as large as galaxies located 2.7 billion light-years away. This effect is due to light traveling longer distances through expanding space, magnifying its apparent size. The article also mentions the redshift of light from distant galaxies, which causes them to appear redder. The “Angular diameter distance turnaround” occurs at a redshift of about 1.5, corresponding to approximately 15 billion light-years away, where objects start to appear larger due to the combined effect of expansion and redshift. The article refers to an xkcd comic that illustrates the concept.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article titled “Expanding Confusion” discusses the challenges of understanding the concepts of an expanding universe and the fixed finite speed of light. It explores the counterintuitive conclusions that arise from holding these two concepts simultaneously. The article is considered a classic on the topic and is recommended for further reading.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the concept of Terrell rotation, which is when objects moving at relativistic speeds appear to rotate to observers. This phenomenon is explained on the Wikipedia page provided, where it is explained that at high speeds, even objects moving in a straight line can seemingly rotate and allow observers to see behind them.
3. Mousetrap.jl: a GUI library for Julia and C++ that wraps GTK4
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article discusses a GUI library called Mousetrap for the programming language Julia. Mousetrap wraps the GTK4 library to simplify its interface and make it easier for developers to create GUI applications. It is still under active development and may have some stability and documentation issues. The article provides instructions for installing and testing Mousetrap, and also includes a link to its documentation. The library was designed by C.Cords, and the article encourages donations and contributions to support its development. Mousetrap is licensed under the GNU Lesser General Public License and can be used in both open-source and commercial software.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article praises the documentation of MouseTrap.jl and commends the developers for making it user-friendly, without requiring users to consult external GTK C docs. However, it points out that the article does not cover the deployment process. It suggests that the BinaryBuilder.jl tool can be used to create application bundles for multiple platforms, but it questions the size of these bundles and proposes the idea of bundling Julia with a precompilation file instead of using BinaryBuilder.jl.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a desire to compare two Julia packages, GTK4.jl and GTKObservables.jl. It provides links to the documentation for each package.
4. Cellebrite asks cops to keep its technology secret
Total comment counts : 20
Summary
The article discusses how mobile phone hacking technology provided by a company called Cellebrite is being used by law enforcement agencies around the world to unlock phones and gather data. Cellebrite has been requesting users to keep the use of its technology a secret, raising concerns among legal experts who argue that transparency is necessary for fair trials and protecting defendants’ rights. The article also mentions that Cellebrite’s request for secrecy is troubling because it could hinder the ability of the accused to challenge the evidence obtained through the technology. The article highlights the importance of disclosing such information to ensure accountability and protect privacy rights.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article raises concerns about the credibility and trustworthiness of Cellebrite, a hacking company that provides evidence in criminal cases. The author suggests that defense attorneys should question the company’s claims and work to discredit its reputation in order to cast doubt on the evidence it produces.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author served on a jury for a case where law enforcement extensively used tools like Cellbrite, Greykey, and cell tower triangulation to gather evidence from an iPhone. They found it surprising how common and effective these techniques are in law enforcement. The case concluded thanks to the evidence obtained using these methods.
5. Welcome to Datasette Cloud
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
Datasette Cloud is a new SaaS hosting platform for the Datasette open source project. It allows teams, specifically newsrooms, to create a private collaboration space where they can securely upload, share, and selectively publish data. The platform is designed to help journalists share data without the need for configuring and running Datasette on their own hosting provider. However, Datasette Cloud is also available for other companies and organizations. The platform provides a video demo, tutorials, and the ability to create private spaces hosted in regions close to the team. Data can be imported in various ways and edited through the web interface. Datasette Cloud stores data securely in Fly volumes and backs it up to S3 using Litestream. Additional features are in development, and users can book a demo session or request preview access.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s positive experience with using Datasette to host and share large datasets internally. Previously, distributing data was a challenge due to size limitations and the limited capabilities of tools like Excel. The author would provide limited data and ask users to reach out with questions, but few questions were received. With Datasette, the author was able to give users access to more data and provide tutorials on how to filter and explore it. This empowered users to answer their own questions and led to more sophisticated inquiries. The author was surprised by the level of interest and engagement from users.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s unfamiliarity with a tool called Datasette. They mention that they watched a video on the landing page that explained the tool well, which is not common. The author congratulates Simon, the creator of Datasette, and expresses hope for his success with the cloud offering.
6. Executive Function Theft
Total comment counts : 44
Summary
The article describes a concept called “Executive Function Theft,” which refers to the deliberate transfer of administrative or repetitive tasks, seen as less important or unpleasant, to someone else. This transfer of responsibility can exhaust the recipient’s executive function, hindering their ability to contribute to higher-level efforts. The article gives examples of EFT in the workplace and home, highlighting the gendered and unequal distribution of service labor and decision-making. The author argues that EFT leads to an inequality of time and opportunities for growth and planning. The article also explores the intersections of EFT with issues of race, class, and disability. The author suggests tactics for reducing EFT, such as explicitly offering to take on decisions or activities for others with their consent.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author finds it amusing that the article suggests husbands have more time for hobbies and friends, but disagrees with the claim due to the decline of male friendships. They also point out that the gendered arguments in the article lack nuance. Additionally, the author questions whether differing standards of cleanliness contribute to relationship conflicts. Lastly, they express a disdain for well-wishing cards and suggest that improving minimum pay and sick leave entitlements would be a more meaningful way to show care for others.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares their personal experience as a principal engineer at a startup. The team was tasked with migrating to Kubernetes and as a new leader, the author found themselves overwhelmed with numerous small tasks, distractions, and conflicts between team members. They realized that these micro-decisions were overshadowing their main role of mentoring and solving higher-level engineering challenges. The author introduces the concept of “EFT” (Every Frickin’ Thing) as a term for this phenomenon and emphasizes the importance of being aware of it, especially in the tech world where roles and responsibilities often overlap. They appreciate having a word for it now that they are in a position to mentor others in engineering leadership.
7. John Warnock has died
Total comment counts : 28
Summary
John Warnock, co-founder of Adobe, has passed away at the age of 82, according to a statement from the company. Warnock co-founded Adobe in 1982 and served as CEO until 2000, after which he held the position of chairman of the board until 2017. His cause of death was not disclosed. Adobe CEO Shantanu Narayen expressed sadness and described Warnock as an inspiration to the industry.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article recounts a personal encounter with John, who was an inspiration to them. They met John at a party where he and Bob Taylor were discussing microcode changes in the Alto. The author attempted to join the conversation but was overwhelmed by the discussion’s complexity. Another attendee reassured the author that Bob and John were not being mean, but rather discussing advanced concepts. The author’s wife later corrected them, stating that it was actually Bob Sproul, not Bob Taylor, they were speaking with.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The provided article contains three different resources related to John Warnock, the co-founder of Adobe. The first link is an interview that discusses various topics, including why he made type1 fonts a trade secret for a period of time. The second link is an interview where Warnock talks about the competitive advantages of aesthetics and the right technology. The third link is a chapter from a book by Cringley, which explores the competition between Adobe, Microsoft, and Apple in the font industry. These resources provide insights into Warnock’s work and the font industry during that time.
8. CRISPR gene-editing treatment eliminates HIV-like virus from non-human primates
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article describes a study that demonstrates the safety and effectiveness of using CRISPR-Cas9 gene editing technology to edit proviral DNA in simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV)-infected monkeys. The researchers used an AAV9-based vector called EBT-001 to deliver the gene editing tools to target multiple regions of the SIV genome. The results show that a single infusion of EBT-001 led to widespread distribution of the gene editing vector and improved lymphocyte counts in the monkeys. The study supports the potential use of CRISPR-based gene editing as a therapeutic approach for HIV in humans.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a potential cure for HIV using CRISPR technology. However, the effectiveness of CRISPR for gene editing is often limited. The article also raises concerns about whether the method can target the hidden reservoir of HIV in immune cells that are dormant. Additionally, the study mentioned in the article did not test the impact on the intact viral reservoir or the ability of the treatment to prolong the time to viral rebound or eliminate reactivation after treatment interruption.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a new therapeutic approach using CRISPR technology to edit and damage the SIV virus. This approach differs from past uses of CRISPR, such as CAR-T, which modifies immune cells to attack cancer. The new approach involves creating a virus that directly edits and damages the SIV virus.
9. Kris Nóva has died
Total comment counts : 58
Summary
The article announces the tragic loss of Kris Nóva, a friend, leader, and mentor. Nóva’s inspiration led to the creation of Hachyderm and Nivenly, and her vision and mission continue to guide the community. She leaves behind a legacy of professionalism and strength. The Nivenly community is still processing this news and asks for patience as they determine how to proceed, but they are committed to moving forward in honor of Nóva’s wishes.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article pays tribute to Kris, a influential figure in the industry of open-source. Kris was not only known for her coding skills, but also for her ability to unite people, overcome obstacles, and make technology accessible to everyone. Her energetic personality and commitment to collaboration will be greatly missed, but her contributions to the world of open-source will always be remembered. Kris’s impact on individuals and her legacy as a source of inspiration will continue to influence those who value community-driven innovation. The author expresses deep sadness at Kris’s passing and acknowledges her unique qualities.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is a personal podcast episode where the author, Dave Fogle, and Kris Nova discuss their experiences as homeless tech people. Dave credits Kris for shaping who he is today, and they both realized this through their conversation. The article provides a link to the podcast episode for further details.
10. Modernity has made us allergic
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
Allergy treatments, such as allergy shots and sublingual immunotherapy, can effectively cure allergies. The author shares their personal experience of being cured of severe cat allergies and hay fever through allergy shots, and their son being able to eat peanuts after undergoing sublingual immunotherapy. Treating allergies early in life is found to be more effective and safer, as the immune system is still developing. The author predicts that in the future, it may become standard practice to start infants on sublingual immunotherapy as a preventative measure, potentially eliminating common allergies. Additionally, the introduction of missing factors in our immune systems, possibly through probiotics, could help prevent allergies from developing. The author hopes that this will be the last generation to suffer from high rates of allergies.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares their personal experience with their parents insisting that their babies get dirty and their dishes be hand washed. They were initially skeptical of these ideas, but their parents explained that it was based on generations of observations that children who grow up too clean get sick more often. The author mentions that while they initially saw this as anecdotal, there is now scientific evidence to support these ideas.