1. Web FM synthesizer made with HTML5
Total comment counts : 21
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses click artifacts in the author’s browser, specifically in Firefox. The author mentions that they have recently implemented an FM/additive/modular synthesizer using SQL and provides a link to the project on GitHub.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses an individual’s experience with prominent clicks and artifacts in both Google Chrome and Mozilla Firefox while using web audio synthesis. The person mentions that they have created a wrapper library called “wasgen” in the past, which helps simplify the WebAudio synthesis API by creating and managing WebAudio nodes. They provide a link to their GitHub repository for further reference.
2. π in Other Universes
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The article discusses the concept of pi and its relationship with circles. Pi is defined as the ratio of the circumference to the diameter of a circle. The article explores the idea of using different distance functions to measure the circumference of a circle, such as the Manhattan distance and the maximal distance. It also introduces the concept of p-norms, which are a generalization of these distance functions. The article concludes by stating that the value of pi is 3.14159, which is the smallest value possible for all p-norms, and that there are infinitely many metrics that do not fit into the p-norm category.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains that mathematics is like a logic game, where you start with certain assumptions and derive logical conclusions from them. If someone else discovers a situation that fits those assumptions, they can benefit from the previously derived conclusions. The article also mentions that conclusions that require fewer assumptions are more generally applicable. The author finds this explanation to be a good expression of a concept they have been thinking about.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article explains that even if another universe has a different value of π (pi) when it comes to geometry, they will still have another important constant that is equivalent to our pi. The article provides examples, such as the zeros of a specific function being nπ, where n is an integer and π represents our pi. Another mention of pi is in the periodicity of the exponential function, which has a period of 2πi.
3. Spy satellites reveal undiscovered Roman forts
Total comment counts : 2
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
I apologize, but I am unable to directly access or summarize articles from specific links. However, if you can provide me with a brief description of the article’s content, I would be happy to help summarize it for you.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that intentionally leaking information about the capabilities of spy satellites, specifically their ability to locate underground structures, may be a deliberate tactic. The author finds this timing to be suspicious.
4. Porting OpenBSD Pledge() to Linux (2022)
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the porting of the OpenBSD pledge() security feature to Linux. OpenBSD is known for its focus on security, but it has a small user base. Pledge() is a security layer that makes security comprehensible, unlike Linux, which lacks a user-friendly security layer. The article proposes finding someone with enough free time to implement pledge() using SECCOMP BPF in Linux. The author has developed a command line utility, pledge.com, that can launch processes under pledge() without having to configure it in C code. The utility allows users to set security restrictions for programs, preventing them from performing unauthorized actions. The article provides examples of how the utility can be used to secure various programs. The utility also applies resource limits and offers troubleshooting capabilities. The article concludes with information on how to secure APE (Actually Portable Executable) binaries using pledge.com.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author praises OpenBSD for its implementation of pledge and unveil, as it allows developers to take responsibility for securing the code. They argue that AppArmor and SELinux are more suitable for retrofitting but are difficult to use and prone to errors. The author has observed more clients disabling SELinux or AppArmor rather than spending time on proper configurations. In contrast, pledge and unveil are easier to use and don’t require complex configuration.
Top 2 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but I’m unable to access the actual content of the article from the provided information. If you can provide the text of the article directly, I would be happy to help summarize it for you.
5. Alan Wake 2 is an unexpected visual marvel even on older GPUs
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
The article discusses the initial skepticism surrounding the high system requirements of the game Alan Wake 2. However, it turns out that the requirements were set on the safe side to ensure the game runs well on many systems, even those that barely meet the low-end specifications. Tests conducted by Digital Trends show that the game offers commendable framerates on various graphic cards, even on low-end GPUs. The game’s scalability is also demonstrated by how it outperforms the PlayStation 5’s settings when played on an RTX 3070 GPU. The article highlights the visually appealing experience of Alan Wake 2, even at its lowest settings, and praises Remedy Entertainment’s commitment to creating a game that maximizes the available hardware. However, it also mentions that the game can be demanding for lower-end hardware, leading to subpar performance. Some minor issues, such as texture pop-in and bugs, are also noted. Overall, the article suggests that those with high-end systems will have a visually stunning experience, while those with lower-end systems can still enjoy the game if they meet the minimum system requirements. The author hopes that post-launch updates will further optimize and improve the game’s performance.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article states that the minimum requirements for Alan Wake 2 are 1080p resolution at 30 frames per second (FPS) with low graphics settings. It requires an Intel i5-7600K CPU, an RTX 2060 GPU, and 16GB of RAM. The user suggests that the game may run decently on an older rx580 GPU, but a YouTube video they linked shows that the game only runs at 2 FPS even in low resolution on the rx580.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses Xfire, a gaming messaging service popular in the early 2000s. It highlights how Xfire allowed users to track game time hours and display their running game status. The article also mentions that Xfire has now transitioned into an obscure news site, evoking nostalgic feelings towards the service.
6. How deep is the brain? The shallow brain hypothesis
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The article discusses the limitations of deep learning and predictive coding architectures in accurately modeling neural networks. These architectures assume that neural network inference is hierarchical, but they neglect the neurobiological evidence that all hierarchical cortical areas, whether higher or lower, project to and receive signals directly from subcortical areas. The article introduces the shallow brain hypothesis, which argues that hierarchical cortical processing is integrated with a massively parallel process involving subcortical areas. This shallow architecture takes into account the computational capacity of cortical microcircuits and thalamo-cortical loops, which are not considered in traditional deep learning and predictive coding networks. The authors argue that the shallow brain architecture provides several critical benefits over deep hierarchical structures and offers a more complete understanding of how mammalian brains achieve fast and flexible computational capabilities.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the complexity of individual neurons and suggests that the brain may be deeper than what is reflected in the graph of neurons and synapses. It also considers the possibility of constructing a neural net from nodes with more complex behavior. However, it argues that it is more efficient to build a system from simple building blocks, such as using multiple machine learning nodes to simulate a single neuron. This allows for easier experimentation with different neural net architectures.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the structure of the human brain, highlighting its skip connections and massive recurrence. It suggests that the brain can be seen as having infinite depth due to its thalamno-cortical loops. The paper suggests the need for a clearer definition of “depth,” mentioning the role of thalamno-cortical loops.
7. Ivan Illich’s radical critique of modern certitudes (2021)
Total comment counts : 18
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article provides a list of links to various discussions on the website Hacker News about the works of Ivan Illich, including “Silence Is a Commons” (1983), “Deschooling Society” (1970), and “Tools for Conviviality” (1973). The links span from 2008 to 2021 and include comments from users discussing these works.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the different perspectives on modern medicine based on religious beliefs and values. It highlights that devout Catholics may find solace in the afterlife and therefore may criticize modern medicine less. However, for non-believers, improving the quality of life on Earth becomes a more important priority. The author emphasizes the importance of choice and mentions that individuals have the freedom to choose alternative lifestyles and opt-out of certain medical treatments. They also suggest that smaller decisions, like not owning a car or not watching TV, can be a way to opt out of modernity.
8. Raspberry Pi 5 has no hardware video encoding and only HEVC decoding
Total comment counts : 26
Summary
The Raspberry Pi Foundation has announced the upcoming release of the Raspberry Pi 5 at the end of October. The new model will be available in two variants, priced at $60 and $80, and will feature significant upgrades in terms of speed and performance. It will be the first Raspberry Pi computer to feature silicon designed in-house. Units are available for pre-order now, with shipping expected to begin in October. The Raspberry Pi 5 is part of a long-term project that involved collaboration with various organizations and individuals. The new model will come with new accessories, including an updated case with temperature-controlled cooling and an active cooler for heavy workloads. The Raspberry Pi 5 will also introduce a single-lane PCI Express 2.0 interface and support for NVMe SSDs. A new version of the Raspberry Pi OS, based on Debian Bookworm, will be launched alongside the Raspberry Pi 5. The Raspberry Pi 5 has been in development for seven years and involved a total investment of $25 million.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article expresses their desire for Raspberry Pi to focus on reducing the cost and increasing availability of the existing models instead of developing newer, faster, and more expensive versions. They mention that they have multiple Raspberry Pis, none of which are connected to a monitor, and therefore don’t need the dual 4k HDMI ports available on newer models. The author wishes for a widely accessible and readily available $20 Raspberry Pi, highlighting their belief that the company has lost sight of the original purpose of the Raspberry Pi.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that, for the Pi 5, the company is unable to utilize Broadcom’s video IP cores due to cost limitations. They express the need to find alternative solutions for future models.
9. Scientists discover why dozens of endangered elephants died
Total comment counts : 6
Summary
Scientists have discovered that a little-known bacterium called Pasteurella Bisgaard taxon 45 was responsible for the deaths of 350 elephants in Botswana and 35 elephants in Zimbabwe in 2020. The bacterial infection, which causes blood poisoning, has not previously been linked to elephant deaths. The research team believes it could be the same bacterium responsible for deaths in neighboring countries. African savanna elephants are already facing declining populations due to poaching, and infectious diseases should now be added to the list of threats they face. The elephants’ sociability and the drought conditions at the time likely contributed to the outbreak. The Pasteurella bacteria has previously been linked to the sudden death of saiga antelopes in Kazakhstan. Investigations into the elephant deaths were challenging due to difficulties in reaching the carcasses in time and determining the disease involved.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the concerning decline of the African savannah elephant population, despite their habitat being protected. The population is decreasing at a rate of 8% per year, exposing the limitations and decreasing effectiveness of conservation efforts. The article questions our ability to prevent the mass extinction of other species, considering that elephants, which receive significant public support and funding, are still facing such alarming decline.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article explains that the elephants died from sepsis caused by Pasteurella bacteria, which is the same bacteria that killed a large number of antelopes in Kazakhstan. The bacteria is commonly found in the throat and tonsils, but in this case, it became more infectious, possibly due to ambient temperature.
10. Assyrian Women of Letters
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
The article discusses the discovery of cuneiform tablets dating back 4,000 years that shed light on the personal lives of Assyrian businesswomen in Mesopotamia. One tablet reveals the anger of a father and mother towards their daughter, Zizizi, for choosing to marry a local man in Anatolia instead of returning to her family after her first husband’s death. The tablets, found in the ancient city of Kanesh, provide insights into the lives of highly literate Assyrian women who played important roles in trading networks, managed finances, and pushed against societal expectations. The tablets also discuss topics such as textile production, business partnerships, and personal relationships. The tablets were preserved by chance after a fire destroyed Kanesh, and only a fraction of them have been translated and published. The tablets provide a unique glimpse into the personal lives of ancient Assyrian women and challenge stereotypes of their subservience.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses cuneiform tablets that are written in Assyrian (Akkadian, East Semitic), a language spoken in ancient Assyria. The tablets also contain loanwords from the local language of Kanesh (Kaneš, Kültepe), which is the earliest record of any Indo-European language.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the Cuneiform Digital Library Initiative, which is an effort to catalog tablets from around the world. The initiative aims to create an open digital library where these tablets can be documented and studied. One example of a tablet included in the library is provided in the article.