1. Privacy is priceless, but Signal is expensive
Total comment counts : 95
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article expresses their disappointment with the handling of open source by a certain product. They had been making a monthly recurring donation for many years but decided to stop due to what they see as a pattern of mishandling. The article mentions a specific incident related to the product’s refusal to implement a desktop GIPHY feature, even when someone else had implemented it for them.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the transparency of a certain organization, contrasting it with the somewhat aggressive emails sent by the CEO of Wikipedia to donors. The former organization is commended for gently encouraging donations without resorting to begging, which is refreshing in comparison.
2. I think I need to go lie down
Total comment counts : 53
Summary
The article states that JavaScript is disabled in the browser and suggests enabling it or using a supported browser to continue using Twitter. It also mentions that a list of supported browsers can be found in the Help Center. The article concludes by providing information about the website’s terms of service, privacy policy, cookie policy, and imprint, as well as mentioning that it is © 2023 X Corp.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article is about a toy project called tldraw, which has a poor security pattern. The author provides a link to the project’s source code on GitHub and mentions that there are other examples on Twitter. The author is open to answering questions about the project and shares a more complicated example of what it can do.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a system prompt for an expert tailwind developer. The developer is given a low-fidelity wireframe of an application and is required to create a single HTML file using tailwind to build the website. They may also be provided with the HTML of a previous design that needs to be improved upon based on the user’s requests. The prompt includes an image link that needs to be incorporated into the HTML file. The article suggests using a colored fill rectangle as a placeholder for the image. The creative license mentioned in the prompt refers to allowing the developer to add more details and enhance the application. The final output should only be the HTML file. The article also mentions a link to a GitHub repository for reference. The article concludes by mentioning that the prompt can be run privately by taking a screenshot of a normal tldraw canvas and passing it to the API along with the prompt.
3. The truth is always made of details
Total comment counts : 20
Summary
The article emphasizes the idea that everything contains infinite levels of detail, beyond what may initially be perceived. It explores examples such as the intricate details in a leaf, the patterns on one’s knuckles, and the individual characteristics of players in a football game. It suggests that by intentionally zooming in and paying attention to details, we can gain a deeper understanding and appreciation of the world around us. The article encourages curiosity and staying open to the details that may otherwise go unnoticed.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the concepts of fine-graining and coarse-graining in different fields of study. The author argues that neither high-resolution nor low-resolution focus is inherently better, as each environment can always change. They believe that it is the ability to move between levels of focus and bring learnings between levels that is important. The author also mentions a quote by Supreme Court Justice Oliver Wendell Holmes about the value of simplicity on the other side of complexity. They argue that finding the right abstraction for a given situation requires fine-graining attention, but both low-resolution and high-resolution perspectives are important as long as someone has put in the effort to determine the appropriate level of abstraction.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses envy towards neurotypical people who are able to live their lives at a higher level, rather than focusing on the details. Living in the details has been beneficial for their career but has also caused exhaustion and frustration when communicating with others who do not pay as much attention. The author contemplates whether it would be easier to live at a higher level and then delve into the details when necessary. As an example, the author mentions editing their comment multiple times.
4. The real realtime preemption end game
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The article discusses the progress of adding realtime support to Linux. The author states that the end is near for this long-standing project, with only one major problem remaining: the implementation of printk(), a function used in the kernel to send messages to system consoles and logs. The current synchronous implementation of printk() is causing latency issues that go against the goals of realtime support. The developers have been working on resolving this issue since 2018 and are close to finishing the job with three final patch sets. However, there are still some tricky details to address, such as the safe handover of console control and marking drivers that are not suitable for certain contexts. The author hopes that the rest of the realtime preemption code will be included in the mainline before the project’s 20th anniversary in 2024.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the benefits of using the microkernel architecture, specifically highlighting the case of QNX. Unlike Linux, which is considered too bloated for real-time tasks due to its millions of lines of code that need to be made preemptable, QNX only has a few tens of thousands of lines of microkernel code. The microkernel’s main tasks are memory allocation, CPU dispatch, and message passing between processes. All other functionalities, including drivers and loggers, are located in user space and can be preempted by higher priority threads. The article also mentions that the QNX kernel does not handle strings, such as parsing, formatting, or messages. It concludes that Linux attempted to address its real-time capability issues over a period of two decades.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the distinction between “hard” real-time applications and “soft” real-time applications. It argues that while a general-purpose operating system like Linux may not be suitable for hard real-time applications, it can still handle soft real-time applications like videoconferencing or audio playback. The article suggests that embedded Linux can already achieve low-latency software video or audio playback, and the need for a real-time Linux is limited to busy systems where non-preemptible I/O could cause issues. The author believes that making the kernel fully-preemptible would be beneficial for scheduling and overall system performance, but it does not necessarily mean that Linux should replace minimalistic real-time operating systems or bare-metal code.
5. The Great Sphinx of Giza may have have started out as a natural formation
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
Physicist and applied mathematician Leif Ristroph at New York University conducted experiments on how clay erodes in response to flowing water and discovered miniature versions of the Great Sphinx of Giza. The findings support the hypothesis that natural processes created a land formation called a yardang, which was then enhanced by humans to create the final statue. Ristroph’s previous research involved finding the optimal conditions for blowing bubbles and studying the aerodynamics of paper airplanes. Another study explored the formation of “stone forests” through erosion and dissolving of soluble rocks under water. The research prompts speculation about the awe-inspiring landforms ancient civilizations may have encountered.
Top 1 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but you have provided only a single sentence without any context or additional information. As a result, it is not possible for me to summarize the article. Could you please provide more details or the complete article so that I can assist you better?
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a pseudoscience documentary from the author’s childhood that speculated on the origins of the Sphinx. The documentary argued that the Sphinx had been eroded by water and claimed it was carved by humans before undergoing water erosion. The article dismisses this theory and suggests that the Sphinx is a natural formation with a face carved onto it. The author rejects the idea of prehistoric levitation of massive stones and dismisses conspiracy theories involving aliens.
6. Smart drugs reduce quality of effort, and slow decision-making
Total comment counts : 43
Summary
A recent study has found that “smart drugs,” commonly used by university students as cognitive enhancers, do not improve performance in cognitively healthy individuals. The study involved 40 participants who were given different versions of a complex decision-making task called the knapsack problem. They were also given different smart drugs - methylphenidate, modafinil, and dextroamphetamine - as well as a placebo. Contrary to expectations, the smart drugs did not improve performance but rather resulted in lower scores and increased time spent on the task. The study suggests that these drugs may not be effective for enhancing cognitive abilities in healthy individuals and could be detrimental. Further research is needed to understand the effects of different smart drugs in non-medical users.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The authors of the article have misunderstood why many cognitively healthy students take Ritalin/Adderall. It is not to increase intelligence or problem-solving abilities, but rather to enhance focus and enable longer periods of studying and work. The article suggests that a more appropriate test would involve giving participants new material to study for several hours, followed by a test. The knapsack problem, used in the study, is seen as a poor choice as it does not accurately simulate academic tasks.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article states that they take medication for ADHD, which helps them with motivation to write code. However, they also find that it dulls their thinking and creative problem-solving abilities. Ideally, they would like to have days where they can think through problems without medication and then use it to work on implementing solutions. Unfortunately, on their unmedicated days, they find themselves spending all their time on platforms like HN and YouTube.
7. Show HN: Convert any screenshot into clean HTML code using GPT Vision (OSS tool)
Total comment counts : 24
Summary
The article discusses an app that converts a screenshot to HTML/Tailwind CSS. It utilizes GPT-4 Vision to generate the code and DALL-E 3 to create similar-looking images. The app features a React/Vite frontend and a FastAPI backend. Users are required to have an OpenAI API key with access to the GPT-4 Vision API. The article also mentions the ability to run the backend on a different port and a hosted version coming soon.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author is amazed by the capabilities of neural networks, particularly regarding the ability of GPT (Generative Pre-trained Transformer) to convert pixel intensities to HTML+Tailwind text tokens that can be interpreted and rendered by a browser. They wonder if GPT has learned not only the pixel-to-HTML/CSS transformation but also how HTML/CSS is rendered by a browser. The author is impressed with GPT’s ability to derive this mapping while also being able to write essays on various topics. They question the usefulness and validity of their thinking in this regard. In a more practical sense, the author wonders if GPT can be seen as a diagram compiler that could eventually be incorporated into a build pipeline to convert Sketch/Figma artifacts into HTML/CSS/JS code.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a script that allows Tailwind developers to build single page apps using screenshots as reference. The script ensures that the app matches the screenshot exactly, including elements such as background color, text color, font size, padding, margin, and borders. It advises against adding comments in the code and emphasizes the importance of including the full code, including repeating elements to match the screenshot. The article also mentions the use of libraries such as Tailwind, Google Fonts, and Font Awesome for icons. The summary concludes by expressing amazement at the capabilities of the script. Overall, the author shares a personal opinion on defensive prompting and expresses excitement about the possibilities it offers.
8. My primality testing code is faster than Sir Roger Penrose’s
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
This article discusses the discovery of code for a Commodore P50 calculator in physicist Roger Penrose’s notebooks. The code is for testing whether a number is prime. The author expresses their interest in the code because they also wrote a primality testing program for the same calculator. The author compares their code to Penrose’s, noting that Penrose’s code is slower but doesn’t require the same encoding trickery. The author explains that Penrose’s code is slower because it uses repeated subtraction instead of actual division. The article also discusses the unique register system of the Commodore P50 and how Penrose’s code cleverly utilizes it to store the numbers being tested. The author concludes that although their code is faster, Penrose’s code is more elegant.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions a mathematical calculation involving prime numbers. It suggests that it takes 1 minute and 44 seconds to demonstrate 199 prime, and expresses relief at not having to deal with such computational power. It proposes the idea of using hardcoded divisor tests for numbers up to 528 prime, as anything larger would be too slow.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article describes a game of code golf that the author finds to be the longest-running one they have ever seen. The use of a state trick in a BASIC-esque language seems unusual but interesting to the author.
9. Grand Ball Given by the Whales (1861)
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the implications and impact of the transition from whale oil to petroleum-based kerosene after the first successful commercial oil well was drilled in Pennsylvania in 1859. The adoption of kerosene quickly reduced the use of whale oil for illumination. A political cartoon from April 1861 portrays whales celebrating the discovery of oil and the potential decrease in demand for their oil. The transition from whale oil to kerosene brought about cultural and economic challenges. The winners in this shift were the producers and consumers of petroleum-based kerosene, while the losers were those involved in the whale oil industry. The development of oil in a northern state like Pennsylvania was significant both economically and symbolically, as it provided an alternative energy source when the Civil War disrupted access to southern cotton-producing regions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the significance of whale oil as a major industry in the past. Oil lanterns were commonly used in both businesses and homes, resulting in high demand for whale oil. Whalers were well-compensated for their work, which involved physically demanding and potentially hazardous tasks, comparable to the job of frackers today.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights that it is unfortunate that it took an additional 100 years for whaling to significantly decrease. It mentions that whaling reached its highest point in the 1960s, implying that the celebratory event mentioned in the article may have been premature.
10. DOS_deck: Play DOS games in the browser with full controller support
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
DOS_deck is a platform that allows users to play classic MS-DOS games in their web browser. It offers full controller support and a curated collection of games. MS-DOS was a popular computer operating system between 1980 and 1995, and DOS_deck aims to preserve the gaming experience from that era. The platform is built upon JS-DOS, a web browser-based emulator of DOSBox, which allows these classic games to run within a browser. DOS_deck has put effort into ensuring a seamless experience for users, providing controller compatibility for games that were originally designed for keyboard and mouse input. The platform only offers legally distributable games, and there are plans to potentially add more games in the future. Users can access DOS_deck on Steam Deck, Mac, and Windows using Chrome, Edge, or Safari.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The website mentioned in the article offers games that are either shareware, freeware, demo versions, or have been released as freeware after becoming commercially unviable. Most of the games listed are shareware from id Software or Apogee, with Command & Conquer also being mentioned as being released as freeware at one point. However, the author expresses surprise at seeing Dune II and The Black Cauldron on the list, as they hadn’t heard about Dune II being released and didn’t think Disney would give up control over The Black Cauldron.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses excitement about becoming addicted to playing Dune II again after only five minutes. They reflect on their childhood experiences of playing the game for hours and speculate that if they had known more about real-time strategy games, they may have become more of a gamer.