1. In loving memory of square checkbox
Total comment counts : 57
Summary
The article discusses the convention of using square checkboxes and round radio buttons in operating systems and how this convention has been changed by the web and CSS. It mentions that while checkboxes have traditionally been square and radio buttons round, the web introduced different designs for these elements, such as radio buttons with checkmarks and square radio buttons. However, operating system vendors have largely stuck to the convention. The article states that Apple is the first major operating system vendor to abandon the convention, as their new visionOS will have round checkboxes. The author concludes that with Apple’s decision, there is no hope for the tradition to continue and predicts that the square checkbox will finally die in 2024.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of round checkboxes in iOS and the increasing popularity of on-off toggles. The author’s main pet peeve is the unclear toggle button and its confusing symbolism.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article explains that Apple may be making changes to improve the reliability of eye tracking in VisionOS when dealing with checkboxes. It recommends using circular or capsule-shaped buttons as they are easier for people to look at steadily. The article provides a link to Apple’s guidelines for designing buttons.
2. If nothing changes, all remaining Nitter instances will go down eventually
Total comment counts : 37
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the closure of a specific Nitter instance and clarifies that it does not apply to all instances of Nitter. The title of the article is deemed misleading.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights the significance of Nitter, a platform that allows users to access Twitter content without directly using Twitter. It explains that if all Nitter instances were to be shut down, people who oppose Twitter would have one less outlet to express their objections. Additionally, it suggests that without Nitter, fewer people would link to Twitter threads and engage with those who still use the platform.
3. I hacked a train toilet
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The author recounts their experience riding on a Class 800 train in the UK, specifically focusing on the design of the disabled toilets on board. The author explains that older models of these toilets had separate buttons for closing and locking the door, while the newer models have a lever that must be moved to lock the door. However, the lever is not directly connected to a locking mechanism but instead sends a signal to a microcontroller. The author highlights a potential security flaw in the design, where it is possible to manipulate the lever in a way that the locking pin does not engage properly but still allows the door to be closed. This vulnerability could potentially be used for a Denial of Service attack on the train toilet. The author mentions that they have encountered similar vulnerabilities on trains in the past and also provides a link to a video demonstrating the issue.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains the reason for separating the closing and locking functions of toilet doors, but not the opening and unlocking functions. The purpose of this separation is to prevent a Denial of Service attack where someone can press “close” and leave before the door closes, resulting in the toilet becoming permanently inaccessible. The author shares a personal experience from their elementary school days, where students would use a screwdriver or swiss army knife to lock all the toilet doors from the outside, making it appear that all stalls were occupied.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares a personal experience of being on a train in Sweden where the motorized door unexpectedly started opening while they were using the toilet. They attempted to push the door back, but had to prioritize putting their trousers on. The toilet on this train was wider than a normal seat, with seats facing towards it. Although the situation was embarrassing, the author considers it a humorous anecdote and did not investigate further.
4. Solid-state EV batteries now face “production hell”
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the concept of “production hell” and how it is applied to the development of solid-state batteries. It explains that while the term usually implies challenges in mass production before a product is released, in the case of solid-state batteries, it is more of a situation where there are no tangible advancements or marketable models. The article suggests that there may be a lot of hype and press releases, but no significant progress. However, it concludes by stating that more breakthrough headlines may be expected in the near future.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the energy density of gasoline compared to liquid hydrogen. It highlights that gasoline is superior in terms of energy density because it does not need to be super cooled and is in a liquid state at normal pressure and temperature. The author expresses admiration for gasoline as a fuel, suggesting that it may be undervalued despite its convenience at gas stations.
5. Anki – Powerful, intelligent flash cards
Total comment counts : 60
Summary
The article is promoting the benefits of using Anki, a program that makes remembering information easier. Anki is a powerful flashcard application that can be used on various devices and platforms. It allows users to customize their flashcards with images, audio, videos, and scientific markup. The program is efficient and uses spaced repetition to optimize learning. Anki also offers synchronization across devices and has a wide range of customizable options. It is open-source and has received positive reviews from users who have found it to greatly improve their memory and learning abilities. The article provides download links for different platforms and versions of Anki. Additionally, it highlights the availability of AnkiMobile and AnkiDroid for mobile devices.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses the author’s experience using Anki, a digital flashcard app, with their 11-year-old son. They have been using Anki since he was 5 and have found it to be an effective tool for memorization. The son has memorized various things such as countries, spelling, body parts, chemical elements, unix filesystem commands, numeracy references, photos of places they have been, musical instruments and pieces, piano notes, religious facts, names of characters in books, and wise aphorisms. The son enjoys using Anki and takes pride in his ability to recall information. He even requests to add new things he learns on his own to Anki so that he can remember them.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the effectiveness of spaced repetition, specifically when using tools like Anki, for memorizing facts. However, the author also acknowledges that memorization represents the most basic level of learning objectives. They are seeking recommendations for tools that can help with more advanced levels of knowledge such as relational analysis, synthesis, and critical evaluation. The article provides references to Bloom’s Taxonomy and the Structure of Observed Learning Outcome for further reading.
6. Why good content gets posted on the wrong platform?
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
The article discusses the common criticism of using platforms like Twitter or video for content creation instead of traditional blogging. It explores four main reasons why people choose these platforms: engagement, friends, lower friction, and monetization. The author acknowledges that they prefer long-form blog posts but recognizes the value of platforms like Twitter in creating content. They also discuss the generational aspect, suggesting that younger individuals are more inclined towards video-based content. Additionally, the author highlights that community interaction and the ease of use play a significant role in choosing platforms like Twitter. Ultimately, the article emphasizes that each platform serves different purposes and caters to different audiences.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article criticizes the New York Times’ home page design, comparing it to a Twitter feed with very little information per story. It mentions an important story about a potential cease-fire deal between Israel and Gaza but criticizes the lack of upfront details. The proposed deal would involve a temporary halt in fighting while hostages are released and negotiations for a long-term cease-fire are conducted. The article also suggests the need for a filter to remove irrelevant and clickbait content. It advocates for summarizing videos and converting speech to text for more efficient communication. A quote by Tom Lehrer is included to emphasize the importance of effective communication.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the engagement reasons for short-form platforms like Twitter and Instagram compared to longer form platforms. It mentions that people tend to spend more time on short-form platforms, while longer form platforms are less appealing due to negative experiences and a feeling of being disconnected from the Twitter-style bubble. The article also mentions that Reddit is perceived as “dead,” while HN (likely referring to Hacker News) is considered active and popular.
7. I used to not worry about climate change. Now I do [video]
Total comment counts : 62
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses climate advocacy and the author’s involvement in pushing for renewable energy transition in their local community. They highlight the need to take small actions collectively to make a difference. The author also expresses concern about regressive laws proposed in their state, Arizona, including a tax on purchasing solar energy. They plan to vote out those responsible and promote the use of their state’s abundant solar resources. Additionally, the article mentions the importance of cheap utility-scale energy storage to accelerate the shift away from fossil fuels. It encourages citizen engagement and offers links to organizations that work on climate policy and activism.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author notes that artificial intelligence (AI) is not helpful in addressing global warming because the exact solution is already known, but there is unwillingness to implement it. This solution is believed to be a carbon tax, which economists agree is the most efficient way to combat global warming. However, there is political resistance to implementing it due to its framing as a tax. The author suggests looking into the concept of a carbon tax, explaining that it creates a system where the best action for the planet is also the cheapest for individuals and businesses. This eliminates the need to convince every individual to change their beliefs or morality.
8. Bartkira: The Simpsons and Akira
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses how the art styles of certain artists who create Simpson cartoons go against the established rules of the show. It provides a link to a popular example of these rules for reference.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses how the dynamic between Bart and Milhouse from The Simpsons could be compared to the relationship between Kaneda and Tetsuo from the film Akira. It mentions that the size of The Simpsons cast allows for many comparisons to be made. The article also praises the trailer for its visually appealing look, noting its similarity to the visual style of the early seasons of the show.
9. I looked through attacks in my access logs
Total comment counts : 33
Summary
The author of the article shares their experiences with self-hosting and the security risks they have encountered. They mention that exposing IP addresses on the public internet invites malicious traffic and discuss common types of attacks they have observed. The first type of attack is directory traversal, where attackers search for files such as .env and credentials in commonly known locations. The author also notes that attackers look for common directories and accidentally exposed files. The article highlights the importance of minimizing exposure to the public internet and using authentication and IP restrictions when necessary. The article also mentions a specific vulnerability called Shellshock, which exploits webservers that execute CGI scripts with a vulnerable bash version, allowing attackers to execute arbitrary commands. Lastly, the article describes an attack targeting the LuCI web interface for OpenWRT routers, where a command is injected into a form field to download and execute a shell script from a remote server.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author highlights an interesting observation that attackers monitor Certificate Transparency logs to identify newly issued certificates and target those websites. They share their personal experience of a server receiving minimal traffic until they obtained a certificate from Let’s Encrypt, after which it was flooded with malicious hits. The main lesson from this is to secure new servers and services as soon as possible, even before they are accessible to the public.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article explains their experience with managing self-hosted sites and analyzing access logs for security purposes. They initially used an IDS (Intrusion Detection System) to detect attack attempts, but later found it to be a waste of time and stopped using it. They recommend relying on useful content that summarizes common vulnerabilities and attacks to guide server management, as well as following best practices for web server technology. The author emphasizes the importance of promptly patching disclosed vulnerabilities, as most attacks target these. While log analysis can be helpful in diagnosing problems after security incidents, the author found it mainly useful for identifying known vulnerabilities that were not patched in a timely manner.
10. Understanding the world science fiction convention
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the controversy surrounding the Hugo awards, which were allegedly rigged at the world science fiction convention in Chengdu. The author explains that science fiction conventions are generally fan-run on a non-profit basis, with some exceptions. These conventions are organized by local fan clubs and often stick to the same venue for decades. The article also mentions the World Science Fiction Convention, which is a series of conventions held annually. The author explains that the Worldcon is not a permanent organization but rather a virus that latches onto an SF convention and runs the Hugo awards and WSFS business meeting. The article concludes by stating that the process worked fine for eighty years until the controversy in Chengdu.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains that the term “antipope” is not an anti-Catholic name. The author shares a personal experience where they chose the name “antipope” for a website. The author clarifies that “antipope” does not have negative connotations towards the Catholic Church.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses instances where voting for awards in literature results in unexpected or controversial outcomes. The author suggests that while these awards do hold some significance, their results should not be taken too seriously. Instead, they should be seen as a starting point to discover books with interesting concepts and well-executed ideas. The focus should be on the list of nominees rather than the winners.