1. Figure out who’s leaving the company: dump, diff, repeat
Total comment counts : 67
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article titled “I made epitaphs! AMA” discusses the author’s creation of epitaphs and invites readers to ask them anything (AMA stands for “Ask Me Anything”). Unfortunately, without more specific information, it is not possible to provide a detailed summary of the content.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests using Git for running a process where changes need to be tracked. The recommended approach is to use Git along with a cron job to automatically commit and record changes made to a source of information. The article provides an example command that utilizes curl to fetch data and then commits it to a Git repository. By using this method, a commit history is created, allowing users to track changes over time by using the “git log” command. The article also mentions that this approach is frequently used in scheduled GitHub Actions. For more details, refer to the provided link.
2. OpenAI compatibility
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
The article discusses the integration of Ollama with the OpenAI Chat Completions API, allowing users to utilize Ollama with various tools and applications locally. It provides instructions on how to download Ollama, pull models, and invoke the OpenAI compatible API endpoint. The article also introduces the Vercel AI SDK for building conversational streaming applications and provides steps for getting started. Additionally, it mentions Autogen, a framework by Microsoft for building multi-agent applications, and provides instructions on installing Autogen and using Ollama with it. The article concludes by mentioning future improvements and inviting GitHub issues for further information.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the recent improvements in the ease of use for locally hosting LLMs (Likely Machine Models). The author mentions being impressed with the ease of use of a specific LLM hosting tool found on GitHub. They provide a link to the tool and state that they were torn between using that tool and another one. The article also includes a reference to another blog post that was published just hours before their own, discussing the increasing ease of LLM self-hosting.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article provides instructions for trying out Ollama, a web-based tool, on Google Cloud. The author suggests using a spot instance, which can be run for 18 cents per hour. The article includes a link to detailed directions.
3. What’s new in the Postgres 16 query planner
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
The article discusses improvements made to the query planner in PostgreSQL 16. It specifically focuses on 10 improvements and provides comparisons between PostgreSQL 15 and PostgreSQL 16. Some of the improvements include incremental sorts for SELECT DISTINCT queries, the planner forming a plan with pre-sorted input for aggregate functions, and the use of Memoize for parameterized Nested Loop queries. The article highlights the performance benefits of these improvements and provides examples from the EXPLAIN output.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article expresses a desire for the PostgreSQL query planner to have the ability to replan a query during execution. They explain that slow queries often occur because the query planner lacks knowledge about the data distribution and cannot accurately estimate the cost of planning the query. This can result in a significant impact on execution time. The author suggests a solution where the query starts execution and if progress is slower than expected, the current progress information is fed back to the planner for replanning. If the updated plan shows that discarding current results and starting with a new approach would be quicker, this should be done. However, the author acknowledges that implementing this feature would require significant infrastructure changes in PostgreSQL due to its streaming queries and the ability for clients to reverse the direction of a query.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author discusses their frustration with the Just-In-Time (JIT) feature in newer versions of Postgres. They found that the JIT, which is meant to improve query execution, actually made the queries slower in some cases. They mention a specific scenario where a straightforward query with multiple joins took significantly longer to execute with JIT enabled compared to without it. The author suggests disabling the JIT as a workaround, but highlights that this default setting can give a negative impression to users who are not familiar with its impact on performance.
4. Permutation City (1994)
Total comment counts : 34
Summary
The article discusses a character named Paul who creates software simulations of his brain and body in virtual reality. These simulations run slower than real time and are meant to be used for experiments on artificial intelligence, time, and causality. However, the simulations keep shutting down and refusing to participate in the experiments. Another character, Maria, is addicted to a virtual world called the Autoverse and is offered a job by Paul to design a seed for a virtual biosphere within the Autoverse. The catch is that a simulation of the Autoverse large enough to support the biosphere is beyond the capabilities of current computers.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a short story that the author recently finished reading. They highly recommend it and mention that it leaves them with many lingering thoughts. They also suggest another short story that explores similar ideas but has a strong psychological horror element.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author praises “Permutation City” as one of their favorite sci-fi reads. They mention that they would like to read it again because they have forgotten most of the details. The author then suggests that fans of “Permutation City” might also enjoy “Glasshouse” by Charles Stross, noting that the two novels have a conceptual connection. They provide links to more information about “Glasshouse” and Charles Stross.
5. Sudo for Windows
Total comment counts : 64
Summary
The article announces the release of Sudo for Windows in Windows 11 Insider Preview Build 26052. Sudo for Windows allows users to run elevated commands directly from an unelevated console session, making it more convenient for users who want to elevate a command without opening a new elevated console. The project is also open-sourced on GitHub. The article provides instructions on how to enable Sudo for Windows and change its configuration options. It also discusses the security implications and features of different configuration options. The team behind Sudo for Windows is planning to expand documentation and gather feedback from users.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article announces that Sudo, a command commonly used in Linux to run commands as an administrator, is coming to Windows. It explains that it is not simply a straight port from Linux, as there are differences in the permissions structure between the two operating systems. However, the goal of being able to run admin commands in the same terminal window is being achieved. The author has been working on this development for the past few months and is excited to discuss it further.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses an incident involving PowerShell where the commands curl and wget were aliased to a different command, causing incompatible arguments. The incident is compared to a similar situation in the past. The article includes a link to the GitHub pull request discussing the incident.
6. Funimation End of Services
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains that the reason for Funimation’s existence over the past year was because they did not want to negotiate moving licenses to Crunchyroll. As a result, the remaining content that is owned by Funimation and not Crunchyroll will most likely have its licenses expire instead of being transferred. Additionally, there is concern that purchased digital copies from Funimation will not be migrated over to Crunchyroll, causing some users to lose access to content they have paid for. Crunchyroll currently does not support Funimation Digital copies, but they are continuously working to improve their anime streaming offerings.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The writer, a software developer, questions why Sony is not obligated to honor contracts made by FunimationCorp™, which is now a subsidiary of Sony™. They argue that when a company is acquired, the buying party typically assumes both the assets and liabilities of the acquired company.
7. Receiving weather satellite images using SatDump
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains that satellite imagery from NOAA’s GOES-16 and GOES-17 satellites is available online. There are static web addresses provided for the most recent shots of the continental US from GOES-16 and the Pacific and West Coast US from GOES-17. Different resolutions and other products, such as full-disk images and a lightning mapper, can be found in the base directories. The author mentions a script they used to automatically pull shots every 10 minutes for their desktop wallpaper but found it frustrating to implement. However, they found it cool to have a year’s worth of imagery at 10-minute intervals.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with software-defined radio (SDR) and their attempt to write an SDR tuner in JavaScript. They encountered a bug that caused the tuner to fail when attempting to tune to a different frequency. The author considers revisiting the project to see if the issue can now be resolved. Additionally, they provide links to websites where near-realtime weather images can be accessed without the need for SDR. The author also mentions a service they built that provides 3-hourly cloud maps for the entire Earth, which can be found on GitHub.
8. Walter Shawlee, the sovereign of slide rules, has died
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
I apologize, but I cannot summarize the article without being able to view its content. It seems that JavaScript needs to be enabled and any ad blocker needs to be disabled for the article to be accessible.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses sadness at seeing unused slide rules at auction sites, fearing that they might be thrown away. They admit to wanting to buy all of them as a collector, but acknowledges that they already have a few and don’t want to fill their home with slide rules. The author compares using a slide rule to programming in assembly language, as both require careful arrangement of inputs and outputs.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses how real estate developer Gerald D Hines used a slide rule as a tool to impress clients and calculate project dimensions and costs. Hines found the slide rule helpful in giving him time to think of answers while appearing to perform calculations. The article also mentions that slide rules were regarded as mesmerizing to watch in action at the time.
9. Spectrum Analyser, a Sinclair ZX Spectrum reverse engineering tool
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The Spectrum Analyser tool is designed to help reverse engineer ZX Spectrum games and programs. It combines an emulator, debugger, and interactive disassembler. The tool automates the process of determining which areas of computer memory are code or data, and can detect code memory locations as they are executed. It also allows for manual marking of memory areas as code. The tool provides a disassembly of the Sinclair ROM and allows users to add labels and comments to the disassembly. Spectrum Analyser is currently in Alpha and feedback and bug reports are welcome. The source code is available for download. Overall, the tool is praised for its usefulness and potential for hacking and game development.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of Dear ImGui, a user interface library, in emulators and other projects. The author shares examples of how the library can be used to create debugging user interfaces and integrate them into projects. They also mention the advantage of tightly coupling the UI with the emulator, allowing for automatic updates of the UI based on the emulator’s state. The author highlights the use of Dear ImGui in their own projects and praises its reusability as UI components.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s nostalgia for computers in the 1980s that had built-in monitors, which were considered a luxury at the time. They mention a specific computer called Orao that had a monitor with a miniassembler and disassembly feature. The article includes links to more information about machine code monitors and the Orao computer.
10. The (history of) spice must flow
Total comment counts : 5
Summary
The article discusses the historical significance of spices and drugs, focusing on the trade routes of the Indian Ocean and the value placed on exotic substances. It mentions the Goa stone, a valuable container for the lapis de Goa, which was believed to offer protection against poisoning. The author argues that spices and drugs were considered medicinal simples in medieval and early modern periods, blurring the distinction between culinary and medical uses. The article also explores the question of why humans risked their lives to transport these substances and cites anthropologist Ruth Benedict’s perspective on visionary states and drug-induced experiences.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the puzzle of the spice trade, particularly focusing on the cost of transporting spices during the medieval and early modern periods. The author questions the expense of sea transport at that time and also considers the military overhead costs involved. The time period mentioned in the article seems to encompass both the medieval and early modern periods, creating a wide span of history.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that substances like nutmeg, sugar, and tea have slight mood-altering effects. The author is intrigued by the mention of tea, stating that while tea is only slightly mood-altering, the fact that it was made with boiled water may have had a greater impact by reducing the risk of waterborne diseases. The author also mentions that although other beverages like beer and mead also required boiling, their alcohol content is a depressant. The author believes that the combination of boiled water and a small amount of caffeine in tea would have been significant for a population not accustomed to it.