1. Visualizing Attention, a Transformer’s Heart [video]
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article thanks supporters of a video and current patrons who fund ongoing projects. It also encourages readers to join if they find the lessons valuable.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author, who has a background in quantum chemistry and some knowledge of machine learning, notices similarities between the transformer model and quantum mechanics. In quantum mechanics, the state of a physical system is represented by a high-dimensional vector, and its evolution over time is defined by a time-translation operator. The author finds it similar to how the transformer model predicts the next token in a sequence by computing context-aware embedding vectors. This process can be seen as a linear state function applied to a high-dimensional vector, resembling the Hamiltonian matrix in quantum mechanics. The author wonders if others also see these parallels or if it’s a bit of a stretch.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article recommends watching YouTube videos by CodeEmporium as they provide a simpler explanation of Transformers. It acknowledges that Transformers are difficult to describe with analogies and that there is no clear explanation for why they work. Instead, it suggests presenting the mechanism of Transformers and leaving the interpretation to the viewer. Additionally, the article suggests describing dot products as vectors projecting on one another, as it is a simpler way to explain them.
2. Beautifying Org Mode in Emacs (2018)
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The author discusses their experience using org-mode in Emacs for writing and programming. They explain that while they are generally happy with the appearance of Emacs, they wanted to make their editing environment more visually appealing, particularly for editing prose. They share their configuration for using different fonts for headings, hiding markup, and improving list bullets in org-mode. Additionally, they explain how to use proportional fonts for text and monospaced fonts for code blocks and other elements. They provide instructions for setting up and customizing the fonts, as well as enabling variable-pitch-mode and visual-line-mode for org buffers. They also note that filling paragraphs may look strange with proportional fonts, but visual-line-mode can help with this.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The reader enjoyed the article but wanted to correct a spelling error. They pointed out that it should be “whet” one’s appetite, not “wet.” They felt it was important to provide this feedback to the author.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses a dislike for their text to resemble a polished article or a nicely designed website. Instead, they prefer their writing to appear rough, unfinished, and functional. In Org Mode, they prioritize quick identification of document structure and visually differentiating relevant parts. They prefer small font sizes and monospace fonts, as they feel it resembles working on a draft and allows for spatial manipulation of text. They explain that when the text looks too refined, they are easily distracted by trying to fit their writing into that perfect environment and lose the ability to make swift notes or work with unfinished drafts. Ultimately, the author acknowledges that this is their personal preference and doesn’t claim it to be the standard.
3. A shrub in Nepal supplies the raw material for the bank notes used in Japan
Total comment counts : 13
Summary
I apologize, but I am unable to summarize the article without its actual content.
Top 1 Comment Summary
I apologize, but I am unable to access or summarize specific articles or links. However, if you provide me with the key points or a brief summary of the article, I’ll be more than happy to assist you.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article states that Nepali people have been using a particular material to make lokta paper for a long time. This paper is primarily used for official documents.
4. Spectral Ray Tracing
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The article discusses the concept of spectral ray tracing and its application in computer art. Spectral ray tracing involves modeling the path of light between a camera and a light source to create realistic images. The process takes shortcuts, such as traversing the path from the light source to the camera in reverse and treating light rays as particles carrying RGB values. Despite these shortcuts, spectral ray tracing produces physically-realistic scenes. Our perception of color is explained through the concept of metamerism and the conversion of spectral power distributions (SPDs) into color. The existence of non-spectral colors, like magenta, is also discussed. The article highlights the mathematical link between SPD and color, which was established in 1931. While it is often unnecessary to consider the full spectrum of light in ray tracing, there are cases where a ray’s wave-like properties affect its path and the colors observed, such as dispersion.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the availability of a free e-book called Ray Tracing Gems II. It focuses on real-time GPU ray tracing using modern APIs and hardware acceleration. The e-book contains a chapter about efficient spectral rendering on the GPU for predictive rendering. The link to the e-book is provided in the article.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article mentions three examples of spectral ray tracers. Mitsuba is an open-source renderer that includes features like differentiable rendering. Maxwell has two spectral modes, with the more complex one being used in optics. Manuka, developed by Wētā FX, is a spectral ray tracer that has been used in several feature films.
5. Canoes discovered northwest of Rome are oldest boats ever found in Mediterranean
Total comment counts : 5
Summary
A recent study published in the journal PLOS One has shed light on an ancient underwater village called La Marmotta, located in Italy. The site, discovered in 1989, contained well-preserved artifacts including five canoes estimated to be 7,000 years old. These canoes, made from hollowed-out trees, showcased advanced maritime technology such as towing accessories and reinforcements. The canoes, the oldest ever found in the Mediterranean, indicate the existence of a sophisticated trade network and offer insights into the daily lives and technological capabilities of ancient inhabitants. The vessels were made from different types of wood, suggesting different strategies and specialization among early Mediterranean villages. The discovery of wooden T-shaped objects with drilled holes indicates that the canoes were used to transport goods, people, and animals, likely for trade purposes. Additional evidence found at La Marmotta, including foreign grains, animal remains, pottery, and tools, supports the idea of a bustling ancient trade economy. The canoes may have also been equipped with sails, outriggers, or support floats. The study demonstrates a level of social organization and complexity previously unknown for the time period and challenges existing views of Neolithic farming groups.
Top 1 Comment Summary
A recent study published in the journal PLOS One has shed light on the ancient canoes found at the La Marmotta site. The research, conducted by a team of international scientists, has revealed new information about these boats and their significance in Mediterranean trade. Previously, limited information was available due to the original discovery being published only in Italian. The findings are now providing valuable insights into the bustling and sophisticated trade networks of the past.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that boats have been in existence for approximately 12,000 years, which indicates a significant technological revolution that led to rapid advancement in various areas such as ships, agriculture, settlements, and social structures. This period of development has surpassed the technological progress made in the first 260,000 years of human history.
6. A tiny ultrabright laser that can melt steel
Total comment counts : 21
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article acknowledges the industrial significance of more powerful and compact lasers. The author, however, eagerly anticipates the availability of PCSELs in the small workshop market. They believe that having an affordable laser capable of cutting metal at home or in small shops would be highly beneficial, despite the potential danger associated with lasers.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of ASML machines to achieve clean small 2D patterns by coordinating UV laser and diffraction grating. The author wonders how difficult it is to model light interactions on this scale and what it takes for the authors to come up with modeling solutions. They question if one PhD in light physics could do this or if expertise is developed by teams over decades. The author also ponders if modeling the standing wave and higher-order modes would require more mathematics and if it is even possible if the solutions for each interaction are probabilistic. Finally, they mention if solutions are mostly limited by the types of semiconductor features that can be built.
7. WireViz: Easily document cables and wiring harnesses
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
The article discusses a tool called WireViz that allows users to easily document cables, wiring harnesses, and connector pinouts. The tool takes plain text, YAML-formatted files as input and produces graphical output in formats like SVG and PNG. It also features automatic Bill of Materials (BOM) creation and additional functionalities. The article provides instructions for installing and using WireViz and mentions that Python 3.7 or later is required, as well as the installation of GraphViz. It also mentions that the tool is a work in progress and may undergo changes in the future.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the need for a wire-harness visualizer to run in place of pcbnew in Kicad. It mentions that a wire harness has a schematic and physical properties like trace width and wire gauge. The article suggests that a wire-harness visualizer would allow changes made in the harness to be back-propagated to the schematic. It also notes that existing solutions like WireViz and RapidHarness are not ideal because they are outside of the existing EDA workflow.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article tried to find a way to illustrate packets in a simple protocol and ended up using the “bytefield” package for LaTeX. They initially dismissed it due to its heaviness, but found it to be the best option in the end. The output is visually appealing and easy to understand.
8. One man’s artistic wonderland, created in rental, gets protected status
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The British government has granted protected status to a rental property in Birkenhead, England, that was secretly transformed by an eccentric artist named Ron Gittins. Gittins lived in the apartment for three decades and decorated every surface with murals depicting historical scenes. The discovery of his artwork was surprising as Gittins discouraged visitors to his home and kept it in disarray. After his death, his family began a campaign to save the property, and it was eventually purchased by the Wirral Arts and Culture Community Land Trust. The property has now been granted “Grade II” listing by the British government. It is currently being stabilized and preserved to create a micro-museum. The trust also plans to convert other apartments in the building for artists to work in and develop the garden and cellar. This is the first example of Outsider Art to be given protected status in England.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article introduces a contrasting view to the idea that a place is a “wonderland.” While the author believes that the artistic quality is not worth preserving, they acknowledge that if it doesn’t harm anyone and the trust has bought the apartment, there is no harm in keeping it alive.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the difference between a “Minotaur head” and a bull.
9. Computer-generated holography with ordinary display
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
The article discusses a proposed method of computer-generated holography (CGH) that uses incoherent light emitted from a mobile phone screen. The method involves creating a cascade of holograms, with the first hologram being a color image displayed on the phone screen. By solving an inverse problem related to the propagation of incoherent light, a three-dimensional color image can be reproduced using this two-layered hologram cascade.
Top 1 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but I cannot directly access or summarize specific articles or web pages. However, if you provide me with a brief description or key points from the article, I’ll be happy to assist you in summarizing it.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article discusses a new method of three-dimensional color image reproduction using a two-layered hologram cascade. This cascade is composed of an iPhone and a spatial light modulator. The spatial light modulator helps enhance the quality of the display, making it more than just an ordinary display. The article does not provide further details about the appearance of the spatial light modulator.
10. Better adb shell
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
This article discusses a repository that provides instructions for improving the adb shell on Android devices. The repository includes files that can be cloned and executed to create a better adb shell, as well as information on how to make it globally accessible. The article also mentions a history function that can be enabled and provides instructions for manually configuring the startup file. The author encourages users to report any bugs or suggestions through GitHub and expresses gratitude for any donations.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the difficulty of finding a functional tool for taking full backups and restoring them to Android devices after the adb command for backup was deprecated.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author is asking for advice on how to free up disk space on an Android device without rooting it or performing a factory reset. They believe that some apps or the operating system may be filling directories with temporary files or storing old updates. They mention that on a 32MB device, 15MB of space is lost over the course of a year, and the usual tools for clearing or accessing this space are not effective.