1. FTC sues Adobe for hiding fees and inhibiting cancellations
Total comment counts : 65
Summary
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is taking action against software maker Adobe and two of its executives for deceptive business practices. The FTC alleges that Adobe hid the early termination fee for its subscription plan and made it difficult for consumers to cancel their subscriptions. The complaint states that Adobe pushed customers towards an annual paid monthly subscription plan without adequately disclosing the cancellation fee, which could cost hundreds of dollars. The FTC claims that Adobe’s cancellation processes are designed to make it difficult for consumers to cancel, and that the company continues to steer customers towards the annual plan while obscuring the termination fee. The FTC is working to protect consumers from these illegal practices and will continue to take action against companies that engage in deceptive business practices.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article talks about the changing attitudes of Adobe, a software company, towards piracy and its users. Around 25 years ago, Adobe seemed to view the widespread piracy of their software as a positive thing because it meant people were familiar with it and would then purchase it for work use. However, their attitude apparently changed as they gained market dominance, and they began to aggressively pursue profits, alienating some users in the process. The author mentions using Lightroom as one of the last pay-once software titles from Adobe and expresses dislike for their current product offerings, except for Acrobat Reader. They also mention feeling glad when Adobe’s attempted purchase of Figma failed.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses how Adobe’s Creative Cloud subscription started as excellent value but has since become more expensive, with the monthly price increasing from $19.99 to $89.99. As a result, people are now exploring alternative software ecosystems such as Procreate, Davinci, and Foxit instead of pirating Adobe software.
2. Augmenting biological intelligence with RL in C.elegans using optogenetics [pdf]
Total comment counts : 4
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of optogenetics in worms, specifically focusing on a 1 mm long worm with a fully characterized nervous system. The worm’s nervous system consists of 302 neurons that have been mapped and named in great detail. Despite this knowledge, understanding how these neurons function remains a challenge. The researchers in the article express optogenetics proteins in different sets of neurons, including 8 neurons involved in chemotaxis (movement towards food). By shining light on the worm, all these neurons can be activated simultaneously, although this method lacks precise control. The author notes that using optogenetics in worms is significant due to their affordability and simplicity, which can be helpful in understanding complex systems.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a project where researchers used a worm and manipulated its genetic machinery to control certain neurons using a light-sensitive protein. They connected a camera and an unsupervised reinforcement learning algorithm, which learned to control the lights and guide the worm towards a goal, like food. The algorithm was successful in navigating obstacles and improving the worm’s abilities while leaving other neurons unaffected.
3. An interview with AMD CEO Lisa Su about solving hard problems
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
The article is an interview with Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD (Advanced Micro Devices). Su has had a successful career in the semiconductor industry, working at companies like Texas Instruments and IBM before joining AMD. Under her leadership, AMD has become a major competitor to Intel in the x86 chip market and has also made strides in datacenters and graphics chips. The interview discusses Su’s career path, the success of AMD during her tenure, and the impact of technologies like ChatGPT. Su believes that AMD is well-positioned for long-term success in the industry.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article states that Lisa Su, the CEO of AMD, and Jensen Huang, the co-founder and CEO of NVIDIA, are related. The author expresses surprise at this discovery and jokes that it’s advantageous to have family members in important positions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The quote highlights that AMD should not be seen solely as an x86 company, but rather as a broader computing company that chooses the appropriate compute engine for different workloads.
4. I learned Haskell in just 15 years
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The author discusses their journey of learning and using Haskell, a programming language invented as a prank. They first learned about functional programming and Haskell in college but didn’t fully engage with it. They later used Haskell-based software and were intrigued by its benefits. Their interest in Haskell grew when they learned Elm, which bears similarities to Haskell but is more approachable. The author mentions using Haskell in their professional work alongside other languages like Ruby, Perl, Python, JavaScript, and SQL.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article suggests that learning functional programming is beneficial and does not necessarily require 15 years. It recommends F# as a less intimidating language for beginners, as it supports object-oriented programming and does not require all functions to be pure. The article concludes by stating that programming in a declarative manner and using pure functions is the preferred approach, whether in Haskell or not.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The writer suggests that if someone wants to understand functional programming, it is better to learn Prolog as it offers more insight. They claim that Prolog allows you to grasp the language quickly and understand its consequences over time. They also mention that Prolog code mostly consists of immutable functional programming, which helps in comprehending the workings of the code thoroughly.
5. Hello world in C inline assembly (2020)
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
This article discusses an unusual “hello, world” program in C that doesn’t use any C standard library functions. Instead, it makes a system call directly using inline assembly. The program works on Linux x86-64, but may not work on other systems due to assembly’s lack of portability. The program uses “syscall” assembly instructions to make the system call, specifying the system call number as 1 for the write function. The necessary arguments for the write system call are stored in registers rdi, rsi, and rdx. The article also mentions the use of “extended asm” to handle more complex assembly code.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the need to specify input/output registers in the asm statement to prevent the compiler from erasing unused values. It provides a working example that demonstrates this, along with an adaptation using the main() function. The example uses various registers and the “syscall” instruction. The article also includes a test using gcc to compile and run the code.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a C program that doesn’t use any C standard library functions. However, it still relies on the C stdlib and runtime to be called and exit properly. The author questions why the program was written with the runtime, even though it doesn’t heavily rely on its features, suggesting that it could have been built with -ffreestanding instead.
6. Why “Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs” matters (2011)
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article discusses the importance of the book “Structure and Interpretation of Computer Programs” (SICP) developed at MIT. SICP is considered revolutionary as it raised the intellectual content of introductory computer science courses by focusing on big-picture thinking and abstraction. The book introduced the idea of functions as data and incorporated multiple programming paradigms. The choice of using Scheme as the programming language was also significant as it had a simple and uniform notation, making it easier to learn and understand programming concepts. SICP emphasized the importance of teaching students skills to learn new languages rather than focusing on a specific language. Despite being challenging to read, the book had a significant influence on subsequent textbooks and inspired the use of Scheme in various educational settings. The article concludes by highlighting the longevity of SICP, which has remained relevant and influential for over 25 years.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article recommends watching Prof. Abelson’s lectures on YouTube as they provide a valuable and detailed understanding of computer science. It laments the lack of similar in-depth education in modern times, which may contribute to overhyped perceptions of computers. The article suggests that such education could help people see computers as complex machines rather than magical devices.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article didn’t find the concept of programming appealing when they were introduced to Scheme with its impractical features. Instead, they were attracted to programming by the ability to quickly learn how to draw graphs, create games, and simulate various scenarios, such as a flight simulator. The author found activities like string manipulation with strange syntax to be uninteresting and even off-putting.
7. How to get stuff repaired when the manufacturer don’t wanna: take ’em to court
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
I apologize, but I need the text of the article in order to provide a summary.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the attempts made by the Phoebus cartel to decrease the lifespan of incandescent light bulbs to about 1,000 hours and raise prices. The author also mentions the expectation that an oven should last longer than a traditional light bulb.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author purchased a wifi-enabled picture frame from a thrift store, but it had someone else’s pictures on it. They tried to reset the frame, but it got stuck on the setup pages with an error message. After contacting the company, they were told that the frame could not be fixed and were advised to return it to the store. Despite the low price of $8, the author was disappointed as they were excited about having a wifi-connected picture frame.
8. Bolivia’s little-known African tribal kingdom (2021)
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article discusses the Kingdom of the Afro-Bolivians, a hidden community in Bolivia that has remained largely unrecognized for nearly 200 years. The community, consisting of roughly 2,000 inhabitants, is mainly made up of farmers who grow coca, citrus, and coffee. The Afro-Bolivians are descendants of West Africans who were brought to Bolivia as slaves to work in the mines of Potosí. Due to the harsh conditions, they were relocated to the warmer Yungas region, where their unofficial kingdom was formed in 1820. The Bolivian government recognized the kingdom in 2007. The king and queen of Afro-Bolivians, Julio Bonifaz Pinedo and Angélica Larrea, live a humble life, managing a small grocery store and selling garden produce. Despite their royal titles, they are respected for their humility in the community.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions that many dances and music in Bolivia, such as Morenada and Caporales, originated and developed in a zone that combines African and Andean sounds. The author also shares a link to a random Saya, a Bolivian dance, found on YouTube.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the Kongo Civil War, which took place in the Kingdom of Kongo resulting in two factions vying for the throne and many people being enslaved and sent to South America. It also mentions that the monarchy was only abolished in 1914. Additionally, the article suggests that there may be a connection to Uganda, possibly through the king’s relatives.
9. DJI ban passes the House and moves on to the Senate
Total comment counts : 60
Summary
The US House of Representatives has passed the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which includes a ban on DJI drone usage in the country. The bill funds the Department of Defense and includes a section called the Countering CCP Drones Act, which would prevent DJI from obtaining approval from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) and potentially ban the import and use of their drones. The NDAA has bipartisan support but faced opposition from House Republicans after partisan amendments were added. The bill will now move to the Senate and, if passed, will require the President’s signature to become law. Legal challenges may arise following its enactment.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s lack of trust in DJI, a company known for producing drones and other camera equipment. The author states that they were interested in purchasing the DJI Action camera but discovered that the DJI app, required to use the camera, is not available on the Play Store. Instead, it can only be downloaded on Android devices through sideloading. The reason for this is because the DJI app violates privacy and data gathering policies. The author mentions seeing a site that decompiled the DJI app and discovered concerning information.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article states that DJI is considered the top brand for drone equipment, particularly for photography and industrial purposes. The author expresses dismay at the United States embracing protectionism in the high-tech industry, comparing it to the European Union’s negative impact on tech startups.
10. Trading cards with e-ink displays (2023)
Total comment counts : 27
Summary
The article discusses the creation of Wyldcards, which are plastic E-Ink tiles the size of a credit card that are used for trading card games. These cards have pictures that can change and a memory chip to hold game stats and characteristics. The digital nature of the cards allows for new game mechanics while still maintaining the physical feel of a tabletop game. The author was inspired by fictional games from their school days. They had the idea for the cards while working on mobile device UI testing. The author is a software developer and had experience in web backend, DevOps, and mobile. Working at a 3D printer company, they found that electronics were more approachable than they realized. This inspired the author to attempt a project they had dreamed of, which resulted in the creation of Wyldcard. The author wanted the cards to be affordable, playable anywhere, and alluring even in the future. They decided to use E-Ink displays due to their low energy requirement. To send information and detect other cards, the author used electrical contacts on the backs of the cards that connect to a supporting base. The base contains a battery, charger, and microcontroller. Prototyping began with purchasing E-Ink displays and using the Rust programming language. The author learned PCB design and ordered PCBs from China. They worked on controlling multiple screens and minimizing the number of contacts each card would need.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article praises the Bay Area for its culture of openness and accessibility among engineers. The author highlights the willingness of engineers to explain their projects to anyone who approaches them. The author also mentions a story about Steve Jobs contacting Bill Hewlett as a teenager and receiving not only answers to his questions but also a job opportunity for the summer.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is asking if there is a trading aspect to trading card games or if it is more focused on deck-building. The author acknowledges that trading is a controversial aspect and wonders how it could be implemented if embraced.