1. Show HN: I built an indie, browser-based MMORPG
Total comment counts : 45
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article is experiencing issues with their SMTP email limit, which is causing failures with TCP connections. They will investigate further tomorrow. The article also mentions the success of over 5000 logins, suggesting the need for a better SMTP email provider to prevent failures from impacting other systems.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author mentions that they built a browser-based game called Genfanad a few years ago, which had similar inspirations to the article’s subject. They found it surprising how easy it was to get such a project up and running. However, they mention that they had to shut down Genfanad a few months ago due to profitability issues. They ask if the subject of the article has any plans for profitability or if it is just a fun side project.
2. Eplot: A new package for making charts in Emacs
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
The article discusses the author’s search for an easy way to create simple plots. They explore various tools, including chart.el in Emacs and Google Finance’s charts. The author then explains why they didn’t use a PHP library and expresses their dislike for how Gnuplot handles axis formatting. Ultimately, they create their own plot tool called eplot in Emacs, which allows users to adjust plots easily. They also mention implementing features like gradients but admit to not including a specific type of gradient due to its complexity.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses the recent discovery as to why there were no recent updates on the progress of fixing 10% of bugs in Emacs. It turns out that one person was solely dedicated to working on fixing these bugs, which is seen as an impressive accomplishment.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author suggests using Emacs’ feature of file- and directory-local variables for the chart configuration to improve user experience. This allows for more flexibility, such as generating data files without the need for manual modification before charting or easily plotting multiple data files without applying a header manually to each one.
3. Google Sheets ported its calculation worker from JavaScript to WasmGC
Total comment counts : 26
Summary
The article discusses how Google Sheets, a product at Google, has started using WasmGC (WebAssembly Garbage Collection) on Chrome. The move, announced in 2022, involved the collaboration between the Google Sheets and Chrome teams to make optimizations and improvements. The Google Sheets calculation engine, originally written in Java and launched in 2006, transitioned to running in the browser using JavaScript in 2013. The migration process from the server to JavaScript required careful validation to ensure accuracy. The Sheets team developed an internal validation mechanism to compare results between different versions of the calculation engine. It was discovered that the JavaScript version was more than three times slower than the Java version. WasmGC, an extension of the WebAssembly specification, aims to bring garbage collected languages, such as Java, to the web at near-native speed. Google believes WasmGC has significant potential due to the popularity of garbage collected languages. The WasmGC MVP draft specification was published in 2019, and Google Workspace and Chrome partnered to evaluate WasmGC using the Sheets calculation engine. By mid-2021, a Java to WasmGC compiler was developed, and by the end of the year, a prototype version of Google Sheets running on WasmGC was created. Challenges were faced during the process, including the need to build tooling for profiling and heap dumps and finding or creating replacements for JavaScript libraries used in the existing implementation. Initial performance data showed that Sheets WasmGC was approximately two times slower than JavaScript, but optimization efforts were made to improve this. The Sheets team focused on replicating existing optimizations from other toolchains and continuously improving the performance of WasmGC.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions that initially the programming language was slower than JavaScript, but optimizations were made. However, it does not provide information on the final outcome or how much faster the language became.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the introduction of WasmGC, a garbage collector for WebAssembly, and its potential benefits. It highlights the possibility of GC-ed languages having smaller binary sizes compared to languages that manage memory, like Java. The article also mentions that if WasmGC becomes widely adopted, languages such as Clojure and Dart might start targeting WebAssembly instead of JavaScript. Additionally, it suggests that WasmGC could impact edge computing in the future.
4. Flow Charts with CSS Anchor Positioning
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The article discusses the CSS Anchor Positioning API and how it can be used to create flow charts and diagrams with just CSS. It explains that the API allows elements to be positioned relative to other elements and can be used for more than just popovers and tooltips. The article provides examples and code snippets to demonstrate how to use CSS Anchor Positioning to create flow charts, including techniques for creating lines and arrowheads. The article also mentions the ability to make the node elements draggable using JavaScript. Overall, the article showcases the versatility of the CSS Anchor Positioning API in creating complex layouts and interactive components.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of Markdeep, a tool used to create block diagrams easily. The author specifically mentions using Markdeep to create flowcharts. More information can be found at the link provided.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the advantages of using SVG over CSS for certain tasks, particularly in terms of manipulation, animation, and mathematical declarativity. It suggests that CSS anchor positioning may require complex workarounds and proposes that CSS features like container queries could solve this issue. The article also highlights the underlying issue of HTML and CSS not being orthogonal in terms of layout, and suggests that representing layouts as graphs or matrices instead of trees could be more beneficial.
5. Federal whistleblowers are entitled to damages of missed future pay, court rules
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Federal Circuit ruled in the case of Perlick v. Veterans Affairs Department that federal whistleblowers can receive compensatory damages if their firing causes harm to their future earnings. This ruling establishes that federal employees who face retaliation after reporting wrongdoing at their agencies are entitled not only to back pay but also financial compensation for the loss of potential future wages. The court specified that whistleblowers do not have to prove they had guaranteed jobs lined up but instead can show that the reprisal they faced caused defamation that harmed their chances at future employment. The case involved Deborah Perlick, who was fired by the VA in 2017 after reporting missing funds from a study on traumatic brain injury. Perlick argued that whistleblower protection laws entitled her to compensation for future lost earnings, in addition to back pay. The court found that federal whistleblowers can receive compensatory damages for future lost earnings, stating that Congress intended to provide “make-whole relief” to employees. The court remanded Perlick’s case back to the Merit Systems Protection Board for a final decision. This ruling is seen as an important victory for federal whistleblowers who have been retaliated against for reporting misconduct.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a court case that clarifies the inclusion of future lost earnings, including reputational harm, in compensatory damages. The court ruling states that an individual does not need a guaranteed future job, but rather a preponderance of evidence to seek lost future wages. While the article mentions that the case could have far-reaching impact, it does not elaborate on what that impact might be.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that offering incentives, such as higher pay and access to important information, would be beneficial for well-paid workers.
6. 25 years of video clips gone as Paramount axes Comedy Central wesbite
Total comment counts : 40
Summary
ComedyCentral.com, one of the largest repositories of late-night videos, has removed clips from every episode of The Daily Show since 1999 and The Colbert Report, as well as other shows like The Opposition with Jordan Klepper and Lights Out with David Spade. The closure of ComedyCentral.com is part of Paramount’s belt-tightening measures due to its significant debt. Fans can still find some clips on YouTube, but the complete collection is no longer available. Paramount is directing viewers to sign up for Paramount+ to watch Comedy Central shows, although older episodes of The Daily Show and The Colbert Report are not available on the streaming platform. The move has frustrated fans who suggest that Paramount should monetize the clips on platforms like YouTube to generate ad revenue. The removal of content from Comedy Central’s website comes after other Paramount-owned sites, including MTV.com and CMT.com, also went dark.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author finds it interesting that studios who ran TV channels for many years struggled to transition to streaming. They believe that platforms like Paramount+, Disney+, and Peacock should have had an easier time gaining traction since they offer popular shows. The author suggests that the technology behind streaming has become standardized and affordable, and these studios already have the content, so setting up a basic ad-supported platform should have been profitable. They question why studios like Paramount would accumulate significant debt while trying to promote their streaming service, speculating whether it is because of the nature of their business or a lack of understanding of technology.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a situation where a publisher has removed free content that was previously available. The author expresses disappointment that the publisher was unable to monetize the free content, suggesting that it was a missed opportunity. They also criticize the publisher for taking ownership of something that is beloved by many through copyright, and argue that if the publisher no longer finds value in distributing it, they should waive their ownership. The author suggests that copyright laws may need reform if they grant control over important historical records.
7. Lessons I Wish I Had Been Taught (1996) [pdf]
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses the concept of a microcentury, which is defined as 52.56 minutes. The mention of von Neumann suggests that he used this term to refer to a period of time.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that if the reader enjoyed a particular essay, they are likely to enjoy a book called “Indiscrete Thoughts” by Rota, which contains many similar essays.
8. Remembering Larry Finger, who made Linux wireless work
Total comment counts : 18
Summary
The article discusses the contributions and legacy of Larry Finger, a developer who recently passed away. Finger was an important contributor to the Linux kernel, making 1,464 commits and contributing to 94 kernel releases since 2006. He played a crucial role in improving Wi-Fi functionality on Linux devices and provided numerous drivers. Despite having no formal computer training, Finger’s dedication and expertise made him a productive and patient contributor. Many commenters acknowledge that they are still using his code today. Finger also had a background in crystallography and made significant contributions to the Linux community outside of his kernel work. He mentored others and believed that someone without formal training could still make substantial contributions to Linux. His legacy is celebrated for his impactful contributions and unseen work.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article expresses sadness and regret over the death of someone who had served as a mentor. The author mentions how the person’s work on a driver for a laptop wifi card had greatly helped them and praised their dedication to maintaining the driver. The author concludes by advising readers not to delay in reaching out to others, as time can pass quickly.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the contributions of Larry Finger to the Linux WiFi and driver ecosystem. Finger played a significant role in improving these areas and mentored others along the way. He fixed issues with ndis wrappers and the Broadcom WiFi ecosystem. In a Quora response, Finger mentioned that he has made substantial contributions to Linux, with approximately 0.5% of the total code in the 6.4 kernel being attributed to him.
9. Gemma 2: Improving Open Language Models at a Practical Size [pdf]
Total comment counts : 21
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions that the 27B version of LMSys Chatbot Arena is exceptionally strong. It states that its performance surpasses LLama-3-70B and is on par with OpenAI GPT-4 and Claude-3 Sonnet.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The Gemma team is thrilled to announce a new release and is available to answer any questions. The opinions of the team are their own and do not represent Google DeepMind.
10. DoorDash and Pizza Arbitrage (2020)
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
The author of this article shares a story about their friend who owns a pizza restaurant and discovered that an unauthorized delivery option had been added to their Google listing by Doordash. The friend realized that he could take advantage of this by ordering pizzas himself through Doordash at a lower price and making a profit through arbitrage. They placed an order for 10 pizzas and found that they made a $10 profit. The author reflects on the state of the food delivery business and its impact on restaurants, delivery drivers, and customers.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the issue of large pools of capital being used in an inefficient and money-losing business model. It argues that this model is sustained by subsidizing unreasonable customer expectations and exploiting a broken workforce to minimize labor expenses. The author suggests that the capital accumulation contributing to this inequality should be taxed in order to benefit everyone.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article highlights a driver’s argument about how returning a bag would impact their ability to make enough money for rent. It suggests that this situation reveals the true business model of the company Doordash.