1. Reverse-engineering my speakers’ API to get reasonable volume control
Total comment counts : 31
Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with new powered speakers that have built-in streaming service integrations. The speakers are louder than necessary, making it challenging to make small volume adjustments within safe levels for the apartment. To solve this issue, the author plans to build a custom volume knob that provides more precise control within their preferred listening range. The author explores the speakers’ web interface and discovers a straightforward HTTP API that allows them to adjust the volume. They also attempt to change the maximum volume setting but encounter difficulties. As a temporary solution, the author creates a web page with a slider for volume control. They encounter CORS issues when sending requests to the speakers and ultimately build a small web server using Bun to forward requests. The author expresses a desire for a physical volume knob that can be conveniently placed in their apartment.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions an open-source project for building a smart knob with haptic feedback. It provides a link to the project on GitHub and a video demonstration on YouTube.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that if someone is thinking about buying speakers, they should opt for passive ones with a separate amplifier. The author believes that the market for active speakers is well-established, and buying them would contribute to electronic waste. They recommend getting reliable speakers for around $300 and a budget-friendly amplifier with Bluetooth for $50-100. These components can be replaced separately based on individual needs.
2. The Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
The article is about the Linux Kernel Module Programming Guide. The guide is distributed under the terms of the Open Software License, and it can be reproduced and modified freely. It encourages wide distribution and usage. Several individuals have contributed to updating the guide for different versions of Linux. The guide provides information on developing Linux kernel modules, which are code segments that can be dynamically loaded and unloaded within the kernel. These modules enhance kernel capabilities without requiring a system reboot. The article also provides information on commands for managing modules in Linux distributions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article suggests that using QEMU is a beneficial method for experimenting with kernel hacking. It also proposes that updates should be made to the Linux Device Driver (LDD) and Linux kernel books, and suggests that the Linux Foundation should support such efforts since technical books in this field are challenging to make profitable.
Top 2 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but without the actual text of the article, I am unable to summarize it. Can you please provide the content of the article?
3. Paper cuttings made by 17th-century schoolgirls discovered beneath floorboards
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the discovery of 17th-century paper cuttings that were created by girls attending a London boarding school. These fragile cutouts, including designs of a fox, star, and hen, were found beneath the floorboards of Sutton House during renovations in the 1980s. Only a few examples of this art form have survived, making the discovery significant. The paper cuttings will be publicly displayed at Sutton House for the first time. The girls’ school, founded in 1657, provided lessons in various crafts, including paper cutting. It is believed that Hannah Woolley, a 17th-century author, may have taught the girls this skill. The cuttings, each unique and featuring personal touches, give insight into the lives of the girls who made them.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the discovery of an 1896 Harper’s School Geography textbook, which was found in an antique shop. The book contains handwritten notes, including the original pupil’s name and signature from 1897. Despite the deteriorated cover, the interior pages are in excellent condition. The author expresses admiration for the accuracy of the maps, the quality of the illustrations and prints, and the book’s overall durability. They also highlight the timeless nature of education, noting how little has changed over the past 300 years.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author’s mother used to live in an old house that has now been converted into a museum. The museum displays many artifacts from the 1800s, but the author knows that some of these items are actually just toys that their uncles made. The author finds it amusing to see their uncles’ toys displayed as historical artifacts and wonders if there is any way to verify the authenticity of such finds.
4. Windows recovery environment and bootable USB creator in 200kb
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The article discusses the Windows Deployment Image Customization Kit, which is a tool used for customizing and deploying Windows images. The tool includes a native command shell and is designed to take user feedback into consideration. The article mentions that more information about the tool can be found in the documentation.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses the admiration for the dedication shown in creating a large batch file. The author acknowledges the unfamiliar syntax and the use of pseudo-function-calling features. They also find the feature names “Windows To Go” and “Windows To Stay” amusing.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article does not specify a license.
5. In the Beginning Was the Command Line (1999)
Total comment counts : 31
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article by Neal Stephenson, published in 1999, explores the analogy of operating systems (OS) as cars. In the recent Acquired episode on Microsoft, the analogy is mentioned again with Windows as a station wagon, Linux as a tank, Vista as a Dodge Viper, and Windows 7 as a Toyota Camry, which aligns more with users’ preferences.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the advantages of using the Command Line Interface (CLI) for communicating instructions or fixes. It explains that CLI commands are concise and easy to send to someone to copy/paste into a terminal, especially for fixing issues on a Linux system. However, the article highlights the challenge of communicating fixes for graphical programs, as it is more difficult to convey instructions visually. It raises questions about whether to use textual instructions or a combination of screenshots and text to communicate graphical program fixes.
6. Mastering Ruby Code Navigation: Ruby LSP Enhancements in the First Half of 2024
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The article discusses the enhancements made to code navigation in Ruby LSP (Language Server Protocol) in the first half of 2024. The major code navigation features include hover, go-to-definition, completion, and signature help. The improvements made include better support for singleton methods, completion support for local variables, and the ability to locate method, variable, and constant definitions through the inheritance hierarchy. The article also mentions limitations, such as the lack of documentation support for literals, but promises future enhancements. For Rails developers, there are navigation improvements for ActiveRecord callbacks, associated models, controllers, route definitions, and views. The article concludes by mentioning experimental features in progress, such as the ancestors hierarchy request feature.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article states that while Ruby has its merits, its metaprogramming capabilities have hindered its progress compared to modern language ecosystems. The ability to quickly navigate to source definitions, although sometimes functional, is seen as a reflection of the language’s nature. The article acknowledges that dynamic freedom can be advantageous but also comes with significant drawbacks.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article created their own Ruby Language Server Protocol (LSP) to address the issues they experienced with grepping in large Ruby code and the limitations of existing gems. They share a link to the repository for their Ruby LSP and state that it is stable and preferable to Shopify’s LSP. However, they mention that they are no longer actively working on it or accepting issues as they do not work in Ruby often.
7. Bril: An Intermediate Language for Teaching Compilers
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
The article discusses the creation and use of Bril, the Big Red Intermediate Language, as a tool for teaching compilers. The author wanted a hands-on approach where students could implement algorithms and encounter bugs with real programs. Bril is designed to prioritize teaching goals over code size, compiler speed, and performance. It is an instruction-based, assembly-like, typed, and ANF language. Bril programs are JSON documents, but there is also a text form for convenience. The language has certain design decisions that reflect its focus on education, such as including a print opcode and enforcing A-normal form for constants. Bril is extensible, allowing for the addition of new opcodes and data types. It does not require SSA (Static Single Assignment) and instead uses mutable variables, which simplifies teaching but has caused difficulties with undefinedness and correctness.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article suggests that Bril’s SSA form needs to be reworked, possibly by extending the language similar to MLIR’s basic block arguments. The author mentions that Swift is credited for this idea, but the earliest example of phis as continuation arguments is found in MLton. The author expresses curiosity about the origin of this idea and states that standard phis are difficult to work with.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article discusses the concept of ANF (Administrative Normal Form) in the context of programming languages. ANF is a property of operands being atomic, which is common in many intermediate representations (IRs). However, the author argues that simply having atomic operands is not enough to label a language as “an ANF language.” The original ANF allows anonymous functions as arguments, but a variant without this feature is more commonly referred to. The author also explains that ANF is closely associated with functional compiler space and is often used in tree-like structures with nested functions and join points. The article emphasizes the need for precise definitions and properties of IRs to differentiate them, rather than assuming that everyone understands the term “an ANF language”.
8. Europe is in danger of regulating its tech market out of existence
Total comment counts : 78
Summary
The article discusses how European regulations, such as the EU’s Digital Markets Act (DMA), are causing tech companies like Apple to withhold certain products and features from European users. The author argues that these regulations are leading to anti-competitive behavior and pushing tech companies towards “exit” rather than trying to negotiate or comply with the regulations. The article mentions other examples of tech companies blocking features or services in specific countries due to regulatory concerns. The author suggests that Europe’s regulatory approach could lead to a fragmented tech landscape where international tech giants choose to withdraw from the European market.
Top 1 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but I’m not able to access or summarize specific articles using URL links. If you can provide the text of the article or a brief summary of its content, I would be happy to help summarize it for you.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the regulatory challenges faced by companies in the telecommunications industry, highlighting the reasons behind these regulations. It mentions that companies in this industry have to navigate through a complex web of legal requirements due to past attempts at monopolization and instances of harm caused by some companies. While large tech companies haven’t directly caused harm like tobacco or talc powder, they are consistently trying to squash competition and collect personal data for profit. The article also suggests that these companies take advantage of the relatively lax regulatory environment compared to physical stores or pre-existing industries.
9. The New Internet
Total comment counts : 36
Summary
The CEO and co-founder of Tailscale, Avery Pennarun, discusses the big vision for the company and how it has evolved since its founding. He reflects on the changes in the tech industry since the 1990s and highlights both the improvements and the increasing complexity. Pennarun argues that programmers focus too much on scalability without considering the potential inefficiencies and difficulties that come with it. He suggests that there is a need to reevaluate the approach to software development and prioritize simplicity and efficiency.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the issue of companies like Tailscale, Cloudflare, and Google solving problems with the modern internet that should have been designed to solve themselves. It argues that these companies have a vested interest in keeping the problem alive because it is essential for their business. The internet needs a solution like IPv6 with automatic encryption via IPsec and PKI provided by DNSSEC, but companies like Tailscale have incentives to prevent widespread and compatible implementation of such solutions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses concerns about centralized control and rent-seeking behaviors. It briefly touches on the debate about the relevance of client-server computing and its relationship to rent-seeking. Ultimately, the article concludes that there will be a division between those who have access to certain technologies and those who do not. It compares this to past advancements, such as the availability of mainframes and the internet, and suggests that in the future, access to technologies like Tailscale will determine one’s ability to use certain applications.
10. Introduction to Machine Learning Interviews Book
Total comment counts : 4
Summary
This article introduces a book that provides guidance and information on machine learning interviews. The author, who has personal experience as a candidate, interviewer, friend, and teacher in the field, compiled the collective wisdom of many individuals to create this resource. The book is divided into two parts. The first part covers an overview of the interview process, the types of machine learning roles available, the required skills, common interview questions, and preparation tips. The second part contains over 200 knowledge questions of varying difficulty levels to test understanding of important concepts and misconceptions in machine learning. The article also mentions a set of open-ended questions for practical problem-solving skills and recommends a course on machine learning systems design. The book is not intended as a replacement for textbooks or a shortcut for interview success, but rather as a tool to consolidate existing knowledge and identify areas for improvement.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the “Deep learning interviews” book, which the author finds to be more engaging and valuable in terms of time. They mention that they briefly browsed through sections related to computer vision (CV) and found the questions to be relatively easy for real machine learning (ML) interviews or whiteboarding sessions. The author suggests that individuals who have taken introductory ML courses like Andrew Ng’s CS229 or CS230 may find these question banks obvious and easy to solve.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the question many people have about the potential earnings after retraining with a particular guide. It highlights the importance of considering both the skills employers are looking for and the monetary compensation when discussing job prospects.