1. How to debug your battery design
Total comment counts : 13
Summary
The article discusses the challenges faced by engineers in designing batteries for electric vehicles. It highlights the trade-off between high energy and high power batteries and the various constraints such as safety, lifetime, weight, and cost. The use of simulation is recommended to debug batteries and optimize their performance. The article also mentions the difficulties faced by engineers in testing different battery designs and the cost associated with it. Overall, the article emphasizes the complexities and considerations involved in battery design.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes that conducting one-factor-at-a-time testing is an inefficient approach in experimental design. It suggests that a better method is to use modern experimental design methods such as sequential design and response surface design or GP model surrogate. These methods can optimize the response with fewer runs, potentially in the range of hundreds or thousands. The author recommends reading “Design and Analysis of Experiments” by Douglas C. Montgomery as a textbook on industrial experimentation.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The user found PyBAMM to be a useful tool for battery modeling but has concerns about the number of organizations designing their own cells and the validation of these packages. They also express interest in long-term degradation and wear modeling for secondary cells and ask if there are tutorials or examples available.
2. How did Facebook intercept their competitor’s encrypted mobile app traffic?
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
Facebook is facing a class action lawsuit that alleges the company intercepted encrypted traffic from users’ devices through the Onavo Protect app in order to gain competitive insights. The analysis is based on court documents and reverse engineering of the app. Facebook reportedly used a transparent proxy feature in the Squid caching proxy software called “ssl bump” to intercept specific domains belonging to Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon. It is unclear if other user traffic was intercepted. Facebook’s use of a transparent TLS proxy became less successful over time due to improved security controls in Android. The company also considered using the Accessibility API as an alternative. Facebook planned to rebrand and distribute the technology used in the Onavo Protect app. The app collected usage telemetry from iPhones and more detailed statistics from Android devices. Facebook aimed to intercept encrypted traffic to competitor’s analytics domains to obtain data on in-app actions by getting users to install a custom certificate on their devices. However, Google has made it difficult to install a trusted certificate in most applications on Android. In Android 11, it is not possible to prompt users to install a certificate, making Facebook’s interception technique technically impossible. The legality of Facebook’s actions is in question.
Top 1 Comment Summary
In this article, the author clarifies that Facebook allegedly paid users to participate in “market research” and install a proxy. They point out that the installation doesn’t seem to be a hack and suggests that participants were likely aware that their actions were being monitored. The author also questions whether it can be considered wiretapping if one party breaks encryption using a third-party tool. They further ponder if using a local SSL proxy to decrypt and analyze traffic to a service’s API would also be considered wiretapping.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article criticizes the actions of people at Facebook for openly discussing the use of MITM (man-in-the-middle) and getting other companies to include this kit in their products. The author describes the actions as stupid and arrogant, questioning whether these people have never seen a movie or read news articles about other companies getting caught in similar situations.
3. Small neural network enables realistic rendering of woven fabrics in real-time
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the power of consumer grade cards in 2024, highlighting the achievement of achieving 60fps with a Resnet + 16 layers model. While it is not as advanced as GPT4, it is still a significant accomplishment.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a technique that uses neural networks to encode and decode fabric patterns. The researchers found that fabric patterns are often regular and repetitive, allowing them to leverage this in their approach. The technique involves encoding fabric patterns as a small vector and then decoding it to create realistic fabric representations. The gain in performance is likely due to the ability to compress and decompress the fabric patterns, as well as potential work that can be done in the reduced space.
4. The irrational hungry judge effect revisited (2023)
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The article discusses a study conducted by Danziger, Levav, and Avnaim-Pesso in 2011, which analyzed legal rulings of Israeli parole boards. The study found that the probability of a favorable decision decreased from 65% to almost 0% from the first ruling to the last ruling within each session. However, the rate of favorable rulings returned to 65% in a session following a food break. The authors argue that these findings suggest extraneous factors, possibly mental depletion, influence judicial decisions. A simulation suggests that the observed influence of order can be explained by the length of favorable rulings. The article also highlights that individuals in various contexts are influenced by irrelevant factors in decision-making. It is socially desirable for legal cases to be based solely on the law and relevant facts, but it has been shown that judges exhibit biases similar to other individuals. The prevailing descriptive models in psychology and legal literature recognize that legal decision-making is not purely rational and can be influenced by irrelevant factors. In summary, the article concludes that there is clear evidence that judicial decision-making is influenced by extraneous factors, which is consistent with prevailing theories in law and psychology.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The original studies on decision-making by judges were deemed faulty because they did not consider the order in which the cases were presented. The cases were arranged in such a way that less severe cases were seen first, followed by more severe cases. Critics argue that this order was not random and had an impact on the decisions made. Specifically, cases from one prison were addressed before a break, and then cases from the next prison were taken up. In addition, requests from prisoners without legal representation were typically handled at the end of each session, making them less likely to receive favorable decisions compared to those represented by lawyers. Furthermore, lawyers representing multiple inmates likely had control over the order in which cases were presented, potentially starting with the strongest cases.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article discusses a study that challenges the findings of a previous study regarding the behavior of judges. The original study suggested that judges were more lenient after lunch and harsher right before a break. However, this new study argues that positive rulings actually take longer, and judges tend to handle simpler negative rulings before a break. The research provides a more nuanced understanding of judges’ decision-making process, contradicting the oversimplified interpretation from the original study.
5. Intel N100 Radxa X4 First Thoughts
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The article discusses the Radxa x4 Single Board Computer, which is based on the Intel N100 processor. The author shares their excitement about this SBC, as it offers an x86 processor and allows for the installation of Windows 11 and Debian. They highlight the inclusion of the RP2040 for GPIO header control and discuss the packaging of the Radxa x4. The author talks about their experience with the BIOS and the ability to tweak system settings. They also mention their experience with Debian and Windows 11, noting that while Debian worked well, Windows 11 had issues with network drivers.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article installed the Windows 11 ISO and Debian’s latest ISO with ease, noting that x86 processors have an advantage over ARM in terms of flexibility. The author expresses hope that ARM processors will become more versatile in the future. Additionally, the author finds x86 processors to be affordable, energy-efficient, and powerful, and is looking forward to more devices utilizing them, specifically the N100’s.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article discusses the increased usage of question marks in social media and questions the trend of dismissing them in actual questions. The author expresses concern about the direction this trend is taking.
6. A User’s Guide to Statistical Inference and Regression
Total comment counts : 3
Summary
This article is about a book that aims to teach readers statistics. Statistics is the field that describes how we learn about the world using quantitative data. In the social sciences, statistical methods are increasingly used to provide evidence for conceptual arguments. Understanding statistics is important for conducting quantitative research and making methodological choices. The book focuses on two key goals: understanding ways to assess estimators and applying these ideas to the estimation of regression models. It introduces the basics of statistical inference, including concepts such as bias, sampling variance, consistency, and asymptotic normality. The book also discusses model-based inference and asymptotic analysis. It concludes with a chapter on hypothesis testing. The book aims to provide a high level of mathematical sophistication and correct the lack of relevant texts in other social sciences.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes the importance of quantitative analysis in social data. It explains that while quantitative analysis allows for precise estimates, its true advantage lies in the ability to communicate methodological goals, assumptions, and results clearly. The article criticizes the lack of clarity and assumptions made in the field of “data science” and suggests that understanding the limitations of models is crucial.
7. The Ridgeway: The 5k-year-old pathway that’s Britain’s oldest road
Total comment counts : 6
Summary
The article describes the Ridgeway, an 87-mile prehistoric trackway in southern England. The path is known as Britain’s oldest road and has historical significance, being used by Celtic druids, Saxon kings, and Victorian poets. The Ridgeway offers a tranquil and scenic view, passing through the North Wessex Downs and the Chilterns. The trackway is dotted with landmarks such as the Iron Age hill fort of Barbury Castle and the Uffington White Horse, a giant chalk etching. The article highlights the natural beauty and historical significance of the Ridgeway, making it a popular destination for walkers and nature enthusiasts.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the Ridgeway, a historic route in England. According to the podcast episode by historian Jim Leary, there is no archaeological evidence to support the claim that the Ridgeway was a prehistoric routeway. It is suggested that the perception of it being a long-distance entity may be due to preservation factors in highland areas and ridges. The article also mentions Jim Leary’s book titled “Footmarks: A Journey into our Restless Past.” While the author admits they are not qualified to assess the claim, they find the Ridgeway an interesting place to explore.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the Ordnance Survey route, map, and landmarks along the Ridgeway. It provides detailed information and guidance for those looking to explore this historical trail.
8. Electric Giraffe (2016)
Total comment counts : 6
Summary
This article discusses various topics including the Electric Giraffe, an error message on a laptop, and a project that ended up being showcased at the White House. The author expresses gratitude to those who have contributed to the project. The article also provides a tip for improving graphics on a PC program. The mention of disasters being caused by multiple failures is also made.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article describes the author’s encounter with a homemade giraffe creation in 2016. The giraffe has touch-sensitive cells that react when touched, causing it to make sounds or move its head. The author was impressed by the creator’s technical skills and is curious about what they are currently working on.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article mentions that the videos on the website were not functioning properly on mobile devices. The user found a YouTube video that shows footage of an electric giraffe and includes an explanation from the creator. A link to the YouTube video is provided.
9. Plan 9 is a uniquely complete operating system
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the importance of default software in an operating system and how it contributes to the overall user experience. It highlights the flexibility of Linux distributions and the various options available, as well as the inclusion of additional software in BSD systems. The article mentions the benefits and challenges of having shared code between systems. It then focuses on Plan 9, an operating system that includes all the necessary software in its base install, making it a comprehensive and unique system. The article acknowledges both the advantages and disadvantages of this approach. It emphasizes that Plan 9 serves as an excellent learning resource and encourages readers to try it out.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article explains how the Plan 9 filesystem is used as a network interface to allow cross-platform access between Windows and Windows Subsystem for Linux. The article discusses the decision to use Plan 9 instead of Samba or SMB due to simplicity of implementation and licensing issues. The integration involves the use of MUP and a Plan 9 server in Linux communicating with the Windows client via a Unix socket. Windows can access Linux files even without a running Linux instance, thanks to a new Windows service called LXSManagerUser that manages user identity and permissions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author discusses their experience with Plan9, a operating system that they revisit every summer. They find it both impressive and impractical due to its lack of integration with modern systems. The author also mentions considering using Plan9 for a writing “appliance” but faced difficulties syncing data. They express an idea to rewrite rio, the window manager, to resemble Mac OS 7. The author provides a list of resources for Plan9 and invites readers to comment if anything is missing.
10. StreamPot: Run FFmpeg as an API with fluent-FFmpeg compatibility, queues and S3
Total comment counts : 4
Summary
The article is about StreamPot, a project that provides tools for transforming media in applications. It offers features such as trimming videos, extracting audio, and converting video formats. StreamPot is still in the early stages of development and welcomes user feedback. It can be used either as a self-hosted solution or through the hosted version. The project relies heavily on the work of ffmpeg and fluent-ffmpeg teams. Users interested in using StreamPot can reach out to the project’s creator for assistance and improvement suggestions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article is asking for a fully functional version of ffmpeg to be brought to Android via F-Droid. They mention that previous versions, such as the one compiled against “/storage/emulated/0/”, are not suitable for their needs. The author states that many users rely on multiple profiles and do not run anything in the primary profile. They are not aware of any available options that meet their requirements. Additionally, the author mentions a bonus if Termux can be fixed for secondary Android profiles.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the inconvenience of polling for job status, particularly when utilizing an asynchronous JavaScript (JS) API. It suggests that if polling is necessary, there should be a convenient method to await the job status. Additionally, it proposes the inclusion of signaling in the HTTP API through eventsource or a similar mechanism.