1. Show HN: Free e-book about WebGPU Programming
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
The article introduces the concept of WebGPU, a new graphics API that aims to bring native graphics capabilities to the web. Unlike other APIs, WebGPU is essentially a wrapper for existing APIs like Vulkan, Metal, and DirectX 12, making it simpler and more widely available. The article discusses the benefits of learning WebGPU, such as its common denominator status, availability on all platforms, and the possibility of GPU computing on the web. The article also outlines the content of the accompanying book, which covers topics like GPU drivers, basic graphics concepts, 2D and 3D rendering techniques, and advanced rendering techniques. The book is presented in an interactive web format, featuring videos, code samples, and an online playground for running demos and modifying code. Reader feedback is also encouraged through GitHub discussions and issues.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article expresses their delight in seeing progress in the WebGPU project. They have been working on a project related to WebGPU and have found it challenging to find clear and concise information about various aspects of the project. While the basic aspects of the WGSL language and JavaScript API are well-documented, finding answers to more specific questions often requires extensive research and seeking advice from individuals with expertise in GPU programming.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author mentions that they haven’t had time to explore all the demos mentioned in the article, but find the material delightful. They also mention going on a bug-filing spree for Firefox, with a few issues that need to be resolved before all the mentioned playgrounds can work properly. They provide a link for more information on the bugs.
2. Building Lego Machines to Destroy Tall Lego Towers
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses a video by Brick Technology that showcases powerful Lego machines designed to topple towers. The author expresses their admiration for the iterative engineering videos and highlights the science and engineering aspects behind them. They mention that these concepts are relevant to various creative endeavors and express their desire to experiment with Technic and Mindstorms sets themselves. The article also includes prompts for readers to sign up as members or renew their membership on the kottke.org website.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions various YouTube channels that focus on pushing the limits of LEGO Technic. These channels include Brick Technology, Brick Experiment Channel, Dr. Engine, Brick Machines, Jamie’s Brick Jams, Build it with Bricks, and GazR’s Extreme Brick Machines.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article talks about blog spam that includes a link to a video on YouTube.
3. How Postgres stores data on disk – this one’s a page turner
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The author begins by sharing their initial confusion about the importance of databases in server-side applications. They describe databases as “magic” and emphasize the role of SQL in harnessing that magic. They acknowledge that databases can be complex, but highlight that exploring the inner workings of database engines can reveal powerful abstractions. The focus then shifts to discussing PostgreSQL and how it stores data on disk. The author guides readers on a journey through the file structure of a PostgreSQL installation, explaining the purpose of different files and folders. They mention the creation of three preset databases when starting a new PostgreSQL server. The author then demonstrates how to create a new database and import data into it. Overall, the article acts as an introductory exploration of database storage, using PostgreSQL as the example.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article explains that the random bytes, such as 0x25 or 0x07, followed by column data in a database are related to the TOAST (The Oversized Attribute Storage Technique) feature. The low order bits of the byte determine whether the value is stored inline, in the TOAST table, or if it is a short string. The byte 0x25, for example, indicates a short string with a length of 18, followed by the value “Equatorial Guinea.” The article also mentions that the endianness (byte order) of the platform affects how the bytes are interpreted.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article provides a link to Jeremy Cole’s blog series, where he delves into extensive detail on InnoDB, the default engine of MySQL, for those interested in comparing it with the subject matter. The link to the blog series can be found at [0].
4. Jailbroke my Kindle to use it as an e-ink monitor
Total comment counts : 27
Summary
The article discusses a method to hack a Kindle device to draw images on the screen at a rate of 3.5 frames per second. The author explains that they used a Go program to receive files and invoke Kindle’s built-in utility to draw images on the screen. They also used a script to capture the screen, convert it into a format suitable for the Kindle, and transfer it to the device. The author acknowledges that there is room for improvement in terms of performance and usability. They suggest that it is possible to further optimize the process using existing tools without reinventing codecs or protocols. The article provides links to relevant resources and threads for more information on the topic.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article suggests that it would be more engaging if the author shared information about how something is done on a platform other than one designed for short content.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a project in which an old Kindle device is modified to display HDMI video. The author shares their similar project in which they made an “OK Monitor.” The article provides links to both projects.
5. Starting Hospice
Total comment counts : 36
Summary
The author of the article is entering hospice care due to the growth of squamous cell carcinoma tumors. They have undergone radiation treatment but it has negatively impacted their quality of life. The author and their partner have been unsuccessful in finding another clinical trial and have decided to withdraw from a potential trial in Dallas. The author’s physical condition is poor, with constant coughing, pain, and numbness in the jaw area. They have chosen hospice care to receive support, as their partner feels overwhelmed. The author acknowledges the limitations of their cognitive abilities at the end of life and expresses gratitude for the support they have received. Their partner plans to complete the author’s memoir and publish it. They also mention supporting their soon-to-be-born daughter, Athena, and suggest donating to the Arc Institute or UCSD’s Moores Cancer Center for research. The author hopes for a better future and encourages donations in memory of someone who has passed.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses gratitude to Hacker News for providing interesting articles and links, but states that they have to say goodbye. They are with their wife and brother, and although they are crying, they believe it is okay. They mention a quote from “Lord of the Rings” where Gandalf tells the hobbits not to weep because not all tears are an evil. The author acknowledges that ending prematurely is painful, but recognizes that all things must come to an end, and their time to end has come.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is a quote from Fernando Pessoa’s “The Book of Disquiet,” in which the author reflects on life as a roadside inn filled with uncertainty. He compares the inn to a prison, but also as a place to meet others. Rather than being impatient or common, Pessoa prefers to sit at the door, observing and enjoying the scenery while composing songs for himself. He accepts the inevitability of nightfall and the arrival of the coach, and no longer questions or seeks for more. He hopes that his writings will entertain future readers on their own journeys, but is also fine if they do not.
6. How I Program in 2024
Total comment counts : 39
Summary
The author reflects on their experiences in building software infrastructure over the years. They discuss their initial focus on tests and version control, but gradually moved away from them in favor of a more intuitive approach. The author highlights the difficulty of building durable software and emphasizes the importance of focusing on what one knows well and limiting dependencies. They argue that the software industry is too focused on short-term goals and not enough on long-term sustainability. The author also mentions the importance of using appropriate tools in unfamiliar situations but warns against over-reliance on them, as it can lead to unnecessary complexity and technical debt. Finally, they suggest that sometimes it is valuable to discard and rewrite a program when the understanding of the context becomes clearer.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes the importance of having tests in order to identify and fix bugs. The author shares their personal experience of always finding bugs when testing, even on things they thought were ready to ship. Removing tests only deceives oneself. The article also mentions the challenge of managing variation and configuration, which can lead to burnout. However, it highlights the necessity of user volume for financial success and acknowledges the difficulty of finding one-size-fits-all solutions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes the importance of using source code control in programming, particularly in 2024. The author suggests that even for individual projects, having the ability to work on multiple machines, view history, rollback, branch, and more is highly beneficial and inexpensive. The author expresses confusion about the term “versions” used by the author in question.
7. Age is a simple, modern and secure file encryption tool, format, and Go library
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
The article discusses the features and usage of “age,” a simple, modern, and secure file encryption tool. It emphasizes that age has small explicit keys, no configuration options, and UNIX-style composability. The format specification and information on alternative implementations and plugins, such as age-plugin-yubikey for YubiKeys, are provided. The author encourages users to download pre-built binaries and check their Sigsum proofs for transparency. The article also mentions various encryption options, including encrypting files to multiple recipients, using passphrases, and encrypting to SSH public keys. Finally, it highlights age’s convenience features and reminds users to consider the security of SSH keys when encrypting files.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author suggests that it would be beneficial if Age or a similar tool could become standard on Unix machines for encryption purposes, as it aligns more with the Unix philosophy. However, they note that the introduction of new standard tools for Unix machines is not very common. The closest recent example they can think of is jq, which is not preinstalled on machines but may be expected to be available by certain scripts.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article is a collection of previous discussions and related resources regarding the project called “age.” It provides links to various discussions on the Hacker News platform and lists several projects, specifications, libraries, and implementations related to age. Some of the resources mentioned include a list of age ecosystem projects, the format specification, the Go library documentation, a CLI man page, a large reusable test suite, an interoperable Rust implementation, an official TypeScript implementation, a YubiKey plugin, a plugin protocol specification, a Windows GUI, discussions on authentication properties and the plugin architecture of age, and a potential post-quantum plugin.
8. Puget Systems’ Perspective on Intel CPU Instability Issues
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
This article discusses the instability issues with Intel Core 13th and 14th Gen desktop processors. The problems gained attention over the past few months, with reports of physical degradation and high failure rates. Intel released a statement acknowledging the issue and promising a microcode patch in mid-August. Puget Systems, a computer manufacturer, has also experienced the problem but at a more muted rate. They attribute their lower failure rate to their commitment to following Intel specifications and conducting thorough testing. The article includes charts showing the failure rates of different processor generations.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article questions the belief in the low failure rate of CPU’s, emphasizing that the reported 2-4% failure rate only includes detected and known failures. It suggests that there may be additional random failures that are challenging to reproduce or may go unnoticed. The author wonders if they have been living in a misconception where CPU’s always perform as expected, attributing errors to user mistakes.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article suggests that the blame for high failure rates in mainboards lies partially on the manufacturers and their stock overclocking practices. It also notes that even cloud gaming providers using server boards experience similar failure rates, despite using more conservative settings.
9. Qub – a framework for building websites with QBasic
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
The article introduces Qub, a CLI and web framework for building websites with QBasic. Qub is pronounced “cube” and is a more modern variant of QBasic. The article provides instructions on how to set up and run Qub locally. It also mentions that Qub has only been tested on macOS and Linux but may potentially work on Windows. The article explains how to create a website using Qub and provides information on the folder structure and features of the Qub web server. It recommends using CloudFlare for production deployments and mentions that HTTPS and HTTP2 are not supported. The article also mentions the ability to customize the 404 page and expresses the author’s nostalgia for QBasic and their intention to build more QBasic-powered server capabilities.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author created a project and shared it on a platform called HN. They mention that aliasing the CLI command to a remote script is not the best practice. The author explains that they chose this solution because it was the easiest way to make it work on someone’s computer with minimal dependencies. They compare it to how Homebrew is installed but acknowledge that people might not trust a random GitHub account. The author invites readers to ask any questions and mentions that their website runs on the project.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares their experience working on a website backend that used Visual Basic 6 to generate dynamic webpages. Despite the project being in this century, it was not a small internal product and was eventually migrated to .NET. The author recalls struggling to debug questionnaire functionality implemented in VB6, which possibly explains why it hadn’t been ported to .NET yet. They acknowledge that PHP from the same time period may have presented similar challenges.
10. Writing a system call tracer using eBPF
Total comment counts : 2
Summary
The article discusses eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter), a technology that allows users to run custom programs within the kernel. It explains how eBPF programs offer enhanced safety and portability compared to kernel modules and mentions various high-level methods for working with eBPF programs. The article then focuses on developing a tool similar to strace using eBPF, starting with key concepts like tracepoints and the SEC macro. It describes the process of tracing system calls by writing eBPF programs triggered by tracepoints. It also covers the use of eBPF maps to share information between user-space and eBPF programs. The article concludes by discussing the functionality of the parent process in the loader program and provides references for further information.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of eBPF (extended Berkeley Packet Filter) in tracing system calls. While the tracepoint machinery and perf_event_open are already capable of recording process IDs and registers at syscall entry/exit, eBPF offers the ability to capture more complex system call arguments. For example, it allows tracing tools to follow pointers and report the values they point to, which is useful for a full strace replacement without using ptrace. Currently, there is ongoing work to add this capability to the perf trace tool.