1. Removing stuff is never obvious yet often better

Total comment counts : 45

Summary

The article discusses the author’s experience with removing a calculator feature on a pricing page and the positive outcomes that resulted. The calculator was causing confusion for potential users and deterring them from signing up. Despite initial resistance from the team, the author decided to remove the calculator and conducted an A/B test to measure the impact. The test revealed that removing the calculator led to a 16% increase in sign-ups and a 90% increase in user contact. The article highlights the importance of simplifying products and processes by removing non-essential elements and acknowledges the challenges and potential backlash that can arise. Ultimately, the author encourages readers to consider removing chunks of complexity from their own projects and processes.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The article discusses the use of A/B testing to evaluate the effectiveness of certain features or changes. The author expresses skepticism about the validity of the tests mentioned, specifically regarding a calculator and the removal of information from search result snippets. The author argues that while these changes may increase sign-ups and click-through rates, they may not necessarily lead to better user outcomes in the long run. The author suggests that short-term A/B tests may not provide conclusive evidence about the true impact of these changes.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article discusses the concept of removing unnecessary code or data in software development projects. The author shares their experience of having metadata columns removed from an SQL schema, only to need them later on for a feature. The author suggests that it is important to consider the potential value that could be gained from keeping certain elements, rather than just focusing on what could be lost. The article concludes by stating that while the evidence of removing something may be clear in some cases, it is not always so clear-cut.

2. Avante.nvim: Use Your Neovim Like Using Cursor AI IDE

Total comment counts : 20

Summary

The article discusses avante.nvim, a Neovim plugin designed to provide users with AI-driven code suggestions and the ability to apply these recommendations to their source files. The plugin is currently undergoing rapid iterations and supports basic functionalities. It is recommended to use specific Neovim options and set environment variables for consistency. The article also mentions key bindings, contributions, and the licensing details of avante.nvim.

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The author expresses their appreciation for Cursor, but believes that a better open-source alternative will surpass it in the near future. Cursor is a fork of VSCode with AI features, which are essentially embedded extensions. While the product is good, users may prefer the flexibility of selecting their own model providers and using their own encryption.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article mentions an open-source and Rust-based text editor called Zed. It highlights some of its features, such as AI-edit capabilities and the ability to use your own model. The author also expresses interest in trying Cody, but states that Zed and Cursor are at the top of their list to explore further.

3. Fixing a bug in Google Chrome as a first-time contributor

Total comment counts : 22

Summary

The author discusses their experience fixing a bug in the Chromium/Google Chrome web browser. The bug was related to the integration between Devtools and network requests made by worklets running off the main thread. They found three error reports with the same underlying cause and created a minimal repro to troubleshoot the issue. The first step in fixing the bug was building Chromium from scratch, which had steep system requirements. The author had difficulty using VS Code’s C++ extension with the project due to the huge codebase size. They then started debugging by tracing the network request for the worklet script. The article provides insights into the process of fixing a bug in an open-source project like Chromium.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The article discusses the daunting nature of working with the Chromium code base. The author mentions using Sublime Text for working with the code, but also mentions that other tools like VS Code offer more intelligence, such as the ability to navigate to function definitions. The article then suggests a resource for those interested in creating their own Chromium-based browser, providing a link to an article that gives an overview of maintaining a Chromium fork.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The author of the article mentions that they had difficulty using VS Code’s C++ extension with a large codebase project. Features like go-to definition and find references did not work well or at all, and one CPU core remained at 100% usage while the project was open. They suggest using the Chromium Code Search tool, which integrates with extensions, as a helpful solution.

4. Pi Pico 2 Extreme Teardown

Total comment counts : 6

Summary

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Top 1 Comment Summary

The article discusses the power supply on a USB interface, specifically on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2. The power supply is provided by a buck-boost from Richtek, allowing the assembly to be powered from a voltage as low as 1.8V, which could be useful for battery-powered applications. The article also mentions sample schematics for different use cases, including connecting an external power source to the VSYS pin through a Schottky diode, using a MOSFET with the gate connected to VBUS, and incorporating a battery charger between the power source and the MOSFET. The article concludes by mentioning that if the Pico is used as a USB host, 5V should be supplied to the VBUS pin to power both the Pico and the attached device.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The provided link leads to a video teardown of an unknown device.

5. Australian employees now have the right to ignore work emails, calls after hours

Total comment counts : 49

Summary

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Top 1 Comment Summary

The article discusses an experience the author had attending manager-only meetings and trainings. During one of these meetings, a manager made a comment suggesting that they could take advantage of employees in the tech sector due to the difficult job market. This statement was particularly concerning considering that many employees at the company were on work visas and losing their jobs could lead to deportation. The author realized that they did not possess the unethical mindset required to be a manager like that and began researching their legal protections. While not all managers think this way, the author believes that legal protections are necessary due to the existence of such individuals.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The Swiss have implemented a system where contacting an employee on a Sunday results in weekend-rate overtime, even if the communication is just to be dealt with the following week. To address this issue, many companies have systems in place that delay email delivery sent outside of working hours unless authorized and costed. This approach is seen as an economics-based solution to legal problems, often referred to as “if you want to ban it, tax it.”

6. Linux Pipes Are Slow

Total comment counts : 24

Summary

The author of the article conducted an experiment to understand why Linux pipes are slower than expected when not using a specific system call called “vmsplice”. They wanted to improve the performance of their program for encoding/decoding Morse code, so they examined the difference in performance between solutions that use vmsplice and those that do not. The author speculated that vmsplice allows for faster data transfer by avoiding unnecessary copying to and from kernel space. They measured the throughput of different solutions and found that writing directly to a buffer was significantly faster than writing to a pipe. They then profiled their program and discovered that the system call used for writing to the pipe was the bottleneck. The article concludes with the implication that vectorization is crucial for achieving high throughput and further investigation is needed to understand why writing to a pipe is slower than writing to a buffer.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The article discusses the reason behind the use of JMP instead of RET in a specific context. This is caused by the CONFIG_RETHUNK option, and the article provides a link to the source code for further reference. It also mentions the use of NOP instructions at the beginning and end of the function to allow ftrace to insert tracing instructions when needed. These NOP instructions are related to the ASM_CLAC and ASM_STAC macros, which make space for specific instructions to be filled in at runtime based on certain conditions. The article provides links to the relevant source code files for more details.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article discusses a side project aimed at creating a system call that allows for accessing a ring buffer for any supported file descriptor, including pipes. The purpose of this syscall is to enable zero-copy IO without needing to call into the kernel. The author is seeking collaborators for this project.

7. Olivetti Programma 101: At the Origins of the Personal Computer

Total comment counts : 17

Summary

The article discusses the Olivetti Programma 101, a revolutionary computer developed by the Italian company Olivetti in the 1960s. Olivetti, known for its typewriters, ventured into the field of electronic calculators and computers under the direction of Adriano Olivetti and his son Roberto. The Programma 101 was a compact “desktop” computer designed to be a personal object that could be used by individuals at their desks. This was a radical departure from the massive mainframe computers of the time. The computer was developed by a team of engineers led by Pier Giorgio Perotto. Initially, the machine was classified as a calculator to circumvent a deal with General Electric that had acquired Olivetti’s electronics division. The Programma 101 had limited capabilities compared to modern computers but could perform arithmetic calculations and logical operations. It used a small paper tape printer for visualization and a programmable magnetic card reader/recorder for memory. The computer’s electronics were based on transistors and other components, rather than integrated circuits. Overall, the Programma 101 can be seen as a transitional device between calculators and personal computers.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The article highlights some iconic products by Olivetti, a company known for its technological and design innovations. The author mentions two favorites, namely the Divisumma calculator and the Valentine typewriter. These products are praised for their aesthetic appeal.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article discusses two different computer models: Olivetti PCs from the late 80s to 90s and the IBM PS/2 Model 30. The author describes the Olivetti PCs as beautifully designed, although not as stunning as SGI or Sun computers. They specifically mention that they like the “grate” design. The IBM PS/2 Model 30 is also mentioned as being quite beautiful. The article provides two links for more information and images of the computers.

8. Degas: Detailed Expressions on Full-Body Gaussian Avatars

Total comment counts : 9

Summary

The article discusses the creation of the DREAMS Avatar Dataset, which includes multi-view captures of 6 subjects. The dataset includes standard body motions with required facial expressions, as well as a freestyle sequence. The authors are affiliated with the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (Guangzhou), Prometheus Vision Technology Co., Ltd., the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, and Swinburne University of Technology.

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The article discusses the technology behind deepfakes and the key problems that still need to be solved before its widespread application. Specifically, it addresses questions about the amount of data required to create a deepfake, the need for specific lighting and poses, and the possibility of using online videos or recording the target with a phone. It also explores whether a deepfake model can be used in real-time and the computational power needed, ranging from a small laptop to a state-sponsored infrastructure. The article concludes by highlighting the potential of this technology to impersonate individuals effectively.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article discusses the excitement surrounding a new project for SFM-style content creation. Although there are concerns about deepfake implications, the author is eager to try it and considers bookmarking the project.

9. Peng – A minimal Rust-based quadrotor simulation pipeline

Total comment counts : 6

Summary

The article discusses a minimal quadrotor simulation pipeline called Peng, which is written in Rust and can be used on Mac, Linux, and Windows. It includes a simulator, controller, and planner, providing a framework for simulating quadrotor dynamics and control. The pipeline simulates realistic quadrotor dynamics, allows for updating dynamics with control inputs, and simulates IMU readings and depth map rendering. It also handles both position and attitude control and includes multiple planners for simulating moving obstacles in the environment. The pipeline logs comprehensive simulation data and visualizes the simulation using the rerun library. Peng is open source and permissively licensed. The name Peng is chosen because it represents a giant bird in Chinese mythology that can transform to suit different needs.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The article explains that “Peng” refers to a giant bird in Chinese mythology, which transforms from a giant fish known as “Kun.” Additionally, it mentions that in British slang, the word “bird” is used to refer to a woman, and “peng” is used to describe someone who is attractive.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The article recommends checking out “https://github.com/peterkrull/quad" for quadrotor firmware and low-level implementation.

10. Stripe Data vs. Open‐Source Alternatives: A MRR Example

Total comment counts : 18

Summary

The founder of Cal.com criticized Stripe for the difficulty of calculating monthly recurring revenue (MRR) using Stripe’s API. While Stripe’s embedded dashboard is helpful for seed-stage startups, it becomes insufficient as companies grow and desire more data analysis capabilities. Stripe lacks an API route equivalent to /getMRR, making it tough to obtain statistics into one’s own warehouse or database. Stripe offers add-ons like Stripe Sigma and Stripe Data Pipeline, but they come at an additional cost per transaction. The fees may not be significant for larger companies, but for those with numerous smaller transactions, such charges can accumulate. Despite its limitations, Stripe Sigma can be used to calculate MRR to some extent. However, both Stripe Sigma and Stripe Data Pipeline are expensive when considering the base fee and transaction-based fees. Stripe’s usage-based billing model makes it challenging to track usage-based metrics, unlike other SaaS applications that utilize seat-based metrics. Overall, Stripe’s approach to data access and pricing has drawn criticism.

Top 1 Comment Summary

The author of the article expresses surprise at the existence of issues related to data storage. They typically store raw data in their own database for various types of events, making it easy to access the data for different purposes without much extra work. The author suggests that the issues they are encountering may be a result of the rise of low- or no-code development tools.

Top 2 Comment Summary

The author of the article expresses dissatisfaction with Stripe’s pricing and taxation policies. They state that Stripe charges taxes on all transactions and also charges additional fees for generating invoices. The author also mentions that the charges for recurring billing have increased without any explanation.