1. Nextcloud: Open-Source Cloud Apps
Total comment counts : 29
Summary
Nextcloud Hub 9 has been launched, enhancing remote collaboration through a unified platform that integrates four key products: Files, Talk, Groupware, and Office. It offers features like self-hosted file storage, private audio/video conferencing, productivity tools, and an online office suite. A new AI assistant enhances functionality by generating content and summarizing data. Nextcloud is a leading open-source platform with over 400,000 deployments, designed for privacy and security, allowing users to manage their data effortlessly while ensuring compliance with regulations like HIPAA and GDPR. Nextcloud emphasizes productivity, continuous development, and provides enterprise support, making it a favored choice for organizations moving toward self-hosted cloud solutions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article expresses strong dissatisfaction with Nextcloud, criticizing its all-encompassing approach which leads to subpar performance compared to specialized applications. It highlights confusion around technical issues, particularly regarding obtaining the real IP of users, which sparked a lengthy, unclear discussion in the community. Additionally, the author had a negative experience during an upgrade attempt, resulting in a destroyed database, emphasizing the need for backups. Overall, the piece portrays Nextcloud as a frustrating and unreliable solution.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author initially used Nextcloud as a backup to avoid lockout from Google and found it to be a fast and private solution, suitable for everyday use. They appreciate its mature clients across major platforms and consider it a viable alternative to Google Docs Editors, especially for non-collaborative tasks. The author prefers self-hosting for most applications but opts to pay for Hetzner Storage Share for reliable file storage. Additionally, Nextcloud offers a Simple Signup program, allowing new users to easily register for a free plan with participating providers, which offer at least 2GB of storage.
2. They stole my voice with AI
Total comment counts : 42
Summary
Jeff Geerling discusses encountering a video from Elecrow that appears to use an AI-generated voice resembling his own without his consent. Despite having no prior issues with Elecrow, he suspects they may have cloned his voice from his YouTube videos for promotional tutorials on products like the ESP32 and RP2040. He emphasizes the importance of ethical practices in voice and likeness usage, advocating for hiring voice artists rather than using unauthorized clones. Geerling has reached out to Elecrow for clarification and to request the videos be taken down, hoping this is an honest mistake. While he contemplates potential legal action, he is currently more focused on resolving the issue amicably. The community response includes skepticism about Elecrow’s intentions and concern over the implications of AI voice cloning.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses deep concerns about the potential misuse of AI to create blasphemous content that could incite violence, particularly in their country, where lynching mobs form over perceived insults. They highlight a dangerous culture surrounding blasphemy, where even the slightest offense can lead to deadly consequences, and they argue that the advancement and accessibility of AI might exacerbate this issue. The author emphasizes that the repercussions of such technology could be fatal and notes the lack of control mechanisms in place to prevent these scenarios. Overall, they fear the future implications of AI on societal violence and safety.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the legal implications of using AI to replicate a voice in comparison to using a human voice actor. It argues that employing AI for voice replication may actually strengthen the case against using someone’s voice without permission, referencing the Midler vs. Ford case as a precedent. The author suggests that there is less justification for using AI in this context than for hiring another actor.
3. Fable at 20: a uniquely British video game with a complex legacy
Total comment counts : 21
Summary
The article reflects on the legacy of the game Fable, released in 2004 by Peter Molyneux and the Carter brothers at their studio Big Blue Box. Initially celebrated for its ambitious concept—a fantasy RPG with a reactive, living world—Fable’s release was marred by unmet expectations due to overhyped promises, such as meaningful choices and a seamless game world. Despite these disappointments, Fable’s unique personality and British charm set it apart within its genre. Players experienced the life of their hero, with visible aging and moral choices impacting character reputation rather than the main storyline. The game’s association with Molyneux, known for his exaggerations, has affected its reputation, but the innovative ideas of the Carter brothers remain influential in the gaming landscape. Overall, while Fable may not have achieved all its ambitions, it contributed significantly to game development trends and left a lasting impression.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author reflects on their fond memories of classic games developed by Peter Molyneux, such as Dungeon Keeper and Fable. They note that Molyneux’s games, while highly promoted, maintained a playful whimsy that was rare at the time and still isn’t common today. The author appreciates Molyneux’s ambition to explore new ideas in his games, despite the technological limitations of the era, and expresses a willingness to join him on that creative journey.
Top 2 Comment Summary
A main designer from the Fable series has launched a free, imaginative game called Moonring, inspired by Ultima 4. The game is available for download at the provided link.
4. Flappy Bird for Android, only C, under 100KB
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article discusses the development of a lightweight Flappy Bird clone for Android, aiming for an APK size of less than 100 Kilobytes. The project began in 2021, initially using C++ and ImGui, but faced challenges such as size limitations, crashes, and inadequate library support. After a period of contemplation and inspired by a project on Raylib’s Discord, the author decided to attempt building the game in C.
Over time, they overcame various technical hurdles: compressing sound files to MP3 format, using OpenSLES for audio playback, and simplifying image decoding with the upng library. They utilized OpenGL ES 2 for rendering and Android Native Activity for the game’s structure. The project was ultimately successful, showcasing a minimalist approach in gaming development while respecting the original game’s copyright held by DotGEARS. The game is compatible with Android versions 5.1 and above.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article expresses a desire for an app store feature that allows users to filter for apps under 10MB. It argues that smaller apps, typically faster and with fewer ads and micropayments, provide a better user experience. For example, a 3MB thermometer app is preferred over a 150MB version.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author mentions creating a project in Nim in 2020, which involved writing an assembler for Dalvik bytecode and .apk files, although it had less impressive graphics compared to others. They provide a link to a related YouTube video. The author’s code has deteriorated over time, but they occasionally consider updating it to develop a simple app.
5. Scientific Visualization: Python + Matplotlib (2021)
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The article discusses an open access book by Nicolas P. Rougier on scientific visualization using Python and Matplotlib, released in November 2021. It highlights the extensive range of tools available for scientific visualization in Python, emphasizing Matplotlib’s unique position as a versatile library for creating high-quality figures for scientific publishing.
The book is structured into four parts:
- Fundamental Principles: Covers the components of a figure, coordinate systems, scales, projections, and concepts of typography and color.
- Figure Design: Introduces best practices for creating improved figures, explains Matplotlib’s defaults and styling system, and discusses various types of plots and their embellishments.
- Advanced Concepts: Focuses on 3D figures, optimization, and animation techniques.
- Showcases: Features practical examples.
The book is available for free in PDF format through the HAL archive and on GitHub, with additional source codes. A printed edition can be purchased on Amazon for $49. The author also invites support for future work through various platforms.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the challenges faced by chemical and materials companies in developing full-stack data capabilities, particularly in the area of interactive visualization and dashboarding. Current tools like PowerBI and Tableau often fall short for scientific-level needs, lacking necessary features such as dynamic variable regrouping, dual axes, and automatic formatting. The author criticizes the Python visualization ecosystem, noting its complexity and the need for significant customization and maintenance of code. While R’s ggplot is recognized as a good option, the author finds it difficult to gain company-wide support for it. Desktop applications like JMP, Origin, and Igor Pro are acknowledged for their aesthetic quality in scientific plotting but are limited to desktop use. The author expresses interest in starting a company to address these visualization gaps.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a custom stylesheet for matplotlib designed for users who are dissatisfied with the default styling, including fonts and colors. The stylesheet is inspired by tailwindcss and is available for use. For more details, a link to the blog post is provided.
6. Show HN: PDF to MD by LLMs – Extract Text/Tables/Image Descriptives by GPT4o
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
The article discusses an open-source OCR (Optical Character Recognition) API that utilizes OpenAI’s language models and performance optimization techniques such as parallel processing and batching to achieve high-quality text extraction from complex PDF documents. This solution is particularly beneficial for businesses looking for efficient document digitization and data extraction.
A demo video illustrates its capability by converting unorganized Apollo 17 flight documents into a structured Markdown format seamlessly.
Key features include a cost-effective pricing structure compared to alternatives, providing excellent value through reliability and advanced features. The project offers detailed installation instructions, including creating a virtual environment and configuring environment variables.
It is released under the MIT License, allowing users to freely use, modify, and distribute the software while maintaining the necessary copyright notices. The software is provided “as is,” without guarantees or liability from the authors for any issues arising from its use.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the risks of using large language models (LLMs) for document parsing. Unlike traditional OCR systems that have clear boundaries for checking input, LLMs produce outputs that lack transparency, making it difficult to ensure consistency—a crucial factor in document processing. While the results may appear plausible, they require proper validation to be considered reliable for production use.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author had been using GPT4o to extract insights from scanned documents effectively until a recent update that introduced a new model (o1). Since then, GPT4o has stopped extracting text from images, which had previously worked well with the same prompts. The author is unsure if this change is intentional but finds it frustrating and has decided to cancel their GPT4 premium subscription in favor of Claude, which is performing satisfactorily for their needs.
7. Twenty Years of FM Synthesis Inside Ableton Live
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
In 2004, the first software synthesizer by Ableton, named Operator, was created. To celebrate its 20th anniversary, a page has been set up that includes background information, tips, and a downloadable preset pack made by the original creators and other Ableton colleagues.
The article reflects on the history of computer music starting from the efforts of John Chowning at Stanford University in the 1960s. Chowning’s pioneering work involved using a mainframe computer to explore sound spatialization and led to the development of a significant surround sound localization algorithm. Notably, he discovered the principles of digital FM synthesis by experimenting with sine wave oscillators, which transformed simple pitch modulation into complex timbral changes.
Chowning’s innovations resulted in a patent and collaboration with Yamaha, culminating in the revolutionary DX7 synthesizer in 1983. This instrument became a milestone in music synthesis technology. Chowning’s music compositions, such as ‘Turenas’ and ‘Phoné,’ also gained acclaim, showcasing his dual impact on both the technology and the art of sound.
The article contrasts traditional analog synthesis, which relies on subtractive methods with rich waveforms, against FM synthesis, which utilizes the frequency modulation of sine waves to create a complex sound spectrum.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article praises Ableton for its innovative software design, particularly emphasizing the impact of its Session View and Arrangement View on music production and live performance workflows. It highlights how features like the Operator have set design patterns that many other VSTs now use. The author expresses admiration for the Ableton team’s successful creation of a cherished product.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article expresses enthusiasm for FM synthesizers and mentions a personal project to create a customizable FM synth for a school. This initiative was inspired by feedback from the music teacher regarding students repeatedly using the same samples. The project is currently in development, is intended for desktop users, and the source code is designed to be clean. A link to the project is provided.
8. HTTP: , FTP:, and Dict:?
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the discovery of DICT (Dictionary Server Protocol), which allows users to query dictionaries over the Internet. The author finds it intriguing that, despite the decline of publicly available Webster protocol servers, several freely distributable dictionaries have recently emerged, albeit without a uniform interface. The DICT protocol, created in the late 1990s, was developed to address the constraints of limited disk space and expensive software at the time. As technology advanced, more efficient search engines diminished the need for such a protocol.
To use DICT, one can employ terminal commands (e.g., curl dict://dict.org/d:Internet for definitions) or explore dictionaries via telnet. The protocol supports multiple dictionaries in various languages and even offers translation functionalities. The article also reflects on how DICT fits into the tech landscape, especially amid the dominance of REST APIs today, and emphasizes the nostalgia for early Internet protocols. Overall, it signifies a fascinating intersection of historical Internet practices and contemporary usability.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the evolution of technology in relation to data storage and retrieval protocols. Initially, limitations in disk size and expensive software made dedicated protocols appealing. As disk sizes increased and databases became more affordable, search engines transformed data accessibility. The author reflects on how protocols and applications evolve in response to technological advancements and draws a parallel to the future of AI, suggesting that local AI on mobile devices may replace traditional operating systems and network protocols. The piece ends on a nostalgic note, hinting that future programmers may reminisce about earlier coding practices.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article mentions that Emacs has a browsable client for a specific protocol, which can be accessed by using the command M-x dictionary.
9. Logging all C++ destructors, poor mans run-time tracing
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
The article discusses a challenging shutdown issue encountered with an embedded application that either segfaulted or terminated unexpectedly. The author, Remy van Elst, describes how adding runtime instrumentation using GCC helped log destructors, allowing for insight into what was preventing a proper shutdown. The process involved implementing a logging function for user-defined class destructors, linking the program to dynamic libraries, and using specific compiler flags for instrumentation. Despite confirming that the author’s code was destructing correctly, segfaults remained due to complexities introduced by an external, closed-source framework. Strategies for effectively debugging in large, multi-threaded applications are shared, along with example code and setup instructions. The author also notes the negative impact of invasive tracking from Google Ads and Analytics on their site and promotes an open-source project called Leaf Node Monitoring. The article emphasizes that while the logging and instrumentation can be helpful, they may also affect performance and are specific to Linux with GCC.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a workaround in C++ programming where the author suggests using _exit(0) for an immediate program termination without executing destructors. The rationale is that many destructors primarily free memory, which the operating system will reclaim regardless, making their execution unnecessary when the program is about to exit. Additionally, destructors that perform other useful tasks, like closing files or managing threads, are less common in a typical codebase. Therefore, bypassing these destructors can be appropriate if the program is ending soon.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a shutdown bug and questions the utility of destructor logging in identifying the issue. It offers detailed steps for reproducing the logging related to the bug, but does not provide a solution to the problem itself.
10. FCC wants all phones unlocked in sixty days, AT&T and T-Mobile aren’t so keen
Total comment counts : 20
Summary
The FCC has unanimously approved a proposal to require carriers to unlock all phones within 60 days of activation, following public comment earlier this year. While this doesn’t mean immediate implementation, it signals the FCC’s intent to pursue these regulatory changes. AT&T and T-Mobile have expressed strong opposition, voicing concerns about potential negative impacts on device affordability and payment plans. T-Mobile particularly questions the FCC’s authority to enforce such a rule, citing a 2022 court decision that mandates explicit Congressional permission for significant economic regulations. In contrast, Verizon supports the proposal, as it already complies with similar unlocking practices from a prior FCC agreement. The situation indicates a likely prolonged battle between the FCC and opposing carriers, with Congress’s involvement uncertain. Overall, the FCC aims for a 60-day unlocking policy, emphasizing it as a priority for future actions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s efforts to assist unhoused individuals by collecting, erasing, and unlocking used cell phones for distribution through local food shelves. The author highlights the ease of unlocking phones with AT&T, enabling recipients to access affordable services from carriers like QLink Wireless. In contrast, the author criticizes other carriers, such as T-Mobile and Consumer Cellular, for their lack of support in unlocking phones, implying these companies are indifferent to the potential e-waste.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the term “unlocked” as it pertains to phones, which can refer to three meanings: being usable on any carrier without SIM lock, being able to be rooted or jailbroken without bootloader restrictions, and being accessible without a screen lock. The focus of the article is on the first meaning, emphasizing that there is little confusion regarding this definition, particularly with the prominent mention of different carriers.