1. Winamp Legacy player source code
Total comment counts : 54
Summary
The article discusses the iconic multimedia player Winamp, which was launched in 1997 by Nullsoft and is celebrated for its flexibility and compatibility with various audio formats. While its development has slowed, the source code has been opened to the community, allowing developers to modernize the player. The current Winamp desktop client is built using Visual Studio 2019 and requires specific libraries such as libvpx, libmpg123, OpenSSL, DirectX 9 SDK, and Intel IPP. The article outlines the steps needed to unpack and build these libraries, including needed tools like 7-Zip and NASM, and provides instructions for modifying certain files in the build process.
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The article discusses concerns about a project’s contribution guidelines as outlined in its license. Section 4 encourages users to submit improvements and fixes to the official repository, which will be reviewed by maintainers. However, Section 5 imposes restrictions that prohibit forking the code or distributing modified versions. This creates a conflict with the typical GitHub workflow of forking a repository, making changes, and submitting a pull request, as doing so would violate the license.
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The author suggests that the best approach for the future of a particular project is to refrain from engaging with it, even to the extent of cloning it for personal review. They believe that any engagement reflects support for the project’s current licensing stance, which is unfavorable. The author plans to revisit the project only if there is an announcement about a change in its licensing. Until then, they intend to ignore the project.
2. In 1870, Lord Rayleigh used oil and water to calculate the size of molecules
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Summary
The article discusses how Lord Rayleigh calculated the size of a single oil molecule using a simple experiment inspired by Benjamin Franklin’s observations. Franklin, in the 1770s, noted that pouring oil on agitated water calmed the waves, leading him to conduct his own experiments with oil on a pond. Although he meticulously documented his findings, he didn’t realize their molecular implications.
Over a century later, Lord Rayleigh, a prominent physicist, revisited Franklin’s work in 1890. He measured a small amount of olive oil, allowing it to spread on water, and calculated the thickness of the oil layer by dividing its volume by the area it covered. Assuming this layer was a single molecule thick, Rayleigh estimated the dimensions of an oil molecule to be approximately 1.63 nanometers, later found to be very close to the actual size of about 1.67 nanometers.
The story illustrates how significant scientific insights can arise from simple experiments and highlights the value of creativity and careful observation in scientific inquiry. For those interested in further exploration of these experiments, the article suggests Charles Tanford’s book, “Ben Franklin Stilled the Waves.”
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In 1676, Roemer measured the speed of light by observing the orbit of Jupiter’s moon Io. He noticed that Io appeared to emerge from behind Jupiter earlier as Earth approached it and later as Earth moved away, with a variation of 22 minutes over the year. From this, he estimated that light travels at 227,000 km/s, while the actual speed is about 300,000 km/s. This was a commendable approximation for his time.
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The article discusses the Millikan and Fletcher oil-drop experiment, which was designed to measure the charge of the electron. In this experiment, tiny atomized oil droplets were observed as they fell through air to determine their volume. A known electric field was used to levitate the droplets, and the calculated charge per droplet was found to cluster around multiples of a value corresponding to the charge of a single electron.
3. Show HN: OpenFreeMap – Open-Source Map Hosting
Total comment counts : 44
Summary
OpenFreeMap offers a free, open-source solution for displaying custom maps on websites and apps, utilizing data from OpenStreetMap. Users can choose to self-host or use the public instance, which has no limits on views, requests, or the need for registration and API keys. The project is financially supported through donations, with plans for potential paid support options in the future. After nine years of developing a map tile infrastructure for MapHub, creator Zsolt Ero has open-sourced this platform, allowing simplified map hosting without high costs. OpenFreeMap ensures sustainability by aiming to cover server costs through recurring donations. The setup requires minimal technical know-how, and usage requires attribution to OpenFreeMap and OpenMapTiles. The project operates under an MIT license, with a focus on making map hosting accessible and affordable.
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The article discusses a desire for access to historical mapping data, as current map services predominantly display only up-to-date information. The author is developing an application that would benefit from integrating historical data, allowing users to view maps reflecting specific years. They suggest that creating a service to provide this historical data could be a profitable opportunity.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author previously hosted their own mbtiles map for about $11 per month, but struggled to find a reliable source for regularly updated mbtiles. After discovering that the OpenMapTiles dump was outdated, they switched to Mapbox, which often incurs extra costs beyond the free tier, although they do receive discounts. Now, they are considering trying a new service that offers a fixed monthly fee and are willing to contribute financially.
4. Maker Pipe – Structural Pipe Fittings for DIY Builders
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article introduces Maker Pipe, a system of steel pipe connectors that allows users to transform ordinary EMT conduit into versatile building platforms for various DIY projects. The connectors are designed for easy assembly using just a 5mm hex wrench and are compatible with readily available steel plumbing pipes. This affordable solution enables users to undertake projects without needing special skills or tools, making it ideal for both beginners and experienced DIY enthusiasts.
Customer testimonials praise Maker Pipe for its effectiveness in creating items ranging from shelving to outdoor equipment, emphasizing its affordability and strength. The article also highlights a popular product, the T Connector, which facilitates 90-degree connections and is available in various sizes. A Mixed Bundle kit offers a diverse selection of connectors for users to explore their creativity in building projects. Overall, Maker Pipe is positioned as a valuable resource for anyone interested in DIY construction.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the Make Pipe Minis as a valuable tool for prototyping ideas before finalizing a build. It emphasizes the benefit of their open-source feature, allowing users to download STL files to print their own connectors, which is seen as a positive decision by the makers.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article criticizes the “discounted” bundle approach, noting that saving on just one fitting out of twenty can make the entire bundle unappealing. If a consumer has no use for even one item in the bundle, it may have been more beneficial to purchase items individually. Additionally, those who require a high volume of connectors are likely to seek better prices through negotiation rather than relying on bundled discounts.
5. iPhone 16 Pro Storage Expansion 128GB to 1TB [video]
Total comment counts : 41
Summary
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The article praises Apple’s hardware design, emphasizing the aesthetic appeal of its products, including the packaging, cables, connectors, and the overall appearance of the motherboard.
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The article expresses the author’s enthusiasm for activities related to mechanical work and electronics, highlighting their specific interests in car repairs, electronics disassembly, mechanical watches, and creative CNC usage. They also reflect on a silent video of someone replacing a NAND chip, feeling somewhat pandered to by it. Additionally, the author poses a question about whether the performance and endurance of devices could be enhanced by using better NAND chips, similar to RAM, or if only Apple-approved components can be used.
6. Move Fast and Abandon Things
Total comment counts : 25
Summary
The article reflects on the author’s nostalgia around the fall season, prompting them to explore old hard drives for shareware games they developed over thirty-five years ago. They created a disk image containing these games and shared it on GitHub under “Soft Dorothy Software – Early Shareware Projects.” The author also recovered materials related to “Glider 4.0,” produced by their company, Casady & Greene, showcasing their development process.
They found numerous unfinished game projects from their past, noting that many were merely early prototypes that never fully materialized. This journey reminded them of the complexities involved in crafting successful games, emphasizing the importance of experimentation and serendipity in game design. The author had developed a methodology for quickly prototyping ideas, allowing for rapid testing of game mechanics.
They highlight the value of playtesting and iterating on ideas, noting that a game’s initial fun factor often hinges on its core mechanics. The article concludes with musings on the unpredictable nature of game design and the challenges in consistently creating engaging experiences.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article describes a common issue in many companies where engineers are excited to develop new features, but once these features are released, they often lead to numerous bugs over time. By the time issues arise, the original developers have moved on to other teams, leaving new engineers to manage and fix the accumulated problems. This approach, aimed at making teams interchangeable, often results in frustration and a lack of accountability in maintaining the projects.
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The author reflects on their extensive collection of abandoned projects, primarily games developed since 1989 for early Macintosh models. They express a sense of loss regarding their completed work, viewing it as only a small reflection of their true potential. The writer believes that Universal Basic Income (UBI) could significantly enhance individual potential and creativity, allowing people to pursue their aspirations and achieve self-actualization, moving away from a service economy. They also mention having enjoyed the game Pararena.
7. Tracy: A real time, nanosecond resolution frame profiler
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the Tracy Profiler, a tool for performance profiling with features that support various programming languages such as C, C++, Lua, and Python, along with third-party bindings for others like Rust and C#. It offers extensive profiling capabilities for both CPU and GPU across major graphics APIs, as well as tools for tracking memory allocations, locks, and context switches. Additionally, it can automatically link screenshots to captured frames. The article references a presentation by Marcos Slomp at CppCon 2023, which includes introductions and new features introduced in various versions of Tracy Profiler.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article praises Tracy, a powerful and free profiler that offers exceptional features and performance, even rivaling paid software. Unlike automatic sampling profilers, Tracy requires the addition of macros to the codebase for logging, introducing minimal overhead of about 50 nanoseconds per macro. Its user interface features a stats window that provides detailed profiling data, allowing for precision at the nanosecond level. The author uses Tracy alongside a sampling profiler, Superluminal, to gather both high-level insights and detailed information for optimization work.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author, a beginner in graphics programming, discovered an impressive frame profiler called Tracy. They were amazed by its speed and responsiveness, especially for a WebAssembly application. A web demo can be found at the provided link.
8. Radioactive Tape Dispenser (1970s)
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
The article discusses a 3M Model C-15 Decor Scotch tape dispenser that is slightly radioactive due to the use of thorium-containing monazite sand as ballast. This sand can be observed when the rubber base of the dispenser is pulled back. The dispenser originated from a batch slated for disposal as radioactive waste by the U.S. Army. The radioactivity was discovered in the late 1970s or early 1980s by a technician at a hospital in Alabama. The dispenser was sent to Oak Ridge Associated Universities (ORAU), where the cause of the radioactivity was identified. ORAU, a nonprofit organization, provides scientific and technical solutions and manages the Oak Ridge Institute for Science and Education for the U.S. Department of Energy. They do not offer appraisals for items in their collection. For questions or donations, Dr. Paul Frame can be contacted via email.
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The article reflects on the absurdity of how society views the relationship between nature and technology, using the example of a 55-gallon drum of tape dispensers that the U.S. Army considered radioactive waste. It contrasts the indifference toward the radioactive properties of common beach sand, which is not labeled or regulated, with the immediate regulatory response triggered by a small amount of sand being taken into an official setting. The piece emphasizes a disparity in how nature and human-created materials are perceived and managed, highlighting the complexities of regulation and public awareness.
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The article discusses the surprising phenomenon of generating x-rays by peeling scotch tape. It highlights how this simple action can create a limited amount of x-rays due to the triboelectric effect. The process is a fascinating example of how everyday materials can produce unexpected scientific results. The article may also delve into the implications of this discovery and the potential for further research in related fields.
9. EzAudio: Enhancing Text-to-Audio Generation with Efficient Diffusion Transformer
Total comment counts : 6
Summary
EzAudio is an advanced text-to-audio (T2A) generation model that produces high-quality audio from text prompts. It is recognized for its fast and efficient generation of realistic sound effects, setting a new standard for open-source T2A models. The synthetic audio is indicated in blue, and the website operates under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License. The source code for the website is based on the Nerfies project.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the disappointment of finding a repository at location X that claims to contain “code and weights,” but upon visiting, the repository is empty or non-existent. It suggests that the promised materials may never actually be available.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses how advancements in sound creation technology for videos and movies are leading to a decline in the job market for sound designers. As these models improve, the need for human sound professionals is diminishing.
10. Fully documented source code for Lander on the Acorn Archimedes
Total comment counts : 8
Summary
The article introduces Mark Moxon’s website dedicated to the reconstruction of the source code for “Lander,” a pioneering game developed by David Braben for the Acorn Archimedes. It highlights that “Lander” was the first game to be released for the ARM processor and is considered both a milestone and a classic in game history. The reconstructed source code, created from disassembled game binaries, is documented and explained to aid in educational purposes. Although the original source code is unavailable, Moxon’s version is buildable and replicates the original game’s functionality. The site also offers resources like a GitHub repository for those interested in building and experimenting with the code. The content is presented in a non-profit and educational manner, aiming to enhance understanding of this significant game in game development history.
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The article discusses a feature of BBC BASIC that allows users to integrate inline assembly code while referencing the same variables in both BASIC and assembly. It provides a code snippet with a BASIC loop iterating from 1 to half of TILES_Z, followed by assembly code for defining tile row data. The example illustrates the interoperability between BASIC and assembly, showcasing the flexibility and power of BBC BASIC programming. For further details, a link to a related source is provided.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the game “Lander,” which is identified as a demo for the actual game “Zarch.” “Zarch” was later ported to the Amiga and renamed “Virus.” The author finds the ARM assembly language impressive and notes its similarity to modern code. A Wikipedia link provides further information about “Zarch.”