1. Helping wikis move away from Fandom
Total comment counts : 63
Summary
The article discusses Weird Gloop’s recent transition to host the official League of Legends Wiki, moving it from Fandom to create a player-friendly platform. The author highlights their desire for communities to regain control from Fandom and build better wikis, citing past efforts like the Minecraft Wiki’s transition.
The author expresses a deep appreciation for wikis, emphasizing their collaborative spirit and the psychological toll of managing wikis on Fandom, where ads and poor content management compromise the user experience. They point out that even if a wiki community decides to leave Fandom, the original Fandom site remains due to Google’s ranking, making it hard for new, independent wikis to thrive.
Despite these challenges, the article conveys optimism, noting that Google has become more supportive of independent wikis, leading to successful traffic recovery for those that leave Fandom, as seen with the RuneScape Wiki. Ultimately, the author encourages others to transition away from Fandom and offers support for those looking to do so.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author reflects on the decision to sell the Minecraft Wiki to Fandom, stating it was a necessary choice at the time due to high running costs. Fifteen years later, they recognize that advancements like Cloudflare have made it easier to manage high-traffic websites. They express admiration for Weird Gloop, believing it represents the kind of independent organization they could have built rather than being absorbed by Fandom. The author acknowledges their past decision was driven by naivety but believes that sustainable independence was possible. They express gratitude to Weird Gloop for achieving what they could not and apologize to those who have struggled with Fandom’s handling of Minecraft content.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights a common issue where businesspeople introduce intrusive ads to increase revenue, temporarily boosting profits. However, they often overlook the long-term negative impact on visitor retention, leading to a gradual decline in traffic. Ultimately, this decline can result in revenue that is the same as or lower than before the ads were added. The author suggests that if businesses considered the bigger picture, they might avoid implementing such revenue-generating but annoying strategies.
2. Why Gov.uk’s Exit this Page component doesn’t use the Escape key
Total comment counts : 52
Summary
The blog post discusses the design rationale behind the “Exit this Page” (EtP) component of the GOV.UK Design System, intended as a safety feature for individuals in potentially dangerous domestic situations. The component consists of a prominent red button that, when activated by pressing the Shift key three times, redirects users to BBC Weather.
A key question addressed is why the Escape key, commonly associated with “escape” functions, wasn’t used for this purpose. The blog explains several barriers to using Escape, including its function in cancelling webpage loading and various other functionalities in different programs and assistive technologies, which could complicate or prevent the redirection process.
Additionally, the post highlights challenges posed by browser restrictions due to misuse of JavaScript by advertisers, which affects how interactions are recognized. Since some assistive technologies do not register as user interactions, this could interfere with redirecting users via JavaScript. Consequently, the design team opted to explore alternative keys for activating the EtP shortcut, ultimately leading to the decision to use a different key instead of Escape.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article critiques a team’s overly complicated solution for a user interface issue, arguing that it reflects “over-thinking” and leads to an unintuitive design. The specific action of pressing the shift key three times to exit is considered too clever and impractical, especially for users who may not be familiar with keyboard functions under stressful conditions. The author suggests a simpler approach, like pressing any key three times, would be more effective, as it is more likely users would instinctively hit a common key like the spacebar in a panic. There is a preference for testing options that allow users to press multiple keys simultaneously as a more intuitive solution. Nonetheless, the idea of redirecting users to a Weather page is seen as a positive aspect.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author tested a webpage on a new Windows installation and encountered an issue where pressing the shift key three times prompted a “Do you want to enable Sticky Keys?” dialog. This prevented the third shift keypress from registering in the browser, causing them to feel anxious about the content they were trying to escape. The author speculates that this issue will likely occur for most users with a standard Windows setup who have not disabled Sticky Keys.
3. WASM Is the New CGI
Total comment counts : 25
Summary
The article discusses the evolution of web application models, comparing WebAssembly (Wasm) to the Common Gateway Interface (CGI) that transformed the web from static document archives to interactive applications. The author argues that Wasm could establish a new model for web applications, focusing on high-performance, easier-to-build, and maintain application development.
The piece outlines a historical progression from CGI, which executed scripts on demand, to FastCGI, which improved performance by maintaining long-lived processes. It then highlights the development of language-based web servers and frameworks that emerged in response to the changing needs of web application architecture, emphasizing the transition from process management to scaling based on demand, particularly with the rise of cloud computing.
The introduction of serverless computing, exemplified by Amazon Lambda, is noted as a pivotal shift that allows developers to manage functions rather than servers, eliminating the complexities of server management. The article suggests that the convergence of Wasm technologies could redefine constraints in web application development, enabling capabilities that were previously impossible.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights that Amazon Lambda, introduced in 2014, pioneered the serverless computing era, although it follows Google’s App Engine, which was launched in 2008, by six years.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the perceived similarities between WebAssembly (WASM) and older technologies like Java Applets, ActiveX, Silverlight, and Flash. The author expresses concern about running untrusted third-party compiled code in web browsers, suggesting that lessons from the past have not been fully learned. While these technologies were promoted for enhancing user experience, they often shifted the computational burden from the server to the client. The author questions the real differences between WASM and its predecessors.
4. You Don’t Know Jack about Bandwidth
Total comment counts : 28
Summary
The article explains that a website is utilizing a security service to defend against online attacks. Certain actions, such as submitting specific terms or malformed data, can trigger a block. Users who encounter this issue are encouraged to contact the site owner, providing details about their actions and the Cloudflare Ray ID for reference. The message also includes a note about the user’s IP address being revealed.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author discusses a debate at work regarding internet issues at remote locations, emphasizing that the problem is caused by latency rather than low bandwidth. They highlight that many people mistakenly equate low speed test results (below 100 Mbps) with video call failures, ignoring that platforms like Zoom only require 3 Mbps for 1080p video quality. The author has found helpful graphics to support their argument.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article critiques the perspective of a piece discussing Linux networking, noting that it lacks an ISP networking viewpoint. It emphasizes that large ISPs use ASIC routers (from companies like Juniper, Arista, and Cisco) rather than software routers due to superior features, capacity, and reliability. ASIC routers offer much higher throughput and lower latency compared to Linux servers, with significant buffering capabilities. The article also mentions that Quality of Service (QoS) is rarely implemented at scale, as ISPs typically have excess bandwidth, making issues of congestion more about planning than costs. Overall, the author believes the original article does not capture the complete landscape of ISP networking.
5. Automating processes with software is hard
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article emphasizes the complexities and challenges of automation, arguing that it is often more difficult than people assume. Many view automation simply as a way to streamline repetitive tasks, but they overlook the fragility of automated systems, which are often disrupted by unforeseen issues and exceptions.
The author shares personal experiences to illustrate how exceptions — unexpected situations or requirements — complicate automation efforts. For instance, adding features to an inventory system to accommodate various customer requests turned what was initially a straightforward process into a complex, exception-driven system.
Most modern business processes are defined not by standard operations but by handling these exceptions, making them much harder to automate effectively. The article also draws parallels with scenarios like waiting in line at the post office, where the procedures are designed around exceptions rather than standard cases.
Moreover, the article posits that successful automation requires not just handling predefined inputs or simple errors but also addressing situations where inputs cannot even be specified. The discussion highlights that despite advancements in technology and concepts like automated medical diagnoses, uncertainty in real-world applications remains a significant barrier to fully effective automation.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses effective process automation, emphasizing the importance of limiting states to manage complexity. It identifies two key strategies to reduce state proliferation: ensuring items become more similar as they progress through automation and reuniting divergent paths rather than branching out. A well-structured automation system should resemble a funnel instead of a complex subway map. When targeting specific types of tasks for automation, it’s advised to create new flows rather than complicating existing ones. This approach can simplify discussions with stakeholders regarding operational decisions. Lastly, it cautions against the attempt to automate 100% of incoming workloads, advocating for a more flexible, iterative approach instead.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a team’s experience with automating a complex software deployment process that previously required a dozen people to manage manually at 4am. Initially, a Jenkins job was created to communicate deployment steps through a Slack channel, allowing team members to track progress. This approach reduced mistakes by making steps visible to everyone involved. Over several months, the team gradually automated various steps, starting with simple tasks and progressively increasing automation. This process built confidence in the system and significantly lowered project risk. Ultimately, the automation streamlined the release process to just a few clicks and minimal manual quality assurance.
6. OS/2 TCPBEUI Name Resolution
Total comment counts : 3
Summary
The article discusses the challenges of connecting an OS/2 system using NetBIOS over TCP/IP (TCPBEUI) with an SMB server on a different subnet. Originally, NetBIOS was designed for local area networks (LANs) and relied on broadcasts for name resolution, limiting its use to a single subnet. With the introduction of TCP/IP, various node types such as B-Node (using only broadcasts) and M-Node (supporting both broadcasts and Name Servers for wider communication) were established to address connectivity issues across multiple subnets. NBNS (NetBIOS Name Server) functions similarly to DNS, enabling centralized management but requiring additional infrastructure.
In the PC environment, Microsoft shifted from NetBIOS Frames to NetBIOS over TCP/IP, phasing out older protocols in later Windows versions. For OS/2, Microsoft’s LAN Manager initially supported NetBIOS over TCP/IP, but IBM later integrated this support into LAN Server products, complicating the setup. Eventually, IBM rolled out TCPBEUI as part of OS/2 Warp Connect, simplifying the installation of networking components. Overall, the article provides an overview of the historical context and technical details needed for OS/2 systems to connect effectively over multiple subnets using TCPBEUI.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author reflects on their early career in IT, specifically working on an OS/2 LAN Server for a regional bank. They describe the bank’s network as a large flat token ring system linked with fiber optics and leased lines, primarily using Netbios for communication, which led to frequent broadcast storms that required complex router configurations to manage. The author later joined IBM, focusing on supporting the TCP/IP stack for OS/2, sharing the role with an experienced colleague. This period marked the transition of corporate networks connecting to the Internet, and the author recalls it as an exciting and transformative time in technology.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a unique problem related to OS/2 systems that use NetBIOS over TCP/IP (TCPBEUI) to communicate with a SMB server on a different subnet. The author humorously questions whether anyone else is facing this issue in 2024. They express appreciation for the OS/2 Museum’s work and reflect on how the current tech landscape is heavily influenced by Unix, which makes it easy to overlook the distinct commercial origins of earlier PC technology and its gradual integration with academic technologies like TCP/IP.
7. Let’s talk about animation quality
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses the differing perspectives of vision and graphics researchers regarding animation quality at this year’s CVPR and SIGGRAPH conferences. Some graphics researchers feel that critiques can focus too much on minor details, such as shadow quality, leading to paper rejections. Conversely, some vision researchers seem to overlook critical issues in their results while promoting new models.
The author uses high-quality datasets, like the Motorica Dance Dataset, to highlight the importance of capturing detailed animation data, which is often used in AAA games and VFX industries. This data demonstrates the necessary precision for realistic animation, noting that capturing at low frequencies (e.g., 15 Hz) fails to capture motion nuances.
The analysis emphasizes the pitfalls of handling the temporal aspects of animation data, suggesting that even at 60 Hz, the motion may not be entirely smooth, and shows how down-sampling can introduce significant errors. The article calls for better evaluation methods for animation systems and greater awareness of data quality standards in the field.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes the importance of curation over engagement algorithms in content selection. It suggests that while noisy content is easily measurable, true greatness may not generate immediate engagement but requires thoughtful consideration. The author believes that the current surge in content production allows for an opportunity to refine curation criteria and highlight quality amidst the noise.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a counterintuitive issue in hand-drawn 2D animation, where tracing over live-action footage often leads to low-quality results. It explains that even minor noise in sampling can cause movements to appear shaky or unconvincing. This sheds light on why simple tracing at 12 frames per second yields poor animation unless significant error correction techniques, such as using arcs and simplification, are applied.
8. Indian entrepreneur, industrialist, and philanthropist, Ratan Tata, dead at 86
Total comment counts : 31
Summary
Ratan Naval Tata (28 December 1937 – 9 October 2024) was a prominent Indian industrialist and philanthropist, known for his leadership roles in the Tata Group and Tata Sons from 1991 until his retirement in 2012, and as interim chairman from October 2016 to February 2017. He received India’s Padma Vibhushan in 2008 and Padma Bhushan in 2000. Born in Mumbai, Tata was educated at various prestigious schools and graduated from Cornell University with a degree in architecture. He joined Tata Group in 1961 and became chairman in 1991, leading significant acquisitions such as Tetley, Jaguar Land Rover, and Corus, which transformed Tata into a global company. His tenure saw revenue and profits grow significantly, with a strategic focus on innovation and globalization. Tata was also a well-known philanthropist, investing in numerous start-ups. He stepped down from executive roles at 75 and faced a leadership crisis over succession, which received considerable media attention.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the philanthropic nature of a notable figure, specifically addressing a heartwarming story about him instructing hotel staff to treat stray dogs kindly. This act reflects his humble character despite his wealth and influence. The author expresses admiration for his contributions to the economy and society, ultimately honoring his legacy in post-independence India.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author reflects on their experience at a Geneva Motor Show in the 2010s while working for Bentley Motors. They recall visiting the Tata stand, where a new $1500 car was introduced, highlighting the differences in product philosophy and target markets between Tata and Bentley. After giving a tour of the Tata stand, the author invited Ratan Tata to visit Bentley’s exhibition. Later that day, Tata visited the Bentley stand with family, allowing the author to show him around despite the presence of bodyguards and media. The author notes Tata’s humble demeanor, contrasting with his entourage, and expresses sympathy for him amidst the high-profile environment filled with other industrial leaders.
9. Gboard Double Sided Version
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
The article provides detailed instructions for assembling and programming the Gboard double-sided version, released on October 1, 2024, which is not officially supported by Google. It outlines the directory structure for firmware and hardware design and emphasizes the importance of choosing a primary board for assembly.
Key steps include:
- PCB Production: Build 26 A type boards, 26 B type boards, and one USB board, using provided gerber data.
- Firmware Upload: Connect to the A type boards using ST-LINK, burn the prebuilt firmware, and configure the option bytes correctly.
- Module Construction: Pair the A type and B type boards, ensuring proper connections without mixing socket types to avoid short circuits.
- Installation: Insert paired modules into cases, ensuring the correct orientation and secure connections.
- Development Environment Setup: Install necessary tools like STM32 tools, or use Visual Studio Code with specific extensions to upload firmware.
The article emphasizes safety, noting to immediately disconnect power if smoke or smells are detected during testing. Additionally, it provides guidance on troubleshooting linking errors in the development process.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author expresses a desire for Gboard to be open source, citing the potential for personal improvements and enhanced privacy features. They appreciate the swipe typing function but feel that its closed-source nature is limiting. The author considers exploring AnySoftKeyboard as an alternative.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article includes a reference to a “promo” video, which can be found at a provided YouTube link.
10. How to make Product give a shit about your architecture proposal
Total comment counts : 25
Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with a plumber and draws an analogy to software development, particularly the interaction between software engineers and product teams. The author had concerns about a possible water leak and was presented with various service packages, each escalating in price and complexity. This experience led to the realization that, similar to the plumber’s upselling strategy, software engineers should approach product teams with clear, structured proposals.
The author emphasizes that product teams often don’t understand the technical challenges or architecture considerations inherently tied to their requests. Instead of explaining the complexities of database systems and implementation, engineers are encouraged to present their assessments in terms that resonate with product managers, akin to offering a “platinum package” of services.
By framing technical work in terms of effort and resources needed, engineers can better communicate the implications of product requirements. This involves breaking down tasks like OLTP vs. OLAP systems into understandable costs, thereby prompting product teams to engage more deeply with architectural issues. Ultimately, the article highlights the importance of effective communication and presentation in ensuring that product teams value and comprehend the engineering challenges involved.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article emphasizes a crucial life lesson: you cannot make others care about what you want. Instead, focus on what you can control and align your goals with the interests of others. When trying to persuade someone, frame your request in terms of how it benefits their concerns. For example, rather than simply presenting an architectural proposal, explain how it helps them achieve their objectives. The key is to understand their needs deeply and show how your goals intersect with theirs. The author wishes they had learned this earlier in their career.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the dynamics of contract relationships in the software service industry, likening them to the relationship a plumber has with their clients. It emphasizes that while such arrangements can be financially beneficial for contractors, they can lead to a focus on short-term gains rather than long-term quality. This approach is acceptable when job mobility is high, allowing individuals to move on when a company falters. However, it becomes problematic when workers have a vested interest in the quality and sustainability of their work, particularly if they care about their company’s mission or their community. In such cases, poor decisions can have direct negative impacts on their own well-being and property values.