1. Bus stops here: Shanghai lets riders design their own routes
Total comment counts : 33
Summary
Shanghai has launched a new public bus system called “DZ” (dingzhi or “customized”), allowing residents to propose and vote for routes based on their commuting needs. With over 220 routes already approved, the system requires 15-20 passengers to initiate a service. Users can submit travel details, with potential routes developed through community input and on-site research. The platform aims to enhance transit efficiency and convenience but faces challenges like uneven demand and low public awareness. Officials plan improvements in route planning and visibility to optimize the service’s effectiveness.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article expresses skepticism about a voting feature for route selection, suggesting it may lead to user disengagement. Users might only log in to vote when needed, resulting in a lack of ongoing engagement and consequently no votes for routes over time.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a smart low-tech transit solution that optimizes public transportation based on demand. It suggests a system similar to Uber, where vehicles coordinate to pick up passengers and transfer them as needed to their final destination, rather than just to a nearby point. As long as the travel time remains predictable and reasonable, this approach could enhance user satisfaction compared to traditional scheduled bus and train systems.
2. Writing that changed how I think about programming languages
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The author reflects on impactful writings that have changed their perspective on programming languages and compilers, emphasizing their significance. They highlight a specific bug in a post regarding the NOT_FORWARDED_BIT contract between garbage collectors and users, pointing out that correctness in code is a complex topic, which the author explores in their course.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author shares favorite computer science resources not listed elsewhere. Highlights include:
- Ian Piumarta’s “Open, Extensible Object Models,” which creates a minimal object-oriented metaobject system for maximum programmer flexibility.
- John Ousterhout’s article “Scripting: Higher-Level Programming for the 21st Century,” discussing the value of combining systems programming with scripting languages.
- Niklaus Wirth’s Project Oberon, detailing a complete computer system implementation, advocating for lean software design amidst modern complexity.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The post reflects on how writing about programming languages has transformed the author’s understanding of programming. It emphasizes a quote from “Types and Programming Languages” (TAPL) that defines safe languages as those that prevent developers from making critical errors. A safe language protects its own abstractions, ensuring programmers can rely on these abstractions to maintain integrity, such as guaranteeing that array operations are performed correctly without unintended memory access.
3. RPG in a Box
Total comment counts : 24
Summary
RPG in a Box is a user-friendly game development software that allows anyone to create games and interactive experiences without programming knowledge. It includes various tools like a Voxel Editor for 3D assets, Map Editor for creating worlds, and Visual Scripting for event management. Users can export their games for Windows and MacOS. The software supports customizable dialogue, camera options, item definitions, and a sound effects generator. Its community is encouraged to participate through forums for suggestions, questions, or support. RPG in a Box combines accessibility with a range of creative options for aspiring developers.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The acorn64 GIF, at five megabytes, suffers from playback issues due to format limitations and its use of more than 256 colors, resulting in speed jitters. Converting it to MP4 format with ffmpeg reduces the size to under 350kB while ensuring smooth playback and lower power consumption. This conversion highlights how GIFs can hinder page load times compared to video formats.
Top 2 Comment Summary
Humans are inherently storytellers, and RPG in Box inspired my 12-year-old son to explore programming. His interest isn’t in programming languages like Python or AI; rather, he wants to create and share stories. For him, programming is merely a tool to achieve that goal.
4. How to Build a Smartwatch: Picking a Chip
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
This article introduces a series on building smartwatches, emphasizing that creating a functional device in 2025 is achievable. It outlines essential components, particularly the microcontroller (MCU), which is central to smartwatch design, influencing software, power, and cost constraints. The author shares experiences with chip selection based on peer recommendations, underscoring the challenges of software compatibility. Effective design involves balancing features like display and connectivity while recognizing that smartwatches should cater to individual needs. The open-sourcing of PebbleOS aims to inspire others to develop personalized smartwatches.
Top 1 Comment Summary
PebbleOS is not alone in the microcontroller space; Espruino also plays a significant role. Espruino provides a lightweight JavaScript implementation for microcontrollers, allowing real-time device hacking. It powers the Bangle.js smartwatch and the Fallout Pip-Boy from the Wand Company, enhancing the interactive experience across various devices. For more on Espruino, you can view discussions on their GitHub page.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a BLE MCU with an open-source SDK, highlighting that the BLE code is provided as a binary blob rather than accessible source code. While the author acknowledges this is not necessarily a problem, they express disappointment that something labeled as “open source” does not allow for source code visibility.
5. Airbnb is in midlife crisis mode
Total comment counts : 68
Summary
Brian Chesky’s reinvention of Airbnb was sparked by the recent turmoil at OpenAI, where he championed his friend Sam Altman. Using the inspiration from Altman’s return, Chesky envisioned transforming Airbnb from a short-term rental platform into a comprehensive service marketplace, akin to Amazon’s evolution. He drafted a manifesto over Thanksgiving, proposing enhanced identity verification and a reimagined app experience for users to access various services. With the launch of a $200 million initiative, Airbnb aims to offer 10,000 vendors in multiple cities and revitalize its “experiences” program, moving towards a future enriched by AI-driven personalization.
Top 1 Comment Summary
I’m unable to access or summarize content from external links directly. However, if you provide the text of the article you’d like summarized, I’ll be happy to help!
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author reflects positively on their Airbnb experiences, noting satisfaction with both high-end and budget accommodations. They argue that Airbnb offers better amenities and locations compared to hotels, especially with features like kitchens and privacy. However, they express concern about increasing corporate presence on the platform, advocating for a focus on supporting genuine hosts rather than allowing resellers with subpar listings to dominate. The author believes that enhancing host rewards would improve the overall Airbnb experience.
6. Ash Framework – Model your domain, derive the rest
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The Elixir backend framework enhances productivity with declarative tools for quick API development and seamless integration with Phoenix LiveView. It supports PostgreSQL, ensuring easy installation and widespread compatibility. To stay informed, subscribe to the weekly newsletter. Upcoming talks by Zach will cover Igniter and its impact on Elixir’s developer experience, with an event scheduled for September 10th, 2025, featuring the Ash core team in Varberg, Sweden.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author, a former Rails developer now using Elixir/Phoenix, expresses skepticism toward the Ash framework, fearing it deviates from Elixir’s philosophy of minimalism and avoidance of excessive magic. Reflecting on the preference for straightforward function calls over macros, the author worries that Ash may reintroduce complexities reminiscent of Rails, especially with features like automatic authentication. The concern stems from a desire to maintain the clarity and simplicity that attracted them to Elixir in the first place, contrasting it with past experiences in languages affected by community shifts.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a declarative framework in Elixir called Ash, aimed at separating core logic from control flows in web applications. The author, drawing from over 15 years of experience with Rails, critiques traditional CRUD and MVC approaches, seeking systems that enhance extensibility and maintenance. Elixir’s actor model and the Phoenix framework intrigue the author for their concurrency features. Ash is viewed as a promising tool for integrating key Domain-Driven Design (DDD) concepts and simplifying common tasks like authentication. The author is eager to explore Ash further after completing current readings on Elixir and Phoenix.
7. The recently lost file upload feature in the Nextcloud app for Android
Total comment counts : 18
Summary
Nextcloud announces that file uploads for Android users are limited to photos and videos due to Google revoking a critical permission needed for broader file access. Despite Nextcloud’s complaints, Google cites security concerns and has yet to reinstate this permission, impacting millions of users. Nextcloud claims this is a tactic by Google to stifle competition, arguing that such restrictions are part of a broader pattern of Big Tech gatekeeping. The recently updated Nextcloud app remains functional via alternative platforms like F-Droid, but this issue primarily affects users on the Google Play Store.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Nextcloud’s team at Everfind has struggled for a year to obtain the drive.readonly scope from Google to enable better file downloads, OCR, and indexing. Google insists on using drive.file and drive.metadata.readonly, which hampers continuous discovery and search effectiveness. While Google’s “least-privilege” policy seems well-intentioned, it disproportionately benefits Big Tech’s apps, leaving independent developers with limited functionality and risking removal from the Play Store, ultimately reducing user features and choices.
Top 2 Comment Summary
An AOSP developer shares their perspective on Nextcloud’s app and Google’s file access permissions. They note that the Storage Access Framework (SAF) would be suitable for Nextcloud’s use case. The developer argues that Google Drive does not possess the permissions Nextcloud claims it receives special treatment for, as both apps are available via the Play Store. They also highlight that permissions like MANAGE_EXTERNAL_STORAGE have been misused in the past. This opinion does not reflect Google’s stance.
8. What Is HDR, Anyway?
Total comment counts : 39
Summary
The article discusses the confusion surrounding High Dynamic Range (HDR) photography and its adoption in smartphone cameras, particularly the iPhone. It outlines two types of HDR: the camera mode introduced in 2010 and advanced screens that showcase vibrant images. The author explains that traditional cameras struggle with capturing scenes with a wide range of light, leading to lost highlights and shadows. While modern camera apps use algorithms and AI for automatic HDR processing, this can result in inaccuracies. Users of the photography app Halide have requested manual control due to these issues, highlighting the limitations of automated HDR.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article argues against conflating HDR capture, formats, and display, emphasizing their distinct differences. It clarifies that Ansel Adams did not use HDR as understood today; he mastered exposure without needing post-capture adjustments. HDR allows photographers to avoid clipping in bright and dark areas, providing flexibility in adjusting exposure after taking a photo. In contrast, Adams’ photography relied on perfecting exposure during capture, making it impossible to reveal detail post-negatively. Misrepresenting Adams as an HDR user complicates the understanding of HDR’s true benefits and usage.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article critiques the tone of its introduction, which arrogantly claims to clarify HDR, only to focus heavily on tone mapping while neglecting the significant issue of inconsistent color management in consumer digital environments. It highlights the lack of proper HDR UI testing, risking discomfort for viewers, particularly with subtitles. The author notes that Dolby Vision and Apple lead the way in color management, but reliable solutions remain elusive online. The best hope lies with the Color on the Web Community Group.
9. Fingers wrinkle the same way every time they’re in the water too long
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
Guy German, an associate professor at Binghamton University, explored why human skin wrinkles after prolonged water immersion. Contrary to popular belief that swelling caused the wrinkles, his research revealed that blood vessels beneath the skin contract. Prompted by a student’s question about the consistency of wrinkle formation, German and student Rachel Laytin confirmed that wrinkle patterns remain the same after multiple immersions. Their findings have potential applications in forensics, like fingerprinting, and highlight new scientific inquiries that can arise from simple questions. German expressed excitement about further exploring these topics with his students.
Top 1 Comment Summary
A faculty member from the Thomas J. Watson College of Engineering was prompted to research how wrinkles form after a student’s question about their consistency. The faculty member expressed a lack of knowledge about the topic, which sparked the investigation. The author wishes the student had been acknowledged in the paper, believing it would inspire pride in having their name published in a scientific journal.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article reflects on childhood memories of fingers wrinkling in water, clarifying that this phenomenon is caused by contracting blood vessels, not skin swelling. This surprising discovery holds implications for forensic science. It emphasizes the importance of curiosity in exploring the world and uncovering unexpected insights, urging readers to recognize the potential in small details.
10. Replicube: A puzzle game about writing code to create shapes
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
Replicube is an open-ended programming puzzle game that challenges players to replicate 3D voxel-based objects through coding. There are no definitive solutions; as long as the code creates the same object, it’s deemed correct. The game includes a voxel editor, a 2D image editor for generating images and GIFs, and features leaderboards for source code size and efficiency. Players can share creations on an in-game forum and export their work in various formats. The game encourages creativity and optimization in coding.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author explores a game demo and discovers it is developed by the creator of the original Jelly Car games. They discover a sequel on the Steam page, which evokes strong feelings of nostalgia. The unexpected trip down memory lane is appreciated.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author reflects on a childhood experience with the Logo programming language, known for its turtle graphics. They hope a new program will similarly teach children innovative thinking. They suggest developing a visual scripting language that uses “building blocks” and does not rely on words.