1. XMLUI
Total comment counts : 92
Summary
Jon Udell introduces XMLUI, a new project that brings the Visual Basic-style component-based development model to the modern web using React. XMLUI allows users to create apps with minimal coding, leveraging a suite of components defined through simple XML markup. This approach makes building reactive, interactive applications accessible to those without deep knowledge of React or CSS. By combining familiar concepts from earlier programming environments with contemporary technology, XMLUI aims to simplify app development and enhance productivity, leveraging tools like AI assistants to streamline coding processes.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses past attempts at markup abstraction technologies, including Polymer’s <iron-ajax> in 2014, Adobe Flex (now Apache Royale), and Microsoft’s initiatives like NetUI and FlexUI for Office applications. While these technologies appeared beneficial theoretically, they ultimately proved less effective in practice compared to code-first solutions like JSX, even for beginners.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author admires Jon, an experienced figure in the tech space, and expresses a long-standing appreciation for him. They discuss the prevalence of React over web components, noting that React is less accessible for developers who previously benefited from Visual Basic components. The key takeaway emphasizes the need for accessible abstractions for developers, questioning whether XMLUI is the right approach but appreciating the efforts being made in this direction.
2. Coding with LLMs in the summer of 2025 – an update
Total comment counts : 50
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article expresses concern over the growing reliance on paid LLM models in programming, which may compromise the traditional use of open and free tools. While acknowledging the benefits of LLMs, the author fears that programmers will increasingly depend on private models, making open alternatives obsolete. The argument emphasizes that financial considerations do not address the broader implications of this dependency for the programming community.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author critiques the term “PhD-level knowledge,” arguing it fosters misconceptions about doctoral studies. They emphasize that a PhD’s main objective is not merely gaining extensive knowledge, but rather developing research skills. This perspective counters the influence of hype from AI labs and underscores the broader purpose of doctoral education.
3. New colors without shooting lasers into your eyes
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
The article discusses how the human eye perceives color through three types of cone cells sensitive to different light wavelengths. It highlights a study by Fong et al. (2025) that uses laser stimulation to activate only M cones, allowing subjects to perceive a unique blue-green color. An optical illusion animation is referenced, which demonstrates how manipulating visual stimuli can create intense color perceptions. It notes the limitations of traditional color representation in technology and suggests that experiments might broaden the spectrum of colors we can experience. However, conclusions are limited due to the lack of detailed subject reports.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Evolution led to overlapping sensitivities in cone photoreceptors, with M cones peaking at 535 nm and L cones at 560 nm. Most mammals have two types of cones due to a loss of full color vision in the age of dinosaurs, while primates developed a third cone for trichromatic vision, linked to fruit-baring habitats. Notably, Old and New World primates evolved this cone independently, with Old World primates experiencing gene duplication on the X chromosome, while New World primates have a polymorphic opsin gene, resulting in varying color vision capabilities among sexes.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author describes a magical experience observing a shimmering circle outline, expressing gratitude for its posting. They note that the circle’s colors appeared most vivid when it was halfway through shrinking, encouraging others to watch it for the full duration to fully appreciate the effect.
4. Staying cool without refrigerants: Next-generation Peltier cooling
Total comment counts : 32
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
The video “Why Thermoelectric Cooling Is Inefficient” explains the limitations of Peltier cooling technology. It highlights the inefficiencies in thermoelectric systems, mainly due to high energy consumption relative to the cooling effect produced. The video emphasizes the need for alternative cooling methods for better energy efficiency. For further insights, you can watch the full video here.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses innovative Peltier cooling technology from Samsung, expressing excitement for upcoming AI-driven devices.
5. Digital vassals? French Government ‘exposes citizens’ data to US’
Total comment counts : 20
Summary
The French Senate criticized the government’s increasing reliance on U.S. tech companies, warning it threatens digital sovereignty and exposes public data to foreign surveillance under U.S. laws. The report accused officials of favoring American firms like Microsoft while dismissing European alternatives as costly or inefficient, despite sovereignty risks. High-profile contracts continued to be awarded to U.S. companies, raising concerns among lawmakers about the bureaucratic inertia and lack of strategic consideration for national interests. Meanwhile, some European countries, like Denmark, are pivoting away from U.S. tech firms in favor of open-source solutions.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author, who has experience with the French state’s IT services, suggests that the preference for Microsoft isn’t based on cost or efficiency, but rather on familiarity and avoidance of accountability for incompetence. They recount an experience where a proposed switch from costly SAS software to R or Python was met with resistance, as the IT team aimed to prove the change would fail. This experience led the author to resign due to the prevailing mindset against innovation.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The CJEU has repeatedly ruled that the U.S. approach denying noncitizens’ privacy standing conflicts with EU law. Despite the European Commission’s attempts to establish a consistent data privacy framework with the U.S., recent fluctuations in U.S. politics raise concerns among EU officials. French MP Philippe Latombe criticized the US-EU Data Privacy Framework as no longer aligning with EU interests due to the unpredictable nature of the U.S. president, questioning the integrity of the rule of law in this context.
6. Simulating hand-drawn motion with SVG filters
Total comment counts : 14
Summary
The article explores the “boiling” effect in animations, which gives a hand-drawn jitter to static illustrations. Initially used in traditional animation by slightly varying frames, this effect can now be artificially simulated through post-processing in digital media. The technique involves SVG filter effects, specifically using feTurbulence and feDisplacementMap to create distortion at the edges of shapes. By manipulating these effects with JavaScript, animators can achieve a dynamic quality in otherwise static images, enhancing visual engagement. The article includes a demo to visualize this effect in action.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author explores SVG effects, highlighting their potential but cautioning against excessive use due to performance issues. Although Firefox offers some GPU acceleration for SVG filters, many basic effects still default to CPU processing, which can strain resources. The feTurbulence filter, useful for enhancing gradients by reducing banding, was attempted but resulted in high CPU usage, negatively impacting performance on the author’s laptop.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses “Charming Wiggling,” a tool similar to Wobblepaint, which was created by the maker of PICO-8. For more details, visit the provided link.
7. Death by AI
Total comment counts : 45
Summary
Dave Barry humorously recounts discovering his own death through a Google AI Overview search, which inaccurately claimed he had passed away. Despite confirming his existence with doctors, Barry engaged with Google’s feedback system to correct the misinformation. However, the AI only changed the details to reflect information about a deceased political activist named Dave Barry. He details his frustrating attempts to communicate with Google AI, likening it to interacting with a non-responsive toaster, highlighting the challenges and absurdities of AI’s data handling.
Top 1 Comment Summary
A local establishment inaccurately describes itself on Google Maps as a vibrant spot with drinks and po’ boys, plus a jukebox, pool, and electronic darts. In reality, it only offers limited beer options and no food or games mentioned. This misleading description led to a one-star review from a disappointed customer seeking pool and darts. Despite reports from the owner and other visitors, the misinformation remains unchanged for over a month.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author criticizes Google for often providing inaccurate information, particularly through its search results and Google Maps, and notes the difficulty of correcting such errors. Despite submitting feedback, they experienced a prolonged struggle to see changes, suggesting that Google’s vastness renders it indifferent to inconsistencies that do not impact its business. They describe Google as a “firehose of information” that prioritizes quantity over quality.
8. Show HN: Conductor, a Mac app that lets you run a bunch of Claude Codes at once
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
Conductor is a tool that allows users to run multiple Claude Code agents in isolated workspaces simultaneously, enhancing productivity. It features a user-friendly interface that simplifies git worktree management. Users can monitor agent progress, identify issues, and review code easily. Currently, it supports only Claude Code but plans to expand compatibility. Conductor operates using users’ existing Claude Code accounts. Several industry professionals endorse it for its innovative approach to AI coding assistance. Download is available for Mac.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The user is disappointed with a git worktree manager that doesn’t meet their expectations. Instead of managing existing repositories, it requires GitHub permissions and clones the repo, necessitating extensive dependency installations for each workspace. This process is cumbersome and detrimental due to potential conflicts. The user seeks a straightforward solution for managing worktrees in already-checked-out repositories without additional setups or permissions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses concern about the slow performance of Claude Code, suggesting that recent updates may benefit certain users but adversely affect casual users. They mention that while they previously didn’t worry about using Sonnet, its reliability is now uncertain, and they dismiss the importance of Opus.
9. Hungary’s oldest library is fighting to save books from a beetle infestation
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
At Hungary’s Pannonhalma Archabbey, restoration workers are combating a severe beetle infestation threatening 100,000 centuries-old books. The 1,000-year-old monastery, a UNESCO World Heritage site, houses a significant collection of historical texts, including rare manuscripts and codices. The infestation was detected during routine cleaning, leading to books being sealed in nitrogen-filled bags for disinfection. Abbey officials attribute the outbreak partly to climate change, which has increased beetle reproduction rates. Each book will be inspected post-treatment, and any damaged works will be set aside for restoration. The library aims to reopen next year.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Controlling humidity is an effective method for preventing the propagation of living organisms in dry environments. Keeping relative humidity (RH) below 50% significantly hinders the growth of pests and mold.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The library faces a severe insect infestation, requiring the simultaneous treatment of its entire collection, including about 100,000 handbound books. Due to the age of some volumes, oxygen deprivation is deemed the best treatment method. However, a six-week treatment period raises doubts about fully eradicating the beetles, as expressed by the abbey’s hopes of complete destruction.
10. Speeding up my ZSH shell
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
Scott Spence documented his experience optimizing his ZSH shell, which was slow to load (over 5 seconds). He utilized ZSH’s profiling tool, zprof, and discovered that Oh-My-Zsh contributed heavily to the delay. To improve speed, he opted to disable auto-updates, adjusted the completion system, and optimized the Spaceship prompt by loading only necessary plugins. After implementing these changes, his terminal startup time significantly improved. He also explored alternative prompts but ultimately decided to stick with Zsh, happy with the faster performance.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article contends that oh-my-zsh is negatively impacting the reputation of zsh by creating a perception of it as slow and bloated. It argues that zsh doesn’t require configuration frameworks or plugins; rather, it merely needs better default settings to enhance its completion capabilities. The current necessity for excessive tweaks drives users to seek out these frameworks.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author reports a recent switch to a simplified Zsh configuration, finding no need for plugins. They highlight the utility of Fzf in replacing many plugins and Starship for managing git branch names and virtual environments. Their custom config is succinct, consisting of fewer than ten lines of code for history management, command completion, and initializing Starship with Zsh.