1. CARA – High precision robot dog using rope
Total comment counts : 42
Summary
CARA (Capstans Are Really Awesome) is an advanced quadrupedal robot designed without gears or pulleys, using capstan drives for its joints. Building on past designs, CARA uniquely leverages capstan drives, which provide high torque, zero backlash, and quiet operation. Achieving an exact 8:1 gear ratio required precise calculations of effective drum diameters. The robot’s legs utilize a 5-bar linkage system for compactness and load distribution, powered by BLDC motors and controlled using ODrive controllers. CARA’s feet are made of durable materials, while various structural components were 3D-printed for optimal performance.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author appreciates Aaed’s videos on the capstan drive technology, noting its high speed, high torque, compliance, and minimal backlash. They express admiration for Aaed’s engineering expertise and find the content engaging.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article praises advancements in robotics and cinematography available online, highlighting the impressive quality of visual presentation. It notes that the tools currently accessible for personal workshops continue to have significant implications that are still being explored.
2. The Promised LAN
Total comment counts : 33
Summary
The Promised LAN is a closed, membership-only network that has operated as a 24/7 LAN party since 2021. It features a backbone network connecting independent segments, utilizing a mix of Debian and OpenBSD nodes over IPSec links. Each LAN automatically receives a domain under the non-standard TLD .tpl. The network maintains core services via distributed root DNS servers and issues certificates through a self-managed PKI system. Members communicate securely, implementing common algorithms for speed and security. A manifesto is available to guide potential members on the LAN’s social and technical dynamics.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article contrasts different definitions of a “LAN party.” The traditional definition involves participants bringing their computers to a single location for gaming and file sharing. In contrast, the author’s version consists of friends using pre-set computers at his home, focusing on face-to-face interaction rather than file swapping. The “Promised LAN Party” extends the concept virtually, allowing participants to connect from home but lacking in-person engagement. The author humorously ponders who faces more disagreement regarding their definition of a LAN party.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article includes a link to a manifesto or description, suggesting that it provides more engaging content than the linked page itself. The link is provided for further exploration: https://notes.pault.ag/tpl/.
3. Building better AI tools
Total comment counts : 30
Summary
The author critiques the development of AI tools, arguing they are created backward and fail to harness human learning potential. He outlines how humans learn best through Retrieval Practice, emphasizing process over mere knowledge. The tech industry celebrates individual innovation, neglecting the importance of collective learning and cumulative iteration. This misalignment risks deskilling humans as AI takes over tasks they excel at. He suggests that AI should function as an “absent-minded instructor” to enhance human capabilities instead of diminishing them, promoting a learning environment that improves collective knowledge and problem-solving.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article critiques Weakly’s perspective on AI agents in incident resolution, arguing that she misrepresents their potential. While she advocates for agents to provide advice akin to Clippy, the author questions the value of having humans manually analyze logs when AI excels in this area. The author believes Weakly improperly separates advisory roles from actionable tasks, emphasizing that while some actions should remain human-controlled, AI can effectively manage many incident resolution tasks. The main goal of incident resolution should be efficiency and effectiveness, which AI can facilitate.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the shift in AI tool development towards “Intelligent Workspaces” rather than just chatbots. It advocates for creating environments that provide comprehensive controls for users, fully integrated with AI capabilities. This approach involves complex work beyond simple adaptations, such as a modified version of VSCode.
4. Cops say criminals use a Google Pixel with GrapheneOS – I say that’s freedom
Total comment counts : 64
Summary
Police in Catalonia, Spain, are profiling individuals based on their use of Google Pixel phones, associating them with criminal activity due to a rise in drug traffickers choosing these devices, particularly those running GrapheneOS—a privacy-focused alternative. Users of GrapheneOS benefit from enhanced privacy and security features, including stricter app sandboxing and control over permissions, which significantly restricts data access by apps like Google’s. The app’s effectiveness in improving user privacy, along with attention from law enforcement, underscores its role in promoting civil liberties in an era of increasing surveillance.
Top 1 Comment Summary
GrapheneOS asserts that European authorities and some media are mischaracterizing GrapheneOS and Pixel phones as tools for criminals. The organization claims this misrepresentation reflects an attack on its project and is an attempt to support a mass surveillance state. GrapheneOS opposes such authoritarian tactics and defends its platform against these inaccurate portrayals.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The argument that privacy isn’t a concern if one has nothing to hide is flawed, as it assumes authorities determine what is deemed private. Corruption within governments can lead to misuse of this power. For instance, individuals may feel secure in their identity until a new regime criminalizes it, gaining access to personal information of those who believed they had nothing to conceal.
5. Show HN: Tinder but it’s only pictures of my wife and I can only swipe right
Total comment counts : 99
Summary
error
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author describes a humorous situation where they were secretly using an app in bed, prompting curiosity from their wife. After some playful resistance, she takes a look at the app, and despite her initial skepticism, they end up having a great night together afterward.
Top 2 Comment Summary
A user expressed frustration after downloading an app and purchasing a premium subscription, yet they did not achieve the desired outcome of finding a partner. They are urging the developers to address the issue.
6. Neil Armstrong’s customs form for moon rocks (2016)
Total comment counts : 19
Summary
Upon returning from their historic Apollo 11 mission in 1969, astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin, and Michael Collins had to fill out a customs declaration form for the moon rocks and dust they collected. Their flight was noted as departing from the Moon, arriving in Honolulu, Hawaii. The declaration addressed potential health risks from space travel with a response of “To be determined.” This interesting anecdote highlights the rigorous nature of U.S. customs regulations, even for items from outer space. Luama Mays, a UC alumnus, shared the form with UC Magazine.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses how the biohazard quarantine procedures for returning Apollo astronauts were largely theatrical, rather than strictly necessary. Despite the genuine nature of the Apollo moon landing, historical reviews indicate that precautions taken to protect Earth from potential lunar contamination were primarily publicity stunts. The claims emphasize that the fear of extraterrestrial organisms was more about creating a narrative than actual risk management.
Top 2 Comment Summary
British paratroopers commemorated the 80th anniversary of D-Day by reenacting an airdrop behind German lines. Upon landing in Normandy, they encountered French customs officials at a makeshift border checkpoint, where they presented their passports for inspection. This unique event highlighted the historical significance of the D-Day operations while providing a modern twist.
7. What to expect from Debian/Trixie
Total comment counts : 28
Summary
Debian v13, codenamed “trixie,” is set for stable release on August 9, 2025. Efforts to prepare packages and ensure smooth upgrades began in August 2024, showing promising results. Key updates include a new systemd version, a Linux kernel based on version 6.12, and various package upgrades like puppet-agent and ansible. VirtualBox and Vagrant face issues due to upstream package availability and compatibility with the new kernel. Notable changes in tools like util-linux and OpenSSH also occur. Users are advised to consult the official release notes for more details and potential issues.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author has been using Debian’s testing branch, Trixie, since late 2023 and generally prefers stable releases for about six months to minimize package changes. They’ve found the experience to be reliable and functional, with no boot issues after updates, typically done every 2-4 weeks. The author appreciates Debian’s effectiveness, attributing its success to the contributions of volunteers, donations, and sponsors, despite acknowledging that it’s not perfect.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the existence of 14 distinct naming schemes for network interfaces, highlighting the complexity and unpredictability of these schemes. The author expresses frustration with the notion of them being “predictable.” For more details, the article references a source on Debian’s man pages about systemd network naming.
8. Parsing Protobuf like never before
Total comment counts : 20
Summary
The article discusses the author’s development of “hyperpb,” a Go library for high-performance Protobuf parsing, building on optimizations from UPB, a fast C parser. Hyperpb outperforms existing Go Protobuf parsers, utilizing dynamic configurations and Go’s unique features to enhance performance. The author highlights challenges in integrating Go with C libraries due to Go’s garbage collection and calling conventions but asserts that hyperpb’s design leverages Go’s strengths, allowing it to achieve significant efficiency improvements. The library combines several optimizations while remaining runtime-dynamic, aiming to revolutionize Protobuf processing in Go.
Top 1 Comment Summary
There are two perspectives on codecs that include a parsing library with a compiler, VM, and PGO. The first view suggests that such a codec is problematic and warrants reevaluation. The second view posits that it indicates the codec is highly valuable and widely adopted.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the challenges of writing fast interpreters in Go due to its internal architecture. The author expresses surprise at the determination of others to optimize speed, particularly for tasks like protobuf parsing. There’s hope that increased focus on performance could prompt the Go team to address these challenges, potentially reducing the need for low-level optimizations.
9. Algorithms for Modern Processor Architectures
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
Daniel Lemire, a professor at Université du Québec, discusses optimizing CPU performance by minimizing instruction counts in computational workloads. He highlights that modern processors can handle multiple instructions per cycle, and reducing instruction requirements can enhance speed significantly. Notably, he mentions advancements in number parsing, achieving speeds up to 1 GB/s, and discusses the efficiency of processors like Intel’s Ice Lake. Lemire’s work includes developing fast JSON and Unicode parsing libraries, promoting performance improvements through techniques like unrolling and efficient handling of cache misses. More details can be found on his blog and GitHub.
Top 1 Comment Summary
When optimizing software performance, processors can learn from extensive input benchmarks. It’s advisable to choose branchless solutions if they match performance levels. Avoid benchmarking small software components in isolation, as combining the fastest parts may lead to performance issues due to shared resources like branch history tables and branch target buffers. Generally, prioritize straight-line code over potentially faster microbenchmark results to maintain overall performance stability.
Top 2 Comment Summary
A presentation took place today at SEA 2025, and the author expresses hope for the availability of a video recording soon.
10. Why Elixir? Common misconceptions
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
The article highlights Elixir as an exceptional platform for modern development, countering common misconceptions about its capabilities. Built on the Erlang VM, Elixir excels in scalability, concurrency, and resilience, making it ideal for complex, real-time applications. It features a mature ecosystem with frameworks like Phoenix for integrated web development and the Ash framework for efficient backend creation. Additionally, Elixir supports numerical computing through the NX project, enhancing machine learning integration. Its user-friendly syntax fosters high developer productivity, while a smaller, dedicated community contributes to stronger team cohesion and lower turnover.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author, who has been using Elixir since 2017 and professionally since 2024, contrasts experiences in personal and team projects. They appreciate Elixir’s rapid development for personal use but find it challenging in corporate settings due to dynamic typing, which complicates understanding code paths and increases the risk of introducing bugs. They express optimism for Gleam and other static languages that adopt similar concurrency models, while also voicing discontent with Phoenix LiveView and the ambiguity in Domain Driven Design concepts.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses reluctance to try Elixir due to its dynamic typing, finding it challenging to adapt after using strictly typed languages. They question whether their hesitation is unfounded and consider the possibility of giving Elixir a chance.