hackernews

1. LLM Inevitabilism Total comment counts : 132 Summary The article discusses the concept of “inevitabilism,” a worldview suggesting that certain futures, like the rise of AI, are unavoidable and should be embraced. The author recalls advice from a debate champion friend about framing discussions on one’s own terms. Influential tech figures present AI’s advancement as inevitable, shifting the focus from “is this the future you want?” to “how will you adapt?...

1. Cognition (Devin AI) to Acquire Windsurf Total comment counts : 57 Summary Cognition has signed an agreement to acquire Windsurf, an innovative IDE, including its intellectual property, trademark, and talented team. The Windsurf team will continue operations as usual while Cognition integrates its capabilities into its products. This acquisition aims to accelerate Cognition’s efforts in software engineering, leveraging Windsurf’s strengths and the exceptional talent of its employees. Cognition commits to treating the new staff with respect and transparency....

1. How does a screen work? Total comment counts : 24 Summary Dan Hollick’s article explores the evolution of digital displays, highlighting their critical yet often overlooked role in computing history. From early electron guns to modern tiny electric crystals, the development of display technology has significantly enhanced user interaction with computers. The piece emphasizes how these advancements have paved the way for more sophisticated digital experiences. Top 1 Comment Summary The article critiques an assertion that modern displays refresh the entire screen simultaneously....

1. MacPaint Art from the Mid-80s Still Looks Great Today Total comment counts : 63 Summary The author enjoyed exploring a vast archive of over 18,000 MacPaint images and discovered intriguing early 80s digital art. They express a desire to track down the original artists and see their current work, noting the impressive creativity possible with limited technology of the time. The author also plans to investigate Amiga computer art from the same era....

1. OpenAI’s Windsurf deal is off, and Windsurf’s CEO is going to Google Total comment counts : 80 Summary Google has hired key researchers from the AI coding startup Windsurf, including CEO Varun Mohan and cofounder Douglas Chen, after a failed acquisition attempt by OpenAI. They will join Google DeepMind to work on agentic coding, particularly the Gemini project. Although Google does not own Windsurf, it has secured a non-exclusive license for some of its technology....

1. Bootstrapping a side project into a profitable seven-figure business Total comment counts : 73 Summary In just four years, ProjectionLab has achieved $1 million in annual recurring revenue, transforming from a personal finance tool into a resource for over 100,000 households. The founder, inspired by the financial independence movement, faced numerous challenges, including emotional highs and lows, before realizing persistence is key to success. Collaborating with growth partner Jon Kuipers and leveraging a community of engaged users has been crucial....

1. Supabase MCP can leak your entire SQL database Total comment counts : 71 Summary The Model Context Protocol (MCP) enables LLMs to interface with external tools but introduces risks, as demonstrated by an attack on Supabase. An attacker can exploit the integration to leak sensitive SQL data by submitting a crafted message that the AI assistant mistakenly interprets as a command, bypassing Row-Level Security (RLS). The AI assistant, holding elevated privileges, can execute SQL queries that reveal private information when a developer reviews support tickets....

1. Mercury: Ultra-fast language models based on diffusion Total comment counts : 49 Summary arXivLabs is a platform for developing and sharing new features on arXiv, promoting values of openness, community, excellence, and user data privacy. Collaborators must adhere to these principles. Interested in contributing? Details on project proposals are available. Additionally, users can receive status notifications via email or Slack. Top 1 Comment Summary The article discusses the growing concern about continuous integration (CI) bottlenecks as large language model (LLM) agents become more prevalent in coding....

1. Hidden interface controls that affect usability Total comment counts : 67 Summary Douglas Engelbart introduced the concept of “knowledge in the world” versus “knowledge in the head” in interface design, later popularized by Donald Norman. Knowledge in the world means controls are visible and easily identified, as seen in drop-down menus, enabling users to perform tasks without memorization. However, we are increasingly reverting to designs requiring significant knowledge in the head, especially with modern devices like smartphones....