hackernews

1. Voyager 1 is back online! NASA spacecraft returns data from all 4 instruments Total comment counts : 26 Summary NASA’s Voyager 1 spacecraft, which experienced technical issues in November 2023, has resumed full science operations. The spacecraft, which is 46 years old and located 15 billion miles away from Earth, lost its ability to communicate effectively but has now fixed the problem. The team identified that the flight data subsystem was causing the issue and implemented a workaround....

1. Land value tax in online games and virtual worlds (2022) Total comment counts : 26 Summary The article discusses the issue of “digital land crisis” in multiplayer games with a “digital land economy”. It highlights that games featuring “land-like assets” often suffer from a scarcity of land, leading to housing crises and speculators hoarding resources. This negatively affects the economy and enjoyment of the game for most players. The article suggests implementing a Land Value Tax (LVT) as a solution to combat land speculation in virtual worlds....

1. How Meta trains large language models at scale Total comment counts : 16 Summary The article discusses the challenges faced in training large language models (LLMs) using AI technology. It highlights the need to rethink software, hardware, and network infrastructure to support generative AI (GenAI) at scale. The article emphasizes the importance of perfecting infrastructure, developing efficient algorithms for scheduling and training, and optimizing hardware configurations. It also discusses the challenges of adapting existing hardware and deploying it in data centers, as well as the need for robust network infrastructure for data transfer....

1. Silicon Valley’s best kept secret: Founder liquidity Total comment counts : 95 Summary The article discusses the disparity in equity and risk between founders and early employees in startup companies. It highlights the common narrative that founders take on greater risks and therefore receive larger equity stakes. However, the article introduces the concept of founder liquidity, where founders sell a portion of their shares during funding rounds to secure personal financial stability....

1. Lynn Conway Has Died Total comment counts : 50 Summary Lynn Ann Conway was an American computer scientist, electrical engineer, and transgender activist. She worked at IBM in the 1960s and made significant contributions to computer processing, including inventing generalized dynamic instruction handling. She also played a crucial role in the Mead-Conway VLSI chip design revolution, which transformed microchip design and led to advancements in electronic design automation and chip production....

1. Show HN: Markdown HN profiles at {user}.at.hn Total comment counts : 33 Summary The article discusses a new way to display a user’s profile on Hacker News, called “karma: 99999999 | profile | submissions | comments”. It suggests that this new format provides a more comprehensive and visually appealing representation of a user’s bio. An example can be found at padolsey.at.hn. Top 1 Comment Summary The author suggests that those who promote on OnlyFans, a platform known for adult content, should be cautious about a new “social” platform where they can promote....

1. Viagra improves brain blood flow and could help to prevent dementia Total comment counts : 43 Summary A recent trial conducted by the University of Oxford has shown that sildenafil, commonly known as Viagra, can improve blood flow to the brain and enhance the function of brain blood vessels in individuals at risk of vascular dementia. This study marks an important advancement in the treatment of this debilitating condition. Chronic damage to small blood vessels in the brain is the main cause of vascular dementia and also contributes to strokes and brain bleeds....

1. Apollo 8 astronaut William Anders ID’d in WA plane crash Total comment counts : 30 Summary Former Apollo 8 astronaut Bill Anders has been confirmed dead after a plane he was piloting crashed just off the San Juan Islands. The crash occurred on Friday afternoon and Anders’ son confirmed his death. The vintage Air Force T-34 Mentor plane was owned by Anders, who was a resident of San Juan County....

1. Ice – open source menu bar manager for macOS Total comment counts : 37 Summary The article discusses Ice, a menu bar management tool for macOS. It mentions that Ice aims to provide a wide range of features, including hiding and showing menu bar items. Although still in active development, Ice can be downloaded, and users can rearrange their menu bar items by dragging them. The article also mentions that Ice uses certain system APIs that are available starting with macOS 14 and that Ice is available under the MIT license....

1. Microsoft AI spying scandal: time to rethink privacy standards Total comment counts : 38 Summary error Top 1 Comment Summary The article discusses consumer privacy behaviors and the assumption that anything legally for sale is considered safe for consumers. In the digital economy, regulatory standards have drifted, allowing products with potential harmful effects to be sold. The article emphasizes the need for pushback from regulators to protect consumers. Top 2 Comment Summary The article discusses the failure of people’s privacy instincts and how their desire for privacy is only strong against identifiable individuals, not faceless organizations....