hackernews

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....

1. You’ll regret using natural keys Total comment counts : 84 Summary The article discusses the concept of natural keys in database design and raises a question about whether they are ever a good idea. The author shares a personal anecdote about a car inspection where a mechanic was able to easily change the incorrect chassis number, despite concerns about potential complications. The author is currently taking a course in databases and information systems, and notes that the students are proposing database designs with natural keys....

1. Diffusion on syntax trees for program synthesis Total comment counts : 24 Summary error Top 1 Comment Summary The article mentions a presentation about generating hints for students by mutating the syntax tree and analyzing the modifications made to reach a target solution. The author suggests that this approach, which was presented at a RacketCon event many years ago, could potentially be combined with newer machine learning techniques. A link to the talk is also provided....

1. How many photons are received per bit transmitted from Voyager 1? Total comment counts : 27 Summary The article discusses the number of photons transmitted and received per bit by Voyager 1 when it sends messages to Earth. Option A states that Voyager sends 160 bits/second with 23W, resulting in approximately 4 x 10^24 photons per second or 2.6 x 10^22 per bit. Option B mentions that the receiver with a 70m dish will collect only 1....

1. How do our brains adapt to control an extra body part? Total comment counts : 33 Summary Researchers at the University of Cambridge have developed a robotic device called the Third Thumb, which is a controllable prosthetic thumb that can be used to pick up and manipulate objects. The thumb is worn on the opposite side of the palm to the biological thumb and is controlled by pressure sensors placed under each big toe or foot....