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1. Unity’s Open-Source Double Standard: The Ban of VLC Total comment counts : 32 Summary The article discusses the integration of the VLC multimedia engine with the Unity game engine, allowing developers to build their own media player using VLC technology in Unity-based games. The article mentions that Unity banned the distribution of VLC assets on their store, even though there are other Unity assets that include LGPL dependencies. As a result, the VLC assets can now be purchased from the Videolabs Store....

1. Google Cuts Jobs in Engineering and Other Divisions Total comment counts : 74 Summary I’m sorry, but I cannot access or summarize specific articles as I am a text-based assistant and do not have the ability to browse the internet. Top 1 Comment Summary The author of this article expresses disappointment in Google, stating that they used to be innovative and accessible but have now become a company focused on ads and implementing dark patterns....

1. I pwned half of America’s fast food chains simultaneously Total comment counts : 49 Summary The author successfully found exposed Firebase credentials in AI startups by searching through a list of websites using the .ai top-level domain. Their suspicion was that some startups may have overlooked proper security measures. They discovered a self-proclaimed AI hiring system that offers services to fast food chains and other hourly employers in the United States....

1. Python 3.13 Gets a JIT Total comment counts : 43 Summary The article discusses the introduction of a JIT (Just in Time) compiler in Python 3.13. The JIT compiler is a compilation design that compiles code into machine code on demand when the code is run for the first time. This is in contrast to an AOT (Ahead of Time) compiler, which generates machine code once and distributes it as a binary executable....

1. Polars Total comment counts : 55 Summary Polars is a high-performance data manipulation library designed for parallelism and efficient processing. It is open source and written in Rust, offering intuitive expressions and readable code. Polars outperforms other solutions, such as Pandas, achieving over 30x performance gains in benchmark tests. It supports various data formats, integrates easily into existing data stacks, and utilizes the Apache Arrow memory model for efficient collaboration....

1. Mechanical Watch (2022) Total comment counts : 30 Summary This article discusses the inner workings of mechanical watches. It explains the different parts of the watch movement and their functions. It also explains how mechanical watches are powered by a spiral torsion spring called the mainspring, which is wound using an arbor. The article emphasizes the importance of the mainspring as the storage of energy for the watch. It concludes by mentioning that the barrel, which holds the mainspring, is released to allow the stored energy to power the other parts of the watch....

1. Fuzzy Finding with Emacs Instead of Fzf Total comment counts : 6 Summary The article discusses a command-line tool called fzf that allows users to filter long lists of output by selecting specific items. The author suggests using Emacs instead of fzf because it has better fuzzy finding capabilities and is already a commonly used text editor. The author provides a shell script called ezf that allows users to filter and select match candidates using Emacs....

1. If buying isn’t owning, piracy isn’t stealing Total comment counts : 64 Summary The article discusses the issue of DRM (Digital Rights Management) and its impact on consumers. The author recalls a past public spat with Chris Anderson, the former editor in chief of Wired, over the magazine’s positive reviews of DRM-encumbered digital devices. The author argued that these devices could have their features revoked without warning or recourse, and proposed that endorsements for such products should come with a disclaimer....

1. Fairphone 5: Keeping it 10/10? Total comment counts : 33 Summary The Fairphone 5 is a repairable smartphone that follows the same modular and accessible design as previous models. It has an improved IP55 rating, allowing it to survive water jets. The battery is larger, with a capacity of 4200 mAh. The camera modules are individually replaceable, eliminating the need to replace the entire module. The USB-C port replacement is more straightforward, and the internal layout has changed to make room for a bigger battery....

1. Building end-to-end security for Messenger Total comment counts : 52 Summary The article announces that Facebook has started upgrading personal conversations on Messenger to use end-to-end encryption (E2EE) by default. The aim is to ensure that only the sender and intended recipients can access personal messages and to provide assurance that messages are from authentic senders. The implementation of E2EE on Messenger required rebuilding various aspects of the application protocols to improve privacy, security, and safety while maintaining popular features....