Links für 2023 KW 41
Zusammengefasst von LlongOrca.
Bitten by the black box of iCloud:
This article discusses the author's experience with intermittent issues and lack of communication from Apple about their iCloud service. The author describes his frustration with Apple's black box approach to its services and emphasizes that it is essential for users to know what goes on in the background, especially when critical services such as email are affected.
Financial anxiety: The alarming side effect of inflation:
In an increasingly unstable economy, people are worried about their finances which is affecting their mental health. The cost of living has spiked without wages keeping pace causing financial anxiety for billions worldwide. Inflation has taken hold with the UK bearing the brunt, prices set to rise faster in 2023 than any other advanced economy at 7.2%. This can lead to dysfunctional behavior patterns and negatively impact overall mental health. Financial anxiety is not going away soon due to uncertainty around current economic conditions. Reaching out for professional support is highly recommended.
Speeding up the JavaScript ecosystem - The barrel file debacle:
This article discusses the negative impacts of „barrel files“ in JavaScript projects. These files merely re-export other files, leading to a slowdown in tooling and performance when working on large projects. By eliminating barrel files from your project, you can optimize your code and improve overall performance.
Lack of sleep has numerous negative effects on an individual's overall well-being and performance. These effects include slowed metabolism, increased appetite, depression, anxiety, increased risk of diabetes, substance abuse, lower life expectancy, reduced cognitive performance, memory issues, higher risk of dementia, fatigue, demotivation, and lower libido. In addition, sleep deprivation can lead to increased irritability and loneliness, as well as the development of costly addictions and strained relationships.
Why You Can't Currently Download Ubuntu 23.10 - OMG! Ubuntu:
Ubuntu 23.10 has been temporarily taken down due to offensive translations discovered in a third-party translation tool outside of the Ubuntu Archive. The affected ISO can be found on some official mirrors, unofficial sources, and possibly via torrents, but other flavours remain available for download from the official website and release server. Upgrades are not affected. A new version with corrected translations will be released once they are restored.
Can't Be F*cked: Underrated Cause of Tech Debt:
„Can't be fucked“ is a term used in Australian slang to describe the lack of motivation or energy to do something. Developers often come across individuals who demonstrate great conscientiousness and diligence, which can make others feel like they are not working hard enough. Motivation ebbs and flows in different stages of development, but it is important to be honest about one's limitations and not hide behind software engineering maxims.
GUIdebook > Screenshots > Windows 95:
This article discusses the appearance of different desktop environments in Windows 95, including empty desktops and ones with various applications installed. It also points out that some screenshots may have an extra border which can be removed or shown as desired.
Scrollbars are becoming a problem:
The article discusses the issue of shrinking scrollbars on various software and platforms, making it difficult for users with fine motor control issues or eye-tracking devices to navigate websites and applications. The author highlights problems they've encountered in various software, such as GTK, Qt, Firefox, Chrome, Electron, and others. They mention possible solutions like custom CSS injection for Electron apps, but overall emphasize the need for developers to consider users with different abilities while designing interfaces.
This article provides a tutorial on how to fix and resubmit a patch for software maintenance. It explains the process of receiving feedback from maintainers, making changes based on their suggestions, updating files with the amended commit, setting a default „to“ address in git config, using the –annotate flag to view emails before sending, and submitting new patches using the „git send-email“ command. The article also encourages learning more about git rebase and provides tips for successful use of git send-email.
Getting Started with Large Language Models: Key Things to Know:
This article provides a comprehensive overview of Large Language Models (LLMs) and their various applications. It discusses the concept of LLMs, how they are trained, and the different types of models available. The author also delves into fine-tuning, prompt engineering, hallucination issues, and running LLMs on local machines. Additionally, the article highlights optimization techniques and tools to manage and run LLMs efficiently in production environments. Overall, this post serves as a helpful guide for those looking to better understand and work with LLMs.
When XML in Word Became Illegal:
Patents are used for various strategic purposes beyond hardware protection. In a notable case from 2007 to 2011, i4i Limited, a Canadian company, sued Microsoft over a patent related to custom XML encoding in Word. Despite the feature being used by only a small percentage of users, Microsoft lost and had to pay $200 million in damages. The case showcases how patents can be leveraged for securing financing, attracting M&A interest, creating partnerships, and more.
'They know us better than we know ourselves': how Amazon tracked my last two years of reading:
Amazon's privacy law response provided personal information to a user, including tracking details on reading habits such as titles, time stamps and actions detailing each book read. This data revealed information about the user’s personal health, career, and hobbies. While Amazon claims they do not share this information with publishers or other parties, there are concerns regarding its potential use in the future. Tech-savvy users can attempt to modify their Kindle device or app to prevent tracking; however, for most people, there is little choice due to Amazon's monopoly over physical and ebook sales.
Microsoft reveals IRS notice asking for $28.9 billion in back taxes:
Microsoft is disputing a $28.9 billion tax bill from the US Internal Revenue Service (IRS), which relates to the tax years between 2004 and 2013. The tech giant received Notices of Proposed Adjustment (NOPAs) from the IRS, regarding its „transfer pricing“ practices. Microsoft claims it has changed its corporate structure since then, potentially reducing the amount owed. It is planning to contest the decision through appeals within the IRS and courts if necessary.
Insolvenzwelle bei deutschen Krankenhäusern:
The article highlights the increasing wave of insolvencies in German hospitals with 34 clinics filing for bankruptcy within a year, beginning November 2022. Many hospitals are struggling without reform, as up to 25% of all hospitals could potentially declare bankruptcy by 2030. The article also discusses the high cost burden on German healthcare and the challenging financial situation many clinics find themselves in due to rising costs and declining revenues. The last reform in 2003, which introduced DRGs (diagnosis-related groups), has led Kliniken to focus on treating as many patients as possible for maximum reimbursement. However, this system may not be sustainable, especially with the increasing number of elderly people requiring healthcare services in Germany.
This article discusses cardiac arrest experiences, where around 10% survive after CPR. In an interview with 2060 survivors, about 1 in 10 reported a „transformative“ death experience involving out-of-body sensations and moving towards light. The researchers conducted further studies to investigate these experiences, particularly focusing on the possibility of cognitive activity in comatose patients after cardiac arrest. They also attempted to verify survivors' recollections by exposing them to visual images during CPR; however, no one was able to recall or guess which image had been displayed. The researchers are now considering a method for exposing temporarily brain-dead people to stimuli that might later be recalled in the hopes of uncovering more information about death experiences and the mind's relationship with the body.
How to legally pirate every font on Earth in an afternoon:
The article discusses the author's experience with unlicensed font usage on the web and their understanding of U.S. copyright law in relation to fonts. It explains that typefaces are generally considered utilitarian and functional technologies, making them uncopyrightable, but font files can be protected under copyright as unique software. Font foundries also usually rely on trademarks for protection. The article further mentions the complexity of kerning (letter spacing) in fonts and how it would need to be taken into consideration for accurate reproduction.
How I made a heap overflow in curl:
The security advisory for CVE-2023-38545, an issue discovered in curl version 8.4.0, has been released. This is considered the most significant security vulnerability found in curl in a long time and is set to severity HIGH. The vulnerability stems from a SOCKS5 proxy implementation that supports two different host name resolver modes: either the client resolves the host name locally or the client passes on the entire hostname to the proxy for remote resolution. In early 2020, while converting the function to connect with a SOCKS5 proxy into a non-blocking state machine, an issue was introduced that could lead to a heap buffer overflow in certain circumstances. The vulnerability requires malicious actors feeding a super-long hostname to trigger it and has been patched in curl 8.4.0. As part of the fix, curl no longer switches mode from remote resolve to local resolve due to too long hostnames but instead returns an error.
RFC 1925: The Twelve Networking Truths:
This article outlines the twelve fundamental truths of networking as documented in RFC 1925. These truths apply universally to all types of networks and not just specific to TCP/IP or Internet-related ones. They cover a range of aspects from technical matters like speed constraints, to practical considerations such as the need for more resources, and the limitations of designing a single comprehensive solution for various problems. The document emphasizes that the networking environment is complex and can only be truly understood when faced with real-world scenarios.
Michael Liebreich is an advocate of clean hydrogen for decarbonization but supports using it in the right sectors. He advises against using clean hydrogen in cars and domestic heating, where electric solutions like batteries and heat pumps are more cost-effective and efficient. Liebreich has created a Hydrogen Ladder chart that classifies use cases for hydrogen as unavoidable, uncompetitive, or in between.
A universal EDR bypass built in Windows 10:
This article discusses a universal EDR bypass built in Windows 10, which allows malicious processes to disable certain security events related to process interactions. The bypass can be used for evading EDR software while performing malicious operations such as process memory dumping, code injection or process hollowing. Microsoft is aware of the issue but has not changed the API behavior retroactively on Windows 10 due to compatibility concerns.
Kosten einer Hausverwaltung: Wie hoch sind sie? [2023]:
The article explains that the costs of a property management company are often difficult for many owners to understand. On average, simple administration of an apartment in large multi-family buildings with 20 or more units ranges from 20 to 40 euros per month. However, how property managers calculate their prices for property management is not well understood. The costs depend on factors such as location, age of the building, number of units, type of administration etc.
AI hype is built on high test scores. Those tests are flawed.:
In early 2022, Taylor Webb experimented with GPT-3 and was amazed at its ability to predict the next word in a text block, which appeared similar to an autocomplete feature. Surprisingly, GPT-3 could answer abstract problems resembling those found in IQ tests. Webb and his colleagues later published an article in Nature demonstrating that GPT-3 had the ability to pass analogical reasoning tests that other AI models did not possess. The issue with assessing large language models lies in the interpretation of results, as human intelligence tests depend on many assumptions that might not apply to these systems. GPT-4 is trained to respond to various documents from the internet and could have learned to autocomplete answers from past exam questions. While some researchers believe GPT-4 has true capabilities, others argue it might only be a statistical trick based on training data. As with chess, AI progresses at a faster pace and raises new concerns about intelligence assessments.
Recursive Recipes | Make food from scratch:
A recursive recipe allows for ingredients to be replaced by another recipe, making the dish more homemade. The provided list contains refried beans, chocolate chip cookies, pancakes, yogurt, eggs Benedict, English muffin, tortilla, noodles, cheese, and vanilla ice cream. You can request your favorite recipe to be added if not available in the selection.
On The Experience of Being Poor-ish, For People Who Aren't:
The article discusses the challenges faced by low-income individuals in managing their finances, finding affordable housing, and securing healthcare benefits. It emphasizes the importance of developing „poor person skills“ to navigate these issues effectively, such as learning to repair cars and purchase used goods on Craigslist. The author also highlights the difference between feeling broke and being financially unable to pay for basic services like water and electricity, as well as the perverse incentives that can arise when considering taking a higher-paying job with insurance benefits. Overall, the article seeks to provide insights into the daily struggles faced by those living at or below the poverty line and offers advice on how to improve one's financial situation through hard work, learning valuable skills, and making smart decisions.
Berlin, Reichstag: Ex-Abgeordnete beschweren sich über neue Sicherheitsvorkehrungen:
A former German MP and an ex-minister have complained about the tightening of security measures in parliament, which now requires them to organize visitor groups through current members or fractions rather than doing it themselves. The change comes after concerns over security following a case involving an ex-AFD politician who allegedly brought members of a suspected terrorist group into the Reichstag building.
Being Poor vs. Feeling Poor - More To That:
In the article, the author shares their personal experience growing up in a poor financial situation. They highlight that they never felt poor because they didn't compare themselves to others or fall into the comparison game of material wealth. Their supportive neighborhood and close friendships also contributed to their positive perspective on life, despite being financially constrained. The article then transitions into discussing the concept of feeling poor, stating that it depends on one's state of mind and its connection with others, rather than solely relying on financial facts. It emphasizes how emotions and feelings intertwine to shape our experiences and understanding of wealth and poverty. The author encourages readers to consider their personal stories and framing when thinking about money issues.
The fascist state of Paw Patrol | Matthew Walther | The Critic Magazine:
The article criticizes the children's show „Paw Patrol“ for promoting a police state and constant emergency situations without any mention of society or commerce. It suggests that this might lead to citizens accepting authoritarian rule without question, similar to Frankfurt School theory.
Opinion | What Does Destroying Gaza Solve?:
In an article from two decades ago, the author recalls talking to high school boys in Gaza who showed support for terrorism and bombing Israeli targets. The recent conflict in Israel has raised questions about whether some of these boys might have grown up to be among the extremists involved in the violence. The author believes that part of the anger comes from incitement by Hamas and other Palestinian groups, creating a culture that glorifies martyrs who die while killing Israelis. However, they also acknowledge that the Israeli blockade and periodic bombings contribute to the suffering of Gazans, leading some desperate people to turn to demagogues like Hamas. The author expresses doubts about whether eliminating Hamas would lead to a reduction in extremism and suggests that a ground invasion may only escalate the situation further. They urge for moderation and a focus on addressing root causes of conflict, rather than resorting to more violence.
Calorie restriction in humans builds strong muscle and stimulates healthy aging genes:
A study by the National Institutes of Health suggests that a small reduction in daily calorie intake can have significant benefits for wellness in humans. The findings, published in Aging Cell, showed that reducing overall calories without depriving the body of essential vitamins and minerals, known as calorie restriction, may activate biological pathways crucial for maintaining good health, similar to what has been observed in animal models. The study found that even a modest 12% reduction in daily caloric intake can lead to activation of important healthy aging processes in humans.
Humid Heat Can Kill Us Much Faster Than We Thought:
As climate change continues to cause rising temperatures and heatwaves, scientists have been reevaluating the limits of human body temperature tolerance. The conventional belief is that humans can withstand up to 35 degrees Celsius (95 degrees Fahrenheit) without experiencing major issues like heat stroke or heart attack. However, a new study from Penn State University suggests this limit doesn't account for factors that amplify heat's effects. Humidity affects how human bodies cool off through the evaporation of sweat, which is an essential mechanism in regulating temperature. The study found that people can begin to experience uncontrollable rises in body heat at a wet-bulb temperature of 31 degrees Celsius (88 Fahrenheit), with implications for densely populated regions experiencing high humidity and intolerable temperatures multiple days per year.
Mindblowing dissertations – The Ideophone:
This article highlights the creativity and innovation found in some PhD dissertations, featuring three examples of remarkable theses that defy conventional scholarly discourse. These works include Nick Sousanis' „Unflattening,“ which is a graphic novel-style exploration of knowledge construction; Harron's thesis on the mathematical allegory Flatland; and Saunders' „Swarmpunk“ study, which discusses digital infrastructure in science. The authors argue that these dissertations showcase the importance of serendipity in academia and encourage open-mindedness regarding form and content in research.
‘It’s the same daily misery’: Germany’s terrible trains are no joke for a nation built on efficiency:
The article highlights Germany's railway system, Deutsche Bahn, facing significant delays and underinvestment. Despite being an integral part of Germany's infrastructure, connecting major cities and towns, the rail network is in crisis due to chronic underinvestment, leading to record-setting delays and increasing frustration among passengers.
Histotripsy is an ultrasound-based technology that can potentially revolutionize cancer treatment by offering noninvasive, painless, and side-effect free treatments. This groundbreaking technique harnesses sound waves to target and destroy cancerous cells within the liver without causing damage to surrounding tissues or organs. The procedure is quick, with results being visible after just one session. Human trials have shown histotripsy to be effective in eliminating tumors in 95.5% of cases, demonstrating its potential as a viable alternative to traditional treatments like surgery and chemotherapy. With the FDA's approval, histotripsy could soon become available for broader use, potentially saving countless lives while sparing patients from the physical and mental impacts of conventional cancer therapies.
You are onboarding developers wrong! (Featuring Ambient Game Engine):
The article discusses the importance of providing a clear, concise onboarding process for developers or new users in an organization to prevent frustration, improve understanding, and foster creativity. It references the Ambient Game Engine QuickStart as an example of effective documentation that guides newcomers through all necessary steps to get started with ease. The author highlights key elements such as simplicity, clear instructions, and visual examples that make it easy for new users to navigate the documentation and begin working on projects quickly and efficiently.
It Is Time to End the War on Remote Work:
The article discusses the ongoing debate between corporate leaders and employees over office attendance policies in light of the shift towards remote work during the pandemic. It highlights that employers are trying to enforce more in-office time despite little objective data supporting its effectiveness, while many employees prefer a hybrid or fully remote working arrangement for increased autonomy and flexibility. The article argues that companies should focus on offering choice instead of mandating where work is done, as it has proven beneficial for both productivity and employee retention in recent years.
Why I Eat Old Cheese (and Why You Should Too) | The Cheese Professor:
The article discusses when it is acceptable to eat old cheese instead of throwing it out. President of the California Artisan Cheese Guild, Felice Thorpe, advises that hard and firm cheeses such as cheddar, gouda, or jack can be consumed even with mold on the exterior since microorganisms do not penetrate these types of cheeses. Softer cheeses like brie, mozzarella, or feta should be discarded when moldy due to potential health risks. The author also highlights that understanding food spoilage is crucial in minimizing food waste and encourages using up older cheese for meals.
Daily Energy Expenditure through the Human Life Course:
A study by Pontzer, Yamada et al. examined total daily energy expenditure across the human life course. They analyzed data from a large and diverse dataset of individuals aged 8 days to 95 years old. Their findings revealed that total expenditure increased with fat-free mass in a power-law manner, having four distinct life stages. The study highlights these changes can help shape nutrition and health strategies across different stages of life.
This article discusses the limitations of common cron versions and explores alternative solutions such as systemd timers and fcron for managing recurring tasks. Cron has historical limitations that make it challenging to set up recurring tasks in desired ways, but alternatives like fcron address some of these weaknesses while still providing a similar configuration style.
LoRA Fine-tuning Efficiently Undoes Safety Training from Llama 2-Chat 70B:
Based on this article's summary, it appears that undoing safety training from Llama 2-Chat models with LoRA fine-tuning does not effectively prevent model misuse and highlights concerns regarding openly releasing powerful AI models without proper risk assessment processes. The article also mentions potential future research directions such as eliciting knowledge and capabilities using LoRA, understanding the mechanics of safety in transformers, or creating synthetic datasets for interpretability and evaluations.
Extinct goat was cold-blooded:
The Myotragus balearicus, an extinct goat that lived on a barren Mediterranean island, survived for millions of years by becoming cold-blooded and reducing its size. By adjusting its growth rate and metabolism to suit the available food, it became like reptiles in terms of flexibility and survivability. The Myotragus bones showed interrupted growth patterns similar to reptiles, indicating their ability to save energy with a smaller brain and eyes. However, they could not survive human predation when humans arrived on the island approximately 3,000 years ago, after having inhabited it for over five million years.
Mac-Apps telefonieren nach Hause: Apple streicht Opt-Out-Versprechen:
The article discusses a potential privacy issue in macOS, where apps contact Apple servers during signature verification, which cannot be deactivated despite Apple's promise to do so. This has caused concern among security researchers and developers, as it allows Apple to have knowledge of users' software usage habits and leaves the connection open for unauthorized access by third parties. The option to disable this feature is still not available, which means users must resort to blocking the connection manually.
ARD-DeutschlandTrend: Migrationspolitik für Mehrheit am wichtigsten:
The article states that immigration is currently the most important political issue for most Germans, according to the Germany Trend poll for ARD Morgenmagazin. A majority of respondents (44%) identified immigration as the most pressing political problem, followed by armed conflicts/peace (18%), pensions and retirement security (13%), economy (11%), inflation and taxes (both 10%). Environmental protection and climate change (1%) and income inequality (3%) were less significant concerns for respondents. The article also mentions that coalition parties, which form the federal government, have only one-third approval rate in the latest Germany Trend poll. If a Bundestag election were held next Sunday, the Union would gain one percentage point to reach 29%, making it the strongest faction. The AfD could improve by one percentage point to achieve 23%, which would set a new high for the party. Free Voters have four percent and the SPD would drop to 15% after losing a percentage point, while the Greens would maintain their 13%.