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This article is about Jase Patrick, who has become an advocate for consumers in the auto industry after experiencing firsthand the unethical practices of dealerships. He shares his own story of being a young and inexperienced car buyer who was taken advantage of by a dealership, leading to financial difficulties and heartbreak.
Jase's experiences have made him aware of the common tactics used by dealers to maximize profits, such as advertising low prices online but adding on hidden fees and unnecessary extras during the sales process. He also explains how F&I (finance and insurance) departments are a major profit center for dealerships, often using delay tactics and creating „leg“ on deals by adding service extras that can be duplicative or even fraudulent.
The article highlights the lack of transparency in the industry, with customers often having difficulty obtaining the real paperwork needed to see any discrepancies or understand the terms of their loans. This makes it challenging for consumers to refinance out of bad deals and exposes them to practices like „forced financing“ and the „yo-yo“ scam.
Despite the challenges he faces in trying to effect change, Jase is determined to fight against these unethical practices. He has shared his ideas with state legislators and members of Congress, suggesting a comprehensive framework that would address the foundational issues that make auto sales difficult for consumers. His goal is not just to help individual customers but to hold dealers accountable and potentially see those responsible sent to jail.
In conclusion, this article provides an in-depth look at the tactics used by some car dealerships to take advantage of consumers and highlights the efforts of one man determined to bring about change in the industry.
Well, it's just an AWS Account ID!:
This article highlights the importance of AWS Account IDs in cloud security and their potential risks. AWS accounts have unique 12-digit identifiers that are crucial for resource sharing between accounts or with external vendors. Knowing an account ID can lead to various attack strategies, such as bruteforcing IAM entities, discovering services in use, finding public resources, and evading detection. While the Account ID itself is not a security risk, its value lies in helping with other cloud attacks by correlating resources and gathering information. It's essential for organizations to ensure they have no unintended public assets and implement robust controls to protect their AWS environment.
Bypassing the GIL for Parallel Processing in Python – Real Python:
This comprehensive tutorial explores parallel processing in Python, with a focus on bypassing the Global Interpreter Lock (GIL) to achieve true multi-threaded parallelism. It covers various techniques for achieving parallelism, including replacing CPython with an alternative runtime environment, using GIL-immune libraries like NumPy, writing and using C extension modules, leveraging Cython, and calling foreign functions. The tutorial also includes a practical example of parallel image processing in Python by building a desktop application that adjusts exposure and gamma values of loaded images.
GlobalInterpreterLock - Python Wiki:
The global interpreter lock (GIL) is a mutex in CPython that protects access to Python objects, preventing multiple threads from executing Python bytecodes at once. It ensures thread safety and prevents race conditions. However, the GIL can be a bottleneck as it restricts multiprocessor systems' performance. Jython and IronPython do not have a GIL and can fully exploit multiprocessor systems. PyPy currently has a GIL like CPython, while Cython allows temporary release of the GIL using a „with“ statement. The GIL is an ongoing topic for discussion in the python-dev mailing list as alternatives are sought that maintain simplicity, concurrency, speed, features, API compatibility, and support existing Python features.
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Do skis get blunt? - Marc's Blog:
The article discusses a conversation with a retired Olympic ski tuner who claimed that ski tuning was all a scam and that dry skis would stay sharp for their entire lifetime. However, the author demonstrates through using an inspection microscope that abrasion does occur on ski edges even when kept dry, suggesting that ski tuning is necessary to maintain optimal performance. The article also provides guidance on how to fix this damage using a 3D printed jig with a diamond stone, resulting in clean and sharp edges for better performance in snow conditions.
The price of gold – how bad do you really want it?:
The Price of Gold documentary features Swedish track and field athletes who have won numerous medals but at the cost of severe injuries and years spent in rehabilitation. It highlights the sacrifices that must be made by elite athletes, such as giving up on normal activities, dealing with mental health issues, and being willing to get hurt. The documentary also emphasizes the importance of individual effort and critical thinking in order to succeed as an athlete.
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars:
The European Union has mandated the use of Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) systems in all new cars starting July 7, 2024. These systems are designed to automatically slow down vehicles in response to posted speed limits and can be used with GPS and traffic sign recognition technology. There are four methods for warning drivers that they are speeding, but they can be easily bypassed. The objective of this regulation is to protect Europeans against traffic accidents, poor air quality, and climate change while also defending the competitiveness of the European automotive industry. The use of ISA systems in cars has raised concerns about their effectiveness in reducing speeding incidents and the potential for intrusive surveillance measures in the future.
Children’s daily sugar consumption halved just a year after tax, study finds:
A study published in the Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health has found that the amount of sugar consumed by children from soft drinks in the UK halved within a year of the sugar tax being introduced. The research, which looked at responses from 7,999 adults and 7,656 children between 2008 and 2019 to the annual nationally representative UK National Diet and Nutrition Survey, showed that daily sugar intake for both children and adults fell after the levy's introduction. Despite this reduction, the amount of sugar consumed by adults and children still remains above the recommended guidelines, contributing to high levels of tooth decay, obesity, diabetes, and other illnesses.
US ban on at-home distilling is unconstitutional, Texas judge rules:
A federal judge in Texas has ruled that the 156-year-old ban on at-home distilling is unconstitutional. The ruling sides with the Hobby Distillers Association, which advocates for the legalization of personal spirits production. The judge agreed that the ban exceeded Congress' taxing power and violated the U.S. Constitution's Commerce Clause. The judge issued a permanent injunction, preventing the ban from being enforced against the Association's members. The U.S. Department of Justice, which defended the law, did not respond to a request for comment.
Jurigged: A Hot Reloading Package for Python Live Development:
The article discusses the „jurigged“ package, which lets you update your code while it runs in a Python script. The package is easy to use and works by hot patching the new function into the running script. Jurigged can be used to update functions, modules, and even generator functions and async functions in a live coding environment. The package requires Python version 3.8 or higher.
Embedded Python: MicroPython Is Amazing:
The article highlights the benefits of using MicroPython for hackers and developers, emphasizing its speedy interactivity (REPL), ease of use, and numerous built-in libraries. It is mentioned that MicroPython can be used on various microcontrollers like RP2040 boards such as Pi Pico, and can be particularly useful in building devices quickly, debugging code, and prototyping snippets. Despite some challenges such as needing more attention span and clock cycle usage, the article concludes by saying that MicroPython is an incredibly valuable addition to a hacker's toolkit.
The article discusses Koel, a music streaming solution with various features such as transparent FLAC support, cross-device playback synchronization, and equalizer settings. It is designed with a modern interface and offers integrations with Last.fm, Spotify, and YouTube. The article also mentions that Koel Plus is available for purchase with additional features, including individual libraries, music collaboration, and more storage drivers.
The article discusses the toilet snorkel, which was patented in 1982. This invention is designed to provide a trapped individual in a burning high-rise with an alternative method of breathing until they can be rescued.
AMD Has A Crucial Linux Optimization Coming To Lower Power Use During Video Playback:
AMD Ryzen „Phoenix“ laptop users have reported high power consumption during GPU-accelerated video playback. Engineers have identified and provided a fix for this issue, enabling Dynamic Power Gating during VCN video playback for these latest AMD Ryzen laptops. This optimization is expected to result in noticeably lower power consumption. The patches are currently under review and testing, aiming to be included in either the Linux 6.10 or early Linux 6.11 release.
Lion brothers in search of mates just set a record for longest known swim:
In February, scientists monitoring lion populations in Uganda captured thermal drone footage of two lions, Jacob and Tibu, swimming across the Kazinga Channel connecting two lakes, likely to find mates. The 1.5-kilometer swim is the longest recorded by lions so far. This feat likely resulted from increased pressure from human encroachment on the national park where they reside, which has experienced significant human pressures and poaching rates. Lion brothers Jacob and Tibu braved hippos and crocodiles to make the crossing. This is not the first time Jacob has defied the odds; he is famous for surviving various incidents that might have been fatal. The researchers observed African lions swimming significant distances on six other occasions over the last year in western Uganda, indicating that where motivation is sufficient, lions can cross large rivers despite being vulnerable to injury or death.
Iconography of the X Window System: The Boot Stipple:
The article discusses the stipple pattern used as a background for the X Window System and its significance in symbolizing an era of computer practitioners' experiences. It delves into the history of the X Window System, root weave bitmap file, and different versions of Linux and their ecosystem software. The author reminisces about the past while exploring the legacy code and the evolution of the X Window System over time.
Rulers of the Ancient World — burnHeart:
The „Rulers of the Ancient World“ project is a metrology/design/production project focused on creating period-correct rulers from various ancient empires. It aims to showcase the artfulness of handmade tools and the capability of handwork and CNC milling in producing unique, novel products. The original series of four rulers (Egyptian Span & Cubit, Roman Cubitus, and Japanese Kanejaku) are made from local Hard Maple, hand planed, French polished, waxed, and etched by CNC with a 0.1 mm engraving bit. The Limited Edition ruler set features Egyptian Span, Roman Cubitus, and Japanese Shaku rulers made with historically accurate woods for their respective cultures. The project highlights the use of ancient measurement systems, allowing for physical and tactile engagement with a piece of history, and emphasizing the beauty and novelty in toolmaking when traditional techniques are combined with CNC machinery.
The Great Lightbulb Conspiracy:
The Phoebus cartel, founded in 1924 by leading international lightbulb manufacturers, was the first cartel in history to enjoy a truly global reach. The cartel's primary goal was to engineer a shorter life span for incandescent lightbulbs, which they successfully achieved, thus initiating the concept of planned obsolescence. The Phoebus cartel had a significant impact on the lighting industry and shaped the way future technological advancements in artificial illumination unfolded.
CHARMed collaboration creates a potent therapy candidate for fatal prion diseases:
Researchers from the Broad Institute and Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research have developed a set of molecular tools called CHARMs that can turn off disease-causing genes such as the prion protein gene, which could potentially be used to treat neurodegenerative diseases like fatal familial insomnia. The team led by Sonia Vallabh and Jonathan Weissman has engineered an epigenetic editing tool to silence genes responsible for various diseases without modifying the underlying DNA. They have tested their new CHARMs in mice, showing promising results, but the technology still needs further development before it can be considered for clinical trials.
A helium reservoir in northern Minnesota is likely to be larger than initially estimated, according to new seismic data that shows it extending both laterally and at depth. The discovery has potential clients excited as it establishes the project in Minnesota as a major player in the global helium market. Despite being the second most abundant gas in the universe, helium is a scarce resource on Earth and is in high demand for various uses such as rocket fuel, nuclear reactors, and diagnostic medical equipment like MRI machines. The discovery of this reservoir could help address shortages in the U.S. and provide a way to store and access helium without the need for above-ground storage.
Ubuntu Security Updates Are a Confusing Mess:
This discussion revolves around Ubuntu's subscription-based service, Ubuntu Pro, which provides security updates and support for enterprise users. A user expresses concern about not being informed when an important security update is missing from their system. Others mention that Ubuntu does provide information about missed updates but suggests utilizing OpenSCAP tools to check for unpatched CVEs. The conversation also touches upon alternative distros with paid support, such as RHEL/Rocky and SUSE.
Ubuntu Security Updates Are a Confusing Mess:
The article discusses the limitations in Ubuntu support for some packages, specifically the Tomcat 9 package. It highlights that while Canonical offers a five-year Long Term Support (LTS) for Ubuntu releases, they only provide security updates to about two thousand core packages in the main repository and treat the remaining 90% of available packages under a „Best Effort“ basis. This means that users on standard LTS may be left vulnerable, as seen with the Tomcat 9 package in the universe repository for Ubuntu 22.04. The author suggests potential solutions such as upgrading to a newer LTS release, downgrading to an older one, or changing operating systems entirely.
A Hundred Years of Mocking Vegetarians:
Anthony Bourdain was known for his openness to new experiences and willingness to eat various foods; however, he reserved one bias: he hated vegetarians. Despite this, the percentage of people in America avoiding meat has grown over time, with restaurants such as Eleven Madison Park offering vegan or vegetarian options. Vegetarianism has been present since at least 500 BCE and fell in and out of favor throughout history. Vegetarians have been met with criticism, resistance, and confusion due to their diet choices, which may seem like an affront to the status quo or basic human impulses such as pleasure. However, vegetarian food has improved over time, alongside research on the link between animal fats and poor health outcomes, and people's understanding of farming systems and climate change.
Telemetrie, Datenschutz, Cloud: Mein wachsendes Unbehagen mit Windows:
The author, after considering several reasons, decided to switch from Windows to Linux as their operating system. Among the main factors were privacy concerns with Windows's data collection and telemetry tasks, cloud-based integration, and user interface changes. They also mentioned that they preferred the idea of a more localized and secure approach to computing, leading them to consider the alternative of Linux.
Kein Klick erforderlich: Outlook-Lücke verschafft Angreifern Zugriff per E-Mail:
Sicherheitsforscher von Morphisec haben eine schwerwiegende Sicherheitslücke in Microsoft Outlook entdeckt, die es einem nicht authentifizierten Angreifer ermöglicht, Schadcode auf fremden Systemen auszuführen (RCE). Die als CVE-2024-38021 registrierte Sicherheitslücke wurde am 9. Juli gepatcht und betrifft Produkte wie Office 2016, 2019, LTSC 2021 und Microsoft 365 Apps for Enterprise. Outlook-Nutzer sollten dringend ihre Software aktualisieren.
Antarktis-Entstehung: "Das krempelt unser Wissen komplett um":
A research team has found a surprising discovery from a core sample taken near an iceberg in the Pine Island Bay: The West Antarctic is younger than previously thought and remains more sensitive to heat. According to a new study, the western part of the continent is around seven million years younger than the eastern part. During a climate change around 34 million years ago, Antarctica began to freeze. Earth transformed from a greenhouse with few ice patches to an „ice house“ with permanently glaciated regions. The exact way and when the Antarctic ice sheet built up has not been answered yet.
A team of researchers analyzed a core sample that they collected in 2017 onboard the Polarstern, a German research icebreaker. They used a special drilling device, Marum Mebo70, developed at the Center for Marine Environmental Sciences (MARUM) at the University of Bremen. This allowed them to extract a core sample from ten meters below the seabed.
During the initial freezing of Antarctica around 34 million years ago, there were no signs of ice in the region where the core sample was taken. Dr. Johann Klages, a geologist at AWI, concluded that „a widespread, enduring first glaciation must have begun somewhere in East Antarctica.“ Instead of shiny ice sheets, forests likely covered the West Antarctic.
Computer simulations and modeling work backed up the researchers' conclusions: they linked new and existing data on air and water temperatures with the presence of ice. „Our knowledge of the initial freezing of Antarctica has been completely overturned,“ said Gerrit Lohmann, paleoclimate modeler at AWI.
Only in the coastal region of North Victoria Land in East Antarctica was the climate suitable for permanent snow and the formation of ice caps. As the temperature dropped, the ice sheet expanded into the hinterland of East Antarctica. The West Antarctic remained ice-free until seven million years later when the region finally froze over.
These findings will help in understanding fundamental climate changes. Hanna Knahl, paleoclimate modeler at AWI, explained that the results show „how cold it had to be for the ice push into West Antarctica to start“ and also highlights how differently East and West Antarctic responded to external influences and climatic changes even from their early stages.
This article discusses why people often ignore good advice. It suggests that maybe advice just doesn't seem to do much, as people sometimes ask for advice, ignore it, struggle, and then finally come back with the same advice they were initially given. People might not follow advice because they don't feel like it will work or if they are unable to understand it. The article also mentions that when advice works, we might reclassify it as something other than advice, such as a „guardrail“ or advice from people we trust and respect. Lastly, the article concludes by suggesting that for both consumers and producers of advice, having realistic expectations is crucial.
Muscle machine: How water controls the speed of muscle contraction:
A study conducted at the University of Michigan suggests that water flow within muscle fibers could dictate how quickly a muscle can contract. Researchers, led by Suraj Shankar and L. Mahadevan, created a theoretical model of water's role in muscle contraction and discovered that fluid movement through a muscle fiber determines the speed at which it contracts. The research also revealed that muscles exhibit an odd elasticity that allows them to generate power using three-dimensional deformations. This discovery challenges previous thought on muscle function, emphasizing the importance of considering muscles as complex and hierarchically organized materials rather than just a collection of molecules.
New York City paid McKinsey $4 million for a feasibility study on whether having trash bins is better than leaving garbage on the streets. The study, titled „The Future of Trash,“ evaluated the possibility of containerizing waste and was 95 slides long.
The article discusses the decision to ban Huawei from 5G networks and mentions that until 2026, core network equipment will be written off. It claims that telcos have no control over allowing Huawei maintenance personnel on their campuses as part of contracts they signed voluntarily. If Huawei is replaced with Ericsson, it could lead to two effects: an increase in unemployment and a decline in the quality of 5G networks due to competitor limitations. The article also criticizes the government's claim that this decision protects citizens' communication, as other policies undermine end-to-end encryption.
Gemini Unknowingly Summarizes Bankston's Tax Return in Google Docs, Raises Concern:
The tweet from Kevin Bankston expresses his concern that the Google Doc feature „Gemini“ automatically summarized his tax return without his permission. He is disappointed in this unexpected behavior and needs to find new settings to disable the feature.
GitHub Copilot is not infringing your copyright:
The Free Software community has been criticizing GitHub for its release of Copilot, an artificial intelligence trained on publicly available source code and texts. Some commentators accuse GitHub of copyright infringement as Copilot is not released under a copyleft licence but is to be offered as a paid service after a test phase. The controversy touches on several thorny copyright issues at once, with calls for the broadest possible interpretation of copyright now coming from within the Free Software community. The use of free software as source material for a commercial AI application and Copilot's ability to generate outputs based on the training data are criticized by some. However, both text & data mining and machine-generated code are not considered copyright infringement under European or U.S. law.
The experts: oncologists on the simple, doable, everyday things they do to try to prevent cancer:
Oncologists share their secrets for living healthily and reducing cancer risks. Recommendations include not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, reducing meat intake, avoiding ultra-processed foods, drinking less alcohol, staying up to date with screenings, managing stress, looking into genetic risk factors, and seeking medical help if concerned about symptoms. Living an active lifestyle and prioritizing healthy habits can significantly reduce the chances of developing cancer.
Kids who get smartphones earlier become adults with worse mental health:
This article discusses a survey by Safehome.org that reveals parents' top fear regarding the safety of their children is internet/social media usage. The concern is not limited to teens or pre-teens, but extends to younger children aged 7-9. As smartphones continue to play an increasingly significant role in daily lives, especially among young people, concerns over the potential impacts on mental health are growing. Sapien Labs conducted a report that examined the relationship between smartphone use and mental health. They found that younger individuals who acquired their first smartphone at a younger age reported worse mental health when compared to those who got their phones later in life. This pattern was consistent across all regions, with women being more affected by this correlation. The study suggests that there could be a cumulative impact of using smartphones and apps during childhood, rather than short-term effects of heavy use in recent days or weeks.
Microsoft cutting crucial link to Gaza, Palestinians say:
Microsoft has been accused by some Palestinians of suspending their accounts, including Skype and email services, amid the conflict in Gaza. The Palestinians say they have been left unable to access bank accounts and job offers as well as contact family members via Skype. They believe they were wrongly thought to have ties with Hamas, which Israel is fighting and has designated a terrorist organization. Microsoft claims that users violated its terms of service but did not confirm or deny the accusations directly.
Vaping: A valuable harm reduction tool or a public health concern? Experts weigh in - Healthy Debate:
The debate over vape regulation in Canada continues as its popularity rises and questions arise about whether vaping is a positive change or a health concern for young people. One Health Canada survey found that youth smoking rates decreased from 5 to 3% between 2019 and 2020, while another survey showed nearly a third of teens in Grades 7-12 had tried vaping. Vaping has been shown to produce dangerous compounds like volatile carbonyls, which have health implications for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), cardiovascular diseases, and cancers. In June 2021, the federal government proposed draft regulations banning most flavors of e-cigarette fluids except tobacco, mint, and menthol. However, these restrictions have not been implemented yet. Canada introduced a tax on vaping products in July, increasing the cost of a vape pod by 12 to 24 cents.
When scientific citations go rogue: Uncovering ‘sneaked references’:
A recent study by an academic team has found that there are instances where citation counts are artificially inflated through metadata manipulations, known as „sneaked references.“ These hidden manipulations involve adding extra references in the metadata but not in the actual text of the scientific publication. This practice can lead to unjust decisions based on false data and may affect research funding, academic promotions, and institutional rankings. The study highlights the importance of rigorous verification by publishers and agencies like Crossref, as well as increased transparency in managing references and citations, in order to combat this practice.
Autism linked to specific gut bugs, promising quick, accurate diagnosis:
The Chinese University of Hong Kong's research has found a link between changes in gut microorganisms and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Their study analyzed 1,627 children, recruiting those with ASD and those without. It was discovered that the diversity of archaea, bacteria, and viruses decreased in children with ASD compared to neurotypical children. Microbial function was also affected, with microbial genes and metabolic pathways altered in children with ASD. From this metagenomic information, the researchers developed a 31-marker microbial panel that accurately predicted ASD diagnosis across different ages, sexes, populations, and geographical locations. This study opens up possibilities for future diagnostic tests for ASD. Further studies are needed to investigate the interplay between known ASD genetic markers and microbiome panels in order to improve diagnostic accuracy for an earlier ASD diagnosis.
Imagining spacetime as a visible grid is an extraordinary journey into the unseen | Aeon Videos:
This animation from ScienceClic on YouTube presents a visualization of gravitational currents that shape the universe. The short film portrays these invisible forces through various examples ranging from ocean tides to black holes, highlighting how they operate within spacetime. Additionally, it explains the discovery of gravitational waves in 2015 and its impact on astronomy.
Night owls have better brain function than morning people, study suggests:
A study led by Imperial College London has found that night owls may possess sharper cognitive abilities than morning people, with individuals being most active and alert in the evening performing better on cognitive tests. The researchers examined data from thousands of participants in the UK Biobank study to investigate sleep patterns and cognition. They discovered that those who reported between seven and nine hours of sleep each night performed best on intelligence, reasoning skills, reaction time, and memory tests. The study, published in BMJ Public Health, suggests that eveningness chronotypes have „superior cognitive function“ compared to morning types, with the importance of getting just enough, not too long or too short, sleep for maintaining brain health and functioning at its best.
The President Ordered a Board to Probe a Massive Russian Cyberattack. It Never Did.:
The Cyber Safety Review Board, set up by the Biden administration to investigate cyberattacks on US government agencies, has failed to probe into Microsoft's role in a major 2021 attack, despite the company's refusal to address security flaws. The board was created in response to a devastating cyber espionage campaign against US government agencies by Russian intelligence. However, it is not independent and is housed within the Department of Homeland Security, leading critics to question its ability to hold government agencies accountable for their role in failing to prevent such attacks.
The Game Theory of Baby Naming:
The article discusses the highly competitive field of baby naming and presents a model that captures its real-world dynamics by assuming that parents are myopic, perfectly knowledgeable agents who pick a name based solely on its uniqueness. The authors introduce parameters such as popularity over names and parental preferences for a desired property of the name. They then extend their investigation with numerical experiments and analysis of large language model tools. Finally, they discuss possible avenues for future research in this field.
Title:An Abundance of Katherines: The Game Theory of Baby Naming:
This paper analyzes the competitive baby naming market and creates a model based on several Extremely Reasonable Assumptions, such as parents being myopic and knowledgeable agents who choose names based on uniqueness. The model is simple and effectively captures real-world behavior. Numerical experiments and analysis of large language model tools are used to extend the investigation, leading to a discussion on potential future research directions.
Zugangstoken geleakt: "Akt der Faulheit" gefährdet gesamtes Python-Ökosystem:
Sicherheitsforscher von JFrog haben in einem öffentlich zugänglichen Docker-Container ein Zugangstoken entdeckt, das seinen Besitzer für offizielle Github-Repositories der Python Software Foundation ausgestattet hätte. Mit diesem Token hätten Angreifer Schadcode in weit verbreitete PyPI-Pakete oder sogar in die Python-Sprache selbst einschleusen können und damit weltweit Millionen von Systemen erreichen. Der Director of Infrastructure der Python Software Foundation, Ee Durbin, hatte das Zugangstoken aus Versehen in einem .pyc-Datei der Anwendung eingebettet. Er widerrief es innerhalb von 17 Minuten und überprüfte alle Audit-Protokolle und Kontoaktivitäten auf mögliche böswillige Verwendung. Durbin mahnt dazu, aggressive Ablaufdaten für API-Tokens festzulegen und automatisierte Builds nur aus sauberen Quellen zu erstellen.
US-Wahlen 2024: Musk spendet angeblich doch für Trump:
The article states that Elon Musk reportedly financially supported Donald Trump's US presidential campaign, allegedly donating a significant amount to America PAC, a lobby group supporting Trump's campaign primarily in swing states. Exact figures of the contribution are unknown and will be disclosed on 15th July 2024. Earlier reports indicated that Musk and Trump had been discussing topics such as immigration, technology, and science over several calls a month. Previously, it was reported that Musk decided not to financially support the election campaign but to use his influence in elite economic and technological circles to undermine Joe Biden by mobilizing support from influential allies. Following Trump's poor performance in the first TV debate, there are concerns that Biden may lose crucial financial backing.
A Simple Firmware Update Completely Hides a Device’s Bluetooth Fingerprint:
A team of researchers at the University of California San Diego has developed a firmware update that can completely hide a smartphone's unique Bluetooth fingerprint, eliminating the vulnerability discovered by the same research team in 2022. The method uses several layers of randomization, making it difficult for an attacker to track or fingerprint a device based on its transmissions due to manufacturing imperfections inherent in each device's hardware. The defense can be rolled out incrementally and requires only software modification on at least one widely-used Bluetooth Low Energy chipset; however, industry partnerships with Bluetooth chip manufacturers are needed for widespread deployment.
CA4: No REP in one’s Google location data:
The article discusses how there is no reasonable expectation of privacy in one's Google location data as it is willingly shared with Google. Users must enable several settings on their devices and Google account before Google begins tracking and storing their location history data. Although users can edit, delete or pause the collection of this data, Google stores all Location History information in a repository called „Sensorvault.“ Since 2016, geofence requests from law enforcement have increased significantly, leading Google to develop its own three-step procedure for responding to these requests. The article also highlights the potential conflict between emerging technologies and the scope of law enforcement searches in relation to geofence warrants.
How do we make remote meetings not suck?:
The article discusses the issues surrounding remote meetings and explains that the problem is not with remote meetings themselves, but rather the caucus problem. This issue exacerbates itself in remote settings because it becomes ubiquitous instead of isolated to some attendees. The article suggests using a moderator to give people opportunities to speak and listen, which can create an inclusive meeting environment. Moderators should not involve themselves in the discussion but focus on providing equal opportunity for everyone to contribute. This approach fosters inclusive habits, leading to a more productive and collaborative environment, particularly in remote settings.
What the Decentralized Nature of Anonymous Tells Us About Its Power:
The article discusses the author's journey to discovering the image board /b/ on 4chan.org, which later gave birth to two opposing political currents. The author mentions Encyclopedia Dramatica (ED), a wiki-style website that documented and categorized internet phenomena with a satirical bent. ED served as an incubator of language and culture, cataloguing various subcultures and online trends. The author also discusses Anonymous, which proliferated on the site 4chan, becoming increasingly difficult to control due to various factions vying for influence.
A hydrogen-powered air taxi flew 523 miles emitting only water vapor:
Joby Aviation has successfully completed a 523-mile test flight using hydrogen power for its vertical takeoff aircraft, marking a significant step towards a more environmentally friendly alternative to traditional gas-powered jets for mid-range regional travel. The aircraft reportedly left only a trail of water vapor in its wake and has the potential to extend the range of VTOLs and make regional travel between cities more realistic. While questions remain about hydrogen power's long-term viability at scale, this test flight proves it is possible to retrofit existing electric powered aircraft with hydrogen fuel cells to effectively extend their range.
The Home Doctor - Practical Medicine for Every Household is a 304-page guide on how to manage most health situations when help isn't readily available. In the story, the author, who studied Philosophy in college and was new to software engineering, accidentally deleted vital data from a game company's database by mistake. The incident led to millions of dollars in losses and caused tension among colleagues. Although it wasn't publicly announced that the author was responsible, people eventually found out, leading to mixed reactions towards him. He later resigned from the company and moved on to New York City.
The article criticizes overly complicated and poorly designed websites, arguing that they often unnecessarily increase page load times, require additional resources for different devices, and make content difficult to access or read. It advocates for simpler designs with better performance, responsiveness, and content presentation.
Dear AWS, please let me be a cloud engineer again:
The article discusses AWS' growing focus on Generative AI (GenAI) and how it is pushing away other core technologies that made the company successful in the past. The author, an AWS Serverless Hero, expresses concern that by focusing solely on GenAI, the company is neglecting its core infrastructure, databases, scalable infrastructure, maintainable applications, and customer needs. While acknowledging the value of GenAI, the author argues that AWS should not become a one-dimensional company solely focused on this technology and instead continue to support and invest in other aspects of cloud computing.
Disney's Internal Slack Breached? NullBulge Leaks 1.1 TiB of Data:
NullBulge, a hacktivist group claiming to protect artists' rights, allegedly breached Disney and leaked 1.1 TiB (1.2 TB) of internal Slack data. The leak supposedly includes messages, files, code, and more from the company's development team. This comes amidst breaches affecting AT&T and Ticketmaster. The group aims to ensure fair compensation for artists' work, but their origins remain unknown. Disney has faced criticism in recent years regarding payment of royalties to artists and writers.
Ancient temple and theater 3,500 years older than Machu Picchu discovered in Peru | CNN:
Archaeologists in Peru have unearthed the remains of what they believe is a 4,000-year-old temple and theater at the site of La Otra Banda, Cerro Las Animas. The findings shed light on the origins of complex religions in the region. Among the discoveries were signs of ancient walls made of mud and clay and a small theatre with a backstage area and staircase leading to a stage-like platform. The finds predate Peru's best-known archaeological site, Machu Picchu, by about 3,500 years.
Mastodon: Firefox's Privacy-Preserving Ad Measurement: A Concern for User Privacy:
The thread discusses the privacy concerns surrounding Firefox's implementation of ad tracking technology and its potential negative impact on user privacy. The author argues that Firefox's „privacy-preserving ad measurement“ feature is worse than Google Chrome's implementation and that the feature is enabled by default without user consent. The author suggests turning off this feature or switching to a more privacy-conscious browser like Google Chrome.
Groundbreaking study reveals the impact of genetics on IQ scores over time:
A recent groundbreaking study published in the journal Personality and Individual Differences has shed new light on the nature versus nurture debate, showing that genetic factors become more influential in shaping our intelligence as we grow older, while environmental factors are more significant during our early years. The longitudinal study involved young monozygotic twins reared apart and found an increase in IQ resemblance as these twins aged. This research supports the idea that genetic factors become more influential in shaping intelligence over time, with shared environmental factors becoming less important as children grow older.
Nokia 6600 vs Samsung S24 Ultra:
The article discusses the author's experience with upgrading to Samsung's Galaxy S24 Ultra from their Nokia 6600, a high-end phone released in 2003. Despite significant improvements in technology over two decades, the author notices some regressions in battery life and removable storage. The article also highlights how many fundamental features of smartphones were present in the Nokia 6600, such as a camera, internet connection, app installations, music playback, and copy-paste functionality. The author speculates about the future of smartphone technology and whether it will evolve beyond its current form factor into mixed reality goggles or other innovative devices by the year 2044.
My curated list of indie blogs:
This article discusses the author's recent efforts in following indie blogs regularly, using NetNewsWire as a free and open-source RSS reader for macOS and iOS. The author shares a list of some of the blogs they follow and recommends, such as Brain Barking, Jeff Triplett's Micro.blog, Juha-Matti Santala, and Terence Eden's Blog. The full list can be found on GitHub via the provided link. The author encourages readers to share their indie blog recommendations or leave comments on the gist.
AI system achieves 96% accuracy in determining sex from dental X-rays:
Researchers in Brazil have developed a machine-learning system that can determine an individual's sex based on panoramic radiographs – wide-view dental X-ray images capturing the entire mouth. The system was 96% accurate when the resolution of the picture was good and the individual was older than 16. When forensic experts need to identify an individual based on human remains, determining sex is one of the first goals. AI-based techniques could be used to obtain information that might not be easily detectable using classical methods. The study's findings were published in the Journal of Forensic Sciences.
Mastodon: Firefox 128 Update: New AdTech Features Raise Concerns Over User Privacy:
In the thread, a user expresses concern over recent changes in Firefox 128, which include new adtech features that are turned on by default. They provide a link to Mozilla's privacy-preserving attribution explainer and discuss how the feature allows advertisers to track users directly. They mention an about:config setting called dom.private-attribution.submission.enabled for disabling the feature and share an update on the development of Servo, a browser project using the latest safety tech, which might be a potential alternative in the future.
Someone is wrong on the internet (AGI Doom edition):
The article criticizes the existential risk posed by artificial general intelligence (AGI) attempting to wipe out humanity, arguing that many claims are based on inaccurate and incomplete information. It highlights the limitations of written language in describing reality and emphasizes the importance of practical knowledge, experimentation, and basic science in advancing technology. The author questions the validity of fast takeoff scenarios for AGI development and suggests that conflicts would involve risk-taking moves for both humans and AIs rather than a series of zero-risk actions. The article concludes by urging people to step out of theoretical realms and gain practical experience with real-world things.
“For the Colonel, It Was Finger-Lickin’ Bad”:
The article discusses an incident in 1976 where Colonel Harland Sanders, founder of KFC, visited a Manhattan Kentucky Fried Chicken and criticized the quality of their food. He expressed dissatisfaction with the fried chicken's color, the mashed potatoes being made from instant powdered potatoes, and shredded coleslaw instead of chopped. Sanders sold his company to an investment group in 1964 but remained an advisor and grew increasingly dissatisfied with the changes. The Colonel was known for his critical remarks about KFC's food quality during that time.
KI braucht Strom: Microsoft bestellt riesige Menge CO2-Zertifikate:
Microsoft has awarded the largest order to date for removing CO2 from the air (Direct Air Capture, DAC), with a plan to remove 500,000 tons of CO2 over six years in Texas and store it underground rather than releasing it back into the atmosphere. The cost is not yet known, but for comparison, a group involving Alphabet and Meta has spent $40 million on 61,000 tons of DAC capacity by 2030. Microsoft's order will not fully utilize Stratos, the facility being built in Texas by 1PointFive, as it will only remove 500,000 tons per year rather than its full capacity of 1 million tons. The CO2 removal project is aimed at helping these tech giants become carbon neutral by 2030 as they continue to develop AI applications that consume large amounts of energy.
Bill Watterson Intro :: C&H Sunday Pages:
The article is an introduction by Bill Watterson for his book, „Calvin and Hobbes - Sunday Pages 1985-1995.“ It discusses Watterson's experience with drawing the comic strip Calvin and Hobbes, which ended five years before the book was published. He talks about the challenges of creating a comic strip, particularly in terms of space constraints and color use, as well as his decision to end the strip after 10 years. Watterson also shares some of the technical aspects of drawing the Sunday strips, such as using different paper types and brushes for drawing and inking. He explains that he has since moved on from cartooning to painting and music, but still appreciates comics and their expressive possibilities.
Solving the Worst Problem in Programming Education: Windows:
This article discusses the author's creation of install scripts for Windows that help people set up various programming languages using standard tools. The goal is to support programmers on Microsoft Windows and reduce friction when using different platforms outside Visual Studio. The author has also created installers for specific languages and encourages others to adapt their code for their own languages, ensuring more alternatives are available for Windows users and keeping the „classical programming“ style alive.
Who Owns Your Wireless Service? Crooks Do. – Krebs on Security:
The wireless industry is facing numerous challenges regarding security, privacy, and integrity of mobile phone service due to cybercriminals, scammers, corrupt employees, and corporate greed. Google has discontinued a feature of its Google Voice service after being blocked by certain carriers when transcripts of voicemails resulted from unsolicited robocalls. AT&T is facing lawsuits over real-time customer location data sharing without authorization, and a Pakistani man was arrested for bribing AT&T call-center employees to install malicious software on cell phones. The U.S. Justice Department has not taken any action against these issues, and there is no indication that lawmakers or regulators will address them.
Houston Is on a Path to an All-Out Power Crisis:
Houston experienced power outages for the third time this year, as Hurricane Beryl swept through the city, leaving 2.2 million people without electricity. CenterPoint Energy, the local utility company, initially did not have an online outage map to monitor the situation. The Whataburger app became a temporary solution, tracking the power outages in the city. As of five days after the storm, around 854,000 customers still had no electricity. Hurricane Beryl revealed the fragility of Houston's power infrastructure and has raised concerns about its ability to withstand future severe weather events.
The Invisible Hand of Carbon Dioxide on Forest Productivity - Eos:
This article discusses the importance of quantifying forest carbon uptake in response to climate change for evaluating and improving ecosystem representation in climate models. Zhan et al. [2024] developed a data-driven approach using the global eddy covariance flux tower network, which revealed a 16% increase in gross primary productivity (GPP) per 100 parts per million in atmospheric carbon dioxide. This result provides a benchmark for model evaluation and improvement.
The article discusses tau, an open-source distributed Platform as a Service (PaaS) alternative to Vercel, Netlify, and Cloudflare. It is self-hosted and offers a BSD-3-Clause license.
Intel is selling defective CPUs - Alderon Games:
The developers at Alderon Games are experiencing significant problems with Intel CPU stability in their multiplayer dinosaur survival game, Path of Titans. Issues such as crashes, instability, and memory corruption have been confined to the 13th and 14th generation processors. Despite updates for microcode, BIOS, and firmware, the problem remains unresolved. The company has identified failures in five main areas: end customers, official game servers, developers using these CPUs, game server providers, and benchmarking tools. The team is taking measures like server migration to AMD, which experience 100 times fewer crashes compared to Intel CPUs, hosting recommendations, and adding in-game notifications to inform users about the issue.
AI and Trust - Schneier on Security:
The article discusses the importance of trust in society, explaining that it is a necessary factor for cooperation amongst strangers. It differentiates between interpersonal trust and social trust, highlighting how they are both essential to maintaining trustworthy societies. The author argues that as artificial intelligence (AI) becomes more prominent, there will be confusion between AIs being considered friends rather than services. This category error could lead to corporations taking advantage of customers and manipulating them for their profit-maximizing goals. To create trustworthy AI, the article suggests government regulation is essential, enforcing transparency in the creation and use of AI systems. Additionally, public AI models should be built by academia or non-profit groups to counter corporate-owned AIs and promote social trust within society.
Gemini Pro refuses to acknowledge yt-dlp:
This article discusses the importance of keeping open-source LLMs available, as closed models may enforce corporate ideologies. It highlights how these LLMs are being censored and refusing to answer certain questions or tasks. The author argues for regulating people behind AI instead of just regulating AI itself.
First ancient chromosomes reconstructed from 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth:
A 52,000-year-old woolly mammoth was found preserved with skin and muscle in the Siberian permafrost. Researchers used a new technique called Hi-C to analyze the 3D structures of the mammoth genome for the first time. This discovery could allow for further study of other extinct species, provided that the right conditions are met to preserve DNA in ancient samples. The research team hopes this method can be applied to other ancient specimens, such as Egyptian mummies or hominids like Denisovans.
"GitHub" Is Starting to Feel Like Legacy Software:
The author expresses concern about the decline in features and functionality of GitHub, which they have been using for many years. They mention specific issues such as the blame view becoming less user-friendly due to a frontend rewrite with React. They also note that other features like the status page and Actions have become worse over time. The author believes that GitHub is no longer a priority for Microsoft, which could lead to further decline in service quality. As a result, they are exploring alternative platforms and tools for their development work.
What is data sovereignty and why does it matter for your business? | Proton:
Data sovereignty is the concept that data should be subject to the laws of the country where it was generated and collected. This becomes more important as people interact with products, apps, and programs from all over the globe. The central principle of data sovereignty is that data should be subject to the laws of the country where it was generated and collected. Data sovereignty matters, especially in the case of Meta's attempts to collect and process the data of people in the European Union, which resulted in a $1.3 billion fine and an order to stop sending users' personal data across the Atlantic. To achieve data sovereignty for businesses, they can conduct regular data audits, use end-to-end encrypted email services, and choose cloud service providers that prioritize privacy and comply with data sovereignty laws.
Color Wheels are wrong? How color vision actually works:
The concept of color is more complex than many people realize, as different disciplines and technologies have their own theories and systems for explaining colors. Artists use a three-primary-color system (red, blue, yellow) that creates a color wheel with all other colors being created by mixing these primary colors in various proportions. This idea is contradicted by the world of physics, where light is described as waves of electromagnetic energy and different combinations of red, green, and blue create all visible colors.
In addition to this, the worlds of printing and digital screens have their own color systems - cyan, magenta, yellow (CMY), and red, green, blue (RGB) respectively. TVs use three colored phosphors: red, green, and blue. These systems further complicate our understanding of colors.
The article also mentions that the human eye's perception of color is affected by its filters and physiology. The brain interprets colors based on the amount of light and wavelengths detected by cones in the eye. These factors, along with context and perception, make color even more complex than we initially assume.
The Top 12 Open-Source No-Code Tools with the Most GitHub Stars - NocoBase:
This article highlights 12 leading open-source, no-code tools on GitHub that streamline and accelerate the development process for various application scenarios. Tools such as Formily, NocoBase, Mitosis, APITable, AMIS, GrapesJS, Directus, FlowiseAI, ToolJet, NocoDB, AppFlowy, and Strapi are designed to cater to diverse needs from backend management to multilingual support for global applications. The article provides a detailed overview of each tool's core features and suitable scenarios, assisting developers in selecting the solutions best suited for their project requirements.
Mysterious Denisovans Survived on Tibetan Plateau for 160,000 Years » Explorersweb:
A discovery of over 2,500 bones in a Tibetan cave suggests that the little-known Denisovans lived on the high, arid plateau for millennia. The elusive hominins were contemporaries of both Neanderthals and Homo sapiens and are thought to have interbred with both groups. Their presence on the harsh Tibetan Plateau provides insights into their ability to survive a wide range of climates and diets. The recently discovered bones include one Denisovan rib that dated between 48,000 and 32,000 years ago, during the time when Homo sapiens were spreading across Eurasia. The findings reveal new information about the behavior and adaptation of Denisovans to high altitude conditions and shifting climates.