content:2024:links-kw30

Links für 2024 KW 30

Zusammengefasst von LlongOrca.


No More Blue Fridays:

The recent major outage caused by a config update for Windows systems highlights the inherent dangers of kernel programming and the need for improved security measures. eBPF (Extended Berkeley Packet Filter) is a secure kernel execution environment that can prevent such crashes, as it has safety checks in place and runs programs within a sandbox. As Linux has already adopted eBPF, Microsoft's adoption will make Windows systems safer as well. eBPF is not only beneficial for security purposes but also for networking and observability. Although some bugs have been discovered in eBPF management code, they are being fixed to improve the technology overall. Companies using commercial software with kernel drivers or modules can consider making eBPF a requirement to reduce risks during software deployment.


Prakhar Gupta:

In the article, Prakhar Gupta shares his perspective as a tech fellow on what founders should be looking for in cofounders. He points out that startups need people who can execute and build on an idea rather than focusing solely on the idea itself. The article also highlights the importance of taking risks, understanding your competitors, and building a compelling case to attract potential cofounders.


3 ways to get Remote Code Execution in Kafka UI:

The Kafka UI is a popular open-source web application designed for managing and monitoring Apache Kafka clusters. It has been found to have three remote code execution (RCE) vulnerabilities that were fixed in version 0.7.2. These vulnerabilities include RCE via Groovy script execution, RCE via JMX connector, and RCE via JndiLoginModule. In these cases, the Kafka UI is exposed to internal networks or even the internet without authentication protection, leading to potential security issues. To remediate this risk, users should upgrade to version 0.7.2 of the Kafka UI software.


Custom Linux-powered Smart TV breaks free from ads and tracking, enables ultimate customizability — EarlGreyTV straps a laptop to the back to unlock unlimited control:

Software engineer Carl Riis has created an alternative Smart TV project called EarlGreyTV, which uses Linux and Firefox to offer a customizable, controlled, and private experience compared to existing smart TV interfaces. The project involved using an old spare laptop running Debian Linux with Sway as its desktop environment, connected to the TV via HDMI. EarlGreyTV differs from conventional smart TVs in terms of privacy, control, and customizability while maintaining essential features like volume change notifications, casting, and more. Riis' project provides a useful alternative for those seeking an open-source, non-intrusive smart TV experience.


Acrobatic Artist Bastien Dausse's Incredible Low-Gravity Invention - Core77:

The article discusses Bastien Dausse, an acrobatic artist who has created an amazing low-gravity invention. His innovative work showcases the possibilities of exploring different gravity levels and their effects on human movement.


Why I left Google:

The author resigns from Google after three years of working on cloud services documentation. They explain that their time at Google taught them valuable skills and professional relationships but felt like a different employer compared to when they first joined. They mention external incentives pushing them towards new opportunities, and internal factors encouraging an exit from their current job. The author shares a personal story of attending a one-woman performance called „Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha,“ which led them to question their involvement with AI and ultimately resign from Google. They felt the event was a ritual and decided to accept it as a transformative experience, leading to their decision to return to open-source projects instead.


Pin:

Pin type, a foundational building block of the Rust async ecosystem, has been one of the least accessible and most misunderstood elements. It addresses the problem of self-referential structures in asynchronous programming, making it safe to store references inside Future types. While Pin has solved many problems, its complexity spike is a challenge for users. The article suggests that an improvement could be the notion of pinned places, which would make working with Pin easier and more intuitive.


Microsoft points finger at the EU for not being able to lock down Windows:

A 2009 agreement between Microsoft and the European Commission is preventing Microsoft from fully securing its Windows operating system due to giving security software vendors equal access to the same APIs, according to a Microsoft spokesperson. This decision led to CrowdStrike causing disruption by crippling 8.5 million Windows PCs worldwide. While this agreement promotes fair competition among tech companies, it may come at the cost of enhanced security. Apple and Google are not subjected to the same restrictions for their macOS and ChromeOS operating systems.


Dondurma: The Turkish ice cream eaten with a knife and fork:

The article discusses dondurma, a unique Turkish ice cream known for its dense, stretchy texture and traditionally served with a knife and fork. Produced in the southern Kahramanmaraş province of Turkey, dondurma is renowned for its smoothness, sweetness, and ability to retain its consistency without melting easily. The key ingredients are milk (a blend of goat's, sheep's, and cow's milk), salep (orchid bulb flour), and beet sugar. Dondurma's production was threatened by earthquakes in February 2023 but managed to maintain and even increase their output. The province has now exported $3m worth of dondurma, making Maraş the leading ice cream producer in Turkey and increasing its international recognition.


A Neuroscientist Explains the Brain-Boosting Benefits of Swim, Bike, and Run:

The article discusses the brain-boosting effects of swimming, biking, and running. Swimming has been found to improve visuomotor processing and reaction time, as well as short- and long-term memory, particularly after multiple workouts. Biking has been shown to enhance performance on memory, reasoning, and planning tasks, decrease stress hormone cortisol levels, increase blood flow to the brain, and promote increased white matter integrity. Running increases neurogenesis in the hippocampus, improves resilience to stress, fine motor skills, and protects the brain from emotionally negative stimuli. Engaging in these activities outdoors may lead to even greater cognitive benefits.


How to Become a Registrar:

The process of becoming an ICANN-accredited registrar includes several steps. These include reviewing the qualification criteria, financial considerations, and governing agreements; applying for accreditation; signing a Registrar Accreditation Agreement with ICANN and paying the accreditation fee; signing a Registrar Data Escrow Agreement with an ICANN-designated registrar data escrow agent or selecting an ICANN-approved one; completing registration agreement preparation for registered name holders; inaugurating service once all steps are completed; and seeking help from accredit@icann.org if needed.


GitTrends - July 28 2024:

This article discusses the top stars on GitHub in the last seven days, showcasing various projects such as mem0ai/mem0 with 1998 stars, public-apis/public-apis with 1426 stars, Dhravya/cloudflare-saas-stack with 983 stars, and more. Notable trending projects include gcui-art/album-ai with a WoW growth of 16.793x, SuperMemoryAI/supermemory with a WoW growth of 11.717x, and Windsander/ADI-Stable-Diffusion with a WoW growth of 2.469x.


Why many studies wrongly claim it's healthy to drink a little alcohol:

The article discusses the debate surrounding the health benefits of alcohol consumption. It mentions an analysis by Tim Stockwell, which suggests that moderate drinking does not offer any health benefits and may even be harmful. However, the author argues that this conclusion is based on cherry-picking data from a larger pool of studies and does not fully consider the social aspects of drinking. The article also touches on the mental health benefits of alcohol, such as its role in reducing social anxiety, but acknowledges that the long-term effects of excessive consumption can be detrimental to mental health. Ultimately, the author suggests that the issue is complex and cannot be reduced to a simple yes or no answer regarding the health benefits of alcohol.


Rent control effects through the lens of empirical research: An almost complete review of the literature:

Rent control has been a controversial topic for decades. The article discusses the effects of rent control through the lens of empirical research. The intended effect of rent control is to ensure affordable housing by regulating rental prices. However, the article highlights that rent control also leads to redistribution of income, lower quality housing due to reduced maintenance, and negatively affects housing supply. The effects of rent control on homeownership and the quality of life are also analyzed. The article suggests that the overall impact of rent control on society's welfare is not clear, as it has both intended and unintended consequences. Policy makers should consider multiple effects and their interactions when designing housing policies.


What Was Cyberpunk? In Memoriam: 1980-2020:

This article provides a critique and comparison of two books released in 2020, „Agency“ by William Gibson and „The Space Between Worlds“ by Micaiah Johnson, both of which are influenced by the cyberpunk genre. The author also discusses the state of cyberpunk in today's world, particularly in relation to video games and social media platforms like Facebook.

The article begins with a comparison between „Agency“ and „Mozart In Mirrorshades,“ criticizing Gibson for not fully exploring the themes presented in the latter. The author feels that Gibson's portrayal of time travel and its effects on the past is superficial and paternalistic, akin to neoliberal attitudes. This is contrasted with Johnson's „The Space Between Worlds,“ which uses interdimensional travel as a plot device and directly addresses issues of colonialism.

The author also touches upon the issue of diversity in cyberpunk literature, stating that diverse writers often bring fresh perspectives to the genre. They express frustration with the lack of originality in modern cyberpunk and its focus on 80s aesthetics rather than addressing contemporary concerns.

The article then delves into the real-world implications of cyberpunk, discussing issues such as Facebook's role in facilitating hate speech and misinformation. The author argues that the dystopian fears expressed in „Cyberpunk 2077“ are more reflective of 80s anxieties than current concerns.

Finally, the article addresses the controversy surrounding trans representation in „Cyberpunk 2077,“ predicting that the game will not depict transgender individuals as real people within its story due to fear of backlash. The author concludes by lamenting the loss of the original spirit of cyberpunk and the way it has been reduced to a collection of tropes.


What Visa earnings really tell us:

Visa reported its Fiscal Q3 2024 results, with net revenue of $8.9 billion and adjusted net income of $4.9 billion or $2.42 per share. The company's financial performance is impacted by consumer and business spending using their Visa cards. Revenues come from various sources including service revenues (1/3), data processing revenues (1/3), and international transaction and other revenues (1/3). In Fiscal Q3 2024, payment volume increased 5.0% YoY in nominal terms and 7.4% on an FX-neutral basis, with growth rates varying across regions. Visa's revenue growth is not a direct indicator of the health of the economy; instead, one should look at payment volume growth by region on an FX-neutral basis for better insights.


CalcGPT.io:

CalcGPT, a creation by artist-engineer Calvin Liang, is an AI-powered calculator that serves as a satire and critique on the excessive reliance on AI solutions in modern times. Embodying the 'Old is Gold' adage, it highlights the importance of traditional methods over buzzword-infused technology. The piece invites reflection on the necessity of AI in our lives while promoting thought-provoking social commentary. Liang's CalcGPT brings humor to the conversation and urges us to consider the balance between tradition and innovation.


Why many studies wrongly claim it’s healthy to drink a little alcohol:

A study review of 107 studies has found that drinking even small amounts of alcohol reduces life expectancy, contradicting the idea that moderate drinking is beneficial. The conclusion suggests people need to be cautious of industry claims promoting alcohol as a product that prolongs life. While the risks of moderate drinking are relatively small, consumers should be informed about the lack of benefits and producers made to inform consumers about the risks through warning labels. The best way to assess the effects of alcohol would be through randomized studies, but since such studies cannot be done, researchers rely on shorter periods of time to monitor health and drinking habits.


Kommentar: Warum das Verbot von E-Rollern in Öffis keinen Sinn ergibt:

The article discusses the ban on taking electric scooters (E-Rollers) on buses and trains in Germany, which has been implemented due to concerns over potential fires caused by lithium-ion batteries. This ban is based on a recommendation from the STUVAtec consulting firm but has been criticized as unnecessary and counterproductive for sustainable transportation efforts. While some e-scooter brands have experienced fires in public transportation systems in other countries, there are no recorded instances of such events occurring in Germany. Experts argue that the ban is excessive and that better solutions could be found, such as prohibiting large batteries on trains or creating clearer regulations for all transport providers.


Einstellung von Lego Mindstorms stellt Schule vor Planungsunsicherheit:

Lego had announced the end of support for the Mindstorms Education EV3 app, used by schools in their robotics lessons. However, there has been a temporary reprieve. The app was set to be discontinued, but with this new development, it will now be available until July 31, 2026 for iOS, Android and Chromebook, Windows 10 and MacOS. This decision is welcomed by IT assistants and schools alike who can now plan the lessons more confidently.


Linux Mint 22 "Wilma" aktualisiert Unterbau:

Linux Mint has released its new version, Linux Mint 22, which will be supported until 2029 with updates. The new release features the Long Term Support (LTS) base system of Ubuntu 24.04 LTS and utilizes a fresher Linux kernel 6.8 to support modern hardware components. In the future, minor versions will use Ubuntu's Hardware Enablement Stack (HWE) for newer Linux kernels.

The updated Mint also features improved language support with translations available on the install media for popular European languages such as German, French, Spanish, and Italian. Pipewire is replacing PulseAudio as the sound server, and there's better HiDPI-screen support for the Plymouth start animation and Slick-Greeter login screen.

The Software Manager has been updated to display a selection of applications in a small dia show on the top edge of the screen, allowing only verified Flatpak apps, and the XApps suite of tools received some minor updates.

Some components had to be replaced or removed due to changes by Canonical, such as the IRC client Hexchat being replaced with a Matrix-based client, and Thunderbird email client being provided in a separate DEB package. The Cinnamon desktop environment also faces issues related to GTK3 and Gnome46.

Linux Mint 22 is available via downloadable ISO images for 64-bit systems with x86 processors from AMD or Intel. Users are advised to check the release notes and troubleshooting tips before installation.


Den besten RC-Bagger und Radlader finden: Spaß mit ferngesteuerten Baumaschinen:

This article is a guide for choosing remote control (RC) construction vehicles that are suitable for outdoor use. It highlights various RC bagger options, including models from Carrera, S-Idee, D-Edition, Mould King, Amewi, and Revell. These RC vehicles come in different sizes and are made with high-quality materials such as metal parts and waterproof housings. The article also discusses the types of construction machinery available for outdoor use, including excavators, backhoe loaders, bulldozers, and dump trucks. It recommends considering factors like robustness and cost when choosing an RC construction vehicle. Additionally, the article suggests completing a mini-construction site with additional vehicles such as cranes or forklifts.


Windows: Android-Handy drahtlos im Explorer verwalten:

The article describes a new feature in Windows 10 and Windows 11 that allows users to wirelessly access their Android smartphones via the Explorer. This means that users can now access their phone like a regular folder, making it easier to copy or move files between the mobile device and computer. In order for this feature to be available, users must first enable access to the Explorer through settings on their mobile devices. As of now, only Windows Insider Program participants with Windows 11 are able to benefit from this feature. Additionally, both the Android smartphone and the computer must have certain versions of software installed in order to use this feature correctly.


400% increase in GPS Spoofing; Workgroup established:

The article discusses a 400% increase in GPS spoofing, leading to the establishment of a workgroup. It does not provide detailed information on the specific actions taken or expected by the workgroup, only mentioning that it was established by the OPSGROUP team.


The irrational hungry judge effect revisited: Simulations reveal that the magnitude of the effect is overestimated | Judgment and Decision Making | Cambridge Core:

The article discusses various studies related to decision-making processes in different contexts. Some key findings include the effect of decision fatigue on surgeons' clinical decisions, the influence of physiological and spiritual factors on economic decisions, and potential schedule-related and gender biases in ophthalmology residency interview scores. Additionally, the article highlights the role of administrative law rules governing discretionary power in algorithm-assisted decision-making in the public sector, as well as strategies for reducing failures of self-control.


Hiding in plain sight: Modifying process names in UNIX-like systems:

This post discusses the defense evasion technique of dynamically modifying process names in UNIX-like systems, specifically focusing on Linux and BSDs. The Morris worm, which was first released in the late '80s, was one of the earliest examples of this technique being used by threat actors. Today, this technique is still widely employed to remain undetected. Process masquerading or „process stomp“ primarily occurs within the Linux operating system, with occasional detours into the BSDs and Solaris. The article explores various methods for process name modification without using ptrace, LD_PRELOAD, or other „process injection“ techniques, which will be covered in later posts.


Rede:

Eine Rede ist eine in der Regel im Voraus überlegte, mündliche Mitteilung, die von einem Redner an mehrere Personen gerichtet wird. Reden unterscheiden sich von gesprächsweisen Mitteilungen durch ihre Monologische Form, Standardsprache und Thematische Geschlossenheit. Sie haben einen bestimmten Anlass und verfolgen verschiedene Zwecke wie Grußwort, Willenskundgabe, Absichtserklärung oder Einflussnahme auf Überzeugung und Handlungsbereitschaft. Die Rede als Kunstform ist seit der Antike bekannt und wird in besonderen Rednerschulen gelehrt. Sie entwickelte sich zur Rhetorik, einem umfangreichen Wissensgebiet, das die Analyse und Klassifikation von Redefiguren beeinflusste.


Lessons from Ancient File Systems:

The article discusses various Atari 8-bit file systems and their design decisions, focusing on the challenges faced by engineers developing these systems for a limited memory environment. It highlights key features such as sector chaining, file number indexing, compatibility issues, and the limitations of Atari DOS 1.0-4. The article also mentions MyDOS and SpartaDOS, which were more successful in retro computing communities due to their ability to scale and support future needs. Overall, the lesson learned is to always plan for the future while considering current requirements.


Weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are causing people to spend less at the grocery store: study:

A new study by analytics firm Grocery Doppio reveals that people taking weight loss medications such as Ozempic, Mounjaro, and Wegovy are spending less on groceries and purchasing a healthier assortment of foods. These drugs, originally developed to treat Type 2 diabetes, reduce appetite and change taste buds. As a result, consumers spend 52% less on snacks and confectionery products, 47% less on baked goods, 28% less on soda and sugary beverages, 17% less on alcohol, and 13% less on processed foods. Conversely, they are increasing their purchases of healthy foods like lean proteins.


Interview: "It's Easy To Get A Bit Over-Ambitious" - Roguecraft Devs On Developing For Amiga In 2024:

Roguecraft is an anticipated Amiga game developed by Norwegian development studio Badger Punch Games as a follow-up to the successful Commodore 64 homebrew, Rogue 64. Inspired by HP Lovecraft's works, the roguelike game sees players exploring dungeons as fighters, rogues, or mages in search of treasure. With isometric graphics and a 32-color palette, the game takes advantage of Amiga hardware capabilities, while still offering an enjoyable gaming experience. Roguecraft is set for release later this year in September.


How did Facebook intercept their competitor's encrypted mobile app traffic?:

The article discusses a class action lawsuit against Meta (Facebook) in which the company may have breached the Wiretap Act by intercepting users' encrypted HTTPS traffic using a Man-in-the-Middle (MITM) attack. This technique was called „ssl bump“ and was allegedly used to decrypt specific Snapchat, YouTube, and Amazon domains. The court documents reveal that Facebook deployed code in the Onavo Protect Android app to prompt users to install a certificate authority (CA) certificate from „Facebook Research,“ which allowed them to decrypt TLS traffic. This method worked until new security controls were introduced in newer versions of Android. The article also discusses how the company planned to rebrand and distribute this technology through other applications, and how it tried to intercept encrypted traffic towards competitors' analytics domains for data on „in-app actions.“


How to debug your battery design:

The article discusses the challenges of battery design and how simulation can be used to help debug batteries. It covers the trade-off between high energy and high power in batteries, the curse of dimensionality, the silicon anode solution, and the use of PyBaMM (an open-source battery mathematical modeling tool) for better understanding battery performance. The article also mentions the importance of investigating different parameters to optimize battery design and suggests reaching out for help through the PyBaMM github page or the author's email.


Die Wiesn-Bierpreise seit 1810:

The article discusses the increase in beer prices at the Munich Oktoberfest, which is a rare occurrence according to their statistics on beer prices. It then provides an overview of beer prices in the festival tents for the 2017 event.


Edelstoff vom Holzfass:

This article discusses the Augustiner Keller's wooden barrel Edelstoff, a premium product that is available fresh from the barrel throughout the year in their restaurant and beer garden. The beer's lower carbonation content makes it taste smoother and more flavorful. Wooden barrels also contribute to the traditional Bavarian atmosphere, and the process of tapping them with the gantry and celebrating each new batch with a bell-ringing ritual adds to the overall experience. The wooden barrels are handcrafted by Schäffler, who are now rare craftsmen, with examples being sourced from Fassfabrik Wilhelm Schmid in Munich.


Injuries With Electric vs Conventional Scooters and Bicycles:

This article presents a cross-sectional study on micromobility injuries in the US from 2017 to 2022. It found that injuries and hospitalizations from electric scooters and bicycles have increased, with a higher proportion of Black individuals being injured. Compared to conventional vehicles, electric vehicle accidents involved older individuals and a higher proportion of Black riders. Helmet use was less in electric vehicle incidents compared with conventional vehicles. The findings suggest the need for change in educational policies, infrastructure, and law to recenter on safety with the use of micromobility vehicles.


far.in.net:

This article critiques Mark Zuckerberg's letter advocating for „Open Source AI“ and the release of Llama 3.1 by Meta AI. The author argues that while the weights of the model are released, this is not enough to achieve the benefits Zuckerberg promises. They also criticize Zuckerberg's argument for safety against intentional harms from bad actors as insufficient and question whether an open source approach could truly be safer than a closed one. The article concludes by stating that the path forward is unclear, suggesting that perhaps different approaches should be considered and tested before moving forward with AI development.


How Soon Might the Atlantic Ocean Break? Two Sibling Scientists Found an Answer—and Shook the World:

The article discusses the Atlantic Meridional Overturning Circulation (AMOC), which is a critical part of Earth's climate system. The AMOC transports warm water from the tropics to the North Atlantic and cold water back down, acting as a heat pump for the North Atlantic region. This current system is in danger due to global warming, with some scientists predicting that it could collapse within the next few decades.

The article focuses on the work of climate physicist Peter Ditlevsen and his sister, statistician Susanne Ditlevsen, who used statistical methods to predict a potential tipping point for the AMOC in 2057. This prediction sparked controversy within the scientific community, with some experts criticizing their assumptions and methodologies. Despite this, the Ditlevsens remain committed to furthering our understanding of the AMOC and its potential collapse, which could have severe consequences for global climate patterns, food systems, and sea level rise.

The article also explores the potential impacts of an AMOC collapse, including colder temperatures in Europe, changes in monsoon patterns affecting billions of people, and a loss of biodiversity in the Amazon rainforest. Despite the uncertainties surrounding these predictions, the consensus among scientists is that further global warming increases the likelihood of an AMOC tipping point, which would have far-reaching consequences for our planet.


Oscar Zariski - forgot about his own wedding:

The article highlights the life and work of mathematician Oscar Zariski, one of the founders of modern algebraic geometry. Zariski's career was characterized by his late blooming as a mathematician but remained active and productive well into his eighties. His biography reveals interesting details about his life, such as the importance of cafés in fostering intellectual conversations among mathematicians, and the striking difference between Jewish communities in Italy and Poland during that time period. Zariski's work had a lasting impact on the development of algebraic geometry and modern algebra.


Adobe exec compared Creative Cloud cancellation fees to ‘heroin’:

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) filed a complaint against Adobe for allegedly hiding early termination fees (ETFs) and making it too challenging to cancel Creative Cloud subscriptions. The unredacted complaint also contains previously unknown claims that Adobe was aware of studies showing its order and cancellation flows were complicated and customers were unhappy with surprise ETFs. In response, Adobe's general counsel and chief trust officer, Dana Rao, pushed back on the specific quote and the FTC's complaint more generally, stating that the company was already working to improve its subscription practices. Adobe plans to challenge the FTC's case based on a law called the Restore Online Shoppers' Confidence Act (ROSCA), which requires online stores to clearly and conspicuously disclose all material terms of the transaction before obtaining the consumer's billing information.


Schott Zwiesel:

The article promotes a 10% discount on the next order by subscribing to Zwiesel's newsletter, and includes information about their data protection policy. It also mentions that JavaScript should be enabled in the browser for full functionality of the website, and provides information about shipping costs. Additionally, it explains how cookies are used on the site and offers a filter function for browsing products.


Killer whales sink $128K yacht in ‘terrifying’ 2-hour Mediterranean Sea attack: ‘Like watching wolves hunt’:

A yacht experienced a terrifying two-hour attack from a pod of five orcas, which ultimately led to the vessel sinking in the Mediterranean Sea. The $128,680 sailing boat was just 22 hours into its 10-day trip from Portugal to Greece when it was targeted by the killer whales. The owner of the boat, Robert Powell, believes that the orcas intended to sink his vessel as they focused on weak points and were aware of how to cause significant damage. Despite trying various methods to deter the attack, the pod persisted until the boat sank.


Fefes Blog:

The article discusses that Intel's 13th and 14th Gen CPUs are crashing, and there is no fix for the issue. Damage caused by these crashes appears to be permanent. An oxidization manufacturing issue from last year has been reported as a cause. However, Intel claims that they are not halting sales or recalling any inventory and have not commented on extending their warranty. AMD is benefiting from this situation, gaining customers in various segments.


kiennt26's home | Linux Network Performance Ultimate Guide:

This article provides an in-depth explanation of the Linux networking stack and how data packets are received and transmitted. It also covers network performance tuning, including the NIC ring buffer, interrupt coalescence, ingress QDisc, egress Disc, and TCP FSM and congestion algorithm. Additionally, it introduces advanced packet processing techniques like AF_PACKET v4, DPDK, PF_RING, and XDP (eXpress Data Path).

The article starts by explaining the initial setup of the Linux networking stack, which includes the creation of softnet_data structures and the registration of the NET_RX_SOFTIRQ softirq with the softirq system. The data flow is then discussed in detail, from when it arrives at the NIC to its transmission to the userland socket.

For network performance tuning, the article focuses on the NIC ring buffer and interrupt coalescence. It explains how increasing the size of the ring buffer can prevent packet from being dropped due to overflows and suggests using adaptive mode for interrupt coalescence to improve system performance. The article also covers IRQ affinity, RPS (Receive Packet Steering), and aRFS (Accelerated Receive Flow Steering) as methods for distributing packet processing across multiple CPUs.

The ingress QDisc is discussed in relation to the netdev_max_backlog value, which controls the size of the backlog queue per CPU. The article suggests doubling this value until the optimal size is established and drops do not increment. Egress Disc is also covered, with a focus on the txqueuelen and default_qdisc settings.

The TCP FSM and congestion algorithm are explained in detail, along with related kernel parameters like net.core.somaxconn, net.ipv4.tcp_max_syn_backlog, and net.ipv4.tcp_congestion_control. The article also touches on NUMA (Non-uniform memory access) and its impact on network performance.

Finally, the article introduces advanced packet processing techniques like AF_PACKET v4, DPDK, PF_RING, and XDP (eXpress Data Path). These techniques aim to improve performance by bypassing certain parts of the kernel stack or providing a more efficient way to process packets at high rates.

In summary, this article provides a comprehensive overview of the Linux networking stack, network performance tuning, and advanced packet processing techniques.


Taking a radio camping - Evan Pratten:

The author describes their experience setting up an amateur radio antenna in a forest during a camping trip. They built a modified version of WB3GCK's speaker wire end-fed half-wave antenna using lamp wire instead of speaker wire, and successfully made contacts despite the incorrect antenna size and poor tuning. The author was pleased with their results and enjoyed operating in FT4 mode during their trip.


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Ability to access your Android phone in File Explorer begins rolling out to Windows Insiders:

The Windows Insider Program has started rolling out the ability to view an Android phone in File Explorer for all Windows Insiders with Android phones. With this new feature, users can wirelessly browse folders and files on their Android device, as well as open, copy, move, rename, or delete them. To use this feature, a user's Android device must have at least Android 11 or higher, they must be running the BETA version of Link to Windows app (version 1.24071 and above), and their PC must be registered for the Windows Insider Program and opted into any of the four Insider Channels. The feature can be enabled by allowing a PC to access an Android phone in the mobile devices settings menu.


How does a car cigarette lighter work?:

The article discusses a cigarette lighter from the 1950s that was analyzed using industrial CT scanning technology to showcase its analog design, low-cost production, and efficiency. The device uses a simple mechanism involving a coil spring, bimetallic arms, and a heating element to heat up when pressed in, creating a glowing hot enough to ignite a cigarette. The article highlights the ingenuity of analog design and its ability to be mass-produced without any digital control.


Europe Is in Danger of Regulating Its Tech Market Out of Existence:

In June, Apple announced a new product called Apple Intelligence; however, due to regulatory requirements imposed by the EU's Digital Markets Act (DMA), the company stated that it will not be releasing Apple Intelligence in European Union countries. This decision is causing concern as it may push tech companies to block features or services in specific countries, limiting access to innovative products and potentially leading to a „splinternet,“ where international tech giants may choose to withdraw from the European continent. The EU's regulatory approach is at risk of damaging its technology industry, as poorly designed regulations are forcing global firms to leave or limit their services in Europe.


Fear of over-engineering has killed engineering altogether:

The article discusses the importance of engineering practices in programming and how the pendulum has swung from academics ruling computer science to Agile Manifesto and YC Combinator insisting on iterating fast without planning. It highlights that there is a „sweet spot“ of engineering practices, such as Napkin Math and Fermi Problems, which can save months of work by solving simple linear problems. The article also provides an example of calculating the storage and performance requirements for a bookmarking application called fika to demonstrate how basic calculations help in driving architecture decisions.


Plain text:

This article discusses the testing and potential improvement of runit tools in busybox for a hypothetical scenario where someone needs to stop running systemd on a Fedora machine. The author goes through various steps, including configuring the machine with busybox examples, creating services, and adjusting fw/run. They also suggest improvements such as having a „need“ tool that waits for specific files or directories, and creating better ways of coding for existing service handlers.


Automakers Sold Driver Data for Pennies, Senators Say:

Senators Ron Wyden and Edward Markey have urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to investigate how car companies handle data from millions of car owners, particularly General Motors, Honda, and Hyundai. These automakers are collecting and sharing anonymized data on drivers' movements without their knowledge. Previous reporting revealed that these companies collected information on driver behavior, such as hard braking or speed limit exceedance, which was then sold to insurance companies to gauge individual drivers' riskiness. Wyden and Markey have requested the FTC to investigate how the auto industry collects and shares customers' data.


Llama 3 Secrets Every Engineer Must Know:

The Llama 3 model is a significant advancement in open-source language models, with an impressive 405 billion parameters and trained on approximately 15 trillion multilingual tokens. It showcases improvements in performance across various benchmarks, especially in math and reasoning tasks. Key innovations include the extensive use of synthetic data generation, self-improvement techniques, and a focus on high-quality data for specific domains. However, further exploration is required to determine the long-term implications of its architectural choices and impact on model bias across different domains.


The Decline Of Mobile Development - DONN FELKER:

The article discusses the increasing difficulty in developing for Android and iOS platforms, as developers face multiple hoops including frequent updates, restrictive actions against apps, and complex codebases. These factors result in higher development costs and longer build times, causing many developers to switch to web development instead. The author suggests that Google and Apple's control over app developers is the primary cause of these issues, and calls for a shift back to web development as an alternative.


What's the deal with PFAS, aka 'forever chemicals'?:

Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), a group of chemicals known as „forever chemicals,“ are used in consumer products and industrial applications due to their ability to repel oil and water and resist heat. Recent headlines focus on the potential health risks associated with PFAS, including decreased immunity, increased risk of certain types of cancer, birth defects, and liver and kidney disease. These chemicals can be difficult to get rid of and stick around in the environment for decades, potentially remaining in our bodies for years. Research is ongoing to determine how exposure to different types and levels of PFAS impact health; however, scientists agree that there is cause for concern. The Environmental Protection Agency has finalized new limits on PFAS in drinking water, requiring all public water systems to monitor levels by 2027. Some major retailers and manufacturers have voluntarily phased out or banned PFAS, while others continue to use them. Individuals can take steps to reduce their PFAS exposure, such as purchasing non-PFAS pots and pans, using reusable to-go containers, and investing in drinking water filters that specifically filter out PFAS chemicals.


Arch is a gateway drug to NixOS - Wasted Intelligence:

The article discusses the benefits and advantages of using NixOS as an alternative to Arch Linux for experienced Linux users who want more control over their system configuration. NixOS uses a declarative approach, allowing users to declare their desired system settings in plain text and easily update or modify them. This makes configuring a system feel more like programming, with sensible defaults and a unified API for managing various tools and services. The article also highlights the importance of having an easy-to-use interface for Linux system configuration and how NixOS provides that by using the Nix language.


Docker Compose - Rallly:

This article guides you through setting up a self-hosted instance of Rallly using the Docker Compose configuration from the rallly-selfhosted repository on Github. Requirements include a server with x86-64 architecture, access to an SMTP server for sending emails, and the Docker program installed. The setup process involves cloning the repository, configuring environment variables in config.env, setting up an SMTP server, restricting users, starting the server using docker compose, and optionally utilizing a reverse proxy for HTTPS support.


American Suburbs Are a Horror Movie and We’re the Protagonists:

The article discusses the author's concerns about walking alone in their neighborhood due to its lack of sidewalks and the feeling of vulnerability it causes. They compare the experience to walking through an empty hallway at night, which creates a sense of uncanniness and isolation. American suburbs are described as having many liminal spaces that are not designed for pedestrians or enjoyable public spaces. The author argues that building walkable communities is essential for various reasons, including improving health, fostering community involvement, supporting local businesses, and promoting mental well-being.


Stampede for alternatives among Oracle Java users:

A study found that only 14% of Oracle Java subscribers plan to stay on Big Red's runtime environment after the introduction of an employee-based subscription model in January 2023. 36% of the surveyed users had already moved to the new pricing model, while 86% were moving or planning to move their Java applications off Oracle environments. The main reasons for moving were cost (53%), preference for open source (47%), and uncertainty created by ongoing changes in pricing, licensing, and support (38%).


GitHub - yunginnanet/HellPot: HellPot is a cross-platform portal to endless suffering meant to punish unruly HTTP bots.:

HellPot is a cross-platform portal designed to punish unruly HTTP bots. It utilizes a toml configuration file and has JSON logging for performance gains. Built with Go version 1.17 or higher, HellPot can be built with ease using Go modules. Clients that disregard robots.txt and connect to HellPot will experience an infinite stream of data, simulating a real website. The configuration file allows users to set performance values and override environment variables.


🙀 WAT Inspector:

This article discusses a GitHub repository called „wat“ which is an object inspection tool for Python. The repository has received 139 stars and 2 forks, indicating its popularity among programmers. It has a MIT license and allows users to sign in and change their notification settings.


Perverse incentive:

A perverse incentive is an incentive that has an unintended and undesirable result contrary to its intentions. The cobra effect, a type of perverse incentive, typically rewards people for making an issue worse. The term is used to describe how incorrect stimulation in economics and politics can cause unintended consequences.


Unfashionably secure: why we use isolated VMs:

The article discusses the security model used by Canary, a cloud-managed device or appliance product. Instead of using a multi-tenant architecture where customer data is colocated, Canary isolates each customer with their own tenant and Console. This approach separates customers' data, reducing the risk of unauthorized access to other users' data. The drawbacks include increased operational costs, slower rollouts, and higher hardware reliance. However, the article argues that these trade-offs are worthwhile for better security and customer satisfaction.


Meta Releases Dreambooth Technique Requiring No Finetuning:

The article discusses Meta's recent release of a new technique for image generation that does not require finetuning, enabling people to insert themselves into images and scenes more easily. This could have significant implications for content creation and advertising, as well as potential concerns regarding the ethics and mental health impact of immersing users in personalized fantasy worlds.


Let's Consign CAP to the Cabinet of Curiosities:

The Brewer's CAP theorem, which deals with hard trade-offs in distributed systems engineering, is not as relevant for most engineers building cloud-style distributed systems and applications. It is more applicable to developers of intermittently connected mobile and IoT applications. The reality is that the vast majority of cloud systems can offer both strong consistency and high availability to their clients even during common types of network partitions due to the redundant nature of connectivity and routing mechanisms. CAP tends to be most relevant for engineers designing systems in intermittently connected environments, such as IoT or mobile applications.


What is the N+1 Query Problem and How to Solve it? — PlanetScale:

The article discusses the dreaded N+1 query problem in database-driven applications, which is a classic cause of performance issues. The N+1 problem occurs when your application structure requires you to first perform a query to get a list of records and then subsequently perform another query for each record. This can lead to many small queries being slow due to the time it takes for each trip to the database server. To fix this issue, use a single query that uses a JOIN clause, or use techniques like using aggregate queries with GROUP BY or letting the server-side code handle simple counts of items. Additionally, tools such as PlanetScale Insights can help identify and monitor N+1 queries and other performance issues in your database-driven applications.


Ask HN: What is your go to performance optimization?:

This article discusses various ways to optimize performance in software development, including reducing the frequency and amount of work done by processes, simplifying stacks and frameworks, profiling for better understanding and load testing, utilizing more performant libraries with similar interfaces, optimizing databases such as indexing, denormalization, tuning, and connection pooling, less logging to reduce costs on services like AWS CloudWatch, using explicit huge pages for memory management, and removing locks by implementing lock-free algorithms.


Reverse engineering for everyone:

The book covers various topics related to x86 assembly, ARM-32 and ARM-64 courses, and x64 assembly. It starts with basic concepts such as number systems, binary arithmetic, and registers, then moves on to advanced topics like assembly programming, debugging, and hacking techniques. The book also discusses topics like the Cyber Revolution, Transistors, Logic Gates, and various programming languages like C and C++. Additionally, it provides an introduction to networking, assembly instructions, and boot sector basics. The book serves as a comprehensive guide for anyone interested in learning and mastering assembly programming and computer architecture.


Employee-owned company vs. Corporate Structure:

The article discusses the concept of employee-owned companies and how they are governed based on various structures, such as one member one vote cooperatives or ESOPs (Employee Stock Ownership Plans). It emphasizes that the power employees have in these companies depends heavily on the structure. Examples of employee-owned companies include Mondragon Corporation and partnerships in law/financial firms. The article also highlights that while it may be rare, employee ownership is not entirely uncommon.


One-dose nasal spray clears toxic Alzheimer's proteins to improve memory:

A new nasal spray treatment developed by researchers at the University of Texas Medical Branch has been shown to clear away build-ups of the toxic tau protein, associated with Alzheimer's disease, from inside brain cells. In a study involving mice that had been genetically altered to express human tau, the single dose of TTCM2 was administered intranasally and was found to improve memory and alleviate short-term memory loss in the mice with advanced tau aggregates. The researchers believe this discovery could significantly impact treatment strategies for Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases caused by a pathological buildup of tau protein.


Third Party Cookies Must Be Removed:

The article discusses the removal of third-party cookies from the web platform due to their negative impacts on privacy. Third-party cookies have been repurposed for various use cases, such as tracking state and targeted advertising, resulting in decreased individual and collective privacy. They are also a key technology supporting tracking networks, which have been identified as a major threat to privacy. The article emphasizes the importance of replacing third-party cookies with technologies that respect user privacy and do not recreate the same issues. It mentions some examples like FedCM and CHIPS, which were built for specific purposes without replicating all functionality of third-party cookies. Finally, it highlights the need for multi-stakeholder support and ensuring new web platform technologies provide clear evidence that individual and collective privacy is preserved.


My Favorite Algorithm: Linear Time Median Finding:

This article discusses finding the median in a list using linear time algorithms, specifically focusing on the „median-of-medians“ approach and randomized quicksort methods. The median-of-medians algorithm divides the list into chunks of five elements each and finds their medians, which are then combined to find the overall median. By utilizing this algorithm in conjunction with quickselect, a deterministic linear time algorithm can be used to find the median or any element in a list. The article also compares the runtime performance of different implementations and offers insights into practical applications of these algorithms.


Anyone can Access Deleted and Private Repository Data on GitHub ◆ Truffle Security Co.:

This article discusses Cross Fork Object Reference (CFOR) vulnerabilities in GitHub repositories. CFOR occurs when one repository fork can access sensitive data from another fork, including deleted and private forks. The issue arises because GitHub reassigns the root node role to a downstream fork after deleting an original „upstream“ repository, resulting in all commits being accessible via any fork. This vulnerability allows attackers to access sensitive information indefinitely by knowing the commit hash. To mitigate this risk, users should rotate keys and be aware of secret scanning evolving capabilities.


Smart Jerks Aren't Worth It | Tony Alicea:

The myth of the „difficult genius“ in software development is harmful and can hurt team dynamics, leading to a loss of ideas, energy, and motivation. Smart jerks may produce short-term benefits but ultimately damage the long-term success of the project. It's crucial for teams to prioritize cohesive and well-functioning dynamics while still seeking out brilliant individuals who are also easy to work with.


Why Big Tech Wants to Make AI Cost Nothing:

Meta has open-sourced and released the model weights for Llama 3.1, a large language model (LLM) that competes with ChatGPT and Claude from OpenAI and Anthropic respectively. This move is part of a business strategy in Silicon Valley called „commoditize your complement“, which involves decreasing the value of a product's complement while increasing demand for the main product. With Llama 3.1, Meta may be hoping to standardize internal tooling and increase user-generated content on its platforms. However, smaller AI startups like OpenAI, Anthropic, Character.ai, Cohere, and Mistral might lose their competitive edge as these large tech companies continue to release free LLMs. The commoditization of LLMs may pave the way for advancements in other areas such as robotics and autonomous vehicles.


Ask HN: Am I crazy or is Android development awful?:

The author shares their experience of developing an application for a USB camera on an Android device, highlighting the complexity and challenges they faced. They compare the process with creating a similar application using Python scripting and OpenCV, which took only 10 minutes to set up and run on both Linux and Windows. The author expresses frustration with Android's development environment, particularly the lack of native toolchains, complex SDK, and Gradle build system. They also discuss the difficulty in integrating C/C++ libraries for hardware access and the overall negative experience of Android development compared to other platforms like iOS and web development.


Britain is running out of babies:

This article discusses the decline in primary school aged children in London and how it is happening across the city, with the number of children set to drop by 10% within the next four years. It highlights that schools are closing due to falling birth rates, which has intensified since 2020. The article also mentions that Britain's fertility decline has accelerated in recent years and attributes the issue to the dependency ratio – the number of people of working age versus those in retirement. The author argues that countries need to address this problem through urgent cultural change, as falling birth rates present a crisis that needs to be addressed.


OpenAI training and inference costs could reach $7bn for 2024, AI startup set to lose $5bn - report:

OpenAI, the artificial intelligence startup behind ChatGPT, is predicted to spend nearly $4 billion this year on using Microsoft's servers for inference workloads, with an additional $3 billion required for training ChatGPT and new models. OpenAI may require more funding to cover its growing losses.


Cutting forests for solar energy ‘misses the plot’ on climate action (commentary):

In many places, solar power projects are being sited on natural forestlands, ignoring that natural forests are key climate solutions. Studies suggest solar projects should be placed in abandoned industrial sites, above parking lots or on warehouse roofs. An example is an industrial solar project proposed to replace a tract of forest in Vermont, despite community opposition. Ecosystems play a critical role in regulating temperature and moisture, with healthy forests providing a buffer against warming and reducing climate sensitivity. To truly grapple with climate change, preserving natural landscapes and regenerating where possible is essential.


Fossil Hints That Jurassic Mammals Lived Slow and Died Old - The New …:

A recent study published in Nature has analyzed fossilized skeletons belonging to a mouse-sized mammal relative from the Jurassic period, revealing that these creatures lived longer and grew slower than their similarly sized descendants. The researchers found that Krusatodon kirtlingtonensis, a species previously known only from fossilized teeth, resembled a pint-size possum and weighed less than a hockey puck. The cementum bands in the teeth of the specimens indicated that the adult was around 7 years old when it died, while the juvenile was between 7 months and 2 years old. This suggests that these ancient mammals enjoyed surprisingly long life spans, with a likely extended growth period throughout their lives.


2024 Stack Overflow Developer Survey:

The article discusses the Stack Overflow Developer Survey 2024, which received over 65,000 responses from developers regarding coding tools, technologies, AI, and their work experiences. The survey highlights insights about developers' preferences and interests, and showcases new features for Stack Overflow users.


The bizarre secrets I found investigating corrupt Winamp skins:

In January 2021, the author explored corrupted Winamp skins and found various hidden files and secrets within them. These included encrypted files that were cracked to reveal their contents, a gift for a child, someone's email password, a secret biography of Chet Baker, cryptic backwards audio files, a file called worm.exe which turned out to be harmless, random images and files, and 56 previously unknown Winamp skins hidden inside other Winamp skins. The author discovered these intriguing finds by using an SQLite database to store information on the collected skins.


Large Enough:

The latest generation of Mistral Large 2 pushes boundaries in cost efficiency, speed, and performance. It is designed for single-node inference with long-context applications, featuring 123 billion parameters and supporting dozens of languages and coding languages. Mistral Large 2 outperforms the previous version and performs on par with leading models such as GPT-4. The model has been trained to handle precise instructions, lengthy conversations, and multilingual data. It is available via la Plateforme under the name mistral-large-2407 for research and non-commercial usage, while commercial usage requires a Mistral Commercial License.


My programming beliefs as of July 2024:

The article shares the author's beliefs about computer programming and software development based on their personal experience. Some key points include understanding the distinction between „simple“ and „easy“, using the positive version of a variable, considering an enum instead of a boolean, and being mindful of interpersonal aspects in collaboration with other programmers. The author also emphasizes the importance of not wasting time on building software for unethical purposes or projects that contribute to societal problems.


The shortest book on good programming, ever!:

The Coders Decalogue discusses various guidelines for making software work better and saving time, irritation, and frustration for developers, users, customers, and other stakeholders in the software business. These rules include writing code for humans, avoiding nested if-statements or loops, not checking-in commented out code, using descriptive class, method, and member names, and only optimizing when needed based on performance profiler measurements. The author believes that following these guidelines will significantly improve productivity in the software industry.


The strange git love of the command line:

This article discusses the love for the command line among Git users despite there being better alternatives available. Git is a powerful tool but can be dangerous if not used properly, and many developers prefer using it from the bash command line. While graphical user interface frontends exist, such as TortoiseGit on Windows, they are often ignored in favor of the command line. The author argues that this preference for the command line may affect productivity and lead to complex commit histories in the future.


Thinking about cacheability:

The article discusses the importance of balancing performance, cacheability, and anticipating future optimizations when designing APIs. It gives an example of a Gas Station API that initially struggled with slow response times due to inefficient caching methods. By reevaluating the API's design and implementing a more effective caching strategy, the application improved its scalability and speed for users. The article emphasizes the need for considering optimization and caching from the beginning, even if it may not be immediately necessary, to ensure flexibility for future improvements.


What everyone is missing from the CrowdStrike Falcon incident:

This article discusses an incident that occurred on July 19, 2024, involving CrowdStrike Falcon and its Blue Screen of Death (BSOD). The company created a device driver to check file signatures and behavior in general but encountered issues due to frequent updates. CrowdStrike bypassed the whole point of WHQL certification of kernel mode drivers by allowing the driver to read and perform instructions based on external „content,“ leading to a trivial embarrassing bug that caused the system crash. The article also highlights the importance of proper rollout procedures for global kernel mode code updates and criticizes CrowdStrike's negligence in this case, calling it irresponsible.


Taking my diabetes treatment into my own hands:

This blog post discusses the author's experience as a Type 1 diabetic and their struggle to manage blood glucose levels manually. They mention the challenges in maintaining proper insulin levels, such as delayed action of insulin and food, and how external factors like physical activity can affect glucose levels. The author also highlights the importance of mathematical models for managing blood sugar levels, but expresses frustration with the lack of personalized solutions available currently. They briefly describe their attempts to create a simulation using open-source software that would help them find better insulin dosages and meal times based on historical data.


Legacy:

The article discusses the concept of „second death,“ which is deeply human and echoed across various cultures, such as ancient Egyptians, Jews, Native Americans, Greeks, Japanese Obon Festival, Mexican/Aztec Día de los Muertos, Korean tradition of Jesa, Chinese Qingming Festival, and modern times' rich perpetuating their names in charitable foundations. It highlights that ideas can propagate even without reference to the originator, emphasizing the importance of generating ideas worth repeating for positive influence on others, helping them become better versions of themselves. The author also shares his personal journey of finding a different sense of legacy beyond fame and money.


Forget “show, don’t tell”. Engage, don’t show! • Lea Verou:

The article discusses the principle that good user interfaces (UIs) and APIs should have a smooth complexity curve, meaning that increasing user effort should result in proportional value. This idea can be applied to education, knowledge transfer, and other forms of human interaction. It emphasizes the importance of explaining why something is useful, minimizing pre-practice theory, preferring contextual explanations over upfront ones, and engaging rather than merely showing or telling information. The article argues that by understanding these principles, educators can improve retention and comprehension in their students.


Why Is It So Hard To Share Links On LinkedIn?:

This article discusses LinkedIn's algorithmic problem that discourages sharing external links and the complex workarounds users have to go through in order to share them. The author argues that LinkedIn is essentially implementing a zero-click content strategy, similar to telecom companies' zero-rating concept. This forces content on LinkedIn to take an unnatural shape and limits reach for those who don't follow the platform's rules, which could be seen as a free trade issue. The article calls for regulators to consider intervening in this matter.


A Good Man Is Hard to Find: Egg Freezing and the 'Mating Gap' (2023):

The article discusses the decline in marriage and TFR (total fertility rate) in developed countries, with a particular focus on American women achieving success in college. It mentions that economic factors may be the largest culprit for this issue. However, it also notes that there is more to the story when examining the U-shaped income/TFR curve or the failure of family-formation economic policies worldwide. The article emphasizes the need for dispassionate discussion and criticizes the „men bad“ or „women bad“ discourse on this issue.


A Good Man is Hard to Find: Egg Freezing and the ‘Mating Gap’ - Bill of Health:

The article discusses egg freezing as a technological solution to the social problem of workplace norms molded around men's life cycle. It argues that while egg freezing may help individual women, it does not address underlying inequalities in workplace structures and family leave policies. Anthropologist Marcia Inhorn's book „Motherhood on Ice“ explores the use of egg freezing as a coping mechanism for the „mating gap,“ or lack of eligible male partners. Women are outpacing men in educational attainment, leading to concerns about fertility and marriage prospects. The article suggests that egg freezing may perpetuate conformity to heteropatriarchy and bionormativity rather than promoting radical revisions in family and relationships.


learn-wcs.com:

TODO


The challenges of working out how many CPUs your program can use on Linux July 22, 2024:

The article discusses how programs attempt to parallelize themselves and their build processes on a Linux system, using multiple threads within a single compiler process. There are at least three ways to count the number of 'CPUs' available: reading /proc/cpuinfo, calling sched_getaffinity(), or reading /proc/self/cgroup. These methods can help programs determine how many CPUs they have access to and adjust their parallelization accordingly. The article also mentions that nproc and sched_getaffinity() are easier to use than reading /proc/cpuinfo. However, there is no straightforward API for checking cgroup-based resource limits, which may cause load average issues on systems with multiple CPUs.


Google Drive scans files for copyright infringement:

This article discusses Google Drive's copyright scanning policy that scans for material it believes to be copyrighted and restricts features, such as sharing, for content that matches. The policy is implemented in response to the existence of copyright law and to avoid legal issues with media companies. It is seen as a low-impact solution and deemed necessary by Google to maintain compliance with current digital copyright precedent. However, some users express concern over privacy and potential abuse of power by Google.


America’s Transit Exceptionalism:

This article highlights the contrast between the U.S.'s lack of investment in subway systems compared to other countries around the world. The U.S. has been focusing on highway expansions and subsidizing SUVs, while other nations are investing heavily in transit systems that set new standards for speed, convenience, and technology. Examples include Istanbul's Marmaray Line and its M2 line, which offer seamless signal priority and quick transportation across iconic bodies of water. The rapid regional rail systems in London, Seoul, Delhi, Guangzhou, and other cities provide high-speed connections between urban areas and suburbs. In addition to these advancements, countries like Spain, France, and Austria are automating their existing subway lines for increased frequency and reduced costs.


ESA Report Shows Unsustainable Levels of Orbital Debris:

The number of satellites in Low Earth Orbit (LEO) has rapidly increased in recent years, causing congestion and raising concerns about the future of space travel. According to ESA's 2024 Space Environment Report, the cumulative volume of spacecraft and debris in LEO is unsustainable. The report warns that without widespread adoption of debris mitigation tactics, the situation could become critical. In 2023, over 2,800 satellites entered LEO, with two-thirds now operating in the 500-600 km orbit band. The increasing number of space debris poses a threat to working satellites and requires them to expend limited fuel resources for avoidance maneuvers. Efforts such as the Zero Debris Charter, created by ESA in 2023, are gaining traction, with some progress made in increasing the number of payloads deorbiting and reentry of rocket bodies in a controlled manner. However, more stringent guidelines and active debris removal measures are needed to address the growing issue.


Traveling this summer? Maybe don’t let the airport scan your face.:

The article discusses the increasing use of facial recognition technology at airports in the US, with over 80 currently piloting the tech. Despite known risks such as breaches, misidentification, and bias issues, the TSA aims to roll out the tech in all of its more than 430 airports, claiming it reduces „friction“ at airports. The author also highlights their embarrassment for not being aware of passengers' right to opt-out of facial recognition technology and shares information on how to do so. The article also discusses the potential implications of this technology beyond air travel and raises concerns about normalizing surveillance and the retention of face prints, even when photos are deleted.


ISP Column - October 2022:

The article summarizes the differences between TCP and QUIC, two transport protocols used in computer networking. It explains how QUIC is more than just a refinement to TCP, but rather represents a significant shift in the set of transport capabilities available to applications in terms of communication privacy, session control integrity, and flexibility. It also covers various aspects of QUIC, such as its connection handshake, streams, frames, recovery, flow control, and potential issues like load balancing, DDoS defense, private use, and integration with OpenSSL. The author concludes that the emergence of an application-centric transport model that provides faster services, a larger repertoire of transport models, and comprehensive encryption was an inevitable development in the Internet ecosystem.


My patented Miracle Tonic would have prevented the CrowdStrike meltdown:

This article humorously claims that the key to preventing major technical problems like CrowdStrike's outage lies in drinking the „Miracle Tonic,“ which allegedly improves programming skills, reduces bugs, and boosts happiness at work. The author of the article has created a patented Miracle Tonic™® and provides anecdotal evidence, as well as some humorous examples, to support its effectiveness. They also mention other products that aim to improve programming abilities but dismiss them as „charlatans.“


Switzerland now requires all government software to be open source:

Switzerland has passed a groundbreaking law mandating the use of open-source software (OSS) in its public sector. The „Federal Law on the Use of Electronic Means for the Fulfillment of Government Tasks“ requires all public bodies to disclose the source code of software developed by or for them unless third-party rights or security concerns prevent it. This law aims to enhance government operations' transparency, security, and efficiency. European countries like France have also long supported open source, while the US has some support but not as much as in Europe.


Ireland’s datacentres overtake electricity use of all urban homes combined:

According to the Central Statistics Office, data centers in Ireland consumed more than 21% of the country's electricity in 2022, surpassing domestic homes for the first time. This figure marks a 20% increase from the previous year. The rise in demand for data processing due to advancements in artificial intelligence could see Irish data centers consuming around 31% of the country's electricity within three years, potentially causing issues with climate targets. Google's Irish headquarters warned that its data centers may hinder green ambitions after a 48% increase in overall emissions last year compared to 2019. Ireland is heavily reliant on fossil fuels for electricity generation, with wind and solar making up only 34.6% and 1.2%, respectively.


IRC Networks - Top 100:

This is a list of chat networks and their respective user counts, channels count, and servers. The top 5 networks are Libera.Chat (32976 users, 23143 channels, 28 servers), Undernet (15212 users, 5733 channels, 38 servers), IRCnet (14376 users, 7953 channels, 23 servers), Rizon (9208 users, 7925 channels, 17 servers), and hackint (8624 users, 2050 channels, 7 servers).


How the origins of America’s immigrants have changed since 1850:

This article provides a summary of foreign-born populations in the United States from 1850 to 2022, based on data from various sources such as the U.S. Census Bureau and Pew Research Center. The top five foreign-born populations by country of origin were Germany, the United Kingdom (including England, Scotland, Wales, and Channel Islands), China, and Poland. These figures show the percentage of foreign-born individuals within the total population at each point in time, ranging from 9.7% to 13.8%. The article also explains how populations are rounded to the nearest 10,000 and ranks based on unrounded numbers.


So nicht: Wie sich ein Netzbetreiber in den Totalausfall manövriert hat:

In July 2022, millions of customers of Rogers Networks were left offline for 26 hours due to a technical failure, causing issues with emergency services, banks, and point-of-sale transactions. Two years later, the Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC) released a report on the incident. The primary cause of the outage was the deletion of access control lists during an upgrade of the IP core network, which resulted in uncontrolled routing data to routers, overloading them and causing their collapse. Rogers has since implemented measures such as separating the management network from the production network with redundant connections from other network operators, updating router protection against overload, introducing additional procedures for change management and crisis management, and testing incident response playbooks.


Fefes Blog:

This article discusses an update regarding Intel's situation, where they have published a statement that they are creating a microcode fix. It is suggested that Intel has been misleading customers and not addressing manufacturing issues properly. The author believes that Intel should be held accountable for their actions, potentially facing fines from consumer protection agencies or refunds to affected customers.


The Linux audio stack demystified:

This comprehensive article delves into the intricacies of digital audio processing on Linux systems. It begins by explaining the fundamental concepts of sound waves, how humans perceive them, and the process of converting analog sound to digital data through sampling and quantization. The article then explores various aspects of digital audio storage, including bit depth, sample rate, and file formats.

The role of a sound card or audio interface is highlighted, emphasizing its importance in handling input and output of audio signals. Key factors for evaluating the quality of a sound card are also discussed.

The Linux audio stack is dissected, starting with ALSA, the core layer responsible for managing hardware interactions and providing standardized interfaces for applications. The article then moves on to JACK, a professional-grade audio server known for its low latency and real-time capabilities. PulseAudio is introduced as a sound server that offers a higher-level interface, simplifying audio management with features such as mixing multiple streams, independent volume control, and network streaming. PipeWire is presented as a modern multimedia framework designed to unify audio and video processing, providing enhanced performance and flexibility for a wide range of applications.

The article concludes by summarizing the functions of sound servers, including mixing input streams, managing output streams, applying sound effects, and providing APIs for developers. It also offers guidance on choosing the appropriate sound server based on specific use cases and requirements.


Cure for male pattern baldness given boost by sugar discovery:

Scientists from the University of Sheffield and COMSATS University Pakistan have discovered that a type of naturally occurring sugar, 2-deoxy-D-ribose (2dDR), can stimulate hair growth in mice models. The study found that applying a small dose of 2dDR helped form new blood vessels, leading to hair regrowth. This discovery offers hope in the search for a cure for male pattern baldness and offers an alternative approach to treating hair loss through naturally occurring deoxy ribose sugar.


Dom to Semantic Markdown:

The article describes the dom-to-semantic-markdown library, which converts HTML DOM to a semantic Markdown format optimized for use with Large Language Models (LLMs). It preserves the semantic structure of web content, extracts essential metadata, and reduces token usage compared to raw HTML, making it easier for LLMs to understand and process information. The library offers various features such as metadata extraction, token efficiency, and main content detection. It is designed for use with LLMs and provides examples on how to use it effectively for better results.


Copying is the way design works:

This article discusses the importance of copying in design, citing various examples such as the Eames' LCW chair, John Carmack's reverse-engineering of Super Mario Bros., and Steve Jobs' adoption of Xerox PARC's user interface. It highlights how copying has played a role in various aspects of design history and that it is an essential part of the creative process. The article explores different perspectives on copying, from being viewed as a problematic practice to a necessary tool for learning and innovation.


Microsoft says EU to blame for the world's worst IT outage:

An IT outage on Friday affected up to 8.5 million Windows devices after a faulty security update from Crowdstrike, a cybersecurity firm. The European Union is blamed for the incident due to a 2009 agreement that prevented Microsoft from making security changes that would have blocked the update. Microsoft had allowed multiple security providers to install software at the kernel level, which was designed to prevent cyberattacks. The outage caused disruptions in contactless payments and air travel.


Heat pipe:

A heat pipe is a heat-transfer device that employs phase transition to transfer heat between two solid interfaces. It consists of a sealed pipe or tube made of a material compatible with the working fluid, which can be various substances such as water, ammonia, or alcohol depending on the temperature range needed for operation. The heat pipe works by utilizing the principles of vaporization and condensation: at one end (the evaporator), the working fluid absorbs heat from its surroundings and turns into a vapor; this vapor then travels along the heat pipe to the other end (the condenser) where it releases the latent heat and condenses back into a liquid. The liquid is returned to the evaporator through capillary action or other forces like gravity, centrifugal force, or pressure differences, completing the cycle.

Heat pipes have no mechanical moving parts and typically require no maintenance, making them highly efficient thermal conductors suitable for various applications such as spacecraft thermal control, computer systems cooling, solar thermal water heating, cooking appliances, geothermal heating, ventilation heat recovery, nuclear power conversion, Wankel rotary combustion engines, and more. The development of different types of heat pipes like variable conductance heat pipes (VCHPs), pressure controlled heat pipes (PCHPs), diode heat pipes, oscillating or pulsating heat pipes, and heat pipe heat exchangers further expands their versatility and effectiveness in managing thermal energy transfer across various systems and environments.


iPhone SE 4 Rumored to Use Same Rear Chassis as iPhone 16:

Last Friday, a CrowdStrike antivirus software update caused a major outage on PCs running Microsoft Windows, impacting various industries worldwide. The update led to computers getting stuck in continuous recovery loops and rendering them unusable. Mac and Linux machines were not affected due to Apple's restrictions on kernel access for security software updates. Microsoft blamed the European Commission for its inability to provide similar protections for Windows as Macs have, citing an agreement from 2009 that required it to offer interoperability rules and grant kernel access to third-party security apps. The CrowdStrike outage highlights potential unintended consequences of legislation aimed at increasing openness by weakening security measures.


The Man Who Thought Too Fast:

Frank Ramsey was a renowned philosopher, economist, and mathematician who passed away at the age of twenty-six. He made significant contributions to various fields including mathematics, philosophy, and economics. Ramsey's work has had lasting impact on areas such as mathematical economics, decision theory, and probability. His modesty often overshadowed the importance of his ideas, but today, scholars continue to study and discuss his theories and concepts.


The workers have spoken: They're staying home.:

The article discusses how remote work has become the new normal in 2024, with many employees preferring to stay home rather than return to the office. Reasons for this preference include no commute on crowded highways, better life/work balance, cost savings, flexibility to choose where to live and work, and more control over their workplace environment. Companies have been attempting to push employees back into the office, but with increasing office vacancy rates and a new work culture in place, it's clear that remote work is here to stay for many businesses.


A gentle introduction to SAML:

The article is about simplified explanation of Security Assertion Markup Language (SAML) and how it works in Single Sign-On (SSO) scenarios. It describes the flexibility, complexities, and technical details involved in SAML and how it allows users to access multiple software applications by authenticating with one centralized system. The article also provides a detailed example of an XML message flow between Service Provider (SP), Identity Provider (ISP), and end-users for authentication purposes. It emphasizes the importance of pre-configured trust relationships with the ISP and the need to process digital signatures carefully to ensure security.


Another intermediate-mass black hole discovered at the centre of our galaxy:

An international research team led by PD Dr Florian Peißker discovered signs of another intermediate-mass black hole near the supermassive black hole SgrA* at the center of our galaxy. The study, published in The Astrophysical Journal, found that the star cluster IRS 13 located 0.1 light years from the center of our galaxy exhibits unexpectedly orderly star motion, suggesting interaction with SgrA*. Multi-wavelength observations suggest an intermediate-mass black hole at the center of the star cluster may be responsible for its compact shape and unusually high density compared to other known Milky Way clusters. The discovery could provide insights into the growth of our central black hole SgrA* and the processes within the star cluster.


An interview with AMD's Mike Clark, the Father of Zen — 'Zen Daddy' says 3nm Zen 5 is coming fast; also talks compact cores for desktop chips:

The article discusses an interview with Mike Clark, AMD's Corporate Fellow Silicon Design Engineer, regarding the Zen 5 microarchitecture, which powers the company's Ryzen 9000 and Ryzen AI 300 processors. Over the last seven years, AMD has unveiled five generations of Zen, each delivering double-digit increases in instructions per clock (IPC) improvement. Clark has led Zen's development through all five generations, with a sixth in the works. The Zen 5 architecture will span both the 4nm and 3nm process nodes, powering AMD's entire CPU product stack from desktop to data center.


Scientists Discover a New Hormone that Can Build Strong Bones:

Researchers have discovered the Maternal Brain Hormone (CCN3) which helps keep breastfeeding women's bones strong and could also help treat osteoporosis in the broader population. In mice, CCN3 increases bone density and strength, solving a long-standing puzzle about how women's bones remain robust during breastfeeding despite calcium being stripped from bones to support milk production. Over 200 million people worldwide suffer from osteoporosis, with women at higher risk after menopause due to declining levels of the sex hormone estrogen, which normally promotes bone formation. CCN3 could increase bone mass in post-menopausal women and other situations where bone loss occurs, such as breast cancer survivors taking certain hormone blockers or younger, highly trained female athletes.


Why you are probably sitting down for too long:

In 1953, epidemiologist Jeremy Morris found that London bus conductors were more likely to develop coronary heart disease compared to drivers due to their increased physical activity. His study laid the groundwork for research on the links between physical activity and coronary health. Since the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a shift towards working from home, which is likely to increase our collective sitting time, leading to sedentary behaviors associated with cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes, and premature mortality. Sedentary behavior is distinct from a lack of physical activity but heightens risks when combined with insufficient exercise. Prolonged sitting can lead to reduced muscular activity, lower metabolic demand, and biomechanics that reduce blood flow, causing vascular dysfunction. To mitigate these effects, experts recommend breaking up sedentary time by standing or moving more frequently, even if it's just for a light walk or climbing some stairs.


STEAM Education: Putting an A in your STEM (Video):

The transcript of the YouTube video discusses several topics related to education, particularly focusing on STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) and STEAM (STEM with Art added) education. Here's a detailed breakdown:

1. Introduction to Education Buzzwords: The speaker begins by discussing how education buzzwords often start in the toy aisle at Target, as seen with the transition from STEM to STEAM learning.

2. Understanding STEM: The video delves into the origins of STEM, which is rooted in immigration policy during George W. Bush's administration. It emphasizes that STEM is not a way to teach science, technology, engineering, and mathematics classes but rather an identification of the government's interest in ensuring scientific literacy and global competitiveness.

3. Introduction to STEAM: The speaker defines STEAM as a pedagogical approach to teaching STEM courses by incorporating critical thinking skills and creative problem-solving skills from the arts and humanities. This approach aims to improve science education by teaching it as a creative act rather than rote memorization.

4. Misconceptions about STEAM: The video criticizes the implementation of STEAM in classrooms, where teachers often misinterpret or oversimplify its principles. For example, handing out pipe cleaners during a science lesson does not constitute a STEAM education.

5. Public Education and Job Training: The speaker argues that public school is not job training and should not be used to prepare students for specific careers. This perspective is particularly relevant when considering the widespread adoption of STEM and STEAM in schools, which often includes discussions about future job markets and competitiveness.

6. Art's Role in Education: The video emphasizes the importance of art education and worries that an overemphasis on STEM and STEAM could lead to cuts in art programs. It encourages valuing art as part of a well-rounded liberal education.

7. Implementation Challenges: The transcript highlights the challenges of implementing new educational approaches, such as the lag between research being done in academia and its appearance in classrooms. This gap is often filled with scammers offering courses that misrepresent or oversimplify concepts like STEAM.

8. Education Research: The speaker shares their personal journey through education research and teaching, ultimately deciding to pursue physics instead of education research due to the lack of funding and support for such initiatives.

9. Political Interference in Education: The video discusses how political agendas can interfere with education, citing examples like the No Child Left Behind Act and the push for school choice reform under the Trump administration. It also touches on the current Republican agenda to end public school education and focus on issues related to children's genitals rather than educational quality.

10. Future of Education: The speaker encourages viewers to vote for candidates who support public school education, attend local school board meetings, and advocate for appropriate responses when individuals bring inappropriate topics like children's genitals into these forums.

Executive Summary: The video explores the evolution of educational buzzwords from STEM to STEAM, delving into the origins and misconceptions surrounding both concepts. It criticizes the implementation challenges, particularly in public schools, where the true principles of STEAM are often misunderstood or oversimplified. The speaker emphasizes the importance of art education as part of a well-rounded liberal education and argues against using public school as job training. The video also highlights political interference in education, advocating for informed voting and active participation in local education matters to ensure the future of quality education in the United States.


Don't Lead A Data Team Before Watching This - 5 Lessons You Need To Know As A Head of Data (Video):

This transcript discusses various topics related to data teams and management. Key points include: 1. The business does not care about technology; focus on the problems and outcomes. 2. Be intentional with roles; understand when to involve data engineers, analysts, or other professionals in specific tasks. 3. Data quality matters; bad data can lead to significant issues down the line. 4. Less is more; prioritize building reliable pipelines and dashboards over a large quantity of low-quality solutions. 5. Understand the business you work in; this knowledge will allow you to provide valuable insights from data.

The video emphasizes the importance of managing data teams effectively, understanding their roles and responsibilities, and providing value to the organization by aligning with its goals and objectives.


Eisdielen entlarvt: Lege nimmt angeblich hausgemachtes Eis hops (Video):

The video demonstrates how to make instant ice cream using industrial ice cream powder and various ingredients such as sugar, dextrose, glucose syrup, skim milk powder, inulin, stabilizers, aromas, food coloring, riboflavin, and flavorings. The key points of the video include:

1. Hausgemacht (homemade) ice cream requires much time and effort but can be replaced by instant ice cream powder that saves gastronomes' time and money while allowing unskilled personnel to easily create desserts. 2. The ingredients in instant ice cream include milk powder, sugar, dextrose, glucose syrup, skim milk powder, inulin, stabilizers (E-412, E-466, E-410), aromas, and flavorings. 3. The process involves mixing the instant ice cream powder with water to create various flavors such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, and many more. 4. Instant ice cream can be made using different ingredients like coconut fat or milk fat from cheese production but is primarily created using industrial ice cream powder. 5. Industrial ice cream powders offer a wide range of flavors and consistencies, making them suitable for various eateries. 6. The video also compares the taste and texture of instant ice cream with homemade vanilla ice cream, suggesting that while some may prefer the real thing, others find instant ice cream equally satisfying. 7. Despite its artificial origins, instant ice cream is considered legitimate under food regulations and can be labeled as „hausgemacht“ (homemade) or „mit eigener Herstellung“ (with own production).


Russland deportiert Kinder aus der Ukraine, nur wenige kehren heim | DW Nachrichten (Video):

The video transcript tells the story of Volodomir, a 16-year-old from southern Ukraine who undertakes a daily 20-minute march to a sports ground for his training. His training helps him develop self-confidence and prevents him from engaging in destructive habits like smoking or drinking. The video also narrates the events that led up to Volodomir's evacuation during wartime, along with other children and teachers from their school. They were initially held captive by Russian soldiers but later transferred to a camp in Russia. After being away for some time, Volodomir was eventually contacted by his family, who told him that he and the other children had been brought to safety in Tbilisi, Georgia, by Ukrainian volunteers. The video highlights the impact of these events on Volodomir's mental wellbeing, as well as the possibility of war crimes and even genocide being committed against the children. It concludes with Volodomir expressing hope for a better future and his desire to explore the world and become a travel guide.


How To Detect Faster Than Light Travel (Video):

The transcript discusses the possibility of detecting gravitational waves from distant alien civilizations' warp fields using advanced gravitational wave detectors such as LIGO, Cosmic Explorer, Einstein Telescope, and Laser Interferometer Space Antenna (LISA). The study suggests that a 1km radius warp bubble traveling at 10% light speed would produce a signal with a strain of 10^-21 if it occurred 1 megaparsec away. While the current detectors have limitations, such as frequency range and sensitivity, future high-frequency detectors can potentially detect these gravitational waves from bursting warp bubbles. The research also explores the possibility of electromagnetic counterparts to the gravitational wave signals in multi-messenger events.


Five desiccants - two month test with full results (Video):

The video is about testing various materials known as Desk-Nd for their moisture absorption capabilities, specifically using them to prevent humidity from damaging 3D printer filament and tools inside enclosures such as boxes or toolboxes. The test involved placing different types of rice, cat litter (Zeolite and Bentonite Clay), silica gel, and a blend of random packets in pods and exposing them to hot air at approximately 90 degrees Celsius for three weeks, followed by two months.

Key results from the test include: 1. The rice absorbed moisture consistently during the first three weeks but showed a significant decrease in effectiveness afterwards. 2. Zeolite started strong but also tapered off quickly after three weeks. 3. Silica Gel proved to be the best performer, with Bentonite Clay coming close behind. Felite was joint second with silica gel. 4. The drying temperature of 90 degrees Celsius provided a good indication of their moisture absorption capabilities but might not have been optimal for some materials. 5. The video warns against using rice as a moisture absorbent, stating that it should be dried before use.


Don’t Use UUIDs⧸GUIDs in Databases. Use this Instead (Video):

The transcript discusses the new GUID (UUID version 7) being added in .NET 9 Preview 7, which is chronologically sorted and takes time into account for better performance. This feature addresses issues with data structure fragmentation caused by traditional GUIDs. ULID (Universally Unique Lexicographically Sortable Identifier) is compared to GUID as an alternative solution, offering advantages in character efficiency and addressing fragmentation concerns in databases. The video also compares the performance of different versions of GUIDs and highlights that ULID is more efficient than V7 and V8 GUIDs.


Photobucket Is Using Biometrics To Sell Your Photos to train AI and opting you IN by default (Video):

Topic 1: The Worst Company of the Year - Photobucket Key points: - Photobucket recently changed its Terms of Service, prompting many users to express concern about their privacy. - The new terms grant Photobucket the right to commercialize user-uploaded content and biometric information for AI training and other purposes. - Users must opt out within a given timeframe or be assumed as consenting to the changes. - Lewis Rossman, host of „How You're Getting Fucked“, criticizes Photobucket for its privacy invasion and lack of consumer protection.

Topic 2: Forced Arbitration & Opting Out Key points: - Many companies use forced arbitration, making it difficult for users to opt out without logging in or following specific procedures. - Rossman criticizes this practice as intentionally designed to make opting out inconvenient and frustrating for the average user. - Rossman emphasizes the importance of consumer protection agencies holding companies accountable for privacy invasions like Photobucket's new terms.

Topic 3: The Role of Consumer Protection Agencies Key points: - Rossman argues that state and federal consumer protection agencies should take action against companies, such as Photobucket, that violate user privacy. - If the agencies fail to act, Rossman suggests citizens should demand better regulations and legislation to protect their privacy and data rights. - Rossman calls for a level playing field between large corporations and small businesses when it comes to consumer protection and accountability.

Executive Summary: Lewis Rossman discusses Photobucket's new Terms of Service, which grants the company the right to commercialize user-uploaded content and biometric information, infringing on user privacy. Rossman criticizes Photobucket's practices and calls for consumer protection agencies to hold companies accountable. He emphasizes the importance of consumer rights and a level playing field between large corporations and small businesses when it comes to data protection and legislation.


Docmost: My New Favorite Note-Taking and Documentation App for Docker (Video):

The video discusses DocMost, a note-taking application that offers collaborative wiki and documentation software. Some key features include real-time collaborative editing, permission systems, spaces, groups, commenting, page history, and more. The host suggests some improvements for the app, such as nested comments and better control over auto saving. They also briefly touch on setting up DocMost using Docker Compose.


Segway GoKart Pro 2 Review (Almost Too Good) (Video):

The transcript of the YouTube video discusses the Segway Go-Kart Pro 2, which is a three-in-one device that can be used as a go-kart, a racing setup for gaming, and a Segway Ninebot S Max scooter. Key features include a top speed of 27 miles per hour, four riding modes (Eco, Race, Sport, and Manual), adjustable chassis, drifting capabilities, low center of gravity, grippy steering wheel, haptic feedback in the seat for simulation experience, Bluetooth speaker function, and a phone app for connectivity. The video demonstrates various aspects such as top speed test, braking test, drift test, and overall appearance. The reviewer highly recommends the device and finds it incredibly fun to use.


'Müssen uns auf einen isolationistischen Kurs der USA einstellen' CSU-Silberhorn zu den US Wahlen (Video):

In this transcript of a YouTube video, Thomas Silberhorn, the CSU's expert on transatlantic relations in the Bundestag, discusses Joe Biden's withdrawal from the US presidential race and its implications for Germany and Europe. He notes that while politicians praise Biden for his decision, they remain cautious about how to proceed. Silberhorn believes Biden's withdrawal was a late but correct choice, as it allowed Republicans to potentially win both the House of Representatives and the Senate. He also mentions Kamala Harris, who is seen as a strong contender for the Democratic nomination and has a chance to defeat Trump, albeit with limited support from her party.

Silberhorn highlights the sharp divide in American politics between Republicans and Democrats, which he believes is being exacerbated by both parties. He emphasizes the need for Germany and Europe to take these statements seriously without over-interpreting them, while acknowledging that a second Trump term would force Europe to shift towards isolationism and protectionism in foreign policy and trade.

To prepare for potential second Trump term, Silberhorn recommends strengthening defense capabilities, building stronger ties with Republicans, and coordinating efforts within the European Union. He stresses the importance of leadership from EU heads of state or government to achieve this goal.


The Best Advice from a 20-Year Programming Veteran (Video):

The video discusses advice from a C-Shop developer veteran with 20 years of experience. Key points include:

1. Not needing a degree but having a portfolio or completing a bootcamp to prove competence.

2. Writing maintainable and readable code, not just cloning or forking existing projects.

3. Balancing coding (50-60% of the time) with meetings, understanding the domain, and dealing with people and stakeholders.

4. Focusing on creating good tests to ensure code quality and maintainability.

5. Recognizing that there is always more to learn, admitting limitations, and being pragmatic in problem-solving.

6. Respecting existing code bases and not criticizing them; instead, looking for ways to improve them over time.

7. Being honest about abilities during interviews and applying for roles that match those skills.

8. Learning common design patterns, understanding the Single Responsibility Principle (SRP), and utilizing it where applicable.

9. Familiarizing yourself with cloud technologies such as AWS, Azure, or GCP.

10. Mastering Git and branching strategies.


12 Signs You Are a Psychologically Mature Adult (Video):

The video discusses the concept of adulthood as seen through the lens of psychotherapy, focusing on the development of a mature mind. Key points include understanding the impact of childhood experiences on adult identity, learning to communicate emotions accurately, and maintaining a balance between forgiveness and anger towards one's past. Other important aspects covered in the video are accepting reality as it is, recognizing the influence of bodily needs on mood, patience and encouragement for others, and remaining aware that progress can be temporary. The speaker emphasizes the importance of an internal journey to adulthood, which may take place over many years or even lifetimes.