Links für 2023 KW 40
Zusammengefasst von LlongOrca.
How Google Alters Search Queries to Get at Your Wallet:
A recent antitrust case against Google revealed that the company alters user queries to generate more commercial results, potentially harming search engine quality and driving up advertiser expenses. Internal slides shown during the trial suggest that Google treats consumers with disdain by prioritizing profits over accurate search results. This manipulation of query alteration is a significant issue for users as they are unaware of the substitutions made by Google, ultimately leading to wasted time and effort in refining their searches.
Vagus nerve active during exercise, research finds:
The vagus nerve, traditionally associated with 'rest and digest,' has been found to play a critical role in exercise, helping the heart pump blood, which ultimately delivers oxygen throughout the body. Contrary to existing exercise science beliefs that the sympathetic nervous system is active during exercise, this study shows that vagal activity increases. The research, published in Circulation Research, used 'tour de force' electrical recording techniques to directly monitor vagal nerve activity in exercising sheep and found a significant increase in vagal activity going to the heart. This supports the hypothesis of an interplay between the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems during exercise to help the heart pump blood effectively. Future research will focus on using this knowledge to improve exercise tolerance in those with heart failure.
LinkedIn forcing me to disclose my phone number to log in? No thanks:
TODO
Free Open source disk encryption with strong security for the Paranoid:
VeraCrypt is a free open-source disk encryption software for Windows, Mac OSX, and Linux. Developed by IDRIX, it is based on TrueCrypt 7.1a and offers various features like creating virtual encrypted disks within files, encrypting entire partitions or storage devices, pre-boot authentication, real-time (on-the-fly) encryption, and hardware acceleration on modern processors. It also provides plausible deniability through hidden volume (steganography) and hidden operating system features. VeraCrypt has improved security algorithms compared to TrueCrypt, increasing its resistance to brute-force attacks.
The short, forgotten life of New York City’s first skyscraper:
In 1889, the Tower Building was constructed at 50 Broadway in New York City, and is considered by many historians as the city's first skyscraper due to its metal cage construction, supporting 11 stories rather than traditional masonry. Designed by architect Bradford Lee Gilbert, this innovative building paved the way for future high-rise structures in New York City.
TypeScript is not a Programming Language:
TypeScript is not a statically typed programming language, but rather a structural type system that defines shapes of objects and their properties. It helps developers inform the compiler about valid shapes, making it easier to create reliable JavaScript.
jphme/em_german_70b_v01 · Hugging Face:
EM German (v01) is an experimental llama2-based model family, finetuned on a large dataset of various instructions in German language. The models are optimized for German text, providing proficiency in understanding, generating, and interacting with German language content. This is the 70b llama2 version. We will publish further instructions, updates and code-snippets in the project's Github-Repo. Model Links Demos: You can use some of the models with free google Colab instances (e.g. the 7bn model in 8bit or the 13b model with GPTQ): Example Colab Notebook for 13b with GPTQ Example Colab Notebook for 7b with 8bit-Loading Further Examples for LLM apps will follow soon… This model follows the Vicuna format without linebreaks (but should work with linebreaks as well). The format is as follows: Du bist ein hilfreicher Assistent. USER: <instruction> ASSISTANT:
Jobsuche in der IT: "Networking? Ich hasse Networking!":
This article emphasizes the importance of networking in the job search process, particularly for those looking to break into the technology industry. It highlights how sending out countless applications can be less effective compared to tapping into one's network and focusing on creating genuine connections with others who may help in finding suitable job opportunities. The author emphasizes that networking is not necessarily about attending large events or engaging in small talk, but rather cultivating meaningful relationships with people known to the individual. By focusing on one's own career path and strengths, as well as seeking assistance from former colleagues who can vouch for their skills, job seekers can create a more targeted and effective approach to finding employment. Networking is not about forming an extensive list of contacts but rather building connections based on authenticity and shared experiences, which ultimately leads to better job opportunities and career growth.
Eliminating Radio Interference from Apple charger:
Apple's wireless charging technology, specifically the „Apple MagSafe Charger“, has been found to emit unwanted radio frequency emissions that interfere with other devices such as amateur radios and aviation equipment. This issue could be solved by properly shielding products during manufacturing or using ferrite beads, which can dampen the problematic frequencies, but may not eliminate them entirely. Apple's design team should consider these findings when developing future wireless charging technologies to prevent such interference issues.
Sascha Jovanovic, an Airbnb landlord in Brentwood, is in dispute with a woman named Elizabeth Hirschhorn who refuses to leave his guesthouse after her stay ended in April 2022. The case revolves around rent stabilization ordinances and tenant rights, leading to confusion and legal battles for both parties involved. With no resolution in sight, the ongoing situation continues to affect Jovanovic's quality of life and personal safety at his home.
The time Terry Pratchett’s German publisher inserted a soup ad into his novel.:
This article discusses the practice of paid product placement by German genre publishers, such as Heyne, in domestic translations of international authors' works. For instance, a scene written by Terry Pratchett had an advert for Maggi soup inserted without his permission, leading to his departure from the publisher. The policy aimed to ensure pulp genre titles earned back their acquisition costs, but it was ultimately criticized as intrusive and inappropriate.
This article discusses the author's experiences and advice for young people seeking career guidance. They emphasize that finding a career should not be about making money or consuming experience but rather exploring uncomfortable options to gain self-awareness and personal growth. The author recommends avoiding support structures that may limit opportunities and suggests engaging in activities outside the mainstream to challenge traditional expectations, like traveling, volunteering, or starting a business.
google-user-data-is-police-s-top-shortcut-for-solving-crimes:
TODO
This article reviews several studies on the impact of COVID-19 on mental health and discusses potential coping strategies. It highlights findings related to fear, anxiety, stress, job performance, and the effect of workplace infection control practices on employees. The article also examines risk management at workplaces during the pandemic and the impact of vaccination campaigns on mental health. Additionally, the review covers studies on the effects of working from home and the role of social policies in addressing mental health concerns.
Inflated rents, high interest rates and lack of supply create European housing crisis:
Europe's housing crisis is causing soaring costs, pricing out renters and deterring prospective buyers, leading to an increase in homelessness rates across the EU. The solution involves striking a balance between sustainability goals, affordability, and liveable places. This requires continuous investment in public housing, as well as addressing the structural issue of increasing housing costs faster than income growth. Investments like Vienna's 500 million euros in housing construction and financial support for low-income households, or Finland's „housing first“ principle can be effective examples to follow.
The Online Maze of Job Applications:
The article discusses the frustration faced by job seekers when applying for jobs online and highlights factors that contribute to longer or more complex application processes. It shares findings from an experiment in which the author applied to 250 jobs, comparing factors such as company size, industry, and ATS (Application Tracking Systems) that influence application times. The article concludes with a summary of key takeaways from the data analysis, suggesting that company size, industry, and ATS are significant contributors to longer job application times.
The 300% Production Problem | lbr.:
In this article, the author discusses the 200% knowledge problem and how understanding both the abstraction and its solution is crucial. They introduce a new concept called „the 300% production problem,“ which requires an expertise in an application, deployment target, and deployment methodology to successfully deploy applications into production. The article highlights issues with cloud services, Kubernetes, microservices, and their complexity, suggesting that simplicity is key for all parties involved.
The Linux Foundation has practically abandoned Linux:
The article highlights that Windows 3.1 was not just limited to Solitaire and Minesweeper as the primary games but also had several fantastic games of its own era. The author presents a list from „worst of the best“ to „best of the best“, including Castle of the Winds, Indiana Jones and his Desktop Adventures, SimTower, Incredible Machine 2, Quest for Glory 4, Colonization, Myst, SimCity 2000, Space Quest 4, Civilization II, and more. The article also mentions the Microsoft Entertainment Pack as a bonus pick and its significance in trying to establish Windows as a home operating system and gaming platform during that time.
GitHub - espocrm/espocrm: EspoCRM – Open Source CRM Application:
EspoCRM is an open-source CRM software designed for managing company relationships, including people, companies, and opportunities. It has a web application with a single-page frontend and a REST API backend written in PHP. Users can download the latest release from the official website and try the demo version. The system supports various database systems like MySQL, MariaDB, PostgreSQL, and Traefik installation options. Users can find detailed documentation for administrators, developers, and users on EspoCRM's website. Contributors need to accept the CLA agreement before merging their pull requests. The software is open-source and published under the GNU GPLv3 license.
Welcome to our first acquaintance with something pleasant! To know more, check your email. The download button is used for a different purpose, and the Agreed CheckBoxes help track user agreement. Initiating the LeadForm and DownloadPage functions will reveal the correct content on the page.
GlitchTip simplifies monitoring software by providing a platform to track errors, monitor performance, and check site uptime. Easier to run than Sentry client SDKs, it's also open-source, allowing modification and usage. With options for server or hosted deployment and affordable subscription plans, GlitchTip offers simplicity, affordability, and freedom through its open-source nature.
Overleaf is an open-source online collaborative LaTeX editor that allows real-time collaboration among users. It offers both hosted and local versions for personal use or to be run in labs and workplaces. Overleaf Server Pro is available for enhanced security, administration, and collaboration features. The system runs on a Phusion base image with extended services and uses the runit service manager. Contributions are welcome, and the code is licensed under the GNU Affero General Public License 3.0.
Many scientists don’t want to tell the truth about climate change. Here’s why:
The article discusses how global warming is expected to pass the 1.5 degrees Celsius target, possibly by the early-to-mid-2030s, unless drastic measures are taken to reduce carbon emissions. Some scientists argue that maintaining this goal has become „magical thinking“ and may serve as a way for them to stave off despair rather than face reality. The author suggests that climate experts should present the facts honestly without fearing public reaction, as people might be better prepared to make changes if they know what they're up against.
The climate model approximation that could fundamentally change the climate movement:
This article discusses the importance of considering both greenhouse gases and land degradation effects on water cycles when analyzing global warming. The focus is on an approximation made in one of the world's first climate models, which may have influenced the current belief that global warming is solely due to greenhouse gases. It highlights how different factors like evapotranspiration and land-use change can affect water cycle dynamics and suggests that considering these effects might lead to a more accurate understanding of global warming.
Land degradation, through deforestation or wetland loss, reduces evapotranspiration, a cooling process where plants take up water from the ground and release it into the atmosphere as vapor. This cooling effect can potentially offset some of the warming caused by increasing greenhouse gases. However, most climate models, especially those based on Manabe and Wetherald's convective parametrization, do not account for these changes in evapotranspiration. As a result, they may underestimate the cooling effect that healthy ecosystems can have on global warming.
The article also refers to research by Anastasia Makarieva and her team, which suggests that Manabe and Wetherald's approximation of convection in their model might be problematic. They argue that the way land degradation affects water cycle dynamics is not fully captured in current climate models, leading to an underestimation of the cooling effects from evapotranspiration.
The article emphasizes that understanding the role of different factors and how they interact with one another is crucial for developing more accurate climate projections and making informed decisions about climate policies. It concludes by mentioning that re-evaluating the approximations made in past models may be essential to refine our current understanding of global warming and its causes.
Insurance companies fill their networks with ‘ghost’ therapists:
ToDo
Out of 400 therapists in Washington, why just 32 confirmed openings for new patients:
This article discusses the challenges faced by patients trying to find a suitable mental health professional within their insurance network, with many therapists reporting an inability to accommodate new clients, lack of availability or referral requirements. It highlights that outdated and incomplete information on provider directories can contribute to these difficulties, and calls for the creation of a national directory to ease maintenance issues and ensure accurate updates. The article also provides resources for mental health support in Seattle and Washington State.
$400 baby monitor vendor demands monthly subscription:
This article discusses the Miku Baby Monitor, which was acquired by Innovative Health Monitoring LLC last month. The company has now decided to charge $9.99 per month for additional features such as breathing monitoring and live video. Previously, these features were free for customers who had already paid a hefty $400 for the device. This change in pricing strategy has led to customer complaints and concerns over the future of connected devices.
roadrunnertwice | Why Git is hard:
Julia Evans' StrangeLoop 2023 keynote addressed the challenges in understanding and using tools like Git, particularly its confusing conceptual models and CLI design. The talk identified three main areas contributing to these difficulties - Git's core concepts being aggressively incompatible with users' worldview, adoption of non-viable metaphors, and novice users unable to formulate a plan for what they want to accomplish. To overcome these challenges, it is essential to keep hammering on the core concepts, help learners develop their mental models, and teach the basic workflow.
The Secretive Company That Might End Privacy as We Know It (Published 2020):
This article discusses Clearview AI, a company founded by Hoan Ton-That that has developed a facial recognition app that can identify people from a single image taken from the internet. The app uses a database of over three billion images sourced from Facebook, YouTube, Venmo, and other websites to identify individuals in public photos, as well as links to where those photos appear. Despite privacy concerns and some companies' restrictions on facial recognition technology, over 600 law enforcement agencies have reportedly begun using Clearview within the past year.
Kentucky had an outside-the-box idea to fix child care worker shortages. It's working:
This article discusses how states such as Kentucky are looking for innovative ways to ensure the child care sector survives amid dwindling pandemic relief funding. One creative solution implemented by Kentucky was making all child care employees eligible for free childcare, regardless of household income. This initiative proved successful as it helped attract more teachers to the childcare industry and led to an increase in the number of children receiving state subsidies for childcare. Other states are now expressing interest in adopting similar measures.
things i just don't like about git:
The article discusses various problems and shortcomings of Git, a popular version control system. It points out that despite modern Git maintainers working to improve the system, there are still fundamental issues. The author highlights issues such as the use of SHA1, multiple data formats, email addresses in commit messages, two different mechanisms for features, and lack of support for certain functionalities like subtree checkouts. They emphasize that these problems make Git difficult to work with and limit its potential effectiveness.
Life Course Patterns of Prescription Drug Use in the United States | Demography:
The article „Life Course Patterns of Prescription Drug Use in the United States“ by Jessica Y. Ho discusses patterns of prescription drug use throughout a person's life in the US.
#cancelQuora – Interesting Authors Blog:
Quora, a new social media site, quickly becomes another platform you can't trust as it turns into a place filled with „how much can I make“ questions and promoted content from various industries. The once promising site has abandoned its original mission of sharing knowledge and expertise in favor of making money through advertisements. With many experts leaving the site, it appears that Quora's days may be numbered.
In this article, the author discusses how prior odds, posterior odds, and odds ratios play a significant role in understanding Bayes' Rule. The example of someone guessing their driver's license says „Mark Xu“ illustrates that hearing someone say something can provide strong evidence towards that statement being true. Furthermore, the article discusses the Efficient Market Hypothesis (EMH) and its implications on making money in stock markets, as well as the importance of calibration training to overcome overconfidence bias.
The Architecture of Open Source Applications:
The article discusses two books on the architecture of open source applications that provide insights into how software developers think and tackle design challenges. The books feature various open source projects, such as visual programming tools, continuous integration systems, web crawlers, and more, with detailed analysis of their structures and components. These books aim to help junior, intermediate, and senior developers learn from one another's successes and avoid common mistakes in software development.
A study conducted by Charles Schwab shows that the cost of waiting to invest in the stock market often exceeds the potential benefits of even perfect timing. In a 20-year analysis, Peter Perfect, who timed his investments perfectly every year, had accumulated $138,044, while Ashley Action, who invested her money on the first trading day of each year without trying to time the market, accumulated $127,506. This indicates that the best strategy for most people is not to try timing the market at all but instead invest as soon as possible, utilizing a plan appropriate for their goals and risk tolerance. The findings also suggest that even poorly timed stock market investments are better than not investing in the stock market at all.
This article discusses counting in Big Numbas, an Oceanic language spoken on Pentecost Island in Vanuatu. The numerical system uses different terms and pronunciations depending on the number range. For instance, „i-st“ is for one, while „i-lmsei“ refers to sixteen. Additionally, there are recordings available for certain numbers, which users can access by clicking on the appropriate links.
A Repairman's View of Portable Minidisc Recorders:
David Popovits provides a comprehensive overview of repairing portable minidisc recorders in this article. He highlights typical problems and gives tips on how to avoid them. The main points include using the right MD, protecting screws from falling out, using high-quality cables, using proper PSUs, and regularly maintaining the device. Popovits also emphasizes the importance of being skilled in electronics and mechanics for replacing parts such as optical block assemblies. The article offers valuable information for those looking to repair minidisc recorders or troubleshoot issues they may be experiencing.
Fury is a high-performance, multi-language serialization framework that supports Java/Python/C++/Golang/Javascript. It uses JIT compilation and zero-copy technology for up to 170x performance improvement. The framework offers multiple binary protocols, including object graph, row format, and more, and is suitable for various scenarios such as high-performance RPC calls, data transfer, and object persistence.
A more mature take on stateless Terraform:
This article discusses the author's initial critique and proposal on why Terraform should remain stateless, based on its need for state to work efficiently. The article also presents a revised proposal suggesting that Git could be used as a state backend without significant changes to Terraform's design. While acknowledging that Terraform's state is necessary, the author emphasizes how it could have been designed in a stateless manner.
New taste: Sweet, salty, bitter, sour, umami and … ammonium chloride?:
Researchers have discovered a mechanism that allows taste buds to detect ammonium chloride, leading them to believe there is evidence for a sixth basic taste. While umami was recognized as a separate flavor in 1990, adding to the four existing flavors (sweet, sour, salty and bitter), this study suggests that a distinct saltiness found in popular Scandinavian and Dutch snacks might indicate a unique type of taste. The study's findings have been published in the journal Nature Communications.
You're not going to like what comes after Pax Americana:
The article discusses the decline of Pax Americana, the extended period of relative peace following the end of the Cold War, and argues that the global order is now in an advanced state of decay. Various conflicts around the world, such as Hamas' attack on Israel and Azerbaijan's reclaiming of Nagorno-Karabakh territory, are contributing factors to this unraveling of the international system. The article suggests that the rise of China and other emerging powers is leading to a multipolar world, with chaos being a natural part of that environment. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding how power dynamics have shifted in order to effectively navigate future global conflicts.
A Murder Story: Whatever Happened to Interoperability? - The American Conservative:
The article discusses how tech exceptionalism has led to a shrinking internet dominated by big tech companies, which have been able to buy out competitors and gain more control over the market through regulatory capture. It explores how digital technology's universality once served as a check on incumbent dominance, but changes in government regulation have allowed tech companies to consolidate power without facing significant competition. The article argues that this concentration has contributed to a lack of interoperability and reduced the sector's innovation potential.
Subtraction Is Functionally Complete | orlp.net:
IEEE-754 floating point subtraction is functionally complete. This means that binary circuits can be constructed using nothing but floating point subtraction. By analyzing the IEEE-754 standard, it was discovered that a subtraction operation ($x - y$) can be considered as a sum operation ($x + (-y)$).
per-core - Without boats, dreams dry up:
The Rust community has been debating the choice of using multi-threaded executors for async programming by default. Some users are unhappy with this decision and argue in favor of an alternative architecture called „thread-per-core.“ The debate revolves around the pros and cons of work-stealing tasks to balance work among multiple threads versus sharing as little state as possible between them. While there may be performance benefits to thread-per-core architectures, implementing them might not always be easier than other methods. The debate highlights the tradeoffs developers need to consider when balancing performance and ease of implementation in their applications.
Windows Copilot's is showing third-party Ads to Windows users - gHacks Tech News:
Microsoft is set to launch Windows Copilot, an AI-powered feature integrated into Windows 11, as part of the October 2023 cumulative update. The feature combines Bing Chat with Windows-specific control options such as Dark Mode or screenshot capturing. Users can interact with Copilot through a taskbar icon or keyboard shortcut. Although it requires an internet connection and may display advertisements, users can disable the feature if desired.
The cost of owning a car in Singapore has reached an all-time high due to a record increase in the Certificate of Entitlement, with costs now starting at $76,000. The quota system, introduced in 1990 to minimize traffic and reduce emissions, has pushed cars out of reach for the average resident. Singapore is currently ranked as the world's most expensive city.
Why HTTP/3 is eating the world | APNIC Blog:
HTTP/3 is a new version of the HyperText Transfer Protocol (HTTP), which has been standardized by the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It addresses issues with the Transport Control Protocol (TCP) and has seen rapid adoption, particularly among large companies like Google and Meta. HTTP/3 uses the QUIC protocol for more efficient communication between client devices and servers, providing a better user experience when loading web pages or streaming videos.
4 Fast Python Compilers for Better Performance:
The article discusses various Python compilers and their performance in comparison to the standard implementation, CPython. The authors compared Nuitka, PyPy, Cython and cx_Freeze on Ubuntu Linux. PyPy proved to be the fastest compiler with a speed of almost three times that of Nuitka.
Run Your Python Code as Fast as C:
PyPy is a fast alternative to Python that can improve your code's performance without changing it. Just-in-time compilation allows PyPy to compile parts of the code just before executing, providing faster execution times compared to standard Python. It works with most Python packages and is easy to install and use.
Domestic cat larynges can produce purring frequencies without neural input:
The article discusses the mechanism behind cat purring, specifically focusing on the MyoElastic-AeroDynamic (MEAD) principles and Active Muscle Contractions (AMC). While it is commonly believed that cats produce their low-frequency purrs through AMC, this study shows that domestic cat larynges can generate self-sustained oscillations at typical cat purring rates without neural input or muscular contraction. The MEAD principle and anatomical specialization in the vocal folds may be sufficient to explain all types of vocalizations in cats, challenging the current consensus opinion that AMC is necessary for purr production.
The Significance of the Turing Test focuses on the idea that written human language can represent human-level thinking. The basis of this test is that an entity with human-level intelligence is required to pass it, as determined by a competent judge. This evaluation may cover various aspects such as understanding basic knowledge, events, personal experiences, and subjective feelings. Machines are already demonstrating human-level intelligence in certain domains like medical diagnosis or financial investment decisions but have not yet achieved the broad Turing test.
The article highlights the challenge of determining when machines will match the subtle and supple powers of human biological intelligence. It suggests that exponential growth, fueled by advances in Moore's Law and other technologies such as three-dimensional computing or brain reverse engineering, could lead to achieving this goal within twenty to twenty-five years. However, creating artificial general intelligence (AGI) might require addressing complex challenges like designing a system without brittleness, understanding and incorporating emotions, and providing suitable human or virtual bodies for interaction.
LLMs confabulate not hallucinate:
The term „hallucination“ is inaccurate when describing the behavior of Large Language Models (LLM) producing false information. A more accurate description would be confabulation, which occurs when people create plausible explanations without a factual basis. This behavior resembles that of LLMs and humans with memory impairments or split-brain conditions.
Pythagorean Theorem Found On Clay Tablet 1,000 Years Older Than Pythagoras:
The article discusses the discovery of an ancient Babylonian clay tablet dating back to 1770 BCE that contains a formula similar to the Pythagorean theorem. This suggests that this mathematical concept was known and used by the Babylonians centuries before it became associated with Pythagoras, who is credited for discovering the theorem in modern times. The article explains that there were no original writings from Pythagoras himself, which made it difficult to separate his contributions from those of his followers and the school he founded, leading to the misattribution of this mathematical discovery to him.
Why You Should Never Use the Native .Zip Crypto in Windows:
This article discusses a question related to the security of password-protected zip files. It explains that the ZipCrypto encryption algorithm used in .zip format is easily cracked, even though it's native to Windows. The author then provides an exploit process using bkcrack and a simple plain text attack. They also suggest using AES-256 as an alternative for stronger encryption support.