Skip to main content

2023-08-06

Bram Moolenaar has died

  • Bram Moolenaar, the creator of VIM, unfortunately passed away on August 3, 2023, after a rapid progression of a medical condition.
  • A funeral service is being arranged in the Netherlands, and condolences can be sent to funer...@gmail.com.
  • For any other matters, the family can be contacted as well.

Reactions

  • The creator of Vim, Bram Moolenaar, has sadly passed away, leading to an outpouring of gratitude and appreciation for his contributions to the software community.
  • Moolenaar was recognized not only for his work on Vim but also for his involvement in charitable efforts in Uganda.
  • Users of Vim are mourning his loss and sharing personal stories about their interactions with him, highlighting the impact Vim has had on their work. Some have even made donations to the charity supported by Moolenaar. The future of Vim remains uncertain, but its legacy and influence on the programming world are widely acknowledged.

Just normal web things

  • Websites are increasingly limiting basic web functions like copying text, navigating links, and zooming in on browsers.
  • Lack of hover styles and hijacking of browser shortcuts are also identified as issues.
  • The author stresses the significance of preserving normal web interaction features and expresses dissatisfaction with the current state of web development.

Reactions

  • The Hacker News discussion revolves around frustrations with website design and functionality, including JavaScript manipulation of links, misuse of HTML elements, and overreliance on web frameworks.
  • Preserving link behavior and adhering to familiar design patterns are emphasized for improved usability.
  • Other topics discussed include the efficiency of modern web applications, security measures impacting user experience, and the importance of better password practices.

nic.funet.fi: Serving freely distributable files with FTP since 1990

  • NIC.FUNET.FI is a long-standing website that has been offering freely distributable files through FTP since 1990.
  • The site provides shortcuts to a wide range of content, including Linux distributions, programming tools, networking software, and more.
  • It is operated by CSC, the Finnish IT center for science, and runs on a powerful Linux server with high-speed internet connectivity.

Reactions

  • Participants discuss the historical significance and nostalgia of platforms like Nic.funet.fi, which has been using FTP to distribute files since 1990.
  • The conversation highlights the outdated nature of FTP as a protocol and mentions alternatives like SSH.
  • Participants share anecdotes and express appreciation for the early internet and FTP as a resourceful protocol.

New acoustic attack steals data from keystrokes with 95% accuracy

  • The website www.bleepingcomputer.com is using Cloudflare to enhance performance and security.
  • Before allowing users to proceed, the website checks the security of their connection.
  • This measure aims to ensure a safe browsing experience for its visitors.

Reactions

  • Researchers have developed an acoustic attack that can steal data from keystrokes, exposing security vulnerabilities in loud mechanical keyboards.
  • Countermeasures such as password managers and strong security measures are recommended to mitigate these risks.
  • The use of RTX Voice to remove keyboard typing noise and potential attacks using Zoom are discussed, highlighting the need for further research and safeguards against acoustic side-channel attacks.

MK-1

  • MK-1 has introduced their first product, MKML, an inference runtime that aims to enhance the performance and efficiency of AI models.
  • MKML enables a 2x reduction in large language model (LLM) inference costs on GPUs with just a few lines of Python code.
  • It integrates seamlessly with popular ecosystems like Hugging Face and PyTorch and addresses the issue of large memory requirements by compressing the model size by approximately 60%. This optimization not only saves on GPU memory but also enhances inference speed.

Reactions

  • The Hacker News comment thread discusses a new AI model called MK-1 that offers quantization methods.
  • Users are skeptical due to the lack of comparison with existing methods and question its marketing language and targeted use cases.
  • The co-founder defends the lack of comparison, highlighting different trade-offs and use cases.

Vim's Creator Bram Moolenaar Dies at Age 62 – Slashdot

  • Bram Moolenaar, the creator of the Vim text editor, has sadly passed away at the age of 62.
  • The Vim community will continue to maintain and support Vim going forward.
  • The article highlights Moolenaar's significant contributions to the Vim community and his work in charityware. It also mentions the popularity of Vim modes and plugins in modern editors. A tribute is paid to Moolenaar for his invaluable contribution to the software development community.

Reactions

  • Bram Moolenaar, the creator of Vim, has sadly passed away at the age of 62.
  • The news of his death sparked debates on online forums regarding whether multiple stories about him should be featured on the front page or if one story is enough.
  • Some users argue that separate accounts of his impact are worth reading, while others believe that one story is sufficient.

The Sad Bastard Cookbook: Food you can make so you don't die

  • The Sad Bastard Cookbook is a free resource for individuals who are going through difficult times and need practical ways to cope.
  • It offers a variety of recipes specifically tailored to address feelings of overwhelm, sadness, and even dealing with supernatural situations.
  • The cookbook's main objective is to provide a sense of comfort and connection during mealtime, serving as a reminder that others may also be facing similar challenges.

Reactions

  • "The Sad Bastard Cookbook" is a practical guide designed for busy or unmotivated individuals, offering easy recipes like buying ready-made rotisserie chickens and frozen vegetables.
  • The book explores various cooking options, including the use of appliances like instant pots and air fryers.
  • Readers can engage in discussions about communal living, convenient modular kitchen appliances, meal replacement options, health risks of unsupervised fasting, and tips for adopting a healthier diet by cutting out sugary foods and unhealthy oils.

IBM and NASA open-source largest geospatial AI foundation model on Hugging Face

  • IBM and Hugging Face have partnered to release IBM's watsonx.ai geospatial foundation model on the Hugging Face platform.
  • The model, developed in collaboration with NASA, is the largest geospatial foundation model on Hugging Face and the first open-source AI foundation model from NASA.
  • Built from NASA's satellite data, the model aims to democratize access and application of AI in climate and Earth science and is part of NASA's Open-Source Science Initiative.

Reactions

  • IBM and NASA have collaborated to release a geospatial AI model on the Hugging Face platform.
  • The model, called watsonx.ai geospatial foundation model, is trained on NASA's satellite data and can be used for various tasks like monitoring greenhouse gases, predicting crop yields, and tracking deforestation.
  • The open-source release of the model encourages collaboration and advancements in the field of AI and represents progress in using AI for climate and Earth science research.

Jeremy Vaught spent 16 years to build @music on Twitter, then X took it away

  • Jeremy Vaught, who spent 16 years building his Twitter username "@music," had his username changed to "@Musicfan" without his followers being properly transferred.
  • This incident has sparked criticism of billionaire-owned platforms and prompted discussions about switching to alternative platforms like Mastodon.
  • Some users speculate that Vaught may have accepted a settlement or non-disparagement clause. However, he still considers Twitter his preferred social media platform.

Reactions

  • The removal of the username "@music" from its original user by Elon Musk has sparked a debate on digital ownership and control over usernames on social media platforms like Twitter.
  • The incident has led to discussions about the need for formalized standards and duties in digital platforms, including alternative options like open protocols or blockchain technology.
  • Users express dissatisfaction with changes made to platform policies, concerns about lack of control over digital identities, and the risks of relying on closed platforms.

CEOs’ pay climbed before layoffs at tech giants like Alphabet and Microsoft

  • Tech giants like Alphabet and Microsoft experienced significant increases in CEO compensation in 2022, despite announcing layoffs.
  • Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai's compensation skyrocketed by 3,474% to over $225 million, while Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella received nearly $55 million, a 10% increase.
  • The rise in CEO pay while job losses are happening highlights the growing disparity between CEO and worker salaries in the tech industry and raises questions about whether companies should prioritize other stakeholders in their decision-making.

Reactions

  • The high pay of CEOs at tech giants like Alphabet and Microsoft, including Sundar Pichai's $225 million compensation, is the focal point of the discussion.
  • Critics argue that these salaries are excessive and could be better utilized for the benefit of more employees or the general population.
  • The article delves into the debate surrounding the justification and measurement of CEO pay, as well as the impact of their decisions on society, the environment, shareholder interests, and wealth inequality.