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2024-08-12

US Government wants to make it easier for you to click the 'unsubscribe' button

  • The US government has launched the "Time Is Money" initiative to simplify unsubscribing from unwanted memberships and recurring payment services.
  • This initiative involves multiple federal agencies and targets industries like healthcare, fitness, and media subscriptions to prevent financial losses for consumers.
  • Key actions include the Federal Trade Commission's "click to cancel" rulemaking, new requirements from the Federal Communications Commission, and improvements in customer interactions with health insurance companies by the departments of Labor and Health and Human Services.

Reactions

  • The US Government is proposing a new initiative to simplify the process of unsubscribing from services, making it as easy as signing up.
  • The proposal mandates that consumers should be able to unsubscribe using the same method they used to subscribe, ensuring the process is straightforward and quick.
  • This initiative is part of broader efforts to protect consumers from deceptive practices and enhance overall user experience.

Blitz: A lightweight, modular, extensible web renderer

  • Blitz is a new web renderer for the "Dioxus Native" project, replacing the JavaScript engine with a native Rust API for direct interfacing with Rust libraries.
  • It features two frontends: one for rendering HTML/markdown and another for rendering a Dioxus VirtualDom with full interactivity, leveraging technologies like Stylo, Vello, WGPU, Taffy, Parley, AccessKit, and Winit.
  • Blitz is experimental, not recommended for production, and is dual-licensed under Apache 2.0 and MIT licenses, with contributions welcomed under the MIT license.

Reactions

  • Blitz is a lightweight, modular, and extensible web renderer developed by Dioxus Labs, currently in an early stage with several missing features and performance issues.
  • The project aims to provide a simpler alternative to heavyweight browser engines like Webkit and Servo, focusing on customization and smaller size (potentially 3.5MB with optimizations).
  • Blitz is designed for use cases that don't require a full browser engine, such as native applications using HTML/CSS for layout, and has potential for future features like PDF rendering and better CSS support.

Apple's requirements are about to hit creators and fans on Patreon

  • Apple mandates Patreon to adopt the iOS in-app purchase system by November 2024, imposing a 30% fee on new memberships bought through the iOS app.
  • Existing members remain unaffected, but all creators must switch to subscription billing by November 2025.
  • Patreon offers tools to offset Apple's fee by raising prices in the iOS app, and provides resources to assist creators with the transition.

Reactions

  • Apple's new requirements mandate Patreon creators to switch from a per-creation to a monthly subscription model, causing dissatisfaction among many creators.
  • This change is part of Apple's broader push for subscription-based models in the App Store, impacting how creators manage their content and finances.
  • Some creators are exploring alternative platforms, underscoring the significant influence Apple has over app-based transactions and the challenges it creates for content creators.

There Is No Antimemetics Division (2018)

  • "There Is No Antimemetics Division" by qntm explores the concept of antimemes, ideas that resist being shared or remembered, posing unique challenges for containment.
  • Available in multiple formats, including free online reading on the SCP Foundation wiki, the series includes extras like deleted scenes and crossover fan fiction.
  • The author notes that some plot points are intentionally left unresolved to mirror the characters' experiences, and feedback on trigger warnings and character development is welcomed.

Reactions

  • "There Is No Antimemetics Division" by Qntm is praised for its deep metaphors and unique exploration of human communication and memory, drawing comparisons to "Godel, Escher, Bach" and Lewis Carroll's works.
  • The book's concept of antimemes has fascinated readers, sparking discussions about its implications and comparisons to real-life phenomena.
  • Qntm's other works, including "Hatetris," "Absurdle," "Ra," and "Fine Structure," are also highly recommended, though opinions on their complexity and accessibility vary.

How to avoid losing items? Holding pens

Reactions

Okay, I Like WezTerm

  • WezTerm is a terminal emulator that uses Lua for configuration, making it highly customizable and portable across different machines.
  • The post provides a beginner-friendly guide to configuring WezTerm, covering aspects like appearance, keybindings, multiplexing, workspace navigation, status bar setup, and dynamic theming.
  • The guide emphasizes the advantages of using Lua over other configuration formats like YAML or TOML, highlighting its capability for complex and dynamic scripting.

Reactions

  • WezTerm is gaining popularity for its superior out-of-the-box features and simpler configuration compared to Kitty.
  • The Lua-based configuration in WezTerm is highlighted for its ease of customization and cross-platform support, beneficial for users working on multiple operating systems.
  • Despite some reported issues with font rendering and performance, WezTerm is praised for its speed, configurability, and responsive development.

PGlite – in-browser WASM Postgres with pgvector and live sync

  • PGlite is a WASM (WebAssembly) Postgres build packaged into a TypeScript/JavaScript client library, enabling Postgres to run in the browser, Node.js, and Bun without additional dependencies.
  • The release of PGlite v0.2 has garnered significant attention, with the Supabase team launching the http://postgres.new site built on it.
  • PGlite is notable for its small size (3MB Gzipped), support for many Postgres extensions, and a reactive "live query" API, making it a fast and efficient solution for developers.

Reactions

  • PGlite is a WASM (WebAssembly) Postgres build packaged into a TypeScript/JavaScript client library, allowing Postgres to run in the browser, Node.js, and Bun without additional dependencies.
  • It is 3MB Gzipped, supports various Postgres extensions including pgvector, and features a reactive "live query" API with extremely fast query execution times.
  • PGlite has reached version 0.2, is used by the Supabase team, supports IndexedDB and OPFS for browser-side persistence, and plans to support other languages and a native C library in the future.

Adbfs-rootless – Mount Android phones on Linux with adb. No root required

  • A new variant of adbfs allows mounting Android devices without requiring root access, making it more accessible for users.
  • The setup involves installing dependencies, cloning the repository, building the project, and optionally integrating with the Android SDK.
  • Key troubleshooting tips include ensuring USB Debugging is enabled and updating android-sdk-tools to resolve common errors like "device not found" or "device offline."

Reactions

  • Adbfs-rootless enables mounting Android phones on Linux using adb without requiring root access, simplifying the process for users.
  • Maintainer spion highlighted testing issues on GitHub action runners but noted recent improvements in GitHub Actions virtualization.
  • Users compared adbfs with other tools like KDE Connect, Termux, rsync, mtpfs, and Primitive FTPD, discussing reliability and use cases for backups and file transfers.

Repair and Remain: How to do the slow, hard, good work of staying put

Reactions

  • The discussion highlights the balance between DIY (Do It Yourself) home repairs and hiring professional help, emphasizing the impact on mental health and time management.
  • Comments reflect diverse perspectives: some find DIY rewarding and educational, while others prefer hiring help to reduce stress and save time for family and personal activities.
  • The conversation also touches on broader themes of long-term maintenance, both in homes and relationships, suggesting that the approach to repairs can mirror life choices and priorities.

China's total wind and solar capacity outstrips coal

Reactions

  • China's wind and solar energy capacity has now surpassed its coal capacity, with solar expected to reach 1.38 terawatts (TW) by 2026.
  • In 2023, China added 293 gigawatts (GW) of wind and solar energy, compared to just 40 GW of coal, indicating a significant shift towards renewable energy.
  • Despite being the largest coal consumer, China is rapidly expanding its renewable energy infrastructure, with projections of 230 GW of new solar installations and 75 GW of wind capacity in 2024.

Generating Simpson's Paradox with Z3

  • The post demonstrates how to generate an example of Simpson's Paradox using the Z3 Theorem Prover, a tool for solving logical formulas.
  • Simpson's Paradox is illustrated with a baseball scenario where one player has a better overall batting average, but the other player has better averages against both left-handed and right-handed pitchers.
  • The key insight is that the players faced different sets of pitchers, which explains the paradoxical results.

Reactions

  • Simpson's Paradox demonstrates how statistical results can change with different levels of data granularity, leading to seemingly contradictory conclusions.
  • Z3, a tool for constraints-based reasoning and optimization, is highlighted for its utility in data analysis across various fields, including financial markets and research.
  • Understanding the distinction between correlation and causation is crucial for proper data analysis, as visualized through tools like Anscombe's Quartet and Datasaurus Dozen.

Postgres.new

Reactions

  • Supabase has launched Postgres.new, an in-browser Postgres sandbox with AI assistance, leveraging PGLite, a WebAssembly (WASM) build of Postgres.
  • The service integrates GPT-4 for AI-driven database management, enabling tasks like schema creation, data queries, CSV uploads, chart generation, and creating embeddings for Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG).
  • Currently, the service is desktop-only and requires a GitHub login for full functionality, with more details and a demo video available on their GitHub and YouTube.

AMD records its highest server market share in decades

  • AMD achieved its highest server market share in decades during Q2 2024, with a 24.1% share, marking a 0.5% sequential and 5.6% year-over-year increase, according to Mercury Research.
  • Despite AMD's gains, Intel maintained dominance in the client PC market with a 78.9% share.
  • AMD's mobile CPU share rose to 20.3%, showing a 1% sequential and 3.8% year-over-year increase, while its desktop CPU share dropped by 1% to 23%, despite a 3.6% year-over-year increase.

Reactions

  • AMD has reached its highest server market share in decades, capturing 24.1% of datacenter CPU shipments, while Intel holds 75.9%.
  • AMD's desktop market share remains around 25%, potentially due to limited pre-built options and strong customer loyalty to Intel.
  • Market dynamics are influenced by Intel's historical dominance, marketing, and specific workload advantages, with future competition between AMD and Intel remaining uncertain.

OpenBSD 7.5 via QEMU on Hetzner physical machine (no phys. access / KVM console)

  • OpenBSD 7.5 can be installed on a Hetzner physical machine using QEMU, with RAID1 on two SSDs and an encrypted partition.
  • The process involves activating Hetzner's Linux rescue system, preparing disks, and using QEMU to boot from the OpenBSD installation ISO.
  • Post-installation steps include setting up an encrypted partition, updating the OS, and configuring the system for secure and efficient operation.

Reactions

  • OpenBSD 7.5 can be run via QEMU on Hetzner physical machines, even without physical access or a KVM (Keyboard, Video, Mouse) console.
  • Hetzner has discontinued its FreeBSD rescue system, prompting users to find alternative methods for installing and managing BSD systems.
  • Users have shared various workarounds, including booting into Hetzner's rescue system, using scripts to bootstrap FreeBSD from Linux, and employing tools to automate rescue and installation processes.

Does astrology work? We tested the ability of 152 astrologers

  • A study tested 152 astrologers to see if they could match people to their astrological charts, finding they performed no better than random guessing with less than 21% accuracy.
  • Experienced astrologers did not outperform less experienced ones, and there was low agreement among astrologers, with only 28% consensus.
  • The study concluded that astrologers lack the ability to accurately match people to their charts.

Reactions

  • A study involving 152 astrologers showed low agreement among them, with results comparable to random guessing.
  • Experienced astrologers only agreed 28% of the time, slightly above the 20% expected by chance, indicating a lack of consistency.
  • Despite some claims about birth seasons influencing personality traits, studies found no significant correlation, underscoring astrology's unreliability and lack of scientific basis.