Skip to main content

2024-08-24

Did you lose your AirPods?

  • A friend found AirPods and used the serial number and partial phone number to identify the owner.
  • By narrowing down potential phone numbers using area codes, wireless carriers, and iMessage compatibility, the search was reduced to 84 numbers.
  • A script was used to send bulk iMessages, successfully locating the owner and returning the AirPods within 10 messages.

Reactions

  • Users shared various experiences of losing and finding their AirPods, highlighting their durability and resilience in different conditions, such as rain, snow, and even washing machines.
  • Discussions also covered common issues with AirPods, including battery drain and connectivity problems, with some attributing these to iOS bugs and others suggesting hardware defects.
  • The thread reflects a mix of user satisfaction and frustration, with some praising Apple's support and others criticizing the handling of defects and bugs.

We have reached OpenBSD of Theseus

  • Theo de Raadt announced modifications to the OpenBSD source, specifically in the games/quiz directory, replacing the Greek quiz with one about ship parts.
  • This marks the replacement of the last unmodified original file from the 1995 OpenBSD import, symbolizing the "OpenBSD of Theseus."
  • Acknowledgments were given to mglocker and jmc for their assistance in this milestone update.

Reactions

  • OpenBSD has replaced the last original file from its NetBSD fork, marking a significant milestone in its development.
  • Discussions on marc.info reveal user preferences and challenges between using CVS (Concurrent Versions System) and Git for version control.
  • The removal of a Greek quiz from OpenBSD's games, replaced by a ship parts quiz, has sparked debate on the relevance and accessibility of such content.

Reddit banned me for developing Geddit

  • In August 2024, the developer of Geddit, a non-commercial, open-source Reddit client, was permanently banned from Reddit.
  • The issue began in June 2023 when Reddit introduced new API pricing, charging $12,000 per 50 million requests, which threatened non-commercial apps like Geddit.
  • Despite Geddit's popularity, with over 25k downloads, Reddit misunderstood its non-commercial nature, leading to the developer pausing the project and receiving no further communication from Reddit.

Reactions

  • Reddit banned a user for developing Geddit, a third-party app, highlighting tensions between Reddit and independent developers.
  • Many users believe Reddit has declined due to poor management and an increase in low-quality content, leading them to seek alternatives like Lemmy or RSS feeds.
  • Despite its issues, Reddit remains a popular source for niche information, though users miss the more community-driven atmosphere of the past.

Hot Page – a graphical site builder

  • Hot Page is a drag-and-drop code editor that allows users to build websites using real HTML, CSS, and JavaScript without templates.
  • Users can create a free site, use their own domain, and download and host their site anywhere, offering full control over the design.
  • Hot Page supports any frontend framework or code snippet and serves pages from a global network for fast loading, making it a versatile tool for webmasters, designers, and enthusiasts.

Reactions

  • Hot Page is a graphical site builder created by Tim (WebBurnout) that offers a drag-and-drop editor while maintaining a connection to HTML and CSS.
  • Planned enhancements include visual CSS editing, an inline CSS editor, a code snippets library, web components integration, and VS Code language servers.
  • The project has received positive feedback from the Hacker News community, with users praising its nostalgic design and documentation; Tim is open to feedback, particularly on marketing strategies.

BMW Overtakes Tesla in European EV Sales for First Time

  • Car demand in Europe increased by 2% in the last month, with 1.03 million units registered, bringing the year-to-date total to nearly 7.9 million.
  • SUVs reached a record 54% of all registrations, with 554,000 new units, marking a 6% rise from July 2023; Volkswagen Group led the SUV market.
  • Electric vehicle registrations fell by 6%, with BMW leading the EV market, surpassing Tesla; the Dacia Sandero was the best-selling car in July.

Reactions

  • BMW surpassed Tesla in European electric vehicle (EV) sales for the first time in July 2024, but this is a misleading headline as Tesla remains ahead year-to-date (YTD).
  • The increase in BMW registrations was marginal, with only about 300 more cars registered in July, and this occurred during a period when Tesla had fewer cars available for sale due to their production and shipping schedule.
  • The metric used, car registrations, may not perfectly reflect actual sales, as it can be influenced by various factors such as dealer inventory and timing of consumer purchases.

NASA announces Boeing Starliner crew will return on SpaceX Crew-9

  • NASA is providing live updates on the Boeing Space Crew Flight Test following the Test Flight Readiness Review.
  • The updates will include the latest news on the Starliner spacecraft.

Reactions

  • NASA announced that the Boeing Starliner crew will return on SpaceX Crew-9, indicating ongoing challenges in Boeing's spacecraft design and manufacturing.
  • SpaceX, benefiting from substantial government funding, has emerged as a reliable alternative in space travel.
  • This decision underscores broader concerns about the state of space exploration, the role of private companies, and the necessity for innovation and competition in the industry.

I lost my Google Play dev account

Reactions

  • A developer lost their Google Play account after their app was removed for "Malware or Deceptive Behavior," specifically due to a code function that kept the screen on without user consent.
  • Despite appealing the decision, the developer's account was permanently closed, preventing any future app submissions and causing significant frustration.
  • The incident highlights issues with automated decision-making and the lack of effective recourse for developers dealing with large tech platforms like Google.

Elon Musk was just forced to reveal who owns X. Here's the list

  • Elon Musk disclosed the owners of X (formerly Twitter) due to a lawsuit by former employees, revealing notable investors like Bill Ackman, Sean "Diddy" Combs, Larry Ellison, and Saudi Prince Alwaleed bin Talal.
  • Fidelity has significant investments through nearly 30 entities, and other key investors include Oracle founder Larry Ellison and Jack Dorsey, who still holds shares despite his criticism of Musk.
  • The disclosure, which also lists investment firms like Andreessen Horowitz and Sequoia, was mandated by a federal judge in California.

Reactions

  • Elon Musk disclosed that X Corp, which succeeded Twitter, Inc., is wholly owned by X Holdings Corp, with no public corporation holding 10% or more of its stock.
  • The ownership list includes notable entities and individuals such as Fidelity, Prince Alwaleed, Jack Dorsey, and Binance.
  • The disclosure sparked discussions on the lack of transparency in private company ownership in the US and its potential influence on X Corp's operations.

JavaScript dates are about to be fixed

  • The ECMAScript Temporal proposal introduces Temporal.ZonedDateTime, a new API to handle dates with time zones in JavaScript, addressing long-standing issues with JS date handling.
  • Temporal.ZonedDateTime ensures accurate date representation, accounting for time zones and daylight saving time (DST) changes, and supports various calendar systems.
  • Key features include standardized date string serialization, accurate date comparisons, time zone transformations, and methods for basic arithmetic and computing differences between dates.

Reactions

  • JavaScript's date handling is being enhanced with the new Temporal API to better manage time zones and date-time operations.
  • The Temporal API aims to provide more reliable and consistent date handling, addressing current limitations and inconsistencies.
  • Adoption and compatibility with existing systems pose challenges, but the API is considered a significant improvement for JavaScript developers.

You are not dumb, you just lack the prerequisites

  • The author initially believed they were "dumb" at math due to struggles in understanding, which persisted for years.
  • After 150 days of dedicated learning, they realized the issue was missing foundational knowledge, not a lack of ability.
  • By revisiting and mastering basic concepts, the author is gradually improving their math skills, highlighting the importance of building a strong foundation.

Reactions

  • The article discusses the importance of having the necessary prerequisites for learning complex subjects, emphasizing that lacking these does not equate to being unintelligent.
  • Many individuals, especially those considered "gifted," struggle when they encounter subjects that require more effort and discipline than they are used to, highlighting the need for a strong work ethic.
  • The conversation touches on the broader issue of educational systems and how they often fail to properly support and challenge gifted students, leading to lost potential and frustration.

Japan on edge of EUV lithography chip-making revolution

  • The Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology (OIST) has developed new EUV lithography equipment that could significantly reduce the cost of producing 7nm and smaller semiconductors, challenging ASML's monopoly.
  • The new equipment simplifies the optical system, reducing power consumption by a factor of ten and using only four mirrors instead of ten, enhancing energy efficiency.
  • OIST plans to demonstrate the technology with a half-scale model by 2026, potentially boosting Japan's position in the semiconductor industry amidst US sanctions on EUV equipment sales to China.

Reactions

  • Japan, with Canon and Nikon, is exploring alternatives to EUV lithography, such as nanoimprint lithography, for chip-making.
  • Chinese universities and companies are developing particle accelerator-based EUV sources, aiming to commercialize these technologies within 5-10 years.
  • The race against ASML's advancements is critical, as it influences global chip manufacturing and geopolitical strategies.

Tesla has taken down 2016 release noting full self driving hardware capability

  • Tesla has removed their 2016 statement that all their cars have full self-driving hardware, redirecting the page to their blog.
  • The original 2016 release can now only be accessed through the Wayback Machine, an internet archive service.

Reactions

  • Tesla has removed its 2016 announcement about full self-driving (FSD) hardware capability, leading to mixed user reactions.
  • Users report both improvements and persistent issues like phantom braking and the absence of LIDAR, causing frustration over misleading claims and hardware limitations.
  • Broader discussions include disillusionment with Elon Musk's political actions, Tesla's direction, and the implications of self-driving technology in the competitive landscape.

My IRC client runs on Kubernetes

  • The author moved their IRC client to a virtual machine (VM) on Kubernetes to ensure redundancy and easy access to extensive IRC logs and configurations.
  • Kubernetes was chosen for its ability to detect node failures and reschedule jobs, utilizing Kubevirt and Longhorn for VM management and data backup.
  • The migration involved creating three Kubernetes objects: a Kubevirt DataVolume, a Kubevirt VirtualMachine, and a Kubernetes Service, resulting in efficient operation and automatic nightly backups.

Reactions

  • The post discusses the use of Kubernetes (K8s) for running an IRC client, highlighting the benefits of using a standardized approach for infrastructure management.
  • Kubernetes offers a unified way to manage various components like containers, volumes, and load balancers, making it easier to maintain and scale applications.
  • The conversation includes debates on the complexity of Kubernetes, with some arguing it simplifies infrastructure management while others point out the potential for increased complexity and maintenance overhead.

They don't make 'em like that any more: Borland Turbo Pascal 7

  • Borland Turbo Pascal 7 (TP 7) was a groundbreaking programming tool, introducing integrated source-level debugging and object-oriented programming concepts through the Object Windows Library (OWL).
  • TP 7 was affordable, powerful, and efficient, making it popular among hobbyists and professionals for developing substantial applications on Windows 3.1.
  • Despite its decline due to competition from C and Microsoft's tools, Turbo Pascal significantly contributed to the adoption of Microsoft Windows on desktop PCs and remains a notable part of programming history.

Reactions

  • Borland Turbo Pascal 7 is nostalgically remembered for its advanced Integrated Development Environment (IDE) features, such as dual monitors, live debugging, and context-sensitive help.
  • The discussion highlights a concern that modern developers rely heavily on AI tools, potentially diminishing their fundamental coding skills and understanding of underlying systems.
  • Turbo Pascal's legacy continues through modern tools like Delphi, Free Pascal, and Lazarus, though some argue that these tools face challenges like poor documentation and brain drain.

How people with disabilities use the web

  • The resource explains how individuals with disabilities, including age-related impairments, use the web, aiming to help developers, designers, and content creators understand the importance of accessible digital products.
  • It includes sections on user experiences (personas), accessibility barriers, and tools and techniques used by disabled individuals to interact with digital technology.
  • Related resources from the W3C Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) include accessibility principles and videos showcasing essential accessibility features.

Reactions

  • People with disabilities encounter major obstacles online, such as a deaf person being unable to complete a bank's video verification due to the absence of written instructions and alternative support.
  • Accessibility challenges also exist in hardware, with costly devices like refreshable braille keyboards; solutions include AI transcription for videos and improved tab navigation.
  • Open-source projects and hardware solutions like "hable one" and "eyegaze" are being explored, and upcoming laws may mandate better accessibility in web design.