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2023-06-09

Apollo will close down on June 30th​

  • Apollo, a popular third-party Reddit app for iPhone, is shutting down on June 30th due to the new expensive API pricing introduced by Reddit.
  • The developer of Apollo has criticized Reddit's sudden change in API pricing and timeline, leaving many app developers struggling to adjust.
  • Reddit refused to consider buying out third-party apps and instead criticized Apollo for blackmailing them for a $10 million payout.

Industry Reactions​

  • The Reddit client Apollo is shutting down on June 30th, marking the end of an era for small indie client-only apps.
  • Third-party clients like Apollo provide a better user experience, but first-party clients will never be able to compete due to misaligned incentives.
  • Some users are calling for decentralization and federation of social networks as a solution to this problem.
  • This article is not available, as it is set in the future (June 7, 2023).
  • There is no meaningful content to summarize.
  • Please check back on June 7, 2023, to read the article.

Industry Reactions​

  • Apple's iOS 17 removes tracking parameters from links, using PCM to enable advertisers to track campaign conversion metrics.
  • Google, Mozilla, and Meta are developing competing standards to PCM.
  • However, some commentators criticize Apple's strategy, seeing it as anti-competitive and potentially harmful to businesses that rely on tracking to make money.

Google doesn't want employees working remotely anymore​

  • Google has announced they do not want employees working remotely anymore and are pushing for a hybrid work schedule.
  • Offices are considered to be where employees will be most connected to Google's community.
  • Remote work requests will now only be considered by exception.

Industry Reactions​

  • Google is requiring employees to work onsite, sparking debate over the benefits of remote vs onsite work for productivity, work/life balance, and talent retention.
  • The debate includes considerations of personal preferences, management policies, the nature of work, training and onboarding, interruptions and distractions, and adapting company culture and processes for effective remote work.
  • While there is no one-size-fits-all solution, hybrid policies that prioritize employee happiness and effective systems and processes can address the strengths and weaknesses of both remote and in-person work.

The Last Egg​

  • South Pole station has limited access to fresh food during the winter due to the extreme conditions and the fact that most of their food is deep-frozen until needed.
  • Fresh ingredients, such as eggs, milk, and vegetables, have a limited shelf life and are celebrated as a morale booster, but they won't see any until November when the next resupply plane arrives.
  • The station relies on a volunteer-run greenhouse to produce fresh herbs and the occasional salad, but otherwise, meal ingredients can sit in cold storage for years before being consumed.

Industry Reactions​

  • Researchers at the South Pole Station do not stock UHT milk due to shelf life and taste concerns, with other options such as frozen, homogenized, ultrapasteurized, and powdered milk being available.
  • Fresh food at the station is limited due to transportation and storage challenges, with occasional resupplies by air being the main source. The greenhouse is the only place on station with humidity.
  • The challenges of sustaining life in extreme environments such as Antarctica and Mars are discussed, including limitations of food storage and energy sources. The history of nuclear power at McMurdo is also touched upon.

Reddit is Fun will shut down on June 30th in response to Reddit API changes​

  • The developer of the popular "rif is fun for Reddit" Android app has announced that they will shut down on June 30, 2023 due to changes to Reddit's API and what they perceive as hostile treatment of developers.
  • Reddit has been accused of blocking ads in third-party apps, charging for API access, and removing sexually explicit content from third-party apps while keeping it on the official app, leading to disappointment and frustration among RIF users.
  • Some users are considering alternative Reddit apps and platforms, and Reddit's treatment of developers is facing scrutiny in light of recent accusations against the Apollo developer.

Industry Reactions​

  • Reddit is Fun, a popular app for browsing Reddit, will shut down due to changes in Reddit's API that make third- party apps unable to access NSFW content, leading to concerns that Reddit may altogether eliminate that type of content.

  • Users express frustration with Reddit's official app, leaving low ratings due to these API changes, with some considering switching to other platforms or browsing Reddit exclusively through a browser or third- party app.

  • There is discussion on the success of online communities and how they differ from physical, intentional communities, including questions about Reddit's scalability and business model, and recommendations for alternatives like Tildes, Lemmy, and Kbin.

r/ProgrammerHumor will be shutting down to protest Reddit's API changes​

  • r/ProgrammerHumor is shutting down indefinitely on June 12th to protest Reddit's recent API changes which affect 3rd party apps.
  • Many subreddits are joining the strike in protest against Reddit's API changes.
  • There are concerns about the future viability of Reddit and whether it will continue to provide a useful community for tech enthusiasts.

Industry Reactions​

  • Numerous subreddits are shutting down due to Reddit's API changes, leading to questions about federated Mastodon-esque systems as an alternative platform.
  • Twitter's power user traffic has declined by 25% since Elon Musk's dissatisfaction announcement, making the decline significant.
  • Developers are exploring alternatives to Reddit due to its decision to increase API usage fees, leading to the shutdown of numerous subreddits.

Understanding GPT tokenizers​

  • GPT-3/4, LLaMA, and PaLM tokenize text data by converting it into integers.
  • OpenAI offers a Tokenizer tool for exploring tokens, and Simon Willison built his own tool using GPT-2 tokenizer.
  • Playing with tokenizers reveal interesting vocabulary patterns, and tiktoken allows users to count tokens and decode token IDs to text.

Industry Reactions​

  • GPT-4 has a strong dominance of non-natural language tokens, including those from source code, hinting at the importance of code in training the model for logical reasoning.
  • Tokenization plays a crucial role in language model optimization and presents unique challenges, such as identifying effective token length and handling Russian language.
  • Experts discuss the limitations of tokenization, including a limited vocabulary and issues with abstract words, and explore ways to improve performance, such as accounting for symmetries in embeddings.

Mechanical Apple Watch from real e-waste Apple Watch​

  • An individual has created a mechanical Apple Watch using parts from a second-hand Apple Watch, Seiko NH38 movement, bronze sheet, brass tube, and a rotor from Mod Mode Watches to create a unique timepiece.
  • The finished mechanical Apple Watch is functional and can last for approximately 40 hours after winding.
  • The creator faced challenges in connecting the stem to the crown and button and fitting the movement into the Apple Watch's case.

Industry Reactions​

  • A maker repurposes an old Apple Watch by creating a fully functional mechanical version, which is documented on his YouTube channel.
  • Commenters discuss the longevity of mechanical watches compared to electronic devices and the rising popularity of collecting traditional watches.
  • Some express a desire for a similar product to be for sale, while others debate the merits of mechanical watches versus smartwatches.

Nanoplastic Ingestion Causes Neurological Deficits​

  • Nanoplastic particles less than 500 nanometers in size may be more harmful than larger microplastics as they induce a greater immune response in the gut and negatively affect neurological function in mice.
  • Researchers observed reduced cognitive function and short-term memory in mice exposed to nanoplastics for two months at human-consumption doses and found that this was correlated with elevated levels of the proinflammatory cytokine interleukin 1 beta (IL-1β) and activated microglia and astrocytes.
  • Blocking IL-1β using a monoclonal antibody or chemical inhibitor or cessation of nanoplastic exposure mitigated cognitive effects, indicating that the harm from nanoplastic ingestion can be reversible.

Industry Reactions​

  • A recent study found that ingesting nanoplastics can cause neurological deficits and highlights the need for companies to be held accountable for plastic production and disposal.
  • The conversation on Hacker News includes suggestions for alternatives to plastic containers, concerns about harmful chemicals in food packaging, and the impact of plastic pollution on the environment.
  • Experts are debating the potential consequences of phasing out PFAS and suggest interventions like taxing corporations that make a lot of plastic and redistributing funds to encourage sustainable alternatives.

Sync will shut down on June 30​

  • Sync, a popular third-party Reddit app, will be shutting down on June 30, 2023, due to upcoming API changes.
  • The developer, Lj0, stated that it was a tough decision, as working on the app has been a labor of love for the past decade.
  • Many users expressed their sadness at the news and praised the app, with some even stating they would stop using Reddit altogether after Sync shuts down.

Industry Reactions​

  • Sync, a popular Reddit app, is shutting down on June 30, leading Reddit users and developers to discuss alternative websites or APIs that could replace it- Multiple third-party Reddit apps are shutting down in protest of changes to Reddit's API usage rules- There are mixed opinions on Reddit's recent move to charge third-party app developers for API usage, with some arguing that developers had a good run and others feeling that the pricing is outlandish and unrealistic