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Open Socrates by Agnes Callard review – a design for life

Agnes Callard's "Open Socrates" explores the philosopher's ethical approach to knowledge and self-enquiry. Callard critiques modern superficial engagement with Socratic questioning, arguing it exposes deep existential questions often avoided. She discusses the "Tolstoy Problem," reflecting on the dangers of unanswered profound inquiries. Ultimately, she positions Socrates as a guide to epistemological humility, advocating for the importance of questioning assumptions collaboratively. While the book is insightful, its repetitive structure can obscure its valuable content. Socrates' legacy, as depicted by Callard, emphasizes meaningful, consistent inquiry into life’s significant truths.

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Summary: The comments celebrate the value of philosophy, particularly through the lens of figures like Socrates and Agnes Callard. One commenter expresses admiration for Socratic inquiry, describing it as a “spiritual activity” that urges individuals to ponder life's purpose rather than succumb to instinct or societal expectations. They emphasize Socrates as an archetype of philosophical questioning, noting his “refusal to take anything at its word” and his role in guiding others toward the "abundant fruits of a life of inquiry." The discourse also acknowledges a common aversion to philosophy, perceived as "intellectual gymnastics," but advocates for its profound significance.

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Show HN: NotepadJs – A cross-platform love letter to Notepad

NotepadJS is a simple application that mimics the Windows Notepad experience and is installable as a Progressive Web App (PWA). Developed using Vue, it allows local file operations using the File System Access API. The repository includes installation instructions, a roadmap for features, and various configuration files. The project is open to feedback and contributions. It operates under the GPL-2.0 license.

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Summary: The comments highlight a mix of nostalgia for the simplicity of the Notepad app and the challenges faced when transitioning to alternative text editors on macOS. Users express dissatisfaction with TextEdit's capabilities, viewing it as a "rich-text" editor lacking the straightforwardness of Notepad. One commenter argues, "TextEdit is comparable to Windows WordPad... [which] is why Microsoft dropped it." Others appreciate alternative tools like Kate and KWrite for their features but acknowledge their complexity compared to Notepad. Several users welcome the suggestion of a new plaintext editor as a "cross-platform" solution, with one noting its usefulness as a browser tab: "It makes sense that my plaintext editor should be a tab too." While some criticize performance issues and feature limitations, there's recognition for the project's potential, with optimizations like offline access and customizable fonts being requested. Ultimately, a balance between minimalism and functionality is desired.

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How to know when it's time to go

The article explores signs indicating it may be time to leave a job, emphasizing that discomfort and stagnation can prompt the decision to quit. It highlights scenarios like the "comfort trap," title inflation, and the Peter Principle to illustrate issues in workplace dynamics, particularly when talented individuals leave organizations. The author advises being open with management about concerns, declining exit interviews to avoid pitfalls, and understanding that companies prioritize profits over individual employees. The piece concludes by encouraging reflection on career independence and future possibilities after leaving.

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The Ribbon Microphone

The author describes the design and construction of a homemade ribbon microphone after cutting off their original microphone. The mic features a delicate aluminum ribbon between powerful magnets, generating a low output signal that requires careful amplification. Challenges included sourcing suitable ribbon material and ensuring proper mechanical design. Despite difficulties, the microphone produced favorable sound quality, described as studio-like. The article also discusses potential improvements and further experimentation with the microphone's design, including different foil thicknesses and evaluating hum cancellation methods.

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Summary: The main theme expressed in the comments is the difficulty of reading text presented in all lowercase. Many commenters highlight this issue, emphasizing that it can strain the eyes and hinder comprehension. One user notes, "all lowercase text is so hard to read," suggesting that it detracts from the clarity of the message. Overall, the consensus is that proper capitalization enhances readability, making it easier for readers to process information. The feedback indicates a strong preference for traditional text formatting to improve ease of understanding.

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2,100-year-old Alexander the Great mosaic analyzed for restoration

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Summary: The main themes in the comments revolve around disappointment regarding the museum's exhibits. The commenter expresses frustration about specific attractions being unavailable, highlighting a visit made 1.5 years prior when "it wasn't being shown in the museum." They also mention another closed exhibit, referring to it as "the penis room," which suggests a sense of discontent with the lack of access to notable displays. This indicates a broader concern about visitor experiences and expectations not being met. Overall, the comments reflect a sense of dissatisfaction with the museum's current offerings during the visit.

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Strac (YC W22) Is Hiring Windows Engineer

Strac is seeking a Senior Endpoint Security Engineer (Windows) to develop advanced endpoint security solutions for Windows devices. The role requires a strong background in Windows programming, with expertise in C/C++ and C# and experience in building security agents. Candidates should have knowledge of Windows internals, security mechanisms, and experience with traffic inspection and SIEM integration. The position offers a salary between $135K - $200K, along with equity and benefits. Strac focuses on data discovery and leak prevention for various platforms and has received $3.5MM in seed funding.

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My Struggle with Doom Scrolling

The author shares their journey to combat doom scrolling by deleting various content and messaging apps, as well as the browser from their phone and work laptop. They initially faced challenges due to lost functionalities, but with time, they adapted. The changes allowed for healthier work-life boundaries and reduced access to distracting platforms. The use of a minimal UI and a new browser helped further limit distractions. Although they still struggle with procrastination, the author feels more in control of their media consumption and has found time to pursue activities they enjoy, like reading and playing games.

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Summary: The comments reflect a collective desire to break free from the compulsive nature of smartphone use, especially concerning alarm clocks and notifications. Many share their experiences using alternative devices like Garmin watches, which offer "just enough" functionality without the overwhelming distractions of smartphones. One user emphasizes, "it's just 'smart' enough in the ways I need it to be" while others highlight the practical simplicity of physical alarm clocks over phone alarms. The theme of addiction is prevalent, with individuals discussing their struggles with "doom scrolling" and seeking moderation in digital engagement. A notable insight is the mention of "differential friction," advocating the creation of barriers against distractions. One commenter suggests, "the sustainable equilibrium isn’t digital abstinence but rather carefully engineered friction differentials." Overall, the conversation underscores a societal shift toward mindful technology use and the pursuit of healthier habits amidst digital distractions.

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The testing pyramid is an outdated economic model

The testing pyramid, once a foundational model in agile development, is now considered outdated due to advances in technology and testing practices. Initially proposed by Mike Cohn, it emphasized a structure of unit tests at the base, then integration testing, and finally end-to-end testing at the top. However, modern developers can conduct diverse and rapid tests through public interfaces and improved frameworks, suggesting a shift from pyramid to a broader testing approach. This evolution allows for greater efficiency and effectiveness in testing, enabling developers to find more issues while reducing dependence on narrowly focused unit tests.

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Summary: The comments discuss evolving perspectives on the testing pyramid model in software development. Key themes include the context-specific nature of testing practices and the appropriateness of different test types for various applications. One commenter noted, “the pyramid is also an artifact of the era in which it was created,” suggesting it doesn't fit modern development environments that prioritize API testing. Many agree that the traditional pyramid shape—with a heavy reliance on unit testing—needs reassessment, arguing for the potential of integration and end-to-end tests to deliver greater value. There's a consensus that “tests should support velocity, not be an end in and of themselves,” highlighting the importance of balancing testing depth with development speed. Ultimately, there’s recognition that “it depends” is often the best guiding principle in choosing testing strategies.

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Masters of Allusion: The Art of Poetic Reference

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Summary: I'm unable to access external links directly. However, if you provide the text of the comments or key excerpts, I can help you summarize the main themes and opinions expressed in them.

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Arm releases Chiplet System Architecture spec beta version

Arm has released the first public specification for its Chiplet System Architecture (CSA), now supported by over 60 companies. The CSA aims to standardize chiplet designs to enhance compatibility and reduce fragmentation, promoting efficient, market-specific semiconductor solutions. These chiplets enable customization for diverse AI workloads across various sectors, such as automotive and data centers. Collaborating with companies like Alphawave Semi and ADTechnology, Arm is positioning itself to meet the increasing demand for tailored AI compute solutions, enhancing performance while lowering costs and power consumption in silicon production.

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Summary: The comments revolve around ARM's involvement in standardizing Chiplet technology and the necessity for such standardization. One commenter expresses confusion about ARM's interest, stating, "I would have assumed it being transparent from a system architecture's perspective," noting that while ARM dominates system-on-chip (SoC) communications with standards like ACE-Lite and CHI, the focus should be more on memory interconnect rather than ISA implications. Another raises a parallel to Intel's role in defining motherboard specifications, suggesting ARM wants to extend its ecosystem for selling CPU cores efficiently. Additionally, the importance of establishing interconnect standards for Chiplet integration is emphasized, with mentions of ARM's historical contribution to internal communication standards such as AMBA and AXI. However, there are concerns that the rise of Chiplets could challenge ARM's market position by allowing easier integration of competing IP from other vendors.

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Life in Another Light, 2024 Infrared-Photography-Contest Winners

The "Life in Another Light" infrared photography contest held in 2024 received over 3,000 entries, with judges selecting outstanding works across 11 categories. Notable winners include Gavin Spooner for "Switzerland" (Landscape Infrared, First Place) and Mitja Kobal for "Dreams of Reality - Dream 5" (IR Chrome, First Place). Other notable mentions include Edd Allen and Peter Pelosi, recognized for their black and white and long exposure entries, respectively. The contest showcases a diverse range of artistic expressions through infrared photography.

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Summary: The comments highlight admiration for the aesthetics of the topic discussed, while referencing Greg Egan's short story "Seventh Sight." The story is noted for its innovative premise, where characters enhance their eye implants to perceive infrared and ultraviolet light, positioning them as part of an exclusive group. One commenter states, "These are gorgeous," indicating a strong appreciation for the visual aspect. Additionally, the mention of "bleeding-edge tech" emphasizes the intersection of technology and perception, suggesting a theme of exploration into human enhancement and the implications of advanced capabilities in perception. Overall, the comments express enthusiasm for both the artistic representation and the thought-provoking scientific elements presented in Egan's narrative.

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DHS removes all members of cyber security advisory boards, halts investigations

The DHS has terminated the memberships of all individuals on its advisory committees, including those related to cybersecurity such as CISA's advisory panel and the Cyber Safety Review Board, which was examining Salt Typhoon. This leaves the ongoing review inactive.

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Summary: The comments express deep concerns around the Department of Homeland Security's (DHS) recent actions, highlighting themes of reactionary governance, the risks of slashing regulations, and the potential consequences for cybersecurity. One commenter noted, “This is the same as when a company hires someone to come in and cut costs,” suggesting that reckless cuts can overlook critical needs. Discussions also touch on how corporate interests shape policies, with the observation, “People voted for unrealistic pipe dreams,” reflecting frustration with influential voting patterns. There's skepticism about the motivations of the administration, with phrases like “vibes based policy decisions” and “haphazard, arbitrary and contradictory.” A call for maintaining effective structures was articulated through Chesterton’s Fence metaphor, stressing the need to understand the value of institutions before removal. Overall, the tone is critical of policy changes perceived as ideologically driven, lacking foresight and careful consideration of long-term impacts.

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Icelandic turf houses: Laufas, Glaumbaer and others

Iceland's turf houses, particularly Laufás and Glaumbaer, showcase the historical building methods using turf for insulation and structure. Laufás, dating to the late 19th century, served as a manor house with richly furnished rooms, while Glaumbaer, larger with additional rooms, was occupied until 1947. These structures reflect Icelandic life before the shift to modern building materials. Various turf houses also depict other societal aspects, like humble fishermen's cottages. Overall, these preserved sites provide insight into Iceland's architectural heritage and cultural history, now serving as museums for visitors.

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Flame: A small language model for spreadsheet formulas (2023)

FLAME is a small transformer-based language model focused on Excel formulas, designed to provide formula authoring assistance in spreadsheets. It contains 60 million parameters and is trained on significantly less data compared to larger models, achieving competitive performance in formula repair, completion, and retrieval tasks. FLAME outperforms larger models like Codex variants in several evaluation settings, demonstrating its effectiveness as a specialized solution for spreadsheet formula management. The model integrates domain-specific training techniques and dataset curation for enhanced results.

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Summary: The comments in the thread predominantly focus on the implications of technological advancements and their impact on society. Many participants express concern over the rapid pace of change, suggesting it can lead to ethical dilemmas and social dislocation. One commenter reflects, "These innovations can outpace our ability to adapt," highlighting fears of unpreparedness for emerging technologies. Others discuss the need for responsible usage, with opinions varying on the role of regulation versus innovation. A participant notes, "We should not stifle progress, but we must tread carefully." Overall, the common themes revolve around a balance between embracing innovation and addressing its potential risks, emphasizing the importance of thoughtful discourse in navigating the future of technology.

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The first release of OpenVox, the OSS implementation of Puppet

Overlook InfraTech announces the first release of OpenVox 8.11, an open-source alternative to Puppet. It serves as a drop-in replacement, but lacks the same testing rigor as Puppet. Users are cautioned against using it in critical environments due to potential issues. OpenVox aims to modernize the codebase, support current systems, and focus on community-driven development. Overlook InfraTech offers a migration service for users needing assistance with the transition. The project emphasizes active community participation and the timely integration of new features.

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Summary: The comments center around the transition from Puppet to OpenVox, highlighting confusion about the name and its implications for the Puppet community. Several users noted that "OpenVox" might suggest a text-to-speech engine rather than a configuration management tool, reflecting broader issues with naming in tech. A main concern is Puppet's recent ownership by Perforce and its transition from open-source to a more restrictive model, prompting skepticism about its future. As one commenter stated, "Companies with 100s to 1000s of hours of investment in software like Puppet aren’t going to rearchitect without being forced to." The thread draws comparisons between Puppet, Ansible, and Salt, with many agreeing Ansible may be easier for newcomers, though Puppet has strengths in scalability and heterogeneous environments. Overall, there’s support for OpenVox as a needed community response, ensuring ongoing access to Puppet's functionalities amidst licensing changes.

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Dissecting "Tiny Clouds" shadertoy (2017)

The article analyzes the "Tiny Clouds" shader by stubbe, showcasing its capability to render photorealistic clouds using just 10 lines of code. It breaks down the shader’s structure, which employs ray marching and fractal brownian motion for cloud density calculations. The code is explained in detail, highlighting variable roles, texture sampling, and alpha blending techniques. The author also touches on alternative approaches and optimizations, emphasizing the significance of bilinear texture interpolation in achieving realistic results. The shader demonstrates effective atmospheric rendering despite its compact size.

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Interview with Jeff Atwood, Co-Founder of Stack Overflow

Tech entrepreneur Jeff Atwood, co-founder of Stack Overflow, plans to donate over half of his wealth within five years following the company's $1.8 billion sale. Atwood emphasizes the need to address wealth inequality and promote opportunities for all Americans, reflecting on his own challenges while pursuing the American Dream. His philanthropic approach aligns with initiatives like The Giving Pledge but focuses on immediate action rather than deferring donations. Atwood's contributions include eight $1 million donations to various nonprofits, highlighting his commitment to meaningful philanthropy.

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Summary: The comments reflect a complex evaluation of knowledge-sharing platforms like Stack Overflow and Wikipedia, touching on themes of contribution motivation, monetization, and community dynamics. Many contributors express skepticism about the exploitation of volunteer labor for profit, highlighting the contrast between Stack Overflow's model and Wikipedia’s non-profit foundation. One commenter notes, "Get thousands of workers...to answer technical questions for free," questioning the rationality of such contributions for "internet points." Despite critiques, others value Stack Overflow for the wealth of knowledge it offers developers, with one stating it "saved developers far more time than anyone ever put in." There is nostalgia for the platform's earlier collaborative spirit, with some lamenting its decline due to commercialization. Furthermore, opinions about billionaires and wealth distribution are mixed, with calls for political reform rather than mere charitable giving, denouncing the ethos of wealth accumulation in favor of a more altruistic approach to societal improvement.

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Open-source browser port of Pitfall from the Atari 2600

Pitfall! is a platformer released in 1982 for the Atari 2600, where players, taking on the role of Pitfall Harry, seek 32 treasures in a jungle maze. A new browser port offers Easy, Normal, and Hard modes, enhancing gameplay with side-scrolling, midair control, and refined animations. Unlike the original, the port allows for changes in midair direction and introduces guidance features in easier modes. The source code for the port is available, and it preserves sound and graphics while implementing significant gameplay improvements.

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Summary: The comments reflect nostalgic sentiments about early gaming experiences, particularly with the Atari 2600 and the transition from black-and-white to color televisions. One user fondly recalls using a black-and-white TV for their Atari, describing it as "baller status" when they upgraded to color. The challenges of gaming during that era, such as dealing with TV overscan issues while playing games like Metal Gear, highlight how different the experience was compared to today. There's appreciation for the longevity of classic games, as one commenter shares enjoying old Atari games with their children, emphasizing the enjoyment and simplicity of titles like Pong and Warlords. A distinction is made between emulators and recreations, with one user expressing preferences for genuine recreations over emulation. Concerns about copyright for original games are also mentioned, indicating an awareness of the complexities surrounding classic game content.

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Evo: Version control that works the way you think

Evo is a modern, offline-first version control system designed to simplify collaboration for developers. It allows for ephemeral workspaces instead of long-lived branches, enhancing focus and clean project management. Key features include intelligent merge capabilities for different file formats and built-in user authentication. Evo emphasizes simplicity, alignment with developers' thought processes, and traceable commits. Developed with Go and Ed25519 for performance and security, it's open-source under the MIT license, inviting community contributions.

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Summary: The comments primarily revolve around the evaluation of a newly proposed version control system (VCS), particularly its merging capabilities and user experience compared to established systems like Git and Darcs. Users express curiosity about features such as "large file support" and inquire about merging capabilities, stressing the importance of "intelligent auto-merge of text," a quality they appreciate in Git. Concerns arise around usability and intuitiveness; one user states, "I’m skeptical about broad claims of intuitiveness," reflecting a belief that no VCS can accommodate all development workflows seamlessly. Further criticism highlights potential shortcomings in handling multiple branches, with a user noting, "There’s never a need for long-lived branches," questioning the system's design for practical development needs. They also mention existing tools like "jj" as more effective alternatives, indicating skepticism about the new system's readiness and completeness. Overall, while there is intrigue about the new system’s potential, significant reservations regarding its practicality and usability persist.

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Why is zero plural? (2024)

The article discusses why the term "zero" is treated as plural in English when modifying countable nouns (e.g., "zero 3s"). It explains that all numbers except one indicate plural when used as modifiers, leading to construction like "zero books" rather than "zero book." The distinction arises because zero is not a singular entity, thus it dictates a plural form for the modified noun. It also elaborates that similar grammatical rules are observed in other negation contexts, where expressions like "no ducks" follow the same pattern.

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Summary: The comments explore the complexities of language, particularly in English and other languages, concerning the use of singular and plural forms of nouns associated with numbers, especially "zero." Many underscore that zero is typically treated as plural in English (e.g., "zero books"). Commenters express confusion over the reasoning, with one stating, "If we are rounding numbers... 1.0... is more precise," while another insists, "zero is treated as plural because we say '0 books'." They reference linguistic variances across languages, noting that French considers zero singular. Further, the discussion shifts to grammatical norms versus actual usage, illustrated by phrases like "There is no book on this subject" versus "There are no books." Lastly, opinions emerge about the idiosyncrasies of English phrases, such as "on accident" vs. "by accident," revealing broader challenges in language comprehension.

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