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  1. Things you can do with diodes from lcamtuf.substack.com
    98 by zdw 3h ago | | |

    Article: 33 min

    This article provides an overview of diodes, explaining their basic mechanics and common applications such as circuit protection, voltage references, rectifiers, envelope followers, voltage doublers, DC restorers, and logic gates. It also discusses Zener diodes for reverse breakdown voltages.

    Educating the public about diodes could lead to more informed decision-making in electronics-related purchases and applications, potentially reducing the demand for unnecessary components or improving safety standards.
    • Diodes are semiconductor components that conduct electricity in one direction.
    • Zener diodes are designed to start conducting at a low reverse-bias voltage.

    Discussion (33): 4 min

    The comment thread discusses various applications and uses of diodes in electronics, including frequency mixing, log conversion, diode rings, rectifiers, varactors, voltage-controlled filters, square law detectors, and more. There is a misunderstanding about the topic, as one user mentions 'gate' being in scare quotes. The discussion also touches on the efficiency of diode strings in solar heating compared to bare resistance elements.

    Counterarguments:
    • Suggestion to paint something black and let it heat directly
    Electronics Semiconductors
  2. AI's Dial-Up Era from wreflection.com
    175 by nowflux 6h ago | | |

    Article: 32 min

    The article discusses AI's potential impact on society and economy, comparing it to the internet's early days in 1995. It highlights the debate between optimists predicting significant transformations and pessimists fearing a bubble or mass unemployment. The text also explores how AI has not replaced radiologists as predicted, due to factors like real-world complexity and Jevons Paradox. It further analyzes employment trends across different industries over two centuries, suggesting that demand growth can sustain or even increase employment despite automation. The article concludes with an assessment of the current AI boom's potential for a bubble versus its long-term infrastructure benefits.

    AI's potential to reshape industries and society could lead to significant changes in employment patterns, demand for services, and infrastructure development. The long-term effects on social structures and individual roles are unpredictable but likely transformative.
    Quality:
    Balanced analysis with a neutral tone, citing sources and presenting both sides of the debate.

    Discussion (160): 41 min

    This comment thread discusses various opinions on AI investments and infrastructure spending, comparing them to previous economic bubbles like the railroad boom and dot-com bubble. Concerns are raised about potential over-investment, risks associated with AI projects, and the transformative potential of AI technology versus its current hype cycle. The discussion also touches on the role of software development in future AI advancements, the impact on industries such as recycling, and the debate around whether AI investments will lead to durable returns or contribute to a bubble.

    • The recycling industry might boom due to AI investments
    • There's a risk of wasted effort and resources in AI projects, similar to the railroad bubble
    Counterarguments:
    • AI could lead to more software development if improvements are made before large infrastructure investments are made
    • The AI bubble might be driven by economic strain and industry strain rather than genuine demand
    • AI is compared to dial-up internet, with concerns about its transformative potential and the current hype cycle
    AI AI in Society and Economy
  3. A friendly tour of process memory on Linux from 0xkato.xyz
    70 by 0xkato 4h ago | | |

    Article: 40 min

    This article provides an in-depth explanation of process memory management on Linux, covering topics such as virtual and physical memory, page tables, mappings, and the impact of various system calls like mmap, mprotect, and munmap. It also discusses concepts like Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR), page cache, stack guard pages, and the effects of fork() and execve(). The article further explores the role of Transparent Huge Pages (THP) in optimizing memory usage and introduces techniques for dirty-tracking in userspace without racing the kernel.

    Linux's memory management techniques are crucial for the stability and security of many software systems, impacting user experience and data integrity across various industries.
    • Linux builds an illusion of continuous memory for processes
    • Physical RAM vs. virtual view managed by page tables
    • Tiny explainer sections provide clear explanations throughout the article
    • mmap, mprotect, and munmap are explained with examples
    • Address Space Layout Randomization (ASLR) is discussed to enhance security
    Quality:
    The article is well-researched and provides detailed explanations with examples, making it a valuable resource for developers and system administrators.

    Discussion (10):

    The discussion revolves around a website being incorrectly flagged as unsafe, and the preference for simpler computing architectures compared to modern ones. There is also a debate on whether complexity in technology has been beneficial or not.

    • Website was falsely flagged as unsafe
    • Dreaming about a simpler, more efficient computing architecture
    Counterarguments:
    • Complexity has provided significant benefits.
    Operating Systems Linux
  4. Guideline has been acquired by Gusto from help.guideline.com
    77 by surprisetalk 4h ago | | |

    Article: 6 min

    Guideline, a provider of payroll, benefits, and HR solutions tailored to small businesses, has been acquired by Gusto. This integration aims to simplify retirement savings through more seamless payroll and 401(k) services.

    The acquisition may lead to improved retirement savings options for small businesses, potentially increasing financial stability and employee satisfaction.
    • Participants' current setup remains unchanged.
    • Users can continue using the mobile app, statements, and educational resources.
    • Security measures are not affected during the transition.

    Discussion (76): 21 min

    The comment thread discusses various opinions and experiences related to financial services, specifically focusing on concerns about phishing in the context of 401k accounts, advantages of using Gusto for payroll management, preferences for rolling over old 401k accounts to new providers due to better services or fees, complexities and limitations surrounding backdoor Roth IRA contributions, and strategies for maximizing retirement savings. The discussion is characterized by a mix of personal experiences, opinions, and factual information, with some instances of sarcasm.

    Counterarguments:
    • Potential drawbacks of rolling over accounts to new providers
    • Complexities in managing multiple retirement accounts
    • Concerns about the impact of tax rates on backdoor Roth IRA contributions
    Business Acquisitions & Mergers
  5. Linkers: A 20 Part Series (2007) from airs.com
    47 by mattrighetti 4h ago | |

    Article: 7 min

    The article is about a series on linkers written by an author who has experience in creating them. The author introduces his background and three linker projects he worked on, focusing on their speed improvements over time.

    Educational content for developers, may influence the development of future linkers and compiler technologies.
    • First linker for AMOS operating system
    • Second linker designed by Steve Chamberlain at Cygnus Support
    • Third linker, 'gold', focused on speed and ELF support

    Discussion (1):

    More comments needed for analysis.

    Software Development Programming Languages, Compilers, Linkers
  6. When stick figures fought from animationobsessive.substack.com
    24 by ani_obsessive 2h ago | |

    Article: 38 min

    The article discusses the rise and impact of Xiao Xiao, a popular Chinese Flash animation series from the early 2000s that gained international recognition for its violent stick figure fights reminiscent of Hong Kong action movies and The Matrix. It highlights the story of its creator, Zhu Zhiqiang, an amateur animator who became an e-celebrity due to his work's popularity on platforms like Newgrounds and Flash Empire. The article also touches upon the challenges faced by the Flash animation scene in China, including issues with monetization and copyright infringement.

    Xiao Xiao paved the way for a new generation of animators and filmmakers in China, influencing the entertainment industry with its approachable style that resonated globally. However, it also highlighted issues such as copyright infringement and monetization challenges within the Chinese Flash animation scene.
    • Creator Zhu Zhiqiang, an amateur animator with no formal training, gained international recognition for his work.
    • The Flash animation scene in China faced challenges such as monetization and copyright infringement issues.
    Quality:
    The article provides a detailed analysis of the Xiao Xiao series and its creator, Zhu Zhiqiang, with balanced viewpoints on both the positive impact and challenges faced by the Flash animation scene in China.

    Discussion (4):

    The comment thread discusses personal memories and experiences related to early internet culture, specifically flash animations and online communities, with a focus on nostalgia and shared experiences.

    Animation Anime, Animation History, Chinese Animation
  7. Learning to read Arthur Whitney's C to become smart (2024) from needleful.net
    244 by gudzpoz 11h ago | | |

    Article: 40 min

    The article discusses the unusual coding style of Arthur Whitney, a renowned computer scientist who designed languages like APL, K, and Q. It focuses on his C implementation of a simple interpreter for the language K, which is known for its compactness and efficiency in handling large datasets. The author explores the intricacies of this code, explaining how it works while highlighting both its benefits (like avoiding scrolling through long codebases) and drawbacks (such as non-standard syntax and lack of semantic types). The article also reflects on the author's personal learning experience and suggests potential improvements for the interpreter.

    This coding style could influence developers to consider more compact and efficient ways of writing code, potentially leading to better performance in resource-constrained environments but possibly at the cost of readability for others.
    • Arthur Whitney's languages (A, K, Q) and their applications
    • Comparison with traditional programming practices
    Quality:
    The article provides a detailed analysis of the code without sensationalizing or exaggerating its features.

    Discussion (90): 19 min

    The comment thread discusses Arthur Whitney's unconventional coding style, which is inspired by APL. Some find it hard to understand due to its dense nature and reliance on macros in C, while others appreciate the innovative use of these techniques for creating a Domain-Specific Language (DSL). The discussion also touches upon comparisons with other languages like J and K, highlighting both the challenges and benefits associated with Whitney's approach.

    • The unconventional coding style is a result of inspiration from APL and can make the code hard to understand for others.
    Counterarguments:
    • Some argue that the unconventional style is a clever use of macros for creating a DSL, which can be beneficial in certain contexts.
    Programming Computer Science, Programming Languages
  8. Gallery of wonderful drawings our little thermal printer received from guestbook.goodenough.us
    84 by busymom0 9h ago | | |

    Article:

    This article showcases a collection of drawings created using a thermal printer by various artists and enthusiasts.

    • Various artists' creations
    • Thermal printing technique

    Discussion (24): 4 min

    The comment thread discusses an internet guestbook that prints submitted content on a thermal printer. The main points include the nature of the content (SFW or NSFW), the use of asterisks in swear words, and the technical analysis of thermal paper. There is some debate about whether the content is safe for work and humor/sarcasm is present.

    Art
  9. The MP3.com Rescue Barge Barge from blog.somnolescent.net
    100 by CharlesW 8d ago | | |

    Article: 12 min

    The author recounts their experience of rescuing media from the mp3.com Rescue Barge, a collection hosted by Archive.org, in November. They aimed to create a comprehensive archive of MP3.com's music, using both the barge and Wayback Machine resources.

    • Downloaded 1.78TB of media
    • Created a CSV set for metadata
    • Ensured safety and accessibility of MP3.com content
    Quality:
    The article provides detailed information on the project and its execution, with a focus on technical aspects.

    Discussion (32): 10 min

    The comment thread discusses various topics including the discovery and loss of music files, AI-generated music's impact on charts and traditional music industry economics, criticism towards RIAA actions, and opinions about the role of AI in artistic creation. The sentiment is neutral with mixed views on AI's influence.

    • Open-source models will disrupt traditional music IP economics.
    • AI-generated music is already impacting charts.
    Counterarguments:
    • Art requires intention, taste, and curation.
    • Tools like AI can enhance creativity if used properly.
    Internet Web Development, Digital Arts
  10. The Mack Super Pumper was a locomotive engined fire fighter (2018) from bangshift.com
    114 by mstngl 6h ago | | |

    Article: 19 min

    An article detailing the history of the Mack Super Pumper, a powerful fire-fighting truck used by the New York City Fire Department from the late 1960s through the early 1980s. The truck was equipped with an innovative Napier-Deltic diesel engine and could draw water from multiple hydrants or bodies of water to extinguish large fires.

    The Mack Super Pumper system significantly improved the New York City Fire Department's ability to combat large fires, potentially saving countless lives and property.
    • Black Saturday fire on Staten Island led to the creation of the Mack Super Pumper system.
    • Central pumping unit could draw water from eight hydrants simultaneously or supply a massive water cannon.
    • Napier-Deltic diesel engine provided 2,400 horsepower and was lightweight enough for trailer mounting.

    Discussion (80): 17 min

    The discussion revolves around the Mack Super pumper and its historical significance as well as the Napier Deltic engine's unique design and efficiency. Participants share opinions on firefighting technology, internal combustion engines, and their relevance in modern times.

    • The Mack Super pumper is an impressive firefighting vehicle
    • The Napier Deltic engine was a cutting-edge design for its time
    Firefighting Emergency Vehicles, Fire Equipment
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