A detailed explanation debunks the common misconception about GPU branching optimization, specifically addressing how ternary operations and if statements don't actually create conditional branches in modern GPUs. The article demonstrates through machine code examples that using step() and mix() as optimization alternatives actually leads to slower performance.
A 59-minute Cloudflare R2 storage outage occurred on February 6, 2025, causing widespread service disruptions across multiple Cloudflare products due to human error during phishing site remediation. The incident resulted in 100% failure rates for R2 operations and affected dependent services like Stream, Images, and Cache Reserve, though no data was lost or corrupted. Cloudflare has implemented immediate safeguards and is developing additional system-wide controls to prevent similar incidents.
https://blog.cloudflare.com/cloudflare-incident-on-february-6-2025/
A curated collection of unique islands worldwide showcases fascinating geographical, historical, and cultural peculiarities. Each island features distinct characteristics, from Pheasant Island's bi-annual country switch to the Diomede Islands' time zone quirks. The collection highlights remarkable stories of territorial disputes, historical significance, and natural phenomena.
https://amanvir.com/obscure-islands
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
A do-nothing script encodes manual procedural steps into functions without actually performing them, serving as a bridge between manual processes and full automation in ops teams. While not directly reducing manual effort, this approach makes procedures more manageable and creates a framework for gradual automation of operational tasks.
https://blog.danslimmon.com/2019/07/15/do-nothing-scripting-the-key-to-gradual-automation/
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
Carbon is Google's experimental open-source project aimed at developing tooling for automated migration of C++ code to a modern programming language with improved governance. The project emerges from Google's disagreements with the C++ Standard Committee and focuses on solving C++'s evolution challenges while maintaining interoperability with existing codebases. Unlike other successor languages, Carbon prioritizes automated code migration and fundamental language rework while building stronger abstractions.
https://herecomesthemoon.net/2025/02/carbon-is-not-a-language/
An analysis of PG&E's electricity rates reveals significant price disparities, with PG&E charging 40 cents per kilowatt hour compared to other utilities charging around 17 cents. Cities could potentially save residents $800-$1200 annually by creating their own utility companies, with a detailed case study of Walnut Creek demonstrating how municipal utilities could operate more efficiently and reduce costs by approximately 25%.
https://kevin.burke.dev/kevin/norcal-cities-new-utility/
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
FlashSpace is a high-performance virtual workspace manager for macOS that enables rapid switching between customized workspaces and assigned applications across multiple displays. The application prioritizes speed, simplicity, and reliability while offering features like focus management, cursor control, and SketchyBar integration.
A comprehensive guide demonstrates how to create a Windows kernel driver in Rust using WDK crates, showcasing code examples for a thread priority modification driver called 'Booster'. The implementation highlights Rust's potential in system programming while addressing challenges like memory management and Windows API integration.
https://scorpiosoftware.net/2025/02/08/writing-a-simple-driver-in-rust/
Modern software development practices are deteriorating due to overcomplication, excessive dependencies, and disregard for fundamental principles. The industry's focus on rapid development, constant rewrites, and complex frameworks is undermining software quality and sustainability. This approach diminishes the learning experience for new programmers and threatens the joy of programming.
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
OpenAI's Sora, a text-to-video AI model, can create highly realistic and accurate 60-second videos from text descriptions, showcasing remarkable consistency and potential to revolutionize video content creation. Sora's ability to understand physical motion and time, along with its grasp of the real world, represents a significant advancement in AI-generated media.
OAuth emerges as the key standard for secure AI agent authentication and authorization, enabling controlled access to applications without reinventing existing security protocols. The article introduces Agent Experience (AX) as a crucial consideration alongside User Experience (UX) and Developer Experience (DX), emphasizing the need for platforms to become OAuth providers to remain competitive in an AI-driven future.
A vulnerability in Cloudflare's Mutual TLS implementation allowed certificates from one zone to be used in another zone through session resumption, tracked as CVE-2025-23419. The security flaw was discovered through Cloudflare's Bug Bounty Program and was mitigated within 32 hours by disabling TLS session resumption for mTLS customers.
https://blog.cloudflare.com/resolving-a-mutual-tls-session-resumption-vulnerability/
Starlink users in the Falkland Islands are facing service terminations as their 60-day roaming period expires, despite widespread adoption by hundreds of residents and a successful petition backed by 70% of the population. The service remains technically illegal due to Sure International's monopoly and lack of official government approval, even for users who paid the £5,400 FIG VSAT license fee. A resolution is being delayed until April 2024, prompting discussions about declaring a National Emergency to expedite the approval process.
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
Mathematical handwriting requires precise distinction between symbols to avoid confusion, especially when mixing Roman letters, Greek alphabet, and digits in technical communication. The guide provides detailed tips for writing each character uniquely, emphasizing critical differences like crossing z's and barring uppercase I's to prevent misinterpretation.
https://johnkerl.org/doc/ortho/ortho.html
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
A detailed analysis comparing large language models to psychic cold reading techniques reveals striking parallels in how both create illusions of intelligence through statistical responses and subjective validation. The author argues that LLMs are mathematical models producing statistically plausible outputs rather than demonstrating true intelligence, suggesting many AI applications may be unintentionally replicating classic mentalist techniques.
A Flutter-based mobile app called 'The Deck' enables multiplayer card games using multiple devices, with one device serving as the central table display. The project is open-source, built with Dart and Flutter, and welcomes community contributions for new game implementations.
Elon Musk's team, known as the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), has been granted authority by President Trump to overhaul federal agencies, with employees from Musk's companies and young recruits taking control of computer systems and personnel matters. The initiative has already caused significant disruption to federal programs, with team members gaining access to sensitive systems across multiple agencies while some attempt to keep their roles private.
https://projects.propublica.org/elon-musk-doge-tracker/
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
Ketamine treatment offers a promising alternative for depression by targeting different brain systems than standard antidepressants and promoting neural regrowth. Yale experts explain that ketamine's rapid effects on neuroplasticity may create opportunities for enhanced therapeutic outcomes, particularly when combined with psychotherapy.
The VSCode remote editing feature, unlike Emacs' Tramp, installs a full Node-based agent on remote systems with extensive filesystem and process control capabilities, raising security concerns for development and production environments, particularly when combined with LLM-powered code generation.
https://fly.io/blog/vscode-ssh-wtf/
via https://hnrss.org/newest?points=100, https://hnrss.org/newest?comments=100
ExpenseOwl offers a minimalist expense tracking system featuring monthly pie-chart visualization and JSON-based storage, designed for quick expense logging in homelab environments. The application prioritizes simplicity with basic add/delete functionality, mobile-friendly interface, and Docker deployment support, while intentionally avoiding complex features like budgeting or editing capabilities.