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How I used linear algebra to build an interactive diagramming editor and why matrix math is awesome

Published: 2024-12-17 | Origin: /r/programming

Ivan Shubin shares his experience with using matrices in his interactive diagramming editor, Schemio. Initially, Schemio allowed users to create and manipulate simple shapes with basic properties like position, size, and rotation. However, to enhance the application's capabilities, he implemented an item hierarchy that enables users to group shapes for complex interactions, similar to features found in both diagram editors and game engines. This added functionality required translating between local and world coordinates, which proved challenging. Shubin reflects on the power

Make your QEMU faster (2022)

Published: 2024-12-17 | Origin: Hacker News

The post discusses performance issues encountered while using QEMU-based virtual machines for testing in NixOS, which utilizes the Plan 9 File Protocol (9p) to avoid generating disk images for each test. The author experienced unexpectedly long file transfer times—over 2 hours for copying approximately 5.3GiB of data—when accessing files from the 9p-mounted Nix store. Recognizing this was not practical for incremental work, they investigated and successfully reduced the transfer time to just

Running NetBSD on IBM ThinkPad 380Z

Published: 2024-12-17 | Origin: Hacker News

The 380Z, launched in 1998, is noted as a classic ThinkPad for its bulky design and features like a 13.3" TFT display, a 233MHz Pentium II processor, and 160MB of RAM. The author recently acquired one in great condition and considered using it for coding with modern software. After evaluating various operating systems, the performance with NetBSD stood out positively. To enhance performance, the original HDD was replaced with a 16GB mS

MIT study explains why laws are written in an incomprehensible style

Published: 2024-12-17 | Origin: Hacker News

MIT cognitive scientists suggest that the complex language of legal documents, known as legalese, is purposefully convoluted to convey authority, similar to how magic spells use specific terms. In a recent study published in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, researchers found that even non-lawyers instinctively write in this convoluted style when creating laws. The study, led by graduate student Eric Martinez and senior author Edward Gibson, examined the structure of legal documents and identified characteristics such as "center-embedding,"

Valhalla - Java's Epic Refactor

Published: 2024-12-17 | Origin: /r/programming

The Java team at Oracle is working on Project Valhalla, which aims to bridge the gap between classes and primitive types in Java by introducing value classes. These value classes are designed to function like classes yet behave like primitive types (e.g., integers), while also providing improved memory efficiency. This significant restructuring, referred to as Java's epic refactor, has been in progress for a decade and is now nearing completion. At Devoxx 2024, Java Language Architect Brian Goetz provided a

Everyone gets bidirectional BFS wrong

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

The article "Adventures in Computational Madness" addresses the common pitfalls in blindly copying code related to graphs and graph algorithms, highlighting the prevalence of incorrect implementations found online. It begins with an overview of what graphs are—collections of nodes (vertices) connected by edges—and illustrates various examples, including directory trees, daily routines, and fictional rail networks. The piece emphasizes the importance of pathfinding within graphs, particularly the shortest path problem, using relatable examples such as navigating through file directories or determining train routes between

Command not showing, it's invisible!

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/ruby

It seems like the content you've provided is a fragment related to the PNG (Portable Network Graphics) file format, specifically mentioning "IHDR," which stands for the Image Header chunk. This chunk contains essential information about the image, such as its dimensions, bit depth, and color type. However, the snippet does not provide additional details or context. If you have more specific information or content to summarize, please provide it!

On a mission to index all Ruby conferences

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/ruby

The content states that 5,836 talks have been indexed from 2,960 speakers, created for the Ruby community by @adrienpoly and contributors using an edge stack.

Poisoning Generative AI: How Nightshade Works

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

The article discusses the emergence of Nightshade, an algorithm designed to create poisoned data that confuses image-generating AI models. This topic has sparked renewed debate about adversarial attacks on AI, particularly from ethical and social perspectives. Artists and content creators may use such techniques to protect their work from unauthorized use by AI, but there are concerns about potential misuse. The piece outlines the concept of data poisoning, where individuals aim to influence AI behavior—either to prevent it from generating certain images or misinterpreting

Go Protobuf: The New Opaque API

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: Hacker News

The content outlines various resources and topics related to the Go programming language. Key areas include: 1. Common challenges companies address using Go and real-world usage stories. 2. Security features inherent to Go. 3. Best practices for writing clear, efficient, and idiomatic Go code. 4. A comprehensive introduction to software development with Go. 5. Reference materials for Go's standard library and updates on recent releases. 6. Community engagement opportunities through videos, local meetups, and networking with global developers.

On OpenTelemetry and the value of Standards

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

The content discusses the significance of physical standards and their application to both hardware and software industries. It highlights how standardized components, like the 1/4-20 bolt, enable compatibility and accessibility across various machines, leading to lower costs due to economies of scale and competition. This principle, articulated by Wright’s Law, illustrates that increasing production leads to cheaper unit costs. In the software realm, the absence of coherent standards has created a chaotic environment where reliance on vendors and proprietary solutions often leads to high costs

Lfgss shutting down 16th March 2025 (day before Online Safety Act is enforced)

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: Hacker News

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Veo 2: Our video generation model

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: Hacker News

The content discusses the capabilities of a cutting-edge video generation model called Veo. It highlights Veo's ability to produce high-quality videos with realistic motion, achieving up to 4K output and showing significant improvements in detail and realism compared to other AI video models. Key features include advanced motion capabilities that accurately simulate real-world physics, along with enhanced camera control options for achieving various shot styles and angles based on precise instructions. The description provides prompts for two specific video scenes: one focuses on a close-up

Fully documented and annotated source code for Elite on the Commodore 64

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

The content discusses a repository containing the fully documented and annotated source code for the game Elite on the Commodore 64. It emphasizes that every line of the original code is explained, making it accessible for understanding and building the game. The repository supports building four variants of the game and serves as a companion to the elite.bbcelite.com website, which presents this information in a user-friendly format. The document mentions various formats of Elite across different platforms and encourages users to explore the source code and the documentation

Swift Language focus areas heading into 2025

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

With the release of Swift 6.0 and the Swift 6 language mode, development is now concentrated on three main areas: 1. **Swift Concurrency**: The new language mode supports Swift Concurrency, but developers find it challenging to adopt. The Language Steering Group (LSG) is exploring ideas to make concurrency more approachable and is seeking feedback on these proposals. 2. **Memory Safety and Efficiency**: The LSG is working on improving the ability to avoid unnecessary copies and to safely

Making Unsafe Rust a Little Safer: Tools for Verifying Unsafe Code, Including Libraries in C and C++

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

Rust has gained popularity as a systems programming language due to its performance and ability to eliminate memory and concurrency errors at compile time. While most programmers should avoid writing unsafe Rust, some libraries utilize it for enhanced performance, memory manipulation, or integration with other systems. This article discusses tools for verifying unsafe Rust code, particularly in the context of operational technologies and critical infrastructure. Sanitizers are tools that identify programming errors such as memory corruption or data races during run-time by injecting checks into the code at compilation.

Xiaomi Home Integration for Home Assistant

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: Hacker News

The Xiaomi Home Integration for Home Assistant enables users to incorporate Xiaomi IoT smart devices into their Home Assistant setup. To install, users should follow a recommended method that facilitates easy version updates by using a GitHub repository. After downloading the necessary files, users must copy them to the appropriate Home Assistant directory and log in with their Xiaomi account to import devices. Once logged in, users can select the home and devices they want to integrate. Additionally, users can manage configurations such as updating their nickname or device lists

Short Ruby Newsletter - edition 118

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/ruby

Lucian Ghinda announced that the Short Ruby Newsletter will take a winter break, with the next edition expected on January 13, 2025. During this time, readers are encouraged to explore Ruby 3.4 and Rails 8. He also invited support for the newsletter through a paid subscription option. Highlights from the community include Stephen Margheim launching the open-source sqlite.directory, Ruby Kaigi opening its Call for Proposals, Hiroshi Shibata releasing Ruby 3.4.

Potential vulnerabilities of a microservices architecture and how to safeguard against them (authentication + authorization, secure communication, API Gateway, Zero Trust)

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

Transitioning from a monolithic architecture to microservices is a complex process requiring careful planning and execution. In a 10-part series, the focus is on common challenges encountered during this migration, with the latest installment addressing security and access control in microservices. As businesses shift to microservices, they increase their attack surface, making enhanced security crucial. Teams must understand and protect against vulnerabilities that can arise from this architecture. Key issues include replicating security logic across multiple services rather than having a single codebase

The difference between pushing developers to start their engine and pushing them off a cliff

Published: 2024-12-16 | Origin: /r/programming

The author, Michal Ganzarcik, reflects on his journey from a rebellious software developer with a strong aversion to hierarchy to becoming a manager. Initially, he adhered to the philosophy of not telling people what to do, but over time he recognized that sometimes pushing individuals to step out of their comfort zones can be necessary for their growth and success. He emphasizes the importance of understanding how and when to encourage or push team members by identifying their hidden strengths and helping them realize their potential. Additionally, he