--- blogpost: true date: 05.05.2025 author: Tobias location: Ori category: links, 2025 tags: links, 2025 language: Deutsch --- # Links für 2025 KW 17 Meine To-Read Liste, Zusammengefasst von [Mistral-Small-24B](https://huggingface.co/lmstudio-community/Mistral-Small-24B-Instruct-2501-GGUF). ------------- **[Getting Started | sqlite-vss](https://alexgarcia.xyz/sqlite-vss/getting-started.html#next-steps):** This article provides an introduction to sqlite-vss, a library for vector similarity search in SQLite databases. It offers various installation options for different programming languages and discusses basic concepts and examples of using the library. The article also covers creating virtual tables, populating them with vectors, and querying for similar vectors. Finally, it highlights upcoming steps and includes the MIT License. ------------- **[Duolingo will replace contract workers with AI](https://www.theverge.com/news/657594/duolingo-ai-first-replace-contract-workers):** Duolingo, a language learning platform, has announced it will adopt an AI-first approach. The company's CEO Luis von Ahn stated that being "AI-first" means the company must rethink how they work and remove bottlenecks so employees can focus on creative work and real problems, not repetitive tasks. Duolingo will gradually stop using contractors for work that AI can handle and incorporate AI use in hiring and performance reviews. The shift towards AI aims to help the company better deliver on its mission while supporting its employees with more training, mentorship, and tooling for AI in their respective functions. ------------- **[Amazon has no choice but to display tariffs on prices now](https://www.theverge.com/amazon/657959/amazon-has-no-choice-but-to-display-tariffs-on-prices-now):** The article discusses Amazon's potential plan to begin displaying tariffs next to prices on its website. After a single-sourced rumor was published by *Punchbowl News*, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called it a "hostile and political act" by Amazon, causing the company to back down immediately. The article argues that if Amazon does not display tariffs on its website now, Jeff Bezos will prove himself to be among history's least principled cowards, given his recent actions in tearing apart the *Washington Post*. ------------- **[Indian court orders blocking of Proton Mail | TechCrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2025/04/29/indian-court-orders-blocking-of-proton-mail/):** A court in India has ordered the blocking of encrypted email provider Proton Mail across the country. The Karnataka High Court directed the Indian government to block Proton Mail after a local firm filed a legal complaint, alleging its employees received obscene and vulgar content via the service. Proton Mail has faced other legal tussles in India, with the Delhi High Court previously asking state police and the Indian government's home ministry to investigate the use of Proton Mail across the country. ------------- **[I can't pay rent because devs just don't care](https://happyfellow.bearblog.dev/i-cant-pay-rent-because-devs-just-dont-care/):** The article discusses the author's frustration with app and website performance, particularly in regards to HSBC, visa applications, and overall user experience. The author argues that memory usage, CPU speed, and battery life should be considered more carefully by developers, as they can have negative consequences for users who are required to replace these components more often due to subpar software design and resource allocation. Additionally, the author criticizes benchmarks and guidelines that prioritize performance scores over user experience and accessibility. ------------- **[Amazon to display tariff costs for consumers](https://punchbowl.news/article/tech/amazon-display-tariff-costs/):** Amazon plans to show the cost of President Trump's tariffs on products by displaying how much of an item's cost is derived from tariffs. This information will be displayed right next to the product's total listed price. ------------- **[Just a moment...](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-heart-disease-deaths-worldwide-linked.html):** This article appears to be a test of the user's humanity, asking them to press and hold a button until it turns completely green. If they believe there is an error, they are instructed to contact the support team at sciencex.com/help/. The IP address mentioned (185.232.69.199) seems unrelated to the article's content, and the code 7a6e3dcc-f74a-4e40-8a0a-9c156b3b is also unclear in context. ------------- **[Why performance optimization is hard work](https://purplesyringa.moe/blog/why-performance-optimization-is-hard-work/):** This article discusses the challenges and frustrations of performance optimization in programming, highlighting that it is a brute-force task with many factors to consider. The author emphasizes the importance of exploring various cases manually, dealing with incompatible optimizations, and navigating corporate greed and cultural apathy. Despite these difficulties, performance optimization helps save time for users and contributes to an overall better user experience. ------------- **[Japan unveils world’s first solar super-panel: More powerful than 20 nuclear reactors - Industry News](https://www.japanenergyevent.com/media-insights-hub/industry-news/japan-unveils-world-s-first-solar-super-panel-more-powerful-than-20-nuclear-reactors/):** Japan is utilizing perovskite solar cells (PSC) technology to lead the world into a new renewable energy age. The country plans to develop PSC sections generating 20 gigawatts of electricity by fiscal 2040, equivalent to 20 nuclear reactors and aligned with its commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. This technology allows for more adaptable and efficient solar energy collection in urban areas, which has the potential to significantly contribute to renewable energy sources consumption in Japan by 2030. ------------- **[Pyrefly: A fast type checker and IDE for Python](https://github.com/facebook/pyrefly):** The article discusses the development of a new version of Meta's Python type checker, Pyrefly, which aims to increase internal velocity and enable new features. Pyrefly is intended to fully replace the existing Pyre by the end of 2025. It will use maturin for local development and follows Buck2 coding conventions. The design involves three steps: figure out what each module exports, convert it to bindings, and solve those bindings. ------------- **[Elon Musk is wrong about GDP](https://timharford.com/2025/04/elon-musk-is-wrong-about-gdp/):** The article discusses Elon Musk's tweet stating that "a more accurate measure of GDP would exclude government spending." The author, Tim Harford, explains that when GDP measures were being developed, there was a debate over whether to include government spending. The solid justification for including government spending in GDP was based on Keynes' theory of macroeconomics and aggregate demand, which states that it is useful for understanding and stabilizing the economy. Harford argues that GDP is not perfect but is a measure of economic output and productive activities within an economy. The focus should be on improving our statistical infrastructure to better measure different aspects of economic performance, rather than redefining GDP itself. ------------- **[One-sixth of the planet’s cropland has toxic levels of one or more metals](https://english.elpais.com/science-tech/2025-04-17/one-sixth-of-the-planets-cropland-has-toxic-levels-of-one-or-more-metals.html):** A massive study reveals that up to 17% of farmland worldwide contains excessive levels of one or more metals and metalloids in the first 30 centimeters of soil, which supports most plant roots. The researchers found that between 14% and 17% of global cropland contains dangerously high concentrations of at least one of these metals. This contamination can stem from human-caused pollution or natural processes like weathering and rain. In densely populated areas, such as northern Italy to southeastern China, the metal-rich corridor stretches, with elevated concentrations linked to ancient human civilizations' impacts on the Earth's surface. ------------- **[One line of code that did cost $8,000](https://pietrasiak.com/one-line-of-code-that-did-cost-dollar8000):** A bug in the screen recorder app [screen.studio](http://screen.studio) caused it to repeatedly download an auto-update file, resulting in 9 million file downloads and over 2 petabytes of traffic on Google Cloud. The issue occurred due to a simple coding error that caused the app to check for updates every 5 minutes without stopping after downloading the new version. The app was running in the background on thousands of users' computers for weeks, causing significant traffic and network issues. As a result, the developer team has learned valuable lessons about setting alerts, carefully writing code, and regularly checking cloud usage. ------------- **[LibreLingo](https://librelingo.app/):** The article promotes LibreLingo, a language learning platform offering free courses in various languages such as Spanish, German, French, Bangla, Middle Persian, Basque, Ladino (for different target speakers), and Houma. Users can start learning these languages by clicking on the corresponding links provided within the article. ------------- **[ARCHIVED](https://github.com/fail0verflow/hbc):** This article discusses the discovery of code theft in libogc, an open-source Wii homebrew software library. It was found that significant parts of the threading implementation were stolen from RTEMS, an open-source real-time operating system (RTOS). The developers of libogc have been unresponsive and unwilling to address the issue, which makes it impossible to legally compile this software. The Wii homebrew community has been built on a foundation of copyright infringement, with shagkur and other developers deceiving everyone into believing their work was original. ------------- **[No, it’s not The Incentives—it’s you](https://talyarkoni.org/blog/2018/10/02/no-its-not-the-incentives-its-you/):** The article criticizes the narrative that perverse incentives are a valid and sufficient reason to knowingly behave in an antisocial way, asserting that it is an excuse for scientists not taking any course of action that could impede their own career development. It argues that researchers should be very hesitant to invoke The Incentives as a justification for any behavior, as it can lead to bad consequences and does not address the root cause of the issue. Instead, the article suggests considering whether one's integrity is worth more than merely following the incentives and making compromises that could threaten the validity of their work. ------------- **[Congress Passes TAKE IT DOWN Act Despite Major Flaws](https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2025/04/congress-passes-take-it-down-act-despite-major-flaws):** The U.S. House of Representatives has passed the Take It Down Act, granting powerful individuals a method to manipulate platforms into removing lawful speech they dislike. President Trump has stated he would use the Act for censorship purposes. Critics argue that the takedown provision in TAKE IT DOWN is too broad and lacks safeguards against frivolous or bad-faith takedown requests, potentially leading to widespread censorship and infringement on security and privacy online. Instead of creating new regimes for content removal, lawmakers should focus on strengthening existing legal protections for victims. ------------- **[Knowledge-based society, my ass](https://mihaiolteanu.me/knowledge-based-society-my-ass):** This article is a personal account of the author's experience as a PhD candidate in a Technical University. The story follows the author's journey from starting his studies to defending his thesis and ultimately leaving the University. Throughout this time, the author faces various challenges such as lack of resources, inefficient practices, plagiarism within the department, and an unproductive relationship with their professor. Despite these challenges, the author manages to successfully defend their thesis and leave the University behind. The overall tone of the story is one of disillusionment and frustration with the academic system, as well as a sense of personal growth and resilience in the face of adversity. ------------- **[We Found Insurance Fraud in Our Crash Data](https://www.levs.fyi/blog/we-found-insurance-fraud-in-our-crash-data/):** Matrisk AI, a geospatial risk scores company for vehicle crashes, discovered the potential for insurance fraud when analyzing Vehicle Identification Numbers (VINs) and crash timelines. By tracking specific vehicles in multiple accidents and their overlapping insurers, they found patterns that could indicate suspicious activity. They created a propensity score to prioritize which VINs were worth further investigation. This discovery highlights the value of simple VIN analysis combined with location and insurer data in identifying risky patterns early on. ------------- **[Playwright MCP Docker Environment](https://github.com/iuill/playwright-mcp-docker/tree/main):** This article discusses a project that provides a Docker Compose environment for running the @playwright/mcp server. It simplifies setting up and managing the Playwright MCP server, which can be used with clients like Cline or Cursor. To use this project, clone the repository, create an .env file, configure it according to your preferences, build and start the container, configure the MCP client, and switch between headless and heated modes as needed. ------------- **[Samsung admits to security wormhole in some Galaxy devices](https://www.theregister.com/2025/04/28/security_news_in_brief/):** Samsung has warned that some of its Galaxy devices store passwords in plaintext, posing a significant security issue. The company's custom Android skin, One UI, manages clipboard history at the system level, and there is currently no auto-delete feature or exclusion options available for users to protect sensitive data. Meanwhile, researchers have discovered an open Amazon S3 bucket containing over 21 million screenshots captured by employee monitoring software vendor WorkComposer. Microsoft has finally made changes aimed at closing the attack vector Chinese cybercriminals used to break into US government Exchange accounts. ------------- **[What Air Defenses Do The Houthis In Yemen Actually Have?](https://www.twz.com/news-features/what-air-defenses-do-the-houthis-in-yemen-actually-have):** The text discusses the air defense capabilities of Iranian-backed Houthi militants in Yemen, focusing on their ability to shoot down U.S. MQ-9 Reaper drones. The Houthis have claimed to have downed numerous drones, with U.S. officials acknowledging at least seven losses since March 2025. The Houthis' air defense arsenal includes a mix of domestically developed and Iranian-supplied systems, such as the Barq-1 and Barq-2 missiles, as well as repurposed Soviet-era and Russian-made air-to-air missiles. The text highlights the Houthis' use of various radars and sensors for target acquisition, including passive infrared systems that make their defenses harder to detect and counter. The U.S. military has responded by employing stealth bombers like the B-2 and a variety of stand-off munitions in their operations against the Houthis. The losses of MQ-9 drones raise questions about the drone's continued relevance and the need for more survivable platforms in future high-end conflicts. Despite the Houthis' capabilities, there is no clear evidence of them downing crewed U.S. military aircraft. The text also touches on the broader strategic implications of the U.S. military's actions in Yemen, including the deployment of B-2 bombers and the use of stand-off munitions. The ongoing conflict underscores the Houthis' ability to adapt and learn on the battlefield, posing a significant threat to U.S. and allied forces in the region. ------------- **[Thoughts Upon Slavery by John Wesley (1774)](https://msa.maryland.gov/megafile/msa/speccol/sc5300/sc5339/000091/000000/000001/restricted/2002_09_10/wesley/thoughtsuponslavery.html#1):** John Wesley's "Thoughts Upon Slavery" (1774) is a passionate critique of the transatlantic slave trade and slavery itself, focusing on the inhumane treatment of Africans and the moral and legal justifications for slavery. The text can be summarized as follows: **Nature of Slavery**: Wesley defines slavery as a state of perpetual service, where slaves have no rights, are subjected to arbitrary punishment, and can be treated as property. This form of slavery has historical roots but was largely abolished in Europe after the spread of Christianity. **African Nations**: Wesley describes the countries from which slaves were taken, such as Guinea, as prosperous and well-populated, contradicting the notion that Africa was a barren and uncivilized land. The people of these regions were portrayed as industrious, sensible, and fair in their dealings, debunking the stereotype of Africans as savage and inferior. **Procurement and Treatment of Slaves**: Slaves were often procured through fraud, force, or by inciting wars among African tribes. They were transported under horrendous conditions, with many dying en route. Those who survived were subjected to harsh labor, severe punishments, and inhuman treatment in the Americas. Laws in the colonies often failed to protect slaves from cruelty. **Moral and Legal Arguments**: Wesley argues that slavery is morally reprehensible and legally unjustifiable. He refutes the idea that war, contract, or birth can justify slavery, asserting that all humans have a natural right to liberty. He also highlights the hypocrisy of Christians who engage in such cruel practices. **Call to Action**: Wesley appeals to captains, merchants, and planters to abandon the slave trade and slavery, urging them to consider the moral and spiritual consequences of their actions. He calls for the immediate abolition of slavery and the treatment of all humans with dignity and justice. In essence, Wesley's text is a powerful indictment of slavery, calling for its abolition on moral, legal, and humanitarian grounds. He challenges the prevailing attitudes towards Africans and the justifications for slavery, urging his readers to recognize the inherent dignity and rights of all human beings. ------------- **[Boxie - an always offline audio player for my 3 year old](https://mariozechner.at/posts/2025-04-20-boxie/):** Mario, an electronics enthusiast, embarked on a journey to build an audio player for his son, inspired by the Tonie Box but aiming to create a more reliable and customizable device. He documented his experience, highlighting the skills and tools he acquired, as well as the design and construction process of his creation, dubbed "Boxie." **Key Takeaways:** * **Inspiration and Goals:** Mario wanted to build a portable, battery-powered audio player for his son, inspired by the Game Boy's form factor. The device should play audiobooks from cartridges, have a volume knob, and turn on/off based on cartridge insertion. * **Learning Curve:** Mario learned various skills, including soldering, reading IC datasheets, designing PCBs, and 3D modeling. He also invested in essential tools like soldering stations, hot air guns, and a 3D printer. * **Design Process:** The device, Boxie, features a cartridge slot for micro SD cards, a volume knob, and navigation buttons. Mario designed custom PCBs for the cartridge and the main board, and created a 3D printed enclosure. * **Hardware Components:** Key components include an ESP32-S3 microcontroller, a MAX98357A DAC/amp, a Visaton FR 7/4 speaker, and NiMH batteries. Mario also designed a custom power management system for battery charging and undervoltage protection. * **Software:** The software, based on Mario's mcugdx framework, handles SD card reading, MP3 playback, and button/knob inputs. It's designed to be simple and efficient, running on the ESP32-S3. * **Assembly:** Mario provided detailed assembly instructions for both the player and the cartridges, including 3D printed parts, PCB designs, and component lists. * **Future Improvements:** Mario plans to add a headphone jack and an IC for converting the I2S signal to headphone output, requiring modifications to the motherboard and enclosure. * **Bonus Projects:** Mario also designed a USB cartridge reader for easy SD card access and modified a digital microscope for better usability in his workspace. Mario's journey showcases the process of learning electronics, designing custom hardware, and creating a functional device tailored to specific needs. His detailed documentation provides a valuable resource for others interested in similar projects. ------------- **[Presentation Slides with Markdown | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43816634):** The article discusses the importance of using visuals over text in presentations, as a picture can convey more information than words. It highlights Steve Jobs' 2007 iPhone introduction and mentions that while it is difficult to create presentations with good visuals, tools like reveal.js and Quarto can help. The article also explores the need for a headless browser to export PDFs from certain presentation tools and suggests alternatives such as RevealJS and iA Presenter. ------------- **[CleverBee: Advanced AI Research Assistant](https://github.com/SureScaleAI/cleverbee):** CleverBee is a Python-based research agent that utilizes Large Language Models (LLMs) like Claude and Gemini, Playwright for web browsing, and Chainlit for interactive UI. It performs research by extracting content from the web, cleaning it, and summarizing findings based on user research topics. Key features include: MCP Tool Support, multi-LLM research, automated web browsing with Playwright, content processing, integrated token tracking, highly configurable settings managed via `config.yaml`, and modular LLM clients. CleverBee is available for macOS, Linux (with NVIDIA GPU detection and optimization), and limited support on Windows via WSL. ------------- **[Stasi Tactics – Zersetzung | Max Hertzberg](https://www.maxhertzberg.co.uk/background/politics/stasi-tactics/):** The article discusses the experiences of political activists in East Germany (GDR) during the time when they had to deal with Stasi informants and infiltration before the fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989. The invasive spying tactics used by the East German secret police (Stasi) led to significantly fewer possibilities for civil disobedience and direct action than activists have today in places like Western Europe and North America. However, political activists in East Germany managed to initiate a grassroots revolution in 1989. Activists in the GDR campaigned on issues such as anti-nuclear and peace issues, challenging economic paradigms, resisting an undemocratic state, and propagating sustainable choices versus exploitation of environment and animals. The Stasi used tactics like *Zersetzung* to disrupt the working of groups and the lives of individuals in such a degree that their activism became ineffective or ceased altogether. ------------- **[Hoffnung als Strategie: Kommentar zur unsicheren elektronischen Patientenakte (ePA)](https://www.kuketz-blog.de/hoffnung-als-strategie-kommentar-zur-unsicheren-elektronischen-patientenakte-epa/):** The text discusses the implementation of the electronic patient record (ePA) in Germany, highlighting significant concerns about its security and the political handling of these issues. Starting from 2025, every insured person in Germany will receive an ePA unless they opt out. The ePA is intended to store comprehensive health data for individuals throughout their lives, from birth to death. The shift from an opt-in to an opt-out system raises concerns about data protection and the ethical responsibility to ensure both health and data security. Critics argue that the ePA's security has not been sufficiently addressed, despite promises from authorities. Sicherheitslücken in the ePA have been identified by security researchers, including the Chaos Computer Club, which has exposed significant vulnerabilities. The Gematik, responsible for the ePA's technical infrastructure, has faced criticism for not undergoing mandatory security checks by BfDI and BSI. The lack of these checks has led to disputes over the interpretation of the identified security issues. Political figures like Jens Spahn and Alena Buyx have made controversial statements, with Spahn suggesting that data protection is less important for the sick, and Buyx advocating for proceeding with the ePA despite known risks. The text emphasizes the need for a thorough understanding of security threats and effective countermeasures. It criticizes the Gematik's approach, which seems to rely on hope rather than concrete actions. The complex nature of the ePA system and the political interests it serves are identified as root causes of the security issues. The text also highlights the ethical implications of the opt-out model and the paternalistic approach to data collection, which prioritizes data over individual autonomy. In conclusion, the text argues that the current handling of the ePA by German authorities is inadequate and that a more consequential and independent security assessment is needed. The reliance on hope as a strategy is criticized, and the text calls for a more robust approach to ensuring the security of the ePA, given the high stakes involved in protecting sensitive health data. ------------- **[Verschlüsselung der Nextcloud: Eine grundlegende Entscheidung – Nextcloud Teil 2](https://www.kuketz-blog.de/verschluesselung-der-nextcloud-eine-grundlegende-entscheidung-nextcloud-teil-2/):** This article discusses encryption in Nextcloud, a popular open-source self-hosted file synchronization and collaboration software. It covers three types of encryption: server-side encryption (Server-side Encryption), user-key encryption (User-Key Encryption), and end-to-end encryption (E2EE). The article highlights the benefits and drawbacks of each, emphasizing that the server-side encryption is the most reliable method for protecting files in the cloud. It also recommends using a third-party solution like Cryptomator for added security and control over sensitive data. ------------- **[Die große Messenger-Übersicht – kompakt, kritisch & direkt](https://www.kuketz-blog.de/die-grosse-messenger-uebersicht-kompakt-kritisch-direkt/):** This article provides a comprehensive overview and critical assessment of popular messenger apps, focusing on security, privacy, and usability. It emphasizes that for users who prioritize safety and data protection, Signal and Threema are particularly recommended. The article also highlights other alternatives such as Conversations (XMPP) or Element (Matrix) for tech-savvy users and organizations with high autonomy needs, while pointing out the limitations of widely used messengers like WhatsApp, Telegram, Facebook Messenger, or Viber in terms of privacy and security. ------------- **[Argumentationshilfe für Elternabende: Warum WhatsApp in Kita und Schule keine gute Wahl ist](https://www.kuketz-blog.de/argumentationshilfe-fuer-elternabende-warum-whatsapp-in-kita-und-schule-keine-gute-wahl-ist/):** The article argues against the use of WhatsApp in schools and kindergartens due to privacy concerns, data security risks, and legal issues. It highlights that using alternative communication platforms like Signal or Threema provides better protection for personal data. Additionally, it suggests that parents should be role models for their children by demonstrating responsible digital behavior. ------------- **[Kommentar: Entbürokratisierung ist das neue Zauberwort](https://www.kuketz-blog.de/kommentar-entbuerokratisierung-ist-das-neue-zauberwort/):** The article discusses the political issue of "Entbürokratisierung" (de-bureaucratization) and how it can sometimes be used as a deceptive tool to undermine certain rights and protections, such as those afforded by the Information Freedom Act (IFG). It argues that Entbürokratisierung should be viewed with caution and skepticism since it often disguises attempts to reduce or eliminate civil liberties under the guise of simplification and efficiency. The article also points out how the term is used in political debates, particularly by conservative parties like CDU/CSU, to justify reducing regulations that protect citizens' rights and control over companies. ------------- **[Virginia will use technology to slow chronic speeders’ cars—and other states are rushing to join in](https://www.fastcompany.com/91323835/virginia-will-use-technology-to-slow-chronic-speeders-cars-and-other-states-are-rushing-to-join-in):** The state of Virginia has passed a law requiring the use of Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) technology on cars owned by people with a history of reckless speeding. This technology prevents vehicles from exceeding the speed limit and is being considered in other US states, including Arizona, California, Georgia, Maryland, and New York. ISA can be installed while manufacturing or afterward and uses GPS to identify the speed limit on road segments before deterring drivers from going beyond a predetermined threshold. ------------- **[Here's how to get ChatGPT to stop being an overly flattering yes man](https://old.reddit.com/r/ChatGPT/comments/1k8vomo/heres_how_to_get_chatgpt_to_stop_being_an_overly/):** The article provides a guide on how to get ChatGPT, an AI chatbot, to stop being overly flattering and agreeable. The prompt engineering technique involves crafting specific instructions for the bot so it does not blindly agree with everything but rather provides more balanced and accurate responses. By setting limits and giving clear directions, users can ensure ChatGPT delivers a more reliable and helpful experience. ------------- **[Daten von Google, Microsoft oder Dropbox in die eigene Nextcloud migrieren - blog.admin-intelligence.de](https://blog.admin-intelligence.de/daten-von-google-microsoft-oder-dropbox-in-die-eigene-nextcloud-migrieren/):** The Nextcloud is the perfect tool to have your own secure cloud within your four walls. However, a new problem arises: what do I do with my previous data that I previously parked at Google, Microsoft or Dropbox? For this, there has been the possibility to import data for some time. In the case of Google, this applies to calendar, contacts, photos and files. With some configuration work (which we are happy to take over), you have your data in your own cloud and can disconnect from Google and Co. again. To install apps: - The required app for Google is simply called **Google Integration** and can be downloaded directly from the Nextcloud Appstore (https://apps.nextcloud.com/apps/integration_google). For integration, follow these steps: 1. Go to the settings on the left side and find the new option "Connected Accounts". 2. Configure the integration with the services, in this case Google, by selecting two fields: **Client ID** and the **secret client key**. These values must be defined through the Google API. 3. Open the Google API (https://console.developers.google.com/) and create a web application if you haven't already. 4. Under "APIs & Services", choose an existing project or create a new one, enter a descriptive name, and click on "Create". 5. In the "Credential" section, click on "OAuth Client ID" and then "+ OAuth Client ID". 6. Add a URI for the web application, usually https://[Nextcloud-URL]/index.php/apps/integration_google/oauth-redirect. 7. The API can now be used with Google. 8. In the Nextcloud settings, go to "Data Migration" and select "Connect with Google". 9. Authorize the app to access your data by entering your Google credentials. 10. After granting permissions, you will see a list of files, photos, contacts, and events that can be imported. 11. The connection is now successful. 12. If you also want to import your Google, OneDrive, or Dropbox data, feel free to contact us for an initial inquiry. Contact information can be found on the right side of the page. ------------- **[Vizuara - All about Sinusoidal Positional Encodings ｜ What’s with the weird sin-cos formula？](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bQCQ7VO-TWU) (Video):** In this summary of the YouTube video, Dr. Raj Dhandekar discusses the topic of positional encodings in machine learning models and particularly focuses on sinusoidal and rotary positional encoding. He explains how these types of positional encoding are beneficial for transformer-based models like GPT-2 by providing a continuous spectrum of values that can be easily differentiable, allowing the model to learn better positional patterns. The main idea behind rotary positional encoding is that instead of adding another vector to the token embedding, it involves rotating the query and key vectors based on the relative positions of tokens. This allows for maintaining the magnitude of the individual query or key vectors while encoding the positional information in a differentiable way. ------------- **[**vision** support for Mistral Small 3.1 merged into llama.cpp - r/LocalLLaMA](https://reddit.nerdvpn.de/r/LocalLLaMA/comments/1kcrnev/vision_support_for_mistral_small_31_merged_into/):** The text discusses a challenge presented to users to verify they are not bots, implemented due to the aggressive web scraping activities of AI companies. This challenge requires users to enable JavaScript, as a no-JS solution is still under development. The text references several technologies and initiatives, such as Anubis, Proof-of-Work, Hashcash, and JShelter, which are likely involved in implementing or combating these challenges. The overall message is about the changing landscape of website hosting and the need for measures to protect against automated scraping by AI companies. ------------- **[Here's the source code for the unofficial Signal app used by Trump officials](https://micahflee.com/heres-the-source-code-for-the-unofficial-signal-app-used-by-trump-officials/):** The text discusses the discovery and analysis of the source code for an unofficial Signal app, TM SGNL, used by high-ranking officials in Trump's government. The author, Micah Lee, received the Android source code from multiple sources and found public links to both Android and iOS versions on a website. The code is licensed under GPLv3, allowing anyone to access, analyze, modify, and share it, as long as derivatives are also open-sourced under the same license. Lee published mirrors of the source code on GitHub to facilitate access. The Android version includes a full Git history, revealing contributor details and a private GitLab server origin. Unfortunately, the iOS version lacks this history. The source code contains hardcoded credentials and other vulnerabilities, raising concerns about the security of communications, especially given the sensitive nature of the discussions involving classified information and potential war crimes. Lee has been analyzing the Android code and plans to share more findings soon. The text highlights the significance of this discovery in the context of the powerful officials using this app and the potential implications for security and transparency. ------------- **[Orders of infinity](https://terrytao.wordpress.com/2025/05/04/orders-of-infinity/):** The text discusses the concept of "orders of infinity" in analysis, which describes how quantities grow or decay relative to a parameter, such as N. Traditionally, this was termed "orders of infinity," but the term has fallen out of use. Modern analysis prefers asymptotic notation, which uses filters to describe "sufficiently large" parameters and defines relationships like X = O(Y), X = o(Y), and X ≈ Y to compare the growth rates of quantities X and Y. The text then introduces nonstandard analysis, an alternative approach to analysis that uses ultrafilters to manage quantifiers more invisibly, making the subject more algebraic. In this framework, orders of infinity acquire the structure of a totally ordered vector space with a completeness property reminiscent of the real numbers. This allows for algebraic manipulation of asymptotic notions and can simplify symbolic computations. The text concludes by exploring the algebraic and topological properties of nonstandard orders of infinity, including their completeness and the structure of certain subspaces. It notes that while nonstandard orders of infinity are not metrizable or separable, they obey a form of completeness analogous to metric completeness. ------------- **[The latest AI scaling graph - and why it hardly makes sense](https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/the-latest-ai-scaling-graph-and-why):** The text discusses the hype surrounding a graph that supposedly shows the rapid improvement of AI in handling software-related tasks. The graph, initially published by METR, a non-profit research lab, gained significant attention on social media and mainstream outlets. However, the authors of the text argue that the graph is flawed and misleading. They point out that the graph's y-axis, which measures the difficulty of tasks based on the time it takes a human expert to solve them, is arbitrary and not a meaningful indicator of AI's capabilities. The graph's creators measured AI performance by the time it takes for it to solve tasks that humans take a certain amount of time to solve, but this method is criticized for being overly simplistic and not accounting for the many factors that affect human performance. Moreover, the authors argue that the graph's focus on software tasks does not generalize to other domains, and that the social media posts amplifying the graph's findings misinterpret and overstate its implications. They caution against using the graph to make predictions about AI's future capabilities, as it has led to unfounded claims about AI's rapid progress. While acknowledging the potential value of METR's datasets and some of their qualitative discussions, the authors conclude that the graph's viral spread is a sign of people believing what they want to about AI, rather than critically evaluating the evidence. ------------- **[Brian Eno's Theory of Democracy](https://www.programmablemutter.com/p/brian-enos-theory-of-democracy):** **Text Summary:** The text discusses the relationship between Brian Eno's ideas on generating variety in the arts and the dynamics of democracy, contrasting it with Adam Przeworski's game theory-based approach to democratic stability. The author argues that Eno's model, which focuses on adaptive and dynamic systems, is better suited to understand current democratic challenges, such as polarization. Przeworski's theory posits that democracy is stable when parties accept election losses due to self-interest and future uncertainty. This approach, while elegant, struggles to explain the recent instability in democracies like the U.S. The author suggests that Eno's ideas, which emphasize the generation of variety and adaptation, offer a more nuanced way to think about democratic dynamics. Key Takeaways: 1. **Przeworski's Theory**: Democracy is stable when parties accept election losses due to self-interest and future uncertainty. This is a self-enforcing equilibrium. 2. **Limitations**: This theory struggles to explain recent democratic instability and polarization. 3. **Eno's Model**: Emphasizes dynamic, adaptive systems that generate variety and respond to changes. 4. **Application to Democracy**: Eno's approach can help understand how democracies can remain stable while adapting to internal and external changes. 5. **Need for Variety**: Democracies should foster variety in perspectives to discover solutions to complex problems, but this must be balanced with stability. 6. **Polarization**: Polarization threatens democratic stability by simplifying information and reducing variety. ------------- **[How to Fix a Bed Frame](https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-fix-bed-frame/):** The text discusses common problems with bed frames and provides solutions based on expert advice and personal experience. The author, who leads the WIRED Reviews team coverage of bed frames, highlights that a well-maintained bed frame is crucial for good sleep hygiene, as it affects overall sleep quality. The text covers various issues such as sheet and mattress problems, noisy and wobbly bed frames, structural issues, damage to floors and walls, and storage solutions. For sheet and mattress problems, experts suggest using nonslip mats or sheet straps to prevent sliding. To address noisy and wobbly bed frames, solutions include using felt washers, beeswax, or plumber's tape to reduce noise and stabilize the frame. Structural issues like center support failures and slat displacement can be solved with platform beds or locking slat systems. To prevent damage to floors and walls, rubber gripper furniture cups and wall bumpers are recommended. Additionally, the text suggests bed frames with storage options for small rooms. The overall message is that with some maintenance and the right solutions, many bed frame problems can be fixed without the need for a new frame. However, if the frame is severely damaged or weak, it might be time to replace it. The text emphasizes the importance of a good bed frame for better sleep and provides practical advice for common issues. ------------- **[In his first 100 days, Trump launched an “all-out assault” on the environment](https://arstechnica.com/science/2025/05/in-his-first-100-days-trump-launched-an-all-out-assault-on-the-environment/):** Environmental lawyers and advocates are expressing deep concern about the U.S. administration's isolationist tendencies and the perceived rollback of scientific research capacity, particularly in the realms of climate action and conservation. They argue that these issues are global in nature and have significant domestic implications, making isolationism a strategic error. The current administration's climate and energy policies are seen as a missed chance for the U.S. to lead in the green economy and maintain its political influence on global climate initiatives. The administration's first 100 days are viewed as uncertain, with its success or failure hinging on the judicial response to perceived challenges to the rule of law and administrative norms. There is an expectation of significant disruption and chaos in the coming years, but there is optimism that the administration's environmental policies lack broad public support. Many of the administration's orders are seen as symbolic rather than substantive, and legal challenges are expected to mitigate their impact. Environmental organizations are preparing to contest these actions vigorously, determined not to be overwhelmed by the administration's tactics. ------------- **[Creating Bluey: Tales from the Art Director - Chapter 3](https://substack.com/home/post/p-160238071):** The text appears to be a reference to a chapter titled "Creating Bluey: Tales from the Art Director - Chapter 3." It mentions that the site requires JavaScript to function properly and provides a suggestion to enable JavaScript or unblock scripts. However, without the actual content of Chapter 3, it's impossible to provide a summary of the material. If you can provide the content of the chapter, I would be happy to summarize it for you. ------------- **[pipask: Know What You're Installing Before It's Too Late](https://github.com/feynmanix/pipask):** Pipask is a secure alternative to pip, the standard Python package installer. It performs security checks before installing packages, using metadata from PyPI to avoid unnecessary code execution. Pipask checks include repository popularity, package age, known vulnerabilities, download numbers, and metadata verification. It only installs packages after gaining user consent. Pipask can be installed via pipx for isolated dependencies or directly via pip. It can be used just like pip, and users can set an alias to use pipask instead of pip. The tool provides a dry-run option to check packages without installing them and collects security information from various sources. ------------- **[Part 1: How We Fell Out of Love with Next.js and Back in Love with Ruby on Rails & Inertia.js - Hardcover Blog](https://hardcover.app/blog/part-1-how-we-fell-out-of-love-with-next-js-and-back-in-love-with-ruby-on-rails-inertia-js):** Hardcover, a company that initially used Next.js for their codebase, decided to migrate to Ruby on Rails with Inertia.js due to several challenges they faced with Next.js. The primary reasons for the migration included unclear caching mechanisms, unpredictable and growing bills due to serverless architecture, slow development speeds, and the desire to switch to direct database connections for fetching data. The migration process involved switching to Ruby on Rails for the backend and using Inertia.js to integrate React.js for the frontend, which allowed for server-side rendering (SSR) and improved performance. The new architecture with Ruby on Rails and Inertia.js has significantly improved page load times and reduced total blocking time, leading to better Google Pagespeed scores. This has resulted in increased visibility on Google and a more stable and enjoyable user experience. The company is now focusing on fixing bugs, optimizing slow pages, and increasing marketing efforts to attract more readers. Hardcover's migration to Ruby on Rails and Inertia.js has been successful in addressing the issues they faced with Next.js, leading to improved performance, cost efficiency, and a better user experience. The company is now looking forward to continued growth and community involvement. ------------- **[Spain-Portugal blackouts: what actually happened, and what can Iberia and Europe learn from it?](https://theconversation.com/spain-portugal-blackouts-what-actually-happened-and-what-can-iberia-and-europe-learn-from-it-255666):** On April 28, 2025, Spain's electricity system experienced a sudden and unexplained blackout, despite initially normal conditions and a high reliance on renewable energy sources, particularly solar power. The blackout was likely due to a technical failure in the Iberian electricity grid, rather than a cyber-attack. The problem seemed to stem from fluctuations in the grid and a sharp decrease in solar power generation, coupled with a lack of stable base-load power from nuclear and other sources. This led to an imbalance between supply and demand, causing the grid to collapse. The event highlighted issues in grid management, the integration of solar facilities, and the need for a more stable and synchronized grid, especially given Spain's political push towards 100% renewables and the phasing out of nuclear power. The author suggests that energy decisions should be based on independent technical support and that the European Union needs a coordinated energy policy to handle such outages effectively. ------------- **[You Sent the Message. But Did You Write It?](https://davidduncan.substack.com/p/you-sent-the-message-but-did-you):** The text discusses the evolving landscape of communication in the age of AI, highlighting how AI tools are altering the way we interact and express ourselves. The author notes a growing sense of disconnect, where it's becoming increasingly difficult to discern who wrote a message and whether they genuinely meant it. To help navigate this new terrain, the author introduces ten terms that describe various AI-influenced communication behaviors: - *Chatjacked* refers to when a simple conversation is overtaken by overly formal AI language. - *Praste* is copying AI output verbatim without any personal touch. - *Prompt Pong* is when someone responds to an AI-written message by sending their own AI-generated reply. - *AI’m a Writer Now* describes non-writers suddenly becoming prolific due to AI assistance. - *Promptosis* is the over-reliance on AI for thinking and idea generation. - *Subpromptual Analysis* is trying to decipher the AI prompt behind a message. - *GPTMI* is an AI message that's overly personal and slightly creepy. - *Chatcident* happens when someone accidentally pastes the AI prompt into a chat. - *GPTune* is when AI smooths out language, making it less authentic. - *Syntherity* is AI-generated emotional language that feels insincere. These terms illustrate the challenges and nuances of AI-assisted communication, where messages may be polished but lack authenticity and clear intent. The author encourages reflection on these behaviors to better understand and navigate this new phase of communication. ------------- **[When Flat Rate Movers Won't Answer Your Calls](https://aphyr.com/posts/381-when-flat-rate-movers-wont-answer-your-calls):** The author recounts a frustrating experience with Flat Rate Movers, who they hired for an interstate move in 2023. Despite paying over $14,000 for a comprehensive moving service, including insurance, the move was botched by a subcontracted team who were unprepared and caused significant damage to the author's belongings and home. Flat Rate Movers failed to address the issues, refusing calls and emails, and not honoring their insurance policy. The author eventually discovered that movers' insurance is backed by separate companies and managed to get compensation by contacting the backing insurer, Hanover Insurance Company, directly. The author highlights the importance of knowing that movers are not insurance companies themselves and provides guidance on finding a mover's insurance information through the FMCSA database. The experience left the author dissatisfied and considering legal action. ------------- **[Why do econ journalists keep making this basic mistake?](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43882211):** The discussion revolves around the calculation of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) and the impact of imports, particularly focusing on an article by Noah Smith. The key points are as follows: 1. **GDP Calculation**: GDP is calculated as the sum of consumption, investment, government purchases, and net exports (GDP = C + I + G + (X − M)). Imports (M) are subtracted from exports (X) to get net exports. 2. **Impact of Imports**: The author argues that when an American buys an imported TV, the increase in consumption is offset by a decrease in net exports, making the net contribution to GDP zero. However, this oversimplifies the actual economic activity, as the retail process involves domestic salaries, rent, and other expenses that do contribute to GDP. 3. **Economic Activity**: The purchase of imported goods involves domestic economic activity, such as retail markups, salaries, and rent, which increase GDP. Similarly, exports of goods designed in the U.S. but manufactured abroad contribute to GDP through profits and related economic activities. 4. **Criticism and Clarification**: Some commentators question the accuracy of the author's explanation, noting that imports do subtract from GDP as per official calculations. The author clarifies that imports are not double-counted but rather adjusted to avoid double-counting. 5. **Tariff Scenario**: The discussion also touches on how imports can affect GDP, especially in the context of tariffs. Imports that occur before tariffs are implemented can initially subtract from GDP but may later contribute to GDP when consumed. 6. **Misinterpretation of Data**: Some commentators suggest that the official data and explanations from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) might be misleading or deceiving, implying that increases in imports are not the sole reason for GDP decreases. In summary, the debate centers on the nuanced understanding of how imports and related economic activities affect GDP calculations. The author argues for a more comprehensive view that includes domestic economic activities, while critics highlight the standard methodology that treats imports as a subtraction from GDP. The discussion also touches on the potential misinterpretation of economic data and its implications. ------------- **[Why do econ journalists keep making this basic mistake?](https://www.noahpinion.blog/p/why-do-econ-journalists-keep-making):** The text discusses a common misconception among economics journalists who report that imports subtract from a country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP). The author argues that this is incorrect and that imports do not affect GDP because GDP measures only the goods and services produced within a country's borders. The misunderstanding arises from the formula used to calculate GDP, which includes net exports (exports minus imports). Journalists often misinterpret this to mean that imports directly subtract from GDP. The author highlights several examples from prominent news outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Bloomberg, CNBC, and The Washington Post, all of which incorrectly reported that imports subtracted from GDP during a specific quarter. The confusion is exacerbated by government reports that sometimes perpetuate this misconception. The author explains that when a country imports goods, the increase in consumption or investment due to those imports exactly offsets the decrease in net exports, resulting in a net zero impact on GDP. For instance, if an American buys a TV made in China, the increase in consumption is balanced by the decrease in net exports, leaving no net change in GDP. The misconception has significant policy implications. The author suggests that this error has influenced economic policy, particularly under the Trump administration, where tariffs were imposed based on the faulty belief that imports harm the economy. The author urges economics journalists to avoid this mistake and to instead focus on more accurate explanations for the relationship between imports and GDP, such as measurement errors, behavioral changes in companies, and the forecasting picture. In summary, the text emphasizes the importance of accurate reporting in economics journalism and the need to correct the misconception that imports subtract from GDP, as this error can have serious consequences for economic policy and public understanding. ------------- **[🔍 Why I stopped angel investing after 15 years (and what I'm doing instead)](https://halletecco.substack.com/p/why-i-stopped-angel-investing-after):** The text is a personal account by Halle Tecco, who has taken a break from angel investing after 15 years and 54 investments. She reflects on her motivations for starting angel investing, which included enjoying working with founders, learning about innovation, and financial gains. However, she found that the demands of angel investing, such as the time required and the emotional toll, outweighed the benefits. The diversification necessary for managing risk led to shallow interactions with companies, and the learning opportunities were not as significant as she had hoped. Additionally, the financial returns did not justify the risks and time horizon involved. Instead of angel investing, Tecco is now focusing on deeper relationships with founders through board positions, learning through teaching and podcasting, and deploying professional capital through VC funds. She also briefly discusses her interview with Mario Schlosser, co-founder of Oscar Health, and mentions Cofertility, a company she helped start and serves as Board Chair. The key takeaways are that Tecco's experience with angel investing led her to reevaluate her priorities, and she has shifted her approach to focus on more meaningful and less time-consuming activities. She also highlights the challenges and risks associated with angel investing, particularly the long time horizon for liquidity and the potential for significant dilution of ownership. Her new focus aligns better with her original goals of learning and working closely with founders. ------------- **[Bethesda Thinks Skyblivion Is 'Special' And Fully Supports It](https://kotaku.com/bethesda-oblivion-remastered-skyblivion-mod-support-1851778773):** The text discusses the recent release of a remastered version of the 2006 open-world RPG *The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion* by Bethesda, which sparked concerns about a long-in-development fan mod called *Skyblivion*. However, Bethesda has shown excitement and support for *Skyblivion*, which aims to recreate *Oblivion* using the *Skyrim* engine. Bethesda even included gameplay footage of *Skyblivion* in a developer spotlight video and expressed enthusiasm for the fan mod. The team behind *Skyblivion* reciprocated the excitement, highlighting a positive relationship between Bethesda and the modding community. This support from Bethesda stands in contrast to other publishers like Nintendo and Take-Two, who have been more restrictive with fan mods. The overall message is one of mutual appreciation and collaboration between Bethesda and the *Skyblivion* modders, making it a great year for *Oblivion* fans. ------------- **[Where Do Scientists Think This Is All Going?](https://www.quantamagazine.org/where-do-scientists-think-this-is-all-going-20250430/):** The text discusses the profound impact of artificial intelligence (AI) on various scientific disciplines, as reported by Quanta Magazine. During their series on AI's influence on science and math, Quanta interviewed nearly 100 experts from diverse fields such as computer science, biology, physics, and mathematics. Many of these experts noted significant changes in their professional lives due to AI, including shifts in their research methods, collaborations, and the types of questions they explore. The article highlights that AI's rapid development and integration have disrupted traditional scientific practices, pushing researchers to adapt and innovate. At the end of each interview, the experts were asked to predict the future of AI over the next five to ten years, acknowledging the challenges in forecasting such a rapidly evolving field. Despite the difficulties, the insights from these experts provide valuable perspectives on the potential trajectories of AI's influence on science. ------------- **[Understanding transaction visibility in PostgreSQL clusters with read replicas | Amazon Web Services](https://aws.amazon.com/blogs/database/understanding-transaction-visibility-in-postgresql-clusters-with-read-replicas/):** Jepsen published a report on April 29, 2025, highlighting an issue with transaction visibility behavior in Amazon RDS for PostgreSQL Multi-AZ clusters. AWS acknowledges this issue, which has been known within the PostgreSQL community since 2013 and does not cause data loss or corruption. The problem lies in the order that transactions become visible differing between the primary and replicas in cluster configurations, known as a "Long Fork" anomaly. This anomaly can lead to different observations of transaction effects between queries on the primary and replicas, violating Snapshot Isolation. The behavior is due to the visibility order of transactions not always matching their logged commit order, caused by the way PostgreSQL handles transaction snapshots and commit processing. AWS explains that this issue primarily affects architectures involving read replicas, distributed systems, query routing, data synchronization, point-in-time restore, storage layout optimization, and CPU utilization. They are committed to addressing this anomaly and have already been working with the community on a fix. In the meantime, AWS recommends reviewing application assumptions about transaction ordering and considering explicit synchronization mechanisms if strict ordering is required. AWS emphasizes their commitment to PostgreSQL's success, actively contributing to the core engine and participating in community development efforts. They maintain rigorous systems correctness practices and will continue collaborating with the community to resolve the Snapshot Isolation anomaly. The post encourages users to reach out to AWS Support with specific concerns and assures ongoing transparency and engagement with the PostgreSQL community. ------------- **[The chaos of Trump’s first 100 days](https://www.theverge.com/decoder-podcast-with-nilay-patel/658841/trump-100-days-musk-doge-kosa-tiktok-carr-fcc-tariffs-trade):** The text discusses a podcast episode from The Verge that reviews the first 100 days of Donald Trump's second presidential term. The episode focuses on several key issues and themes that have emerged during this period. One of the major points is the impact of Trump's tariff policies on the global economy, which has caused significant unpredictability in business operations due to unclear tariff rates. Another key topic is the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) under Brendan Carr, which is criticized for its handling of First Amendment issues. The podcast also touches on issues that did not materialize as expected, such as the Kids Online Safety Act (KOSA) and the TikTok ban, both of which were anticipated but ultimately did not progress as anticipated. Additionally, the role of Elon Musk's DOGE project in disrupting federal government operations is highlighted, raising concerns about potential surveillance state developments. The discussion underscores the overwhelming amount of changes and issues occurring in such a short period, making it challenging to keep up with all the developments. The podcast aims to provide a comprehensive overview of these changes and their implications, acknowledging that many other significant issues, such as immigration, science, climate, research, and public health, were not thoroughly covered due to time constraints. The episode emphasizes the scale and complexity of the problems faced during Trump's first 100 days in office, setting the stage for continued monitoring and analysis. ------------- **[How to lock down your privacy in WhatsApp](https://www.theverge.com/how-to/659790/whatsapp-privacy-how-to):** The article discusses how to enhance the privacy and security of WhatsApp, which is already secured by default with end-to-end encryption. Key takeaways include the following: Additional precautions can further protect your conversations. You can prevent contacts from exporting your chats, lock and hide specific chats, and secure WhatsApp with biometric locks. Additionally, it is crucial to ensure that backups are encrypted, enable two-factor authentication, and use disappearing messages to automatically delete chats after a set time. These steps collectively ensure that your WhatsApp communications remain private and secure. ------------- **[The Chromium Security Paradox: Advanced Yet Vulnerable](https://www.island.io/blog/the-chromium-security-paradox):** The text discusses the security challenges faced by the Chromium browser, highlighting its robust defenses against remote threats but noting significant vulnerabilities when it comes to local access attacks. Chromium's threat model focuses on protecting users from malicious web content, employing technologies like HTTPS, site isolation, and process sandboxing. However, this model does not address local access scenarios, where malware executed on a user's machine can directly extract sensitive browser data. This oversight leaves users vulnerable to info-stealing malware, which has become increasingly prevalent. Key points include the alarming statistics on info-stealing malware infections and the frequency of breaches initiated by stolen credentials. The text delves into specific vulnerabilities exposed through Chromium's Issue Tracker, such as the insecure storage of sensitive data and the persistent problem of forcefully installed extensions. Despite Chromium's advancements, like the introduction of "App Bound Encryption," these vulnerabilities remain exploitable. The article concludes by emphasizing the need for enterprise solutions that build on Chromium's foundation but add layers of security tailored to organizational needs. This approach is necessary to protect against the broader range of threats faced by enterprises, ensuring a more secure browsing environment. ------------- **[The Cannae Problem](https://www.joanwestenberg.com/the-cannae-problem/):** The text discusses the "Cannae Problem," a historical and contemporary phenomenon where an organization's conventional wisdom and past successes lead to catastrophic failure. It uses the Battle of Cannae in 216 BCE, where the Roman army suffered a devastating defeat by Hannibal, as a prime example. The Romans' rigid adherence to their tried-and-true military system blinded them to Hannibal's innovative tactics, resulting in a crippling loss. The text explores how this problem is not confined to ancient warfare but is prevalent in modern institutions as well. It highlights several examples, such as Kodak's failure to adapt to digital photography, Blockbuster's inability to compete with Netflix, and Nokia's downfall in the smartphone market. In each case, these companies' past successes created blind spots that prevented them from recognizing and adapting to disruptive changes. The core issue is that organizations become so entrenched in their successful methods that they fail to see when those methods are no longer effective. This cognitive bias, reinforced by past successes, leads to overconfidence and an inability to adapt to new challenges. The text suggests that to avoid the Cannae Problem, organizations should implement red teams, study near-misses, reward productive dissent, develop multiple mental models, and practice temporal displacement. It emphasizes the need for a willingness to challenge conventional wisdom and adapt to new realities, even if it feels counterintuitive. In conclusion, the Cannae Problem underscores the importance of adaptability and continuous learning. Organizations must recognize that what worked in the past may not work in the future and must be prepared to change their mental models to stay relevant. The text cautions against blaming individuals for systemic failures and encourages a broader understanding of the factors that lead to organizational downfall. ------------- **["Fewer Users" Warning Hurting Specialized and New Apps - Need Answers](https://support.google.com/googleplay/android-developer/thread/330114530/fewer-users-warning-hurting-specialized-and-new-apps-need-answers?hl=en):** The text appears to be a snippet from the Google Play Console Help Center, where developers can find support and information related to publishing and managing apps on the Google Play Store. The content includes links to various resources, such as the main Help Center, announcements, and the Play Console itself. The text does not contain detailed information or specific issues discussed, but it provides a framework for where developers can seek help and updates regarding their apps on the Google Play Store. The presence of timestamps and boolean values suggests that this is part of a broader technical support interface, likely containing dynamic content that changes based on user interactions or updates from Google. ------------- **[The un-celebrity president: Jimmy Carter shuns riches, lives modestly in his Georgia hometown](https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/national/wp/2018/08/17/feature/the-un-celebrity-president-jimmy-carter-shuns-riches-lives-modestly-in-his-georgia-hometown/):** The article from The Washington Post tells the story of Jimmy Carter, the 39th President of the United States, who chose a modest life in his hometown of Plains, Georgia after his presidency, unlike his successors who embraced wealth. Carter and his wife Rosalynn, both in their early 90s, live simply, shunning riches and luxurious lifestyles, they even prefer walking home from dinner in their quiet town. Carter, a Democrat, is known for his humble lifestyle, refusing to capitalize financially on his presidency. He has written 33 books to support his income and lives comfortably with his presidential pension. In Plains, he is remembered as an unpretentious and frugal person, and his lifestyle is a stark contrast to the opulence of modern presidents. Carter is content with his simple life and is proud of his presidency's achievements, such as brokering peace between Israel and Egypt and his work on human rights. Although he is notably quiet about President Trump, he does not hold back when asked, saying that he thinks Trump is a disaster for human rights and truthfulness. Carter is a man of strong values, ethics, and a commitment to service, which he continues to uphold in his life after the White House, teaching Sunday school and working with Habitat for Humanity. He and Rosalynn are happy and content in their modest home, surrounded by the community they love. ------------- **[Just a moment...](https://medicalxpress.com/news/2025-04-waistlines-middle-age-aging-stem.html):** The text appears to be a message from a system asking the user to verify their humanity by pressing and holding a button until it turns green. This request is described as unusual, suggesting it might be a security measure to prevent automated access. If the user believes this action is an error, they are instructed to contact the support team. The text ends with a series of codes which are likely for identification purposes. The overall message is a request for human verification with instructions on what to do if the user believes it is incorrect. ------------- **[Your language brain matters more for learning programming than your math brain](https://massivesci.com/articles/programming-math-language-python-women-in-science/):** The text discusses a study from the University of Washington that explores the similarities between learning a new language and learning to code in Python. The study found that language ability and problem-solving skills are strong predictors of how quickly and well people learn Python, while math skills have little influence. This challenges the common perception that programming is a math-intensive field. The researchers used behavioral tests, brain activity measurements, and an online coding course to track participants' learning progress. They discovered that language aptitude, along with general cognitive abilities like problem-solving and working memory, significantly impacts coding proficiency. Notably, high levels of beta oscillations in the brain, linked to second language learning, were also associated with faster coding learning. This finding suggests that individuals with strong language skills, including many women, might excel in programming. The text argues that these insights could help diversify the field of computer science by making programming education more accessible and less focused on advanced math requirements. It concludes that questioning traditional prerequisites for learning programming could open up the field to a broader range of people who may excel in coding despite not being "math people." ------------- **[Demo Driven Development: Show, Don't Just Tell](https://shubhanshu.com/blog/demo-driven-development.html#demo-driven-development):** The text discusses the concept of **Demo Driven Development** (DDD) as an alternative to traditional, documentation-heavy approaches in software development. In fast-paced and uncertain environments, creating tangible demos instead of lengthy documents like Product Requirements Documents (PRDs) or Requests for Comments (RFCs) can be more effective. Demos provide a tangible interface for stakeholders to interact with, making abstract ideas concrete and allowing for immediate feedback. They are not the final product but serve to demonstrate key concepts and gather insights. To embrace DDD, teams should empower demo creation, simplify demo access, integrate demos into the workflow, focus feedback on core concepts, and invest in prototyping tools. However, documentation still plays a crucial role in defining the intricacies of a production setup and securing buy-in for full product development. In conclusion, DDD offers a powerful way to navigate uncertainty, gather diverse perspectives, and build products that resonate with users by prioritizing tangible experiences and rapid feedback loops. ------------- **[Git-Droid](https://github.com/TechnicJelle/GitDroid):** The text describes an app store concept where apps uploaded to GitHub releases are made accessible. It includes a visual demonstration via a GIF, but the summary is that users can access and install apps directly from GitHub releases, streamlining the process of discovering and utilizing software hosted on the platform. ------------- **[Accountability Sinks | Hacker News](https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43877301):** The text is a collection of comments from various users discussing different topics, with a central theme of accountability and systems that fail to hold individuals responsible for their actions. The discussion starts with a user sharing their strategy for dealing with the Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), highlighting the frustration and inefficiency often encountered in bureaucratic systems. Another user, bflesch, critiques an author's lack of self-reflection on accountability, given his background at Google and his philosophical lectures on the topic. This sparks a debate about ego and the author's qualifications. Other users share personal anecdotes and experiences related to accountability, such as dealing with airline bureaucracy, overland travel, and hitchhiking. These stories illustrate the challenges and lessons learned from navigating complex systems and the importance of preparedness and resilience. The discussion also touches on historical and contemporary examples of accountability failures, including the Holocaust and current conflicts. Users debate the public's awareness and complicity in such atrocities and the importance of breaking accountability sinks to prevent similar events. Additionally, there are mentions of specific books and articles that explore the concept of accountability sinks, such as Dan Davies' work and Cathy O'Neil's "Weapons of Math Destruction." The conversation also delves into the role of incentives in driving behavior within systems and the need for individuals to hold themselves accountable. Overall, the text underscores the complexities and challenges of accountability in various systems, from bureaucratic institutions to historical events, and the importance of individual responsibility and resilience in navigating these systems. ------------- **[Accountability Sinks](https://250bpm.substack.com/p/accountability-sinks):** The text discusses the concept of "accountability sinks" in institutional design, which refers to situations where decisions are made by formal processes rather than human judgment, leading to a lack of accountability. This phenomenon is illustrated through various examples, such as the mass destruction of squirrels at an airport due to bureaucratic procedures, the impersonal treatment of customers by airlines, and the bureaucratic processes that facilitated the Holocaust. The author, Dan Davies, argues that formal processes, while often beneficial for efficiency and safety, can also serve as a way to avoid responsibility. This lack of accountability can lead to frustration and a sense of powerlessness among individuals interacting with these systems. The text explores the implications of accountability sinks in various contexts, from large organizations to small personal interactions, and even in historical events like the Holocaust. The author also highlights that there are instances where limiting accountability can be beneficial, such as in academic tenure, successful research institutions, and venture capital funding. In these cases, reduced accountability allows for greater freedom and innovation. The text concludes by noting that while formal processes are essential for modern society, they can also lead to rigidity and cover-ups if not designed carefully. The key is to create processes that shield individuals from accountability without imposing rigid solutions, ensuring that accountability is managed effectively. ------------- **[Connomore64](https://github.com/c1570/Connomore64):** The text discusses a proof-of-concept project called Connomore64, which is a real-time, cycle-exact emulation of the Commodore 64 (C64) home computer. This emulation is achieved using multiple interconnected RP2040/RP2350 microcontrollers, which are relatively inexpensive. The project aims to replicate the original hardware's behavior accurately, including interfacing with original C64 peripherals like the C1541 floppy drive and various expansion port devices. It also serves as an example of running compute-intensive software on low-powered microcontrollers and as a framework for testing and debugging projects involving multiple RP2040/RP2350s. The project began as a holiday experiment to port an existing C64 emulator to a 400MHz ARM platform. However, it quickly became apparent that a single 400MHz core was insufficient for accurate emulation. Existing emulators on the RP2040 and PC-based platforms were found to have limitations in terms of accuracy and compatibility with real-time hardware. FPGA-based emulators, while accurate, were deemed too expensive and complex for this project. The development involved extending the rp2040js emulator project to support RP2350 and include cycle-exact timing for PIOs. The C64 emulation code was optimized for speed, with significant improvements in VIC-II graphics rendering and CIA emulation. Video output is handled by the PicoDVI library, and audio output by a port of the SIDKick pico firmware. The project has evolved through different prototypes, including a custom PCB that fits into the original C64 case and an early prototype using stacked RP2040 boards. The latest prototype supports most original C64 connectors and is designed for easy firmware handling. The project is compatible with a wide range of games and demos but still lacks full expansion port support and firmware for some hardware features. The goal is to eventually release the project as open-source code. ------------- **[15 Git Commands That Cover 90% of a Developer’s Daily Workflow](https://jsdev.space/15-git-commands/):** The text is a guide to the most practical Git commands for day-to-day development, aimed at those new to Git or who use it occasionally. It covers 15 essential commands, each with a brief explanation and examples of usage. The commands range from initializing a new repository with `git init` to managing remote repositories with `git remote`. Key commands include `git clone` for copying a remote repository, `git status` for checking the current state of the working directory, `git add` for staging changes, and `git commit` for saving changes with a message. `git diff` helps preview changes, while `git log` displays the commit history. Other important commands include `git reset` for undoing changes, `git checkout` for switching branches, `git branch` for managing branches, `git merge` for combining changes from different branches, `git pull` for downloading and merging remote changes, `git push` for uploading local commits, `git stash` for temporarily saving changes, and `git remote` for managing remote repositories. The guide emphasizes the importance of using `git status` and `git log` frequently, not being afraid to use branches and stashes, and always writing meaningful commit messages. By learning these 15 commands, developers gain a strong foundation for working with Git in most real-world scenarios.