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Automated summaries of top Hacker News stories written by a large language model.
The Amiga as a computer built to last 50 years
The web content discusses the idea of a "computer built to last 50 years" and focuses on the Amiga 1200 as a potential candidate. The author highlights the sustainability, durability, and repairability of the Amiga 1200, emphasizing its ability to still function after decades of use. They also mention the modularity of the Amiga 1200, with various expansions and peripherals available. The author acknowledges that the Amiga is not an open platform, but expresses trust in its closed-source software. Overall, the content presents the Amiga 1200 as a viable option for a long-lasting computer. (Summary based on 85% of story text.)
BeOS, the PC operating system that tried to challenge Windows and Mac
BeOS was an operating system that aimed to challenge Windows and Mac in the PC market. Created by former Apple executives Jean-Louis Gassée and Steve Sakoman, BeOS was designed to run media and internet applications better than other operating systems. It was known for its ability to run multi-threading applications on multi-processor PCs and its quick boot-up time of just 10 seconds. Despite its unique features, Be Incorporated, the company behind BeOS, failed to sell the company and the operating system to Apple. BeOS later faced legal issues with Microsoft, claiming that the tech giant used illegal acts to prevent BeOS from being used by major PC makers. The case was settled with Microsoft paying $23.3 million to Be Incorporated. Today, an open-source OS called Haiku continues to update its software based on BeOS technologies.
Show HN: Boardzilla, a framework for making web-based board games
about Boardzilla, a framework for making web-based board games, at www.boardzilla.io. With Boardzilla, you can create and play board games directly in your browser. The framework simplifies the process of expressing game rules and offers players a user-friendly interface to make their choices. Whether you're a game developer or a board game enthusiast, Boardzilla provides a convenient platform to bring your ideas to life and enjoy playing with others online. Check out Boardzilla.io to explore this innovative framework for web-based board games.
The company that sells your lost airplane luggage
The article discusses the secondary market for lost luggage and focuses on a company called Unclaimed Baggage, which is the nation's only retailer of lost luggage. The company purchases unclaimed bags from airlines and sells the items inside. The article explores the ethics of reselling travelers' intimate items and delves into the history of Unclaimed Baggage, which started as a small side hustle and has now become a massive operation. The company's 40,000-square-foot warehouse holds thousands of lost treasures, including rare instruments and monogrammed engagement rings. The article also highlights some of the unusual and valuable items that have been found in lost luggage. (Summary based on 98% of story text.)
FAA gave secret code words to students in the Black Caucus of FAA Employees
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has come under fire for allegedly giving secret code words to students in the Black Caucus of FAA Employees. This controversial move has raised concerns about favoritism and discrimination within the organization. The code words were reportedly used to grant special privileges and access to certain resources. This revelation has sparked outrage among many who believe that such practices undermine the principles of fairness and equality. The FAA has yet to respond to these allegations, leaving many unanswered questions about the extent of this secret arrangement.
Darknetlive Sold to Incognito Market
In November 2022, the darknet drug marketplace Incognito purchased the news site Darknetlive, which has since been used to suppress criticism and manipulate public perception. This acquisition is concerning for Tor journalism, as it mirrors the history of DeepDotWeb, which was seized and censored by the government. Darknetlive was a valuable source of unbiased news for Tor users, providing warnings about scam sites and suspicious activities. However, since the acquisition, no warnings have been published about Incognito Market's issues. The lack of coverage on darknet topics by mainstream media leaves Tor users vulnerable to misinformation and invasive surveillance. The centralization of the darknet by Incognito's admin, Pharoah, increases the risk of government takedowns. Darknetlive.com is expected to disappear, erasing years of contributions to Tor safety.
Someone in China is watching queer Fediverse users
In a shocking revelation, it has been discovered that someone in China is monitoring queer users on the Fediverse, a decentralized social network. This discovery raises serious concerns about privacy and surveillance, especially for marginalized communities. The fact that this monitoring is happening in China, a country known for its strict censorship and control over the internet, adds another layer of controversy. It is important for users to be aware of these surveillance practices and take necessary precautions to protect their privacy online.
An artists interpretation of the creatures of Dwarf Fortress
This web content is a discussion and artist's interpretation of the creatures in the game Dwarf Fortress. The author mentions playing the game in the past and offers some ideas for making it more accessible, such as using more effective glyphs and restructuring the user interface. They also discuss their preference for using a mouse over a keyboard and suggest a quickstart world to help new players get started. The author also briefly mentions their own attempt at creating a clone of Dwarf Fortress and the importance of storytelling in the game. The content includes illustrations by the artist Arne Niklas Jansson.
Embracer Group Cancels 'Deus Ex' Video Game, Lays Off Workers
Embracer Group, the parent company of video game publisher Square Enix, has announced the cancellation of the highly anticipated 'Deus Ex' video game. This decision has resulted in the unfortunate layoff of several employees. The cancellation comes as a surprise to many fans of the popular franchise, as 'Deus Ex' has a dedicated following and has received critical acclaim in the past. The reasons behind the cancellation and the controversy surrounding the layoffs remain unclear. This news has left fans disappointed and questioning the future of the 'Deus Ex' series.
Car ownership in the US is becoming more expensive
Car ownership in the US is becoming increasingly expensive, with the average new car selling for nearly $49,000 and the average used car listing at over $26,000. This represents a significant increase since 2020, despite the easing of inflation and supply chain issues. Automakers have taken advantage of the pandemic to raise prices and shift towards higher-margin luxury cars and SUVs. This has led to a decrease in options for affordable cars, with some calling the trend "trimflation." The rising costs of car ownership also extend to maintenance, insurance, and other expenses. As a result, some experts are proposing government subsidies and incentives to make cars more affordable for those who need them.
Tell HN: YouTube RSS feeds are gone
The author of this web content is informing readers that YouTube RSS feeds are no longer available. They provide an example of a specific RSS feed link that returns a 404 error. The author also mentions that the link that used to be on the channel's "Videos" page is also missing. The tone of the content suggests surprise and disappointment at the disappearance of YouTube RSS feeds.
How the U.S. Government Could Lower Food Prices for Everyone
According to a recent YouGov/Motherboard poll, Americans are becoming increasingly concerned about rising food prices and are looking to the government for solutions. In order to address this issue, the article suggests that the U.S. government could take inspiration from France. The article does not provide specific details on how France has tackled this problem, leaving readers curious to learn more.
An Air Force officer who spent $11M searching Earhart's plane may have found it
Tony Romeo, a former US Air Force intelligence officer, believes he may have discovered Amelia Earhart's long-lost aircraft. Using sonar on a high-tech unmanned submersible, Romeo captured an image of an aircraft-shaped object on the floor of the Pacific Ocean. The location of the object seems to align with where Earhart's plane is believed to have gone down. However, experts say clearer images and more details are needed to confirm the finding. Romeo plans to return to the area to capture better images using autonomous or robotic submersibles. If confirmed, this discovery could solve one of America's most baffling mysteries.
Lie About Your Birthday
In this article titled "Lie About Your Birthday" on themarkup.org, the author shares a practical privacy tip about protecting personal information. The author highlights the potential risks of sharing one's birth date, such as identity theft and fraud. They suggest lying about one's birthday when companies ask for it to avoid these risks. However, they emphasize that this should only be done with companies trying to use the data for marketing purposes, not with important institutions like banks or doctors. The author provides tips on how to choose a fake birthday close to the real one to still receive promotions. They also advise being cautious about sharing personal information in general and questioning why it is necessary. The article ends with a lighthearted note, encouraging readers to enjoy the benefits of birthday discounts and freebies while protecting their privacy.
Apple says UK could 'veto' global privacy tools
Apple has warned that the UK government's proposed Investigatory Powers Bill could potentially allow it to "veto" global privacy tools. The bill, which aims to give intelligence agencies greater surveillance powers, has faced criticism from civil liberties groups who argue that it infringes upon individual privacy rights. Apple's concern is that the bill could force companies to weaken their encryption systems, making it easier for governments to access private data. This controversy highlights the ongoing debate between privacy advocates and government agencies over the balance between national security and individual privacy.
Brussels threatens to hit Hungary's economy if Viktor Orbán vetoes Ukraine aid
The European Commission has warned Hungary that it may face economic consequences if Prime Minister Viktor Orbán continues to veto financial aid to Ukraine. The aid package, worth €1.2 billion, is intended to support Ukraine's economy and help stabilize the country. Orbán has been critical of Ukraine's treatment of its Hungarian minority and has used his veto power to block the aid. The European Commission's threat to hit Hungary's economy is seen as a strong move to pressure Orbán to change his stance. This development highlights the ongoing tensions between Hungary and Ukraine and the potential impact on Hungary's economy.
Microsoft stole my Chrome tabs, and it wants yours, too
The author recounts their experience of Microsoft Edge automatically opening with their Chrome tabs after a Windows update, despite not importing any data or enabling the feature. They discovered a setting in Edge that imports data from Chrome on each launch, even though it was disabled. Other users have reported similar experiences, suggesting a bug or faulty feature. The author questions how Microsoft convinces users to enable this setting and highlights the company's history of using tactics to promote Edge. They call for Microsoft to fix the issue and ensure transparency in their browser settings.
Prediction Markets Have an Elections Problem
The article discusses the problem that prediction markets face when it comes to political predictions. While prediction markets are gaining popularity and are seen as a reliable source for estimating uncertain events, they struggle to accurately predict political outcomes. The 2020 election serves as evidence of this, as prediction markets showed signs of irrationality and biased outcomes. Despite media outlets declaring Joe Biden as the winner, prediction markets continued to list him at a 90% chance of winning in certain states. The article explores various theories to explain this behavior, including the influence of Donald Trump's claims of election fraud. Additionally, academic research and recent elections show that prediction markets perform worse than expert forecasters when it comes to political predictions. The article suggests that technical factors and psychological factors, such as strong political identities, contribute to the inefficiency and irrationality of political prediction markets. (Summary based on 74% of story text.)
Show HN: Simple mathematics syntactic sugars for Ruby
The purpose of this project is to provide syntactic sugars for mathematical operations in Ruby. It aims to simplify the code and make it more readable and maintainable. The project introduces a gem called "mathsymbols" that can be installed using "gem install mathsymbols". The author provides examples of how the gem can be used to simplify mathematical calculations, such as calculating a Fourier series. The author also mentions that the project supports both using refinements and loading core extensions for usage without refinements. The project is open source and available under the MIT License.
Arc Search combines browser, search engine, and AI into something new
Arc Search is a new iOS app that combines a browser, search engine, and AI chatbot into one. When users type a query and tap the "Browse for me" button, the app scours the web and returns a webpage with relevant information. The app is part of a bigger shift for the Arc browser, which is also rolling out to Windows users and introducing a cross-platform syncing system called Arc Anywhere. While the "Browse for me" feature is impressive, there are questions about how the app will work with publishers, cite sources, and personalize search results. Overall, Arc Search offers a unique approach to AI search.
Ask HN: What are some homeless shelter innovations?
The author of this post on news.ycombinator.com is seeking suggestions for innovative ideas to improve homeless shelters. They question the traditional setup of shelters with multiple beds in one room, highlighting the potential challenges of noise and discomfort. The author wonders if individual sleeping pods could be a better alternative. They invite readers to share their thoughts and propose other creative solutions to enhance the living conditions of homeless individuals.
China's lead over the US in chip startup funding is bigger than
According to a recent report from PitchBook, China's lead over the US in venture capital funding for semiconductor startups is significant. In 2023, China accounted for 75% of global semiconductor startup funding, while the US only had an 11% share. China's focus on building its semiconductor industry has been driven by tighter US export controls on AI chips, prompting the country to launch a new state-backed investment vehicle called the Big Fund. Despite the passing of the CHIPS Act in the US, which aims to reduce reliance on China, America's share of global chip VC funding actually fell slightly last year. The need for more chip manufacturing is evident, as even OpenAI CEO Sam Altman is seeking billions to build his own AI semiconductor factory.
Experiments on a $50 DIY air purifier you can make in 30s
The author of this web content discusses the issues with the air purifier market and the lack of transparency in terms of lab tests and pricing. They then describe their own DIY air purifier experiment using a box fan and two HEPA filters. The author provides measurements and results from their experiment, showing that the DIY purifier is effective at removing particles from the air. They also discuss factors such as cost, durability, electricity usage, and the difference between MERV and HEPA filters. The author concludes by suggesting that avoiding the creation of particles in the first place is the best strategy for clean air.
Thaddeus Cahill's Teleharmonium
Thaddeus Cahill's Teleharmonium was an early electronic musical instrument invented in the late 19th century. Cahill came up with the idea after experimenting with transmitting music through telephone lines. He realized that by generating a large electrical signal and attaching a cone to the telephone receiver, he could transmit music that could be heard by an audience. Cahill's invention, known as the Telharmonium, was the world's first synthesizer and paved the way for what we now know as "Muzak." The Telharmonium was a massive machine that weighed 7 tons and consisted of multiple generators and cylinders that created different pitches. Despite its initial success, the Telharmonium faced challenges with interference and lack of subscribers, leading to its eventual demise. No recordings of the Telharmonium have survived, but its concepts influenced later electronic instruments like the Hammond Organ.
Hollywood Keeps Reminding Us Why We Need Physical Media More Than
The article discusses the limitations and drawbacks of relying solely on streaming services for accessing films and television shows. It highlights the fact that popular franchises and media from different studios are often spread across multiple platforms, causing confusion and anxiety for viewers. The article argues that physical media, such as DVDs and Blu-rays, provide a more reliable and permanent solution for accessing and owning content. It also criticizes the corporate control and IP hoarding that has devalued art and limited consumer choices. The author suggests that streaming should be seen as a supplement to traditional distribution models rather than a replacement.
Launch HN: Dashdive (YC W23) – Track your cloud costs precisely
Dashdive is a cloud cost tracking tool that calculates the cost incurred by each user action in a product. The founders of Dashdive identified three common problems caused by poor cloud cost observability: slow detection and diagnosis of cost anomalies, lack of cost accountability in large organizations, and uncertain per-customer gross margins. Dashdive aims to solve these problems by providing granular cloud usage data at the level of individual user actions, allowing for real-time anomaly detection and identification of costly teams, features, and customers. The tool supports S3 and S3-compatible object storage providers and plans to add support for other providers and services in the future.
Harvard Medical affiliate retracts, corrects research after sleuthing by blogger
Allegations of research fakery at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, a Harvard Medical School affiliate, have led to requests for retractions and corrections of scientific papers. The allegations were brought to light by a British blogger, Sholto David, who specializes in detecting image manipulation in published scientific papers. Other amateur sleuths also contribute to uncovering errors and fabrications in scientific research. Dana-Farber has responded by requesting retractions for six papers and corrections for 31 others. The sleuths, such as microbiologist Elisabeth Bik, use software tools to identify image manipulation and plagiarism. Their work has had a significant impact on scientific publication and aims to improve scientific integrity.
Amazon drops $1.4B deal to buy iRobot after EU veto reports
Amazon has abandoned its $1.4 billion deal to acquire iRobot, the maker of Roomba, following opposition from the European Union (EU). The EU's executive arm had informed Amazon that it was preparing to block the deal due to concerns about competition in the robot vacuum cleaner market. As a result, iRobot will receive a $94 million break fee from Amazon and has announced plans to cut 31% of its workforce and replace its CEO. Amazon expressed disappointment at the regulatory hurdles, arguing that they discourage entrepreneurs and harm consumers and competition. The deal had also been under scrutiny from the US Federal Trade Commission, which has launched a lawsuit against Amazon.
A Guide to Flamewarriors
Welcome to Flamewarriorsguide.com, your ultimate resource for understanding and identifying the different types of flamewarriors you may encounter online. Our comprehensive guide lists these warriors alphabetically, making it easy for you to navigate through the roster. What sets us apart is our unique feature - the "next Warrior" link, which allows you to explore the roster in a random sequence. Whether you're looking to understand the Troll, the Grammar Nazi, or the Conspiracy Theorist, our guide has got you covered. Get ready to dive into the fascinating world of flamewarriors and gain a deeper understanding of online conflicts.
Looking to Be Hired
The author is a job seeker based in Atlanta, Georgia, who is open to remote work opportunities but is not willing to relocate. They have experience in UNIX/LINUX, shell scripting, NFS, LDAP, and some Windows administration. The author's resume or CV can be found on their LinkedIn profile, and they can be contacted via email at juan.a.pelaez@gmail.com.