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Automated summaries of top Hacker News stories written by a large language model.
London rents are finally falling for the first time in two years
The article discusses how London rents are finally decreasing after two years of continuous increases. The author shares a personal experience of dealing with a landlord who dismissed her concerns about rising rents and eventually served her with a Section 21 notice. This highlights the controversial issue of landlords taking advantage of high demand in the rental market. The surprising aspect is that London rents are actually falling, which is a welcome change for tenants who have been struggling with high housing costs.
U.S. Airports No Longer Have to Build Their Own Terrible Trains
In a major development for U.S. airports, they are no longer required to build their own subpar train systems. The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has announced that airports can now partner with existing public transit agencies to provide train services to passengers. This means that airports can take advantage of the expertise and infrastructure already in place, resulting in better and more efficient train systems for travelers. This move is expected to improve the overall airport experience and alleviate some of the transportation challenges faced by passengers. It is a welcome change that will benefit both airports and travelers alike.
Apprise: Open-Source, Self-Hosted, Push Notifications
Apprise is an open-source project that allows users to send notifications to popular notification services such as Telegram, Discord, Slack, and more. It provides a common and intuitive notification syntax and supports handling images and attachments. The project is lightweight and offers fast response times due to asynchronous message sending. The author emphasizes that developers and system administrators no longer need to research and adapt to different notification services, as Apprise provides a single library and command line tool for accessing multiple services. The readme file also includes a comprehensive list of supported notification services and their syntax. (Summary based on 26% of story text.)
CheerpJ 3.0: A WebAssembly JVM to run real-world applications in the browser
CheerpJ 3.0 is a WebAssembly JVM that allows real-world applications to run in the browser. This major release is a full re-write of CheerpJ, drawing from 7 years of experience and lessons learned. It can run large-scale Java applications and libraries without any additional work or changes to the code. CheerpJ 3.0 supports running unmodified JAR files, graphical applications, reflection and classloaders, and has powerful interoperability with JavaScript. It does not require a server-side component and is free for personal use. The new architecture aims to support multiple Java versions, with plans to introduce support for more modern Java LTS versions in the future. A demo of running Minecraft in the browser using CheerpJ is available. CheerpJ is a commercial product but is also free for personal use.
RISC-V Assembler: Arithmetic
This web content is part of a mini-series on learning and understanding 32-bit RISC-V instructions and the RISC-V ABI. The first part focuses on load immediate, addition, and subtraction instructions in the RISC-V assembler. It explains the use of CPU registers, pseudoinstructions, and provides examples of adding and subtracting registers and immediates. It also discusses sign extension and the use of the neg pseudoinstruction for negating register values. The content highlights the simplicity and power of the RISC-V instruction set and provides examples and explanations for better understanding. The next part of the series will cover logical instructions.
Climate Models Predict More Warming
Dr. Roy Spencer, a renowned climate scientist, has published a report analyzing recorded temperatures over the past 50 years and comparing them to predictions made by computer models. He found that the actual rate of global warming has been weaker than what the models predicted. Additionally, he argues that the models used to guide energy policy do not conserve energy, which is a necessary condition for any accurate climate model. Spencer suggests that public policy should be based on climate observations rather than exaggerated climate models. The article also highlights a surprising finding that Colorado's climate is much drier than projected by climate models.
US designates more Chinese tech companies as military collaborators
The US Department of Defense (DoD) has added more than a dozen Chinese tech companies to its list of entities believed to be working for the military. The list includes companies such as Yangtze Memory Technologies Corp (YMTC), Yitu Technology, Beijing Megvii, Hesai Technology, Chengdu JOUAV, and NetPosa. Being on the DoD list does not impose immediate restrictions, but it can harm the reputation of the companies and deter US organizations from doing business with them. The DoD list is part of the US National Defense Authorization Act and is updated annually. The DoD will continue to add entities to the list as necessary.
Compiling a Lisp
The author of the web content is discussing their plan to write a Lisp compiler. They mention that their implementation will be in C instead of Scheme and will generate machine code directly instead of generating text assembly. The author explains that they chose to implement the compiler in a different language to prevent copying code from a paper and to learn more by writing the code themselves. They also explain their reasons for not generating text assembly and why they chose Lisp as the language to compile. The author plans to write the series in installments, adding new features with each installment. They also provide a mini table of contents for reference.
Ask HN: Looking for a project to volunteer on? (February 2024)
The thread on news.ycombinator.com titled "Ask HN: Looking for a project to volunteer on? (February 2024)" is a platform for individuals seeking volunteer projects and those in need of volunteers for their projects. Those seeking volunteers are encouraged to provide a brief description of their project, along with the project website and git forge URL, as well as the programming languages used. They are also advised to start their comment with "SEEKING VOLUNTEERS" to avoid confusion. On the other hand, those seeking projects are asked to mention their name, programming languages they know, previous volunteering experiences or projects they have worked on, and their interests. They can also provide their email for private discussions. The purpose of this thread is to connect volunteers with projects and vice versa.
Los Angeles Becomes First US City to Outlaw Digital Discrimination
The city council of Los Angeles has passed a motion outlawing "digital discrimination," making it the first city in the US to do so. Digital discrimination refers to the inequitable deployment of high-speed internet connections and withholding of the best deals for internet services from marginalized neighborhoods. The legislation allows members of the public to submit complaints of digital discrimination, which will be investigated by the city's Civil, Human Rights and Equity Department. The legislation was prompted by studies showing that internet service providers (ISPs) offer slower and older technology to low-income communities at the same price as faster and more reliable service offered to higher-income communities. The legislation also requires the Bureau of Street Lighting to report on efforts to close the digital divide. The controversy surrounding the legislation comes from advocacy groups representing ISPs, who argue that the city should focus on other digital inclusion efforts such as education and affordability programs.
When the Mac Was a Munition
In 1999, Apple released the Power Mac G4, which had 1 GIGAFLOP of computing power. This milestone led the US government to classify the device as a munition and subject it to strict export controls. The 1979 Export Administration Act, designed to prevent powerful computers from falling into communist hands, set these rules. Apple cleverly used this classification in its marketing, dubbing the G4 a "Personal Supercomputer" and featuring tanks in a TV ad. Eventually, companies successfully lobbied to change the outdated law. This chapter in computing history is relevant today as calls to regulate AI and treat computing power as munitions grow louder.
Show HN: Inner Lighthouse – Platform for cognitive exercises
Inner Lighthouse is a digital platform that offers cognitive exercises to boost self-esteem and personal growth. Users can choose from a variety of expertly curated journeys, such as healing anxiety or boosting mindfulness. Each journey consists of daily 10-minute sessions that fit easily into a busy routine. The platform emphasizes the power of small steps and daily reflection to unlock one's true potential. Inner Lighthouse prioritizes privacy and security, ensuring that user data is protected. Users have praised the platform for its practical and impactful exercises, with some claiming it has transformed their lives.
In Praise of Buttons
The article titled "In Praise of Buttons" by Niko Kitsakis discusses the trend of buttons being considered uncool in design, both in physical objects and graphical user interfaces. The author argues that buttons have been around for a long time because they work, and redesigning them for the sake of novelty compromises user needs and the integrity of the designer. The article highlights the importance of button shapes in user interfaces, as they act as signifiers and communicate their ability to be pressed. The author also emphasizes the importance of feedback and direct manipulation in user interfaces. Overall, the article advocates for buttons that look like buttons and prioritize usability over minimalistic aesthetics. (Summary based on 95% of story text.)
Tesla sued for allegedly mishandling hazardous waste in California for years
Tesla is facing a lawsuit from 25 California counties, accusing the automaker of mishandling hazardous waste at its facilities. The lawsuit alleges that Tesla improperly labeled and disposed of materials such as batteries, paints, brake fluid, and more. The district attorneys in each county are seeking an injunction to ensure proper waste management in the future, as well as civil penalties. Tesla could potentially face fines of up to $70,000 per violation per day. This lawsuit comes after settlement talks between Tesla and the district attorney offices fell apart. Tesla has previously faced scrutiny for environmental violations at its California factory.
Show HN: Wordl – Terminal Wordle with a web like GUI
The "wordl-rs" project is a terminal wordle game that aims to provide a web-like Wordle experience. It includes features such as slow reveal letter colors after guessing and keyboard hints. The project can be installed from Cargo or through precompiled binaries. The game rules are simple: type your guess and press enter, press backspace to clear a letter, press Ctrl-N to start a new guess, and press Esc or Ctrl-C to exit the game. The project differentiates itself by offering a terminal-based Wordle game with a web-like GUI and keyboard hints. The word list used in the game can be modified by submitting a pull request.
It's Fair to Describe Schizophrenia as Probably Mostly Genetic
The web content discusses the controversy surrounding the genetic basis of schizophrenia. The author addresses arguments made by Awais Aftab against describing schizophrenia as a genetic disorder, despite evidence suggesting a high heritability rate. The author counters these arguments by drawing comparisons to smoking and lung cancer, highlighting that while individual cases may vary, on a society-wide level, it is still accurate to say that smoking causes lung cancer. The author also discusses the limitations of heritability studies and the potential for biases, but ultimately concludes that the predominantly genetic nature of schizophrenia is supported by the available evidence. (Summary based on 62% of story text.)
Quadratic – Open-Source Spreadsheet Is Now Multiplayer
Quadratic, an open-source spreadsheet, has recently introduced a multiplayer feature, allowing users to collaborate on data problems in real-time. This makes Quadratic one of the first data science applications to offer a true multiplayer experience. Users can see who is in the sheet, which cells they occupy, and what actions they are performing. Collaborative editing is also available, with user edits updating in real-time for all users. File permissions can be managed, with the option to share a file with specific email addresses or through a public link. Quadratic Multiplayer is now live, so users can start building collaborative spreadsheets.
Chromecast Google TV now has full-screen auto-playing Chicken Tender Wrap ads
Chromecast with Google TV owners are expressing their frustration over a new ad that appears on their TV's home screen. Unlike the usual "recommendations" for digital content, this ad is an auto-playing, full-screen ad for a physical product. Users have complained about the increase in ads that the Google TV variant brings, with this particular ad being for Chicken Tender Wraps from Carl's Jr. The ad pushes all other UI elements out of focus and goes almost full-screen, returning to the home screen after it has played through once. This is the first time an advertisement for a physical product has appeared as an auto-playing full-screen video directly on the home screen, causing controversy among users.
In China, clean energy is now THE driver of overall economic growth
China's clean energy push has surpassed that of the West, with Chinese manufacturers rapidly expanding production of solar, wind, batteries, and electric vehicles. Clean energy investment has become the driving force behind China's overall economic growth, contributing a record 11.4tn yuan ($1.6tn) to the country's economy in 2023. Clean energy accounted for 9.0% of China's GDP in 2023, up from 7.2% in 2022. However, the transition to clean energy has not extended to the industrial core, which is responsible for the majority of China's carbon emissions. China's surge in renewable energy capacity has also led to a crisis of overcapacity and a significant increase in coal-fired generating capacity. The internal struggle within China over the future of its coal-based heavy industrial model is crucial for the global energy transition.
Show HN: Sheet Copilot – Run tasks using GPT-4 in Google Sheets
Sheet Copilot is a revolutionary tool that allows users to automate tasks in Google Sheets using the power of AI. With the help of GPT-4, users can now run their spreadsheets on autopilot, saving time and effort. This tool is currently available for free in beta, allowing users to experience the benefits of AI automation firsthand. Whether it's data entry, analysis, or formatting, Sheet Copilot can handle it all. Say goodbye to manual spreadsheet work and let AI take over. Try Sheet Copilot today and witness the future of Google Sheets automation.
Windows 10 users report app problems after Microsoft update
Windows 10 users are reporting issues with opening recently updated Microsoft applications, similar to what users running Windows 11 on unsupported hardware may experience in the future. The problem arose after Microsoft released updates for apps like Calendar, Photos, and Calculator in January. Users found that these apps stopped working, even after reinstalling Windows 10. The issues seem to be related to the use of old hardware, such as Intel Core 2 Duo and Quad processors, which are not officially supported by Windows 10. While some speculate that Microsoft intentionally made this change to force customers to buy new hardware, it is more likely a mistake made by a developer. The situation raises concerns for Windows 11 users running on unsupported hardware.
Why Tim Cook Is Going All in on the Apple Vision Pro
The article discusses the Apple Vision Pro, a revolutionary product that has left many people speechless. It describes the experience of wearing the device and how it creates a realistic virtual reality environment. The Apple Vision Pro has an incredibly high resolution, with 23 million pixels, and is praised by experts in the field for its technological advancements. However, there are some concerns about the size and weight of the device, which may impact its mass adoption. The article also mentions the potential for future improvements and the possibility of the device becoming more affordable.
Show HN: Tea protocol, our $250K open-source grant
The article introduces the Tea protocol, an initiative aimed at addressing the issue of inadequate compensation for open-source developers. The protocol plans to deploy $250K in grants to support maintainers of open-source projects that have a significant impact on the software ecosystem. It highlights the lack of proper incentives for open-source developers, which has led to decreased motivation and potential project abandonment. The Tea protocol aims to establish an environment where open-source contributions are acknowledged and appropriately rewarded, ensuring a sustainable future for these developers. The $250K grant is seen as a step towards a more equitable era in open-source development.
This is the world’s rarest passport
The Sovereign Military Order of Malta, also known as the Knights of Malta, is not only a religious Catholic order and humanitarian aid organization, but also a sovereign nation without any land. The Order issues its own passports, with the diplomatic passport being the rarest in the world, with only around 500 in circulation. The passport is reserved for members of the Sovereign Council and leaders of diplomatic missions. The Order works closely with many countries, including those with no formal diplomatic relations. Visitors to Malta can learn about the history of the Knights at various locations across the islands.
My favourite Git commit (2019)
The author of this web content discusses their favorite Git commit message and explains why they think it is worth sharing. The commit message, titled "Convert template to US-ASCII to fix error," was made by a developer named Dan Carley while working on GOV.UK at the Government Digital Service. The author highlights several reasons why they believe this commit message is a good example. Firstly, it explains the reason for the change, providing valuable information that can be easily lost over time. Secondly, it is searchable, allowing others to find and understand the problem and its solution. Additionally, the commit message tells a story, documenting the process of investigating and fixing the issue. It also makes everyone a little smarter by sharing useful tips and commands. Lastly, the commit message builds compassion and trust by adding a human context to the change. The author concludes by emphasizing the importance of good commit messages in contributing to the team's collective understanding of the codebase.
Bard's latest updates: Access Gemini Pro globally and generate images
In the latest update from Bard, Google is expanding the availability of Gemini Pro in Bard to more languages and countries. Previously only available in English, Gemini Pro now supports over 40 languages and can be accessed in more than 230 countries and territories. This advanced version of Bard has been praised by the Large Model Systems Organization as one of the most preferred chatbots available, and blind evaluations have shown it to be one of the top-performing conversational AIs compared to both free and paid alternatives. Additionally, Google is introducing image generation capabilities to help users bring their ideas to life.
Show HN: Dera – A platform to manage chunks and embeddings for building RAG apps
Dera is a platform designed to simplify the management of embeddings and chunks for building Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) applications. With Dera, users can easily compare and analyze results to create production-ready RAG apps. The platform is completely open-source, allowing users to self-host and customize it to their needs. However, for those who prefer a hassle-free experience, Dera also offers a cloud-based option. Visit the Dera website or check out their GitHub page for more information.
What Makes for 'Good' Mathematics?
The web content discusses the question of what makes for "good" mathematics. It highlights an essay written by mathematician Terence Tao in 2007 that sought to answer this question. Tao, who is now a highly honored and prolific mathematician, joins host Steven Strogatz in a podcast episode to revisit the topic. They discuss the different values and approaches mathematicians have towards mathematics, such as rigor, elegance, and real-world utility. They also explore the idea that good mathematics is grounded in empirical sources and connected to other areas of mathematics. The content emphasizes the convergence of different ideals of good mathematics and the importance of interconnections within the field. (Summary based on 29% of story text.)
Okta lays off 400 employees – almost a year after last staff cuts
Okta, a U.S. access and identity management company, has announced that it is laying off approximately 400 employees, which accounts for 7% of its global workforce. This comes almost exactly a year after the company reduced its workforce by 5%. Okta's CEO, Todd McKinnon, stated that the decision was necessary for the company to grow profitably. The layoffs were a proactive measure to set the company up for long-term success. The specific roles and geographies affected were not disclosed. Okta's announcement comes shortly after cybersecurity company Proofpoint confirmed its own layoffs of about 6% of its workforce.
US Court Concludes Plausible Genocide, Dismissies Case on Jurisdictional Grounds
A federal court in the United States has concluded that Israel is plausibly engaging in genocide against the Palestinian people in Gaza. The court based its assessment on the testimony of Palestinian witnesses and expert opinions from genocide and Holocaust scholars. However, the case was dismissed on jurisdictional grounds, with the court stating that it lacked the power to resolve the case due to executive decision-making in foreign policy. The court criticized the United States for its "unflagging support" for Israel's military siege of Gaza and implored the Biden administration to examine and end its deadly course of action. The plaintiffs, represented by the Center for Constitutional Rights, will continue to pursue legal avenues to stop the genocide.