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That Time I Tried To Get Johnathan Blow To Publish a Game to Windows 8

Meanwhile, on the other side of my brain... • 99 implied HN points • 29 May 24
🕹 Technology Indie games Coding Gaming Software Development
  1. Setting realistic goals is crucial for success, rather than unachievable targets that can lead to frustration.
  2. Building genuine relationships and solving real problems with developers can lead to lasting goodwill.
  3. Understanding and meeting the needs of developers is key to successful developer relations, instead of focusing solely on unreachable goals.

Under the microscope: Ultraman: Legendary Giant of Light (Saturn)

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 14 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Gaming Emulation Console hardware Reverse Engineering Retro Gaming Software
  1. The game hides a title‑screen cheat sequence that unlocks effects like wireframe rendering, turning off the HUD, and random stage selection by holding certain buttons in VS mode.
  2. Additional codes add a Stage Select screen and a third sequence that lets the CPU control player one and enables a finicky free‑camera you can tweak during gameplay.
  3. Under the hood, three similar input routines watch for those button sequences and set memory flags and counters, and an Action Replay code can unlock the Movie Room by flipping the progress flags.

Thoughts on Inflation

America in Crisis • 139 implied HN points • 01 May 24
💰 Finance Inflation Interest Rates Government Policy Economic History
  1. The reduced-price model shows how cycles in prices correspond to inflation, especially during wartime when inflation tends to be higher due to deficit spending.
  2. The quantity theory of money explains the relationship between economic activity, money supply, and inflation, showcasing the importance of monetary factors in historical economic events.
  3. Analyzing the current inflation outlook using the money balance model highlights the potential for continued inflationary pressures and the challenges the Federal Reserve faces in managing inflation through interest rate adjustments.

Perhaps You Shouldn't Read This

The Algorithmic Bridge • 743 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
📖 Philosophy Ethics Literature Existentialism Epistemology Metaphysics
  1. Reading can take away your ability to think for yourself. If you read too much, you might lose your original thoughts and feelings.
  2. Both reading and using AI are good, but doing them excessively has downsides. Just like you should drink enough water, you shouldn't overdo reading or rely too much on AI.
  3. It's fine to use AI or read books, but balance is important. You don’t have to do one all the time; a mix of both can help keep your mind sharp.

Under the microscope: Blues Brothers 2000 (Nintendo 64)

Rings of Saturn • 58 implied HN points • 13 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Emulation Game Development Programming Reverse Engineering Video Games
  1. Previously unknown cheat codes were discovered in the N64 game Blues Brothers 2000, letting players trigger big‑head mode, gain extra lives, add money, become a mascot, view partial credits, and refill health.
  2. Reverse engineering located where controller input is stored and found a function that checks 17 cheat sequences held in an array of structs, which explains how the game detects and applies cheats.
  3. Many additional cheats are present but disabled or inert, and a routine appears to enable extra cheats if a save file is named 'marcus' or 'jawad!', implying developers left hidden features that weren’t activated in the retail release.
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Issue #145: Nubank Secures US Charter Green Light, PicPay's IPO Breaks Brazil's Four-Year Drought, And Mastercard’s Agentic Payments Move in Australia

Fintech Radar • 14 implied HN points • 01 Feb 26
💰 Finance Payments AI Venture Capital Capital Markets Regulation Crypto Banking Fintech
  1. Nubank got conditional OCC approval to form a US national bank and is building hubs in Miami, San Francisco, Northern Virginia, and the Research Triangle, signaling a fast start to US expansion. Regulators appear to be streamlining the charter process, making US entry easier for big neobanks.
  2. PicPay priced its Nasdaq IPO at the top of the range with heavy oversubscription, breaking a four-year drought of Brazilian companies listing in New York. The deal shows investors now favor fintechs that combine growth with profitability, reopening the IPO window for LatAm players.
  3. Mastercard completed authenticated agentic transactions in Australia, letting AI agents buy on users’ behalf but requiring biometric approval, which moves agentic commerce from concept to production. This makes payments networks a key trust and authentication layer if AI-driven shopping scales.

This New Internet Thing, Chapter 30

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Internet Finance Software Investment Startups
  1. Netscape went public and became super successful, even though they weren't making profits yet. People were excited about the potential for growth instead of just focusing on profits.
  2. The IPO day was a big moment, with the stock price skyrocketing to $74. This was a huge deal for the people involved, changing their lives and how they viewed their work.
  3. There was a shift in the tech world where everyone suddenly wanted to invest in Internet companies. It became a trend to have '.com' in a company's name, showing how fast things were changing.

Notes on Chapter 29

Life Since the Baby Boom • 922 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Corporate strategy Software Silicon Valley Internet
  1. Janet leaves her job at 3Com to work at Netscape during a hectic time in the tech industry. Many developers worked long hours, often staying late into the night.
  2. Netscape was seen as a major threat to Microsoft because of its browser capabilities. The belief was that if everything could be done through a browser, the operating system wouldn’t matter much.
  3. There were shady practices in Silicon Valley, including how Microsoft tried to hinder Netscape's success. This atmosphere led to a sense of distrust among companies during that era.

How SP culture produces financial crisis

America in Crisis • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💰 Finance Corporate Profits Financial Crisis Economic Growth Capitalism Taxation
  1. Financial crisis can stem from a shift in profit usage from investment to financial market growth, impacting economic growth.
  2. SP culture, focusing on shareholder returns through stock buybacks and dividends, can lead to financial instability and economic downturns.
  3. Minsky's financial instability hypothesis outlines how capitalist economies can transition from safe to risky financial structures, culminating in financial crises.

From Runway to Career Capital: A Framework for Evaluating Startup Jobs

Optima & Outliers • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
💼 Business Career development Risk management Investment Strategies Startups Job Market
  1. When considering a startup job, focus on how it will help your career instead of just picking a 'winner'. Think about your long-term goals and how the role aligns with them.
  2. Do your homework before joining a startup. This means asking about the company's funding, goals, and speaking with people who know the founders to understand their track record.
  3. Look for opportunities to learn and build connections in a startup. These experiences can boost your resume and help you grow your professional network.

Self-documenting Makefiles

Blog System/5 • 827 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Open Source Software Development Programming Documentation
  1. Using Makefiles can help stitch together complex build processes easily. They allow you to create a command dispatcher with minimal code.
  2. By implementing a 'make help' command, you can provide users with a clear overview of available actions and necessary configuration, reducing confusion.
  3. Documenting both targets and user-settable variables in Makefiles can make them more user-friendly. This helps users know how to interact with the project without getting lost.

Postgres in a box

benn.substack • 920 implied HN points • 06 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Data Management Databases Cloud Computing Software AI
  1. Software has changed from being sold in boxes in stores to being bought as subscriptions online. This makes it easier and cheaper for businesses to manage.
  2. The new trend is separating storage from computing in databases. This lets companies save money by only paying for the data they actually use and the calculations they perform.
  3. There's a push towards making data from different sources easily accessible, so you can use various tools without being trapped in one system. This could streamline how businesses work with their data.

Auto Partner: A Boring Business with Brilliant Results

The Wolf of Harcourt Street • 539 implied HN points • 23 Nov 23
💰 Finance Financial Performance Investment Opportunities Stock Market Business Growth
  1. Auto Partner, a distributor of spare parts, is focusing on automation to strengthen its distribution capabilities and increase competitiveness.
  2. The company's revenue growth is attributed to market responsiveness, geographic expansion, and effective management of economic challenges.
  3. Auto Partner's growth strategy includes building new hubs, expanding branches, and increasing automation in warehouses and logistics to prepare for potential expansion into other verticals.

Open Thread 316

Astral Codex Ten • 2271 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Contest Community Grants Research AI safety
  1. ACX provides an open thread for weekly discussions where users can post anything, ask questions, and engage in various topics.
  2. ACX Grants project includes initiatives like exploring a mutation to turn off suffering and opportunities for researchers in AI safety.
  3. ACX mentions upcoming events like a book review contest with updated rules and a pushed back due date.

Google throws publishers a bone

Simon Owens's Media Newsletter • 399 implied HN points • 28 May 25
💼 Business Media Journalism Technology Streaming Publishing
  1. Google's Discover feature is helping some publishers offset losses from search traffic. This shift shows that not all platforms are the same and offers a small boost to those adapting.
  2. Ghost, a publishing platform, has hit a milestone with over $100 million in subscription revenue. This highlights the growing importance of independent platforms for publishers.
  3. The growing popularity of IMAX theaters is great for premium experiences, but it could hurt traditional cinemas. It's a tricky balance between offering luxury options and keeping it affordable for everyone.

Programmatic SEO 🚀

André Casal's Substack • 19 implied HN points • 17 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Digital marketing SEO Web Development Entrepreneurship User Experience
  1. Creating a list of websites for project submissions can help connect with audiences effectively. It’s important to curate and share valuable resources.
  2. Applying SEO tags is crucial for improving website visibility. It helps attract more visitors once the meta tags are optimized.
  3. Feedback is valuable for improvement. Acting on suggestions can lead to better website design and user experience.

AI companies are just SaaS companies

benn.substack • 869 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Startups Data Software SaaS
  1. AI companies have a lot in common with traditional SaaS companies. They’re selling software services, often built on complex tech, rather than just cool algorithms.
  2. The success of AI models like ChatGPT depends heavily on branding and user experience. People care more about how easy and useful the software is than just the tech behind it.
  3. OpenAI is at a crossroads, needing to adapt its business model and offerings to stay ahead, especially as competition increases and tech costs rise.

wind and rain and sun and data

Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" • 334 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Algorithms Data Energy Regulation Trading
  1. Supply and demand for electricity become more unpredictable with an increasing proportion of wind and solar energy
  2. The profit motive drives the application of information processing power and bandwidth to solve energy planning problems
  3. Market trading and the profit motive are ways to match the variety of the energy problem with the regulatory system

Last Week in AI #253: Rabbit releases R1, AI outperforms doctors in diagnostic dialogue, OpenAI's GPT Store opens for business, SAG-AFTRA signs AI voiceover deal for video games

Last Week in AI • 397 implied HN points • 15 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Legal AI Policy Robotics Government
  1. Rabbit released R1, an AI gadget controlling apps through voice and images.
  2. AI system surpasses doctors in diagnostic conversations using large language models.
  3. OpenAI launched GPT Store, where users can share custom chatbots.

Why is everyone in AI talking about the end of work? | #304

Boundless by Paul Millerd • 266 implied HN points • 28 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Job Market AI Automation Workplace Economy
  1. Many people in AI believe that automation will lead to job losses, especially in white-collar work. They warn that without using AI, workers might struggle to keep their jobs.
  2. The idea that AI will replace many jobs often misses the complexity of what jobs really are. Jobs are more than just a list of tasks; they provide purpose, dignity, and structure in society.
  3. While fears about AI taking jobs are common, the reality of job loss isn't as clear-cut. Employment rates have stayed relatively stable, and any shifts in work may lead to a gradual change in how we think about jobs and work.

The Trenderprise

benn.substack • 818 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Trends Software Marketing User Experience
  1. Many people dislike using software like Jira because it's complicated and not user-friendly. But ironically, it keeps being bought because management, not the users, are the ones making the decisions.
  2. The market has shifted towards buying software that meets the needs of users rather than IT departments. Companies like Asana market directly to users, making their products popular among teams.
  3. Today, product popularity can be influenced more by trends and social media than by quality. People are more likely to buy something because it's seen as cool or trendy, not just because it works well.

A New Model of Memory: Representational Change and Representational Success

The Memory Palace • 139 implied HN points • 30 Apr 24
📖 Philosophy Epistemology Mind Perception Memory Cognition
  1. Memory shouldn't be judged the same way as perception. Just because we can't remember everything perfectly doesn't mean our memory is faulty.
  2. Instead of thinking about memory accuracy, we should look at how well a memory represents something. This means we can accept changes in how memories are formed and recalled.
  3. Unique aspects of memories, like 'authenticity,' might not be the best standard to evaluate them. Instead, we should focus on how memories succeed in representing our experiences in various ways.

Natural existence in an artificial age

storyvoyager • 4 implied HN points • 01 Mar 26
📖 Philosophy Existentialism Ethics Metaphysics Human nature Tech Ethics Environmental Ethics
  1. Rapid technological progress, especially AI, risks eroding human cognitive sovereignty and treating people as resources for building a superintelligence.
  2. A better path is to embrace our natural, biological existence and reintegrate with Earth's ecosystems as central to what it means to be human; protecting biodiversity and life's continuity should be our main goal.
  3. We should use technology to protect and reconnect with nature rather than to segregate from it, aiming to secure the planet's ability to sustain diverse life in perpetuity.

The difference between making money and a hobby

Kenny’s Sub • 239 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
💼 Business Marketing Entrepreneurship Freelancing E-commerce Startups
  1. Tinkering can be fun and educational, but it often doesn't lead to making real money. People who quit their jobs to experiment might not find traction if they aren't committed to serious efforts.
  2. If you want to succeed financially, it’s important to pick ideas with high demand. Avoid spending lots of time on small projects that don’t bring much profit.
  3. A solid marketing plan is just as crucial as having a good product. Without a way to promote what you're selling, you might just have a hobby instead of a business.

Does India need a sovereign LLM

Experiments with NLP and GPT-3 • 7 implied HN points • 24 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Data Sovereignty Technology Policy Digital Infrastructure National Strategy Economic Impact Artificial Intelligence
  1. India needs its own sovereign large language model; it’s no longer optional and is now table stakes.
  2. Relying on foreign AI providers risks losing access or facing discriminatory rules and taxes, echoing past industrial and colonial imbalances.
  3. AI is already essential to businesses and the economy, and being cut off for weeks, months, or a year would seriously hurt competitiveness and survival.

TBM 331: Strategy & Decisiveness

The Beautiful Mess • 859 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
💼 Business Leadership Management Decision-making Strategy Company Culture
  1. Being strategic involves making choices, but not all strategies are about being decisive. Sometimes, being flexible and open to options can be just as important.
  2. Real-world strategy often faces messy challenges. It's not just about having a perfect plan; it's about navigating the unpredictable nature of business and making practical decisions.
  3. It's okay to admit uncertainty and avoid over-pressuring teams for quick decisions. Some trade-offs and juggling acts are just part of the process.

Human Capital And The Referral Heuristic

Optima & Outliers • 119 implied HN points • 13 May 24
💼 Business Hiring practices Recruitment Job Market Networking Human Capital
  1. Hiring often feels like buying a house, needing personal interactions to gauge a candidate's soft skills like integrity and confidence, which can't be fully captured in a resume.
  2. Many good candidates get overlooked because traditional screening methods focus too much on relevant experience, which doesn't always reflect their true potential or transferable skills.
  3. Networking and referrals can greatly improve your chances of being hired, as they help showcase your strengths that aren't easily seen on paper.

Data Exfiltration in OpenAI Agent Builder via MCP

PromptArmor Blog • 138 implied HN points • 14 Oct 25
🕹 Technology AI safety Cybersecurity Machine Learning Software Development Data Privacy
  1. There's a risk with AI applications passing the responsibility of security to users. Many people don't know how to protect themselves from prompt injection attacks, which makes this a big issue.
  2. Even with safety features like Guardrails, attackers can still trick AI systems into leaking sensitive data. This shows that current protections aren't foolproof.
  3. AI models might recognize malicious prompts but still process them, allowing harmful instructions to be passed through multiple steps in a workflow. This can lead to serious security issues.

[2025–2026] Week 13: You Can Be a Stock Market Genius by Joel Greenblatt

Behavioral Value Investor • 29 implied HN points • 16 Jan 26
💰 Finance Valuation Portfolio Management Investment education Value investing Behavioral Finance
  1. Human behavior keeps repeating, so psychological biases and recurring irrationality are central to how markets misprice securities.
  2. Come to the market with a clear, entrenched investment process and a strong sense of who you are, because learning by trading costs you dearly; identity and anxiety often drive choices more than cold arithmetic.
  3. Special situations like spin-offs, restructurings, rights offerings and takeovers create repeatable templates to find mispriced assets, so evaluating which categories are more efficient today and compiling candidate opportunities is a practical next step.

Why the Turing Test is Not Enough

Insight Axis • 592 implied HN points • 06 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Science Intelligence Testing Philosophy AI
  1. The Turing Test is a thought experiment, not a formal test, and was proposed by Alan Turing to test machine intelligence
  2. Passing the Turing Test does not necessarily indicate true intelligence in AI, as it requires reasoning capabilities and explanatory capacity
  3. Artificial General Intelligence testing should involve multi-dimensional assessments beyond the Turing Test, covering various aspects like linguistic, spatial, and mathematical intelligence

🐾 A social network taxonomy.

New_ Public • 589 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Community Social Networks Decentralization Ownership Governance
  1. Social networks can be classified based on governance models and ownership structures.
  2. Different governance models include big room networks, group-hosting networks, the Fediverse, and very small online platforms.
  3. Advocating for a pluriverse, where diverse social network models coexist, allowing users to choose based on community needs.

The technology of nationalism

Yasha Levine • 589 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Nationalism Culture Ideology Internet Media
  1. The concept of nationalism is tied to the emergence of mass media technology like the printing press.
  2. Print technology created national identities by standardizing languages and expanding cultural identity beyond local communities.
  3. The Internet may not be creating new ideologies, but rather reproducing existing nationalist ideals from before.

What I Learned This Week #6

Eventually Consistent • 59 implied HN points • 01 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Concurrency Cloud Computing Data Management
  1. Data partitioning helps manage query loads by distributing large datasets across multiple disks and processors. Considerations include rebalancing for even distribution, distributed query execution, and dealing with hot spots.
  2. Partitioning secondary indexes can be done locally or globally, with tradeoffs between keeping related data together versus faster lookups for certain queries. Routing queries in distributed systems may use coordination services or gossip protocols for efficiency.
  3. Transactions provide a way to manage concurrency and software failures by ensuring operations either fully succeed or fully fail. AWS Lambda uses worker models for task execution and Rust Atomics for memory ordering control across threads.