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Technically explains software and hardware in a simple and engaging way so you can impress your boss.

The hottest Substack posts of Technically

And their main takeaways
14 implied HN points 18 Feb 25
  1. DigitalOcean is a service that rents out servers to developers for building web applications. It helps developers run their apps without needing their own hardware.
  2. Unlike bigger companies like AWS or Google Cloud, DigitalOcean is independent and not owned by a massive tech giant. This makes their approach more focused on users.
  3. They focus on simplicity and user experience, making it easier for developers to use their services compared to other cloud providers.
59 implied HN points 28 Jan 25
  1. Quantum computing uses qubits instead of bits. While bits can be either 0 or 1, qubits can be both at the same time, allowing for much faster problem-solving.
  2. Qubits can work together in a unique way, using superposition and interference to find answers much faster than traditional computers. This makes them great for complex problems like drug discovery.
  3. Quantum computers are still in the experimental stage and have challenges like needing very cold temperatures and handling errors, but they hold great promise for the future.
67 implied HN points 16 Dec 24
  1. An SDK, or Software Development Kit, is like a toolbox for developers, helping them build apps without starting from scratch. It lets them use pieces of code made by others, saving a lot of time.
  2. There are different kinds of tools: libraries are small, focused pieces of code for specific tasks, while SDKs are larger, more comprehensive sets that cover broader tasks like payment processing.
  3. SDKs help developers use APIs easily by providing helpful tools and documentation. They make tasks simpler, so developers can focus on creating great apps instead of writing everything from the ground up.
12 implied HN points 07 Jan 25
  1. Alteryx is a tool that helps teams make sense of messy data without needing to code. It allows people to clean and analyze their data easily.
  2. Many companies have limited access to specialized data teams, which makes tools like Alteryx important for non-technical users.
  3. Alteryx started with a simple workflow builder for data cleaning but has grown to include many other analytics tools over time.
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50 implied HN points 07 Oct 24
  1. RAG helps make AI models like GPT-4 more personal and accurate by using specific data from users.
  2. By embedding user data directly into models, RAG creates responses that are more tailored to individual needs.
  3. RAG is becoming a common method to improve LLMs, alongside the traditional way of fine-tuning models.
29 implied HN points 12 Nov 24
  1. Data migration is the process of moving information from one place to another, like relocating files when changing devices. It involves transferring various types of data, such as documents and databases, to ensure everything is in the right spot.
  2. Migrations can be complex and risky, often causing errors or service disruptions if not done carefully. This makes it crucial for companies to have good planning and oversight to avoid losing important data or negatively affecting users.
  3. There are many reasons to migrate data, such as upgrading technology or meeting new security regulations. Companies often need to adapt to growth or changes in the market, which can lead to costly and lengthy migration projects.
34 implied HN points 21 Oct 24
  1. A vector database is a special storage for data used in AI. It helps store numbers that represent different types of information like text or images.
  2. To make AI models smarter, they need to use unique data from companies. This helps tailor responses and improve accuracy.
  3. There are ways to enhance AI models with unique data, like fine-tuning them or using a method called Retrieval Augmented Generation (RAG) to include important information in prompts.
10 implied HN points 19 Dec 24
  1. Technically wants to improve in 2025, and they need feedback from users to do that.
  2. They have two surveys: one to help organize their learning materials and another to find out what AI topics users want to learn about.
  3. Participating in the surveys is quick and easy, and it will help make Technically more valuable for everyone next year.
41 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. It's not just about the performance numbers of large language models (LLMs). The real value lies in the experiences built on top of these models for customers.
  2. The ChatGPT interface demonstrates the importance of the overall experience over just the underlying model technology in LLMs.
  3. When considering open source LLMs, it's crucial to focus on the holistic experience that model providers offer, not just the performance metrics in comparison to closed source models.
7 implied HN points 18 Mar 24
  1. Sentry is an error-tracking and performance-monitoring platform for developers to diagnose and fix issues in their code.
  2. Sentry provides an SDK for developers to capture errors and a graphical interface to take action on them.
  3. In addition to error tracking, Sentry also offers application performance monitoring to help teams understand their app's performance.
1 implied HN point 06 Mar 24
  1. 2023 was a strong year for learning about software engineering, with various in-depth and practical posts.
  2. Technically covered an array of tech topics in depth and basic explainers, including AI themes like ML and AI models.
  3. Exciting content planned for 2024 on databases, AI, and news analysis, with opportunities for reader engagement and questions.
1 implied HN point 06 Mar 24
  1. Understanding schemas in databases is crucial for anyone working with engineers.
  2. Changes to database schemas can be complex and time-consuming, causing delays in project timelines.
  3. Having a basic knowledge of schemas can help non-technical team members communicate better with engineers.
0 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Zapier is a tool that helps business people create custom integrations between their favorite tools without the need for coding.
  2. Most SaaS tools require integrations to move data where needed (e.g. Salesforce data in Hubspot).
  3. Tools often have standard integrations, but Zapier allows building custom integrations for unique needs.
0 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Open source and open core have differences, but in many cases, the distinction is related to marketing strategies.
  2. The concept of open source has evolved over time, with companies becoming more aggressive in their approaches.
  3. Understanding the marketing aspect is crucial in determining the difference between open source and open core.
0 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. WebAssembly allows developers to write code in faster languages like C++ and Rust that can run in the browser, solving performance limitations of JavaScript.
  2. Code running in the browser can only be written in JavaScript, leading to the development of WebAssembly to execute non-JavaScript code in the browser.
  3. WebAssembly can be used to offload specific parts of applications into modules that run faster, like using C++ or Rust code compiled into WebAssembly for more efficient operations.
0 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Snyk helps developers ensure their code is secure and free of vulnerabilities by finding and fixing code weaknesses that hackers can exploit.
  2. Code vulnerabilities are weaknesses in code that hackers could potentially exploit, which Snyk helps to identify and resolve.
  3. Snyk can be used to secure app code, containers, infrastructure code, and more.
0 implied HN points 06 Mar 24
  1. Observability helps teams monitor when things go wrong and profile how things change over time in different software systems
  2. Observability can be divided into 4 major types: infrastructure, application, data, and business observability, each requiring different tools and teams for monitoring
  3. Business observability focuses on monitoring how metrics are trending, important events, and providing proactive alerts to make better decisions