The hottest Computers Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

VenturCom's VENIX

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Operating Systems Software Development
  1. VenturCom was founded in 1980 and worked on various projects including Venix, Windows NT, and Windows CE. They later changed their name to Ardence, which was acquired by Citrix Systems before becoming IntervalZero.
  2. Venix was one of the first UNIX systems for IBM PCs, based on Version 7 Unix with enhancements. It had different versions released over the years and received feedback on pricing, performance, and features compared to other similar systems like Xenix.
  3. Reviews from publications like PC Magazine and Dr. Dobb's Journal praised Venix's compatibility with System V Unix, while also highlighting areas for improvement like bugs, DOS interface, and third-party software support.

[214.] Hello. Happy Anniversary Macintosh!

Hardcore Software • 687 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Computers Software Operating Systems Programming Digital Art
  1. The introduction of the Apple Macintosh in 1984 profoundly changed computing and many people's lives
  2. The Macintosh brought empowerment, elegance, and a sense of mastery to users and developers, setting a new standard in the industry
  3. The Macintosh's impact was widespread, transforming document creation, software development, and user experiences on college campuses and beyond

No One AI Model Will Rule the World

The Algorithmic Bridge • 254 implied HN points • 28 Feb 24
🕹 Technology AI Computers Generative AI Supercomputers Industry
  1. The generative AI industry is diverse and resembles the automotive industry, with a wide range of options catering to different needs and preferences of users.
  2. Just like in the computer industry, there are various types and brands of AI models available, each optimized for different purposes and preferences of users.
  3. Generative AI space is not a single race towards AGI, but rather consists of multiple players aiming for different goals, leading to a heterogeneous and stable landscape.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

The Arm Story Part 2 : Archimedes to Advanced RISC Machines

The Chip Letter • 2672 implied HN points • 19 Feb 23
🕹 Technology History Computers Innovation Startups Mobile
  1. Acorn built a fast microcomputer called ARM but struggled to sell it, leading to Apple acquiring the technology and creating a separate company - ARM.
  2. The Acorn team focused on keeping manufacturing costs low for ARM, making it affordable and power-efficient compared to other designs at the time.
  3. The Archimedes, powered by ARM chips, received positive reviews for its speed and performance, offering a cost-effective alternative to other computers available.

Comparing the Names of Various Retro Computers

Goto 10: The Newsletter for Atari Enthusiasts • 117 implied HN points • 09 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Brands Graphics Innovations
  1. Product naming can be challenging even today, as seen in the variety of names given to retro computers.
  2. Using numbers was a common naming convention for retro computers, such as Apple II, Commodore 64, and Atari 520ST.
  3. The name of a product plays a significant role in its success and recognition, with memorable names like Atari and Amiga standing out.

Primordial USB on Atari 8-bits

Goto 10: The Newsletter for Atari Enthusiasts • 117 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Design History
  1. Atari 8-bit computers were more advanced than other personal computers of the late 1970s, with superior graphics and design.
  2. Atari used a well-designed Serial Input/Output (SIO) connector for peripherals, allowing easy connection and daisy-chaining of devices.
  3. The Atari SIO connector, developed by Joe Decuir, served as a predecessor to the USB standard due to its single-port, plug-and-play design.

Tano Dragon

Computer Ads from the Past • 640 implied HN points • 31 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Computers History Reviews Operating System Bankruptcy
  1. Dragon Data Ltd was a Welsh company that released the Dragon 32 and Dragon 64 computers in the early 1980s.
  2. The Dragon 32 was known for using the Motorola MC6809E processor and included an extended version of Microsoft BASIC.
  3. Despite initial success, Dragon Data faced financial challenges, underwent ownership changes, and eventually filed for bankruptcy.

THINK's Lightspeed C

Computer Ads from the Past • 512 implied HN points • 27 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Computers Programming Software Tech Companies Computer History
  1. Lightspeed C was a C programming language software developed in the mid-1980s for Atari systems and Macintosh computers.
  2. Clearstar Softechnologies created Lightspeed C for Atari systems in 1985, and the company was later purchased by Omega Soft in 1988.
  3. THINK Technologies released Lightspeed C for Mac and later renamed it to THINK C in the mid-1980s, receiving positive reviews for its speed and user-friendliness.

Orange Micro's OrangePC

Computer Ads from the Past • 256 implied HN points • 20 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Computers Performance
  1. Orange Micro's OrangePC was a hardware solution for Mac users to run DOS and Windows applications.
  2. OrangePC provided a Wintel-compatible computer with features like Pentium processors, sound emulation, and VGA support.
  3. Compared to software emulators like SoftPC, OrangePC offered faster performance and better integration between Mac and PC applications.

The desktop and its disappearance

Kosmik’s Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 18 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Computers Software Web Cloud
  1. The development of the desktop metaphor started with making computers more approachable and user-friendly.
  2. Over time, the desktop evolved to include features like Mission Control to help users manage an increasing number of apps and files.
  3. Advancements in web technologies have led to a shift towards cloud-based desktop environments like Kosmik 2.0, offering users a more flexible and productive digital habitat.

The truth is out there

benn.substack • 508 implied HN points • 12 May 23
🕹 Technology AI Data Analysis Computers Software
  1. Computers can approach problems in ways humans can't, like Deep Blue's moves in chess.
  2. AI progress often comes from scaling computation by search and learning, not by mimicking human reasoning.
  3. Considering new approaches that leverage computation over human knowledge could help solve complex problems like pricing optimization.

eisenhower as cybernetician

Dan Davies - "Back of Mind" • 373 implied HN points • 30 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Cybernetics Decision-making Information Technology Computers
  1. Dwight Eisenhower highlighted the importance of maintaining balance in national programs and between private and public sectors.
  2. There was a new decision-making system created by the conjunction of military and industrial establishments.
  3. The warning was given that this system could generate outcomes not necessarily desired, seek growth, and be influenced by technological advancements.

Pascal: The language that almost took over the world part 1

Deus In Machina • 36 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🕹 Technology Programming Languages Computers Operating Systems Software Development
  1. Pascal language was designed with a focus on clean and readable code, making it ideal for teaching programming.
  2. Turbo Pascal revolutionized programming by combining editing, compiling, and linking steps in one integrated environment.
  3. The decline of Pascal was due to factors like its focus on teaching, rapid advancements in computing technology, and the popularity of Unix and C programming language.

Reviving Chromebooks with Ubuntu: Autonomous Servers, Planned Obsolescence, and Permacomputing

Sunshine and Seedlings: A Newsletter by HydroponicTrash • 98 HN points • 24 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Computers Sustainability DIY Environmentalism
  1. Chromebooks are often discarded and become obsolete due to planned obsolescence by companies like Google.
  2. Reviving old Chromebooks with Ubuntu can turn them into useful autonomous servers, reducing waste.
  3. Permacomputing offers a sustainable approach to technology, focusing on reuse, modular design, and stewardship of resources.

It's a DARPA-filled Week

The Good Science Project • 18 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
🔬 Science Technology Research Funding Computers
  1. Recent articles are discussing the different perspectives on the ARPA funding model for research.
  2. Eric Gilliam is starting a comprehensive project analyzing past DARPA projects, aiming to create a resource for funders in similar organizations.
  3. This week is filled with DARPA-related content for those interested in ARPA initiatives.

The language of command

Nick Merrill • 39 implied HN points • 28 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Computers Programming Ethics Research
  1. In bureaucratic contexts, commands are linguistically coded, associated with power relations.
  2. Computers operate on commands, reflecting cultural stories about labor discipline and efficiency.
  3. AI challenges the traditional power dynamics associated with commanding computers, raising existential questions for users.

Do Macs Still Matter?

CIRP - Apple Report • 39 implied HN points • 21 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Computers Apple Consumers
  1. Consumers still want Mac computers despite the shift to mobile-first computing era.
  2. Apple refreshed the high-end Mac desktops and introduced a new larger MacBook Air with a 15" display.
  3. Laptops dominate Mac computer sales, accounting for over three-quarters of sales in the recent twelve-month period.

"Tf is a kernel?"

Aaron’s Blog • 6 implied HN points • 30 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Programming Software Operating Systems Computers
  1. When working with Python, it's better to create separate project environments and add dependencies as needed to avoid conflicts and keep things organized.
  2. Understanding the role of a kernel in a computer - it helps software interact with physical components like keyboard and display.
  3. Users may find it helpful to engage in conversational learning, like Q&A sessions, to grasp complex technical concepts more easily.

Children of the Geissler Tube

Atlas of Wonders and Monsters • 1 HN point • 17 Nov 23
🕹 Technology Physics Lighting Electronics Computers Discovery
  1. Heinrich Geissler invented the Geissler tube, a crucial technology that led to the development of modern world technologies.
  2. Geissler tubes were originally sold as novelty items before becoming important for lighting, including fluorescent and neon lights.
  3. The Geissler tube's descendants include the cathode-ray tube used in TVs, computers with vacuum tubes, transistors, and even diodes, impacting numerous aspects of our daily lives.

No room for the olds

Links I Would Gchat You If We Were Friends • 0 implied HN points • 24 Mar 14
🕹 Technology Ageism Government Robots Computers Data Tracking
  1. Eli Pariser founded a popular website and the team's success was due to clickbait headline strategies.
  2. Silicon Valley faces significant ageism issues, with workers in their late 20s resorting to plastic surgery to appear younger.
  3. Some government workers still use outdated manual paper-based systems for paperwork, showcasing a lack of modern efficiency.

The iMac

subtract • 0 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Computers Innovation Design History
  1. The iMac solved the problem of complexity in choosing a computer by combining everything into one package, making it easier and more appealing for consumers.
  2. Apple innovated by simplifying the connectivity process, using USB ports to replace multiple types and reducing the mental burden of setting up a computer.
  3. The iMac's aesthetic design, usability, and targeted marketing to educators made it the go-to choice for internet use, showing that simplicity and approachability can drive product success.

Plus Post: Lobo MAX-80

Computer Ads from the Past • 0 implied HN points • 11 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Computers History
  1. Lobo Drives International, founded by Roger Billings in 1981, later changed the name to Lobo Systems before being dissolved in 1985.
  2. Venture Investments bought a controlling interest in Lobo in 1983 as per records, indicating a shift in ownership within a few years.
  3. The mentioned company, Lobo, was a significant entity in the computer industry, existing for a relatively short period from 1981 to 1985.

I’m a Mac, You’re a PC. There really is a difference.

Joshua Gans' Newsletter • 0 implied HN points • 15 Feb 13
🕹 Technology Computers Mobile Operating Systems Software Product Design
  1. The type of person you are, Mac or PC, really matters in relation to personal computing devices like tablets and laptops.
  2. Mac users tend to appreciate smooth animations, gestures, and a natural feel in their devices, while PC users value practical features like integrated keyboards and familiar software optimizations.
  3. Understanding and accepting that there are fundamental differences in consumer types helps in evaluating products better and catering to different market segments effectively.

Newsletter 1: What's next?

detreville • 0 implied HN points • 17 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Computers History
  1. The author plans to cover a series of IBM computers in their newsletters.
  2. The IBM 7040 and 7044 will be next in the series, followed by other IBM models.
  3. The author has a deep knowledge and personal history with IBM computers.