The hottest Computing Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Technology Made Simple 99 implied HN points 16 May 23
  1. Time complexity refers to the number of instructions a software executes, not the actual time taken to run the code.
  2. Three common asymptotic notations for computing time complexity are Big Oh, Big Theta, and Big Omega.
  3. Understanding time complexity bounds is essential in computer science and software engineering, as they are fundamental concepts that appear regularly.
James W. Phillips' Newsletter 78 implied HN points 14 May 23
  1. Bret Victor envisions a future where the laboratory is a communal computational system.
  2. Personal computing history, led by figures like Alan Kay, envisioned computers as 'intellectual amplifiers'.
  3. Realtalk is a system where physical spaces are transformed into computational systems, allowing collaborative work without screens.
Bzogramming 22 implied HN points 05 Oct 23
  1. Ubiquitous Computing envisioned computers fading into the background to be convenient means to solve problems.
  2. Simplicity has limits due to the finite number of interactions and outcomes possible with tools.
  3. Personalization and infrastructure are crucial for making general-purpose tools convenient and efficient for individual users.
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50 Years of Text Games 49 HN points 16 May 23
  1. Computers evolved quickly in their early years, with innovations being made and lost before becoming standardized.
  2. Computer games with text came before those with graphics, highlighting the initial challenge of dealing with language.
  3. Christopher Strachey, an early computer programmer, paved the way for text-based computer games and made significant contributions to the field of computer science.
Am I Stronger Yet? 15 implied HN points 12 Sep 23
  1. Intermediate superintelligence is not expected to happen overnight, but gradually surpass human capabilities on various tasks.
  2. Intelligence significantly impacts productivity in tasks; talented individuals can find more efficient solutions and execute them quickly.
  3. AI advancements go beyond intelligence, offering unique advantages like relentless focus, lack of fatigue, and enhanced communication abilities.

#23

The Nibble 12 implied HN points 02 Sep 23
  1. Microsoft plans to bring AI capabilities to Paint and Photos app on Windows 11.
  2. Reliance showcased JioFiberAir, providing high-speed internet without wires for high-paying households.
  3. Domains, like Anguilla's .ai, are becoming valuable assets in the digital world.
The Intersection 19 implied HN points 09 Jun 23
  1. In order to succeed, it's more important to be smart than fast. The tale of the mouse outsmarting the ox in the Zodiac race exemplifies this.
  2. Apple's Vision Pro launch marks their entry into spatial computing, but they are not the pioneers in personal or mobile computing.
  3. Apple aims to dominate individual interface access, while Meta focuses on connections and monetizing data. Both have different business focuses and target markets.
world spirit sock stack 1 implied HN point 04 Mar 24
  1. The Simulation Argument suggests that if technologically advanced civilizations are likely to create 'ancestor simulations,' then it's probable we are currently living in one.
  2. A counterargument questions the high cost and resources needed to run simulations of confused minds, suggesting that the majority of minds in a location are likely correct about their reality.
  3. The idea that simulating history is extremely cheap challenges the assumption that all possibilities will be pursued given finite resources and many potential simulations.
Technology Made Simple 39 implied HN points 02 Nov 22
  1. Log transformations can be used for efficient multiplication between large numbers by converting the problem into addition of logs, making it more manageable.
  2. Logs have interesting properties that make them useful for handling computations with very large or very small numbers.
  3. Using log transformations is a clever math technique that is commonly used in fields like AI, Big Data, and Machine Learning to handle large computations.
First principles trivia 39 implied HN points 13 Jun 22
  1. AGI development faces challenges in translating from a computer-based system to independently-operating physical entities, requiring decades of complex R&D
  2. Historical examples show that novel engineering, especially without a basis of previous work, takes significant time, even for AGI with higher intellect
  3. Human scientific progress evidences challenges and limitations in advancing technology efficiently, potentially slowing AGI's ability to advance rapidly
Jakob Nielsen on UX 7 implied HN points 22 Jun 23
  1. AI is introducing the third user-interface paradigm in computing history, shifting from command-based interaction to intent-based outcome specification.
  2. The first UI paradigm was batch processing, where users submitted complete workflows and got results much later, usually with issues in usability.
  3. Command-based interaction, the second UI paradigm, allowed users to assess and modify commands one at a time, with GUIs dominating for about 40 years; AI's intent-based paradigm reverses user control, representing a new era in UI design.
Bits and Bytes 5 HN points 16 Jul 23
  1. Moore's Law has driven progress in computing for decades by doubling transistor counts every 2 years.
  2. The management of complexity in computing has been achieved through abstraction and refactoring across multiple disciplines.
  3. Future advances in computing will likely involve raising the level of abstraction and introducing new tools to handle increasing transistor counts.
MAP's Tech Newsletter. 4 implied HN points 16 Jun 23
  1. Gary Kildall was a key figure in computer history, creating CP/M and Digital Research, making personal computers accessible.
  2. IBM approached Kildall for an operating system, but a missed opportunity led to Microsoft purchasing a similar system instead.
  3. Kildall's failure to secure a deal with IBM and legal battles with Microsoft had a significant impact on his career and personal life.
FreakTakes 1 implied HN point 05 Nov 23
  1. The Machine Acquisition Program helped DARPA researchers acquire expensive machines for AI research at a lower cost through negotiation with manufacturers.
  2. The program had successful cost savings but faced challenges due to rapid technological changes, making some purchased machines obsolete within a few years.
  3. Lessons learned included the importance of adapting to evolving technology, weighing risks of investing in rapidly changing fields, and considering long-term impacts of equipment purchases.
Photon-Lines Substack 2 HN points 09 Jul 23
  1. Hash tables allow for efficient storage and retrieval of key-value pairs using hash functions.
  2. Real-world applications of hash tables include dictionaries, caching systems, database indexing, and symbol tables in compilers.
  3. Good hash functions must be efficient, deterministic, and ensure a uniform distribution of generated keys to avoid collisions.
Cybernetic Forests 19 implied HN points 11 Apr 21
  1. Tape was the first data storage medium, made of iron oxide with data inscribed by magnets, and tape art and music have explored its possibilities.
  2. Music on tape has influenced data on tape, with notable examples like Brian Eno and Delia Darbyshire using tape as a creative tool.
  3. Art, like music experimentation, serves as a space for safe exploration and where things can break, contributing to science and knowledge without being driven solely by profit or power.
Keeping Tabs by The Browser Company 1 HN point 30 Mar 23
  1. Our smartphones have made us think about life in a specific way with apps, but our digital lives are more complex now.
  2. Our digital spaces should be designed around people, projects, and goals rather than the traditional app-centric model.
  3. We should have the freedom to search across all apps, build our own organizational structures, and express ourselves in our digital spaces.
Spatial Web AI by Denise Holt 0 implied HN points 01 Jan 24
  1. The computing landscape is evolving dramatically in 2024, marked by the emergence of groundbreaking technologies beyond Generative AI.
  2. VERSES AI is at the forefront of shaping this new computing paradigm, introducing a comprehensive framework for the future of computing.
  3. Active Inference AI, exemplified by VERSES, represents a significant leap towards achieving Artificial General Intelligence in an energy-efficient and sustainable manner.
Deus In Machina 0 implied HN points 31 Aug 23
  1. Computing technology evolved from 8-bit to 64-bit architectures over the years, impacting how we use and understand computers.
  2. Understanding bits, nibbles, and bytes provides insight into the fundamental units of computer data representation and processing.
  3. The transition from 8-bit to 64-bit computing brought advancements in hardware, software development, and overall system performance.
Intuitive AI 0 implied HN points 31 Aug 23
  1. General Large Language Model performance can be predicted based on compute, dataset size, and parameter count.
  2. Task-specific abilities in models show abrupt jumps in proficiency as the parameter count increases.
  3. Abrupt skill emergence is observed in models for tasks like adding numbers or unscrambling words as they reach certain parameter thresholds.
Kotobago Newsletter 0 implied HN points 20 Sep 23
  1. Ubiquitous computing may not always involve augmented displays, but could include no display at all.
  2. Consider exploring how blind individuals use computers and the tools they use for programming.
  3. Blob storage can offer a modern alternative to conventional filesystem navigation by eliminating the need for creating folders.
Splitting Infinity 0 implied HN points 07 Sep 23
  1. The use of genetically modified neurons to improve MRI imaging of the brain by producing protein-based contrast agents is an intriguing idea.
  2. Real hedge funds do not seem to use certain advanced algorithms for portfolio selection despite proven performance improvement.
  3. FPGA's are versatile hardware that can be programmed for various computational tasks and have applications in fields like antennas, random number generation, and hardware security.