The hottest Development Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Cash crops, marketing boards, and agricultural policy failures in Africa

An Africanist Perspective • 455 implied HN points • 18 Feb 23
🌍 World Politics Agriculture Development Trade Africa Policy
  1. Improving agricultural productivity in Africa is crucial for economic development. Policymakers need to shift towards policies that support small-scale farmers and focus on local value addition before exports.
  2. The role of the state in African agriculture needs to be reconsidered. Historical policies like marketing boards have had both positive and negative impacts, and there is a need for open-mindedness towards government involvement in the sector.
  3. African cash crop producers face challenges in benefiting from their produce due to the structure of international commodity markets. African governments must invest in value addition and convince buyers to support local processing to boost sectoral margins.

Enterprise Generative AI Unfolded

Gradient Flow • 439 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Development Tools Enterprise Applications
  1. Mastering Model Development & Optimization is crucial for building efficient and powerful Generative AI and Large Language Models. Scaling to large datasets, applying model compression strategies, and efficient model training are key aspects.
  2. Customizability & Fine-tuning are essential to adapt pre-existing LLMs to specific business needs. Techniques like fine-tuning and in-context learning help tailor LLMs for unique use cases, such as adjusting speech synthesis models for customized experiences.
  3. Investing in Operational Tooling & Infrastructure, including robust model hosting, orchestration, and maintenance tools, is vital for efficient and real-time deployment of AI systems in enterprises. Tools for logging, tracking, and enhancing LLM outputs ensure quality control and ongoing improvements.

We went to DevWorld!

Permit.io’s Substack • 179 implied HN points • 01 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Conferences Software Development Networking Innovation
  1. DevWorld conference is a great chance for developers to learn and share ideas. It's also a fun place to meet other tech enthusiasts and see new tools.
  2. Focusing on listening rather than selling at events helps better understand the challenges developers face. Connecting over shared experiences can be more valuable than just making business deals.
  3. There are exciting new tools and products in the developer space like Sentry for monitoring, and Ditto for offline connectivity solutions. These innovations aim to improve developer experiences and make their work easier.
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July 2024 update

Opral (lix & inlang) • 19 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Web Databases Innovation
  1. The team is moving quickly with rewriting inlang and lix using SQLite instead of git. This change is expected to speed things up a lot.
  2. The release date for the new version is coming at the end of August, so we don't have to wait long.
  3. Lix aims to become a social network where people can share various kinds of their work, like music, video, or design projects.

The Sequence Engineering #474: The Super Popular Eliza Framework for Building AI Agents

TheSequence • 77 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Web3 Development Frameworks Automation
  1. The Eliza framework is becoming very popular, especially in the web3 and crypto spaces. It helps developers create AI applications by automating essential tasks.
  2. Despite not being widely known, Eliza has gained a lot of attention on platforms like GitHub, showing its growing appeal.
  3. Eliza offers a flexible design, making it a strong choice for building agentic apps. It's more than just a tool for crypto; it's useful for various types of AI projects.

LangGraph Studio From LangChain

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 03 Jul 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Cloud Programming
  1. LangGraph helps in creating a flow for conversational applications, allowing for both structured and flexible designs. This means you can manage how chatbots interact without forcing them into a rigid structure.
  2. With LangGraph Studio, users can visualize and control how their AI agents work. It provides tools to track performance, test different scenarios, and optimize interactions effectively.
  3. LangGraph Cloud allows developers to deploy their projects from GitHub and test them in a user-friendly environment. This makes it easier to understand and improve the behavior of AI agents in real-time.

Is RBAC Still Relevant? Am I?

Permit.io’s Substack • 99 implied HN points • 25 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software Security Data Development Innovation
  1. RBAC is still important as it simplifies the management of user permissions by linking them to roles, making it easier for developers and users to understand.
  2. Newer models like ABAC and ReBAC are gaining popularity because they offer more flexibility and can handle complex permission requirements better than RBAC.
  3. Using RBAC as a foundation allows developers to build more advanced authorization systems by layering on additional models, adapting to the changing needs of applications.

Apple IIe and IIc Design Manager Peter Quinn Interviewed by BYTE's Gregg Williams

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 04 Mar 24
🕹 Technology History Design Interview Development Compatibility
  1. Peter Quinn was involved in the design of Apple IIe from the beginning, starting with a plan to enhance the keyboard and provide 80 columns, which led to the idea of expanding the memory to 128K.
  2. The development of Apple IIc was intertwined with the IIe project. The decision to create a more focused product led to the IIc design, which included built-in peripherals like a mouse port and two serial ports.
  3. Design challenges for the compact Apple IIc included managing heat and radiation effectively, with unique solutions like intricate venting schemes and careful layout of components to meet corporate specifications.

Santa's Souped-Up MEGA65

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 22 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Computers Software Gaming Development Community
  1. The MEGA65 community is thriving with exciting new projects and downloads, showcasing the talent and enthusiasm of its members.
  2. New tools like SidPlay65 and COPA65 enhance the music and text editing experience on the MEGA65, making it more fun and user-friendly.
  3. Projects such as full-color video demos and powerful file browsers show that innovation continues to grow in the MEGA65 ecosystem.

Permissions, AI, and Plato’s Ideal API

Permit.io’s Substack • 79 implied HN points • 09 May 24
🕹 Technology APIs AI Security Development Authorization Infrastructure
  1. APIs are now seen more as tools that users consume rather than just things developers create. This shift means we have to think about how APIs are used and managed from both ends.
  2. As APIs are used more, especially with AI, monitoring costs and handling errors are super important. Developers need to be careful about how many calls they make to avoid big bills and errors.
  3. The way we set permissions and handle security for APIs is changing. It's crucial to apply consistent security rules across all parts of an application, not just in isolated areas.

Here's Proof that Extreme Poverty Statistics are Unreliable

Policy Tensor • 373 implied HN points • 29 Apr 23
🌍 World Politics Poverty Data Analysis Development Research
  1. Extreme poverty statistics may not be reliable due to potential biases in measurement methods.
  2. Evidence indicates inconsistencies between poverty rates and key indicators like life expectancy, raising concerns about the accuracy of poverty data.
  3. The World Bank's numbers show discrepancies that suggest a need for further scrutiny and possible revision of poverty measurement techniques.

Composition to the Rescue

FREST Substack • 9 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Architecture Security Data
  1. Current software systems are often too complex and difficult to modify, which makes them less user-friendly. We need simpler ways to build software that anyone can change easily.
  2. Many businesses often overcomplicate software development, focusing too much on rigid structures instead of creating flexible systems. Instead, we should aim for systems that work like Excel and FileMaker, where changes can be made swiftly.
  3. A new approach to software composition is needed, one that allows everyone to understand and manipulate tools. By focusing on natural relations and simple queries, we can create software that is accessible to all, not just a select few.

BreakTime - Destroy Your Meetings

eieio games • 119 implied HN points • 13 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Productivity Development Innovation
  1. BreakTime is a game that turns your meetings into a fun experience, literally by breaking bricks. You can play it inside Google Calendar instead of just looking at meeting times.
  2. When you play, BreakTime has an option to decline meetings for you after the game. This adds a humorous twist to handling a busy schedule.
  3. The creator of BreakTime was inspired by friends and enjoyed making it, showing how collaboration can lead to fun and creative projects.

Follow These Tips To Improve Android App Performance

Better Engineers • 19 implied HN points • 26 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Mobile Development Performance Engineering
  1. Identifying performance issues in an Android app is crucial. It helps you understand what's wrong and fix problems like slow rendering and frozen frames.
  2. Using tools like Firebase Performance Monitoring can help find specific issues. This way, you can pinpoint what's causing delays and how to address them.
  3. To improve app performance, avoid long-running tasks on the UI thread. Techniques like lazy loading and using View Stubs can make your app run smoother.

Accelerate by years part I - Inlang directories as lix repositories

Opral (lix & inlang) • 19 implied HN points • 23 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software Development Networking Systems Programming
  1. Making inlang directories work as independent repositories can speed up the development process significantly. This means less reliance on GitHub and fewer complications.
  2. Smaller, self-contained inlang repositories require less hosting and have lower scalability needs. This makes it easier to manage and use them without needing a lot of resources.
  3. With control over push, pull, and commit actions, developers can streamline their workflows. This helps avoid many frustrating issues related to traditional version control systems.

Abundance mindset (not LinkedIn cringe)

CodeFaster • 36 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Mindset Artificial Intelligence Development Coding
  1. An abundance mindset helps you think creatively and work faster by focusing on possibilities instead of limitations. It's about believing that resources, like time and tech, are plentiful.
  2. A scarcity mindset can slow you down and lead to poor decisions, like overcomplicating simple tasks. Thinking that everything is limited makes you hesitant to create and innovate.
  3. In today's tech world, many resources are cheap and accessible. With advancements like AI, we can keep creating without worrying too much about waste or pollution.

The Truth about Prefect, Mage, and Airflow.

Data Engineering Central • 294 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Data Engineering Python Development
  1. Airflow has been a dominant tool for data orchestration, but new tools like Prefect and Mage are challenging its reign.
  2. Prefect focuses on using Python for defining tasks and workflows, but may not offer enough differentiation from Airflow.
  3. Mage stands out for its focus on engineering best practices and providing a smoother developer experience, making it a compelling choice over Airflow for scaling up data pipelines.

Google's reasoning model, New open-source physics AI engine, Odyssey's Explorer, OmniAudio, AI phone calling, FACTS Leaderboard, Meta Apollo, Global Talent Network, Falcon 3, Veo 2,DeepSeek-VL2 & more

AI Brews • 17 implied HN points • 20 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Models Software Development Innovation
  1. Google has launched a new reasoning model called Gemini Flash Thinking that shows its thoughts, making it better at reasoning. It has top scores on the Chatbot Arena leaderboard.
  2. There is a new open-source physics simulation platform called Genesis that can help with robotics and AI applications by creating detailed, dynamic worlds.
  3. Meta has introduced a family of models called Apollo that can efficiently process long videos, and other companies are also launching new AI tools for audio and video generation.

"Organic Markdown" Intro

Rethinking Software • 199 implied HN points • 21 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Documentation Open Source
  1. Organic Markdown helps keep your code and documentation in sync. This means you won't have to edit your code separately from your notes, making everything easier to manage.
  2. It improves how your code is presented. By arranging your code better for people to understand, you can still adjust it later for the computer to run.
  3. You can run commands and build applications right from your Markdown file. This makes the workflow smoother and lets you focus more on coding.

African Foreign Policy in a Multipolar Age

An Africanist Perspective • 376 implied HN points • 22 Dec 22
🌍 World Politics Foreign Policy Africa International relations Sovereignty Development
  1. Africa's growing population and demographic shift will increase its geopolitical importance in the future.
  2. African countries must focus on building strong states and state capacity to ensure physical safety, order, and effective regional cooperation.
  3. African leaders should be clear on their policy priorities, understand foreign actors' motivations, keep options open for partnerships, and promote healthy competition within Africa to advance the region's interests.

Can People Change their Personalities?

Mind & Mythos • 339 implied HN points • 23 Jun 23
📖 Philosophy Personality Psychology Change Identity Development
  1. Personality can change depending on the situation. For example, a person might act differently at work compared to how they are around family.
  2. People’s personalities can evolve throughout their lives, especially between ages 20 and 40. People often become more conscientious and agreeable during this time.
  3. Intentional changes to one’s personality are possible. Life experiences and therapy can help people adapt and change their traits over time.

Growth mindset vs. fixed mindset

Elevate • 218 implied HN points • 21 Nov 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Mindset Learning Development Relationships Health
  1. Our mindset plays a big role in shaping our lives, influencing how we tackle challenges, learn, and grow.
  2. A fixed mindset hinders growth by viewing abilities as static traits, leading to fear of failure, avoidance of challenges, and jealousy of others' success.
  3. Conversely, a growth mindset empowers individuals, as they believe in their ability to develop skills over time through effort, learning, and perseverance.

Making Sense of Agentic AI | ThoughtWorks’ Birgitta Boeckeler

Dev Interrupted • 28 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Programming Development Automation
  1. AI tools can help software teams improve their work, but it's important to pick the right ones that actually make a difference. Sometimes the hype around AI doesn't match up with real-world results.
  2. Governance matters when it comes to programming languages. A strict control model can limit a language's potential for growth, so a more open approach might be better.
  3. Reddit is gaining popularity as users appreciate its less polished, more authentic content. It shows that not all platforms need to rely heavily on AI to attract people.

Three percent more Monaco: Links in Progress, infrastructure edition

The Works in Progress Newsletter • 11 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Infrastructure Transportation Urban planning Construction Development
  1. A new airport opened in Nuuk, Greenland, making it easier for larger planes to land and boosting travel from locations like New Jersey.
  2. Vietnam is planning an impressive high-speed rail line between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, which will cost around $67 billion and open in 2035.
  3. Monaco is expanding its land area by reclaiming land from the sea to build a new district, highlighting its ambition to develop upscale real estate.

A Mentality To Build in Saudi Arabia

Christopher’s Newsletter • 255 implied HN points • 16 Feb 23
🌐 International Society Development Culture Economy Innovation
  1. In Saudi Arabia, there is a mentality to build from the bottom up by locals with a great stake in outcomes.
  2. The focus is on talent being unleashed across cities and villages, with a commitment to change and progress.
  3. The shift towards a mentality to build is evident not just in big cities but also in small communities, emphasizing long-term commitment and involvement of locals.

In search of collaboration...

Development Hell • 256 implied HN points • 04 Jun 23
📚 Literature Collaboration Writers Development Creative Process
  1. The post discusses the importance of writers in the creative process and encourages them to advocate for themselves in collaborations with producers.
  2. The author highlights the value that writers bring to the development process and emphasizes the need for them to understand their crucial role.
  3. There is a mention of a free trial for readers to access full post archives and continue reading content on the topic of collaboration between writers and development executives.

CodeGen News for 2024-09-09

CodeGen News • 3 HN points • 09 Sep 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Coding Development Tools
  1. There are new articles and tools to help developers work better with AI-generated code. It's important to stay updated on these resources to improve your skills.
  2. The newsletter features a variety of reading, watching, and listening materials that can enhance your understanding of AI in coding. Exploring different formats can make learning more engaging.
  3. Recent updates to coding projects, like GitHub Copilot and Replit, show how AI is changing software development. Keeping track of these changes can help you utilize these tools effectively.