The hottest Engineering Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Business Topics

What's Quantum Computing

Technically • 59 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Computing Quantum Innovation Research Engineering
  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.

April Progress Prizes / Updates

Vesuvius Challenge • 38 implied HN points • 23 May 25
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Data science Algorithms Research
  1. New techniques for analyzing scroll shapes are improving the way we handle and segment data. This means we can understand and work with historical documents much better.
  2. There have been exciting updates in scroll deformation methods, which can help in restoring the original shapes of ancient scrolls. This makes analyzing them easier and more accurate.
  3. The new developments in fiber analysis provide important information that can help reconstruct ancient writing surfaces. This can lead to better ways to unroll and study papyrus materials.

Background Work

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1568 implied HN points • 28 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Programming Engineering Data Analysis Artificial Intelligence
  1. Background work is doing extra research or tasks beyond what's necessary. It's a way to learn and grow your skills.
  2. Successful programmers often engage in background work, which helps them become more knowledgeable and credible.
  3. While background work can sometimes feel like extra effort, it usually pays off quickly and can save time in the long run.

🚀 SpaceX is making a space Mayflower voyage possible

Faster, Please! • 456 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🔬 Science Space Exploration Astrobiology Physics Technological Innovation Engineering
  1. SpaceX is making space travel cheaper and more accessible, which could allow for new settlements in space. This change could make colonizing asteroids a real possibility.
  2. NASA's Artemis program has spent a lot of money without achieving its goals, raising questions about its effectiveness. Some people believe that commercial companies like SpaceX could do these missions more efficiently and at lower costs.
  3. The idea of colonizing other planets can be compared to historical migrations on Earth, showing that private ventures may succeed better than expensive government projects. Learning from past colonization might help humanity settle in space.

Welcome to the EM Diary!

Diary of an Engineering Manager • 159 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
💼 Business Management Leadership Engineering Career development Advice
  1. This blog shares real-life experiences of an Engineering Manager to help others grow into leadership roles. It's based on practical stories rather than high-level advice.
  2. It's aimed at senior engineers, team leads, and new engineering managers, providing actionable advice without any confusing jargon.
  3. Readers can expect weekly posts that are easy to understand and filled with insights about the daily life of an Engineering Manager in tech.
Get a weekly roundup of the best Substack posts, by hacker news affinity:

4.3 Actions at a Distance: Fluids or Fields?

Fields & Energy • 259 implied HN points • 10 Jul 24
🔬 Science Physics Electricity Technology Engineering Energy
  1. Electricity can't really be thought of as a fluid. It has unique properties that can't be explained by the fluid model, especially in AC systems.
  2. Capacitors and inductors operate using electric and magnetic fields rather than fluids. This makes it easier to understand how they work.
  3. Transformers also rely on these fields. Their functionality shows that electric effects can occur at a distance, which a fluid model fails to explain.

Data Science Weekly - Issue 557

Data Science Weekly Newsletter • 159 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Data science AI Machine Learning Data Visualization Engineering
  1. AI models can break down when trained on data that is generated by other models. This can cause problems in how well they work.
  2. There is scientific research about the history of Italian filled pasta. It shows that most types likely came from a single area in northern Italy.
  3. There are new resources and guides available for improving predictive modeling with tabular data. These can help you build better models by focusing on how data is represented.

Why AI Agents Feel Contrived and Useless, Despite the Impressive Demos

Enterprise AI Trends • 612 implied HN points • 16 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Engineering Innovation Automation
  1. AI agents work best in simple tasks, but they might confuse people in more complex situations. Humans need to be involved to understand the creative process.
  2. When AI does too much on its own, it can be harder for people to trust and evaluate its work. This can lead to mistakes that are hard to spot later.
  3. Businesses usually prefer working with guided AI tools instead of fully autonomous agents. They want reliability and clear understanding over just speeding things up.

How to communicate the reality of AI-assisted engineering in today’s hype cycle

Engineering Enablement • 14 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Engineering Productivity Data
  1. When adopting AI tools, focus on solving real problems instead of just their flashy promises. It's important to communicate how the tools address specific issues in your organization.
  2. Implementing AI tools requires serious support and training for developers. It's not just about giving access; you need to ensure the team knows how to use them effectively.
  3. Share the impact of AI in ways that matter to your audience. Use metrics that show how AI helps the team and the business, and tell a story that highlights its value to different stakeholders.

One Hand On The Yoke

Software Design: Tidy First? • 950 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Culture Processes Engineering
  1. Flying an airplane usually works better with one hand on the yoke instead of two. This way, it's easier to keep a smooth flight and not overcorrect.
  2. When you let go a bit and trust a self-organizing team, you can achieve better results, just like flying with less tension.
  3. Sometimes trying to control things too tightly can make them worse, like struggling with a suitcase that wobbles. Often, a lighter touch or changing the tool helps.

Space Industry Stories and Fibs

Ill-Defined Space • 19 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Space Industry Engineering Innovation Aerospace Market Trends
  1. Some claims in the space industry are exaggerated or misleading, often to attract investment or support without solid proof. It's important to be critical of what you hear.
  2. Cheap launches are often a myth; while SpaceX may offer lower prices, many other companies do not match that, and the real cost can be hidden.
  3. Many small satellite launchers struggle in the market because they face tough competition and higher costs. The trend is shifting back towards larger rockets that can handle multiple satellites at once.

AI Will Bloom When the Grifters Leave

The Algorithmic Bridge • 222 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Engineering Consumer Tech Productivity
  1. AI will improve when people who care about technology and helping others take over, rather than those focused only on making money.
  2. As AI becomes more common, it will naturally integrate into our lives just like other everyday technologies have.
  3. For AI to succeed, people need to build trust, work together, and take action rather than just hoping for the best.

Constructing space-filling curves

A Piece of the Pi: mathematics explained • 90 implied HN points • 30 Dec 24
🔬 Science Mathematics Physics Biology Chemistry Engineering
  1. Space-filling curves, like the Hilbert curve, can fill a whole area by connecting points in a specific way through iterations. They start small and grow by adding more points and connections at each step.
  2. Different seeds can lead to different types of curves. Each seed can be developed using two choices for how to connect the points, leading to many possible variations.
  3. The process used to create these curves can also be reversed. By looking at a curve and breaking it down, you can see how it was made step by step.

"Oliver Heaviside. An Appreciation : The Personal Equation : The Work of a Genius Elucidated"

Fields & Energy • 279 implied HN points • 10 Jun 24
🔬 Science Physics Engineering Mathematics History Biography
  1. Oliver Heaviside was a genius who contributed greatly to electrical science but was often misunderstood and neglected during his life. His work wasn't acknowledged until long after he had passed away.
  2. Heaviside developed important theories on cable signaling and electromagnetic waves, introducing many key terms that are still used today. His insights helped improve how signals could be transmitted over long distances, which was crucial for communication.
  3. Despite his brilliance, Heaviside lived a reclusive life and struggled financially. He preferred to work alone and only began to receive recognition later in life, which made him a complex figure in the world of science.

AI Scaling Laws 4 & 5: More Engineers and Designers

Jakob Nielsen on UX • 17 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Engineering Design Usability Productivity
  1. AI will get smarter and better with more talented engineers and designers working on it. The more skilled people we have, the more breakthroughs we'll see in AI technology.
  2. Improving how people interact with AI is crucial. Making AI easier to use will greatly increase its value, so more effort should go into user experience and design.
  3. As AI technology advances, we will likely see more AI systems improving themselves, leading to rapid growth in AI capabilities and applications over the coming decades.

Robotic insect, navigation, and scientific discovery strategies

The Strategy Toolkit • 17 implied HN points • 19 May 25
🕹 Technology Robotics Engineering Innovation Science Research
  1. Roboticists are learning from insects to improve robot designs, especially in how they land. By studying how crane flies land, they can create safer landing techniques for flying robots.
  2. Insects have different methods for landing safely, like using controlled flights or soft body impacts. Scientists are using these methods to design robotic limbs that help drones land softly on various surfaces.
  3. The work on robotic insects shows how nature can inspire technology. By looking at how real insects behave, engineers can create smarter and more efficient machines.

Now is the time to rethink engineering productivity

Dev Interrupted • 18 implied HN points • 03 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software AI Productivity Engineering Coding
  1. Engineering teams need to focus more on actively improving productivity rather than just collecting data. It's important to turn insights into actions for better results.
  2. AI coding assistants can struggle and require guidance, as they might not always provide accurate code. Understanding when to rely on AI and when to take control is key.
  3. Using pen and paper can boost creativity and memory. Sometimes stepping away from screens leads to fresh ideas and deeper thinking.

3.4.1 Ohm's Law

Fields & Energy • 519 implied HN points • 03 Apr 24
🔬 Science Physics Education History Engineering Mathematics
  1. Ohm's Law shows that voltage is equal to current times resistance, which is key to understanding how electrical circuits work.
  2. Georg Simon Ohm faced a lot of criticism during his time for his ideas, but later scientists recognized his important contributions to physics.
  3. Henry Cavendish had discovered concepts similar to Ohm's Law before Ohm, but much of Cavendish's work went unnoticed because he rarely published his findings.

Tenstorrent Extends Japan Engagement

More Than Moore • 210 implied HN points • 05 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Semiconductors AI Development Engineering Hardware Software
  1. Tenstorrent is focusing on a combination of selling hardware and open-sourcing their software. This allows them to work closely with clients while still attracting broader interest.
  2. The company is training up to 200 Japanese engineers in their technology to help improve local manufacturing capabilities. This will enhance skills in the region and expand the use of their designs.
  3. Tenstorrent is growing its operations in Japan and developing local teams. This signals their commitment to being a key player in the Japanese semiconductor industry.

You can't build a moat with AI

The AI Frontier • 459 implied HN points • 11 Apr 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Software Engineering Startups
  1. You can't really set yourself apart with just AI models because they're becoming similar across different companies. What matters more is the unique data you use to feed those models.
  2. Even if your prompts seem special, they won't give you a long-term advantage. Competitors can quickly figure out how to improve their prompts, making them less valuable for differentiation.
  3. To succeed in building AI applications, focus on understanding and using your customers' data effectively. Good data engineering can really make a difference in how well your application performs.

Meeting Prevents Exceeding

Software Design: Tidy First? • 353 implied HN points • 17 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Engineering Development Innovation
  1. You can't meet and exceed expectations at the same time. Focusing only on meeting others' expectations can limit your personal growth.
  2. Setting your own goals helps you think independently and be more creative. When you manage your own expectations, you can achieve unexpected results.
  3. Learning to take risks and act on your own ideas is important for growth as an engineer. The more you practice this, the better you'll become at finding your own path.

Under the microscope: Ecco the Dolphin — Defender of the Future

Rings of Saturn • 174 implied HN points • 07 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Programming Engineering
  1. There are special cheat codes in the game 'Ecco the Dolphin: Defender of the Future' that can be activated by naming your save file a certain way. These codes unlock features like immortality and all-level access.
  2. A reverse-engineering tool called Ghidra was used to find these codes and understand how they were hidden in the game. It shows how programming can uncover secret game mechanics.
  3. Some codes do different things, like showing the frame rate or unlocking a bonus game. One code is mysterious and doesn't seem to do anything at all, adding an element of fun discovery.

I'm glad to be a 33 years old (ancient) software engineer

Sheep Code • 26 implied HN points • 22 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Career AI Remote work Engineering
  1. You'll enjoy coding much more as you gain experience over the years. It might feel boring now, but in time, it will become something you love doing.
  2. You have the potential to earn a lot more than you think. With hard work and the right opportunities, a six-figure salary is very achievable.
  3. Being smart isn't the only key to success in tech. Being effective, working well with others, and solving problems can matter even more.

How to use AI in security

Frankly Speaking • 508 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Security Software Engineering Cybersecurity
  1. AI is becoming essential for companies, just like the internet once was. Every business will need an AI strategy as it can boost their operations.
  2. Instead of resisting AI, security teams should welcome it. Setting up policies that allow safe use of AI fosters innovation rather than stifling it.
  3. AI can improve security tasks, like app security and incident management, which are often tedious. It can help analyze data quickly and flag issues, making processes more efficient.

LangGraph Agents By LangChain

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Data Software Programming Engineering
  1. Graph-based representations are becoming popular in AI, making it easier to visualize application flows and manage data relationships. This helps in understanding complex connections between data points.
  2. There are two ways to create graph representations: one is using code to create a visual flow, and the other is using a graphical user interface (GUI) to build the flow directly. This dual approach caters to different needs and levels of user expertise.
  3. Graph data structures allow for both firm control over applications and the flexibility needed for agent-based systems. This is useful for tasks where interactions and decisions must adapt based on inputs or user approvals.

Stop begging for JSON

Artificial Ignorance • 88 implied HN points • 12 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Development Engineering Data
  1. Using AI tools has gotten better with structured outputs, which ensures that AI responses follow a specific format. This means developers can rely more on AI results.
  2. OpenAI introduced features like JSON mode and Structured Outputs, making it easier for developers to get the correct data structure from the AI. This reduces errors and makes integration smoother.
  3. Even with improvements, some challenges like inconsistent names and types in data still exist. Developers need to be aware and manage these issues when using AI.

Destroying the World is a Difficult Problem

Maximum Effort, Minimum Reward • 255 implied HN points • 23 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Science Engineering Philosophy Ethics
  1. There's a big difference between theorists and experimentalists in science. Theorists think a lot about ideas, while experimentalists deal with the real-world messiness of experiments.
  2. Many fears about AI being super dangerous come from theorists who underestimate the practical challenges. Even super smart AIs will face real-life problems that slow them down.
  3. Destroying the world is actually hard and takes time. Even if an AI is super intelligent, making big changes in reality is complicated and can't happen instantly.

The Making of a Senior Engineer 💡: Guest Post by Addy Osmani

High Growth Engineer • 1238 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
💼 Business Leadership Engineering Career development Management Skills Development
  1. To transition into senior engineering roles, you need to shift from hands-on work to systems thinking, focusing on strategic leadership and fostering team autonomy.
  2. Senior engineers lead through influence rather than pure authority, emphasizing building trusted relationships, setting vision, and empowering teams.
  3. Developing critical leadership skills as a senior engineer involves improving empathy, communication, collaboration, systems thinking, and execution orchestration, while overcoming common pitfalls like losing sight of the big picture and excessive control.

Chapter Bundles of Options

Software Design: Tidy First? • 198 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Engineering Options
  1. Creating options in software development is essential, especially when there's uncertainty. Keeping options open increases the value of the project.
  2. Investing time in software design is important for better cohesion and less coupling. This helps the system work more efficiently together.
  3. The more you avoid tight connections between parts of the software, the more flexibility you will have. This flexibility is crucial for future changes or improvements.

Why does the frequency response of my DAC droop?

filterwizard • 19 implied HN points • 31 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Electronics Signal Processing Engineering
  1. A DAC's output might not represent the input signal accurately because it holds samples longer than expected. This can result in a drooping frequency response instead of a flat line.
  2. The output is shaped by a sinc function, where certain frequencies lose energy and create unwanted noise, making the signal less clear.
  3. Modern DACs, like sigma-delta types, don't have this droop problem. They use faster processes and digital filtering to provide a smoother, more accurate sound.

How to Build a Satellite: A Comprehensive Guide

Space Ambition • 179 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🕹 Technology Space Tech Engineering Innovation Aerospace
  1. Building satellites is getting easier, which is why there are so many more in space now. A lot of companies are able to provide satellite services without even owning a satellite.
  2. Planning is really important when developing a satellite. You need to decide its goals, select the right orbit, and choose if you will build or buy your satellite components.
  3. Testing is a crucial step in satellite assembly. After building, you have to run various tests to make sure everything works properly before sending it to space.

The loneliness of the long distance runbook

Wednesday Wisdom • 56 implied HN points • 11 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Engineering Documentation Management Processes
  1. Runbooks are often not followed closely because experienced engineers adapt them to their own knowledge and context. This can be good, but it also means runbooks might not be used as intended.
  2. When runbooks have errors or are not up to date, they can cause big problems. It's crucial to review and update runbooks regularly to keep them relevant and accurate.
  3. Don't expect runbooks to be perfect or solve all issues. They should be seen as guidelines rather than strict instructions, and everyone should have an understanding of the system behind them.

Code coverage doesn't matter much

Andrew's Substack • 83 implied HN points • 29 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Testing Development Engineering Programming
  1. Code coverage alone doesn't indicate whether tests are good or useful. It's more about the quality of the tests than the quantity.
  2. Not all tests are valuable; some can be complex and fail for reasons that don't matter, which can lead to false confidence in the code.
  3. The aim of testing should be to assure that your code works and to catch errors, instead of just trying to raise a coverage percentage.

Calif is hiring!

Thái | Hacker | Kỹ sư tin tặc • 738 implied HN points • 03 Nov 23
💼 Business Tech Recruitment AI Security Engineering
  1. Calif is a young firm on the verge of a big boom, working with top firms in AI, infrastructure, and products, and offering great work experiences.
  2. Calif is hiring excellent hackers to tackle important tech challenges and offers a unique opportunity to work in a company with a high standard reminiscent of Silicon Valley's early days.
  3. Calif has open positions for Offensive Security Engineer, Software Engineer, and Technical Project Manager, with a referral reward of USD 2,000 for successful hires.

The Reasoning Race: Can Small Models Reason?

TheSequence • 182 implied HN points • 05 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Models Research Engineering Philosophy
  1. The Sequence newsletter is evolving to offer more focused content, catering to both AI scientists and engineers. This means you'll get richer discussions on research and practical applications.
  2. There will be new editions each week that cover a variety of topics like education, engineering, interviews, and insights. This change aims to make the content shorter and easier to digest.
  3. The discussions around reasoning in AI are expanding to include smaller models, challenging the idea that only large models are capable of complex reasoning. It's an exciting area of exploration.

The misguided yearning for a better plan

Wednesday Wisdom • 104 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
💼 Business Management Execution Education Engineering Incentives
  1. Having a better plan isn't the solution; it's all about how well you execute the plan you have. Good results come from good execution, not just a fancy plan.
  2. Many people look for secret techniques to improve, but the truth is that everyone knows what to do. The problem is usually that they just aren't doing it well.
  3. Instead of searching high and low for a better plan, focus on improving how you do what you're already doing. Making small changes in execution can lead to big improvements.