The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Language Agent Tree Search — LATS

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 59 implied HN points • 12 Jun 24
🕹 Technology AI NLP Automation Software Data
  1. The LATS framework helps create smarter agents that can reason and make decisions in different situations. It's designed to enhance how language models think and plan.
  2. Using external tools and feedback in the LATS framework makes agents better at solving complex problems. This means they can learn from past experiences and improve their responses over time.
  3. LATS allows agents to explore many possible actions and consider different options before making a choice. This flexibility leads to more thoughtful and helpful interactions.

The Last Laptop You'll Ever Need For Crypto

DeFi Education • 1019 implied HN points • 07 Feb 23
🔮 Crypto Security Hardware Software Finance Education
  1. Many people have lost lots of money in crypto scams, and hackers are getting smart. Good security is super important for keeping your money safe.
  2. There's a new laptop designed specifically for crypto security. It uses special software and tools to protect your data and makes it easier to use safely.
  3. This laptop isn't for everyone—it's aimed at serious users like business owners and developers who handle a lot of money. If you're not tech-savvy, it could save you headaches.

Managing Open Source and SBOM's

Resilient Cyber • 299 implied HN points • 13 Dec 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Open Source Supply Chain Governance
  1. It's important for organizations using open source software (OSS) to know the responsibilities of developers and suppliers. They should track updates and manage licenses to avoid risks.
  2. Creating a secure internal repository for OSS can help organizations ensure that the components meet safety and compliance standards before using them in products.
  3. Using Software Bill of Materials (SBOM) and Vulnerability Exploitability eXchange (VEX) documents helps improve transparency about the software components. This makes it easier to manage risks related to vulnerabilities.

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.
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Resilient Cyber Newsletter #8

Resilient Cyber • 19 implied HN points • 06 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity AI Vulnerability Management Software Leadership
  1. CrowdStrike is facing lawsuits after a significant outage affected Delta Airlines and many flights. This situation raises concerns about the reliability of software and the idea of software liability.
  2. Cybersecurity has many common mistakes, or anti-patterns, that organizations fall into. These include chasing the latest trends instead of focusing on core security practices.
  3. The SEC's new rules may be harming the effectiveness of Chief Information Security Officers (CISOs) in the U.S., making it harder for them to focus on reducing risks for their organizations.

Agent AI: Agentic Applications Are Software Systems With A Foundation Model AI Backbone & Defined Autonomy via Tools

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 19 implied HN points • 05 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Models Applications Data
  1. Agentic Applications are advanced software systems that use AI models to operate more independently. They can navigate and process information effectively using tools.
  2. The MindSearch framework helps break down complex questions into simpler parts, making it easier to find answers online. It simulates how humans think and search for information.
  3. There are special agents in this system, like WebPlanner and WebSearcher, that work together to gather and organize information from the web, enhancing the problem-solving process.

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.

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.

IT-Harvest Launches AI Assistants for Industry Research

The Security Industry • 8 implied HN points • 15 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Cybersecurity Software Data Innovation
  1. IT-Harvest has launched AI assistants called HarvestIQ.ai, which help users research companies and products in the cybersecurity field. These assistants are designed to make finding information easier and faster.
  2. The HarvestIQ Assistants feature chat interfaces that allow users to ask questions about cybersecurity vendors and products, providing detailed responses and insights. This is especially helpful for professionals needing quick access to relevant data during discussions.
  3. The tools are cost-effective compared to traditional research methods and integrate advanced technologies to assist users in selecting the best cybersecurity solutions for their needs.

Under the microscope: Elevator Action Returns

Rings of Saturn • 29 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Hardware Cheat Codes Game design
  1. In Elevator Action Returns, you play as a special agent trying to stop terrorists. You use elevators to move around levels, which makes for some fun gameplay.
  2. A new code was discovered for unlocking extra options in the game like game speed and player lives. This adds more variety to how you can play.
  3. There's a hidden debug mode that lets you control the game in unique ways, but it can cause some glitches. A patch has been created to fix these issues and enhance the experience.

Developer Productivity Will Decline in 2025 | Predictions from LinearB’s Ori Keren

Dev Interrupted • 23 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software AI Productivity Cybersecurity Engineering
  1. Developer productivity may decrease in 2025 due to an influx of AI tools. Short-term challenges might arise before these tools bring long-term benefits.
  2. In 2025, engineering leaders need to embrace data-driven decision-making. It's important to measure performance to optimize team productivity effectively.
  3. Cybersecurity will be a big focus in 2025, with AI-driven threats and new vulnerabilities. Teams will need to improve their security measures and collaborate better to stay safe.

Unity changes: why PC & console devs feel like the 'ugly duckling'

The GameDiscoverCo newsletter • 393 implied HN points • 13 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Gaming Software Platforms Market Trends
  1. Unity announced changes to its game engine license pricing model based on 'number of installs of your game'.
  2. Unity's engine business for PC/consoles is less important financially compared to its mobile ads/mediation division.
  3. The new pricing model by Unity has caused dissatisfaction among developers, especially PC and console developers.

Software Maker 3CX Was Compromised in First-of-its-Kind Threaded Supply-Chain Hack

Zero Day • 1161 implied HN points • 20 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Supply Chain Malware
  1. Hackers compromised a software maker by embedding malware in another company's program, leading to a chain of infections.
  2. This breach shows the potential for threaded supply-chain hacks to infect multiple software suppliers and customers.
  3. Financially motivated North Korean hackers were behind the attack on 3CX and it's recommended that compromised software be deleted immediately.

Salamander Software's Franklin's Tomb

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 27 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Video Games
  1. Salamander Software was a collective run by friends from Sussex University, known for their Dragon charbusters like Night Flight and Franklin's Tomb.
  2. Their game Franklin's Tomb, part of the Dan Diamond trilogy, was a text adventure involving mummies, mazes, and a white rabbit. It had a split screen, save game feature, and clues for upcoming adventures.
  3. Reviewers praised Franklin's Tomb for its quality, engaging gameplay, and the need for exploration and puzzle-solving. The game utilized the full memory of the computers it was available on.

When software stops caring

Sunday Letters • 99 implied HN points • 21 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Software User Experience Enterprise Consumer Productivity
  1. Enterprise software focuses more on the buyer than the user, making user experience less important. It just needs to be usable enough to avoid complaints.
  2. Consumer software prioritizes a great user experience because users can easily switch. This keeps companies on their toes to fix bugs and improve features quickly.
  3. Emerging apps from big tech are stuck in the middle. They need basic functionality but often don’t get the attention they need, leading to worse user experiences over time.

CUAs Can Become APIs

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI APIs Automation Software Computer Science
  1. CUAs, or Computer-Using Agents, can perform tasks on computers like humans do. They are designed to help with tasks even when normal APIs are unavailable.
  2. As CUAs can act on your behalf after initial help, they can eventually work automatically. Their ability to do this raises questions about how much control we want to give them.
  3. Making CUAs available as APIs is technically simple. This opens up many questions about what tasks should be accessible and who gets to use them.

Kernel Bypass with Solarflare

Low Latency Trading Insights • 196 implied HN points • 02 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Networking Hardware Software APIs Latency
  1. Solarflare specializes in high-performance, low-latency networking solutions like NICs used in data centers and financial services.
  2. Solarflare provides hardware such as Flareon adapters and XtremeScale NICs for high-speed networking.
  3. Software offerings from Solarflare like Onload and TCP Direct provide APIs for accelerated network performance and lower latency.

Introducing LizardOS: The Ultimate Software Solution for Crypto Security

DeFi Education • 759 implied HN points • 06 Apr 23
🔮 Crypto Security Software Digital Assets Blockchain Privacy
  1. LizardOS is a new software designed for crypto security that focuses on privacy and ease of access. You can buy it with Bitcoin and you don't need to give any shipping details.
  2. The software guarantees a genuine version with tamper-free installation, backed by a digital signature from the creators. This ensures that you get the real deal.
  3. Currently, LizardOS only works with specific Lenovo laptops and is not compatible with Macs. If you want to use it, you need to buy the right hardware separately.

Finding the CAP theorem of agents

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 02 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software AI Distributed Systems Engineering Programming
  1. The CAP theorem shows that in any distributed system, you can only achieve two out of three things: consistency, availability, or partition tolerance. This means when things go wrong, you have to choose which one you're willing to sacrifice.
  2. In AI programming, there's a similar tension between using complex AI models and the need for reliable, deterministic code. Balancing these two aspects is a challenge, much like the early challenges with web applications.
  3. As technology evolves, the understanding and frameworks around these issues may improve. Just like how programmers now design around the CAP theorem, we might see better solutions and choices for AI challenges in the future.

Anthropic, WOW

TheSequence • 161 implied HN points • 27 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Machine Learning Software Computing Innovation
  1. Anthropic has launched a new AI model named Claude that can interact with computers like a human, allowing it to execute tasks directly on-screen. This opens many new possibilities for AI applications.
  2. Two upgraded versions of Claude have been released, one focusing on coding and tool usage with high performance, and the other emphasizing speed and affordability for everyday applications.
  3. A new analysis tool has been introduced in Claude.ai, enabling the model to write and run JavaScript code for data analysis and visualizations, enhancing its functionality for users.

Stable Point Aware 3D, Cosmos, Autonomous game characters and Digits by Nvidia, Qwen Chat, Hailuo's Subject Reference, rStar-Math, Text-to-Video gen with Transparency, Cohere's North, STAR, & more

AI Brews • 12 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Game Development Open Source Data science
  1. Stability AI has released a new tool called Stable Point Aware 3D, which lets you edit 3D objects from just one image really quickly. It's free to use for everyone.
  2. Microsoft has made its Phi-4 model open-source and introduced rStar-Math, a new technique that improves math solving in smaller language models.
  3. Qwen Chat is a new web app allowing users to interact with various Qwen models, making it easy to compare their capabilities all in one place.

Live Session: CPUs, GPUs & LPUs + Ask Me Anything

Confessions of a Code Addict • 336 implied HN points • 08 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Hardware Software Events
  1. The upcoming live session will focus on CPUs, GPUs, and LPUs, exploring what makes them non-deterministic and discussing Groq's LPU design and architecture.
  2. The live session will include an Ask Me Anything (AMA) segment, where attendees can freely ask questions related to the discussed topics or anything else they're curious about.
  3. The event is scheduled for March 17th from 16:30 UTC to 18:00 UTC and will be limited to 100 participants, offering a mix of informative content and interactive Q&A.

Adobe

Business Breakdowns • 353 implied HN points • 18 Apr 23
💼 Business Software Sales Revenue Acquisition
  1. Adobe sells software for designers and marketers, known for products like Photoshop.
  2. Adobe's business is divided into three segments: Digital Media, Digital Experience, and Publishing.
  3. Adobe transitioned from product sales to subscription revenue model, leading to significant growth and challenges.

The Sequence Knowledge #487: A RAG that Assesses Itself

TheSequence • 49 implied HN points • 11 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Machine Learning Data science Innovation
  1. Self-RAG is a new method that helps improve how retrieval-augmented generation works by letting models check their own work.
  2. It uses special tokens that help the model decide when it should look for information and how to review its own answers.
  3. This technique aims to make the process more thoughtful compared to regular methods that just pull information randomly.

Undecidability Isn't So Bad

Bzogramming • 22 implied HN points • 07 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Programming Computing Algorithms Mathematics Software
  1. Some problems in computing are called undecidable, which means we can't find a definite solution for them. However, that doesn’t mean we can’t approach them creatively and get some useful results.
  2. When working with programs, understanding their behavior can often reveal hidden bugs. If a program doesn't behave the way we expect, it might be a sign that something is wrong in the code.
  3. There are smarter ways to analyze code than just throwing our hands up and saying it’s impossible. Advanced tools are already in place in many programming environments, but they often work behind the scenes without us being aware of them.

What does Alteryx do?

Technically • 12 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Data Tools Analytics Software Business Intelligence Data Management
  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.

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.

My End of 2024 Update

Human Programming • 77 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Product Design Research Entrepreneurship
  1. Human programming research is shifting focus to work with AI models instead of humans. This means developing systems that help AI operate more efficiently.
  2. The author has been involved in several software projects, including a consulting role where they created tools to enhance AI and web products. These experiences allowed them to explore different collaborative environments.
  3. They plan to take some time for exploration and research in AI, particularly focusing on self-modifying programs. This will allow them to deepen their understanding of both AI concepts and practical product development.

Huson Soft HuCAL

Computer Ads from the Past • 384 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software Gaming History Translation
  1. Hudson Soft was a Japanese company that started as an electronics store and later moved into game development.
  2. Hudson Soft created popular games like Bomberman, Adventure Island, and Bonk for various gaming systems.
  3. HuCAL, a product by Hudson Soft, was initially thought to be a word processor but was actually a spreadsheet used on Sega systems.

The Sequence Research #466: Small but Migthy, Diving Into Microsoft Phi-4

TheSequence • 70 implied HN points • 10 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Data science Research Innovation
  1. Microsoft's Phi-4 is a new language model that's smaller in size but powerful in performance. It shows that high-quality data can make a big difference in AI.
  2. Phi-4 has 14 billion parameters, which means it can handle complex language tasks effectively. This model builds on the success of earlier Phi models.
  3. The innovations in Phi-4 come from its unique approach to training, focusing on pre-training, mid-training, and post-training stages to enhance its capabilities.

Dashboard Update: NIST Subcategories, MITRE Subtechniques and Mitigations

The Security Industry • 30 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Data Research Compliance
  1. The platform now includes detailed information on over 9,000 cybersecurity products, helping professionals match their needs with available solutions. Users can see how each product aligns with NIST and MITRE standards.
  2. Customers will soon be able to analyze their entire security stack, finding overlaps and gaps in their cybersecurity coverage. This feature will help them save costs and improve efficiency.
  3. Traditional research firms only cover a small fraction of the cybersecurity industry. By capturing detailed data on all products, this platform aims to provide a more comprehensive view of available options.

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.

Meta Motivo behavioral foundation model, Multimodal AI Agents, Gemini 2.0 Flash, Real-time Video and screen-sharing in the Multimodal Live API and ChatGPT, Phi-4, Sora, TRELLIS, Deep Research & more

AI Brews • 22 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Hardware Innovation Research
  1. New AI tools and models are being constantly developed by major companies like Microsoft, Google, and Meta. These include models that improve reasoning and create high-quality 3D assets.
  2. There are exciting features like real-time video and screen-sharing for AI applications. These advancements help make interactions more dynamic and engaging.
  3. Various new products aim to simplify tasks and enhance creativity. This includes tools for preserving stories, creating AI characters, and comparing AI performance easily.

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.