The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics
Top 5 HN Posts of the day 19 implied HN points 31 Mar 24
  1. The post shares the top 5 HackerNews posts for the day, providing a quick glimpse of interesting tech topics being discussed.
  2. Each of the top posts have direct links to read the full content and engage with the HackerNews community.
  3. In addition to the top posts, there is a bonus section featuring a job opportunity for a Founding Engineer role at a technology startup.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 19 implied HN points 31 Mar 24
  1. Databricks has released a new powerful open-source language model called DBRX. It aims to outperform existing models in areas like reasoning, coding, and math.
  2. DBRX has shown better performance than other popular models, including Meta’s LLaMA and Google's Gemini Pro. This showcases Databricks' advancements in AI technology.
  3. The release is generating excitement in the AI community, highlighting the competitive landscape of language models and their capabilities.
Alex's Personal Blog 32 implied HN points 10 Jul 25
  1. Competition in AI is heating up, with new models like Grok 4 emerging and pushing the boundaries of what's possible. This is exciting for anyone wanting better and cheaper AI tools.
  2. The costs for advanced AI subscriptions are rising, with new entries charging up to $300 a month. This might surprise people since we usually hear that AI is getting cheaper.
  3. There are new players in the browser market, making it a competitive landscape. Google, while a giant in the field, faces challenges as it balances innovation with protecting its current profits.
Sunday Letters 59 implied HN points 08 Oct 23
  1. Prompt engineering is not a lasting software discipline; it may fade away as technology improves. It's a reaction to a lack of computing resources, trying to make every use of AI efficient.
  2. Using AI tools should be approached like programming: break tasks into smaller pieces to handle them better. This is more effective than creating complex prompts that are hard to manage.
  3. It's better to focus on making something work well before worrying about cost or optimization. Don't stress about minimizing resource use until the solution is working reliably.
Kosmik’s Newsletter 39 implied HN points 26 Dec 23
  1. Kosmik 2.0 aims to be a desktop in the cloud, providing an environment where users can organize files and tools in a more visual and collaborative way.
  2. The concept of a digital desktop is changing, with a shift towards cloud-based storage and a need for a more flexible and fluid way to organize files and assets.
  3. Kosmik is evolving as a product, with a focus on web technologies to improve speed, product quality, and roadmap, along with securing funding to ensure long-term growth and development.
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Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 12 Oct 23
  1. Retrieval-Augmented Generation (RAG) enhances AI language models by combining them with external knowledge sources, improving the quality and accuracy of generated responses.
  2. RAG offers benefits such as access to current information, increased contextual understanding, and reduced risk of incorrect data, but it also comes with challenges like data integration and semantic relevance.
  3. The future of RAG includes developments like fine-grained relevance ranking, domain-specific knowledge bases, real-time updates, and ethical considerations to ensure responsible use.
philsiarri 22 implied HN points 21 Aug 25
  1. Vector databases store information in a way that captures meaning, helping AI search for similarities instead of exact matches. This means a sentence or an image can be turned into a special numeric form that AI understands better.
  2. Traditional databases are good for exact searches but struggle with the complex needs of AI. Vector databases are designed for quick and efficient searches involving high-dimensional data, making them much better for AI applications.
  3. Many companies like Pinecone and Weaviate are leading the way in vector databases, which are being used in various areas like e-commerce, fraud detection, and customer support to improve how we find and use information.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 07 Aug 23
  1. To migrate to the new simplified pricing model in Microsoft Sentinel, you need specific permissions like "Microsoft.OperationsManagement/solutions/write" on the "SecurityInsights(<workspace name>)" solution resource.
  2. Support is considering updating documentation or the built-in role for easier migration to the new pricing model.
  3. Stay updated on resolving the permission issue by following the provided links to Microsoft Security Insights show and joining the MSI Show Discord Server.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 13 Jun 23
  1. Check for custom tables starting with 'EASM' to verify connection between Microsoft Defender External Attack Surface and Microsoft Sentinel.
  2. In Microsoft Sentinel, tables will show up in the Custom Logs Solutions area.
  3. Connecting EASM to Microsoft Sentinel involves three steps: setting up EASM, configuring permissions, and enabling the connection.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 12 Jun 23
  1. Keeping up with changes in Microsoft products can be challenging, especially with frequent updates to security products.
  2. Rod Trent provides weekly newsletters covering major announcements and important enhancements in Sentinel, Defender, and Azure OpenAI.
  3. Microsoft now offers RSS feeds for their security products, making it easier to stay updated on new features.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 30 Mar 23
  1. The Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence solution requires careful setup, even though the process may seem straightforward at first.
  2. Proper RBAC (Role-Based Access Control) settings are crucial for successful configuration of the solution within Microsoft Sentinel.
  3. Follow a particular order of installation and configuration steps to ensure the Microsoft Defender Threat Intelligence Solution works smoothly.
Technology Made Simple 59 implied HN points 22 Aug 23
  1. Randomness in software engineering introduces unpredictability and can be used for various reasons like generating different outputs and introducing randomness into systems.
  2. Careful consideration is needed when using randomness in software engineering to avoid security risks and unnecessary complexity.
  3. To test the randomness of a system, consider using Diehard tests, which are intuitive and effective in evaluating randomness.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 04 Oct 23
  1. Drive-by download attacks exploit vulnerabilities to download malicious code without user knowledge. They can lead to data breaches and install malware.
  2. Mitigation strategies include user education, enforcing security policies, monitoring network traffic, and using SIEM services like Microsoft Sentinel.
  3. Microsoft Sentinel can help detect drive-by download attacks by collecting relevant data, enriching it, analyzing with rules and ML, visualizing results, and automating incident response.
Pine 19 implied HN points 21 Apr 24
  1. Pine now allows you to import and export files in markdown format. This makes it easier to move your content in and out of the platform.
  2. When you use markdown, a horizontal line separates the card title from the body. If there's no line, the file name will be used as the title.
  3. The deck dropdown menu has quick access options for smoother navigation and usability. You can find what you need without searching too hard.
tldraw 58 implied HN points 17 Feb 23
  1. You can now link to a chosen location of a multiplayer project.
  2. Improvements include a smoother eraser tool appearance and better scribble-selecting features.
  3. Several fixes were made, including properly filling X Box shapes and adjusting the appearance of error screens.
tldraw 58 implied HN points 26 May 23
  1. Enhanced presence features like cursor names, viewport following, snapshot links, and a laser pointer added
  2. Introduction of people menu for changing name and color, zooming to other users, and following users
  3. New tools like Laser Tool, snapshot links, text label alignment, text pasting, checkbox shape introduced
TheSequence 70 implied HN points 14 Feb 25
  1. DeepSeek-R1 is a new AI model that performs well without needing to be very big. It uses smart training methods to achieve great results at a lower cost.
  2. The model successfully matches the performance of a larger, more expensive model called GPT-o1. This shows that size isn't the only thing that matters for good performance.
  3. DeepSeek-R1 challenges the idea that you always need large models for reasoning, suggesting that clever techniques can also lead to impressive results.
Make Work Better 92 implied HN points 26 Nov 24
  1. Microsoft's Copilot AI has faced serious criticism recently, with many users finding it unreliable and disconnected from actual business needs. Less than 4% of IT leaders reported that it provided significant value, raising concerns about its effectiveness.
  2. There are issues with Copilot accidentally accessing and sharing sensitive company information. This has created trust problems, as employees worry about privacy and data security.
  3. Next year, companies are moving towards 'agentic AI', where AI not only assists but takes on tasks autonomously. This shift aims to improve efficiency, but it's crucial to ensure these systems remain secure and trustworthy.
Resilient Cyber 119 implied HN points 02 Apr 23
  1. Vulnerability management is crucial for security but often overwhelms developers with too much information. It’s important to focus on vulnerabilities that really pose a risk, instead of just following strict checklists.
  2. The number of vulnerabilities has exploded in recent years, but most are never exploited. Organizations need better ways to prioritize which vulnerabilities to address based on actual risk, rather than just severity scores.
  3. Security teams should work more closely with developers to reduce friction and support their efforts. Improving communication and providing context can make security a partner, not a blocker.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 39 implied HN points 20 Dec 23
  1. AMD has partnered with Lamini to help startups create and run generative AI products using AMD GPUs. This collaboration started in September and aims to address the GPU shortage in the AI industry.
  2. Lamini disclosed that they have been exclusively using AMD GPUs for the past year, showcasing their commitment to this partnership. They even highlighted their continuous use of AMD hardware at an AI event.
  3. Together, AMD and Lamini have developed the LLM Superstation, a powerful supercomputer equipped with 128 AMD Instinct GPUs. This setup allows businesses to train large AI models more effectively.
TheSequence 112 implied HN points 08 Oct 24
  1. BlackMamba combines two powerful AI techniques: mixture-of-experts (MoEs) and state space models (SSMs). This helps it process long sequences and solve various AI tasks more effectively.
  2. The Mamba SSM is known for its efficiency, and BlackMamba builds on that strength while improving performance with MoE strategies.
  3. The creator is starting a new company focused on AI evaluation and benchmarking, looking for team members with expertise in these areas.
Artificial Ignorance 88 implied HN points 12 Dec 24
  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.
Rod’s Blog 59 implied HN points 22 Feb 23
  1. Customers are frustrated with the outdated 'What's New' page in Microsoft Sentinel, which is lagging behind in updates.
  2. To address the issue, various sources like Microsoft Sentinel blog, community blogs, and Docs 'What's New' page are being utilized for the most current information on features and enhancements.
  3. Efforts are being made to convert the Docs 'What's New' page into Markdown using a PowerShell script for integration into Microsoft Sentinel workbooks, keeping the content up-to-date.
Vesuvius Challenge 38 implied HN points 23 May 25
  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.
Fprox’s Substack 20 implied HN points 23 Aug 25
  1. Micro-benchmarks help you measure how fast different instructions run on the RISC-V K230 chip. This is important for understanding the chip's performance.
  2. Data values can change how fast instructions execute, especially for operations like division. It's crucial to consider these variations in performance measurements.
  3. The RISE development image is a stable and feature-rich option for developers working with the CanMV K230. It makes connecting and running programs easier compared to earlier images.
Dev Interrupted 28 implied HN points 10 Jul 25
  1. It's not just about having the right tools for AI, but having a solid foundation of knowledge and data. If your information is messy or outdated, the AI won't work well.
  2. Your infrastructure needs to be set up for AI to work smoothly. If it's too complex or manual, it can slow everything down rather than speeding things up.
  3. Governance is important for AI. You need to make sure there are clear rules and oversight to build trust in the system and ensure AI helps rather than harms your workflow.
TheSequence 84 implied HN points 15 Dec 24
  1. Several major tech companies like OpenAI, Google, and Microsoft launched new AI models in a single week. This shows how quickly AI technology is progressing.
  2. OpenAI's Sora model allows users to create videos from text descriptions, but it has some limitations. It's an exciting step for video generation!
  3. Google's Gemini 2.0 has improved capabilities, allowing it to handle more complex tasks and interact more effectively with users.
Clouded Judgement 8 implied HN points 21 Nov 25
  1. AI companies are shifting their focus from just improving model quality to creating strong platforms. This means they're not just making better models but also figuring out how to distribute and integrate their services more effectively.
  2. Google is bundling its new Gemini model with all its services, making it a central part of its ecosystem, while OpenAI is creating a super app with ChatGPT to attract users directly to its platform.
  3. Anthropic is aiming for a trusted spot in the enterprise market by prioritizing safety and reliability, while Meta is pushing open-source models to make competition tougher at the base level, encouraging differentiation at higher moments.
My Home Office Hacks 5 implied HN points 15 Dec 25
  1. Try fixing problems yourself by searching online before calling IT or going to a store; many issues have simple step‑by‑step solutions.
  2. Use built‑in command‑line tools like sfc /scannow and DISM (e.g., DISM.exe /Online /Cleanup-image /Restorehealth) to repair system issues, and run Command Prompt as administrator then reboot.
  3. Learning to follow instructions and try fixes on your own saves time, reduces downtime, and builds confidence working from home.
Pine 19 implied HN points 11 Apr 24
  1. You can now duplicate published decks in your own Pine workspace. This makes it easier to use existing materials and adapt them for your needs.
  2. When duplicating, you can choose how to manage existing decks, like merging new cards or replacing them completely. This gives you control over your content updates.
  3. There are other improvements, like faster loading times for your workspace and better thumbnail generation for sharing on social media. These updates make the platform more user-friendly.
davidj.substack 35 implied HN points 05 Jun 25
  1. When moderating a discussion, it's important to let the conversation flow naturally instead of trying to control it too much. This approach helps participants engage more actively.
  2. In regulated industries like banking and healthcare, there's a cautious approach to adopting AI technologies. Firms often take their time to evaluate the security risks before implementing new tools.
  3. Startups focusing on specific use cases often create better tools compared to big companies adding features to existing products. However, larger firms have more resources to advance AI development over time.
Human Programming 77 implied HN points 03 Jan 25
  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.
Research-Driven Engineering Leadership 19 implied HN points 18 Mar 24
  1. Engineers build trust in tools through factors like usability, testing, documentation, support, flexibility, security, maintainability, and extensibility.
  2. Biggest challenges in tool adoption include lack of usability, cost, integrations, and organizational support.
  3. Managers can evaluate tool effectiveness by considering the effort (onboarding, adoption, integration, customization) and impact (productivity, quality, cost).
Systems Approach 353 implied HN points 15 May 23
  1. P4 language is more than just Tofino chips, it has many backend targets like SmartNICs and IPUs.
  2. The distinction between 'open' and 'closed' forwarding pipelines is crucial, even fixed pipelines can be flexible.
  3. P4's value lies not just in quantifiable metrics, but also in its ability to abstract packet forwarding pipelines effectively.
Sector 6 | The Newsletter of AIM 39 implied HN points 07 Dec 23
  1. Google's Gemini is finally here after a delayed launch, and it aims to outperform other models like GPT-4 in language tasks.
  2. Gemini has three versions: Ultra for complex tasks, Pro for various tasks, and Nano for efficient on-device use.
  3. The Gemini Ultra version scored impressively high in tests, even beating human experts at some language understanding tasks.
Only Wonder Knows 39 implied HN points 07 Dec 23
  1. Documenting early in a project has many advantages.
  2. Creating a good document structure, like a clear index and introduction, is essential.
  3. Reviewing your document before finalizing is crucial to catch errors.
philsiarri 22 implied HN points 07 Aug 25
  1. AI agents are becoming more common and helpful in our daily lives. They can now do tasks with little help from people.
  2. Microsoft is improving its Copilot tool to support more tasks and connect with various apps. This makes it a better assistant.
  3. OpenAI is working on a project that lets different AI agents work together on a task. This teamwork makes them even more efficient.
Rethinking Software 99 implied HN points 07 Oct 24
  1. Different voting strategies can impact both worker democracies and government systems. It’s interesting to see how this science is evolving, especially in companies without managers.
  2. Nature has unique ways of organizing itself which can inspire how we think about teamwork and collaboration. Reading about these ideas can spark new ways of working.
  3. Management often sticks to the status quo with common excuses. It's important to question these justifications to improve work and foster innovation.