The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Applying the SPACE Framework

Engineering Enablement • 23 implied HN points • 12 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The SPACE Framework for developer productivity includes dimensions like satisfaction, performance, activity, communication, and efficiency.
  2. SPACE is useful for software organization leaders defining productivity, teams seeking comprehensive measurements, and leaders involving teams in productivity improvement.
  3. Implementing SPACE involves understanding various metrics, balancing workflow and perception measurements, and considering the holistic approach to developer productivity.

The value-destroying potential of AI

Apperceptive (moved to buttondown) • 32 implied HN points • 31 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Many businesses struggle to measure the true value of implementing AI solutions.
  2. The key problem lies in defining and measuring what 'good driving' or 'good writing' actually means.
  3. Executives should be cautious about overly relying on AI like ChatGPT for creative tasks, as they may miss out on the unique perspectives and insights that humans offer.

Edition 28: ADR v/s Shift-left should be looked at as a "Stock" v/s "Flow" problem

Boring AppSec • 7 implied HN points • 27 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. ADR focuses on real-time data in production, which helps reduce false positives, while shift-left aims to find issues early in the development process to fix them easily.
  2. You need a balance of both ADR and shift-left strategies. ADR manages existing problems (stock), and shift-left deals with changes being made (flow).
  3. When choosing tools, flow tools should be light and supportive for developers, while stock tools track and analyze existing issues. They both require different management approaches.

On the Behavior of OpenAPI's oneOf

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 04 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. OpenAPI's `oneOf` feature is useful for defining complex data types in an API. It allows data to match one schema from a list, but not more than one at the same time.
  2. To avoid confusion when validating data against multiple schemas, make sure the schemas are distinct. Adding specific properties can help ensure data validates correctly against the intended schema.
  3. Using a `discriminator` property can make validation simpler by clearly indicating which schema to use. This helps the API understand the data type better and reduces errors.

From Fear to Function: Rethinking Engineering Processes | Stytch’s Julianna Lamb

Dev Interrupted • 9 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Having the right engineering process can actually boost your team's speed and help everyone take responsibility for their work. It's about finding the right balance, not too much or too little process.
  2. Many developers feel scared of strict processes, but a flexible approach can reduce problems and improve workflow. It's all about making processes work for your team, not against it.
  3. Using AI tools can improve productivity and keep developers focused on challenging tasks. Instead of replacing jobs, these tools help with repetitive work, allowing for better project focus.
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“Give it away, give it away, give it away now” — Counter positioning in legacy industries

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 07 Mar 22
💼 Business Software
  1. Counter positioning, giving away software for free, can be a powerful strategy in getting past barriers and driving adoption in legacy industries.
  2. For some users, especially those who are not digitally native, the willingness to pay for software can be very low, creating a challenge for traditional monetization models.
  3. Identifying alternative means of monetization, such as providing superior services while offering software for free, can help companies succeed in legacy industries and encourage digital transformation.

Are Only 20% of Devs Happy? | Stack Overflow’s Erin Yepis

Dev Interrupted • 9 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Only about 20% of developers say they are happy in their jobs. This suggests many people in the field are feeling dissatisfied.
  2. Factors like low pay, workplace culture, and issues with technical debt are major reasons behind this unhappiness. It's important to look at these issues to help improve developer satisfaction.
  3. A new project called Flock aims to address problems with the popular Flutter toolkit. The creators want to make a community-driven platform that fixes bugs and speeds up development.

More nuggets on BYD ADAS

TP’s Substack • 6 implied HN points • 24 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. BYD chose a specific chip setup for its DiPilot-100 platform that supports advanced technology better than other options. They prioritized overall performance and future needs rather than just the highest computing power.
  2. The company collects a large amount of driving data daily, which helps constantly improve its ADAS technology. While it's still behind Tesla’s FSD, BYD's hardware is getting better and offers a good range for detection.
  3. BYD is focusing on reducing costs by developing its own chips and increasing production efficiency. This strategy will help them expand smart car technology to more vehicles and compete effectively in the market.

AI Agents Are The New Flying Cars

Building Rome(s) • 3 implied HN points • 24 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Expect your first AI agent to fail; it's part of the learning journey. Each failure gives you important insights to improve.
  2. Think of AI tools as ongoing programs, not one-time projects. Start small, track your progress, and keep making improvements.
  3. Set clear expectations when using AI technology. It’s not just about getting it perfect, but about learning and evolving as you go.

Alternative Ways to Make Your APIs Discoverable

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 25 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. APIs can be easier to discover if businesses agree on a format to share information about them. This helps consumers find and understand how to use the APIs more effectively.
  2. There are various proposals, like APIs.json and DISCO, aimed at improving API discovery, but none have fully succeeded in the market yet. They offer different features, like documentation and service registration.
  3. The latest effort, RFC 9727, combines aspects of previous proposals and aims to improve how APIs are indexed. However, it still lacks some search capabilities that could make finding APIs easier.

Attested-enclave networks

Gray Mirror • 33 implied HN points • 10 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Software
  1. An attested network is like a governed network where every app is like its own government.
  2. Network attestation enhances security by allowing nodes to verify the software running on other nodes.
  3. In an attested network, applications can enforce security measures like expiring messages to prevent unauthorized access.

STOP USING vsts-npm-auth

Simple Truth Systems • 2 HN points • 06 Mar 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Vsts-npm-auth is not safe or reliable, with no shared source code and unknown contributors.
  2. There are suspicions about the authenticity of vsts-npm-auth contributors, possibly Microsoft engineers, but lacking transparency.
  3. The recommendation to use vsts-npm-auth, even in Microsoft documentation, raises questions about its credibility and safety.

Debugging productivity

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 16 Feb 25
💼 Business Software
  1. Like a computer, people can get overwhelmed with too many low-priority tasks. This can lead to being busy but not accomplishing important work.
  2. It's often better to group similar tasks together instead of trying to complete everything perfectly. This can help you get more done overall.
  3. Sometimes taking a break or pausing can be more effective than rushing into action. A thoughtful approach can lead to clearer decisions and better results.

Clouded Judgement 1.3.25 - Domain Specific Models

Clouded Judgement • 7 implied HN points • 03 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. In 2025, we will see a lot of special AI models that focus on specific areas of knowledge, like health or engineering. These models will learn from specialized and private data to perform better than general AI models.
  2. These domain-specific models will help industries that need deep understanding and accuracy, solving complex problems that generalized AI can struggle with. This means they can deliver the right answers when it matters most.
  3. As businesses create their own tailored AI models, the enterprise AI market will grow significantly. This will change how companies operate and improve efficiency in many fields.

Confession: I used AI to write My Home Office Hacks

My Home Office Hacks • 2 implied HN points • 11 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Check your subscriptions regularly to avoid surprise charges. Setting a reminder can help you stay on top of auto-renewals.
  2. Don't hesitate to ask for better deals when you're on customer support calls. Polite requests can lead to helpful discounts.
  3. Evaluate whether extra features are worth the cost. Knowing what you really use can help you make smarter spending choices.

Can TypeSpec Be an Alternative to OpenAPI?

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 13 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. TypeSpec offers better features than OpenAPI for API development. It allows for strong typing and is more in tune with how developers want to work.
  2. Teams like Pinterest find value in using TypeSpec to create a single, unified schema for their APIs. This helps them generate different formats like OpenAPI and GraphQL more easily.
  3. You can use TypeSpec as your main API definition tool and still create OpenAPI documents when needed. This combination can make your workflow smoother and more effective.

A step towards bespoke software at scale

Tools & Interfaces • 1 HN point • 10 May 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Bespoke software tailored to specific company needs can greatly enhance productivity and efficiency.
  2. Advancements in AI are making it more feasible to combine bespoke solutions with scalability, reducing cost and improving efficiency.
  3. Enabling a relationship between humans and AI agents, where feedback is central, can lead to the development of high-quality, custom software solutions.

How Programming Intelligence Changes the Role of AI

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 11 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. AI systems, especially large language models, are often unpredictable and work like black boxes, which can be a big problem in important fields like medicine or finance.
  2. To make AI more controllable, we can set limits on what it can do and ensure it asks for our approval before taking actions, giving us more confidence in its decisions.
  3. Making AI systems programmable means we understand what they do better, helping us regain control and turn AI into a tool that supports our goals instead of taking charge.

😎 Tech Innovation Beyond LLMs, Recursive & Loopy Zip Files, .NET 9 & More

HackerPulse Dispatch • 8 implied HN points • 19 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. There are new file types called recursive and loopy zip files that can unzip forever or loop between two files. This changes how we think about file compression.
  2. The new .NET 9 is a powerful tool for developers, making it easier to create fast and secure applications, especially with built-in AI features.
  3. Some exciting software trends focus on local data storage, faster web apps with WebAssembly, and SQLite's revival, all moving away from just relying on big language models.

How to design effective AI Agents

A Bit Gamey • 6 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. AI apps can be categorized into two main types: workflows and agents. Workflows follow strict rules, while agents make their own decisions in changing environments.
  2. Simplicity is key when designing AI agents. It's better to start with simple solutions and add complexity only when necessary.
  3. There are established design patterns and tools to create effective AI agents. Using the right patterns can help make agents more reliable and easier to maintain.

Creating Your First Change Request with Sort

Database Engineering by Sort • 7 implied HN points • 18 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Sort helps you manage database changes easily and safely, like how GitHub handles changes. You can propose changes without altering the data right away.
  2. Creating a Change Request is simple. Just suggest what you want to change and set it up for review by others in your organization.
  3. Once a Change Request is approved, it can be applied without hassle. If anything goes wrong during the process, Sort can automatically roll back the changes.

Nasdaq Tape D API, OatFi $24M, Salt Illuminate

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 09 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Postman has introduced a new AI feature called Agent Mode that makes API tasks much faster and easier. This means developers can spend less time on manual work and more time building.
  2. OatFi has raised $24 million to improve B2B payment solutions with their APIs. Their goal is to help businesses manage cash flow effectively through better financing options.
  3. Security updates are becoming a big focus in the API world, with companies like Salt Security launching tools to help organizations protect their APIs quickly. This is important to keep sensitive data safe and comply with regulations.

RPKI measurement & a SSH mystery

Dataplane.org Newsletter • 19 implied HN points • 03 Jan 22
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Dataplane.org is actively involved in RPKI RP measurement work since May 2021, tracking synchronization data and software usage diversity in RPKI relying parties.
  2. A significant and unexplained drop in SSH activity globally was observed in early October 2021, particularly affecting users of 'libssh', possibly due to a new SSH worm infection.
  3. Dataplane.org introduced a new signal data named sshidpw, providing daily reports of SSH id/password pairs seen in authentication attempts, proving beneficial for system admins and researchers.

Ion Proton - FPGAs!

ASeq Newsletter • 7 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The Ion Proton DNA sequencer uses specific hardware for DNA acquisition, which is important for its function.
  2. This hardware is expensive and involves custom designs, making it a significant cost for the sequencer.
  3. The upcoming summary will focus on the disassembly of the Ion Proton, which reveals more about its inner workings.

🤖 OpenAI Reveals AI’s No Match for Human Coders

HackerPulse Dispatch • 5 implied HN points • 25 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. AI still struggles with real coding tasks despite being fast. It often fails to diagnose bugs or offer reliable solutions, proving that human coders are still needed.
  2. Using AI tools can make coding easier but might hurt learning. New programmers miss out on important problem-solving experiences that come from debugging and experimenting with code.
  3. AI-generated code can lead to more issues, like code duplication and technical debt. While it helps with productivity, it can also create long-term maintenance challenges.

Diffusion large language model, GPT‑4.5, 3.7 Sonnet, Wan2.1 open-source video model, Phi-4-multimodal, Proxy Lite, Omni-capable text and voice engine, Poe Apps and App Creator, FastRTC,Scribe and more

AI Brews • 5 implied HN points • 28 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. GPT-4.5 has been released, improving pattern recognition and creative insights. This is a big step for AI technology and helps make better connections.
  2. New models like Claude 3.7 Sonnet and Mercury are making advancements in coding and video processing. These models are faster and more efficient than previous ones.
  3. Companies are launching tools that help with various tasks, like AI task management and seamless communication. These tools aim to reduce stress and improve productivity.

Why You Should Join Lovable

Why You Should Join • 2 implied HN points • 04 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Lovable aims to simplify software creation by allowing users to generate full applications just by describing what they want in plain language. This makes it easier for non-technical users to build software.
  2. Their platform provides built-in features for everything from planning to deployment, ensuring that apps are production-ready and visually appealing without extensive coding skills.
  3. Lovable stands out in a crowded market by focusing on user experience, automation, and collaboration, making it suitable for entrepreneurs and teams looking to create and launch products quickly.

NodeJS Transform Stream Backpressure

Romito's Rambling on Software • 2 HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Handling backpressure in NodeJS Transform Streams is crucial to prevent memory growth and potential crashes in applications.
  2. NodeJS documentation lacks information on properly handling backpressure in custom-built Transforms, requiring developers to dive into the codebase.
  3. Implementing backpressure behavior in a Transform can be achieved by making sure data is only emitted when downstream is consuming and by using appropriate callbacks.

Release day!

Dan’s MEGA65 Digest • 16 implied HN points • 25 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. MEGA65 platform release v0.96 is now available for upgrade, after 14 months of enhancements to the FPGA core, MEGA65 ROM, and system software.
  2. Different instructions are provided for MEGA65 owners, Xemu emulator users, DevKit owners, and Nexys dev board users regarding upgrading to the release v0.96 version.
  3. Notable changes in v0.96 include support for Ethernet file transfer, new hardware typing event queue, and improvements to chipset, Freezer, SD card utility, and Configuration utility.

Announcing the Zapier App for Sort: Automate Your Data Workflows!

Database Engineering by Sort • 7 implied HN points • 20 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Sort is a platform that helps manage and change data easily without much hassle. It makes sure your database is accurate and up to date.
  2. With the new Zapier app, you can connect Sort to many other applications to automate tasks. This saves a lot of time and reduces errors since you don't have to do everything manually.
  3. Setting up automations is simple and requires no coding skills. You can start using it right away to improve your workflows.

October 2024 Update

Maker News • 7 implied HN points • 01 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. This October update includes fun Halloween-themed projects like a DIY smart pumpkin and an anti-social pumpkin.
  2. There are interesting articles to read about reverse engineering tech like a fighter plane's indicator and headphones.
  3. The update encourages sharing the newsletter with friends and highlights various tech projects to explore.

#83

The Nibble • 7 implied HN points • 31 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Waymo has raised $5.6 billion in funding and is expanding its self-driving services to new cities like Austin and Atlanta. They have already completed over 100,000 rides mainly in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
  2. A new fork of the Flutter framework called 'Flock' was created by the community due to frustrations with the original team's slow responses. This is a move aimed at improving the framework.
  3. Top tech companies are adapting to changes, like Robinhood allowing users to bet on elections, and industry shifts with layoffs at Consensys due to ongoing legal issues. Trends in AI and software development are rapidly evolving as well.

Getting started

Turnaround • 59 implied HN points • 19 Jul 19
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The author is a journalist and part-time writer-editor-publisher-typist-investor at a newsletter, with a background in covering technology and co-founding a media company.
  2. The newsletter aims to feature topics like corporate storytelling, early-stage companies/founders, SaaS trends from India, tips and tools for fitness, and more.
  3. Readers will receive weekly updates and occasional in-depth breakdowns of topics in their inbox, providing an opportunity to get to know the author better.

What is a Tech Company?

Equal Ventures • 19 implied HN points • 13 Sep 21
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Companies are starting to leverage their technological advantages instead of just selling them, expanding investment opportunities beyond traditional software companies.
  2. Some disruptors in industries like insurance are struggling with unsustainable financials, emphasizing the need for a solid business model and competitive advantage.
  3. Investors need to focus on digital leverage and creating a sustainable competitive advantage when evaluating potential tech companies to invest in.