The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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AI models’ fusion future

Alex's Personal Blog • 32 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Innovation Data Startups
  1. AI companies are combining different types of models into one product. This means improvements in how they work together for tasks like reasoning and generating text.
  2. The market for secondary shares in startups is improving. Higher demand for good AI startups is helping to boost prices lately.
  3. There are ongoing debates in politics about technology and defense, particularly around companies like TikTok and relations with countries like China and India. This is creating a lot of uncertainty in the tech space.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Nov 3 - Nov 9, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 574 implied HN points • 12 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software AI Computing Industry News Development
  1. GIMP 3.0 has been released, which is exciting for graphic design enthusiasts. It's always good to have updates that improve software!
  2. Notepad.exe is now using Artificial Intelligence, which sounds surprising. It's interesting to see simple tools getting smarter.
  3. Mozilla recently underwent mass layoffs, which is a significant shift for the company. It shows how the tech industry is always changing and sometimes facing tough decisions.

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.

Demystifying secure NFS

Blog System/5 • 744 implied HN points • 04 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Networking Security Software Systems
  1. NFSv3 is not secure because it trusts clients too much and does not encrypt traffic. This means anyone on the network can access sensitive data if they can impersonate a user.
  2. NFSv4 is much better because it uses usernames for permission checks and can work with Kerberos for strong security features. This ensures that only authorized users can access files.
  3. Setting up NFSv4 with Kerberos can be really complicated, but it's important for protecting data. Proper configuration is crucial, and sometimes mistakes can lead to security issues.

What's up Python? 3.13 is out, t-strings look awesome, dep groups come in handy...

Bite code! • 856 implied HN points • 29 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Updates Tools
  1. Python 3.13 has been released, bringing many new features like better error messages and a new JIT compiler. It's exciting, but users are advised to hold off on upgrading until next year.
  2. Template strings (or t-strings) are introduced, offering a cleaner way to create formatted strings that can be used in various situations. This could help prevent mistakes when handling string formatting for tasks like translation or logging.
  3. New proposals like external wheel hosting and dependency groups in pyproject.toml make it easier to manage packages and their dependencies, especially for larger libraries.
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Open-Source AI, visually explained

Year 2049 • 4 implied HN points • 23 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Open Source Software Innovation Definitions
  1. Open-source AI means anyone can access and modify the software. This makes it easier for innovation and collaboration among developers.
  2. Using open-source AI has both benefits and drawbacks. It promotes transparency but can also lead to misuse of the technology.
  3. There are specific criteria that define what makes an AI truly open-source, ensuring it meets certain standards of accessibility and control.

OpenAI Deep Research Explains Itself

From the New World • 26 implied HN points • 06 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Hardware Software Data science Machine Learning
  1. AI hardware has evolved significantly, from early specialized chips to powerful GPUs and TPUs. These advancements make training AI models much faster and more efficient.
  2. The design of algorithms, especially with transformers, has greatly improved AI's ability to understand and generate language. These models can now learn complex patterns that were hard to capture before.
  3. Building and maintaining large AI systems requires careful planning and practices. Companies need efficient workflows and monitoring systems to manage data, hardware, and software effectively.

An Unreachable Hidden XKCD Easter Egg inside CPython

Confessions of a Code Addict • 505 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Open Source Computer Science
  1. CPython, the Python programming language's code base, has hidden Easter eggs inspired by the xkcd comic series. One well-known example is the 'import antigravity' joke.
  2. There's a specific piece of unreachable code in CPython that uses humor from xkcd. When this code is hit during debugging, it displays a funny error message about being in an unreachable state.
  3. In the release builds of CPython, the unreachable code is optimized to let the compiler know that this part won't be executed, helping improve performance.

Notes on Chapter 27

Life Since the Baby Boom • 461 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Internet Software Innovation Startups Investing
  1. IBM partnered with Apple to create Taligent, hoping to finally compete with Microsoft in the PC market. They planned to introduce a 'guest operating system' idea like their mainframes, but not everyone believed it would succeed.
  2. Miriam's divorce from Matt is final, and she's likely to marry someone Matt dislikes. This adds tension to their already complicated relationship.
  3. Len, now a retired investor, is being courted by a VC firm that wants his help with clients. His retirement status makes him less of a threat, allowing him to offer support without competition.

Flying Solo

Software Design: Tidy First? • 463 implied HN points • 15 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Design Development Innovation Research
  1. Time is precious, and we should focus on spending it in meaningful ways. It's important to prioritize what truly matters in our lives.
  2. Stepping down from a role can be a way to reclaim your time and energy. Sometimes, less responsibility can lead to a more fulfilling life.
  3. Believing in a mission or team is important, but personal time and happiness should come first. Balancing passion with personal needs is key.

6 secrets for never being blocked again

Leading Developers • 57 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology DevOps Software Engineering Management Cloud
  1. Developers can avoid being blocked by working directly on DevOps tasks themselves, like opening Pull Requests instead of just making requests. This way, they learn and the DevOps team gets involved faster.
  2. Instead of just asking for help, it's better to ask intriguing questions that engage the DevOps team. It makes them think more creatively and motivates them to assist.
  3. Developers should create their own alerts for their applications. This helps them understand their changes better and ensures that they take responsibility for their work.

Knowledge and Knowing in the AI Era

peoplefirstengineering • 7 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Software Engineering Human-Computer Innovation
  1. AI is changing how we work, making some jobs easier and others riskier. Engineers will need to adapt to new tools that can boost their productivity and may even replace simpler tasks.
  2. For society to thrive with AI, we need to focus on developing skills that enhance human creativity and judgment. It’s important to promote environments that help people learn and grow alongside technology.
  3. As AI takes on more responsibilities, companies will benefit from creating workplaces that support both human and machine collaboration. Fostering autonomy, mastery, and purpose will lead to better outcomes for everyone.

Introducing a new way to publish from the Substack app

Substack • 1669 implied HN points • 25 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Apps Publishing Software Mobile Digital Tools
  1. The Substack app now has a new mobile editor that lets you write and publish posts directly from your phone. This makes it easier to reach your audience anytime and anywhere.
  2. You can create simple text and image posts, which is perfect for quick updates or sharing casual moments. The app saves your drafts automatically too.
  3. Currently, there are still some limitations, like not being able to edit published posts in the app. More features, like video posts and scheduling, are planned for the future.

AI as electricity, AI as magic

New World Same Humans • 31 implied HN points • 02 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Innovation Robotics Data Software
  1. AI is becoming more like electricity, meaning it will be everywhere and very useful for things like robots and smart devices. This will make intelligence widespread and accessible.
  2. On the other hand, AI is also like magic, creating amazing content and automating complex tasks that used to be just for humans. This aspect makes AI feel special and creative.
  3. The real money won't be in creating AI but in using it to deliver great experiences. Companies with lots of user data and reach, like Meta and Google, will likely benefit the most from this trend.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Oct 13 - Oct 19, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 574 implied HN points • 21 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software AI Open Source Software Development Tech news
  1. Debian Linux is facing controversy for allegedly not wanting straight white men involved. This has sparked debates about inclusivity in tech.
  2. Winamp's source code has been deleted, which raises concerns about software preservation and availability.
  3. There's a crazy idea about AI solving CAPTCHA using nuclear power, showing how advanced tech discussions can get.

Live Session: Live Coding a Bytecode Interpreter for Python

Confessions of a Code Addict • 312 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Coding Programming Software Education Development
  1. The session will involve live coding a simple compiler and virtual machine for a small part of Python. They will focus on features like variables, function calls, and loops.
  2. Participants should know programming well and have some Python experience, especially since recursion will be used a lot in this session.
  3. The session is happening on December 14th and will not be recorded, so attendees should plan to join live for the best experience.

AI Roundup 103: The DeepSeek Issue

Artificial Ignorance • 58 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Cybersecurity Data Privacy Software Innovation
  1. DeepSeek is a new Chinese AI company making big waves in the tech world with its advanced models. Other companies are quickly trying to integrate or copy what DeepSeek has done.
  2. DeepSeek's rapid growth is causing worries for US AI firms, pushing them to seek more domestic investment and tighter regulations on foreign tech. This competition could change the landscape of the AI industry.
  3. There are concerns about DeepSeek's chatbot, which has a high failure rate on news prompts. Some companies are blocking it due to data leaks and privacy issues, raising alarms about user safety.

"Cache me" if you can!

System Design Classroom • 659 implied HN points • 01 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software Systems Data Engineering Architecture
  1. The type of caching strategy you choose depends on your read and write ratios. If you read a lot, caching is very helpful, but if you write often, you need a more complex approach.
  2. Data consistency is crucial for some applications. Using methods like Write-Through helps keep data in cache and databases aligned, while other methods, like Write-Behind, prioritize speed over immediate consistency.
  3. To see if your caching is effective, you should track metrics like how many times data is successfully retrieved from the cache versus not retrieved. This will help you understand how well your caching is working.

AI Companies Have Lost the Mandate of Heaven

The Algorithmic Bridge • 339 implied HN points • 04 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Data Computing Innovation
  1. AI companies are realizing that simply making models bigger isn't enough to improve performance. They need to innovate and find better algorithms rather than rely on just scaling up.
  2. Techniques to make AI models smaller, like quantization, are proving to have their own problems. These smaller models can lose accuracy, making them less reliable.
  3. Researchers have discovered limits to both increasing and decreasing the size of AI models. They now need to find new methods that work better while balancing cost and performance.

JAX things to watch for in 2025

Gonzo ML • 378 implied HN points • 26 Nov 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Programming Data science Machine Learning
  1. The new NNX API is set to replace the older Linen API for building neural networks with JAX. It simplifies the coding process and offers better performance options.
  2. The shard_map feature improves multi-device computation by allowing better handling of data. It’s a helpful evolution for developers looking for precise control over their parallel computing tasks.
  3. Pallas is a new JAX tool that lets users write custom kernels for GPUs and TPUs. This allows for more specialized and efficient computation, particularly for advanced tasks like training large models.

Perspective Engines

the shimmering void • 139 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Gaming Human-computer interaction Design Creativity
  1. Video games can be more than just entertainment; they offer new ways to think and perceive the world. Playing them can lead to deeper understanding and focus.
  2. Creativity can be developed through experiences that push us to see things differently. It’s about learning and translating new perspectives into our lives.
  3. Software and design can help us understand our thoughts better. By creating spaces that encourage exploration, we can gain new insights and expand our thinking.

"Please wait while we access the functions on this card"

Disaffected Newsletter • 1938 implied HN points • 06 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Computing User Experience Hardware Automation
  1. Many everyday machines now have annoying delays when performing simple tasks that used to be instant, like using ATMs or accessing files. It's frustrating because these are basic functions.
  2. Modern devices often prioritize a fancy user experience over speed and efficiency, making us wait longer for actions that used to happen quickly. This creates a feeling of disconnect between users and their machines.
  3. The trend seems to be moving towards making everything software-controlled, even when it seems unnecessary. This can make basic interactions tedious and less intuitive for users.

Keeping up with the State-of-the-Art in TechBio

Kesav’s Lab • 9 implied HN points • 21 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Bioinformatics AI Automation Biotechnology Software
  1. The Nobel Prize in Chemistry was awarded for breakthroughs in understanding protein structures, which can lead to better medicines and solutions to major health challenges.
  2. There’s a growing community focused on TechBio, which merges technology and biology. Events like meetups can help people learn and connect over important topics.
  3. Staying informed about the latest in TechBio is important, and contributing to community newsletters helps track new tools and research developments.

Tech Outages: Ep 1: Canva First Strike!

The ZenMode • 42 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Infrastructure User Experience Incident Response
  1. Canva experienced a major outage caused by a version update that didn't go as planned. This led to slow loading times and a surge of failed requests, frustrating many users.
  2. A hidden bug within the system contributed to the outage, showing how important it is to monitor and test software carefully. Fixing such bugs can prevent future disruptions.
  3. After the incident, Canva focused on learning from the experience. They improved their system and promised to be more transparent about issues to better serve their users.

Where to draw the line?

Subconscious • 1225 implied HN points • 01 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Systems Design Engineering Innovation
  1. Breaking problems into smaller pieces helps us manage them better. It's like solving a big puzzle by working on one piece at a time.
  2. Modules or parts of a system allow us to focus on what’s important without worrying about the whole. This makes it easier to change and adapt parts as needed.
  3. Deciding where to draw boundaries in a system can greatly affect its future. It's important to understand what will change and what won’t before setting those boundaries.

When AI Promises Speed but Delivers Debugging Hell

Nick Savage • 40 implied HN points • 26 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI Development Programming Software Innovation
  1. Codescribble is a new shared text editor that lets multiple people work on the same document at once. It's designed to be fast and easy to use, similar to Google Docs.
  2. Using AI to help build software can be frustrating and messy, especially if you don’t fully understand how it works. This can lead to a lot of debugging and wasted time.
  3. It's crucial to keep a broader perspective while coding. Getting too focused on small tasks can lead to mistakes and delays, so step back and see the bigger picture.

Introducing live video in the Substack app

Substack • 833 implied HN points • 18 Sep 24
🕹 Technology Software Innovation Communication Streaming Mobile Apps
  1. Substack has added a live video feature that lets creators engage with their audience in real time. This means you can share news, behind-the-scenes moments, or host interactive sessions directly from the app.
  2. When you go live, your subscribers will get automatic notifications, making it easy for them to join. You can even limit access to only paid subscribers if you want to create exclusive content.
  3. Collaborating with other creators during live videos can help expand your audience. You can invite someone else to stream with you, which is a great way to share different perspectives and increase engagement.

Artificial Intelligence... is really just "Someone Else's Intelligence"

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 10340 implied HN points • 05 May 23
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Internet Software Data Ethics
  1. When we talk about 'The Cloud', we're really just talking about internet-connected computers.
  2. Artificial Intelligence, like ChatGPT and GitHub Copilot, is essentially copying and repackaging data created by humans.
  3. As AI systems evolve, there's a risk that original human work will be devalued and intelligence may decrease.

Holding two thoughts

Sunday Letters • 139 implied HN points • 11 Aug 24
🕹 Technology AI Computation Software Innovation Tech Culture
  1. AI is a big change, and it's hard to label it just good or bad. We're still figuring out how to use it effectively, but it has a lot of potential.
  2. In everyday life, AI is starting to prove useful in small ways, like transcribing recipes quickly or helping create survey questions.
  3. Just like with e-commerce and search engines, AI will gradually become more integrated into our lives as people find ways to use it better.

Hunting for a Flywheel | Refactoring’s Luca Rossi

Dev Interrupted • 18 implied HN points • 04 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Engineering Software Leadership Research
  1. Developer success depends on feeling happy and respected. When developers are motivated, they can work faster and better.
  2. AI is becoming important for all industries, not just tech. Companies like Goldman Sachs are hiring AI experts to improve efficiency.
  3. Automating tasks like code reviews can help teams focus on important work. Tools that make this easy can boost a team's productivity.

How ADR Addresses Gaps in the Detection & Response Landscape

Resilient Cyber • 99 implied HN points • 20 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Cybersecurity Software Application Security Data Protection Cloud Computing
  1. Application Detection & Response (ADR) is becoming important because attackers are increasingly targeting application vulnerabilities. This shift means we need better tools that focus specifically on applications.
  2. Modern software systems are complex, making it hard for traditional security tools to catch real threats. That's why understanding how these systems interact can help identify harmful behavior more effectively.
  3. There’s a big push to find and fix security issues early in the development process. However, this focus on early detection often misses what's actually happening in real-life applications, making runtime security like ADR crucial.

New cracks emerge in Elon Musk's Twitter

Platformer • 3164 implied HN points • 24 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Social media Software E-commerce Search Engines AI
  1. Twitter employees faced disruptions like Slack going down and Jira not working, causing frustration and questions about payment.
  2. Elon Musk announced plans to open source Twitter's algorithm, but doubts arise among employees about the transparency and actual release of the code.
  3. Twitter's performance has been degrading, with issues like increased latency during peak usage times, including events like the Super Bowl and a Twitter outage in Asia.

Weekly Top Picks #92

The Algorithmic Bridge • 201 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Software Startups Innovation Data
  1. AI that can think has a lot of value and potential applications. It's exciting to see how it can change various industries.
  2. Google made significant announcements this week, showcasing its advancements in AI technology. These updates could have a big impact on users.
  3. Many startups in the AI field are becoming bold in their claims and offerings. It's important to approach these developments with a critical eye.

Goodbye, Menu Interfaces

In My Tribe • 440 implied HN points • 14 Feb 25
🕹 Technology AI Interfaces Software User Experience Innovation
  1. Menu interfaces on websites may soon disappear. Instead of searching through menus, people will just ask AI what they need.
  2. Using AI means users can create their own features and functions. This makes getting information or services much easier and more personal.
  3. Web design jobs could change a lot as sites become less necessary. AI will interact with databases, and users will communicate with AI instead.

SaaS 2.0 - Service as a Software.

Market Curve • 43 implied HN points • 28 Jan 25
🕹 Technology AI agents Software Automation Labor Market
  1. AI agents can do many tasks by themselves, like booking travel or coding, which is different from the usual software that only helps people do their work. This means less manual work and more automation in our daily tasks.
  2. There are huge markets out there, like IT services and healthcare, that are ready for change. AI agents can disrupt these fields by making processes faster and more efficient, allowing businesses to save money and time.
  3. The future looks promising for those who embrace AI. By freeing people from repetitive tasks, AI agents can help us focus on more creative and important work, opening up new opportunities in various industries.

Live Session: Live Coding a Bytecode Interpreter for Python

Confessions of a Code Addict • 360 implied HN points • 30 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Coding Education
  1. The next live coding session will focus on creating a bytecode interpreter for Python. It will help participants understand important concepts like how Python code is structured and executed.
  2. In the session, participants will learn about Python's abstract syntax tree and how to traverse it to interpret code. This is a hands-on opportunity to experience coding in a live setting.
  3. There are limited spots available for the session, so early registration is encouraged. The session is free for paid subscribers, and there will be a recording available for those who sign up.

Faster NTT with RISC-V Vector

Fprox’s Substack • 62 implied HN points • 11 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Cryptography Hardware Algorithms
  1. The Number Theoretic Transform (NTT) can speed up polynomial multiplications, which are important for modern cryptography. Optimizing how this process works leads to significant performance improvements.
  2. Using assembly language can help tailor code for specific hardware, allowing more direct control over how instructions are executed, which can greatly enhance speed.
  3. Combining multiple steps of the NTT process into fewer loops and minimizing unnecessary calculations can lead to much lower execution times, achieving targets that seemed difficult at first.

Awarding the amazing autosegmentation work from 2024

Vesuvius Challenge • 21 implied HN points • 24 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Innovation Artificial Intelligence Research Data science
  1. Two teams were awarded for their amazing work on automating scroll segmentation. They worked really hard, using only a few hours of human help to get impressive results.
  2. The new methods focus on breaking down the task into smaller parts, like surface prediction and fitting, making it easier and faster to recover lost texts from ancient scrolls.
  3. Even though there are still challenges, the community is excited about the progress and future plans, like getting better at detecting ink on more scrolls.