The hottest Software Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

Flows Are So Back

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Graphs help show complicated data in a simple way. By using nodes and edges, you can easily see how everything connects.
  2. No-code tools let anyone, even those without programming skills, create complex workflows. This makes development quicker and more accessible for everyone.
  3. There's a growing need for tools that can organize and connect different AI flows. This would help everything work better together and solve problems more effectively.

Introducing the AI Frontier

The AI Frontier • 59 implied HN points • 08 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The blog is now focusing more on specific AI topics instead of a wide range of subjects. This will help them share deeper insights and experiences.
  2. They aim to discuss what they've learned from building their AI product and how technology changes impact AI startups.
  3. Going forward, the blog will highlight useful projects and focus on practical lessons, like data cleaning, rather than generic news about AI.

Solving The SwiftUI Interview

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2186 implied HN points • 10 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Understanding SwiftUI is crucial for coding interviews, especially for positions focused on iOS development. It helps you stand out as a candidate.
  2. Practicing Swift Concurrency will give you an edge in solving problems more efficiently during interviews. It's an important skill that employers value.
  3. Interviews don't have to be stressful or frustrating. Using structured approaches can make the process smoother and more enjoyable for both candidates and interviewers.

ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum - Update 22-06-2024

Single Board ESP32 ZX Spectrum • 159 implied HN points • 22 Jun 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The creator is grateful for the support shown for the ESP32-S3 ZX Spectrum project, with 432 people signing up for updates.
  2. Progress has been made in applying to platforms like Crowd Supply, developing prototypes with new features, and creating new artwork for the project.
  3. Key questions are addressed about the project, including display options, pricing, support for games, and potential selling platforms.

Password Storage

ciamweekly • 62 implied HN points • 12 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Never store passwords in plain text or as reversible encrypted values; use a one-way password hashing algorithm (for example Argon2 or PBKDF2) chosen for your security and performance needs.
  2. Use a unique random salt per user and a tunable work factor (iterations/memory) that you increase over time as hardware improves, and consider adding a pepper stored separately for extra protection.
  3. Encrypt your database at rest as part of defense in depth, and remember hashed passwords are non-recoverable so you can verify passwords but not retrieve the plaintext.
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HashMap is a Data Structure every SWE should know.

System Design Classroom • 239 implied HN points • 24 May 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Hashmaps are useful for storing data by connecting unique keys to their values, making it easy to find and retrieve information quickly.
  2. When two different keys accidentally produce the same hash code, it's called a collision. There are ways to handle this, like chaining and open addressing.
  3. Hashmaps can do lookups, insertions, and deletions really fast, usually in constant time, but they can slow down if too many items cause collisions.

A Tech Interview that Doesn't Suck

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2186 implied HN points • 02 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Hiring great team members is really important because it affects everyone's work speed. Good hires help the team, while bad ones slow everyone down.
  2. Many tech companies rely on LeetCode tests to screen candidates, but this method might not show true skills. There could be better ways to assess coding abilities.
  3. Finding a more effective hiring process can improve how companies choose candidates, leading to better outcomes for teams. It's all about making informed decisions.

Bazel and action (non-) determinism

Blog System/5 • 661 implied HN points • 21 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Bazel builds need to be deterministic to avoid issues. If builds aren't consistent, they can fail unexpectedly, making it hard to trust the system.
  2. Non-determinism in builds can come from various sources like timestamps, random data, or changes in environment. It's important to identify and manage these to ensure reliable builds.
  3. To prevent non-determinism, use controlled environments and keep settings consistent across machines. This includes managing toolchains and avoiding network access that could introduce variability.

Getting started with AI: Good enough prompting

One Useful Thing • 2199 implied HN points • 24 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Most people struggle to use AI correctly because they treat it like a search engine. Instead, it works better when you give it detailed tasks and prompts.
  2. Getting to know AI takes time; spending about 10 hours using it can help you figure out what it can do for your work or daily tasks.
  3. Think of AI as a patient coworker who forgets everything after each chat. Be clear about what you want, ask for many variations, and have a conversation to get the best results.

Under the microscope: Ford Racing 3 (PlayStation 2, Xbox)

Rings of Saturn • 72 implied HN points • 09 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The commonly posted cheat codes for Ford Racing 3 are wrong, but there is a working unlock-all code: hold Select at the main menu and enter Up, Down, Left, Right, Left, Down, Up, Right, Down, Up to unlock all cars, competitions, and race types.
  2. Static analysis with Ghidra (using the Emotion Engine plugin) found the game's cheat tracker and showed it watches a 10-button sequence only while Select is held, triggering the unlock when the counter reaches ten.
  3. There is a second intended cheat (Down x10) that is present but points to a null function so it does nothing, and the Nintendo DS port doesn’t appear to include any cheats.

Numlock News: January 8, 2024 • Robots, Ramen, Star Citizen

Numlock News • 786 implied HN points • 08 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Star Citizen is a video game in alpha development raising massive funds through selling digital spaceships.
  2. Instant ramen sales are booming globally, with a spicy chicken-flavored soup gaining popularity in the US.
  3. Automation struggles as some tasks are easy for humans but difficult for robots, showcasing a low robot usage rate in US manufacturing plants.

A Brief History of SaaS and What's Next

Ulysses • 619 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The relationship between return-seeking capital and new technology development creates cycles that go from early adoption to commodity status, setting the stage for the next wave of technological innovation.
  2. Software in the SaaS sector is moving towards commodification, freeing up resources for progressing technologies like artificial intelligence, robotics, biotech, and space innovations.
  3. Advancements in robotics, biotech, accelerated design and manufacturing, and space technology are being driven by the commodification of software intelligence, leading to a new Golden Age of innovation in various industries.

LangGraph Agents By LangChain

Cobus Greyling on LLMs, NLU, NLP, chatbots & voicebots • 39 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  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.

Crowdstrike: How Not to Do OTA Updates

burkhardstubert • 39 implied HN points • 19 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. CrowdStrike made a big mistake by rolling out an untested update to all users at once, causing millions of computers to crash. They need to treat configuration updates like real code and test them properly.
  2. Delta Airlines faced huge losses because it didn’t have backup systems in place when the CrowdStrike update went wrong. Having spare systems or a better contingency plan could have minimized disruptions.
  3. Microsoft should improve its recovery methods after crashes, possibly by adopting an automatic system recovery strategy. Learning from other platforms could help avoid these issues in the future.

The Enshittification of Google Docs

How the Hell • 184 implied HN points • 18 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Google put its AI buttons right on top of the document, creating a persistent distraction that breaks writers' focus and wastes ideas.
  2. The AI features are poorly integrated: suggestions appear as pop-ups you can’t easily compare, get pasted into docs messily (even breaking formatting), and the experience has become more intrusive instead of better.
  3. A new editor called Owl Editor aims to fix this by letting you write without distractions, run a review that inserts AI feedback as track-changes you can accept or reject, and gather multiple reviewer perspectives to catch factual and reasoning errors.

UV tricks

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Using 'uv run' lets you run commands in a temporary environment without cluttering your main setup. This makes it easy to use big tools like Jupyter without installing them every time.
  2. The 'uvx' command works like 'npx', letting you test and run Python utilities quickly. It handles dependencies nicely, so you can focus on your tasks without worrying about setup.
  3. Creating scripts with 'uv init' helps you get started fast. It sets up everything you need, including project files and dependencies, making it easier to organize your Python projects.

One Law to Rule All Code Optimizations

Confessions of a Code Addict • 817 implied HN points • 08 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Code optimization can be unpredictable, and not every change will guarantee improved performance. It's important to understand why an optimization might succeed or fail.
  2. The Iron Law of Performance provides a framework for evaluating software optimizations. It focuses on three key factors: the number of instructions, cycles per instruction, and cycle time.
  3. Optimizations like loop unrolling and function inlining reduce the number of instructions executed and can increase instruction throughput. However, they might also lead to some challenges like register spills and increased cache pressure.

Another one

benn.substack • 1534 implied HN points • 31 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. DeepSeek's rapid impact shows that new AI models can quickly disrupt industries. It proves that creating advanced AI is no longer just for big companies with lots of resources.
  2. Consumers want more than just better technology; they want a range of AI tools that can do different tasks and integrate with their daily lives. People are looking for a single place to access various AI models.
  3. The rise of many unique AI models means we don't know how they will change our world. Just as social media transformed society in unexpected ways, AI could lead to surprising new possibilities and challenges.

Why I fell in love with Go

Tech Ramblings • 39 implied HN points • 18 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Learning Scala was challenging, and it took a long time for new hires to get comfortable with the language. This made it hard to maintain projects and hire developers.
  2. Switching to Go allowed for faster operational readiness and simpler code, making it easier to deliver products and focus on customer needs.
  3. Go may not be seen as a 'cool' language, but it's practical and widely understood, making it a better choice for most developers compared to niche languages.

Intrinsic vs Extrinsic

Sunday Letters • 59 implied HN points • 04 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Good code comes from genuine passion, not just external rewards. When programmers care deeply, they are more likely to improve their skills and produce better work.
  2. Extrinsic motivations like promotions can lead to just getting by rather than striving for excellence. These motivations don’t usually inspire creativity or deep understanding.
  3. Finding a balance between intrinsic motivation and practical limitations is important. Recognizing your reasons for coding can help you become the person you want to be.

Learning in the Forest

Software Design: Tidy First? • 2032 implied HN points • 22 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Learning should come before production. It's important to focus on what team members need to learn, even if it slows down work at first.
  2. Juniors are still learning, so we shouldn't rush them. It's better to allow them to choose tasks that will help them grow, and to support their learning through pairing with seniors.
  3. Investing time in learning pays off. Gaining skills and knowledge today will help create better projects and more capable engineers in the future.

On GPT-4.5

Don't Worry About the Vase • 1344 implied HN points • 03 Mar 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. GPT-4.5 is a new type of AI with unique advantages in understanding context and creativity. It's different from earlier models and may be better for certain tasks, like writing.
  2. The model is expensive to run and might not always be the best choice for coding or reasoning tasks. Users need to determine the best model for their needs.
  3. Evaluating GPT-4.5's effectiveness is tricky since traditional benchmarks don't capture its strengths. It's recommended to engage with the model directly to see its unique capabilities.

Even better fix!

atomic14 • 519 implied HN points • 06 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Improving your skills is important and can be fun. Searching online can help you learn new things.
  2. Making small updates to your work can lead to better results. It's always good to think about how to enhance what you already have.
  3. Sharing your journey with others can invite feedback. It's nice to ask for opinions and involve people in your learning process.

“Best” Practices Ain’t...

Software Design: Tidy First? • 1833 implied HN points • 13 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Not all problems are the same, so don't always rely on 'best practices.' Different types of problems need different approaches.
  2. Using 'best practice' as a catchphrase can be misleading. It can hide someone's lack of confidence or let others avoid taking responsibility.
  3. For simple problems, sure, use 'best practices.' But for more complex issues, think critically and come up with your own solutions instead.

The NHS - Making it Better

Rory’s Always On Newsletter • 1230 implied HN points • 26 Oct 23
🏥 Health & Wellness Software
  1. Patients and healthcare practitioners have had similar experiences of delays and poor communication within the NHS.
  2. Minor software tweaks can lead to significant time and cost savings for the NHS.
  3. Driving change within the NHS requires incentives, a vision for improvement, and individuals committed to pushing through the changes.

Lunduke's Quest - December 16, 2024

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1723 implied HN points • 17 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Everyone deals with challenges, it's a universal experience. We all face tough times, and it's important to recognize that you're not alone.
  2. Being real about feelings can help you connect with others. Sharing your honest emotions can strengthen relationships.
  3. Understanding that struggles are part of life can be comforting. It helps to remember that overcoming difficulties is how we grow.

Single-Use Disposable Applications

General Robots • 627 implied HN points • 09 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Creating apps is getting easier and faster, meaning you can make exactly what you need without searching for it. It's now quicker to build a tool than to look for one that might work.
  2. Software apps are becoming single-use tools tailored to specific tasks. Instead of complex applications, people will create simple, disposable apps for immediate needs.
  3. In this new tech environment, anyone can build these tools, not just developers. This shift changes how software will be designed and used in the future.

What can still be a reasonable AI bear thesis?

Metacritic Capital • 27 implied HN points • 06 Feb 26
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Investors are worried big tech is overbuilding compute and burning cash on AI capex without a clear path to high returns. If AI labs don’t turn revenue into sustainable margins, those capex bets may not pay off.
  2. Capabilities have advanced a lot, but that hasn’t translated into many profitable public businesses outside the labs and infrastructure sellers. Open-source models and commoditization could quickly squeeze margins and force labs to find new, hard-to-execute business models.
  3. A software-driven automation surge could be deflationary and displace white‑collar jobs, hurting consumer demand and traditional revenue streams. That macro uncertainty makes investors more risk‑averse and raises the bar for further AI spending.

Security Is Not a VPN Problem

Security Is • 59 implied HN points • 01 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. VPNs used to be essential for online security, especially on public WiFi, but that's changed with HTTPS being widely available. Now, most websites encrypt your connection by default.
  2. While VPNs can protect your IP address and DNS queries, for most everyday users, these aren't major issues anymore. Modern browsers and services help keep our connections safe.
  3. Using a VPN isn't a priority for everyone, and it might not be worth the investment, especially for regular people who just want basic online protection.

How I Used Methodable to Have a Nice Tuesday

Human Programming • 51 implied HN points • 22 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Software
  1. A small meta-plan in Methodable can un-scatter your attention by giving you one clear instruction at a time so you follow prior intentions and finish high-priority tasks.
  2. Start with a simple seed meta-plan and gradually structure it: collect your to-dos, free-write motivations, then convert those into detailed, executable subprograms.
  3. Designing guided workspaces with time-boxing, embedded editors, and positive self-talk makes it easier to regain focus, stay motivated, and end the day feeling accomplished.

Preface to Tidy Together

Software Design: Tidy First? • 552 implied HN points • 17 Jul 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Software teams often have different goals and views, which can create challenges in working together. It's important to find ways to connect and collaborate despite these differences.
  2. As a programmer, taking time to tidy up your code can make your work easier in the long run. Small acts of care can lead to better outcomes when working on projects.
  3. Investing in design moments and making an effort to improve your code helps not just you but the whole team. Good practices can enhance teamwork and overall project success.

Mastering Helm from Scratch: Part 1 – The Purpose of Helm

Curious Devs Corner • 1 HN point • 03 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Helm makes using Kubernetes easier for beginners by simplifying the process of installing and managing applications. It helps users avoid the confusion of typing many commands to deploy different parts of an app.
  2. With Helm, you can package all the parts of your application into one bundle called a 'chart'. This makes it much simpler to distribute and manage apps on Kubernetes, similar to how apps are managed on computers.
  3. Helm focuses on security and customization. It verifies the integrity of packages and allows users to customize charts, making it a flexible tool for deploying applications according to their specific needs.

Tidying: Canonical Order

Software Design: Tidy First? • 132 implied HN points • 28 Nov 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The piece looks at 'canonical order' in tidying code — how to pick a consistent order for things like variable declarations.
  2. A tiny example (int x, y vs int y, x) shows that order can change and asks whether a basic principle should decide which order is correct.
  3. The detailed discussion is behind a paid subscriber paywall, and the author also offers to give talks to teams or organizations.

Last week at The Lunduke Journal (Dec 1 - Dec 7, 2024)

The Lunduke Journal of Technology • 1723 implied HN points • 08 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Mozilla has decided to brand itself as a 'Global Crew of Activists' which many people find confusing and unnecessary.
  2. KDE's new approach of nagging users for support seems to be working well, greatly increasing their income.
  3. There are ongoing discussions about the impact of codes of conduct in tech communities and how they may need changes or even elimination.

Change Python's syntax with the "# coding:" trick

Bite code! • 1467 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software
  1. You can change Python's syntax using a special trick called '# coding:'. This lets you define how your code is read and interpreted.
  2. By using custom codecs, you can make unusual text formats like JPEGs or even SQL valid in Python. It's a creative way to mix different languages within Python.
  3. While it's fun to play with these features, it can also make your code really complicated and hard to debug. So, use this power wisely!

Resilient Cyber Newsletter #7

Resilient Cyber • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The U.S. has released its first comprehensive report on cybersecurity, highlighting key risks like ransomware and the need for better incident preparedness.
  2. Many American companies are lacking strong cybersecurity leadership, which leads to vulnerabilities and incidents. Board members often need more expertise in digital systems.
  3. To secure cloud services and open source software, it's important to learn from past mistakes and implement better governance and security measures.

[214.] Hello. Happy Anniversary Macintosh!

Hardcore Software • 694 implied HN points • 24 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. The introduction of the Apple Macintosh in 1984 profoundly changed computing and many people's lives
  2. The Macintosh brought empowerment, elegance, and a sense of mastery to users and developers, setting a new standard in the industry
  3. The Macintosh's impact was widespread, transforming document creation, software development, and user experiences on college campuses and beyond

💥 Tech Talks Weekly #28

Tech Talks Weekly • 59 implied HN points • 22 Aug 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. There are lots of new tech talks available from various conferences, making it easier to stay updated with the latest in technology.
  2. You can help shape future content by filling out a quick feedback form, which takes less than 30 seconds.
  3. Tech Talks Weekly offers a free subscription to help reduce the clutter of tech talk content and keep readers informed.

Metrics Are The Map, Not The Territory

Push to Prod • 59 implied HN points • 30 Jul 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Metrics give us a view of our systems, but they won't show the complete picture. It's like looking at a map; it can guide us but doesn't capture all the details.
  2. When we check the data, we might miss important moments because of how we sample information. This can lead to misunderstandings about our system's performance.
  3. Understanding that metrics are imperfect helps us make better decisions. We should use them to create theories, not think they tell us everything.

What's up Python: MOAR uv, flask-like Django, debugging live processes...

Bite code! • 1590 implied HN points • 29 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software
  1. Astral is expanding its projects and has taken control of python-build-standalone, making it easier to install Python on different systems without complicated setups.
  2. PEP 768 is a new proposal that will allow easier and safer debugging for live Python processes, improving how we can fix issues in running applications.
  3. The Django community is updating their framework to be more user-friendly by replacing old commands with simpler ones, while keeping the framework modern and relevant.