The hottest Tools Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
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Top Technology Topics

Slashing my ".bashrc" in half

Bite code! • 1834 implied HN points • 20 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools Open Source
  1. Using new tools like Atuin and Starship can make your terminal experience much simpler and faster. They help reduce the size of configuration files like .bashrc while still providing great features.
  2. The rise of Rust has led to better command-line tools that are efficient and user-friendly. These tools replace many old commands and plugins with minimal effort needed from users.
  3. It's okay to stop using some tools or plugins if they aren't effective for your needs. Keeping your setup clean and understandable is more important than having every possible feature.

The Generalist’s Productivity Stack

The Generalist • 5063 implied HN points • 30 Jan 25
💼 Business Productivity Management Technology Workplace Tools
  1. Start your day by choosing three important tasks to focus on. This helps keep your day organized and priorities clear.
  2. Try speaking your emails instead of writing them. It saves time and makes responding easier, especially for tricky messages.
  3. Use tools like Claude to help take notes while you read. It saves you time and keeps your information organized for later use.

Softcore Debugging

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 2405 implied HN points • 21 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Debugging Tools Programming
  1. Xcode has many built-in debugging tools that can help developers troubleshoot their apps. It's helpful to explore these tools to find new ways to fix issues.
  2. Conditional breakpoints can make debugging more efficient by allowing developers to stop the app under specific conditions. This saves time during the debugging process.
  3. Learning faster LLDB commands and memory graph traversal techniques can enhance a developer's ability to diagnose issues quickly. Familiarizing yourself with these options can improve coding skills.

Electronic Chopsticks!

atomic14 • 519 implied HN points • 05 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Gadgets Tools Electronics DIY Reviews
  1. The HT140 Solder Tweezers are versatile and can be powered by both a DC jack and USB-C, making them convenient to use. They heat up quickly, which is great for soldering and desoldering tasks.
  2. The tweezers come with useful accessories like a flexible USB cable, a 65W power supply, and a stand, ensuring everything is organized and easy to set up.
  3. They work well for both small and larger components, but using flux can help improve heat transfer. It's a handy tool for electronics projects, especially if you need to fix or modify boards.
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AI & Python #28: The Notebook Used for Data Science and AI Projects

Artificial Corner • 158 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology AI Programming Data science Software Tools
  1. Jupyter Notebook is a popular tool for data science that combines live code with visualizations and text. It helps users organize their projects in a single place.
  2. Jupyter Notebook can be improved with extensions, which can add features like code autocompletion and easier cell movement. These tools make coding more efficient and user-friendly.
  3. To install these extensions, you can use specific commands in the command prompt. Once installed, you'll find new options that can help increase your productivity.

How I Use ChatGPT

The Ruffian • 663 implied HN points • 25 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Artificial Intelligence Software Consumer Tech Innovation Tools
  1. ChatGPT and Claude are popular AI tools, but users might find Claude to be more useful. Brand recognition plays a big role in which tool people choose.
  2. Many users are just starting to explore how to use LLMs (like ChatGPT and Claude) effectively. There's a lot of potential in these tools that many people are not fully tapping into.
  3. The author lists several ways they have used LLMs for various tasks, from troubleshooting tech issues to summarizing essays. This shows how versatile and helpful these tools can be in everyday life.

UV tricks

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 15 Dec 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools Python
  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.

Three Elements of a Good API README

The API Changelog • 4 implied HN points • 22 Feb 25
🕹 Technology APIs Documentation Software Development Tools
  1. A good API README should give a clear overview of what the API does. This helps users quickly understand its purpose and features.
  2. The 'Getting Started' section is important for guiding users on how to authenticate and make their first request. This ensures they can use the API without confusion.
  3. Lastly, include practical information about key operations in the API. Users should see examples and know where to find more detailed documentation for further help.

All your Python project in one file with shiv

Bite code! • 978 implied HN points • 02 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Programming Development Tools
  1. Shiv allows you to bundle your Python project into a single executable zip file, which includes all your code and its dependencies. This makes it easy to run your program on any compatible server without needing to install anything else.
  2. Creating a zipapp with shiv involves a few steps, including setting up a virtual environment and running specific commands to package your project. It’s important to understand the process to avoid common pitfalls.
  3. Using shiv can simplify deployment, especially for web services or applications with many dependencies. However, it does require Python to be installed on the target machine and might not work well with certain compiled extensions.

How I Write Posts

Construction Physics • 21087 implied HN points • 19 Feb 24
🚌 Education Writing Research Reading Editing Tools
  1. The author's writing process involves mainly two types of posts: explanation-driven and exploratory. They often write to understand complex topics themselves and then share their findings.
  2. Extensive research is a crucial part of the author's writing process. They gather information from a variety of sources like books, dissertations, and online resources.
  3. The author follows a structured approach starting from research, reading, and thinking, then moves on to compressing and structuring content, before finally drafting, editing, and posting their work.

The Time Profiler

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 07 Jan 25
🕹 Technology Software Development Tools Performance iOS
  1. The Time Profiler is an essential tool for improving iOS app performance. It helps find and fix slow parts of your code.
  2. It can identify specific issues like animation delays or overheating in your app. This makes it easier to solve performance problems.
  3. Learning how to use the Time Profiler effectively can lead to faster, smoother apps that users will enjoy more.

Python 3.13, what didn't make the headlines

Bite code! • 1957 implied HN points • 25 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Programming Software Development Tools System
  1. Python 3.13 introduces improvements in debugging tools like PDB, making it easier to work with errors and set breakpoints. This is a big win for developers who rely on debugging in their workflow.
  2. The shutil module has seen many bug fixes and enhancements, which means working with files and directories will be more reliable. Developers can finally use it without constant worries about it failing.
  3. There are small but useful updates for concurrency in Python, such as changes to asyncio and task management. These little updates add up to make handling multiple tasks easier and more efficient.

The New Age of Invention

davidj.substack • 47 implied HN points • 07 Feb 25
🕹 Technology Software AI Engineering Development Innovation Tools
  1. Building software is now much easier and cheaper because of AI tools. This means more people can try out their ideas even if they aren't experts.
  2. People who can read and write code can now create custom software for their specific needs. This opens up possibilities for personal projects that were once too complex or costly.
  3. The trend of making software easier to build may lead to a huge increase in the number of new inventions and tools. More ease means more experimentation and creativity happening at a faster pace.

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.

No Viable Upgrade Path

The American Peasant • 2235 implied HN points • 11 Feb 24
🎨 Art & Illustration Craftsmanship Tools Woodworking Mentorship Quality
  1. Kale's story highlights the importance of having the right tools in woodworking that will last a lifetime without needing upgrades.
  2. Investing in high-quality, durable tools from the start can save time and money in the long run.
  3. Choosing tools based on functionality and quality over aesthetics or price can lead to better long-term satisfaction and efficiency in woodworking.

The Future Is Already Here, It’s Just Not Evenly Distributed

Am I Stronger Yet? • 172 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology AI Research Innovation Impact Tools
  1. AI tools have amazing strengths but can also be really weak in some areas. This makes their effectiveness uneven, depending on what task you're trying to do.
  2. People often aren't using AI tools to their full potential. Many are not even trying them out, which means they miss out on big opportunities.
  3. To get the most from AI, you need to be creative and put effort into how you use it. A great prompt can lead to big breakthroughs, while a simple request might not yield good results.

What makes a security product "good"?

Frankly Speaking • 305 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Security Software Engineering Tools Platforms AI
  1. A good security product isn't about having a lot of features. It's more important that it provides real value and helps people work efficiently.
  2. Security tools should help fill gaps in a team's capabilities rather than just adding more complexity. Sometimes a 'good enough' solution is better than a perfect one.
  3. The focus should shift from just ranking products to understanding what really helps customers. A good product makes life easier and solves the right problems.

TBM 323: Quick Tool Tips

The Beautiful Mess • 542 implied HN points • 21 Nov 24
💼 Business Management Strategy Tools Processes Teamwork
  1. Make tools fit your needs by trying them out and getting feedback. This way, you can avoid forcing your team into a system that doesn't help anyone.
  2. Involve all kinds of team members in decisions about tools. If you only ask certain roles, you might miss out on important ideas and needs from others.
  3. Start simple before automating. Test simple methods first to see what works, then build on those ideas rather than jumping straight into complicated solutions.

Penny-Wise and Pound-Stupid

Rethinking Software • 549 implied HN points • 18 Nov 24
🕹 Technology Software Outsourcing Productivity Tools Collaboration
  1. Outsourcing might seem like a money-saver, but it can make teamwork harder and slow down projects. It's important to consider all the hidden costs before deciding.
  2. Using low-quality tools can frustrate programmers and hurt their morale, which ultimately harms productivity. Giving developers good tools shows that you value their work.
  3. Keeping everyone busy all the time doesn't always mean being productive. It's better to let teams focus on clearing bottlenecks and maintaining a good workflow instead.

The perfect drawing tool

Ralph Ammer • 1022 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Tools Exploration
  1. Selecting the right drawing tool depends on what you like and want to do with it.
  2. Hitting the limitations of a tool can push creativity towards unconventional ideas.
  3. The perfect drawing tool doesn't have to be complex, just master a simple tool and make it a part of yourself.

Designing your own PCBs

lcamtuf’s thing • 2652 implied HN points • 09 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Electronics PCB Design Manufacturing Tools Prototyping
  1. Designing your own PCB allows for faster iteration on new designs compared to ordering custom circuit boards.
  2. KiCad is a recommended tool for designing hobby PCBs due to its extensive library of footprints and open-source nature.
  3. Consider important factors like component placement, trace widths, and manufacturing constraints for successful PCB layout.

Making writers’ lives easier

Substack • 765 implied HN points • 16 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Support Chatbot Tools Education Community
  1. Substack is making efforts to ease the lives of writers by introducing a Writer Success team, chatbot, and tools to support them.
  2. The new Writer Success team is focused on technical support, educational resources, and supporting the writer community for a better experience.
  3. Substack's chatbot taps into years of knowledge to provide writers instant help, addressing common issues and connecting them with support.

I Wrote a Guest Post for Emerge Tools!

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Apps Tools iOS Engineering Startups
  1. The blog post compares the Twitter and X iOS app binaries, revealing insights like extra app icons and heavy use of dynamic libraries.
  2. Emerge Tools offers valuable solutions for mobile engineers to monitor their app's size and performance.
  3. The author recommends subscribing to Jacob's Tech Tavern for more insightful posts and to show support for the work.

Artificial Intelligence: The Rise of AI in Earnings Call Summarization

The Fintech Blueprint • 334 implied HN points • 30 Jan 24
🕹 Technology AI Finance Analysis Tools Applications
  1. AI is revolutionizing financial analysis through earnings call summarizations by tools like Bloomberg, AlphaSense, TiredBanker, and Aviso.
  2. AI helps in quickly isolating key points from earnings calls and deriving insights that improve financial decision-making.
  3. AI-driven tools have the potential to mitigate human error in analyzing financial data and are expected to see universal adoption in the financial services sector.

wikipedia customizations for everyone on your list!

LOL (lots of links) • 628 implied HN points • 13 Jun 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. You can customize your Wikipedia layout with various gadgets and tools like dark mode, article quality rating indicators, and citation hover features.
  2. There are tools available like Wiki shoot me, WikiNav, Wikifeedme, to contribute and enhance your Wikipedia experience.
  3. Wikipedia also offers features like a Copyvio Detector for checking plagiarism and tools for structured search and advanced search for diverse functionalities.

Needs more Flair

Austin Kleon • 1358 implied HN points • 24 Jan 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Illustration Design Creativity Writing Tools
  1. The Paper Mate Flair pen is great for writing, especially in notebooks. Many people love how it writes smoothly and that it doesn't bleed through the pages.
  2. Using the Flair pen can be a bit tricky as it's water-based ink, which can fade if washed. Some people prefer more permanent inks after experiencing this.
  3. Despite past issues, the Flair pen is making a comeback in some people's writing routines because of its unique feel and style. It's fun to use and can bring creativity to note-taking.

RunLLM: The custom assistant for developer tools

The AI Frontier • 179 implied HN points • 28 Mar 24
🕹 Technology AI Development Software Tools Innovation
  1. RunLLM is a special AI assistant designed for developers, helping them with coding, answering questions, and fixing bugs. It uses specific training to understand a developer's tools and needs better than general assistants.
  2. The way RunLLM works allows it to provide accurate and relevant information quickly. It does this by fine-tuning its learning based on user feedback and the specific data it needs to use.
  3. Setting up RunLLM is easy and can be done through various platforms like Slack and Discord. Developers can quickly start using it to improve their workflow.

Links: February 2024 edition

Blog System/5 • 496 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Software Programming Operating Systems Web Browsers Tools
  1. The post summarizes interesting articles, videos, and projects from February 2024 with added commentary to urge readers to explore the content.
  2. There are discussions on topics like old hardware databases, software development reflections, and the challenges of modern software bloat.
  3. The author explores topics like breaking memory limitations in DOS, DJGPP running GNU programs on DOS, and the creation of a library in Rust for implementing memory vulnerabilities.

The Future of Prompt Engineering

Gradient Flow • 559 implied HN points • 04 May 23
🕹 Technology AI NLP Modeling Data Analysis Tools
  1. NLP pipelines are shifting to include large language models (LLMs) for accuracy and user-friendliness.
  2. Effective prompt engineering is crucial for crafting useful input prompts tailored to generative AI models.
  3. Future prompt engineering tools need to be interoperable, transparent, and capable of handling diverse data types for collaboration and model sharing.

Enterprise Generative AI Unfolded

Gradient Flow • 439 implied HN points • 27 Jul 23
🕹 Technology AI Development Tools Enterprise Applications
  1. Mastering Model Development & Optimization is crucial for building efficient and powerful Generative AI and Large Language Models. Scaling to large datasets, applying model compression strategies, and efficient model training are key aspects.
  2. Customizability & Fine-tuning are essential to adapt pre-existing LLMs to specific business needs. Techniques like fine-tuning and in-context learning help tailor LLMs for unique use cases, such as adjusting speech synthesis models for customized experiences.
  3. Investing in Operational Tooling & Infrastructure, including robust model hosting, orchestration, and maintenance tools, is vital for efficient and real-time deployment of AI systems in enterprises. Tools for logging, tracking, and enhancing LLM outputs ensure quality control and ongoing improvements.