The hottest Tools Substack posts right now

And their main takeaways
Category
Top Technology Topics

January Newsletter

RSS DS+AI Section • 11 implied HN points • 01 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. AI and large language models are advancing rapidly, with major companies and open-source projects pushing innovations in long-context reasoning, memory, and generative capabilities. Competition is driving frequent releases and new research on foundation models and video/world-models.
  2. Ethics, bias, interpretability, and regulation remain central concerns as real-world uses expand, prompting debates, lawsuits, and calls for better safety research. Work on interpretability is seen as especially important for progressing AI more safely.
  3. The community is focusing on practical adoption and professionalisation through tutorials, production tips, projects, workshops, a new journal, and competency frameworks. There are also learning opportunities, internships, and calls for volunteers to help shape best practices and careers.

Where Is Technical Program Management Heading in 2026?

Building Rome(s) • 15 implied HN points • 15 Dec 25
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. AI tools will keep getting much smarter and cheaper, so TPMs should design workflows that age well and leverage compounding improvements instead of chasing a perfect tool.
  2. The novelty phase of AI is ending — leaders will demand real ROI, so TPMs must focus on measurable outcomes like predictive planning, risk simulations, and AI-assisted forecasting rather than surface-level automations.
  3. Companies need to provide access and training for specialized AI tools because lack of access will become an organizational problem, and the TPM role will shift toward a builder, cross-stack, AI-fluent generalist that increasingly overlaps with product management.

I Wrote a Guest Post for Emerge Tools!

Jacob’s Tech Tavern • 656 implied HN points • 26 Feb 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  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.
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Ideogram: creare immagini IA con testo

Vincos Newsletter • 176 implied HN points • 02 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Ideogram is a new tool specialized in generating images with text using AI.
  2. ChatGPT Enterprise by OpenAI offers enhanced capabilities for businesses to use AI with speed and privacy.
  3. Various companies are advancing AI technologies, like Digital Watermarking for image certification and the release of chatbots like Ernie Bot by Baidu.

What makes a security product "good"?

Frankly Speaking • 305 implied HN points • 23 Oct 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  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.

Will We Be More Productive in 2024?

The Intersection • 98 implied HN points • 06 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Less tech can lead to more productivity. Sometimes simplicity is the key.
  2. Traditions like Kakizome in Japan emphasize the importance of setting goals and resolutions at the start of the year.
  3. Productivity tools can be overwhelming; sometimes, focusing on fewer, simpler tools can lead to better results.

From bare-bones to holistic machine learning

Mindful Modeler • 159 implied HN points • 08 Aug 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Machine learning can range from simple, bare-bones tasks to more complex, holistic approaches.
  2. In bare-bones machine learning, the modeling choices are defined, making it about the model's performance and tuning.
  3. Holistic machine learning involves designing the model to connect with the larger context, considering factors like uncertainty, interpretability, and shifts in distribution.

Getting Started with ComfyUI on WSL2

followfox.ai’s Newsletter • 157 implied HN points • 10 Apr 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Consider exploring ComfyUI as an alternative to Automatic1111 for Stable Diffusion.
  2. Installing ComfyUI on WSL2 involves setting up WSL2, installing CUDA, Conda, and git, cloning the repo, and running tests.
  3. After installation, experiment with different modules, compare outputs with Automatic1111, explore examples in the repo, and share findings.

How to apply best practices

Bad Software Advice • 82 implied HN points • 30 Jun 25
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. People often look up to successful figures and want to imitate them, especially in the workplace. This influence can shape our ambitions and desires.
  2. Best practices in software can sometimes feel more like advertisements than helpful guidelines. They might push you to adopt tools that you don't really need just to seem relevant or 'cool'.
  3. Using tools like Kubernetes might be seen as essential by some, but it's important to evaluate whether they truly fit your needs and goals, instead of just following trends.

Prospero Pascal for the Atari ST

Goto 10: The Newsletter for Atari Enthusiasts • 78 implied HN points • 19 Jan 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Prospero Software made compilers for Atari ST and other systems like Sinclair QL and OS/2.
  2. Prospero Pascal was an extensive system with manuals totaling 718 pages, making it one of the most detailed ST development tools.
  3. The integration capability of Prospero compilers allowed for sharing libraries between Prospero Pascal, C, and Fortran, giving a unique advantage in the market.

Words

The Leftovers • 99 implied HN points • 12 Dec 23
🎨 Art & Illustration Tools
  1. It's important to be able to write with whatever tools you have available, but also nice to have tools that you enjoy using, as they can influence your writing output.
  2. Having a variety of writing tools at your disposal can help you develop different styles and avoid being a one-dimensional writer.
  3. Notebooks can serve as important tools for developing writing techniques, similar to practicing scales and arpeggios as a musician.

Part 2: Examining UX Professionals' Attitudes Towards AI

UX Psychology • 138 implied HN points • 14 Sep 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. UX professionals generally have a positive outlook on incorporating AI into their work, emphasizing the importance of AI enhancing human potential rather than overshadowing it.
  2. Even though most UX professionals display a positive attitude towards AI, there is still a degree of caution evident.
  3. Individuals with higher self-reported AI knowledge tend to have more favorable attitudes towards AI and use AI tools more frequently in their work.

Autonomous AIs

Addition • 137 implied HN points • 21 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Teaching AI to think its way through complex tasks can lead to more evolved AI systems.
  2. Agents in AI can iterate across tasks, enhancing their ability to handle imperfect data sets and tap into both analytical and creative sides.
  3. Autonomous AI can generate creative insights and personalize marketing, showcasing the potential for AI to be innovative and engaging.

Choosing a Product Analytics Tool

Sarah's Newsletter • 299 implied HN points • 27 Sep 22
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Product analytics is crucial to understand how users engage with your product through front-end tracking data like what pages they view and buttons they click.
  2. Event tracking data helps in analyzing funnels, identifying drop-offs, and creating customized user experiences, such as re-engagement campaigns.
  3. When choosing a product analytics tool, consider features like tracking implementation, native integrations, analysis capabilities, and pricing based on your team's skillset, budget, and main purpose for utilizing event tracking data.

Links: February 2024 edition

Blog System/5 • 496 implied HN points • 29 Feb 24
🕹 Technology 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 Is Already Here, It’s Just Not Evenly Distributed

Am I Stronger Yet? • 172 implied HN points • 16 Dec 24
🕹 Technology 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.

We saw the future of B2B marketing...here are the takeaways

MKT1 Newsletter • 5 implied HN points • 07 Jan 26
💼 Business Tools
  1. Being a generalist doesn't mean being 'mid'—keep deep expertise in one or two areas while learning enough across other functions to execute work end-to-end. That combo lets you move fast without constant handoffs.
  2. Modern GTM tools (enrichment, workflows/agents, and AI prompting) make it possible to run personalized, connected campaigns at scale, so random one-off marketing won't cut it anymore. Teams should own repeatable, end-to-end workflows instead of passing work between silos.
  3. Prioritize "learnings per minute"—create content that actually adds value and teaches something quickly, not just fills channels. Use AI for speed and orchestration, but keep humans in charge of creative judgment and high-quality ideas.

Roles of Supervised Machine Learning in Science

Mindful Modeler • 179 implied HN points • 31 Jan 23
🔬 Science Tools
  1. Machine learning models play multiple roles in science: as study objects, scientific tools, and scientific models.
  2. Using machine learning models as study objects is common in science, focusing on predictive model performance comparisons.
  3. Machine learning models can be utilized as scientific tools and as scientific models, where they play a central role in understanding phenomena.

Console #164 -- Top Open Source Projects of the week

Console • 590 implied HN points • 02 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Top open source projects featured include Resume builders, 3D modeling software, and more
  2. Projects like OpenResume, Mailpit, and Dust3D offer unique functionalities and solutions
  3. Languages used in the projects range from TypeScript to Rust, catering to different development needs

Tools & Platforms in 2023

Aashay's Newsletter • 98 implied HN points • 26 Feb 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Entrepreneurs leverage technological advancements as building blocks for new companies.
  2. Tools are essential in the development workflow for startups, aiding in replacing repetitive processes.
  3. Platforms provide startups with unique data or distribution, enhancing their product experience.

Where is Midjourney for video? Text to video is coming (but not here yet)

Mythical AI • 98 implied HN points • 24 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Creating videos from text prompts is challenging because it involves understanding and replicating movement besides images.
  2. Existing text to image systems are amazing but doing text to video requires additional capabilities.
  3. While there are research papers and tools for text to video, there's no high-quality solution yet, but advancements are expected in the future.

Dashing Data Viz - Issue 231

Dashing Data Viz • 98 implied HN points • 28 Mar 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Newsletter featuring curated news, articles, and jobs related to Data Visualization.
  2. Links shared in the newsletter include tutorials, podcasts, and tools for data visualization.
  3. Encouragement to consider becoming a paid subscriber to support the newsletter.

The GenAI D&R Revolution Begins

Detection at Scale • 19 implied HN points • 13 May 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Security companies at RSA are increasingly focusing on AI to enhance Detection and Response (D&R) processes.
  2. Automated Tier 1 Triage using autonomous SOC analysts can streamline alert triage and analysis, improving efficiency for SecOps teams.
  3. GenAI can also improve D&R through AI-powered chatbots for automating organizational Q&A and log summarization for quicker insights and analysis.

You should probably start using Zoxide

The Schematic • 19 implied HN points • 05 May 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Zoxide is a tool that improves the 'cd' command in the terminal by offering additional features to simplify repetitive tasks.
  2. Zoxide uses 'z' instead of 'cd' to help users navigate directly to specific folders that are frequently accessed, making the process more efficient and convenient.
  3. While Zoxide may not dramatically increase productivity, it can enhance convenience by reducing the need to type repetitive commands and making navigation easier.

Tracing Bullets for API Prototyping in the Age of AI

The API Changelog • 3 implied HN points • 23 Jan 26
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Generative AI and modern coding assistants make API prototyping fast and cheap, so there’s no reason to skip prototyping anymore.
  2. Tracing-bullet development means ship a minimal working flow quickly (ready, fire, then aim) to validate assumptions and deliver value while keeping code clean and tested.
  3. AI speeds up experiments but doesn’t replace fundamentals — developers must guide and validate generated code, and teams need consistent styles and governance to avoid messy, incompatible code.

Becoming a beginner again

Tribal Knowledge • 19 implied HN points • 03 May 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Embrace the mindset of a beginner to approach problems with fresh eyes and dive into learning without overthinking.
  2. Experiment with new tools, languages, and technologies to keep yourself engaged and continuously learning in your field.
  3. Maintain curiosity and openness to new experiences in order to stay motivated and discover innovative solutions in your work.

Switching to nvim as an early career developer in 2024

The Schematic • 19 implied HN points • 27 Apr 24
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Switching to neovim offered a more close-to-the-computer experience for the developer and helped in understanding what's going on under-the-hood.
  2. Choosing a stable neovim package manager like LazyVim and customizing the setup helped in a smoother transition and better understanding of the tool.
  3. Using neovim increased efficiency in coding tasks like text editing, search and replace, and improved typing speed by focusing on keyboard-centric usage.

Oscilloscope measurements

Only Wonder Knows • 78 implied HN points • 14 Jul 23
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Oscilloscopes have been crucial tools in electronics for a long time, helping engineers understand and test signal changes.
  2. Digital oscilloscopes offer advanced features like horizontal position adjustment, holdoff function, and memory segmentation for better measurement control.
  3. Trigger modes on oscilloscopes, like 'auto' and 'normal,' serve different purposes in displaying and analyzing traces.

Low-code Development Platforms

Gradient Flow • 259 implied HN points • 30 Jun 22
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Experiment tracking and management tools help log metadata and results of ML experiments. They offer collaboration and visualization features to simplify analysis and management of experiments.
  2. Data+AI Summit 2022 had significant announcements like the open-sourcing of Delta Lake and Project Lightspeed for Spark Structured Streaming. Databricks introduced a marketplace for data products and updates to their governance solution.
  3. Low-code development platforms enable rapid application development with simplified methods. Enterprise low-code platforms facilitate quick deployment using low-code and no-code techniques.

Make Everything Versionable

Sarah's Newsletter • 239 implied HN points • 24 May 22
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Teams are facing challenges with SaaS tools and maintaining them as complexity grows.
  2. Making everything versionable can help in QA, testing, and peer reviewing changes, leading to fewer errors in production.
  3. There is a need for more accessible ways to version configurations across different teams and tools, especially for non-technical users.

You can't have AI without DevOps | GitHub’s Martin Woodward

Dev Interrupted • 28 implied HN points • 19 Aug 25
🕹 Technology Tools
  1. Having a strong DevOps culture is more important for successfully using AI than the actual model you pick. Teams that work well together can use AI tools better.
  2. AI can help improve communication and documentation skills among developers. By using AI, they can be nudged to write clearer comments and names for their code.
  3. The rollout of new AI models, like GPT-5, shows that not everyone will find the changes beneficial. It highlights how different people's experiences with AI can be.