Merry Christmas Everyone

User shares fond Christmas memories of a tiny battery-powered train set and unwrapping Ocarina of Time. They also mention receiving a PowerMac G4 and reuniting with their mom while abroad.

That's not an abstraction, that's a layer of indirection

https://fhur.me/preview.png
The author argues that not all abstractions are created equal and that some are just layers of indirection that add complexity without value. A good abstraction should hide complexity, not add to it, and its benefits should outweigh its costs, which include performance penalties and added complexity.

This open problem taught me what topology is [video]

Ruby 3.4.0

Ruby 3.4.0 adds it block parameter reference and Happy Eyeballs Version 2 support to socket library. It also includes various internal improvements and new features like modular GC and experimental MMTk GC library.

Portspoof: Emulate a valid service on all 65535 TCP ports

https://opengraph.githubassets.com/dc59d14aa70c168d896f9b19b80d0b31e516832699f6d834ebad504db77b5582/drk1wi/portspoof
Portspoof enhances OS security by responding to port scans as if all ports are open and generating fake service banners to evade detection. It makes reconessaince slow and bothersome for attackers, turning their tools against them.

T * sin (t)' ≈ Ornamented Christmas Tree (2013)

I'm unable to summarize the input as it appears to be a jumbled collection of characters and does not form a coherent text.

Server-Sent Events (SSE) Are Underrated

https://bear-images.sfo2.cdn.digitaloceanspaces.com/herman-1683556668-0.png
Server-Sent Events (SSE) is a simpler alternative to WebSockets for one-way server-to-client communication over HTTP. It's efficient and suitable for real-time data streaming scenarios, often used in applications like language learning models.

Show HN: I made a website to semantically search ArXiv papers

papermatch.mitanshu.tech needs to review the security of your connection before proceeding.

Show HN: FixBrowser – a lightweight web browser created from scratch

FixBrowser is a lightweight, privacy-focused web browser without JavaScript, designed for speed and security. It needs €5000 to implement features like video playback, extension support, and captcha solving.

Tell HN: I just updated my wife's Chrome, and uBlock is no longer supported

The user discusses the state of web browsers, criticizing Google's Chrome and praising Brave and Opera's adblockers, while also criticizing Mozilla's Firefox for its bugs and performance issues. They also discuss the challenges of forking Chromium and the difficulties of maintaining a secure and compatible browser.

Sherlock: Hunt down social media accounts by username across 400 social networks

https://mintlify.s3-us-west-1.amazonaws.com/sherlockproject/images/preview.png
Hunt down social media accounts by username across [400+ social networks](/sites)

F*: A proof oriented general purpose programming language

https://fstar-lang.org/i/fstar-new.png
F* is a programming language that supports dependent types and is used for formal verification of software, particularly in the areas of security and cryptography. It has been applied in various projects, including verified implementations of cryptographic protocols and secure multi-party computations.

CRT Simulation in a GPU Shader, Looks Better Than Black Frame Insertion

https://blurbusters.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/crt-simulation-animated-718x404.gif
This is a CRT beam simulator for reducing display motion blur, especially for 60 years of legacy 60fps 60Hz content. It's a new open-source algorithm combining Mark Rejhon's CRT beam simulator with Timothy Lottes' variable-MPRT BFI algorithm.

Air missile accident emerges as probable cause of Azerbaijan E190tragedy

I'm unable to summarize the input as it appears to be a random collection of characters.

Ask HN: What skills do you want to develop or improve in 2025?

You're planning to expand into VR development while maintaining existing skills in computer graphics, iOS development, and Unreal Engine, with a goal of documenting experiences on a blog. You're also focusing on non-technical skills like sales and marketing, and developing creative skills through hobbies like crocheting, miniature painting, and model assembly.

Ask HN: Resources for general purpose GPU development on Apple's M* chips?

You want to use Apple's M* chips for general purpose programming, but find the resources restricted and convoluted. You have CUDA and C++ experience and want to learn Metal for Apple M-series GPU and GPGPU development.

Three-quarters of the land is drying out, 'redefining life on Earth'

https://grist.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/GettyImages-1404380288-crop.jpg?quality=75&strip=all
Climate change is causing Earth's land to become drier and saltier, threatening 8 billion inhabitants with water scarcity and crop failure. Drylands now cover 40% of the planet, with 10% of soils affected by excess salt, and emissions must be curbed to prevent further degradation.

Into CPS, Never to Return

A CPS (continuation-passing style) compiler is implemented in Python to convert a Scheme-like language into CPS, which is an intermediate representation for programs, particularly functional programs. The compiler handles various language constructs, including function calls, primitive operators, lambda expressions, and if expressions, and also discusses optimizations and transformations to ...

A pilot raced through the airport to surprise the woman who saved his life

https://media.cnn.com/api/v1/images/stellar/prod/01-allie-captain-whitson-1.jpg?c=16x9&q=h_833,w_1480,c_fill
Allie Reimold donated bone marrow to save pilot David Whitson's life after he was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia. Eight years later, they reunited at an airport, where David surprised Allie on her flight.

I thought I found a bug

The C library's behavior when switching between reading and writing on a file stream has been inconsistent and non-obvious since the 1970s. The standard requires a flush or seek operation to intervene between output and input, unless an input operation encounters end-of-file.

Ask HN: What is the best thing you read in 2024?

The user enjoyed several books including "The Wager", "Ukridge", and "Drinking Molotov Cocktails with Gandhi" which widened their perspective on societal violence. They appreciate well-researched non-fiction and humorous fiction like PG Wodehouse's works.

Installing OpenWRT on an Unsupported Router

https://radiosocial.de/system/media_attachments/files/113/714/517/424/419/012/small/6238db314da20a06.png
The user modified a WAVLINK WiFi6 router to run OpenWrt by modifying its firmware and device tree, but encountered issues with booting and overwriting critical partitions. After several attempts and trial-and-error, the user successfully booted a custom OpenWrt image and restored WiFi functionality, but notes that their patches may not be reproducible.

Show HN: Map of YC Startups

YC Companies Landscape — made by Mike Alche | mikealche.com | My Twitter

A Taping of 'Curb Your Enthusiasm' Saved an Innocent Man from Death Row (2017)

https://innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/02/iStock-482598075.jpg
A man named Juan Catalan was wrongly accused of murder due to a mistaken eyewitness identification. He was cleared of charges after HBO footage from Curb Your Enthusiasm corroborated his alibi at a Dodger Stadium game.

38th Chaos Communication Congress

AI-Generated Images Discourage Me from Reading Your Blog

You dislike AI-generated images in blogs, especially in indie blogs, and prefer authentic content from real humans. You value the unique perspective of individual bloggers over potentially AI-generated content.

PixLens: A lens that turns the scenery you see into pixel art

https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files/1/0664/3010/7816/files/IMG_0789_480x480.png?v=1734251158
PixLens is a lens that reduces high resolution scenery to 18x18 pixel art without electricity. It's made of acrylic resins, has a 34x34x16mm size and comes with a specification sheet and business card.

A design flaw in the Windows 3D Pipes screen saver pointed out by a customer

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The Windows 3D Pipes screen saver had a hidden teapot that appeared in joints with a 1/1000 chance in mixed mode. The teapot's appearance rate did not improve with longer screen saver running time.

I Saved an Electron Microscope from the Trash [video]

Mullvad Review of 2024

https://mullvad.net/press/MullvadVPN_logo_Round_RGB_Color_positive.png
In 2024, we improved our Support Team email inbox, introduced DAITA for enhanced privacy, and achieved feature parity across platforms. We also conducted security audits, launched outdoor campaigns, and continued our fight against mass surveillance and censorship.

Ars Technica guide to mechanical keyboards

https://cdn.arstechnica.net/wp-content/uploads/2022/03/listing-4.jpg
Mechanical keyboards offer a premium typing experience with long-lasting keys and tactile responsiveness. They have individual switches for each key, providing physical feedback and registering inputs with resistance from the switch's spring.

Luigi Mangione Prosecutors Have a Jury Problem: 'So Much Sympathy'

https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2546832/mangione.jpg?w=1200&f=52e120a8fc130a60b811c5463fd9e122
Luigi Mangione's murder trial may be difficult due to public sympathy for the alleged killer. Prosecutors must carefully select a jury to avoid pro-Mangione sympathizers who may acquit to send a message to health insurance companies.

ScyllaDB no longer open source

https://us1.discourse-cdn.com/flex016/uploads/scylladb/original/1X/1592b2ccdd2b1221a0fd855962e64ecbaa9360e6.png
ScyllaDB focuses on Enterprise release, ending OSS AGPL 6.2. A free tier of Enterprise will be available with full features.

Hertz desperate to unload Tesla inventory, asking customers to buy rentals

https://i.kinja-img.com/image/upload/c_fit,q_60,w_645/178c470a28697bd0a89a36e1fa80f09e.jpg
Hertz is aggressively selling its remaining Tesla inventory with cheap buyout options to customers. A 2023 Tesla Model 3 with 30,000 miles is being sold for $17,913, a price significantly lower than a new Model 3.

Ask HN: Practical Tips to Stay Productive?

The user struggles with procrastination and finding time for side projects due to lack of motivation and difficulty setting goals, but finds success with time blocking and prioritizing tasks. They recommend controlling the environment, using tools like Screen Time and todo lists, and being kind to oneself, and suggest that not working on side projects may be a sign of being fine in life.

Is Christmas Efficient? (2013)

The website is temporarily blocked due to security reasons after a suspicious action was detected. Please email the site owner with the Cloudflare Ray ID to report the issue.

Phugoid

A phugoid is an aircraft motion where the plane pitches up and climbs, then down and descends, with varying speed. It's a basic flight dynamics mode caused by repeated airspeed and altitude exchange, often resulting in pilot-induced oscillation.

400TB Single Cluster: OceanBase Powers Kwai`s Core Business

https://obcommunityprod.oss-cn-shanghai.aliyuncs.com/prod/blog/2023-12/1703042673133.png
Kwai, a short video app, deployed OceanBase Database to replace MySQL due to scalability and performance issues. OceanBase improved Kwai's system stability, reduced O&M complexity, and saved costs.

Brazilian velvet ant is ultrablack

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Rethinking Zoning to Increase Affordable Housing

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Restrictive zoning practices contribute to the housing affordability crisis by limiting housing supply and artificially inflating prices. Zoning reform, including eliminating single-family zoning, can help increase housing stock and affordability by promoting denser development and more inclusive zoning policies.

Ants vs. Humans: Putting Group Smarts to the Test

https://wis-wander.weizmann.ac.il/sites/default/files/OF_group_0.jpg
Scientists compared human and ant groups navigating a maze with a large load, finding that ants performed better in groups due to their tight social structure and cooperation. In contrast, human groups failed to improve performance and often chose short-term solutions over long-term benefits.

The Rise and Future Fall of MicroStrategy

https://miro.medium.com/v2/resize:fit:510/1*kUpMT8UeEkBqThMb7GCz_w.png
MicroStrategy's shares trade at a premium due to a "Bitcoin yield" extracted through ATM offerings and convertible bond issuance. The company's 21/21 Plan focuses on issuing shares and convertible bonds to accumulate more Bitcoin, creating a self-reinforcing cycle of yield extraction.

News for Ruby 3.4.0

Ruby 3.4.0 introduces several new features including frozen string literals, improved performance, and support for keyword splatting nil. It also includes changes to garbage collection, networking, and warnings for deprecated methods and unused blocks.

Subprocess: Don't close all file descriptors by default (close_fds=False)

Changing the default value of subprocess.Popen's close_fds parameter to False could improve performance by allowing the use of posix_spawn() on Linux and macOS, but it may reintroduce a security vulnerability if file descriptors are not marked as non-inheritable. A higher-level "best practices for launching child processes" module with explicit intent parameters may be a better solution than ...

Early Christian Writings

Early Christian Writings is a site with complete Christian texts before 325 AD, offering translations and commentary. It can be bookmarked and shared with others, with permission to link to its HTML files.

South Korea's population faces point of no return

https://d.newsweek.com/en/full/2551348/south-korean-paster-greets-elderly-woman.jpg?w=1200&f=26b6b738c94c9196dece94a7d83c2808
South Korea has become a 'super-aged society' with 20% of its 51.22 million population aged 65 or older. The country's low birth rate and aging population pose long-term economic challenges, prompting policymakers to introduce regulations and a new ministry to address the demographic crisis.

Ask HN: What Motivates you to keep going?

The user reflects on the importance of detachment in work, finding meaning in their job as a software engineer through curiosity and a desire to fix things, rather than material gain. They also discuss the fleeting nature of life and the importance of making the most of the time they have, rather than getting bogged down in negativity and spite.

Show HN: Caravan, a flexible, transport-based logging system for TypeScript apps

https://opengraph.githubassets.com/53199fa1b648529ed342d325f6fed4309450eb3758a42be384e878a3d17533cb/carlos-menezes/caravan
The user installed the Caravan Logger and added multiple transports for logging to console, file, Datadog, and BetterStack. They configured the logger to log at the INFO level, redact sensitive data, and forked a logger with custom context for user-specific logging.

Advent of OS/2

https://www.uninformativ.de/blog/postings/2024-12-25/0/t/desk.jpg.jpg
The user participated in the 2024 Advent of Code challenge with a unique twist, using Java 1 on OS/2 Warp 4, an old operating system and programming environment from the 1990s. They encountered various challenges and limitations, including performance issues, lack of modern tools, and quirks in the old Java implementation, but still managed to complete the challenge and learn a lot about the ...

Solar, EVs and a Big Exit from Coal: 2024's Good Climate News

https://assets.bwbx.io/images/users/iqjWHBFdfxIU/iDAV58gI.0Ak/v1/-1x-1.webp
Bloomberg Green reported positive climate developments in 2024 despite setbacks. Solar installations and innovative projects emerged worldwide.