MurphyA/hacker-news huggingface dataset:
by Someone1234 | 2025-08-04 03:28:50+00:00
Windows ME was bad, but not due to anything specific they did with ME. Between Windows 95, 98, 98 SE, and then ME the hardware landscape absolutely exploded (e.g. tens of new categories of devices). Which meant more third party drivers than ever before. Drivers ran in the same address space as the kernel, without isolation, and BY DESIGN would monkey-patch the kernel (with different drivers sometimes stepping on one another). This was already a problem in 98/98 SE, but the whole thing just crumbled under its own weight around the time of ME.

2000/XP by contrast had strict user mode/kernel mode isolation, processes had their own virtual memory, and kernel address space was protected (making monkey-patching more difficult). In XP in particular they also started to adopt Driver Signature Enforcement, which at that time brought a cultural rather than technical shift (i.e. everyone knew it would eventually be mandatory, and so started to tighten processes).

Vista then made things even better with Mandatory Driver Signing (64-bit), PatchGuard + ASLR (i.e. no more monkey-patching the kernel), Code Integrity Checks (corruption detection), WDDM for more stable graphics drivers, and shifted some other drivers to user mode (soft failures instead of BSODs).

The official sales pitch of ME over 98 SE was: System Restore (new), System File Protection (technically ported from 2K, but new for the 9x line), faster boot (due to real-mode DOS being removed), Automatic Updates, Movie Maker, and improved home networking. It was a big upgrade for people coming from 98 and still a minor upgrade from 98 SE (which a lot of people skipped, even though it was a substantial improvement for just $20 upgrade cost).

PS - Vista moving to WDDM for graphics drivers, which everyone takes for granted today, is much of the reason why it was SO poorly received upon released. Vendors moved both to WDDM and in some cases to x64 for the first time, and it was a buggy mess there for at least a year -- which was blamed on Vista.
by pstuart | 2025-08-04 03:29:27+00:00
Yes, it's not about capturing every drop -- more about slowing it down so a fair amount can percolate in.

The recent tragedy in Texas is a key example -- way more water than could be "handled", and if there were mitigations in place it could have been win/win (temper flooding and replenish aquifers.

I follow a youtuber who's trying to rehabilitate desert land by slowing the water down to let some percolate in -- it's a wonderful dream: https://www.youtube.com/@dustupstexas
by Nevermark | 2025-08-04 03:30:07+00:00
People don't have stable or seasonal "token needs" or wants.

Nor do they have stable don't-give-me-any-better "answer quality" expectations from models. At least not yet.

AI model services don't have any version of the typical utility's geographical market protection or monopoly.

Worse, they have all been funded for massive loss-leader hyper growth, so to survive in the short term, they have to compete on who can raise and lose more.

Then looking into the long term, unlike the Uber's of the world, the point where a market will reach saturation, survivors finally "win", and margins can transition from negative to positive, keeps moving away.

I don't see any way in which utility bills are economically comparable to this situation.

The only "hope" the general AI service business has, is that at some point one of them pulls far enough ahead of the others that everyone else's economics collapse first.

Like a very high speed version of the centralization in advanced chip fabs. But with no profitability until the centralization happens. Brutal.
by woodruffw | 2025-08-04 03:30:57+00:00
> If I sniff something is off, I start Googling for reference code, large projects in that language, etc.

This works so long as you know how to ask the question. But it's been my experience that an LLM directed on a task will do something, and I don't even know how to frame its behavior in language in a way that would make sense to search for.

(My experience here is with frontend in particular: I'm not much of a JS/TS/HTML/CSS person, and LLMs produce outputs that look really good to me. But I don't know how to even begin to verify that they are in fact good or idiomatic, since there's more often than not multiple layers of intermediating abstractions that I'm not already familiar with.)
by Myrmornis | 2025-08-04 03:32:21+00:00
Python has static typing unless you don't add any types. The vast majority of reputable Python codebases nowadays use static typing rigorously. If you don't, you should. To enforce it when coding with an agent you can either tell the agent to run the type checker after every edit (e.g. via a hook in Claude Code), or if you're using an agent that has access to the LSP diagnostics then tell it to look at them and demand that they are clean after every edit (easy with Cursor, and achieveable in Claude Code I believe via MCP).
by deterministic | 2025-08-04 03:33:03+00:00
With a powerful type system (think Coq/Lean/...) you can declare the following (for example):

forall s:Source, execute_machine_code(compile(s)) = interpret_source_code(s)

And the compiler will only accept your compiler code as being typed correctly if for all possible source code, running the compiled code gives the same result as interpreting the source code directly.

In other words, you are proving your compiler to be correct. Think about it as having an infinite number of test cases in a single line.

Now that's powerful!
by bapak | 2025-08-04 03:33:58+00:00
Importing without extensions is not a TypeScript thing at all. Node introduced it at the beginning and then stopped when implementing ESM. Being strict is a feature.

What's true is that they "support TS" but require .ts extensions, which was never even allowed until Node added "TS support". That part is insane.

TS only ever accepted .js and officially rejected support for .ts appearing in imports. Then came Node and strong-armed them into it.
Show HN: Labubu Merge – Cute and Relaxing Merge Puzzle Game
by liualexander112 | 2025-08-04 03:35:15+00:00
Labubu Merge is a casual merge puzzle game where you can drag and combine adorable Labubas to unlock bigger and funnier forms. The more you merge, the more unique Labubas you’ll discover. With simple controls and relaxing gameplay, it’s perfect for passing time and unwinding.

How to Play:

Drag a Labuba from the top into the board. Merge two identical Labubas to create a bigger one. Plan ahead to manage the space on the board. The game ends when the board is full, so think carefully about each move and keep merging to unlock new forms. Game Features:

Simple drag-and-drop controls Dozens of funny and adorable Labuba evolutions No time limits—play at your own pace Great for all ages, perfect for families Highlights: Labubu Merge stands out with its cute design, easy controls, and relaxing experience. Every merge brings a new, funny Labuba to discover. With no time pressure, anyone can enjoy the fun of merging, no matter their age.

Play Labubu Merge for free now! Merge Labubas, unlock hilarious creatures, and enjoy a relaxing puzzle experience for all ages.
by YZF | 2025-08-04 03:35:45+00:00
The E12 looks like a proper highway that in many places would be at least 90km/hr (possibly a variable speed limit depending on the amount of traffic).

Here's another local example, Granville Street, which is also 3 lanes but definitely denser/busier: https://maps.app.goo.gl/4X6RRVKUFKNoFA248

What tends to happen in practice is that people here drive faster than the speed limit on some of these, e.g. both my examples I would say 70km/hr is a lot more common than the actual 50km/hr speed. On smaller streets, lessay: https://maps.app.goo.gl/5AaW7FgiuK5ti6sy6 you would typically go slower than the limit, especially if there are more cars parked, or pedestrians present or more traffic. In some of the smaller streets traffic can't even pass both ways when there are cars parked and people alternate the right of way.

I tend to think of speed limits as a way to fine drivers rather than a true safety thing. If you want people to drive slower you need to create the conditions that will make them drive slower. In many small streets that tends to be speed bumps (which I don't like) but there are other solutions. You want the speed to feel natural to the drivers, i.e. that most reasonable people would drive that speed in order to be able to respond to what they predict might happen.

Reducing speed limits feels like a cop out. A better solution includes better thinking about city design, roads, and transit. Reducing the speed limit is unlikely (at least around these parts) to actually result in people driving slower.
by readthenotes1 | 2025-08-04 03:36:17+00:00
The bits are defined in another paper by the authors using "syntagmatic density of information ratio (SDIR)" which seems to be related to the number of syllables required to convey the same information in different languages, using Vietnamese as the baseline.

I cannot wait for independent replication!

https://www.researchgate.net/publication/235971274_A_cross-L...
by mitchlapworth | 2025-08-04 03:36:29+00:00
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Please reach out to hi@mitch.lapworth.com
by stevenicr | 2025-08-04 03:37:03+00:00
You are completely wrong, and I can almost hear in my mind how you think something you are promoting as true, is 'basically true' - but please know there are plenty of people reading HN from afar and may come to expect 'free healthcare in US (just go to the ER!)' from your comments.

No it is not.

Lots of experience with the health system in the US, for me, and helping many other navigate the systems.

It's not even close to identical. If you go to ER here and you can't pay, they may provide you with a certain level of 'care' to 'stabilize you' (as the law says they are supposed to, and the feds send some money to hospitals to cover some of this), and you will get billed, and collections calling, and credit report issues, and threats to sue and have your property auctioned (have held one of these letters in my hand, complete with a list of property that was in my name.

Even worse, the 'care' you may get is normally crap. For example I have seen the same people with same condition, at one hospital get a quick surgery and leave with a colostomy bag for rest of life, and other person at other hospital with insurance get placed in a room and treated for weeks - then left with a warning to avoid seeds.

I have seen so many examples of places leaves humans to rot with no insurance - hospitals.

Even with insurance, you can find yourself waiting 6-8 weeks for a doc appointment. I have so many examples.
by npritchard | 2025-08-04 03:37:29+00:00
Location: Perth, WA, Australia

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Short-term trips ok

Technologies: Python, PyTorch, TensorFlow, OpenCV, SNNs, LLM APIs, Django, Kubernetes, Fly.io, Docker, Kubernetes, Git, C/C++, HPC, MPI, Neuromorphic Computing

Resume: https://contact.nicpritchard.com/files/Resume_Pritchard_2025...

Email: professional [at] nicpritchard.com

Final-year PhD in ML & Neuromorphic Computing, finishing up soon in Feb 2026. I build efficient ML systems for complex sensor data. Currently applying SNNs to real-time anomaly detection in radio astronomy, including training SoTA models and deploying them to neuromorphic chips.

I have previous experience working for the Square Kilometre Array (SKA) building high-performance computational workflow systems, and small-scale consulting in various full-stack development projects.

Looking for ML engineer / applied scientist roles - remote preferred but happy to travel regularly for stints abroad.
by tomhow | 2025-08-04 03:38:26+00:00
Job posts need to be submitted to Who is Hiring:

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=44757794

You can search for cofounders via YC's Co‑Founder Matching:

https://www.ycombinator.com/cofounder-matching

I'm burying this post, as job ads are not allowed on HN (only YC-funded companies can submit them via a form that only YC founders have access to).
by lutusp | 2025-08-04 03:40:50+00:00
Apparently so (https://library.ctstate.edu/c.php?g=1318271&p=9694905). The link includes some obviously pseudoscientific projects, as though the list was meant to ridicule the field.

A Google search for "recent parapsychology research programs" lists any number of loony projects that seem designed to make the field look absurd.
by skissane | 2025-08-04 03:41:25+00:00
I don’t understand what taxing “network effects” has to do with Georgism though - Georgism argues land should be taxed specially because (1) there is fundamentally a finite quantity of it, (2) it is natural not human-made. Network effects don’t seem particularly similar on either front, and hence even if there is an argument for specially taxing them, that argument isn’t clearly Georgist - a Georgist could consistently reject it.

Closer to land are things like mining rights, water rights, fishing rights, pollution rights - taxing them is an obvious extension of the Georgist idea of land taxation, and it would be difficult for a consistent Georgist to oppose them, at least in principle
by throwaway173738 | 2025-08-04 03:41:49+00:00
If you drive the ring road in Yellowstone in its entirety you could find yourself running out of gas without taking at least one long detour into a town. That park is huge.

I don’t think having some amenities is a bad thing. Honestly the biggest problem is not their presence in places like Yellowstone or Grand Teton or Olympic or Mount Rainier it’s how poorly some of them are maintained and the sheer quantity of tourists especially in places like Yellowstone which is a UN World Heritage site. At almost every lodge I’ve stayed in in those parks they’ve been dirty and very expensive.
by iJohnDoe | 2025-08-04 03:47:28+00:00
Since I know I won’t build a financial app, I offer this idea to everyone.

You know those apps that round up your transactions on your debit card and it builds up savings over time? Do this same exact concept but have the money that builds up be used to pay down credit card debt. Even if it’s not much, any extra dollar makes a difference. To make the app really effective it needs to be able to pay the credit card directly.
by mooiedingen | 2025-08-04 03:47:36+00:00
Bruh the "steering" you speak of is already known, and implemented for over 2 years already in the oobaabooga/text-generarion-webui it to me is worrysome that these kinds of projects get funded by governments when they are done by a comercial company and nobody knowing this allready been done implemented free and opensource... that is like saying: "please Daddy, accept my money for your research and comeriacally abuse me further, rather than thank you $opensourcedev"
by drak0n1c | 2025-08-04 03:47:55+00:00
Venice AI has a solution where I stake their Base ERC20 token, and in exchange I get a proportional amount of free daily-refreshing API access to a variety of high-powered open source models, besides the staking yield and free Pro subscription level access to their webapp.

It's great for free experimentation when coding apps that use API inference, it's actually motivating to build uses for it because it feels akin to a benefit that otherwise goes unused. Of course there is some price risk in holding their crypto token. After a large spike and drop in the first couple days, it's held steady for 6 months with a $2-$3 floor, possibly due to it having that baseline utility. Mentally, it's far more comfortable to me to stake a principal sum that I can wholly unstake in the future, than to spend on per-request fees.
by throw10920 | 2025-08-04 03:48:31+00:00
That's the natural thing you think of, but then you have the problem that a fuel tax is a regressive tax on the poorest - who are usually also driving less efficient vehicles because they're cheaper, so they're hit twice as hard. But, if you tax vehicles by size, then you run into the issue that a lot of working-class people need large trucks to do their work. It's a hard problem and I've been thinking about it for a while.
by zkmon | 2025-08-04 03:49:05+00:00
Yes, the seeming hierarchy in information is bit shallow. Yahoo, Altavista and others tried this and it became unmanageable soon. Google realized that keywords and page-raking is the way to go. I think keywords are sort of same as a dimensions in multi-dimensional embeddings.

Information, is basically is about relating something to other known things. A closer relation is being interpreted as location proximity in a taxonomy space.
by bakkoting | 2025-08-04 03:49:58+00:00
It was neither a design choice nor a technical limitation. It was a big complicated thing which necessarily involved fiddly internal work and coordination between relatively isolated groups. It got done when someone (Joyee Cheung) actually made the fairly heroic effort to push through all of that.

Joyee has a nice post going into details. Reading this gives a much more accurate picture of why things do and don't happen in big projects like Node: https://joyeecheung.github.io/blog/2024/03/18/require-esm-in...
by pjcodes | 2025-08-04 03:50:24+00:00
That's a completely valid point, and I’ve heard similar feedback from many early users. I recommend, and I personally have started doing this, that you plug in your disposable income instead of your total salary.

Disposable income is what you have left after paying for essentials like rent, groceries, commuting, and bills. It’s basically the money available for non-essential purchases. This gives you a more realistic hourly rate and makes you think more about opportunity costs. For example, that $80 gadget could be taking a much bigger chunk of your free cash than it seems at first.

To clarify, in the current free plan, users can enter their annual income. However, the work-hours psychology is based on a default average of about $50k USD. This varies by currency and country, so in this case, like the sneakers example, it translates to about 2.1 weeks.

In the premium version, the app uses your actual income or disposable income, if you prefer, so it becomes much more personalized and precise.

As a thank you to early adopters, I’m offering free weekly premium access to gather feedback and improve the app. Let me know if you’d like to try out the personalized version.
by reify | 2025-08-04 03:51:14+00:00
good old dev urandom

cat /dev/random | tr -dc 'a-zA-Z0-9' | fold -w 14 | head -n 10

cat /dev/random | tr -dc '0-9' | fold -w 6 | head -n 10

cat /dev/random | tr -dc 'abcdef0-9' | fold -w 20 | head -n 10

using character classes:

cat /dev/urandom | tr -cd '[:graph:]' | fold -w 16 | head -n 10

cat /dev/urandom | tr -cd '[:print:]' | fold -w 12 | head -n 10

cat /dev/urandom | tr -cd '[:alnum:]' | fold -w 10 | head -n 10

cat /dev/urandom | tr -cd '[:xdigit:]' | fold -w 15 | head -n 10
by Myrmornis | 2025-08-04 03:51:22+00:00
In the case of Claude Code the hook feature is ideal for this so I could imagine the designers deciding that it is more appropriate to put the user in control. That said I think I do agree with you that -- given Python's fairly unique position of having good static typing but not requiring it -- the agents should default to running the type checker if they see it configured in pyproject.toml.
by jongjong | 2025-08-04 03:51:37+00:00
My experience suggests the opposite of what this article claims. Claude Code is ridiculously good with vanilla JavaScript, provided that your code is well written. I tried it with a TypeScript code base and it wasn't anywhere near as good.

With JS, Claude has very high success rate. Only issue I had with it was that one time it forgot to update one part of the code which was in a different file but as soon as I told it, it updated it perfectly.

With TypeScript my experience was that it struggles to find things. Writing tests was a major pain because it kept trying to grep the build output because it had to mock out one of the functions in the test and it just couldn't figure it out.

Also typed code it produces is more complex to solve the same problem with more different files and it struggles to get the right context. Also TS is more verbose (this is objectively true and measurable); requires more tokens so it literally costs more.
by hmcdona1 | 2025-08-04 03:51:42+00:00
ts-rest doesn't see a lot of support these days. It's lack of adoption of modern tanstack query integration patterns finally drove us look for alternatives.

Luckily, oRPC had progressed enough to be viable now. I cannot recommend it over ts-rest enough. It's essentially tRPC but with support for ts-rest style contracts that enable standard OpenAPI REST endpoints.

- https://orpc.unnoq.com/

- https://github.com/unnoq/orpc
by CMay | 2025-08-04 03:52:15+00:00
The paper does not seem to support that human speech has a universal transmission rate or that every spoken language has a universal information rate. They showed that information rate varied by individual and by language, just that it varied less than the syllable rate.

This was also bounded by a reading task, so the performance shown per language could be influenced by the average reading skills of people who speak those languages. They also asked them to pronounce differently than they normally would.

If you take the 17 languages they tested and get the average between them, you get 39bits/s. For English and French, the information rate they recorded was higher, with an average closer to ~45bits/s (just eyeballing their chart). Their results also showed Thai at ~35bits/s. A 10bits/s swing from median to median is pretty huge.

From the paper:

"We collected recordings of 170 native adult speakers of the aforementioned 17 languages, each reading at their normal rate a standardized set of 15 semantically similar texts across the languages (for a total amount of approximately 240,000 syllables). Speakers became familiar with the texts, by reading them several times before being recorded, so that they understand the described situation and minimize reading errors"

"Together, our findings show that while there is wide interspeaker variation in speech and IRs (information rates), this variation is also structured by language. This means that an individual’s speech behavior is not entirely due to individual characteristics but is further constrained by the language being spoken."

"However, languages seem to stably inhabit an optimal range of IRs, away from the extremes that can still be available to individual speakers. Languages achieve this balance through a trade-off between ID (information density) and SR (syllable rate), resulting in a narrower distribution of IRs compared to SRs. In the introduction, we rhetorically asked whether too low or too high an IR would impede communicative and/or cognitive efficiency. Our results here suggest that the answer to both questions is positive and that human communication seems to avoid two extreme sociolinguistic profiles: on the one hand, high ID languages spoken fast by their speakers (“high-fast”), and, on the other, low ID languages spoken slowly by their speakers (“low-slow”)."

https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/sciadv.aaw2594