Hacker News
1Quarkdown: A modern Markdown-based typesetting system
- Quarkdown is a modern Markdown-based typesetting system that can compile projects into print-ready books or interactive presentations. It extends Markdown with functions and scripting capabilities, offering versatility through its standard library for layout building, I/O, math, and programming features.
Comparison with existing tools
Discussion contrasts Quarkdown with Typst, Quarto, and LaTeX, debating their features, learning curves and HTML export capabilities. Users question accuracy of comparison table and debate merits versus existing solutions.Markdown compatibility concerns
Users debate how well Quarkdown aligns with Markdown's simplicity and syntax. Some argue its function-based approach deviates too far from Markdown's ease of use, while others appreciate the added capabilities.Use case considerations
Discussion about whether Quarkdown and similar tools are too focused on academic papers rather than diverse document types like forms, flyers and business cards. Debate on suitability for different publishing needs.
2EU Commission refuses to disclose authors behind its mass surveillance proposal
- The EU Commission is facing controversy for refusing to reveal who is behind its proposed mass surveillance initiative that would significantly impact citizens' online privacy rights. The proposal has generated substantial concern due to its potential implications for digital privacy in the European Union.
EU surveillance proposal
EU Commission pushing for expanded data retention and surveillance powers while refusing to disclose group members behind proposal. Includes calls for backdoors in software/hardware and access to encrypted data.Democratic accountability
Debate over EU's commitment to human rights/privacy vs surveillance, with discussion of which nations have moral authority and whether EU institutions are sufficiently democratic/transparent.Citizen response
Mixed experiences with contacting MEPs, suggestions for public feedback, and observations that surveillance proposals keep returning despite court rulings and public opposition.
3How Ukraine’s killer drones are beating Russian jamming
- This article discusses Ukraine's innovative use of drones in its conflict with Russia, particularly the Ghost Dragon drone's development by Estonian company KrattWorks. The drone uses AI-based navigation to operate even when jammed, showcasing how both sides are evolving their drone warfare capabilities amid ongoing electronic warfare challenges.
Democratization of violence
Discussion of how drone technology has made sophisticated warfare accessible to smaller actors, raising concerns about guerrilla warfare, terrorism, and the challenges of defending against autonomous drone attacks.Political implications
Analysis of how drone warfare could reshape political structures, potentially leading to a return to city-state governance as drones favor smaller political units and challenge the dominance of large nation-states.Defense strategies
Examination of various countermeasures against drone attacks, including jammers, nets, lasers, and automated weapons, with debate about their effectiveness, practicality, and cost for both military and civilian contexts.
4Builder.ai Collapses: $1.5B 'AI' Startup Exposed as 'Indians'
- Builder.ai, a British startup valued at $1.5 billion that claimed to use AI for app development, has filed for bankruptcy after revelations that it employed human developers in India instead of AI technology. The company's downfall came after a key lender withdrew funds and concerns arose about inflated sales figures.
Accounting fraud/deception
Company pretended AI was building apps when it was actually human developers in India. Discussion compares it to Theranos, noting it's fraudulent to mislead investors/customers even if consequences weren't as severe.Missing money questions
Debate over what happened to $450M funding, with most suggesting executives pocketed majority while paying Indian developers minimal wages. Some note even 700 developers over 8 years wouldn't cost nearly that much.Actual AI alternatives
Discussion about how building real AI app builders is feasible now with available tools and models, though opinions differ on difficulty level. Some share examples of legitimate AI development tools.
5(On | No) Syntactic Support for Error Handling
- The article discusses the long-standing issue of verbose error handling in Go programming language, chronicling various attempts by the Go team and community to address it through syntax proposals like check/handle, try, and the ? operator. Despite numerous proposals over 15 years, none achieved consensus, leading the team to maintain the status quo.
Error handling approaches
Debate around Go's explicit error handling vs alternatives like Rust's ? operator, sum types, and monadic approaches. While some defend Go's verbose but clear approach, others argue for more ergonomic solutions that maintain safety.Go decision making process
Discussion of Go team's conservative approach to language evolution, with some praising the careful consideration while others criticize slow progress on addressing known issues like error handling and generics.Verbosity and readability
Concerns about Go's error handling being overly verbose and prone to mistakes, with debate around whether explicit verbosity improves or hinders code readability and maintainability.
6Show HN: I build one absurd web project every month
- A creative developer builds and shares monthly absurd, non-functional web projects at absurd.website, ranging from erotic math problems to real-time Mars simulations, exploring the artistic and whimsical potential of the internet beyond practical utility.
Fun useless projects
Discussion celebrates intentionally non-practical web projects, with examples like pizza topping sites and language learning tools. Users appreciate this return to early internet creativity and experimentation.AI and human tasks
Discussion about the relationship between AI and human work, including how companies blend AI and human capabilities, and references to media like "Manna" exploring this dynamic.Artists death database
Users discuss a database tracking artist deaths and its impact on art values, with some treating it as a strategic investment tool similar to a "dead pool" concept.
7Japanese scientists develop artificial blood compatible with all blood types
- Japanese scientists have developed artificial blood that can be used in any blood type, created by extracting hemoglobin from expired donor blood. The synthetic blood has a longer shelf life and eliminates compatibility testing. Clinical trials are ongoing, with aims to implement practical use by 2030.
Previous blood substitute attempts
Discussion of Biopure's oxygen therapeutic made from cow blood that failed in early 2000s despite promising technology, and other historical attempts like PolyHeme. Challenges included business viability and FDA approval.Technical approach
Product uses hemoglobin from expired donor blood encased in protective shells. While still requiring donors, it's compatible with all blood types. Future potential for synthetic hemoglobin production discussed.Scope and limitations
Product only replaces oxygen-carrying function of blood, not other roles like clotting or immune response. Early testing phase with only 12 volunteers, but could significantly improve blood supply management.
8AI makes the humanities more important, but also weirder
- <p>The article discusses the transformative impact of AI on higher education, particularly in humanities. While AI tools offer new possibilities for research and teaching, they also pose challenges to traditional educational methods. The author explores both opportunities, such as creating educational games and improving language translation, and concerns about students using AI to bypass genuine learning experiences.</p>
Education system failures
Discussion of how education has become focused on grades and jobs rather than learning, with AI now exposing these systemic issues. Students use AI to bypass work because the system rewards outcomes over understanding.AI-resistant assignments
Debate around designing assignments that AI can't complete, with suggestions ranging from oral exams to practical exercises. German university system cited as model for testing actual knowledge vs memorization.Humanities' relevance
Discussion of how AI disruption of traditional written assignments is forcing deeper questions about nature of learning and assessment, potentially increasing humanities' importance in understanding these challenges.
9Show HN: A toy version of Wireshark (student project)
- A developer shares their open-source network packet analyzer project written in Go, designed as a learning tool rather than a Wireshark alternative. The minimalist program supports basic protocol parsing and includes a fuzzing engine, with colored terminal output for better readability.
Technical implementation and language choice
Discussion focuses on Go as implementation language, with debates about using gopacket vs writing custom parsers, static binaries, and cross-compilation. Several developers share their own similar projects and code samples.Project naming concerns
Debate about potential confusion with existing company named Vanta, though many argue it's not an issue for an educational project. Alternative names like "babyshark" suggested.Educational value and motivation
Project compared to Linus's first Linux announcement, with author explaining it's a student learning project and response to universities supporting international students.
10Covert Web-to-App Tracking via Localhost on Android
- Meta and Yandex's Android apps were found to silently track users through local ports, allowing them to link web browsing data with user identities even when privacy protections are enabled. This affects billions of Android users and bypasses privacy measures like Incognito Mode and cookie clearing.
Technical details of tracking
Meta and Yandex apps open local ports to receive browsing data via WebRTC, bypassing privacy protections. The method uses STUN/TURN protocols and cookie sharing between web browsers and installed apps to track users across devices.Privacy and regulation
Discussion on need for stricter privacy laws, GDPR implications, and calls to ban tracking. Debate on feasibility of ad-free internet vs current ad-supported model. Some argue for alternatives like micropayments or paid services.Mitigation methods
Various technical solutions discussed including uBlock Origin filters, Firefox configurations, and avoiding installation of Meta/tech company apps. Port Authority extension and Private Network Access specification highlighted as protective measures.