Hacker News
1Zelensky leaves White House after angry meeting
US aid and strategy
Discussion of alternatives for US engagement with Ukraine, from maintaining current support levels to abandoning Ukraine. Debate over whether US should provide more decisive military aid or accept Russian gains.US diplomatic behavior
Critics view Trump/Vance meeting with Zelenskyy as intentionally humiliating rather than diplomatic. Discussion of unprecedented public bullying and its impact on US international standing.European response
Growing realization that Europe needs military/economic independence from US. Debate over EU unity, actual aid levels to Ukraine compared to US, and differing views between EU nations on Russia.
2Welcome to Ladybird, a truly independent web browser
- Ladybird is a pre-alpha independent web browser with a novel engine based on web standards. It features a multi-process architecture for security and uses various core libraries inherited from SerenityOS. The browser is being developed for Linux, macOS, Windows, and other Unix systems under a BSD license.
Browser engine complexity and feasibility
Discussion of whether a small team can build a modern browser given Chrome's 10M+ lines of code, with debate around necessary complexity vs. overengineering and Ladybird's targeted subset approachAlternative browser landscape
Discussion of browser alternatives like Waterfox, LibreWolf and Vivaldi in light of Firefox's data policy changes, with focus on privacy concerns and extension supportBrowser security challenges
Debate around difficulties of securing modern browsers, with Ladybird's advantages (JS interpreter vs JIT) and disadvantages (small security team) compared to major browsers
3Mozilla deletes promise to never sell Firefox data
- Mozilla appears to present conflicting messages about data privacy. While claiming Firefox never sells personal data and protects privacy, their terms suggest they can freely use information uploaded through Firefox worldwide, raising questions about their data handling practices.
Comments moved
Discussion has been redirected to another thread at ID 43185909, with the original comments being relocated there
4"When you upload or input information through Firefox, you grant us a license"
- This document outlines Mozilla Firefox's terms of use, explaining users' rights and Mozilla's permissions regarding the web browser. It covers licensing, open source aspects, intellectual property, data processing, and additional terms for optional features. The agreement details user responsibilities, liability limitations, and warranty disclaimers while emphasizing Firefox's free and community-driven nature.
Scope of usage terms
Terms only apply to executables from "authorized sources" but contain concerning elements: broad data usage rights, ability to change terms without notice, and power to suspend access at any timeTitle editorialization
Debate about whether submission titles should highlight specific parts of content vs keeping original titles to maintain neutrality and leave interpretations to commentsDuplicate threads
Multiple discussions about the same topic were merged into one thread containing the original source that was posted first
5Microsoft begins turning off uBlock Origin and other extensions in Edge
- Microsoft Edge Canary is following Google Chrome in disabling Manifest V2-based extensions like uBlock Origin, though users can temporarily re-enable them. While Mozilla Firefox commits to supporting these extensions, users will need to either switch browsers or move to newer Manifest V3 alternatives like uBlock Origin Lite.
Firefox as alternative
Discussion centers on Firefox as main alternative to Chromium browsers, with debate about Mozilla's recent changes, Firefox forks like LibreWolf, and Firefox's superior support for uBlock Origin and privacy features.Browser monetization concerns
Users express worry about browsers' future becoming more centralized, ad-driven and privacy-invasive. Debate about whether paid models could work, comparing to past services like AOL, and impact of corporate profit motives.Network-level blocking
Discussion of alternatives like PiHole and NextDNS for network-level ad blocking, though limited by browsers implementing DNS-over-HTTPS to bypass local DNS settings. Debate about effectiveness vs browser-level blocking.
6Microsoft is killing Skype
- Microsoft will shut down Skype in May 2025, directing users to switch to Microsoft Teams. After its 2003 launch and Microsoft's $8.5B acquisition in 2011, Skype struggled to maintain relevance despite multiple updates, as users moved to platforms like WhatsApp and Discord.
Technical evolution and decline
Discussion of Skype's innovative P2P architecture, wide platform availability, and eventual decline after Microsoft acquisition moved it to centralized servers, making it slower and less reliable.Microsoft's business strategy
Analysis of how Microsoft missed opportunities during pandemic by not leveraging Skype's brand recognition, instead pushing Teams for enterprise while letting Skype languish despite its strong consumer mindshare.Alternative services search
Users seeking replacements for Skype's phone number and international calling features, with suggestions including Google Voice, VoIP.ms, and various SIP providers, discussing pros/cons of each option.
7macOS Tips and Tricks (2022)
- A comprehensive guide to macOS keyboard shortcuts, gestures, and UI tricks, covering essential operations like window management, screenshot controls, Finder navigation, Mission Control, and menu bar customization. The guide details various modifier key combinations to enhance productivity and streamline daily workflows.
Window management issues
Users discuss problems with macOS window management, particularly how apps handle window focus and stacking. Many recommend third-party solutions like Front and Center, Rectangle, AeroSpace and Hammerspoon.Dock and app switching
Discussion about limitations of the macOS Dock and alternative ways to switch between apps. Many prefer keyboard shortcuts (Cmd+Tab) or launchers like Alfred/Raycast over using the Dock.Keyboard shortcuts
Users share various keyboard shortcuts and hidden features in macOS, with emphasis on menu searching (Shift+Cmd+/), window resizing modifiers, and text navigation shortcuts that work system-wide.
8IBM completes acquisition of HashiCorp
- IBM has completed its acquisition of HashiCorp for $6.4 billion, enhancing its hybrid cloud and automation capabilities. The merger combines HashiCorp's infrastructure automation expertise with IBM's global reach, aiming to help enterprises manage cloud infrastructure more efficiently and accelerate innovation in hybrid cloud environments.
IBM's acquisition impact
Strong concerns about IBM's history of degrading acquired companies' products, though some point to RedHat as positive counter-example. Mixed views on whether HashiCorp products will decline under IBM ownership.HashiCorp employee experience
Personal accounts from HashiCorp employees, particularly Nomad team, reflecting on company growth from startup through IPO. Discussion of retention packages and whether to stay post-acquisition.Product quality discussion
Debate about technical merits of HashiCorp products like Terraform and Vault, with some criticizing design decisions while others defend tools' capabilities and proper usage patterns.
9Github scam investigation: Thousands of “mods” and “cracks” stealing data
- The article exposes a scam scheme where criminals create fake GitHub repositories containing malware disguised as popular game mods and cracked software. When users download and run these files, their personal data, including crypto wallets, bank accounts, and gaming credentials, are stolen and sent to Discord servers where scammers process the stolen information.
Microsoft's moderation issues
Discussion of Microsoft's poor handling of spam/malware across platforms, particularly on Azure feedback portal and GitHub. Users note long response times and inadequate moderation of malicious content.Discord webhook exploitation
Malware authors using Discord webhooks for command & control. Users discuss how these webhooks can be deleted and reported, with Discord being responsive to abuse reports compared to other platforms.Malware distribution ethics
Debate about whether malware repos should be deleted from GitHub or preserved for research. Some argue for removal to prevent harm, others suggest flagging/warning systems instead of deletion.
10Violence alters human genes for generations, researchers discover
- Research reveals that trauma from the 1982 Hama massacre in Syria affected not only survivors but also left genetic marks in their grandchildren through epigenetic changes. The study shows how stress can be transmitted across generations, potentially influencing health and highlighting the lasting impact of violence.
Genome vs epigenome confusion
Debate about whether media correctly reports epigenetic changes vs genetic changes, with detailed technical explanations about DNA structure, gene expression, and why the distinction mattersHistorical perspective
Discussion of how ancient texts and historical events align with modern understanding of intergenerational effects, including biblical references and historical cases like faminesStudy methodology concerns
Critiques of the research's sample size, methodology and potential confounding variables, with skepticism about media reporting of transgenerational trauma studies in general