Hacker News
1French supermarket's Christmas advert is worldwide hit (without AI) [video]
AI vs human-made content
Discussion about the shift from "computer bad" to "AI bad" in creative fields, with comparisons to how CGI was initially rejected. Users debate whether AI-generated content lacks the human intention and effort that makes art meaningful, referencing recent McDonald's AI ads.Fish not being considered "meat"
Users humorously debate the ad's implication that fish have no souls since the wolf switches to vegetarianism but still eats fish. Discussion covers cultural/religious distinctions between meat and seafood in France and elsewhere.Quality of storytelling and animation
Praise for the ad's visual storytelling that works without words, contrasting it with McDonald's "depressing" AI ad. Users appreciate the wholesome family message and skilled animation work from the French studio.
2Nokia N900 Necromancy
- A tech enthusiast received an old Nokia N900 smartphone with a dead battery and successfully resurrected it by creating a custom "battery" using supercapacitors, adding a USB-C port to replace the broken micro-USB connector, and installing a new operating system that boots from an SD card, giving the classic device new life as a functional smartphone.
Nokia N900 nostalgia and capabilities
Users reminisce about the N900's "cyberpunk deck" feel, with stories of torrenting subtitles in a cinema and using it as a pocket computer. Many praise its physical keyboard, Linux OS, and ability to run servers, contrasting it with today's locked-down devices.Technical modification and resurrection
Discussion centers on the complex process of reviving old Nokia devices by bypassing dead batteries with supercapacitors, fixing bootloader issues, and running modern Linux. Users debate the learning path for such technical skills.Modern alternatives and market failure
Participants discuss why Nokia's Linux phones failed commercially despite technical superiority, Microsoft's role in killing the platform, and current attempts to create similar "cyberdeck" devices with physical keyboards and open software.
3Programmers and software developers lost the plot on naming their tools
- The author argues that modern software development has adopted a problematic trend of naming tools and libraries after random nouns, mythological creatures, or fictional characters instead of descriptive names that indicate their function. Inspired by Richard Stallman's call for "memorable names," they contrast this with other engineering fields where names like "Golden Gate Bridge" or chemical compounds clearly describe what they are. This naming practice creates cognitive overhead as developers must constantly look up what obscurely named tools actually do, wasting mental resources that could be focused on problem-solving. The author advocates for returning to descriptive naming conventions that prioritize clarity over creativity.
Historical software naming was no better
Discussion reveals that classic Unix tools like awk, sed, grep, and dd had equally obscure names - often acronyms or references that were meaningless without context. The "golden age" of descriptive naming never existed, as early software used cryptic abbreviations, puns, and developer initials just as much as modern tools.Descriptive names create their own problems
Users argue that functional naming leads to acronym soup, namespace collisions, and generic names that become meaningless when multiple similar tools exist. Projects evolve beyond their original scope, making descriptive names outdated, while memorable names aid searchability and marketing.Whimsical names reflect passion and culture
Many developers defend creative naming as expressing joy and care for their craft. They argue that fun names like Python, Cron, and Zellij show human passion behind the tools, making software engineering more enjoyable while still serving professional purposes effectively.
4Google de-indexed Bear Blog and I don't know why
- The author's Bear Blog at blog.james-zhan.com was mysteriously de-indexed by Google after accidentally triggering a validation process for an RSS feed URL in Google Search Console. Despite extensive troubleshooting with Bear Blog's founder Herman, they couldn't determine the cause, as the blog worked fine on other search engines and had no technical issues. The author ultimately migrated to a new subdomain at journal.james-zhan.com and set up redirects, avoiding Google Search Console this time to let Google naturally index the new blog.
Google search quality degradation
Users report declining blog traffic due to AI overviews reducing click-through rates and unexpected de-indexing issues. Multiple site owners describe sudden traffic drops, indexing problems, and difficulty recovering rankings despite following best practices.Spam and negative SEO attacks
Attackers exploit search functionality by creating links with spam keywords, causing Google to index pages with malicious content and penalize legitimate sites. The solution involves adding noindex tags to search pages to prevent crawler exploitation.Google's monopolistic control over web traffic
Discussion of Google's role as a utility gatekeeper with inadequate support systems for addressing de-indexing issues. Users argue for regulation requiring better accountability and appeals processes from dominant platforms controlling web visibility.
5Rivian Unveils Custom Silicon, R2 Lidar Roadmap, and Universal Hands Free
- Rivian announced its Autonomy and AI Day, unveiling the RAP1 processor, ACM3 autonomy computer for R2 with future LiDAR support, Universal Hands Free for Gen 2 vehicles, Autonomy+ subscription service launching 2026, Rivian Assistant voice AI, and AI-powered service diagnostics as part of their autonomous driving roadmap.
Autonomy subscriptions
Discussion centers on the inevitability of subscription-based autonomous driving services bundled with insurance. Users debate pricing models ($100-250/month), liability concerns, and how subscriptions could make self-driving more accessible while creating new business models for automakers.CarPlay support
Users express frustration over Rivian's lack of CarPlay/Android Auto support, with many saying it's a dealbreaker despite liking the vehicles. Rivian's CEO defends the decision as creating a more integrated experience, but users prefer familiar phone-based interfaces.Custom silicon development
Debate over whether automakers should develop their own chips versus using existing solutions. Some see it as strategic advantage and necessary for differentiation, while others question if cash-strapped companies like Rivian should invest in expensive chip development.
6UK House of Lords attempting to ban use of VPNs by anyone under 16
- The UK is considering legislation to prohibit VPN services from being provided to children, requiring monitoring and enforcement mechanisms. Critics argue this is unfeasible since VPNs are implementable technology that anyone can create themselves, comparing it to banning DIY projects.
CSAM scanning requirements and device control
Commenters express alarm over proposed amendments requiring tamper-proof system software on devices to prevent CSAM, viewing this as the destruction of computer freedom and user control. They see it as government-mandated rootkits that open security vulnerabilities while failing to address the actual problem.Speech arrests and authoritarian concerns
Discussion centers on UK's arrest statistics for online posts (9,700-13,800 annually) and whether this represents authoritarian overreach. Commenters debate the scale and legitimacy of speech restrictions, with some calling the UK "ultra-authoritarian" while others dispute this characterization.Digital ID and surveillance infrastructure
Users worry about the UK's digital ID system enabling third-party verification and complete de-anonymization of internet access. They see VPN restrictions as part of a broader surveillance apparatus that could link all online activity to government-issued digital identities.
7Epic celebrates "the end of the Apple Tax" after court win in iOS payments case
- The Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals largely upheld a contempt ruling against Apple for violating a 2021 injunction requiring iOS App Store payment alternatives. Apple's 27% fee and restrictive link designs were deemed prohibitive and made in bad faith. The court allows Apple to charge only "reasonable fees" based on actual security costs, which Epic's Tim Sweeney suggests should be minimal amounts like tens or hundreds of dollars per app review.
Right to reprogram devices
Discussion about whether manufacturers should be allowed to prevent buyers from reprogramming their purchased devices, with debate over current legal restrictions on GPS/GSM modules and whether such restrictions should exist.Apple's fee structure for external payments
Debate over what constitutes "reasonable fees" for Apple's app review process, with Epic suggesting hundreds of dollars vs Apple's previous 27% commission, and concerns about costs for small developers.Platform monopolies and gatekeeping
Discussion comparing Apple's App Store restrictions to console platforms like Nintendo/PlayStation, debating whether phones should be treated differently due to their essential nature vs gaming-specific devices.
8Litestream VFS
- Litestream v0.5 introduces VFS (Virtual File System) that enables instant point-in-time recovery for SQLite databases directly from object storage like S3. Users can query historical database states using simple SQL pragmas without downloading entire databases, making it easy to recover from mistakes like accidental data deletion or perform quick queries against production datasets from any location.
Technical implementation and usage
Users share experiences integrating Litestream VFS with various tools (Go, Bun, Python), discuss setup procedures including environment variables, and explore compatibility with SQLite extensions. The discussion includes practical examples and troubleshooting tips.Use cases and applications
Community explores point-in-time recovery capabilities, read-only database scenarios, and comparisons with other database technologies like DuckDB. Users discuss potential applications for distributed systems and offline environments.Performance and caching considerations
Discussion around memory vs disk caching, offline capabilities, and performance implications. Users inquire about caching strategies for distributed hosts with varying internet connectivity and explore optimization possibilities.
9Denial of service and source code exposure in React Server Components
- The content contains only two reference links - one to a Cloudflare blog post about React2Shell RSC vulnerabilities and exploitation threats, and another to a Next.js security update from December 11, 2025. No additional content or context is provided beyond these URLs.
React Server Components complexity and confusion
Developers express frustration with RSC blurring client/server boundaries, making code difficult to reason about. Many prefer clearer separation like Next.js Pages Router or alternative approaches like Inertia.js that maintain distinct responsibilities.Security vulnerabilities in serialization
Discussion centers on React's deep serialization RPC mechanism creating security risks. Developers note that other frameworks like Vue and SvelteKit have rejected RSC partly due to these concerns about exposing public endpoints.Return to simpler architectures
Many advocate for traditional approaches: server-side rendering with minimal JS, JSON APIs with clear client/server separation, or tools like HTMX. There's nostalgia for when SPAs meant "just ask for raw data."
10Craft software that makes people feel something
- The author explains why they're pausing development of Boo, a code editor they created for personal use, to work on a programming language instead. They compare programming to building with Lego blocks, emphasizing the need for inspiration and variety to create memorable software. Since Boo isn't a business venture and they have no deadlines, they're following their passion for programming languages as a hobby, planning to eventually rewrite Boo using their new language.
Personal software development philosophy
Discussion about creating software for personal delight rather than commercial success, with commenters praising the refreshing approach of building tools as "private playgrounds" before potentially sharing them, contrasting this with pressure to monetize every project.Work-life balance and family time
Multiple users expressed confusion about the author's statement that their family "went to sleep" in the afternoon, leading to speculation about timezones, nap schedules, or translation issues, with some debating the appropriateness of celebrating alone time.Creating art and tools for oneself
Commenters drew parallels to artists like Tolkien and van Gogh who created primarily for themselves, discussing how personal projects often produce the most authentic and innovative work, with examples ranging from programming languages to poetry websites.