TL;DR summary of stories on the internet
In the realm of video and image compression, the evolution and future prospects are explored in this post. Starting with the famous JPEG standard and its lossy codec, which strategically discards less important data, a deep dive into neural compression is provided. From autoencoders to learned image codecs, the content delves into various techniques such […]
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Claire Voisin, recipient of the 2024 Crafoord Prize in Mathematics, views math as art, language, and abstract thought. Initially drawn to math by its structure, Voisin explored philosophy, painting, and poetry before fully dedicating herself to mathematics. She emphasizes the creative nature of math, comparing theorems to poems. Voisin delves into algebraic geometry and Hodge […]
A series of mysterious drone incursions at Langley Air Force Base in December prompted a significant response from the U.S. government. The incursions, witnessed by base personnel, involved various uncrewed aerial systems of fluctuating size and configuration. While the drones did not display hostile intent, they posed a threat to flight safety and prompted the […]
Three students looking for a quiet study spot in 1979, decided to cart a desk up to Hancock Hill, offering stunning views of west Texas. An epistolary tradition began when one student left a note in a notebook and returned to find a reply. Today, visitors can write in the notebook to reflect on leaving […]
nanofont3x4 is the world’s smallest readable 3×4 font with readable lowercase glyphs. It includes upper case (3×3) plus 1 pixel leading, and lowercase (some are 2×2!). The practicality of such a font is debatable, with potential uses like rendering in-game book pages or creating accurate print previews. The motivation behind creating such a font was […]
Explore a variety of phone numbers for regional, toll-free, and dedicated lines on 2600.network. Discover credentials to log into Bulletin Boards after dialing in, courtesy of telnetbbsguide.com. Get tips and tricks on phone lines, modem use, and overall functionality. Analyze and track your connection with detailed statistics and graphs for all users. Interested in contributing? […]
Approximately 500 million years ago, the armored cephalopod Plectronoceras roamed the oceans. These creatures had a hard shell and tentacles, a design that proved effective for catching prey and protecting themselves. Ammonites, similar to today’s nautiluses, were also prevalent in the ancient seas. However, the nautiluses are now restricted to a small area in the […]
In the 1990s, computers were like magic, and we were wizards. Larry Wall’s foreword to Learning Perl from 1993, inspired a young me who stumbled upon the book in a book shop. Perl is not just a language; it’s about you, created by someone like you, for someone like you. The journey of Perl’s creation […]
To stay healthy in his 70s, David Sandler tried rapamycin, a drug promoted by researchers and doctors for extending life. Despite its popularity and potential to improve cell function, rapamycin is not approved by the FDA for aging. Some physicians believe low doses of the drug could increase lifespan, but side effects include reproductive issues […]
Robert Heinlein, a science fiction master, created a brilliant solution to handling fan mail in the days before the internet. He crafted a one-page FAQ answer sheet, which his wife Ginny would check off and mail back. While some may find receiving a form letter rude, it was better than being ignored, and all unanswered […]