Skribilo is a versatile and free document production tool that supports a variety of output formats like HTML, Info, Lout, and LaTeX. Users can leverage Skribilo’s markup language or opt for a simpler format reminiscent of Emacs outline mode and email conventions. More than just a document processor, Skribilo serves as a comprehensive document programming […]

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The Business Data Technologies (BDT) team at Amazon Retail is bravely migrating their massive business intelligence datasets from Apache Spark to Ray to increase data processing efficiency and reduce costs. They have contributed a critical component to Ray’s open-source project and have found that Ray outperforms Spark in terms of scalability and cost-effectiveness. By using […]

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The author discusses their decision to remove their macOS app, Restaurants, from sale after 10 years due to changes in Yelp’s API licensing. Despite Yelp’s sudden move to a paid licensing program, the author highlights how they had official permission from Yelp and provided valuable feedback regarding the short notice given. The app’s unique use […]

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Vanilla OS 2 Orchid is an experimental distro that introduces new immutability features, A/B failover, and cross-distro packaging. Unlike version 1, which was Ubuntu-based, Orchid is based on Debian Sid, a testing release with potentially unstable updates. The new version supports various package formats, including Alpine, Debian, Fedora, Arch, and openSUSE, managed by Podman. It […]

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Design an unlimited number of business or information cards with Important Cardie, an open alpha platform. Share a link or QR code to your cards, track analytics, edit as needed, and keep cards private. Be aware that bugs are expected as things are rapidly changing. Follow the installation steps provided to get started. For production […]

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SnowflakeOS is a user-friendly Linux distribution based on NixOS, perfect for beginners. It promises simplicity, immutability, and reproducibility in its design. However, it is important to note that SnowflakeOS is still in development and not suitable for daily use yet. Potential users should keep an eye on its progress and updates to experience its full […]

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In this intriguing article, the author explores how the genome encodes the form of an organism. Unlike simplistic metaphors like a blueprint or program, the author suggests a new analogy inspired by machine learning and neuroscience: that the genome encodes a generative model of the organism. This model consists of latent variables that specify the […]

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Drylands across the globe, from Australia’s southeast to the deserts of northern China, are defying expectations of desertification by becoming greener due to increased CO2 levels. Scientists warn that while this unexpected vegetation growth is a result of more efficient photosynthesis, it may also deplete scarce water resources and negatively impact desert ecosystems. Despite increased […]

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Amazon’s renowned Leadership Principles are more than just guidelines; they are a total way of life at the company. The clash between employees and the CEO over a return-to-work mandate unveils a potential crisis in the Amazon Way, an integral part of the $2 trillion company. The principles are evolving and giving rise to controversy […]

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I recently started a podcast called Complex Systems with Patrick McKenzie, covering topics like trading and the tech industry. A recent incident knocked out banking operations worldwide, affecting large U.S. banks. The issue was caused by a configuration bug in endpoint monitoring software called CrowdStrike Falcon, highlighting vulnerabilities in security tools. The incident had a […]

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