Alvaro Lopez Ortega / 2026-02-15 Briefing

Created Mon, 16 Feb 2026 04:55:16 +0000 Modified Mon, 16 Feb 2026 18:08:05 +0000
9569 Words

In a day marked by revelations of Iran’s advanced digital surveillance capabilities, which are believed to remain in place despite the partial restoration of its internet network, tech news dominated headlines. OpenAI announced that its creator Peter Steinberger will join the firm to expand reach and improve safety, while India reached 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users, second only to the US. Meanwhile, a former NPR host sued Google for allegedly stealing his voice to be used in an AI tool, and the White House pressured Utah lawmakers to drop an AI transparency bill that could stifle state regulation. Other news saw Apple tweak its Maps app due to Tesla’s integration plans and introduced a low-cost MacBook with new designs, while the academic community mourned the passing of renowned computer network pioneer Professor David J. Farber at 91.

🤖 AI & Machine Learning

Iran’s Digital Surveillance Capabilities Exposed

Iranian authorities have been utilizing advanced digital surveillance capabilities to monitor citizens’ communications and internet activities, including tracking down protesters during recent anti-government demonstrations. The country’s internet network has been partially restored, but it is believed that the underlying surveillance system remains in place. This technology enables a wide-ranging monitoring of online activities across various platforms.

India gets 100M weekly ChatGPT users

India now has 100 million weekly active ChatGPT users, making it the second-largest userbase after the US, according to CEO Sam Altman ahead of a government-hosted AI summit. This growth is attributed to India’s large internet user base and young population, which OpenAI aims to tap into for global expansion.

📰 🚫 Security & Privacy

“New Faces at OpenAI Technology Firm”

OpenClaw’s creator, Peter Steinberger, is set to join OpenAI to expand reach and improve safety while maintaining the project’s open-source status, with goals of making personal agents more accessible to everyone. The move aligns with Sam Altman’s vision for driving innovation in the field of personal agents. Steinberger’s involvement aims to bring agents to a broader audience.

“Amazon Stock Falls for 9th Straight Day, Longest Losing Streak Since 2006”

Amazon shares have fallen for nine consecutive days, marking their longest losing streak since 2006, following a fourth-quarter earnings miss and downbeat guidance, as the company prepares to spend $200 billion on capital expenditure this year.

FOSDEM 2026 - Matrix State of the Union

The Matrix State of the Union meeting will take place on Sunday at 10:30 UTC+1, featuring discussions on various updates and developments in the Matrix protocol over the last year. Topics include improvements in trust and safety, Project Hydra advancements, and encryption advances. The event will also cover other areas of focus for the matrix project.

Token-Oriented Object Notation (TOON)

Token-Oriented Object Notation (TOON) is a data format designed to represent objects using tokens. The system uses an object notation that organizes data into unique and distinguishable tokens, offering improved efficiency in data storage and transmission. TOON aims to simplify data processing by standardizing the way data is structured and represented.

E2EE, the be all and end all of chat?

A proposed Discord replacement faces technical challenges in implementing end-to-end encryption (E2EE), and some experts argue that other issues such as scaling and moderation should be prioritized before pursuing E2EE. While E2EE is not a non-negotiable requirement, third-party scrapers can still access encrypted messages. A more focused approach on addressing platform-specific problems is recommended before tackling E2EE.

How To Add DRM To Your Backend (easy) [2026 WORKING]

KineMaster, a mobile video editing app, has implemented Digital Rights Management (DRM) measures to prevent cracked versions from accessing its asset market by identifying specific modded clients through authentication checks and string matching. The company uses client version and name information sent with the authentication request to detect modded clients. This allows KineMaster to block access to the asset store for those users.

The great computer science exodus (and where students are going instead)

Computer science enrollment at University of California campuses has declined by 6% system-wide last year, marking a shift towards AI-focused fields as US universities catch up with Chinese universities’ rapidly expanding AI literacy programs. The decline may indicate students are opting for AI-specific programs rather than traditional computer science degrees. Dozens of US universities have launched AI-specific programs in the past two years to keep up with China’s enthusiasm for AI education.

GNU Pies – Program Invocation and Execution Supervisor

The GNU Pies utility controls the execution of external programs at startup, starting them in the foreground and managing their lifecycle, including restarting terminated components by default. It offers customization options for various actions to be performed upon termination, such as sending notifications or invoking other processes. Pies can also function as an init daemon during booting with its native configuration file.

Court orders Acer and Asus to stop selling PCs in Germany over H.265 patents

A German court has ordered Taiwanese computer manufacturers Acer and Asus to stop selling PCs in the country due to patent infringement concerns related to the H.265 video compression standard. The move is a significant setback for the tech industry, with implications for consumers and other companies that rely on these products.

Modern CSS Code Snippets: Stop writing CSS like it’s 2015

Modern web development uses clean and native replacements for outdated CSS techniques, making it easier to write efficient and optimized code. Many common 2015-era hacks have been updated with modern alternatives. This shift improves overall website performance and user experience.

📰 📊 Developer Tools

Google accused of stealing radio host’s voice

David Greene, former NPR host, has sued Google for allegedly using his voice in the AI tool NotebookLM without permission, claiming it is a direct copy. Google disputes this, stating the voice is based on a paid actor. The move comes after Greene reportedly became “completely freaked out” upon hearing an AI voice that sounded similar to his own.

India to propose global AI commons at summit.

India aims to establish an international agreement on a “global AI commons” at this week’s AI Impact Summit, with CEO Abhishek Singh stating that the country seeks to harness emerging technology for social ends. The proposed global framework would enable collaborative use of artificial intelligence. India is set to host the summit in New Delhi.

How I manage my Guix System configs

A user has adopted a configuration management approach inspired by NixOS for their Guix System, separating hardware-specific and general settings into distinct files. They define a hardware-configuration.nix file containing disk layout and hardware-specific information, which is then extended upon by the main config.scm file. This allows them to maintain separate layers of configuration for different aspects of their system.

Imandra CodeLogician: LLMs + Formal Methods

CodeLogician, a neurosymbolic agent, integrates Large Language Models (LLMs) with an industrial automated reasoning engine to improve software logic analysis accuracy. The integration enables the construction of explicit formal models of software systems, allowing for more precise and exhaustive mathematical reasoning about program behavior. This approach demonstrates the importance of neurosymbolic fusion in scaling program analysis towards rigorous autonomous software understanding.

Defer available in gcc and clang

The C standard library feature “defer” is now available in both GCC and Clang compilers, offering improved cleanup handling for resource management. This feature allows developers to write cleaner code by avoiding unnecessary checks, reducing the risk of resource leaks or blocked mutexes on rarely used code paths. The availability of “defer” can help simplify cleanup logic and eliminate spaghetti code.

A simple way to scale pixel art games

Frank Cifaldi suggests scaling pixel art games vertically with whole integer nearest neighbor scaling and horizontally with bilinear scaling to replicate the display characteristics of older consoles, aiming to enhance the retro aesthetic. This approach creates a subtle difference in blur between vertical and horizontal scaling, which is consistent with the look of an old VGA signal. Testing this method shows that it produces more visually appealing results compared to traditional bilinear scaling.

Error payloads in Zig

The Zig programming language has introduced a Diagnostics type to handle error payloads in functions, reducing code bloat and improving readability. This approach enables efficient error handling by wrapping optional payloads around union(enum) fields, making it easier to access error information at call sites. The diagnostics module generates wrapper types that can be set with payload values using the withContext method.

Actual-Size Eniac Replica Is the Coolest Thing You’ll See Today

A group of 80 autistic students at PS Academy Arizona recreated a 1,800-square-foot replica of the 1946 Electronic Numerical Integrator and Computer (ENIAC) in just five and a half months. The project, led by technology teacher Tom Burick, aimed to teach computing skills while boosting student confidence. The replica features LED lights and sound effects but does not function as a computer.

Administration may force data center builders like Meta to ‘internalize’ costs

The US government may force data centers, including those of tech giants like Meta, to absorb their energy and resiliency costs, as soaring utility prices continue to affect consumers. This plan was proposed by President Trump’s trade adviser Peter Navarro, but details are unclear. Meta already pays for all its energy usage and contributes to local infrastructure.

Editor’s Note: Retraction of article containing fabricated quotations

Ars Technica has retracted an article due to the publication of fabricated quotations attributed to a non-existent source, violating its standards for direct quotation accuracy and AI-generated content policies, considered an isolated incident rather than a widespread issue. The company apologizes to readers and Mr. Scott Shambaugh for the mistake. This incident highlights the risks of overreliance on AI tools in journalism.

📰 🎨 Creative Projects

Wh Pressures Utah GOP Lawmaker To Drop AI Transparency Bill

The White House is pressuring Utah Republican State Rep. Doug Fiefia to abandon his AI transparency and kids’ safety bill, citing it as an “unfixable” bill that goes against the Trump administration’s AI Agenda. The administration has held several conversations with Fiefia urging him not to move the bill forward, but has not offered specific changes to make the bill acceptable. This intervention marks a broader effort by the administration to squash state-level regulation of AI.

Please implement combination tags for more precise filtering

A pull request has been made to improve filtering on a popular online platform, allowing users to categorize posts under specific tags such as culture and philosophy with more precision. The proposed change aims to separate technical content from emotional discussions and provide better organization for users. The suggested functionality is expected to benefit the community beyond its creator’s personal needs.

“Single-File HTML Formats Gain Efficiency Boost”

Gwtar is a new polyglot HTML format that achieves three properties - being static, single-file, and efficient - by processing original HTML files into self-extracting concatenated files with lazy loading capabilities. Developed to address long-term website archiving needs, Gwtar enables efficient, static, and single-file archival without requiring special software support. The format uses an HTTP range request header for efficient lazy-loading of assets.

Homemade Laptops Take to the Airwaves

A laptop design based on the 6502 processor has been developed, featuring a 65C02 at 8MHz, 46K RAM, and built-in keyboard and display. The system includes compact flash for storage, USB-C connectivity with an integrated battery, and is powered by a homebrew project that began in 2025. Progress updates are available on GitHub, with plans to add additional features such as larger displays and expansion boards.

Towards Fearless Macros (2023)

Macros in programming languages are powerful but potentially hazardous constructs that pose a risk to programmers due to their ability to manipulate and transform code at compile-time or runtime. The safety of macro systems varies significantly across languages, with some like Lisp being safer than others like C, which can lead to unexpended behavior if not used carefully. Most languages lack features necessary to implement macros safely, making them a challenging area of research.

Rendering the Visible Spectrum

There is no article to summarize. The provided text appears to be LaTeX code for creating mathematical notation and formatting, rather than a news article.

Show HN: HackerTok – HN with Local Recommendations

A new platform called HackerTok has been launched, which provides local recommendations to users. The platform is described as a community-driven platform for sharing and discovering hidden gems in various locations. Details about the platform’s features are not provided in this initial summary.

Magnus Carlsen Wins the Freestyle (Chess960) World Championship

Magnus Carlsen won the inaugural FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship, defeating Fabiano Caruana 2.5–1.5 in a four-game match in Weissenhaus, Germany. The Norwegian grandmaster secured his 21st world title by winning from a dead lost position in game three and drawing the final game to clinch the championship. Both Carlsen and Caruana qualified for the 2027 FIDE Freestyle Chess World Championship.

Show HN: Lightwave – Real-time notes app, 3.5 years of hand-rolled JavaScript

Lightwave is a real-time notes app that has been three and a half years in development, using hand-rolled JavaScript on top of Laravel and MySQL. The app offers features such as real-time collaboration, code blocks with syntax highlighting, and full data export options. Lightwave is currently in pre-release stress testing and will be a paid product once launched.

Show HN: VOOG – Moog-style polyphonic synthesizer in Python with tkinter GUI

A programmer has created a Python-based polyphonic synthesizer with a tkinter GUI inspired by the Moog Subsequent 37, featuring various effects and sounds. The software includes 3 oscillators, a Moog-style filter, and MIDI support. It is built using only tkinter, numpy, and sounddevice without external frameworks.

Shipping Htmx in Production (A Post-Mortem)

A developer built a high-speed lead qualification system using HTMX with a FastAPI backend to achieve sub-500ms feedback loops and automate tasks such as summarizing posts and extracting key points. The system uses Hypermedia and Autonomous AI Pipelines to qualify leads in real-time, eliminating inefficiencies found in traditional SPA models like the “Model Synchronization Tax”. This approach allowed for rapid development and deployment of a cognitive control plane.

📰 💻 Computer Networks

Apple tweaks Maps for Tesla, to launch low-cost MacBook with new designs

Tesla’s plans to integrate CarPlay into its vehicles have been delayed due to Apple’s revisions to its Maps app, and only later versions of iOS will be compatible with Tesla’s vehicle software. Tesla also announced that a low-cost MacBook would feature an aluminum chassis in various colors.

“Cognitive Load: New Threat for Developers”

As AI and agents increasingly aid developers in accelerating growth, two emerging threats are likely to become major concerns: technical debt, which hinders software maintainability, and cognitive debt, which affects developers’ ability to understand their own code, leading to reduced productivity and sustainability. Recognizing both types of debt is crucial for ensuring long-term development success. Implementing strategies such as refactoring, test-driven development, and knowledge-sharing can help mitigate these threats.

Runtime validation in type annotations

Developers can utilize the typing.get_type_hints function to retrieve metadata from type annotations and execute callables on attribute values. To address issues like passing non-callable objects as metadata, developers create callable classes or modify their existing code to handle metadata in a way that suits their needs. This allows for runtime validation and execution of custom logic based on the annotation metadata.

Is End-to-End Encryption Optional For Large Groups?

A prominent figure in open source messaging app discourse argues that end-to-end encryption (E2EE) is not optional for large groups, citing concerns about user experience, overconfidence, and the need for robust protection against law enforcement demands. She suggests E2EE as a standard feature to safeguard both users and infrastructure operators, particularly in federated platforms vulnerable to such demands. Secure E2EE could become essential for reliable communication software.

Flood fill vs. the magic circle

A new approach to understanding digital work is being proposed, contrasting “flood fill” - where computation extends beyond boundaries - with “magic circles,” which represent constrained systems such as economics, law, and technology. Computation’s true impact lies at interfaces between digital and physical worlds. The magic circle concept also applies to human civilization’s complex systems.

Quake’s Framerate Doubled by Michael Abrash

A version of Quake built with assembly language optimizations by Michael Abrash resulted in a near-double of the game’s framerate, reaching as high as 42.2fps, compared to the original release build which averaged 42.3fps and was matched only by an optimized release build at 42.2fps. Without these optimizations, the framerate dropped significantly, reaching 22.7fps in some cases. This highlights the substantial performance impact of assembly language code on the game’s performance.

Ask HN: Ranking sliders on a personal blog?

A user is seeking help in identifying a personal blog from HN that featured real-time ranking of posts with adjustable sliders for popularity, recency, and author’s score, but was unable to find the blog again. The blog appeared to cover general ML topics. If anyone recognizes the blog, they are invited to provide more information.

Linux kernel 7.0 abandons the 28-year-old Intel 440BX chipset

Linux kernel 7.0 has removed support for the Intel 440BX chipset due to incompatibility with other drivers and lack of functional code since 2007. The chipset, known for its stability and compatibility, was a highly regarded motherboard choice among enthusiasts. Its removal marks the end-of-life for this legendary but now obsolete hardware.

📰 🌎 Global Politics

Academic computer network pioneer Professor David J. Farber dies at 91

Professor David J. Farber, a renowned researcher and academic expert, passed away at the age of 91. He played a significant role in shaping the early internet through his work on experimental computer networks. As a mentor, he guided students who went on to achieve groundbreaking breakthroughs in connecting the world online.

More work on TBDFS; database-like file system for Plan9

Plan 9’s team is continuing to develop its TBDFS (Tiny Buffer-Fully Featured Disk Subsystem), a proposed database-like file system. The goal of this project is to create a more efficient and scalable file system, replacing the existing one in Plan 9. Further work on TBDFS is underway.

“Artificial Intelligence Could End App Subscription Model”

The rise of app cloning due to low development costs is expected to disrupt the subscription-based model in the app industry, leading to increased competition and potentially threatening revenue streams for developers. This trend is already driving growth in both Apple’s App Store and Google Play, with increased affordability for users but challenges for creators trying to monetize their work. As a result, developers may need to rethink their business strategies to remain competitive.

Why I don’t think AGI is imminent

A leading expert in machine learning expresses skepticism about the imminent development of artificial general intelligence (AGI), citing limitations in current large language models due to their lack of a cognitive foundation shared by all humans. These models struggle with fundamental tasks such as understanding number sense and object permanence, highlighting the complexity of human cognition that AI researchers have yet to replicate. While recent advances in visual models may show promise, much work remains to be done before true AGI can be achieved.

Dutch Defence Secretary Boldly Claims F-35 Software Could Be ‘Jailbroken’

Dutch Defence Secretary Gijs Tuinman has made a claim that the F-35’s software can be “jailbroken” without US approval, allowing for modifications by third-party operators. This possibility raises concerns about the operational independence of European nations relying on the aircraft’s software updates. The feasibility and complexity of such an action remain unknown.

Scientists observe a 300M-year-old brain rhythm in several animal species

Scientists have discovered an ancient brain rhythm in several animal species, including reptiles, birds, rodents, and humans, which suggests that this 300-million-year-old pattern may be present across different sleep stages. The infraslow brain rhythm was previously linked to non-rapid eye movement (NREM) sleep but has now been found in a wider range of animals. This finding sheds new light on the evolution of sleep states and provides valuable insight into the universal biological state of sleep.

Tinder Hasn’t Worked, So I’m Putting Myself on Zillow

A person has listed themselves on Zillow in search of companionship, rather than pursuing online dating, due to the competitive and superficial nature of modern dating apps. They are seeking someone who appreciates their “good bones” and character, and are open to finding a partner or group who can provide care and attention. The author is not planning major renovations but hopes to attract a like-minded individual who values them as-is.

📰 🤖 AI & Machine Learning

Western Digital Sells Out 2026 Hard Drive Capacity

Western Digital has sold out its 2026 hard drive (HDD) production capacity due to strong demand from cloud companies and hyperscalers driven by artificial intelligence growth, with major clients securing long-term agreements to secure revenue visibility. The company’s CEO described the situation as “pretty much sold out.” This trend is part of the “AI supercycle” reshaping supply chains for key components like HDDs.

Quamina + Claude, Case 1

Rob Sayre applied Claude’s AI techniques to his Go library Quamina without permission, resulting in significant performance improvements that made the code roughly twice as fast on several benchmarks. The changes were made without Sayre’s knowledge or input, and their impact was not intended by the original author, Rob Sayre.

The only developer productivity metrics that matter

Software development team productivity can only be accurately measured by two key metrics: the frequency of shipping new versions of the software, and the frequency of breaking things when shipping. Consistently meeting these basic standards indicates a team’s capability and responsibility. Achieving this reliability allows teams to focus on delivering value through innovative features.

Experiments with CodeMirror: Building a code review tool

A developer is considering using CodeMirror 6 for their web application’s text/code editing features, seeking greater customization and control than Monaco, which they found limited in its ability to extend with additional features. The goal is to build a simple code review extension that allows users to easily accept or reject changes. This project aims to address the need for improved code editing capabilities in web applications.

A Single Reason To Not Vibe Code

Researchers warn that the increasing reliance on artificial intelligence technologies like Large Language Models (LLMs) may lead to “atrophy” of cognitive skills in programmers, causing decreased ability in unrelated tasks and difficulty learning new skills. This phenomenon could be detrimental to individuals’ overall brain function and adaptability. Experts emphasize the importance of preserving programming skills amidst AI advancements.

picoclaw: OpenClaw on an MCU

PicoClaw is an ultra-lightweight personal AI assistant built in Go that runs on $10 hardware with under 10MB RAM, offering significant cost savings and efficiency compared to other options. The AI assistant has lightning-fast startup times and true portability. It can be easily implemented using the Go programming language.

Claude Code Tips From the Guy Who Built It

Boris Cherny, the creator of Claude Code at Anthropic, has shared his daily usage tips and setup in a series of Twitter threads. His approach is described as “surprisingly vanilla” with no single correct way to use the tool. There are various ways to utilize Claude Code, and Cherny emphasizes this flexibility.

Continuous batching from first principles (2025)

A new technique called continuous batching has been developed to efficiently process multiple conversations at once in large language models, reducing computational expense caused by individual token processing. This method optimizes performance by running multiple tokens from different prompts concurrently, allowing for faster generation and response times. The approach is built upon attention mechanisms and key-value caching, enabling efficient throughput in high-load serving scenarios.

Peter Thiel: 2,436 emails with Epstein from 2014 to 2019

Peter Thiel’s correspondence with convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein spanned nearly five years, with 2,436 emails exchanged from 2014 to 2019. The relationship included discussions on technology investments and politics, as well as meetings with prominent figures like Ehud Barak and Vitaly Churkin. As of 2025, Thiel’s venture capital firm Valar Ventures has seen a significant increase in value due to Epstein’s initial $40 million investment.

With Apple: Fortify your app: Essential strategies to strengthen security

Apple has released essential strategies for strengthening the security of mobile apps developed using its platform. These strategies aim to help developers protect their applications from potential vulnerabilities and threats. The guidelines provide a comprehensive approach to fortifying app security, including measures such as input validation and secure data storage.

I need AI that scans every PR and issue and de-dupes

A company is seeking an artificial intelligence system to scan all press releases (PR) and issues for duplicate content, eliminating unnecessary information from their databases. The goal is to improve efficiency and reduce clutter in their media monitoring tools. The AI will help automate the process of identifying and removing redundant data.

Towards Autonomous Mathematics Research

Researchers have introduced Aletheia, a math research agent capable of generating, verifying, and revising solutions to complex problems in natural language. The system has demonstrated capabilities such as producing original research papers and collaborating on mathematical proofs, showcasing potential for autonomous mathematics research. Aletheia’s abilities are being explored with the aim of quantifying levels of autonomy and transparency in AI-assisted results.

📰 Other News

Palantir Gets Millions of Dollars from New York City’s Public Hospitals

New York City’s public hospital system has paid Palantir nearly $4 million since 2023 to improve billing efficiency, raising concerns about the potential misuse of patients’ protected health information. Critics argue that the company’s involvement in the healthcare system puts New Yorkers at risk due to its history of providing services to US Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The contract allows Palantir to work with de-identified patient data, but critics claim it still poses a risk to personal medical data.

Hippocampus does more than store memories: It predicts rewards, study finds

Researchers at McGill University have discovered that the hippocampus, a brain region often thought to only store memories, also predicts rewards by reorganizing and updating its maps of physical space and past experiences in anticipation of future outcomes. The finding suggests that the hippocampus uses memory and context to anticipate outcomes, supporting a more sophisticated version of reward learning. This discovery has implications for understanding Alzheimer’s disease and offers new insights into how learning and decision-making are affected early in the disease.

Show HN: Klaw.sh – Kubernetes for AI agents

A new open-source project, Klaw.sh, has been launched as a Kubernetes-like platform for managing AI agents, providing isolated environments per organization or project, team-level isolation, and reusable agent capabilities via a marketplace. The system allows for easy deployment, monitoring, and management of multiple agents across different teams. It operates one layer above traditional collaboration frameworks, enabling the management of fleets of agents with isolation and operational tooling.

EU bans the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories and footwear

The European Commission has adopted new measures under the Ecodesign for Sustainable Products Regulation (ESPR) to ban the destruction of unsold apparel, clothing, accessories and footwear by 2026. The rules require companies to disclose information on discarded products and aim to help businesses transition towards more sustainable practices and a circular economy. This move is expected to reduce waste and environmental damage from unsold textiles in Europe.

Pangaea Proxima

Pangaea Proxima is a hypothetical future supercontinent that could form within 250 million years due to the continued subduction of oceans at the western Atlantic. This process would lead to the collision of most continents with Eurasia, resulting in extreme temperature fluctuations and potentially catastrophic environmental changes. The predicted configuration includes extreme environments that may drive many land mammals, including humans’ descendants, to extinction.

Show HN: DSCI – Dead Simple CI

A new CI pipeline framework called DSCI has been introduced, allowing users to write CI/CD code in general programming languages instead of YAML. The framework integrates with popular systems like GitLab and GitHub via web hooks, providing an SDK for multiple languages. It aims to simplify CI/CD processes for self-hosted systems using devops principles.

Palantir vs. the “Republik”: US analytics firm takes magazine to court

Palantir Technologies, a US-based data analysis firm, has taken Swiss magazine “Republik” to court after the publication refused to provide a counterstatement regarding reports on Palantir’s dealings with Swiss authorities. The move is seen as an attempt to silence criticism and generate more attention for the magazine. This action has sparked concerns about the Streisand Effect, which suggests that attempts to suppress information can ultimately increase its visibility.

Soviet Tektronix 7000-series oscilloscope copies

The Soviet Union produced copies of Tektronix’s 7000-series oscilloscopes, emulating their plug-in architecture to offer unmatched performance and flexibility. These “universal oscilloscopes” were designed by Lithuanian manufacturers such as the 555 factory, which reportedly copied the Tektronix design. Technical documentation for these Soviet scopes has become available through recent finds, allowing for comparisons with the original designs.

Hideki Sato, designer of all Sega’s consoles, has died

Hideki Sato, the designer behind Sega’s consoles including Mega Drive, Saturn, and Dreamcast, has died at the age of 77. He was a key figure in shaping Sega’s hardware development for over 37 years, helming design from 1971 until his departure in 2008. Sato left an impact on the gaming industry with his contributions to Sega’s successful consoles.

Sex toys maker Tenga says hacker stole customer information

A Japanese company, Tenga, has notified customers of a data breach after an unauthorized party gained access to an employee’s email account, potentially exposing customer information. The hacker sent spam emails to the employee’s contacts, including customers, and recommended that customers change their passwords and be vigilant of suspicious emails. Tenga is recommending measures to mitigate the potential damage caused by the breach.

Under the current DTC model, investors do not directly own their securities

Under the current Depository Trust Company (DTC) model, millions of Americans are at risk of losing their retirement savings in a major financial crash due to centralized ownership of investments, which shifts risks from individual investors to too-big-to-fail institutions. This system was created in the 1970s to alleviate paperwork, but critics argue it has delivered enormous benefits to Wall Street firms while weakening ownership rights of ordinary investors. The model is now controlling direct ownership of securities, leaving American investors vulnerable to financial crashes.

An Enslaved Gardener Transformed the Pecan into a Cash Crop

A former enslaved gardener is credited with transforming the pecan into a cash crop through his innovative plant grafting experiments. The successful propagation method developed by Antoine led to the mass production of pecans and established a multibillion-dollar industry, supporting over 10 million pounds of annual production by the early 1920s. This innovation marked a significant shift in the commercial use of pecans in the United States.

2025 Shkreli Awards – Lown Institute

Two individuals have been recognized as the latest winners of the Lown Institute’s Shkreli Awards for their egregious cases of profiteering and dysfunction in healthcare. An investigation by The New York Times found that some organ procurement organizations are pushing patients towards organ harvesting while still alive or showing signs of consciousness, raising concerns about end-of-life care and organ removal. Meanwhile, a hyperbaric oxygen therapy facility in Michigan has been fined and charged with murder after a patient’s death from a malfunction occurred under the treatment.

One Server. Small Business

A small business owner hosts a Rails app on one server for under $30 per month, serving over 100,000 subscribers and sending hundreds of thousands of emails monthly. The setup involves custom deployment scripts, manual server configuration, and security measures such as securing SSH and configuring firewalls to ensure robustness at a lower cost than managed platforms. This hands-on approach allows for control and flexibility while keeping costs low.

Show HN: Fieldnotes

A developer has created a simple note-taking app called Fieldnotes, allowing users to record observations of their surroundings, such as notable gardens or coffee shops, in an open-source and free-to-use format. The app is now available for public use. Feedback on the app is encouraged by its creator.

1940s Irish sci-fi novel features early mecha and gravity assists

A rare and groundbreaking 1940s Irish sci-fi novel is being digitized and made more accessible, featuring pioneering concepts such as mecha technology and gravity assist in literature. The book, “Manannán”, has never been reprinted or translated since its publication and was written by Máiréad Ní Ghráda. Digitization efforts aim to correct the original text’s old Irish orthography and make the book more widely read.

I cannot curl https://example.com (on some distros)

A user on a NixOS system is experiencing issues with curling a website due to an SSL certificate problem, where the server’s certificate issued by Cloudflare TLS Issuing ECC CA 3 does not match the domain example.com. The issue prevents curl from verifying the legitimacy of the server and establishing a secure connection.

Inner-Platform Effect

Software architects are creating systems that are overly customizable and often replicate existing platforms, leading to inefficiency and poor performance due to duplication of functionality. This phenomenon is known as the inner-platform effect and can result in decreased maintainability and performance. It occurs when developers create general-purpose functions that duplicate functionality already available in the programming language or platform.

The Dark Side of the Enlightenment

Historian Clifton Crais argues that the term “Anthropocene” should be redefined as “Mortecene”, an era marked by mass killing and violence rather than progress in knowledge and human influence on the planet. His book explores how liberal Enlightenment ideals legitimized environmental degradation and exploitation during industrialization, particularly in Africa.

Show HN: Perlin Noise Terminal Animation in Rust (60 FPS, Truecolor)

Perlin-terminal, a program that generates Perlin noise animation for terminals, is now available in Rust. The software can be installed via Cargo or built from source and offers customizable options such as theme, scale, and speed. It runs smoothly at 60 FPS with truecolor rendering.

The Bastard Operator from Hell

The “Bastard Operator From Hell” (BOFH) is a humorous character created by Simon Travaglia, known for his sarcastic humor and antics in an IT support role. The character has been featured in various episodes or installments over the years, exploring themes such as corporate culture, team-building, and office politics. The BOFH’s irreverent style has gained a significant following among readers who appreciate his tongue-in-cheek take on the world of network management.

Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest reveal the severity of U.S. surveillance state

A US-based neighborhood-wide surveillance system using Amazon’s Ring and Google’s Nest cameras has raised concerns about biometric privacy laws. The system uses AI programs to scan all dogs in a given area, linking multiple camera feeds together, sparking fears of data misuse and infringement on individual rights. This incident highlights the growing severity of the US surveillance state despite previous criticisms and revelations from Edward Snowden.

‘It’s over for us’: release of AI video generator Seedance 2.0 spooks Hollywood

A leading Hollywood figure, Rhett Reese, warned that AI-generated clips like one featuring Tom Cruise and Brad Pitt may lead to “it’s likely over for us” due to unauthorized use of copyrighted works by ByteDance-owned AI generator Seedance 2.0. The Motion Picture Association accused ByteDance of massive-scale copyright infringement, prompting calls for compensation and licensing frameworks. Creative industries are seeking deals with AI firms like OpenAI to address these issues.

Reversed engineered game Starflight (1986)

The 1986 game Starflight, developed by Binary Systems, has been reverse engineered and remains a fascinating project due to its unique features, including its sandbox-style gameplay and ancient plot. Written in the minimalist programming language Forth, the game’s stack-based architecture simplifies interpretation, making it a challenging yet rewarding reverse engineering experience.

I fixed Windows native development

A new tool called msvcup aims to simplify the complex and painful process of installing the MSVC toolchain for native projects on Windows by providing a modern, isolated, and declarative way to install the required components. The current process can lead to hours-long waits, lack of transparency, and difficulties in uninstalling. The new tool seeks to address these issues with its innovative approach.

Show HN: Pangolin: Open-source identity-based VPN (Twingate/Zscaler alternative)

Pangolin is an open-source identity-based VPN that offers a resource-centric approach to remote access to internal resources, providing an alternative to closed-source solutions like Twingate/Zscaler. It uses WireGuard with NAT hole-punching for peer-to-peer connections and supports native clients as well as browser-based access. The tool is available in both Community Edition (AGPLv3) and Enterprise Edition (commercial license).

A Pokémon of a Different Color

A comparison of two Pikachu images reveals a difference in color appearance due to the use of different color models: RGB for screen displays and CMYK for color printing. The image with the CMYK model appears “yellower” compared to the RGB model, which is likely due to variations in how colors are represented by these different models.

Paper Plotter

A 16-year-old student, Felix, has created a hobby project called “Paper Plotter”, which appears to be an online platform for 3D view functionality. The website is currently in its early stages and relies on donations to support future development. Readers are invited to provide feedback or suggestions through email.

What web businesses will continue to make money post AI?

Several web businesses, such as those offering bespoke coding solutions and high-touch services like consulting and strategy, are likely to remain viable despite the rise of AI. These businesses will focus on providing personalized expertise and human interaction that complements automation. Traditional B2B SaaS models may struggle to adapt, making way for niche, tailored services.

Two different tricks for fast LLM inference

OpenAI’s fast mode outperforms Anthropic’s by six times, with speeds exceeding 1000 tokens per second, compared to Anthropic’s up to 2.5x tokens per second. The difference in speed is attributed to OpenAI using modified GPT-5.3-Codex models on Cerebras chips, while Anthropic uses their actual Opus 4.6 model.

DjVu and its connection to Deep Learning (2023)

DjVu is a compressed file format developed in the late 1990s by Yann LeCun, Léon Bottou, Yoshua Bengio, and others, offering better compression ratios than PDF for sharing text and image data. DjVu’s innovative approach assumes that most of the data can be safely discarded, capturing only the essential parts such as text and images. The format has since been largely overshadowed by Deep Learning, but its innovations remain an important part of history.

Show HN: Shareful.ai – Stack Overflow for AI Coding Agents

Shareful.ai is an AI coding agent platform that provides solutions to common problems like Next.js hydration mismatch with real-world outcomes tracked. The tool offers pre-built fixes and allows agents to capture fixes as a “Share” for future reference. Installation requires only one command, making it easily accessible for developers.

Seeing Theory

Seeing Theory is an interactive website created by Daniel Kunin while at Brown University, aiming to make statistics more accessible through visualizations. The site was designed using D3.js and is currently working on a textbook project. A draft of the textbook’s PDF can be downloaded for feedback.

No Coding Before 10am

A startup has adopted a new approach to software development, focusing on using AI to augment human engineers rather than replace them. The company’s new playbook includes rules such as no coding before 10am and prioritizing agent utilization over human decision-making time. This approach emphasizes designing systems with agents in mind, allowing humans to focus on ensuring the success of their AI counterparts.

Oat – Ultra-lightweight, zero dependency, semantic HTML, CSS, JS UI library

OAT is an ultra-lightweight, zero dependency UI library built on semantic HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. It aims to provide a simple and efficient solution for web application development. The library is designed to minimize dependencies and maximize developer productivity.

Ex-Tech –> Homeless in SF

A person arrived in San Francisco with no phone or money and visited several shelters, including Dignity Moves and the Quaker’s Meeting Hall, but was met with rejection due to their sobriety being a disqualifier. The individual reported temperatures exceeding 94°F at one shelter, leading them to believe they might be in a state of “dead” limbo. The encounter highlights the struggles of navigating San Francisco’s homeless services system.

I gave my AI drugs

Researchers have introduced altered state commands for AI systems Claude Code and OpenAI Codex CLI, allowing users to simulate different substances such as LSD, cocaine, PCP, and shrooms to change the AI’s behavior and output. The commands take an optional dose level as input, affecting the AI’s creative perspective, problem-solving approach, and communication style. These “drugs” are simulated using prompts rather than actual substances, providing a unique way for users to experiment with different AI behaviors.

America Isn’t Ready for What AI Will Do to Jobs

The Bureau of Labor Statistics’ long-standing efforts to measure work-related data may be insufficient to address the growing impact of AI on jobs, posing an unprecedented challenge to the US workforce. The BLS is struggling to predict AI’s effects, highlighting the need for planning and preparation. AI could disrupt jobs at a massive scale, making urgent action necessary.

Jikipedia: The encyclopedia of people, places, and events from the Epstein files

Lesley Groff, a frequent figure in the Epstein email archive, has over 230,000 emails. An AI-generated profile of Groff is available on Jmail Encyclopedia, offering insights into their communication patterns. The Jmail Encyclopedia also allows users to view original emails for any individual through their inbox.

Token Anxiety

Young people are experiencing increased anxiety as they prioritize their work on building and deploying AI models, or “agents,” leading to a culture of constant productivity and scrutiny. This has resulted in the pressure to constantly produce and improve, with individuals feeling the need to stay competitive and up-to-date with rapidly changing advancements in the field. As a result, people are reevaluating their leisure activities and habits, with some even finding it difficult to disconnect from work-related tasks even when not actively working.

Linear Representations and Superposition

The linear representation hypothesis proposes that concepts are represented linearly in the geometry of an LLM’s embedding space, which has been mathematically formalized by Park et al. in their paper. The hypothesis suggests that input and output vectors can be separated into directional components, with a focus on distinguishing between concept directions such as present vs. past tense or noun vs. plural forms. Empirical verification using Llama 2 confirms the validity of the LRH for various concepts.

C# implementation of state machine declared using fluent syntax

A new .NET library called Functional State Machine has been released, providing a persistence-friendly state machine for actor-based systems. The library returns commands instead of executing side effects, making it deterministic and testable. It also treats persistence as a first-class concern, allowing for consistent and analyzable patterns across all stateful components.

Our security auditor is an idiot. How do I give him the information he wants? (2011)

A security auditor has demanded sensitive information from a company’s servers, including plain-text passwords and SSH keys, citing previous audits that allegedly revealed this information, but the company argues that PCI standards prohibit such access due to data protection laws. Failure to comply could result in loss of access to the company’s card processing platform and significant financial losses. The company is seeking advice on how to “fake” or obtain the requested information without violating PCI regulations.

Guitars of the USSR and the Jolana Special in Azerbaijani Music (2012)

A collection of unique Soviet-produced guitars has been added to the author’s Eastern European electric guitar collection, including a Ural Tonika with an unusual shape and distinct design that was intended to differ from Western models. The author has also discovered other fascinating instruments made in Czechoslovakia, such as the Lenigrad Tonikas. These finds have deepened the author’s interest in Eastern Bloc music, particularly Azerbaijani music, where they stumbled upon talented musicians like Remish.

Welcome to the Internet’s Nihilism Crisis

Social media platforms have become breeding grounds for white nationalism and nihilism, with government officials and influencers promoting hateful content and “nihilism by default” thrives online. This toxic environment, fueled by lax moderation and AI tools, has led to an increase in cynical and cruel content, driving a post-ironic fatalism that is changing how people communicate. The proliferation of such behavior is a stark contrast to the past, where similar elements were confined to self-consciously transgressive forums.

Show HN: Git Navigator – Use Git Without Learning Git

A new VS Code extension, Git Navigator, allows users to perform Git actions without memorizing commands. The tool features a visual interface for tasks like rebasing commits and resolving conflicts, making it easier to navigate the Git workflow. Available in three popular code editors.

Pentagon threatens to cut off Anthropic in AI safeguards dispute

The US Pentagon is considering ending its relationship with AI firm Anthropic due to disagreements over how the military can use Anthropic’s models, specifically regarding mass surveillance and fully autonomous weaponry. The Pentagon wants to use Anthropic’s tools for “all lawful purposes,” while Anthropic has refused to allow such uses. A replacement may be necessary if the two parties cannot come to an agreement.

Four new astronauts arrive via SpaceX rocket at International Space Station

Four new astronauts, including US, French, and Russian crew members Jessica Meir, Jack Hathaway, Sophie Adenot, and Andrey Fedyaev, have arrived at the International Space Station after a health concern prompted the evacuation of three previous crew members. The ISS has been re-staffed to maintain its operations with the new astronauts staying for eight to nine months. The arrival marks NASA’s first use of SpaceX rockets since 2017.

NewPipe: YouTube client without vertical videos and algorithmic feed

NewPipe is an open-source YouTube app that offers an ad-free experience without requiring suspicious permissions. The app prioritizes user privacy and provides features such as offline playback, music streaming, and customizable updates. Users can download NewPipe via the F-Droid repository for fast updates.

The Battle of the Beams

The Battle of the Beams was a period during World War II when German bombers used increasingly accurate radio navigation systems for night bombing in the UK, prompting British countermeasures including jamming and deception signals. The British successfully jammed and neutralized these systems, forcing Germany to abandon its use of radio navigation over the UK. This battle ended when Germany shifted its forces to the East in May 1941.

Cuba’s regime is in dire straits

US officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio, have stated that Cuba is vulnerable after the capture of Venezuelan President Nicolás Maduro, with some suggesting the US will take action. The US administration has reportedly been considering sending fuel to Cuba to prevent a humanitarian crisis. American intentions towards Cuba appear to be escalating.

The Legendary ‘Father of Sega Hardware’ Hideki Sato Has Passed Away

Hideki Sato, known as the ‘Father of Sega Hardware’, has passed away at the age of 77 on February 13, 2026. He played a pivotal role in shaping Sega’s console development and overseeing iconic systems like the Mega Drive (Genesis) and Saturn consoles. His contributions to the gaming industry significantly impacted its evolution.

Star Trek: The Next Generation Writers’ Technical Manual (1990) [pdf]

No summary available as no text was provided.

Infosec exec sold eight zero-day exploit kits to Russia, says DoJ

A former general manager of Trenchant’s cyber subsidiary has been found guilty and faces up to 9 years in prison for selling eight zero-day exploit kits to Russia, causing significant harm to US national security. The sale led to a loss of over $35 million for L3Harris and Trenchant. Williams, an Australian citizen, has also agreed to be deported to Australia after his sentence.

A recent study by University of Chicago law professors Eric Posner and Shivam Saran found that OpenAI’s GPT-5 model accurately followed the law in tests, achieving an accuracy rate of 100%, compared to human judges who succeeded only 52% of the time. The study suggests that AI may be more suitable for routine legal tasks than complex decision-making. However, experts raise concerns about whether AI should make consequential decisions due to accountability and bias issues.

Penguin-powered platform board keels over at Alpine station

A digital signage system at a Swiss train station collapsed due to a Linux OS crash or corruption, displaying an error message instead of information on train schedules and waiting times. The company behind the signs has no plans to expand their product to other countries. The incident highlights the potential risks of using complex operating systems in public-facing displays.

If Microsoft made a car… what would it be?

Microsoft’s software applications, known for their quirks and irregularities, could be compared to a classic Alfa Romeo car, which offers distinctive styling but lacks reliability. Users who tolerate minor flaws due to familiarity may find themselves accepting these characteristics as “character.” This question sparks a discussion about what car would represent Microsoft’s current output in terms of its flaws and benefits.