Using AI to drop hats onto New Yorkers, tiny chip that powers Montreal subway tickets, Llama.ttf: A font which is also an LLM
Summary of Top HN posts from 06-23-2024
1. I am using AI to drop hats outside my window onto New Yorkers
Link | Comments: 293 | Points: 977
Article Summary: A Midwesterner in New York City has innovated a unique AI-driven service, DropofaHat.zone, where busy New Yorkers can book a slot to have hats automatically dropped onto their heads from his apartment window. The service uses a Raspberry Pi and a stepper motor to drop propeller hats when AI, running on a webcam feed, detects someone in the designated spot below his window. The AI model, trained to recognize people standing in a specific sidewalk square, triggers the hat-dropping mechanism after confirming the person’s position for three seconds. This quirky, efficient service exemplifies a novel form of “window shopping,” potentially revolutionizing urban convenience and interaction.
Comments Summary: In a lively discussion, an individual shares a whimsical experience of witnessing a key parachuting down onto a New York street, used for building entry due to a malfunctioning buzzer. This sparks reactions ranging from practical safety advice to expressions of delight over the charming and unusual incident.
2. The tiny chip that powers Montreal subway tickets
Link | Comments: 272 | Points: 525
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Comments Summary: In the discussion about Montreal’s subway ticket technology, participants explore the similarities and differences between the contactless MIFARE cards used and traditional smart cards, noting that while their physical communication layers differ, their protocol layers are largely similar, adhering to established ISO standards. Additionally, the thread debates the merits of QR codes versus RFID technology for tickets, highlighting QR codes’ flexibility and ease of replacement but acknowledging their limitation as read-only and the practical challenges in tracking multi-use tickets without constant server updates.
3. Llama.ttf: A font which is also an LLM
Link | Comments: 110 | Points: 408
Article Summary: llama.ttf is an innovative font file that doubles as a large language model (LLM) and an inference engine, utilizing the font shaping engine Harfbuzz, which is embedded in popular browsers like Firefox and Chrome. This unique setup allows the font to execute arbitrary code, enabling it to “shape” text by using magic symbols that trigger the LLM to generate text. Users can simply download and use llama.ttf like any other font in applications that support Harfbuzz with Wasm, turning everyday software like text editors and email clients into powerful text generators without needing external updates. This breakthrough could transform the way we interact with text, potentially making it a groundbreaking tool in technology.
Comments Summary: The discussion revolves around the innovative concept of a font that also functions as a language model, sparking ideas for a unique weekly TV show featuring odd yet brilliant concepts, and drawing comparisons to the entertaining and quirky content of Posy’s YouTube channel.
4. I’ve stopped using box plots (2021)
Link | Comments: 200 | Points: 316
Article Summary: Box plots, a traditional chart type used to display distributions, are criticized for being unintuitive and difficult for most audiences to grasp, often requiring lengthy explanations and causing misinterpretations. The design of box plots does not align well with human visual perception, making them hard to understand and prone to misleading viewers about the distribution of data. Alternatives like strip plots, jittered strip plots, and distribution heatmaps offer clearer, more intuitive visualizations that can communicate similar insights more effectively and are easier for audiences to quickly understand. The persistence of box plots in data visualization, despite their flaws, may be more due to historical inertia and familiarity rather than their effectiveness in conveying information.
Comments Summary: The discussion in the comments clarifies that box plots do not inherently assume a bell-shaped distribution, but are simply better suited for visualizing data that fits a single-mode distribution. Critics argue that other types of plots, like violin or bee swarm plots, provide richer information, especially with the use of modern computing tools that render the simplicity of box plots less crucial.
5. Timeliness without datagrams using QUIC
Link | Comments: 165 | Points: 169
Article Summary: The article debates the use of TCP versus UDP for internet applications, emphasizing that while UDP allows for timeliness by sending data packets directly, it often results in unreliability and data loss. It criticizes the common use of UDP for live video and gaming due to its inherent issues like out-of-order packets and the necessity for complex error-handling mechanisms. The author advocates for using QUIC, a protocol that combines the speed of UDP with the reliability of TCP, to handle internet transmissions more efficiently. The piece concludes by urging developers to avoid building new applications on UDP, highlighting the superiority of QUIC for achieving both timeliness and reliability in data transmission.
Comments Summary: In a discussion about using QUIC over UDP for high-frequency sensor data streaming, participants explored the limitations of TCP in various network conditions, such as high-latency and unreliable connections. They discussed alternatives like RoCE for reliability and fountain codes for handling packet loss, highlighting TCP’s issues with handling out-of-order packets and its inefficiency in scenarios where packet loss does not imply congestion.
6. Words you can spell with a calculator (2005)
Link | Comments: 70 | Points: 148
Article Summary: The document is a list of words that match a specific pattern using the grep command in a Unix-like system. It includes a variety of words, mostly simple and some compound, that are filtered based on the presence of certain letters at the beginning or end. The list is extensive, covering a range of categories from colors and emotions to names and geographical locations. This demonstrates the utility of grep for sorting and extracting data from larger text files based on pattern matching.
Comments Summary: In the comment thread, a user created an online simulator to view words that can be spelled on a calculator, which led to another user organizing these words by part of speech and creatively forming a quirky sentence with them. The exchange highlights both technical ingenuity and playful use of language.
7. LINQPad – The .NET Programmer’s Playground
Link | Comments: 42 | Points: 139
Article Summary: LINQPad is a versatile tool that goes beyond LINQ queries, allowing users to run any C#/F#/VB code, helping to eliminate clutter from numerous Visual Studio projects. It supports referencing personal assemblies and NuGet packages, enabling users to prototype ideas swiftly and integrate them into Visual Studio or execute them via command-line. LINQPad enhances productivity with features like easy cloning of scripts, advanced output formatting, debugging, and autocompletion. It promotes dynamic development with immediate feedback, revolutionizing how developers write and test code.
Comments Summary: The comment thread discusses the unavailability of LINQPad for non-Windows platforms, with a user highlighting that while there is a similar application called NetPad for Mac, it is not as effective as LINQPad. Another user praises LINQPad’s utility and mentions the developer’s concerns about the high costs of making the software cross-platform, despite its usefulness and growing price.
8. Of Psion and Symbian
Link | Comments: 47 | Points: 137
Article Summary: In 1984, Psion, led by visionary David Potter, revolutionized mobile computing by releasing the Psion Organiser, the world’s first handheld computer. This innovative device featured a full keyboard, a single-line display, and unique storage options called Datapaks, setting a precedent for portable personal computing. Psion’s journey began with software development for the Sinclair ZX81 and evolved through the 1980s and 1990s into a leader in electronic organizers and early smartphones, culminating in the creation of the EPOC operating system, which later became the foundation for Symbian OS. Despite early success and significant contributions to mobile technology, Psion and Symbian were eventually overshadowed by emerging platforms like Android and iOS, illustrating the rapid pace of technological change and competition in the tech industry.
Comments Summary: The comment thread reflects a nostalgic appreciation for the Psion logo and its unique design, alongside a critical view of Nokia and Symbian’s missed opportunities in the mobile computing market. Commenters discuss how Nokia failed to anticipate technological advancements and user demands, leading to Symbian’s downfall as developers moved towards more intuitive and developer-friendly platforms like Apple’s iOS, which revolutionized mobile apps and user engagement.
9. Asynchronous Consensus Without Trusted Setup or Public-Key Cryptography
Link | Comments: 39 | Points: 120
Article Summary: Researchers have developed a new asynchronous Byzantine consensus protocol that operates without the need for trusted setups or public-key cryptography, relying solely on cryptographic hash functions. This innovative protocol, which is post-quantum secure, demonstrates high efficiency with minimal cryptographic requirements, achieving consensus in an expected constant number of rounds. The protocol’s performance was validated through experiments on up to 128 machines, showing superior efficiency compared to previously implemented setup-free consensus protocols. Additionally, the study introduces novel cryptographic primitives, potentially broadening the scope of future cryptographic applications.
Comments Summary: The discussion delves into the validity and utility of an asynchronous consensus protocol that doesn’t require trusted setup or public-key cryptography. While one commentator criticizes the protocol for its seemingly unnecessary complexity and lack of practical utility, describing it as academic and not groundbreaking, another defends the protocol by highlighting its significance in avoiding trusted setups and its relevance in a post-quantum context, emphasizing its practical application in Byzantine agreement scenarios. The conversation also touches on the inherent complexities of consensus algorithms in distributed computing, particularly under conditions of asynchronous communication and Byzantine faults.
10. The City of London which is not part of London (2016)
Link | Comments: 90 | Points: 105
Article Summary: Samuel Johnson’s famous quote about London still rings true today, as the city remains a top global destination, rich in iconic landmarks like the Tower of London and Buckingham Palace. The City of London, a unique entity within the larger city, was originally established by the Romans around 43 AD and has maintained its distinct governance and boundaries, largely unchanged for over 18 centuries. Despite historical challenges and changes in monarchy, the City of London preserved its autonomy, boasting its own mayor, police force, and even a ceremonial army, distinct from the rest of London. This historical and administrative anomaly makes the City of London a fascinating example of enduring urban independence within a modern metropolis.
Comments Summary: The comment thread clarifies common misconceptions about the City of London’s relationship with the wider London area. It emphasizes that the City of London is not secretive or independent from Greater London, and that the Mayor of London does have authority over it, albeit with some powers delegated locally. The thread also corrects the myth that the monarch needs permission to enter the City, and references the CGP Grey video as a likely inspiration for the original article, highlighting the overlap in content.
11. Picolisp a Railroad Simulation
Link | Comments: 29 | Points: 102
Article Summary: Explore the fun and imaginative world of ASCII-based railroad simulation using PicoLisp, where you can simulate a model railroad complete with tracks, trains, and dynamic scheduling. This simulation leverages Discrete Event Simulation (DES) to manage train movements—waiting, moving, or shunting—based on real-time events rather than continuous calculations, enhancing efficiency and performance. The source code, available on GitLab, is split into two main files: one for the fundamental logic of train and network simulation, and another for the layout and driving parameters of the railway network. Dive into this creative endeavor to build and operate your own miniature railway system, all within the confines of a text-based interface, pushing the limits of both your programming skills and your imagination.
Comments Summary: The discussion explores the peculiarities of dynamic scoping in Picolisp, contrasting it with other programming styles, and shifts into a lively debate about the merits of various railroad simulators. Participants argue over the realism and complexity of Factorio, OpenTTD, and Simutrans, particularly focusing on how these games simulate transportation logistics and passenger desires.
12. Detecting hallucinations in large language models using semantic entropy
Link | Comments: 51 | Points: 97
Article Summary: Semantic entropy is a novel approach designed to detect confabulations in language models by focusing on the uncertainty of the model regarding the meanings of its outputs, rather than the specific words used. This method involves generating multiple sequences from a model, clustering these sequences based on their meanings, and calculating the entropy of these clusters to gauge uncertainty. It is particularly useful because it can be applied to models without needing access to their internal workings or modifications, making it versatile and easily integrable. By employing semantic entropy, researchers can better predict model accuracy, refuse to answer when uncertainty is high, and provide users with insights into the reliability of model-generated text, enhancing trust in AI-generated content.
Comments Summary: The discussion delves into improving large language models (LLMs) by integrating formal verification during training to enhance consistency and accuracy in knowledge generation, treating “hallucinations” as imaginative outputs. Commenters debate the terminology and nature of LLM outputs, emphasizing the need for systems that can verify the correctness of their own responses to reduce reliance on external validation.