Schrödinger, a computational drug discovery company partnering with Nvidia, is using AI and physics-based simulations to revolutionize pharmaceutical development. Their platform accelerates the traditionally slow and expensive process of identifying and optimizing drug candidates by predicting molecular properties and interactions. Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang encouraged Schrödinger to expand their ambition beyond drug discovery, envisioning applications in materials science and other fields leveraging their computational prowess and predictive modeling capabilities. This partnership combines Schrödinger's scientific expertise with Nvidia's advanced computing power, ultimately aiming to create a new paradigm of accelerated scientific discovery.
Autodesk has partially restored older forum posts and IdeaStation content after significant community backlash regarding their archiving. While not all content has returned, and some functionality like search remains limited, the restored material covers a substantial portion of previously accessible information. Autodesk acknowledges the inconvenience the archiving caused and states their commitment to improving the process and platform moving forward, though a definitive timeline for full restoration and improved search functionality is yet to be determined. They encourage users to continue providing feedback.
HN commenters lament the loss of valuable technical information caused by Autodesk's forum archiving, with several noting the irony of a CAD software company failing to preserve its own data. Some praise the partial restoration, but criticize the lack of search functionality and awkward organization within the archive. Others express frustration that Autodesk hasn't learned from past mistakes and continues to undervalue its community knowledge base. The company's reliance on a single employee for the restoration is viewed with concern, highlighting the perceived fragility of the archive. Several suggest alternative archival solutions and express skepticism that Autodesk will maintain the restored content long-term. A recurring theme is the broader problem of valuable technical forums disappearing across the web.
Wild is a new, fast linker for Linux designed for significantly faster linking than traditional linkers like ld. It leverages parallelization and a novel approach to symbol resolution, claiming to be up to 4x faster for large projects like Firefox and Chromium. Wild aims to be drop-in compatible with existing workflows, requiring no changes to source code or build systems. It also offers advanced features like incremental linking and link-time optimization, further enhancing development speed. While still under development, Wild shows promise as a powerful tool to accelerate the build process for complex C++ projects.
HN commenters generally praised Wild's speed and innovative approach to linking. Several expressed excitement about its potential to significantly improve build times, particularly for large C++ projects. Some questioned its compatibility and maturity, noting it's still early in development. A few users shared their experiences testing Wild, reporting positive results but also mentioning some limitations and areas for improvement, like debugging support and handling of complex linking scenarios. There was also discussion about the technical details behind Wild's performance gains, including its use of parallelization and caching. A few commenters drew comparisons to other linkers like mold and lld, discussing their relative strengths and weaknesses.
Little Snitch has a hidden "Deep Packet Inspection" feature accessible via a secret keyboard shortcut (Control-click on the connection alert, then press Command-I). This allows users to examine the actual data being sent or received by a connection, going beyond just seeing the IP addresses and ports. This functionality can be invaluable for troubleshooting network issues, identifying the specific data a suspicious application is transmitting, or even understanding the inner workings of network protocols. While potentially powerful, this feature is undocumented and requires some technical knowledge to interpret the raw data displayed.
HN users largely discuss their experiences with Little Snitch and similar firewall tools. Some highlight the "deny once" option as a valuable but less-known feature, appreciating its granularity compared to permanently blocking connections. Others mention alternative tools like LuLu and Vallum, drawing comparisons to Little Snitch's functionality and ease of use. A few users question the necessity of such tools in modern macOS, citing Apple's built-in security features. Several commenters express frustration with software increasingly phoning home, emphasizing the importance of tools like Little Snitch for maintaining privacy and control. The discussion also touches upon the effectiveness of Little Snitch against malware, with some suggesting its primary benefit is awareness rather than outright prevention.
Chad Bibler has created Uppercut, a new native application specifically designed for older PowerPC Macs running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard). Focusing on modern web browsing, Uppercut uses WebKit2 to provide a more secure and up-to-date browsing experience on these legacy systems. While acknowledging the limitations of the aging hardware, the app aims to offer a viable way to access current websites on these vintage machines.
HN commenters generally praised the Uppercut app for its clean design and focus on essential features, seeing it as a refreshing alternative to overly complex modern software. Some questioned the long-term viability of supporting such an old OS, while others reminisced about the simplicity of older macOS versions. Several users suggested potential improvements, including adding syntax highlighting for more languages and incorporating Git integration. The developer responded to several comments, clarifying design choices and acknowledging feature requests. A few commenters expressed concerns about the app's name potentially confusing it with the existing Uppercut vector graphics editor.
The open-source "Video Starter Kit" allows users to edit videos using natural language prompts. It leverages large language models and other AI tools to perform actions like generating captions, translating audio, creating summaries, and even adding music. The project aims to simplify video editing, making complex tasks accessible to anyone, regardless of technical expertise. It provides a foundation for developers to build upon and contribute to a growing ecosystem of AI-powered video editing tools.
Hacker News users discussed the potential and limitations of the open-source AI video editor. Some expressed excitement about the possibilities, particularly for tasks like automated video editing and content creation. Others were more cautious, pointing out the current limitations of AI in creative fields and questioning the practical applicability of the tool in its current state. Several commenters brought up copyright concerns related to AI-generated content and the potential misuse of such tools. The discussion also touched on the technical aspects, including the underlying models used and the need for further development and refinement. Some users requested specific features or improvements, such as better integration with existing video editing software. Overall, the comments reflected a mix of enthusiasm and skepticism, acknowledging the project's potential while also recognizing the challenges it faces.
TMSU is a command-line tool that lets you tag files and directories, creating a virtual filesystem based on those tags. Instead of relying on a file's physical location, you can organize and access files through a flexible tag-based system. TMSU supports various commands for tagging, untagging, listing files by tag, and navigating the virtual filesystem. It offers features like autocompletion, regular expression matching for tags, and integration with find. This allows for powerful and dynamic file management based on user-defined criteria, bypassing the limitations of traditional directory structures.
Hacker News users generally praised TMSU for its speed, simplicity, and effectiveness, especially compared to more complex solutions. One commenter highlighted its efficiency for managing a large photo collection, appreciating the ability to tag files based on date and other criteria. Others found its clear documentation and intuitive use of find commands beneficial. Some expressed interest in similar terminal-based tagging solutions, mentioning TagSpaces as a cross-platform alternative and bemoaning the lack of a modern GUI for TMSU. A few users questioned the longevity of the project, given the last commit being two years prior, while others pointed out the stability of the software and the infrequency of needed updates for such a tool.
The author created a system using the open-source large language model, Ollama, to automatically respond to SMS spam messages. Instead of simply blocking the spam, the system engages the spammers in extended, nonsensical, and often humorous conversations generated by the LLM, wasting their time and resources. The goal is to make SMS spam less profitable by increasing the cost of sending messages, ultimately discouraging spammers. The author details the setup process, which involves running Ollama locally, forwarding SMS messages to a server, and using a Python script to interface with the LLM and send replies.
HN users generally praised the project for its creativity and humor. Several commenters shared their own experiences with SMS spam, expressing frustration and a desire for effective countermeasures. Some discussed the ethical implications of engaging with spammers, even with an LLM, and the potential for abuse or unintended consequences. Technical discussion centered around the cost-effectiveness of running such a system, with some suggesting optimizations or alternative approaches like using a less resource-intensive LLM. Others expressed interest in expanding the project to handle different types of spam or integrating it with existing spam-filtering tools. A few users also pointed out potential legal issues, like violating telephone consumer protection laws, depending on the nature of the responses generated by the LLM.
Foqos is a mobile app designed to minimize distractions by using NFC tags as physical switches for focus modes. Tapping your phone on a strategically placed NFC tag activates a pre-configured profile that silences notifications, restricts access to distracting apps, and optionally starts a focus timer. This allows for quick and intentional transitions into focused work or study sessions by associating a physical action with a digital state change. The app aims to provide a tangible and frictionless way to disconnect from digital noise and improve concentration.
Hacker News users discussed the potential usefulness of the app, particularly for focused work sessions. Some questioned its practicality compared to simply using existing phone features like Do Not Disturb or airplane mode. Others suggested alternative uses for the NFC tag functionality, such as triggering specific app profiles or automating other tasks. Several commenters expressed interest in the open-source nature of the project and the possibility of expanding its capabilities. There was also discussion about the security implications of NFC technology and the potential for unintended tag reads. A few users shared their personal experiences with similar self-control apps and techniques.
The ROCm Device Support Wishlist GitHub discussion serves as a central hub for users to request and discuss support for new AMD GPUs and other hardware within the ROCm platform. It encourages users to upvote existing requests or submit new ones with detailed system information, emphasizing driver versions and specific models for clarity and to gauge community interest. The goal is to provide the ROCm developers with a clear picture of user demand, helping them prioritize development efforts for broader hardware compatibility.
Hacker News users discussed the ROCm device support wishlist, expressing both excitement and skepticism. Some were enthusiastic about the potential for wider AMD GPU adoption, particularly for scientific computing and AI workloads where open-source solutions are preferred. Others questioned the viability of ROCm competing with CUDA, citing concerns about software maturity, performance consistency, and developer mindshare. The need for more robust documentation and easier installation processes was a recurring theme. Several commenters shared personal experiences with ROCm, highlighting successes with specific applications but also acknowledging difficulties in getting it to work reliably across different hardware configurations. Some expressed hope for better support from AMD to broaden adoption and improve the overall ROCm ecosystem.
Mixxx is free, open-source DJ software available for Windows, macOS, and Linux. It offers a comprehensive feature set comparable to professional DJ applications, including support for a wide range of DJ controllers, four decks, timecode vinyl control, recording and broadcasting capabilities, effects, looping, cue points, and advanced mixing features like key detection and quantizing. Mixxx aims to empower DJs of all skill levels with professional-grade tools without the cost barrier, fostering a community around open-source DJing.
HN commenters discuss Mixxx's maturity and feature richness, favorably comparing it to proprietary DJ software. Several users praise its stability and professional-grade functionality, highlighting features like key detection, BPM analysis, and effects. Some mention using it successfully for live performances and even prefer it over Traktor and Serato. The open-source nature of the software is also appreciated, with some expressing excitement about contributing or customizing it. A few commenters bring up past experiences with Mixxx, noting improvements over time and expressing renewed interest in trying the latest version. The potential for Linux adoption in the DJ space is also touched upon.
StoryTiming offers a race timing system with integrated video replay. It allows race organizers to easily capture finish line footage, synchronize it with timing data, and generate shareable result videos for participants. These videos show each finisher crossing the line with their time and placing overlaid, enhancing the race experience and providing a personalized memento. The system is designed to be simple to set up and operate, aiming to streamline the timing process for races of various sizes.
HN users generally praised the clean UI and functionality of the race timing app. Several commenters with experience in race timing pointed out the difficulty of getting accurate readings, particularly with RFID, and offered suggestions like using multiple readers and filtering out spurious reads. Some questioned the scalability of the system for larger races. Others appreciated the detailed explanation of the technical challenges and solutions implemented, specifically mentioning the clever use of GPS and the value of the instant replay feature for both participants and organizers. There was also discussion about alternative timing methods and the potential for integrating with existing platforms. A few users expressed interest in using the system for other applications beyond racing.
Infinigen is an open-source, locally-run tool designed to generate synthetic datasets for AI training. It aims to empower developers by providing control over data creation, reducing reliance on potentially biased or unavailable real-world data. Users can describe their desired dataset using a declarative schema, specifying data types, distributions, and relationships between fields. Infinigen then uses generative AI models to create realistic synthetic data matching that schema, offering significant benefits in terms of privacy, cost, and customization for a wide variety of applications.
HN users discuss Infinigen, expressing skepticism about its claims of personalized education generating novel research projects. Several commenters question the feasibility of AI truly understanding complex scientific concepts and designing meaningful experiments. The lack of concrete examples of Infinigen's output fuels this doubt, with users calling for demonstrations of actual research projects generated by the system. Some also point out the potential for misuse, such as generating a flood of low-quality research papers. While acknowledging the potential benefits of AI in education, the overall sentiment leans towards cautious observation until more evidence of Infinigen's capabilities is provided. A few users express interest in seeing the underlying technology and data used to train the model.
This blog post details the author's process of creating "guitaraoke" videos: karaoke videos with automated chord diagrams. Using the Vamp plugin Chordino to analyze audio and extract chord information, the author then leverages ImageSharp (a C# image processing library) to generate chord diagram images. Finally, FFmpeg combines these generated images with the original music video to produce the final guitaraoke video. The post focuses primarily on the technical challenges and solutions encountered while integrating these different tools, especially handling timestamps and ensuring smooth transitions between chords.
The Hacker News comments generally praise the author's clear writing style and interesting project. Several users discuss their own experiences with similar audio analysis tools, mentioning alternatives like LibChord and Madmom. Some express interest in the underlying algorithms and the potential for real-time performance. One commenter points out the challenge of accurately transcribing complex chords, while another highlights the project's educational value in understanding audio processing. There's a brief discussion on the limitations of relying solely on frequency analysis for chord recognition and the need for rhythmic context. Finally, a few users share their excitement for the upcoming parts of the series.
After October 14, 2025, Microsoft 365 apps like Word, Excel, and PowerPoint will no longer receive security updates or technical support on Windows 10. While the apps will still technically function, using them on an unsupported OS poses security risks. Microsoft encourages users to upgrade to Windows 11 to continue receiving support and maintain the security and functionality of their Microsoft 365 applications.
HN commenters largely discuss the implications of Microsoft ending support for Office apps on Windows 10. Several express frustration with Microsoft's push to upgrade to Windows 11, viewing it as a forced upgrade and an attempt to increase Microsoft 365 subscriptions. Some highlight the inconvenience this poses for users with older hardware incompatible with Windows 11. Others note the potential security risks of using unsupported software and the eventual necessity of upgrading. A few commenters point out the continuing support for Office 2019, although with limited functionality updates, and discuss the alternative of using web-based Office apps or open-source office suites like LibreOffice. Some speculate this is a move to bolster Microsoft 365 subscriptions, making offline productivity increasingly dependent on the service.
This article details the creation of a custom star tracker for astronaut Don Pettit to capture stunning images of star trails and other celestial phenomena from the International Space Station (ISS). Engineer Jas Williams collaborated with Pettit to design a barn-door tracker that could withstand the ISS's unique environment and operate with Pettit's existing camera equipment. Key challenges included compensating for the ISS's rapid orbit, mitigating vibrations, and ensuring the device was safe and functional in zero gravity. The resulting tracker employed stepper motors, custom-machined parts, and open-source Arduino code, enabling Pettit to take breathtaking long-exposure photographs of the Earth and cosmos.
Hacker News users generally expressed admiration for Don Pettit's ingenuity and "hacker" spirit, highlighting his ability to create a functional star tracker with limited resources while aboard the ISS. Several commenters appreciated the detailed explanation of the design process and the challenges overcome, such as dealing with vibration and thermal variations. Some discussed the technical aspects, including the choice of sensors and the use of stepper motors. A few pointed out the irony of needing a custom-built star tracker on a space station supposedly packed with sophisticated equipment, reflecting on the limitations sometimes imposed by bureaucracy and pre-planned missions. Others reminisced about previous "MacGyver" moments in space exploration.
IRCDriven is a new search engine specifically designed for indexing and searching IRC (Internet Relay Chat) logs. It aims to make exploring and researching public IRC conversations easier by offering full-text search capabilities, advanced filtering options (like by channel, nick, or date), and a user-friendly interface. The project is actively seeking feedback and contributions from the IRC community to improve its features and coverage.
Commenters on Hacker News largely praised IRC Driven for its clean interface and fast search, finding it a useful tool for rediscovering old conversations and information. Some expressed a nostalgic appreciation for IRC and the value of archiving its content. A few suggested potential improvements, such as adding support for more networks, allowing filtering by nick, and offering date range restrictions in search. One commenter noted the difficulty in indexing IRC due to its decentralized and ephemeral nature, commending the creator for tackling the challenge. Others discussed the historical significance of IRC and the potential for such archives to serve as valuable research resources.
iOS 18 introduces a new feature that automatically reboots devices after a prolonged period of inactivity. Reverse engineering revealed this is managed by the SpringBoard process, which monitors user interaction and triggers a reboot after approximately 72 hours of inactivity. The reboot is signaled by setting a specific flag in a system property and is considered a "soft" reboot, likely to maintain device state where possible. This feature seems primarily targeted at corporate devices enrolled in Mobile Device Management (MDM) systems, as a way to clear temporary states and potentially address performance issues resulting from prolonged uptime without requiring manual intervention. The exact conditions for triggering the reboot, beyond inactivity time, are still being investigated.
Hacker News users discussed the potential reasons behind iOS 18's automatic reboot after extended inactivity, with some speculating it's related to memory management, specifically clearing caches or resetting background processes. Others suggested it could be a security measure to mitigate potential exploits or simply a bug. A few commenters expressed concern about the reboot happening without warning, potentially interrupting ongoing tasks or data syncing. Some highlighted the lack of official documentation on this behavior and the author's reverse engineering efforts to uncover the cause. The discussion also touched on similar behavior observed in other operating systems and the overall complexity of modern OS architectures.
Obsidian-textgrams is a plugin that allows users to create and embed ASCII diagrams directly within their Obsidian notes. It leverages code blocks and a custom renderer to display the diagrams, offering features like syntax highlighting and the ability to store diagram source code within the note itself. This provides a convenient way to visualize information using simple text-based graphics within the Obsidian environment, eliminating the need for external image files or complex drawing tools.
HN users generally expressed interest in the Obsidian Textgrams plugin, praising its lightweight approach compared to alternatives like Excalidraw or Mermaid. Some suggested improvements, including the ability to embed rendered diagrams as images for compatibility with other Markdown editors, and better text alignment within shapes. One commenter highlighted the usefulness for quickly mocking up system designs or diagrams, while another appreciated its simplicity for note-taking. The discussion also touched upon alternative tools like PlantUML and Graphviz, but the consensus leaned towards appreciating Textgrams' minimalist and fast rendering capabilities within Obsidian. A few users expressed interest in seeing support for more complex shapes and connections.
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https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42824507
Hacker News users discuss Nvidia's partnership with Schrödinger and their ambitious goals in drug discovery. Several commenters express skepticism about the feasibility of using AI to revolutionize drug development, citing the complexity of biological systems and the limitations of current computational methods. Some highlight the potential for AI to accelerate specific aspects of the process, such as molecule design and screening, but doubt it can replace the need for extensive experimental validation. Others question the hype surrounding AI in drug discovery, suggesting it's driven more by marketing than scientific breakthroughs. There's also discussion of Schrödinger's existing software and its perceived strengths and weaknesses within the field. Finally, some commenters note the potential conflict of interest between scientific rigor and the financial incentives driving the partnership.
The Hacker News post titled "Schrödinger: The Nvidia biotech partner Jensen Huang told to 'think bigger'" has generated a moderate amount of discussion with a variety of perspectives on Schrödinger's business model and its relationship with Nvidia.
Several commenters focus on the financial aspects of Schrödinger's operations. One expresses skepticism about the company's profitability, noting that despite high revenues, their expenditures seem to consistently outpace earnings. Another commenter questions the sustainability of their current business model, pointing out the reliance on government grants and partnerships which may not represent a stable long-term revenue stream. A different commenter highlights the potential risks associated with pharmaceutical development, suggesting that the inherent uncertainty in drug discovery makes Schrödinger's financial projections potentially unreliable.
Some commenters delve into the technical side of Schrödinger's work. One raises concerns about the limitations of computational drug discovery, arguing that simulating complex biological systems is incredibly difficult and the results may not always translate effectively to real-world applications. Another commenter discusses the challenges in validating the predictions made by their software, emphasizing the need for extensive experimental verification.
The relationship between Schrödinger and Nvidia is also a topic of discussion. One commenter speculates on the strategic implications of the partnership, suggesting that Nvidia's hardware could provide the necessary computational power to advance Schrödinger's research. Another emphasizes the mutual benefits of the collaboration, with Nvidia gaining a foothold in the growing biotech market and Schrödinger gaining access to cutting-edge computing technology.
A few comments offer personal anecdotes or opinions about Schrödinger. One commenter shares their experience with the company, describing positive interactions with their scientists. Another commenter expresses skepticism about the hype surrounding computational drug discovery, cautioning against overestimating the current capabilities of the technology.
Overall, the comments on Hacker News reflect a mixture of optimism and skepticism regarding Schrödinger's prospects. While some see the company as a pioneer in computational drug discovery with significant potential, others express concerns about the financial viability and technical limitations of their approach. The discussion provides a nuanced perspective on the challenges and opportunities in this emerging field.