The Unix Magic Poster provides a visual guide to essential Unix commands, organized by category and interconnected to illustrate their relationships. It covers file and directory manipulation, process management, text processing, networking, and system information retrieval, aiming to be a quick reference for both beginners and experienced users. The poster emphasizes practical usage by showcasing common command combinations and options, effectively demonstrating how to accomplish various tasks on a Unix-like system. Its interconnectedness highlights the composability and modularity that are central to the Unix philosophy, encouraging users to combine simple commands into powerful workflows.
Massena, a small town in upstate New York, recently finalized its acquisition of the local power grid from National Grid after a decades-long struggle. This move creates a publicly owned electric utility, allowing Massena to control its energy future and pursue lower rates, renewable energy development, and improved reliability for residents. The transition signifies a significant victory for municipal control and potentially provides a model for other communities seeking energy independence.
Hacker News commenters generally praised Massena's move to municipalize its power, viewing it as a successful example of a community reclaiming control over essential services and potentially lowering costs. Some highlighted the long and difficult process involved in such transitions, noting the legal battles and political maneuvering required. Others pointed out the potential benefits of publicly owned utilities, including greater transparency, accountability, and reinvestment in the community. A few commenters offered cautionary notes, emphasizing the need for competent management and the potential for local politics to interfere with efficient operation. Some expressed skepticism about the replicability of this model in other locations due to varying regulatory landscapes and the entrenched power of private utilities. Several commenters also discussed the broader implications for energy independence and the transition to renewable energy sources.
cute_headers is a curated collection of single-header C/C++ libraries, specifically geared towards game development. These libraries are designed to be easily integrated, requiring no external dependencies or build systems. They cover a range of functionalities often needed in games, including linear algebra, collision detection, graphics, input handling, and more. The project aims to provide a convenient and lightweight way to access commonly used tools without the overhead of complex library management. This makes them particularly suitable for small projects, rapid prototyping, or learning purposes.
Hacker News users generally praised the simplicity and utility of Randy Gaul's single-file libraries. Several commenters highlighted the educational value of the code, particularly for understanding fundamental game development concepts and data structures. Some discussed the trade-offs of using such minimal libraries versus larger, more feature-rich alternatives, acknowledging the benefits of these smaller libraries for learning and small projects while recognizing potential limitations for complex endeavors. A few commenters also mentioned specific libraries they found particularly interesting or useful, including the string library and the JSON parser. There was a short thread discussing licensing, ultimately confirming that the MIT license allows for commercial use.
Starting a city-owned utility is a viable option for municipalities seeking more control over energy prices and reliability. The article uses the example of several Northern California cities exploring the creation of a public power agency, highlighting how it could provide cheaper, cleaner energy than incumbent investor-owned utilities. By leveraging existing infrastructure and focusing on bulk power purchases, cities can significantly reduce costs, potentially offering substantial savings for residents and businesses while facilitating the transition to renewable energy sources. This approach also allows for greater local control over energy policy and priorities, aligning with community goals for sustainability and affordability.
HN commenters generally support the idea of municipally-owned utilities, citing potential benefits like lower costs, greater local control, and faster deployment of renewables. Some raise concerns about the complexities and costs involved in starting a new utility, including navigating regulations and acquiring infrastructure. Several comments highlight existing successful municipal utilities as examples, while others emphasize the need for careful planning and execution to avoid mismanagement. The potential conflict of interest between a city government both regulating and operating a utility is also noted. A few commenters express skepticism about the feasibility and efficiency of such ventures compared to existing private utilities, citing potential bureaucratic inefficiencies. Some suggest that community choice aggregation (CCA) might be a better alternative to starting a completely new utility.
A recent EPA assessment revealed that drinking water systems serving 26 million Americans face high cybersecurity risks, potentially jeopardizing public health and safety. These systems, many small and lacking resources, are vulnerable to cyberattacks due to outdated technology, inadequate security measures, and a shortage of trained personnel. The EPA recommends these systems implement stronger cybersecurity practices, including risk assessments, incident response plans, and improved network security, but acknowledges the financial and technical hurdles involved. These findings underscore the urgent need for increased federal funding and support to protect critical water infrastructure from cyber threats.
Hacker News users discussed the lack of surprising information in the article, pointing out that critical infrastructure has been known to be vulnerable for years and this is just another example. Several commenters highlighted the systemic issue of underfunding and neglect in these sectors, making them easy targets. Some discussed the practical realities of securing such systems, emphasizing the difficulty of patching legacy equipment and the air-gapping trade-off between security and remote monitoring/control. A few mentioned the potential severity of consequences, even small incidents, and the need for more proactive measures rather than reactive responses. The overall sentiment reflected a weary acceptance of the problem and skepticism towards meaningful change.
Summary of Comments ( 15 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43589042
Commenters on Hacker News largely praised the Unix Magic poster and its annotated version, finding it both nostalgic and informative. Several shared personal anecdotes about their early experiences with Unix and how resources like this poster were invaluable learning tools. Some pointed out specific commands or sections they found particularly useful or interesting, like the explanation of
teeor the history of different shells. A few commenters offered minor corrections or suggestions for improvement, such as adding more context around certain commands or expanding on the networking section. Overall, the sentiment was overwhelmingly positive, with many expressing appreciation for the effort put into creating and annotating the poster.The Hacker News post "Annotated Unix Magic Poster" with the ID 43589042 has generated several comments discussing the poster and its utility.
Several commenters express nostalgia and appreciation for the original poster, recalling its presence in their early days of learning Unix. They discuss how helpful it was as a quick reference and how it aided in memorizing common commands. One commenter fondly remembers having a laminated copy hanging above their workstation.
A key point of discussion revolves around the poster's relevance in modern computing. While some argue its usefulness has diminished due to improved documentation and readily available online resources, others maintain its value as a concise overview of essential Unix commands. They highlight the benefit of having a physical, readily visible reference that doesn't require searching through documentation. The speed and ease of glancing at the poster for common commands is cited as a major advantage.
Some comments delve into specific commands and their usage, often sparked by the annotations on the poster. There are explanations of less common flags and discussions about the most efficient ways to use particular commands. For example, one commenter elaborates on the different uses of
grepand discusses its power when combined with regular expressions.A few commenters express a desire for an updated version of the poster, incorporating more modern tools and commands, or perhaps tailored for different operating systems. They discuss what potential additions or changes would be beneficial, including suggestions for tools like
find,awk, andsed.Overall, the comments reflect a mixture of nostalgia for a classic Unix tool and a debate on its continued relevance. While acknowledging the advances in online resources, many commenters still see value in the poster's concise and easily accessible format, emphasizing the speed and convenience it offers for frequent Unix command users. The discussion also extends to potential improvements and updates, showcasing a desire to maintain the spirit of the poster while adapting it to the evolving landscape of Unix-like systems.