Common Lisp saw continued, albeit slow and steady, progress in 2023-2024. Key developments include improved tooling, notably with the rise of the CLPM build system and continued refinement of Roswell. Libraries like FFI, CFFI, and Bordeaux Threads saw improvements, along with advancements in web development frameworks like CLOG and Woo. The community remains active, albeit small, with ongoing efforts in areas like documentation and learning resources. While no groundbreaking shifts occurred, the ecosystem continues to mature, providing a stable and powerful platform for its dedicated user base.
The Ryugyong Hotel in Pyongyang, North Korea, nicknamed the "Hotel of Doom," remains unfinished and unopened despite decades of construction. Recent photos offer a glimpse inside the colossal 105-story pyramid-shaped structure, revealing bare concrete interiors and a lack of fixtures or furnishings. Although exterior lighting and some window panes have been installed, suggesting intermittent progress, the building's interior appears far from completion. Originally envisioned as a symbol of North Korean ingenuity and a luxury hotel, the Ryugyong Hotel has become a notorious symbol of the country's economic struggles and broken promises.
HN commenters discuss the Ryugyong Hotel's history, noting its construction coincided with the fall of the Soviet Union and subsequent economic hardship for North Korea, halting progress. Some express skepticism about its true "emptiness," suggesting possible internal use by the regime or as a surveillance hub. Others point to the hotel as a symbol of North Korean propaganda and failed ambitions. The practicality of its pyramid shape is questioned, with comments suggesting its form was chosen for symbolic, not functional, reasons. The discussion also touches on the challenges and ethical considerations of tourism in North Korea. Several users highlight the difficulty of verifying information coming out of the country.
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.
A new report reveals California law enforcement misused state databases over 7,000 times in 2023, a significant increase from previous years. These violations, documented by the California Department of Justice, ranged from unauthorized access for personal reasons to sharing information improperly with third parties. The most frequent abuses involved accessing driver's license information and criminal histories, raising concerns about privacy and potential discrimination. While the report highlights increased reporting and accountability measures, the sheer volume of violations underscores the need for continued oversight and stricter enforcement to prevent future misuse of sensitive personal data.
Hacker News users discuss the implications of California law enforcement's misuse of state databases. Several express concern over the lack of meaningful consequences for officers, suggesting the fines are too small to deter future abuse. Some highlight the potential chilling effect on reporting crimes, particularly domestic violence, if victims fear their information will be improperly accessed. Others call for greater transparency and public access to the audit data, along with stricter penalties for offenders, including termination and criminal charges. The need for stronger oversight and systemic changes within law enforcement agencies is a recurring theme. A few commenters question the scope of permissible searches and the definition of "misuse," suggesting further clarification is needed.
Flame is a new programming language designed specifically for spreadsheet formulas. It aims to improve upon existing spreadsheet formula systems by offering stronger typing, better modularity, and improved error handling. Flame programs are compiled to a low-level bytecode, which allows for efficient execution. The authors demonstrate that Flame can express complex spreadsheet tasks more concisely and clearly than traditional formulas, while also offering performance comparable to or exceeding existing spreadsheet software. This makes Flame a potential candidate for replacing or augmenting current formula systems in spreadsheets, leading to more robust and maintainable spreadsheet applications.
Hacker News users discussed Flame, a language model designed for spreadsheet formulas. Several commenters expressed skepticism about the practicality and necessity of such a tool, questioning whether natural language is truly superior to traditional formula syntax for spreadsheet tasks. Some argued that existing formula syntax, while perhaps not intuitive initially, offers precision and control that natural language descriptions might lack. Others pointed out potential issues with ambiguity in natural language instructions. There was some interest in the model's ability to explain existing formulas, but overall, the reception was cautious, with many doubting the real-world usefulness of this approach. A few commenters expressed interest in seeing how Flame handles complex, real-world spreadsheet scenarios, rather than the simplified examples provided.
Esri has released the USA Hydro Network v1.0, the most detailed open map of US surface water ever created. Derived from the 3D Elevation Program's 1-meter resolution data, this hydro network boasts unparalleled accuracy and granularity, providing a much clearer picture of water flow compared to previous datasets. It features over 100 million flowline segments and includes detailed information on flow direction, stream order, and watershed boundaries, offering valuable insights for applications like hydrologic modeling, environmental management, and infrastructure planning. The data is freely available for download and use.
HN commenters generally expressed enthusiasm for the detailed water map, praising its visual appeal and potential uses for conservation, research, and recreation. Some raised concerns about the map's accuracy, particularly regarding ephemeral streams and the potential impact on regulatory determinations. A few commenters discussed the underlying data sources and technical aspects of the map's creation, including its resolution and the challenges of mapping dynamic water systems. Others shared links to related resources like the National Hydrography Dataset (NHD) and other mapping tools, comparing and contrasting them to the featured map. Several commenters also highlighted the importance of accurate water data for addressing various environmental challenges.
The blog post details the process of "softmodding" an original Xbox in 2023 using a JTAG exploit. While hardware methods like soldering a physical modchip are still possible, the author focuses on a software approach leveraging a readily available Xbox debug cable and a PC. This involves booting a specifically crafted exploit image via the debug cable to enable kernel patching and ultimately allow execution of unsigned code. The guide covers necessary tools, resources, and steps involved, including obtaining a suitable exploit image, configuring the Xbox, and transferring necessary files. It also emphasizes the importance of understanding the risks and ethical considerations involved in modifying game consoles.
Hacker News users generally expressed appreciation for the blog post's detailed walkthrough of the Xbox JTAG hacking process. Several commenters reminisced about their own experiences modding original Xboxes, highlighting the nostalgia factor. Some discussed the nuances of the different modchips available and the evolution of Xbox modding over time. A few users also offered additional technical details and corrections, pointing out specific aspects of the process or clarifying information presented in the blog post. One commenter discussed the legal implications of downloading copyrighted Xbox games. Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception to the article, with a mix of nostalgia, technical discussion, and practical advice.
Summary of Comments ( 11 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43089415
Several commenters on Hacker News appreciated the overview of Common Lisp's recent developments and the author's personal experience. Some highlighted the value of CL's stability and the ongoing work improving its ecosystem, particularly around areas like web development. Others discussed the language's strengths, such as its powerful macro system and interactive development environment, while acknowledging its steeper learning curve compared to more mainstream options. The continued interest and slow but steady progress of Common Lisp were seen as positive signs. One commenter expressed excitement about upcoming web framework improvements, while others shared their own positive experiences with using CL for specific projects.
The Hacker News post titled "These years in Common Lisp: 2023-2024 in review" has generated several comments discussing the state of Common Lisp and the blog post itself.
Several commenters express enthusiasm for the continued development and relevance of Common Lisp, particularly in niche areas. One commenter points out the impressive stability of Common Lisp libraries, highlighting how code written years ago continues to work seamlessly. This stability is contrasted with the faster-paced and sometimes breaking changes seen in other language ecosystems.
The discussion also touches on the practical applications of Common Lisp. One commenter mentions using it for a production system and praises its reliability. Others discuss its use in specific domains like game development, web development, and even music composition, showcasing its versatility.
Some comments delve into technical aspects of Common Lisp. There's a discussion about the efficiency of garbage collection and the performance benefits compared to other managed languages. The relative strengths and weaknesses of different Common Lisp implementations are also mentioned.
A few commenters discuss the challenges and perceptions surrounding Common Lisp. One acknowledges the steep learning curve, while another laments the scarcity of readily available learning resources compared to more mainstream languages. The perception of Common Lisp as an "academic" or "niche" language is also brought up.
The overall sentiment in the comments is positive towards Common Lisp, with many expressing appreciation for its power and elegance. However, there's also a realistic acknowledgement of the challenges it faces in terms of wider adoption and the need for improved learning resources.