Let’s go for my web review for the week 2023-34. It’s bigger than usual since it’s a double issue.
Industry News and Opinions
Debian Celebrates 30 years! - Bits from Debian
Tags: tech, foss, debian
One of the most important projects out there in my opinion. Happy birthday!
https://bits.debian.org/2023/08/debian-turns-30.html
Mozilla Foundation - Petition to stop France from forcing browsers to censor websites
Tags: tech, browser, censorship, france, politics
Please, even if you’re not French go and sign this. It can’t be allowed to pass, this would create a dangerous precedent.
https://foundation.mozilla.org/en/campaigns/sign-our-petition-to-stop-france-from-forcing-browsers-like-mozillas-firefox-to-censor-websites/
Every Phone Should Be Able to Run Personal Website | rohanrd.xyz
Tags: tech, web, self-hosting
I admit I’d love it if it made a come back. That’d be a big boost to self-hosting websites for people. Our infrastructures are not quite ready for it though.
https://rohanrd.xyz/posts/every-phone-should-be-able-to-run-personal-website/
We Call on FOSS Contributors to “Exit Zoom” - Software Freedom Conservancy
Tags: tech, zoom, licensing, foss, surveillance
Definitely this! There are awesome Free Software alternatives to Zoom. We need to get more people to use them
https://sfconservancy.org/news/2023/aug/15/exit-zoom/
This Is What Happens When People Start Actually Reading Privacy Policies – The Markup
Tags: tech, machine-learning, zoom, law, licensing
Good explanations around the (deserved) complaints against Zoom and their not that new user license.
https://themarkup.org/hello-world/2023/08/12/this-is-what-happens-when-people-start-actually-reading-privacy-policies
Web Environment Integrity has no standing at W3C; understanding new W3C work | 2023 | Blog | W3C
Tags: tech, web, google, privacy, surveillance
Good reminder on how the W3C works and what it evaluates. If Web Environment Integrity would become a “standard” it’d likely be more of a “de facto” thing because a major player shoved it everyone’s throat.
https://www.w3.org/blog/2023/web-environment-integrity-has-no-standing-at-w3c/
Windows feature that resets system clocks based on random data is wreaking havoc | Ars Technica
Tags: tech, microsoft, security
What a bad idea. From the information at hand I don’t see how this can go well.
https://arstechnica.com/security/2023/08/windows-feature-that-resets-system-clocks-based-on-random-data-is-wreaking-havoc/
An energy-efficient analog chip for AI inference | IBM Research Blog
Tags: tech, hardware, ai, machine-learning, neural-networks
Now this could turn out to be interesting. To be confirmed when this get closer to production (if it does), especially on the power consumption side. This will be the important factor to make this viable I think.
https://research.ibm.com/blog/analog-ai-chip-inference
3D and Geometry
Solving the Point-in-Polygon Calculation Challenge: Tips From Top Engineers
Tags: tech, optimization, geospatial, geometry
Not as detailed as I would like on the proposed solution. A good starting point for inspiration though. Should help with geospatial and fleet management problems.
https://nextbillion.ai/blog/optimizing-point-in-polygon-calculations-for-geospatial-applications
Magic Mirrorball
Tags: tech, 3d, mathematics
If you want to know more about how to use mirror balls to create environment maps, this is a good resource.
https://mirrorball.frost.kiwi/
Rewriting wipEout - PhobosLab
Tags: tech, gaming, 3d, portability
Interesting rewrite attempt. Gives nice information on the original code and the PSX architecture as well.
https://phoboslab.org/log/2023/08/rewriting-wipeout
Networking and Programming
mDNS Primer
Tags: tech, dns, networking
Doesn’t go much in depth, but this is a nice resource with interesting references to follow to dig deeper and learn mDNS.
https://fabiensanglard.net/mdns/index.html
The importance of verifying webhook signatures | Snyk
Tags: tech, web, api, security
Nicely explain how to secure your webhooks step by step.
https://snyk.io/blog/verifying-webhook-signatures/
The downsides of C++ Coroutines | reductor’s blog
Tags: tech, c++, coroutine, asynchronous
Beware of the problems coroutines might bring. Some are “obvious” and related to concurrency in general, but some are running deep in their design in C++.
https://reductor.dev/cpp/2023/08/10/the-downsides-of-coroutines.html
Handles are the better pointers
Tags: tech, data-oriented, object-oriented, memory, gaming, 3d
A bit C++ and game engine focused (to be expected since this is were this kind of techniques originate from), bit very good explanation on how to have packed layouts for your objects and reduce pressure on memory allocation for data intensive tasks.
https://floooh.github.io/2018/06/17/handles-vs-pointers.html
Making Illegal States Unrepresentable
Tags: tech, programming, rust, type-systems
Illustrated with Rust in this case, but definitely one of the big advantages of having type systems. Adding constraints (even runtime ones) to your types make it harder for bugs to hide.
https://corrode.dev/blog/illegal-state/
Thinking about functional programming | notes.eatonphil.com
Tags: tech, programming, language
Very good points. Picking a particular language is likely not the right approach. Trying to apply the main principles of functional programming on the other hand is more likely to bear fruits.
https://notes.eatonphil.com/2023-08-15-thinking-about-functional-programming.html
Thoughts on Elixir, Phoenix and LiveView after 18 months of commercial use
Tags: tech, programming, elixir, backend, frontend
This is clearly getting more mature. Even the list of issues presented here actually makes me want to try it more as to evaluate the exact impacts.
https://korban.net/posts/2023-08-11-thoughts-on-elixir-phoenix-liveview/
Elixir for Humans Who Know Python · Joyyo
Tags: tech, elixir, phoenix, web, framework
Nice little primer about Elixir and Phoenix. Be careful though, I spotted a couple of mistakes in the code examples. That still gives a good idea of advantages and limitations of this stack.
https://joyyo.app/elixir-for-humans-who-know-python
Frontend
Things you forgot (or never knew) because of React
Tags: tech, web, frontend, framework, react
Long post but worth the read in my opinion. It lays out good reasons for reducing the dominance of React and move beyond it. There are good reasons to do so, and they’re piling up with the time passing.
https://joshcollinsworth.com/blog/antiquated-react
Use web components for what they’re good at | Read the Tea Leaves
Tags: tech, frontend, web, webcomponents
Good balanced view about Web Components. Interestingly it seems the adoption is already higher than I expected.
https://nolanlawson.com/2023/08/23/use-web-components-for-what-theyre-good-at/
The ideal viewport doesn’t exist
Tags: tech, gui, design
Good reminder that we have no idea of the window size the user will have. It’s in the context of web frontends here, but really it applies to desktop applications as well (we have a bit more control on the minimal size there but that’s it).
https://viewports.fyi/
JLA - Compatibility Checker
Tags: tech, licensing, foss
Looks like a handy tool for licenses compatibility checking.
https://joinup.ec.europa.eu/collection/eupl/solution/joinup-licensing-assistant/jla-compatibility-checker
Ansika: One-line Installer for Smoother Employee Onboarding
Tags: tech, tools
Looks like an interesting tool to manage user environment when they join a project.
https://github.com/HexmosTech/Ansika
localhost.run
Tags: tech, networking, tools, ssh, http
Looks like a very nice alternative to ngrok. It’s free, doesn’t require any particular command to download, just works through SSH.
https://localhost.run/
Best Practices
Patterns for Managing Source Code Branches
Tags: tech, git, version-control
A good reference on most of the branching patterns you can find. From this you can derive your project wide policy. Also it’s spot on when it says that branching is easy but each time you branch you need to keep in mind how you’re going to merge.
https://martinfowler.com/articles/branching-patterns.html
Optimise the Expensive First
Tags: tech, optimization, performance
Obvious advice perhaps, but so easily forgotten somehow…
https://two-wrongs.com/optimise-the-expensive-first
Root Cause is Plural
Tags: tech, system, safety, knowledge, risk
A good reminder on how the “five why” are just a starting pont. For proper investigation and risk management you need to go deeper.
https://codywilbourn.com/2018/01/02/root-cause-is-plural/
Architecture and Complexity
How architecture diagrams enable better conversations - Unravelled Development
Tags: tech, architecture, communication, c4
Good reminder of the benefits of having a model of your architecture and keeping it up to date. It’s something too often forgotten in teams I think. Interesting to see C4 getting some traction, I think it strikes a good balance.
https://www.unravelled.dev/how-architecture-diagrams-enable-better-conversations/
Squeeze the hell out of the system you have – Dan Slimmon
Tags: tech, databases, postgresql, architecture, complexity
Excellent points. Don’t be fooled by alluring architecture changes. Always keep the complexity in check and favor tuning what’s already here or changing your use patterns to meet the performance you need.
https://blog.danslimmon.com/2023/08/11/squeeze-the-hell-out-of-the-system-you-have/
The cost of convenience — surma.dev
Tags: tech, library, framework, web, architecture
Good thinking about abstraction levels on top of a platform. It’s very much focused on the Web platform but applies more generally. Good food for thought on the libraries vs framework debate, why escape hatches matter and why you want a layered architecture.
https://surma.dev/things/cost-of-convenience/
complex simple good bad code
Tags: tech, programming, complexity
To take with a pinch of salt, it conflates a few things in my opinion. Still it’s a good reminder that eliminating complexity shouldn’t be a goal. Managing said complexity and avoiding the undue one, this is what matters.
https://cohost.org/tef/post/2503472-complex-simple-good
Management and Communication
Carrot Problems
Tags: business, fake
Very good advice. Don’t waste time believing false business claims and trying to replicate them. Easier said than done though, most people don’t have the privilege of insiders knowledge.
https://www.atvbt.com/the-carrot-problem/
The Double-Blind Review Is What Makes Decisions Fair
Tags: business, management, decision-making
Clearly very much inspired by the science peer review system. Having experienced it, indeed I wish more business decisions would be made that way.
https://www.yegor256.com/2023/08/15/decision-making-process.html
80% of bosses say they regret earlier return-to-office plans
Tags: tech, management, remote-working
Those who listen (not mandate) to their employees and hire whatever the location will come out on top. It’ll require planning real estate ahead of course but the writing is probably on the wall.
https://www.cnbc.com/2023/08/11/80percent-of-bosses-say-they-regret-earlier-return-to-office-plans.html
Hire for Floors, not Ceilings - Jacob Kaplan-Moss
Tags: hr, hiring
This advice makes sense. People performance fluctuate you need to know where the extremes are before hiring them. Easier said than done though.
https://jacobian.org/2023/aug/16/floors-not-ceilings/
Choose the Right Words in an Argument
Tags: management, communication, conflict
Lots of good advices for dealing with a conflict. Choosing the right words and the right time matter. Not easy to apply but worth trying.
https://hbr.org/2014/06/choose-the-right-words-in-an-argument
How to Communicate When Trust Is Low (Without Digging Yourself Into A Deeper Hole) – charity.wtf
Tags: communication, trust
Interesting advices. As usual with this kind of topics it’s probably easier said than done though.
https://charity.wtf/2023/08/17/how-to-communicate-when-trust-is-low-without-digging-yourself-into-a-deeper-hole/
Misc
Ask vs guess culture - by Jean Hsu - Tech and Tea
Tags: life, work, culture
Very good points about cultural differences. Indeed some people directly ask and express their needs, others are more waiting and take into account everyone else’s needs when asked. Both have pros and cons, it’s important to know where you stand.
https://jeanhsu.substack.com/p/ask-vs-guess-culture
I Created the Nerdiest Game Ever | Pier-Luc Brault - Personal Website
Tags: tech, funny
Experience the gruesome work of being an operating system. Now show some respect!
https://plbrault.com/blog-posts/i-created-the-nerdierst-game-ever-en/
Bye for now!