Technology
Boris Spassky, former World Chess Champion who passed away recently, left an indelible mark on chess history through his remarkable career and gentlemanly demeanor. The article shares personal memories of friendship between the author and Spassky, highlighting their encounters from the late 1970s until his later years in Moscow. A new chess training software version 18 is introduced with enhanced capabilities including playing style analysis and access to billions of games.
Microsoft appears to be preparing to shut down Skype in May 2024, as revealed by hidden code in the latest Windows preview. The messaging platform, acquired by Microsoft for $8.5 billion in 2011, has struggled to maintain relevance against modern competitors like WhatsApp and Discord. Microsoft plans to transition remaining users to Teams, marking the end of Skype's 21-year run.
A detailed guide explains how to create and view 3D photos using simple eye-crossing techniques without special equipment. The process leverages the brain's natural ability to construct 3D images from two slightly different perspectives, enabling anyone to capture and experience stereoscopic images. The guide emphasizes the artistic potential of 3D photography, particularly for capturing complex scenes like forests and caves.
Right to Repair legislation has been introduced in all 50 US states, with five states already passing electronics repair laws covering one-fifth of Americans. The movement, supported by organizations like iFixit, PIRG, and Repair.org, has grown from a small advocacy effort to a nationwide campaign with increasing support from major tech companies like Google and Apple.
Apple announced plans to create 20,000 new US jobs and invest $500 billion domestically over four years, including AI server production in Texas. The announcement follows a meeting between CEO Tim Cook and President Trump amid ongoing concerns about Chinese tariffs.
PARADISEC has developed a groundbreaking cassette restoration technology called LM-3032 Tape Restorator to recover degraded audio recordings of endangered languages and cultural heritage. The device applies cyclomethicone to restore unplayable tapes, enabling the preservation of thousands of hours of irreplaceable linguistic and cultural recordings from the Pacific region.
A detailed analysis of Mars mission constraints reveals fundamental challenges in orbital mechanics, mission duration, and crew safety that make human exploration significantly complex. Mission profiles must choose between long-stay (1000 days) or short-stay (650 days) options, each presenting unique risks and technical hurdles. The analysis emphasizes that reliable life support systems, autonomous operations, and radiation protection remain critical unsolved challenges.
A comprehensive overview of Common Lisp ecosystem developments from 2023-2025, highlighting significant advancements in implementations, tools, and community growth, including HackerNews' migration to SBCL and major updates to editors like Lem 2.0. The document showcases active development across multiple areas including GUI frameworks, web development tools, and new implementations, demonstrating Common Lisp's continued evolution and practical applications.
Elon Musk's Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has gained unprecedented 'God mode' access to multiple federal agencies' digital infrastructure, raising serious security and privacy concerns. The organization has already accessed sensitive systems at USAID and NASA, with plans to enter CDC and FAA systems, potentially exposing critical government data and infrastructure. DOGE's unrestricted access could compromise national security, personal data, and classified information across numerous federal agencies.
WEST tokamak in France achieved a record-breaking 1,337-second plasma duration at 50 million degrees, surpassing China's EAST facility by 25%. This milestone advances fusion research towards ITER's goal of maintaining plasma for several minutes, with researchers now aiming for longer durations and higher temperatures.
A suspected cult leader and associate from the 'Zizian' group were arrested in Maryland, connected to multiple homicides across the US. The group, comprised of young computer scientists with anarchist beliefs, has been linked to six killings, including a Border Patrol agent's death. Their ideology spans radical veganism, gender identity, and AI concerns.
Modern basketball has transformed into a data-driven, specialized sport where analytics dictate strategy and player roles. The rise of three-point shooting, exemplified by teams like the Golden State Warriors, has revolutionized offensive approaches, while technological advancements in player tracking and analysis have optimized every aspect of the game.
Bookshop.org launches a new e-reading platform enabling local independent bookstores to sell e-books directly to customers, challenging Amazon's 80% dominance in online book sales. The platform offers nearly a million titles from major publishers, featuring annotation capabilities and cross-device syncing, while ensuring profits go to local booksellers.
The iconic 3DBenchy 3D printer test model enters public domain after 10 years, following NTI's acquisition of Creative Tools. The transition ensures unrestricted access and modification rights for the widely-used calibration tool, with original creators maintaining website control.
The Atkinson Hyperlegible™ font family, designed by Braille Institute, offers enhanced readability for low vision individuals through distinctive letter shapes and clear characters. Available in three versions with multiple weights and styles, this award-winning font supports up to 150 languages and is free for both personal and commercial use.
A comprehensive analysis portrays modern advertising as a cancerous force in society, highlighting its manipulative nature, privacy violations, and destructive impact on trust and decision-making. The text examines numerous harmful effects of advertising, from privacy breaches to psychological manipulation, while offering practical solutions including ad blockers, GDPR enforcement, and ethical business practices.
Scientists have reconstructed the face of St. Thomas Aquinas using his skull after 750 years, while also discovering that his death may have been caused by a traumatic brain injury from a falling tree. The facial reconstruction project, led by Brazilian 3D designer Cicero Moraes, has deeply moved Dominican priests and scholars who have studied Aquinas's theological and philosophical works.
A 25-year-old former Musk employee, Marko Elez, has been granted full read-and-write access to critical Treasury Department payment systems, raising serious security concerns among department staff. The privileged access allows modification of code controlling Social Security payments, tax returns, and other government disbursements, with sources indicating Elez has already begun rewriting the codebase.