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.
TigerBeetle rebuilt their documentation site from scratch, moving away from Docusaurus to achieve better performance, simplicity, and integration with their zero-dependency philosophy. The new implementation uses Zig and Pandoc, resulting in a 10x reduction in footprint while maintaining functionality and adding features like integrated search and offline capabilities.
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.
A personal account details the development of the XB-70 Valkyrie supersonic bomber through the lens of a father's career at General Electric during the Cold War. The ambitious aircraft project, despite its technological advances, was ultimately reduced from a strategic bomber program to a research vehicle due to the rise of ballistic missiles. The narrative weaves together family history, technological innovation, and Cold War politics while following the father's professional evolution from farm boy to engineer.
David E. Weisberg chronicles the 80-year evolution of Computer-Aided Design (CAD) through extensive interviews with industry pioneers and detailed company histories. The comprehensive 650-page document covers CAD's development from its 1950s origins through the early 2000s, offering insights into the technology, companies, and individuals who revolutionized engineering design.
Penn State engineering student Divya Tyagi refined a century-old mathematical problem in wind turbine design, creating a simpler solution to Glauert's original work. Her addendum expands the analysis to include total force and moment coefficients acting on wind turbine rotors, enabling more efficient turbine designs. The breakthrough could significantly improve wind energy production, with even a 1% efficiency increase potentially powering an entire neighborhood.
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.
Princeton Engineering researchers demonstrated AI's ability to design complex wireless chips in hours instead of weeks, creating more efficient designs that humans find difficult to comprehend. The AI-generated chips, focusing on millimeter-wave technology, achieved superior performance by taking unconventional approaches and discarding traditional templates. While promising, the process still requires human oversight to address potential design failures.