Hacker News
1xAI has acquired X, xAI now valued at $80B
- A reported merger announcement indicates xAI has acquired X in an all-stock deal, valuing xAI at $80 billion and X at $33 billion ($45B less $12B debt). In its two years of existence, xAI has reportedly established itself as a prominent AI research organization.
Self-dealing and valuations
Discussion of Musk's pattern of self-dealing transactions, comparing this to his Tesla-SolarCity deal. Debate over whether courts can properly determine fair value and concerns about using inflated valuations of private companies.Bailout structure
Analysis of how the deal appears designed to bail out X/Twitter investors using xAI's inflated valuation, while potentially helping Musk avoid margin calls on Tesla stock used as collateral for the original Twitter purchase.Product questions
Discussion of xAI's actual products and capabilities beyond Grok, questioning the $80B valuation given limited offerings and reliance on OpenAI's SDK, with debate over the value of X's data for AI training.
2How to write blog posts that developers read
- A developer shares essential blogging tips based on nine years of experience, emphasizing the importance of getting to the point quickly, broadening content appeal, planning content distribution, and making articles visually appealing and skimmable to attract and retain readers effectively.
Inverted pyramid writing
Get to the point quickly with important info first, then elaborate. Heated debate over whether inverted pyramid format suits all content types and whether funny images belong in technical writing.Writing for yourself vs audience
Discussion about whether bloggers should prioritize attracting readers or write primarily for their own benefit. Some argue writing helps structure thoughts regardless of readership.Research depth vs frequency
Debate between publishing frequently with lighter content vs investing heavily in deep research for fewer, higher-quality posts. Mixed views on which strategy better builds readership.
3How Kerala got rich
- Kerala, a densely populated Indian state, transformed from one of India's poorest regions to one of its richest. Despite initial poverty, it maintained high literacy and health standards. Through remittances from migrant workers, strong welfare policies, private investment, and global economic integration, Kerala achieved remarkable economic growth while maintaining social development.
Migration and remittances
Extensive discussion about Keralites moving abroad (especially to Gulf states) for work, sending money back home, and the economic impact of remittances. Some view this positively for wealth creation, others see it as problematic brain drain.Education and literacy
Kerala's 96% literacy rate leads to debate about education's role in development. Some praise it as foundation for progress, others argue literacy alone doesn't guarantee economic growth without business opportunities.Business environment
Discussion of Kerala's challenging business climate due to strong unions and communist governance. Debate about whether this makes it "bad for ambition" or creates a more equitable society despite limiting growth.
4Xee: A Modern XPath and XSLT Engine in Rust
- A developer shares their journey of creating Xee, a Rust-based implementation of XML programming languages XPath and XSLT. The project aims to modernize XML technology and provide a contemporary alternative to existing XML processing tools, while bringing these capabilities to various programming languages.
Modern XML tooling
Discussion of need for modern, open-source XSLT/XPath implementations beyond Saxon, with developers sharing experiences of being limited to older versions due to lack of alternatives and expressing enthusiasm for new tools.XML vs JSON ergonomics
Debate about XML's verbose syntax versus JSON's developer-friendly format, with acknowledgment that while XML is less ergonomic for hand-coding, it offers valuable features for standardization and data transformation.XPath and XSLT utility
Discussion of XPath's enduring value for querying XML documents and mixed opinions on XSLT, with developers sharing use cases where these technologies excel, particularly in document transformation and data extraction.
5LibreOffice downloads on the rise as users look to avoid subscription costs
- LibreOffice, a free open-source alternative to Microsoft Office, is experiencing surging popularity with nearly 1 million weekly downloads. The software, which runs on Windows, Linux, and macOS, has an estimated 200 million users worldwide and is gaining traction among businesses and governments, particularly as users seek subscription-free, AI-free productivity tools.
Libreoffice vs MS Office
Discussion of LibreOffice as alternative to Microsoft Office, with mixed opinions on Calc's performance vs Excel, positive views on Writer/Impress, and concerns about document compatibility and formatting issues when sharing files.Office subscription model
Debate around software subscription models vs one-time purchases, with many users expressing preference for perpetual licenses and alternatives to subscription-based tools. Discussion includes specific alternatives for various software types.iWork experience
Users share experiences with Apple's iWork suite, praising its free availability and interface while noting limitations like compatibility issues with Windows users and sync problems between devices.
6Why Apple's Severance gets edited over remote desktop software
- The article discusses how Apple's hit show Severance is edited remotely, revealing that despite promoting Mac Mini usage, the actual editing work is done through remote desktop software accessing more powerful machines elsewhere. This highlights limitations in Apple's enterprise offerings and raises questions about their hardware strategy for professional video production.
Apple's collaboration culture
Discussion about Apple's historical resistance to collaboration tools, with employees noting evolution from strict anti-sharing policies in 2013 to more collaborative environment today, though some secrecy remainsRemote video editing workflow
Debate about using remote desktops for video editing, with professionals explaining need for centralized storage, proxy workflows, and noise isolation from high-end hardware. Industry standard practices favoring remote setupsRemote desktop technology
Users sharing experiences with various remote desktop solutions like Jump Desktop, Parsec, and DCV, discussing latency, bandwidth requirements and practical setups for home and professional use
7Postgres Language Server: Initial Release
- A Language Server Protocol implementation and toolset for Postgres, offering features like autocompletion, syntax error highlighting, and type-checking. Built on Postgres' own parser for complete syntax compatibility, it aims to improve developer experience through various interfaces including CLI, VSCode, and Neovim.
Language server functionality
Discussion of what language servers do, with explanations that they provide IDE features like autocompletion, syntax highlighting, and error detection through a standardized protocol that works across different editorsTechnical implementation
Details about using both libpg_query and tree-sitter parsers to handle both valid and incomplete SQL, plus discussions of embedded SQL support and challenges in parsing PostgreSQL syntaxUse cases and scope
Discussion around who would use this tool, particularly focusing on database-heavy applications, SQL migrations, and complex PostgreSQL features like stored procedures and RLS
8Show HN: Physical Pomodoro Timer with ESP32 and e-paper screen
- <p>This repository contains code for an ESP32-based focus timer featuring an ePaper display and rotary dial input. The project aims to help with time management through a physical device that's both intuitive and fun to use. It includes a black and white display, LED indicators, and customizable presets for different work sessions.</p>
Physical vs digital timers
Discussion contrasts traditional mechanical timers with digital ones, with many advocating for simple physical timers while acknowledging modern mechanical versions can be unreliable. Some prefer visual/silent options over ticking sounds.DIY satisfaction
Users share the joy and satisfaction of building their own devices, even when simpler solutions exist. The process of creating something functional brings motivation and confidence for future projects.Design considerations
Detailed discussion of hardware design choices like knob placement, case chamfers, LED placement, and material selection. Focus on balancing aesthetics with functionality in physical device construction.
9Plain – a web framework for building products with Python
- Plain is a Django-based framework that leverages Python's capabilities to introduce innovative approaches to established programming patterns, suitable for developing various applications from business solutions to personal projects.
Django maintainability concerns
Discussion around Django REST Framework's private bug tracker, need for new maintainers, funding challenges, and community dynamics limiting contribution. Some users set up donations while others express frustration with contribution barriers.Value proposition of Plain fork
Mixed reactions to forking Django - some appreciate experimentation but worry about fragmenting community. Many question necessity since existing Django packages cover similar functionality. Some support modernization while others prefer Django's stability.Framework comparison and limitations
Debate over Django's limitations vs Rails/Laravel, especially around DX, built-in features, and modern web development patterns. Discussion of Django's aging architecture and need for modernization while maintaining stability.
107.7 magnitude earthquake hits Southeast Asia, affecting Myanmar and Thailand
- A 7.7 magnitude earthquake has reportedly struck Southeast Asia, with primary impacts being felt in Myanmar and Thailand regions.
Personal experiences of the earthquake
Firsthand accounts from Myanmar and Thailand describing violent shaking, building collapses, and evacuations. People reported feeling strong tremors even in Bangkok, ~1000km away, with a particularly dramatic rooftop pool collapse.Damage assessment and casualties
Reports of extensive infrastructure damage in Myanmar including collapsed buildings, bridges, and historical sites. Death toll rising into hundreds with thousands potentially affected. Information flow limited due to Myanmar's political situation.Technical analysis
Discussion of the Sagaing Fault characteristics, shakemap accuracy, and unusual intensity of tremors at long distances. Questions raised about building safety during construction and earthquake warning systems.