2. 2004 RuneScape fit a multiplayer RPG into 56k dial-up (jkm.dev)

In 2004 I played too much RuneScape on a 56k modem that died the moment Mum picked up the phone. A 3D world, up to a couple of thousand players on a server, dozens on screen at once - in the browser, on 5 kilobytes per second. It worked. Let's follow a single step and see how.

RuneScape’s 2004 version managed to deliver an engaging multiplayer experience even on a slow 56k modem, allowing players to interact in a 3D world despite limited bandwidth. The article breaks down the technical steps that made this possible, offering insights into early online gaming.

3. Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (September 2026)

Job seekers can share their details and connect directly with potential employers in this thread. It’s a focused opportunity for individuals looking for work to showcase their skills and availability.

5. Carmack: Has early Scratch experience led to fulfilling careers? (twitter.com)

I still see the Scratch “visual programming” environment positioned as an introductory path to programming for kids, but unlike game modding, I have never heard a “success story”, where someone credits their early experience with Scratch as key to a fulfilling career. Anyone?

John Carmack questions the impact of Scratch on career success, noting a lack of notable success stories from those who started with the visual programming platform. He contrasts it with game modding, suggesting a deeper exploration of how early programming experiences shape future opportunities.

6. Borges Labyrinth in Venice reopens to the public (www.wallpaper.com)

The Labirinto Borges, part of the Giorgio Cini Foundation, reopens in Venice this week after an extensive renovation

After a significant renovation, the Labirinto Borges at the Giorgio Cini Foundation in Venice is welcoming visitors again, offering a unique literary and artistic experience for fans of Jorge Luis Borges.

9. We Are Rebuilding Monica (www.monicahq.com)

We are rebuilding Monica from scratch, and this new series will document how.

Follow the journey of rebuilding Monica from the ground up, as this series shares insights and updates on the entire process.

10. Dyson Launches Toothbrush (www.dyson.com)

The only toothbrush with a camera to accurately target gaps. Powered by Gap Optical Targeting™. Removes plaque while you brush. In Ceramic pink. Shop now.

Dyson’s new toothbrush features a built-in camera that helps users identify and clean hard-to-reach areas, ensuring a more thorough plaque removal. Available in a stylish ceramic pink, it promises a unique approach to oral hygiene.

12. Show HN: Fly By – retro biplane flying game (michaelteter.com)

Fly By: Retro 8-bit biplane flight game. Pop balloons, dive barns, dodge airliners, and perform aerobatic stunt maneuvers!

A new retro biplane flying game called Fly By has been developed, primarily for desktop users, with an emphasis on feedback for improvement. The creator highlights their collaboration with Gemini Flash, which played a significant role in the game’s development process.

13. Saab Enters Collaborative Combat Aircraft Race with High-End Concept (aviationweek.com)

Saab is challenging the low-cost, attritable model adopted by Sweden’s allies with a supersonic, survivable complement to Gripen.

Saab is introducing a high-performance combat aircraft concept designed to enhance its Gripen fighter, positioning itself against the low-cost models favored by allies. This new supersonic aircraft aims to offer advanced survivability features, indicating a shift in military aviation strategies.

14. AI Can Make You Suck Faster Too (www.hermit-tech.com)

If AI is so great, why are the only new tech giants GenAI companies?

The article questions the dominance of generative AI companies in the tech landscape, probing why other forms of AI innovation seem to lag behind. It offers insights into the current state of AI development and the implications for the future of technology.

15. Thanks to Lake Ontario, MapQuest is popular all over again (www.washingtonpost.com)

As of Tuesday, the 30-year-old navigation tool was Apple’s No. 1 free app after the company rebuffed an executive order renaming the Great Lake.

MapQuest has surged in popularity, becoming Apple’s top free app, following a controversial executive order related to Lake Ontario’s name. The renewed interest highlights the intersection of geography and technology in today’s app landscape.

16. Polishing Cloth Updated (512pixels.net)

Apple’s Polishing Cloth is now just $9. It is unclear if this cloth is in any way different from what debuted five years ago for $19.
According to Apple, it is compatible with these products:
iPhones:
iPhone Air iPhone 17 Pro iPhone 17 Pro Max iPhone 17 iPhone 17e iPhone 16 Pro iPhone 16 Pro Max iPhone 16 iPhone 16 Plus iPhone 16e iPhone 15 Pro iPhone 15 Pro Max iPhone 15 iPhone 15 Plus iPhone 14 Pro iPhone 14 Pro Max iPhone 14 iPhone 14 Plus iPhone 13 Pro iPhone 13 Pro Max iPhone 13 mini iPhone 13 iPhone SE (3rd generation) iPhone 12 Pro iPhone 12 Pro Max iPhone 12 mini iPhone 12 iPhone 11 Pro iPhone 11 Pro Max iPhone 11 iPhone SE (2nd generation) iPhone XS iPhone XS Max iPhone XR iPhone X iPhone 8 iPhone 8 Plus iPhone 7 iPhone 7 Plus iPhone 6s iPhone 6s Plus iPhone 6 iPhone 6 Plus iPhone SE (1st generation) iPhone 5s iPhone 5c iPhone 5 iPads:

Apple has reduced the price of its polishing cloth to $9, but it’s unclear if there are any changes from the original version that launched at $19. The cloth is compatible with a wide range of iPhone models, making it a potentially useful accessory for Apple users.

18. Ex-Crips leader found guilty in 1996 murder of rapper Tupac Shakur (www.bbc.com)

The verdict ends decades of mystery as to who was behind the rapper's death.

A former leader of the Crips has been convicted for the 1996 murder of Tupac Shakur, bringing closure to a long-standing investigation into the iconic rapper’s death. This verdict sheds light on a case that has puzzled fans and authorities for years.

19. EFF to Governor Newsom: Veto California's AB 1709 (www.eff.org)

The California legislature passed Assembly Bill 1709 (A.B. 1709) today, which functions as a sweeping ban on social media use for young people under the age of 16. This well-intentioned, but deeply flawed piece of legislation, cuts young people off from essential information and experiences,...

The Electronic Frontier Foundation is urging Governor Newsom to veto a new bill that would prohibit social media access for anyone under 16, citing concerns that it could limit young people’s access to vital information and experiences. The debate highlights the tension between protecting youth and ensuring their digital engagement.

21. Ubisoft's FOR HONOR will block SteamOS / Linux players starting September 10 (www.gamingonlinux.com)

Ubisoft have announced that their third-person hero-based melee fighting game FOR HONOR will be blocking all SteamOS / Linux players on September 10th.

Ubisoft will prevent players using SteamOS and Linux from accessing FOR HONOR starting September 10th. This decision impacts a segment of the gaming community and raises questions about platform support.

24. NASA: Fill in a name, and you can have an exclusive coordinate in the universe (science.nasa.gov)

NASA's Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope is a next-generation space observatory designed to settle essential questions in the areas of dark energy,

The Nancy Grace Roman Space Telescope will allow people to name specific coordinates in the universe, aiming to answer crucial questions about dark energy. This initiative combines personal engagement with groundbreaking scientific research.

25. Tailcat: Tailscale Without Tailscale, by Tailscale (tailscale.com)

Tailcat connects clients and servers using Tailscale’s WireGuard®, NAT traversal, and DERP data plane, with no Tailscale control plane or accounts.

Tailcat offers a way to connect clients and servers using Tailscale’s technology without needing a control plane or user accounts. This approach simplifies connectivity while retaining the benefits of WireGuard® and NAT traversal.

28. Keenable SELECT: an agent that searches the web in SQL (keenableai.github.io)

Research reports built by Keenable SELECT, an agent that searches the web in SQL. Each report is published with the full run behind it: every query, every tool result, every result set.

Keenable SELECT generates research reports by executing SQL queries on the web, providing transparency with complete access to the underlying data and methodologies used in each report. This approach allows for a detailed understanding of how the information was gathered and processed.

29. A browser-based viewer for Office Open XML documents (ooxml.silurus.dev)

Open-source JavaScript and TypeScript Office file viewer library for rendering DOCX, XLSX and PPTX directly in the browser with WebAssembly and Canvas. No upload or server-side conversion.

A new open-source library allows users to view DOCX, XLSX, and PPTX files directly in their browser without needing to upload files or rely on server-side processing. It utilizes JavaScript, TypeScript, WebAssembly, and Canvas for efficient rendering.

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