4. Why Windows 11 still ships with Windows 95's memory manager hidden inside it (www.windowslatest.com)

Windows 11 still carries Windows 95’s heap manager, recompiled for old apps. Raymond Chen explains EmulateHeap, and how to find it yourself.

Windows 11 includes a hidden version of Windows 95’s memory manager to support legacy applications. Learn about EmulateHeap and how it functions within the modern operating system.

5. Whatever Happened to Fire Escapes (practical.engineering)

[Note that this article is a transcript of the video embedded above.] The idea is simple: If there’s a fire in a tall building that blocks the main stairwell, people need an alternative way to evacuate, preferably one that is somewhat protected or at least far away from where the fire is happening

Fire escapes were once a crucial safety feature for tall buildings, providing an alternative evacuation route during emergencies. This article discusses their importance and what has happened to these structures in modern architecture.

6. The Decoherence Trap (maevyn.codes)

Of all the forms of tech debt, decoherence is the worst. It compounds exponentially with a system's rate of change, and AI is now producing it faster than ever, leading us deeper and deeper into the abyss...

Decoherence in technology systems is a significant challenge, particularly as AI accelerates the rate of change. This article discusses how this growing issue can lead to severe complications in tech development.

9. C# now beats Rust on WASM size (github.com)

Compile C# and .NET CIL to small standalone Wasm with WASI (AOT with built-in Runtime and Precise GC) - zion-sati/NetWasm

C# has surpassed Rust in producing smaller WebAssembly (WASM) binaries, thanks to a new approach that compiles .NET CIL to compact standalone WASM with built-in runtime and garbage collection. This development could significantly impact how developers choose programming languages for WebAssembly projects.

10. In Hilbert space, all things are quantumly possible (www.quantamagazine.org)

To explore quantum phenomena, we must leave the familiar world and enter the abstract realm of Hilbert space.

Understanding quantum phenomena requires venturing into the abstract concept of Hilbert space, which provides the mathematical foundation for quantum mechanics. This article discusses the significance of this framework in grasping the complexities of the quantum world.

11. Canary Tokens (canarytokens.org)

Canarytokens is a free tool that helps you discover you’ve been breached by having attackers announce themselves.
The tokens allow you to implant traps around your network and notifies you as soon as they are triggered.

Canarytokens is a free security tool that lets you set traps within your network to detect breaches. It alerts you immediately when these traps are triggered, helping you identify potential attackers.

12. Most advice is right for the person giving it (coached.com)

Steve Jobs gave a famous speech at Stanford, where he told graduates that the only way to do great work is to love what you do, and that if you haven't found your passion yet, you should keep looking.

Steve Jobs emphasized the importance of passion in achieving great work during his Stanford speech, urging graduates to continue searching for what they love if they haven’t yet found it. This insight into the connection between passion and success resonates with many seeking fulfillment in their careers.

13. The compiler was supposed to end programming too (hrih.si)

In 1954, IBM said FORTRAN would virtually eliminate coding and debugging. What the numbers say about AI and software work in 2026, and my guess at a developer

IBM’s 1954 claim about FORTRAN suggests that technology often underestimates the complexities of programming. A look at how AI’s evolution may influence software development by 2026 reveals ongoing challenges and the unpredictable future of coding.

14. ZX Spectrum Next Laptop (www.dorchester3d.com)

Having created a laptop style case for my ZX Spectrum Next dev board previously, I wanted to re-visit the idea of a Spectrum laptop and address some of the issues faced in the previous version.

A developer is refining their laptop design for the ZX Spectrum Next, aiming to improve on earlier challenges and enhance functionality. The article details the updates and changes made to the laptop case, making it a must-read for retro computing enthusiasts.

17. Using Claude to reduce the attack surface of code (www.anthropic.com)

Automated attack surface analysis and reduction can meaningfully improve the security of deployed software in the near term. In this post, we preview data we’ve collected from applying attack surface reduction techniques to large open-source codebases using Claude.

Automated techniques for reducing the attack surface of software can significantly enhance its security. This piece presents findings from applying these methods to large open-source projects, offering insights into their effectiveness.

18. Show HN: Omnara – Open-Source Alternative to Claude Managed Agents (github.com)

The open-source managed agent platform. A self-hostable alternative to Claude Managed Agents and OpenAI's Agents API. - omnara-ai/omnara

Omnara is developing an open-source API that allows users to create and manage durable agents through simple API calls. The platform provides features such as command sandboxes, secret management, permissions, and role-based access control (RBAC). Agent states are stored in Postgres, enabling persistence across restarts and ensuring no cost while idle, along with messaging and event streaming capabilities.

19. Show HN: Sumi.css – CSS Framework (github.com)

A minimalist, classless-first CSS framework. Contribute to vladocar/Sumi.css development by creating an account on GitHub.

Sumi.css is a minimalist CSS framework that prioritizes a classless approach, making it easy to style web projects without the clutter of traditional frameworks. Join the development on GitHub to see how it simplifies styling.

20. Cloudflare deploys protections against php2shell vulnerability (blog.cloudflare.com)

Cloudflare has deployed default web application firewall (WAF) protections for newly disclosed PHP vulnerabilities before public disclosure. The rules use request and response signals to stop exploit attempts and prevent exposed data from reaching attackers.

Cloudflare has implemented proactive web application firewall protections to safeguard against recently identified PHP vulnerabilities. These new measures aim to thwart exploit attempts and protect sensitive data from potential breaches.

23. Show HN: I told people I'm a convicted felon after 20 years of hiding it (buford.bg)

Engineer, founder, dad, expat. Formerly homeless, convicted felon (pardoned). Retired at 38.

A former engineer at Eventbrite shares his experience of living with a hidden felony conviction for two decades and the challenges he faced in both personal and professional life. His story highlights the stigma surrounding felons and the impact on opportunities, prompting a discussion on transparency and acceptance in the tech industry.

24. Setting Up SSH Keys on macOS with Touch ID (nmattia.com)

A simple and secure way to create SSH keys on a Mac

Learn how to easily generate SSH keys on your Mac while incorporating Touch ID for added security. This method streamlines the process and enhances protection for your connections.

25. Launch HN: Alter (YC S25) – Access control for multi-user agents (alterauth.com)

PAM for AI agents, enforced at runtime: vaulted credentials, per-action policy, approval before risky calls complete, and an audit trail for every call through Alter.

Alter is developing a solution for managing access control in multi-user agents, addressing common issues faced by teams using shared API keys for systems like CRMs. Their approach aims to enhance security and user management in collaborative environments, especially for tools integrated with platforms like Slack.

26. Does Ruby on Rails still make sense? (tech.dirkjonker.nl)

Someone asked me, given that LLMs exist and likely keep improving, whether I thought Ruby on Rails still made sense? The implication being of course that wri...

The discussion questions the relevance of Ruby on Rails in an era dominated by large language models, focusing on the future of web development frameworks. It addresses concerns about whether traditional coding practices can keep pace with advancing technologies.

27. What I learned from six months of being stupid on purpose (wvez.org)

Putting myself in situations where I knew the least allowed me to develop and learn at the fastest rate I’ve ever experienced

Intentionally stepping into unfamiliar territory led to rapid personal growth and unexpected insights. The author shares key lessons learned from six months of embracing ignorance.

28. Rust off Rails: The opinionated web stack for the AI era (rustoffrails.org)

The opinionated web stack for the AI era. Rust off Rails is a set of Markdown files that tell coding agents how to build a full-stack Rust web app: one blessed stack, one layout, one way to do each thing.

Rust off Rails provides a structured approach for developers to create full-stack web applications using Rust, offering clear guidelines and a single layout to streamline the coding process. If you’re interested in building efficient web apps with Rust, this resource could simplify your workflow significantly.

29. LayerFS: The filesystem for AI coding agents (layerfs.ai)

LayerFS is an open-source (MIT) filesystem for AI coding agents: each tool call gets a complete, writable Workspace over shared history.

LayerFS is an open-source filesystem designed specifically for AI coding agents, providing them with a writable workspace that maintains a shared history for each tool call. This innovative approach aims to enhance the coding experience for AI by streamlining interactions and workflows.

30. C++ futures part 1: The mental model (devblogs.microsoft.com)

Managing a value that is produced later.

Learn about the concept of futures in C++, which involves handling values that are generated at a later time, and how this can impact your programming approach.

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