The best Hacker News stories from All from the past week
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The early days of Linux
Arrest made in SF killing of Bob Lee – alleged killer also worked in tech
Mass layoffs and absentee bosses create a morale crisis at Meta
Semaphore: A Full-Body Keyboard
Show HN: GPT-4-powered web searches for developers
Hi HN,<p>Today we’re launching GPT-4 answers on Phind.com, a developer-focused search engine that uses generative AI to browse the web and answer technical questions, complete with code examples and detailed explanations. Unlike vanilla GPT-4, Phind feeds in relevant websites and technical documentation, reducing the model’s hallucination and keeping it up-to-date. To use it, simply enable the “Expert” toggle before doing a search.<p>GPT-4 is making a night-and-day difference in terms of answer quality. For a question like “How can I RLHF a LLaMa model”, Phind in Expert mode delivers a step-by-step guide complete with citations (<a href="https://phind.com/search?cache=0fecf96b-0ac9-4b65-893d-8ea5708db222">https://phind.com/search?cache=0fecf96b-0ac9-4b65-893d-8ea57...</a>) while Phind in default mode meanders a bit and answers the question very generally (<a href="https://phind.com/search?cache=dd1fe16f-b101-4cc8-8089-ac56defb228d">https://phind.com/search?cache=dd1fe16f-b101-4cc8-8089-ac56d...</a>).<p>GPT-4 is significantly more concise and “systematic” in its answers than our default model. It generates step-by-step instructions over 90% of the time, while our default model does not.<p>We’re particularly focused on ML developers, as Phind can answer questions about many recent ML libraries, papers, and technologies that ChatGPT simply cannot. Even with ChatGPT’s alpha browsing mode, Phind answers technical questions faster and in more detail.<p>For example, Phind running on “Expert” GPT-4 mode can concisely and correctly tell you how to run an Alpaca model using llama.cpp: (<a href="https://phind.com/search?cache=0132c27e-c876-4f87-a0e1-cc48f07ccc20">https://phind.com/search?cache=0132c27e-c876-4f87-a0e1-cc48f...</a>). In contrast, ChatGPT-4 hallucinates and writes a make function for a fictional llama.cpp.<p>We still have a long way to go and would love to hear your feedback.
I worked at Google for -10 days
Substack Notes Launched
Ever-expanding animation of the life of the 796th floor of a space station
Microsoft fixes 5-year-old Defender bug, reducing Firefox-related CPU use by 75%
The LLama Effect: Leak Sparked a Series of Open Source Alternatives to ChatGPT
I wish GPT4 had never happened
Ask Wirecutter: Can you recommend a not-smart TV for me?
Chrome ships WebGPU
If we lose the Internet Archive, we’re screwed
Tell HN: iOS lets carriers add WiFi networks that you can’t stop from joining
Well this was a major surprise so I figured I’d share it here to get some eyeballs on it.<p>Essentially, the latest iOS (16.4 at post time) allows your cellular carrier (via eSIM) to add “managed networks” to your device.<p>These networks cannot be removed, they cannot have “automatically join” disabled, and they have equal priority with your real, personal networks.<p>So guess what happens when your neighbors get a wifi/modem combo that blasts a free hotspot SSID? Not only does it pollute the already crowded 2.4ghz band, your iPhone will often prefer this connection over your real /local wifi (despite said wifi being at 1 bar).<p>As of post-time, there is no way to remove these networks short of completely disabling cell service/removing the eSIM and resetting all network settings.<p>You can see this for yourself by going to WiFi/“edit” and scrolling down.<p>Edit: to clarify, I can disable “auto join”, but in 4-5 minutes all of my devices have auto-join turned back on. I’m guessing it re-syncs with the carrier profile. Also, this does not seem to be eSIM or SIM related it can happen on both.
Remembering Bob Lee
I want to draw attention to Bob Lee, a well-respected technologist and prototype hacker, always curious and sharing lots of interesting technical developments. He was a great role model for how Engineers should be respected in an executive capacity as he advanced his career from 'Software' to 'Product'. His efforts contributed to technology used by millions. What happened to him is tragic and wrong; he deserved better. Thank you, I'll miss you 'crazybob'.<p>Please share your stories featuring Bob Lee, who I'm sure would like to be remembered for his contributions rather than as a victim of this unfortunate awful event.
How to be a -10x Engineer
Apple halted M2 chip production in January amid 'plummeting' Mac sales
The Mullvad Browser
The day Windows died