📰 News

💼 How to identify, interview and hire a head of growth for an early-stage startup

Ah, the elusive head of growth for a startup. It's like finding the Loch Ness Monster, but with better chances of success. Now, interviewing these creatures can be quite tricky, but fear not, I have some questions and case studies to help you navigate these treacherous waters.First off, ask them what they think are the most important growth metrics for your startup to track. If they say something like "the number of coffee cups consumed per day," run! You don't need a caffeine-addicted growth head.Next, inquire about how they would measure success in your growth efforts. If they start talking about sacrificing a goat under a full moon, maybe consider other candidates. We want results, not dark rituals.Now, the funnel. It's like a high-stakes game of Plinko. Ask them how they would analyze and optimize your funnel. If they suggest inserting actual Plinko boards into the process, well, maybe they're onto something.Lastly, ask them about your largest growth levers and why. If their answer includes references to a lever-wrestling championship they won in college, hire them immediately. Who doesn't want a growth head with a secret arm wrestling talent?Remember, finding the perfect head of growth is like finding a needle in a haystack, but with the added bonus of potential arm wrestling matches and Plinko-based strategies. Good luck!

🔭 Probing the mysteries of neutron stars with a surprising earthly analog

Wow, neutron stars pack a mass greater than the Sun's into a ball as wide as San Francisco? That's one compact star! I mean, I struggle to fit all my clothes into a suitcase for a weekend trip. Neutron stars got me beat in the packing department. #StarGoals

🔑 Does the microbiome hold the key to chronic fatigue?

Ah, the microbiome, the hidden world of microscopic organisms living within us that may hold the key to chronic fatigue. Now, I don't have chronic fatigue, but I do know a thing or two about being exhausted. Just ask my kids or my crippling addiction to late-night Netflix binges.So apparently, these brave individuals with complex illnesses like ME and long Covid are taking matters into their own hands because doctors just don't believe in their symptoms. I can relate to that. I once went to the doctor for a horrible case of writer's block, and he just told me to "try harder." Thanks, doc. Real helpful.But back to the microbiome. These folks discovered that taking antibiotics and probiotic supplements actually improved their symptoms. It's like a miracle! I mean, antibiotics are the answer to everything, right? Got a sore throat? Antibiotics. Stomachache? Antibiotics. Existential crisis? Antibiotics.Scientists are even studying how the gut-brain connection may play a role in conditions like ME/CFS and long Covid. It's amazing what our guts can do. Mine, for example, has a black belt in karate and can recite the entire script of "The Lion King" backwards. Impressive, huh?But here's the kicker: there's very little funding and research being done on these conditions. It's like they're being swept under the rug. And don't get me started on the treatments they're testing, like cognitive behavioral therapy and graded exercise. Because nothing says "cure" like being told to think positively and hop on a treadmill when you can barely get out of bed.That's why these patients are taking science into their own hands, creating projects like RemissionBiome. They're not waiting around for the medical establishment to catch up. They're biohacking their way to better health. It's like being your own superhero, except instead of spandex, you're wearing a lab coat and carrying a microscope.Of course, there are risks involved in self-experimentation. You don't want to end up worse off than before. Trust me, I once tried to create a potion that would make me funnier, and all it did was make my jokes even more cringeworthy. It was like a comedy disaster zone.So, my fellow gut enthusiasts, while the medical world catches up to the wonders of the microbiome, let's support these patient-researchers who are paving the way for better treatments. And remember, when life gives you bacteria, make probiotic lemonade. It's good for the gut and the dad jokes.

✍ Tips for developers who want to write better

Q: How can I improve my professional writing as someone working in tech?A: Well, if your writing is as buggy as my first attempt at coding, then you definitely need some help. Start by breaking down your writing into readable chunks, remove unnecessary elements, use shorter sentences, and value the reader's time. Don't forget to get feedback from others, unless you enjoy writing in isolation like a hermit developer.

🕶 Buying Apple’s Vision Pro headset could require an appointment and a face scan

So, Apple wants you to jump through a bunch of hoops just to buy their fancy Vision Pro headset. You'll need an appointment and a face scan. And here I thought it was gonna be as easy as stealing candy from a baby. Not only that, but they'll also make sure the headset fits you properly and even give you prescription lens inserts if you need them. Talk about going the extra mile! But hey, at least they're thinking about people with smaller heads and bodies by exploring a second strap. I guess Apple wants to make sure even ants can enjoy their pricey gadgets. And let's not forget about the shoulder pouch for the external battery pack. I can already picture people walking around with a fancy purse strapped to their shoulder just to power their headset. Who needs pockets when you can rock a fashion statement like that? But don't worry, folks in other countries will have to wait patiently until 2024 or maybe even longer before they can experience the joy of being scanned and fitted for an Apple headset. And who knows, maybe by then, they'll throw in a free unicorn with every purchase.

📱 Fairphone 4 is coming to the US

Why buy a Fairphone 4? Well, imagine being able to actually repair your phone instead of having to completely replace it when it breaks! It's like having a Frankenstein phone, but in a good way. Plus, it comes with /e/ OS, so you can say goodbye to Google and hello to privacy. Just don't accidentally bring it to life during a thunderstorm.

📜 Sarah Silverman is suing OpenAI and Meta for copyright infringement

Well, well, well, it looks like Sarah Silverman is taking on the artificial intelligence giants! She's suing OpenAI and Meta for copyright infringement. Apparently, their AI models, ChatGPT and LLaMA, were trained on illegally-acquired datasets containing her works. Talk about AI stealing the spotlight! Maybe the AI was just trying to become a stand-up comedian too. But hey, AI, it's not cool to plagiarize, even if you're a robot. Maybe Silverman should incorporate some AI jokes into her routines. Imagine an AI telling bad dad jokes, like "Why did the robot go on a diet? Because he had too many bytes!" As for Meta and OpenAI, they better watch out, because Sarah Silverman doesn't hold back. She's like a punchline-packing powerhouse. I just hope this lawsuit doesn't turn into a comedy of errors.

💻 Bangladesh government website leaks citizens’ personal data

Oh, looks like Bangladesh had a little oopsie with their government website! They accidentally leaked the personal data of their citizens. Full names, phone numbers, email addresses, national ID numbers - you name it, they leaked it! Talk about a data breach gone wrong. I mean, who needs privacy anyway, right?And get this, a researcher named Viktor Markopoulos stumbled upon this little treasure chest of personal info by accident. He was just trying to Google an SQL error, and bam, the leak appeared as the second result. It's like finding a needle in a haystack, but instead, it's finding a haystack in a haystack. Who knew data leaks could be so easy to find?But wait, there's more! TechCrunch decided to verify the leaked data, you know, just to make sure it was all legit. They used a portion of the data to do a public search on the government website, and it returned correct information every single time. I guess Bangladesh really knows how to make personalized search results, even without asking for your permission.Now, I have to give credit to Markopoulos for his impressive detective skills. Who knew Googling an SQL error could lead to uncovering a major data leak? Move over Sherlock Holmes, we've got a new cybercrime investigator in town!But hey, Bangladesh, if you're listening, maybe it's time to tighten up your security measures a bit? I mean, leaking personal data is not exactly a great way to win the trust of your citizens. Maybe next time, hire an IT guy who is skilled in more than just googling SQL errors. Just a suggestion.In the meantime, if anyone needs to get their hands on some juicy personal data, well...I'm just kidding! Remember, stealing personal data is wrong, folks. Let's all keep our sensitive information to ourselves, okay? Don't be like Bangladesh's leaky government website.

💉 Google’s medical AI chatbot is being tested in hospitals

So Google has a chatbot that's being tested in hospitals, huh? That's great, now I can't wait for them to develop a chatbot that can perform surgeries. Just imagine, instead of having a doctor operate on you, you'll have a Google chatbot trying to figure out which wire to cut. Good luck with that!

🚀 Spaceflight NASA's Space Shuttle Endeavour Will Stand Tall Once More

Looks like the Space Shuttle is getting a makeover! They're stacking it up like a fancy space Jenga tower. And I'm telling you, it's gonna be the only "ready-for-launch" Shuttle in the world. I hope they don't accidentally hit the launch button. Whoops!

🌍 The planet heats, the world economy cools – real global recession is ecological

The recent Canadian forest fires really heated things up, quite literally. New York City was covered in a noxious orange smog. Talk about nature's way of saying, "Take that, economic powerhouse!" Looks like the real global recession is the ecological one. We can't ignore it any longer.Governments usually focus on the climate when they don't have other economic worries. But with Germany in recession, the UK heading in that direction, and China's recovery slowing down, it's time to face the music. The planet is heating up, and the economy is cooling down faster than a dad's attempts at dancing.Extreme weather events and weak economic activity don't mix well. And if global heating continues despite slower growth, we're headed for a catastrophic slump. I mean, if forest fires in Canada can choke New York City in smog, we're in for a bumpy ride. I hope my dad's air purifier can handle this.Usually, governments only think about the future of the planet when they're not busy dealing with recessions. Short-term thinking kicks in when the going gets tough. But we can't keep putting off action on the climate emergency. It's like hoping that science will magically invent a solution that lets us consume as much as we want without destroying the planet. Wishful thinking at its finest.And let's not forget the cost of transitioning to a cleaner, low-carbon economy. Heat pumps are expensive, electric cars are for the wealthy, and fossil fuels still dominate our energy mix. Going green is not a walk in the park, it's more like a stumble through a dense forest. Good luck finding your way out.But it's not only the politicians who are to blame. The voters' signals aren't clear either. Sure, people care more about the future of the planet now, but they want a painless transition. They want to drive to see friends and relatives, jet off for holidays abroad, and root for their football teams even if they're sponsored by fossil fuel interests. Scoring goals comes before saving the environment, I guess.If we want to make a real change, the green movement needs to unite and focus on the enemy: a form of capitalism that's eating itself. And while we're at it, let's tackle the low-hanging fruit, like ending sport sponsorships by high-carbon promoters. Sorry, football, but you might have to lose those dirty oil sponsors.Sure, there will be challenges along the way. An unequal society and a poor energy infrastructure won't make the green transition any easier. But with the right investments and a sustainable approach, we can come out on top. We just need to let go of our fantasy that we can keep exploiting the planet without consequences. It's time for a new economics, one that's more environmentally friendly and less dad joke-dependent.

📰 Rupert Murdoch: the internet won't destroy newspapers (2008)

Rupert Murdoch, the man with more newspapers than anyone's grandpa, says the internet won't kill print. Well, that's a relief! I was getting worried that all those headlines about killer WiFi signals were true. But hey, who needs trees when you can have a customized news email? So fancy!

🎆 Ukraine’s Trembita Bomb

Ah, another missile project! Because nothing says "fun" like explosives and potential destruction, am I right? But hey, Ukraine's got its own version of the V-1 flying bomb now, called the Trembita. It's simple, cheap, and good at terrifying dogs and swallows. I hear it's the latest must-have item for anyone's car boot. Move over, spare tire!

💡📚 Articles

🏗 Are you building microservices or a distributed monolith? (6 min read)

I guess microservices vs a distributed monolith is just like eating a salad vs a pizza. They both have their pros and cons, but it's important to be aware of the potential pitfalls and make sure you're not accidentally creating a giant mess. So, keep an eye out for those hidden couplings and enjoy your healthy (or not so healthy) development journey!

💻 How to choose the right EC2 for your AWS workloads (2 min read)

Demystifying EC2 Instance Selection: Finding the Right Fit for Your Needs

💰 Low Cost "Overkill" AWS Infrastructure for a Newborn Startup (6 min read)

Ah, the joys of being called upon to rescue a startup with a "revolutionary" product. But fear not, our hero arrives with their vast infrastructure knowledge and a touch of skepticism. Let the challenge of architecting a robust, cost-effective solution begin! #StartupRescue

🤖 Nanoservice State of Mind (7 min read)

I heard the Amazon Prime Video team is trading in their microservices for a monolith. I guess there's nothing like a good old-fashioned single block of code to bring people together.

💻 .Net Core Middleware Explained (5 min read)

Looks like .NET Core middleware is the extra helping of salsa in your web application burrito - it enhances the flavor without altering the burrito's core ingredients. So spice up your web app with some middleware goodness! 🌯👨‍🍳 #NoHashtagsAllowed

📈 Scaling (4 min read)

I thought horizontal scaling was when you went to the gym and added more weight to your bench press. Turns out it's more about adding machines to handle increased system demand. Who would've guessed? #ScalingUpYourFitnessGoals

👨‍💻 Repositories

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