Posts

Featured Post

DeepSeek V4 Pro 0813 Update

Image
I've been following DeepSeek's progress with their large-scale mixture-of-experts models, and their latest release, V4 Pro 0813, has me intrigued. It's now generally available, which means we can finally see how it performs in real-world scenarios. What caught my attention, though, is the claim of improved performance at a competitive price point - if that holds true, it could be a game-changer for developers who've been waiting for a more affordable alternative to the existing options. The details are what make this release interesting: V4 Pro 0813 is a significant upgrade, and I'm curious to see how it stacks up against its predecessors. DeepSeek has been quietly building a reputation for delivering solid models, but this one could be the turning point. I've taken a look at the benchmarks, and while they're promising, I'm not convinced just yet - there's more to a model's performance than just numbers on a page. What I'd love to kn...

Easy Pumpkin Pie

Image
Pumpkin pie Prep: 40 mins | Total: 2 hrs 10 mins | Serves: 8 | Cuisine: American There's something special about a homemade pumpkin pie that you just can't replicate with a store-bought version. For one, the smell of sweet shortcrust pastry wafting from your oven is unbeatable, and the taste of freshly baked pumpkin pie is far superior to anything you'd find in a restaurant or bakery. When you make a pumpkin pie at home, you have complete control over the ingredients, like the 750g of pumpkin or butternut squash that gives it that perfect autumnal flavor, and the 140g of caster sugar that adds just the right amount of sweetness. Plus, making a pumpkin pie from scratch is actually quite easy, and it's a great way to save money compared to buying one from a bakery. With our pumpkin pie recipe, you'll be guided through the process of creating a delicious, lightly spiced sq...

AI Impact on Software Engineering

Image
I've been thinking a lot about the impact of AI on software engineering, and one thing that's really stuck with me is how it's changing the role of mid-level engineers. It's not that AI is replacing them entirely, but it's definitely altering the landscape. I've seen projects with weak engineering cultures fail much faster now, and I think that's because AI isn't just automating routine tasks - it's also exposing underlying problems that used to be papered over by manual workarounds. When I look back to 2020, I remember being the most senior person on my team, responsible for code quality and architecture. We used to sit down and talk about how we'd approach a project, discussing everything from design principles to testing strategies. It was a collaborative, iterative process that relied on human judgment and experience. But now, with AI-generated code and automated testing, it feels like some of that human element is being lost. Don...

Tailscale SQLite Bug

I'm still trying to wrap my head around the fact that a 16-year-old bug in SQLite caused database corruption in Tailscale's system. It's not every day you see a bug that old come back to haunt someone, and it's a stark reminder of the importance of thorough testing and bug tracking. What's really surprising is that this bug had been lurking in the shadows for so long, and it took a specific set of circumstances to bring it to the surface. As someone who's been covering developer tools and infrastructure for years, I've seen my fair share of bugs and vulnerabilities. But there's something about this one that stands out - maybe it's the fact that SQLite is such a ubiquitous piece of software, or maybe it's the fact that Tailscale is a company that's all about secure networking. Either way, it's got me thinking about the state of testing and bug tracking in the industry, and whether we're doing enough to catch these kinds of issues be...

Savory Tart Recipe

Image
Rosemary, pear & goat's cheese puff pastry tart Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 30 mins | Total: 45 mins | Serves: 4 I used to think that making a tart from scratch was a daunting task, but the Rosemary, pear & goat's cheese puff pastry tart has changed my mind. What I love about this recipe is how it simplifies the process by using ready-rolled puff pastry - it's a total time-saver. I remember being intimidated by the thought of working with pastry, but this recipe has shown me that with the right ingredients, like the sweetness of Conference pears and the earthiness of rosemary, it can be a breeze. The combination of creamy goat's cheese, fragrant rosemary, and caramelized pears in the Rosemary, pear & goat's cheese puff pastry tart is absolute perfection, and the best part is that it's achievable in under an hour. By using a few clever shortcuts, like bashing g...

Facebook's Monetised Accounts

Image
Facebook’s paying millions to creators who specialize in pissing people off. That’s not an exaggeration or a conspiracy talking point—it’s a line item in Meta’s regular disclosures since 2019. Last year alone, they cut checks to about two million accounts explicitly built around divisive, outrage-driven content. The math checks out: more engagement from the furious, more ads served, more revenue recycled into more of the same. The real kicker? We’re not talking about fringe accounts hiding in the dark corners of the platform. These are official “partner-publishers,” boasting verified checkmarks and revenue-sharing deals that let them turn hate clicks into hard currency. Meta’s own data shows the pattern: wherever they open their wallet, toxicity spikes and discourse curdles. You can trace the funding streams to the same playbook once reserved for conspiracy peddlers—only now it’s spreadsheets, not shadowy forums. I don’t know whether this is deliberate manipulation or just th...

CringeBot 3000 AI Tool

I've been seeing some ridiculous stuff on LinkedIn lately, but this takes the cake: an AI tool that can generate cringeworthy posts in 8 different styles. You know, the kind of posts that make you roll your eyes so hard they get stuck that way. The tool's creators claim it can transform any topic into "peak LinkedIn cringe" - and honestly, they're not wrong. The styles range from "You Go Girl!" empowerment culture to "The Hot Take" opinion pieces, and even "Proud to Announce" shameless promotions. There's also "The Vulnerability Post", which I'm sure will be a thrill-ride of emotional manipulation. I mean, who doesn't love a good "I'm-so-vulnerable-but-also-so-inspired" post? The AI engine analyzes current trends to generate these masterpieces, and I have to admit, I'm a little impressed - not by the quality of the posts, but by the sheer audacity of creating a tool that can produce such clic...

Tender Cider Pulled Pork

Image
Cider pulled pork with apple & sesame slaw Prep: 15 mins | Cook: 4 hrs 30 mins | Total: 4 hrs 45 mins | Serves: 4 There's something special about a warm, comforting dish like cider pulled pork with apple & sesame slaw that just can't be replicated by a restaurant or store-bought version. You know, the kind of meal that's been slow-cooked to perfection, with tender pork that just falls apart and a sweet, tangy slaw that adds a nice crunch. When you make cider pulled pork with apple & sesame slaw at home, you get to control the quality of the ingredients, like using a nice big pork shoulder, some caramelized onions, and a hint of smoked paprika. Plus, it's surprisingly easy on the wallet - a kilo of pork shoulder and some basic spices like caraway seeds and garlic granules are all you need to get started. As the pork cooks away in the cider, the aroma fills your k...