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The Talented Ms. Highsmith

The Talented Ms. Highsmith I worked for the novelist in her final months. I thought she wanted to kill me. Patricia Highsmith pictured at her home in Tegna, Switzerland, in 1985. Dino Fracchia / Alamy Stock I first read Patricia Highsmith’s novels in the fall of 1994. I was twenty and living in a room in her house in Tegna, Switzerland, that was plastered with bookshelves full of her first editions, organized in chronological order. Pat was seventy-four and knew she was about to die; she had

Topics: dani did like pat told

Notes on the History of the Map Tile

Notes on the history of the map tile Web map tiles—the storing of geospatial data at different zoom levels in x/y/z indexed squares of raster (and later, vector) data for efficient storage and transmission of digital maps—are, despite their seeming simplicity, I think one of the most significant developments in geospatial software history. Tiling transformed the user experience of digital maps from one of tedious clicks-and-reloads to one of fluid, dynamic exploration. It made digital maps feel

Topics: data map maps patent prc

Bits and bobs related to Wireless-Tag's WT32-ETH01 board

Unofficial guide to the WT32-ETH01 What is this thing and why would I use it? The WT32-ETH01 is effectively a small, cheap ESP32 development board with Ethernet, WiFi, and GPIO pins, made by a company called "Wireless-Tag" (WT). As of this writing, it's around $15 at JacobsParts and around $7 from AliExpress. There aren't a ton of ESP32 boards with Ethernet, and the WT32-ETH01 is by far the smallest, cheapest, and simplest. (The OLIMEX ESP32-POE and wESP32 are the other notable options.) So,

Topics: esp32 eth01 pins use wt32

Show HN: Meow – An Image File Format I made because PNGs and JPEGs suck for AI

MEOW The most Purr-fect Image File Format for your AI workflows Wait- What? You Can Just Make File Formats? Well- yes, but no, I'll come to that bit later, but before that, let me geek out about what this project is MEOW (Metadata Encoded Optimized Webfile) is a Python-based image file format designed to be efficient, practical, and cross-platform compatible. With support for RGBA transparency, metadata, and fast rendering capabilities, MEOW provides a modern alternative for image storage and

Topics: ai data file meow png

Tiny-diffusion: A minimal implementation of probabilistic diffusion models

A minimal PyTorch implementation of probabilistic diffusion models for 2D datasets. Get started by running python ddpm.py -h to explore the available options for training. Forward process A visualization of the forward diffusion process being applied to a dataset of one thousand 2D points. Note that the dinosaur is not a single training example, it represents each 2D point in the dataset. Reverse process This illustration shows how the reverse process recovers the distribution of the trainin

Foundations of Computer Vision

Foundations of Computer Vision Preface Dedicated to all the pixels. About this Book This book covers foundational topics within computer vision, with an image processing and machine learning perspective. We want to build the reader’s intuition and so we include many visualizations. The audience is undergraduate and graduate students who are entering the field, but we hope experienced practitioners will find the book valuable as well. Our initial goal was to write a large book that provided a g

How easy is it for a developer to "sandbox" a program?

# source code sandboxing Sandboxing is when a developer limits available system resources to a program from within its own source code. A classic example is calling chroot(2) to change the root file-system to an empty directory so that the program cannot scribble into the root file-system. int main(void) { /* Program has full file-system access. */ chroot("/var/empty"); chdir("/"); /* File-system root re-rooted in /var/empty. */ int fd = open("/etc/passwd", O_RDONLY); /* Tried to open /var/empty

The Art of Lisp and Writing (2003)

The Art of Lisp & Writing Ignorance more frequently begets confidence than does knowledge. –Charles Darwin Lisp is the language of loveliness. With it a great programmer can make a beautiful, operating thing, a thing organically created and formed through the interaction of a programmer/artist and a medium of expression that happens to execute on a computer. Taught that programming—or the worse "developing software"—is like a routine engineering activity, many find difficulty seeing writing

Childhood leukemia: how a deadly cancer became treatable

Childhood leukemia: how a deadly cancer became treatable Before the 1970s, most children affected by leukemia would quickly die from it. Now, most children in rich countries are cured. In the past, when I’d hear the words childhood leukemia, I’d picture a young child who suddenly became seriously ill, and whose parents were told their child had only a few years to live. I’d wonder how a child might grasp the idea of limited time, or how painful it must have been to face the possibility of miss

Modifying an HDMI dummy plug's EDID using a Raspberry Pi

I recently found myself needing to change the monitor that a cheap HDMI “dummy plug” pretended to be. It was a random one I had bought on Amazon several years ago that acted as a 4K monitor, and I needed it to be something simpler that didn’t support a 4K resolution. The story behind why is a long one that I’m still figuring out and might eventually become a separate blog post in the future. If you’re not familiar with dummy plugs, here’s a quick primer: they are tiny dongles you can plug into

Topics: 00 dummy edid i2c pi

With 50 Hours of Battery Life, These Beats Headphones Are at a New Record Low on Amazon

Right now, all of those looking to purchase a pair of decent and style-conscious wireless headphones should have the Beats Solo 4 on their radar, especially given that they’re also priced at their all-time low on Amazon. Beats, as part of Apple, is renowned for producing stable sound products that work perfectly with both Apple and Android devices. With the price reduced to only $99, from $200 (50% off), the offer is equivalent to the type of discounts normally experienced on Black Friday. See

Edi Gathegi Hopes Being Mr. Terrific Redeems His Short ‘X-Men’ Role

There’s a lot of superpowered characters in Superman, and one of the most notable is Michael Holt, aka Mr. Terrific. It isn’t just that this is his first time on the big screen, it’s also the matter of who’s playing him: Edi Gathegi, who many likely remember as Darwin from X-Men: First Class, aka the mutant who died despite having the power to evolve and adapt to anything. Sooner or later, conversations about First Class remind you how dumb his death was, and Gathegi seems to agree. Talking to

Best Internet Providers in Cape Coral, Florida

What is the best internet provider in Cape Coral? CNET's top pick for the best internet service provider in Cape Coral is Quantum Fiber thanks to its fast symmetrical speeds and unlimited data. While it may not be available everywhere in the city, it's the top choice where coverage allows. If Quantum Fiber is not available at your address, Xfinity, T-Mobile and Verizon are all reliable alternatives worth considering. For the best balance of price and performance, Xfinity’s $40 plan offers up t

Best Internet Providers in Fort Myers, Florida

What is the best internet provider in Fort Myers? CNET recommends Xfinity as the best internet provider for most people in Fort Myers, thanks to its wide coverage, consistent performance and affordable pricing. Whether you’re streaming, working remotely or gaming online, Xfinity’s plans offer solid value across the board. Starting at just $40 per month, you can get download speeds up to 400Mbps, making it a strong choice for everyday use. If you need a little more bandwidth, the 600Mbps plan at

'Shark Week' Comes Early as 'Jaws' Turns 50. Here's Where to Watch All the Movies

Somehow, five decades have passed since Steven Spielberg's Jaws chewed up the big screen. Turning the big Five-Oh is a big deal, so it's time to celebrate. The iconic movie, based on Peter Benchley's novel of the same name, took style notes from Hitchcock and the grindhouse movies of the era and became the first-ever summer blockbuster. Jaws isn't a complicated movie: It tells the story of a vengeful shark and the tourist beach town of Amity Island, which it decided to terrorize. The movie sta

What Is Raspberry Pi and How Can I Use It for My Home Internet?

A Raspberry Pi computer can do a little of everything, including keeping you occupied if you need a new project (or distraction). This teeny-tiny computer not only clocks in at a low price, but could potentially help you trim costs by becoming a DIY router. Saving money is appealing: A recent CNET survey showed that internet costs spiked for 63% of US adults last year. When our budgets are tight, having a device that can cover the gamut is appealing, from hosting your home internet to providing

Best Internet Providers in Austin, Texas

What is the best internet provider in Austin? CNET ranks Spectrum as the best internet service provider in Austin for its wide coverage, no data caps and no contracts. That said, Spectrum isn't available everywhere. If you fall outside Spectrum's coverage area, T-Mobile Home Internet and Google Fiber are two strong alternatives. For budget-conscious households, Astound Broadband offers a standout deal with its 300Mbps plan for just $30 a month, with no contracts or equipment fees. And if speed

Best VPN for Mac for 2025: Tested and Reviewed

Most VPN providers offer a VPN app for Mac computers, but it can be difficult to choose the right provider with so many options available. Based on our extensive research and hands-on testing of VPNs over the years, these are the most important factors to consider when choosing a VPN: Privacy The primary consideration for any VPN -- including a Mac VPN -- should be privacy. If your Mac VPN is unable to sufficiently protect your online privacy, then your VPN is useless. At a minimum, your VPN s

Topics: mac privacy vpn vpns want

Piloting the Kite-Powered Sailboat Aiming to Be World's Fastest

Table of Contents Piloting the Kite-Powered Sailboat Aiming to Be World's Fastest Cutting through the water on a triple-hull sailboat pulled by a giant kite, members of the SP80 team are challenging the world sailing speed record off the coast of Southern France, one gust of wind at a time. SP80's three-hull (trimaran) design prioritizes stability and reduced drag. SP80 "There is nothing to earn at the end, except that you are proud to achieve it," says co-founder Benoit Gaudiot, who is also

FIFA Club World Cup Soccer: Stream Bayern Munich vs. Auckland City Live From Anywhere

The FIFA Club World Cup action shifts to Cincinnati on Sunday for a Group C clash that appears to be something of a mismatch, as German Bundesliga behemoth Bayern Munich takes on tournament underdog Auckland City. Below, we'll outline the best live TV streaming services to use to watch every match of the tournament as it happens, wherever you are in the world, and how to use a VPN if the match isn't available where you are, along with a full fixture list. Six-time UEFA Champions League winner

Best Internet Providers in Charlotte, North Carolina

What is the best internet provider in Charlotte? Budget and speed are important factors in your search for a new internet service provider but availability can be just as crucial. Thankfully, Charlotte has plentiful coverage from a variety of providers, from fiber to cable to wireless. AT&T Fiber is CNET's pick for the best internet provider in Charlotte, North Carolina. You get a decent variety of plans that start at just $55 a month and go up to $245 per month for the 5-gig plan. However, AT

The 34 Absolute Best Shows to Watch on Prime Video

Reached the end of a binge and ready for something new? Prime Video may offer your next small-screen fixation. Amazon's streaming service is the place to visit for can't-miss originals like The Boys and The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel. With new shows premiering frequently, such as the postapocalyptic drama Fallout, you can choose a fresh release or start a series you've had on the back burner. Note that Prime Video is now ad-supported and charges an extra fee to remove commercials. Read on for this

Companies may soon pay a fee for their rockets to share the skies with airplanes

The Federal Aviation Administration may soon levy fees on companies seeking launch and reentry licenses, a new tack in the push to give the agency the resources it needs to keep up with the rapidly growing commercial space industry. The text of a budget reconciliation bill released by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) last week calls for the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation, known as AST, to begin charging licensing fees to space companies next year. The fees would phase in over eight year

The Mysterious Inner Workings of Io, Jupiter’s Volcanic Moon

The original version of this story appeared in Quanta Magazine. Scott Bolton’s first encounter with Io took place in the summer of 1980, right after he graduated from college and started a job at NASA. The Voyager 1 spacecraft had flown past this moon of Jupiter, catching the first glimpse of active volcanism on a world other than Earth. Umbrella-shaped outbursts of magmatic matter rocketed into space from all over Io’s surface. “They looked amazingly beautiful,” said Bolton, who is now based a

Nolah Evolution Hybrid Mattress Review: A Jack of All Trades

Kind of like Lord of the Rings, what is the best mattress out there to rule them all? Typically, as a professional mattress tester of over five years, I’d tell you it differs from person to person. But there are always the rare few models that manage to pull off the near impossible for a mattress to accomplish: being a supportive and comfortable fit for anybody, regardless of build or sleeping position. The Nolah Evolution Hybrid is one of those mattresses, and one of the rare few near-perfect b

No Kings: protests in the eye of the storm

As President Donald Trump kicked off a birthday military parade on the streets of Washington, DC, what’s estimated as roughly 2,000 events were held across the US and beyond — protesting Trump and Elon Musk’s evisceration of government services, an unprecedented crackdown by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), and countless other actions from the administration in its first five months. Held under the title “No Kings” (with, as you’ll see, one conspicuous exception), they’re the latest in

Would you switch browsers for a chatbot?

is editor-at-large and Vergecast co-host with over a decade of experience covering consumer tech. Previously, at Protocol, The Wall Street Journal, and Wired. Hi, friends! Welcome to Installer No. 87, your guide to the best and Verge-iest stuff in the world. (If you’re new here, welcome, happy It’s Officially Too Hot Now Week, and also you can read all the old editions at the Installer homepage.) I also have for you a much-awaited new browser, a surprise update to a great photo editor, a neat

How to build the best keyboard in the world

The term “endgame,” among keyboard enthusiasts, is sort of a running gag. Endgame is when you finally dial in your perfect layout, case, features, switches, and keycaps, so you can stop noodling around with parts and get on with whatever it is you actually use the keyboard for — work, presumably. Then a few months later you see something shiny and start over. In the search for endgame, most of us have to compromise somewhere — usually time or money. Sometimes the thing you’re looking for just d

Alexa von Tobel has high hopes for ‘fintech 3.0’

It’s been 10 years since Alexa von Tobel sold her financial planning startup Learnvest to Northwestern Mutual for $250 million. Since then, von Tobel became Northwestern Mutual’s first chief digital officer, then chief innovation officer, before launching an early-stage venture firm of her own, Inspired Capital, with former U.S. Secretary of Commerce Penny Pritzker. She’s also a New York Times bestelling author, and she’s about to launch a new interview podcast, “Inspired with Alexa von Tobel.”