worksonmymachine-substack-com

A wizard lives beside a pond and is known for having a very defensible pond, suggesting a tale about protecting his territory from outsiders.

The author announces the launch of paid subscriptions for their newsletter at $8 per month.

The article contrasts static photographs with interactive "artifacts"—dynamic digital objects that respond to user input. It argues artifacts built with tools like Observable Plot or D3 convey information more effectively than fixed images, calling for a shift toward creating these living digital artifacts over traditional photographs.

The article announces the release of two new Ruby gems called vsm and airb. These are software libraries for the Ruby programming language that developers can use in their projects.

The article discusses software engineering folklore, noting that safety is often determined retrospectively rather than during development. It examines how systems are labeled as safe only after they have proven reliable over time.

A developer's approach to problem-solving can significantly impact team dynamics and project outcomes. Understanding both the root causes of team issues and implementing effective solutions is crucial for successful collaboration and productivity.

The article discusses tmux sessions and parallel agentic programming techniques. It explores how to manage multiple terminal sessions and workflows efficiently using tmux's capabilities for concurrent development tasks.

A restaurant in Tokyo operates without a kitchen, challenging traditional restaurant models. This innovative approach suggests a shift in how dining establishments can be structured and operated.

The article discusses the continued need for frameworks in AI development despite advances in AI capabilities. It explores how structured approaches remain valuable even as AI systems become more powerful.

The article describes a hackathon event where participants primarily engaged in discussions rather than coding. It focuses on architectural control considerations at Agent Velocity, highlighting the collaborative nature of the event.

Touring_test is a Cucumber extension designed for agentic usability testing. It applies behavior-driven development principles where the user is simulated by an AI agent rather than a human.

The article discusses Amazon's challenge of managing infinite digital shelf space, drawing a parallel to Michelangelo's approach of revealing what already exists rather than creating something new.

The author reflects on how they unintentionally began a newsletter that has grown significantly over time. They share insights about the unexpected journey and lessons learned from this accidental venture.

The article explores the concept of message-passing as a fundamental approach to data processing and communication. It examines how taking this paradigm seriously could reshape our understanding of data structures and computational models.

The article discusses various approaches to "think before you build" prompting techniques for AI systems. It explores different methodologies that encourage careful planning and measurement before implementation in AI development processes.

The article discusses how the discovery phase encompasses the entire development process, suggesting that traditional project phases may be less relevant. It presents this perspective through a metaphorical reference to documents from a "Department of Best Practices."

The article references a 1997 talk, highlighting how architectural considerations become increasingly important as systems grow in complexity, often outweighing material choices.

The article discusses how entrepreneurs can identify and build for emerging markets that don't yet exist, using analogies like pizzas and CSVs to illustrate market creation strategies. It explores the concept of anticipating future needs and creating products for markets before they fully materialize.

The author discusses how when a fundamental input becomes inexpensive, it leads to unpredictable explosions in new categories of activity. This builds on previous writing about the transformative effects of cost reductions in key inputs.

The article discusses the shift from open source to SaaS models in AI code generation tools, highlighting how this transition affects developer feedback loops and community engagement. It examines the implications of moving from transparent, collaborative development to proprietary, subscription-based services.

The article discusses how free tiers in software services often rely on the work of developers who create side projects in their spare time. It examines the hidden labor behind these offerings and the economic dynamics involved.

The article discusses collective superstitions among people who interact with machines, examining patterns in how humans anthropomorphize technology and develop ritualistic behaviors when communicating with artificial systems.

Penn & Teller discuss their philosophical approach to magic and performance, exploring the distinction between illusionists and conjurers in their craft.