Blogs

Let’s go for my web review for the week 2025-45.


The Authoritarian Stack

Tags: tech, politics

The trend has been clear for a while. This is a well crafted job of clearly mapping it out. Time for Europe to wake up maybe?

https://www.authoritarian-stack.info/direction-generale-de-la-securite-interieure-(france)


Why I Choose Email Over Messaging

Tags: tech, email, messaging

Yes, same here I way prefer email (even though messaging can have its uses of course).

https://www.spinellis.gr/blog/20250926/


I use Typst now

Tags: tech, latex, typst

I admit I’m tempted to look at Typst more nowadays. It looks like it can simplify the production of content quite a bit compared to some of the good oldies we still carry around (like LaTeX). That said, Typst is still young and not that stable yet.

https://www.christopherbiscardi.com/i-use-typst-now


A generator, duck typing, and a branchless conditional walk into a bar

Tags: tech, python, programming

Neat stories explaining those three important features of Python.

https://mathspp.com/blog/a-generator-duck-typing-and-a-branchless-conditional-walk-into-a-bar


Try Out JEP 401 Value Classes and Objects

Tags: tech, java, type-systems, performance

A long needed improvement to Java on its way to the JDK. Looking forward to this one stabilizing.

https://inside.java/2025/10/27/try-jep-401-value-classes/


Patterns for Defensive Programming in Rust

Tags: tech, rust, programming, quality, smells, pattern, type-systems

A good list of code smells to pay attention to in Rust. Also provides patterns to avoid such smells.

https://corrode.dev/blog/defensive-programming/


The state of SIMD in Rust in 2025

Tags: tech, rust, simd, performance

This is unfortunately still a bit complicated for my taste. Ideally std::simd should be stabilized, but since it’s not the case yet options have to be evaluated.

https://shnatsel.medium.com/the-state-of-simd-in-rust-in-2025-32c263e5f53d


Text rendering and effects using GPU-computed distances

Tags: tech, graphics, shader, text, fonts, gpu

We take text rendering for granted. That said, it’s easier said than done, especially on the GPU.

https://blog.pkh.me/p/47-text-rendering-and-effects-using-gpu-computed-distances.html


</> htmx ~ The fetch()ening

Tags: tech, web, frontend, htmx, api

A larger transition coming to HTMX. Interesting choices and good lessons on how to manage the API transition.

https://htmx.org/essays/the-fetchening/


Why Nextcloud feels slow to use

Tags: tech, nextcloud, web, frontend

I use it mostly from the DAV integrations, so I don’t notice this much in practice. That said, if and when I have to use the web GUI, it indeed always feel sluggish to me. There might be a reason behind it indeed, those bundles seem way off.

https://ounapuu.ee/posts/2025/11/03/nextcloud-slow/


Your URL Is Your State

Tags: tech, web, frontend, browser, state

There’s indeed value at using the URL to store some of the frontend state. This is too often forgotten.

https://alfy.blog/2025/10/31/your-url-is-your-state.html


Just use a button

Tags: tech, web, frontend, accessibility

Just use the semantically appropriate HTML element. It makes it easier for browser to advertise the GUI properly.

https://gomakethings.com/just-use-a-button/


Game design is simple, actually

Tags: tech, game, design

Deceptive title! It’s far from simple and the article confirms it. It’s fascinating to see all the dimensions you have to deal with to design a game though.

https://www.raphkoster.com/2025/11/03/game-design-is-simple-actually/


The Learning Loop and LLMs

Tags: tech, ai, machine-learning, copilot, learning, maintenance

Indeed, if we weaken the learning loop by using coding assistants then we might feel we go faster while we’re building up the maintenance cliff. We need to have an understanding of the system.

https://martinfowler.com/articles/llm-learning-loop.html


An Introduction to Domain Driven Design

Tags: tech, ddd

An old introduction to DDD. Not necessarily the best reference on the topic (which is probably still the blue book). Probably a good resource to skim over the important points and get started though.

https://www.methodsandtools.com/archive/archive.php?id=97


Extreme Programming Revived?

Tags: tech, agile, xp, coaching, teaching

Unfortunately and as far as I can tell we’re still not there. I’m trying to do my part in how I push for those topics when working with teams and organizations. So many things to help with on the practice level and making developer teams function properly.

https://ronjeffries.com/articles/2015-03-21-xp-revived/


Too Clean?

Tags: tech, craftsmanship, quality

A good reminder that you don’t want your code base clean to the point of being sterile. You have to fight off the mess yes, but some of it can stay if it provides affordances.

https://blog.cleancoder.com/uncle-bob/2018/08/13/TooClean.html


Guilds: Get Stuff Done Together

Tags: tech, agile, team, organization

We can cast doubt on the “Spotify Model” (not really a model anyway…) all we want. Still, I think the whole “guild” idea in there was spot on. This article gives a feel of how it can be setup and the benefits it can bring.

https://medium.com/hootsuite-engineering/guilds-get-stuff-done-together-3d0826209390


Failure to communicate

Tags: tech, remote-working, team, organization, management, decision-making, note-taking

Very interesting maturity model about proper communication in a remote work setup. I think it definitely makes sense and doesn’t feel too difficult to evaluate.

https://another.rodeo/4-levels-comms/


Why aren’t smart people happier?

Tags: tech, ai, machine-learning, intelligence, learning, life, problem-solving, philosophy, psychology, science

The title is a bit misleading in a way (and I almost didn’t click through for a start). That said, it is an interesting essay dealing with the topics of intelligence, problem solving etc. I’m not sure I agree with everything in it, but that’s still good food for thought.

https://www.theseedsofscience.pub/p/why-arent-smart-people-happier


Teller Reveals His Secrets

Tags: magic, culture, art

Nice little article to get an idea of the culture and art behind magic tricks.

https://www.smithsonianmag.com/arts-culture/teller-reveals-his-secrets-100744801/



Bye for now!