News for hackers. Stuff that matters.

alvarop

Re:Why some USB C cables work, or not, J-Link on Sunday September 28, 2025 @04:02PM (#45407462)
The 1k resistor just lets the device know there’s an MCU on that line. The device would then provide power on that pin before talking to it
Re:Ask HN: Did you encounter any leap year bugs today? on Thursday February 29, 2024 @08:16PM (#39557372)
Not today, but two years ago. Our ocean buoys started calling in from March 2nd on February 28th.

I describe the bug as part of my presentation at the Embedded Online Conference back then: https://youtu.be/RDUQ0w-5Ws4?si=P6gGDhZC3-3KPKq9&t=787

Re:USB-C teardown with CT scans: Thunderbolt and more on Wednesday October 18, 2023 @05:00PM (#37934697)
Shameless plug: I made a version of this you can order yourself from JLCPCB (with some bonus connectors.)

https://alvarop.com/2023/07/usb-cable-tester

Github project: https://github.com/alvarop/usb_c_cable_tester

Re:Logitech MX Products are incompatible with AirPods on Thursday June 30, 2022 @07:35PM (#31940136)
Try connecting it to a USB2 port, use a USB extender, or a USB2.0 hub. This is a know issue with USB3 ports: https://www.usb.org/sites/default/files/327216.pdf
Re:Ask HN: What's your use case for iPads/Android pads? on Tuesday May 31, 2022 @04:30PM (#31574545)
I use it to play Settlers of Catan, Pictionary, Codenames, etc… several times a week with family.

It’s my only travel device and I use it to watch movies on planes.

I also use it for al my social media apps. Not having them on my phone has done wonders in reducing my screen time.

Edit: I almost forgot! I use it for podcast editing with Ferrite!

Re:Ask HN: Who is hiring? (May 2022) on Monday May 02, 2022 @01:23PM (#31238048)
Sofar Ocean Technologies | Multiple Roles | San Francisco, CA | Onsite | Full Time | https://sofarocean.com

At Sofar we connect the world’s oceans. We build the technology to create global awareness of ocean weather, climate, and ocean health. Our unique ocean data provides insights to science and society, and our products make ocean industries more sustainable. As a mission-driven team we combine the best in ocean science and Bay Area innovation to capture the canvas of our oceans and drive the new Blue Economy.

We're looking for:

Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer - Work on embedded firmware design and implementation of all our hardware products – Spotter, Smart Mooring, next generation platforms and Sofar’s new open hardware connectivity stack - Bristlemouth https://www.bristlemouth.org.

Electrical Engineer - Work on embedded electronics hardware design and implementation of all our hardware products – Spotter, Smart Mooring, Bristlemouth and next generation platforms. Initial focus will be on Sofar's new open hardware connectivity stack - Bristlemouth

Also looking for:

Head of Software Engineering

Senior Frontend Engineer

Software Engineering Manager

https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers https://boards.greenhouse.io/sofarocean

Re:Another Vulnerability in the LPC55S69 ROM on Wednesday March 23, 2022 @12:16PM (#30780037)
Shameless plug: If you want to hear a bit more history about the previous vulnerability on the LPC55S69, we talked to Laura about it in our podcast: https://unnamedre.com/episode/55
Re:Ask HN: Who is hiring? (December 2021) on Wednesday December 01, 2021 @03:54PM (#29409005)
Sofar Ocean Technologies | Multiple Roles | San Francisco, CA | Onsite | Full Time | https://sofarocean.com

At Sofar we connect the world’s oceans. We build the technology to create global awareness of ocean weather, climate, and ocean health. Our unique ocean data provides insights to science and society, and our products make ocean industries more sustainable. As a mission-driven team we combine the best in ocean science and Bay Area innovation to capture the canvas of our oceans and drive the new Blue Economy.

We're looking for: Embedded Software/Firmware Engineer - Work on our remote-sensing buoys and lead development on our new marine connectivity standard https://www.bristlemouth.org/

Senior Frontend Engineer - Work on our Wayfinder product, which runs on board the largest shipping vessels in the world, providing critical decision making context for sea captains as they navigate the world's oceans.

Also looking for Senior Mechanical Engineer - Software Engineer Engineering Manager

https://www.sofarocean.com/company/careers

Re:Rufus: Reliable USB Formatting Utility on Friday May 07, 2021 @09:24AM (#27075577)
I keep hearing great things about GRC's InitDisk. Unfortunately it's windows-only, but it's able to format almost anything you throw at it:

https://www.grc.com/initdisk.htm

Re:Click on Friday March 19, 2021 @06:22PM (#26518727)
Reminds me of Samy's website. For a fun time, try to view the page source: https://samy.pl/
Re:Ask HN: Why aren't you coding? on Friday February 12, 2021 @11:06PM (#26121311)
Tendonitis :(
Re:Open-Source Controller for the IKEA Bekant Standing Desk on Monday January 28, 2019 @02:39PM (#19020385)
Couldn't find an archive link, but the product page works and has the description: https://www.tindie.com/products/gcormier/megadesk/
Re:LLD is included in the upcoming LLVM 4.0 release on Friday February 17, 2017 @02:53PM (#13671162)
Nice! I mostly want to use it on Cortex-M0/3/4 microcontrollers, which are much less complex.
Re:LLD is included in the upcoming LLVM 4.0 release on Friday February 17, 2017 @02:10PM (#13670839)
"The ELF support is in progress and is able to link large programs such as Clang or LLD itself. Unless your program depends on linker scripts, you can expect it to be linkable with LLD."

:( The one feature I need most for embedded development

Re:Mobile Website Speed Testing Tool on Tuesday January 10, 2017 @04:56PM (#13369494)
I was able to just scroll down and click on "view the details" and "see what to fix" in each section.
Re:Noise Protection for Short Term and Vacation Rentals on Monday January 09, 2017 @12:49PM (#13358128)
I've been using the Point(https://minut.com/), which is half the price and no annual fee.

I mostly use it for temperature/humidity sensing, but it also has sound level logging/alerts.

Re:DEFCON 23 Badge Challenge on Friday August 14, 2015 @05:20PM (#10063014)
Yeah, Flamingo had them. Cost $69/night for two beds, so not bad.
Re:Implausible and overfunded CPAP machine on Indiegogo on Tuesday July 14, 2015 @11:48AM (#9885806)
Everything seems to be worded just right in case they don't deliver. From the FAQ: "As a contributor to this Indiegogo crowdfunding campaign, you are supporting Airing’s intent to develop the world's first micro-CPAP device."

Also, all physical perks have the disclaimer: "Subject to FDA clearance and doctor’s prescription in the US and local regulation abroad."

From a financial perspective, I can't imagine getting the device certified in multiple countries is going to be cheap. Would they also be expected to check doctors prescriptions in various languages somehow before delivering?

Re:DEFCONBOTS - An Autonomous Robotics Competition at DEFCON on Wednesday January 08, 2014 @04:29PM (#7026828)
Thanks for organizing! I did it back in DEFCON 14 and had a blast!

Where's a good place to discuss/ask questions about the rules?

EDIT: Just found https://github.com/Defconbots/2014_Competition_Rules/issues

I just press shift + scroll wheel for horizontal scrolling
Re:CastAR: the most versatile AR & VR system on Monday October 14, 2013 @12:57PM (#6548338)
The retro-reflective surface makes sure the projector light only bounces back in your direction (well most of it). Someone standing a few feet away won't see what you're seeing.
Re:BeagleBone Black: A 1-GHz computer for $45 on Friday May 03, 2013 @10:54AM (#5650392)
I'm using my original beaglebone as my 'home automation' server. It's been a while since I work on it though.

http://alvarop.com/2013/02/automation-progress-light-alarm-a...

A prep time estimate to go with the meals would be a nice feature