Daily Archives: 2024-03-27

Why x86 doesnt need to die

Posted on 2024-03-27 by pappp

Source: Hacker News

Article note: Generally a really good article to show to folks who imagine ISAs still matter much. I'm disappointed to not see the any direct discussion about the "You can't statically schedule dynamic behavior" issue in it, but it _does_ discuss all the ways in which modern pipes, regardless of the exposed ISA, work around it (they're re-flowing execution activity in a window of instructions, not executing instructions, in-order or otherwise, and they get to change the decomposition properties generation-to-generation without breaking compatibility with the existing software stack). Also interesting that it sets up the arguments for and against the x86-S legacy-free proposal but doesn't name it.
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Canva’s Affinity acquisition is a subscription-based weapon against Adobe

Posted on 2024-03-27 by pappp

Source: Ars Technica

Article note: I have some reserved hope that "not a subscription as differentiator" is a market signal away from the infinite rent-seeking trend. They could be lying, it could be irrelevant because of larger network effects, etc. but at least it's something else.
Affinity's photo editor.

Enlarge / Affinity's photo editor. (credit: Canva)

Online graphic design platform provider Canva announced its acquisition of Affinity on Tuesday. The purchase adds tools for creative professionals to the Australian startup's repertoire, presenting competition for today's digital design stronghold, Adobe.

The companies didn't provide specifics about the deal, but Cliff Obrecht, Canva's co-founder and COO, told Bloomberg that it consists of cash and stock and is worth "several hundred million pounds."

Canva, which debuted in 2013, has made numerous acquisitions to date, including Flourish, Kaleido, and Pixabay, but its purchase of Affinity is its biggest yet—by both price and headcount (90). Affinity CEO Ashley Hewson said via a YouTube video that Canva approached Affinity about a potential deal two months ago.

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Capilouto announces his proposed changes to faculty senate. What it means for campus

Posted on 2024-03-27 by pappp

Source: Latest News

Article note: They're going for full power consolidation, everyone not an appointed administrator becomes "advisory."

Attendees listen to a presentation during a University of Kentucky Board of Trustees meeting at the Gatton Student Center on the UK campus in Lexington, Ky., on Friday, Feb. 23, 2024.

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The Disney Plus-Hulu merger is way more than a streaming bundle

Posted on 2024-03-27 by pappp

Source: The Verge - All Posts

Article note: Anyone else getting "Google+" vibes from this "Integrate everything into a common platform" rah-rah? It even has the same nomenclature.
A screenshot of Disney Plus on a TV, showing the Hulu tile.
It’s Hulu. In Disney Plus. | Image: Disney

As of today, Hulu is part of Disney Plus. Hulu still exists — it still even has its own app — but it’s also being bundled into Disney’s primary streaming service alongside all the company’s other content. Even the Disney Plus logo changed to integrate that iconic green Hulu hue.

From a product perspective, the Hulu integration is roughly what you’d imagine. Hulu is now a tile inside the app, next to Marvel and Pixar and National Geographic and the rest. The price hasn’t changed; it’s still US-only, and the app’s not going away. Hulu shows and movies will also show up in search results and recommendations; if you’re subscribed to Hulu, you’ll get everything seamlessly, and if you’re not, the app will try to convince you to sign up....

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