Full disk regrets
Fresh from many conferences, this issue covers sovereignty, efficiency, acquisitions, and AI tools go rogue (again).
xx Chinch
Support this newsletter
If you like what you read here and want to keep supporting my work, I have a couple of ways you can support me this issue.
AI-powered learning with NoteGPT
NoteGPT is a powerful AI-powered learning tool that helps you take notes, summarize content, and enhance your learning experience. It’s perfect for students, professionals, and lifelong learners looking to make the most of their study time.
Not looking for software?
Then head to chrischinchilla.com/support for other ways to support me. You can also just share this newsletter with someone else.
Writing a Demoscene Intro for the ZX Spectrum
https://www.markround.com/blog/2026/zx-spectrum-introOh yes! One small trend I’ve noticed at tech events over the past few months is that the component shortage is making developers focus on performance again. And if there was ever a scene or trend that focused on performance, it was the Demoscene.
Steinberg Cubase 15 Arrives
https://www.soundonsound.com/news/steinberg-cubase-15-arrivesMy first ever DAW was Octamed on the Amiga. My second was Cubase on the Atari. I recently used it to crack open a bunch of very old music projects and was pleased to see it still opened them. And boy, has the interface changed. It seems like a minor update looking at the feature list, but enjoy!
After Siemens Re-Licenses OpenRadioss, Rocky Linux Announces Open-Source Fork
https://news.slashdot.org/story/26/10/05/0451252/after-siemens-re-licenses-openradioss-rocky-linux-announces-open-source-forkOh dear, here we go again with re-licensing.
Codex CLI installs a persistent, self-updating background daemon by default
https://github.com/openai/codex/issues/48195If the recent stories about Meta’s Muse and agents abusing full-disk access weren't enough, here's another concern to be aware of.
The Cable that Changed the World: How Instant Global Communication Began in 1858
https://www.openculture.com/2026/09/the-cable-that-changed-the-world-how-instant-global-communication-began-in-1858.htmlY'all know I am obsessed with undersea cables by now, here's where it all began.
Reason Studios acquired by LANDR
https://www.musicradar.com/music-tech/this-isnt-about-changing-reason-its-about-giving-it-room-to-grow-reason-studios-acquired-by-ai-music-production-specialists-landrYet more consolidation in the music technology space, the venerable Reason Studios has been acquired by LANDR, who I haven't heard of before.
Why don't more developers "use the platform"?
https://nolanlawson.com/2026/10/03/why-dont-more-developers-use-the-platform/Exacerbated by AI tools that don't always pay attention to the most efficient ways of doing things, many developers are getting further and further away from "bare metal" options.
‘Absolute s–t’: EU’s Microsoft Teams alternative draws bad reviews from officials
https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-microsoft-teams-alternative-bad-reviews-element-pro/Another trend in the past few months, especially at European events, has been "sovereignty". I will have a lot of coverage from the recent Linux Foundation OSS Summit in Prague, digging more into this soon, but we're not off to the best start…
Docker has always used microVMs (well since 2016)
https://dave.recoil.org/docker-has-always-used-microvms/I know that after pricing changes, a lot of people liked to bash Docker, but honestly, I always thought its use of platform-native hypervisors delivered the best performance compared to any other Docker alternative. And it seems it's been ahead of the game for a while. Sorry, Docker haters!
The Forgetful CPU (Linux on M4)
https://yuka.dev/blog-2026-10-02-linux-m4.htmlLet's get deep into CPU design. Ooh yeah 🤓
The death of web development education
https://molily.de/web-dev-education/How do those of us in developer education continue in a time of self-serve education via AI tools?
What About Rails?
https://jardo.dev/what-about-railsWhat better way to ensure the longevity of an already ageing technology than for its creator to go, ahem, "off the rails"?
Typst makes big strides
https://lwn.net/Articles/1092993/Someone recently told me about Typst as a Markdown alternative. I am not sure I want to switch, but it's nice to see signs of life.
Who's Next? - Bending Spoons Acquisition
https://nextspoons.com/You may not have heard of Bending Spoons, but you have heard of or used many of their acquisitions. They seem to specialise in acquiring companies that were once on everyone's lips and had a successful business, but have since faded. Someone told me about a betting (for fun) website that predicts the next company they might acquire.
If you like what you're reading, support my work
Want to improve your productivity on macOS with a Shortcut to everything.
Try Raycast