Think twice before plugging your air conditioner or other high-power appliances into an extension cord—experts warn it could be a fire hazard. While power strips are fine for your laptop or lamp, heavier-duty devices like refrigerators, space heaters, or even your trusty microwave can overload them, especially in hot weather when electrical systems are already stressed.

Editor’s Note: Most of us don’t give extension cords a second thought, but this is one of those small oversights that can have big consequences (like melted wires or worse). With summer cranking up the heat, it’s a good time to check where your appliances are plugged in—because nobody wants a preventable disaster.

Researchers found that disabling a specific security feature in Intel's integrated graphics can boost computing performance by up to 20%. While this tweak could benefit tasks like gaming or video rendering, it comes with a trade-off—leaving systems more vulnerable to certain types of cyberattacks. The discovery has sparked debate among tech enthusiasts about whether the speed gain is worth the security risk.

Editor’s Note: For power users who rely on Intel's integrated graphics for heavy workloads, this could be a tempting shortcut—but it's not a one-size-fits-all fix. Security isn’t something to casually compromise, so unless you’re working in a tightly controlled environment (or just benchmarking for fun), this might be more of a curiosity than a practical tip. Still, it highlights how performance and security often pull in opposite directions.

A new open-source library called "Polystate" is making waves among developers for its approach to handling complex application logic. It offers composable finite state machines—basically, modular building blocks for managing how software transitions between different states (like a user's login status or a payment process). The discussion on Hacker News highlights both enthusiasm for its flexibility and some healthy debate about whether it solves problems better than existing tools.

Editor’s Note: If you've ever built an app with tangled, hard-to-maintain logic (think: "if this, then that, unless this other thing happens"), tools like Polystate could simplify things. It’s not a revolution, but another option in the developer toolkit—worth keeping an eye on if you work with state-heavy systems. The chatter suggests it’s hitting a nerve, though not everyone’s convinced it’s a game-changer.

A new open-source tool called CF-Shield has popped up, offering a simple way to secure any website using Cloudflare’s protection features. Think of it as a free, DIY security guard for your site—handling threats like DDoS attacks without needing deep technical know-how. The tool is gaining traction, especially among developers who appreciate its no-frills approach to boosting security.

Editor’s Note: Website security can be a headache, especially for smaller projects or indie devs who can’t afford expensive solutions. CF-Shield lowers the barrier by automating Cloudflare’s defenses, making robust protection accessible to more people. If it works as promised, it could be a game-changer for keeping the web’s little guys safe without breaking the bank.

A tech-savvy user shares how they cobbled together a budget-friendly setup—Home Assistant, AdGuard Home, and an $8 smart outlet—to limit mindless internet scrolling. The goal? To fight "brain rot" by automating screen time restrictions. The HN comments reveal a mix of admiration for the DIY approach and debates over whether it’s overkill or genius.

Editor’s Note: We’ve all fallen into the doomscrolling trap, but this story taps into a growing desire to reclaim focus without spending a fortune. It’s not just about the tech—it’s a creative hack for a modern problem, sparking conversations about how far we’ll go to outsmart our own bad habits.

A techie shares how they hacked an $8 smart outlet to limit their screen time, aiming to curb mindless scrolling and "brainrot." The discussion (linked via Hacker News comments) explores DIY solutions for digital wellness, with users debating effectiveness, privacy trade-offs, and the irony of using tech to fight tech addiction.

Editor’s Note: As screen time guilt grows, people are getting creative with cheap fixes—but it’s a messy, imperfect battle. This taps into bigger questions about self-control in the age of algorithmic distraction, and whether hacking gadgets is a band-aid or a real solution. Worth a read if you’ve ever felt trapped by your own devices.