TLDR 2020-02-17

HQTrivia shuts down, Netflix + Samsung, ransomware

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Big Tech & Startups

Netflix fights new streaming rivals with Samsung partnership (3 minute read)

Samsung announced a deal with Netflix at its Unpacked event last week that will bring special Netflix original show content to its Galaxy smartphones. The bonus content will include behind-the-scenes footage, companion stories, and other bonus content, with most of it filmed with a Samsung Galaxy S20. Netflix will be more deeply integrated with Samsung devices. Users will be able to launch Netflix via Bixby and view recommendations on Samsung Daily. Netflix subscriber growth has stagnated in the US. Most of its competitors already have integrations with mobile devices or partnerships that allow them to distribute their service to millions.

HQ, maker of the once-popular HQ Trivia, is shutting down (2 minute read)

HQ, the makers of HQ Trivia, is closing down its business and laying off its 25 employees. CEO Rus Yusupov sent a note to employees informing them of the company's closure. HQ had received an acquisition offer from an established business but the deal didn't go through. The HQ Trivia app launched in 2017 and it quickly became popular due to its novel live nature, real cash prizes, and Scott Rogowsky playing the game's host. As the game became less popular, HQ tried to keep users engaged through extra in-game lives and an in-person event with a cash prize, but eventually, the game's novelty wore off and the company wasn't able to keep its users interested in its games.
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Science & Futuristic Technology

Explorers Wanted: NASA to Hire More Artemis Generation Astronauts (2 minute read)

NASA will be accepting applications for the next class of Artemis Generation astronauts between March 2 and 31. The basic requirements to apply include US citizenship, two years of related experience or 1,000 hours of pilot-in-command time in jet aircraft, and a master's degree in a STEM field or equivalent. Applicants will be required to take an online assessment that could take up to two hours to complete. Successful applicants who complete training could be launched into space in future programs to work aboard the International Space Station and other projects. A link to apply is available.

How AI is fighting, and could enable, ransomware attacks on cities (8 minute read)

Modern infrastructure is based on computers and technology, and many parts of society would stop functioning in the event of a ransomware attack. Ransomware is malicious software that encrypts or controls computer systems until the victim pays the criminal a ransom. Increasingly, cities, public utilities, and public-facing institutions are being targeted. Security experts are using AI to improve the effectiveness of malware attack defenses, but criminals might also begin using AI to improve ransomware and plot more efficient attacks. It is likely that ransomware won't be seen in the wild for another one to three years, but AI can already be used to find vulnerable targets in an organization. Scientists have created in-house AI malware, so it is a real possibility. The upcoming elections may be a potential target for attacks by nation-state actors.
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Programming, Design & Data Science

Node.js CLI Apps Best Practices (GitHub Repo)

This repository contains a guide on best practices for building Node.js Command Line Interface applications. The guide covers the command line experience, interoperability, accessibility, testing, and errors. Each section includes the best practice, the reason for why the best practice should be implemented, and a more detailed discussion of the topic.
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Miscellaneous

China Quarantines Cash to Sanitize Old Bank Notes From Virus (1 minute read)

Old banknotes are now being quarantined in China in order to fight the coronavirus outbreak. The transfer and allocation of old banknotes across provinces has been cut off between the cities most affected by the deadly outbreak. 600 billion yuan cash has been created for Hubei. Money is being sanitized with ultraviolet rays or heated up and locked up for 14 days in the most affected areas, and money from less risky areas is subject to a week of quarantine. Commercial lenders have been asked to separate cash from hospitals and food markets. Mobile payments have largely replaced banknotes in daily life in China, but older people still tend to prefer using bank notes for everyday transactions.

23 rules to run a software startup with minimum hassle (13 minute read)

It is easy to waste time and energy when building your own bootstrap business. In order to avoid hassle, it is best to have customers pay upfront on a monthly subscription for some kind of software as a service. This way, you will have recurring revenue to continue development, locked-in customers, and no customers owing on payments. It's important to set realistic expectations, and use reliable technology. Automate as much as you can and follow the best practices of other businesses - choose a big bank, choose a simple corporate structure, and find a good accountant. When you first start your project, it is best to keep as much control over it as you can. If you take on investors or partners, there will be significantly more pressure to perform and it usually brings on more problems than it solves. Smart marketing is better than just spending on marketing. Don't respond to unsolicited requests until it is time that you need a particular product or service for your business.
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