The Internet Archive is Back. Mozilla lays off 30% of their staff. Linus Torvalds proves he’s still “got it” issuing a patch that boosts performance by 2.6%, Meta is reconsidering their VR funding strategy and Apple tells investors that its new products might not be a profitable as the iPhone.
Welcome to Hashtag Trending. I’m your host, Jim Love. Let’s get into it
Internet Archive Restores Services After Cyberattack Disruption
The Internet Archive, a vital digital library, has resumed its full services following a series of cyberattacks that took it offline for nearly a month. On Monday, the Archive announced the restoration of its popular Save Page Now feature, enabling users to add web pages to its extensive digital library.
The organization had been operating in read-only mode since October 21 while working to recover from a series of attacks that began on October 8. A group named SN_BLACKMETA claimed responsibility for part of the attack, which included a distributed denial of service (DDoS) operation. Additionally, a separate attacker reportedly accessed and stole 31 million user credentials due to an exposed GitLab configuration file, which provided access to the Archive’s source code.
The Internet Archive, founded in 1996, holds a collection of over 835 billion web pages and numerous digitized books, videos, and software programs. While supported in part by federal funding, much of its operating budget depends on donations. The organization is now addressing a backlog of archived pages saved since October 9 and has urged users to resume archiving
Mozilla Foundation Lays Off 30% of Staff, Disbands Advocacy Division
The Mozilla Foundation, known for its nonprofit work supporting the Firefox browser, has laid off 30% of its staff as part of a major reorganization. The foundation, which previously reported around 120 employees, is scaling back its operations amid what it describes as a “relentless onslaught of change” in the tech sector.
The layoffs include the closure of the Foundation’s advocacy and global programs divisions, which have focused on promoting privacy, inclusion, and transparency online. Executive Director Nabiha Syed explained that the organization aims to streamline its focus and develop a “unified, powerful narrative” to better adapt to the shifting landscape of technology. While advocacy work will continue, it will be embedded into other functional areas rather than as a standalone effort.
This is the second round of layoffs at Mozilla this year, following earlier cuts that impacted the team behind Firefox. The move reflects broader challenges for the organization as it navigates a rapidly changing industry while maintaining its mission of putting “people before profit.”
Linus Torvalds Patch Boosts Linux Performance by 2.6% in Multithreaded Tasks
Linux creator Linus Torvalds has released a small but impactful code patch that improves Linux’s multithreaded performance by 2.6%. The patch, titled *x86/uaccess: Avoid barrier_nospec() in 64-bit copy_from_user()*, addresses security issues related to speculative execution vulnerabilities like Meltdown and Spectre, which have persisted since 2018.
The patch, based on a prior version by Red Hat’s Josh Poimboeuf, avoids the *barrier_nospec()* API, which limits speculative execution to enhance security but can also hinder performance. By using pointer masking instead of blocking invalid memory access, the patch speeds up processes while maintaining security. Torvalds’s knowledge of low-level x86 architecture enables him to make such nuanced adjustments, helping Linux achieve performance gains without sacrificing system safety.
The improvement might seem minor, but it underscores why Torvalds is still the king of rock and roll when it comes to Linux’s security and efficiency.
Meta Reconsiders VR Funding Strategy Amid Slowing Sales, Impacting Studio Budgets
Meta is reportedly shifting its funding strategy for VR content, causing some partner studios to reduce staff and delay projects. According to an article in The Information, weakening VR sales over the past year led Meta to reassess its content priorities, cutting funding for third-party studios like Dutch-based Monks and French studio Atlas V, which recently released *Wallace & Gromit in The Grand Getaway*. Meta also closed its own VR studio, Ready at Dawn, earlier this year as part of this reorientation.
While Meta’s funding for VR remains, the company is redirecting its focus to lifestyle apps and certain high-appeal games, aiming to capture broader audiences. The move aligns with Meta’s ongoing cost-cutting efforts, including a 20% reduction in Reality Labs’ budget by 2026. A Meta spokesperson noted that although some deals have slowed, developer funding overall will increase this year, albeit with adjusted priorities.
Apple Warns Investors New Products May Not Match iPhone’s Profitability
In its latest annual report, Apple cautioned investors that upcoming technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and mixed-reality headsets, may never be as profitable as the iPhone. The company’s “business risks” section, as reported by the Financial Times, highlights potential declines in revenue and profit margins from these new products.
Apple’s AI integration, dubbed Apple Intelligence, debuted recently with plans to add ChatGPT capabilities. Meanwhile, sales of its Vision Pro headset have been limited, and I’m no Financial analytics genius, but my guess is that it has some relationship to the $3,499 US price. Apple may just have discovered that there is a limit to discretionary spending on Tech Devices. Just a thought.
And that’s our show for today.
Reach me at editorial@technewsday.ca
I’m your host Jim Love, have a Thrilling Thursday.
