Retro486 Modular Browser PC is a JavaScript emulator that recreates an Intel 80486DX2-66 system and runs directly in a browser without downloads or external dependencies. Developer Jan de Jager’s project offers a live demo, with FreeDOS and a collection of classic software and games ready to try, plus support for users’ own disk images. Its interface is divided into tabs that make the emulated machine’s components visible and configurable rather than presenting only a virtual screen.
The CRT tab provides a DOS command line and display settings, including scanlines and green, amber, or paperwhite phosphor looks. Other tabs let users choose a motherboard, add or remove expansion cards, create custom cards, manage operating systems and software disks, and inspect diagnostics such as CPU registers, memory, BIOS, and storage. The bundled system includes familiar hardware such as a VLB graphics card and Sound Blaster 16. FreeDOS booted successfully in testing, though some games, including titles such as Doom and Wolfenstein 3D, produced errors. Browser persistence retains settings, while disk images and ROMs are cached for later sessions. At version 0.1, the emulator is still early in development, but its detailed configuration options and accessible presentation make it a promising way to explore a 1990s PC.
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OpenIDEA is a fast, native IDE rebuilt in Rust with an IntelliJ IDEA-style keymap and interface. It includes editing, code insights, debugging, Git, terminal, database, and HTTP tools for over 60 languages. (github.com)
Vela 0.1 is the first beta of a new Linux desktop environment, bringing a complete shell, window management, settings, file manager, and Vulkan-based graphics. It adds built-in updates and Bluetooth pairing, native-resolution support for X11 apps, and signed packages for Arch, Fedora, and Ubuntu. (velade.org)
BBRouter lets users explore and simulate Ben Eater’s 8-bit computer on interactive 3D breadboards. It also supports schematic editing, build instructions, and AI app connections through an MCP server. (bbrouter.com)
Kleene’s second recursion theorem guarantees a program that reproduces its own description, forming the basis of a quine. An untyped lambda calculus construction shows how to build one and how formalization can clarify the theorem. (emarzion.github.io)
A C++ function returns a string_view into a temporary string, causing undefined behavior that lets optimized builds incorrectly grant root permissions. The bug reproduces with both Clang and GCC, illustrating how dangling references can produce surprising results. (nablag.com)
A browser-based port of the 1987 NES game Contra converts its assembly code to C and then WebAssembly. It supports solo play and online two-player games. (epoyraz.github.io)
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