*“hola” reader👋! and other new subscribers this week. welcome to the august version of “tic”. If you’re new, you can catch up on our previous editions right here.

_{(*“hola“: hi in spanish)}

in this month’s issue of “tic”, we’re going to talk about the fascinating culture of sleeping, the story a biggest open source projects in the world, behind the scenes of one of humankind’s biggest achievements and so much more! so make sure to share this with your friends, so just like you, they too can enjoy and catch up with more interesting stuff like this!

🛌 the sleeping culture

in our fast-moving, technologized world, often sleep takes the backseat. the way we sleep, however, has been one of the cornerstones of health and well-being across cultures and throughout history. from ancient practices to modern science, it is varied and as complicated as the very societies in which we live. Accompany me through the fascinating land of sleep, where we are going to explore several cultural practices and recent scientific insights, together with some tips on how to improve sleep hygiene.

cultural sleep practices

• siestas in Spain

  

  (source: pamplona fiesta)

the afternoon siesta is a tradition close to the hearts of Spaniards and some other countries bordering the Mediterranean. known to last for two to three hours, it enables people to rest during the hottest part of the day. although this practice has become less common in urban areas because of the demands of modern work schedules, it is still observed as a tradition in many rural areas.

• co-sleeping in Japan

families generally sleep in one room, often on futons spread out on tatami mats. sleeping together in one room is referred to as "kawa-no-ji (川の字)" or forming the shape of a river. this brings closeness and comfort among family members, which is considered integral in Japanese culture.

• segmented sleep in historical Europe

before artificial lighting, segmented sleep was the norm for most Europeans. people used to go to bed very soon after the sun sets, sleep for some hours, wake up for one to two hours of calm activities, then back to bed until dawn. the system is considered a type of natural break between the two states of sleep, correlating with the body's circadian rhythm.

modern challenges to sleep

today's lifestyle makes it a huge challenge to maintain healthy sleep. this pervasive use of smartphones and other screens exposes us to visible blue light, which was shown to suppress melatonin production in the evening, consequently affecting the normal process of falling asleep. moreover, work pressure, social life, and entertainment are eating into our sleeping time.

scientific insights into sleep

recent scientific research underlines the importance of sleep in general health. Conclusions reached through such studies can be summarized as follows:

• brain functions: sleeping is not only essential for the memory consolidation process, but also for learning and cognitive functions. Deficiencies in sleep may result in difficulties in attention, problem-solving, and judgment.

• physical health: chronic sleeping deficiency relates to some potential health troubles: obesity, cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, and reduced immunity.

it can be associated with mental problems such as depression, anxiety, and psychological problems. on the other hand, a good sleeping habit can help a man or woman regulate his or her emotional mind and help him fight against adversity.

here are some guidelines to help you achieve better sleep hygiene:

1. bed routine: go to bed and wake up at the same time every day, even on weekends. This works your body into a schedule.

2. create a restful environment: the bedroom should be cool, dark, and quiet. As needed, use earplugs, an eye mask, or a white-noise machine.

3. limit screen time: the screens of your phone, tablet and computer should be avoided at least an hour before going to bed. these screens give out blue light that tends to interfere with the production of melatonin in your body.

4. be mindful of food and drink: avoid large meals, caffeine, and alcohol before bed. These can disrupt sleep or reduce sleep quality.

5. manage stress: practice relaxation techniques such as deep breathing, meditation, or gentle yoga to unwind before bed.

by better understanding and respecting how different cultures handle sleep, we gain an invaluable insight that serves to improve our own sleep. good sleep hygiene is more important now than ever before, when modern science shows the deep influence of sleep on our health and well-being. take a cue from cultures around the world: prioritize your rest for a healthier, happier life.

🖥️ the epic story of Linux

few operating systems have taken the world by storm, as did Linux, capturing the imagination and international cooperation of communities. humble in its origin, it turned out to be one of the cornerstones of computing today and truly is a testament to open-source and community-driven innovation. join me as we travel through the journey of the history of Linux, its founder, and how this piece of technology impacted our world and beyond.

Linux began in 1991 when Linus Torvalds, a computer science student from Finland, started his personal project with the aim of developing a Unix-like kernel operating system. at that time, Torvalds had enrolled in the University of Helsinki with the intention of writing an operating system for free and under open-source principles so that it could be modified and distributed freely.

Initially, it was the kernel developed by Torvalds that was to become the core of what is now known as Linux. It borrowed heavily from the working principles of Unix, except for one key area: it was open to all for use, study, modification, and distribution. This openness attracted a community of developers who contributed their skills and ideas to improve and expand its capabilities.

the rise of open source

the development of Linux paralleled that of the open-source software movement, whose basics involve collaborative development and the open distribution of software code. unlike proprietary systems, where source code is kept secret and controlled by a single entity, Linux allowed anyone to view, edit, and share the source code for much faster innovation and customization. hundreds of so-called Linux distributions, or "distros," have since been born to satisfy different purposes and tastes of users.

impact on computing

the effect that Linux has had on computing is huge:

• server infrastructure: in an incredibly short period of time, Linux became a sure thing in the reliability and cost-effectiveness for a server operating system. Today, most web servers, cloud infrastructure, and supercomputers run on Linux because of their inherent stability, scalability, and security features.

• mobile devices: the Android operating system, used by billions of smartphones and tablets worldwide, is based on the Linux kernel. in its wake of success, Android has further sealed the prominence of Linux in the mobile computing market.

  

  (source: wikipedia commons)

• embedded systems: Linux is used in devices like routers, smart TVs, automotive infotainment systems, and IoT devices. its flexibility and ability to run on different hardware architectures make it a preferred choice among the developers of embedded applications.

community and collaboration

the big key to the success of Linux has been the ecosystem that encompasses a rich, diverse community of developers, users, and organizations. collaboration by open-source development led to incessant improvements in performance, safety, and compatibility. Indeed, major corporations like IBM, Red Hat, and Google have invested in the development of Linux and have contributed resources for its further evolution.

Future Directions

looking ahead, Linux does not stop evolving for the modern challenges and opportunities that have been put across by computing. this can be depicted through current projects underway, like containerization, for instance, through Docker or Kubernetes, and the adoption of Linux-based technologies in emerging areas like artificial intelligence and edge computing. all these portray changes in Linux, surviving relevant in a hyperconnected world.

conclusion

Linux is just a very strong example of collaboration, innovation, and community spirit at work in technology. that started as a personal project of Linus Torvalds is now something that underpins critical infrastructures around the world and fuels innovations across all industries. as Linux continues to be developed further, its story will be inextricably connected to openness, freedom, and the democratization of technology.

it powered everything from servers to smartphones and from embedded devices to the cloud. its story has served to inspire aspiring developers and act as an evidence of how open source software can really make a difference.

🔡 wordle fun

here’s a exclusive wordle challenge from us;

dans les coulisses: “space missions” 🚀

from time immemorial, space missions have remained the epitome of scientific excellence and human curiosity. however, the journey from concept to launch is not that straight. this paper will take you through the scene to establish how meticulous planning, rigorous testing, and collaboration make a space mission possible.

the initial concept

every space mission is originated by an idea, usually prompted by a scientific question or goals for exploration put forward by space agencies like NASA, ESA, or private companies such as SpaceX. a mission concept documents the basic objectives that will be pursued by the mission, such as to observe some distant planet, launch a new satellite, or carry out experiments in microgravity.

conceptualization and design

should the concept be approved, then detailed planning and design commences:

• mission design: setting targets, a timeline, trajectory, and spacecraft configuration.

  

  (source: NASA)

• feasibility studies: research and simulations to ensure technical and financial feasibility.

• funding and partnerships: secure funding and partner with other space agencies or private companies.

engineering and construction

with a sound plan, the engineering and construction phase begins:

• spacecraft design: engineers design the spacecraft to face conditions in space.

• prototype development: building and testing prototypes against simulated space conditions.

• assembly and integration: construct the final spacecraft and integrate all components.

testing and validation

testing ensures mission readiness:

• component testing: the individual components of the spacecraft are tested for space-like conditions.

• system testing: system-level testing of the entire spacecraft.

• simulations: for all kinds of scenarios, there are simulations to prepare the team.

  

  EVA simulation (source: NASA)

pre-launch preparations

the launch date is approaching:

• launch vehicle integration: integration of the spacecraft with the launch vehicle.

  

  Crawler transporter (source: wikipedia commons)

• final checkouts: the very last minute checks and verification that everything is in optimal condition.

• launch rehearsals: full dress rehearsals of the launch procedure.

the launch

all those years of hard work coming to reality:

• countdown: every detail about the spacecraft and launch vehicle monitored by Mission Control.

• lift-off: the rocket ignites, and the spacecraft embarks on its journey.

• post-launch operations: initial checkouts and maneuvers to intended orbit.

conclusion

behind each of the successful space missions lies an incredible story of human ingenuity and collaboration. beginning from some spark of a bright idea to launch-off, every spacecraft forms a legacy of what people can really achieve if they reach for the stars. each such mission paves the way forward into new discoveries and further adventures by building on past knowledge.

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here’s a nerdy fun fact that might surprise you 🤓

in 1971, the first computer virus was developed 👾, called the "Creeper virus." it was created to demonstrate the message "I'm the creeper, catch me if you can!" by Bob Thomas at BBN technologies. it duplicated itself via ARPANET (advanced research projects agency network) but did not do damage since the purpose of its development was to illustrate that it could eventually replicate code on its own.

thank you for reading! wish you all a wonderful month.

until next month,

“tic.” team