AI

After an outcry, OpenAI swiftly rereleased 4o to paid users. But experts say it should not have removed the model so suddenly.

OpenAI’s decision to replace 4o with the more straightforward GPT-5 follows a steady drumbeat of news about the potentially harmful effects of extensive chatbot use. Reports of incidents in which ChatGPT sparked psychosis in users have been everywhere for the past few months, and in a blog post last week, OpenAI acknowledged 4o’s failure to…

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AI

GPT-5 Doesn’t Dislike You—It Might Just Need a Benchmark for Emotional Intelligence

Since the all-new ChatGPT launched on Thursday, some users have mourned the disappearance of a peppy and encouraging personality in favor of a colder, more businesslike one (a move seemingly designed to reduce unhealthy user behavior.) The backlash shows the challenge of building artificial intelligence systems that exhibit anything like real emotional intelligence. Researchers at…

AI

OpenAI Designed GPT-5 to Be Safer. It Still Outputs Gay Slurs

OpenAI is trying to make its chatbot less annoying with the release of GPT-5. And I’m not talking about adjustments to its synthetic personality that many users have complained about. Before GPT-5, if the AI tool determined it couldn’t answer your prompt because the request violated OpenAI’s content guidelines, it would hit you with a…

Software

Bringing 3d-blockstack to Life – DEV Community

psitbdUser6 hours ago07 mins

Hacktoberfest: Maintainer Spotlight

🎃 Maintainer Spotlight: Bringing 3d-blockstack to Life

Project: 3D-Blockstack

Hacktoberfest isn’t just a month; it’s a feeling—especially when you’re on the other side of the pull request. For me, the month of October is when my GitHub activity chart goes from 0 to 100, and there’s simply nothing more exhilarating. It’s a time for finding new tech stacks, squashing bugs, and seeing the open-source community explode with collaborative energy.

My Hacktoberfest journey started back in my college days, thanks to my GDSC chapter. I was instantly hooked on the thrill of contributing and learning. Now, as a maintainer for 3d-blockstack, I get to experience that excitement from a whole new angle.

What is 3d-blockstack and Why I Maintain It

3d-blockstack is an open-source, mesmerizing 3D stacking game built using Three.js for captivating graphics and Cannon.js for realistic physics. It challenges players to build the tallest tower by precisely dropping blocks, featuring responsive design, a high score system, and multiple color themes. I maintain it because it’s a perfect sandbox for developers who want a hands-on experience in game development, 3D rendering, and performance optimization—turning challenging code into a truly addictive user experience.

The best part about being a maintainer is fostering that same spirit of excitement I felt as a first-time contributor. I truly believe that the most valuable contributions often come from fresh eyes. It is surreal to realize that I’m not just leveraging my own skills, but the collective genius of the entire community. Open source embodies the highest form of collaboration, proving that no single person can build a great project alone; like the famous adage, it takes a village of committed contributors to raise a project to its full potential.

✨ How to Contribute to 3d-blockstack

If you’re looking for a project that offers real-world impact and a welcoming community, look no further! We’ve made it easy to jump in:

Read the CONTRIBUTING.md: This is your map! It has all the information about our code style, commit conventions, and setup instructions.
Look for the Labels: We actively label issues with:
- hacktoberfest: General issues suitable for the challenge.
- good first issue: Perfect for beginners or those new to the project.
- enhancement: Ideas for new features or improvements.
Pick an Issue & Comment: Once you find one you like, comment on the issue to let us know you’re working on it. This helps prevent multiple people from working on the same thing.
Ask Questions! Don’t struggle in silence. If you get stuck, please reach out via GitHub Discussions or Discord. I’m here to help you get that PR merged!

The Hacktoberfest Vibe: A Maintainer’s View

As a maintainer during Hacktoberfest, I get to wear a few hats:

The Reviewer: I meticulously check every pull request, focusing on clear communication and constructive feedback.
The Cheerleader: Seeing a contributor, especially a new one, solve a challenging issue or implement a requested feature is incredibly rewarding. I make sure to celebrate every successful merge.
The Vibe Setter: My goal is to make sure every contributor feels welcome, understood, and a valuable part of the 3d-blockstack family. Getting to know that vibe through comments and discussions is what makes the experience so unique and satisfying.

Hacktoberfest transforms the maintenance experience. We get to enhance our project with diverse skills and perspectives, turning good projects into truly great ones.

As Hacktoberfest 2025 draws to a close, the true victory isn’t measured just in merged PRs, but in the connections forged and the collaborative energy gained. Serving as a maintainer for 3d-blockstack has been the most rewarding experience, validating the “village” concept of open source collaboration. Thank you to every single contributor who helped us squash a bug, implement a new feature, and make this project truly shine. It is your enthusiasm that powers the open-source world, and I look forward to carrying this spirit alive every year ahead.