Getting started with Meshtastic

Meshtastic is an innovative project that leverages LoRa technology to enable long-distance communication using low-power and compact hardware. It allows users to send short text messages and metadata over impressive distances, with the potential to reach nodes 70 miles away or more with the right antenna. To get started with Meshtastic, you'll need a node, with options like the Heltec V3 for affordability and performance, the LILYGO T-Deck Plus for a standalone experience, or the LILYGO T-Watch S3 for a wearable solution. In the UK, it's best to operate on the 868 MHz frequency, and using the default "LongFast" modulation offers the broadest connectivity. Once set up, users can explore the network by leaving their device on to discover nearby nodes and communicate on shared channels.

0x5f3759df - a true 'magic number'

The 'magic number' `0x5f3759df`, used in Quake 3: Arena's code, is an antipattern, often undocumented and difficult for others to maintain. Despite this, it enabled a fast approximation of the inverse square root, crucial for 3D rendering. Carmack's code uses a clever bit manipulation to achieve this efficiently, with Newton's method refining the result. This approach was much faster than traditional square root calculations. The origin of this magic number is unclear, with its discovery being a lost piece of history.