OpenRouter let's you buy 'ai access' - different models (agents like Claude or GPT is specific forms like Fable or Sol) from different routers (providers aka data centers).

So you get an API key and save it in your setup (IDE, coding app, CLI env whatever) and then you have a library of all the models available pay as you go. Prices per model are competitive if they're available from multiple providers or at the market rate from folks like Anthropic and OpenAI.

For AI service at home I switched from Copilot, a MS subscription with opaque usage pricing to OpenRouter so I can pick / route work to cheap or free models available on OR while still using my preferred models and having access to everything under the sun including the latest versions. It's pretty great honestly.

OR is also a good place to look if you just want some info about AI models and providers. Their benchmark, popularity and domain information makes the models make sense and highlights real world usage patterns, i.e. DeepSeek v4 and GLM 5 are serious competition to the proprietary models like Claude with pricing 10-100x less. Presumably OR is just taking a cut as the middleman to pay for the service.

And in case you read this far and you're wondering, I'm using it with Zed and working on a custom fork to improve the agent handling and routing to optimize use of such services. Enjoy the AI, spare me any generic ai outrage.

Here here. This place doesn't have much rational thoughts on AI.

I'm (a little) surprised how group think this place is on the topic - y'all are a serious echo chamber. This place is like rainbow flags and kill the bots central. Any pro AI counterpoint mentions bring pitch forks and hate. That's not a good look.

Maybe I'm an AI bro myself, but I'm also an experienced professional using it to do real work (and no, not taking any jobs, building new tools for a team that needs them). Linus is a real expert. But why listen to experience and expertise when you have an opinion and feel justified. It's ok to be afraid, but when scary change comes wise folks listen and learn.

Here we don't worry about facts and reality, just get your outrage revved up. Social media is social media - and that's scarier than AI, because it uses people to make the garbage.

Fair - it's marketing.
But it's good marketing - lambasts a stupid thing that people dislike to promote a product that is selling the opposite (privacy).
Good goal, and the marketing is clearly working here we are talking about it.

Also DDG browser is awesome on mobile and Windows. Blocks many ads and trackers, even on YT. Lightweight, wicked fast, offers not only private search but private AI chat.

Use DDG Because Gemini is SUPER creepy when it inserts personal info in unrelated questions. It keeps inserting my family details in answering unrelated questions now... Like a perv.

See also, laws that are intended to limit 3d printing in the name of gun control. We don't have gun use control in the US, but boy do we have lobbyists with reasons to restrict what we can print. Maybe even some gun manufacturers!

Y'all aren't following gear head news, huh? https://www.slashgear.com/2092803/doj-no-charges-diesel-engine-delete-tune/ Yes, I hate coal rolling.
And I also LOVE using Forscan on the family truckster. Thing is, some big companies think it's a good idea to make rules about what you're allowed to access (open software, repair ability) instead of what you can do (emissions, road rules), and that's the wrong way to have a free and organized civilization, but it's great for profit.

Tl;Dr right to repair is right to hack, don't ban that but do enforce limits on how things are actually used.

Several times a week usually.

SCI HUB. Say it with me sci-hub Is it just me? Sci hub free article access ftw?
Arxiv is pretty great too, but not everything is physics.

You're right AND The big deal about drones is they are even cheaper and easier to make than missiles.

That is basically the zero sum economy theory and it is exactly wrong.

Because we add value to the world when we build and grow, it's wrong to think one gain is always another's loss.

Many moves are net positive, even if one group loses. Some moves are neutral. And many moves are net negative, we can both destroy and build. This is the key to realistic assessment of what moves to make and support.

Zero sum economy BS leads to terrible selfish behavior or nihilism. Fight it. We can build it better.