[simonw]

I had a few days of preview access, which was long enough to put together a plugin for LLM. You can try the model out in the terminal like this:

  uv tool install llm
  llm install llm-meta-ai
  llm keys set meta-ai
  # paste API key here
  llm -m meta-ai/muse-spark-1.1 "Generate an SVG of a pelican riding a bicycle"

Here's the result: https://tools.simonwillison.net/markdown-svg-renderer#url=ht...

For comparison, here's the pelican I got from Muse Spark 1: https://simonwillison.net/2026/Apr/8/muse-spark/

[edcrfv]

How do you find the time to “preview” so many models? It’s been a crazy time recently with the model releases. Does it ever feel like a chore?

[simonw]

It does feel like a chore in weeks like this one where there are new models landing every day.

I'm also increasingly worried that I'm not providing enough value in my model reviews. It's really hard to get a useful and credible idea for the strengths of the new models.

[sebzim4500]

Please don't listen to those miserable people, I find your posts really interesting

[gavinray]

His primary interest nowadays is LLM's. Unsure if he gets paid for it, but he seems to take it as a dayjob.

[simonw]

My blog genuinely is a day job now, I make enough from the (unobtrusive, cookie-free) sponsorship banner that I no longer regret not having a proper software engineering job.

[owebmaster]

Isn't time for you to give us a break and stop posting in all threads then? It's clearly spamming.

[freedomben]

Some of us really like simonw's analysis, personality, and transparency. Just because you don't like it doesn't make it "spam"

[owebmaster]

He plainly stated that he's spamming HN. The fact that you like the content doesn't change that

[signatoremo]

Who are "us"? Maybe you can set up a simonw-free forum and bring your like minded over there?

[pheaded_while9]

I see you're being blammed. "They hated him because he spoke the truth." Just because this online character is from your alma mater website doesn't mean he's not cynically and shamelessly self-promoting.

[quantumwoke]

It's his job, and this is advertising (he is very good at native advertising on HN).

[owebmaster]

Yes, this. It's annoying and the moderation should stop giving him a free pass

[axiom92]

What do you think about Grok 4.5 in comparison to Muse Spark 1.1?