1. The Frustration Loop
Total comment counts : 35
Summary
The author of the article discusses their ongoing battle with spammers on a free-to-use platform called Bear. The low barrier to entry attracts spammers who try to exploit the platform for backlinks. To combat this, the author has implemented mechanisms such as reviewing all content before it is visible and using a spam detection tool called Akismet. However, some spammers have found ways to bypass the system and post spam in less regulated areas. To frustrate spammers, the author has created a “Frustration Loop” where, instead of blocking spam, a fake system error is presented to waste the spammers’ time and make them give up. This approach has significantly reduced the amount of spam on the platform. The author acknowledges that there are still improvements to be made, but overall, the system is working effectively.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses Mike Davidson, a former ESPN co-worker who founded a community news site called Newsvine in 2006. Newsvine was similar to Reddit, focusing on news and featuring comments, upvotes, and link submissions. To combat spammers and trolls, the team implemented a system where users could be flagged as trolls on the backend. Once flagged, a random 10-60 second delay was added to every page load for the troll’s account. This approach proved effective in solving the problem.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author worked inside Akismet for over 6 years, a software system that is effective in detecting comment spam. However, it is not as effective in detecting signup spam, which is why there are many spam blogs on Wordpress.com. The author used various methods, including manual searches and tools, to track down and suspend thousands of spam blogs, although some mistakes were occasionally made. Despite efforts to create automated tools, the priority shifted away from hunting and suspending spam blogs. Despite the challenges, the author found satisfaction in their work. They mention that during this time of year, they would typically be searching for Halloween and Christmas spam blogs.
2. It’s okay to make something nobody wants
Total comment counts : 56
Summary
The article discusses the idea that products are not just created for practical use, but also as a medium for self-expression. Different expressions of creativity undergo a natural selection process, and the ones that resonate most with users survive. The author believes that making something based on personal interest and emotions is important, and that not everyone will necessarily like what is created. Making things that one genuinely likes, without worrying about others’ opinions, can result in cool and innovative products. The author also reflects on understanding Steve Jobs and his approach to product design, emphasizing the importance of feeling and perceiving one’s own emotions in order to create an emotional connection with users. The article concludes that reducing expectations and being present in the creation process is crucial for perceiving and conveying subtle emotions through products.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights the author’s regret for not taking risks and being paralyzed by fear. They emphasize that the community they are a part of can be toxic, especially for beginners who are not as skilled or have not made perfect decisions. They believe that life is more fulfilling when one embraces a cycle of creating, failing, and learning, rather than constantly consuming, criticizing, and gloating. The author expresses a wish to have learned this lesson earlier in life.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article highlights the difference between making something that one person wants a lot versus making something that nobody wants. The author shares their experience of feeling like nobody wanted what they were making, which made them miserable.
3. My solopreneur story
Total comment counts : 60
Summary
The article recounts the author’s journey from being unemployed to working for themselves and becoming a successful entrepreneur. They share their experience of building software products, growing an audience on Twitter, and finding long-term distribution channels. The author also talks about their successes and failures with different products, their decision to quit their job, and the challenges and benefits of working for themselves. They discuss the importance of learning various skills, maintaining a work-life balance, and the risks involved in entrepreneurship. The article ends with the author’s plans for the future and advice for those looking to embark on a similar path.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article discusses a user’s experience with a product called Xnapper for screenshots, developed by Tony. The user reported a cropping bug to the support team along with evidence in the form of a bullet list and a GIF screencast. However, the support person’s response was to increase the border padding beyond a reasonable aesthetic level, which didn’t address the bug. The user feels that aesthetics shouldn’t be compromised in a product meant for making screenshots, as non-aesthetic alternatives are already available on macOS. There is no mention of any bug fix or planned software update, with the last update occurring 9 months ago. The user believes that Tony is able to run a profitable business because he outsources support to individuals who do not prioritize output quality.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article expresses skepticism towards the success stories of small app developers. It suggests that these stories often only present positive aspects and fail to mention advertising expenses or customer acquisition costs. The author believes that focusing on audience building can compromise the integrity of the information, as it incentivizes high numbers while hiding expenses. The article argues that these success stories often omit important details about how the developers gained their users, making it challenging to assess the true success of their apps. The author advises taking the reported revenue numbers with caution, as they may not reflect the whole picture.
4. Croc: Easily and securely send things from one computer to another
Total comment counts : 28
Summary
The article is about a tool called “croc” that allows secure file transfer between two computers. It provides instructions on how to install the tool on different operating systems and how to use it for sending and receiving files. The tool uses password-authenticated key agreement (PAKE) for encryption and offers various configurable options. It also supports sending URLs and short text messages. The article mentions the ability to use a proxy or run your own relay for the file transfer. It concludes with a mention of contributors to the tool.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article mentions an alternative to the popular file transfer tool “croc” called “Magic Wormhole”. The author believes that Magic Wormhole is a well-analyzed and carefully implemented option, with a good Golang implementation that compiles into a single binary. They state that croc has some additional features, such as being able to pick curves and hashes, but highlight that Magic Wormhole is widely considered the default tool for this purpose.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author discusses the costs associated with relying on a developer to provide a relay server for the project “croc.” They highlight that the main cost is bandwidth, with over 8 terabytes of data being sent each month. Initially, the public relay server only cost $5/month, but currently, it is costing the author $40-50/month. The increased cost is allowing file transfers for numerous individuals globally.
5. TinyML and Efficient Deep Learning Computing
Total comment counts : 6
Summary
This article discusses the need to improve the efficiency of large generative models, such as language models and diffusion models, which require significant computational resources. The goal is to make these models more accessible by introducing efficient AI computing techniques. The course covers various topics including model compression, pruning, quantization, neural architecture search, distributed training, data/model parallelism, gradient compression, and on-device fine-tuning. It also explores application-specific acceleration techniques for language models, diffusion models, video recognition, and point cloud. The course provides hands-on experience deploying large language models on a laptop and offers access to slides and lab assignments from previous semesters.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article recommends the tinyML Talks as a valuable resource for anyone interested in advancing edge computing. The talks offer a wide range of content, including a large library and an upcoming schedule. Most of the slides from the talks are available, providing a significant amount of material. The article also highlights the potential of running applications on embedded systems. The full article can be found at the link provided.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author is looking for people to help bring their efficient machine learning project work to Africa. They have visited Africa and want to make connections in order to help contribute to the region.
6. Show HN: TG – Fast geometry library for C
Total comment counts : 11
Summary
The article discusses an open-source geometry library called TG for programming in C. The library is designed for real-time geospatial applications, such as geofencing and monitoring. Its main goal is to provide fast and memory-efficient geometry operations like point-in-polygon and geometry intersection. TG uses unique indexing structures that can process large amounts of point data quickly, even with complex polygons. The library is compatible with most modern C compilers and provides a thread-safe and reentrant API. The article also explains how to use the library and provides examples of its implementation.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article is asking questions about how to handle polygons that cross the antimeridian and inquires about the index structure used. They express concern about the lack of exact predicates and suggest relying on a set of predicates that fall back to symbolic perturbation. The author provides links to resources for further information on the topic.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a library that is highly appreciated for its visualizations. The author asks if the library will focus on intersections or if it will also explore triangulation. The article includes a link to a GitHub repository with more information.
7. New tarantula species discovered in Thailand
Total comment counts : 12
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses various types of tarantulas as pets. It mentions that Cobalt Blue and Green Bottle Blue tarantulas are visually appealing but not recommended for beginners due to their temperament and specific climate needs. On the other hand, tarantulas like Rosehair and Pink Toes are considered easier to care for. They require minimal attention, are quiet, can tolerate desert climates, and can be handled. The author also shares their personal experience of owning a female Rosehair tarantula for 20 years as a beginner.
Top 2 Comment Summary
Tarantulas have a vivid blue color not because of blue pigments but because of the unique structure of their hair, which contains nanostructures that manipulate light to create this blue appearance.
8. Technique for 3D printing metals at the nanoscale reveals surprise benefit
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
Scientists have developed a method that allows them to print metal objects with features as small as a flu virus. This is achieved by suspending a larger metal object in a hydrogel and then removing the gel, causing the metal to shrink to the desired size. The process also reveals that disordered atoms can provide unexpected structural benefits, as too much order can lead to failure. This is considered a significant achievement in the field.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author describes building a nanoscale 3D printer using a piezo actuator and a thermal evaporator. They used a shadow mask made of silicon nitride film and a focused ion beam to create nanostructures of gold and possibly chromium. The printer was capable of creating features as small as 10 nm, and there is potential for even smaller features with further optimization.
9. Teaching Software Engineering in DLang [pdf]
Total comment counts : 4
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses D, a language that falls between a low-level and high-level language. It is versatile, allowing for quick scripting and the development of complex and fast applications. The language is in a unique position and is considered worth exploring. For those familiar with C/C++, the -BetterC flag may be of interest due to its flexibility.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the merits of using the programming language D compared to C++ for various purposes, including teaching. The author asserts that D is superior to C++ in terms of speed and readability, and it is also well-suited for scripting tasks. However, the author admits to having been impressed by Rust, suggesting that Rust’s type system is more favorable for writing complex programs.
10. Digression 3: Corrosion – Rust Never Sleeps
Total comment counts : 7
Summary
The article discusses the issue of corrosion and rust on vehicles and other metal structures, focusing on the challenges faced by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation in maintaining roads during snowy conditions. It explains the various types of corrosion and the significant costs associated with corrosion on a global scale. The article also highlights the importance of protective coatings, such as galvanized steel and stainless steel, in preventing rust and corrosion. It concludes with the example of the Statue of Liberty’s restoration project, which involved replacing corroded iron with stainless steel.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article explains how rust, salt, and moisture are connected. It mentions that salts have the ability to absorb moisture from the air, even at humidity levels below 100%. This can cause salt-contaminated surfaces, particularly steel, to become wet even in less humid conditions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The ongoing maintenance budget for the statue is around $6 million per year. This includes $5 million for managing public access and $1 million for physical maintenance. If the $1 million is not fully used, it is saved to eventually cover a major overhaul. This approach is a departure from the “use it or lose it” mentality.