1. Medieval
Total comment counts : 75
Summary
The article discusses the EP-1320, a medieval beat machine that features a large library of medieval sounds, phrases, and instruments. It includes Hurdy Gurds, lutes, Gregorian chants, thundering drums, and percussive foley effects. The EP-1320 also has a redesigned set of send effects, punch-in FX, a brand new arpeggiator, and a collection of craftily captured multi-sampled instruments. It allows users to sample their own sounds using the line input and internal microphone. The beat machine is capable of creating sultry serenades or bubonic beats and comes with a variety of one-shot samples. Additionally, it includes instruments such as hurdy gurdy, citole, bowed harp, gittern, bagpipes, shawn, flutes, trumpets, frame drums, tambourines, chain rattles, battle toms, clappers, bells, and coconut horse hooves. The EP-1320 also offers various foley and sound effects such as swords, arrows, farm animals, witches, rowdy peasants, and even a dragon. It has a demus mode that allows users to choose from nine medieval songs and jam along using the sounds and instruments. The beat machine has USB-C MIDI output and input, sync output and input, audio input and output, built-in microphone, built-in speaker, and runs on AAA batteries. It also includes features like instant time correction, pressure and velocity sensitive pads, and a master compressor. The article also mentions additional merchandise related to the EP-1320. The dimensions and specifications of the beat machine are provided as well.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a promotional video that has a similar vibe to the film “The Holy Mountain” from 1973. It provides links to Wikipedia for more information about the film and a YouTube video of the promotional video.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses their admiration for the blackletter style 7-segment display from TE. They also mention that TE seems to prioritize aesthetics over usability in their gadget designs but have been successful in turning it into a profitable business.
2. Tracking supermarket prices with Playwright
Total comment counts : 41
Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience building a website to track price changes in the largest supermarkets in Greece. The author encountered challenges related to scraping the websites, particularly due to the use of Javascript. They found a solution in using Playwright, a tool that allows them to programmatically control a web browser and extract necessary information. To automate the process, the author used a cloud provider, Hetzner, to run the scraping once per day. They also utilized a CI server, Concourse, to delegate the scraping tasks to a more powerful server. The author concludes by mentioning that they receive email notifications in case any steps in the process fail.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the challenges faced by the writer in running a contact lens price comparison website. They mention that changing HTML on websites is difficult to deal with. One of the biggest hurdles they encountered was matching products across multiple websites, as each website had its own naming conventions. Although regular expressions helped to handle most cases, manual mapping was required in many instances. The writer also highlights the challenges of maintaining scrapers and determining why a product may disappear from a site (i.e., error in the scraper, blocked scraper, website changes, or site maintenance). Overall, the writer describes their project as both fun and challenging.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience in New Zealand, where they have been collecting data on Playwright/Typescript dumping parquet files to cloud storage. They mention that they haven’t displayed the data yet, but they have noticed at least three start-ups in New Zealand doing something similar. The author also comments on inflation and the innovative patterns they have observed, specifically mentioning how supermarkets use pricing methods to target different types of consumers.
3. East Germany invented ‘unbreakable’ drinking glasses
Total comment counts : 39
Summary
Superfest, an “unbreakable” drinking glass invented in East Germany, is making a comeback. The glass was designed to be more durable than ordinary drinking glasses, lasting up to ten times longer. After the fall of the Berlin Wall, the company that produced Superfest glasses went bankrupt. Now, with a growing demand for sustainable and eco-friendly products, the glasses are being sold for around €35 each on online marketplaces. The anonymity of the original designers was politically desired in East Germany, where the collective was valued over individual talent. The glass was made using innovative technology that increased the toughness of the glass surface. Its decline in popularity was due to its functionalist design and its strength, which threatened glass retailers’ profits. However, a Berlin startup is trying to reintroduce the highly durable glasses to the market, capitalizing on the rising demand for sustainable products.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the surprising thinness and lightness of these glasses, comparing them to modern wine glasses. The author also mentions that they have never accidentally broken one. They further mention that the article is poorly researched, as the design pictured is not the only one sold. They provide a link to a page showing different designs of these glasses.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the interesting history of Duralex, a glass manufacturer in France. It mentions how the company was near bankruptcy but was bought back by its employees a few weeks ago. Despite its previous struggles, Duralex has regained popularity. However, the article suggests that this popularity could fade in the future if people continue to purchase cheaper alternatives.
4. Nxylon: New super-black material made from wood
Total comment counts : 17
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the spelling of the word “Nxylon” and suggests that “Nyxlon” would have been a more straightforward and easier-to-pronounce alternative.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article explains that Nxylon, a type of material, retains its black color even when coated with an alloy like gold. This is because Nxylon’s structure prevents light from escaping, rather than relying on black pigments. The user is confused as to why the alloy coating does not reflect light, but the article does not provide an explanation for this.
5. Twitter kills its San Francisco headquarters, will relocate to South Bay
Total comment counts : 70
Summary
Social media giant X has confirmed plans to shut down its San Francisco headquarters and relocate its employees to the South Bay. CEO Linda Yaccarino announced the closure in an internal email, stating that the move is the right decision for the company in the long term. X’s engineering workers will share an office in Palo Alto with another company owned by Elon Musk, while the remaining employees will be routed to existing offices in San Jose’s Santana Row. The company’s headquarters in San Francisco had been largely vacant after multiple rounds of layoffs, and the space is now being marketed for sublease. X is obligated for about 800,000 square feet of office space in Mid-Market until 2026 and 2028. The closure marks the end of an era for the neighborhood, which attracted tech companies through a tax break program initiated by the city in 2011. The tax break, which Twitter took advantage of, aimed to make the area more appealing to businesses. However, since the expiration of the tax breaks in 2019 and the rise of remote work, the neighborhood has faced challenges. X’s relocation is another blow to the area.
Top 1 Comment Summary
This article is a plea to readers to refrain from posting low-quality and snarky comments on Hacker News threads. The author recognizes that the discussed topic may be divisive but emphasizes the importance of thoughtful and substantive comments. The article encourages readers to review the guidelines provided by Hacker News and approach discussions on the site with a positive and respectful attitude.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses the influence of the location of company headquarters and its relation to the average age of employees in the Bay Area. It suggests that employees with families are more likely to move to the south bay for better living conditions and could potentially struggle with long commutes. The article also notes the author’s personal preference for living outside of the city and suggests that if other people share this preference, a company may have access to more talent by moving its headquarters to the south of San Francisco.
6. MNT Pocket Reform first impressions and hardware
Total comment counts : 10
Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with a new device called the Pocket Reform, which is a small, open-source Linux system. The author praises the solidity and portability of the machine, as well as the accessibility of its components. They highlight the unique ortholinear keyboard layout and responsive trackball. The screen quality is also lauded. The article mentions the various ports and connectivity options available, including USB-C and micro SD. The author acknowledges that the device is primarily designed for hackers and tinkerers, with some firmware and hardware issues that need tweaking. They mention their positive experience with the MNT team’s support through forums and IRC. The article concludes with the author’s anticipation for receiving a modem/WWAN card for the device.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author recently acquired one of MNT’s devices and shares their thoughts. They acknowledge that these devices may require some tinkering and have some rough aspects at first, but for certain individuals, they can be a lot of fun. The author describes how these devices scratch their “tiny laptop itch” and reminisces about their first laptop experience with their dad’s Libretto 70ct. They also appreciate the input method of the small trackball, finding it very smooth. Additionally, the author mentions designing a custom back panel for their device, although they missed some details and will need to have it re-made. They find the customization options to be enjoyable.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author praises the MNT team for their work on the MNT Reform and expresses their desire to see the team continue to succeed. They mention the new rk3588 SOM, which allows for 8 cores and 32GB of RAM, and recommend their devices. The author also looks forward to the release of a new server rack mounted form factor for their homelab. Overall, they appreciate having a device that is transparent and upgradable over time.
7. How French Drains Work
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article discusses the importance of drainage systems below spillways, focusing on French drains as a solution. It explains that water can cause damage to structures by creating pressure and emphasizes the need to manage water, both on the surface and below the ground. The article also provides a simple model to demonstrate how French drains work and discusses the history of subsurface drainage, including the use of clay tiles and rocks.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article provides tips and lessons learned for building effective French drains in residential settings. It emphasizes the importance of preventing soil migration by using geotextile fabric around the gravel and pipe. It suggests using pipe with larger and more numerous holes to simplify the drainage system. Choosing the right type of gravel with sufficient void space is critical for fast drainage. Calculating the amount of water to be drained based on local rainfall patterns is also advised. In cases where there is insufficient gradient for water movement, building a drywell is recommended.
Top 2 Comment Summary
This article is about a person’s experience with flooding in their parents’ house on a mountainside. Initially, the basement would flood from the bottom due to rainwater pressure pushing up through the thin clay soil and bedrock. To solve this issue, the parents had french drains installed around the house and in front of it, directing the water away. This stopped the flooding and allowed them to finish the basement. However, years later, after the father passed away, the flooding started again due to a failure in the french drains. The drains had to be dug up, replaced, and redone to fix the issue.
8. Show HN: I’ve spent nearly 5y on a web app that creates 3D apartments
Total comment counts : 65
Summary
This article is promoting an opportunity for real estate professionals to enhance the visibility of their projects. They offer a 3D space with immersive virtual reality (VR) experiences to showcase projects effectively. The service allows users to highlight project features, design future interior spaces using AI technologies, and provide descriptions and area specifications to be shown in the 3D space. The service operates on a pay-as-you-go model, with house plans costing $16 each. Users can easily embed the 3D visualizations on their websites or share them online. The service is compatible with mobile and VR devices. The article encourages readers to be among the first to use this cost-effective visualization tool called Roometron and provides contact information for further inquiries.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author of the article is remodeling a place and shares observations about their experience with a tool called Roometron.com. They encountered challenges with rasterizing plans, adding multiple rooms, and during checkout. The article highlights the importance of PDF support and the ability to add multiple rooms. The author describes their process of trying to overcome these obstacles, including researching how to convert PDF to webp, encountering rendering errors during checkout, attempting to use PayPal as a payment option, and ultimately giving up on the tool.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses some minor feedback and suggestions for improving a certain feature. The author suggests making the “Walk” feature more prominent on the homepage and adjusting the default settings for the feature. They also comment on the lack of specular highlighting and the occasional issue of the canvas turning white in Chromium. Overall, these are minor issues and not dealbreakers for the user.
9. Tsung-Dao Lee, physicist who challenged a law of nature, has died
Total comment counts : 18
Summary
I’m sorry, but I cannot summarize an article that requires JavaScript to be enabled and any ad blockers to be disabled. Can you provide a different article or more information?
Top 1 Comment Summary
I’m sorry, but I am unable to access or summarize content from specific URLs. If you can provide the main points or a brief summary of the article, I would be happy to assist you.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a thought experiment proposed by physicist Richard Feynman. He uses the analogy of communicating with a Martian through telephone, where only verbal descriptions are possible. Feynman explores the challenge of conveying the concept of “left” and “right” without any visual or physical references. He goes on to explain how this analogy relates to describing ourselves and our internal organs to the Martian. The article can be found at the following link: Article Link
10. How Uber tests payments in production
Total comment counts : 33
Summary
The article discusses the concept of testing in production and why it is necessary, using Uber’s payment system as an example. The author argues that traditional staging environments are not as effective as testing in the actual production environment. They explain that software, unlike physical machines, can improve over time, and legacy software should be maintained to continue functioning properly. The author also highlights the importance of continually fixing bugs and testing payment systems in a sandbox environment before moving to production. Ultimately, the article suggests that testing in production is a great idea and shares insights from the author’s experience as a payments engineer.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses the use of testing APIs for payment systems in the industry. The author explains that many companies rely on real cards and real API endpoints to test payments because testing APIs provided by payment providers are often of low quality. The author also notes that using testing endpoints can introduce unique bugs that are not found in the production environment, leading many teams to avoid using them altogether. It is common practice to only use testing endpoints in the early stages of development and then switch to production endpoints before the product launch. The author suspects that the situation may be different in the US, where testing environments for payment providers may simulate a typical domestic US scenario.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article argues that many people dismiss it as “fluffy” without offering any real insight, but the author, who has extensive experience in coding and managing teams, disagrees. The author believes that those who dismiss the article may have code that crashes frequently in production and may harm startups. The author emphasizes the importance of taking the article’s insights seriously to avoid negative consequences, using CrowdStrike as an example. The article emphasizes that startups often fail due to an inability to handle bugs properly, causing delays and technical issues. It warns against missing out on a business’s full potential by not addressing software defects effectively.