1. Isometric Projection in Game Development
Total comment counts : 16
Summary
The article discusses the theory behind isometric projection in game development. It explains the different types of projections used, such as orthographic projection and perspective projection. The focus is on isometric projection, which is a method for visualizing 3D objects in two dimensions by making the angles between the x-axis, y-axis, and z-axis equal 120 degrees. The article also mentions that most retro isometric games are not true 3D games but instead use 2D tiles positioned to create a 3D effect.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author recollects the challenges they encountered while developing an isometric engine for a video game in the 90s. They struggled to determine the cursor’s position, which required converting screen coordinates to tile positions and accounting for the height of the tile stack and transparency. The author remarks that this problem could now be easily solved using Google. The game’s 2D tiles were created in 3D Studio Max, and the characters were exported as meshes from the same software. The article includes a link to a YouTube video for reference.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a 2D isometric tactical strategy game called Cantata. It is described as a 4X version of smaller tactics games like Advance Wars, featuring elements such as supply lines, region capture, and unique units. The game is isometric and uses pixel art. The author refers to a helpful article on isometric math and mentions the development of a custom renderer for the game that supports various tile-layering steps based on factors like units and terrain types. The art assets are based on 64x64 size tiles.
2. Blitz: A lightweight, modular, extensible web renderer
Total comment counts : 15
Summary
The article discusses Blitz, a high-performance HTML and CSS renderer built for the “Dioxus Native” project. Blitz is a lightweight webview with a native Rust API, allowing it to work with Rust reactivity and state management libraries like Dioxus. It does not support browser features such as webrtc, websockets, bluetooth, or localstorage, as these functionalities can be fulfilled using regular Rust crates. Blitz is currently in an experimental stage and is not recommended for building apps yet. It is licensed under both the Apache 2.0 and MIT licenses.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article states that the web development tool Blitz is not yet ready for use. It lists several issues including basic text input, lack of support for scrolling and complex CSS selectors, incomplete event handling integration, inefficient networking, lack of attention to performance and memory leaks, and missing features such as shadows, web fonts, and form controls. The article mentions that these issues are due to the complexity of building a webview and that the developers hope to have a more complete version available in 2-3 months.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a project called Flying Saucer, which was created 20 years ago as a Java-based HTML and CSS2 renderer. The author initially intended for it to be used for rendering rich text user interfaces in games, but it ended up being mostly used for server-side PDF generation. The project is still being updated and has a page on Wikipedia as well as a GitHub repository. The author expresses excitement about seeing more graphical user interface libraries in the Rust programming language.
3. How to avoid losing items? Holding pens
Total comment counts : 74
Summary
The article discusses the common problem of losing things within our homes. It mentions that when we are interrupted or under pressure, we make quick decisions about where to place items, but often forget later. The author suggests the solution of having assigned places for each item, but acknowledges that this may not work for all things. They propose the concept of “holding pens,” designated areas in every room to temporarily store items that do not have a specific assigned place. The article is written by Alex Wendland, who provides their Twitter handle, GitHub, and LinkedIn information.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author suggests a practical approach to organizing and moving items within a home. They propose having separate “take-off” points, located near the entrance or exit of each room. For instance, if someone needs to transport items from their home office to the living room and kitchen, they would queue the items at the respective take-off points. When they have a break, they would pick up the items and drop off the living-room items on their way to the kitchen, and vice versa when returning. By consistently checking these take-off points, everything is usually in the right place, or the author knows where to find it.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article describes how the author developed a strategy to prevent forgetting essential items when leaving the house. Inspired by the concept of poka-yoke trays used in manufacturing, the author created their own version using a plastic tray and craft foam. They designated spots for each item they needed, such as keys, wallet, and badge, and made it a rule to not leave until the tray was completely full. This system helped the author eliminate the frustration of searching for misplaced items and improved their morning routine.
4. Show HN: Simple Mbtiles Server – Self-host the entire planet of OpenStreetMaps
Total comment counts : 23
Summary
The article discusses the requirements and functionality of a simple mbtiles server. It explains that the server requires a planet.mbtiles file and provides instructions on how to obtain or create one. The server can be started using environment variables and allows for the retrieval of tiles in Mapbox Vector Tile format. The article also mentions the components required for hosting vector map tiles in a browser, such as JavaScript and CSS libraries, a style file, glyphs (fonts), and a sprite. It explains the purpose and format of each component. Additionally, it highlights that the mbtiles server converts the mbtiles file to tiles on-the-fly and sends them with a gzip header for browser un-gzipping. The server’s code is released under the MIT license.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author is asking if it is possible to host a few map tiles in a static way for a specific web page. They want to display a map at zoom level 6 for a lat/lng point and then switch to zoom level 13. They are wondering if there is a way to add the necessary tiles and JavaScript code so that no external downloads are required.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article is requesting visual representations such as images, screenshots, and GIFs to get a preview of what allocating 90GBS would be like.
5. Apple’s requirements are about to hit creators and fans on Patreon
Total comment counts : 78
Summary
Starting from November 2024, Patreon is required by Apple to switch to their in-app purchase system for all iOS transactions or risk being removed from the App Store. This change will only affect new memberships purchased in the iOS app, not existing members. To offset Apple’s 30% App Store fee, Patreon has built an optional tool that automatically increases prices in the iOS app. However, creators can also choose to keep their prices the same and pay the fee from their earnings. It is important to note that the fees and pricing changes only apply to the iOS app, while the web and Android platforms remain unaffected. Creators will need to migrate to the subscription billing model by November 2025 to ensure availability on the iOS app, as Apple’s mandates do not support other billing models. Patreon is working on a 16-month migration process to support creators through this change and provide new features and tools. Ultimately, creators have the agency to decide how to apply the fee, and the decision can be changed at any time.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article highlights that Apple’s fees on Patreon subscriptions in its app are now higher than Patreon’s own fees. It argues that the concept of fairness does not exist in the market, only competition. The article questions whether Apple hosting the Patreon app on iOS provides more value than the existence of Patreon itself. The author suggests that charging higher fees per transaction than the platforms being hosted indicates a lack of control.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a recent update from Patreon, a platform for creators to receive financial support from their fans. The author, a longtime YouTube creator who relies on Patreon, expresses frustration with the news that all creators must switch from a per-creation payment schedule to a monthly subscription model. The author believes that the per-creation model allows for flexibility and fairness towards supporters. The author plans to push back against this change and may consider exploring other platforms or finding alternative solutions if the update proceeds as planned.
6. There Is No Antimemetics Division (2018)
Total comment counts : 37
Summary
I apologize, but I am unable to access the article you provided. Could you please provide the text or key points of the article?
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a book that the author found helpful and considers it one of their favorite pieces of literature. They believe that the book deserves to be considered a classic in the future. The author explains that the book’s subject matter serves as metaphors for various aspects of human communication and memory. They describe it as not just a sci-fi adventure, but a story about the stories people tell and how they find meaning in events. The author compares the book to Godel Escher Bach and Lewis Carroll’s works. They conclude by stating that the book is like poetry and a Rorschach blot about Rorschach blots, and they highly recommend it.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a book that was given as a Christmas present to friends and relatives a few years ago. The book is said to have received a positive response despite having some flaws. It is described as being full of unique ideas and concepts, relatively short, and providing an interesting experience for unsuspecting readers. The physical appearance of the book cover is also praised. The author of the article also mentions another book by the same author called “Ra” but notes that it may be less recommended for those who are not already familiar with “out-there” online science fiction and rationalist fiction.
7. It took my savings and 14 years but I’m about to beat arthritis
Total comment counts : 29
Summary
Simon Westbrook, a former Pfizer employee, decided to start his own biotech company after being made redundant. Despite facing financial struggles and attending conferences to attract investors, Westbrook persisted in developing a drug to treat osteoarthritis. After a 14-year mission, Westbrook received news that his medication, LEVI-04, had exceeded expectations. The drug, based on a molecule discovered while working at Pfizer, can be delivered via a monthly injection and has shown significant reduction in pain, increased mobility, and better mental health for osteoarthritis sufferers. Westbrook believes LEVI-04 could be one of the most important drugs ever and hopes it can also be used to treat other conditions in the future.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a study that investigated the potential of soluble neurotrophin receptors in modulating pain in osteoarthritis (OA). The study found a positive correlation between pain and β-NGF, neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), as well as a negative correlation with proNGF. Soluble LNGFR positively correlated with pain, while soluble TrkA did not. These findings suggest that soluble LNGFR could be a potential therapeutic target for managing OA pain. The study recommends further research in this area.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article describes an entrepreneur who used his savings to start a drug startup company. Contrary to a misleading mention of “beating arthritis,” the entrepreneur does not have arthritis. He came up with the idea for the startup around the time he was laid off by Pfizer.
8. Okay, I Like WezTerm
Total comment counts : 62
Summary
The article discusses the author’s experience with WezTerm, a text-based terminal emulator. They initially tried WezTerm but found it lacking, so they went back to using iTerm 2. However, they later decided to give WezTerm another chance and were impressed with its customization options and features. The article provides an introduction to configuring WezTerm using Lua scripts, focusing on appearance, keybindings, multiplexing, workspace navigation, status bar setup, and dynamic theming. The author emphasizes the flexibility of WezTerm’s Lua config and provides instructions for installing and setting up WezTerm. They also highlight the auto-reload feature that allows users to see the effects of their config changes without restarting the terminal. Overall, the article aims to serve as a helpful starting point for beginners in configuring WezTerm.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author switched to using WezTerm from kitty and is very satisfied with the switch. They previously enjoyed the setup and simplicity of iTerm2 but found that WezTerm exceeded their expectations. They mention that their terminal configuration is concise and easy to manage. In contrast, they encountered difficulties and received unhelpful responses from kitty’s maintainer when trying to recreate iTerm2’s features, such as setting up tmux. This ultimately led to their decision to switch to WezTerm.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares their positive experience with Wez, stating that it is highly responsive to GitHub issues and quickly fixes problems, usually within a day or two. They mention encountering only minor issues with modifier keys over SSH but find the functionality of Wez perfect for their needs. The author also notes that Wez is nice and fast. They switched to Wez from Alacritty due to the need for better modifier support for remote emacs.
9. US Government wants to make it easier for you to click the ‘unsubscribe’ button
Total comment counts : 56
Summary
The US government is launching a new initiative called “Time is Money” to protect consumers by making it easier for them to unsubscribe from unwanted memberships and recurring payment services. The initiative includes new regulations and additional efforts across various industries, such as healthcare, fitness memberships, and media subscriptions. The Federal Communications Commission is considering new requirements to make canceling subscriptions as easy as signing up for them. The Federal Trade Commission has already initiated a “click to cancel” rule, requiring companies to allow customers to end subscriptions easily. The departments of Labor and Health and Human Services are also requesting improvements to customer interactions with health insurance companies and group health plans. The government has previously introduced measures to improve the consumer experience, including banning hidden fees and requiring airlines to issue cash refunds for delayed flights. Some business advocates criticize the government’s efforts as micromanaging pricing structures.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article discusses a policy that is easy to cancel and aims to prevent malicious behavior without causing difficulties for honest companies or customers. The author believes this policy is effective and cannot think of any downsides. The author also mentions that such behavior is common among banks, giving an example of how they can be slow and inefficient in certain areas while being progressive in others.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author of the article discusses their experience with receiving spam emails, particularly from reputable companies. They highlight the annoyance of receiving spam even after unsubscribing, due to a loophole in the terms and conditions. However, they find it easier to unsubscribe now with one-click options or automated features in email services like Gmail or Fastmail. The author also mentions that they tolerate marketing emails from Pitviper sunglasses because they find them funny.
10. Repair and Remain (2022)
Total comment counts : 24
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
The author realizes the importance of having a good handyman for their mental health. They used to do home repairs themselves, but it was time-consuming and affected their well-being. Hiring a handyman, even if they make mistakes, is less frustrating than when the author makes mistakes themselves. The author believes that having a relationship with a good handyman is as valuable as other long-term service relationships like doctors or therapists.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author shares their career journey, where they initially moved between various startups and technologies. However, they eventually started consulting and faced challenges during the pandemic when their client pool dried up. Three years ago, they decided to stay at their current job to gain more responsibility and experience in building and maintaining software. They highlight the importance of individuals who are willing to stay in one place and contribute consistently to the functioning of the world.