1. Why I left my tech job to work on chronic pain
Total comment counts : 52
Summary
In winter 2020, the author began experiencing chronic pain that persisted for four years, affecting various body parts and disrupting their life. This painful journey led to crucial self-discovery and a commitment to help others understand and address chronic pain, which affects nearly 20% of Australian adults. The author left their tech job and home to create a writing series aimed at demystifying chronic pain, discussing its causes, impacts, and offering actionable recovery strategies grounded in modern pain science. They hope to connect with those affected and provide valuable insights for recovery.
Top 1 Comment Summary
At 35, I felt drained and in constant pain, attributing my misery to my IT job. The stress stemmed not from the work itself but from dealing with others who ignored proper practices, leaving me to clean up their mistakes. After leaving that toxic environment, it took me five years to recover. Now, after years of working on software, I enjoy my job more, being productive by following my own approach rather than conforming to abusive management styles.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author expresses frustration with articles that avoid directly presenting solutions and often seem to be selling something. They question why the explanations are convoluted and filled with mystery, rather than being straightforward. Additionally, the author notes that the article in question fails to mention “Pain Reprocessing Theory,” which appears to be the core topic based on the linked study.
2. Mini NASes marry NVMe to Intel’s efficient chip
Total comment counts : 38
Summary
The author is downsizing their homelab, switching from a large 24U rack to a mini rack, and is particularly focused on reducing their NAS storage needs from 120 TB to around 6 TB due to changed circumstances. Three new mini NAS options, utilizing Intel N100/N150 chips and offering 2.5 Gbps networking, were evaluated. Each has pros and cons regarding cooling and design, with the GMKtec G9 improving on previous issues, the smaller K100 sacrificing some features for size, and the ME mini emphasizing quiet operation. The author plans to provide detailed reviews of these devices based on personal testing experiences.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The Intel N150 is the first consumer Atom CPU in 15 years to feature TXT/DRTM for secure system launches with owner-managed keys, ensuring the integrity of essential components during boot. This capability can enhance security with technologies like AEM in Qubes and SystemGuard in Windows IoT, and it’s hoped to support other OSs in the future. Some N150 devices may lack Bootguard, potentially allowing coreboot integration. Future production by ODROID could lead to fanless N150 devices equipped with DRTM for improved security in routers and storage solutions.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author argues against using mini NVMe devices for typical use cases, citing their lack of upgradeability, no ECC RAM, challenging cooling, and limited I/O options. They share their experience with a Proxmox server built from an older Fujitsu model, which has run efficiently for five years, showcasing the benefits of a mATX board with ECC support and multiple NVMe connections over “toy boxes.” Despite their critique, they praise Jeff’s content.
3. Nvidia won, we all lost
Total comment counts : 74
Summary
NVIDIA’s RTX 50 series launch has faced severe backlash, with issues such as scalpers buying up stock, melting power connectors, and missing processing units from GPUs. Drivers, once praised, are now problematic, and NVIDIA has allegedly manipulated stock levels to create artificial demand. Consumers are frustrated by inflated prices and bundling practices. The company has admitted to flawed chips impacting performance. Additionally, the design of the 12VHPWR power connector continues to cause issues. Critics compare NVIDIA’s management unfavorably to Apple’s consistent supply success, suggesting NVIDIA prioritizes data center sales over consumer needs.
Top 1 Comment Summary
NVIDIA dominates the GPU market, capturing over 90%, but this has negative implications for consumers. The author, who uses AMD GPUs, expresses a shift in perspective, realizing there’s more to life than video games. They criticize consumers for their outrage over exploitation while continuing to spend on gaming and hobbies like Magic: The Gathering, suggesting a more disengaged approach by simply opting out.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article discusses a title change made to a post long after its initial publication, which does not align with the content of the article. The author criticizes this editorializing as a violation of Hacker News (HN) guidelines, suggesting that it may have been enacted by the HN team.
4. Writing a Game Boy Emulator in OCaml (2022)
Total comment counts : 9
Summary
The article discusses the creation of CAMLBOY, a Game Boy emulator written in OCaml that operates in browsers and mobile devices. The author began this project to gain practical experience with OCaml after learning its basics. The emulator’s design involves a main loop that synchronizes CPU, timer, and GPU, mirroring real hardware. Throughout the article, the author explains various interfaces for handling data and the architecture of the emulator, including components like the bus, RAM, and CPU. A demo page is available for testing, along with a GitHub repository for further exploration.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article inquires about programming languages best suited for creating emulators, virtual machines, and bytecode interpreters, focusing not on performance but on the rewarding experience of implementation. It compares this to Erlang, which excels in building distributed systems due to its design aligning with the domain’s needs. The author seeks recommendations for languages that similarly enhance understanding of emulators and themselves through the effort of translating machine descriptions into code, suggesting a targeted design by the language creators for this specific purpose.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The article praises a write-up on OCaml and its implementation of a Game Boy emulator. The author expresses enthusiasm for the idea of developing a single-page application featuring an assembler editor and a toolchain for Game Boy homebrew development, highlighting its potential as an accessible resource for teaching embedded development.
5. Being too ambitious is a clever form of self-sabotage
Total comment counts : 54
Summary
Before creation begins, the ideal work exists only in imagination, embodying perfection. This pre-creation phase leads to a gap between creators’ aspirations and their actual abilities, known as the “taste-skill discrepancy.” This disparity causes many potential creators to hesitate and avoid making tangible creations due to fear of imperfection. Experiments, such as one by Jerry Uelsmann, show that quantity fosters excellence; creating many works allows for learning and growth, while focusing solely on perfection hinders progress. Ultimately, mastery is found in embracing failure and imperfection rather than being paralyzed by the desire for an unattainable ideal.
Top 1 Comment Summary
Building something you personally use helps define what is valuable, focusing on whether it solves your problem rather than predicting others’ needs. The author shares their experience working on a Heroku alternative called Canine, emphasizing that using it daily alleviates pressure and self-doubt about development speed. They suggest a practical approach: addressing immediate annoyances instead of seeking a perfect solution. This mindset allows for gradual improvements based on personal experience and needs.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The “taste-skill discrepancy” refers to the phenomenon where an individual’s ability to recognize quality improves faster than their ability to create it, leading to a gap between creators and consumers. This concept is particularly relevant when working with AI, as beginners may experience an enhanced perception of quality without developing their skills. Consequently, they may bypass valuable learning experiences by relying on AI, which prevents them from making mistakes and improving their craft.
6. EverQuest
Total comment counts : 38
Summary
In the late 1990s, while Ultima Online pioneered MMORPGs, it was EverQuest that capitalized on the concept, becoming a commercial success. EverQuest’s creators learned from Ultima Online’s missteps, crafting a game that resonated with players. The project emerged within Sony Interactive Studios America, unexpected given Sony’s focus on console gaming. John Smedley, a sports game producer with a passion for Dungeons & Dragons, envisioned an online RPG experience. Despite initial skepticism, he pursued his vision, leading to the creation of EverQuest, which transformed the gaming landscape.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author reflects on their experience at Verant before the SOE transition, highlighting how MMO subscription revenue fostered innovative projects, including unshipped games and the development of Star Wars Galaxies. Notable figures, such as Ken Perlin and Brian Hook, contributed significantly. The author recounts attempts to create a Harry Potter MMO that ultimately failed. They reminisce about the office’s demolition and the nostalgia of their last day, recognizing that some colleagues have passed away.
Top 2 Comment Summary
Daybreak is suing The Heroes Journey, an EverQuest emulation server that has gained popularity over Daybreak’s own Time-Locked Progression (TLP) servers. The server’s operators acknowledge the lawsuit against their founders but express confidence in their legal position and commitment to achieving a positive outcome. They emphasize their dedication to the community and the belief that they are fans, not adversaries.
7. Show HN: I AI-coded a tower defense game and documented the whole process
Total comment counts : 34
Summary
“Tower of Time” is a unique tower defense game made for the Beginner’s Jam Summer 2025, where players defend their base against waves of enemies using time manipulation to rewind and rebuild strategies. With multiple tower types, energy management, and support for keyboard and gamepad, this game showcases AI-assisted game development, with 95% of the code written by AI. For more details, players can access the game at https://m4v3k.itch.io/tower-of-time and review the documentation and licensing information.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The author enjoys reviewing the development prompts for the “Tower of Time” game, noting that popular narratives about effortless game creation through complex AI orchestration are misleading. Instead, the effective prompts for this project demonstrate that success comes from having a clear vision, dividing it into manageable parts, and providing detailed architectural guidance on critical components.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author, with over 20 years in software, highlights that many in the field are skeptical of AI coding tools. After developing a sizable app using AI, they found that effective instructions and attention to outputs significantly enhance AI’s utility, providing 10x leverage compared to traditional tools. The author emphasizes that successful integration of AI requires clear task specifications and suggests that these tools can clarify thinking and alleviate repetitive tasks. They advocate for incorporating AI into cognitive processes for maximum benefit.
8. Incapacitating Google Tag Manager (2022)
Total comment counts : 22
Summary
The article critiques Google Tag Manager (GTM) as a tool that facilitates invasive surveillance under the guise of improving privacy. GTM enables the deployment of tracking scripts that undermine online ethics and user privacy, particularly through its integration with Google Analytics 4 (GA4). While Google promotes GTM’s first-party capabilities as beneficial, the shift is seen as a strategy to bypass third-party content-blockers. The author insists that this escalating tracking poses serious ethical concerns, emphasizing the need for continued resistance against such surveillance practices and recognizing recent successes in combating older, more overt tracking methods.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article proposes a method to prevent tracking by flooding data with irrelevant information, such as fake purchase events and random user details. This overwhelming noise could make it difficult to extract real data, thereby enhancing privacy. However, it also risks compromising overall data reliability, which could inadvertently assist those less concerned about privacy.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author questions the clarity of an article regarding the functions of tag managers, criticizing it for not providing a technical explanation of their purpose. They emphasize a need for a detailed discussion on the implications of tag managers, particularly the negative aspects, beyond just sensational language like “surveillance” or “spying.”
9. Larry (cat)
Total comment counts : 31
Summary
Larry, a British tabby cat born around January 2007, has been the Chief Mouser at 10 Downing Street since 2011, serving under six prime ministers. Originally a rescue from Battersea Dogs & Cats Home, Larry was adopted to live at Downing Street for David Cameron’s children. Though intended as a mouser, he is known for his leisurely approach, earning the nickname “Lazy Larry” for spending more time sleeping than hunting. His care is funded by staff fundraising, and he is considered a civil servant. Recent reports have raised concerns about his health, though Downing Street insists he is well.
Top 1 Comment Summary
The article lists historical Chief Mousers to the Cabinet Office from the last century, highlighting notable cats such as Sybil, Humphrey, Wilberforce, Peta, Peter III, Peter II, Nelson, and Rufus of England. Each cat served a role in pest control within the Cabinet Office. Links to their respective Wikipedia pages provide further information on each cat’s contributions and legacy.
Top 2 Comment Summary
Larry, the chief mouser at 10 Downing Street, has various duties including greeting guests, inspecting security measures, and testing antique furniture for napping comfort. He is also addressing a mouse occupancy issue, which he describes as being in the “tactical planning stage.”
10. In a milestone for Manhattan, a pair of coyotes has made Central Park their home
Total comment counts : 13
Summary
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Top 1 Comment Summary
Coyotes have adapted well to urban life, as observed in Chicago, where they can be seen walking along busy streets in broad daylight. One notable incident involved a coyote entering a Quizno’s restaurant during a hot summer day to jump into a drink cooler. The adaptability of these animals highlights their presence in city environments.
Top 2 Comment Summary
The author from Vancouver enjoys observing coyotes in the park, appreciating their presence despite the potential dangers they pose to pets, especially the outdoor cat they care for. They maintain a safe distance from the coyotes, recognizing both the risks and benefits of coexisting with them, such as natural pest control. The author emphasizes the importance of respecting and adapting to wildlife in urban environments.