Show HN: Dorsia – An evergreen travel guidebook powered by ML | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: Dorsia – An evergreen travel guidebook powered by ML

dorsia.io

16 pointsaarmenante8 comments

I guess the name is a reference to American Psycho?

Yes! It's the restaurant he can't get into ha

The first time Patrick tries to book a table:

I clear my throat. “Um, yes, I know it’s a little late but is it possible to reserve a table for two at eight-thirty or nine perhaps?” I’m asking this with both eyes shut tight.

There is a pause – the crowd in the background a surging, deafening mass – and with real hope coursing through me I open my eyes, realizing that the maître d’, god love him, is probably looking through the reservation book for a cancellation – but then he starts giggling, low at first but it builds to a high-pitched crescendo of laughter which is abruptly cut off when he slams down the receiver.

The web app only supports NYC, DC, Chicago, LA, and SF? No NOLA or other mid-sized US cities?

EDIT: Also, funny to see the Brooklyn Bridge is priced at one dollar sign out of four. It'd be useful to see free attractions, although I suppose parks and libraries rarely get reviewed.

Yeah, we're launching with those cities, but we're ramping up our internal toolchain that gives us the recommendations.

Good point about the one dollar sign! We'll make a note to change that.

> Through careful tracking of influential voices, Dorsia curates a constantly-updated, searchable list of the best bars, restaurants, cafes, and sights.

Does this mean that if a given location stops being mentioned, it gradually slides off the list?

We don't automatically remove anything. We only remove places when they close for now. We track the popularity and mentions internally but the editorial team has the final say in removing spots.

We're not trying to become critics ourselves, so we err on the side of caution when removing places.

I worry that over time, data will get stale. If a place stops being talked about because its popularity tanks for a righteous reason, it will still show up on the map as a worthwhile place tovisit.

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