Ask HN: What are some good gift ideas for hacker types? | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: What are some good gift ideas for hacker types?

44 pointsTimesUp54 comments

It's that time of year and some ideas would be appreciated.

I might be kind of strange in this regard but: I hate getting physical presents!

At the moment there are only a few very specific things which I really want or need so buying me something random will just result in wasted money on the presenters side and wasted storage space in my side. Right now I have about 15 unread books next to my bed, I have all the tools (software, mechanical/electrical tools) I will ever need, I have about 5 bicycles which I don't use and the only hobby I have right now is fitness and writing my PhD thesis.

If you want to present me something then either present me an Amazon coupon for the unlikely case that I want to order something specific in the net half year or invite me to a nice restaurant.

Here's what I tell my wife's family and my family. If you feel like gifting, DO NOT get us physical gifts, we don't have the space and there's a 99.99% chance you will not be right in your gift selection.

We'd love to have a call or card, but if you must spend money, gift cards to specific merchants, (insert list), or cash are acceptable.

http://www.raspberrypi.org/

http://beagleboard.org/products/beaglebone%20black

Get them a nice mechanical keyboard. - http://elitekeyboards.com/

Xkcd volume 0 - http://www.amazon.com/xkcd-0-Randall-Munroe/dp/0615314465/

A subscription to Hacker Monthly - http://hackermonthly.com/store.html

Yeah, I also recommend a mechanical keyboard:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B000LVJ9W8

I see a lot of people mention mechanical keyboards on here. What's the hype around them? What makes them preferable to another external keyboard?

In the end it is just personal preference. Try it on your own and then decide. A friend of my spent a decade typing on an old mechanical IBM keyboard and then switched to a standard Apple keyboard. I am the other way around. I started with a 'soft' keyboard and now switched to a mechanical one. Both of us just prefer how the respective keyboard feels.

In a conventional keyboard, the point at which the switch closes is also the point where the key bottoms out, plus or minus the amount of give that the rubber spring-membrane provides. The typing feel they provide is both impactful and gummy - you push a key until it stops abruptly, like mashing a finger down on your desk directly, and then you have to lift your finger off the key entirely to let it release. Trying to lighten the impacts can lead to missing keypresses, especially on an older keyboard.

On a mechanical keyboard (mine has Cherry MX Browns), the point at which the switches close is before the key bottoms out. Depending on the switch type, the closing point can be felt, too. They're also driven back by mechanical springs, rather than a rubber membrane. So, rather than mash the keys until they stop to guarantee a letter press, the typing feel is lighter and more controlled. It's also much bouncier, thanks to the springs - like bouncing on a trampoline, rather than trying to jump on a hard floor.

I went from old-school gummy keyboards (Yay ancient Dell hardware) to laptop-style scissors keyboards, and when my last one died, I splurged and got a mechanical keyboard instead. It's similar to a laptop-style keyboard feel, where there is a very definite point of engagement rather than tons of mush. However, the throw is still long, and the bounce-back is a new experience.

It's all about feel - definitely look around and see if you can borrow one (or multiple - there are a half-dozen different flavors of mechanical switch from Cherry alone) to try before spending the not-insignificant amount of money to buy one.

If I may ask, do you play any pc games while using this keyboard? I'm not a gamer myself but someone I might buy this to is.

People who play games (I for one) like mechanical keyboards. I'd say the three main key switches provided by Cherry are the Cherry MX Blue, Brown, and Red, in that order from typing oriented to gaming oriented. The Blues are loud and have a clicky feel, while the Browns are quieter, but still have the clicky feel, and the Reds are simply linear switches without any sort of tactile click. I personally have browns and love them but reds are more gaming oriented, due to the lack of tactile feedback impeding the switch and the lightest force to actuate. There are several other types of Cherry switches, as well as high end options (Topre, etc. ). This was a long answer, but yes, mechanical keyboards are great for gaming as well as general use.

[1] http://www.wasdkeyboards.com/mechanical-keyboard-guide

Another vote for a mechanical keyboard here. I picked up a Das Keyboard[0] for work and love it. One for home is now on my Christmas list. :)

[0] http://www.amazon.com/Das-Keyboard-Professional-Mechanical-D...

I think it's a good idea to give something that the person would never buy, something totally different than the things they encounter on daily basis. I got an art book once - 'woman as an inspiration', a collection of famous paintings depicting women. I loved it and I am pretty sure I would never ever buy that myself. I also love gifts that you do - I got a trip to Valencia once, that was pretty cool.

This often backfires. My MIL got me scented candles. WTF?!

Why do we treat "hackers" as some sort of mythical beasts who belong to a whole different race altogether? Now, I'm not saying you're doing that, but this is something I've observed quite a lot. Especially with those "X for Hackers" etc..

Answering your question — it differs from person to person. I personally wouldn't be interested in receiving a new router, for example, but I do know people who would. I'd like a typewriter more, to be honest. But that's just me.

Lastly, a good gift is one that comes with sincerity. It doesn't matter what it is, as long as its sender sends along warm wishes and sincere affection.

It's a simple question. Make a suggestion and move on. Of course different people like different things. Platitudes don't help anyone here.

This is no different than something like "gifts for photographers".

I'm ok with being a mythical beast.

Some things that came quickly to mind.

=Computing=

* Clacky keyboards and clacky keyboard accessories: http://shop.daskeyboard.com, http://elitekeyboards.com

* Liquid cooling kits: http://koolance.com

* Lattice ECP3 Versa (PCI-E FPGA kit): http://www.latticesemi.com/en/Products/DevelopmentBoardsAndK...

=Tools=

* Stuff from Jetbrains: http://www.jetbrains.com

* Sublime Text: http://www.sublimetext.com

* Reveal and/or Spark Inspector: http://revealapp.com, http://sparkinspector.com

* Fluid: http://fluidapp.com

* Several months of Linode, Rackspace, Heroku, etc.

=Hardware=

* Rascal Micro (Web-enabled, python-driven microcontroller platform): http://rascalmicro.com

* Arduino (because Arduino): http://arduino.cc/en/ArduinoCertified/IntelGalileo

* Phidgets (USB physical interface components kit): http://www.phidgets.com/products.php?category=18&product_id=...

* TI TIVA launchpad (learn C the really hard way): http://www.ti.com/ww/en/launchpad/tiva_c_head.html

* Makey Makey (Turn anything into a touch input): http://www.makeymakey.com/

* Misc wearable stuff: http://www.adafruit.com/category/65

* FPGA development board (Learn HDL): http://www.altera.com/education/univ/materials/boards/de0-na...

* USB Logic Analyzer: http://www.saleae.com/logic

* Lego MindStorms: http://mindstorms.lego.com and hacking links: http://andrew.ghost.io/hacking-lego-mindstorms-ev3-with-java...

* Sparkfun gift certificate: https://www.sparkfun.com/gift_certificates

* Adafruit gift certificate: http://www.adafruit.com/category/14

* A trip to Halted (bummer, no gift certificates): http://www.halted.com

=Food=

* PolyScience Sous Vide: http://cuisinetechnology.com/sousvide-creative.php (or this link: http://www.instructables.com/id/DIY-Sous-Vide-Machines)

* PolyScience Anti-Griddle: http://cuisinetechnology.com/the-anti-griddle.php

* PolyScience Sonic Prep: http://cuisinetechnology.com/sonicprep.php

* Actually, anything from PolyScience

* Chemicals: http://www.biozoon.de/shop, http://molecule-r.com, http://www.modernistpantry.com

* Breville Smart Oven (also great for solder paste reflow): http://www.brevilleusa.com/the-smart-oven-r.html

* iSi Thermo Whip: http://www.isi.com/us/culinary/for-professionals/products/th... and injector tips: http://www.isi.com/us/culinary/for-professionals/products/ac...

* Pacojet (I would like one, please): http://www.pacojet.com/en

* Gastrovac: http://www.cookingconcepts.com/en/appliances/Gastrovac/51

=Other=

* A Dremel: http://www.dremel.com

* Digital Cutter: http://www.silhouetteamerica.com

* Sugru: http://sugru.com

* Aerogel: http://www.buyaerogel.com

* An investment account at etrade, scottrade, vanguard, fidelity, etc.

* Skill badges: http://www.adafruit.com/category/70

* A TechShop membership: https://secure.techshop.ws/memberships.cfm

* Anything from United Nuclear or Information Unlimited (at your own risk): http://www.unitednuclear.com, http://www.amazing1.com

* DJI Phantom 2 Vision (assuming aerial photog appeals more than quadcopter hacking): http://www.dji.com/product/phantom-2-vision

* AeroQuad, APM:Copter, or Crazyflie (assuming quadcopter hacking appeals more than functioning quadcopter): http://www.aeroquadstore.com, http://copter.ardupilot.com, http://www.bitcraze.se

* One bitcoin (but, for etiquette's sake, be sure to remove the price tag)

Edit: adding more

Nice list. But ugh no on the digital cutter unless it uses free and open source patterns.

I don't actually have one, but I think the Silhouette allows you to convert stuff from Illustrator format. I think it also appears as a printer. So, you should be able to create cuttable content in Inkscape.

http://blog.concertkatie.com/2011/04/tutorial-for-creating-c...

http://enchantart.com/blog/?p=827

I must second the Dremel as a good gift idea. It is the one power tool that I use weekly. Its a saw, drill, sander, and more in one. I use it for many different types of projects. Bought it in the year 2000. Its still going strong.

I got one as a gift last year. Actually, got a set of 3 tools. They have been gathering dust. I have zero skill in woodworking but am interested in learning. What do you use your Dremel for?

I really use it for everything. From home projects, to repairs, robotics, auto repair, crafts, and school projects for my child. It is a very handy tool to have. Gathering dust is not a sign of a bad tool, but a sign of a lack of projects. Go find some. :)

This modular, snap together synthesizer kit looks awesome and I want one!

http://littlebits.cc/kits/synth-kit

My favorite gift to receive is really just spending time with the gift giver, going out to a restaurant, maybe a show or to see a band, or a day out somewhere.

Hacker types also have a great interest in how things are made, if you can combine eating with a cooking class, or drinking with a trip to a brewery then that would work well.

Sugru (which I think is a great gift all on its own) have an alternative Christmas list here, focused on things that will last and are easily repairable, plus various other things interesting for a variety of geeky reasons.

http://sugru.com/gift-list

This year I've been recommending a donation in their name to a Watsi patient: https://watsi.org/

It's not the best match for every hacker but for those that care about what Watsi does then it's a really amazing gift.

Toolkit from iFixit: http://www.ifixit.com/Store/Tools/Pro-Tech-Toolkit/IF145-072...

Maybe I'm different than others here, but I would advise against software tools unless you know and understand what their actual needs/wants are. Tooling is highly personal, and they probably already have an editor they like that is fully tweaked and configured.

Hardware toys are cool (mechanical keyboards, arduino, raspberry pi, etc), as many others have said.

But you might consider meatspace items that are nice no matter who you are. I just bought a nice new smartwool hat and titanium spork (for pack lunches!) at REI for my favorite nerd.

Things I've bought recently and other hacker types might also really enjoy:

1. 1 year subscription to Silvrback blog: https://www.silvrback.com

2. A Bitcoin. http://www.coinbase.com

3. Brothers Karamazov. http://www.amazon.com/The-Brothers-Karamazov-Fyodor-Dostoevs...

not sure how much you want to spend, but i recently built a tube (valve) amplifier from a kit from these people http://www.bottlehead.com/ - it was about as easy as making something can be (very good instructions) and very enjoyable.

[i guess i should add that the lowest price model - the crack otl headphone amplifier - is not suitable for most headphones. so be careful before buying that one.]

I discovered this through reddit some days ago: 20 grams of gallium for a few bucks

http://www.amazon.com/Gallium-99-99%25-Pure-Grams-Even/dp/B0...

think as cool as mercury, but safer :)

Gallium is pretty nasty stuff and is much harder to clean than Mercury. Try getting a Ga droplet on your clothes; it will literally never come out. It is also a heavy metal, so it is not something you want to play around with outside of a closed jar. Its not THAT dangerous, but in the short run neither is Hg, but they are both not great long term.

Remember one thing, it's the thought that counts.

I would recommend either something that is well engineered, but old_skool - like a Remington typewriter.

||

If you are a coder yourself, write your own present. I've seen a Christmas card written in C with the ncurses library.

I suggest a book "A Short History of Nearly Everything": http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A_Short_History_of_Nearly_Every...

Hacker's Delight - http://www.amazon.com/Hackers-Delight-Edition-Henry-Warren/d...

EDIT: .. and a good coffeemaker. :)

http://www.jordanm.co.uk/post/69537440164/the-web-designers-...

browserstack.com

safaribooksonline.com

Anything totally unrelated to computers, math and hacking! Food, clothing, printed books, sporting goods ... Really, seriously, us hard-core geeks have all the geeky stuff we need and want!

Give them money - they know what they want.

http://www.makeymakey.com/

My brother and I exchange little goodies from ThinkGeek. I look forward to it every Christmas.

Pendrive with wallet.dat on it.

Mac Pro, MacBook Pro, Tesla.. or lower budget, some toys from sparkfun or adafruit.

Check out successful crowdsourcing campaigns, like Pebble, Keysmart, and Keybit.

Stylish clothing which makes one look good in the neighborhood.

You go outside...?

Screen wipes. (At least if you're looking for a gag gift.)

Kevin Kelly's book: Cool Tools.

Rasberry Pi would be a great gift :)

Raspberry Pi

HHKB Pro 2 :)

high quality: whole bean coffee loose leaf tea microbrewed beer

- Google Glass

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