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hawktheslayer

605 karma · joined December 9, 2017

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hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: Best Source for Desktop Backgrounds
Thanks, I didn't know about Splash, and I like it! Too bad my system admin disabled the Microsoft store.
hawktheslayer··on “User Engagement” Is Code for “Addiction”
For me the pandemic has actually allowed me to spend more time outdoors and with my children and as a result less time online. We have been taking walks daily and started gardening. I've cut down social media time to almost nothing on all major platforms (HN is my last "addiction"). The author claims the pandemic forced us inside and on social media--do people find this true for them?
hawktheslayer··on Decoding the innovation delusion, nurturing the maintenance mindset
The problem I see at my company is one of incentives. However much as a manager I want my staff to "maintain" and "care", the performance review process rewards people who can "innovate" and build new things. For instance we have hundreds of legacy reports (e.g. a tabular report for the finance dept built in Crystal) that need maintenance and updates, but it's typically easier and more rewarding for a developer to leave that work to someone else and focus their efforts on getting credit for building a new report (a fairly low information visual report build in Tableau for Execs at the company).
hawktheslayer··on So you want to tackle the mainframe?
I'm in a similar situation at my large financial institution and it's gotten so bad that even as a director I'm tempted to start learning COBOL to understand what I'm up against
hawktheslayer··on EyeDraw – Draw with your eyes using computer vision
I worked with eye tracking software a decade ago and one of the most interesting and tricky problems was your eye would look at the cursor and over compensate, causing the cursor to keep drifting. It was in essence user error but oddly difficult to control. Does anyone know if this has been solved for?
hawktheslayer··on Nextdoor is replacing the small-town paper
I tried Nextdoor but quickly closed the app when it was filled with rumors about who in the neighborhood isn't cleaning up after their dog. Maybe I'm throwing away the baby with the bath water, but I don't feel like I miss out on all that much by forgoing yet another social media platform vying for my attention
hawktheslayer··on The world is full of wasted motion
If like me you don't know what therbligs meant, it's a list of 18 motions: https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Therblig#:~:text=Therbligs%2....
hawktheslayer··on The first commercial astronaut mission to orbit Earth aboard Dragon
I like how they say "no earlier than the forth quarter" in their announcement. Though it may not inspire confidence in a deliverable date, I might start trying to use the turn of phrase at my work.
hawktheslayer··on Three-dimensional model of electricity consumption in Manchester (1954)
The physicality of a constructed graph like this draws me in. I used to work in commercial construction and the superintendent would print out the Gannt chart schedule on a large plotter, stick it to the wall, and use a fishing line and plumb to show the current date. That really motivated the subcontractor who was behind schedule and on the critical path better than an email with an .mpp attachment could ever do.
hawktheslayer··on What Are the Effects of Spending Time in Nature? A (10 Y.o.) Research Study
My daughter is doing a science project on the effects of nature on happiness. I appreciate anyone willing to fill out this anonymous survey or any other help!
hawktheslayer··on Godiva Chocolates to close all 128 North American stores due to Covid pandemic
I used to stop in at the Godiva store in the mall nearby--mainly went there for gifts and the occasional overpriced drinking cocoa on a date. Personally my chocolate consuming habits shifted to buying bars at stores like Whole Foods. I hate seeing stores that offer something unique close, especially local coffee roasters with a cool vibe, but just don't get too sad about chains like Godiva shifting to online only.
hawktheslayer··on Paradox-free time travel is theoretically possible
In Isaac Asimov's "End of Eternity" he posed a similar concept where contrary to the butterfly effect where minor changes ripple through time, time has a mechanism of self-preservation which is resistant to change. Asimov never ceases to amaze me with how prescient he was for his time.
hawktheslayer··on Political Detox Week – No politics on HN for one week (2016)
Just realized this was from 4 years ago. But it's an evergreen concept almost even more needed now. I do appreciate even the political perspectives on HN which feel more reasoned to me then elsewhere, but also can apprectiate the one week sabbatical from it here.
hawktheslayer··on We don't need data scientists, we need data engineers
It's similar to the expression I hear frequently at my company--"I don't have all the answers, but I have all the questions".
hawktheslayer··on If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
I like the concept of declaring bankruptcy on chats. I've done this on email more times than I'd like to admit.
hawktheslayer··on Setting goals for 2021 – A brief guide about personal goal setting
I just rolled the metrics into Specific and it seems to work
hawktheslayer··on Setting goals for 2021 – A brief guide about personal goal setting
I attended training at my work where they changed M to Motivating, and I use that with all of my employees' objectives. One might say that if it's Relevant then it should be motivating, but when I ask them if it's motivating I often get an honest no. I find if the person doesn't like the goal despite it being SMART, then they tend to avoid it.

The other question I learned to ask for Attainable is "do you think there is an 80% chance or better you'll hit your date--if not it's good to dial the goal back.

hawktheslayer··on St. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries (516)
Ironically I missed the structure that came from the vow of obedience that felt at times like I gave up all my individual freedom. I learned this gave me focus on the thing at hand, whether it was praying, meditating, cooking or cleaning. I still miss the sheer simplicity of that life.
hawktheslayer··on St. Benedict’s Rule for Monasteries (516)
Interesting to see this on the front page! I spent a year in a monetary mostly cloistered. While I'm glad now for the life I ultimately chose of having a family, I often draw from the experience, especially the discernment process (the Ignatius Exercises) and the meditation/contemplation practice.
hawktheslayer··on Chemistry of Cast-Iron Seasoning (2010)
I'm halfway through a modified version of her method. Used her oven cleaner idea and just using the high heat sunflower oil I have on hand. Wish me luck!
hawktheslayer··on 'Exercised' Explains Why It Can Be Hard to Commit to Working Out
Agree with you both. I have 3 kettlebells (1, 1.5 and 2 poods) and a yoga mat right outside my back door and it eliminates all my excuses. Even on low motivation mornings I can still bang out 40 swings and some snatches. And it's the perfect thing before coffee/work.
hawktheslayer··on I logged my activities at 15-minute intervals for the whole year
Thanks for sharing--I'm reading Atomic Habits and have been thinking about tracking like this. It's impressive that you stuck with it and inspiring.
hawktheslayer··on 50 Years of Text Games – A 2021 Journey from Oregon Trail to A.I. Dungeon
The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy text game was my favorite of the genre, and was my first introduction to PC games. I remember it being quite challenging especially in the pre-walkthrough days.
hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: Favorite Podcast Episode of 2020?
Wow and yes that must have been a surreal moment. Your anticdote gives me hope that I'll find my missing scene!
hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: Favorite Podcast Episode of 2020?
Thanks for the recommendation--I'm listening to it now and enjoying it. It's inspiring me to want to create my own simulation in R. This was a good quote: "if you think things are static, you aren't looking big enough".
hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: Favorite Podcast Episode of 2020?
The Coffee with the Greats episode?

https://castbox.fm/vb/334490959

hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: Favorite Podcast Episode of 2020?
I'm listening now and enjoying it. Very relatable as I have an 80s horror movie I saw one scene of when I was a kid and I still have not been able to find it. Haunts me to this day. A family is outside all afraid and some force is tugging a chain into the sky.
hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: What podcasts do you like listening to?
The Portal with Eric Weinstein is my favorite. Very information dense and each episode is facinating. Though he's releases them very sporadically.
hawktheslayer··on Ask HN: What hobbies do you pursue in your free time
Kettlebell. I don't have a lot of time, but 15 minutes first thing for me makes my whole day better. And I personally enjoy the whole effort.
hawktheslayer··on How Complex Systems Fail (1998)
I see #13 (human expertise) crop up the most often in the complex systems at my work. I think the two main reasons replacing experts is so hard is (1) it's inherently difficult to understand another's work you haven't built from yourself and (2) it's nearly impossible to find someone as enthusiastic for taking on a system and giving it the TLC it needs to keep it going smoothly to the extent that it matches the passion that the original creator poured into it. I find this most acutely whenever the original expert refers to it as "their baby".
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