501 karma · joined December 9, 2009
The backend serves as a fairly generic datastore with an API that allows data to be easily synced back and forth. It implements a logic (again non-specific to Whimsical) for how to handle concurrent updates (basically it implements CRDTs). I believe it's pretty similar to Google's Cloud Firestore - we might have chosen that if it was out of beta and we didn't mind the lock-in.
Two main reasons we did this: 1) to be able to easily add offline mode - we don't have it yet but it's fairly easy to add now 2) to minimize effect of network latency on user experience
As for less load on server & cheaper infrastructure costs - you are right, that is another benefit.
The complex part is how we sync actual data from clients to server while ensuring consistency. We basically store all data in a tree format and having a diffing logic how concurrent changes can be applied conflict-free in most cases. I'm considering writing a separate post on that.
You can configure name of index file, and that will be displayed for requests against root URL and subdirectories (such as blog posts) as well. No need for having .html in URLs.
The only problem I've encountered with S3 web hosting is that it does not let you host naked domains.
Nevertheless Mac's are actually spreading in enterprises. Not from top but from bottom. Officially unsupported, but with a help of VM software such as VMWare Fusion there are no problems using legacy stuff.
ps. I could use Skype for cheaper calls but they are not very reliable. I have been using Skype for conf calls for ages so I should know
I'm not sure I said anything like that.
ps. yes of course it's slightly emotional, we are just humans
Also, I don't think it's very clever to make cheaper support channels (email) so bad that the only option is the phone support (which is much more resource intensive and costly). Even when you can afford it...
1) If the URL is already added to HN, it will go straight to disucssion thread, without automatically voting
2) If the URL is not yet added, it will ask if you want to submit it
However - I don't always want to upvote a post just because I want to check the discussion. Published this with an assumption that I'm not the only one.
http://kaspa.rs/hn-bookmarklet/
If the current URL is added, it will go straight to discussion thread (without voting). If not, it will ask if you want to submit it.