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rnoordaon Lost something? Search through 91.7M files from the 80s, 90s, and 2000s

Reminds me of the Zork games- most of them are fantasy, but the covers were quite blue, and I think Zork: Grand Inquisitor was a bit more cyberpunky? I only played Return to Zork.

rnoordaon Ask HN: Which software do you use for your presentations?

I've seen a few others mention it, but another shoutout to reveal.js[0] I can make a simple presentation in basically no time at all with markdown, or I can customize as much as I'd like, even embed a video or throw another site in an iframe. There are tons of plugins that do different things if you have a specific use case not being met.

[0]: https://revealjs.com/

rnoordaon “This game has been shamelessly stolen ”

Thanks for this, it gave me a laugh. There's something beautiful about how we see the first few things we create. We think everyone will love them as much as we do. I remember my first game made in Visual Basic- it was this close to being a hit- just missing some better graphics, and better code, and actual fun gameplay.

rnoordaon Burnout

That's a good clarification- passion is good for my own projects, not things run by anyone else. I recently had a similar thing at work, at it's rough. I'm trying to invest less in work as well. But if it's my own project, that no one else can cancel, that's where the passion comes in.

rnoordaon Burnout

A discussion on burnout here[0] last year called burnout "a kind of unrequited love." I don't know that it's a perfect metaphor, but it's changed the way I approach my attitude and commitment to work. This article touches on that idea under "Prevent Ineffectiveness." The times I've felt most burnt out aren't always when I'm working the hardest, but when I'm working the hardest without getting enough in return. When working on a project I am passionate about or I control, I can work much harder without burnout creeping in.

[0]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=28307721

rnoordaon A year with the Elgato Stream Deck

I used a RP2040 macropad from Adafruit [0] to play with this- I use mine as numpad on occasion, but can also use it for Zoom controls, media volume/next/speed/etc, or Photoshop actions.

[0]: https://www.adafruit.com/product/5128

rnoordaon Heroes of Might and Magic

Like many other people here, I have played a ton of HoMM 3 in particular. One under-appreciated aspect was the scenario editor- as a kid, being able to make my own maps, challenges, and hidden secrets was a feeling of immense power.

I still play HoMM 3 several times a year- play a few maps, use my normal terrible strategy of one super-powerful hero and a few heroes to ferry troops around, and enjoy the nostalgia.

rnoordaon James Webb Space Telescope launch [video]

It's always inspiring to see what can be accomplished by large groups of people working for years and years to create things that have never been made before. And then the elation of success, after years and years of work, delays, and more work.

Watching the launch made me feel the wonder of spaceflight I felt as a child- and the holiday timing felt even more perfect.

rnoordaon Tell HN: You are not alone this Christmas

Each Christmas Eve, I watch The Muppet Christmas Carol as a personal tradition. This year, this exchange with the Ghost of Christmas Yet to Come stood out to me:

>Scrooge: Oh, Spirit. Must there be a Christmas that brings this awful scene? How can they endure it?

>Bob Crachit: It's all right, children. Life is made up of meetings and partings. That is the way of it. I am sure we shall never forget Tiny Tim or this first parting that there was among us.

I don't know how you can endure it, and I don't know how you can fill that hole. I'm sorry you have to go through this.

rnoordaon Ask HN: If you ever use a computer again you die. Now, what will you do instead?

I like creating things. Computers are great tools of creation, both the initial work and distributing worldwide. However, I get similar feelings from smaller-scale work- the act of building and creating, whether construction, welding, woodworking, glassblowing, etc. I could see enjoying making more physical things- I already find some extra satisfaction at holding a tangible object, rather than some code or digital work.

rnoordaon Is It Even Worth Working on FOSS Anymore?

I'm not a fan of the trend I've seen where GitHub is treated as a portfolio- I once had a hiring manager I worked with tell me I should delete a few of my GitHub projects, as they made me appear "amateurish." I WAS an amateur! And I don't want to feel like I need to to hide random things I've tinkered with just to impress others. As a result, I know those who have multiple GitHub accts, one for fun personal stuff and one for showing off to potential employers.

rnoordaon Is It Even Worth Working on FOSS Anymore?

Is it 'worth' working on? That's a function of what I deem worthwhile, which no one else can really answer for me. 'Anymore' implies that it used to be better, which may be true, but I'm inclined to think I may have changed even more than the ecosystem. My time was worth less in the past, so it may have been a valuable use of time (valuable as a term leading back to the first point) than currently. Is there still value in working on FOSS? Yes. Is it worth it to you, or me, or any certain person? Maybe. Is it changing, likely for the worse? I think so, and the examples in the article are concerning.

rnoordaon To Craunch the Marmoset (2016)

I remember discovering this book right before a long car trip with my wife- we had a great time reading the inane translations and just reveling in the absurdity. Thanks for the memories.

rnoordaon Ask HN: What's the best book you read in 2021?

I read this probably 6 or 7 years ago- thanks for the reminder! I should read it again.

rnoordaon Teller Reveals His Secrets (2012)

I've read this several times over the years. My favourite quote is:

> Make the secret a lot more trouble than the trick seems worth. You will be fooled by a trick if it involves more time, money and practice than you (or any other sane onlooker) would be willing to invest.

rnoordaon Ask HN: Does anyone else get sick when their vacation starts?

My first year at university, I finished my last final exam (calculus I believe?) I walked out of the testing center feeling excited to be done, but just tired from all the stress. In the ~15-minute walk home, I got sicker and sicker, with a headache, sore throat, and incredibly stuffy nose. While not usually so dramatic, I often have similar experiences when taking vacation.

My theory is that my body breaks down from the stress, but can summon some adrenaline or whatever hormones to survive what I need to, but then crashes once I start to relax.

rnoordaon About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated

Physical locations don't let me participate in massive numbers of discussions at once- I engage more fully with one person/group of people. And on HN, I can spend hours and hours here without anyone likely noticing, while people would notice that I haven't left the coffee shop. And I would likely need to leave the coffee shop to get something done, while HN can be constantly on the side of my screen.

Physical locations also tend to force me to engage back- if you say something I disagree with, I may not speak up, but my reaction (or lack of reaction) communicates to some extent what I think. Online, I could be annoyed by you, or happy that you think like me, or seething mad, and no-one may ever know if I choose not to.

I don't think HN is generally worse than physical interaction, but it has the potential to be. Social environments often have some moderating influence on participants, through social customs, lack of anonymity, and better communication through body language, tone of voice, etc.

rnoordaon About Three-in-Ten U.S. Adults Are Now Religiously Unaffiliated

I've been thinking along similar lines, and one thing I keep coming back to is the danger of making online spaces your "third place." Spending time on TikTok, Facebook, Instagram, even HN, can be really dangerous when it's a third place and not just a way to interact occasionally.

I have also felt a decline in my "second place" (workplace) social connections since I've been working remotely for a long time. I get along with people I work with, but I don't go to lunch or talk at the water cooler, so it's not a social environment the way an office can be. Don't get me wrong, I love remote work, but for anyone already lacking social interaction, I can see that need for connection.

rnoordaon An Odd Card Trick

Having dabbled in magic some, I can confirm that the delivery is far more important than I originally thought. Several times I have had my mind absolutely blown by a card trick, then found out it's a trick I have done myself! But they had put in so much more effort on honing the delivery, presentation, and patter to the point it became a different trick.

rnoordaon Tell HN: Happy Thanksgiving Everyone

I was recently in a meeting with a colleague about some recent craziness that just finished. A lot of hard work, not fun, but ended up just fine. Then a few minutes later, I find out her daughter is in the hospital, so she's been back-and-forth there a lot, and her life is exponentially more crazy than my own. I felt terrible for complaining about my dumb issues. Work's hard sometimes, but it's so small in comparison.

The upside of the conversation is that I've felt extra thankful this year- I have friends/family/coworkers going through sickness, abuse, divorce, coming out of the closet, and more, and it puts my concerns in perspective. My life is far from perfect, but I'm grateful for what I do have.

I know very little about any of you personally, but I hope you continue to share your knowledge, wisdom, dumb anecdotes, and opinions both great and terrible.

rnoordaon In Praise of Idleness (1932)

> I think that there is far too much work done in the world, that immense harm is caused by the belief that work is virtuous, and that what needs to be preached in modern industrial countries is quite different from what always has been preached.

I have been solidly in the "work is virtuous" camp for a long time, and still am, but I've recently been challenged on this. When I'm not working on something I get antsy, and stressed. Having a goal gives me purpose; working hard gives me value. If my value isn't from hard work, where do I get it from?

I have always considered "hard-working" an undoubtedly good thing, like "being kind" or "not stabbing random people." But when pushed on this, I can't quite justify it the same way as other virtues. Is it good for society? Is there something inherently moral about hard work? Is it something that I value, but is unreasonable to expect from others?

I don't really have answers on this. I consider hard work a virtue, but I'm not sure precisely why. I'm sure there's all sort of cultural/familial/etc. reasons, but that's what makes me me. Is it a bad thing to believe? Not sure yet. No. Yes. Sometimes.

rnoordaon Most who want simple ‘bonsai’ trees are ill-served by traditional bonsai methods

> I can't even keep mint alive in my backyard.

I'm jealous- some mint got from my planter into the lawn. The good news it smells nice whenever I mow.

rnoordaon Finding the Right Advice

> The rule of thumb is that advisors are always giving advice to themselves.

I find myself needing to remember this when I give advice. And the truth is, most advice isn't one-size-fits-all. Some people need to be told to get off their butts and work harder, some people need to sit down and rest a little more often. If I peddle one piece of advice to everyone, it's likely not very useful advice. The better bits of advice I've received are by those who know me well, know the field/topic/general area I need help in, and preferably both.

rnoordaon Scattered thoughts on why I waste my own time

I love blog posts like this- personal thoughts, not overly edited, and not professing a solution. Thanks for sharing your thoughts, scattered as they may be.

I've been thinking about the "motivation bursts" section in the post- I have certain things (quotes/songs/videos/books/etc) that are motivating, and giving myself easier access to those when needed may be able to help address those times I can't seem to stop wasting time.

Of course, as many other commenters have mentioned, many activities we consider "wasting time" are enjoyable, normal things to do. The goal doesn't need to be eliminating idle time.

rnoordaon The simplest of slumbers

I had a few friends at university who got really into polyphasic sleep. Turns out college is a terrible time to set your schedule with that much discipline.

rnoordaon Ask HN: How do you tackle your own negativity?

There's a lot of good advice in this thread already, but one thing I've been working on lately is watching what I consume. When I consume lots of negative content (full of outrage, anger, etc.) I become more negative. Sustained outrage drags me down, but is also addictive. Pulling myself away from anger helps me refocus on what I actually feel positive about.

rnoordaon ConcernedApe's Haunted Chocolatier

I have been amazed of what Eric has created single-handedly already, and am so pleased he's doing something new! Stardew Valley is a prime example of what I want in modern games and so often find lacking. No microtransactions, single-player-friendly, not graphic-intensive. Not every game needs to or should be Stardew Valley, of course, but there's not enough Stardew Valleys out there.

Few of us are as talented as Eric is, but I wish more of us tried a little harder to create what we wish existed, and not fall into the trap of what's popular. To bastardize legend, "If I were not [me], I wish I were [ConcernedApe]."

rnoordaon How to design in every language at once

I often forget how much utility I derive from knowing English in an online world (replace 'utility derived' with luck, privilege, blessings, etc to taste.) I am glad there are places making this effort. Localization is hard, and scaling is significantly harder. Hats off to Canva.

rnoordaon Harold Fisk’s Meander Maps of the Mississippi River (1944)

There's something sad to me about how rivers, especially in cities, have been changed to a set course, with reinforced banks. I know there are massive benefits, and "natural" rivers with changing banks cause plenty of problems, but it makes them feel overly manmade, as if we just dug a canal where a river used to be.

rnoordaon New York Public Library ends all late fees

My local library has done this with a variety of kitchen implements, like mixers, ice cream makers, cake pans, etc. I think it's a great way to use something once or twice without having one more thing around the house.