AskHN Digest

1. Ask HN: Why did Python win?

Top comment by r_thambapillai

Python ended up 'specializing' in data contexts, thanks to Numpy / Pandas, and as a result, ended up becoming the first exposure to programming than anyone doing data stuff had. That was millions of people. In that space, it had no competitors.

Ruby ended up 'specializing' in web dev, because of Rails. But when Node and React came out, Ruby on Rails had to compete with Nodejs + React / MERN as a way of building a web app. Since people first learning programming to build a web app would usually start with javascript anyway (since a lot of very first projects might not even need a backend), it was a lot easier for the Nodejs/React route to become the default path. Whereas if you were a data scientist, you started on python, and as you got better, you basically just kept using python.

2. Ask HN: How to handle Asian-style “Family name first” when designing interfaces?

Top comment by muzani

Just have a single "name field" and maybe preferred name, which is not the same. The family/given name format doesn't make much sense here.

Indian name: Sathiavelllu Arunachalam, known as SA or Seth

SE Asian ethnic Chinese names: Harry Lee Kuan Yew, (English name) (Surname) (Given name). Hated the name Harry and got it removed, though many Chinese are referred to by an English name.

Indonesian name: Fatimah Azzahra (given name only)

Malaysian name: Sharifah Azizah binti Syed Ahmad Tarmizi, (honorific surname: Sharifah) (given name: Azizah) (patronym) (father's honorific surname: Syed) (father's given name: Ahmad Tarmizi)

3. Ask HN: What is your policy regarding smartphones for your children?

Top comment by brudgers

[Random parenting advice from the internet]

My child is grown but grew up during the iPhone era.

Anyway, I had a policy.

It lasted until middle school.

Then we had a conversation.

And worked things out together.

That's my recommendation because in the long run, conversation and negotiation are the only tools you really have.

Good luck.

----

Appendix:

1. FOSS is your value. Your child is not you. If your child thinks FOSS is cool, it's cool. If they think it is lame, you are being lame.

2. Parental controls are only as good as someone else's parents. Your child can look at naked people on someone else's phone.

3. Around middle school, your child's peers begin to have massive importance. It is not that you cease to be important. But you are going to have to share influence. Even if you try to forbid such sharing.

4. It is better if parents grow as their children grow. Growing is on you because you are the adult.

4. Ask HN: My mother is slowly losing her eyesight, how to prepare?

Top comment by probably_wrong

My mom went through a similar path, so here are some details I haven't seen already mentioned:

* Not too many people know that losing your eyesight is often followed by nightmares. The moment I told my mom this fact she stopped having them.

* The "problem" with suggesting Braille is that it requires an acceptance that one has lost their eyesight for good, which is a difficult step for many. So audio solutions could be better in the short term. The same goes for training for how to move around using a white cane.

* iPhones have a feature called VoiceOver that lets you use your phone without looking. My mom never really got the hang of it too much, but she definitely uses Siri a lot. Android has something too, but last time I checked it was not as good. Being able to take short and long notes (voice notes, small recorder, whatever works) should be a priority.

* If you install a screen reader, I encourage you to use a Linux laptop. Windows has a tendency to move things around for no good reason (and God have mercy if your OS auto-updates), which breaks my mom's muscle memory of how to open this or that program.

* Audiobooks: I typically convert EPUB/MOBI books with Calibre to DOCX, put them in a shared folder, and she uses the screen reader to hear them. I also use the same shared folder to download podcasts. Alexa didn't work well here at all, but that's because Alexa in South America sucks. Your case may be different.

* Be ready to curse whenever some clueless news anchor talks about a "miracle bionic eye" while praying that your mom doesn't hear about it. Having to be the one who's constantly shooting down someone's last hope is not cool.

I submitted a similar question here 8 years ago. You can check the answers here: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9546311

5. Ask HN: What's your favourite hobby and how did it start?

Top comment by neom

Learning Ableton opened me up to a whole world of meeting new people and picking up new skills.

https://www.ableton.com/en/live/

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0iuRsiKtObw

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxY0x1i3XhY

https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9oiyAGA6zOTSPR5-ttojODT4...

Getting some teenage engineering pocket operators is also something I'd strongly recommend. They're affordable and fun! Check out this 8 year old building a tune with them: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhFIUdICYSA

6. Ask HN: Are “theoretical” concepts being lost by new engineers?

Top comment by whatamidoingyo

Oh, no! Don't blame "self-taught" engineers; I'm self-taught. In my spare time, I learn assembly, and work with a bread board with an arduino. Fun stuff!

The problem is "bootcamps" and other such businesses promising so-called six-figure salaries. I think most people who find these bootcamps appealing aren't really interested in technology. They just want money. I'm sure they wouldn't learn any of this stuff in their spare time, as a hobby, having genuine fun.

7. Ask HN: Any LAN alternatives other than PowerLine or MOCA?

Top comment by orev

Going to have to go with the others and say that if MoCa isn’t working, there’s a bigger problem (PowerLine is always a bad idea). Make sure:

You have the PoE filter (no “S”, there’s should only be one) installed on the entry point only. Since you said “filterS” it implies you have multiple throughout the network. If so, that’s the cause of your problem as those are designed to prevent MoCa signals from passing through.

Next would be the main splitter. You really should have only one in the house, and it should be good quality and support up to 2500MHz. Bamf makes good ones. It should only have enough taps as cables you need to connect (don’t get a 7-way splitter if you only have 3 cables).

For any unused splitter ports, make sure they are terminated.

Check the connectors on each end of the cables and replace any that are loose or flimsy.

MoCa really does work very well, so I suggest you figure out what the issue is instead of looking for something else. The only thing I can think of as a showstopper is if they nailed through (or stapled too tight) when installing the wires in the walls. That would compromise the cable and there’s not much that will be able to handle that.

8. Ask HN: How to Focus Again?

Top comment by nick0garvey

A lot of people in this thread point at motivation or mental health issues. The issue is likely not so complicated.

You have forgotten how to focus. We live in a world where we are constantly distracted. This is forced on us. The apps we use compete over our attention, our workplace expects quick replies over Slack, our free time is always accompanied by a smart phone pushing us notifications.

These effects are getting stronger. Technology evolves new attention taking techniques. Our remote work culture expects faster replies as you are, in theory, always at your desk.

You can address this focus deficiency, but it isn't easy. Put your phone always on Do Not Disturb. Use site blocking extensions to limit time wasters (yes, even Hacker News). Stop being so responsive at work.

The first few weeks will hurt. You won't instantly be able to focus, and you will feel less productive due to the lower response time. But after some time, you will be able to do work others cannot. You can complete the big work you are struggling to right now. Relearn how to focus.

9. Ask HN: Best WFH Purchases?

Top comment by Someone1234

"Real" Chair (Steelcase / Herman Miller) and four-legged standing desk (better stability). Plus a handheld "mouse" (ELECOM Relacon) so when I'm reading I can stand differently or do light movement/exercise. Blowing $2.5K on a desk + chair is a lot, but also not a lot depending on your perspective.

10. Ask HN: Underrated music, books, movies?

Top comment by tomatocracy

On the movie side, I'd suggest "Dark City", the 1998 neo-noir sci-fi film directed by Alex Proyas (more famous for The Crow). Not sure why it isn't more widely known - I think in some ways it got overshadowed by The Matrix which was released not long afterwards but I like it a lot.