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Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

news.ycombinator.com

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Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#11

Post by buffaloo »

gandalfgeek wrote: post #5

Not exactly a script, but if I really think about it the largest thing I've automated in my life is investing--- via index funds. No picking individual stocks, no rebalancing (Vanguard and others have "target date" funds that rebalance automatically).

Don’t you just end up with a portfolio weighted with half below average stocks? Seems like you could beat this just by buying stuff you’ve heard of. I’m sitting her with my Apple phone, using Verizon internet, burning electricity from a publicly traded utility that probably won’t go broke next week, wearing my Nike shoes and drinking a Coke. That portfolio probably beats your index and requires zero brains or effort.

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#12

Post by peteretep »

1zael wrote: post #6

Back when Tinder's API was more open, I had a Python script that would autoswipe everyone in the match queue. Then I'd go through all my matches, manually filter the ones I didn't like, and message the ones I did. It was highly efficient, increased my conversation rate, but didn't really impact my end metrics ;)

You can pay for Tinder Gold and Boosts, which effectively does the same thing but for money

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#13

Post by geocrasher »

My typing. In my work I tend to type a lot of the same things over and over again. So I automate that with AutoHotKey. Ctrl+Tab becomes RightAlt. Two words become entire paragraphs. Even simple things like "You're welcome" are just 'ywyw' or 'tyvm' becomes "Thank you very much". I know it sounds silly, but while trying to avoid RSI's, the less typing the better.

I also use autohotkey to help me remember to Linux commands that I don't remember of are awkward to type. Like 'awk1' becomes "awk '{print $1 }'" and then I can modify it as needed.

This has worked extremely well for me for many years. Ymmv.

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#14

Post by aklemm »

wheelerwj wrote: post #3
todd3834 wrote: post #2

I live in a condo complex with a dog and no lawn. We learned after getting our dog that this place doesn’t want dogs going to the bathroom on any of the common area (makes sense but annoying to dog owners). We used to get a small patch of grass delivered every week but it was a hassle to swap each time. Also it was disgusting by the end of the week. Then I discovered porch potty. Got the version that is hooked up wit…

> We used to get a small patch of grass delivered every week haha, WHAT??

Could make some song lyrics out of that, am I right, Ol’ Wheeler?

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#15

Post by CoolGuySteve »

kunalpowar1203 wrote: post #10

I've used Automate App ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.llamalab.a... ) to set my android phone to silent mode in office and loud at home based on the wifi ssid.

That Google/Android tracks everywhere I go, sends me an email at the end of the month about it, and still can't silent/remind when I get into proximity of a location bugs the shit out of me.

That tracking that's so profitable for them is an afterthought when it comes to my own convenience.

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#16

Post by tesin »

buffaloo wrote: post #11
gandalfgeek wrote: post #5

Not exactly a script, but if I really think about it the largest thing I've automated in my life is investing--- via index funds. No picking individual stocks, no rebalancing (Vanguard and others have "target date" funds that rebalance automatically).

Don’t you just end up with a portfolio weighted with half below average stocks? Seems like you could beat this just by buying stuff you’ve heard of. I’m sitting her with my Apple phone, using Verizon internet, burning electricity from a publicly traded utility that probably won’t go broke next week, wearing my Nike shoes and drinking a Coke. That portfolio probably beats your index and requires zero brains or effort.

Every time you buy your stocks for those individual companies you're accruing fees. You're also extremely susceptible to sudden loss due to lack of diversity. And even if you had the time, energy and knowledge to pick what you think is the best half of the Russell 3000, you still wouldn't beat the index - https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/01/03/warren-buffett-jus...

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#17

Post by nhylated »

1zael wrote: post #6

Back when Tinder's API was more open, I had a Python script that would autoswipe everyone in the match queue. Then I'd go through all my matches, manually filter the ones I didn't like, and message the ones I did. It was highly efficient, increased my conversation rate, but didn't really impact my end metrics ;)

Like this? https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=14664415

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#18

Post by SN76477 »

geocrasher wrote: post #13

My typing. In my work I tend to type a lot of the same things over and over again. So I automate that with AutoHotKey. Ctrl+Tab becomes RightAlt. Two words become entire paragraphs. Even simple things like "You're welcome" are just 'ywyw' or 'tyvm' becomes "Thank you very much". I know it sounds silly, but while trying to avoid RSI's, the less typing the better. I also use autohotkey to help me remember to Linux comm…

Autohotkey doesn’t get enough attention. Great software.

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#19

Post by bitadder »

buffaloo wrote: post #11
gandalfgeek wrote: post #5

Not exactly a script, but if I really think about it the largest thing I've automated in my life is investing--- via index funds. No picking individual stocks, no rebalancing (Vanguard and others have "target date" funds that rebalance automatically).

Don’t you just end up with a portfolio weighted with half below average stocks? Seems like you could beat this just by buying stuff you’ve heard of. I’m sitting her with my Apple phone, using Verizon internet, burning electricity from a publicly traded utility that probably won’t go broke next week, wearing my Nike shoes and drinking a Coke. That portfolio probably beats your index and requires zero brains or effort.

The problem isn't always knowing what to buy, but when to sell. For some who don't have the time of researching and rebalancing an index fund or ETF that does it for you is a good value prop.

Example where that strategy might run into problems - hindsight is 20/20: https://pbs.twimg.com/media/EH6la6VWoAIC0cM?format=jpg&name=...

Re: Ask HN: What do you automate in your life and work?

#20

Post by Hn-acc-1 »

buffaloo wrote: post #11
gandalfgeek wrote: post #5

Not exactly a script, but if I really think about it the largest thing I've automated in my life is investing--- via index funds. No picking individual stocks, no rebalancing (Vanguard and others have "target date" funds that rebalance automatically).

Don’t you just end up with a portfolio weighted with half below average stocks? Seems like you could beat this just by buying stuff you’ve heard of. I’m sitting her with my Apple phone, using Verizon internet, burning electricity from a publicly traded utility that probably won’t go broke next week, wearing my Nike shoes and drinking a Coke. That portfolio probably beats your index and requires zero brains or effort.

It does not. If it was that simple, there wouldn't be an entire trillion dollar industry based on it.
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