Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

news.ycombinator.com

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

101–110 of 192 posts

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#101

Post by failquicker »

mattchew wrote: post #80
failquicker wrote: post #64

I'm really into metal casting. Got into a few years ago by bastardizing a kiln I found on craigslist. Have since moved on to building my own propane furnaces and rigging old microwaves to melt copper. I don't know that I'm actually any "good" at it, but I do enjoy it a lot. I like working with a material that you have to respect highly or it will burn a hole straight through you. And I have been able to cast some rud…

I went to the local blacksmithing group just this week. I think I'm going to join. The work looks like fun and I liked the social atmosphere (slightly grumpy old guys who reminded me of my dad). > rigging old microwaves to melt copper Whoa. I guess you're still here to type about it . . .

You should definitely join the blacksmithing group. I'm definitely on the casting part of the work as opposed to the smithing. but I know a bunch of great blacksmiths. I think you will be able to find a great group of interesting personalities that somehow get drawn to metalworking (sort of like HN)

One great resource for metalcasting is Backyard Metal Casting. www.backyardmetalcasting.com He will probably answer any question you could possibly have about casting.

Good luck!

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#102

Post by jacquesm »

RevRal wrote: post #38

I play the didgeridoo. I picked up this hobby after my lung collapsed spontaneously, and the surgeon recommended that I learn to play a wind instrument. Since the medical bills came out to over $100,000 dollars (paid with cash money FTW), I didn't much feel like spending money on a really expensive instrument that I might not even like. I also set aside an hour or two a day to read classic literature, or hard-to-read…

There's an idea! In the past I played the saxophone quite fanatically but had to stop because of lung trouble (weak spot in a lung, too much pressure).

Didgeridoo...

What a bummer to have to pay for your medical bills out of pocked, weren't you insured ?

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#103

Post by ajj »

Sports - absolutely cannot live without. Enjoy it as much as my work.

Anything goes: soccer, volleyball, squash, or rarely some water sports. I follow a lot of sports too.

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#104

Post by davidedicillo »

sjsivak wrote: post #7

Cooking is probably my favorite hobby, I love doing something with my hands and really feeling accomplished when I make a great meal. This may sound childish, but I also really enjoy building and playing with LEGOs. I just have a few sets but I constantly rebuild them and I find it is an interesting thing to do while listening to music.

Cooking AND eating :) I love to try new recipes and experiment with food. Apparently my neighbors love that too.

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#105

Post by barmstrong »

mambodog wrote: post #84

I produce electronic music. These days production is all computer based, and tech knowledge gets you a long way. Also if you can learn tech skills you can probably also come to understand things like dynamics processing and frequency ranges well enough to get to the top of the game, in terms of production quality. Its one of the few things that I find to be a good mix of my creativity and tech aptitude (along with we…

What software do you recommend/use...Abelton live?

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#106

Post by derwiki »

yan wrote: post #19

I am a rock climber and have met or seen at least half dozen people on HN who also climb. Can't say enough nice things about it, gorgeous hobby. edit: I was also curious about this, and created a similar thread a while ago: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=862139

I go climbing with a coworker before work 2-3x a week. The problems in climbing seem similar to the problems in programming, so it's a good physical and mental wake-up for the day.

A ton of other programmers I know climb as well (we had an engineering offsite at Planet Granite in SF a few months ago), and I also see a ton of Googlers and other software people at Mission Cliffs on a regular basis.

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#107

Post by aharrison »

I'm surprised there aren't more parkour practitioners here. I find it is one of the most physically demanding things a person can do, it is almost entirely free, and it requires both extreme focus and tons of creativity. Of course, the downsides are that you have to be in amazing shape (or work your way up to it) and that it does tend to result in small injuries, but I would say no more than a martial art.

Definitely a great way to get out, move around, and stay focused.

Re: Ask HN: Hacker Hobbies?

#108

Post by barmstrong »

philh wrote: post #83

I play airsoft. It's not a cheap hobby, but it's good exercise in good company. I'm involved with the running of the society (I'll be president next academic year), which has taught me organisational skills; and hanging out with the other players was half the socialising I did last year, so it's probably helped to keep me sane.

Wow...had no idea that was a sport! Just read a bit on wikipedia:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Airsoft

Post reply on HN