Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment • Hacker News Board

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#581

Post by DustinBrett » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:13 PM UTC

Hey from Canada,

I've managed to keep my passion side project at top of mind for almost 2 years now. Not only is it a desktop environment in the browser, but it's also my attempt to bring back all the nostalgia moments I remembered from my last 20 years on the internet. It's my personal website and I like to think it will be something I am still working on in the year 2050. Getting feedback does indeed give me that feeling of connection.

The Code: https://github.com/DustinBrett/daedalOS The Site: https://dustinbrett.com/

Great post, thanks for asking!

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#582

Post by njacobs5074 » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:17 PM UTC

Helping and mentoring the next generation of coders to be successful.

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#583

Post by mark_l_watson » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:19 PM UTC

Thank you for starting a great thread.

I am trying to sort this out right now. I am 71 and still work (remotely) very much part time as an advisor to a South Korean AI company. I am at the point where I don't think that I am helping them much anymore and for the last week I have been thinking hard about what to do. I also feel that I am now too old to do professional software development; I would rather just work on small personal open source projects.

I did just start a book project, and I reverted to using TeX/LaTex (I have been using Markdown on Leanpub.com for the last decade for writing). I love TeX because it allows me to write different editions of a book easily for different programming languages, nicely factoring out non-programming background material.

I have also fetched my old train set from the attic and I am considering starting to fly again: both remote control model airplanes and flying lessons (I too about 10 lessons 25 years ago).

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#584

Post by weakfish » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:29 PM UTC

mindcrime wrote: post #93

weakfish wrote: post #12

Hello from Raleigh, NC. Just graduated with a degree in political science but found work as a software engineer. Currently passionate about rock climbing, I wonder if there are any other climbers on HN? I’m looking to take a class on lead belaying soon and start sport climbing!

Hey, we're practically neighbors! I'm from Chapel Hill, NC. Sadly, I don't do any rock climbing. It's one of those things that I've always thought looked interesting, but I somehow never found time / energy / money / whatever to pursue. My big things outdoor activity wise are cycling (MTB, road, and BMX) and fishing.

Hey, if you’re interested in trying, the local gym system TRC has free first sessions when going with a member. If you’re interested, shoot me an email, it’s in my profile :)

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#585

Post by TheAngryCanuck » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:41 PM UTC

I'm really passionate about learning Docker. I know it is probably super easy/familiar to a lot of you but it is phenomenal to me. I've been in technical sales for the last 10 years and while I really know my products really well I've let my actual technical skills lag. I've since switched roles and I'm now doing more hands on technical work with my products and less sales. I've had to start learning new stuff. In the past I would spin up a single purpose VM, put the thing I needed on it, and move on. I was recently forced to use Docker for a project and I was totally out of my depth. I've been learning as much as I can as fast as I can not only for my job but for my own personal stuff. Kids want a Minecraft server? Docker container. I need to use some of my own products in a different way? Docker container. All the things I have single purpose VMs for on my home network. Migrate to Docker containers.

In a way I'm disappointed that I didn't do this sooner BUT I'm also really happy that I'm learning something new AND it is something so practical to me.

P.s, if you have some great Docker learning resources please pass them along!

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#586

Post by drakonka » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 4:52 PM UTC

atchoo wrote: post #476

drakonka wrote: post #468

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not OP, but as someone who also sometimes get stuck in my writing as well I thought I'd reply. Personally I use Scrivener for drafting and Vellum for formatting, but the tools usually don't matter that much for what you are describing. They won't really help with overthinking and getting tied up in phrasing. What helps me a lot when I sense myself getting into that getting-stuck phase where I just overthink everythin…

Thanks! I'll try a sprint. I actualy did Morning Pages (flow of conscious execise for writers) for many years just for the psychological benefits. I got blocked on those because I think I just got sick of talking to myself and a novel is a way to get some self expression and joy of writing back without it being so self-reflective. Can you recommend a writing discord?

I'm afraid the couple of writing servers I'm mostly active in are pretty niche and not public, but there are bigger ones that should be good as well. For example, I have heard good things about one called "Bookdun"[0], which is actually focused on writers helping each other to finish their books. They have sprint channels where a sprint bot helps run the sprints, but also other challenges encouraging people to get words written. I have never tried any "writing challenges" aside from sprints though; the other stuff sometimes feels a bit too distracting and gamified for my tastes, so can't speak to those.

[0] https://www.bookdun.com/

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#587

Post by xerxesaa » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:06 PM UTC

THENATHE wrote: post #333

My father passed away about 3 weeks ago, and the current thing that I am passionate about is setting myself up to be and stay doing things that would make him proud and honor his memory When I say I was close with my dad, that doesnt even scratch the surface. Im 24, and I can think of maybe three weeks worth of days across my entire life where I didnt talk to him (and most of those were solo camping without cell serv…

I lost my father to murder several years ago and have been waking up thinking of him a lot this week. Somehow I really found your post comforting. Thank you.

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#588

Post by potatochup » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:07 PM UTC

vestrigi wrote: post #424

spike021 wrote: post #160

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My brother recently bought an e-bike and has been enjoying it as well. He hasn't taken it on errands yet, though. How do you handle preventing theft, since that's super common here in the bay? I know there are some relatively higher rated locks but I still don't think I'd personally feel comfortable leaving an expensive bike or scooter out of sight more than maybe just a minute or two.

I recommend using multiple locks. What is important is their usability: try to make sure that the lock can be attached to the frame and that it doesn‘t rattle, also needs to leave enough space for lock up your bike to things that are not the typical bike rack, like lamp posts. I still recommend U-Locks but they‘re so bulky and can seldomly be attached securely to the frame without rattling, so I ended up putting it i…

My wife's ebike has two ABUS locks D locks that share the same key, very convenient.

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#589

Post by carvink » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:09 PM UTC

Broker0 wrote: post #524

frans wrote: post #256

Earlier quoted context omitted.

May I suggest the book "This Naked Mind" by Annie Grace? I learned about it here on HN [1]. I have no alcohol issues, but there are some eye-opening ideas in that book that should appeal to everyone (unless you already are on zero alcohol) "Alcohol is the only drug on earth you have to justify not taking." [1]: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=32714527

> "Alcohol is the only drug on earth you have to justify not taking." I find this quote really interesting. Growing up in a western country where people drink a lot of alcohol, not necessarily for the enjoyment of it but to get "hammered". I've countless times defended myself for both friends, family and new and existing co-workers for why I don't drink, and these people look at me like I'm some sort of alien. Accord…

I like to say 'When people drink they relax, and when they relax, I relax. It works out fine." It does depend on the group.

Re: Ask HN: Comment here about whatever you're passionate about at the moment

#590

Post by rolenthedeep » Sun, Nov 06, 2022, 5:14 PM UTC

I recently started a job building wearable VR haptic feedback systems. This isn't a field I've ever even thought of before, but it's been really interesting so far. I'm pushing the limits of what the current technology can physically do and trying to tease it into a format that tricks your monkey brain into perceiving a texture or shape.

This field is not something I've even thought about before, but it's been a very interesting challenge. Part of my job is to just straight up invent new technology, which is something I've always secretly dreamed of.

I'm dreaming up ways to generate physical textures on the fly and present it to your finger in a way that convinces your brain it's real. How fucking cool is that??