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Other ways to read Hacker News

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121–130 of 191 posts

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#121
post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I find the "native" presentation basically perfect for both desktop and mobile browsing. You're joking right?

No. I use Safari for both desktop and mobile, if that matters. I never search. I don't need custom styles to increase readability. I don't need more space around headlines, or article preview thumbnails, or any other superfluous thing. I open interesting headlines for reading and comment threads for discussion into background tabs. I read. I close tabs. I move on with my day. Why did you think I was joking?

- Perfect: No better implementation can exist.

- Best: No better implementation exists.

- Favorite: No better implementation is known to me.

The current implementation of HN is at best decent.

I can think of 100 ways to improve it. I would be surprised you couldn't.

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#122

The most useful HN addon is HN Replies by Dan Grossman. You get an email if someone replies to your comment. Simple UI and real value. http://www.hnreplies.com/

I'm sure the lack of this feature is intentional, to prevent back-and-forth arguments and give others a chance to contribute.

Years ago when I read Slashdot, it felt like the bulk of the discussion was the same few regulars, who would reply within minutes to any response they got. That wasn't healthy or informative, I'd prefer not to see the same here.

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#125
post #79

I had no idea there were people that needed to view HN differently - let alone 21+ ways. I find the "native" presentation basically perfect for both desktop and mobile browsing.

This is one of the few sites I frequent where I don't wish they would improve the interface. I've been dreading the day HN gets the "Web 2.0" makeover and turns into yet another information sparse automatic scrolling back button hating javascript nightmare.

Seriously, for the main interface it is pretty much perfect. Like Slashdot before they fucked it up. Or Ars before they fucked it up.

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#126
post #119
post #112

I struggle to see why anyone would want to dilute Hacker News with the affect-laden decadence of contemporary web design. I am a visual artist and this is sincere. My hopes are that the HN community holds stable at least until I can find a new hole to run to.

> I struggle to see why anyone would want to dilute Hacker News with the affect-laden decadence of contemporary web design. >I am a visual artist and this is sincere. As a visual artist, you should be aware that your opinions on contemporary web design are subjective, and that those who disagree with you are not wrong in doing so. The sites posted here simply aren't for you, and that's fine. No one is forcing you to…

Aesthetics are not as subjective as you seem to think. I am not sitting on a high-horse here; I argue closer to the opposite.

My assertion that contemporary web design is affect-laden has proof in the pudding. It is ridden with commercial "trend" and "delight". Contemporary web design lacks concern for either content or form. It is a maze of 'interactive expressionism'.

I would go as far as to say it bears some responsibility for the current ICO bubble, for example; the "whitepaper" being the only lucid concept (form of content) in a sea of slivering serpents. Of course technical whitepapers are not new but their declarative function is being psychologically undermined by their symbolic form. How is this possible? It is a function of decadence, a delusion of form and meaning.

>I believe it is quite possible to have a site thay is both well designed and which hosts content of high intellectual value.

You won't find anyone on the internet to argue with this statement, of course. I agree. I think hackernews.come has done about as good of job as any by acknowledging 'form' as necessary context for intellectual 'content'. Your issue is with what "well designed" means. See above.

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#127
post #116

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No. I use Safari for both desktop and mobile, if that matters. I never search. I don't need custom styles to increase readability. I don't need more space around headlines, or article preview thumbnails, or any other superfluous thing. I open interesting headlines for reading and comment threads for discussion into background tabs. I read. I close tabs. I move on with my day. Why did you think I was joking?

- Perfect: No better implementation can exist. - Best: No better implementation exists. - Favorite: No better implementation is known to me. The current implementation of HN is at best decent. I can think of 100 ways to improve it. I would be surprised you couldn't.

I don't think "perfect" was meant to be taken literally.

Re: Other ways to read Hacker News

#130
For me the native version is stunningly good. Both on desktop and mobile devices. It loads tremendously fast, has the correct font types and no smuck.

The only sidestep I sometimes make is to Boreal[1][2] as a native ios app. It has a more convenient way if reading the comments. Double tap a comment to collapse instead of hit the little minus sign. Especially as I read with only my left hand and minus sign is on the right. Funny how little things can be so great. In addition it's indenting is easier to follow. However, I keep switching back to the default hn site as ios doesn't let you set chrome as default browser so you can't open all articles default in chrome from Boreal (you can in safari, embedded safari, their native browser or their in-app browser).

[1] https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=9830622 (old version, current version is much better).

[2] https://itunes.apple.com/nl/app/boreal-hacker-news-client/id...

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