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Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

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Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#791

Post by turc1656 »

philipodonnell wrote: post #786
turc1656 wrote: post #694

Paypal used to have this feature that allowed you to install a browser add-on and you could generate a CC number on the fly that was good for either one time use or recurring use (for subscription services). This feature served two primary purposes: 1) to be able to pay using PayPal on sites that didn't support it 2) to help prevent against fraud which was becoming a massive problem at the time. If the number was sto…

I don't think its too tin-foily to assume that there are non-technical reasons why the credit card networks don't want one-time-use credit card numbers, and that PayPal would care more about its relationships with those networks than it does for a product that didn't immediately take off. This is how the innovater's dilemma works. Big entrenched company, too scared to make changes that will jeopardize existing partne…

Yeah but in PayPal's case, they were all MasterCard numbers. And keep in mind that since one of the primary uses was to be able to Pay secretly with PayPal on a site that doesn't support it, the number would have to validate through the merchant's existing CC system. MasterCard was clearly on board with the process.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#792

Post by baldfat »

fsloth wrote: post #686
baldfat wrote: post #574

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> My friggin circa 1984 Mac Plus felt faster on most stuff than the generic desktop PC See how fast it felt. https://youtu.be/XwbrCYJcrKQ?t=4m34s No way and NO HOW! That statement is 100% false. The issue is you remember that it felt fast. My Amiga felt like lightening to me in 1985 and I still boot it up from time to time. The delays in everything is over the top and Mac 128k were horribly slow.

I meant the Macintosh Plus, not the Macintosh 128k. I was off by a few years, the Mac Plus came in 1986. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_128K https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Macintosh_Plus I think the example is a bit too sluggish but is probably a more correct presentation of the actual facts than my nostalgic outburst.

The delays of just writing a widow is so slow. Macintosh Plus Review https://youtu.be/_bI0moHdjPQ?t=22m29s

I was an Amiga kid. I had friends and co-workers who had Macintosh Plus and they always seemed to be so S-L-O-W to an Amiga.

Amiga 1000 from 1986 https://youtu.be/CDWdVk-hmgA?t=51s

The window draws were also slow BUT Ray Tracing and full animation compared to that lame Macintosh is just a whole different generation. Amiga lost and it took till 1994 or 1995 to beat an Amiga in 1986.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#793

Post by iamwil »

ekanes wrote: post #753
turc1656 wrote: post #694

Paypal used to have this feature that allowed you to install a browser add-on and you could generate a CC number on the fly that was good for either one time use or recurring use (for subscription services). This feature served two primary purposes: 1) to be able to pay using PayPal on sites that didn't support it 2) to help prevent against fraud which was becoming a massive problem at the time. If the number was sto…

This tech is available and extremely well-implemented via Final Card. I use it and have numbers stored for probably 50 sites/services/etc. Anything where I put a card in online. So next time my card gets compromised because I used it in a restaurant (seems to happen regularly) then none of those have to be reset. Just get a new "physical" card and go on my merry way. Many hours saved. https://getfinal.com/

Aside: are you a pokemon fan? your username is one letter off.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#795

Post by TrueDuality »

faltad wrote: post #259
TrueDuality wrote: post #245

Earlier quoted context omitted.

A close mentor of mine has been working on private cancer research for close to three decades and just recently retired. He was both incredibly hopeful and positively terrified of CRISPR. He explained CRISPR as "one of the crucial technologies we don't yet have the wisdom to wield" I recently learned (I believe on here, in the past week), CRISPR was used to develop a genetic treatment on the first human patient to so…

Are you speaking of the person being treated for his Hunter Syndrome via Gene-editing treatment (I think it was done this week)? It doesn't use Crispr but another tool named ZFN . Pretty exciting that we're not only trying those out in vivo but also in fully grown patients with a specific disorder!

Ah I was, I misremembered CRISPR being involved. It is actively being used to modify mammals (ex: https://www.npr.org/sections/thesalt/2017/10/23/559060166/cr...) but maybe not people yet.

I think the original warning is still valid.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#796

Post by philipodonnell »

turc1656 wrote: post #791
philipodonnell wrote: post #786

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't think its too tin-foily to assume that there are non-technical reasons why the credit card networks don't want one-time-use credit card numbers, and that PayPal would care more about its relationships with those networks than it does for a product that didn't immediately take off. This is how the innovater's dilemma works. Big entrenched company, too scared to make changes that will jeopardize existing partne…

Yeah but in PayPal's case, they were all MasterCard numbers. And keep in mind that since one of the primary uses was to be able to Pay secretly with PayPal on a site that doesn't support it, the number would have to validate through the merchant's existing CC system. MasterCard was clearly on board with the process.

> MasterCard was clearly on board with the process.

They might have been when it started, but clearly something changed. If it was desirable, the moment PayPal decided not to continue, MasterCard would have started looking for alternatives. Since they didn't (and haven't), its pretty reasonable to assume they decided intentionally not to pursue it.

The two other functioning alternatives listed in this thread, getfinal.com and privacy.com, both Visa. Kinda says it all there.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#797

Post by baldfat »

bsaul wrote: post #634
baldfat wrote: post #566

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As someone who use to have a SMALL Recording studio. We are in the best music business times for small indie bands. More people can support themselves through kickstarter like programs. Two of my bands traveled the world and were on MTV (Back when they played videos). The most one band made was $7,000 per person and they traveled to Europe and Australia/NZ. I never made a dime. They posted on Kickstarter 6 years afte…

i'm really glad to read the situation is starting to get better. after the rain comes the sun, but that was a hell of a decade to wait...

Well I will say that this is the first time since the traveling poets of ancient times that people can make money on their own with music. I think the issue is people think an artist should make millions. The only place losing music jobs is label employed musicians. We cut out the middle man they can make a good living. One of my friends just plays Acoustic Guitar and travels the world for competitions and makes a decent living. He isn't what you would call rich but he is paying the bills and has a family. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Lo9kGHYn_bI

"...things are actually much better for independent musicians than in the past, just as we would expect. In fact, there's been an astounding 510% increase in independent musicians making their full time living from music in just the past decade."

https://www.techdirt.com/articles/20130529/15560423243/massi...

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#798

Post by CodeCube »

mseebach wrote: post #283
Animats wrote: post #92

Virtual worlds. The "metaverse" of Snow Crash. "Snow Crash", the TV series, has been green-lighted by Amazon. That may drum up more interest. Second Life comes close. They've had a working system for over a decade and have with adequate solutions to most of the problems. But it's hard to use, and not that many people are interested.

I doubt that the physical manifestation of the metaverse (you "plug in" and navigate in a virtual 3D-world, especially one that requires you to transport yourself around) will happen, it's simply not very compelling. What we do have, which is very similar to the substance, if not the aesthetic manifestation, of the metaverse, are online communities. Everybody and their mothers on Facebook, specialized trade communiti…

But ... I want a VR motorcycle! :P

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#799

Post by mustacheemperor »

turc1656 wrote: post #694

Paypal used to have this feature that allowed you to install a browser add-on and you could generate a CC number on the fly that was good for either one time use or recurring use (for subscription services). This feature served two primary purposes: 1) to be able to pay using PayPal on sites that didn't support it 2) to help prevent against fraud which was becoming a massive problem at the time. If the number was sto…

I think Privacy.com (no personal relation) offers a similar service now, though you've got to trust them with access to your money at some point in the process.

Edit: Since I started writing this comment others posted the same one - and pointed out it's not really a credit card.

Re: Ask HN: What tech were you convinced would take the world by storm but didn't?

#800

Post by rholdy »

arfrank wrote: post #758
turc1656 wrote: post #694

Paypal used to have this feature that allowed you to install a browser add-on and you could generate a CC number on the fly that was good for either one time use or recurring use (for subscription services). This feature served two primary purposes: 1) to be able to pay using PayPal on sites that didn't support it 2) to help prevent against fraud which was becoming a massive problem at the time. If the number was sto…

I’d suggest you look at what we built at Final. Getfinal.com We took a hard deep look at a massive stagnant industry (credit cards) and use experience and features as differentiators

Been using Final for a while. Love it and love you for building it.
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