...or we could have a much larger home page, so we don't have to deal with the end-of-page-1 discontinuity, and we rely on the end-of-reader's-attention-span discontinuity, which is much smoother.
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Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
21–30 of 41 posts
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#22I think it's a great idea that solves an actual problem and it would probably help smooth out voting rings that slip past the detector. However, that would probably mean HN couldn't optimize or cache the front page. On the other hand, this is a feature for logged-in users only, so it might be feasible.
As far as I can see, HN already has randomized algorithms. I just had to create a new account because my six-month old 3,000+ karma account just got slowbanned and silentbanned for apparently no reason. Out of nowhere, anywhere from 6 to 14 seconds to load the front page (or any other HN page) when logged into that account.
What does silentbanned mean?
I'm not sure what the offense is for which people get slowbanned on HN, but I also don't understand how that counts as a randomized algorithm.
As an aside, it amazes me that people who notice being hellbanned (which is really the ultimate way of HN telling you not to post here anymore) make 2nd or 3rd accounts and just continue. I'd want to find out why I was being banned and then, if I didn't agree with the reason, I'd just leave.
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#23Earlier quoted context omitted.
It could also be done via client side JS. Load the first 2 pages of results with the true scores and then use JS to add the randomness factor. This way the page can be cached.
Can we trust the client?
Can we trust the client not to do what, specifically?
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#24Giving a randomness to the whole sorting of the articles could have a "noisy" effect on users who update the home page often. On the other end, PG could just add a line at the end of the home page to show one post randomly selected from the new articles. This way we could all contribute to the selection of new articles, instead of only relying on those brave souls who regularly wade through the "new" page.
>Giving a randomness to the whole sorting of the articles could have a "noisy" effect on users who update the home page often. Yes, but not much. Provided the amount of noise is small enough, the order of articles on the front page may change a bit, but the articles themselves won't change much. I don't know much about the typical distribution of scores of articles on the front page at any given moment, but I suspect…
Agreed on that, but you know, just not knowing if you are "really" #3 or not is bad, if you have your post in the home page. IMHO it would detract some from the value of the website.
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#25Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#26Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#27Earlier quoted context omitted.
As far as I can see, HN already has randomized algorithms. I just had to create a new account because my six-month old 3,000+ karma account just got slowbanned and silentbanned for apparently no reason. Out of nowhere, anywhere from 6 to 14 seconds to load the front page (or any other HN page) when logged into that account.
What does silentbanned mean? I'm not sure what the offense is for which people get slowbanned on HN, but I also don't understand how that counts as a randomized algorithm. As an aside, it amazes me that people who notice being hellbanned (which is really the ultimate way of HN telling you not to post here anymore) make 2nd or 3rd accounts and just continue. I'd want to find out why I was being banned and then, if I d…
I was not hellbanned - where everything I posted was instantly dead.
To be honest the only thing I'm sure of is that I was slowbanned. I timed page loads 10 times with the slowbanned account and they averaged about 11 seconds. Then page loads with not being logged in averaged about 1 second. Then page loads with a new account averaged about 1 second as well.
The junky thing is that the account was almost 7 months old and had 3,324 positive karma but I guess I said something that ticked someone off:
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#28I think it's a great idea that solves an actual problem and it would probably help smooth out voting rings that slip past the detector. However, that would probably mean HN couldn't optimize or cache the front page. On the other hand, this is a feature for logged-in users only, so it might be feasible.
As far as I can see, HN already has randomized algorithms. I just had to create a new account because my six-month old 3,000+ karma account just got slowbanned and silentbanned for apparently no reason. Out of nowhere, anywhere from 6 to 14 seconds to load the front page (or any other HN page) when logged into that account.
Interesting.
The HN community appreciates diversity and unbiased, well-reasoned debate.
Maybe you were too strong of an advocate of a certain technology stack / platform to the detriment of all others?
What is your old account?
Edit: typos.
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#29Earlier quoted context omitted.
What does silentbanned mean? I'm not sure what the offense is for which people get slowbanned on HN, but I also don't understand how that counts as a randomized algorithm. As an aside, it amazes me that people who notice being hellbanned (which is really the ultimate way of HN telling you not to post here anymore) make 2nd or 3rd accounts and just continue. I'd want to find out why I was being banned and then, if I d…
I was not hellbanned - where everything I posted was instantly dead. To be honest the only thing I'm sure of is that I was slowbanned. I timed page loads 10 times with the slowbanned account and they averaged about 11 seconds. Then page loads with not being logged in averaged about 1 second. Then page loads with a new account averaged about 1 second as well. The junky thing is that the account was almost 7 months old…
There isn't anything in that account's immediate history that looks like grounds for bannination, on the contrary. Are you sure it's a slowban, not some technical problem? I'd try to email the admins to find out more.
Re: Why HN Should Use Randomized Algorithms
#30Earlier quoted context omitted.
As far as I can see, HN already has randomized algorithms. I just had to create a new account because my six-month old 3,000+ karma account just got slowbanned and silentbanned for apparently no reason. Out of nowhere, anywhere from 6 to 14 seconds to load the front page (or any other HN page) when logged into that account.
Interesting. The HN community appreciates diversity and unbiased, well-reasoned debate. Maybe you were too strong of an advocate of a certain technology stack / platform to the detriment of all others? What is your old account? Edit: typos.