Activeloop, a Y Combinator-backed startup, is seeking experienced Python back-end and AI search engineers. They are building a data lake for deep learning, focusing on efficient management and access of large datasets. Ideal candidates possess strong Python skills, experience with distributed systems and cloud infrastructure, and a background in areas like search, databases, or machine learning. The company emphasizes a fast-paced, collaborative environment where engineers contribute directly to the core product and its open-source community. They offer competitive compensation, benefits, and the opportunity to work on cutting-edge technology impacting the future of AI.
Manifest is a single-file Python library aiming to simplify backend development for small projects. It leverages Python's decorators to define API endpoints within a single file, handling routing, request parsing, and response formatting. This minimalist approach reduces boilerplate and promotes rapid prototyping, ideal for quickly building APIs, webhooks, or small services. Manifest supports various HTTP methods, data validation, and middleware for customization, while striving for ease of use and minimal dependencies.
HN commenters generally express interest in Manifest's simplicity and ease of use for small projects. Several praise the single-file approach and minimal setup. Some discuss potential use cases like rapid prototyping, personal projects, and teaching. Concerns are raised about scalability and suitability for complex applications. A few users compare it to similar tools like Flask and Sinatra, questioning its advantages. Some debate the merits of its integrated templating and routing. The author actively engages in the comments, addressing questions and clarifying the project's scope. Several commenters express appreciation for the "batteries-included" approach, though acknowledge the potential limitations.
Goravel is a Go web framework heavily inspired by Laravel's elegant syntax and developer-friendly features. It aims to provide a similar experience for Go developers, offering functionalities like routing, middleware, database ORM (using GORM), validation, templating, caching, and queuing. The goal is to boost developer productivity by offering a structured and familiar environment for building robust web applications in Go, leveraging Laravel's conventions and principles.
Hacker News users discuss Goravel, a Go framework inspired by Laravel. Several commenters question the need for such a framework, arguing that Go's simplicity and built-in features make a Laravel-like structure unnecessary and potentially cumbersome. They express skepticism that Goravel offers significant advantages over using standard Go libraries and approaches. Some question the performance implications of mimicking Laravel's architecture in Go. Others express interest in exploring Goravel for personal projects or as a learning experience, acknowledging that it might be suitable for specific use cases. A few users suggest that drawing inspiration from other frameworks can be beneficial, but the overall sentiment leans towards skepticism about Goravel's value proposition in the Go ecosystem.
Openlayer, a YC S21 startup building a collaborative spatial data platform, is seeking a senior backend engineer. This role involves designing, developing, and maintaining core backend services and APIs for their platform, working with technologies like Python, Django, and PostgreSQL. The ideal candidate possesses strong backend development experience, a solid understanding of geospatial concepts and databases (PostGIS), and excellent communication skills. Experience with cloud infrastructure (AWS, GCP) and containerization (Docker, Kubernetes) is also desired.
The Hacker News comments are sparse and mostly logistical. One commenter asks about the tech stack, to which an Openlayer representative replies that they use Python, Django, Postgres, and Redis, hosted on AWS. Another commenter inquires about remote work options, and Openlayer confirms they are a remote-first company. The remaining comments briefly touch upon the interview process and company culture. No particularly compelling or in-depth discussions emerge.
Directus is an open-source, instant headless CMS and API platform that connects directly to any new or existing SQL database. It provides an intuitive administrative app for managing content and users, along with automatically generated REST and GraphQL APIs for accessing that data from any application. Directus offers features like granular permissions, flexible data modeling, custom extensions, webhooks, and a modular architecture designed for extensibility. It empowers developers to build digital experiences on top of their preferred database without tedious API development or vendor lock-in.
Hacker News users discussed Directus's potential, particularly its ability to quickly create APIs for existing SQL databases. Some praised its open-source nature and ease of use, suggesting it's a good alternative to writing custom APIs. Others questioned its performance and scalability compared to purpose-built APIs, especially for complex or high-traffic applications. A few users mentioned potential security concerns and the importance of proper database configuration. Some brought up past experiences with Directus, citing both positive and negative aspects. The discussion also touched upon alternatives like PostgREST and Hasura, comparing their features and use cases.
Summary of Comments ( 0 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43473478
HN commenters discuss Activeloop's hiring post with a focus on their tech stack and the nature of the work. Some express interest in the "AI search" aspect, questioning what it entails and hoping for more details beyond generic buzzwords. Others express skepticism about using Python for performance-critical backend systems, particularly with deep learning workloads. One commenter questions the use of MongoDB, expressing concern about its suitability for AI/ML applications. A few comments mention the company's previous pivot and subsequent fundraising, speculating on its current direction and financial stability. Overall, there's a mix of curiosity and cautiousness regarding the roles and the company itself.
The Hacker News post titled "Activeloop (YC S18) Is Hiring Senior Python Back End and AI Search Engineers" linking to Activeloop's careers page sparked a small discussion thread with a few noteworthy comments.
One commenter questions the framing of "AI Search Engineers" as a distinct role, suggesting it might be a trendy buzzword conflating traditional search engineering with machine learning. They express skepticism, stating that true search expertise likely resides in individuals with a deep understanding of information retrieval and search systems, rather than specifically "AI" focused engineers. This comment implies that Activeloop might be using trendy terminology to attract talent, potentially overselling the "AI" aspect of the role.
Another commenter, seemingly familiar with Activeloop and their open-source project "Hub", focuses on the perceived complexity of the product. They find it difficult to grasp the core offering and express frustration with the documentation, suggesting it doesn't effectively communicate the value proposition. This comment points to a potential issue with Activeloop's product marketing and documentation clarity, potentially hindering wider adoption.
A third comment briefly mentions having used Activeloop's Hub and finding it helpful for managing large datasets, specifically for a machine learning project. This offers a positive counterpoint, suggesting that the product does have value for certain use cases, particularly in handling substantial data volumes. However, this positive comment lacks detail and doesn't address the concerns raised by the other commenters regarding complexity and marketing clarity.
The remaining comments are brief and less substantive, mostly offering opinions about the job market or making light-hearted remarks. Overall, the discussion thread is brief and doesn't delve deeply into the technical aspects of Activeloop's offerings or the specifics of the job postings. The most compelling comments highlight potential concerns about product complexity, marketing clarity, and the use of potentially inflated job titles.