DM is a lightweight, unofficial Discord client designed to run on older Windows operating systems like Windows 95, 98, ME, and newer versions. Built using the Delphi programming language, it leverages Discord's web API to provide basic chat functionality, including sending and receiving messages, joining and leaving servers, and displaying user lists. While not offering the full feature set of the official Discord client, DM prioritizes minimal resource usage and compatibility with older hardware.
Jonathan Crary's "Superbloom" argues that the relentless pursuit of seamless technological connection, exemplified by platforms like Zoom and social media, has paradoxically fragmented our experience of reality. Crary posits that these technologies, promising increased interaction, instead foster alienation by reducing human experience to quantifiable data points and encouraging a constant state of distraction. This constant connectivity degrades our capacity for focused attention, critical thinking, and genuine engagement with the world, ultimately hindering the development of individual subjectivity and shared social realities. The book urges a critical reassessment of our relationship with these technologies and advocates for reclaiming our agency in shaping a more meaningful and less atomized future.
HN commenters largely disagree with the premise of the review and the book it covers ("Superbloom"). Several argue the reviewer misrepresents or misunderstands the book's arguments, especially regarding technology's role in societal fragmentation. Some suggest the reviewer's nostalgia for pre-internet community blinds them to the downsides of those times, like geographic limitations and social conformity. Others point out that "technologies of connection" are tools, and blaming them for societal issues is like blaming hammers for violence. A few commenters mention the irony of discussing connection and disconnection on a platform designed for connection, highlighting the complexity of the issue. The most compelling comments offer alternative perspectives on how technology impacts community, emphasizing individual agency and the potential for both positive and negative consequences depending on usage.
The original Pebble smartwatch ecosystem is being revived through a community-driven effort called Rebble. Existing Pebble watches will continue to function with existing apps and features, thanks to recovered server infrastructure and ongoing community development. Going forward, Rebble aims to enhance the Pebble experience with improvements like bug fixes, new watchfaces, and expanded app compatibility with modern phone operating systems. They are also exploring the possibility of manufacturing new hardware in the future.
Hacker News users reacted to the "Pebble back" announcement with a mix of excitement and skepticism. Many expressed nostalgia for their old Pebbles and hoped for a true revival of the platform, including app support and existing watch functionality. Several commenters questioned the open-source nature of the project, given the reliance on a closed-source phone app and potential server dependencies. Concerns were raised about battery life compared to modern smartwatches, and some users expressed interest in alternative open-source smartwatch projects like AsteroidOS and Bangle.js. Others debated the feasibility of reviving the app ecosystem and questioned the long-term viability of the project given the limited resources of the Rebble team. Finally, some users simply expressed joy at the prospect of using their Pebbles again.
Rebble, the community-driven effort to keep Pebble smartwatches alive after Fitbit discontinued services, has announced its transition to a fully open-source platform. This means the Rebble web services, mobile apps, and firmware will all be open-sourced, allowing the community to fully control and sustain the platform indefinitely. While current services will remain operational, this shift empowers developers to contribute, adapt, and ensure the long-term viability of Rebble, freeing it from reliance on specific individuals or resources. This represents a move towards greater community ownership and collaborative development for the continued support of Pebble smartwatches.
The Hacker News comments express cautious optimism about Rebble's future, acknowledging the challenges of maintaining a community-driven alternative for a niche product like Pebble. Several users praise the Rebble team's dedication and ingenuity in keeping the platform alive this long. Some express concern over the long-term viability without official support and question the eventual hardware limitations. Others discuss potential solutions like using existing smartwatches with a Pebble-like OS, or even designing new Pebble-inspired hardware. The overall sentiment leans towards hoping for Rebble's continued success while recognizing the significant hurdles ahead. A few users reflect nostalgically on their positive experiences with Pebble watches and the community surrounding them.
Autodesk has partially restored older forum posts and IdeaStation content after significant community backlash regarding their archiving. While not all content has returned, and some functionality like search remains limited, the restored material covers a substantial portion of previously accessible information. Autodesk acknowledges the inconvenience the archiving caused and states their commitment to improving the process and platform moving forward, though a definitive timeline for full restoration and improved search functionality is yet to be determined. They encourage users to continue providing feedback.
HN commenters lament the loss of valuable technical information caused by Autodesk's forum archiving, with several noting the irony of a CAD software company failing to preserve its own data. Some praise the partial restoration, but criticize the lack of search functionality and awkward organization within the archive. Others express frustration that Autodesk hasn't learned from past mistakes and continues to undervalue its community knowledge base. The company's reliance on a single employee for the restoration is viewed with concern, highlighting the perceived fragility of the archive. Several suggest alternative archival solutions and express skepticism that Autodesk will maintain the restored content long-term. A recurring theme is the broader problem of valuable technical forums disappearing across the web.
Vic-20 Elite is a curated collection of high-quality games and demos for the Commodore VIC-20, emphasizing hidden gems and lesser-known titles. The project aims to showcase the system's potential beyond its popular classics, offering a refined selection with improved loading speeds via a custom menu system. The collection focuses on playability, technical prowess, and historical significance, providing context and information for each included program. Ultimately, Vic-20 Elite strives to be the definitive curated experience for enthusiasts and newcomers alike, offering a convenient and engaging way to explore the VIC-20's diverse software library.
HN users discuss the impressive feat of creating an Elite-like game on the VIC-20, especially given its limited resources. Several commenters reminisce about playing Elite on other platforms like the BBC Micro and express admiration for the technical skills involved in this port. Some discuss the challenges of working with the VIC-20's memory constraints and its unique sound chip. A few users share their own experiences with early game development and the intricacies of 3D graphics programming on limited hardware. The overall sentiment is one of nostalgia and appreciation for the ingenuity required to bring a complex game like Elite to such a constrained platform.
A Hacker News user is offering to create and physically mail small, simple 3D-printed models to anyone interested. They specify a size limit (roughly a keyring's dimensions) due to printing and postage costs, and encourage requests for things like "tiny abstract sculptures," "parametric trinkets," or "little robots." The offer is primarily driven by the enjoyment of the process and the novelty of sending physical objects in the digital age.
Commenters on the "Ask HN: Anyone want models snail-mailed to them?" post largely expressed confusion about what the original poster (OP) meant by "models." Some guessed physical, scale models, leading to discussions about the logistics and cost of shipping. Others interpreted "models" as referring to AI/ML models, prompting questions about the practicalities and purpose of mailing data or code physically. Several commenters jokingly inquired about the possibility of receiving fashion models or model airplanes. The overall sentiment leaned towards curiosity and playful skepticism due to the ambiguity of the original post. A few helpful users suggested the OP clarify their intent for better engagement.
A user created t4t.social, a social media platform specifically designed for transgender people. The platform aims to provide a safe and supportive online community, prioritizing privacy and fostering genuine connection between trans individuals. It features tools for content creation, discovery, and interaction, and is presented as an alternative to mainstream social networks that may lack adequate moderation or inclusivity for the trans community. The creator emphasizes a focus on building a positive and healthy environment for trans users to connect with one another.
HN commenters generally expressed support for the creator and the t4t.social community. Several praised the focus on safety and fostering a positive space specifically for trans people, away from the harassment often found on larger platforms. Some offered technical suggestions, like exploring ActivityPub federation, implementing better search functionality, and improving accessibility. A few voiced concerns about potential scaling challenges and the complexities of content moderation. One commenter shared their personal positive experience with the platform, highlighting the sense of belonging and acceptance they found. Others discussed the benefits of smaller, niche communities, while acknowledging the trade-offs in terms of network effects.
The original poster is seeking alternatives to Facebook for organizing local communities, specifically for sharing information, coordinating events, and facilitating discussions among neighbors. They desire a platform that prioritizes privacy, avoids algorithms and advertising, and offers robust moderation tools to prevent spam and maintain a positive environment. They're open to existing solutions or ideas for building a new platform, and prefer something accessible on both desktop and mobile.
HN users discuss alternatives to Facebook for organizing local communities. Several suggest platforms like Nextdoor, Discord, Slack, and Groups.io, highlighting their varying strengths for different community types. Some emphasize the importance of a dedicated website and email list, while others advocate for simpler solutions like a shared calendar or even a WhatsApp group for smaller, close-knit communities. The desire for a decentralized or federated platform also comes up, with Mastodon and Fediverse instances mentioned as possibilities, although concerns about their complexity and discoverability are raised. Several commenters express frustration with existing options, citing issues like privacy concerns, algorithmic feeds, and the general "toxicity" of larger platforms. A recurring theme is the importance of clear communication, moderation, and a defined purpose for the community, regardless of the chosen platform.
IRCDriven is a new search engine specifically designed for indexing and searching IRC (Internet Relay Chat) logs. It aims to make exploring and researching public IRC conversations easier by offering full-text search capabilities, advanced filtering options (like by channel, nick, or date), and a user-friendly interface. The project is actively seeking feedback and contributions from the IRC community to improve its features and coverage.
Commenters on Hacker News largely praised IRC Driven for its clean interface and fast search, finding it a useful tool for rediscovering old conversations and information. Some expressed a nostalgic appreciation for IRC and the value of archiving its content. A few suggested potential improvements, such as adding support for more networks, allowing filtering by nick, and offering date range restrictions in search. One commenter noted the difficulty in indexing IRC due to its decentralized and ephemeral nature, commending the creator for tackling the challenge. Others discussed the historical significance of IRC and the potential for such archives to serve as valuable research resources.
Summary of Comments ( 133 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42917268
Hacker News users discuss the Discord client for older Windows systems, primarily focusing on its novelty and technical ingenuity. Several express admiration for the developer's skill in making Discord, a complex modern application, function on such outdated operating systems. Some question the practical use cases, while others highlight the potential value for preserving access to communities on older hardware or for specific niche applications like retro gaming setups. There's also discussion around the technical challenges involved, including handling dependencies and the limitations of older APIs. Some users express concern about security implications, given the lack of updates for these older OSes. Finally, the unconventional choice of Pascal/Delphi for the project sparks some interest and debate about the suitability of the language.
The Hacker News post about the Discord client for older Windows systems generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing interest and appreciation for the project.
Many comments focused on the technical aspects. One user questioned the choice of using Electron for the client, arguing that a native application would offer better performance, particularly on resource-constrained older hardware. They suggested exploring alternatives like using a minimalist GUI framework or even a terminal-based interface for improved efficiency. This sparked a small back-and-forth with other users about the trade-offs between development ease (favoring Electron) and performance.
Another commenter praised the project for its potential to bring modern communication tools to older systems, highlighting the value in keeping older hardware functional and accessible. They pointed out that many people might still have working older machines and could benefit from having access to Discord.
Several users expressed curiosity about the project's compatibility with specific older operating systems and hardware configurations. One asked about support for Windows ME, while another inquired about performance on systems with limited RAM. The developer responded to some of these queries, clarifying supported operating systems and offering insights into performance considerations.
A few commenters shared their personal experiences with older hardware and software. One recounted their fondness for Windows 98 and expressed interest in trying the Discord client on an old machine. Another mentioned using older systems for retro gaming and expressed appreciation for projects that breathe new life into vintage hardware.
Some comments touched upon the security implications of using a modern application on older operating systems. One user raised concerns about the potential vulnerabilities of older systems and the risks associated with running software that might not be fully compatible with the security features of these platforms.
Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception to the project, with many users expressing interest in its potential and appreciating the effort to bring modern software to older hardware. There's also a notable thread of technical discussion regarding the choice of Electron and its performance implications. Finally, some users touched upon the nostalgia and practical value of keeping older systems functional.