Stories with Tag filters

• Show HN: A pure WebGL image editor with filters, crop and perspective correction

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  Posted: 2025-04-28 16:10:21

  Verbose tl;dr

  Mini Photo Editor is a lightweight, browser-based image editor built entirely with WebGL. It offers a range of features including image filtering, cropping, perspective correction, and basic adjustments like brightness and contrast. The project aims to provide a performant and easily integrable editing solution using only WebGL, without relying on external libraries for image processing. It's open-source and available on GitHub.

  A new, open-source image editor called "mini-photo-editor" has been introduced, built entirely using WebGL. This leverages the power of the user's graphics card for hardware-accelerated performance, potentially offering a smooth and responsive editing experience. The editor, hosted on GitHub, provides a fundamental set of image manipulation tools. These include a variety of image filters, allowing users to apply stylistic effects to their pictures. Beyond filters, the editor also offers cropping functionality, enabling users to precisely select and extract desired portions of an image. Furthermore, perspective correction tools are included, addressing issues like converging lines often found in photographs of buildings or other rectangular objects. By utilizing WebGL, the editor aims to achieve efficient manipulation and rendering of images directly within the web browser, without relying on server-side processing or external software. This pure WebGL implementation suggests a potentially lightweight and portable solution for basic image editing tasks accessible directly in a web environment. The project is available for exploration and contribution on GitHub, providing developers with an opportunity to examine the WebGL implementation and potentially extend its functionality.

  • WebGL
  • Image Editor
  • web application
  • javascript
  • graphics
  • photo editing
  • filters
  • Crop
  • Perspective Correction
  • HTML5
  • Open Source
  • GitHub
  • Frontend
  • Web Development
  • UI
  • UX
  • Image Manipulation
  • 2d graphics

  Summary of Comments ( 74 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43823044

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News users generally praised the mini-photo editor for its impressive performance and clean interface, especially considering it's built entirely with WebGL. Several commenters pointed out its potential usefulness for quick edits and integrations, contrasting it favorably with heavier, more complex editors. Some suggested additional features like layer support, history/undo functionality, and export options beyond PNG. One user appreciated the clear code and expressed interest in exploring the WebGL implementation further. The project's small size and efficient use of resources were also highlighted as positive aspects.

  The Hacker News post discussing the mini-photo-editor has a moderate number of comments, exploring various aspects of the project. Several commenters express appreciation for the project's simplicity and the clean user interface. One user highlights the smooth performance, especially when compared to other web-based image editors they've encountered, which they describe as often being sluggish or resource-intensive.

  A significant portion of the discussion revolves around the technical implementation. Several commenters inquire about the choice of WebGL over other technologies like Canvas API, with the original poster (OP) responding that WebGL offered more direct access to GPU acceleration, leading to the performance benefits observed. This sparks a further discussion about the potential advantages and disadvantages of each approach, with some users pointing out that Canvas might be sufficient for simpler operations, while WebGL excels in more complex scenarios like filter processing.

  Another thread of conversation focuses on the features and potential improvements. One commenter suggests adding a "snap to grid" functionality for the crop tool, while another asks about support for different image formats. The OP acknowledges these suggestions and indicates a willingness to consider them for future development. There's also a discussion around the project's licensing, clarifying its open-source nature and encouraging contributions.

  A few comments express curiosity about the project's origins and the OP's motivation for creating it. The OP explains that it started as a personal project to explore WebGL capabilities and evolved into a more full-fledged image editor. Finally, some comments simply offer words of encouragement and praise for the project, appreciating the effort and ingenuity demonstrated.

• I deleted all of my email filters

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  Posted: 2025-01-14 18:04:56

  Verbose tl;dr

  Tired of missing important emails hidden by overly complex filters, Cory Doctorow deactivated all his email filtering. He now processes everything manually, relying on search and a "processed" tag for organization. This shift, though initially time-consuming, allows him to maintain better awareness of his inbox contents and engage more thoughtfully with his correspondence, ultimately reducing stress and improving his overall email experience. He believes filters fostered a false sense of control and led to overlooked messages.

  In a blog post titled "I deleted all of my email filters," author Cory Doctorow articulates his evolving perspective on email management and the unintended consequences of elaborate filtering systems. He begins by describing his previous reliance on an intricate network of filters, meticulously crafted over years, designed to automatically sort incoming emails into various folders based on sender, subject, content, and other criteria. This system, initially conceived as a means of achieving "Inbox Zero" and maintaining control over the deluge of electronic communication, ultimately transformed into a source of anxiety and a barrier to serendipitous discovery.

  Doctorow explains how the increasing complexity of his filters led to a sense of unease regarding potentially missed messages languishing unseen in obscure folders. The cognitive overhead required to maintain and update the filters, combined with the nagging suspicion that important communications might be inadvertently filtered out, became a burden. This burden, he argues, outweighed the perceived benefits of a perfectly organized inbox.

  The author then details his decision to undertake a radical simplification of his email management strategy: the complete deletion of all his email filters. This act, he describes, was driven by a desire to reclaim a more direct and unmediated relationship with his inbox. He acknowledges the potential for a temporary increase in inbox clutter but expresses hope that this initial chaos will pave the way for a more sustainable and less stressful approach to email.

  Doctorow hypothesizes that confronting the full stream of incoming mail, without the intervention of filters, will force him to more actively engage with his inbox and develop healthier habits, such as promptly unsubscribing from unwanted mailing lists and more effectively prioritizing genuine communications. He further anticipates that this direct engagement will foster a greater awareness of the volume and nature of incoming mail, leading to more conscious decisions about which communications warrant his attention. He concludes by expressing optimism about this new, filter-free approach and invites readers to consider their own email management practices and the potential benefits of simplification.

  • Email
  • email filters
  • email management
  • productivity
  • inbox zero
  • digital minimalism
  • organization
  • filters
  • email overload
  • Communication

  Summary of Comments ( 36 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42701198

  Verbose tl;dr

  HN commenters largely agree with the author's premise that email filters create more work than they save. Several share their own experiences of abandoning filtering, citing increased focus and reduced email anxiety. Some suggest alternative strategies like using multiple inboxes or prioritizing newsletters to specific days. A few dissenting voices argue that filters are useful for specific situations, like separating work and personal email or managing high volumes of mailing list traffic. One commenter notes the irony of using a "Focus Inbox" feature, essentially a built-in filter, while advocating against custom filters. Others point out that the efficacy of filtering depends heavily on individual email volume and work style.

  The Hacker News post "I deleted all of my email filters" generated a robust discussion with 58 comments. Many commenters shared their own email management strategies and philosophies, often echoing or challenging the author's approach.

  Several compelling comments emerged. One commenter advocated for a "single inbox" approach combined with aggressive unsubscribing and using a separate email address for less important communications. This commenter emphasized that dealing with email as it arrives, rather than filtering it, ultimately saves time and mental overhead. They described reaching a state of "inbox zero" daily using this method.

  Another compelling comment thread discussed the benefits of using multiple email addresses for different purposes. One commenter explained their system of using one address for personal communication, another for work, and a third specifically for newsletters and mailing lists. This segregation allows them to focus on important emails without distraction and easily ignore lower-priority messages when necessary.

  Some commenters challenged the author's assertion that email filters create a false sense of control. They argued that properly configured filters are essential for managing high volumes of email effectively, especially in professional contexts. One commenter specifically mentioned using filters to automatically label and categorize incoming emails, which allows them to prioritize and process messages more efficiently.

  The discussion also touched upon the psychological impact of email overload and the constant pressure to stay connected. Some commenters expressed a sense of relief and liberation after simplifying their email management strategies, while others admitted to struggling with the sheer volume of incoming messages regardless of their filtering approach.

  A few commenters offered alternative solutions to email filtering, such as using email clients with advanced search capabilities or employing third-party tools designed to manage newsletters and subscriptions. These suggestions highlighted the diversity of approaches individuals take to tame their inboxes.

  Finally, some comments centered around the author's specific workflow and tools, questioning the generalizability of their experience to users with different needs and preferences. This led to a discussion about the importance of finding an email management system that works best for each individual's circumstances.