Stories with Tag fun

• Show HN: Pets for Cursor

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  Posted: 2025-04-02 12:11:47

  Verbose tl;dr

  Pets for Cursor is a simple web app that adds a small animated pet to follow your mouse cursor around the screen. Choose from a variety of animals, including a cat, dog, duck, and hamster, each with their own unique walking animation. The project is open-source and easily customizable, allowing users to add their own pets by providing a sprite sheet. It's a fun, lightweight way to personalize your browsing experience.

  A Hacker News user has shared a novel browser extension they've created called "Pets for Cursor." This extension introduces a small, animated companion that follows the user's mouse cursor around the webpage. The creator describes it as adding a touch of whimsy and personality to the otherwise mundane browsing experience. The showcased pet is a tiny, pixelated dog that trots dutifully behind the cursor, exhibiting simple but charming animations as it moves. While the initial demonstration only features a canine companion, the project page suggests the possibility of future additions, hinting at a potential menagerie of digital pets to choose from. The extension is designed to be lightweight and non-intrusive, aiming to enhance the browsing experience without hindering functionality or creating distractions. The creator has made the extension's source code publicly available on GitHub, inviting contributions and modifications from other developers. The Hacker News post itself serves as an announcement and a platform for feedback, allowing the community to interact with the creator and offer suggestions for improvement or expansion of the "Pets for Cursor" project.

  • Show HN
  • pets
  • Cursor
  • Mouse Cursor
  • Customization
  • Desktop Customization
  • Web Development
  • javascript
  • browser extension
  • fun
  • productivity
  • Digital Pets
  • Virtual Pets
  • animals

  Summary of Comments ( 10 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43555820

  Verbose tl;dr

  The Hacker News comments on "Show HN: Pets for Cursor" are generally positive and intrigued by the project. Several commenters express interest in trying it out or appreciate the novelty. Some suggest improvements like different pet options, customizable animations, and the ability to toggle the pet on/off. A few commenters raise potential downsides, such as the pet being distracting or interfering with clicking. One commenter notes the similarity to a previous project called "Cursorcerer," which was received favorably by their team. Overall, the comments indicate that while a simple idea, "Pets for Cursor" has sparked interest and discussion around its potential utility and entertainment value.

  The Hacker News post "Show HN: Pets for Cursor" generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a mix of positive feedback, constructive criticism, and tangential conversations.

  Several commenters expressed their enjoyment of the project, finding it cute and fun. Some appreciated the simplicity and whimsical nature of having a small pet follow their cursor. One user even suggested it could be a good way to introduce children to programming concepts.

  A recurring theme in the comments was the performance aspect. Multiple users pointed out that the pet's movement appeared jerky or laggy, particularly on certain websites or with specific browser extensions. This led to suggestions for optimization, including using hardware acceleration or different animation techniques. One commenter offered specific advice related to requestAnimationFrame and reducing redraws.

  The discussion also delved into the technical implementation of the project. Commenters inquired about the choice of JavaScript library and discussed alternative approaches. There was a brief exchange regarding the use of CSS transforms versus canvas for rendering the animation.

  Beyond the technical aspects, the conversation touched on the broader implications of such cursor modifications. One commenter expressed concern about the potential for distraction or annoyance, particularly in professional settings. Another user raised the issue of accessibility, questioning whether the pet might interfere with assistive technologies.

  Some commenters shared similar projects or resources, including browser extensions that offer cursor customization. This broadened the discussion to include different approaches to cursor enhancements and the potential use cases for such tools. There was even a brief detour into the history of cursor customization and the popularity of animated cursors in the early days of the internet.

  While many appreciated the project's lighthearted nature, some commenters questioned its practical value and suggested potential improvements or alternative applications. For example, one user proposed using the pet as a visual indicator for loading or processing tasks. Another suggested integrating it with other browser functionalities, such as highlighting links or displaying notifications.

  Overall, the comments reflect a general appreciation for the project's creativity while also acknowledging its limitations and suggesting areas for improvement. The discussion provided valuable feedback for the creator and sparked a wider conversation about cursor customization and its potential uses.

• TabBoo – add random jumpscares to websites you're trying to avoid

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  Posted: 2025-01-22 17:27:14

  Verbose tl;dr

  TabBoo is a browser extension designed to deter procrastination by injecting random jumpscares into websites the user designates as distracting. It works by periodically displaying startling images, chosen from a curated selection or uploaded by the user, on blacklisted sites. This aims to create a negative association with those sites, making them less appealing to visit and thus boosting productivity. The extension offers customization options for jumpscare frequency and image selection, allowing users to tailor the experience to their needs.

  TabBoo presents itself as a novel, albeit potentially unsettling, browser extension designed to assist users in breaking free from the clutches of distracting websites. The extension operates on the principle of aversion therapy, leveraging the element of surprise and mild fear to discourage prolonged engagement with specified online destinations. Specifically, TabBoo introduces the possibility of sudden and unexpected "jumpscares" appearing when the user accesses a website on their blocklist. These jumpscares take the form of brief, startling images or animations, intended to disrupt the user's focus and create a negative association with the website.

  The premise is that by associating an unpleasant experience – the jumpscare – with the act of visiting a time-wasting website, the user will be less inclined to visit it in the future. This method aims to circumvent the limitations of willpower and habit by introducing a more visceral deterrent. Users can customize the frequency and intensity of these jumpscares, tailoring the experience to their individual needs and tolerance levels. While the core functionality revolves around these disruptive visual elements, the extension also provides standard website blocking capabilities, offering a more conventional approach for users who prefer a less dramatic intervention. Essentially, TabBoo offers a dual-pronged approach: preventative blocking and reactive startling, allowing users to choose their preferred method or combine both for maximum effectiveness. The overarching goal is to empower users to reclaim their time and attention by making undesirable websites less appealing.

  • website blocker
  • productivity
  • procrastination
  • self-control
  • jumpscare
  • Humor
  • browser extension
  • chrome extension
  • firefox extension
  • website filtering
  • motivation
  • deterrent
  • fun
  • novelty
  • Web Development

  Summary of Comments ( 72 )
  https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42795237

  Verbose tl;dr

  Hacker News commenters generally found TabBoo's concept amusing, but impractical for serious self-control. Several pointed out the ease with which one could simply disable the extension or avoid the targeted sites altogether if motivation was truly lacking. Some suggested alternative approaches like website blockers, while others joked about the potential for misuse or the psychological implications of negative reinforcement. A few expressed interest in the technical implementation, particularly the use of AI-generated jumpscares. Overall, the comments lean towards seeing TabBoo as a novelty rather than a robust solution for procrastination.

  The Hacker News post for "TabBoo – add random jumpscares to websites you're trying to avoid" generated several comments, primarily focusing on the efficacy and potential drawbacks of the tool as a productivity aid.

  Several commenters were skeptical of its actual usefulness. One pointed out the classic problem with aversion therapy: users will likely simply disable the extension or find ways to circumvent it rather than actually breaking the habit of visiting the distracting website. Another echoed this sentiment, adding that the immediate reward of visiting the site outweighs the delayed and relatively mild punishment of a jumpscare, making it ineffective for truly addictive sites. The Pavlovian response mentioned in the TabBoo description was also questioned, with one commenter suggesting it's more likely to create a negative association with the jumpscare itself rather than the website.

  Some commenters found the idea amusing and potentially helpful for less severe distractions. One suggested that the randomness of the jumpscares is key, as predictable deterrents are easily ignored. Another appreciated the self-aware humor of the project. A few suggested improvements, such as customizable jumpscares (e.g., using images of your goals or things you'd rather be doing) or integrating it with website blockers for a more comprehensive approach.

  Concerns were also raised about the potential negative psychological impact of random jumpscares. One commenter mentioned the possibility of inducing anxiety or even PTSD-like symptoms in susceptible individuals. Another worried about accidental triggering of the jumpscares, leading to frustration and wasted time.

  A technical discussion also emerged regarding the implementation of the extension and the potential for abuse. One commenter questioned the extension's permissions, raising concerns about potential data collection or malicious use. Another pointed out the possibility of using the extension to prank or harass others.

  Finally, some commenters provided alternative suggestions for avoiding distracting websites, such as using website blockers, focusing on the underlying reasons for procrastination, or employing techniques like the Pomodoro method.

  In summary, the comments on the Hacker News post express a mixture of amusement, skepticism, and concern regarding TabBoo's effectiveness and potential downsides. While some find the concept intriguing, many doubt its long-term utility and raise valid concerns about its psychological impact and potential for misuse. The discussion highlights the complexity of addressing online distractions and the need for more robust and personalized solutions.