1984 saw the rise of networked filesystems like NFS, which offered performance comparable to local filesystems, and the introduction of the Andrew File System (AFS), designed for large-scale distributed environments with client-side caching and whole-file serving. Research focused on improving performance and reliability, with log-structured filesystems like LFS emerging to optimize write operations. Additionally, the standardization of file systems continued, with work on the ISO 9660 standard for CD-ROMs solidifying the format's widespread adoption. This year highlighted the increasing importance of networking and the evolving demands placed upon file systems for both performance and portability.
An interactive, annotated version of the classic "Unix Magic" poster has been created. This online resource allows users to explore the intricate diagram of Unix commands and their relationships. By clicking on individual commands, users can access descriptions, examples, and links to further resources, providing a dynamic and educational way to learn or rediscover the power of the Unix command line. The project aims to make the dense information of the original poster more accessible and engaging for both beginners and experienced Unix users.
Commenters on Hacker News largely praised the interactive Unix magic poster for its nostalgic value, clear presentation, and educational potential. Several users reminisced about their experiences with the original poster and expressed appreciation for the updated, searchable format. Some highlighted the project's usefulness as a learning tool for newcomers to Unix, while others suggested improvements like adding links to man pages or expanding the command explanations. A few pointed out minor inaccuracies or omissions but overall considered the project a valuable resource for the Unix community. The clean interface and ease of navigation were also frequently mentioned as positive aspects.
This blog post from 2004 recounts the author's experience troubleshooting a customer's USB floppy drive issue. The customer reported their A: drive constantly seeking, even with no floppy inserted. After remote debugging revealed no software problems, the author deduced the issue stemmed from the drive itself. USB floppy drives, unlike internal ones, lack a physical switch to detect the presence of a disk. Instead, they rely on a light sensor which can malfunction, causing the drive to perpetually search for a non-existent disk. Replacing the faulty drive solved the problem, highlighting a subtle difference between USB and internal floppy drive technologies.
HN users discuss various aspects of USB floppy drives and the linked blog post. Some express nostalgia for the era of floppies and the challenges of driver compatibility. Several commenters delve into the technical details of how USB storage devices work, including the translation layers required for legacy devices like floppy drives and the differences between the "fixed" storage model of floppies versus other removable media. The complexities of the USB Mass Storage Class Bulk-Only Transport protocol are also mentioned. One compelling comment thread explores the idea that Microsoft's attempt to enforce the use of a particular class driver may have stifled innovation and created difficulties for users who needed specific functionality from their USB floppy drives. Another interesting point raised is how different vendors implemented USB floppy drives, with some integrating the controller into the drive and others requiring a separate controller in the cable.
"Mac(OS)talgia" is a visual exploration of Apple's interface design evolution from System 1 to OS X Yosemite. It showcases screenshots of key applications and system elements, highlighting changes in typography, iconography, and overall aesthetic over time. The project acts as a nostalgic retrospective for long-time Mac users, demonstrating how the interface has progressively shifted from simple black and white pixels to the refined, flat design prominent in modern macOS versions. The curated collection emphasizes Apple's consistent pursuit of user-friendly and visually appealing design, tracing the gradual development of their signature digital aesthetic.
Hacker News users generally expressed appreciation for the Mac(OS)talgia project, praising its attention to detail in recreating the look and feel of older Macintosh systems. Some commenters shared personal anecdotes about their experiences with early Macs, evoking a sense of nostalgia for simpler times in computing. A few users pointed out specific inaccuracies or omissions in the recreations, offering corrections or suggestions for improvement. There was also some discussion about the challenges of emulating older software and hardware, and the importance of preserving digital history. A recurring sentiment was that the project effectively captured the "soul" of these classic machines, beyond just their visual appearance.
Colossus, built at Bletchley Park during World War II, was the world's first large-scale, programmable, electronic digital computer. Its purpose was to break the complex Lorenz cipher used by the German High Command. Unlike earlier code-breaking machines, Colossus used thermionic valves (vacuum tubes) for high-speed processing and could be programmed electronically via switches and plugboards, enabling it to perform boolean operations and count patterns at a significantly faster rate. This dramatically reduced the time required to decipher Lorenz messages, providing crucial intelligence to the Allied forces. Though top-secret for decades after the war, Colossus's innovative design and impact on computing history are now recognized.
HN commenters discuss Colossus's significance as the first programmable electronic digital computer, contrasting it with ENIAC, which was re-wired for each task. Several highlight Tommy Flowers' crucial role in its design and construction. Some discuss the secrecy surrounding Colossus during and after the war, impacting public awareness of its existence and contribution to computing history. Others mention the challenges of wartime technology and the impressive speed improvements Colossus offered over previous decryption methods. A few commenters share resources like the Colossus rebuild project and personal anecdotes about visiting the National Museum of Computing at Bletchley Park.
The blog post argues that file systems, particularly hierarchical ones, are a form of hypermedia that predates the web. It highlights how directories act like web pages, containing links (files and subdirectories) that can lead to other content or executable programs. This linking structure, combined with metadata like file types and modification dates, allows for navigation and information retrieval similar to browsing the web. The post further suggests that the web's hypermedia capabilities essentially replicate and expand upon the fundamental principles already present in file systems, emphasizing a deeper connection between these two technologies than commonly recognized.
Hacker News users largely praised the article for its clear explanation of file systems as a foundational hypermedia system. Several commenters highlighted the elegance and simplicity of this concept, often overlooked in the modern web's complexity. Some discussed the potential of leveraging file system principles for improved web experiences, like decentralized systems or simpler content management. A few pointed out limitations, such as the lack of inherent versioning in basic file systems and the challenges of metadata handling. The discussion also touched on related concepts like Plan 9 and the semantic web, contrasting their approaches to linking and information organization with the basic file system model. Several users reminisced about early computing experiences and the directness of navigating files and folders, suggesting a potential return to such simplicity.
Summary of Comments ( 7 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43283498
The Hacker News comments discuss the blog post's focus on the early days of networked filesystems, particularly NFS. Several commenters share their own experiences with early NFS, highlighting its initial slow performance and eventual improvements. Some discuss the influence of Sun Microsystems and the rise of distributed systems. Others delve into technical details like caching, consistency models, and the challenges of implementing distributed locks. A few comments compare NFS to other contemporary filesystems and contemplate the enduring relevance of some of the challenges faced in the 1980s. There's a general appreciation for the historical perspective offered by the blog post.
The Hacker News post titled "50 Years in Filesystems: 1984" has generated several comments discussing various aspects of historical filesystem design and the author's experiences.
Several commenters focused on the challenges and limitations of early filesystem technology. One commenter highlighted the difficulty of managing disk space efficiently with limited resources, noting the painstaking process of optimizing file placement to minimize wasted space. Another recounted the complexities of dealing with bad sectors on floppy disks and the creative solutions employed to work around them. The discussion also touched upon the evolution of error handling and data recovery techniques, with one user recalling the prevalence of data loss due to hardware failures and the lack of robust recovery mechanisms.
The conversation also delved into the specific filesystems mentioned in the original blog post, such as RT-11 and VMS. Commenters shared their personal experiences with these systems, offering insights into their strengths and weaknesses. One user praised the elegance and simplicity of RT-11, while another pointed out the limitations of its flat file structure. VMS, on the other hand, was lauded for its advanced features, such as journaling and access control lists, but also criticized for its complexity.
Some comments explored the broader context of computing in the 1980s, including the limitations of hardware and the challenges of software development. One commenter reflected on the scarcity of memory and processing power, which forced developers to be extremely resourceful and optimize their code for performance. Another discussed the difficulties of debugging software in an era with limited tools and resources.
A few comments also provided additional historical context, such as the origins of certain filesystem concepts and the influence of earlier operating systems. One user mentioned the influence of Multics on later systems like Unix and VMS, highlighting the lineage of filesystem design.
The comments collectively paint a picture of a time when filesystem design was a complex and challenging undertaking, constrained by limited hardware resources and evolving software development practices. The discussion offers valuable insights into the history of computing and the evolution of filesystem technology.