Ken Shirriff created a USB interface for a replica of the iconic "keyset" used in Douglas Engelbart's 1968 "Mother of All Demos." This keyset, originally designed for chordal input, now sends USB keystrokes corresponding to the original chord combinations. Shirriff's project involved reverse-engineering the keyset's wiring, designing a custom circuit board to read the key combinations, and programming an ATmega32U4 microcontroller to translate the chords into USB HID keyboard signals. This allows the replica keyset, originally built by Bill Degnan, to be used with modern computers, preserving a piece of computing history.
My-yt is a personalized YouTube frontend built using yt-dlp. It offers a cleaner, ad-free viewing experience by fetching video information and streams directly via yt-dlp, bypassing the standard YouTube interface. The project aims to provide more control over the viewing experience, including features like customizable playlists and a focus on privacy. It's a self-hosted solution intended for personal use.
Hacker News users generally praised the project for its clean interface and ad-free experience, viewing it as a superior alternative to the official YouTube frontend. Several commenters appreciated the developer's commitment to keeping the project lightweight and performant. Some discussion revolved around alternative frontends and approaches, including Invidious and Piped, with comparisons of features and ease of self-hosting. A few users expressed concerns about the project's long-term viability due to YouTube's potential API changes, while others suggested incorporating features like SponsorBlock. The overall sentiment was positive, with many expressing interest in trying out or contributing to the project.
Ghostwriter is a project that transforms the reMarkable 2 tablet into an interface for interacting with large language models (LLMs). It leverages the tablet's natural handwriting capabilities to send handwritten prompts to an LLM and displays the generated text response directly on the e-ink screen. Essentially, it allows users to write naturally and receive LLM-generated text, all within the distraction-free environment of the reMarkable 2. The project is open-source and allows for customization, including choosing the LLM and adjusting various settings.
HN commenters generally expressed excitement about Ghostwriter, particularly its potential for integrating handwritten input with LLMs. Several users pointed out the limitations of existing tablet-based coding solutions and saw Ghostwriter as a promising alternative. Some questioned the practicality of handwriting code extensively, while others emphasized its usefulness for diagrams, note-taking, and mathematical formulas, especially when combined with LLM capabilities. The discussion touched upon the desire for similar functionality with other tablets like the iPad and speculated on potential applications in education and creative fields. A few commenters expressed interest in the open-source nature of the project and its potential for customization.
Mathesar is an open-source tool providing a spreadsheet-like interface for interacting with Postgres databases. It allows users to visually explore, query, and edit data within their database tables using a familiar and intuitive spreadsheet paradigm. Features include filtering, sorting, aggregation, and the ability to create and execute SQL queries directly within the interface. Mathesar aims to make database management more accessible to non-technical users while still offering the power and flexibility of SQL for more advanced operations.
HN commenters generally express enthusiasm for Mathesar, praising its intuitive spreadsheet interface for database interaction. Some compare it favorably to Airtable, while others highlight potential benefits for non-technical users and data exploration. Concerns raised include performance with large datasets, the potential learning curve despite aiming for simplicity, and competition from existing tools. Several users suggest integrations and features like better charting, pivot tables, and scripting capabilities. The project's open-source nature is also lauded, with some offering contributions or expressing interest in the underlying technology. A few commenters mention the challenge of balancing spreadsheet simplicity with database power.
The Steam Brick is a conceptual handheld gaming PC designed for minimalism. It features only a power button and a USB-C port, relying entirely on external displays and controllers. The idea is to offer a compact and portable PC capable of running Steam games, shifting the focus to user-chosen peripherals rather than built-in components. This approach aims to reduce e-waste by allowing users to upgrade or replace their peripherals independently of the core computing unit.
HN commenters generally found the Steam Brick an interesting, albeit impractical, project. Several discussed the potential utility of a dedicated Steam streaming device, particularly for travel or as a low-power alternative to a full PC. Some questioned the choice of using a Raspberry Pi Compute Module 4, suggesting a Rockchip RK3588 based device would be more powerful and efficient for video decoding. Others highlighted the project's complexity, especially regarding driver support, and contrasted it with commercially available options like the Steam Deck. A few appreciated the minimalist aesthetic and the focus on a single, dedicated function. There was also some discussion of alternative software options, such as using a pre-built Steam Link OS image or exploring GameStream from Nvidia. A significant point of discussion revolved around the lack of a hardware reset button, with many suggesting it as a crucial addition for a headless device.
Summary of Comments ( 78 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43453582
Commenters on Hacker News largely expressed fascination with the project, connecting it to a shared nostalgia for early computing and the "Mother of All Demos." Several praised the creator's dedication and the ingenuity of using a Teensy microcontroller to emulate the historical keyset. Some discussed the technical aspects, including the challenges of replicating the original chord keyboard's behavior and the choice of using a USB interface. A few commenters reminisced about their own experiences with similar historical hardware, highlighting the significance of preserving and interacting with these pieces of computing history. There was also some discussion about the possibility of using this interface with modern emulators or virtual machines.
The Hacker News post titled "A USB Interface to the 'Mother of All Demos' Keyset" sparked a discussion with several interesting comments.
One commenter pointed out the historical significance, noting how Engelbart's demo predicted so much of modern computing. They expressed a sense of awe at how Engelbart essentially built the future, emphasizing the monumental nature of his achievements. Another commenter chimed in with a similar sentiment, drawing a parallel to Van Bush's "As We May Think" article, highlighting how these visionaries laid the groundwork for the interconnected digital world we inhabit today.
The technical details of the USB interface also drew attention. One user asked about the specifics of how the chord keyset was implemented, leading to a response explaining the use of a Teensy microcontroller and the QMK keyboard firmware. This exchange offered a glimpse into the practical aspects of the project and the tools used to bring this piece of computing history into the modern age.
Several commenters expressed excitement about the project, with one even stating a desire to build their own. This enthusiasm underscored the enduring appeal of Engelbart's work and the inspiration it continues to provide. Another commenter reflected on the challenges of using such a keyset, acknowledging the steep learning curve but also the potential rewards of mastering a powerful and efficient input method.
There was also a discussion about the original keyset's limitations. One commenter mentioned the difficulty of using it without looking, and another pointed out that the five-finger design was ultimately too complex for widespread adoption. This thread highlighted the balance between innovative design and practical usability.
Finally, a commenter shared a link to Ken Shirriff's blog post about Engelbart's system, offering further context and technical details for those interested in delving deeper into the subject. This provided a valuable resource for anyone wanting to learn more about the historical and technical background of the "Mother of All Demos."
In summary, the comments on Hacker News reflected a mix of admiration for Engelbart's legacy, curiosity about the technical implementation of the USB interface, and discussion about the practicalities and limitations of the original keyset design. The overall tone was one of appreciation for this project that bridges the gap between a landmark moment in computing history and the present day.