The blog post argues against interactive emails, specifically targeting AMP for Email. It contends that email's simplicity and plain text accessibility are its strengths, while interactivity introduces complexity, security risks, and accessibility issues. AMP, despite promising dynamic content, ultimately failed to gain traction because it bloated email size, created rendering inconsistencies across clients, demanded extra development effort, and ultimately provided little benefit over well-designed traditional HTML emails with clear calls to action leading to external web pages. Email's purpose, the author asserts, is to deliver concise information and entice clicks to richer online experiences, not to replicate those experiences within the inbox itself.
Microsoft has developed Kermit, a new typeface specifically designed to improve readability for young children. Based on research into how children perceive letterforms, Kermit incorporates features like open counters, wide proportions, distinct ascenders and descenders, and simplified letter shapes to reduce visual confusion. The goal is to enhance the learning-to-read experience and make reading more accessible and enjoyable for early readers. Kermit is freely available under the SIL Open Font License.
HN commenters were largely critical of Kermit, questioning the research backing its claims of improved readability for children. Several pointed out that the typeface appeared similar to Comic Sans, raising concerns about its professionalism and the potential for overuse. Some questioned the need for a specialized typeface for children, suggesting that established, well-designed fonts were already sufficient. A few commenters offered mild praise for its playful appearance, but overall the reception was skeptical, with many expressing doubt about its actual benefits and questioning the methodology of the research cited. The lack of readily available comparisons to other typefaces was also criticized.
Ubisoft has open-sourced Chroma, a software tool they developed internally to simulate various forms of color blindness. This allows developers to test their games and applications to ensure they are accessible and enjoyable for colorblind users. Chroma provides real-time colorblindness simulation within a viewport, supporting several common types of color vision deficiency. It integrates easily into existing workflows, offering both standalone and Unity plugin versions. The source code and related resources are available on GitHub, encouraging community contributions and wider adoption for improved accessibility across the industry.
HN commenters generally praised Ubisoft for open-sourcing Chroma, finding it a valuable tool for developers to improve accessibility in games. Some pointed out the potential benefits beyond colorblindness, such as simulating different types of monitors and lighting conditions. A few users shared their personal experiences with colorblindness and appreciated the effort to make gaming more inclusive. There was some discussion around existing tools and libraries for similar purposes, with comparisons to Daltonize and mentioning of shader implementations. One commenter highlighted the importance of testing with actual colorblind individuals, while another suggested expanding the tool to simulate other visual impairments. Overall, the reception was positive, with users expressing hope for wider adoption within the game development community.
The blog post "Hacker News Hug of Death" describes the author's experience with their website crashing due to a surge in traffic after being mentioned on Hacker News. They explain that while initially thrilled with the attention, the sudden influx of visitors overwhelmed their server, making the site inaccessible. The author details their troubleshooting process, which involved identifying the performance bottleneck as database queries related to comment counts. They ultimately resolved the issue by caching the comment counts, thus reducing the load on the database and restoring site functionality. The experience highlighted the importance of robust infrastructure and proactive performance optimization for handling unexpected traffic spikes.
The Hacker News comments discuss the "bell" notification feature and how it contributes to a feeling of obligation and anxiety among users. Several commenters agree with the original post's sentiment, describing the notification as a "Pavlovian response" and expressing a desire for more granular notification controls, especially for less important interactions like upvotes. Some suggested alternatives to the current system, such as email digests or a less prominent notification style. A few countered that the bell is helpful for tracking engagement and that users always have the option to disable it entirely. The idea of a community-driven approach to notification management was also raised. Overall, the comments highlight a tension between staying informed and managing the potential stress induced by real-time notifications.
MIT researchers have developed a new technique to make graphs more accessible to blind and low-vision individuals. This method, called "auditory graphs," converts visual graph data into non-speech sounds, leveraging variations in pitch, timbre, and stereo panning to represent different data points and trends. Unlike existing screen readers that often struggle with complex visuals, this approach allows users to perceive and interpret graphical information quickly and accurately through sound, offering a more intuitive and efficient alternative to textual descriptions or tactile graphics. The researchers demonstrated the effectiveness of auditory graphs with line charts, scatter plots, and bar graphs, and are working on extending it to more complex visualizations.
HN commenters generally praised the MIT researchers' efforts to improve graph accessibility. Several pointed out the importance of tactile graphs for blind users, noting that sonification alone isn't always sufficient. Some suggested incorporating existing tools and standards like SVG accessibility features or MathML. One commenter, identifying as low-vision, emphasized the need for high contrast and clear labeling in visual graphs, highlighting that accessibility needs vary widely within the low-vision community. Others discussed alternative methods like detailed textual descriptions and the importance of user testing with the target audience throughout the development process. A few users offered specific technical suggestions such as using spatial audio for data representation or leveraging haptic feedback technologies.
The article "Overengineered Anchor Links" explores excessively complex methods for implementing smooth scrolling anchor links, ultimately advocating for a simple, standards-compliant approach. It dissects common overengineered solutions, highlighting their drawbacks like unnecessary JavaScript dependencies, performance issues, and accessibility concerns. The author demonstrates how a concise snippet of JavaScript leveraging native browser behavior can achieve smooth scrolling with minimal code and maximum compatibility, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing simplicity and web standards over convoluted solutions. This approach relies on Element.scrollIntoView() with the behavior: 'smooth' option, providing a performant and accessible experience without the bloat of external libraries or complex calculations.
Hacker News users generally agreed that the author of the article overengineered the anchor link solution. Many commenters suggested simpler, more standard approaches using just HTML and CSS, pointing out that JavaScript adds unnecessary complexity for such a basic feature. Some appreciated the author's exploration of the problem, but ultimately felt the final solution was impractical for real-world use. A few users debated the merits of using the <details> element for navigation, and whether it offered sufficient accessibility. Several comments also highlighted the performance implications of excessive JavaScript and the importance of considering Core Web Vitals. One commenter even linked to a much simpler CodePen example achieving a similar effect. Overall, the consensus was that while the author's technical skills were evident, a simpler, more conventional approach would have been preferable.
A Hacker News post describes a method for solving hCaptcha challenges using a multimodal large language model (MLLM). The approach involves feeding the challenge image and prompt text to the MLLM, which then selects the correct images based on its understanding of both the visual and textual information. This technique demonstrates the potential of MLLMs to bypass security measures designed to differentiate humans from bots, raising concerns about the future effectiveness of such CAPTCHA systems.
The Hacker News comments discuss the implications of using LLMs to solve CAPTCHAs, expressing concern about the escalating arms race between CAPTCHA developers and AI solvers. Several commenters highlight the potential for these models to bypass accessibility features intended for visually impaired users, making audio CAPTCHAs vulnerable. Others question the long-term viability of CAPTCHAs as a security measure, suggesting alternative approaches like behavioral biometrics or reputation systems might be necessary. The ethical implications of using powerful AI models for such tasks are also raised, with some worrying about the potential for misuse and the broader impact on online security. A few commenters express skepticism about the claimed accuracy rates, pointing to the difficulty of generalizing performance in real-world scenarios. There's also a discussion about the irony of using AI, a tool intended to enhance human capabilities, to defeat a system designed to distinguish humans from bots.
Sparks is a new open-source typeface designed to seamlessly integrate sparklines—small, inline charts—directly within text. It uses Unicode characters to represent various data points, allowing users to visually represent trends and variations without needing any code or specialized software. By simply typing specific characters from the Sparks font, users can create upward slopes, downward trends, peaks, valleys, and flat lines, making it easy to embed mini-visualizations within sentences, paragraphs, or spreadsheets for a more immediate understanding of data. The typeface aims to be broadly compatible and accessible, providing a lightweight and portable solution for incorporating simple data visualizations in any text-based context.
Hacker News users generally expressed interest in Sparks, praising its cleverness and potential utility for conveying data quickly within text. Some discussed potential use cases like embedding sparklines in terminal output, Markdown files, and spreadsheets. Concerns were raised about readability and accessibility, especially for users with visual impairments or using low-resolution displays. The fixed-width nature of the font also led to discussions about limitations in representing varied data ranges and the potential awkwardness of rendering in proportional fonts. Several commenters suggested improvements, such as variable-width characters and options for controlling the baseline. The project's novelty and simplicity were appreciated, but practical applications and broader adoption remain to be seen, according to the commenters.
The <select> element, long a styling holdout, is finally getting much-needed CSS customization capabilities in Chromium-based browsers. Developers can now style aspects like the dropdown arrow (using appearance: none and pseudo-elements), open state, and even the listbox itself, offering greater control over its visual presentation. This enables better integration with overall site design and improved user experience without resorting to JavaScript workarounds or custom elements. While some pseudo-elements are browser-prefixed, the changes pave the way for more consistently styled and accessible dropdown menus across the web.
Hacker News users generally expressed cautious optimism about the ability to finally style <select> elements with CSS. Several pointed out that this has been a long-requested feature and lamented the previous difficulty in customizing dropdowns. Some praised the detailed explanation in the blog post, while others worried about browser compatibility and the potential for inconsistencies across different implementations. A few users discussed specific styling challenges they'd encountered, like styling the dropdown arrow or achieving consistent behavior across operating systems. There was some concern about the potential for developers to create confusing or inaccessible custom selects, but also acknowledgment that the feature offers powerful new design possibilities.
Creating accessible open textbooks, especially in math-heavy fields, is challenging due to the complexity of mathematical notation. While LaTeX is commonly used, its accessibility features are limited, particularly for screen reader users. Converting LaTeX to accessible formats like HTML requires significant manual effort and often compromises semantic meaning. The author explores MathML as a potential solution, highlighting its accessibility advantages and integration possibilities with HTML. However, MathML also presents challenges including limited browser support and authoring difficulties. Ultimately, creating truly accessible math content necessitates a shift towards semantic encoding and tools that prioritize accessibility from the outset, rather than relying on post-hoc conversions.
Hacker News users discussed the challenges and potential solutions for creating accessible open textbooks, particularly in math-heavy fields. Commenters highlighted the complexity of converting LaTeX, a common tool for math typesetting, into accessible formats. Some suggested focusing on HTML-first authoring, using tools like MathJax and Pandoc, or exploring MathML. The need for semantic tagging and robust tooling for image descriptions also emerged as key themes. Several users pointed to specific projects and resources like PreTeXt, which aims to facilitate accessible textbook creation. Concerns about funding and institutional support for these initiatives were also raised, as was the question of whether creating truly accessible math content requires a fundamental shift away from current publishing workflows.
Goblin.tools is a collection of simple, single-purpose web tools designed to assist neurodivergent individuals with everyday tasks. Each tool focuses on one specific function, like deciding what to eat, breaking down tasks, or generating random passwords. The minimalist design and focused functionality aim to reduce cognitive overload and provide clear, actionable steps. The tools are free to use and require no login, prioritizing ease of access and immediate utility.
HN users generally praised Goblin.tools for its simplicity and focus on specific needs, finding it a refreshing alternative to complex, feature-bloated apps. Several commenters shared personal anecdotes about their own or their loved ones' struggles with executive dysfunction and how tools like these could be beneficial. Some suggested potential improvements or additional tools, such as a text-to-speech reader, a simple calculator, and integrations with other services. There was discussion about the potential benefits of such minimalist tools for neurotypical users as well, highlighting the value of focused functionality. A few users expressed skepticism about the long-term viability of the project and the monetization strategy.
AMC Theatres will test Deepdub's AI-powered visual dubbing technology with a limited theatrical release of the Swedish film "A Piece of My Heart" ("En del av mitt hjärta"). This technology alters the actors' lip movements on-screen to synchronize with the English-language dub, offering a more immersive and natural viewing experience than traditional dubbing. The test will run in select AMC locations across the US from June 30th to July 6th, providing valuable audience feedback on the technology's effectiveness.
Hacker News users discuss the implications of AI-powered visual dubbing, as described in the linked Engadget article about AMC screening a Swedish film using this technology. Several express skepticism about the quality and believability of AI-generated lip movements, fearing an uncanny valley effect. Some question the need for this approach compared to traditional dubbing or subtitles, citing potential job displacement for voice actors and a preference for authentic performances. Others see potential benefits for accessibility and international distribution, but also raise concerns about the ethical considerations of manipulating actors' likenesses without consent and the potential for misuse of deepfake technology. A few commenters are cautiously optimistic, suggesting that this could be a useful tool if implemented well, while acknowledging the need for further refinement.
Lynx, a text-based web browser initially released in 1992, holds the distinction of being the oldest web browser still actively maintained. While its text-only interface might seem antiquated in today's graphical web, Lynx continues to be updated and supported, providing a unique and efficient way to access web content. Its simplicity makes it ideal for users with low bandwidth or accessibility needs, and its focus on text allows for a distraction-free browsing experience. The enduring development of Lynx demonstrates the enduring value of accessible and fundamental browsing technology.
The Hacker News comments discuss Lynx's enduring relevance and unique position as a text-based browser. Several commenters highlight its usefulness for tasks like scripting, accessing websites with complex JavaScript, or simply experiencing the web in a different way. Some appreciate its speed and efficiency, particularly on low-bandwidth connections. Others discuss its accessibility benefits for visually impaired users. A few commenters share their nostalgic memories of using Lynx in the early days of the internet. The discussion also touches on the technical aspects of Lynx's development and maintenance, including its portability and small codebase. A recurring theme is the contrast between Lynx's minimalist approach and the feature-bloated nature of modern browsers.
For startups lacking a dedicated UX designer, this post offers practical, actionable advice centered around user feedback. It emphasizes focusing on the core problem being solved and rapidly iterating based on direct user interaction. The article suggests starting with simple wireframes or even pen-and-paper prototypes, testing them with potential users to identify pain points and iterate quickly. This user-centered approach, combined with a focus on clarity and simplicity in the interface, allows startups to improve UX organically, even without specialized design resources. Ultimately, it champions continuous learning and adaptation based on user behavior as the most effective way to build a user-friendly product.
Hacker News users generally agreed with the article's premise that startups often lack dedicated UX designers and must prioritize essential UX elements. Several commenters emphasized the importance of user research, even without formal resources, suggesting methods like talking to potential users and analyzing competitor products. Some highlighted specific practical advice from the article, such as prioritizing mobile responsiveness and minimizing unnecessary features. A few commenters offered additional tools and resources, like no-code website builders with built-in UX best practices. The overall sentiment was that the article provided valuable, actionable advice for resource-strapped startups.
Open-UI aims to establish and maintain an open, interoperable standard for UI components and primitives across frameworks and libraries. This initiative seeks to improve developer experience by enabling greater code reuse, simplifying cross-framework collaboration, and fostering a more robust and accessible web ecosystem. By defining shared specifications and promoting their adoption, Open-UI strives to streamline UI development and reduce fragmentation across the JavaScript landscape.
HN commenters express cautious optimism about Open UI, praising the standardization effort for web components but also raising concerns. Several highlight the difficulty of achieving true cross-framework compatibility, questioning whether Open UI can genuinely bridge the gaps between React, Vue, Angular, etc. Others point to the history of similar initiatives failing to gain widespread adoption due to framework lock-in and the rapid evolution of the web development landscape. Some express skepticism about the project's governance and the potential influence of browser vendors. A few commenters see Open UI as a potential solution to the "island problem" of web components, hoping it will improve interoperability and reduce the need for framework-specific wrappers. However, the prevailing sentiment is one of "wait and see," with many wanting to observe practical implementations and community uptake before fully endorsing the project.
The <command> and <commandfor> elements, now supported in Chrome 165, offer a declarative way to define commands and associate them with specific form controls. <command> represents a user action, like "copy" or "bold," and can be executed via various input methods (keyboard shortcuts, context menus, buttons). <commandfor> links a command to a specific HTML element, like a text input, clarifying which element the command operates on. This allows assistive technologies and other user agents to better understand the available actions and their targets, improving accessibility and user experience. This declarative approach simplifies command handling, especially for custom controls, and reduces reliance on JavaScript for basic command functionality.
HN commenters generally expressed confusion about the purpose and utility of the new <command> and <commandfor> HTML elements. Several pointed out the seemingly niche use cases and questioned whether they solved a real problem developers faced, especially given existing keyboard shortcut solutions. Some compared them unfavorably to existing menu role attributes in ARIA and questioned their semantic value. Others expressed concern about discoverability and the potential for abuse in creating confusing or malicious interfaces. A few commenters attempted to find practical applications, like contextual menus for selected text or improved accessibility, but overall the reception was skeptical, with many suggesting the feature was overly complex for limited benefit.
This 2018 paper demonstrates how common spreadsheet software can be used to simulate neural networks, offering a readily accessible and interactive educational tool. It details the implementation of a multilayer perceptron (MLP) within a spreadsheet, using built-in functions to perform calculations for forward propagation, backpropagation, and gradient descent. The authors argue that this approach allows for a deeper understanding of neural network mechanics due to its transparent and step-by-step nature, which can be particularly beneficial for teaching purposes. They provide examples of classification and regression tasks, showcasing the spreadsheet's capability to handle different activation functions and datasets. The paper concludes that spreadsheet-based simulations, while not suitable for large-scale applications, offer a valuable pedagogical alternative for introducing and exploring fundamental neural network concepts.
HN users discuss the practicality and educational value of simulating neural networks in spreadsheets. Some find it a clever way to visualize and understand the underlying mechanics, especially for beginners, while others argue its limitations make it unsuitable for real-world applications. Several commenters point out the computational constraints of spreadsheets, making them inefficient for larger networks or datasets. The discussion also touches on alternative tools for learning and experimenting with neural networks, like Python libraries, which offer greater flexibility and power. A compelling point raised is the potential for oversimplification, potentially leading to misconceptions about the complexities of real-world neural network implementations.
People without smartphones face increasing disadvantages in daily life as essential services like banking, healthcare, and parking increasingly rely on app-based access. Campaigners argue this digital exclusion unfairly penalizes vulnerable groups, including the elderly, disabled, and low-income individuals who may not be able to afford or operate a smartphone. This "app tyranny" limits access to basic services, creating a two-tiered system and exacerbating existing inequalities. They call for alternative access options to ensure inclusivity and prevent further marginalization of those without smartphones.
Hacker News commenters largely agree that over-reliance on smartphones creates unfair disadvantages for those without them, particularly regarding essential services and accessibility. Several point out the increasing difficulty of accessing healthcare, banking, and government services without a smartphone. Some commenters suggest this trend is driven by cost-cutting measures disguised as "convenience" and highlight the digital divide's impact on vulnerable populations. Others discuss the privacy implications of mandatory app usage and the lack of viable alternatives for those who prefer not to use smartphones. A few argue that while some inconvenience is inevitable with technological advancement, essential services should offer alternative access methods. The lack of meaningful competition in the mobile OS market is also mentioned as a contributing factor to the problem.
The Chrome team is working towards enabling customization of the <select> element using the new <selectmenu> element. This upcoming feature allows developers to replace the browser's default dropdown styling with custom HTML, offering greater flexibility and control over the appearance and functionality of dropdown menus. Developers will be able to integrate richer interactions, accessibility features, and more complex layouts within the select element, all while preserving the semantic meaning and native behavior like keyboard navigation and screen reader compatibility. This enhancement aims to address the longstanding developer pain point of limited styling options for the <select> element, opening up opportunities for more visually appealing and user-friendly form controls.
Hacker News users generally expressed frustration with the <select> element's historical limitations and welcomed the proposed changes for customization. Several commenters pointed out the difficulties in styling <select> cross-browser, leading to reliance on JavaScript workarounds and libraries like Choices.js. Some expressed skepticism about the proposed solution's complexity and potential performance impact, suggesting simpler alternatives like allowing shadow DOM styling. Others questioned the need for such extensive customization, arguing for consistency and accessibility over visual flair. A few users highlighted specific use cases, such as multi-select with custom item rendering, where the proposed changes would be beneficial. Overall, the sentiment leans towards cautious optimism, acknowledging the potential improvements while remaining wary of potential drawbacks.
Programming with chronic pain presents unique challenges, requiring a focus on pacing and energy management. The author emphasizes the importance of short work intervals, frequent breaks, and prioritizing tasks based on energy levels, rather than strict deadlines. Ergonomics play a crucial role, advocating for adjustable setups and regular movement. Mental health is also key, emphasizing self-compassion and acceptance of limitations. The author stresses that productivity isn't about working longer, but working smarter and sustainably within the constraints of chronic pain. This approach allows for a continued career in programming while prioritizing well-being.
HN commenters largely expressed sympathy and shared their own experiences with chronic pain and its impact on productivity. Several suggested specific tools and techniques like dictation software, voice coding, ergonomic setups, and the Pomodoro method. Some highlighted the importance of finding a supportive work environment and advocating for oneself. Others emphasized the mental and emotional toll of chronic pain and recommended mindfulness, therapy, and pacing oneself to avoid burnout. A few commenters also questioned the efficacy of some suggested solutions, emphasizing the highly individual nature of chronic pain and the need for personalized strategies.
OCR4all is a free, open-source tool designed for the efficient and automated OCR processing of historical printings. It combines cutting-edge OCR engines like Tesseract and Kraken with a user-friendly graphical interface and automated layout analysis. This allows users, particularly researchers in the humanities, to create high-quality, searchable text versions of historical documents, including early printed books. OCR4all streamlines the entire workflow, from pre-processing and OCR to post-correction and export, facilitating improved accessibility and research opportunities for digitized historical texts. The project actively encourages community contributions and further development of the platform.
Hacker News users generally praised OCR4all for its open-source nature, ease of use, and powerful features, especially its handling of historical documents. Several commenters shared their positive experiences using the software, highlighting its accuracy and flexibility. Some pointed out its value for accessibility and digitization projects. A few users compared it favorably to commercial OCR solutions, mentioning its superior performance with complex layouts and frail documents. The discussion also touched on potential improvements, including better integration with existing workflows and enhanced language support. Some users expressed interest in contributing to the project.
"What if Eye...?" explores the potential of integrating AI with the human visual system. The MIT Media Lab's Eye group is developing wearable AI systems that enhance and augment our vision, effectively creating "eyes for the mind." These systems aim to provide real-time information and insights overlaid onto our natural field of view, potentially revolutionizing how we interact with the world. Applications range from assisting individuals with visual impairments to enhancing everyday experiences by providing contextual information about our surroundings and facilitating seamless interaction with digital interfaces.
Hacker News users discussed the potential applications and limitations of the "Eye Contact" feature presented in the MIT Media Lab's "Eyes" project. Some questioned its usefulness in real-world scenarios, like presentations, where deliberate looking away is often necessary to gather thoughts. Others highlighted ethical concerns regarding manipulation and the potential for discomfort in forced eye contact. The potential for misuse in deepfakes was also brought up. Several commenters saw value in the technology for video conferencing and improving social interactions for individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The overall sentiment expressed was a mix of intrigue, skepticism, and cautious optimism about the technology's future impact. Some also pointed out existing solutions for gaze correction, suggesting that the novelty might be overstated.
A recent study reveals that CAPTCHAs are essentially a profitable tracking system disguised as a security measure. While ostensibly designed to differentiate bots from humans, CAPTCHAs allow companies like Google to collect vast amounts of user data for targeted advertising and other purposes. This system has cost users a staggering amount of time—an estimated 819 billion hours globally—and has generated nearly $1 trillion in revenue, primarily for Google. The study argues that the actual security benefits of CAPTCHAs are minimal compared to the immense profits generated from the user data they collect. This raises concerns about the balance between online security and user privacy, suggesting CAPTCHAs function more as a data harvesting tool than an effective bot deterrent.
Hacker News users generally agree with the premise that CAPTCHAs are exploitative. Several point out the irony of Google using them for training AI while simultaneously claiming they prevent bots. Some highlight the accessibility issues CAPTCHAs create, particularly for disabled users. Others discuss alternatives, such as Cloudflare's Turnstile, and the privacy implications of different solutions. The increasing difficulty and frequency of CAPTCHAs are also criticized, with some speculating it's a deliberate tactic to push users towards paid "captcha-free" services. Several commenters express frustration with the current state of CAPTCHAs and the lack of viable alternatives.
Cloudflare is reportedly blocking access to certain websites for users of Pale Moon and other less common browsers like Basilisk and Otter Browser. The issue seems to stem from Cloudflare's bot detection system incorrectly identifying these browsers as bots due to their unusual User-Agent strings. This leads to users being presented with a CAPTCHA challenge, which, in some cases, is unpassable, effectively denying access. The author of the post, a Pale Moon user, expresses frustration with this situation, especially since Cloudflare offers no apparent mechanism to report or resolve the issue for affected users of niche browsers.
Hacker News users discussed Cloudflare's blocking of Pale Moon and other less common browsers, primarily focusing on the reasons behind the block and its implications. Some speculated that the block stemmed from Pale Moon's outdated TLS/SSL protocols creating security risks or excessive load on Cloudflare's servers. Others criticized Cloudflare for what they perceived as anti-competitive behavior, harming browser diversity and unfairly impacting users of niche browsers. The lack of clear communication from Cloudflare about the block drew negative attention, with users expressing frustration over the lack of transparency and the difficulty in troubleshooting the issue. A few commenters offered potential workarounds, including using a VPN or adjusting browser settings, but there wasn't a universally effective solution. The overall sentiment reflected concern about the increasing centralization of internet infrastructure and the potential for large companies like Cloudflare to exert undue influence over web access.
This blog post presents a simple bookmarklet designed to remove fixed position headers on websites. The author, frustrated by obstructive sticky headers, created a JavaScript snippet that can be saved as a bookmark. When clicked, this bookmarklet iterates through all elements on the current page, identifies those with a fixed position (typically headers), and sets their position to static, effectively removing the sticky behavior. The post highlights the bookmarklet's effectiveness in reclaiming screen real estate and improving the browsing experience. It also includes the code snippet for easy copying and implementation.
Hacker News users generally praised the bookmarklet for its simplicity and effectiveness in removing annoying sticky headers. Some users expressed concerns about potential website breakage, while others offered alternative solutions like browser extensions (e.g., uBlock Origin) or Stylish. A few commenters suggested improvements to the bookmarklet's code, such as handling elements with position: fixed differently or providing an option to restore the original header. The discussion also touched upon the broader issue of intrusive web design and the ongoing battle between users and websites trying to maximize ad revenue. One commenter even shared a personal anecdote about creating a similar tool years prior, highlighting the long-standing frustration with sticky headers.
This blog post explores how video games can induce motion sickness and offers developers practical advice for mitigating it. The author explains how conflicting sensory information between visual motion and the vestibular system creates motion sickness, highlighting common culprits like field of view, camera acceleration, and head bob. The post advocates for robust accessibility options, suggesting features such as adjustable FOV, camera smoothing, disabling head bob, and providing comfort settings presets. By incorporating these considerations, developers can create more inclusive gaming experiences for players susceptible to motion sickness.
HN commenters largely agree that motion sickness in games is a significant accessibility issue, with several sharing personal experiences of being unable to play certain games due to it. Some suggest that developers often prioritize visual fidelity over comfort, neglecting those susceptible to motion sickness. Several commenters offer specific technical suggestions for mitigating the problem, including adjustable FOV, head bob reduction, and implementing "comfort modes" with features like vignette filters. A few mention that the prevalence of first-person perspective in modern games exacerbates the issue and highlight the need for more third-person options or improved camera controls. There's also discussion around the physiological basis of motion sickness and the varying susceptibility among individuals. One commenter suggests that VR sickness and game motion sickness are distinct experiences with different triggers.
Summary of Comments ( 44 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43725865
HN commenters generally agree that AMP for email was a bad idea. Several pointed out the privacy implications of allowing arbitrary JavaScript execution within emails, potentially exposing sensitive information to third parties. Others criticized the added complexity for both email developers and users, with little demonstrable benefit. Some suggested that AMP's failure stemmed from a misunderstanding of email's core function, which is primarily asynchronous communication, not interactive web pages. The lack of widespread adoption and the subsequent deprecation by Google were seen as validation of these criticisms. A few commenters expressed mild disappointment, suggesting some potential benefits like real-time updates, but ultimately acknowledged the security and usability concerns outweighed the advantages. Several comments also lamented the general trend of "over-engineering" email, moving away from its simple and robust text-based roots.
The Hacker News post titled "AMP and why emails are not (and should never be) interactive" has generated a significant discussion with numerous comments. Many of the comments express strong opposition to AMP for email, echoing the sentiment of the original blog post.
Several commenters focus on the privacy implications of AMP, arguing that it allows Google to track user interactions within emails, providing them with even more data. This is seen as a significant downside, especially considering the potential for abuse and the general lack of trust in Google's data handling practices. One commenter specifically mentions that allowing dynamic content in emails would make phishing attacks significantly easier to execute, making it harder for users to distinguish between legitimate and malicious emails.
Another recurring theme is the added complexity for both email developers and users. Developers would need to learn and implement AMP, increasing development costs and potentially leading to inconsistencies across email clients. For users, the interactive elements could be confusing or even annoying, particularly for those who prefer the simplicity of traditional email. One commenter notes the irony of Google pushing for more complexity in email while simultaneously promoting the minimalist "Inbox Zero" philosophy.
Some commenters also question the actual benefits of AMP for email, arguing that the proposed interactive features, such as completing surveys or browsing product catalogs directly within emails, are not particularly compelling and could be easily achieved through traditional links to external websites. The added complexity and privacy concerns are seen as outweighing any potential benefits.
There is also discussion about the control Google would gain over email communication with AMP. Commenters express concern that Google could potentially manipulate the functionality of AMP, favoring their own services or even censoring certain types of content within emails. This control is seen as a threat to the open nature of email communication.
Finally, several commenters express skepticism about Google's motivations for pushing AMP for email, suggesting that it's primarily driven by their desire to collect more data and further integrate their services into users' lives. They see AMP as another attempt by Google to exert more control over the internet, rather than a genuine effort to improve the email experience. The ultimate failure of AMP is highlighted by multiple commenters, bolstering the arguments against its implementation in email.