skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
Also on BBC News: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/low/technology/6701863.stm .

Nice to see a London-based co. hit the headlines.
There's a difference between "Not savvy" and "Like an AOL user, and unaware of the rest of the Internet or the existence of email." He's making a crazy claim -- it's like saying that most people who drive Fords aren't sure about the distinction between a "carburetor" and a "door".
Motorola VP talks about wikis and blogs and why they are so important [podcast]
Personally, there's been a few times that the directions I got from Google were incorrect. Once it told me to turn down a street that wasn't there. I like to goof around with Google Maps, but if I need directions to a place I haven't been before then I use MapQuest. Maybe others have had the same experience.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=muibPAUvOXk
Food for thought, for those of you not considering the corporate market.
Does this mean that there's now a big-name company who will fight for the repeal of the recent streaming-music royalty hike?
With easy-to-feel buttons and a soft earpiece they could probably sell to people who dial while driving. They would get sued if they marketed that way, though.

(I pull over if I need to call someone. If I didn't, I'd probably fall off my bicycle.)
I'm not an MH, but I do find this a little sad. They're now reimplementing a very old interface digitally, instead of using computers to create something new. It's like Henry Ford building a car that galloped 30% faster than the average horse.
Congratulations. TextPayMe has been going a while without lots of press. This may be changing.
Thing is - I don't see frameworks solving these problems. I see frameworks doing things like automating directory layouts, adding some magic to reduce typing, handling request dispatching, etc.

I see libraries solving these problems. I use Cheetah too, and am grateful for its #filter Websafe. I use Markdown - it has the same javascript: bug as Reddit, but at least I or someone else can submit a patch to Markdown and have it fix every site using Markdown and not just my own. I use the parameter replacement available within DBAPI to avoid SQL injection attacks.

I don't like software that tries to solve all my problems, because it inevitably mis-guesses and solves about 80% of them, making the remaining 20% pretty hard in the process. I like software that tries to solve one of my problems and solve it well, because then I can swap in the best solution for the job. Fortunately, the newer Python frameworks (Pylons?) are going down that road, but I didn't see much advantage in using Pylons over using DBAPI + Cheetah + Prototype + Web.py dispatching.
sold out too cheaply. given their leadership position, they should have ask for at least $500m
It will be curious to see where this heads in the long run. CBS is on a tear but will it fit their image, will they try and establish control, overall agenda. I've enjoyed last.fm for many years supporting through paypal donations each time I expire.

..it'll be interesting.
TechStars founder reports on program's first week
Lots of the things this interface can do are actually fairly new. I can't stretch pictures on my coffee table. Besides, very few things are truly new. Most technology is incremental. It just looks revolutionary later.

Also, the model T topped out at 45 mph. Thoroughbreds can get to 40 mph. Granted, that's not exactly the average horse. But Ford's contribution wasn't speed. It was mass production, an incremental improvement.
If you look at it as a new interface for a computer, then it might not be too interesting. But if you look at it as a new interface for a table or anything that has a surface (microwave, walls, fridges), then it becomes very interesting.

Anyone else find it funny that the site is using Flash, and not Silverlight?
I could be wrong but I just did a quick Google search. The top speed of the Model T was 45mph - The top speed for a horse is 47.5 mph - hummm - just a thought. By the way I am all for something new. I just like the MS interface - it looks cool to me.
I noticed that too - Flash not Silverlight. Kind of funny..
I'd prefer a bit more objective reporting with some background included, perhaps this piece at Wired: http://blog.wired.com/gadgets/2007/05/first_look_micr.html

I suppose it's still important what Microsoft is interested in and rolling out, but we should ask ourselves whether it's them, someone who came before them, or someone who comes after them that defines the new interaction method. Like the Wired piece mentions, others have done similar research and there must be startups of various stages commercializing this. Do we know any?
Everyone knows that ASM is the only true language for programmers.
Published on October 13, 2006. Why post it now? No new news?
Techstars mentor critical of business models' of Techstars companies
Ralph - where in the UK you based? I'm in London
What do you guys think about Code Igniter?
I've been taking a peek at it for quite some time. Anybody here in YC uses it? and has developed applications on top of it?
What are my options if I get "fired" very close to a vesting date?
Music site Last.fm bought by CBS
Assuming performance is not an issue (i.e I was a good worker) ... is there any recourse to being removed from a startup right before a significant equity vesting date?
1) Tell myself that it's ok, and that the cell and net will be back in less than 24 hours

2) Catch up on sleep

3) Read all the books that are stacked up and not being read

4) Buy homing pigeons for lost distance communications
Down in cider country. Used to live in Lambeth years ago though.
Just to be a bit more technical...

Arc uses MzScheme.

Reddit was using Common Lisp but now uses Python/web.py as you said. I remember hearing that they may switch to Django.
Social networking meets social change
The article is unclear on what "trump" is supposed to mean, and in what context.

Does twitter trump E-mail for persistent storage of long messages? Does blogging trump E-mail for personal exchanges among a select group of friends? Does IRC trump E-mail for secure delivery?
Not So Down In The Valley (Success Clogs Silicon Valley)
I thought Reddit was rewritten in Rails, but after some research I realized that I am wrong. Its Python.
The key word was 'galloped'. Cars weren't mechanical horses -- they were devices that used new technology in a way that wasn't possible before.
IANAL and I don't know all the details but...

If your dismissal is "obvious" (in the sense that it is done with a view towards denying your share) i.e., your performance to date has been good and you get the boot, as you say, "right before" a scheduled vesting date, then you probably have a case.

Enough to make an inquiry with an attorney, at least.
This is an important point. Saying that someone can go and add this or that feature to a framework requires that they first have enough understanding to know where to begin. In Rails, this can be less than obvious.

To say "... extending Rails to do what you want is often much simpler than you think" is disingenuous at best.
I had this exact idea for a startup about a year and a half ago! I really gave it a lot of thought and tried to recruit my friends, but then I heard that Microsoft was doing it, and I (rightly) assumed Google would be too.

Even if I had time, I probably wouldn't have done it either way due to the hundreds of thousands of dollars required to execute it well (360 degree cameras, trucks, drivers, fuel, etc). I didn't know much about startups or investors back then.

But still, it's nice to think that I was able to look into the future back then! I'm sure others shared this vision too - anyone know of startups that attempted to take this on?
How to Learn Any (Technical, Programming, Other) Subject in 7 Days
Having just used instacalc i have to say it rocks! I couldnt be bothered to pull up the calc so i thought i'd try it. It definately is the best of breed between excel and the calculator - i can see why it got funded.

Plenty of potential where people have to share calculations/revenue models etc. Can see plenty of use in the financial industries and also in startups.
NexTag Sold for $1B?
Scraping content issues
If a company has no terms of use or any other kind of policy on their site, what are the issues in scraping the content? any way to prevent it?
According to Techstars and Ycombinator; they pick startups because they like the founders not necessarily the business model but; I've looked at some of the startups that have received funding and I know I'm not a zillionare but they seem to have very questionable income models. If you take advertising out of the equation, I'd guess many of them don't have an income model.

Here's my guess at the business model; get the mentors at Techstars or Ycombinator to help you develop your company. (i.e. get as many people using your site as possible, probably for free) Then since there really isn't a real revenue source, after you get a lot of eyeballs you sell the company to some larger company. Wah La ~ Web 2.0

I don't want to sound like I am indorsing or rejecting anything I would just like to see more creative income models.
It's naive to think people will be sharing their financial models over the internet. While cool to play with, I really don't see a business case for Instacalc. Please fill me in on what I'm missing.
Well, in 1997, I built a small prototype of a squeezeball that generated voltage levels which were mapped to characters or commands. (But did not successfully complete it).

Well, you need an environment - money, encouragement (advice, not flattery), and co-workers.

Only Google and MS or a University can provide these, it seems.

Perhaps that's why I cant get my act off the ground :)
It was new to me.
And real computer scientists only program in machine code because everything else is a shortcut, right?

So you're saying that since web.py fails to provide a solution to common problems, it gives "real developers" the freedom to implement it themselves? Pesky frameworks like django only allow the same developers to jump straight to doing new things. Uh, that must be the pre-defined ultra-boring pattern.
Actually, they tried Django but it did not meet their needs so they switched to web.py.
"It seems as if you have to press "Yes" to start a phone conversation - not THAT intuitive, if you ask me."

I agree on that part.

"I also think the complexity of modern phones is a bit of a myth. "

But average cell phones are still scary. I recall the first time someone handed me a cell phone to make a call, I felt worried that I was going to do something wrong. It was a pretty mild worry and I certainly have no issues now. But for many older people, such as my grandmother, the hassle of overcoming even a mild fear is so much greater than the percieved value of using the device that they simply do not bother.
B.S. Google Maps doesnt work. Dont need fancy - just basic stuff that is correct - like MapQuest!

I got miserably lost when driving from Olathe KS to Lawrence, KS a few months ago. I used Google Maps which spat out wrong directions. I had blind faith in Google.
In fact I was doing a presentation for Matt, at LRTC in hopes of getting angel investment for juwo.

He told me an interesting story. The lead developer at Google Maps studied at Kansas Univ. and chose his apartment in Lawrence, KS as the zero point coordinates!

So maybe it breaks only in KS!
That's a great term, the "de facto mentioned place": "If I had played it right, we might have hit that moment where you become the de-facto mentioned place in articles about a certain topic."
Depends on the industry. 33% margins are not unusual in software. Take a look at some tech companies on Yahoo Finance. Microsoft has about 40% operating margins, Google about 33%, Akamai about 20%. Among smaller startups, margins are even higher. PlentyOfFish.com has roughly 99% margins: $5M in revenue on roughly $50k in expenses.
I'd rather end up with Friendster.com than spend the 2-3 years he spent on it at a day job. At least he had his year of fame and (hopefully) learned some valuable lessons with his dot-bomb.

It's better to do something than do nothing - if you happen to get rich doing something, that's just gravy.
Alphabet changes color of communication
Step 1) Read an introductory text
Step 2) Do stuff with what you read

Is this news?
VentureBeat - LiveScribe lets the paper do the talking, and thinking
The case against Twitter
@inklesspen

Make sure to do it fast!
My world is coming apart, as MSFT continues to release....well, cool stuff.
An incredible italian startup to revolutionize instant website publishing
If only I had read this before I started the PhD. It would have only taken 7 days!

cf. Norvig's essay: http://norvig.com/21-days.html
Signs it's time to change your startup's direction
If you have too many visitors (e.g., due to a digg/reddit submission), should you give certain visitors higher priority?
If you were at startup school you might of heard Chris Anderson, editor-in-chief of Wired (so presumably their new boss), erroneously suggest that Reddit is written in rails.
Alex covers this subject pretty well on how he handles different traffic:

http://alexking.org/blog/2007/05/22/monetization
I know it seems like poor business, but I think it's well-suited to young entrepreneurs:

- It lets them focus on their presumed competency of making something people want. They don't know much about running a business, selling on a day-to-day basis, managing employees or even doing business development.

- It proves the product's worth quickly. A good business with a lousy product is not worth much, so focus on getting a great product first. You can criticize PG's "internet companies don't die from overpopularity" as a business model, but it's correct in practice.

- It tends to maximize the advantages of young founders: motivation, risk-taking ability and fresh analytical approaches.

- It fits with the life investment strategy that says that you take risks for large gains early in life as you build up your earning potential. Sure, young founders are undervalued, but even if they were properly valued they should still go for it.

That said, YC still does some stuff that isn't in that exact mold.
Reason to believe closes sales opportunities
YC's Xobni: Lessons learned in the last 14 months
The Art of 'Ware (Sun Tzu reinterpreted for software)
http://www.Flex.org
iLike's founder Ali Partovi on Facebook's new platform (dupe)
Correct. Simple frameworks that you then add more complex components to are better. Same for OS'.

Yes, correct on the second part also.
If you left on good terms, assuming your version of "fired" is not as bad as "FIRED!", perhaps you can buy your options at the strick price, but that's risky. If you buy your options for say $10000 and the stock ends up being worthless then you lost $10000 plus taxes (read on)

The AMT Tax Monster: Suppose you buy your options for $10000, and if the startup is acquired or publically traded and your shares are worth $90000 at the end of the year, then the IRS will say that you earned an extra $80000 in short term capital gains ... WHETHER OR NOT YOU SOLD THE STOCK! You still have to pay tax on that change in value. That's a "feature" of the AMT tax. So you pay the IRS an extra $22000 in taxes. You're now down $32000. Finally after 30 months you sell the stock for $38000. So overall you gained $4000 plus and if you know which forms to file you can get a tax deduction for the extra tax you paid before... up to certain amount.

So don't buy your options unless you're absolutely certain the stock will be worth a lot more than what you paid for it and you can sell it quickly at any time.
I find it weird that there are few mentions of Jeff Han's table, which was a relatively big meme last August.

http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/65http://www.ted.com/index.php/talks/view/id/65
Nice story but all that matters is the product you make. So where is it?
Vaporware is web 3.0:P Those guys are great, we are rooting for them.
It would be more interesting if the author provided some examples of successful 1 person shops bringing in $3M per year.
Anyone can legally complain if you copy their content. So they send a C&D letter and you remove whatever offended them, no harm done.

If you want to prevent bots from scraping your content then take advantage of the fact that most bots don't do Javascript: in your server code render the content of each page with some simple encoding that makes text unreadable then add a piece of javascript to window.onload() thats decodes and displays the content.
I'm really looking forward to seeing what comes out of xobni. I've heard nothing but good things about the team.

btw, the blog header doesn't render correctly on FF/ubuntu: http://abstractnonsense.com/xobni-bad-rendering.png
55,000 page views a month isn't really worth $50k, is it?

I'm curious, do such small sites usually get bought for the technology or the traffic?
Most people who drive any sort of car don't know what a carburetor is. Heifermann's comment is hyperbolic, but not that far off the mark. There has to be a huge percentage of facebook and myspace users who NEVER use email. My own inbox is primarily turning into a collection box for online receipts and bank statement notices, just as my real-life mailbox has turned into a collection box for ... bank statements and other administrative paperwork I never read.
Desktop software is difficult. Be patient bro, we're even more excited than you are to release to the public.
But you really think that people in college -- people who receive transcripts, syllabuses, and class announcements through email -- are the group most likely to abandon their inboxes?
DUPE - Sam Odio is way too fast for me :P
Owning a Benz is realistic.

Curing HIV isn't a pipe dream, but it's close.
Dupe. http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=25370
If you are running a website that is the biggest site on the internet running that framework though you should have an inside-out understanding of the technology you are using.
You always have a copyright, even if you don't say so on the page.

They could of course add a robots.txt and stop nicely behaved scrapers that way, but to stop all scraping is impossible. There's always a way. The best you can hope for is to make it so hard, that they don't bother creating a custom made scraper.
xobni - has a business model - charge users,

auctomatic has a business model - subscriptions

weebly could have a business model - pro features

virtualmin has a business model - charge users

whitenoise networks - charge bands & managers

View 3 - licensing

Buxfer - subcriptions/pro features

Justin.tv - build userbase & eyeballs - advertising (traditional tv model)
Another thing I found interesting about that article is that Mapquest, Google, and Yahoo are all running off data from the same company, Navteq. You've gotta figure that many of the nav systems in cars probably run off their data as well. The implication here is that if all these services have the same map data, the accuracy of directions is determined by the algorithm used in each of these systems, so Mapquest apparently has the best one.
Sorry about that sharpshoot.

Here's a link to his original post... vote it up instead: http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=25381
I don't understand what they do that is worth $70M a year.
what chwolfe said.
abstractbill - thanks for pointing that out! I think it was a browser font size setting vs. div size problem.

Should be fixed now. Let me know if you're still seeing this.
No problem. Yup, it's fixed now.
Google Maps Show Faces on Streets
$12 billion was spent in online advertsing in 2006...Google has built their business almost entirely on advertising...Online advertising $ is skyrocketing while TV and print are stagnant.

Advertising is a perfectly legitimate business model.
This is their main blog. The story in the submission title has been submitted here: http://news.ycombinator.com/comments?id=25459
Advertising on mobile phones
Venture Law Lines: Why VCs take meetings
It shows tourist derriers, too:

http://local.google.com/?ie=UTF8&ll=37.823141,-122.416534&spn=0.042171,0.080338&z=14&om=1&layer=c&cbll=37.808032,-122.426605&cbp=1,386.22326215836,0.664006817097904,3
No worries Sam, its happens.

Did news.yc have dupe link filtering before?
Well its simple - make them password protected.
The tutorial here is really good:

http://www.senocular.com/flash/tutorials/as3withmxmlc

Introduces the command line compiler and has the source for several simple SWFs.
First and Long: Bill Hambrecht & Mark Cuban take on the NFL
Attention YC bootstrappers: do not try this in your apartment ;)
So they send a C&D letter and you remove whatever offended them, no harm done.

Agreed.

It's easier to ask forgiveness (or just stop scraping if they complain) than get permission.
I've always wondered. Are there any bots that can do javascript? Is there a js engine you can stick in your bot so it reads everything on a page just like a user would see it?
Do they get bought at all? I doubt this one will get any bids at all.
"I think the Facebook platform is an epic, tectonic shift, a paradigm shift akin to Windows replacing DOS or the emergence of the Web itself."

Anyone else think this is a little over the top?
How did you learn RoR?
I've learned things like PHP and Flash entirely through poking around online tutorials, but I can't seem to catch on by doing the same with RoR. I guess the philosophy of RoR is drastically different from what I'm used to.

How did you guys learn rails? I really want to learn it, but the tutorials aren't really working for me.
I disagree with your findings. Sure it's cheap, but hosting companies tend to oversell this virtual boxes to people and performance is not the same, especially when it comes to disk I/O (any kind of I/O) and handling sudden CPU usage spikes.

$1,200-$1,600 for a server is not expensive. If you are trying to start up a company and you're an engineer yourself, that money is what? Your half week salary? Or we're talking about running things from a dorm room here?

You make very good point about reliability though.
First things: You need to know MVC, and you need to know Ruby. MVC takes a little while to wrap your brain around if you've only ever done things like PHP. There isn't really a great overview document for MVC, but if you do some google searching and wikipediaing, you can find some stuff. Understand what goes in the controller, and in the model, and in the view, and why we bother to separate them.

Then learn Ruby. There are a bunch of resources for this. Why's Poignant Guide is hilarious, but rather opaque. I recommend a book by David Black called Ruby for Rails, but I'm sure O'Reilly has some fine books too.

Now you're ready to start learning Rails. The online documentation is usually poorly organized -- at best. If you can afford it, pick up Agile Web Development with Rails. It's in its second edition now, and is much much better at introducing you to rails than any online resource I've seen. Maybe someone else here can recommend an online tutorial I haven't seen, but they seem to generally be more out of date than the books, rather than the other way around.
The book is pretty good.
Definitely have the technology....17 content partners and ability to integrate with Blackboard.
Jangl - Call Anyone For Free!
Sure, probably you should have written your own Ruby Virtual Machine, too, just to be on the safe side. And while you are at it, why not create your own replacement for Rails as well?
Anyone find it funny that the "tweet" (is that really what they call it) in the picture says "Why isn't it twittr if they are really trying to be web 2.0"? Wasn't that what it was originally launched as, and they changed later because people thought it was pronounced "twatter"? (Or because it took off and the domain was available, but I remember techcrunch readers joking about the unfortunate domain)
I got a consulting project, told the client I was using RoR, and now I'm learning it. I think I've learned just about everything like this, with RoR being the most recent.
The Making of a Web App: Professional on the Web