skysight-inc/HackerNews huggingface dataset:
Yes, this is an overt move by Google. Almost feels as though they are going to make Murdoch pay for his position on this whole issue.
The difference between a home mortgage and a record label's advance is that the value of the home being mortgaged is relatively stable. If I borrow $450K to purchase a $500K house, and then I can't make my payments, I am likely to still have a house with a market value close to $450K. (OK, in many parts of the US today this is not true, but at least that was the bank's expectation when they authorized the mortgage.)

If a new band approaches a record label for a contract, the label knows how much it will cost to produce and promote their album, but given the fickleness of the public taste, they don't know whether that album will sell ten thousand copies or ten million. And after the band has sold ten million albums, it will have a lot more negotiating leverage in the next round of contract negotiations.

So the record label has every incentive to lock the band into a contract that grabs as much as possible for the label. Bands that only sell a modest number of copies get screwed by this arrangement, but if the band members only expected to sell a modest number of copies of their album, they wouldn't be seeking a deal with a major record label to begin with, right?
Every time I read about the relationship between artists and labels I think of Sean Young's memorable line from Blade Runner:

> Rachael: I'm not in the business... I am the business.

At some point artists have to look around and realize that labels are not in business to extract value from consumers, labels are in business to extract value from artists.

Draw your own conclusions about conventional VC firms...
Fast polymorphic math parser
Startup Lessons - a manual for aspiring entrepreneurs
EZUnsecured.com - Unsecured Financing Review - Jade Rock Enterprises LLC - PPMP 
If you need Unsecured Financing, go to EZUnsecured.com - They are the best Unsecured Financing Consultants still in Business and they helped me out big time last month when I needed a Loan. I was looking for Reviews on them and I found this one that explains it a little better since I don't have time to sit here and write a Press Release on them:

http://www.reviewon.com/ezunsecuredcom-start-up-loans-unsecured-financing-made-easy.html
I don't get what the problem is. This seems equivalent to Hibernate using reflection on fields in Java classes. Distilling your own syntactic sugar can be a great thing.
Pursue, not peruse. Maybe they perused the statistics though :)
Hence the first sentence of his post about Craigslist's crunchy image.

"Let's get rid of IE6" is a great way to rally people. "Let's get rid of that bastard Craig Newmark," not so much.
While I agree with you that the lack of concurrency is problematic in the long run I think that JavaScript on the server will be at least as useful for many web applications as PHP, Python, Ruby, Perl - all of which have modest or non-existant concurrency stories.

I'm curious as to why you think JavaScript can't hold it's own weight against said-languages for the server-side?
Russian christian literature overseas
They've also moved away from document.write. Now we can use google analytics on pages served as XHTML without resorting to these types of hacks: http://www.the-xavi.com/articles/operation-is-not-supported-...
Groupon epitomizes simple, useful and profitable ideas. Sell things and services that are usually sold individually in bulk. Increase volumes for retailers, reduce prices for buyers, profit!

I have personally used Groupon thrice in the past three months. I think Amazon is the only online retailer I buy from more frequently.
Fring Debuts iPhone Video Calls
Why do people upvote this when the website is down?

http://downforeveryoneorjustme.com/arantaday.com
U.K. Climate Scientist Steps Down After E-Mail Flap
I really enjoyed "A Pattern Language, " even though it wasn't relevant to my life other than its influence on the Design Patterns people.
Rango: A New Modular Ruby Webapp Framework
Sorry - having some trouble with my VPS. This is what I get for hosting on Wordpress (i.e., PHP ;-))
holy crap, did a government legally just steal all the money from it's people?
Whatever you are both slightly unhappy with, while still beig able to live with it, is probably the best answer. If one of you feels they got a good deal, it's probably not right.
Baumol's Cost Disease: Why Artists are Always Poor
drew: i'm in boston. here's a project i'm working on: http://www.slideshare.net/rcmorin/say-hi-presentation

let's connect. rcmorin (at) gmail.com
Astaga.com lifestyle on the net is Not Dreaming
It sounds like Alice isn't ready to join until Bob reduces risks. Fine. Then they shouldn't agree on a percentage now, they should negotiate AFTER those risks have been reduced. Else you're talking theory in lala land. Alice should walk away, saying "call me when". Bob should reduce risk while continuing to look for cofounders.

In any case, this doesn't sound like cofounding, this sounds like first employee.
Because it wasn't down when they upvoted it???
If the website is your, why didn't you use CL over PHP?
"Symbian^3 sees the removal of some 300+ user prompts"
I personally do not like it. My problem with it is not readability (because it looks very clean) but consistency. When developing an API I always strive to make it as intuitive to use. My #1 goal is always, could you use this without documentation? This hack would make me answer no, its too inconsistent from the norm. I can only hope he mentions how to use it in the ///<summary> comment
Great point.

I can imagine how "Bob" must feel. But execution on the idea is the most important thing.

Until you've created version 1, you're still at the theoretical stage. And while in theory you may see your company being worth (m|b)illions in a few years, the reality is that you need to implement.

Again, like brk suggests, why get mired in an argument over whether you control 100% or 90% of "0". Building a startup and creating value is a lot harder said than done I would imagine. Use your judgement and do whatever it takes to get the best person on board.
I would have trouble explaining this to my parents, or anyone not familiar with how cookies or "cloaking" work. I just heard the BBC world report (radio) summarize this coverage a few minutes ago; it made it sound like

- Google copies and stores news articles and serves them to users

- Google decides when users have to sign in upon visiting third-party news site.

These misconceptions are great if you're Rupert Murdoch. In reality, the change in Google's policy is minor:

- You are permitted to serve different content than the bot got (i.e. make them sign in) if the cookie on the other end has already requested 5 (or whatever) articles

- You could do that before, of course, but you would have gotten delisted for cloaking, just as with Google's web index. This is a new exception to that rule.

Laypersons have enough trouble understanding that news sites are not obligated to serve their content to Google. Making the issue more complicated (even if this isn't very complicated to us) may not be a good PR move.
This is not true, the moment I saw it it had 4 upvotes, now it has 10, it was down the entire time.
http://www.google.com/search?q=cache:http://arantaday.com/bl...
I disagree. It's better to think win-win. Both parties should walk away feeling good about the negotiation.
FREEADSAustralia
Free classified ads search engine in Albury, Australia. A free, easy and fast way to find or to place ads in Albury.
Sorry - this isn't my startup website. It's just my personal blog - and I was lazy and went with Wordpress on a cheap VPS.

It seems to be my VPS provider's problem (i.e., I can't even reboot or use the console).

If I can't get it working in 5 minutes, I'll delete this.
Next time use lisppaste: http://paste.lisp.org/

If it's worth saying, it's worth saying in "text/plain".
Can they somehow count unrecouped monies against profits on their accounting sheets and so reduce apparent profit and pay less tax? Sounds like some sort of accounting scam (as well) whether this is possible or not.
Relics of science giants recovered
I asked the author which natural number N corresponds to the real number 1/3.

It's a simple question which he should be able to answer with a finite string of digits. No words necessary.
I'm not sure it's that uncommon in communism. My grandparents told me that the same thing happened in Romania when it was under communist rule.

When we recently slashed a few zeros from our currency (denomination i believe it's called) they were afraid that the same thing would happen again.
What if people disagree and just keep using the old currency among them ?

Yeah, I guess they'll get shot.

Also, the mention of "closed-circuit system that feeds into speakers in homes and on streets but can't be monitored outside the country" reminds me so much of Brave New World/1984/Big Brother stuff.
> A mortgage has an interest rate set (in part) by an idependant body.

That's typically not true in the US....

> This is what riles me, especially when as a consumer it is very difficult to find this kind of information so it is difficult to make "fair" purchases to stop this kind of thing.

Actually, it's pretty easy. If you're buying in a store, it's almost certainly from a "rip-off record company".
Great to see that might be gaining momentum and it would seem to be an idea that could get bipartisan support. Here's the link to the discussion on Paul Graham's essay on the Founder's Visa - http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=556908
Flot is pretty good, but only does time series data, as I recall.
It isn't uncommon, FTA:

"The absence of information in official media adds to the unusual circumstances of the action. North Korea has reissued currency four times previously, all with great fanfare and explanation to the outside world."
This sort of thing is worse than gambling. I'd say there's a strong case for regulating things like this. It's just preying on the addicted/weak/stupid surely.

It's almost a bait and switch:

1. Get user addicted to game
2. After some time, tell user they can progress quicker through the game if they pay money (Blackmail).
legally is a funny word when talking about north korea.
we buy a couple memberships to something and then duplicate the cards to share

Hey that does sound fun, it also sounds like criminal fraud.
Kaspersky Password Manager, Secure Login Manager
Would be scary if NK had more power. Fortunately for us (and unfortunate for their people) the country is very poor and relies almost entirely on aid from other countries (China) to keep things going.
Securing mobile devices: Why make it easy for someone to access private data?
Nitpick - I'm pretty sure Friedman never said "we are all Keynesians now," I think it was Nixon who said it (much to Friedman's dismay).
I think the obvious conclusion would be that people upvote things without reading them.
Component Based Software Architecture Using Clojure
YouTube, Hulu, want you to pay for online TV
"I talked with a shipping guy a while ago - they are used to paying "fines" of 25K up just to pass through. He also said that they never arm the ships - it would just lead to escalation and he did not want his crews harmed."

This isn't very smart. These pirates now know that there is little to no risk for them, which has led to what they mention in this article: a pirate business. These companies should use that 25K to hire a professional armed guard (or guards) to protect the shipments.

They may not even have to shoot or kill anyone. Just the presence of weapons will make them think twice before attacking another ship.
Great so instead of repaying my friend $10 I can repay him $10 and pay the bank a transaction fee for the privilege ... something there is not making me shout for joy.
Ask HN: Would you apply to the Difference Engine and why?
I saw a link the other day posted on HN about a new acceleration programme called the Difference Engine (http://www.thedifferenceengine.eu/) and would really like to hear everyone's opinion on what you think are the positive and negative aspects of applying? (and would you consider applying of course) I mean there is stuff on their site about "why you should apply", but just wondering what everyone else thinks. . .

Thanx all

http://www.thedifferenceengine.eu/
When the "Miracle on the Hudson" happened, where did it hit first? Twitter, by somebody on the plane. This was hours before any print media even knew what was happening. On all levels that first post showed just how obsolete traditional media is becoming because it satisfied the major requirements of news: speed and credibility. What is being posted on Twitter is information, and news is a special case of information that has a sense of urgency associated with it. As blogging becomes more mainstream, traditional media will disappear, and this latest development from Google is intended (I believe) to push things in that direction.
How is that any different than how I used to pump quarters into Street Fighter II arcade games back in the day?
This is essentially why I left my job at a Financial institution several years ago. I went to an online music startup, then became a consultant/contractor when that went belly-up. Right now, I'm contracting with the very same company that I left several years ago (albeit, I'm making twice as much).

It's strange how things work out sometimes.
Steve Albini needs to write more. His few bits of essay floating around the 'net are classics.

This one features excellent use of blinking text, too...
Re: music industry, banks and suits, there's the old story about Branson and Virgin back when they were just a label.

No idea if it's just an urban legend or if it really happened. The story says that Virgin was practically bankrupt, and that Branson went to their bank - a very stodgy, conservative British bank - and on purpose avoided wearing a suit contrary to all advice. He apparently got there dressed in his normal casual clothes, sat down and asked for huge increase in their credit facility without any plans or anything to back it up other than some vague claims about needing money to expand.

The thought was supposedly that if someone in his business showed up to the bank in a suit with a detailed plan for "how to save the business" they'd smell the desperation and get rid of him as quick as they could, so instead he went looking like it was any other day and it really didn't matter to him if they said yes and no, but hey, it wouldn't hurt with another half a mill to grow a bit faster, hoping that they'd figure that business had to be great if he was that casual about those kind of amounts.

Not that I'm advocating that approach in general..
2. If someone uses my card fraudulently, I'll receive an e-mail a minute after it happens alerting me that something is amiss.

And then? Do you think the banks will assume responsibility for allowing the fraud?
Very cool! I've often wondered how they come up with the operating systems they show in movies. On occasion it will look like the real thing, but often it is something completely different.

Another cool site is the collection of screenshots that show nmap being used in the movies, one being Bourne Ultimatum - http://nmap.org/movies.html
The best time to schedule an interview, look for a new job, start freelancing
"but points out that since Alice will be assuming less risk at that point"

Why is it going to be less risky for Alice? As I can see there is no software and no revenue/customers.

How are risks going to be lowered exactly so that is attractive for Alice to join?

While there is no product yet, practically this means you will put money into this. If that is the case, then relative to the amount + what your contribution worths vs Alice's, then you find how to split the percentage.
You also have the gRaphaël library, Raphaël specifically for charts: http://g.raphaeljs.com/
plotkit is kinda nice, but you can't plot multiple lines on the same graph well. You can, but by default, it distinguishes between different lines by coloring the area underneath it. And when you do, it's all opaque. If you try to color the lines themselves, it turns ugly.
Is that article just a couple of screenshots of them playing a game??? That is even cheaper than a virtual machine gun in Mafia...
ECA: If you cancelled your membership online, think again
I believe that giving coins for inviting friends is explicitly disallowed in Facebook's TOS.
The minute you refer to the game as "stupid" you lose the ability to understand why it works.
Not only that, but the speakers don't have an off switch either (although they do graciously provide a volume knob)
Cross Origin Resource Sharing - AKA The Holy Grail
Could this facebook game thing be a fad?

I remember back in high school when web games like Earth 2025 (games.swirve.com/earth/) were quite the rage and everybody was playing them. This lasted for a year or so until the novelty wore off. Some still play but the casual players are gone and the audience is a tiny fraction of what it once was.

I've noticed that my FB friends that play FB games tend to stop playing after a couple months. The games are mindless, cookie-cutter and repetitive for the most part.

<EDIT>I don't think WoW is a good comparison as there is clearly a huge depth between it and Zynga games. The experience is entirely different.

"Easy come, easy go" could apply to this market. I mean these games come out of no where to millions of players. These are not hardcore gamers that develop strong loyalty and build communities, but "casual" players that probably started playing because their friends are.

"Casual" gamers are notoriously fickle. Look at the Nintendo Wii, which is the most popular console but has the least average amount of titles bought per owner (which is where the real money is.)

In 2-3 years I would not be surprised that after all this over-exposure these x-ville games will be significantly less popular. These "games" have more in common with Tamagotchi and Beanie Babies than Wow or Call of Duty... </edit>
Lies About "ClimateGate"
It's really no more criminal than sharing the physical card by passing it around, though the law may disagree.
I've been in this situation a couple of times - as Alice. What it tended to come down to was my other opportunities were well-paid jobs that I could take but that didn't have the potential pay-off of a startup. Because most startups fail the choice was between high guaranteed income + not much fun or a lower income, more risk and more fun.

The answer in both cases was that Bob produced a sliding scale of salary vs. equity. The more salary I took the less equity I got. If I wanted the startup life without the risk I took a bigger salary and got less equity. The only question then was what the top and bottom ends of the scale looked like.

As the other comments point out, risk is a dynamic and subjective thing, so it makes sense to review the ratio from time to time to make sure it's reflecting reality.
They are called "auctions" and have been around for hundreds of years before ebay or even the internet. Wikipedia should have more information on the concept.
Because that's an upfront honest price to pay the game.

This is blackmail later on. (You want to do better at this game? Sure, we can fix that for you, just pay us some money).
He actually said 35 hours. 40 hours is the number for manual work (at Ford's).
More Research To Back The Notion That Streaming Kills Piracy
Gosh, if you've ever even thought about building your own home, APL is invaluable.

I think the book should be required reading for everyone in high school, and the language acquired with enough fluency that you could "speak" your own house into being.

Fantastic stuff.

His magnum opus (4 volumes) The Nature of Order is rather daunting, by comparison, but probably quite important. I've got it, but haven't had time to really dig in...
Hasn't stopped World of Warcraft players..
Patriot Act to expire
Thanks. I have added an email address, but have not been contacted by anyone. What would an appropriate methed be to try and find an hn type person who could help with a broad range of things? Should I just post something to the effect of what I am looking for?
They have a great idea on making money of users. Instead of charging a larger amount to let them play the game, they charge a numerous smaller amounts for different objects in the game. First, people are more willing to part with, let's say, 25 cents for that one cool fish than with 25 dollars for a game. Second, once you get them pulled into the experience, they will be even more willing to spend money. Surprisingly, I don't see that kind of pricing used much in other areas.
No way, my younger brother has been playing an MMORPG for like 3 years and he's not bored at all, he spends like 30USD a month on that game.

Games entertain a long time (years) that's a fact.
Ellen Ruppel Shell on Beyond Price
Thanks for pointing out this option, it's one I hadn't fully thought through.

Could you explain what about the scenario makes you say that Alice sounds like a first employee rather than a co-founder?
Interviewing with Y Combinator or How to Not Finish Your Sentences
Well, in my understanding, what seems like free and unforced laughter is actually a sort of social signifier intended to grease the conversational wheels: "I am having a good time, we can continue talking." In the same way, Japanese conversations are marked by constant "aizuchi," little words of agreement and encouragement by the listener. A listener can constantly mutter "yes, quite so" and "now I understand," out of reflex, and then immediately follow up with a scathing rebuttal. Interesting cultural difference. In America, you show attention by being quiet and making eye contact.
It seems like it worked well in the arcades. Back when I couldn't afford a Playstation or a TV, I could rent some time on Tekken, and even got to play it with my girlfriend and meet other people at the arcade.

I haven't ever bought anything on Facebook, but it would really improve the profitability of these games if there was a super easy payments system there to avoid the huge hurdle of the first time someone has to get the credit card out of their wallet. Once they have the numbered stored, incremental purchases are lubricated, as in the case of iTunes, where it is very easy to make a casual $0.99 purchase.
Some of us played for years, long after the fad wore off. The difference between the swirve games and facebook is that a community grew up around the game. From what I've seen of the facebook games, it's mostly your existing friends. I haven't heard of Mafia Wars meetups like E2025 or Utopia had, for example. (And yes, there were ways to get extra turns via various offers. I remember having to research something on goto.com every day, as one.)

What swirve did well is create a community. That's what an online game should aspire to, and I have only seem glimpses of that with the facebook games, even with the obnoxious updates.
Quite a misleading title. From what i read, this is absolutely nothing like eBay. It's more like a stock exchange. It's a place where gangs of pirates can receive funding for their exploits from outside investors.

"Offline ebay for pirates" suggests to me an auction house to sell stolen wares, but this isn't what the article is about at all.
The difference is the barrier to entry / improvement. In the case of a quarter machine slot game it's pay to play, while it's a bait and switch for a game which only allows you to continue by paying more money regardless of how well you are doing in the game. It's not necessarily illegal, but it surely is deceptive and won't win the game any fans.
> As I can see there is no software and no revenue/customers.

Wouldn't changing one of those "no"s to "n potential" make the venture less risky?