Ask HN: What are you learning right now?
Can be anything. What are you currently learning?
73 comments
How to run a bootstrapped startup as a single founder. I don’t have a problem with the tech etc. and those that see it and experience it, love it.
However, that cliche stands true - marketing and sales are hard. ‘Cold emails’ feel extremely spammy to me, as I know when I’m on the receiving end they get deleted almost straight away. I’m working on content marketing (blog posts etc.), but that is a slow burn that doesn’t provide any returns for a while, or at least that is how looks to me from the outside.
At the same time, it’s a great experience and I’m loving that fact I get to talk to strangers about tech and security almost daily, it is certainly a great new way to look at things.
However, that cliche stands true - marketing and sales are hard. ‘Cold emails’ feel extremely spammy to me, as I know when I’m on the receiving end they get deleted almost straight away. I’m working on content marketing (blog posts etc.), but that is a slow burn that doesn’t provide any returns for a while, or at least that is how looks to me from the outside.
At the same time, it’s a great experience and I’m loving that fact I get to talk to strangers about tech and security almost daily, it is certainly a great new way to look at things.
I feel my cold emails are spammy when the value I'm proposed is not a good deal for the reader. Either a still bad product or a overpriced offer.
Cold emails are spammy no matter how good the deal is.
Fifteen years ago you might have got away with a well targeted message but that well has been poisoned now. If you send me unsolicited mail I'm going to assume you aren't the sort of people I want to work with.
Fifteen years ago you might have got away with a well targeted message but that well has been poisoned now. If you send me unsolicited mail I'm going to assume you aren't the sort of people I want to work with.
Right but if you send me a 100 dollars I would love this "spam".
Out of curiosity, what does your startup do/what is it called? I suppose your comment itself could function as advertising.
That was a temptation, but I held off as my Show HN didn't get much traction both times I posted it, so figured it is best not to come across as trying to force it.
It is however in my profile, if anyone feels so inclined..
It is however in my profile, if anyone feels so inclined..
That's not how you sell! Give me a link I can click easy :)
https://breachinsider.com - Feedback welcomed :)
So took a look. My first reaction is "meh". It doesn't really save me time or make my product more effective. It is like buying insurance. Also there are incentives to plug your ears and say you don't know about any breach. If you don't know then you have plausible deniability and don't have to report it.
So all in all I think you're gonna have a uphill climb in breaking into this market. It isn't saving me any time or making me more money.
So all in all I think you're gonna have a uphill climb in breaking into this market. It isn't saving me any time or making me more money.
I somewhat agree with what jtchang said, and it may be difficult to reach profitability with obstacles such as those. However, it certainly is a unique idea and I'm sure some businesses will find value in it. On to more marketing, I suppose.
A lot. I'm in college, so Stats, Japanese, Communication, and History there. But that's just the surface.
I'm also reading a lot of eBooks (mostly nonfiction books: Deep Work, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Models: Attracting Women through Honesty.) I also want to read Wilson's new translation of The Odyssey.
Finally, I just realized I had feelings for a friend of mine when she started dating someone else. I decided that it'd be healthier for both of us if I wished her the best and moved on. We're on good terms, so that's good. So I'm learning a lot about myself and relationships there.
I'm also reading a lot of eBooks (mostly nonfiction books: Deep Work, The Subtle Art of Not Giving a F*ck, Models: Attracting Women through Honesty.) I also want to read Wilson's new translation of The Odyssey.
Finally, I just realized I had feelings for a friend of mine when she started dating someone else. I decided that it'd be healthier for both of us if I wished her the best and moved on. We're on good terms, so that's good. So I'm learning a lot about myself and relationships there.
If you are reading Mark Manson I would also suggest:
As You Are by Nick Sparks
Good on you for being honest with how you felt, it's something I still struggle with.
Good on you for being honest with how you felt, it's something I still struggle with.
Thanks for the book recommendation, I’ll check it out.
Yeah, it’s a goal of mine to be both confident and vulnerable, and being honest with myself and other people is how I do that.
Yeah, it’s a goal of mine to be both confident and vulnerable, and being honest with myself and other people is how I do that.
Yeah, +1 for openly sharing challenging things. Working on that too.
Japanese- through a class in college?
I just finished learning all of the Hiragana pronunciations. Trying to figure out if I want to commit to learning the language or not.
I just finished learning all of the Hiragana pronunciations. Trying to figure out if I want to commit to learning the language or not.
We're required to take 3 semesters of language (has to be the same one). I fell behind somewhere last semester, and now I'm more in "get a good grade" mode than "learn it for life" mode.
The way sentences are structured is fascinating though, so I would recommend it for that. But learning it to speak it would probably be a huge time-sink.
The way sentences are structured is fascinating though, so I would recommend it for that. But learning it to speak it would probably be a huge time-sink.
In the most general sense, way too much to list here. But in terms of specific classes or something...
1. I'm taking 3 different Neural Networks related courses on Coursera right now (why 3? Well, I accidentally signed up for one I didn't mean to, but since I already have a Coursera subscription, and since you can keep switching sessions, I just decided to keep it). The three are: Geoffrey Hinton's original NN class, the first class in Andrew Ng's new Deep Learning specialization, and Introduction to Deep Learning, the first course in the Advanced Machine Learning specialization from the Higher School of Economics.
2. I'm taking the first class in the GIS specialization on Coursera.
3. I'm taking the 4th class (Bayesian Statistics) in the "Statistics with R" specialization from Duke on Coursera.
Outside of that, I'm trying to find some time to spend reading Artificial Intelligence - A Modern Approach.
1. I'm taking 3 different Neural Networks related courses on Coursera right now (why 3? Well, I accidentally signed up for one I didn't mean to, but since I already have a Coursera subscription, and since you can keep switching sessions, I just decided to keep it). The three are: Geoffrey Hinton's original NN class, the first class in Andrew Ng's new Deep Learning specialization, and Introduction to Deep Learning, the first course in the Advanced Machine Learning specialization from the Higher School of Economics.
2. I'm taking the first class in the GIS specialization on Coursera.
3. I'm taking the 4th class (Bayesian Statistics) in the "Statistics with R" specialization from Duke on Coursera.
Outside of that, I'm trying to find some time to spend reading Artificial Intelligence - A Modern Approach.
React Native and its suite, including Redux/React.
It's been a journey. Once I had to upgrade RN to use RNFirebase on Android side, all the dependencies started falling like dominoes. Right now - dealing with RN not building production, and RN+Android not creating JS bundle correctly.
On the bright side, it's bound to stabilize, and I'm learning a lot about how RN works internally.
It's been a journey. Once I had to upgrade RN to use RNFirebase on Android side, all the dependencies started falling like dominoes. Right now - dealing with RN not building production, and RN+Android not creating JS bundle correctly.
On the bright side, it's bound to stabilize, and I'm learning a lot about how RN works internally.
> On the bright side, it's bound to stabilize, and I'm learning a lot about how RN works internally.
Exactly! I'm having a lot of troubles the last month (been working professionally for 2 years). I don't mind because I hope it will fixed soon and React 16 was an important move.
Exactly! I'm having a lot of troubles the last month (been working professionally for 2 years). I don't mind because I hope it will fixed soon and React 16 was an important move.
How to have fun after 10+ years of depression. I'm finding it…tricky.
I've been in a similar place recently. It's extremely tricky. I'm slowly making progress and enjoying life a little more.
Instrumental to me in this has been strangely enough, getting sacked from jobs and realizing that work isn't all that important. Yes, it is, but there's a whole lot more to life.
Instrumental to me in this has been strangely enough, getting sacked from jobs and realizing that work isn't all that important. Yes, it is, but there's a whole lot more to life.
I’m learning how to interview well and face rejection. I’m graduating this year and I’ve been rejected at the final stage from numerous “big 5” companies and some startups, and it’s hard to keep going, but I know that grit is important, so I’m learning :)
I'm currently learning React Native [0]. It's interesting that it is in such active development, as the course I'm taking (from a few months ago) already has some outdated lessons.
However, I've enjoyed the experience so far and look forward to building other apps with React Native.
[0]: https://github.com/zanedb/learning-rn
However, I've enjoyed the experience so far and look forward to building other apps with React Native.
[0]: https://github.com/zanedb/learning-rn
CAF (C++ Actor Framework). I plan to use it to compete against Facebook.
Are you interested in building a Facebook competitor? If so, I'd love to hear when it launches.
I know many friends/family members who use Facebook despite my repeated attempts to explain Facebook's business model.
If your competitor respects user privacy, I'll certainly look into it.
I know many friends/family members who use Facebook despite my repeated attempts to explain Facebook's business model.
If your competitor respects user privacy, I'll certainly look into it.
I googled up CAF after you mentioned this. It looks interesting but looks too new for me (seeing the version number).
Also how does it compare to Erlang? The website mentions state of the art scheduling I'd like to see that claim against Erlang's BEAM vm.
Also how does it compare to Erlang? The website mentions state of the art scheduling I'd like to see that claim against Erlang's BEAM vm.
Screenprinting. I have an online t-shirt store where I fulfill via on-demand DTG printing, but I want better final product and quality control. Planning on getting a press next spring and setting up in my garage. I also just like the feeling of making stuff by hand.
Re-learning C++. Took a layoff package from my previous co (product manager), and it's damned tough to find a similar gig without relocating. Besides, it's taking me back to my roots.
Elixir and OTP. Really enjoying it and writing some blog posts about it. My latest [1] was an experiment in creating my own simple supervisor.
I am working my way up to having an Elixir application spread across many containers where the processes can pass messages to processes in other containers.
[1] https://medium.com/@tylerpachal/let-it-crash-creating-an-exa...
I am working my way up to having an Elixir application spread across many containers where the processes can pass messages to processes in other containers.
[1] https://medium.com/@tylerpachal/let-it-crash-creating-an-exa...
What is OTP?
OTP comes from Erlang (which Elixir is built on) and it is a framework that is used for creating distributed applications (it originally stood for Open Telecom Platform). It has databases, a test framework, and debugging tools to help.
Down in Elixir land you mainly see it in the form of GenServer (generic servers that are essentially actors) and Supervisors for supervising those GenServer workers and other tasks/processes/
Down in Elixir land you mainly see it in the form of GenServer (generic servers that are essentially actors) and Supervisors for supervising those GenServer workers and other tasks/processes/
Cool thanks!
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Data structures and Algorithm. I am a self-taught developer with experience with serverside programming languages but right now I sell myself as a front-end dev.
- OpenGL programming in C++
- Unity development
- General game development (with... a dozen or so VS subprojects converging vaguely towards an MVP at some point)
- Webassembly, maybe. I have the portable SDK and finished a Hello World but that's already a lot of BS on my plate.
And in more abstract, non-tech terms, how to deal with being 40 and officially "old."
- Unity development
- General game development (with... a dozen or so VS subprojects converging vaguely towards an MVP at some point)
- Webassembly, maybe. I have the portable SDK and finished a Hello World but that's already a lot of BS on my plate.
And in more abstract, non-tech terms, how to deal with being 40 and officially "old."
Trying my best to learn how different investment charts are drawn. The information out there is harder to find than it should be. Currently reverse engineering others around and using investopedia as a reference but I really wish there an educational resource for programmers.
To build my first app. I have been learning React -> Redux -> and currently learning React native to finish my mobile application. So happy I decided to learn it. I am a backend engineer and the concept of redux is what a joy
Doing Lego. Just bought a set of Lego City, and will try to build it. My plan is to move on to 1000 piece puzzles or some Lego stuff.
I was never good at "building" and maybe this can improve my creativity a little more.
I was never good at "building" and maybe this can improve my creativity a little more.
The C programming language, classical guitar, Olympic weightlifting, music theory, and how to play Overwatch better.
I'm thinking I should try to pare this down a bit, but I feel awful when I have free time that I could be using to learn something.
I'm thinking I should try to pare this down a bit, but I feel awful when I have free time that I could be using to learn something.
Dead bait river pike fishing - I am done with carp fishing for the year (water too cold), so I need something to do in the mornings before everything freezes and the ice fishing starts :-)
Metallurgy, orbital mechanics, and rocket propulsion. Been bitten by the physics bug!
Let's Build a Compiler by Jack Crenshaw [0]. I'm using Scratch for this because why not?
[0]: https://compilers.iecc.com/crenshaw/
[0]: https://compilers.iecc.com/crenshaw/
I'm learning how to turn my life around. Much harder than OOP, believe me.
Philosophy, Business/startups/entrepreneurship, psychology and how to actually get things done (not the framework, in general)/acomplish goals and not giving up in the try
Crossing the Chasm (Moore)
That and Hard Thing About Hard Things are the only business books I can recommend.
Distributed systems and their architecture
- Samza, Kafka and interesing approach to data modelling - Terraform spin up Kubernetes clusters with a few MAC addresses - Raft
- Samza, Kafka and interesing approach to data modelling - Terraform spin up Kubernetes clusters with a few MAC addresses - Raft
Clojure + going through all of the problems on 4Clojure. It's brining a bit of fun back into programming after years of C++ and Python.
Azure (esp. function, queues, tables), git-flow & friends (to try and optimise our processes), brushing up on ASP.NET and Selenium.
Python, not sure where I might use it other than a few odd utilities but it's quite a nice language.
1. Survey Analysis - class
2. Survival Analysis- class
3. GLM- class
4. Tree base classification algorithm (currently reading QUEST) - Thesis
5. Scientific C++ - Thesis
6. Folklorico Dance
7. Salsa (Not doing well... =/)
2. Survival Analysis- class
3. GLM- class
4. Tree base classification algorithm (currently reading QUEST) - Thesis
5. Scientific C++ - Thesis
6. Folklorico Dance
7. Salsa (Not doing well... =/)
> 7. Salsa (Not doing well... =/)
If you have the basic step down you may want to try rueda which will take some of the pressure of leading away. You still have to lead the move but you don't have to choreograph at the same time as that's done by the caller.
If you have the basic step down you may want to try rueda which will take some of the pressure of leading away. You still have to lead the move but you don't have to choreograph at the same time as that's done by the caller.
I am learning python so our team can build a microservice for predications and analytics for our SaaS product!
Angular 4 for Ionic 3. A little bit of VueJS on the side and hoping to start working on my Cantonese again.
Density estimation techniques and parts of an optics design software I didn't know.
Bayesian machine learning for neural networks. Currently learning PyMC3 and Edward.
distributive systems! hoping to get a solid grasp on that then parallel programming & concurrent programming. i have an idea i want to toy around with dealing with a distributive system on mobile devices
You may like https://pdos.csail.mit.edu/6.824/
ES6 and React :)
gRPC, Kubernetes and in a little bit will start on linkerd/envoy (not sure which one yet)
Idris (programming language).
Assembly, radare2, C :)
Violin.
(It's really, really hard)
(It's really, really hard)
I am learning Go.
learning about messaging-queues.
Calculus!
Go :-)
Right Now I'm Learning How to Learn by https://www.coursera.org/learn/learning-how-to-learn