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introduction to HackerNews

It must have been something like two years ago. While surfing the Internet I came about this tech news website called hackernews or simply: HN for it’s members. And since that day HN is my start of the day. I’m not an active member of the community when it comes to posting links or comments, but I read the topics and comments almost every day.  At first glance HackerNews is just a news site like many others. A really ugly one for that matter. But it powers lie in its simplicity. It is a community where all is focused  on quality content. A simple list of “hot” topics. Voted on by the community and sorted with a time weighting algorithm. The true power of HN may be in the comments. The topics discussed on HN are very broad but almost always contain a link to programming or running your own “online” business.

HackerNews has been originally started by Paul Graham (pg) as a way to collect links and share them with the people they founded via ycombinator. It organically grew to the size it has now. Rarely have I seen a community which such openness and people willingly to help other people. On HN I learned a lot from people like Patrick McKenzie (patio11) whose blog and tweets are a goldmine for online marketing, SEO and A/B testing. Also Jacques Mattheij springs to mind. He maintains a blog about startups and tech in general. And the list goes on and on.

But don’t take my word for it: have a look for yourself: HN’ best. Don’t blame me when you get addicted

 

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The programmers era

We can safely call this era the programmers era.

The latest mayor companies where build by programmers. Software is everywhere and is only getting more important. Soon no company can exist anymore without software.

Programming is an unique profession. As a programmer the only thing I need to build something of value is a computer, an internet connection and some time. And on top of that I can easily build upon the work of others. Compare that to the work of carpenters or a bridge builder. As a programmer I can work anywhere, anytime.

This characteristic is at  the same time a blessing as a curse. Because I can work anytime I feel guilty when I’m not working. I always have the feeling that I should be building something cool or profitable. The common sense among programmers is that everybody should have a pet project they should be working on. Or help other people at fora like stackoverflow.com. This goes as far as to make having an active github or stackoverflow account a prereqisuite for a job opening.

The blessing is in the possibilities being a programmer provides. Working flexible hours, running pet projects as a lifestyle business. Always a new technology to learn and master. Never a dull moment.

Sometimes I really hate my work. But I never can imagine doing something else. Once a programmer: always a programmer.

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