5 ms·

A hacker's Christmas wishlist

rchowe 16y ago
I'm surprised he chose a 1TB drive for backup over a year of online backup - a physical drive fails a lot more easily than a company whose sole purpose is backing up your data, and if he/she already has a computer that has a disk of a size close to 1TB, the drive is going to fill with backups.
- withoutfriction 16y ago
  Good suggestion! I'm surprised I forgot to write CrashPlan pro. Though I did have Dropbox on there, so I suppose that counts for a bit. I added CrashPlan pro to the $25-50 section. For me, I will use a second 1tb drive as a raid 1 drive mirrored to my main drive, to prevent against drive failure. The really important stuff on there is saved in Dropbox anyway.
masnick 16y ago
I'd add one of the LaCie key-like USB flash drives to this list -- <$30 from Amazon: http://amzn.com/B004D2AZ0Q http://amzn.com/B004D2AZ0Q.
- tomhenderson 16y ago
  Yes, these would make a good gift. I find the key shape does makes it hard to get into some USB ports though as it gets wider at one end.
willwagner 16y ago
I love my yubikey (yubico.com) I doubt I really need that level of security for my data but it's too damn cool not to have.
jefflinwood 16y ago
I'd take off the Vibram Five Fingers, unless you caution your running geek to take it easy in them. In a marathon I did on Sunday there was a lady wearing VFFs who already had two stress fractures, but was still determined to run in them. We questioned that decision.... I think some people might be reading "Born to Run" and jumping full on into barefoot running and VFFs without taking the time to get their feet used to the minimalist style! That said, they do work for a lot of people.
- drewda 16y ago
  Agreed. During my first two or three weeks of VFFs, I was icing my calves after each run. I'm comfortable now, but it took some time.
- rdtsc 16y ago
  > I think some people might be reading "Born to Run" and jumping full on into barefoot running and VFFs without taking the time to get their feet used to the minimalist style! There is often an evolutionist explanation for it that goes something like "the human leg and foot evolved to run barefoot", but isn't there a flaw in the explanation that running usually happened on dirt, grass, and not on the paved streets of New York? In other words our feet won't do well running barefoot on concrete or asphalt. I am not a runner but just wondering, how many people use VFF for marathons successfully without injury? Is it a high number or it is still very very small minority?
  - reeses 16y ago
    I transitioned in a few ways. One, I intentionally changed my stride for distance training while wearing Nike Air Free Everyday trainers. Two, I did short runs on the sidewalks barefoot to toughen up my feet. (It's gross.) Three, I started wearing the VFFs everywhere else where possible. I trained for years (12 yo+) as a middle-distance (10k) runner, so the biggest adjustment was to eliminate my "make this stride as long as possible," technique, which lends itself well to heel-striking. Now that I run on the road in VFFs, I definitely know for days afterward if I tired enough on a run to fall back into old habits. I can barely walk and have to roll my calves and shins. Mind you, I'm too close to 40, and I think I could have pulled it off pretty easily when I was 15-20.
X-Istence 16y ago
One year of virtualised hosting would be pretty cool as well, although hackers tend to already have that...
w1ntermute 16y ago
For anyone thinking about buying the Kuru Toga, I'd highly recommend getting the original Japanese "High Grade" version (metal housing, rather than plastic) from JetPens instead: http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=4445 http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=44... I've been using it on a daily basis since September and it's absolutely phenomenal.
- makmanalp 16y ago
  While we're going on writing instrument fetish: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-super-promecha-pm-1500s-mechanical.html http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-supe...
  - withoutfriction 16y ago
    Thank you both! Will definitely check out these before I make a purchase. In fact, I might even ask HN what writing instruments they use before I buy the Kuru Toga.
  - pasbesoin 16y ago
    I'll have to look through these links in more detail. For years, I've been looking to replace a lost Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic .5 mm mechanical pencil . KIN still makes .5 mm mechanical pencils, but they are plastic barreled and made in China. This older generation was made in Japan and has a hefty brass barrel and a very firm, precise, but not stiff lead advance action. The extra heft was just enough to make the lead glide over the paper and to neutralize minor hand tremors as well as deviances caused by variations in the paper surface. It was and absolute pleasure to write with it. I bought a Rotring 600 series mechanical pencil before they disappeared. Externally, it has a rather similar appearance. But it is lighter, and the action is stiffer and less precise. The Koh-I-Noor was at another level. With some digging, I can find a page that describes them. But I've never found a hint of one for sale, not even on eBay.
- drtse4 16y ago
  Really interesting, and they also ship outside US.
d_r 16y ago
A nice collection of affiliate links.
- withoutfriction 16y ago
  Sorry - have added disclosures about that. Though I thought it would be preferred over ads, would it not? It's funny how they are treated differently, as the same comment wouldn't be made about a page with some unobtrusive ads.
  - JoachimSchipper 16y ago
    Ads are seen as less deceptive, I think. [EDIT: why the downvote? You may disagree with the above sentiment, but I was trying to explain why there is a difference.]
    - withoutfriction 16y ago
      Sorry, wasn't me. I'll upvote you to equalize the downvote :) And I agree with your reasoning - in another post that I had an Amazon affiliate code I remembered to put a disclosure, however this time I forgot. On a reasonably related note, I found out a few days ago that StackOverflow and the StackExchange network of sites automatically insert their affiliate code into Amazon and presumably other sites links. edit: and I just got back, so can do any edits you would suggest to the article
  - citricsquid 16y ago
    Affiliate links are preferred over adverts, but they should always be disclosed. Affiliate links are like adverts, you're getting money to advertise a product, so while adverts outside your article don't affect the contents affiliate links do -- even if you refuse to have any bias. It's just good manners to always mention that the links are affiliate links because it can change the value of your review and/or recommendations when money is involved and it should be the readers choice. Just like if you're reviewing a book you wrote, or a company you work for.
samlittlewood 16y ago
Or gift them some linux gaming - http://www.humblebundle.com/ http://www.humblebundle.com/
drtse4 16y ago
Considering that hackers are usually open to experimenting new things, why not try something new on Christmas that could become one of your passions? This could be a good time to enter the world of tea/tea-brewing, something that a caffeinated hacker should be able to appreciate. Buy some starter kit (below $50) and see how it goes. Gadget-wise, if you don't have it already you should definitely buy an ebook reader.
- limmeau 16y ago
  What's in that starter kit for $50? Just tea? (BTW: another gift idea: an infrared thermometer and a copy of Cooking for Geeks.)
  - bedris 16y ago
    It would probably include a few types of tea, plus a tea mug (with a mesh infuser for steeping the loose-leaf tea and a lid to maintain water temperature), some measuring utensils, etc.
  - drtse4 16y ago
    Considering that you are in Germany, these two companies from uk: cantonteaco.com and jingtea.com (suggested in the tea for hacker thread* , i've just done my first order from them), have various packs with a selection on different teas+infuser and the prices are in the 30-40£ range. Also, check out Steepster.com if you need reviews about a particular tea, the founder is on HN, jroos1. * http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1934051 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1934051
  - fakelvis 16y ago
    Depending on the type of tea, you're going to want: * Some sort of brewing vessel * Filter * Measuring spoon * Whisk * Bowls / Cups * Wide selection of tea
dangrossman 16y ago
I'd recommend a Tonido plug. Who wouldn't like a server the size of a wall plug that uses only $0.50/month in electricity? It runs Ubuntu with root SSH access so the possibilities are endless. It's under $100 too.
- Stwerner 16y ago
  Have to agree. I just got myself one and it has been a lot of fun so far
limmeau 16y ago
Ideas for the range below 10EUR/$10: a TI LaunchPad for the future microcontroller enthusiast ($4.30) a bag of Sugru (http://www.sugru.com http://www.sugru.com ) Ideas for the near-zero range: a hand-made pen-and-USB-stick etui (http://zeughaus.pechfunk.de/post/2415508111/my-first-sewing-machine-project http://zeughaus.pechfunk.de/post/2415508111/my-first-sewing-... ) made from a Tyvek envelope
steauengeglase 16y ago
All I know is that I'd hurt someone for a USRP.

I'm surprised he chose a 1TB drive for backup over a year of online backup - a physical drive fails a lot more easily than a company whose sole purpose is backing up your data, and if he/she already has a computer that has a disk of a size close to 1TB, the drive is going to fill with backups.

withoutfriction 16y ago
Good suggestion! I'm surprised I forgot to write CrashPlan pro. Though I did have Dropbox on there, so I suppose that counts for a bit. I added CrashPlan pro to the $25-50 section. For me, I will use a second 1tb drive as a raid 1 drive mirrored to my main drive, to prevent against drive failure. The really important stuff on there is saved in Dropbox anyway.

masnick 16y ago

I'd add one of the LaCie key-like USB flash drives to this list -- <$30 from Amazon: http://amzn.com/B004D2AZ0Q http://amzn.com/B004D2AZ0Q.

tomhenderson 16y ago
Yes, these would make a good gift. I find the key shape does makes it hard to get into some USB ports though as it gets wider at one end.

willwagner 16y ago

I love my yubikey (yubico.com) I doubt I really need that level of security for my data but it's too damn cool not to have.

jefflinwood 16y ago

I'd take off the Vibram Five Fingers, unless you caution your running geek to take it easy in them. In a marathon I did on Sunday there was a lady wearing VFFs who already had two stress fractures, but was still determined to run in them. We questioned that decision.... I think some people might be reading "Born to Run" and jumping full on into barefoot running and VFFs without taking the time to get their feet used to the minimalist style! That said, they do work for a lot of people.

drewda 16y ago
Agreed. During my first two or three weeks of VFFs, I was icing my calves after each run. I'm comfortable now, but it took some time.
rdtsc 16y ago
> I think some people might be reading "Born to Run" and jumping full on into barefoot running and VFFs without taking the time to get their feet used to the minimalist style! There is often an evolutionist explanation for it that goes something like "the human leg and foot evolved to run barefoot", but isn't there a flaw in the explanation that running usually happened on dirt, grass, and not on the paved streets of New York? In other words our feet won't do well running barefoot on concrete or asphalt. I am not a runner but just wondering, how many people use VFF for marathons successfully without injury? Is it a high number or it is still very very small minority?
- reeses 16y ago
  I transitioned in a few ways. One, I intentionally changed my stride for distance training while wearing Nike Air Free Everyday trainers. Two, I did short runs on the sidewalks barefoot to toughen up my feet. (It's gross.) Three, I started wearing the VFFs everywhere else where possible. I trained for years (12 yo+) as a middle-distance (10k) runner, so the biggest adjustment was to eliminate my "make this stride as long as possible," technique, which lends itself well to heel-striking. Now that I run on the road in VFFs, I definitely know for days afterward if I tired enough on a run to fall back into old habits. I can barely walk and have to roll my calves and shins. Mind you, I'm too close to 40, and I think I could have pulled it off pretty easily when I was 15-20.

X-Istence 16y ago

One year of virtualised hosting would be pretty cool as well, although hackers tend to already have that...

w1ntermute 16y ago

For anyone thinking about buying the Kuru Toga, I'd highly recommend getting the original Japanese "High Grade" version (metal housing, rather than plastic) from JetPens instead: http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=4445 http://www.jetpens.com/index.php/product/view?products_id=44... I've been using it on a daily basis since September and it's absolutely phenomenal.

makmanalp 16y ago
While we're going on writing instrument fetish: http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-super-promecha-pm-1500s-mechanical.html http://davesmechanicalpencils.blogspot.com/2007/05/ohto-supe...
- withoutfriction 16y ago
  Thank you both! Will definitely check out these before I make a purchase. In fact, I might even ask HN what writing instruments they use before I buy the Kuru Toga.
- pasbesoin 16y ago
  I'll have to look through these links in more detail. For years, I've been looking to replace a lost Koh-I-Noor Rapidomatic .5 mm mechanical pencil . KIN still makes .5 mm mechanical pencils, but they are plastic barreled and made in China. This older generation was made in Japan and has a hefty brass barrel and a very firm, precise, but not stiff lead advance action. The extra heft was just enough to make the lead glide over the paper and to neutralize minor hand tremors as well as deviances caused by variations in the paper surface. It was and absolute pleasure to write with it. I bought a Rotring 600 series mechanical pencil before they disappeared. Externally, it has a rather similar appearance. But it is lighter, and the action is stiffer and less precise. The Koh-I-Noor was at another level. With some digging, I can find a page that describes them. But I've never found a hint of one for sale, not even on eBay.
drtse4 16y ago
Really interesting, and they also ship outside US.

d_r 16y ago

A nice collection of affiliate links.

withoutfriction 16y ago
Sorry - have added disclosures about that. Though I thought it would be preferred over ads, would it not? It's funny how they are treated differently, as the same comment wouldn't be made about a page with some unobtrusive ads.
- JoachimSchipper 16y ago
  Ads are seen as less deceptive, I think. [EDIT: why the downvote? You may disagree with the above sentiment, but I was trying to explain why there is a difference.]
  - withoutfriction 16y ago
    Sorry, wasn't me. I'll upvote you to equalize the downvote :) And I agree with your reasoning - in another post that I had an Amazon affiliate code I remembered to put a disclosure, however this time I forgot. On a reasonably related note, I found out a few days ago that StackOverflow and the StackExchange network of sites automatically insert their affiliate code into Amazon and presumably other sites links. edit: and I just got back, so can do any edits you would suggest to the article
- citricsquid 16y ago
  Affiliate links are preferred over adverts, but they should always be disclosed. Affiliate links are like adverts, you're getting money to advertise a product, so while adverts outside your article don't affect the contents affiliate links do -- even if you refuse to have any bias. It's just good manners to always mention that the links are affiliate links because it can change the value of your review and/or recommendations when money is involved and it should be the readers choice. Just like if you're reviewing a book you wrote, or a company you work for.

samlittlewood 16y ago

Or gift them some linux gaming - http://www.humblebundle.com/ http://www.humblebundle.com/

drtse4 16y ago

Considering that hackers are usually open to experimenting new things, why not try something new on Christmas that could become one of your passions? This could be a good time to enter the world of tea/tea-brewing, something that a caffeinated hacker should be able to appreciate. Buy some starter kit (below $50) and see how it goes. Gadget-wise, if you don't have it already you should definitely buy an ebook reader.

limmeau 16y ago
What's in that starter kit for $50? Just tea? (BTW: another gift idea: an infrared thermometer and a copy of Cooking for Geeks.)
- bedris 16y ago
  It would probably include a few types of tea, plus a tea mug (with a mesh infuser for steeping the loose-leaf tea and a lid to maintain water temperature), some measuring utensils, etc.
- drtse4 16y ago
  Considering that you are in Germany, these two companies from uk: cantonteaco.com and jingtea.com (suggested in the tea for hacker thread* , i've just done my first order from them), have various packs with a selection on different teas+infuser and the prices are in the 30-40£ range. Also, check out Steepster.com if you need reviews about a particular tea, the founder is on HN, jroos1. * http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1934051 http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=1934051
- fakelvis 16y ago
  Depending on the type of tea, you're going to want: * Some sort of brewing vessel * Filter * Measuring spoon * Whisk * Bowls / Cups * Wide selection of tea

dangrossman 16y ago

I'd recommend a Tonido plug. Who wouldn't like a server the size of a wall plug that uses only $0.50/month in electricity? It runs Ubuntu with root SSH access so the possibilities are endless. It's under $100 too.

Stwerner 16y ago
Have to agree. I just got myself one and it has been a lot of fun so far

limmeau 16y ago

Ideas for the range below 10EUR/$10: a TI LaunchPad for the future microcontroller enthusiast ($4.30) a bag of Sugru (http://www.sugru.com http://www.sugru.com ) Ideas for the near-zero range: a hand-made pen-and-USB-stick etui (http://zeughaus.pechfunk.de/post/2415508111/my-first-sewing-machine-project http://zeughaus.pechfunk.de/post/2415508111/my-first-sewing-... ) made from a Tyvek envelope

steauengeglase 16y ago

All I know is that I'd hurt someone for a USRP.