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Why is it that on HN when somebody posts a link to a cool project, the top comment is systematically something like "here's an alternative"? Can we just talk ab
by thiht 6y ago
Why is it that on HN when somebody posts a link to a cool project, the top comment is systematically something like "here's an alternative"? Can we just talk about the posted link instead of just stealing the light?
- Etheryte 6y agoPersonally I think this isn't a good way to look at it. Nothing exists in a void and to contextualize things, it's often useful to compare it to other similar things. In the startup world, it's often explained in the vein of "Uber for X" type of companies. Since Graphviz is one of the oldest and most widely used pieces of software in this space it makes sense to compare any new developments against it.
- thiht 6y agoOh don't get me wrong, comparisons are good. This is not a comparison though, it's a redirection, and this is very rude.
- pydry 6y agoIt seems more like a comparison to me, although not a very objective one.
- adverbly 6y agoI disagree. Either the OP shared because they found a useful tool and wanted others to be able to know too, in which case sharing another related tool is in the spirit of what OP intended. Or, OP wanted to use HN as a sales platform to pitch their work. In this case, sorry pal but HN is not your personal marketing megaphone. You want to put something out into the public here, you should expect it to be scrutinized and compared against alternatives. IMO, HN as a platform should put readers first, not authors. Edit: Just want to add that in this particular case, I think both the draw.io and graph viz plugins are awesome. Love to see these kinds of tools.
- Terretta 6y agoOn the contrary, if you are looking for ‘diagrams as code’ you likely don’t mean postscript, SVG, or XML of arbitrary lines and shapes. You likely mean something structured and readable, like ‘literate diagramming’. The top comment’s first phrase explained that rationale.
- dependenttypes 6y agoWhat is rude in this thread is your attempt to deny relevant information from these interested in diagram tools. When I open threads like these I am mostly interested in: - Interesting features that this tool has - Experiences from the developers of this and similar tools - Alternatives as well as their pros/cons Meanwhile you want to deny that experience from me in order to not hurt something as irrelevant as the OPs pride.
- aljgz 6y agoI'd say that's one of the top reasons I like HN, as you can see what other people are using. Most of the time when I search the web for comparison between x and y, I find little useful info.
- Felk 6y agoIsn't that a good thing? If a thing does X, I'd very much like to know what other things do X as well to try and understand how they differ.
- thiht 6y agoDoes the comment above give you any insight of how they differ? That would be useful, but it's not the case
- kapep 6y agoYes it does. I often use draw.io. I've heard of graphviz but never looked into it. I found the original comment very useful because now I know: - draw.io and graphviz have similar use cases (otherwise it wouldn't have been mentioned) - Both have VS code plugins - graphviz is a more structured language - graphviz is more mature - graphviz can be used from command line
- Gehinnn 6y agoTheoretically, drawio can be used from command line too! (it involves puppeteer though)
- chii 6y ago> instead of just stealing the light? because HN isn't a place to merely advertise a product to gain traction and marketing. These alternatives and comments on other competitors shed light on the entire eco system, and prevent astroturfing as well as group think. It may even widen somebody's lack of knowledge.
- dvtrn 6y agoHN isn't a place to merely advertise a product to gain traction and marketing Today I learned.
- TeMPOraL 6y agoCongratulations! Now you'll enjoy HN more!
- iana_mania_c 6y agoThere's nuance in that. HN is absolutely a mere marketing channel for (current) YC companies. The irony.
- dvtrn 6y agoThe irony. Is it, though? I feel like lately you could ask five different people what HN “is” and get ten different answers.
- iana_mania_c 6y agoJust ask dang :) Oh btw I meant YC founders don't use HN other than for marketing..
- Waterluvian 6y agoThis can only serve as a service. I see no way this is a bad thing.
- jlbnjmn 6y agoI'd rather read about someone's experience with the tool mentioned. If they prefer something else, I hope they share that and why. The graphviz thing in particular feels like someone who has an interest in the future of graphviz hijacks any alternative to say that graphviz exists.
- Datsundere 6y agoThat’s not a comparison. Two different purposes for these tools. I use graphviz and I’m glad there is also support for it
- moises_silva 6y agoI, for one, find them useful. Part of the discussion about a tool is also being aware and potentially discuss alternatives.
- typhonic 6y agoI can't say I agree with you 100%, but I see your point. That is part of the reason I don't stop at the top comment. There's usually a lot of good information further down as well.
- king_magic 6y agoAgreed. I’ve always found it rude and demeaning.
- criddell 6y agoI clicked through on the comments to this because I'm looking for something similar to Draw.io and now I know about Graphviz as well. Once again, serendipity provides. Even if a particular project isn't that interesting to me, the landscape surrounding the project may be. The community here provides some context for the world this project lives in and that's pretty valuable, IMHO.
- GhettoMaestro 6y agoBecause this is now a reddit overflow filled with snarky assholes and wanna be 10x-ers.