I think I've been lurking for almost 8 years. I only recently started an account. Hacker News has helped me learn to be a better programmer in mostly two ways:

I think I've been lurking for almost 8 years. I only recently started an account. Hacker News has helped me learn to be a better programmer in mostly two ways: 1) Be enthusiastic and write honestly about what interests you. Keeping notes is helpful. 2) Hacker News is a community. The dialogue is mostly good for the topics I'm interested in. It is easier to do things and learn things when you listen to people.