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I've always found it interesting that this fairly influential site rarely changes and hasn't kept up with modern internet standards. I get that it's an ambiguo

I've always found it interesting that this fairly influential site rarely changes and hasn't kept up with modern internet standards. I get that it's an ambiguously useful project for a venture capital firm and all, but you would think that they would throw it a bone or two given the level of influence it has. It also seems like they're trying to make some kind of point about dead simple web design and running a web server off of old laptops or something. I'm not sure, but there's definitely some combination of neglect and hubris going on with this site.

bobbylarrybobby 5y ago
> kept up with modern internet standards Like increasingly long page load times, pervasive use of JS for even the simplest things, and throwing up a million banners before you can read anything? I, for one, am very happy that HN is, for the most part, just plain old HTML that loads instantly and just works 100% of the time (when the servers can handle the load, that is).
- nmstoker 5y ago
  I'm 90% with you, but I'd love them to do something to stop it being so easy to "fat finger" the hide link directly above main links when on mobile - just a tiny bit more space would work wonders.
laumars 5y ago
The design is perfect. It’s information dense while being really clear and easy to use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design.
- nrb 5y ago
  > The design is perfect. It’s information dense while being really clear and easy to use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design. I’d argue that unformatted quotes is a pretty clear design opportunity, especially when code blocks are misused enough that mobile use is regularly impacted by it.
  - laumars 5y ago
    Ok, I take your point there. HNs support of markdown is lousy. But the design of the site itself is fine
daniel-thompson 5y ago
> It also seems like they're trying to make some kind of point about dead simple web design and running a web server off of old laptops or something. Yes, and it's a point worth making.
cloverich 5y ago
It is hard to see at first, but the lack of design and features is itself a feature, and perhaps crucial to what keeps HN chugging along. UX emerges not only from what you add, but also what you do not.

bobbylarrybobby 5y ago

> kept up with modern internet standards Like increasingly long page load times, pervasive use of JS for even the simplest things, and throwing up a million banners before you can read anything? I, for one, am very happy that HN is, for the most part, just plain old HTML that loads instantly and just works 100% of the time (when the servers can handle the load, that is).

nmstoker 5y ago
I'm 90% with you, but I'd love them to do something to stop it being so easy to "fat finger" the hide link directly above main links when on mobile - just a tiny bit more space would work wonders.

laumars 5y ago

The design is perfect. It’s information dense while being really clear and easy to use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design.

nrb 5y ago
> The design is perfect. It’s information dense while being really clear and easy to use. There is absolutely nothing wrong with the design. I’d argue that unformatted quotes is a pretty clear design opportunity, especially when code blocks are misused enough that mobile use is regularly impacted by it.
- laumars 5y ago
  Ok, I take your point there. HNs support of markdown is lousy. But the design of the site itself is fine

daniel-thompson 5y ago

> It also seems like they're trying to make some kind of point about dead simple web design and running a web server off of old laptops or something. Yes, and it's a point worth making.

cloverich 5y ago

It is hard to see at first, but the lack of design and features is itself a feature, and perhaps crucial to what keeps HN chugging along. UX emerges not only from what you add, but also what you do not.