Hacker News: tomcdonnell

What would you do if you had 8 years left to live?

tomcdonnell — Thu, 20 Jun 2024 21:45:35 +0000

Article URL: https://unchartedterritories.tomaspueyo.com/p/what-would-you-do-if-you-had-8-years

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40743758

Points: 4

# Comments: 0

Dancing Mania

tomcdonnell — Sun, 28 Apr 2024 03:11:49 +0000

Article URL: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dancing_mania

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=40185710

Points: 1

# Comments: 1

Unpowered cargo gliders on tow ropes promise 65% cheaper air freight

tomcdonnell — Wed, 20 Mar 2024 01:11:15 +0000

Article URL: https://newatlas.com/aircraft/towed-cargo-gliders/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=39762006

Points: 77

# Comments: 77

New comment by tomcdonnell in "Ask HN: What side projects landed you a job?"

tomcdonnell — Mon, 04 Dec 2023 10:55:10 +0000

I created http://autotutor.com.au together with my father, and that landed me a job at an educational software company.

Taiwan's secret weapon could cause a war [video]

tomcdonnell — Sat, 19 Aug 2023 06:34:30 +0000

Article URL: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W_N9w5e9NrE

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=37186156

Points: 3

# Comments: 0

New comment by tomcdonnell in "Ask HN: Advice that changed your life?"

tomcdonnell — Sat, 29 Oct 2022 10:43:10 +0000

When I was at university, one professor of electrical engineering would refuse to answer any student who asked whether their answer to a circuit theory problem was correct.

When asked why he would refuse to answer, he would say: "If you aren't confident that your answer is correct, then I would like to mark you as wrong even though you may be right. You are the expert. You should be telling me that your answer is right, not asking me whether it is right."

He would also say that another acceptable answer occasionally might be "Your question is wrong" (along with an explanation as to why it is wrong).

This professor's attitude bothered me at first when I was on the receiving end of this advice, but I have come to regard it as some of the best advice I have received.

Especially in a professional context, I have found that it pays to convince myself that my recommended solution is a good solution, perhaps by confirming it using a few independent methods, and also by anticipating the responses of detractors, and coming prepared with answers to likely objections that others might offer.

New comment by tomcdonnell in "How to Do a Handstand"

tomcdonnell — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 10:25:40 +0000

To get over the fear of falling over backwards, you must learn to turn your tree trunk like fall into a collapse to a ball and then a forward roll. If you have a bit of muscle on your back and shoulders rolling even on a hard floor should not be too uncomfortable. (A crash mat is still a good idea though.)

New comment by tomcdonnell in "How to Do a Handstand"

tomcdonnell — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 01:04:10 +0000

Here is a video demonstrating the 'handstand to planche' move.

https://youtu.be/SVr1lBxURSE

New comment by tomcdonnell in "How to Do a Handstand"

tomcdonnell — Sun, 12 Jun 2022 00:53:09 +0000

You think it's the balance, but consider that the more strength you have, the less balance you need. For example with more forearm strength you will be able to lean further onto your fingertips. With more shoulder, arm, and abdominal strength, starting from a handstand position you will be able to pivot at your shoulders and bend all the way down to a planche position. So work on your strength, and handstands will become a lot easier.

The make or break element in the 2022 F1 rules

tomcdonnell — Wed, 19 Jan 2022 14:37:35 +0000

Article URL: https://the-race.com/formula-1/mark-hughes-the-make-or-break-element-in-the-2022-f1-rules/

Comments URL: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=29994068

Points: 2

# Comments: 0

New comment by tomcdonnell in "Formula 1 Statistics"

tomcdonnell — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 02:18:29 +0000

The stack is MySQL, PHP, and Javascript with use of JQuery.

Page loads are fast because of simplicity of design, and caching of database query results.

Of particular interest to F1 fans will be the current season teammate battles section, and the all time teammate qualifying [1] and race [2] battles.

[1]: https://s1.flatpackapps.com/app.php?pageId=844 [2]: https://s1.flatpackapps.com/app.php?pageId=845

New comment by tomcdonnell in "Formula 1 Statistics"

tomcdonnell — Sat, 11 Dec 2021 01:14:19 +0000

I developed this F1 statistics site using a low-code database app creation tool that I also developed (flatpackapps.com). Constructive feedback is welcome.