Here is this week's digest:

Ask HN: Looking for programmers who don't use and don't want to use AI

Many developers are seeking communities and practices that deliberately avoid AI tools for software development, particularly for personal projects. This approach is driven by a desire to preserve the art and joy of hand-coding, a belief in maximizing human learning and potential over offloading tasks to agents, and a focus on building deterministic tools that augment human capabilities. Some foresee a future where over-reliance on AI could diminish the value and trust in digitally created content, making human-crafted work more valuable. For those interested, platforms like Mastodon show strong anti-generative AI sentiment, and projects like BABLR are building developer tools with a 'human-written code' ethos.

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Ask HN: Where have you found the coding limits of current models?

Current coding models excel with targeted problems and well-defined prompts but hit limits in complex areas. They often struggle with high-level architectural design, producing verbose or overly abstract code, and mismanage concurrency. Key issues include a lack of critical thinking, leading to bad suggestions or 'hallucinations' when stuck. To use them effectively, developers find success in treating models as pair programmers: providing detailed, iterative feedback, employing robust testing, and using structured 'playbooks' for consistent output. Human review remains essential for 'taste' and deep understanding.

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Ask HN: What was it like in the era of BBS before the internet?

Before the internet, Bulletin Board Systems (BBS) were a primary way to connect online.

• Access & Discovery: BBSes were found via magazine lists, word-of-mouth, or directories downloaded from other BBSes. Due to expensive long-distance calls, most interactions were local.
• Daily Use: Users logged in daily, often evenings/nights, using terminal programs like Telix, QModem, or Procomm Plus. Offline readers (e.g., QWK packets) helped manage slow speeds (1200-28,800 baud) and connection time quotas.
• Community Vibe: Discussions fostered intentional, tight-knit communities, often leading to real-life meetups. This was a stark contrast to today's algorithm-driven, anonymous platforms.
• Content: Activities centered on message boards, playing "door games" (like Trade Wars, LORD), and sharing files (software, shareware, images, adult content). Technical talks revolved around hardware, BBS operation, and early "underground" topics like hacking and copy protection.

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Ask HN: Does anyone else notice that gas runs out faster than usual

Drivers noticing reduced gas mileage and changes in fuel smell might be experiencing effects of increased ethanol content or seasonal fuel blend changes. Ethanol (up to 10-15%) can decrease fuel efficiency by 3.3-7.5%.

Key Tips:

• Track accurately: Log gallons, odometer readings, and costs for each fill-up to calculate precise MPG.
• Check vehicle maintenance: Ensure correct tire pressure, a sealed gas cap, and up-to-date tune-ups. Worn sensors (MAF, O2) can also cause issues.
• Consider fuel quality: Ethanol test kits can confirm blend levels. Be aware of fuel temperature at purchase, as colder fuel offers more energy per gallon.
• Investigate pump calibration: Rarely, pumps can be rigged to short-change customers.

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