My open source command and control system COSMOS made WIRED which I think is really exciting. COSMOS is really useful for anyone wanting to control embedded systems in any industry, not just aerospace.

For all the ruby devs on HN: check out the ruby bindings to qt at http://github.com/ryanmelt/qtbindings. Makes developing GUI apps in ruby really easy. Be sure to checkout the large set of example apps to get started.

I have always looked upon these kinds of projects with interest until it comes to the packaging.

Let us say I create a really super-duper ruby qtbindings application. Is there any way for me to easily package it as a .msi / .dmg / .deb for distribution?

I have messed around with ocra, monkeybars etc and they have never worked or require arcane and undocumented hacks.

Packaging for distribution is the biggest challenge for desktop ruby apps I think.

Be sure to check out http://lolcode.codeschool.com for a great tutorial on your way to mastering LOLCODE.

Hi everyone, I'm trying to make the best way to search for homes in Colorado. I've put together a responsive and rather flat design. Feedback is greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Story pictures are now implemented!

Perhaps, but I need to differentiate myself. I think the design is a good mix of functional and good looking... could always be better of course. Thanks for the feedback.

This was one of the first comments I expected to get. :) My theory is that people using their real identities as provided by Facebook will improve the quality of the site. We'll see how it goes.

It's a nice theory... Until you look at the sheer range of quality of postings on Facebook. Have you seen Lamebook? It's utterly mind-boggling. I don't believe that identity has even the slightest effect on stupidity. Facebook proves that, in my mind.

Metamoderation has always demonstrated the ability to support quality, especially in the absence of identity. People lacking history or demonstrating poor behavior punish themselves and self-select in that environment.

I'm not complaining except for the fact that I'm deliberately avoiding Facebook - there are people on there I want nothing to do with and from whom I wish to isolate myself, and the utter complexity of privacy issues on Facebook further turn me off to it. I feel safer when I can dissociate my accounts across various sites, however misguided that may be. I'd like to participate on your site, as it looks interesting, but the requirement of a Facebook account is a complete dealbreaker.

How would you like to sort things?

You should copy reddit's. Basically time-based sort, and trending submission sort.

Also inevitably you'd need some grouping/labeling so users can filter out/in. E.g. I'd never want any submission about cats.

The frontpage now has top/new feeds.

I am using bootstrap... only for a few things like the topic completion javascript and for a basic css framework. It was a great way to get the site going. I hoped it wasn't obvious. :)

I'm hoping the robots are temporary. When users submit stories it shows their pictures. I've considered using embedly or writing something of my own though. What do you think is better, user pictures or a picture from the linked to page?

I'd rather not see the users pictures at all. With most sites it seems you end up with a few bulk submitters in each category. Seeing their faces/avatars over and over again would get really old really fast. I could see it also potentially altering voting behavior. There are certain users on all social media sites (reddit and hn included) where some users will be upvoted/downvoted just due to their popularity or "fame". A visual indicator might increase those trends as they are faster to spot.

Ok. I'll look into using pictures from stories and maybe try some A/B testing once I get more users.

Definitely a picture from the linked story. I don't really care who the submitter is.

Thanks for feedback guys. I'll try and implement this tomorrow.