Comment by gnabgib
4 days ago
This doesn't look like a valid Show HN. It is an interesting blog post (without the Show HN prefix), though!
> Show HN is for something you've made that other people can play with. HN users can try it out, give you feedback, and ask questions in the thread.
> Off topic: blog posts
I disagree, on the very same page it says:
> On topic: things people can run on their computers or hold in their hands. For hardware, you can post a video or detailed article. For books, a sample chapter is ok.
While it's posted on a blog, I would say it meets the criteria for having the video and write-up showing off the cool thing that has been built.
I think what that page is saying about blog posts is that you shouldn't post a Show HN as a 'look at this blog post I made about [some random topic]', as in when it's the blog post itself that you're showing off. It's not saying you can't post any blog post as a Show HN.
As stephen_g pointed out, it's ok by the hardware exemption in https://news.ycombinator.com/showhn.html.
But I like the title Das Blinkenlights so have changed it anyway. @boznz: I hope that's ok!
(The post is currently at #3 on the frontpage so there's not much need for it to be high on /show in any case.)
All good with me. Just assumed others might want to build one. Lots of empty rack space out there that might not mind shedding a few extra watts for some color. Also its nice to get noticed every now and then even if it is for the crappy stuff :-)
Oh wow, I never read that and thought Show HN was simply, "Look at this cool thing I did."
It basically is! but the rules provide a few guardrails.