Thread

1. jdkoeck · 1789797315 · focus · HN ↗

   I trailed off a few lines into the README. No human ever edited any of this. « LLM detected, project rejected ».

   1. antoniojtorres · 1789799113 · focus · HN ↗

      Every third post in HN has this same complaint comment. Everybody knows.

      1. jdlshore · 1789800036 · focus · HN ↗

         I appreciate it when people say something is slop. Saves me from wasting my time looking at it.

         How many slop ideas have come to the front page, never to be heard from again because the execution isn’t actually any good? I’m guessing most of them.

         1. theturtletalks · 1789800681 · focus · HN ↗

            Just because the ReadMe is slop, doesn’t mean the code is slop. People are starting to make apps for themselves now and open-sourcing them so they’re not putting much thought into the ReadMe or distribution.

            This just means ReadMe’s are less important now. I just have my terminal agent dig into the code and tell me what features are there. If the app is actually useful.

            Even before AI, there were so many projects with subpar ReadMes, no screenshots, etc. But once you use the software, you realize how good it is.

            Source: I maintain a massive collection of open-source alternatives and quality of open-source alternatives have increased a lot

            1. tacomagick · 1789800804 · focus · HN ↗

               If you do not respect your project to write your readme yourself chances are i will not care though.

               1. theturtletalks · 1789801295 · focus · HN ↗

                  For many new coders, LLMs are so good at writing the code, asking it to write the ReadMe sounds like a good idea. Clearly it’s the first impression your project makes so handwriting it is important.

                  Being turned off by the project because of the ReadMe is your prerogative. I’m just suggesting you dig into the code sometimes, the ReadMe is not the be all, end all.

                  1. sampullman · 1789803947 · focus · HN ↗

                     But it takes so little effort to wade through an LLM readme and cut out or edit it down to something palatable.

                     Just the bare minimum effort to do that would be nice.

                  2. zahlman · 1789808281 · focus · HN ↗

                     > For many new coders, LLMs are so good at writing the code, asking it to write the ReadMe sounds like a good idea. Clearly it’s the first impression your project makes so handwriting it is important.

                     The point is that if they looked at the result they'd question themselves. And the fact that they don't is a violation of the social contract: I can hardly be expected to care about your work, if you don't.

               2. pjmlp · 1789804815 · focus · HN ↗

                  I apply the same rule to the code, unless it is on the job and I have to follow along with the herd, or else....

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