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Project ideas from Hacker News discussions.

I can't upgrade to Windows 11, now leave me alone

Original Article

Hacker News Discussion

📝 Discussion Summary (Click to expand)

1. Dark Patterns and Consent Issues in Software

Users criticize proprietary software for ignoring user consent via nags and upsells, blaming management/sales over developers.
"software developers don’t understand consent" (spencerflem)
"Sales people don't understand it, not software developers" (baal80spam)
"When I, as a developer, was told... to implement dark patterns, I did it knowing I made the world worse" (kgklxksnrb)

2. Linux as a Refreshing Alternative to Windows

Many share successful switches to Linux, citing better UX, no ads, and gaming viability.
"Went full Linux and I'm not sure what I was missing" (WXLCKNO)
"Linux desktop has been ready for the past 4-5 years... It’s become a boring appliance that just works" (Too)
"The mass exodus to Linux gaming is already causing a push back" (com2kid)

3. Microsoft's Shift to Subscriptions and Loss of Control

Complaints focus on Windows 11's ads, TPM nags, and pivot to cloud revenue over user experience.
"Windows 11 has transitioned from a standalone tool into a digital storefront" (stevenjgarner)
"With TPM enabled you finally give up the last bit of control" (CrossVR)
"Windows is what it is because it's really not important to Microsoft anymore" (wvenable)

🚀 Project Ideas

OS NagBlocker

Summary

  • A cross-platform desktop tool that automatically detects and permanently suppresses vendor nags, upsell popups, subscription prompts, and ads in Start menus/search (Windows), ESM notifications (Ubuntu), iCloud popups (macOS).
  • Core value: Restores user control over their desktop without manual scripting or debloating, making computing "refreshing" again.

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Desktop users frustrated with Windows 11 ads/nags, Ubuntu ESM prompts, macOS iCloud pushes (e.g., "battered by upsells nobody asked for").
Core Feature Real-time UI hooking/script injection to block/redirect nag dialogs; one-click profiles for popular OSes; auto-updates ruleset from community reports.
Tech Stack Electron for UI, Frida/WinAPI hooks for injection, Rust CLI core for cross-platform.
Difficulty Medium
Monetization Revenue-ready: Freemium ($5 one-time unlock pro rules).

Notes

  • HN users hate nags: "Not being battered by upsells... is so refreshing" (Neil44); "disable tpm... it doesnt install windows 11" (rspoerri); Ubuntu ESM every login (jesprenj).
  • High utility for Linux migrants; sparks "Linux good, proprietary bad" discussions.

GameLinuxChecker

Summary

  • Web/app service that scans Steam library, predicts Linux compatibility (Proton scores + anti-cheat detection), suggests fixes/VM wrappers, and benchmarks hardware for gaming distros like Bazzite.
  • Core value: Lowers barrier for gamers: "If Linux supported all the games... I would ditch Windows" (brokencode).

Details

Key Value
Target Audience Steam gamers eyeing Linux (3%+ growth); checks anti-cheat blocks in Fortnite/CoD/Valorant.
Core Feature Library upload → compatibility report with ProtonDB/Protontricks auto-setup; anti-cheat VM guide (e.g., VFIO passthrough).
Tech Stack Svelte/React webapp, Python backend w/ Steam API/ProtonDB scrape, AreWeAntiCheatYet integration.
Difficulty Low
Monetization Revenue-ready: $2/mo premium benchmarks/migration guide.

Notes

  • Gamers vent: "Steam Deck keeps pushing... better except anti-cheat" (brokencode); "mass exodus to Linux gaming" (com2kid); 3% Steam Linux (herdymerzbow).
  • Utility for "Bazzite... perfect... gaming out of box"; fuels "Year of Linux Desktop" memes.

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