Hey HN,

I developed this opensource chrome extension that simply adds a bell to HN header. It shows the count of new replies (that you might have missed).

Clicking on the bell opens a notification inbox which shows the comment preview without having to visit the thread.

I think HN doesn't have reply notifications deliberately.

It is isn't a messenger service for two individuals to have a back and forth conversation - it's made for everyone to contribute when they have something to add.

Yes, the problem is that, sometimes we miss an important reply in a threaded conversation. With an extention like this, it easier to spot new replies so I don't have to keep checking my threads.

Sure, and they should really revisit that decision considering how many people want it.

https://hn.algolia.com/?q=notify+reply

Yes. IMHO, having an unread count is not annoying, but productive.

Are there any guidelines on how hard you can actually hit the Hacker News API?

( It looks like your backend is hitting it every five seconds; is that per user? )

also am I just too cynical these days or is this kind of just an ad for their notification infra SAAS?

The backend hits the API every five seconds (not per user). Also, as per the HN API docs, currently there is no rate limit.

Few remarks: (i) it has a server component (written in node) which unless setup locally one hosted by a third-party (Engagespot) is accessed, (ii) server component utilizes an API provided by the same third-party to function, (iii) integrates itself to the HN site rather being a toolbar button.

Thanks for the feedback. Btw, there is a hosted version of this extension available on Google Chrome Webstore - shorturl.at/RU236

I'm sorry but I won't install your extension. It's not you. It's that it's almost as if you're installing a kernel extension.

As a side note.. Why not post your actual company, engagespot? From what I can read is that Anandu is actually "making" this thing. Just seems very disingenuous in an attempt to do some sort of underdog or gorilla marketing.

Nevertheless, releasing something is always a good achievement, so congrats!

Thanks for the feedback.

Btw, this extension doesn't use any private information such as cookies or email. It just uses the public HN username to track replies posted on your threads.

Engagespot is an API that I'm building and I just used it to build this free extension for the HN community :)

please update a firefox version as well. In the interest of making a more open and free internet, your contribution would be most welcomed and appreciated.

Sure! Thanks.

I'm using https://www.hnreplies.com/ for reply notifications. Email isn't the fastest system for replies but that's fine for a forum like HN.

This service doesn't require installing anything in your browser.

I agree. hnreplies.com is a nice tool. I built this extension just for the in-app bell which is missing in HN.

The repo is currently just "source available," not Open Source as there's no license in your repo. I doubt the similarly named field in package.json qualifies since I bet that 99% of projects which npm init just hit enter on its default

Just added the license :)

In order to work reliably for the user this will hammer hn server x number of installs. RIP.

It won't call the HN API for each user.

Readme says "No push notifications or emails".

Manifest.json says "Notifies you via push and email when you get a new reply on HackerNews [sic]"

Which is it?

Oops, I need to edit manifest.json. Well, there is no email. It just shows notifies you via the bell embdedded in your Hacker News header. No push or anything intrusive :)