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Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by ChrisMarshallNY on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:05AM (#44836032)
Very nice, but probably a bit too expensive to just hand out.

I knew a chap that had a similar hardware business card (I don't remember exactly what it did, but it wasn't as cool as this one).

I remember that his card was pretty scuffed up, and he insisted I give it back, after he handed it to me. Bit weird.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by mritchie712 on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:16AM (#44836117)
GPT-o3 estimates it'd be $10 to $20 cost to make these. I could see someone running a niche business selling these (e.g. enterprise software sales rep trying to stand out).
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by messe on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:35AM (#44836278)
If they wanted to ask an LLM, the GP would have done so themselves.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by 93po on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:34AM (#44838256)
i disagree on this, people comment with stuff anyone could google all the time. its nice to see info without doing it myself, and esp when often i never would. however gpt-whatever is a bad choice for this bc its a very likely scenario to make up bs
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by JumpCrisscross on Friday August 08, 2025 @12:41PM (#44839043)
> people comment with stuff anyone could google all the time

But presumably with some knowledge or review of it. Commenting with a link to the first Google result comes across about as well as quoting an LLM output.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Imustaskforhelp on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:52AM (#44836420)
Yeah but I guess they wanted to add something in the value for everyone of us while they didn't have ofc the whole knowledge to do so.

their heart might be in the right place tbh. But that's my 2 cents.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Wojtkie on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:58AM (#44837792)
>But that's my 2 cents.

Or is it really ChatGPTs 2 cents? Copy-pasting LLM responses is as useful as posting a "let me google that for you" link. It's a lazy response at a minimum.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by fossuser on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:18AM (#44838042)
It’s better than that because it includes the content - more akin to searching and putting the result you find in the comments as a guess.

The anti AI HN comments are the new anti Bitcoin - your replies are much worse than someone sharing the gpt output.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Wojtkie on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:45AM (#44838373)
I would disagree. It's been shown recently how over-use of AI impacts cognition; "use it or lose it" mostly. I immediately ignore any "I asked ChatGPT..." comments because I do not know the prompt used, if the claims were verified by the poster, or the quality of the sources. If you want to offload your critical thinking to a black-box model, be my guest.

A google link at least allows me to verify sources and use my brain.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by mardef on Friday August 08, 2025 @02:05PM (#44839859)
These aren't anti-AI comments. We're on a forum talking person to person. It is antithetical to just spout "AI said this" repeatedly when the entire point of this place is human discourse.

It's like having a group conversation in person and one member of the group contributes nothing but things they read off Google.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Imustaskforhelp on Friday August 08, 2025 @03:26PM (#44840719)
Hm good point. Okay, So if I may ask, What would be the more correct response imo.

Should they have searched it and kept the information to themselves? Or should they have done additional research after asking AI(like looking into its sources) and tried confirming it and actually listing us the sources of their discoveries and then disclose that they used AI.

I generally feel like they wanted to share the information but I mean :/ I'd be actually interested as to what you offer him to do actually if he was really curious and did search chatgpt.

I always feel like knowledge should be open and that just saying that knowledge out loud doesn't hurt but I do agree with your point too wholeheartedly so its nuanced imo.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by fossuser on Friday August 08, 2025 @02:18PM (#44839997)
I'd much rather talk to an AI than have this sort of human discourse.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by ThrowawayR2 on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:13PM (#44843515)
From https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=33950747 : "...HN has never allowed bots or generated comments. If we have to, we'll add that explicitly to https://news.ycombinator.com/newsguidelines.html, but I'd say it already follows from the rules that are in there. ..."
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by snickerdoodle12 on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:31AM (#44838217)
Hold on, let me google a proper response to this.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Imustaskforhelp on Friday August 08, 2025 @03:27PM (#44840721)
Still waiting! (jk)
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by phatskat on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:12AM (#44837966)
ChatGPT actually puts your comment’s value at about 3 cents - darn inflation!
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Imustaskforhelp on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:37AM (#44838286)
Loved it! Oh I am more than ready to sell it for 3 cents if you want to buy. Cash or card or heck, even klarna lol ?
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by nejdk on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:04AM (#44837869)
If they wanted you to white knight, the GP would have asked

You seem to think comment hierarchy equals a real hierarchy?

No one can contribute without the right sign off?

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Gracana on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:50AM (#44836403)
Seems about right. $17/ea for a qty 10 order from JLCPCB. Rises to $25/ea if you do the minimum qty 5 order.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by JumpCrisscross on Friday August 08, 2025 @12:41PM (#44839028)
> GPT-o3 estimates

Please don’t do this.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by sneak on Friday August 08, 2025 @03:19PM (#44840639)
As someone whose own cards are around $5 each, this is more than workable if they are actually driving business.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by hypercube33 on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:16AM (#44836120)
I half expected this to have a button/mode to show custom QR codes...
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by mcdonje on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:33AM (#44837470)
That's a good idea!
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by nine_k on Friday August 08, 2025 @02:15PM (#44839960)
Could as well display the name and/or email, if rotated just so.
[dead]
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by hturan on Saturday August 09, 2025 @05:18AM (#44845132)
I might be wrong, but you might need need (at least) a 23x23 LED matrix to have a white border around the outside to give it the contrast needed (the "quiet zone", since QR data is black).
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by phirks on Saturday August 09, 2025 @07:20PM (#44851287)
This is why my first prototype had a white border around it. The LEDs were red back then, so I don't know exactly what I was thinking, but I was aware of the problem.

https://github.com/Nicholas-L-Johnson/flip-card/blob/main/me...

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Cthulhu_ on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:08AM (#44836063)
How much does it cost? The guest passes for hacker conferences are full-on computers these days, if this is in the same price bracket it would be a great idea for those.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by 4gotunameagain on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:12AM (#44836094)
There's a BOM, you can find out. Plus some peanuts for the PCB :)

Now whether you get it populated or not..

https://github.com/Nicholas-L-Johnson/flip-card/blob/main/ki...

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by unwind on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:33AM (#44836259)
Just as a point of interest perhaps for folks who are not familiar with PCB design and modern electronics: the "huge" matrix of 21x21=441 LEDs would, with the specified LED from the bill of materials (BOM) cost all of $6.

That is based on the price for low quantity (1-500 pieces) though; if you were to build more than one board you would buy more LEDs, pushing the per-LED price (way) down. You can get 4,000 LEDs for $30.'

Edit: here is the LED in question, from the BOM [1].

[1]: https://jlcpcb.com/partdetail/C497920

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by whartung on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:37AM (#44838282)
I don't know, I struggle with a light switch, but that doesn't look like board someone took home with a box of parts and a soldering iron to make at home.

Are there services that you can send the BOM and board files too, and not only do you get the PC board back, but it's populated? Will they do that for a onesy-twosy thing like this?

Then all you have to do is supply the battery and download the firmware (however that is done).

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by bkettle on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:56AM (#44838509)
Yes, I’ve done it for a batch of 10 with https://jlcpcb.com/smt-assembly for around $10/board including the PCB
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by nilamo on Friday August 08, 2025 @12:23PM (#44838819)
>$10 per business card is extremely high, though.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by vFunct on Friday August 08, 2025 @12:31PM (#44838918)
Not if you're at a trade show in an industry where a single deal can net millions of dollars, and a small booth might cost $15k just for the space for a few days.

There's definitely an entire business available for expensive trade show merchandise, including electronic business cards. People routinely give away shirts and other merchandise that cost far more than $10..

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by chamomeal on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:36AM (#44836287)
Maybe you wouldn’t give em to just anybody, but anybody who gets one is guaranteed to remember you!

I’d probably even keep it in my desk to play with. After a few weeks I’d accidentally have this guy’s email/linkedin memorized for eternity

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by xp84 on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:32AM (#44838234)
I'm just imagining interviewing a candidate for a job involving embedded systems and this dude pulls this out at the end and says "If you have any other questions, my email's right on there."

What an absolute baller this guy is.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by nine_k on Friday August 08, 2025 @02:12PM (#44839937)
(This assumes that the guy passed through the resume filters and advanced to the in-person stage, which is not that easy. Should work on a video call though.)
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by CubicalBatch on Friday August 08, 2025 @05:37PM (#44841947)
Still has to respond "no" on the post interview scorecard because the given solution didn't use the optimal ObscureLeetCodeAlgorithm
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by codeflo on Saturday August 09, 2025 @04:57AM (#44845037)
I mean, the candidate can design and build innovative custom hardware, but do they remember an obscure impractical algorithm from a second semester CS course? No? Obviously not a fit for this company.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by ChrisMarshallNY on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:47AM (#44836374)
This is true.

I remember a story linked from here, recently, where a designer submitted a CV that was a custom-made widget of some kind.

He got the job.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by physix on Friday August 08, 2025 @01:49PM (#44839715)
In the way back days when we submitted our CVs on paper, I always cut mine to a smaller size than letter, in a branded folder. People tend to stack things with the smaller items on top. I don't know if mine actually was on top of the stack, but I can say that I basically always got the contract.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by ASalazarMX on Friday August 08, 2025 @04:47PM (#44841548)
I used to subtly watermark mine with nerdy silly diagrams, in the hopes that someone noticed the hints of color and gave them a second look. I even ran a plain vs watermark experiment, and the watermark had almost double the response.

Another trick was adding a "Valid until <YEAR> in the cover". It seems counterintuitive that a CV expires, but it made a few companies approach me for an updated CV.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by xp84 on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:02PM (#44843728)
I believe Sears famously used that same move (probably close to 100 years ago) to cause their catalogs to be stacked right on top of the Montgomery Ward one!
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by conductr on Friday August 08, 2025 @01:27PM (#44839530)
I am thinking how most of the people I get business cards from are people I've already invited in to my office and are discussing some potential business relationship. They've often flown to my city, staying in a hotel, paying for transport, meals, etc. The impression they make during that 1 hour meeting is paramount and I think this is certainly going to leave a lasting impression. Most of those business cards just get tossed into a drawer or trash bin, I bet people keep this one on their desk a play around with it.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by computomatic on Friday August 08, 2025 @08:02PM (#44842927)
This matches my experience fairly accurately except for the one guy I met at a housewarming who handed out cards to everyone. It was so weird - I haven’t seen anyone do that in real life. He had a shop that repairs chipped windshields.

And you know what? About 8 months later my windshield got sprayed by gravel. That guy got the business (he’s a friend of a friend after all, and I had his number in my wallet).

I’d say the issue isn’t that cards are outdated. It’s that people aren’t using them correctly.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by NikolaNovak on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:02PM (#44843460)
I had an ad on Facebook marketplace for a synthesizer. The guy who bought it gave me his business card - cloud architect for a competitor. He didn't give it to me because we were in similar field - we had a pleasant conversation over shareEd hobby and he gave it to me then, after which I realized we were in same field, so clearly he gave them around a lot.

If I consider changing jobs, or if I need those very particular services he's getting a call :-).

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by conductr on Saturday August 09, 2025 @09:56AM (#44846480)
Definitely still a market for regular cheaper business cards for stuff like this. I regularly keep cards of people like this were I might need their service in the future, but they don’t need to be fancy at all and I don’t think it really adds much value when they are. The market for “good service” in trade type labor that I’d always hire a guy I have even a weak social connection with over some random person I found online. I feel like there’s a higher chance of them not price gouging and caring about the workmanship.

But, I don’t think he’d be handing out $20 BOM cards that freely. I was more validating that there is still probably a market of people where $20 cards might make sense. As in the example I posed, a business card isn’t providing any additional information. By the time I meet these people in my office, we’ve already exchanged emails and had some conversations on the phone and are acquainted. That’s what led to the in-person meeting. I know their names and have them in my contacts.

But, just as it felt like a social faux pas to receive a business card at a housewarming party, I think it also feels like a faux pas to meet someone in a business environment (where you are the selling party) and not give out a card during the initial first handshake interaction. This is a pretty low volume and high value moment for that person so a $20 card is no big deal and could easily make sense.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by ChrisMarshallNY on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:09PM (#44843501)
I have what I call my “Victorian Calling Cards.” I’m retired, and have no need to advertise or boast.

They are fairly fancy moo.com cards, with my name, email, and cellphone. Nothing else.

On the back, is a fancy “dragon head” logo (the one you see, if you look at most of my social media accounts). It’s actually my old artist signature. It’s over a burnt umber gradient.

People like them, and use them.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by DonHopkins on Friday August 08, 2025 @09:40AM (#44836811)
I'd include a sad tomagotchi that after a week or so guilt tripped you into giving it back, its heart broken, missing its original owner.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by bee_rider on Friday August 08, 2025 @11:12AM (#44837962)
That’s a funny way to try and get people to get back in touch with you, haha.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by CGMthrowaway on Friday August 08, 2025 @01:47PM (#44839696)
Feed your animal by calling me once a month to check in (and get the monthly "food code")
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Aurornis on Friday August 08, 2025 @01:16PM (#44839418)
> but probably a bit too expensive to just hand out.

These are generally done as portfolio projects. It’s driving a lot of traffic to the website.

Producing a small number to hand out to potential freelance clients or job prospects is also common.

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by eitally on Friday August 08, 2025 @02:01PM (#44839816)
I wouldn't even necessarily give one to anybody. If you're looking for a job just point to this block post in your resume/site and that's equally impressive.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by akoboldfrying on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:09PM (#44843503)
Or give out a regular paper business card with a QR code on it pointing to your resume website...

snicker

Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by Tempest1981 on Friday August 08, 2025 @10:15PM (#44843523)
Giving the actual card though leaves a feeling of guilt... sort of like those old surveys you would receive in the mail, with a $1 bill included. A hyperlink is forgettable.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by SkyMarshal on Friday August 08, 2025 @04:20PM (#44841279)
Just put a QR code on the front that transmits a vCard. Or a way to make the LEDs on the back display a QR code. Then you can still show people your digital business card, even let them hold it and play with it, but it's still obvious the idea is for them to scan the QR code and hand it back.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by nosignono on Friday August 08, 2025 @05:33PM (#44841924)
If you ask for it to be handed back, it's not a business card. It's a toy.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by saretup on Saturday August 09, 2025 @03:30AM (#44844730)
Exactly my thought. Just make it a desk toy.
Re:Ultrathin business card runs a fluid simulation by mytailorisrich on Saturday August 09, 2025 @05:16AM (#44845120)
You don't hand out business cards to everyone, only to those who deserve one.