cluoma - Hackdot

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2026) on Thursday October 01, 2026 @04:19PM (#49926594)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (August 2026) on Monday August 03, 2026 @06:59PM (#49162506)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Lately, I have been spending my time in the embedded space working on retro game console accessories which has been very rewarding. I would love carry some of this experience into a professional role.

Re:Japan is gripped by mass allergies. A 1950s project is to blame on Wednesday May 20, 2026 @12:02PM (#48209915)

Same here. Some of the worst seasonal allergies I've ever had was while living in Germany. I'm not sure what exactly was responsible; my guess at the time was some sort of grass but I don't know for sure.

Re:British Columbia to end time changes, adopt year-round daylight time on Monday March 02, 2026 @05:51PM (#47225344)

I live in the Yukon so will now be in sync with BC time again after this change. The concerns about commuting to school in the dark seem almost comical, given the experiences of everybody here with the winter darkness.

For other reasons, I also wish we were closer to solar noon though. High noon is actually closer to 2pm here and seems to push the whole day back in the summer. The best (warmest) parts of the day get pushed too late into the afternoon.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (February 2026) on Monday February 02, 2026 @12:48PM (#46858859)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Lately, I have been spending my time in the embedded space working on retro game console accessories which has been very rewarding. I would love carry some of this experience into a professional role.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (December 2025) on Monday December 01, 2025 @01:26PM (#46110995)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Lately, I have been spending my time in the embedded space working on retro game console accessories which has been very rewarding. I would love carry some of this experience into a professional role.

Re:LLMs are steroids for your Dunning-Kruger on Monday November 10, 2025 @02:36PM (#45879909)

I used to get this same feeling during lectures in uni. Often the information was presented well and, along with some clear examples, everything seemed to make perfect sense.

It wasn't until working through practice problems later, on my own, did it become clear how much detail I was missing.

Re:My Truck Desk on Tuesday November 04, 2025 @01:34PM (#45814353)

That's been exactly my experience as well. Sometimes doing a little research on a lunch break gives enough direction on how to spend available time later on my project.

Accepting that progress will be slow has been the most difficult adjustment, and applies to more than just side-projects. Choosing books or games also becomes a more strategic decision when what used to be a weekend sprint, turns into a several week marathon.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (November 2025) on Monday November 03, 2025 @12:21PM (#45801580)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Lately, I have been spending my time in the embedded space working on retro game console accessories which has been very rewarding. I would love carry some of this experience into a professional role.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (October 2025) on Wednesday October 01, 2025 @03:15PM (#45441993)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: C, R, Python, Multiple flavours of SQL

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I have several years experience as a data analyst, mostly in the video games industry and, more recently, in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've always found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis side. I've also always maintained a personal interest in programming working on side projects, and so, I am looking to transition into a development/data engineering role.

Lately, I have been spending my time in the embedded space working on retro game console accessories which has been very rewarding. I would love carry some of this experience into a professional role.

Re:Apple Debuts iPhone 17 on Tuesday September 09, 2025 @05:10PM (#45189197)

I think I'm throwing in the towel on my 7 Plus this year. I'd love to keep it around for a bit longer but too many apps and websites are no longer functional. It's starting to become a usability issue.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (August 2025) on Friday August 01, 2025 @04:31PM (#44762144)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: Multiple flavours of SQL, R, Python, Spark, C

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I've spent close to 10 years as a data analyst, 7 in the video games industry and 3 in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis, so I am looking to make the transition into a fulltime data engineering role.

I have experience working in a big data environment (Hadoop+Spark) and in a smaller environment mostly with OracleDB.

Re:A Typology of Canadianisms on Thursday July 10, 2025 @12:06PM (#44522541)

I grew up in BC as well and never heard it. My parents were from Ontario and always called it the flipper. Because it flips channels I guess. Felt like every household had a different name for it though.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (July 2025) on Wednesday July 02, 2025 @08:53PM (#44450485)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: Multiple flavours of SQL, R, Python, Spark, C, APIs, git

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I've spent close to 10 years as a data analyst, 7 in games and 3 in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis, so I am looking to make the transition into a fulltime data engineering role.

I have experience working in a big data environment (Hadoop+Spark+Airflow-based ETL tool) and in a smaller environment mostly with OracleDB. I like exploring new technologies and would love to spend some time in a cloud data environment.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (June 2025) on Tuesday June 03, 2025 @01:01AM (#44166466)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: Multiple flavours of SQL, R, Python, Spark, C, APIs, git

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I've spent close to 10 years as a data analyst, 7 in games and 3 in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis, so I am looking to make the transition into a fulltime data engineering role.

I have experience working in a big data environment (Hadoop+Spark+Airflow-based ETL tool) and in a smaller environment mostly with OracleDB. I like exploring new technologies and would love to spend some time in a cloud data environment.

Re:Ask HN: What are you working on? (April 2025) on Tuesday April 29, 2025 @02:38PM (#43836388)

https://github.com/cluoma/Pico2Maple-fw

Currently working on a USB/Bluetooth to Sega Dreamcast controller adapter.

It's based on the Raspberry Pi Pico 2/W board and originally started as a fun project to play around with the PIO features of the RP chips and get my Steam Controller working on the Dreamcast. It has since expanded to support more controllers, keyboards, mice, and acts as VMU - the Dreamcast's memory card - while plugged in. Building the dongle itself has also been a fun exercise in 3d printing, cad and pcb design.

I'd really like to expand the amount of supported USB devices as I only have access to a limited amount of hardware that I can test myself. I've started looking into if I can use the SDL Game Controller DB (https://github.com/mdqinc/SDL_GameControllerDB) to kind of crowd source support for a bunch of controllers. I'm definitely open to other ideas though. I feel like I'm slowly learning that USB controllers are minefield of one-offs and edge cases.

Re:Raspberry Pi RP2350 Now Available for Purchase, Stacked Memory Vari... on Monday March 17, 2025 @11:40AM (#43389693)

The PIO functionality, I think, is a killer feature for interfacing with retro consoles. I've been working on a Sega Dreamcast controller adapter and the PIO made it pretty easy to start interfacing with the console's custom protocol, even for somebody with near-zero experience in this kind of thing.

Re:Ask HN: Where to Work After 40? on Thursday January 02, 2025 @12:45PM (#42576625)

What would you look for to see if somebody is 'staying relevant'? Side projects? Personally, I would like to explore new technologies, and am still excited to learn, but feel limited by what is actually needed/required in my day-to-day which is unlikely to change.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (December 2024) on Monday December 02, 2024 @05:03PM (#42300897)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: Multiple flavours of SQL, R, Python, Spark, C, APIs, git

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I've spent close to 10 years as a data analyst, 7 in games and 3 in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis, so I am looking to make the transition into a fulltime data engineering role.

I have experience working in a big data environment (Hadoop+Spark+Airflow-based ETL tool) and in a smaller environment mostly with OracleDB. I like exploring new technologies and would love to spend some time in a cloud data environment.

Re:Steam drops Windows 7 and 8 support with the latest client on Tuesday November 12, 2024 @06:13PM (#42120972)

I feel you, extremely frustrating when the phone is otherwise in good working order. I've started to get update prompts from apps, on my aging iPhone, even though no new versions exist for my OS.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (November 2024) on Friday November 01, 2024 @12:03PM (#42018333)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes, Canada/US/Germany

Technologies: Multiple flavours of SQL, R, Python, Spark, C, APIs, git

Resume/CV: Link in bio

Email: colin.luoma (at) gmail.com

I've spent close to 10 years as a data analyst, 7 in games and 3 in public service. A large part of this has been data engineering work which I've found I tend to enjoy more than the analysis, so I am looking to make the transition into a fulltime data engineering role.

I have experience working in a big data environment (Hadoop+Spark+Airflow-based ETL tool) and in a smaller environment mostly with OracleDB. I like exploring new technologies and would love to spend some time in a cloud data environment.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (July 2024) on Tuesday July 02, 2024 @12:00PM (#40857921)

Coming up on 10 years of experience in data analytics, although most of my work tends to be in the data engineering realm and I'm looking to officially make that transition. Lots of experience from the games industry working with raw tracking data, managing ETLs and data processing pipelines.

Resume, email, and some past personal projects in bio.

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes

Technologies: SQL (Hive, Oracle, Spark), R, Python, C, git

Resume: in bio

Email: in bio

Re:I learned Vulkan and wrote a small game engine with it (in 3 months) on Thursday June 06, 2024 @11:40AM (#40598766)

There is the Zink project[1]. It is an OGL to Vulkan translation layer.

[1]https://docs.mesa3d.org/drivers/zink.html

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (May 2024) on Wednesday May 01, 2024 @12:52PM (#40225865)

Location: Canada

Remote: Yes

Willing to relocate: Yes

Technologies: R, SQL, C

Resume/CV: in profile about

Email: in profile about

Worked for quite a few years as a data analyst in games and now public service. Looking to transition more into a more development-oriented role like data engineering or similar.

Re:Error Handling in Baby Toys on Monday April 01, 2024 @06:12PM (#39900018)

I had my son's lying around and it definitely happens consistently with the konami code in both the 'learning' and 'playing' modes.

Re:What are roundabouts? The safety benefits of these circular interse... on Wednesday October 25, 2023 @04:21PM (#38017813)

This is certainly an issue. There is a roundabout on my morning commute that regularly has pedestrians crossing inside the roundabout (alongside cars on the outside) because that's the most direct route.

Re:I applied to 250 jobs and timed how long each one took on Tuesday October 03, 2023 @04:24PM (#37757075)

I also don't think 2.5 minutes is unreasonably long or much of a barrier. After spending an hour looking for relevant postings at companies I'm interested in, another few minutes to actually apply is not a big deal.

What is truly annoying though is creating new accounts for each company's application portal.

Re:Ask HN: Who wants to be hired? (June 2023) on Thursday June 01, 2023 @03:18PM (#36156016)

Location: Canada

Remote: Sure

Willing to relocate: Yes

Technologies: SQL, Hive, Spark, R, Python, C

Email: In bio

I have worked as a data analyst for over 8 years (7 years in games, 1 in government) working mainly with SQL/R, but some Python as well. I'm looking to transition back into the games industry.

My previous work was mostly with game data generated by players in the game itself, and a mix of f2p as well as AA games. Happy to discuss any potential opportunities!

Re:Met Office says Northern Lights will be visible in England tonight ... on Sunday February 26, 2023 @08:41PM (#34951948)

I live pretty far north in Canada and have been making nightly timelapses trying to catch the northern lights. What surprised me the most is how common they are here. Most nights, they will be visible for a few minutes or more, weather permitting.

So far today it’s clear skies so looking forward to tonight.

Re:On Replacing My MacBook Air M1 with a ThinkPad T480 on Tuesday February 21, 2023 @03:17PM (#34886478)

I was in the same situation with a Macbook Air 2011. At about 9 years old I needed to replace the battery, but got turned away from the Apple Store because it was 'too old'.

I tried buying a replacement battery online but it only worked for a short time before it stopped charging all-together.

Left a really sour taste in my mouth because the battery was the only thing stopping me from using an otherwise perfectly fine piece of hardware.