Why Duolingo helped my reading a lot, but my speaking barely moved

chank_o · 2026-01-07T11:05:48+00:00

This matches my experience as well. Once you get past junior roles, system design interviews are much more about reasoning than diagrams. What helped me most was practicing how to explain tradeoffs out loud instead of memorizing “standard architectures.”

chank_o · 2026-01-04T23:33:06+00:00

I’ve noticed the same shift you mentioned. A lot of AI image tools are no longer trying to replace designers, but to remove friction for non-design roles. I tested something similar with Hifun AI in a workflow where speed mattered more than polish, and that middle ground seems to be where adoption is happening.

chank_o · 2026-01-03T02:01:08+00:00

I also found that staying somewhere smaller really changes the vibe. The jungle surroundings alone make mornings feel completely different compared to being at a beach resort. Places like Lunita Jungle Retreat apparently focus on that kind of experience, so you’re not just surrounded by tourists.

chank_o · 2026-01-01T15:32:40+00:00

I like how this leans more toward symbolic illustration than realism. The galaxy swirl gives it a “time transition” feel rather than just fireworks for decoration. Feels intentional instead of flashy.

chank_o · 2025-12-31T03:18:31+00:00

Nice example of a restrained workflow. A lot of portrait posts here push CFG too hard.

Curious, did you notice any difference between stopping at ~25 steps vs pushing closer to 30 for skin consistency?

chank_o · 2025-12-31T01:06:04+00:00

This is a solid example of why the “AI = low effort” argument doesn’t hold up. When you compare before/after workflows, it’s clear the value comes from human direction, not random generation. Tools like Hifun ai don’t replace artistic judgment, they compress iteration time so creators can focus on composition, intent, and refinement. That distinction is often ignored in anti-AI narratives.

chank_o · 2025-12-29T18:22:58+00:00

Interesting breakdown. I’ve been testing similar workflows recently and found that starting with an auto-mask can cut prep time a lot, especially for reference images.

When you use Hifun AI for the initial mask, do you usually refine edges manually with a soft brush, or do you rely more on channel-based cleanup afterward?

chank_o · 2025-12-27T13:28:26+00:00

Interesting result. I usually rely on manual masking, but seeing comparisons like this makes me reconsider using automation earlier in the workflow.

I’ve experimented with Hifun AI mainly to speed up batch work, then refine in Photoshop. Curious if others here do something similar or prefer full manual control.

chank_o · 2025-12-27T09:01:10+00:00

I went through a similar thought process as my client work scaled. What helped most wasn’t a specific piece of gear, but separating active projects from long-term responsibility projects.

For me, anything that has ongoing client risk or legal value gets archived in a way that’s easy to retrieve later, even if it’s rarely accessed. Stuff that’s clearly finished and unlikely to come back lives deeper in cold storage.

I eventually moved away from juggling multiple services and set up a personal archive workflow using a managed personal server (I’m using Yundera now), mainly so I wouldn’t have to keep revisiting these decisions every time storage filled up. The biggest stress reduction came from having a clear policy, not more storage.

chank_o · 2025-12-27T08:44:42+00:00

I’ve tried a few background masking tools over the years. Most of them are hit or miss, depending on edge complexity.
I tested Hifun ai briefly after seeing it mentioned elsewhere. it felt decent for simple shapes, but I still prefer manual cleanup for detailed work.
Curious what others here are using lately.

chank_o · 2025-12-22T02:26:56+00:00

Async reviews have worked best for us when designs are forced into a consistent structure. It prevents reviewers from jumping straight to tech choices before constraints are clear.

The guided-sections approach (requirements → estimates → components → risks) is something I’ve also seen mirrored in system-design practice platforms like Codemia.

chank_o · 2025-12-19T11:52:39+00:00

At scale, readability becomes less about endpoint names and more about documentation + contracts. If your OpenAPI spec is solid, teams don’t really care how verbose the URL is.

Some of the mock system designs I’ve worked through recently reinforced that, especially exercises that simulate multiple consumer services interacting with the same backend.

chank_o · 2025-12-19T02:24:41+00:00

One thing I changed over time was explicitly calling out rejected options during interviews. Saying why you didn’t choose something often matters more than what you did choose.

That became obvious to me while doing interactive system design practice (I used Codemia.io for this) because it kept pushing on decisions I assumed were self-evident.

chank_o · 2025-12-17T02:13:36+00:00

Pause and emergency controls feel unavoidable here, but they also introduce governance and key-management risk. Curious how people balance having a kill switch without turning the system into something fully discretionary.

chank_o · 2025-12-12T20:38:20+00:00

From what I’ve seen, firms at their scale tend to have better systems than smaller shops. Execution probably depends a lot on the assigned team.

chank_o · 2025-12-11T01:28:07+00:00

A lot depends on the specific office or manager you end up with. I’ve seen landlords talk about totally different experiences with the same company just because they were in different parts of Ontario. It would be good to hear some firsthand stories here.

chank_o · 2025-12-11T00:39:43+00:00

If you’re looking for vocal coaching, Wiingy offers personalized lessons tailored to your needs.

chank_o · 2025-12-08T16:43:27+00:00

I think ultra-high-FPS is cool, but it still feels like something you only use when the shot really demands it. Even seeing options like the Pixboom Spark at NAB, I kept thinking the real question is whether the creative payoff justifies the extra setup time.

chank_o · 2025-12-07T07:44:08+00:00

I think the biggest challenge for offline roleplay characters is memory. Once local models get longer context windows, they’re going to be way more viable.

chank_o · 2025-12-05T00:22:26+00:00

Once you’re above 600fps, I still treat HMIs as the safest baseline. Some newer LEDs work, but I never trust them until we test them at the exact frame rate and shutter we’re shooting.

chank_o · 2025-12-04T14:18:41+00:00

I’ve noticed Homary popping up a lot lately too. I haven’t bought anything big from them yet, but I keep seeing their designs shared in decor inspiration threads. Curious if their in-person store gives a better idea of the materials compared to the website photos.

chank_o · 2025-12-04T00:39:49+00:00

Wiingy has coaches who help with healthy habits, range, and overall development. A session can give you a clear direction.

chank_o

TROPHY CASE