Hacker News was created by Paul Graham, co-founder of Y Combinator, as a place for tech-savvy individuals to share and discuss interesting content related to technology, startups, programming, and more.

Initially, it started as a simple link aggregator, where users could submit links to articles, blog posts, and projects they found intriguing.

Over time, it evolved into a thriving community with a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, thoughtful discussions, and quality content.

I'm an avid reader of Hacker News and often come across high-quality discussions from the community. I found that the courses and books people discuss on Hacker News are really good, so I conduct monthly analyses and aggregate the top courses/books found in comments and rank them.

Top Picks

• Principles of Biochemistry

  edX · Harvard University · 5 HN comments

• Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life

  edX · Massachusetts Institute of Technology · 14 HN comments

• Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing

  Coursera · Yale University · 1 HN comments

• Getting yourself organized with Org-mode

  Udemy · 3 HN comments

• The Complete 2023 Web Development Bootcamp

  Udemy · 2 HN comments

• The Complete Web Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery

  Udemy · 1 HN comments

• Design of Computer Programs | Udacity Free Courses

  Udacity · 2 HN points · 24 HN comments

• Programming Languages, Part A

  Coursera · University of Washington · 60 HN points · 69 HN comments

• Machine Learning

  Coursera · DeepLearning.AI · 17 HN points · 3 HN comments

• CS50's Introduction to Computer Science

  edX · Harvard University · 1 HN points · 16 HN comments

• Linux Heap Exploitation - Part 1

  Udemy · 1 HN comments

• Learn Assembly Language by Making Games for the Atari 2600

  Udemy · 1 HN comments

• Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course)

  Coursera · Hebrew University of Jerusalem · 112 HN points · 38 HN comments

• Real world DevOps project from start to finish

  Udemy · 2 HN points · 1 HN comments

Courses Overview

Principles of Biochemistry
Harvard University via edX
This introduction to biochemistry explores the molecules of life, starting at simple building blocks and culminating in complex metabolism.
★★★★ (27 ratings) · 5 HN comments 

Introduction to Biology - The Secret of Life
Massachusetts Institute of Technology via edX
Explore the secret of life through the basics of biochemistry, genetics, molecular biology, recombinant DNA, genomics and rational medicine.
14 HN comments

Everyday Parenting: The ABCs of Child Rearing
Yale University via Coursera
Everyday Parenting gives you access to a toolkit of behavior-change techniques that will make your typical day in the home easier as you develop the behaviors you would like to see in your child. 
★★★★ (2k ratings) · 1 HN comment

Design of Computer Programs | Udacity Free Courses
via Udacity
Learn how to model problems, and how to optimize performance by using some of the advanced features of Python.
2 HN points · 24 HN comments

The Complete 2023 Web Development Bootcamp
via Udemy
Become a Full-Stack Web Developer with just ONE course. HTML, CSS, Javascript, Node, React, PostgreSQL, Web3 and DApps. Even if you have zero programming experience, this course will take you from beginner to mastery.
★★★★ (370k ratings)· 2 HN comments

The Complete Web Developer in 2023: Zero to Mastery   
via ZerotoMastery
Learn to code. Get hired. This is one of the most popular, highly rated coding bootcamps online. It's also the most modern and up-to-date
 1 HN comments

Getting yourself organized with Org-mode
via Udemy
This course shows you how to organize your life within the Emacs text editor.  You will learn step by step, one concept at a time to master Orgmode, make your life better organized and gain time for the things that really matter.
★★★★ (892 ratings) . 3 HN comments

Programming Languages, Part A
University of Washington via Coursera
This course is an introduction to the basic concepts of programming languages, with a strong emphasis on functional programming. It will give you a framework for understanding how to use language constructs effectively and how to design correct and elegant programs.
★★★★ (1.8k ratings) · 60 HN points · 69 HN comments

Machine Learning
DeepLearning.AI via Coursera
Master fundamental AI concepts and develop practical machine learning skills in the beginner-friendly, 3-course program by AI visionary Andrew Ng
★★★★ (21k ratings)· 17 HN points · 3 HN comments

CS50's Introduction to Computer Science
Harvard University via edX
Harvard University's introduction to the intellectual enterprises of computer science and the art of programming for majors and non-majors alike, with or without prior programming experience.
1 HN points · 16 HN comments

Linux Heap Exploitation - Part 1
via Udemy
In this hands-on course, students will alternate between learning new techniques and developing their own exploits based on what they've learned. We'll make use of the pwntools and pwndbg frameworks to drop shells from vulnerable practice binaries, and you'll take on challenges that test what you've learned.
★★★★ (686 ratings) · 1 HN comments

Learn Assembly Language by Making Games for the Atari 2600
via Udemy
This course will teach you the basics of programming games for the classic Atari 2600 console using 6502 Assembly Language. If you are a complete beginner or if you are a pro developer, chances are you will learn something new and enjoy poking the bytes of a simple and minimal hardware architecture that is the classic Atari 2600 VCS.
★★★★ (2.7k ratings) · 1 HN comments

Build a Modern Computer from First Principles: From Nand to Tetris (Project-Centered Course)
Hebrew University of Jerusalem via Coursera
In this project-centered course you will build a modern computer system, from the ground up. We’ll divide this fascinating journey into six hands-on projects that will take you from constructing elementary logic gates all the way through creating a fully functioning general purpose computer.
★★★★ (3.5k ratings) · 112 HN points · 38 HN comments

Real world DevOps project from start to finish
via Udemy
This course will cover a DevOps project from its inception all the way to a finished product. It is aimed at startups, small companies, and individuals who want to self-host their infrastructure.We will combine multiple tools and services to produce a working, easily reproducible server which can support a small company.
★★★★ (398 ratings) · 2 HN points · 1 HN comments

Our methodology

We conducted this analysis by "ranking things based on social signals"

It's the result of mining the HN archives for references to online courses and then ranking them and displaying all references in one place.

Ranking currently takes into account HN stories (points) and comments (sentiment, karma, estimated points).

Who are we

Find accountability partners, and study online courses & books with other learners. Moocable helps you find your next course/book/problem set, and lets you find study partners.