Hacker News on 8 October 2012

• Apple, Facebook, Google, Microsoft and others launch webplatform.org
• Programmer Competency Matrix
• SpaceX update: The engine did not explode
• US Air Force’s 1950s supersonic flying saucer declassified
• RIP Hans Camenzind, Inventor Of The 555 Timer
• The software development final exam: Algorithms and Data Structures
• Ask HN: What did the really successful programmers do differently?
• What number is halfway between 1 and 9?
• The Patent, Used as a Sword
• How not to launch your company