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Probably have the best luck w/ a "site:news.ycombinator.com" search in Google.
Use this format: site:domain.com keyword(s)
Include the sub-domain, if applicable, and the keyword can be anything from a title of a post, a word, user, etc.
Really appreciate that Jon. Still have some improvements to make with the editor and process, but it's getting there and we've gotten an overwhelming positive response from our users, so far.
I just followed you on Twitter, happy to connect and discuss our current email system in more detail. Obviously we've tried to stick to the bare-minimum with the MVP, but in future iterations we'd talked about more visually, and user appealing emails with more actions built-in to the system.
It seems like we could benefit greatly from your plugin, PostageApp! Feel free to email me, Tweet, whatever. [email protected]
Great ideas. Appreciate you taking the time to write down your thoughts.
1) Interesting. It should have taken you to .com/notes/create Can you confirm your OS / Browser? Or, maybe you have JS disabled? Will look into this ASAP. Thanks for the heads up.
2) I agree that there needs to be some distinction between the filler-text, and user input text. Thanks for seconding that idea.
3) Yeah. It's supposed to as you write, but there are some buggy behaviors going on right now with it. It's a little choppy and if you add or remove too much text, or break lines too fast it can get hung-up. Am looking into this and should have it addressed in the next iteration. Thanks for noticing that.
Please refer to the comment above re: your business model question (didn't want to post the same down here).
Thanks. It's been a crazy few months trying to get the MVP built and tested. We spent probably 2 months just validating our ideas and polling users to see if it's something they'd pay for, eventually.
Our UI/UX designer is stellar, he actually works at Twitter now (was really lucky to have him on the team for as long as he was).
1) It's pronounced like, Thank You's. Basically it's one of the cute, or fun ways people say thank yous on social networks. Along w/ thx, ty, tanks, etc.
2) We're not trying to replace email, or actual physical notes, but rather to nestle in the space between super formal thank you letters and cards, and the very informal social status updates. It's more personal than email, can be shared publicly / socially (unlike email) and it continues the conversation beyond the original, "thank you" and "you're welcome".
Thanks for chiming in, and asking such great questions. We want it to be much more than it is now, so I can understand how the MVP might look given that I know the roadmap, etc.
First off, thank you for taking the time to check it out, and for leaving your thoughts. Really appreciate the feedback.
The fonts & cards are limited right now, but we have some big plans using these elements in the future. Glad you liked that aspect.
Love your idea about greying out the template text as to create more distinction between it and the user text. Will play around with some ideas that just popped into my head. Good call.
Lastly, we're thinking of a couple different model opportunities:
First, a Freemium model where users could upgrade their account in order to unlock additional features (physical sending of notes, additional themes, textures, fonts, using their own handwriting, etc.).
We're also looking into a Virtual Currency (kudos, karma, etc.) model where users would start with a set number of notes, and could "earn" more by reaching certain milestones, using the site, interacting with other users, sharing w/ friends and of course, using real currency to reload their notes. If we went this route I'd personally like to see some Gaming mechanics built in (something like stamps instead of badges).
We're also building a mobile version of the Web App so thanks could be sent wherever the user is, at any time.
Excellent feedback! We agree wholeheartedly that handwritten is the way to go and have been working hard to address that very issue. We came up w/ something pretty similar during a few Thank Tank sessions based on some other products and technologies we've seen used elsewhere.
Our concept was that the user would download and print a special font card w/ the various characters and symbols listed, along with corresponding boxes for them to fill in each letter / symbol in their own handwriting. Once complete, the user could snap a picture w/ their smart phone, or scan and fax, what have you, the card back to have a custom font made by us using their own writing. There are some challenges, but the technology exists to make it all happen.
The user could then begin using their own handwriting, or choose an attractive one (as they currently can) for any notes they create.
We're also planning physical delivery as an option, and are working on a privacy layer for private notes. The biz model you suggested looks very similar to a couple of the ideas we've brainstormed.
Loved you ideas about removing branding, and your thoughts on the freemium model.
Your thoughts are right on and re-affirm what we've thought, and what we've heard from users thus far! Thanks so much for chiming in, and for the warm wishes.
Feel free to email me any time (address in profile), should you think of anything else. You obviously grasp the art of thanks very well and we'd love to hear more!
Ok. Yeah, makes sense now that you put it that way. I don't think an extra click is all that much more, especially considering if there's an attachment (picture or video) in the email that you have to download and open. If they don't remember the site, they can always pull up that email, or check their FB or Twit page to find it (assuming they save it).
I completely agree that a site like this would benefit greatly from some Game mechanics, like points. You'll notice in my previous comment I alluded to that, only called it kudos or karma. I also think the social aspects can play a much bigger role in the future. I'd love to see something like a "circle of thanks" and having the explore option allows users to browse other peoples notes for wording ideas, and to learn more about how others send thanks.
Love the idea of video thanks. We had the same idea, only a different implementation. Basically, we were thinking a user could upload a photo or record a short video from the browser or Web cam to attach (for a more personal touch).
Would love to continue this discussion, if you'd be up for it. It really sounds like you understand what we're trying to do, and are obviously passionate about it. Maybe there's an opportunity here to collaborate on this.
Are you a hacker? Or?
Feel free to email me using the address in my profile!
The idea was to go where the users are already thanking each other (since, as you mentioned it's the norm these days). We didn't feel that it made sense to try and replace these traditional forms of media, but rather to embrace and attempt to extend their use for our purposes. The overhead right now is next to nothing, so it made sense.
Another challenge has been extending interaction beyond the first, "Thank you" and "Your Welcome" (hence the comments). We are already working on adding "Winks" and "P.S.'s" in order to accomplish this.
Myself, and 100's of people we've talked to have said, "that thanking via social status' ISN'T as personal as a handwritten note and that they only do it to save time, expense and so they don't feel guilty about NOT sending anything."
As I mentioned in the previous comments response, we plan on adding Physical delivery as an option in a later iteration. We think having that option will make it much more personal than just a Web link to a Note page (which, in the opinion of users we've polled, is more personal than just a status message).
Thank you for the input, we'll keep asking our users how they feel and go from there!
We're thinking of a couple different model opportunities:
First, a Freemium model where users could upgrade their account in order to unlock additional features (physical sending of notes, additional themes, textures, fonts, using their own handwriting, etc.).
We're also looking into a Virtual Currency (kudos, karma, etc.) model where users would start with a set number of notes, and could "earn" more by reaching certain milestones, using the site, interacting with other users, sharing w/ friends and of course, using real currency to reload their notes. If we went this route I'd personally like to see some Gaming mechanics built in (something like stamps instead of badges).
We're also building a mobile version of the Web App so thanks could be sent wherever the user is, at any time.
I would start by contacting major Universities in my area, or in the country, that are known for their life-science programs. Many scientists who graduate stay and work for a few years at their U, so it may be a good place to start. You may even consider talking to the professors directly.
Also, maybe ask around and join their groups, forums, discussions, or any place you can go to reach your target market.
Just wanted to follow-up and mention that if you Sign Up on the site you'll get full access to the product for free. No downloads. No credit card. Just Log In and start creating.
Here's a quick video demo of the Theme Editor you can check out before signing up: https://youtu.be/6-MVgUGsIC4
Thanks!