We did this on our new startup, and had a few complaints we are dealing with now. Just to make sure you avoid them:
1) if you redirect them to a signup page, make it SUPER CLEAR that their post/content wasn't deleted, that it is being stored until they register.
2) give them an alert as they are writing that they will need to be logged in to actually add it.
We had users complain that it wasn't clear that logging in would add their post, that they were afraid all that work had been deleted and it made them not want to continue. That wasn't the case, so we just had to add a little note, but still.
(We're also working now on just a lil ajax box that floats up above the post asking you to login, so you can see that your post is still there...)
Yeps - I also thought the map was a bit confusing to use. It was great until I got to the city level...then it was weird.
I didn't read the catch phrase, but totally agree with you. Thats a mouthful, and it makes me think too much. Something like "Share your favorite hangouts, and discover new ones through your friends." or "Find and mark the hottest hangouts in your hood" Heheh
(nods) Oh definitely true. I spent a summer with one of the BEST team's I have ever worked with (this I measured by their experience, the roughly equal ratio of seriousness to laidbackness and quiet time to social time, and the welcoming nature of the people there). And we worked in a small, windowless office with cement walls. Yuk.
But in that situation, team definitely won out. Sure, the environment itself sucked, but you hardly noticed because of the group atmosphere.
(First off, Im not a big early adapter or regular web 2.0 site user. So some of these things may not be relevant if you are going for a tech savvy audience)
So immediately I think "Four Square". I see you arent, but that sounds like it'll be your biggest competitor. How you plan to get users on board? B2B? B2C?
Little things:
1) I like the map where I get to click on the bubbles of numbers to a point. But once I zoom in on San Francisco, its a little weird to still have bubbles over neighborhoods. At that point I'd rather just see a list of the top places on the bottom, with pointers ala Google that change as I scan through the list.
1.a) ah, and when I got too close, all the bubbles just go away. How do I actually find the places? I thought it would be through the map...
2) The white check is a little confusing for "I want to see it" Can it be a totally different icon?
3) Ah, was worried I would have to remember the address of the place I added. Love that you have ACCURATE suggestions. :)
4) Rating with the stars is a bit tricky. I love that you do %, but I was momentarily confused when it scanned back down even after I clicked.
5) Super easy to use, congrats. Your UI is clear and concise - I was able to post with ease.
6) Do you have a phone app? In the works? That seems like it would be your most important thing. I would never think to do this sitting at home, but I would definitely do it while just leaving a restaurant, or sitting in a park with friends.
I dont think thats a flaw at all. Dude, look at the people who take boring jobs that pay the bills and see their excitement level towards life itself 10 years later. :\
I dont want things that are ALWAYS challenging, or so hard as to leave me frustrated an unaccomplished at the end of the day. But I dont want an endless monotony of crap.
I'd put team as part of environment/atmosphere (or vice versa) - I know they arent perfectly matched, but dont the people you work with directly impact the atmosphere?
Point definitely taken, and I will. I'll also definitely use the Ask HN feature now that I know it exists, since that is what my goal with that one was. I do think there is a really knowledgeable community here, that I'm working to learn from as I start to get into this field.
Actually, I didn't change the link (not sure how/who did, but that's fine) - and didn't know I could post "Ask HN" posts. Now that I know, I will in the future. (still not sure how to...but can figure it out now I know its possible)
Looking at most everything in the new section, they all link to outside links, so I thought that was required - like Digg. I restated the question here AND linked, so I could get responses here without the need for people to follow the link. Extra traffic to Trogger was a bonus, sure, but after SXSW and the hype of Twitter that continues there, I was curious.
"Naïvety balanced by an experienced advisor’s cynicism can be a healthy combination."
Neat and well written - agree wholeheartedly.
But a team of entirely newbies, first timers, and folks in their twenties should have an experienced advisor - or a few - to help them avoid hurdles. Up there with Passion is Experience, I say.
Is this REALLY where books are going? Personally, I still can't imagine giving up a book for another screen in my life. But talking to my hacker-ish friends, I seem to be in the losing end of the spectrum. :(
Eep, I am sorry for that. Yep, I am on of the founders of the site, but not the writer of the post. I was working on the site when we made an announcement about Trogger to some of our SFbeta attendees, and "found" that post from a few days ago and saw it hadn't gotten many informative responses. Was hoping people here could help me out - since I do twitter for our sfbeta event.
Sorry to leave you with some nasty scabs there. :(
So I found this post on a new community site, and I'm honestly curious. I hear that companies HAVE to use it, that it is a GREAT way to talk with your clients and customers. But I've tried...and I don't get it.
You guys are a pretty tech savvy bunch - how do you use Twitter?
Man, I kinda think this is crazy - but I guess make what sells, heh.
I would NEVER want to read a book on my phone; I spend enough time staring at a computer screen, and squinting to read or having to move the page would just really throw me out of the flow of the story.
Now, a research or informative paper/pamphlet I could see being great, especially if I could highlight text, insert bookmarks, etc. THAT I would use.
Hahah, you are probably correct there.
And yep (Im the writer), you should definitely do a little research before you actively start pursuing someone. Sure, getting to know them at the bar or party is fine, but before a private date do a bit of research. Its flattering - and hopefully they do the same for you. :)
No, I wouldnt bend the truth either. Dont say something you can't back up. I merely that you should be sure to mention any big name companies you do have relationships with.
We did this on our new startup, and had a few complaints we are dealing with now. Just to make sure you avoid them:
1) if you redirect them to a signup page, make it SUPER CLEAR that their post/content wasn't deleted, that it is being stored until they register.
2) give them an alert as they are writing that they will need to be logged in to actually add it.
We had users complain that it wasn't clear that logging in would add their post, that they were afraid all that work had been deleted and it made them not want to continue. That wasn't the case, so we just had to add a little note, but still.
(We're also working now on just a lil ajax box that floats up above the post asking you to login, so you can see that your post is still there...)