A character limit note in the Edit Details textarea would be helpful, or at least if the form fields remembered what I typed in before displaying an error. It wiped out everything I'd written up.
Congrats on your first iPhone app! It's designed very nicely. Some feedback on the website, if you don't mind:
1) The profile image of the iPhone is a bit unnecessary. It takes away from the app you're trying to showcase. The skewed view of the app interface just looks... off.
2) What's a drinkup? Perhaps some explanation would help. To me, it sounds freakin awesome. But maybe it's only for a secret society which I don't belong to... ?
Thought I'd give this a try to see how it worked. Upon registering and agreeing to the Terms, I received an error page with instructions to call customer service. When I called, the rep had no idea what I was talking about. "Star what?" she said.
After I was transferred to a rep who knew what it was, he said I needed to download the iPhone app for it to work. However, it states throughout the FAQs[1] that the iPhone app isn't yet available. This was further confirmed at the StarStar website[2]. His response: "That's wrong. It's definitely available. Is there anything else I can help you with today?"
It's really cool to see how you've come up with tron in just 219b.
You mention saving 11 bytes, bringing the total to 212. Then another 9 (seemingly making it 203). But go on to say you saved 2 more bytes, making it 219. I'm confused.
The fact you refunded the deposit alone should clear you of any responsibility, both financially and work-wise. Smart move there.
Ultimately this comes down to your contract with them. You did have them agree to a contract detailing everything right??
Although some will say a contract is worth as much as the paper it's written on (or how much one is willing to pay a prosecutor) it's still smart to outline expectations from both sides before beginning work.
I'm curious though -- define "insane amount of money".
Also, what went wrong? Unmet expectations? Better offer come along? Burn out?
I actually enjoy your version of the hat icon better! Great job.
This is good advice. People learning to become designers get hung up in the creativity portion, then falter with creating anything at all.
I can really appreciate this extension and the fact you've open sourced it. Thank you for that.
I think a successful modification to the HN feed would leave the same vertical spacing, but somehow make links more easily browsable. Zebra striping perhaps? Eliminating the number on the left or make it smaller?
I like the Share option. That's super helpful.
I'm not really liking the large links or their color.
The hidden filter that only shows on hover should be hinted at, at least, by making it slightly visible.
I think you've abandoned the HN brand. I believe a successful modification to the feed layout would be subtle enough that it wouldn't be immediately noticeable but, rather, generally easier to read.
The design/development community can definitely benefit from guides like this. Love the idea.
However, if you wouldn't mind some helpful criticism:
1. I think the landing page could benefit from a product shot above the fold, especially to balance the tagline "An eBook about Unicorn Insults" so as not to confuse.
2. I want to click the big orange "button" at the top so bad. It looks like a button. Other buttons on the page have this same exact style. But, I can't click it!
3. The rotated "move" icon in place of the "close" button on the lightbox is rather confusing. I still see it as a move icon. Maybe it's just me, though.
4. I had no idea clicking on the unicorn at the bottom would load new quotes. Perhaps an indicator that this is the action would be helpful.
I'm sure you've done great work and have worked with many big-name startups, but, sorry, the landing page presents like amateur hour. Not to insult, just my first impression.