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Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

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Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#31

Post by robotrout »

freetard wrote: post #4
pierrefar wrote: post #2

Clickable: http://www.studylance.com/

Thanks, I hate it that HN doesn't allow clickable links in stories description. Isn't the web all about links? Lame.

Upvoted. While there may be reasons that this was done (I assume to minimize using HN for google juice) I don't understand why you're being downvoted for this.

This is inconvenient, and expressing that is reasonable, especially as it wasn't even a random rant, but in direct response to the clickable link being posted.

Seems like a little javascript would address this issue. PG could make the link unclickable in the HTML, but add a JS function to make it clickable, thus reconciling the goals of user convenience and google juice withholding.

Edit: Or add (rel="nofollow") of course, would be even easier.

Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#33

Post by robotrout »

slance wrote: post #16
pospischil wrote: post #13

I definitely like the concept. My hang up is -- how is this different than mahalo answers? (more focused, sure, but the mahalo folks could answer these questions, no?) Doing something to verify the tutor's expertise might help with this (could be simple quizzes or something). Another general note -- as a tutor, I'd like some assurance that I will get paid for answering the question. This may lead to less questions, b…

Really useful feedback, thanks... a) I think it differentiates itself by being a targeted vertical, a "destination" to go for homework answers from tutors who are rated and can provide full and in depth answers. Mahalo answers doesnt really focus on anything. b) The assurance of getting paid is a potential problem, I dont think theres any way of giving that assurance... c) The buttons problem is definitely something…

  b) The assurance of getting paid is a potential problem, I dont think 
  theres any way of giving that assurance...
Of course there is. It's called escrow. I pony up the money when I ask the question. You pay it to the answerer that I designate the winner. If I don't designate a winner, you pay the money to a random answerer, to keep me from never picking a winner, but benefitting from their answers. Finally, of course, if nobody answers, the money stays in the account to use for the next question.

Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#34

Post by robotrout »

slance wrote: post #12
kleine2 wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You are protecting against spam right? Or why would you want this? You might try testing alternative question posting options and see which gets a high follow through. Obviously you want some way to protect against spam but by adding as little overhead as possible. You also have captchas in the registration - maybe it's enough.

It was to protect against spam, ensure the user is a real person who can be contacted etc. But I can see that a few people sign up, post a question, but never click the link so their question never goes live. I may try removing the requirement to confirm emails...

Or give them assurance in big bold letters that their email is safe with you, and won't be published, but is only used to forward answers to them.

Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#35

Post by DrewHintz »

slance wrote: post #26
3pt14159 wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Also, I should be able to bid to answer a question at something much less than half a pound. I answered a question for someone in like 2 seconds, and I was just going to charge them a 0.1 pounds.

If an individual answer costs less than 50p - I lose money as the transaction costs are too high...

You can make the minimum deposit/withdrawal for your system 50p or higher, while still allowing smaller transaction amounts for questions and answers.

Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#37

Post by DrewHintz »

nollidge wrote: post #32
slance wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks, will be sure to change that...

I sure hope you aren't storing passwords in plaintext...

Rather than storing the actual passwords in the database, you'll want to only store a digest of each password.

For example, storing a keyed HMAC using SHA-2 is great. An easy similar method is to store the SHA(password + some server secret value + user's email address) In this case the user's email address serves as the salt. The server secret value prevents a database-only compromise from leading to locally brute-forced passwords. When the user logs in, on the server, re-compute the digest and see if it matches the stored digest.

I didn't notice any HTTPS -- you might want to use it for queries involving the password and any financial transactions.

Re: Ask HN: Take a Look At My Site - Studylance.com

#38

Post by CSunday »

slance wrote: post #24
CSunday wrote: post #20

The site looks great!... But, just by looking at the homepage, It could be difficult for a NEW user to understand what's actually going on, especially pertaining to the description where you say "decide the price" POST YOUR QUESTION 1. Type your question 2. Decide the price* 3. Choose the best answer I'd also suggest that the tutors themselves be verified some way or the other, because anyone can claim to be an exper…

The language does seem a bit vague now you say that. Any ideas for a better 1. XXXX 2.XXXX 3.XXXX sequence on the homepage?

I'd suggest to have two sections.

One for 'Students/Users' who have questions 1. XXXX 2.XXXX 3.XXXX, and another for 'TUTORS' 1.XXXX 2.XXXX 3.XXXX

I hope this helps

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