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Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

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Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#31

Post by dmje »

It’s a fun idea. I was thinking much like others that you need a web app - but then presumably you’re having to intercept the “real” url on qr codes, right? I mean - if I scan a qr just using my phone camera, there’s a reasonable chance I’ll end up at a url - whereas you’re intercepting that flow?

Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#33

Post by quenzo »

Installed the app!

I find the idea interesting. But I'd do a more organised search (by category, country, language). Maybe a general directory with a list of more commented products.

As you can only comment products you scan, and you are likely to be the first one, to make it entertaining you should at least be able to nose around other people's comments easily.

One way to make it feel alive is to do what Reddit did: Flintstoning your way through Cold Start.

Get a script that creates various posts on a variety of products and have the board to let people see there's content to discover.

On another note... How can I comment on a place? How does a place have a unique barcode? Maybe you should also make geo-location a base for a chat and not only barcodes?

Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#34

Post by hsynkrkye »

Imustaskforhelp wrote: post #4

Hello, I suggest on having it available via the web version in the future as well and if you are open to it, then open sourcing it as well. This can do some wonders for a review app. Books also have bar-code so it can also work as something like scan the book's barcode and then review the book or find community which talks about the book (I am imagining then an discord/telegram/whatsapp like interface where people ca…

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Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#35

Post by hsynkrkye »

casey2 wrote: post #20

What's the value over an script that creates and/or finds subreddit based on a CID. If your app became popular then Reddit would just steal the idea.

I don't think Reddit will steal it because stealing it would mean losing the core function of their own app. The purpose of this app is to allow users to comment on and get information about anything in the real world that has a barcode or QR code, or even to have instant chat during a live stream if it has a QR code. So it can be used for more than just commenting on a topic, discussion, or event. But the important thing is the number of users, of course.

Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#36

Post by hsynkrkye »

throwaway290 wrote: post #25

This is destined to either not be popular or be swarming with bots and stalkers. How you fight bots, abuse and all other problems of public posting and DMs? and how you make money for it?

Email verification is in place to prevent the creation of bot accounts, and if a bot account is created, it can't do anything inside. No one can create more than one new room per day, and following is prohibited to prevent malicious use. You can't even search for individuals in the app's search bar; you can only search for previously created rooms, and there are other restrictions as well. The goal is for only real people to use real code. Regarding monetization, there are only occasional ads between posts; I haven't considered any other methods.

Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes

#37

Post by hsynkrkye »

bossyTeacher wrote: post #3

It's only been 10 days. What marketing activities have you undertaken so far? You can't just publish an app and expect users. Those days are long over.

Honestly, nothing. I don't have a budget for marketing, so I'm thinking of opening social media accounts and making videos that will reflect the idea of a viral app
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