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Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

getspiralapp.com

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Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#31

Post by realrocker »

m1chael3ma wrote: post #21
realrocker wrote: post #15

Interesting. A couple years ago I worked on something similar, GrabHalo: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.grabhalo.m... . You really need to work on location tracking. Right now it pops up a dialog if GPS is not enabled. What if I don't want to give you my location upto the accuracy of few meters? Also how do you intend to solve the "Hello World" problem? You know, users checking in, saying 'Hi' and…

That’s good info on the user experience side. We might be able to implement something that allows people to just select their location, but then we’d be concerned that people just fake their location. I guess we’re doing a few things that help with the “Hello World” problem: having an adjustable radius, focusing on conversation threads that you can go back to, and we’re also working on launching at local events and w…

I am no longer associated with the project. I built the first version. You could probably go through the app reviews on play.google.com to get ideas.

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#32

Post by 27182818284 »

wkdown wrote: post #27
ToastyMallows wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'm not speaking for 27182818284 but I would rather sign in with Google than Facebook.

or Twitter or ... Give them options, and they will sign in.

Yes. I think a lot of startups and app developers incorrectly think that if someone doesn't want to log in with Facebook, they don't want to use any sort of account, but that's not true. Even though I don't have a Facebook account, I still use Twitter to sign into a few apps and still use Google+ to sign into others.

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#33

Post by 27182818284 »

ripter wrote: post #17
m1chael3ma wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Definitely a point we’re constantly evaluating and feedback is appreciated. We think that by bringing some identity into the app there can be more useful interactions and bad behavior self-policed. We’re working off an assumption that people are, on the whole, pretty awesome, and we shouldn’t fall back on anonymous as the only way to engage seriously in the public sphere. What do you think? Would you add other social…

I think facebook is fine. Most people have it and it makes it super simple to login and have your profile already setup.

Facebook and another option is fine. Otherwise, I mean off the top of my head you're killing off a potential 1.4 million that left FB in Decemeber of 2013 alone.

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#34

Post by hangonhn »

m1chael3ma wrote: post #14
hangonhn wrote: post #8

Did you guys considered using PostGIS? I'm asking because I'm considering that for my own project and am wondering what other people's thoughts are on it and alternatives as well. Thanks.

Honestly this is the first time we hear of PostGIS, as we mainly looked into NoSQL databases, due both to previous experience with MongoDB and the fact that we found some big services that have used it.. Curious, what have you found that PostGIS does better? Is it a preference for SQL vs NoSQL?

LOL. I'm actually on the reverse side of you. I heard about PostGIS and never knew MongoDB can be used for spatial queries. The main appeal to me is that since I need SQL anyways, PostGIS would be a simple add-on instead of having to manage another datastore. I guess my choice is more of an accident of history than any specific reason. Had I started with MongoDB first, I think I would have gone your route as well.

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#36

Post by eglover »

m1chael3ma wrote: post #10
eglover wrote: post #6

Not only is is app only, but facebook only. Why??

Definitely a point we’re constantly evaluating and feedback is appreciated. We think that by bringing some identity into the app there can be more useful interactions and bad behavior self-policed. We’re working off an assumption that people are, on the whole, pretty awesome, and we shouldn’t fall back on anonymous as the only way to engage seriously in the public sphere. What do you think? Would you add other social…

I don't use social networks, they're lame. I use e-mail. I suppose I could use Google, but it's an inactive account if you're looking for some kind of social aspect on purpose.

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#37

Post by ggiaco »

27182818284 wrote: post #33
ripter wrote: post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think facebook is fine. Most people have it and it makes it super simple to login and have your profile already setup.

Facebook and another option is fine. Otherwise, I mean off the top of my head you're killing off a potential 1.4 million that left FB in Decemeber of 2013 alone.

Co-Founder. Thinking seriously about adding one other social login for now. Thinking Instagram (leading) / Google / Twitter, in that order. Thoughts?

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#38

Post by ggiaco »

homulilly wrote: post #20
27182818284 wrote: post #9

"Login with Facebook" That's too bad. I was looking forward to trying it, but re-creating a Facebook account deleted years ago and then dealing with new friend emails, etc, isn't worth it to me. * I'm happy you also have an Android version * I'm sad that it requires Facebook. Note that Reddit even apologizes for using a captcha during registration, and does not require an email address to this day.

Yeah requiring Facebook is a barrier. I'm not going to signup or reactivate my account just to use an app. Having your own registration system or at least some more options like Google or Twitter would be nice.

Thanks for the feedback. If you had to pick one other social login, which one would it be for you?

Re: Show HN: Spiral – A Reddit-inspired local message board app

#39

Post by ggiaco »

wkdown wrote: post #26
m1chael3ma wrote: post #22

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Thanks for the feedback on the Facebook login. We don’t really want to use fake accounts, but we could have some admin account that has information that’s interesting and just be a “Spiral News” or “Spiral Events” account? Would that be something that you’d find interesting or is content most interesting if it comes from a user only?

I would recommend being more transparent on why you use only FB and what data you use. That can help alleviate some anxiety over using it to sign in.

Good point. We've been looking for examples of apps that do this particularly well, e.g. via a tutorial or as part of the on-boarding process. Do any outstanding examples come to mind for you?
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