Reminds me of those Skannerz toys from when I was a kid! It was a device you could scan any barcode with and you would get some monster from it and could collect and battle with them. Kind of like Pokemon with barcodes.
I've never heard of
Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
51–58 of 58 posts
Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#52Slashdot/Reddit/Facebook etc all build communities, when they get too large they splinter until they become increasingly specific. You've done the opposite. I think you are going to need to group common products, then gradually break it out. ie, food -> deserts -> cakes -> chocolate cake -> chocolate cake from etc
As you said, I tried to keep the room name general so it wouldn't be too scattered when the barcode is scanned. So, if someone scanned for a cake, it currently deletes the chocolate cake and brings up that cake brand, but later, users will be able to create a room for chocolate cake with the same barcode if they wish.
Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#53It’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?
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Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#54[flagged]
you are right
Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#55I think the idea is awesome and has potential. The name could be catchier though. Personally, I would also prefer a web app. It's tough to get a social network or community off the ground without any existing base. Facebook took off because they digitalized existing social networks. Reddit was seeded with content posted by its creators using multiple accounts. Maybe you could figure out a way to make it valuable as a…
I'm now considering the website section thanks to your comments. Thank you.
Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#56Installed 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:…
Actually, there used to be popular rooms, but I removed them because I didn't want people to use it as a passing fad and the app to be taken over by popular culture, and I thought downloads would decrease after a few popular topics were discussed. Instead, as you said, I could design a higher-quality room search engine, and the GPS idea is definitely great. The app doesn't currently have access to location information, but I could change that and ask, "You are currently at this location, would you like to join this room?" or people might want to join for some reason, but I think it will be a little difficult to add that because I haven't even been able to add commenting with audio and video yet, which I want to add to the app.
Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#57Earlier quoted context omitted.
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 p…
by spam I mean spammers will squat on codes for popular products and spam the comments with related product they're promoting. And It's very easy to scale and automate by stalking I mean you show screenshot where you can dm people. so if your child snaps a toy with this app and then get some man DMs because he is monitoring a bunch of those codes. same with women and other vulnerable situations. how will you fight th…
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Re: Show HN: Codala, a social network built on scanning barcodes
#58Installed 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:…
Actually, there used to be popular rooms, but I removed them because I didn't want people to use it as a passing fad and the app to be taken over by popular culture, and I thought downloads would decrease after a few popular topics were discussed. Instead, as you said, I could design a higher-quality room search engine, and the GPS idea is definitely great. The app doesn't currently have access to location informatio…
Ah yes, I get that feeling...
To be afraid the app would be too popular in a way you didn't like.
My 2 cents: let people in and have fun the way they want. Once you get critical mass, you think about steering it your way...
Audio and videos would be cool!