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Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

letspocket.com

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Re: Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

#61

Post by guynamedloren »

codeslush wrote: post #17

The site looks great! Unless you stole the layout ideas from someone else, you should be quite proud of yourself and what you've got started here. A few pieces of input: 1. Like others, the logo doesn't stand out. In fact, I didn't see it until I read some of the other comments and adjusted my monitor position a bit. 2. Emphasize the txt'ing capabilities a little more. Assuming you're using something like Twilio, why…

2. You're definitely right about this. Before I ever started developing the app, the number one feature in my mind was always SMS capabilities. I'm not really sure why I haven't made this more prominent. Regarding the validation code - that's just there because I'm still on the free developer plan with Twilio. I guess I want to build up the SMS features a bit more before I step out of developer mode.

3. Already in the pipeline. Will be an awesome feature, I believe.

4. Pondering this, but it's a toughie. Trying to keep things simple, uncluttered, and easy to use while adding more features is one of the most difficult challenges I have faced.

The design and interface are completely original. What you're seeing is about the 4th major rendition over the past 2 months. As I am writing code I keep striving to make Pocket better and better (visually) and I'm pretty happy with where it's at now. We'll see how long it takes me to get bored =]

As for the authentication, I rolled my own (with the help of some tutorials) but I believe its pretty similar to authlogic. I'm sure I can add a password reset feature, but I just haven't had a chance to look into it yet.

Thanks for all of the kind words. The support here on HN is incredibly motivating and encouraging!

Re: Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

#62

Post by guynamedloren »

lrm242 wrote: post #4
guynamedloren wrote: post #2

HN - I’d love to hear your feedback and thoughts on this app. Would you use it? What do you think of the user interface? What could be improved? How does it compare to similar apps? I’m ready for your (hopefully constructive) criticisms! For the record – all of the design, programming, and imagining was done by me =] == Experience & Motivation Pocket was developed to scratch a personal itch - a very itchy itch. I am…

Congratulations on shipping! Some notes: * The logo is very hard to see. If I'm not mistaken, it's suppsoed to be pressed text on a brown background with a glow around it. It doesn't stand out nearly as much as it should. * "Keep your ideas on a personal dashboard" has a "Learn more" with an arrow. I tried to click the arrow unsuccessfully. It looks like you have to click the post-it-note. Make the arrow clickable to…

All great ideas (and fixes)- will be implemented as soon as possible. I appreciate the feedback! So much knowledge and advice here on Hacker News, gotta love it :)

Re: Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

#65

Post by gsivil »

Good work!

On the side: the HN community never ceases to positively surprise me: for every one or two grumpy comments and for every one or two unfair downvotes,

you find tens or even more of extremely detailed and constructive well-meant suggestions.

Re: Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

#66

Post by johns »

guynamedloren wrote: post #61
codeslush wrote: post #17

The site looks great! Unless you stole the layout ideas from someone else, you should be quite proud of yourself and what you've got started here. A few pieces of input: 1. Like others, the logo doesn't stand out. In fact, I didn't see it until I read some of the other comments and adjusted my monitor position a bit. 2. Emphasize the txt'ing capabilities a little more. Assuming you're using something like Twilio, why…

2. You're definitely right about this. Before I ever started developing the app, the number one feature in my mind was always SMS capabilities. I'm not really sure why I haven't made this more prominent. Regarding the validation code - that's just there because I'm still on the free developer plan with Twilio. I guess I want to build up the SMS features a bit more before I step out of developer mode. 3. Already in th…

We can upgrade you to a full account, just email jsheehan@twilio.com. You'll keep your dev credit.

Re: Show HN: Pocket - my first app ever

#67

Post by dpcan »

guynamedloren wrote: post #59
dpcan wrote: post #15

Earlier quoted context omitted.

What are you referring to? I don't see how the word pocket has any "negative" connotations. It's a little confusing in how it relates to note-taking, but that isn't really negative to me.

The concept is that Pocket (the app) is a could-based version of an actual pocket. Just like you would keep everything in your physical pocket, you can keep thoughts and ideas in your digital Pocket. I veered away from a name involving "note" because I didn't want to limit the app to only notes - eventually users will be able to save photos, videos, bookmarks, etc. I've got some grand ideas in mind =]

That's what I thought too. Apparently, the negative connotation is in the British use of the word "pocket" to mean "steal".
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