Why doesn't the guy just write a python script to mail himself that prompt everyday? Sometimes I think if Paul Graham tripped he would start wondering if there was a start-up aiming to put an end to uneven ground.
Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
61–70 of 294 posts
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#62Yesterday Paul Graham asked for an email diary service ( https://twitter.com/paulg/status/1216714155731890176 ): > Is there an easy way to build, or a startup that offers, something that will email you once a day asking "What's happening?" and then accumulate the replies? I did just that! Let me know what you think.
He also wrote > Unfortunately, though, in this one case I can't promise that if you build it, I'll use it. Unless I know you, I can't trust that you won't read my emails. (I trusted the previous startup that did it because we'd funded them.) How do you solve the "won't read my emails" problem ? I've seen the statement in your website: > Your data stored and transferred securely. No one will ever read or process your…
I addressed it in a comment: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22045670
> But once the data leaves the browser there is no way to know, wouldn't you consider to partner with Gmail(or others) and appear as an addon to an already trusted company in order to start off the business ?
Also, I understand the concern and that Paul most likely will not trust their secrets to anyone. The problem is that's not a business, but a beautiful hobby project that I honestly love, so it's unlikely that I will ever spend time rewriting it and then paying Google $15K (https://www.gmass.co/blog/google-oauth-verification-security...) so they could vet me.
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#63I just email myself ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ e: Also, I used to use https://750words.com which is quite similar.
>>> I just email myself
Sometimes I don't even press "Send". Just keep pages of daily notes in the "Draft" folder ;)
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#64Earlier quoted context omitted.
You can encrypt those emails with PGP, the best encryption there is. A good email client can also learn to automatically encrypt when you send to a specific email, so you can send to a specific alias (with a plus or subdomain aliasing scheme).
But then will your diary service work right with it? Honestly, you should use a mail server that isn't from an ad company. And then if you also want to layer encryption on top, feel free. (Also, calling PGP "the best encryption there is" might be a bit of hyperbole.)
I don't use a mail server from an ad company.
And the company's business model is absolutely irrelevant actually. You still need end to end encryption.
> "But then will your diary service work right with it?"
Yes, it's called an email archive. It's searchable too. All you need is an email client that supports PGP. I personally use Mailmate.
And I've got email going back to 2004, while I no longer use any apps or online services from 2004 (most died).
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#65Earlier quoted context omitted.
He also wrote > Unfortunately, though, in this one case I can't promise that if you build it, I'll use it. Unless I know you, I can't trust that you won't read my emails. (I trusted the previous startup that did it because we'd funded them.) How do you solve the "won't read my emails" problem ? I've seen the statement in your website: > Your data stored and transferred securely. No one will ever read or process your…
According to PG's Tweet, it seems quite simple - just fund them.
Haha, clever way to get PGs funding...
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#66Earlier quoted context omitted.
Thank you a lot, I got the illustrations on https://craftwork.design
I have never heard of that service (looks pretty interesting actually), but at the bottom it says trust by Uber, Pinterest, Google, etc. Does this mean these companies are outsourcing their graphics, mock ups, etc.?
I don't know that, but I would assume that just someone with @google.com or @uber.com signed up at the service ;-)
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#67I dogfood handle.sapico.me , I used to email it to myselve though.
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#68Earlier quoted context omitted.
"Diary" usually means personal and private. But it can mean a lot of things. I can imagine cases where people are okay with that. I've managed a personal "diary" that's on Github publically. It's really just a reference of tech stuff I've learned.
> I've managed a personal "diary" that's on Github publically. Well that's more of a journal. But yeah, a "diary" service can be used for less private stuff too.
Fair. I've always considered the two to be synonyms.
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#69The service that Paul Graham mentioned is probably this one: http://ohlife.com Shutdown announcement: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=8345881 I used it and loved it. It was cool while it lasted. Unfortunately it's just one more example for why I don't trust startups. Also you probably don't need a service, personally I can just send email to yourself, PGP encrypted. The only bit that's missing is a periodic remi…
There are a few other similar sites that are still running:
And an open source self-hostable one that was started right around the time ohlife shut down: https://github.com/einaregilsson/MyLife
Re: Show HN: Write a private diary using good old email
#70Great job. Here is what I propose to make it more secure and prevent you from being able to read anyone diary... I propose that each day a link/token is sent to your email. The link then ask for a password that is handled only with client side javascript and does the encryption of the data before sending it do the server. Look at what Blockhain.info or myetherwallet is doing for client side encryption. Maybe also pro…
Thank you!
My goal wasn't to create a 100% secure diary. If you need that, you probably should not store your data in the cloud. That's unlikely that I will ever try to make it happen. But even if I would, there're so many ways to screw it over anyway, so I won't ever try to make this promise.
However, I will consider open-sourcing it.
Also see my comment where I addressed the privacy issue: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=22045670