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Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

ponymessenger.com

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Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#61

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

locallost wrote: post #56

It's very smooth to use, or at least to onboard. Did not try to actually send a message yet, but will try soon. That brings me a bit to maybe my first issue: not really sure how to use it since nobody I know uses it yet. I'd be ok with some way of people to discover me, at least in this early stage where nobody is spamming :-). Also, if I get some people to try it, I'm pretty sure some will raise questions about the…

Thank you, that's really good to hear.

> not really sure how to use it since nobody I know uses it yet. I'd be ok with some way of people to discover me

Yeah I haven't been sure what to do about that except having people naturally invite other people and connect that way. What are other ways for people to discover each other? I'm reluctant to have people upload contacts, for example.

> I'm pretty sure some will raise questions about the privacy of messages,

Yes, adding at-rest encryption and exploring other options as well is a top priority.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#62

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

robotmay wrote: post #48

I've had this idea knocking about for a while so it's really nice to see that I wasn't the only one who thought it might work. This looks like a nice implementation - I'm excited to give it a go!

That's great to hear. I take it as a good sign that other people are thinking about this as well. Would love to hear what you think.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#63

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

finnh wrote: post #54
ISL wrote: post #47

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The ability to edit really is a wonderful feature. I find that I perpetually tweak forum/social media/Slack posts a minute or two after posting, just to improve clarity. The idea of email (even if it carries with it some versioning history) that is editable is really nice. Is there a way to interface Pony with email directly, so that an app isn't required? I can imagine giving ISL@ponymail.com out to people with the…

I am constitutionally unable to proofread before sending, and conversely unable to _not_ proofread after sending. It's bizarre. I wish GMail's "delay send" feature had a much longer maximum time...

Wow. That is exactly my experience but I've never been able to articulate it that way. "Constitutionally unable." Thank you.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#64

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

webwanderings wrote: post #16
dmitryminkovsky wrote: post #4

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hey thanks a lot. Network effects will definitely be the #1 challenge. I considered integrations—I first tried Pony as an email service, actually. I wanted it to be as accessible as possible. This led to a lot of problems, specifically you get this asymmetry and confusion of some people being on Pony and others being in instant real-time. All of our existing platforms come with norms and expectations, and using a non…

It's a novel idea, and you're correct to keep it out of integration. Assume, for a moment, that your idea takes off and becomes the next WhatsApp. People, you know, will find ways to return to their normal selves. They'll cram a ton of links and messages into their allotted time slots. What you're attempting to address is a fundamental flaw in human nature. Many people are aware of the issue and are taking precaution…

> and you're correct to keep it out of integration.

Thank you for your support in this. It's a constant exercise in discipline to keep focused in this direction.

> They'll cram a ton of links and messages into their allotted time slots.

I'm not sure people will be inclined to put links and ephemera in here. At least not most people. I do, to some extent, especially when I want to avoid starting a text back-and-forth, but I think instant messaging is a good place for that kind of thing and I suspect it'll stay that way.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#65

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

carreau wrote: post #39

What the best/recognizable way to advertise the someone can write to me using pony. Can there be like ponyto://myusername@ponymessenger.com ?

Thank you, that's a good question. I've been trying to figure that out. The URI scheme is not something that has occurred to me, but that seems like a pretty good idea—at least for tech people. Otherwise, maybe a QR code, or at least getting into services like Linktree, so that logo and concept becomes recognizable. Am I missing anything else?

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#66

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

andy0x2a wrote: post #34

This is a really cool idea. I'm wondering what your approach to scalability is, as it seems like you're going to have large bursts of traffic every half hour ( with certain hours having much more traffic depending on demographics). If this messenger takes off, how are you going to deal with say for example all of India having their messages deliver all at once in the evening?

Thank you! I've been wondering this too. It would be a great problem to have. As a sibling commenter writes, telemetry+selective scaling would probably be okay? Otherwise some other creative approaches like "pre-delivering" messages.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#67

Post by dbuxton »

I did something a little similar to this with Apps Script to deliver my non-urgent email (everything except from a few approved senders) once in the morning and once in the evening.

It's only a slight exaggeration to say that it has changed my life!

If anyone is interested I'll dig out the code and share.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#68

Post by LocalH »

mistermann wrote: post #57
e40 wrote: post #49

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I know this is the innernets, but I always get a kick out of responses like the GP's. Wow.

The human mind's ability to see into the future based on sparse data is a fascinating phenomenon, and fairly ubiquitous.

The human mind's ability to incorrectly apply that foresight to others is equally ubiquitous, however.

Re: Show HN: Pony – a messenger for mindful correspondence

#69

Post by dmitryminkovsky »

chiefalchemist wrote: post #46

Very nice. Can each msg have it's own pickup / delivery time? For example, I might want Msg A to Person X be lunch-ish, but B to Y might be after work. An example scenario might be a personal trainer reminding X to eat and health lunch, but Y gets an after work nudge to go to the guy. Note: I realize such things could be self-reminders (read: TODO app) but there's sonething to be said for hearing from someone else an…

Thanks a lot!

> Can each msg have it's own pickup / delivery time?

That would really get into the realm of things like Boomerang, of which many already exist. Pony is more like "email if it was actually electronic mail." The post person comes and delivers new things and picks up anything you're sending. I think microconfigurability adds a lot to cognitive load, which I am trying to minimize.

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