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Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

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Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#31

Post by JangoSteve »

sv123 wrote: post #11
JangoSteve wrote: post #7

It's a very nice design as other have pointed out. I like the periodic-table-theme for the different strains. And I especially like the detailed page for each strain (e.g. http://www.leaf.ly/hybrid/ak-47 ). However, I wonder if the pie charts are the best way to convey the break-down of each strain. Sure, it makes it easy to see the relative effects for a given strain, but it makes it difficult to visualize the effec…

Thanks, the visualization of effects is definitely something we went back and forth on for a while. Ultimately settled on the pie chart just so we didn't spin for too long, and it's five minute implementation with google charts. Comparing different strains is next on the list for features, have a couple good ideas floating around to make it pretty simple.

Another reason the pie charts probably aren't the best representation is because it implies that the different effects of a strain all add up to a whole. E.g. if the "lazy" effect gets larger, then the "sleepy" effect must get smaller, which we know isn't necessarily true.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#32

Post by sv123 »

jonknee wrote: post #29

Might want to get a backup domain... Libya isn't necessarily someone you want holding your company by the balls. It also appears they don't want offending content on .ly domains: "3.5 The Applicant certifies that, to the best of his/her knowledge the domain name is not being registered for any activities/purpose not permitted under Libyan law." http://www.nic.ly/regulations.php

Good tip! I remember how ruthless the Libyans were in back to the future.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#33

Post by sv123 »

jonknee wrote: post #28

Photos would be a good addition. It's not hard to believe that someone is calling/selling something under the wrong name.

Photos are left out intentionally because of the SFW aspect. That and I have always thought it a bit silly to just have macro shots of pot all over the place like most sites. I guess it could be useful in our case for classification purposes.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#34

Post by sv123 »

drfloob wrote: post #27

The "explore" interface is really slick, but I can't link to or bookmark a search filter to share with anyone. It'd be easier to spread the word if I could pre-filter strains based on someone's particular needs/personality, and link them directly to that. Also, since this is a startup, how do you plan to make a business out of this site?

Bookmark & browser history on the explore page is in the works.

Eventually we would like to have dispensaries manage their menus with us. Visitors could see if their favorite strain is available in their area, and dispensaries could notify users of specials via site/email/sms.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#35

Post by abstractwater »

Simple and nice design; especially spot-on is the periodic table look & feel which is visually easy to remember.

One thing that's a little odd is that from reading the site's content marijuana looks like a 100% perfect drug. I was expecting to find a section about undesired side effects, ideally for each strain, and particularly related to long term usage. E.g. I've heard pot users say that in some occasions they experienced paranoia, or mild depression.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#37

Post by sv123 »

abstractwater wrote: post #35

Simple and nice design; especially spot-on is the periodic table look & feel which is visually easy to remember. One thing that's a little odd is that from reading the site's content marijuana looks like a 100% perfect drug. I was expecting to find a section about undesired side effects, ideally for each strain, and particularly related to long term usage. E.g. I've heard pot users say that in some occasions they exp…

It is the perfect drug!

In all seriousness, currently the effects listed are all positive. Some less than desirable effects would probably be useful such as paranoia, dizziness, etc.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#39

Post by sv123 »

mikesimonsen wrote: post #21

I love the irony of a pot site that took too long to build. Like any review site, you'll have to work hard to make sure that it isn't a ghost town when people arrive.

Agreed, nothing worse than a review site that has no activity. That is one of the reasons we made the barrier of entry so low, no account required to review, etc.

Re: Ask HN: I know this isn't reddit, but please review my cannabis-related startup

#40

Post by pbhjpbhj »

How do you recognise the different strains? I see 51 different labels, are you sure that people are naming the strains in the same way?

Could you add value with an identifying image or other details of how the strain is ID-ed to help keep the data returned from users clean.

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