Forrst v3 Launched Today • Hacker News Board

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#11

Post by kylebragger » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 4:56 PM UTC

huhtenberg wrote: post #7

I've been a member of Forrst for a while and my enthusiasm has taken a nose dive in a past couple of months. The main problem is not the site design. It is the fact that Forrst is overrun with kids. "I am an aspiring 13 old designer, and here is something I did in a couple of hours because I was bored". That's not to say that are no gems in the feed, but these are typically cross-posts from Dribbble. Trying to build…

I disagree that it has very little appeal, though it certainly has a more narrow focus in terms of to whom it does appeal. The type of post you mention is something we have been concerned about and working towards resolving. At the end of the day, I think Forrst can and does provide real value to professional designers and developers, but perhaps that is not able to shine through as much when such posts exist.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#12

Post by kylebragger » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 4:56 PM UTC

davidu wrote: post #9

huhtenberg wrote: post #7

I've been a member of Forrst for a while and my enthusiasm has taken a nose dive in a past couple of months. The main problem is not the site design. It is the fact that Forrst is overrun with kids. "I am an aspiring 13 old designer, and here is something I did in a couple of hours because I was bored". That's not to say that are no gems in the feed, but these are typically cross-posts from Dribbble. Trying to build…

So the exclusive community that doesn't allow regular folks in has let in some bad neighbors? Good thing they have kept their walls up... Good lesson there...

Could you elaborate a bit?

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#13

Post by kingsidharth » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:01 PM UTC

wccrawford wrote: post #10

davidjhamp wrote: post #3

I would have liked to apply for membership but it seems like a twitter account is required which I don't have, Disappointing.

I looked at applying long ago, but the 'URL of something you've made' made me turn around and leave. I don't think it said anything about 'developers' at the time, though, just 'designers'. Oddly, I had a website that I designed (and that I used this time) but I didn't think to submit it.

Well you 'something you've made' can be something you've 'developed'. Some app you built? Screen shots of some projects or work you did?

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#14

Post by wushupork » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:03 PM UTC

I really like Forrst. It's got a good mix of code and design for a generalist like me. I think I get something out of it. Perhaps that speaks to my level of competency but I find it useful since I am a jack of all trades. If I have a really hard coding problem, StackOverflow is going to be where I go. For a stream of new stuff or latest techniques I may not be aware of, Forrst is for me.

Also I think Kyle has done a great job as developer/designer. I was impressed. If someone doesn't like it, they are welcome to create a better version.

As for the monetization, I have to agree w/ steveklabnik that designer/developers are a hard bunch to squeeze money out of since they aren't used to paying for these sort of services. I could be wrong.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#15

Post by kylebragger » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:03 PM UTC

kingsidharth wrote: post #13

wccrawford wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I looked at applying long ago, but the 'URL of something you've made' made me turn around and leave. I don't think it said anything about 'developers' at the time, though, just 'designers'. Oddly, I had a website that I designed (and that I used this time) but I didn't think to submit it.

Well you 'something you've made' can be something you've 'developed'. Some app you built? Screen shots of some projects or work you did?

Could be anything - github/bitbucket link to some OSS, site you designed/coded, etc.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#16

Post by kmfrk » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:06 PM UTC

I feel very selfish or insulated using Forrst. I only see it as a venue to get help and flaunt my work - which is fine to me. In some cases, I think you could liken it a StackExchange of design.

But it doesn't feel like a community. The dashboard makes it feel more like Twitter or Tumblr than DeviantArt and Dribbble.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#17

Post by davidjhamp » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:14 PM UTC

kylebragger wrote: post #4

davidjhamp wrote: post #3

I would have liked to apply for membership but it seems like a twitter account is required which I don't have, Disappointing.

You can just leave a fake one - oversight on my part; it shouldn't be required.

I tried "@faketwitter" as the twitter user name and it complained about it. I'm not too familiar with twitter user names but I thought that should work.

edit: removed the @ sign and it worked.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#18

Post by JonnieCache » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:14 PM UTC

davidjhamp wrote: post #3

I would have liked to apply for membership but it seems like a twitter account is required which I don't have, Disappointing.

Yeah, I don't really use twitter either. Don't need another time vampire.

I see from the owner's comment on here that its not required, please update the site to reflect this. Maybe put a space for "other profile url" so I could perhaps link to my presence here for example.

Other service owners, please take note!

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#19

Post by code_duck » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:36 PM UTC

huhtenberg wrote: post #7

I've been a member of Forrst for a while and my enthusiasm has taken a nose dive in a past couple of months. The main problem is not the site design. It is the fact that Forrst is overrun with kids. "I am an aspiring 13 old designer, and here is something I did in a couple of hours because I was bored". That's not to say that are no gems in the feed, but these are typically cross-posts from Dribbble. Trying to build…

I think the community is just getting started. People are figuring out what they want to use it for, and what it is best for, as the culture takes shape. Give it some time.

There's some great energy behind forrst - I have a lot of respect for Kyle, based on his mature stewardship, consistently friendly, positive attitude, and the care he has taken with the site.

Re: Forrst v3 Launched Today

#20

Post by code_duck » Mon, Dec 20, 2010, 5:40 PM UTC

steveklabnik wrote: post #2

I'm interested to see how buying acorns works. It's sort of like a combination of virtual goods and advertising... I see programmers as being a hard crowd to sell to, (for example, see the second paragraph of this recent comment by patio11: http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2018880 ) but maybe I'm wrong...

I'm interested in seeing how it works out, too.

I'm not sure what the motivation is to pay to promote the types of content you can post on Forrst, other than job ads. I guess I'll have to watch and see what people are using it for.