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Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

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Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#51

Post by discordianfish »

jacobsimon wrote: post #48
vaporary wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't even get three minutes; as soon as the page opened, I couldn't do anything without signing into Google or creating an account. Closed the tab.

Ugh fine I’ll take the bait. If you all don’t want to create an account, don’t expect to try anyone’s products! It doesn’t even make sense from a software perspective: A spreadsheet needs to belong to a user. You can’t edit a google doc or sheet without being logged in. Sure, they could create a sandbox demo of their product that works without an account, but that’s kind of an unreasonable feature expectation to thru…

"Sign up to save" is a quite common pattern these days and what I would suggest they are doing here as well.

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#52

Post by jackamadeo »

jdoss wrote: post #16

Very cool idea. Since it is based on Jupyter Notebook, can I self host this for my needs?

We don't have a self-host option at the moment. We wanted to build Neptyne as a collaborative platform first, where users could build together and share their work.

I wouldn't rule it out for the future though -- a lot will depend on where we see Neptyne being used.

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#53

Post by znt »

jacobsimon wrote: post #48
vaporary wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't even get three minutes; as soon as the page opened, I couldn't do anything without signing into Google or creating an account. Closed the tab.

Ugh fine I’ll take the bait. If you all don’t want to create an account, don’t expect to try anyone’s products! It doesn’t even make sense from a software perspective: A spreadsheet needs to belong to a user. You can’t edit a google doc or sheet without being logged in. Sure, they could create a sandbox demo of their product that works without an account, but that’s kind of an unreasonable feature expectation to thru…

Jupyter online test page, no login: https://jupyter.org/try-jupyter/retro/notebooks/?path=notebo...

Online python REPL, no login: https://replit.com/languages/python3

Another generic online REPL service, with pandas example, no login: https://onecompiler.com/python/3x7an28pr

ReactJS online playground, no login: https://playcode.io/react

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#54

Post by gverrilla »

idiotsecant wrote: post #39
gverrilla wrote: post #8

I may be wrong, but most people that know python have already understood there's better ways to code than spreadsheets. Also, at least where I live, not even Google could undermine Excel's dominance. PS: I'm convinced I was indeed wrong after reading replies, because I didn't consider the interaction of coders with no coders, and this tool may indeed be useful. Nevertheless I maintain these cultural changes are very…

I think there's a real use case here if you can convince the people who write python and the people who write excel spreadsheets to work in the same environment. Like other people have mentioned though, it's easier to add python to excel then it is to change everyone's workflow to some totally different thing.

You convinced me (and I edited my post). Thanks :)

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#55

Post by moneywoes »

vaporary wrote: post #7
smugma wrote: post #2

I had three minutes, clicked tutorial and got a modal asking me to sign up. Left the page.

I didn't even get three minutes; as soon as the page opened, I couldn't do anything without signing into Google or creating an account. Closed the tab.

Don’t studies show that you have to make users do something that requires friction to boost conversion? Otherwise they’re not valuable leads

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#56

Post by zamfi »

smugma wrote: post #2

I had three minutes, clicked tutorial and got a modal asking me to sign up. Left the page.

I hate email signups as much as the next guy, but the truth is...if you find their value proposition so weak that you won't even enter an email address or click through a Google login button?

Then maybe you're not who they want as a first customer anyway.

Perhaps this is just successful self-selection, rather than merely a user-hostile behavior?

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#57

Post by MaxPengwing »

jacobsimon wrote: post #48
vaporary wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I didn't even get three minutes; as soon as the page opened, I couldn't do anything without signing into Google or creating an account. Closed the tab.

Ugh fine I’ll take the bait. If you all don’t want to create an account, don’t expect to try anyone’s products! It doesn’t even make sense from a software perspective: A spreadsheet needs to belong to a user. You can’t edit a google doc or sheet without being logged in. Sure, they could create a sandbox demo of their product that works without an account, but that’s kind of an unreasonable feature expectation to thru…

You can still read the tutorial without getting a Google Account, and that can be more than enough to get a feel for the product. At least enough to decide if you want to get a test account.

Here the Tutorial is Login Gated. That's just going to turn people who are curious and have 2-3 min to look at it, away.

Re: Launch HN: Neptyne (YC W23) – A programmable spreadsheet that runs Python

#58

Post by MaxPengwing »

zamfi wrote: post #56
smugma wrote: post #2

I had three minutes, clicked tutorial and got a modal asking me to sign up. Left the page.

I hate email signups as much as the next guy, but the truth is...if you find their value proposition so weak that you won't even enter an email address or click through a Google login button? Then maybe you're not who they want as a first customer anyway. Perhaps this is just successful self-selection, rather than merely a user-hostile behavior?

no this is just user hostile and a bad sales funnel. Even Googles Tutorials are not login gated, however it expects you to get a 14 day free account to test Google Apps if you want to do the practice material.

Show what you have, then gently nudge people in to the sales funnel. Dont body slam them in to i.

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