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Codecademy redesign

codecademy.com

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Re: Codecademy redesign

#11

Post by paul9290 »

paul9290 wrote: post #8

CodePupil just launched (in preview mode) and we'd love to hear your critic. We just submitted a Ask HN http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3928702 Appreciate any and all feedback - thnx!

Why the downvote? Codecademy and CodePupil are working towards the same goal.

TO make learning how to code easier and more fun then before.

We are happy of Codecademy's success, as it shows there is a need for the learning to code through gaming space. We just went live and are looking to gain insight on what works best - our visual exercises, our games and or our watch a video/typing exercise - thnx

Re: Codecademy redesign

#12

Post by allisonhouse »

AVTizzle wrote: post #3

Huge improvement over the last chromed out pseudo-jukebox guys. This is simpler and more intuitive. It's easier for me to see my progress and where I've left off, which was my biggest concern with the jukebleh. What's with the color scheme? It kinda seems like Codecademy is looking for an identity and throwing darts at a colorwheel. There's some variance in the theme between the home screen, tracks/courses/lessons, a…

> What's with the color scheme?

Haha. I promise there's just one cohesive color scheme I'm working on adding to the whole site, which is what you see on the track index and track pages. The thematic differences are just a side effect of shipping quickly—the visual side will be coming together soon!

> When it comes to the changes to the menu screens and such, why the friction?

I think I have an answer to this question, but I'd really love to hear more of your thoughts on this as far as what you think is causing friction on Codecademy. If you have a chance, feel free to drop me a line at allison@codecademy.com!

Re: Codecademy redesign

#16

Post by pbreit »

Seems an improvement. One thing that remains confusing is that mousing over a course that I think is completed displays "Resume Course".

Also, the actual classes themselves need an overhaul. There's something really confusing about trying to proceed through the lessons. The bolded instructions are invariably below-the-fold. It's not always apparent that the "next exercise" link is new (since it displays in the exact same location as the previous link).

Also, some of the courses have exercises that bear no resemblance to anything you'd actually do in reality. I'm pretty sure people learn better when they feel what they are learning is applicable. Even more so than when I'm sure the lesson creator offers something they feel is fun or funny.

Re: Codecademy redesign

#17

Post by pfraze »

paul9290 wrote: post #11
paul9290 wrote: post #8

CodePupil just launched (in preview mode) and we'd love to hear your critic. We just submitted a Ask HN http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3928702 Appreciate any and all feedback - thnx!

Why the downvote? Codecademy and CodePupil are working towards the same goal. TO make learning how to code easier and more fun then before. We are happy of Codecademy's success, as it shows there is a need for the learning to code through gaming space. We just went live and are looking to gain insight on what works best - our visual exercises, our games and or our watch a video/typing exercise - thnx

It's a little off-putting to use a post about a competitor to promote your own site.

Re: Codecademy redesign

#18

Post by AVTizzle »

paul9290 wrote: post #11
paul9290 wrote: post #8

CodePupil just launched (in preview mode) and we'd love to hear your critic. We just submitted a Ask HN http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=3928702 Appreciate any and all feedback - thnx!

Why the downvote? Codecademy and CodePupil are working towards the same goal. TO make learning how to code easier and more fun then before. We are happy of Codecademy's success, as it shows there is a need for the learning to code through gaming space. We just went live and are looking to gain insight on what works best - our visual exercises, our games and or our watch a video/typing exercise - thnx

You're running a business. Working toward the same goal doesn't mean your every interest is aligned. Quite the opposite, actually. You're competing to offer similar value to the same users.

You're working on a noble cause, sure, but consider this: If you look at your post as a competitive service spamming Codecademy's thread to call attention toward your own, all of a sudden the downvotes start to make sense, don't they?

Re: Codecademy redesign

#20

Post by paul9290 »

pfraze wrote: post #17
paul9290 wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why the downvote? Codecademy and CodePupil are working towards the same goal. TO make learning how to code easier and more fun then before. We are happy of Codecademy's success, as it shows there is a need for the learning to code through gaming space. We just went live and are looking to gain insight on what works best - our visual exercises, our games and or our watch a video/typing exercise - thnx

It's a little off-putting to use a post about a competitor to promote your own site.

Sure I understand this point but how does a unknown start-up in a similar space bring in visitors/users to gain feedback & insight to make their product better? Figure out what is resonating with visitors/users and focus on that vs. what isn't.

After all Flickr started as MMORPG where they noticed their visitors/users were using the upload photo feature more then playing their game.

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