YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40 • Hacker News Board

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#31

Post by jamiequint » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 10:02 PM UTC

Readmore wrote: post #4

That is a really awesome looking product. I wonder why they built it as an Outlook extension though. With everyone's focus on web applications I'm interested to hear why they felt an outlook add-in was the way to go.

People already use Outlook, its an easy (read, frictionless) way of aquiring users. Since there is no ability to create a Gmail plugin any other web based solution would have required a behavior shift from what people are currently doing online. Outlook is definitely the prime target for reaching the enterprise market.

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#32

Post by rms » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 10:04 PM UTC

paul wrote: post #30

rms wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Their investors use Outlook... Xobni is solidly targeted at the enterprise.

Not all of their investors use Outlook :)

Alright then! Think it'll be a while until we get a Gmail version?

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#33

Post by brezina » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 10:29 PM UTC

Xobni beta users - if Xobni makes you happy, please help us out by voting all 5's at http://www.techcrunch40.com/2007/presenter.php?presenter=27

We really appreciate your support

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#34

Post by djonesx » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 10:55 PM UTC

Ok, I'm sold. Where do I get a referral code?

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#35

Post by webwright » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 11:06 PM UTC

tx wrote: post #14

some wrote: post #10

wow! i looked at the demo for the first time and i can see nothing useful or interesting about xobni. this project has raised millions in funding? a plugin that adds some functions to outlook? this project is as doomed as a project can be. next in line: etirovaf : a browser plugin that lets you search your bookmarks rabksat : a plugin that displays all your applications right on the desktop nwodtuhs : the easy power-…

I can't even begin to explain how stupid you look by bashing something you obviously have not even tried to use. Do you have any idea how much time an average Joe spends in front of Outlook? It is easily 2nd most popular (or should I say 'used'?) application after web browser.

"Do you have any idea how much time an average Joe spends in front of Outlook?"

I'll second this, and could provide some hard data if I cared to run the reports.

At RescueTime (my startup-- a tool for measuring exactly how you spend your computer time), communication tools (Outlook/webmail and IM) ALWAYS rank in the top 2 or 3 apps.

If Xobni can demonstrably reduce the amount of time required to effectively use Outlook (or email in general) by 15 minutes per day, what do you think that's worth to a company with 10,000 information workers?

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#36

Post by ereldon » Tue, Sep 18, 2007, 11:44 PM UTC

rms wrote: post #32

paul wrote: post #30

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Not all of their investors use Outlook :)

Alright then! Think it'll be a while until we get a Gmail version?

I believe they're headed in that direction -- the sooner, the better!

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#37

Post by staunch » Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:00 AM UTC

I was a Xobni-skeptic but I'm not to proud to reverse my opinion. Things are looking up in Xobniville. Congratulations.

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#38

Post by aswanson » Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:03 AM UTC

What language is it written in?

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#39

Post by r7000 » Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:22 AM UTC

aswanson wrote: post #38

What language is it written in?

looks like C# from their website

Re: YC startup Xobni launches beta at TechCrunch 40

#40

Post by blored » Wed, Sep 19, 2007, 1:50 AM UTC

some wrote: post #16

tx wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I can't even begin to explain how stupid you look by bashing something you obviously have not even tried to use. Do you have any idea how much time an average Joe spends in front of Outlook? It is easily 2nd most popular (or should I say 'used'?) application after web browser.

"bashing something you obviously have not even tried" Yeah, just like heroin, regular work and sex with old people. Have you even tried bashing things you didnt try or did you just do, what you condemn?

There are a bunch of old people (relatively speaking) that would disagree with #3.