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Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

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Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#41

Post by sachinag »

fuzzmeister wrote: post #27
sachinag wrote: post #12

While I applaud your initiative, I cannot believe that teachers would feel comfortable using something made by a single person who just graduated/will graduate? high school this year. You can keep your name, but I'd recommend taking out your relative youth. Also, I'm always a big fan of competitive analysis charts, especially if you're competing on price. Here's ours: http://www.dawdle.com/selling/index.php/fees/ I w…

I'll give some more thought to revealing my age on the about page (I'm now a college freshman, by the way). Any specific reasons you say teachers would be uncomfortable with it? I'm hesitant to add more plans at the risk of creating too many options for users, but I am looking into the possibility of institutional accounts. Also, I hadn't fully realized the disconnect between that screenshot and subtitle, thanks.

My sister is getting her PhD in learning and memory research, and specializes in how kids learn (and she has her teaching cert), and her experience matches mine: teachers hate being told there's something new, young, and better. If they discover it for themselves, great. But positioning yourself as the new young buck on the scene is shooting yourself in the foot. Frankly, I'd try to get an advisory board chock-full of NEA and AFT reps.

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#42

Post by callmeed »

fuzzmeister wrote: post #24
joez wrote: post #9

Why the monthly plan? I know subscription is the holy grail because people set it and forget it. But are you implying teachers should cancel it during the three summer months if they aren't teaching? And do teachers really pay for two months and then go oh... sorry kids but I realize this isn't going to work and cancel it? I assume once your on one LMS your stuck for at least the duration of the semester. Maybe a 30…

That's a very helpful observation, thanks. The problem I actually ran into there is a liability one. My payments provider, Braintree, informed me that allowing yearly payments for a web-based service presents liability concerns, as if Eduset was to close, Braintree could be on the line for any refunds demanded by customers. Thus, they say they advise against new companies charging yearly. Does anyone have any experie…

"Does anyone have any experiences with overcoming this hurdle?"

Ask them if they can hold some of the money in escrow ... or go with a different underwriter that will allow yearly subscription (but at a higher rate).

You could also just do one-time payment for the year and require them to re-purchase.

Might even look into accepting POs from schools. If you're into cashing checks :)

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#44

Post by yannis »

joez wrote: post #9

Why the monthly plan? I know subscription is the holy grail because people set it and forget it. But are you implying teachers should cancel it during the three summer months if they aren't teaching? And do teachers really pay for two months and then go oh... sorry kids but I realize this isn't going to work and cancel it? I assume once your on one LMS your stuck for at least the duration of the semester. Maybe a 30…

Seeing it in action without having to register is important (and not on video), perhaps sandbox to play.

On price IMHO it would be a plus to also offer a 'school option'. It maybe easier and can capture a wider audience.

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#45

Post by [deleted] »

jibiki wrote: post #33
zemote wrote: post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I actually have proof you signed up for Edmodo in October or November of last year, so you new about Edmodo almost a year ago. The classroom micro-blogging space may be big enough for two but we are more motivated than ever to own the educational micro-blogging space which we are already doing a very good job at it. I'm just letting the Hacker News users the similarities between your service and ours and ours is free…

I believe you should keep this thread going. It might get you covered on Techcrunch :)

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#46

Post by fuzzmeister »

sachinag wrote: post #35
jibiki wrote: post #33

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I believe you should keep this thread going. It might get you covered on Techcrunch :)

Seriously - this is rather interesting. Looks like proof of the whole "there are no new ideas, only execution" maxim.

Jeff, I understand that you're passionate about Edmodo, just as I'm passionate about Eduset. And it's very true that all startups are derivative to a certain extent. However, I have to correct you: you did say I stole your idea. Here's your tweet from September 2nd:

"Is being copied (i mean blatantly ripped off) the sincerest form of flattery?" http://twitter.com/zemote/status/3715106709

If you're willing now to take this back, then I think that we can happily coexist as healthy competitors.

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#47

Post by patio11 »

fuzzmeister wrote: post #24
joez wrote: post #9

Why the monthly plan? I know subscription is the holy grail because people set it and forget it. But are you implying teachers should cancel it during the three summer months if they aren't teaching? And do teachers really pay for two months and then go oh... sorry kids but I realize this isn't going to work and cancel it? I assume once your on one LMS your stuck for at least the duration of the semester. Maybe a 30…

That's a very helpful observation, thanks. The problem I actually ran into there is a liability one. My payments provider, Braintree, informed me that allowing yearly payments for a web-based service presents liability concerns, as if Eduset was to close, Braintree could be on the line for any refunds demanded by customers. Thus, they say they advise against new companies charging yearly. Does anyone have any experie…

Does anyone have any experiences with overcoming this hurdle?

Switch you subscription term from "per month" to "per academic year". Alternatively, characterize the payment as a one-time license or use fee, get a year of positive history with Braintree, then switch to a subscription model and give your existing customers free-for-life accounts on it. (This is equivalent to a lifetime subscription option, but offered by stealth and limited to early adopters.)

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#48

Post by fuzzmeister »

callmeed wrote: post #42
fuzzmeister wrote: post #24

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That's a very helpful observation, thanks. The problem I actually ran into there is a liability one. My payments provider, Braintree, informed me that allowing yearly payments for a web-based service presents liability concerns, as if Eduset was to close, Braintree could be on the line for any refunds demanded by customers. Thus, they say they advise against new companies charging yearly. Does anyone have any experie…

"Does anyone have any experiences with overcoming this hurdle? " Ask them if they can hold some of the money in escrow ... or go with a different underwriter that will allow yearly subscription (but at a higher rate). You could also just do one-time payment for the year and require them to re-purchase. Might even look into accepting POs from schools. If you're into cashing checks :)

I'll talk to them further about the possibility of escrow - that sounds like a potentially reasonable solution. I asked previously about one-time payments, and they said that doing so does not negate the issue, which is interesting.

Also, if a school wants to pay the good ol' fashioned way, I'm more than happy to oblige.

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#49

Post by fuzzmeister »

sachinag wrote: post #41
fuzzmeister wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I'll give some more thought to revealing my age on the about page (I'm now a college freshman, by the way). Any specific reasons you say teachers would be uncomfortable with it? I'm hesitant to add more plans at the risk of creating too many options for users, but I am looking into the possibility of institutional accounts. Also, I hadn't fully realized the disconnect between that screenshot and subtitle, thanks.

My sister is getting her PhD in learning and memory research, and specializes in how kids learn (and she has her teaching cert), and her experience matches mine: teachers hate being told there's something new, young, and better. If they discover it for themselves, great. But positioning yourself as the new young buck on the scene is shooting yourself in the foot. Frankly, I'd try to get an advisory board chock-full o…

That's fascinating to hear. It seems I've occasionally failed to consider both early adopters and regular teachers in my marketing materials. Thanks.

Re: Ask HN: Review my classroom web tool, Eduset

#50

Post by zemote »

zemote wrote: post #39
sachinag wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Seriously - this is rather interesting. Looks like proof of the whole "there are no new ideas, only execution" maxim.

I agree, silly rants like this is absurd and really doesn't do any good and is not productive. Execution is key. I'm little passionate about my startup and that is why I replied. I never said he stole our idea. I said "almost" exact replica. Facebook borrows from twitter, eduset borrows from pownce, we borrow from twitter, facebook, friendfeed.

Yes, we can co-exist as healthy competitors. I'm usually not one for silly rants, my passion has gotten the better of me tonight. Edmodo, Eduset, and The Education Community as a whole is better served by us putting our energies into execution of our startups.
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