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Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

news.ycombinator.com

11–20 of 29 posts

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#11
post #4

link http://www.localmind.com

I don't have facebook or foursquare so am unable to try it. But from the pitch I think it might be useful. I worry though about anything that encourages the herd mentality. I like to go to places I know to be fun or interesting rather than just because there are other people there. The serendipity angle to life is oft overlooked. By herding its hard to discover anything novel. But I will try it when you have gmail lo…

The service is more general than that. From the pitch above you'll note that it intends to allow people to ask specific questions about a location, not just to signal where you might like to go to spend a night. In this case, the more people that use it, the more likely it is that your question will be answered and that it will be accurate and timely.

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#12
post #4

link http://www.localmind.com

I don't have facebook or foursquare so am unable to try it. But from the pitch I think it might be useful. I worry though about anything that encourages the herd mentality. I like to go to places I know to be fun or interesting rather than just because there are other people there. The serendipity angle to life is oft overlooked. By herding its hard to discover anything novel. But I will try it when you have gmail lo…

It's really interesting, the word serendipity keeps coming up around this concept. I'm giving a talk at TEDxConcordia later this month titled "Losing Serendipity", though it has nothing to do with Localmind. Certainly gives me more fodder for the talk.

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#13
post #6
post #3

Earlier quoted context omitted.

ha! unintentional freudian font choice? will investigate a better option :)

Also, don't ask for phone number...

The mobile nature of the app necessitates it. I imagine this will be optional once they release native apps.

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#14
I've been privileged to try out early releases of Localmind, and it looks very exciting. A friend of mine was at dinner last Friday and answered an unsolicited Localmind query on the spot--and he wasn't entirely sure where it was coming from!

I think users will enjoy feeding data into the system as long as it's fun and they get a sense of accomplishment from helping out their fellow man. Robust, rapid answers will definitely be the hinge on which the app relies.

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#15
You should let people know that you're going to SMS them before you do. Having skimmed the blurb and just signing up, I was surprised when my phone started buzzing. Thankfully I had my google voice number tied to my foursquare vs. my actual number (which doesn't have a text plan anymore.)

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#16
post #15

You should let people know that you're going to SMS them before you do. Having skimmed the blurb and just signing up, I was surprised when my phone started buzzing. Thankfully I had my google voice number tied to my foursquare vs. my actual number (which doesn't have a text plan anymore.)

Also, how do I disable my account so I don't get texts in the future?

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#18
I like it...great concept if you can pull it off.

I came up with a similar/not-so-similar concept that I'm still working on (http://www.xuland.com) only I'm not leveraging Foursquare, Facebook or other location-based apps. I'm depending on folks actually logging into the application and posting/replying.

Of course, my app is also done in Flash (jury is still out on whether that proves to be a good idea or not) but I discovered well over a year ago that it would be great if I could find out what was happening at this very moment in a given location so kudos to you and your team for recognizing a need. Good luck!

Re: Ask HN - Review my startup: Localmind

#19
post #16
post #15

You should let people know that you're going to SMS them before you do. Having skimmed the blurb and just signing up, I was surprised when my phone started buzzing. Thankfully I had my google voice number tied to my foursquare vs. my actual number (which doesn't have a text plan anymore.)

Also, how do I disable my account so I don't get texts in the future?

Feature coming, or if you really want to get off just email help@localmind.com.
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