Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System. • Hacker News Board

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#31

Post by dools » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 1:53 PM UTC

I think one of the main problems you might have here (and I'm only speaking from my point of view on seeing this) is that you're solving a problem people don't know they have yet.

I looked at the site, the descriptions, etc. and I still don't have a clear idea of what impact the product will have on my life.

If the terminology "Mobile File Management", "Content Management" and "Content Distribution" have specific meaning amongst your target audience then what I'm saying doesn't count but to me they're sort of meaningless.

Try telling me a story. The questions I'm asking are: Where were these files created? Who created them? Why do I want to share them? Who do I want to share them with? What other ways of sharing them exist and why are those problematic?

A video wouldn't go astray[1] and you should also check out this video (which I've linked to about a billion times since I first watched it) where Simon Sinek tells us that "People don't buy what you do, they buy why you do it"[2].

Oh ... and Reprazent the Sydney startup scene bwooooy! Ping me (email in profile) we should catch up for a coffee sometime :) Us Aussies have to stick together.

[1]http://www.decalcms.com/page/What_I%27ve_learned_about_makin...

[2]http://www.ted.com/talks/simon_sinek_how_great_leaders_inspi...

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#32

Post by schappim » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 1:54 PM UTC

jasongullickson wrote: post #19

schappim wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Hi Jason, Thanks for your comment. We encrypt on the server, in transport and on the device. As you know, Dropbox doesn't have a users & groups permissions model, nor do they have encryption because they de-duplicate files on the backend. We also have a beta of the web service which can reside on a VM behind the corporate firewall. Cheers, Marcus (@schappi)

Thanks for the info Marcus! I've been looking hard for a service to replace Dropbox with and yours is the first I've found that provides encryption of the files on the server as well as an iOS interface. Will you be providing an API for third-party applications? This is another area where Dropbox seems to dominate and is important especially for iOS users who can't use files stored this way unless they are accessible…

RE: Behind the firewall pricing. We've been doing this on a case by case basis, and input on this would be much appreciated!

Cheers,

Marcus

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#33

Post by schappim » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 1:56 PM UTC

mitjak wrote: post #11

I'm not the target audience but wanted to chime in with a few things about the design and copy: * Why is the iPhone 3 times larger than an iPad? I got a little confused the first time the site loaded trying to figure out what the giant black device behind the iPad is. * "Signup Now". English isn't my native language but I'm fairly certain "signup" is a noun, and you want the verb or "sign up" instead * "Zigzag Cloud…

Hi Mitjak,

Great feedback, you're english is certainly better than any of my second languages!

You've picked up some typos and areas where we can fix our copy, we'll get onto that ASAP!

Thanks,

Marcus

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#34

Post by schappim » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 1:58 PM UTC

encoderer wrote: post #13

Honestly, I hate the name. I know you probably thought a bit about it and accepted that such a unique name would have people who dislike it. So I'm sure this isn't news to you, but yes, I hate the name. It doesn't roll off my tongue. Without checking for .com availability, I would personally find ZagCloud (preferably) or ZigCloud a far better option.

Hi Encoderer,

I hate to admit it, but I think you're right!

Cheers,

Marcus

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#35

Post by sixty » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:00 PM UTC

jasongullickson wrote: post #28

sixty wrote: post #25

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So user perspectives aren't welcome?

I'm just saying that criticizing someones feedback because it characterizes the audience of the site is illogical.

fair enough. mitjak did also warn he/she wasn't the target audience.

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#36

Post by mitjak » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:01 PM UTC

sixty wrote: post #18

mitjak wrote: post #11

I'm not the target audience but wanted to chime in with a few things about the design and copy: * Why is the iPhone 3 times larger than an iPad? I got a little confused the first time the site loaded trying to figure out what the giant black device behind the iPad is. * "Signup Now". English isn't my native language but I'm fairly certain "signup" is a noun, and you want the verb or "sign up" instead * "Zigzag Cloud…

this is a classic hacker's critique. Let's look at your comments from a user's point of view: > Why is the iPhone 3 times larger than an iPad? Irrelevant. Users won't care. > "Signup Now". English isn't my native language ... Irrelevant. Users won't care. > "Zigzag Cloud has powered built-in analytics". Powered by what? Or is it "powerful"? Irrelevant. Users won't care. > Love the logo and the colour scheme of the si…

This is Hacker News. schappim came to ask for critique of his website. I have provided critique and pointed out mistakes in the website. There's a chance I'm wrong but I think I've provided exactly what the author was looking for when he posted the link here.

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#37

Post by schappim » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:03 PM UTC

sixty wrote: post #15

I like the idea and the design is very good. I think the landing page could do with an overhaul. The main issue is it's not immediately obvious what the product does. What exactly is "mobile file management", "content management" and "content distribution"? HN users could tell you, and if they didn't know they could probably make an educated guess but what about the office manager who currently uses email to share fi…

Hey Sixty,

This feedback has been invaluable! Thank you!

"Zigzag cloud lets you share presentations, spreadsheets and other files with your team using ipad and iphone (coming soon)". - Expect this change on the site shortly!

Re: Button text and pop-ups.

You're absolutely right, we'll make that change asap.

Cheers,

Marcus

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#38

Post by schappim » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:12 PM UTC

dools wrote: post #31

I think one of the main problems you might have here (and I'm only speaking from my point of view on seeing this) is that you're solving a problem people don't know they have yet. I looked at the site, the descriptions, etc. and I still don't have a clear idea of what impact the product will have on my life. If the terminology "Mobile File Management", "Content Management" and "Content Distribution" have specific mea…

Hey Iain,

Thank you for your comments.

Re: The terminology.

You're right. We've been wondering about how you market such a product. We have a close relationship with a certain fruit company and they've been feeding us some good leads every time a crate worth of their product goes out.

The need becomes very apparent when you have 50 iPads and need to get content out to them.

I'm always up for a coffee, I'll flick you an email!

Cheers,

Marcus

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#39

Post by Udo » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 2:58 PM UTC

schappim wrote: post #16

Udo wrote: post #4

I think it's a great concept and the site looks professional. I'm not sure about the viability of the pricing plan though, but I don't have enough knowledge about the costs involved and the typical usage profiles to make a better suggestion. However, I did get the impression that your competitors (such as Dropbox) may offer more for less. One question though: on the front page you say that people can try ZigzagCloud…

Hi Udo, You've got some great points. I love Dropbox (for better or worse my life lives inside it). We excel in an environment where an organisation needs to push content out to their employees in a managed environment. For example pushing sales content out to staff. Our security model allows you to push content out to staff, but manage how that content is used. For example you might have some sales content that an e…

I see. I wish you all the best, keep us informed! :-)

Re: Please rate my startup: ZigzagCloud - A Mobile File Management System.

#40

Post by 13rules » Wed, Jul 27, 2011, 6:59 PM UTC

Interesting service. One thing I didn't like was having to enter a credit card in order to sign up for the free plan ... I'd get rid of that - don't ask for credit card information until they purchase a plan and you are going to charge them.