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Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

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Re: Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

#31

Post by VonLipwig »

JonoW wrote: post #21
VonLipwig wrote: post #7

-- EDIT -- [ To give these messages context. This comment could have been construed to say something else. I said 'what makes your app worthless is this' after taking about how he describes a lack of technical info and before I talk about the FAQ. I later updated this line to make it clearer. I should have added an edit note but didn't. I apologise. I just added the edit note and this blurb at the beginning to give t…

Honest question; in a small MVP like this, how would I, as a developer, ensure that I cannot access user data? I understand that you can encrypt at the app or database level, but at the end of the day I would have (or could get) the encryption keys (obviously in an established company there would be protocol about who has access). I guess you could use the users own password to encrypt the data, but then you're prett…

Honest answer.. I don't know. Its not so much about encryption. It is more about data protection and restricting data access.

In their FAQ regarding if they have access to account information... "Yes. But with 100s of people using the app, it's really not interesting to run after your details."

I would expect that in a lot of application's it is possible to pull out client data one way or another. The way this is written makes it sound like client details are sitting on a desk and the only reason they aren't rooting through your details is because you aren't interesting enough.

Well.. what happens when you apparently offend the designer on HN and become of interest.

The answer should be technically yes but no. A developer could engineer access or pull data from a client database. However, breaches like this aside, there is no formal way to access your account or see your data.

Re: Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

#32

Post by kingsidharth »

loozapalooza wrote: post #25

Probably it is just me. But let me try to get it straight. We made something like Mint, but took away the tough components to implement for eg. automation, getting data from credit card spending etc. We justified it by saying that it gives you better understanding of your spending "on the go". No idea what that really means. Mint does give you fairly up to date information of your spending, budgeting and all kinds of…

I am not sure if my example will make any sense here.

While mint aims at helping you reach your saving goals and plan your budget.

Accountant helps you reflect on your spending habits.

It's like the slight difference between a To-do List and Checklist. Both are similar but not same. You can call To-do list a daily checklist but when it comes to the experience and result, they are a bit different.

I do not have more data or examples to explain it. Tried my best.

Re: Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

#33

Post by VonLipwig »

kingsidharth wrote: post #26
VonLipwig wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

You should read what I said more carefully. I said it is worrying that the app has got this far and you do not know more about it. Your post sounded like you know little about the technical side of the application. This might not be the case and if is I apologise. I feel if there is a start up with 2 people. Both should have a good idea of what the site is built on and what technology stack you are using. You don't n…

You did not say "App is worthless because of FAQ" so no point reading it carefully. I do not think both people SHOULD know the stack or whatever. As far as data goes, yes you're right. We should work on that a bit more. Edit: You edited your comment, you can mention in the comment itself that you edited it instead of calling me "wrong"

Updated my comment. Scary thing is you still haven't responded to the fact your FAQ points towards a complete disregard to data protection.

You could have shut me up instantly by saying. "The FAQ is poorly written. There is no formal way to access client data... blah blah"

Instead you have no response. It doesn't seem to bother you that you suggest you can access any clients personal data at the drop of a hat.

Regarding knowing what your site is built on. You don't seem to understand that you aren't a designer. You are a co-founder. At least I thought you were. If not disregard what follows. As a co-founder you should know what is going on in your company. You should know what your website's technology stack is, you should know about your costs, your pricing and your marketing strategy. It is in your interest. This isn't about programming. It is about business ownership and knowing what the hell is going on with your product.

If you approached an investor and you couldn't answer a few questions about the technology used in your site you would be sunk moments after setting your foot in the door.

If none of this bothers you then fine. My boss knows no programming but he knows how many servers the company uses, the OS on the servers. The database system. He knows current storage (%) total vs available. he watches the technologies we use for updates. Yet he know's nothing about programming or design for that matter. He is a sales person.

It is in his interest to know these things because his product is a website and he doesn't want to look like a dick in front of his clients or financial backer.

Re: Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

#34

Post by JonoW »

VonLipwig wrote: post #31
JonoW wrote: post #21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Honest question; in a small MVP like this, how would I, as a developer, ensure that I cannot access user data? I understand that you can encrypt at the app or database level, but at the end of the day I would have (or could get) the encryption keys (obviously in an established company there would be protocol about who has access). I guess you could use the users own password to encrypt the data, but then you're prett…

Honest answer.. I don't know. Its not so much about encryption. It is more about data protection and restricting data access. In their FAQ regarding if they have access to account information... "Yes. But with 100s of people using the app, it's really not interesting to run after your details." I would expect that in a lot of application's it is possible to pull out client data one way or another. The way this is wri…

Yup I do agree with you that the FAQs should come across as though they will do their absolute best to protect your financial data and restrict who can see it.

Re: Show HN: Keep track of earning expenses better than excel sheets

#38

Post by true_religion »

kingsidharth wrote: post #15
Deutscher wrote: post #14

What does your site offer over Mint (which is free)?

From FAQ: (though it's about automation, but goes same for overall vision) Why don't you automate it? Like Mint.com etc? That's not our purpose. When you consciously recall where you spent money and document it. It has a different effect. That's the aim of the app. Expanding on it: While building Accountant, I had one thin in mind. Why look at what you did after a month? Why not look at it on-the-go? The only way I c…

Not to be harsh but the lack of automation kills it for me.

I don't want to consciously recall where my money goes. I want all of the benefits of that conscious recall--e.g. staying within my budget, being able to see if my spending has changed month to month, and being able to look up where I ate 3 weeks ago---without being forced to recall day-to-day what I've been doing.

Without automatic categorization, what you have is a prettier interface than excel but functionality that no one who can sling together a few excel macros will think is impressive.

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