Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project) • Hacker News Board

Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project)

#1

Post by imothee » Thu, Sep 22, 2011, 2:30 AM UTC

I've always had issues posting my email address publicly. I wanted something simpler than creating throwaway accounts I had to worry about checking or exposing my domain to spammers.

With a bit of ruby on rails, a splash of twitter bootstrap and a few hours of work, http://messge.me was born. It lets you create email forwarders and contact forms which you can expire once you're done.

It's currently free to sign up and use. I should have worked out the major issues so I hope someone else finds this useful!

If you have any issues you can email me at iesw@messge.me or at http://messge.me/m/iesw

There is no retention of emails (Will be adding a privacy policy asap)!

Re: Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project)

#2

Post by timjahn » Thu, Sep 22, 2011, 2:39 AM UTC

Hm. I understand the need for a temporary email address but why would one need a temporary contact form? Genuinely curious.

Re: Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project)

#3

Post by imothee » Thu, Sep 22, 2011, 2:46 AM UTC

timjahn wrote: post #2

Hm. I understand the need for a temporary email address but why would one need a temporary contact form? Genuinely curious.

I was trying to work out possible future site updates such as embedding contact forms on your website or possible add-ons for a premium membership.

Adding the page was about 20 minutes work so I thought let's see what the usage is and remove/hide the other for A/B testing.

If it pollutes the site I'll probably remove it or offer it as a checkbox/premium add on.

Re: Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project)

#4

Post by LVB » Thu, Sep 22, 2011, 5:37 AM UTC

First, I like the site design a lot. It is visually appealing and simple to use and get signed up.

Second, I probably wouldn't use this or a similar site. For truly "throwaway" email addresses, it's hard to beat Mailinator and its kind. Not having to sign up is great, as are endless different email addresses. And for even semi-important (read: a notch above throwaway) emails, I wouldn't be comfortable with very many forwarders from a privacy/security perspective.

Nonetheless, good work for a quick effort.

Re: Show HN: messge.me - private email forwarders (Weekend project)

#5

Post by timjahn » Thu, Sep 22, 2011, 1:08 PM UTC

imothee wrote: post #3

timjahn wrote: post #2

Hm. I understand the need for a temporary email address but why would one need a temporary contact form? Genuinely curious.

I was trying to work out possible future site updates such as embedding contact forms on your website or possible add-ons for a premium membership. Adding the page was about 20 minutes work so I thought let's see what the usage is and remove/hide the other for A/B testing. If it pollutes the site I'll probably remove it or offer it as a checkbox/premium add on.

But the question still remains: WHY would somebody need a temporary contact form on their website?