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Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

unplu.gg

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Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#2

Post by guptaneil »

This is great! Last year, I worked on a project during a hackathon to build an energy meter and gamify saving electricity by building a game where the user is fighting vampires. The more electricity users saved in the real world, the more virtual energy they built up in the game to be able to defend against waves of vampire attacks.

Once products like this become mainstream, it'll be nice to see developers work on more polished ideas that use energy usage data in interesting and meaningful ways.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#3

Post by typicalbender »

guptaneil wrote: post #2

This is great! Last year, I worked on a project during a hackathon to build an energy meter and gamify saving electricity by building a game where the user is fighting vampires. The more electricity users saved in the real world, the more virtual energy they built up in the game to be able to defend against waves of vampire attacks. Once products like this become mainstream, it'll be nice to see developers work on mo…

One thing that I like that the Nest (http://www.nest.com/) has done is they give you a green leaf if you set the temperature at an energy saving level. Then each month or so they email you how many green leaves you've accumulated and how you are doing compared to the average in your area. While this is not a full blown "game" it definitely triggered my competitive side and I've tried to turn down the thermostat to get as many green leaves as possible.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#4

Post by scampcat »

typicalbender wrote: post #3
guptaneil wrote: post #2

This is great! Last year, I worked on a project during a hackathon to build an energy meter and gamify saving electricity by building a game where the user is fighting vampires. The more electricity users saved in the real world, the more virtual energy they built up in the game to be able to defend against waves of vampire attacks. Once products like this become mainstream, it'll be nice to see developers work on mo…

One thing that I like that the Nest ( http://www.nest.com/ ) has done is they give you a green leaf if you set the temperature at an energy saving level. Then each month or so they email you how many green leaves you've accumulated and how you are doing compared to the average in your area. While this is not a full blown "game" it definitely triggered my competitive side and I've tried to turn down the thermostat to…

Rather than seeing what kind of punishing temperatures one can endure to please their thermostat, other options are available that I consider more intelligent. An attic fan, thicker insulation, whole-house fan, window maintenance, sealing air gaps, etc. While there is the demographic that has an empty house while they're gone at work, most have a family, pets, etc. that should not be subject to varying extremes of temperatures. Instead of focusing on when to adjust temperature for human conditions for the sake of saving energy (and money), the house should probably be sealed better to retain the temperature with minimal machinery involvement. The Nest is a cool gadget, but very limited in actual value in its current implementation.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#6

Post by hizio »

Holy image size. Pretty cool idea, and it seems like you've put a lot of time into the site, but I recommend hiring a designer to clean everything up. A site is often the first impression of a company, and if I came across this on my own I would have immediately left.

Some things right off the top of my head:

- Don't use a giant 650kb image for the main content block. This can be broken down a lot into smaller images and css. I would even have a sign up form or large sign up button as part of this block too.

- Use sans-serif fonts, I usually go with something like Open Sans

- Don't use grey text on a grey background. I would maybe put a white background for the middle 960px of the page to give more focus to the content.

Hope this helps a bit, and if you have questions or want some more advice feel free to message me.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#7

Post by jbarbosa »

blazingfrog2 wrote: post #5

I just signed up using a custom userid/pwd (not FB login) and did not connect any social network account to unplu.gg and I noticed that my picture is showing up in the profile. How did that happen?

You probably have your email connected to a gravatar account with your picture.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#8

Post by rjegundo »

hizio wrote: post #6

Holy image size. Pretty cool idea, and it seems like you've put a lot of time into the site, but I recommend hiring a designer to clean everything up. A site is often the first impression of a company, and if I came across this on my own I would have immediately left. Some things right off the top of my head: - Don't use a giant 650kb image for the main content block. This can be broken down a lot into smaller images…

Thanks for the clear feedback.

We will be taking it into account as we revamp the landing page - which is naturally on the short-term roadmap.

Re: Show HN: Launching energy tracking and automation web app

#9

Post by blazingfrog2 »

jbarbosa wrote: post #7
blazingfrog2 wrote: post #5

I just signed up using a custom userid/pwd (not FB login) and did not connect any social network account to unplu.gg and I noticed that my picture is showing up in the profile. How did that happen?

You probably have your email connected to a gravatar account with your picture.

That's it. Was confirmed by Antonio from unplu.gg.
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