Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud • Hacker News Board

Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#1

Post by shaneeb » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:11 PM UTC

Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud
pagify.io

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#2

Post by shaneeb » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:19 PM UTC

We just launched our alpha (and are sending out invites to people who sign up). We want to validate our value proposition so any feedback/suggestion is very much appreciated!

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#3

Post by crisnoble » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:31 PM UTC

Wow this is pretty neat. I love the api, very straightforward.

One question: Can I use the api to push a uri encoded png to the document? My use case would be converting d3.js charts into uri encoded pngs, pushing that to pagify via api and presenting the user with a customized report based on the current chart's data.

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#4

Post by shaneeb » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:33 PM UTC

crisnoble wrote: post #3

Wow this is pretty neat. I love the api, very straightforward. One question: Can I use the api to push a uri encoded png to the document? My use case would be converting d3.js charts into uri encoded pngs, pushing that to pagify via api and presenting the user with a customized report based on the current chart's data.

Thanks! As of now this support is not available but we would definitely look into it. For now only our 'native' charts are available which can be populated with data as well (including bar, stacked, pie.. etc).

Also if you have an image url, that could work too.

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#5

Post by impostervt » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:45 PM UTC

How long does PDF generation take?

Can I upload and manipulate an existing PDF?

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#6

Post by salman89 » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:52 PM UTC

I think you should consider dropping the design part of the workflow - there are applications out there that are very good at this and it will be hard to compete there, and it is not part of your core product value. I believe the core value is in the dynamic PDF generation aspect - not the template design aspect.

Allow me to upload a pre created template that follows some sort of variable naming that is compatible with your API, and allow me to use just the API to generate documents.

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#7

Post by shaneeb » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 2:58 PM UTC

impostervt wrote: post #5

How long does PDF generation take? Can I upload and manipulate an existing PDF?

PDF generation time depends on the length of the document but ideally it should be pretty quick.

No you cannot manipulate existing PDF but only generate new ones. Thanks!

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#8

Post by shaneeb » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 3:01 PM UTC

salman89 wrote: post #6

I think you should consider dropping the design part of the workflow - there are applications out there that are very good at this and it will be hard to compete there, and it is not part of your core product value. I believe the core value is in the dynamic PDF generation aspect - not the template design aspect. Allow me to upload a pre created template that follows some sort of variable naming that is compatible wi…

Thanks for your feedback! Which products do you have in mind which do the design part? Particularly those that work in a browser.

Essentially we are something like Crystal Reports for web apps. Being web based is a core part of our proposition.

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#9

Post by impostervt » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 3:23 PM UTC

shaneeb wrote: post #7

impostervt wrote: post #5

How long does PDF generation take? Can I upload and manipulate an existing PDF?

PDF generation time depends on the length of the document but ideally it should be pretty quick. No you cannot manipulate existing PDF but only generate new ones. Thanks!

Thanks for answering. So you can understand my use case - I have a PDF book I want to sell, and would like to include a customized code in each book. As the book is long, I have no desire to recreate it in your app's Designer.

Re: Show HN: Pagify - Document Design and Generation on Cloud

#10

Post by crisnoble » Thu, Mar 21, 2013, 3:28 PM UTC

shaneeb wrote: post #8

salman89 wrote: post #6

I think you should consider dropping the design part of the workflow - there are applications out there that are very good at this and it will be hard to compete there, and it is not part of your core product value. I believe the core value is in the dynamic PDF generation aspect - not the template design aspect. Allow me to upload a pre created template that follows some sort of variable naming that is compatible wi…

Thanks for your feedback! Which products do you have in mind which do the design part? Particularly those that work in a browser. Essentially we are something like Crystal Reports for web apps. Being web based is a core part of our proposition.

I have never heard Crystal Reports mentioned in a positive light. I think the parent means tools like InDesign which can create professional reports. If one could upload a pdf export of an indesign file and update it on the cloud through your api then I imagine designers would be throwing money at you fast.