4 ms·

Can you make the zone adaptive so there are always at least a few people there?

theveloped 10y ago
This is one of the biggest decisions I've had to make based. The current implementation requires a huge critical mass before there are enough local users. Because as of now I'm not perusing making any money from the app, I opted to test the feasibility of the core idea. Talking to local people. One could of course argue that I could deviate from this slightly (variable range) to reach this critical mass.
- anotheryou 10y ago
  I think this would be great. As a non-US guy I don't even bother to install it (though I'd need android anyways).
- pjlegato 10y ago
  I'm in San Francisco right now, a dense, large city with a huge tech-savvy population. There seems to be one other person online at the moment. I guess there are probably more online elsewhere in SF, just not within 1km of me. Adapting the radius to match the number of people available seems like a great idea. If there's only one person within 1km, step up to 2km, 3km, etc. until some number X of people are available. If there are too many people, step back down.
sjm 10y ago
Funny that you mention this, as I've literally just submitted this exact app to Apple and should hopefully be launching in the next few days. The app is called hoody (https://hoody.im https://hoody.im) and I can't wait to post it to HN. I was actually a bit bummed to see this as I figured they had _just_ beaten me to the post, but in fact our apps are slightly different. It's anonymous, with auto-generated nicknames as well, but the chat areas are dynamic based on activity in your area. So if no one is using it, it goes worldwide, and shrinks down as people around you are active (country level, city level, suburb), down to a minimum of around 700 metres. Look for it on HN in the next couple days! ;)
- theveloped 10y ago
  Looks sweet! I've used today's traffic to play around a little with the range on zone messenger. And do believe a dynamic range is the way to go, at least while it's gaining traction. All the best! and looking forward to your launch on HN
- twothamendment 10y ago
  That is great to hear. Your app resolves what I was going to leave as feedback. 1) Not everyone is in a city. I'm in an area where a 1km in any direction might not get you anyone. Some areas 2km circle might get a handful of neighbors, but none of them are likely to have the app too. 2) When the app is new, what are they chances that anyone nearby has it? By increasing the range until there is activity, it gives it a way to get off the ground and a way for it to work for people who aren't packed in a city.

This is one of the biggest decisions I've had to make based. The current implementation requires a huge critical mass before there are enough local users. Because as of now I'm not perusing making any money from the app, I opted to test the feasibility of the core idea. Talking to local people. One could of course argue that I could deviate from this slightly (variable range) to reach this critical mass.

anotheryou 10y ago
I think this would be great. As a non-US guy I don't even bother to install it (though I'd need android anyways).
pjlegato 10y ago
I'm in San Francisco right now, a dense, large city with a huge tech-savvy population. There seems to be one other person online at the moment. I guess there are probably more online elsewhere in SF, just not within 1km of me. Adapting the radius to match the number of people available seems like a great idea. If there's only one person within 1km, step up to 2km, 3km, etc. until some number X of people are available. If there are too many people, step back down.

sjm 10y ago

Funny that you mention this, as I've literally just submitted this exact app to Apple and should hopefully be launching in the next few days. The app is called hoody (https://hoody.im https://hoody.im) and I can't wait to post it to HN. I was actually a bit bummed to see this as I figured they had _just_ beaten me to the post, but in fact our apps are slightly different. It's anonymous, with auto-generated nicknames as well, but the chat areas are dynamic based on activity in your area. So if no one is using it, it goes worldwide, and shrinks down as people around you are active (country level, city level, suburb), down to a minimum of around 700 metres. Look for it on HN in the next couple days! ;)

theveloped 10y ago
Looks sweet! I've used today's traffic to play around a little with the range on zone messenger. And do believe a dynamic range is the way to go, at least while it's gaining traction. All the best! and looking forward to your launch on HN
twothamendment 10y ago
That is great to hear. Your app resolves what I was going to leave as feedback. 1) Not everyone is in a city. I'm in an area where a 1km in any direction might not get you anyone. Some areas 2km circle might get a handful of neighbors, but none of them are likely to have the app too. 2) When the app is new, what are they chances that anyone nearby has it? By increasing the range until there is activity, it gives it a way to get off the ground and a way for it to work for people who aren't packed in a city.