4 ms·

Show HN: Tyranotext - create simple interactive SMS apps

27 points by danielzarick 15y ago

danielzarick 15y ago
This is just a weekend project that I built. I work at Twilio, and this comes in handy for little SMS apps I need to build for work all the time. I have a lot of ideas of where I want to take this, and a bunch of layout/copywriting changes I want to make. With that said, I'm pleased with it for as first iteration.
hellyeahdude 15y ago
Daniel Zarick is amazing.
Timothee 15y ago
The first thing that comes to mind is that I'd want to be able to make the replies more dynamic. Maybe a model like Yahoo! Pipes (does that still exist?) where I could build a dictionary app, or a weather app, or anything like that. Though I understand that wasn't your initial goal with that and that it's not an easy task :) As far as the page goes, I could use an example I think. One thing that might be useful to some would be to have a static URL for the app, so that you can change the app without changing the URL in your Twilio settings. (right now, the app lives in the URL) And I would add a link to the Twilio settings page next to the URL at the bottom of the page.
- danielzarick 15y ago
  Thanks Tim. These are good tips. I'll hit you up later for more ideas.
  - Timothee 15y ago
    No problem Daniel. Doing my best to make you look awesome.
blueskittle 15y ago
As a first-time user, it would be helpful to see some examples of certain keywords and SMS responses. That way, I can see how the service worked for someone and that would give me a sense for how it can work for me.
- danielzarick 15y ago
  Definitely. That's a good suggestion. I'll try to figure out a good way to add those in somewhere. There's a lot of work to be done. Thanks!
thomasswift 15y ago
I can confirm this works great, just tried it. nice app Daniel. One suggestion: maybe put that final url inside a textfield or textbox as mine got a little unruly in length.
- danielzarick 15y ago
  Yes, I was working on that last night before I crashed and went to bed. Definitely a good suggestion. I have a few ideas for which you wouldn't even need to use the URL at all... Wait and see. :)

27 points by danielzarick 15y ago

This is just a weekend project that I built. I work at Twilio, and this comes in handy for little SMS apps I need to build for work all the time. I have a lot of ideas of where I want to take this, and a bunch of layout/copywriting changes I want to make. With that said, I'm pleased with it for as first iteration.

hellyeahdude 15y ago

Daniel Zarick is amazing.

Timothee 15y ago

The first thing that comes to mind is that I'd want to be able to make the replies more dynamic. Maybe a model like Yahoo! Pipes (does that still exist?) where I could build a dictionary app, or a weather app, or anything like that. Though I understand that wasn't your initial goal with that and that it's not an easy task :) As far as the page goes, I could use an example I think. One thing that might be useful to some would be to have a static URL for the app, so that you can change the app without changing the URL in your Twilio settings. (right now, the app lives in the URL) And I would add a link to the Twilio settings page next to the URL at the bottom of the page.

danielzarick 15y ago
Thanks Tim. These are good tips. I'll hit you up later for more ideas.
- Timothee 15y ago
  No problem Daniel. Doing my best to make you look awesome.

blueskittle 15y ago

As a first-time user, it would be helpful to see some examples of certain keywords and SMS responses. That way, I can see how the service worked for someone and that would give me a sense for how it can work for me.

danielzarick 15y ago
Definitely. That's a good suggestion. I'll try to figure out a good way to add those in somewhere. There's a lot of work to be done. Thanks!

thomasswift 15y ago

I can confirm this works great, just tried it. nice app Daniel. One suggestion: maybe put that final url inside a textfield or textbox as mine got a little unruly in length.

danielzarick 15y ago
Yes, I was working on that last night before I crashed and went to bed. Definitely a good suggestion. I have a few ideas for which you wouldn't even need to use the URL at all... Wait and see. :)