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I'm surprised to see the concerns from other comments. Isn't this exactly how Gumroad started too right here on HN?

samwillis 4y ago
Yes, this is exactly what they started with in 2011, see the launch post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2406614 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2406614 > Over this past weekend I had the idea to build a sort of link shortener but with a payment system built-in. There have been many times in the past where I wanted to share a link - on Twitter or just through IM with a few friends - but did not want to go through the overhead of setting up a whole store. All the same comments as here, but I suppose they ultimately pivoted away from the link format. I suppose it's the perfect MVP though!
SomeCallMeTim 4y ago
No. Gumroad hosts and sells digital products from a store. This site...well, I can't even tell what it does aside from creating a paywall link that requires $X to bypass. And on that payment page there's no hint as to what you're buying. And after you've gotten a new link...then what? Someone can just post that link everywhere? Or is there some kind of API that unlocks a link? Or...? The service has very questionable usability. Gumroad has obvious utility. That's the difference.
- geysersam 4y ago
  I assume they won't just give you the link, only read the content from the link and pass it on to you. Although, I haven't tried. Edit: I assumed wrong.
- czx4f4bd 4y ago
  This is literally how Gumroad started, though. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34068230 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34068230
  - SomeCallMeTim 4y ago
    Well, starting with a service that has already pivoted to a better service isn't a great strategy, IMO.
- TheHappyOddish 4y ago
  That's exactly what Gumroad was 11 years ago!
xwdv 4y ago
Those were different times. There’s no more room for scrappy products like that now. You can’t just post an explainer video with an email sign up and expect to become Dropbox. Lean startups have been rejected in favor of “Do all the big work up front and then we’ll see if we like it”. It’s MVP fatigue.
- TheHappyOddish 4y ago
  I can't tell if this is satirical or not. I feel it must be, but you seem so serious!
- janalsncm 4y ago
  I assume VC firms vary. On the Ycombinator page they say they back companies who don’t even have an MVP. Just a deck and a group of people will do.
- loa_in_ 4y ago
  > and become dropbox Yes. But you can absolutely want to and actually do make your own file storage and syncing service with web interface and desktop integration and whatnot. In fact, nobody can stop you!

Yes, this is exactly what they started with in 2011, see the launch post: https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2406614 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=2406614 > Over this past weekend I had the idea to build a sort of link shortener but with a payment system built-in. There have been many times in the past where I wanted to share a link - on Twitter or just through IM with a few friends - but did not want to go through the overhead of setting up a whole store. All the same comments as here, but I suppose they ultimately pivoted away from the link format. I suppose it's the perfect MVP though!

SomeCallMeTim 4y ago

No. Gumroad hosts and sells digital products from a store. This site...well, I can't even tell what it does aside from creating a paywall link that requires $X to bypass. And on that payment page there's no hint as to what you're buying. And after you've gotten a new link...then what? Someone can just post that link everywhere? Or is there some kind of API that unlocks a link? Or...? The service has very questionable usability. Gumroad has obvious utility. That's the difference.

geysersam 4y ago
I assume they won't just give you the link, only read the content from the link and pass it on to you. Although, I haven't tried. Edit: I assumed wrong.
czx4f4bd 4y ago
This is literally how Gumroad started, though. https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34068230 https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=34068230
- SomeCallMeTim 4y ago
  Well, starting with a service that has already pivoted to a better service isn't a great strategy, IMO.
TheHappyOddish 4y ago
That's exactly what Gumroad was 11 years ago!

xwdv 4y ago

Those were different times. There’s no more room for scrappy products like that now. You can’t just post an explainer video with an email sign up and expect to become Dropbox. Lean startups have been rejected in favor of “Do all the big work up front and then we’ll see if we like it”. It’s MVP fatigue.

TheHappyOddish 4y ago
I can't tell if this is satirical or not. I feel it must be, but you seem so serious!
janalsncm 4y ago
I assume VC firms vary. On the Ycombinator page they say they back companies who don’t even have an MVP. Just a deck and a group of people will do.
loa_in_ 4y ago
> and become dropbox Yes. But you can absolutely want to and actually do make your own file storage and syncing service with web interface and desktop integration and whatnot. In fact, nobody can stop you!