Ask HN: Connecting people based on common interests

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4189476

by BlackCloud • 14 years ago

4 9 14 years ago

news.ycombinator.com

FaceToFriend is currently a side project I've been working on trying to help people meet new friends based on their common interests. This weekend I added a visualization of who you are most naturally connected with in the system based on the interests you share. Looking for some feedback on it and any thoughts anyone has to make it even more useful.

https://www.facetofriend.com

Thanks for taking a look.

tjoff3• 14 years ago

Requires facebook? Sorry, but no thanks.

jacksondeane• 14 years ago

I like the concept, and am waiting for someone to execute on it well.

As for your FaceToFriend site... It is very difficult to figure out exactly what to do after logging in. You need to direct the user (especially a new user) to the key feature/areas. If the "I Want To Talk About..." search box is where you go to get rolling, you have lost already.

ewokhead2• 14 years ago

Any site that requires Facebook to login is a site I will not use.

So, my feedback: it sucks until you implement login that does not rely on a third party that is known for its questionable privacy practices.

After you do that, I would definitely check it out. Well done by the way. "Finishing" stuff is hard and you have launched!

BlackCloud2• 14 years ago

Thanks for the feedback.

I do have some ideas around guiding the user through the initial experience outside of the initial overlay and get the immediately involved with interacting with others. I think opening up the lines of communication between the users immediately is key.

With regards to the Facebook login I understand your point, hell I've said it myself about other sites, but in this case the entire experience is based on the data from your Facebook profile. It encourages honesty about who you really are and makes it so it is not another profile for you to manage. Without the ability to use the Facebook data you wouldn't be able to have much of an experience. I understand that a percentage will walk away from the site due to that but I'm going to have to focus on the millions of people who do use their Facebook account on a regular basis to login to a third party site.

ewokhead2• 14 years ago

To clarify, I was not saying "people will not use it because you need to use the Facebook login service" I was speaking for myself. There is a large body of individuals that will participate and a minority of stubborn curmudgeons like me that do not use Facebook that do not matter. Until people start leaving Facebook, in which case your strategy will change.

That much further down the road though.

tjoff3• 14 years ago

Without the ability to use the Facebook data you wouldn't be able to have much of an experience.

Isn't basically all that you gather from facebook interests and location? That is hardly a huge barrier for a non-facebook login.

Not having your own login is lazy and shady, and having an own login is appreciated even by those that ultimately choose to use facebook.

BlackCloud2• 14 years ago

It is not about being lazy or shady. It is about encouraging accurate information from real Facebook accounts based on the information users already have compiled. The site helps you meet new people based on that information and gives you the opportunity to eventually become Facebook friends. You need a Facebook account attached to become Facebook friends.

Right now it is based on common interests and location. In the future it will likely look for other data that similar connections can be made on.

Airtime recently launched and they are following the same model as it turns out due to their close alignment with the Facebook community and the data it provides.

There are plenty of "meet new people" sites out there where you enter whatever you want about yourself. This is a different angle on that which provides functionality leveraging Facebook which Facebook itself is not going to provide.

AznHisoka• 14 years ago

Color scheme looks too much like Facebook, and Face is in the domain. You should be worried about a cease to desist...

Ask HN: Connecting people based on common interests

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