Show HN: Glot.io – an open source pastebin with runnable snippets and API

12 3 11 years ago

furier• 11 years ago

This looks like great stuff, you did all this by your self?

ohaal• 11 years ago

I've been using this service for a while already, mostly for demoing answers on StackOverflow and/or testing out new languages without having to install anything locally. Although the site is very handy, I find some of its design choices a bit peculiar.

1. Saving after editing someone elses snippet (effectively creating a fork/clone)

I can run the code after I change it, but I can't save it? This is what I miss most from other "pastebins".

2. Save indicator

I don't see any indicator of whether or not the snippet has been edited/saved.

3. Secret snippets

Why can only logged in users store "secret" snippets? Secret snippets are still accessible by anyone with the URL, so why shouldn't an anonymous user be able to save them? I'd imagine a concept of "private" snippets would make more sense to restrict for logged in users.

4. Code language versioning

Currently, there is only one version, "latest" of each language available (except Python, JavaScript and PHP). I assume the version support lists will improve eventually, but it would be nice to know what this "latest" refers to, and a bit more accurate versioning in general.

5. No URL immediately visible after saving a snippet

OK, I need to grab it from the address bar, but this may not be immediately obvious for everyone.

6. Username

What is it used for? I can't log in using my username, and in the "Snippets" table, I'm listed with my name instead of my username.

7. E-mail address

I can't change it?

Other than that, props on creating, providing and maintaining a great service!

nicolewhite• 11 years ago

I wish I had known about this earlier. Usually when I want to show someone a snippet of code I'll use a GitHub gist, but it's certainly much nicer for the recipient to be able to run / edit the code.

Show HN: Glot.io – an open source pastebin with runnable snippets and API

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