zlacker

>>jjcm+(OP)
Congrats on the hard work, and the idea is fine, but the problem is that tech like this is a cheap commodity in a massively oversaturated space, and without a hook that makes the platform exceptional (innovative/clever/beautiful design, unique aggregation features, inherently interesting content, reimagined user/content/moderation dynamics etc etc), this kind of thing is dead in the water because it lacks a network effect. Add in the upfront subscription model and failure to launch is basically assured.

When I visit the root domain I shouldn't be greeted with a marketing splash page, you need interesting content in the user's face right away, entice their curiosity and drive the user to explore the site... even as a fellow developer, my first instinct is to abandon the page as soon as I'm greeted with the cliche startup marketing page. Consider the user experience when I visit reddit.com or news.ycombinator.com or any other link aggregation competitor. What you have now is a tech demo, not a platform. Sorry if that's a little harsh, but I mean well! Good luck!

>>root_a+Ih
I think a lot of this is exactly the kind of constructive critique the OP is looking for, and I upvoted your comment for being high-value.

But I’m currently working on being a little more diplomatic, and too often I regret throwing in low-signal “this is a tech demo” type summaries next to my substantial remarks.

I hope this comes off as “fellow user working on this” and not a person in a glass house with rocks.

>>benree+Oj
Yes! I made a little edit just to make it clear I'm not trying to dismiss the hard work, and even though it's a really hard space to compete in, someone has to try or there will never be alternatives.

>>root_a+8l
If you're open for alternatives, framing it in in a way like "I know you're trying to accomplish X, but due to Y, I think the outcome is more along Z". So something like "I know you're going for a soft launch, but without providing a more concrete and demonstrative user experience, the current status of the project is more of a tech demo".

This approach acknowledges what the person is trying to accomplish, and lays out the obstacles before arriving at the conclusion, which then feels more natural. The recipient is able to follow your thinking and hopefully "arrive" at the conclusion along with you. When you start with the conclusion, you risk having a jarring moment where you start with something unexpected, and that can generate friction.