zlacker

HN always likes new communities. But don't do this:

New account registrations are currently either closed or very limited

If you do that, the psychology goes like this: "I wonder what this is?" (click) "Ooh, a new social community! I like those!" (reads further) "What do you mean, new accounts are closed or very limited? What if I want to join? Why are you gatekeeping me? Damn you!"... except with words stronger than 'damn'.

Once you're ready to let anyone sign up, email hn@ycombinator.com and we'll help you out.

>>dang+(OP)
Thank you, the registrations are now open but each signup incurs a cost (for the SMS) and the budget is currently limited hence the notice. I'll get in touch asap.

>>dt3ft+d1
Sending even tens of thousands of SMS is very cheap, just how limited is that budget? :)

>>_-____+q1
A few hundred people with US numbers should be able to sign up, but sending SMS overseas is much more expensive. For example, sending to Switzerland: $0.069 per SMS.

>>dt3ft+F1
That's insane, but in line with what other (local) sms gateways charge here.

But do you really need my phone number?

>>jmiser+J4
I have experience with building a very large community where registration was based on e-mail alone. Racism & general hate don't even begin to describe the things that came along with anonymity and disposable e-mail...

>>dt3ft+46
There are plenty of services for anonymous, disposable phone numbers.

>>_-____+4c
True, but far fewer than disposable e-mail.

>>dt3ft+46
Why not put a soft limit on the amount of signups-through-mail a day?

After xyz signups through it, make the rest of the day's accounts require manual approval for the first few posts.

You can also mitigate the disposable mail problem pretty easily by requiring whitelisting for any domain that's got more than a few accounts tied to it.

That comes out way cheaper for you, and might improve the quality of conversation (because there are valid reasons for anonymity and pseudonymity).

EDIT:

Also, bug report: the category row at the top doesn't overflow very well; on smaller window-sizes, there are many categories out of view. Maybe make the hamburger menu come up on more than just mobile screen factors?