FlowRipple is a visual workflow automation platform designed for building and managing complex workflows without code. It features a drag-and-drop interface for connecting pre-built blocks representing various actions, including integrations with popular apps, webhooks, and custom code execution. FlowRipple aims to simplify automation for both technical and non-technical users, allowing them to automate tasks, connect services, and streamline processes across their work or personal projects. Its visual nature offers a clear overview of the workflow logic and facilitates easier debugging and modification.
"Do-nothing scripting" advocates for a gradual approach to automation. Instead of immediately trying to fully automate a complex task, you start by writing a script that simply performs the steps manually, echoing each command to the screen. This allows you to document the process precisely and identify potential issues without the risk of automated errors. As you gain confidence, you incrementally replace the manual execution of each command within the script with its automated equivalent. This iterative process minimizes disruption, allows for easy rollback, and makes the transition to full automation smoother and more manageable.
Hacker News users generally praised the "do-nothing scripting" approach as a valuable tool for understanding existing processes before automating them. Several commenters highlighted the benefit of using this technique to gain stakeholder buy-in and build trust, particularly when dealing with complex or mission-critical systems. Some shared similar experiences or suggested alternative methods like using strace or dtrace. One commenter suggested incorporating progressive logging to further refine the script's insights over time, while another cautioned against over-reliance on this approach, advocating for a move towards true automation once sufficient understanding is gained. Some skepticism was expressed regarding the practicality for highly interactive processes. Overall, the commentary reflects strong support for the core idea as a practical step toward thoughtful and effective automation.
Summary of Comments ( 35 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43139138
Hacker News users discussed the complexity of visual programming tools like FlowRipple, with some arguing that text-based systems, despite their steeper learning curve, offer greater flexibility and control for complex automations. Concerns were raised about vendor lock-in with proprietary platforms and the potential difficulties of debugging visual workflows. The lack of a free tier and the high pricing for FlowRipple's paid plans were also criticized, with comparisons made to cheaper or open-source alternatives. Some commenters expressed interest in seeing more technical details about the platform's implementation, particularly regarding its handling of complex branching logic and error handling. Others praised the clean UI and the potential usefulness of such a tool for non-programmers, but ultimately felt the current offering was too expensive for individual users or small businesses.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: I Built a Visual Workflow Automation Platform – FlowRipple" generated several comments discussing the platform and related topics.
Several commenters expressed interest in the project and offered positive feedback. One user appreciated the clean UI and found the platform intriguing, especially the ability to create custom components. They inquired about the underlying technology used to build FlowRipple. Another commenter praised the project for focusing on self-hosting and using local storage instead of relying on cloud services, a feature they considered valuable.
The discussion also delved into technical details and comparisons with existing tools. One user compared FlowRipple to n8n, another visual workflow automation tool, highlighting potential benefits of FlowRipple. Another commenter discussed the challenges of building such a platform, acknowledging the complexities involved in creating a robust and user-friendly system. They specifically mentioned the difficulty of handling errors effectively, prompting the creator to explain their approach to error management within FlowRipple.
Some users questioned the choice of certain technologies, particularly the use of React for the front-end and Go for the backend, expressing concerns about potential performance bottlenecks and suggesting alternatives. The creator responded to these concerns, explaining the rationale behind their technology choices and outlining plans for future development and optimization.
Furthermore, a discussion emerged around the business model and potential future development of FlowRipple. One commenter asked about plans for monetization, suggesting a potential market for a self-hosted version, especially among developers. Another user inquired about the intended user base for FlowRipple, suggesting its suitability for technical users familiar with automation tools.
The creator actively participated in the discussion, responding to questions and providing further insights into the platform's features, development process, and future plans. They acknowledged the feedback received and expressed openness to incorporating suggestions from the community. Overall, the comments reflect a positive reception to FlowRipple, with users expressing interest in its development and offering constructive feedback for improvement.