Kaguya is a new web app positioned as a modern alternative to Goodreads. It focuses on privacy, speed, and a clean interface. Users can track their reading progress, add books to their library, and discover new titles. The platform features a minimalist design, personalized recommendations, and integration with StoryGraph for importing existing libraries. Kaguya aims to provide a distraction-free reading management experience.
The IndieWeb is a community and movement focused on reclaiming ownership and control of your online identity and content by building and using personal websites. It emphasizes using open web standards and technologies to connect your site to the broader web, allowing for independent publishing, sharing, and interaction without relying on centralized platforms. This approach promotes personal expression, data portability, and interconnectedness through a variety of tools and philosophies, empowering individuals to own their online presence.
Hacker News users discussed the merits and challenges of the IndieWeb, prompted by a blog post aggregator. Several commenters expressed appreciation for the concept of owning your own content and controlling your online presence. Some highlighted the technical hurdles and time commitment involved in setting up and maintaining an IndieWeb site, contrasting it with the ease of use of mainstream platforms. Others debated the discoverability of IndieWeb content and whether its decentralized nature hinders its growth. The conversation also touched upon the tension between the IndieWeb's philosophy and the network effects of larger platforms, along with the potential for bridging the gap between the two. A few users shared their personal experiences with the IndieWeb, both positive and negative. The overall sentiment leaned towards cautious optimism, acknowledging the IndieWeb's ideals while recognizing the practical obstacles to widespread adoption.
The blog post "An early social un-network" details the creation and demise of a hyperlocal, anonymous social network called "Dodgeball" in the early 2000s. Unlike friend-based platforms like Friendster, Dodgeball centered around broadcasting one's location via SMS to nearby users, fostering spontaneous real-world interactions. Its simple design and focus on proximity aimed to connect people in the same physical space, facilitating serendipitous meetings and shared experiences. However, its reliance on SMS proved costly and cumbersome, while its anonymity attracted unwanted attention and hindered the formation of meaningful connections. Despite its innovative approach to social networking, Dodgeball ultimately failed to gain widespread traction and was eventually acquired and shut down.
Hacker News users discussed the impracticality of the "social un-network" described in the linked article, particularly its reliance on physical proximity and limitations on content sharing. Some found the idea nostalgic and reminiscent of earlier, smaller online communities like Usenet or BBSs. Others expressed concerns about scalability and the potential for abuse and harassment without robust moderation tools. Several commenters questioned the overall utility of such a system, arguing that existing social networks already address the desire for smaller, more focused communities through features like groups or subreddits. The lack of searchability and portability of conversations was also a recurring criticism. While some appreciated the author's intention to foster deeper connections, the general consensus was that the proposed system was too restrictive and ultimately unworkable in its current form.
A developer has created Threadsky, a Reddit-style client for the decentralized social media platform Bluesky. It organizes Bluesky content into threaded conversations similar to Reddit, offering features like nested replies, upvote/downvote buttons, and customizable feeds. The project is still in its early stages of development and the creator is actively seeking feedback and ideas for improvement. The aim is to provide a more familiar and organized browsing experience for Bluesky users, leveraging a popular forum structure.
HN commenters generally expressed interest in Threadsky, the Bluesky client showcased. Several appreciated the familiar Reddit-like interface and suggested improvements like keyboard navigation, infinite scrolling, and better integration with Bluesky's features like muting and blocking. Some questioned the longevity of Bluesky itself and the need for another client, while others encouraged the developer to add features like custom feeds and threaded replies. A few commenters shared alternative Bluesky clients they preferred, highlighting the emerging ecosystem around the platform. Overall, the reception was positive, with commenters offering constructive feedback and expressing curiosity about the project's future development.
Summary of Comments ( 90 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230994
HN users generally praised Kaguya's clean design and mobile-first approach, contrasting it favorably with Goodreads' cluttered interface. Several expressed interest in specific features like the yearly reading challenge tracker and the ability to easily add books by scanning ISBNs. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying solely on Amazon for book data and suggested integrating with other sources like OpenLibrary. Others voiced concerns about the privacy implications of the project being closed-source and requiring an account. The developer responded actively to comments, addressing concerns and outlining plans for future development including features like import from Goodreads, personalized recommendations, and potentially open-sourcing the codebase. A recurring theme was the desire for a robust, modern alternative to Goodreads, with Kaguya seen as a promising contender.
The Hacker News post "Show HN: I built a modern Goodreads alternative" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43230994) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with several commenters expressing interest and offering feedback on the project, Kaguya. Many of the comments revolved around feature requests and comparisons to Goodreads.
Several users appreciated the clean and modern UI/UX of Kaguya, contrasting it with the perceived clutter and outdated design of Goodreads. One commenter specifically praised the infinite scroll implementation, finding it superior to Goodreads' pagination. The speed and responsiveness of the site were also highlighted as positive aspects.
A recurring theme in the comments was the desire for features not yet present in Kaguya. These included:
Some users raised concerns about the long-term viability and sustainability of the project, particularly regarding the business model and the potential for monetization. The developer responded to some of these comments, clarifying their current approach and future plans. They indicated a focus on building a solid user base before implementing monetization strategies.
A few commenters also offered technical feedback, including suggestions for alternative technologies and improvements to the codebase. There was a small thread discussing the choice of database and the potential scaling challenges.
Overall, the comments were generally positive and encouraging, with many users expressing excitement about the potential of Kaguya as a Goodreads alternative. The developer's responsiveness to the feedback and willingness to engage with the community were also well-received. While some skepticism regarding the project's longevity remained, the overall sentiment appeared to be one of cautious optimism.