andrevvm
commented
4 years ago Hey @seanpdoyle I never saw this comment somehow until now. I'm not so comfortable making it open source, but are you still interested in contributing? I have been stop & go on it, but believe in it and there still isn't a solid app (in my opinion) out there.
I'm in the process of rewriting the app in NativeScript (~90%), as the Swift version is terribly outdated and requires rewriting anyway, also to make an Android version more achievable. Currently using Parse as a backend, but thinking to switch to Firebase. In the new version, using phone number login with Account Kit, but Facebook has just deprecated it, so Firebase also provides that as a free service. I'm considering using Firebase for authentication only initially, just to get this new version out.
My main goal with this app is simplicity. It should function more as a utility rather than a social/community app. It should to be for core skaters, regardless of ability, but don't want this to turn into a skatepark map for example. An app for skate spots is already a divisive topic, and I agree with a lot of the points for why it shouldn't even exist. But I also think it's inevitable (as the app stores show), and would rather it be done in a considered enough way to make it more appealing to more skaters.
Here are some general decisions I've come to:
- Currently there are 2 main views: Find & Saved. Spots in the Find view can be double-tapped, which saves them to your Saved view, along with any other spots you've added yourself. Both views can be sorted by Distance or Latest, and searched by location.
- No maps. This is an intentional barrier to encourage exploration, the experience should be more like driving around looking for spots. The only exception I would make here is to view your own saved spots.
- No categorizing/tagging. In the previous version, I had the 'bust' toggle, but have removed it. Spots only have a title (optional), photo, location, and notes (optional). The photo should show enough and notes are there to write anything that may be helpful, but in the spirit of skateboarding, the philosophy here is "go and look for yourself".
- Spots can only be shared by a permalink, which will open the spot inside the app if the person has it, and in a very simple web mode if they don't (https://snarly.app/0n8cep5ga5). Anybody with this permalink can view the spot, even if hidden, as I don't want to get into policing the privacy outside the app, or allowing who can view what from inside the app.
- This one is tricky but necessary, all publicly posted spots are hidden until approved by a moderator. This serves mainly to keep the quality up. Ideally moderators are a small but trusted group, with very loose guidelines.
- Flagging spots. Users should be able to flag a spot, which removes it from being public. I see it better to err on the side of caution, especially in cases where a spot clearly shouldn't be public. Here is a list of default reasons I have:
Ideas I'm considering for later versions:
- Exact spot locations are hidden until you've posted at least 1 public spot yourself. This encourages contribution and adds a small but simple barrier of protection, but may dissuade too many users initially. Might be better if/when the app audience grows.
- Lists, for organizing your saved spots better.
- Comments. This would essentially be adding more 'notes' to the spot, with the intention to provide any additional helpful info, like "not there any more". I wouldn't want this to function like an Instagram of Facebook comment, where the uploader is notified of new activity.
- Multiple photos per spot. I like the simplicity of a single photo per spot, but have had this request and see the legitimate use as some spots have multiple things there.
- Some kind of monetization. While most of the services used are free or relatively cheap, if it grows it would be amazing to have a few people involved who can get paid from it. I've thought about a freemium model, curated advertisement, shop listings etc. One thing I've seen with other apps, which I really don't agree with, is selling spot maps/lists.
Let me know a good email, and I can add you to the TestFlight list. Also your interest in contributing and in what capacity. Thanks!
seanpdoyle
Either that, or add me as a contributor.
I've started/stopped writing (almost) this same app a few times, in a few different stacks.
I never get very far, and I always end up abandoning it, but I'm curious how you're approaching things, and I could help out.