Friday, January 15, 2021
New best story on Hacker News: Thanks HN: You helped save a company that now helps thousands make a living
Thanks HN: You helped save a company that now helps thousands make a living
527 by callmevlad | 57 comments on Hacker News.
Dear HN, I’m feeling a deep sense of gratitude this morning, and wanted to share it with you all. On this day in 2013, the Webflow co-founders were huddled around our usual desk that we claimed every early morning at the Hacker Dojo (a co-working space) in Mountain View, working like hell into the evenings to get something off the ground. We had quit our jobs about 6 months prior, and totally underestimated how long it would take to build even a beta. I had personally convinced my wife that we’d only have to be income-less for 3 months – the amount of savings we had in the bank – but that time had now doubled, and those savings were long gone. The Kickstarter campaign we had poured all of our savings into producing had fallen through, never even making it live because we hadn’t read the Terms of Service to learn that they didn’t allow SaaS subscriptions to be funded. We had high hopes about getting into YC for the winter batch, but were rejected since we only had a non-functional demo of a product and zero traction. On top of all that, my oldest daughter (3yo then) was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, requiring expensive surgery that didn’t get much help from our cheap “catastrophic” health insurance plan with an ultra-high deductible. Credit card cash advances became the way we were paying for rent and food. So with all this, we started contingency planning to try to get our old jobs back. As a last ditch effort, we sold two of our cars and pulled out what equity we had in them to buy a little more runway. Then we had to come to terms that we couldn’t actually build a full product in the time we had left, and decided that the best we could do was to create a demo or playground that could hint at what the future product could be – and hope for the best. In March of 2013, we finally finished that demo and put it up live. It’s still there: https://ift.tt/Ze9ljv Now came the time to get users. We were targeting mostly designers and non-technical folks – so we posted it on Digg (heh, remember those days?), Reddit, and several designer-centric forums. But none of those posts got any meaningful traction. We were at a loss. Then, with tempered expectations about how a visual development tool for designers would be received in the hacker community, we posted here to HN. The title was “Show HN: Webflow – design responsive websites visually” [1] and we crossed our fingers really hard at this last-ditch effort. What happened next was nothing short of life-changing. The post took off like wildfire, staying at #1 for the entire day. Incredible words of encouragement were all over the comments. Over 25,000 people signed up for our beta list. VentureBeat wrote a story about us that same day. Tons of people started talking about Webflow on Twitter, Reddit, etc as a result. This led to a ton of word of mouth and even more signups. This amazing traction helped us get into YC several months later, gave us momentum to raise some funding from some angel investors, and most importantly gave us the confidence that we were truly on to something that can be really valuable for the world. Since then, Webflow has grown to millions of users, over a hundred thousand customers, and over 200 team members. I still have to pinch myself when I see that Webflow has somehow become one of the top YC companies of all time. Out of our customers, tens of thousands use Webflow exclusively to make a living – to run an agency, build websites and light applications, create websites for clients, or for their own startups. Tons of YC startups (e.g. lattice.com, hellosign.com, many many more) now use Webflow to run their marketing. I’m 1000% convinced that if that HN post did not take off, we would have gone back to our jobs and that early Webflow demo would have been a mere mention on our resumes somewhere. Thousands of people wouldn’t be empowered to build for the web the way they can now. I can’t imagine what that alternate future would be like, and it hinged seemingly on just one submission to this community. So this is a very belated, but very huge THANK YOU to HN for being kind to a trio of co-founders who wanted to make something valuable for the world, and were at the end of their rope in many ways. You gave us confidence, hope, encouragement, and a lifeline that got us through the lows of building a startup. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! [1] https://ift.tt/160pvU0
527 by callmevlad | 57 comments on Hacker News.
Dear HN, I’m feeling a deep sense of gratitude this morning, and wanted to share it with you all. On this day in 2013, the Webflow co-founders were huddled around our usual desk that we claimed every early morning at the Hacker Dojo (a co-working space) in Mountain View, working like hell into the evenings to get something off the ground. We had quit our jobs about 6 months prior, and totally underestimated how long it would take to build even a beta. I had personally convinced my wife that we’d only have to be income-less for 3 months – the amount of savings we had in the bank – but that time had now doubled, and those savings were long gone. The Kickstarter campaign we had poured all of our savings into producing had fallen through, never even making it live because we hadn’t read the Terms of Service to learn that they didn’t allow SaaS subscriptions to be funded. We had high hopes about getting into YC for the winter batch, but were rejected since we only had a non-functional demo of a product and zero traction. On top of all that, my oldest daughter (3yo then) was diagnosed with a life-threatening condition, requiring expensive surgery that didn’t get much help from our cheap “catastrophic” health insurance plan with an ultra-high deductible. Credit card cash advances became the way we were paying for rent and food. So with all this, we started contingency planning to try to get our old jobs back. As a last ditch effort, we sold two of our cars and pulled out what equity we had in them to buy a little more runway. Then we had to come to terms that we couldn’t actually build a full product in the time we had left, and decided that the best we could do was to create a demo or playground that could hint at what the future product could be – and hope for the best. In March of 2013, we finally finished that demo and put it up live. It’s still there: https://ift.tt/Ze9ljv Now came the time to get users. We were targeting mostly designers and non-technical folks – so we posted it on Digg (heh, remember those days?), Reddit, and several designer-centric forums. But none of those posts got any meaningful traction. We were at a loss. Then, with tempered expectations about how a visual development tool for designers would be received in the hacker community, we posted here to HN. The title was “Show HN: Webflow – design responsive websites visually” [1] and we crossed our fingers really hard at this last-ditch effort. What happened next was nothing short of life-changing. The post took off like wildfire, staying at #1 for the entire day. Incredible words of encouragement were all over the comments. Over 25,000 people signed up for our beta list. VentureBeat wrote a story about us that same day. Tons of people started talking about Webflow on Twitter, Reddit, etc as a result. This led to a ton of word of mouth and even more signups. This amazing traction helped us get into YC several months later, gave us momentum to raise some funding from some angel investors, and most importantly gave us the confidence that we were truly on to something that can be really valuable for the world. Since then, Webflow has grown to millions of users, over a hundred thousand customers, and over 200 team members. I still have to pinch myself when I see that Webflow has somehow become one of the top YC companies of all time. Out of our customers, tens of thousands use Webflow exclusively to make a living – to run an agency, build websites and light applications, create websites for clients, or for their own startups. Tons of YC startups (e.g. lattice.com, hellosign.com, many many more) now use Webflow to run their marketing. I’m 1000% convinced that if that HN post did not take off, we would have gone back to our jobs and that early Webflow demo would have been a mere mention on our resumes somewhere. Thousands of people wouldn’t be empowered to build for the web the way they can now. I can’t imagine what that alternate future would be like, and it hinged seemingly on just one submission to this community. So this is a very belated, but very huge THANK YOU to HN for being kind to a trio of co-founders who wanted to make something valuable for the world, and were at the end of their rope in many ways. You gave us confidence, hope, encouragement, and a lifeline that got us through the lows of building a startup. Thank you, thank you, thank you!!! [1] https://ift.tt/160pvU0
New best story on Hacker News: Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login
Tell HN: Dropbox now requires access to contacts for Google login
546 by poxobloc | 346 comments on Hacker News.
I remember I was using Google login to login to my Dropbox and in the last year or so Dropbox started asking me to access my contacts in Google. I would always deny access and still manage to successfully login. Yesterday I tried the same but with no luck. I contacted Dropbox support and this is their reply: > I'm afraid that is not possible at the time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Interesting that they chose this route when users are getting more and more privacy-aware.
546 by poxobloc | 346 comments on Hacker News.
I remember I was using Google login to login to my Dropbox and in the last year or so Dropbox started asking me to access my contacts in Google. I would always deny access and still manage to successfully login. Yesterday I tried the same but with no luck. I contacted Dropbox support and this is their reply: > I'm afraid that is not possible at the time. I apologize for any inconvenience this may cause. Interesting that they chose this route when users are getting more and more privacy-aware.
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 11:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 11:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 11:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 11:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
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January 15, 2021 at 08:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
New best story on Hacker News: Aquafaba
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
Aquafaba
514 by david-given | 261 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 05:08PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
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January 15, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
New best story on Hacker News: Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
Twitter shuts down account of Sci-Hub
507 by amrrs | 301 comments on Hacker News.
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January 15, 2021 at 02:08PM
Thursday, January 14, 2021
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
596 by theBashShell | 270 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
New best story on Hacker News: Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
Visa and Plaid Abandon Merger After Antitrust Division’s Suit to Block
596 by theBashShell | 270 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
741 by mcrittenden | 312 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
New best story on Hacker News: If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
If it will matter after today, don't talk about it in a chat room
741 by mcrittenden | 312 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
545 by z3t111 | 60 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
New best story on Hacker News: Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
Facebook confirms data-sharing agreements with Chinese firms, including Huawei (2018)
545 by z3t111 | 60 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
535 by circularfoyers | 209 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
New best story on Hacker News: Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
Teamspeak 5 to be based on the Matrix protocol
535 by circularfoyers | 209 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
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January 14, 2021 at 02:10PM
New best story on Hacker News: WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
New best story on Hacker News: WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
New best story on Hacker News: WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
587 by uptown | 263 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
New best story on Hacker News: WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
WRT54G History: The Router That Accidentally Went Open Source
587 by uptown | 263 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
New best story on Hacker News: BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
New best story on Hacker News: BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
New best story on Hacker News: BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
545 by pathompong | 268 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM
New best story on Hacker News: BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
BeagleV – An affordable RISC-V computer designed to run Linux
545 by pathompong | 268 comments on Hacker News.
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January 14, 2021 at 11:08AM
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January 14, 2021 at 11:10AM