4us
Web and SaaS
civic information site
SHOW HN2016
96points
33comments
#394of 2,264 in 2016
Top 18%of 2016 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
2 positive, 6 neutral or asking, 5 mixed, 12 critical, out of 25 comments about the project. Thread score -0.35.
Idea: 1 for, 5 againstDesign: 0 for, 6 againstExecution: 1 for, 0 againstDocs: 0 for, 1 against
The thread, comment by comment
Each row is a top-level comment and its replies, in HN's order. Select a cell to open that comment on HN.
positive neutral or mixed critical about another commenter or something else the maker
What HN said
What people liked
Good data and bill/representative detail pages.
From 2 comments
I think you've built a really worthwhile site. I used it for a bit and got good information from it. Here are a few things that will help it along. Under the house of reps…
WheelsAtLarge on HNAwesome website and idea, I really hope it succeeds. Here are some pointer to perhaps improve it. - User Angular's ng-cloak to hide your variables while the controller is…
rezashirazian on HN
Notification approach is useful.
From 1 comment
> - Discuss each bill in the discussion section > - Join the discussion boards to discuss the latest events and news > - Vote on bills (similar to Countable) Based on my…
tfgg on HN
Objections
Forced sign-up before seeing content.
From 4 comments
Why do I have to sign up to use it at all? You want people to get involved in the process but you add friction. My guess is, your bounce rate is high. I'm sure there are plenty…
alttab on HNI bounced the minute I saw the signup form. Why do we have to sign up for this? :(
echelon on HNForcing a user to sign up before they've seen the content is a big miss. Strongly suggest you rearchitect this and offer sign up once users want to save progress/sign up for…
amadeuspzs on HNI think the problem is the "Get Started" button leads directly to a sign up page. I'd find it more useful if it used my geolocation to go straight to my representatives. After…
CoolGuySteve on HN
Unclear what the site does and why to use it.
From 3 comments
I'm the Legislative Director for a nonprofit and my first observation of this tool is that I have no clue what it does. I just spent five minutes poking around and it's not…
Overtonwindow on HNInteresting website with the potential to present a lot of information nicely, but I do not see the "simple" part of it. Everything about the UI and even the stat displays seems…
gotthemwmds on HNI'd prefer to see on the first page exactly what the offer is as a live page, vs some text that explains it and asks for a sign up.
robot on HN
UI is too complicated for average voters.
From 2 comments
What is the target demographic? IMO the UI is too complicated for someone who isn't really dedicated to doing research. Seems like a great research tool for someone who wants to…
AndrewKemendo on HNInteresting website with the potential to present a lot of information nicely, but I do not see the "simple" part of it. Everything about the UI and even the stat displays seems…
gotthemwmds on HN
Discussion and voting features may be ghost towns.
From 1 comment
> - Discuss each bill in the discussion section > - Join the discussion boards to discuss the latest events and news > - Vote on bills (similar to Countable) Based on my…
tfgg on HN
Requests
Let users reach their own representatives by geolocation on landing.
From 2 comments
Agreed, I love this project I just dislike how data is presented (although it is a nice interface). As for the "Representative from California 37" this is your voter sub district…
condescendence on HNI think the problem is the "Get Started" button leads directly to a sign up page. I'd find it more useful if it used my geolocation to go straight to my representatives. After…
CoolGuySteve on HN
Show a live preview on the landing page instead of sign-up text.
From 2 comments
I'd prefer to see on the first page exactly what the offer is as a live page, vs some text that explains it and asks for a sign up.
robot on HNYes I was a little put off by getting asked for that directly Would be nice if the front page had some more info about what you are trying to do and how why I want to use it…
AstroJetson on HN
Plain-language bill summaries.
From 2 comments
I'm trying to find a differentiating factor... it would be really cool if it could somehow intelligently parse the contents of Bills to provide a more useful summary. For…
thex10 on HNI can see the value in the organization of these activities. But without some kind of manual curation into "layman" categories or translations of what these activities are, it's…
daemonk on HN
Simplify the UI and dashboard.
From 2 comments
Awesome website and idea, I really hope it succeeds. Here are some pointer to perhaps improve it. - User Angular's ng-cloak to hide your variables while the controller is…
rezashirazian on HNInteresting website with the potential to present a lot of information nicely, but I do not see the "simple" part of it. Everything about the UI and even the stat displays seems…
gotthemwmds on HN
Questions
How does it compare to GovTrack and paid services?
From 1 comment
I'm the Legislative Director for a nonprofit and my first observation of this tool is that I have no clue what it does. I just spent five minutes poking around and it's not…
Overtonwindow on HN
Where does the data come from?
From 1 comment
Where do you get the data from?
danso on HN
Is the domain 4us.com or 4usxus.com?
From 1 comment
Is it 4us.com or 4usxus.com? You need to get this straightened out.
bradknowles on HN
Alternatives named
GovTrack
From 1 comment
I'm the Legislative Director for a nonprofit and my first observation of this tool is that I have no clue what it does. I just spent five minutes poking around and it's not…
Overtonwindow on HN
Countable
From 1 comment
> - Discuss each bill in the discussion section > - Join the discussion boards to discuss the latest events and news > - Vote on bills (similar to Countable) Based on my…
tfgg on HN
FiscalNote
From 1 comment
have you seen fiscalnote.com ?
aerioux on HN
TheyWorkForYou
From 1 comment
A similar service exists for Members of Parliament in the United Kingdom, for those interested: https://www.theyworkforyou.com
unfunco on HN