Kosmi
Consumer and social
virtual hangout rooms
SHOW HN2020
494points
93comments
#54of 3,028 in 2020
Top 2%of 2020 by points
How HN took it
MixedNo clear lean
18 positive, 21 neutral or asking, 2 mixed, 13 critical, out of 54 comments about the project. Thread score +0.04.
Idea: 11 for, 7 againstExecution: 1 for, 5 againstDesign: 4 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 timing during COVID-19 stay-home period
From 2 comments
You released it at th3 right time.
etherio on HNGreat idea especially with a lot of people staying home in light of COVID-19. I've been considering ways to stay connected with friends and family now that I'm spending more time…
stollercyrus on HN
Interactive apps like cards and emulators differentiate it
From 2 comments
I would say the difference lies in the ability to start interactive apps in addition to chatting/communicating
hauxir on HNThat deck of cards thing looks awesome. Probably good to use even if you are in the same physical room!
quickthrower2 on HN
No sign-up required
From 2 comments
I like that I don't need to register first.
arendtio on HNI really like the fact you don't need to signup to use it.
polishdude20 on HN
Objections
Audio, chat and mobile usability problems for non-technical users
From 1 comment
Tried it now with a non-tech savvy person. * Mobile version hid the chat and everything. * It was not clear how to start video chat. * Audio wasn't working at all, even after 10…
a254613e on HN
Join request modal interrupts the host
From 2 comments
I was surprised that even public rooms require a request to join from the lobby page. Though I also know that direct room links do let you in to the channel which is what you'd…
hombre_fatal on HNI've been hosting a YouTube trippy video room for 30 minutes now. My only suggestion is to kill the pop over modal every time somebody wants to join. Kills your ability to…
nsarafa on HN
Closed source with unclear business model
From 2 comments
I'm always disappointed when things like this aren't partially or fully open sourced. Makes me wonder what the profit model is, and when the thing is going to die forever.
flingo on HNReminds me of rabb.it. Very disappointed to see a link to Discord and lack of link to source. I was hoping this was going to be free software, but now I'm thinking it's unlikely.…
opan on HN
Copyright concerns with Netflix screen sharing and emulators
From 2 comments
I would love to know the legal implications of running a service where people are able to stream copyrighted content to others, or to share subscription services like Netflix in…
jawns on HNI suggest removing the NES/SNES emulator part as it will cause Nintendo to send you a Cease and Desist letter. Or probably more.
29athrowaway on HN
Requests
Synced YouTube and mp4 playback
From 2 comments
This is cool, I'm especially interested in YouTube synching so I can share videos with my daughter when she is at her moms. Also so she can chat with her friends while school is…
robbrown451 on HNGreat time to launch it Any chance synced mp4 playback is on the shortlist?
joshspankit on HN
Whiteboard support for online teaching
From 1 comment
Are you planning any features to help with online teaching (e.g. whiteboard support)?
ninguem2 on HN
Grid view for video
From 1 comment
This is very cool! Tried it now with my friends. The main complaint is that a grid view would be better than vertical (or horizontal) bars. Also would be nice to have done…
tomerv on HN
Skip join requests for public rooms
From 1 comment
I've been hosting a YouTube trippy video room for 30 minutes now. My only suggestion is to kill the pop over modal every time somebody wants to join. Kills your ability to…
nsarafa on HN
Questions
How is it funded and what is the business model
From 2 comments
awesome work! how are you funding this? what are the backend requirements on your part to run this site?
sparklepwny on HNThis is great. Been looking for a way to create a "virtual water cooler" for our team as we move 40+ people remote. Does the room always exist, and people can hop in and out?…
nsarafa on HN
Is screen sharing of Netflix DRM-protected
From 2 comments
How does realtime screensharing with something like Netflix work? If it's actual screensharing, wouldn't it be super laggy and low quality? Do you somehow get each user to stream…
herpderperator on HNNetflix is DRM'd anyway so it's a non-starter. Try taking a screenshot of a Netflix stream. Not many people realize it'll just result in black pixels for that area.
kohtatsu on HN
What is the privacy policy and where is data stored
From 1 comment
Cool idea especially for people living in different country than their families. Will it remain free? What is the privacy policy? Will my data (video/audio) be kept on the…
ammar_x on HN
Alternatives named
Jitsi, Discord, Zoom and Google Hangouts
From 3 comments
You can do this for free with the open source Jitsi project, use https://meet.jit.si or install your own.
telesilla on HNThis is pretty cool - I'm wondering what like, makes it different than just having a zoom call or something on discord? I can tell it's different I just don't know how to…
vikramkr on HNGreat idea especially with a lot of people staying home in light of COVID-19. I've been considering ways to stay connected with friends and family now that I'm spending more time…
stollercyrus on HN
team.video and Whereby
From 2 comments
We've been using https://team.video for our calls and working sessions in rooms that we hop in and out
pablosca on HNTried it now with a non-tech savvy person. * Mobile version hid the chat and everything. * It was not clear how to start video chat. * Audio wasn't working at all, even after 10…
a254613e on HN
rabb.it and Togethr.TV
From 2 comments
Reminds me of rabb.it. Very disappointed to see a link to Discord and lack of link to source. I was hoping this was going to be free software, but now I'm thinking it's unlikely.…
opan on HNI created Togethr.TV in 2013 (https://togethr.tv). People can watch videos together and chat (text/audio) and some other features. It never took off much unfortunately. I didn't…
Malankov on HN