Show HN: Chat with people around you | Hacker News Reader

Show HN: Chat with people around you

oyoy.app

38 pointsvasanthv30 comments

If I understand correctly the "people around you" is decided purely by distance. In that case is there anything done to avoid seemingly nonsensical conversations for a random observer? With this I mean if two people are in distance close enough to chat and the third one (the "observer") is only in range to one of them would the observer only see half of the conversation.

Interesting. The hidden node problem for people.

I thought of this issue. No plans to address this now. Geofence could be a good solution though.

NSFW - embedded images are references to other websites. My local chat was mostly shock images. Not great if your internet is not your own.

Perfect for the dinner table.

Last time a "Show HN" was posted with a similar nearby chat app, I was in Disney World and there was not much engagement ( https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=16976287).

I'm in Disneyland now, and I've tried it out now, but not much engagement. I will check it throughout the day, but I mirror the suggestions made, either increase the 1 km radius (the park here is longer than 1 km) or include the closest 10 users.

This is the rebranded and improved version of Ping.gy. https://medium.com/@vasanthv/introducing-oy-2664a5c95d75 reply "either increase the 1 km radius" - I understand the problem you are facing, will try to address them.

There should be an option to change how far 'here' is.

How about: "here" means smallest radius such that there are 10 users.

"Here" is 1 kilometer. If we allow to change the distance the purpose of the app itself will be change. The purpose is to be always in location context, if the user enter a distance of 1000KM then it becomes more like twitter.

Agreed. I'm in Maine - not many of us 'here' to begin with :)

The network effect needs to come into play and yes, one should get the opportunity to expand the geographical boundaries.

oh, I like it! specially that poetic moment when you find out that you are all alone. waiting for someone is nice. no, seriously, I think the idea is great. in general, I like the idea of using internet to bring closer people who are already geographically close, so they actually have a decent chance to share something outside the screen. a chat might be the most dangerous way to do this, but anyway, still cool.

a "simple" idea to dynamically adjust areas, if you aren't doing it already, at least for lonely people, is setting a timer and progressively expand/reduce the "here" area, up to a more generous limit? (basically, automatic population density control, in an evil way)

Thanks for the suggestion. Will add to the todo.

Got this error with Firefox 61 (latest release) when I tried it, but it seems as if it can continue. No one else around though.

> Messaging: This browser doesn't support the API's required to use the firebase SDK. (messaging/unsupported-browser).

same on Safari Version 12.0 (14606.1.36.1.9)

All the nerds in Brooklyn are still asleep I guess. :'(

Hi all, I am the maker of the this product. Covered some use cases here https://medium.com/@vasanthv/introducing-oy-2664a5c95d75

It would be interesting to be able to have a view-only mode for chats going on in places you're not located. I'd be curious to see what London or Sao Paulo are chatting about, even if I can't join in. :)

Ok. Something like Peek feature in YikYak.

Wechat has that feature (but none of the other standard chat apps I’m aware of).

And it seems to be used mostly for hook-ups. Most people probably can't think of any other reason to look for strangers nearby.

Nice design. I'm the only one there though ;_;.

The same thing with directional voice would be cool.

I didn't get the point. Can you please explain little more detailed?

An audio version of this app - maybe with push to talk. It's essentially be a walkie-talkie. Though without the bluetooth range limitation that typically comes with that flavor of app.

Yeah, with the schizophrenic twist that you can listen in and talk to voices from very far away, from the direction they come from.

it would have been nice if the text box would have remained focused after the message is sent

Nice suggestion.

not working on safari?

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