Clip2net - Very Fast Web Publishing
I want to tell the venerable public about Clip2Net - a service for quickly publishing images (and not only). The purpose of this message is not so much the advertisement of the service as such, but rather the opportunity to openly discuss this project, its current status and possible development. Brief information about this service has already run through once on Habré, but I think it will be interesting to find out some details, so to speak, from the first person.
Instead of a preface. What is Clip2net?
Clip2net is a tool for uploading information to the network with an emphasis on publishing images from a computer screen. The main point is speed, minimum operations, versatility of application. At the output, the program provides a link to published information that can be used anywhere on the Web - whether it be messages via e-mail / IM or your blog / website.
The main functionality can be represented with such a list of “features”:
The service is absolutely free, but with some restrictions.
Part one. I have an idea? Seek a solution! (or do it yourself)
The project is based on a solution to a problem that took a lot of time every day - screenshots and publishing them on the Internet. Our studio is engaged in the development of sites and the “visual” presentation of the subject of discussion when communicating with customers is not a sign of good service, but an urgent need. That is why the problem arose - how to speed up / simplify the process of inserting images when working with the web-based project management system and communicating with clients through various IM-systems. I wanted to get the link to the image from the screen as quickly as possible, without using FTP and without opening extra browser windows.
Maybe I was looking badly, but I could not find a solution that would completely satisfy me. What was found either solved only part of the problem, or was too cumbersome for my tasks.
Thus, gathering together residual knowledge on the development of desktop applications, which have not been used for several years since graduation, as well as adopting the Google search bar, a prototype was created that, having a rather wretched appearance, solved the set so well the task that it was decided to develop the idea and make the world a better public service based on it. Thus, the Clip2net project was born.
Part two. About how we were noticed.
At first, Clip2net had a very modest functionality, but there was no need to talk about the appearance of the web part (heh ... “shoemaker without boots” - as we think). But the idea worked and the reviews gave an additional incentive to develop this project. I was somewhat puzzled by the release of the Jing application , which came out a few days after we shared a working Clip2net prototype in a narrow circle, but presumptuously decided that they would not be in the way of excessive competition, they didn’t abandon their venture, especially since there were ideas that allowed us to introduce a certain uniqueness in our service.
More or less putting in order the functionality and appearance, we decided that it was possible to appear to people. Perhaps now I would say that the first premiere was too crude, but in the beginning I really wanted to get as many responses as possible in order to move in the right direction. The service was originally made in two languages, so we decided to ask the opinion of foreign users. How? Well, just by sending letters to several online publications with an invitation to familiarize yourself, and if they find the service interesting, we would be glad if they share the find with their readers. Thus, the first professional and, frankly, very flattering review was received from Webware. Since then, the project went for a walk on the Web and appeared in some reputable publications and popular blogs. I was able to make sure that the idea is still in demand, despite the abundance around the “web two-zero” services of a similar (but not quite that) kind.
Part three. Startup Monetization? Then what !?
And here I would start the discussion. There is a service that seems to be in demand and quite unique. Even, I would say, very famous in a certain niche (instant-share). There is a desire to develop it, but there is no model that could adequately support this development. From the very beginning, the service was treated not as a commercial product, but rather as a hobby of one person, but it seems like the service turned out to be necessary for many and even was translated into several languages on the initiative and with the help of the users themselves. Therefore, sometimes you have to think - and then what? Well, I’m fine with my imagination, more or less everything is okay, it’s not a problem to come up with new useful opportunities while maintaining the philosophy of simplicity of the process. Users also occasionally ask puzzles with their unique configurations, so you don't have to get bored. Cross-platforming would be good to do, too, a challenge for the future. This is all the developer says in me - the service has proven itself as an experimental site for the development of certain technological techniques. But speaking of long-term prospects? After all, the user base is growing, respectively, the costs of support and hosting are growing.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a reasonable compromise between the desire of (spoiled) users to get everything, immediately and for free, and the real costs that we carry on our own initiative.
On this I want to complete my story. I will look forward to comments from the community.
PS traffic for the pictures posted via Clip2net on Habr, it is not considered :)
Instead of a preface. What is Clip2net?
Clip2net is a tool for uploading information to the network with an emphasis on publishing images from a computer screen. The main point is speed, minimum operations, versatility of application. At the output, the program provides a link to published information that can be used anywhere on the Web - whether it be messages via e-mail / IM or your blog / website.
The main functionality can be represented with such a list of “features”:
- Select a screen area for saving or publishing an image on the Internet
- Screen video recording
- Publish text documents / notes
- Download image from clipboard
- Publish arbitrary files from the clipboard
- Publishing multiple files at a time (published as a zip archive)
- Publishing by dragging and dropping selected files to a special drop zone of the screen
- Preview of uploaded image / video / text / files
- Built-in visual text editor
- Automatically convert and view downloaded video
- View and organize downloaded data
- Publish data to public folders
- Adding comments to published data
- Publish files from the browser (without installing the client application)
- Publish files by e-mail
- API for “notifying” third-party systems of published information
The service is absolutely free, but with some restrictions.
- Unregistered users can only post images
- Registered users get 500Mb for file storage
- There is a restriction on the use of traffic - 500Mb / day per user.
Part one. I have an idea? Seek a solution! (or do it yourself)
The project is based on a solution to a problem that took a lot of time every day - screenshots and publishing them on the Internet. Our studio is engaged in the development of sites and the “visual” presentation of the subject of discussion when communicating with customers is not a sign of good service, but an urgent need. That is why the problem arose - how to speed up / simplify the process of inserting images when working with the web-based project management system and communicating with clients through various IM-systems. I wanted to get the link to the image from the screen as quickly as possible, without using FTP and without opening extra browser windows.
Maybe I was looking badly, but I could not find a solution that would completely satisfy me. What was found either solved only part of the problem, or was too cumbersome for my tasks.
Thus, gathering together residual knowledge on the development of desktop applications, which have not been used for several years since graduation, as well as adopting the Google search bar, a prototype was created that, having a rather wretched appearance, solved the set so well the task that it was decided to develop the idea and make the world a better public service based on it. Thus, the Clip2net project was born.
Part two. About how we were noticed.
At first, Clip2net had a very modest functionality, but there was no need to talk about the appearance of the web part (heh ... “shoemaker without boots” - as we think). But the idea worked and the reviews gave an additional incentive to develop this project. I was somewhat puzzled by the release of the Jing application , which came out a few days after we shared a working Clip2net prototype in a narrow circle, but presumptuously decided that they would not be in the way of excessive competition, they didn’t abandon their venture, especially since there were ideas that allowed us to introduce a certain uniqueness in our service.
More or less putting in order the functionality and appearance, we decided that it was possible to appear to people. Perhaps now I would say that the first premiere was too crude, but in the beginning I really wanted to get as many responses as possible in order to move in the right direction. The service was originally made in two languages, so we decided to ask the opinion of foreign users. How? Well, just by sending letters to several online publications with an invitation to familiarize yourself, and if they find the service interesting, we would be glad if they share the find with their readers. Thus, the first professional and, frankly, very flattering review was received from Webware. Since then, the project went for a walk on the Web and appeared in some reputable publications and popular blogs. I was able to make sure that the idea is still in demand, despite the abundance around the “web two-zero” services of a similar (but not quite that) kind.
Part three. Startup Monetization? Then what !?
And here I would start the discussion. There is a service that seems to be in demand and quite unique. Even, I would say, very famous in a certain niche (instant-share). There is a desire to develop it, but there is no model that could adequately support this development. From the very beginning, the service was treated not as a commercial product, but rather as a hobby of one person, but it seems like the service turned out to be necessary for many and even was translated into several languages on the initiative and with the help of the users themselves. Therefore, sometimes you have to think - and then what? Well, I’m fine with my imagination, more or less everything is okay, it’s not a problem to come up with new useful opportunities while maintaining the philosophy of simplicity of the process. Users also occasionally ask puzzles with their unique configurations, so you don't have to get bored. Cross-platforming would be good to do, too, a challenge for the future. This is all the developer says in me - the service has proven itself as an experimental site for the development of certain technological techniques. But speaking of long-term prospects? After all, the user base is growing, respectively, the costs of support and hosting are growing.
Ultimately, the goal is to find a reasonable compromise between the desire of (spoiled) users to get everything, immediately and for free, and the real costs that we carry on our own initiative.
On this I want to complete my story. I will look forward to comments from the community.
PS traffic for the pictures posted via Clip2net on Habr, it is not considered :)