Show HN: Deep Work Hours(pomodoro-80211.firebaseapp.com)
pomodoro-80211.firebaseapp.com
Show HN: Deep Work Hours
https://pomodoro-80211.firebaseapp.com/
69 comments
Thank you for your feedback. It means a lot to me.
Looks good, but I'd need to see more features & screenshots before signing in with my Google account.
Why?
Not parent, but for me it is because signing in with my google account is a relatively bigger commitment. They have my email, they can send me marketing content, among others.
On the other hand, I still have no idea what their product does uniquely outside of any todo list. Thus, there is no value for me there outside of the proposal of "Deep Work" which I remember fondly due to the book.
In simple terms, signing in with my account extracts an imagined cost (A company(?) has access to me), and the value presented is not enough for me to justify that cost.
Adding other screenshots, and descriptions of what the application does would allow me to understand what I am getting into, before deciding if it's worth it for me to pay that cost, and thus make an informed decision as to whether I want to sign in or not.
On the other hand, I still have no idea what their product does uniquely outside of any todo list. Thus, there is no value for me there outside of the proposal of "Deep Work" which I remember fondly due to the book.
In simple terms, signing in with my account extracts an imagined cost (A company(?) has access to me), and the value presented is not enough for me to justify that cost.
Adding other screenshots, and descriptions of what the application does would allow me to understand what I am getting into, before deciding if it's worth it for me to pay that cost, and thus make an informed decision as to whether I want to sign in or not.
I hear you.
Signing in gives access to user data. In return there should be some utility to the user. If there is no implication of the latter, the user won't give away the former.
It gives access to your name, email and profile picture (if you have one). I don't consider it any different than if the same was asked with a signup form.
Having implemented Google Logins in the past, I always choose that option on sites I see: The site doesn't need to store any kind of password for you. This site also appears to be using the new Google "Cross Account Protection" feature, which will for example automatically log you out of the third party site if you report to Google that your account is compromised.
Having implemented Google Logins in the past, I always choose that option on sites I see: The site doesn't need to store any kind of password for you. This site also appears to be using the new Google "Cross Account Protection" feature, which will for example automatically log you out of the third party site if you report to Google that your account is compromised.
I don't consider it any different than if the same was asked with a signup form.
I think it was the point: the OP wanted to see more feature & screenshot before signing in, whether it's a Google login or not
I think it was the point: the OP wanted to see more feature & screenshot before signing in, whether it's a Google login or not
Because you pay with your data just to see what the thing does. If you really wanna do that, allow at least email.
The product sounds interesting, but I'm not going to link my account unless I can see that the product is legit. i.e testimonials, screenshots, a navigation menu that doesn't just point to home etc..
I also feel the same. I want to see how it works before giving the creator my email.
So, I ended up not signing in, and, thus, I didn't learn how it worked.
So, I ended up not signing in, and, thus, I didn't learn how it worked.
Also, it looks like privacy policy is missing. Even simple non-legalese would be useful; something like this would be ideal:
"I won't pass your email to third parties. I will send you a newsletter but only if you opt in during account setup. You can delete your data at any time."
"I won't pass your email to third parties. I will send you a newsletter but only if you opt in during account setup. You can delete your data at any time."
If I saw a privacy policy written in a way I could understand, I would be WAY more likely to give my money to the premium version of the product.
As long as there was a tiny link (privacy policy for lawyers) with it written the traditional way. I want to know that a company is able to produce a traditional privacy document, but is also smart enough to know I don't want to read one.
As long as there was a tiny link (privacy policy for lawyers) with it written the traditional way. I want to know that a company is able to produce a traditional privacy document, but is also smart enough to know I don't want to read one.
I like your suggestion. The message is joyful. If you don't mind, can I use your sentence?
Just kidding, I should come out my own version.
Just kidding, I should come out my own version.
That's why I have a second "fake" G account.
Thank you. I'll show more features and how it works on the homepage.
Whenever I see Deep Work apps I always see a reference to the Pomodoro technique but nothing about the techniques specific to deep work as it is described by Cal Newport. What about omitting distractions, prioritizing a single daily task or using your down time to do some brief yet satisfying activity to relax between tasks? Many of these deep work apps are just to-do lists with a timer.
Edit: For what it's worth OP's previous post about this project suggests that he/she has these features in mind and they are just not in this version.
Edit: For what it's worth OP's previous post about this project suggests that he/she has these features in mind and they are just not in this version.
Agreed. I normally use the two together. Basically plan what I need to do the night before (no more than 20 mins). During the day - shut off instant messenger and email (mostly drives my boss nuts) from 10am-1pm and 3pm-5pm and work on 50 minute work/ 10 minute break pomodoro intervals.
Helps immensely in getting code/math/design/docs/etc. done. I'll do this about 3 days of the week.
Helps immensely in getting code/math/design/docs/etc. done. I'll do this about 3 days of the week.
I like that idea. My colleague who block off work request between 11am to 1pm every day to work on an important project.
That project was not making much progress due to many work requests from different departments.
This method helps him to deliver the project.
That project was not making much progress due to many work requests from different departments.
This method helps him to deliver the project.
Maybe that reflects better what is the reality for most people in office jobs: some predictable with many unpredictable tasks, many possible distractions (email!) and the most manageable gain is simply by forcing short-term focus?
Or also that pomodoro can be used with a variety of tasks.
Cal's ideas (which also appear in many forms in other books) aren't really much/always applicable to my and I assume many other people's lives.
Or also that pomodoro can be used with a variety of tasks.
Cal's ideas (which also appear in many forms in other books) aren't really much/always applicable to my and I assume many other people's lives.
Since you're asking, here's mine side project which tries to tackle distractions as well (at least from Slack): qdochat.com
Feedback is appreciated!
Ironically, if you're in deep work, Pomodoro Technique is actually distracting.
Yeah, once you're in that state of flow where time ceases to exist, that beeping snaps you right out. I think the key is to find the time chunk which gets you up to that point where you're just about to feel mentally exhausted.
For me, the Pomodoro is the starting point, so 1 Pomodoro to get you to focus for 25 mins. After that, you can a take a quick break, but for the 2nd Pomodoro, you simply disable the alert, and let the timer run on.
From the 4DX (4 Disciplines of Execution) Cal Newport mentioned in the book, people play a different game while keeping a scoreboard.
In my initial idea, the scoreboard (I have it on the left menu) is the core value of the app. The scoreboard should motivate you to focus on the goals.
I will work harder on improving the scoreboard so that it won't be just another todo + timer app.
And, based on my friend's feedback, I'm working on a feature that you can set your own interval instead of following Pomodoro technique.
Thank you so much for your feedback. It means a lot to me.
In my initial idea, the scoreboard (I have it on the left menu) is the core value of the app. The scoreboard should motivate you to focus on the goals.
I will work harder on improving the scoreboard so that it won't be just another todo + timer app.
And, based on my friend's feedback, I'm working on a feature that you can set your own interval instead of following Pomodoro technique.
Thank you so much for your feedback. It means a lot to me.
I’m glad to see someone interested in feedback during development. I’m sure it will turn out well.
Thank you :)
How does this compare to web-extensions like https://github.com/samueljun/tomato-clock which I find is easier to use?
My initial idea is to make a very compelling scoreboard that motivates you focusing on your goals. I'm still working hard on that.
Congrats on shipping, OP--looks interesting. FWIW, if someone's interested in a macOS app instead of a web one, I built Pomodoro a little less than a year ago. [0] It's minimal, sits in the menu bar, looks ok, and doesn't have ads.
[0]: https://github.com/apas/pomodoro
[0]: https://github.com/apas/pomodoro
Thank you
Had a quick look. Not completely sure the value this adds other than a "to-do" list for your deep work goals?
My initial idea is to make a very compelling scoreboard that motivates you focusing on your goals. I'm still working hard on that.
Pomodoro is not Deep Work: http://calnewport.com
Not that what you are doing is bad, but you need a rebrand.
Not that what you are doing is bad, but you need a rebrand.
Agree but pomodoro is a good way to get into DW. The truth is most of us are actually not able to focus on a single task for an hour or two. There’s such a thing as an attention muscle. Pomodoro helps with that by starting at 25 mins with a break.
Hmmmm... OK, but it also interrupts you at the end of 25 minutes.
Maybe look for a venue with fewer distractions? For me, a workspace that has only the relevant work materials and sufficient space to work is a great way to get into flow.
My personal failing is not getting to nearly all the reading that I want to accomplish. The best thing I have found to get through a lot of reading is a coast-to-coast flight with only a Kindle in my carry-on.
Maybe look for a venue with fewer distractions? For me, a workspace that has only the relevant work materials and sufficient space to work is a great way to get into flow.
My personal failing is not getting to nearly all the reading that I want to accomplish. The best thing I have found to get through a lot of reading is a coast-to-coast flight with only a Kindle in my carry-on.
I've found that the better way to do the Pomodoro technique is to use a physical hourglass (one that has sand in it).
If you find yourself wandering, look at the hourglass and see if it still has sand in the upper chamber. If so, go back to work, if not, you were focused enough on your work for enough time not to notice the time running out.
If you find yourself wandering, look at the hourglass and see if it still has sand in the upper chamber. If so, go back to work, if not, you were focused enough on your work for enough time not to notice the time running out.
Pomodoro does the opposite effect for me. Very often a task needs 20 minutes or 35 minutes. It jerks me out of flow by sticking to a forced 25 minute schedule.
There are some boring, tedious work like writing documentation and tests, where the Pomodoro Technique works well. But not for truly deep work.
There are some boring, tedious work like writing documentation and tests, where the Pomodoro Technique works well. But not for truly deep work.
25 minutes interval is recommended but you always can change the interval to longer to suit yourself.
Exactly! And a cup of coffee is my trigger!
Thank you so much. I should be aware of that.
To whomever owns this app, I have a small technical suggestion. The Polymer app-drawer is a lot more functional than similar implementations I've found for Material Design. I'd suggest giving it a look and see if you can integrate it, since it provides a better mobile experience by providing touch-swipe support:
https://github.com/PolymerElements/app-layout/tree/master/ap...
https://github.com/PolymerElements/app-layout/tree/master/ap...
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Looks similar to https://complice.co but not as full-featured.
Thank you
Looks really interesting but wow do they have every conversion hack enabled which makes it look super spammy IMHO. I’m all for converting, but there is a fine line between pitching your product and “But wait! There’s more!”
Hey, congratulations on the project deploy! I'm trying to take it for a ride, but to my horror, I keep getting an "Invalid OAuth Response from Google.com" :(
I'm sorry to hear that. I'll look into that issue and update you once it's resolved.
Can you try again and let me know if the problem persists?
This is quite similar but not as well polished as http://pomotodo.com (Pomodoro+Todo list+scoreboard)
I have to admit that, but this is just the beginning.
What do you like about pomotodo?
What do you like about pomotodo?
Pomodoro is a technique I used when I was in crunch on my indie game, and it really helped me ship the game after a year of fulltime work.
Just a simple timer with conscious ON/OFF for myself really helped staying focussed.
Just a simple timer with conscious ON/OFF for myself really helped staying focussed.
Is it possible to track not just the number of Pomodoros but also the time of day in which they occured? Something like this:
Jan 1 - 5 pomodoros between 8AM - 1PM, 2 Pomodoros between 1PM - 5PM.
Jan 2 ---etc.
Over time you could have a personal heat map showing the times you're able to string together the most. I remember the book mentioned two types of work styles and it might take some tracking to figure out which one you fall into.
One is monastic, which is where you have a work environment where you'll be left alone for hours each day (e.g. working from home, no meetings).
The other was bi-modal, where you may have a predictable chunk of time each day where you're available to do deep work, but other times won't work.
Jan 1 - 5 pomodoros between 8AM - 1PM, 2 Pomodoros between 1PM - 5PM.
Jan 2 ---etc.
Over time you could have a personal heat map showing the times you're able to string together the most. I remember the book mentioned two types of work styles and it might take some tracking to figure out which one you fall into.
One is monastic, which is where you have a work environment where you'll be left alone for hours each day (e.g. working from home, no meetings).
The other was bi-modal, where you may have a predictable chunk of time each day where you're available to do deep work, but other times won't work.
You want to know which hour of day you are most efficient right?
The heatmap can identify whether which working style suits you.
Sounds like a good idea.
The heatmap can identify whether which working style suits you.
Sounds like a good idea.
I like it. Can you please point a real domain at it? :)
Yes. Here for you. https://deepworkhours.com/
I notice the favicon is the vueJs logo. Anytime I go to sites that have the default favicon on them like that I worry about the developer's or the owner's attention to details. Might want to change it! Other than that it looks nice. :)
Thank you very much. I don't have a logo design yet but I'll figure it out.
Good luck! I remember there have periodically been posts on show HN for free logos/branding, perhaps some google-fu can get you in the right direction?
Congrats on shipping! :)