Show HN: Weave – Talk Anonymously with Friends

3 pointsposted 16 hours ago
by mschoeffler
(hiweave.com)

5 Comments

jbarrettcapone

16 hours ago

This is great a social networking platform that actually has a unique usability twist!

This form of gradually gaining trust to learn ones real identity feels like a part of real life that is missing online. So many more of my interactions in real life are some form of anonymous or vague idea of who someone is. Those interactions don't come with a dossier of their interactions with others for me to browse or judge them on. This feels closer to that.

It will be very interesting to see how people take to this.

greyface-

15 hours ago

Interesting idea. I was ready to sign up, but stopped at "real names only" on the sign-up form. Why can't I choose to reveal my identity to Weave later, once ready, or never?

mschoeffler

15 hours ago

Hi Greyface -

We need to keep user identities safe from exposure. One attack we're preventing: people targeting a particular person by posing as a friend. Part of the defense is making sure people are using real names (when needed, we'll back up this policy with authentication).

Glad you said something - I really want to know where the frictions are.

greyface-

15 hours ago

Fair enough. I've been through enough rounds of "real names" social networks at this point to make it a hard line. I'm likely an outlier in this respect, and my segment might be small enough that you're still able to scale. Good luck!

mschoeffler

15 hours ago

Sorry to hear, but I appreciate the feedback.

I get the wariness thing. The anon functionality is pretty different from what people have seen before and it might take a little time for people to get comfortable. Especially weird when we're saying using real names protects your identity more.

I'll see if there's some wording change on the signup page that can help the next guy get over this hump.