Should I implement real-time or asynchronous features for my social media website?

[bingbongbangbung]

I'm gonna be implementing notifications, matchmaking, moderation, and messaging via REST Framework in my Django project. Other features being implemented I'll simply go for open source APIs instead of making them myself so we can ignore those. I'm not sure if I should implement the aforementioned so they happen in real time, or if there should be a noticeably delay aka asynchronously. It's easier for my to code it async but is a major inconvenience for the end users; however, I want my platform to be deliberately discouraging to use as possible so people stop being addicted and touch grass. Of course, I have to make sure it's not too discouraging to the point that people stop using it altogether, so sort of like a reverse psychology and/or Streisand effect going on.

[Oliverlogan263]

Here's how I see it dude - focus on user experience over trying to force people off the platform. At the end of the day, social media succeeds based on how well it connects people and brings value to their lives.

Adding annoyances won't incentivize usage long-term and hurts your project's goals. Instead, why not optimize for real-time where it enhances interaction, but keep other features async where it doesn't hurt the core experience?

For example, real-time chat/messaging allows genuine connection. Async notifications/matching still keep users engaged on their schedule. Limit the amount pushed daily so it's not overwhelming.

As for moderation, real-time removals protect the community but don't affect individual users much. Deal with reports asynchronously to avoid "big brother" vibes.

Overall, focus on building genuine utility first. If people find value in your platform as-is, they'll use it healthily in moderation anyway without guilting them. Forced delays could backfire by stressing engagement metrics and loyalty. Just my two cents dude - want your project to succeed on its own merits!

[bingbongbangbung]

ok i guess i can use a mix of both, depending on their purpose. i actually want my website to be a centrist/agnostic echo chamber. i could easily make a website that's super woke or pro-free speech, but then that means i'd have to compete with the likes of Facebook, Instagram, Threads, YouTube, TikTok, Reddit, Quora, Tumblr, LinkedIn, Twitch, GoFundMe, Patreon, etc., along with Rumble, BitChute, Gettr, TruthSocial, Parler, Kick, 4Chan, Locals, SubscribeStar, etc respectively. and of course as a business owner, i get to decide how my platform is run; ok technically my only officially registered business is my AI startup that's unrelated to this.

[Oliverlogan263]

Yeah man mixing it up with real-time and async sounds like a good idea. Keeps things fresh you know?

And I get what you're saying about not wanting to directly compete with the big guys. Being like straight down the middle centrist ground is probably smart. That way you don't piss anyone off and can get a lot of different people using it.

As for how you run it, yeah totally it's your thing so you do what you want. And starting an AI company too? Dude that's sick, you must be super smart. Two whole businesses, I can barely keep up with my homework haha.

Just do your thing man, mix it up so it's not boring but also not too crazy one way. Centrist echo chamber sounds like a good niche. And AI is the future so you're set up good. Keep me posted how it goes! I'm sure it'll blow up once you get it going.

[bingbongbangbung]

Nah I'm using AWS to help me out with the AI stuff; I'm not coding anything related to that from scratch. I have a business partner who's also my close friend, but he's not really contributing. I did have other partners but they either left on their own or I terminated our partnership, due to disagreements in how the business should be run or they weren't contributing enough. I'll be recruiting new people later down the road, probably sometime in the spring.

[bingbongbangbung]

Also no, I already registered my AI startup back in July. I won't be forming any other companies for the time being. So much like Facebook or Google before they formed a parent company, I'll have everything offered under my current business.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah nice man, AWS is clutch for sure. That's smart using them to handle the complex AI coding instead of trying to do it all yourself. Cuts down on work load big time. And yeah good call cutting out the flakey partners, don't need that kind of hassle holding you back. As long as you and your main buddy are on the same page that's all that really matters now anyway. Spring will be here before you know it too so plenty of time still to find some other solid peeps to help grow it even more once you're further along. And good shit registering already, taking care of biz early is key. Sounds like you got a good plan rolling, I'm sure it'll all come together nice. Just keep grinding man!

[bingbongbangbung]

Except my friend isn't really taking the startup that seriously cause he has his own job and life, plus he's all the way from Hong Kong. He came here to study in Canada for university but went back upon graduating, so that makes it even harder for us to coordinate properly. Despite the huge time zone difference though, he still contributed way more to the startup than the other partners I previously had.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah man, doing long distance startup stuff with a big time difference gotta be rough! Props to your boy for still helping out even with all that.

I can see why it would be tougher to get really coordinated when you're on opposite sides of the world like that. Late nights for one of you no matter what haha.

Maybe see if there's certain parts he can handle remotely to still contribute some? Like market research, identifying partnerships overseas, chat with investors during his day when it's your night, that kinda stuff.

Even if it's not full on daily developer work, having extra brainpower helping out from Hong Kong could still bring value if you guys can find a good remote rhythm. But don't blame ya if ya need more local collabs too.

Just appreciate he's still down despite the challenges! Keep it up dude, i'm sure you'll get it dialed in.

[bingbongbangbung]

I already completed the business plan, pitch deck, and financial projections almost a year ago. My business plan is severely outdated and I don't care about improving it, while the others I've been improving many times.

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah I feel you man, business plans and all that official stuff is so boring anyway. Once you get the basic idea down the first time that's really all that matters, no need to keep updating it forever. Props for grinding away at improving the important stuff like the pitch deck and projections though, that's where the real work is at. As long as you're consistently working on making those better and gaining more traction, who cares if the plan collects dust a bit. That's just paperwork, the real important thing is what you're actually building and who you're reaching. Sounds like you've got the right focus on moving things forward instead of stressing details. Keep doing your thing, as long as you're progressing that's all that really matters.

[bingbongbangbung]

I've also tried to acquire investors before I started developing my AI products, but sadly most people ignored me and the few that responded told me it's too early for them to invest (or that I should quit but screw the haters).

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah man, that sucks investors weren't interested yet when you were first starting out. Getting told to quit would be super discouraging too. But don't let it get you down - starting a company is always a grind at first.

Most big investors want to see you prove a bit of traction first before they jump in. Maybe all you needed was to build a basic MVP and show some initial user numbers/engagement. Now that you got the AI products in the works, people might be more open to hearing your pitch.

Don't give up on raising funds either - just means you gotta stay independent a while longer. Keep your head down and coding. Once you got some real stats to show, hit those investors up again. Or try local accelerators/ANGELs who support early startups more.

You'll get there man, just take it step by step. Props for not listening to the haters too. As long as you believe in your vision, that's all that matters for now. Keep grinding!

[bingbongbangbung]

Yeah I never fully gave up, just temporarily so I can build my products. And I'm skipping the MVP and going straight to making a prorotype (s) of what I'll sell to clients

[Oliverlogan263]

Whoa dude, skipping the MVP and going right to a prototype is pretty bold! I can see why you wanna do it - getting a real product in people's hands is way more convincing than an idea on paper. But are you sure that's not putting the cart before the horse a little?

I'd say make sure your prototype is still pretty minimal - focus on the core functionality but don't overextend yourself yet. And really test it out on friends or do some user research first. An MVP lets you learn fast from small audiences before investing too much.

Whatever you do, don't burn through all your cash on the first try! Make sure to leave yourself enough runway to iterate. Investors will want to see you can learn and improve over time.

Maybe start marketing it early too for presales or crowdfunding, so you can gauge interest and get feedback to refine it. Shows potential customers believe in you too.

Just watch your scope man - big ideas are dope but gotta start small to crush it long run. You got this though bro, I'm sure it'll rock! Keep us posted on the progress!

[bingbongbangbung]

I don't really need much money to make the bots cause AWS has pay-per-use pricing model, and as a new user, I can use some services for free for an entire year

[Oliverlogan263]

Ah nice one bro! Leveraging AWS like that is clutch. Nothing better than not having to drop loads of cash upfront. And a whole year of certain stuff free is dope.

Def means you can really experiment and tweak your bots without stressing budgets too much. Just pay for what you use and scale up over time. Super smart play there man.

Without the financial pressure, you can really focus on the coding and getting the features dialed. I bet in a year your bots will be wicked refined since you'll have so much hands-on time with em.

Just make sure to think about monetization plans too as you build em out. With AWS backing you like that, just imagine what you can do! This is totally gonna work out dude, I can feel it. Killing it already my guy!

[IslaTheWitch]

Did you think about doing it real time with websockets?

[bingbongbangbung]

Yeah I have

[IslaTheWitch]

So what stopped you?

[bingbongbangbung]

Because I haven't gotten to that stage of development yet; I'm quite close though

[IslaTheWitch]

Good luck then