Ask HN: To go open source or not to go open source.

6 points by ohnivak 13 years ago | 8 comments

Struggling to raise last $13,000 needed to stick a new UI (and JS) on the site -

http://vanillamonitor.com

So perhaps, it's time to give up, and perhaps, release this as open source?

Here is the new look I intend to stick on it http://cl.ly/image/1t3l2q3c3d3v2R0X3i04

And the description of what the software actually does http://cl.ly/420H472P0m1o3f131e19

Why? I think your design is fine for an initial minimum viable product. Furthermore, I think the product looks interesting. I don't doubt there is a market for something between http://monitor.us and Nagios, especially one with a clean, simple interface.

My advice would be to forget the redesign, get some minimal set of functionality working really well, turn off the rest, and start a beta. I'd be interested in participating in that beta.

EDIT: Feel free to contact me if I can help (with advice or a beta). My email is in my profile. I recently went through the process of finding a low-cost monitoring solution for a few servers so can give feedback in that regard.

ashraful 13 years ago |

Hi. I am a designer and front-end developer and I could probably help you out with designing and implementing the new UI.

Email me at inlith@gmail.com

ohnivak 13 years ago |

Clickable link http://vanillamonitor.com

yolesaber 13 years ago |

I really wish I could read your "About" page without having to log in.

tstegart 13 years ago | |

Yeah, I agree. I'm wondering what the OP's company does exactly. Like Amazon S3 stats?

tstegart 13 years ago | | |

Ahh, the site just changed and now I can see everything.

orangethirty 13 years ago |

You have Django Debug ON. Turn it off so it shows the 404 page.

pestaa 13 years ago |

We need more software designed like this.