Is there value in building another Todo app?
I'm starting work on a simple todo app designed to solve a major friction point I see in existing apps. I don't believe todo apps should require authentication or permission hoopla to build a basic list of things to do.
So I'm going to build a simple authless, permissionless app that will allow users to build adhoc lists and start checking off items in under 30 seconds. Once you start a list, a unique URL is generated as you create your first item. Anyone with that URL can then contribute to adding items or checking off items.
It's dead simple but if I think use cases, I think alternatives are just too much work for the payoff. Let's say you want to host a last-minute dinner party and have people pick up a few items. Are you really going to start a Trello board, create a bunch of tasks…then have to worry about inviting everyone and expecting them to create accounts? It would be better if you just send an email and paste a link to the shared todo list. From there, everyone is 1 click away from contributing.
What do you think? Is there a good reason not to go authless or should I keep anything in mind as I build?
To be honest, I'm not sure but what you are describing above sounds like it could be interesting and different enough that it might be able to find a little corner of the internet.
Some sort of casual todo app, for that one-off thing rather than for running your whole life sort of thing.
I would suggest setting a limit on the time you will put into it. Give yourself a month and see if you can get an MVP up and then you have something to share and see what sort of interest there might be.
I think with ToDo apps you need to have something to show.
@jamesmkenny We'll see. I generally agree that the world doesn't need another todo app. But I'm always frustrated when I try to coordinate ad-hoc projects with people.
Here is a usual workflow:
1) Create an account 2) Create a project 3) Try to invite a collaborator 4) Find out collaborator doesn't have an account so I ask them to create one 5) Collaborator has to validate account 6) After they create a valid account, ask for their username 7) Add the username to the project 8) Ask if the collaborator has access 9) Do stuff
I suspect this workflow discourages a lot of usage…but no way to know for sure unless I build it and find out.
One thing sure. You will learn a lot from it. So if the app will go to trash somedays, the experience still be with you forever.
IMO, totally worth it! Go for it!
Of course, if that is what you want to build than nobody can take that away from you. The problem with a lot of TODO apps is they never try to innovate and instead stay on the well beaten path.
it sounds like what Momentum has - a very quick, casual, friction-free to-do list at the bottom corner of the browser. with the exception that yours is shareable.
another thing that comes to mind is Google Keep - you can invite collaborators (via any email address) to your notes and checklists. Most ppl at least have a Gmail/Google account; only slightly troublesome for those without.
i think if you can solve the issue of not having to sign up for yet-another-account-of-something-you'll-only-use-once, i'd say go for it!
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