Hey moyunzero, I read your post about your first App Store puzzle app. I'm a solo founder too and stuck on the same problem with my own tool, so I'm curious: who's the one kind of person you'd most want using it right now?
Those who want to think quietly every day-open, play a puzzle for the day, and finish.
No ratings, ads, or rankings. Nor is it the kind of thing that makes missing a day feel like a failure, refusing to clock in every day.
I like that approach. Making a daily puzzle feel relaxing rather than turning it into another obligation is a thoughtful choice. How did you decide to avoid streaks and rankings when so many puzzle apps rely on them?
The design of the ranking list was confirmed to be excluded before the app was developed, because it was too similar to what is called "internal competition": opening the app is not for relaxing or exercising the mind, but rather to check if one's ranking has changed. It's very tiring.
Even the sign-in process still exists, but it was deliberately made gentle: missing one day has a shield effect, and one can continue filling in overnight. "Missing" is not made to create a sense of failure.
For this app, the effect I want is to be able to quietly exercise the mind during free time each day, not another task.
I really like that philosophy. Designing around how people want to feel, rather than what keeps them checking the app, is a thoughtful choice. The overnight catch-up is a nice touch too. Have you had any early feedback on whether that gentler approach makes people more likely to keep coming back?
"I'm just a beginner who shipped something" is doing a lot of hiding in that sentence. Shipping is the part most people never do. The nervous feeling about sharing it is your subconscious filter, the RAS, scanning for rejection because putting work in public reads as risk. It isn't a sign the app isn't ready.
On your question: asking sounds desperate when it's vague and apologetic, like "any feedback would mean so much." It sounds confident when it's specific: "I'm trying to decide if the daily puzzle is too easy. Did you finish it in under two minutes?" A specific question tells people you respect their time and you know what you're testing. Then thank whoever answers and move on, whatever they say. Outside the app, keep feeding the filter too. Genuine compliment to a stranger. When that is easy, add a bit of conversation. Does not matter how it lands. The action is the win. Congrats on getting Brainfool live.
Congrats on your first app! One puzzle a day, no ads, and no rankings sounds like a nice way to take a break. Your explanation is clear. Good luck with Brainfool!
Hey moyunzero, I read your post about your first App Store puzzle app. I'm a solo founder too and stuck on the same problem with my own tool, so I'm curious: who's the one kind of person you'd most want using it right now?
Those who want to think quietly every day-open, play a puzzle for the day, and finish.
No ratings, ads, or rankings. Nor is it the kind of thing that makes missing a day feel like a failure, refusing to clock in every day.
I like that approach. Making a daily puzzle feel relaxing rather than turning it into another obligation is a thoughtful choice. How did you decide to avoid streaks and rankings when so many puzzle apps rely on them?
The design of the ranking list was confirmed to be excluded before the app was developed, because it was too similar to what is called "internal competition": opening the app is not for relaxing or exercising the mind, but rather to check if one's ranking has changed. It's very tiring.
Even the sign-in process still exists, but it was deliberately made gentle: missing one day has a shield effect, and one can continue filling in overnight. "Missing" is not made to create a sense of failure.
For this app, the effect I want is to be able to quietly exercise the mind during free time each day, not another task.
I really like that philosophy. Designing around how people want to feel, rather than what keeps them checking the app, is a thoughtful choice. The overnight catch-up is a nice touch too. Have you had any early feedback on whether that gentler approach makes people more likely to keep coming back?
At present, only a few friends around in the use, other users did not download feedback in the comments area, from the background data is not ideal
"I'm just a beginner who shipped something" is doing a lot of hiding in that sentence. Shipping is the part most people never do. The nervous feeling about sharing it is your subconscious filter, the RAS, scanning for rejection because putting work in public reads as risk. It isn't a sign the app isn't ready.
On your question: asking sounds desperate when it's vague and apologetic, like "any feedback would mean so much." It sounds confident when it's specific: "I'm trying to decide if the daily puzzle is too easy. Did you finish it in under two minutes?" A specific question tells people you respect their time and you know what you're testing. Then thank whoever answers and move on, whatever they say. Outside the app, keep feeding the filter too. Genuine compliment to a stranger. When that is easy, add a bit of conversation. Does not matter how it lands. The action is the win. Congrats on getting Brainfool live.
Thanks, Christopher. This is fair. Next time I’ll ask one specific question instead of a vague plea. Appreciate the encouragement and the congrats！！！！
Congrats on your first app! One puzzle a day, no ads, and no rankings sounds like a nice way to take a break. Your explanation is clear. Good luck with Brainfool!
Thanks — that means a lot.
Yeah, I wanted something you can finish and put down. If you try it and anything feels off, tell me.