Snowbin is a social platform that allows structured, visual discussions using mindmaps instead of traditional linear chat. Unlike other services that generate mindmaps from chat logs, Snowbin turns the mindmap itself into the conversation, keeping logic, structure, and visualization in sync.
Why a mindmap? Why not traditional chat?
When discussing ideas on platforms like Slack or Discord, conversations flow strictly in time order. Even with threads:
Topics get buried.
Logical structure disappears.
The overall shape of the discussion becomes invisible.
Information grows, but clarity does not. I realized I often spent more time trying to find key points than actually discussing ideas.
Snowbin addresses this by giving each topic its own node and connecting replies visually. Discussions remain structured, logical, and easy to follow. That question—“What if the discussion itself had structure?”—became the foundation of Snowbin.
How to use
Sign up and log in with your Google account.
Create a map using the “+” button above.
For private maps, generate an invitation link to invite others.
Try it here: snowbin.net
Tech Stack
Frontend
Nuxt/Vue is used for the frontend. Mindmap node positions are calculated using HTML/CSS, which is faster than doing it programmatically. You can explore the rendering logic here:
https://github.com/rrepo/easy-mi...
Backend
Inspired by Paul Graham’s The Hacker and the Painter, I chose Lisp for the backend. Lisp allowed me to write backend logic smoothly, and macros helped standardize repetitive processes like JSON handling and error management.
Using Lisp libraries is not always straightforward, but combining them to build a small framework from scratch was highly rewarding. The experience felt similar to developing in Go: clear layering and design philosophy, but with the power of macros to reduce boilerplate and maintain clarity.
Thank you for reading. If you are interasted you can try it here,
https://www.snowbin.net/
I would appreciate honest feedback.
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