If you are considering using Hacker News often you should realize that this isn't Reddit or 4Chan. If you don't have something intellectual to add, then don't say it at all.
--
Anyway, I like the design on the site. However, one thing that I think might be improved is making a more obvious CTA. I'm pretty sure that you wanted me to click on a person and then I started pressing shuffle because that was the only button.
Also, the box that says "Select someone to chat anonymously, no need to register!" I actually thought was the chat box. (But this became obvious that it wasn't when I clicked on a user).
--------------------------
#Update 2
Also.. #Update 2, based on the comments in this thread, (and also my own usage of the chat), I've identified that you could perhaps try and educate the users better about how this is different from other chat sites.
I'd try and place emphasis on some kind of client->server terminology, where the "server" is known ahead of time, (these are the people who have connected with Facebook), and then the "server" accepts anonymous connections. Clearly you have to try and get that point across without using "server"/"client" since you will confuse your users, but that's the gist of how this startup works.
Also, even if you have registered on the site, you are still connecting anonymously to other users of the site..
--
Anyway, I like the design on the site. However, one thing that I think might be improved is making a more obvious CTA. I'm pretty sure that you wanted me to click on a person and then I started pressing shuffle because that was the only button.
Also, the box that says "Select someone to chat anonymously, no need to register!" I actually thought was the chat box. (But this became obvious that it wasn't when I clicked on a user).
--------------------------
#Update 2
Also.. #Update 2, based on the comments in this thread, (and also my own usage of the chat), I've identified that you could perhaps try and educate the users better about how this is different from other chat sites.
I'd try and place emphasis on some kind of client->server terminology, where the "server" is known ahead of time, (these are the people who have connected with Facebook), and then the "server" accepts anonymous connections. Clearly you have to try and get that point across without using "server"/"client" since you will confuse your users, but that's the gist of how this startup works.
Also, even if you have registered on the site, you are still connecting anonymously to other users of the site..