Flua
Video Calls without the d*ckheads.
Had a bit of a break from hacking and finally found some time to add some more features.
I needed to iterate billing/plans because they weren't working. I decided to change to paid-for accounts and offer a free trial for people to get started. Here's how I did it:
Updating the Session
I needed so quick way to check if a user had an active subscription or was on an active trial. I'm using authjs so I updated the session callback to add this property.
Wrap the app in a check for active subscription
The nextjs pages of the app are wrapped in a layout component. I added a quick server-side check to look-up the new user property and redirect is the user hasn't yet subscribed.
Build a plans page
I made a new route at /setup to be the destination for people to arrive at if they do not have an active subscription. I built a custom create checkout session button following Stripe's docs, but in the end it was WAY easier to just use their pre-built components. The only chance I made was to add a toggle switch for people to choose between monthly and annual billing.
Stripe webhook
You need a way for Stripe to tell your app what's happening with customers. You do this by building a custom webhook route. This works by listening to particular stripe events and running custom code. Things like "customer created" and "subscription started"
That's it. Loads more to do.
Had a bit of a break from hacking and finally found some time to add some more features.
I needed to iterate billing/plans because they weren't working. I decided to change to paid-for accounts and offer a free trial for people to get started. Here's how I did it:
Updating the Session
I needed so quick way to check if a user had an active subscription or was on an active trial. I'm using authjs so I updated the session callback to add this property.
Wrap the app in a check for active subscription
The nextjs pages of the app are wrapped in a layout component. I added a quick server-side check to look-up the new user property and redirect is the user hasn't yet subscribed.
Build a plans page
I made a new route at /setup to be the destination for people to arrive at if they do not have an active subscription. I built a custom create checkout session button following Stripe's docs, but in the end it was WAY easier to just use their pre-built components. The only chance I made was to add a toggle switch for people to choose between monthly and annual billing.
Stripe webhook
You need a way for Stripe to tell your app what's happening with customers. You do this by building a custom webhook route. This works by listening to particular stripe events and running custom code. Things like "customer created" and "subscription started"
That's it. Loads more to do.
Today, I spent a bit of time improving the queue UI – making it more obvious.
The problem was that you didn't know who was in the queue during a call. The new component is a simple list of Cards. Each card represents a call participant. You can see it working in the video below.
The second issue related to people leaving the call. Basically, if someone was in the queue and they drop out, they should be removed from the call. I set this too.
https://www.loom.com/share/581be65ee1ff4423b68addc8fd85acef?sid=84a66ec2-a82f-4d8a-bfb0-3b66965b2765
Asked my buddy for a demo video call of Flua today.
I'm based in London, UK. He was in Cleveland, Ohio.
It was the first time that some someone joined a Flua a call remotely without my guidance.
To my surprised, it worked great. Video was crystal clear and just worked without any problems (thanks 100ms). And the Speaking Queue syncing just worked too.
There some simple things to improve:
- When no one is in the Speaking Queue, you get this strange state where everyone is on mute. I'm thinking of adding some interlude music or something
- Clearer visualisation of the Speaking Queue. It's important to show who's queued-up to speak.
Going to keep working.
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Hi Michele,
My product is also in the reduce stand ups / team meetings space. Can I interest you in a usage exchange?
I am in California and would be happy to participate on calls with Flua. Then I will give you feedback using my task management product (you of course are welcome to use it in your product development also but the usage exchange doesn't hinge on it).
I don't think we are competing in any real sense since the space is so large and the real competition is just status quo. I am tempted to use "Task management without the d*ckheads" but don't have the guts.
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100% down for that. Thanks for reaching out.
Usage exchange sounds like a great way to get meaningful feedback. Let's do it!
Tell me more about your app.
Flua is super early. The video Calls and Speaking Queues are working great, but I've put no time into screen-sharing, raising hands etc. - all the stuff you're used to on Zoom.
I'll get there, but that stuff shouldn't matter anyway. If Flua can give you a valuable experience, that's a W in my book.
Try signing-in now, you'll get a free room you can use.
Note: works better with more that 1 person
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I logged into Flua. My app is https://uclusion.com and my email is disrael@uclusion.com - send me an email and I will put you in a Uclusion workspace with feedback on Flua.
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I work with my Bro. He has this really bad habit of talking over people on calls. It's super annoying for everyone, so I created Flua. It's a super basic video-conferencing tool where everyone speaks in turn. No one can interrupt.
The idea is to use a Speaking Queue. Anyone can join, or leave, the queue at any time. Only the person is unmuted: the person at the head of the queue.
When they're done, they leave the queue and the next speaker comes off mute.
Just an idea, but I'm looking to see if it can make a real difference on those tricky calls where people like to flex a bit too much.
Check it out. It's free while I'm learning (won't be forever though ;) )
Hint: you need a friend to have a call with.
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