SSLping
Monitor your SSL security every day
Guys... I killed my project 2 days ago, and today I'm on the first page of Hacker News, with 500+ upvotes. I think I must have the #1 spot but I only discovered it after the fact.
I can't begin to say how sad I am, and at the same time energised to the max by this drama: SSLPing dies, becomes famous after its death, receives 45k+ visits on sslping.com.
How can I process this, emotionally speaking? That's what I'm trying to figure out...
SSLping was free, cost me money and time, and accumulated tech debt. So I decided to kill it after 6 years, despite 1100+ users.
I sent an email to explain the situation, and many responded very positively. I got only thanks for my work and the service I gave them, and hopes that I'll tell them if I start another project!
I even got an offer to send money (I had a Patreon page with 3 patrons only).
My conclusion: the domain name is cool, sslping.com, and I'm going to create SSLPing Reborn, with streamlined features and a business model.
Killing my product showed me I had fans. Now I want to offer them a product they'll love !
SSLping will never make real money, and that's okay. Let's say it was part of the learning.
I'm starting work on a new project, related but paying from day 1. Actually the first feature I did implement was Paddle.com interface.
I spent a lot of time worrying about SSLping because I couldn't make it a business. That's over now.
When you want to work on a 3 years old React App, you realize a lot has changed! Everything has become obsolete, and a lot of APIs have changed.
I've decided to upgrade everything: I don't just want the app to become a business, I want to build upon it in the future.
Also, I'll deploy it as I deploy apps now, with Docker.
There's still a lot of work to do...
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I use Vue and I think it has StoryBook available too.
I've heard a lot about it - and I definitely want to give it a shot. How is the StoryBook integration going? In the end is it a helpful tool?
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Integrating Storybook is a little like integrating unit testing: you add stories to your project, that are using the StoryBook JS module, and you can run a local StoryBook server to see the result and iterate.
I find it very useful because it lets you focus on your components and nothing else.
It's like unit testing (StoryBook) vs. integration testing (running the app in dev mode).
In my case, it helps me because the app doesn't even compile anymore after upgrading dependencies... so I must focus on one component at a time to update everything!
Definitely worth a try, and easy to learn too!
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They say the first step is the hardest... but when you must do the first step again and again, it gets harder and harder. You somehow convince yourself of your own lack of motivation.
But it's your baby, and one day you wake up, and it's still here, waiting for you...
Get started. Again. Just do it.
I passed the 500 active accounts mark almost on Jan 1st... It's a nice feeling when you imagine the crowd of your users.
But deep inside, you know you didn't to much to reach this point, you don't publish anything anymore, you don't even try to gain new users...
They say you need to write content, and they'll come. Let's do this! https://medium.com/@hartwigchris/how-s-your-ssl-security-doing-a0b3ec305ad5#.ygz7yffwr
Well I can't say it didn't work, it did, to a certain extent: you must start with baby steps I guess.
2 points. 0 comment. How come nobody cares about my splendid idea? Plus it's FREE! What a deal!
Yeah, I was heart broken, but I got a few visits, maybe even my first signups, I don't really remember. I knew it would be harder than just posting to HN, but you never know, you want to think maybe you've got THE idea.
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Pretty honest, thanks! Haha :) I read in many different sites that ranking on their TL is really difficult
It all started as an idea: can I create a tool to ensure my SSL security stays good? It's easy to use SSLlab's server check and get a good grade, but to keep a good grade, you need to make sure your configuration doesn't somehow degrade. Also there's the issue of SSL certificates expiration...
Let's try to build a prototype, and see if people are interested
4 Comments
I can’t feel what you feel. But from an observer perspective, you’ve shutdown your favourite project because it’s FUBAR. The only solution to be back on the black board and make the next best thing that you can make. But this time, pair up with someone instead of working alone. Ping me if you want to pair up in your next project.
Ouch :/ That sucks. Maybe add a email capture form on the landing page and see if you get enough interest to launch something related later :)
Hey Chris,
Share with indie hackers your ideas about what should be done right (and better) from start to avoid product/service being outdated and finally shutting down. Your thoughts may help others improve their product and avoid some mistakes.
What was the ~ monthly cost for the servers?
I guess a free product is a bad idea, because motivation to keep it updated is hard to get! There's been quite some discussion about that simple idea: pay for products if you like them, or they'll end up dying.
Also it's super bad for a Hacker to offer a free product: when it's time to monetize it, you'll struggle asking existing users for money, instead of simply trying to sell your product. Those sound the same but don't be fooled, they're very different things.
As for the cost of servers: 3 bare metal servers for 65€/m which is super cheap... except when you multiply by 12 and 6 which turns into 4500+€ for a free product over 6 years.