Hopshunter Beta Now Open
03/16/2011 by Sam
"If you are not embarrassed by the first version of your product, you’ve launched too late."
- Reid Hoffman, co- founder of LinkedIn
The quote above was something that stuck and resonated with us during the past couple of months as we worked on Hopshunter. Do we wait until everything is pixel perfect, every feature on the roadmap is complete and then launch? Plenty of hand wringing and beers were consumed debating this question. The answer?
NO.
We realize the product is far from perfect, and we still got a TON of work to do. But we came to a point where we needed new eyes to tinker with the product and let us "see the forest" so to speak. So we've opened up the site for new users, and the feedback so far has been tremendous.
One thing that was readily apparent many of the questions users had were similar. So, we can summarize here and provide some answers.
Where is the iPhone/Android/Blackberry app?
We're currently working on the iPhone app. We anticipate an early summer release. Android and Blackberry are on the roadmap, but not currently being worked on. As a stop gap, we may release an optimized mobile version of our site to allow smart phones to access via their mobile web browser.
OK, I signed up. Now what?
Check-in a beer you're drinking and create beacons for those you want to try! The key thing to remember is every activity on Hopshunter starts with a beer.
To check-in a beer, follow these simple steps:
Step 1:
Search for the beer name
Step 2:
Select the beer and click Check-in
Step 3:
Enter a comment or venue if you wish, then click the Create Checkin button. Done!
To create a beer beacon, follow these simple steps:
Step 1:
Search for the beer name
Step 2:
Select the beer and click the Add Beacon button. Done!
You can view the beacons you've created by visiting your profile page, then clicking on Beacons. If the beer is located in your area, you'll be alerted via e-mail. Note - make sure your location is set properly in your profile. We use that location for the beacon search.
How do I share my check-in with my Facebook or Twitter friends?
To share your Hopshunter activities with other social networks, you have to authorize them. To do this, simply go to your profile Settings page and then click on the Manage Authorizations link on the left. From there, you'll be able to authorize Facebook and Twitter.
Then the next time you check in a beer, you'll have the option of sharing with your friends.
I have feedback I'd like to share. How do I send it to you?
You can send all your suggestions, rants and ideas to us through User Voice. Just click on the green bullhorn icon seen at the bottom right corner of every page. From there, you can enter in your message and send it along.
Thanks to everyone who has signed up and provided feedback. More to come!