OK I really love this idea. I do have some imo important feedback:<p>1. You <i>have</i> to change your tagline. I had no idea going into the site what it was, though it can be summarized as "ChatRoulette, only it works" (or something along those lines). By now, everyone knows chatroulette, and you're missing a huge opportunity to get what your site does across. I'd even consider changing the name, something like blurryroulette or blurrychat or something, since this is a <i>very</i> memorable and easily described idea.<p>2. Someone else mentioned, don't ask for access to video/mic right away. Especially now, make the intro video more obvious/accessible.<p>3. Have some text explaining what the site does for people who don't want a video. Again, you have a really easy-to-understand concept - take advantage of it!<p>4. This is just a guess, but I think this kind of formula would work especially well for dating - this will definitely let people connect without letting looks bother them, at least at first. And by the time you've talked several minutes, you'd already have some kind of connection. This is just crazy enough to work - so start thinking how you can take advantage. For example, connecting people by location is a real easy addition to your site, which facilitates connecting people for dating.
I've read about chatroulette on HN a few times. Most of you point out it needs some form of filtering to become something useful.<p>So here is our approach to something that will, hopefully, work better:<p>- it has a feedback system that allows you to indicate why you don't like someone (too old, too male, too boring etc)<p>- video starts out blurry, and becomes sharper with time (hence the name! ;))<p>- you can 'like' people, allowing the other to see when you're online and request to connect with you<p>Could this work? Comments, suggestions?
There's this Dutch dating site Paiq that has the same technique. When chatting with someone, their profile picture gets unblurred after talking a while and hitting their interest words (eg "watching movies"). It lets you focus less on photos and more on personality.
Do you blur the video prior to publishing, on a server or on the receiving side?<p>I like the idea a lot, agree on most previous points about the presentation though!
I don't know exactly what "too female" and "too male" is meant to describe. At best, this just enforces sexual stereotypes, and at worst, people will use it wrongly with poorer matching results to follow.<p>I understand that this is based on a Dutch concept, but I don't see the too fe/male evaluation working very well. Obviously, it's just beta, and new tags will show up as others disappear.
I love the idea, but I want a version of this that is text only (Blurry Omegle). In general I prefer not having the camera involved.<p>EDIT: Just to clarify I think BOTH versions should exist, and within the same framework so that filtering applies universally (people could choose if they are interested in text/video/both). Especially since I Omegle at work, webcam only is a no-go for me.
The intro video does not have any playback controls. I'd like to see some standard play/pause and volume control buttons. Also, once I close the intro video, the green "First time here" banner disappears and I have to hunt for the link to re-play the video (which is located at the top right corner).
Am I the only one to think this won't fly? People probably won't wait longer than a few seconds to see whom they're chatting with. The internet and chatroulette have made everyone pretty ADD about waiting.. Prepare for lot's of "Ciao's".
Very interesting idea!<p>I think that the approach is great given the fact that so many people go to chatroulette and end up looking at pervs. The filtering system can definitely give you the edge.<p>One thing I did not like was that upon visiting it immediately asked me to share my camera and mic. Perhaps a better front page with a lot more explanation (graphics can help) that would lead you to the 'chat' screen?<p>I can see the simplicity and I am up for it but a lot of people will think twice to click accept (for camera and mic) if this is the first thing that they are asked to do on a website.<p>Good luck!