Hi, I'm previously a lurker on HN, and this is my first post, so please be lenient :)<p>I'd like to get comments, constructive criticism, suggestions, flames etc. for my startup ProsePoint (www.prosepoint.org).<p>It's not anything fancy, just yet another CMS, but one that's very narrowly targeted at a vertical market niche. It's also not anything bleeding edge either. No fancy web 2.0 stuff, just solid but mundane software for a conservative market.<p>I'd also like ideas on how best to monetise it. I obviously have some ideas of my own, but I won't mention them (yet) so as not to bias the discussion.<p>Thank you, and have a good day.
1. I want to be seeing a screenshot(s) on the front page.<p>2. I want you to make it clear why I shouldn't use Wordpress.<p>3. The pages on the site are all samey. The general layout and theme are quite nice, but you need to make it flow better. Screenshots, etc.<p>On the monetization front.. skip all the technical jargon and sell your services as a company that can bring a newspaper on to the Web (or allow a newspaper stuck with antiquated Web software - and there are lots around - to enter the 21st century). There could be quite a few lucrative consultancy gigs in getting newspapers online or migrating their existing sites into working with your system.
Huh! I'd always hoped Drupal would make something like this. Best of luck.<p>I don't have many ideas regarding the newspaper world. NowPublic has that all nailed. Find whatever niche you can that they haven't taken.<p>Oh, and welcome to Hacker News. Do we do welcomes here? I'm not sure. Welcome anyway.
I played around with it for a bit, seems like an interesting mod to Drupal. I did find the interface a bit convoluted though, as the options presented in the menu may be a bit complex and overwhelming for a typical newspaper/magazine editor trying to add and place content on the site.<p>I'd advise sticking closely with KISS for your target audience. A drag-and-drop feature for the front page layout would be sweet as well. I could really use something like this for a project I'm working on right now (I'm leaning towards WP at the moment).
Your site administration is very confusing.<p>What makes Wordpress so popular today is their intuitive admin interface. You can right away manage the content. I think they have it right, the people managing the content vs the people managing the design / layout are two entirely different sets of people.<p>There are tons of Wordpress themes that offer the Magazine/Newspaper layout. So what is your differentiation factor?
I would more loudly broadcast the fact that it is based on drupal. If a user has a lot of success they would want to know that there is a large group from which they could hire developers for customisation. Drupal offers that.<p>The idea of editions seems like a quaint throwback to the world of print media. Does it make sense for online?
I just took a look at it... nice work. The composite layout module seems useful as well for scenarios when panels is overkill.<p>I'm not sure what specific business model you should use, but as far as a target user I think small/medium publications could save a lot on their initial investment by leveraging ProsePoint.
When I've got Drupal or Joomla why would I choose yours?
What makes your stuff different from Drupal(+ a custom plugin and theme) or Joomla(+ a custom plugin or theme)?<p>Mention those on the front page. That should serve as an ad :)
And make your site colorful. Pure black-grey-white shades are boring IMO.
Seems fine to me. Fairly clear.<p>As far as monetization goes:<p>1. Charge for it?<p>2. Offer 3rd party services (like copywriting/editing services) and use affiliate links<p>3. Split advertising with publishers ?
Interesting. Can I assume that since you're targeting a small niche, you're planning on charging a decent price for it? You seem to be offering people their chance to run their own Huffington Post or something.