digitalions

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Comment · 1 year ago

Hello HN,

I'm a software developer with ADHD who just launched adhdhelp.app — a web app offering immediate, evidence-backed strategies to cope with common ADHD modes (overwhelm, anxiety, task block, etc.). Most of the core features are ad-free and account-free; a $5/month opt-in lets you access more exercises and sounds.

When I shared the project here about two days ago, the discussion was centered on two grievances:

Pricing. Some thought any paywall was unfair, even at €5. In this niche I've not found anything cheaper, but I invite suggestions on how to structure freemium without losing users.

AI artwork. Blog posts and in-app graphics use AI-created artwork (cleared with each author). Commenters have argued I should be using human artists instead, and a few assumed the coping skills were AI-generated as well (they're not — they're compiled from CBT/DBT papers and linked on the site).

My questions to the community:

Is AI artwork a deal-breaker for you in a product like this?

Does it affect your belief in the underlying material or morals of the project?

For solo developers on budgets that are limited, what choices strike a good balance between aesthetics, cost, and principle?

Thanks for your thoughts — they will have a direct influence on how I go on to further develop the app.

Comment · 1 year ago

Hi all. Some days I shared a link to my project, https://adhdhelp.app, here on Hacker News. I have ADHD and developed the app to help individuals like me manage everyday symptoms. The post created a lot of heat on two fronts. First, some did not like the fact that I offer a premium level. It's 5$ a month, and the majority of the necessary tools are still free, even without an account. I know of no one in this niche asking less than this, but the backlash was horrible nonetheless.

The larger backlash was the AI artwork in my blog. Each picture was cleared with the writer of the article, but several commenters stated I should have hired a freelancer instead. The project is funded independently; paying for art per post would draw my budget quickly dry, and I intend to release a great deal.

Several individuals also assumed that if pictures are AI-created, then the therapeutic techniques must be AI-created as well. They're not. I accumulated them over months, cross-checked the research, and added a page on the website that cites the science that supports each technique.

So I'm posing the question to the community: are AI images really such a game changer? Do they render useless the value of a tool that already helps users? I'd love to know where your line is and how indy builders like me can meet expectations without sinking the ship.

Comment · 1 year ago

Hi all. Yesterday I shared a link to my project, https://adhdhelp.app, here on Hacker News. I have ADHD and developed the app to help individuals like me manage everyday symptoms.

The post created a lot of heat on two fronts. First, some did not like the fact that I offer a premium level. It's 5$ a month, and the majority of the necessary tools are still free, even without an account. I know of no one in this niche asking less than this, but the backlash was horrible nonetheless.

I built an ADHD support app and people are upset about the AI-generated images adhdhelp.app

2 digitalions 1 year ago 3 comments

Comment · 1 year ago

Hello again, everyone. This is the author of the app. To be honest, I did not expect such a strong reaction. Thank you all for the feedback. I would like to clarify a couple of things.

Yes, I have ADHD. I'm making this site primarily to help me and my friends.

Yes, there's a paid subscription. By the way, it's the cheapest of all these apps. Well, and it's a fremium model. Most of the functions can be used even without registration. And no, I'm not trying to make money off of ADHD people for nothing. I really want to help.

Yes I use AI generated images for blog posts. They were agreed with the authors of the posts as reflective. I didn't realize that a lot of people didn't like it so much.

No I didn't use AI to mindlessly come up with self-help techniques. I've been collecting them for years of my life. I looked them up in magazines and so on. It's evidence-based. I'll add a page of proof.

Yes I absolutely need to better the UI as well as add a dark theme. I've already found a designer I know.

Yes the app is already being used by ADHD and it's already helping.

So thank you all very much.

Comment · 1 year ago

Thank you. I didn't even know people were so negative about AI pictures.

Comment · 1 year ago

Thank you. I didn't even realize so many people wouldn't like these pictures. I think they really fit the articles.

Comment · 1 year ago

Thank you!

Comment · 1 year ago

I have ADHD myself. Honestly, I'd like to make a service that will help everyone. To do that, I need money. I think that 5 dollars a month is not so much nowadays.

Comment · 1 year ago