applin-rails-demo VS freebies

> We’re currently using boring, synchronous, Python, ... We previously tried Eventlet, an async framework ..., but ran into so many bugs ...

I had a similar experience using async Rust to make a boring HTTP server. Debuggers can't trace across `await`, so debugging was a very slow manual process. Also, I wasted a lot of time dealing with borrow-checker errors.

I finally gave up and tried using Rust HTTP servers that let you write threaded request handlers, but there was only one (Rouille) and it had show-stopping problems. So I wrote a good one:

https://crates.io/crates/servlin

You can use Servlin to make a boring HTTP server in Rust, with threaded request handlers (no async). I use Servlin to serve https://www.applin.dev , running on Render. I'm also using Servlin (and Applin) to build a mobile app.

I'm dealing with this daily as I build Applin.

Shameless plug: Backend engineers can use Applin to build iOS apps, without writing any frontend code and without struggling to understand Apple's poorly-documented buggy APIs. https://www.applin.dev

Hi HN, I'm a backend engineer who made an app and didn’t like the tools. Then I made the thing I needed: a mobile app toolkit for backend engineers. I'm calling it Applin™. :)

https://www.applin.dev/

How it works: You make an HTTP server that returns JSON objects that define page content. Then you make a mobile app that calls the server and renders the pages using native widgets. Applin is the server and client libraries that make this easy.

Server libraries: Currently there's Rails https://rubygems.org/gems/applin-rails and https://github.com/leonhard-llc/applin-rails-demo . Which languages shall I add next?

Client libraries: Currently there's iOS https://github.com/leonhard-llc/applin-ios . Which platform shall I add next?

They say, if you're not embarrassed by the quality, then you're launching too late. Applin is usable and not yet pretty and not yet comprehensive. I need customer feedback on priority and requirements.

To try it out right away, use https://apps.apple.com/us/app/applin-tester/id6464230000 and tap the rails-demo link.

The hardest part of this project was making the client update the page without losing keyboard focus and scrolling to the top. To do that, the code must pick the correct existing widgets for each new version of the widget tree. The current (working) version performs five passes over the widget tree: first picking focused widgets and their ancestors, then focus-able widgets, then other stateful widgets, then widgets with matching attributes (label, URL, etc.), and finally former siblings of the correct type. Then it creates any new widgets. Now that it has widgets for the new tree, the code updates the widget tree without removing any sub-widget that will be added again. This prevents losing keyboard focus and prevents resetting scroll positions. Here's the code:

https://github.com/leonhard-llc/applin-ios/blob/main/Sources/ApplinIos/page/widget_cache.swift

Please try out Applin, use it at your company (buy a license), and let me know what features to build first! Post a comment here, add a GitHub issue, or email me at [email protected] .

To get updates, join https://groups.google.com/g/applin-announce .

Thanks for reading! :) --Michael

Location: Bali, Indonesia

Remote: Yes (US or EU timezone)

Willing to relocate: No

Technologies: Figma, Framer, Webflow, Adobe Illustrator, Adobe Photoshop

Portfolio: https://uisual.com

Email: [email protected]

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Hi! I'm El Nino, a UI/UX designer and illustrator. My digital design studio is available for hire. We are a team of three people who have been working with US and EU-based companies for more than five years, so timezone and language are not issues for us. We are open for long-term work ($5,000/month) or one-time projects ($5,000/project).

Feel free to send us an email or book a free call: https://calendly.com/uisual/intro

SEEKING WORK | Indonesia (UTC+7) | Remote Only

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Freelance UI/UX Designer & Graphic Designer

Rate: $40/hour or $800/week (20 hour a week).

Tools: Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Email: [email protected]

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I'm the creator of Uisual (https://uisual.com/). A collection of free & open source plain HTML/CSS landing page templates for startups. I can help you designing user interfaces, websites, mobile apps, social media graphics, and more.

I've been working for US, Europe, and Australia companies for 5+ years, so timezone is not an issue for me. I'm available for freelance work, 20 hours a week. You can invite me to your Slack/Team & Asana/Jira, or you can just email me with tasks.

Feel free to get in touch.

I will list all my pain points with landing page builders, but not all those points might be applied to your service. 1- They are expensive, and their expensive subscription model drives me crazy. It is not a coffee service that you get your fresh coffee every week. This is a landing page builder, and I won't create a landing page every week! I have just 1-2 ideas to test and capture leads, and that is all. If it is a subscription model, it should be a reasonable price. I am not sure if most of them target the agencies, but many people like me just need a "landing page," nothing more or less. 2- Their templates suck. They are usually the same, repeating templates that do not fit your idea. Yes, you can modify them, but it is minimal. For example, Tilda provides a block for the "hero" section. You can choose between 20-30 hero layout options, but %90 of them are a text&button on a background image. I don't want it. I want a simple layout with a screenshot of my service (desktop or phone) at the right and my headline, sub, and call to action on the left. Just simple. No background image. But I can't do it/ They provide something called "Zero Block" which you can build a block you like from empty but challenging to use. You always need to use the same boring (so-called, proved working!) layouts and templates. Just an example, this is the new version for my landing page I've worked on for a while (https://imgur.com/a/mwqe9ci), and I have created it using a free template on the internet without using Tilda( which I pay hundreds for subscription). Pretty crazy, huh? 3- For example, there is a website which (https://uisual.com/) the creator shares free empty templates for different landing pages. They look very clean and straightforward, and to be honest; they serve better for my needs. 4- Those big players are expensive because they also have integrations and CRM types of functionality. 5- One huge missing point for me is, lacking A/B testing functionality on a landing page. Builders that provide A/B testing are extremely expensive (A/B testing frameworks and tools also expensive alone), But still, there is a missing vertical that addresses a simple landing page with A/B testing. It tests only the copy, colors, or layout without complex testing. 6- I am neither a copywriter nor a designer. Still, I have a couple of comments for your copy. Your headline is not ringing the bell in my mind. All builders claim that they are simple to use. Your sub is not supporting much either. In addition, your CAT can be more specific for your use case. I have created an alternative version of your landing page with a different copy. https://imgur.com/a/B6HWY52 Again, I am not a copywriter so it is just a suggestion. Let me know if you have any other questions that I can help with. Again, it is a great project, and I see that you have invested a lot of time. You just need to iterate on and talk to people from now on. When you find your unique selling point (maybe different types of templates for end-users like me), or a simple landing page with A/B testing or something else) you can pivot and revisit your solution. Good luck and keep us informed!

SEEKING WORK | Indonesia (UTC+7) | Remote Only

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Technologies: HTML, CSS, JS, Hugo, Git, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Résumé/CV: Available via email.

Email: [email protected]

― ― ― ― ―

I'm the creator of Uisual (https://uisual.com/). A collection of free & open source (https://github.com/uisual/freebies) plain HTML/CSS landing page templates for startups. Uisual was featured on Speckyboy, Web Designer News, and more.

I'm Indonesian designer and front-end developer. I'm more into design, but I can code my design into usable product. I design delightful interface, website, brand, and packaging. I love working with inspiring people and companies on challenging projects.

Feel free to get in touch.

― ― ― ― ―

Note: I don't have React or Vue skills.

Location: Indonesia (UTC+7).

Remote: Yes.

Willing to relocate: Yes.

Technologies: HTML, CSS, JS, Hugo, Git, Figma, Adobe Illustrator, and Adobe Photoshop.

Résumé/CV: Available via email.

Email: [email protected]

― ― ― ― ―

I'm the creator of Uisual (https://uisual.com/). A collection of free & open source (https://github.com/uisual/freebies) plain HTML/CSS landing page templates for startups. Uisual was featured on Speckyboy, Web Designer News, and more.

I'm Indonesian designer and front-end developer. I'm more into design, but I can code my design into usable product. I design delightful interface, website, brand, and packaging. I love working with inspiring people and companies on challenging projects.

Feel free to get in touch.

― ― ― ― ―

Note: I don't have React or Vue skills. Also, my spoken English isn't fluent, but good enough for conversation. I'm still practicing my spoken English.

Read the license here: https://github.com/uisual/freebies