The Changelog: Software Development, Open Source Pushing ntfy to the next level (Interview)
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Oct 20, 2023 Philipp Heckel, creator of ntfy, shares his journey of developing this simple HTTP-based push notification service. He delves into the motivations behind ntfy, the challenges of traditional systems, and the desire for simplicity in design. The conversation touches on innovative user experience considerations, strategies for community engagement, and how to thrive in a competitive market. Philipp also reflects on future aspirations for ntfy, highlighting the importance of maintaining a user-friendly tool while expanding its capabilities.
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ntfy Origin Story
- Philipp Heckel built ntfy because he was bored at work and loved open source.
- Google killing XMPP and Hangouts was the final push to start ntfy.
Ignoring Competition
- Philipp Heckel prioritized building what he wanted without researching competitors.
- This allowed ntfy to develop a unique identity and feature set.
Security and Self-Hosting
- Use obscure topic names for decent security, similar to private links.
- Self-host ntfy for sensitive data or if you want more control over notifications.