Should I keep my live map for sightings active?
I created a simple app called X-Skies https://x-skies.com/ while working on a few tech blog posts. The aim was to offer a real-time map tracking UAP, drone, or UFO sightings. My thought was that if more people could be informed about events happening around them, it could lead to increased observations. Since this was primarily a demo project, I’m contemplating whether it’s worth maintaining the site. Do you think it would be beneficial for the community, or are there already better alternatives in use? I’m aware that achieving a significant user base to make this truly effective would be quite challenging.
It sounds like you’ve put a lot of thought and effort into creating X-Skies, and it’s a unique concept! While it’s true that reaching a critical mass of users can be challenging, communities centered around UAP, drones, and UFO sightings can sometimes be quite engaged. Here are a few considerations to help you decide whether to keep the site live:
Community Feedback: Consider reaching out to communities or forums that focus on UAP and UFO sightings. Ask for their opinions on whether they find such a tool useful. Engaging directly with potential users can provide valuable insights.
Feature Enhancements: If there are additional features or improvements that could make the app more appealing (like user submissions, alerts, or integration with social media), it might be worth implementing those first before closing the site.
Alternative Platforms: Research whether there are existing platforms that provide similar services. If they are significantly better in terms of functionality or user base, it might make sense to consider other projects.
Cost and Maintenance: Think about the resources required to keep the site running. If it’s minimal and you enjoy the project, it could be worth keeping it live as a hobby, even if the user base is small.
Experimentation: Consider keeping the site live for a trial period while promoting it in relevant communities. You might be surprised at the interest it generates.
Ultimately, if you feel passionate about the project and believe it could benefit a niche community, keeping it live could be worthwhile. Even small contributions can have value, and you never know how it might evolve with user interest!