Github Repository

So I’m doing something kind of different, recently.

A couple of years ago I had an idea for an app, which was later released by someone else as Snapchat.

It’s one of the issues that you run into when you do product development or idea development is that a lot of people have the same idea that you do and are working on the same product that you’re working on at the same time. It’s a matter of who gets to Market first.

Well, this idea was put on the shelf when Snapchat came out, but the recent changes that have occurred in Washington DC have made this idea suddenly plausible again.

Essentially, it’s a WordPress plugin that allows you to play back video, audio and images in a Snapchat like manner.

Currently the code exists in a GitHub repository and some unusable format. Meaning it doesn’t run.

But thanks to ChatGPT and MyGPT’s I’m making some decent progress in the development of a WordPress plugin that creates a Snapchat like experience for the user.

Project Genesis

The inspiration for this project was born out of a desire to create a more engaging and transient way for users to consume media on websites powered by WordPress. Recognizing the gap in the market after observing the trajectory of Snapchat and the evolving landscape of digital content consumption, it became clear there was an opportunity to bring something new to the table. The goal was to harness the temporary nature of content interaction and integrate it seamlessly into the WordPress ecosystem, offering website owners a novel way to present their media.

Technical Overview

At its core, the plugin leverages a sophisticated new playlist format, as described in the "2024-02-25_new_playlist_format-03.json" file, to manage the playback of video, audio, and image content in a manner akin to Snapchat stories. This JSON format outlines a structure for defining playlists that include multimedia content, complete with timing, events, and dynamic elements like effects, destination URLs, and even cryptographic keys for secure distribution.

Key Features

• Dynamic Content Playback: Utilizing a set of predefined events within each playlist item, the plugin can manipulate media properties in real-time, such as volume, playback direction, and visual effects, offering a rich and interactive user experience.
• Ephemeral Nature: Emulating the ephemeral aspect of Snapchat, the plugin allows content to be displayed for a limited time, encouraging more frequent engagement from visitors.
• Customizable Play Modes: The format supports various play modes, including regular playback, interactive elements (e.g., quizzes), and even modes designed for specific content types like slideshows or restricted views.

Development Challenges

One of the primary hurdles in this project was translating the complex JSON structure into a functional and user-friendly WordPress plugin. This required deep integration with WordPress's content management system, ensuring compatibility and ease of use for site administrators while maintaining the flexibility and robustness of the playlist format.

Progress and Next Steps

Currently, the plugin is in an early stage of development. The initial focus has been on parsing the JSON playlist format and creating a basic framework for handling the playback of media according to the defined events and timings. Moving forward, the development will prioritize:

• Enhancing the UI/UX for both administrators creating playlists and end-users interacting with the content.
• Expanding the plugin's compatibility with a broader range of media types and WordPress themes.
• Implementing advanced features like analytics for tracking engagement and user interaction with the content.

This project represents a bold step forward in reimagining how multimedia content is consumed on the web. By bringing the ephemeral, engaging nature of social media storytelling to WordPress sites, we aim to offer creators and businesses a powerful tool to captivate their audience in new and exciting ways. Stay tuned for updates as we continue to develop this innovative WordPress plugin, pushing the boundaries of digital content interaction.