Discussion Flow is Live: Transforming How We Engage in Discussions
I'm excited to announce the launch of Discussion Flow, a real-time platform that revolutionizes how audiences engage during discussions, talks, and presentations. Born from a simple conversation with a friend about a church discussion group, this application transforms the way we collect and interact with audience questions.
What is Discussion Flow?
Discussion Flow makes your discussions and talks more engaging by providing your audience with a digital space to share their thoughts and ask questions in real-time. Whether you're hosting a conference, leading a workshop, or facilitating a group discussion, Discussion Flow creates an interactive environment that keeps your audience engaged and involved.
Key Features
- Real-time Question Submission: Audience members can submit questions instantly during your discussion
- Live Updates: Questions appear in real-time for all participants using WebSocket technology
- Question Management: Organize, sort, and moderate questions with ease
- User Profiles: Personalize discussions with names and profile pictures
- Subscription Management: Pro features for advanced users with Stripe integration
- Mobile-Responsive Design: Works seamlessly across all devices
- Email Authentication: Simple, password-free login system
Technology Stack
Discussion Flow is built with a modern, full-stack architecture:
Frontend: Next.js 15 with React 19, TypeScript, and Tailwind CSS for a responsive, modern interface Backend: Node.js with Express.js and Socket.IO for real-time communication Database: MongoDB for flexible data storage Authentication: JWT-based email-only authentication system Payments: Stripe integration for subscription management File Storage: Cloudinary for profile image management Deployment: Frontend on Vercel, Backend on Railway for persistent WebSocket connections Email: Resend for reliable email delivery
The Inspiration
The idea for Discussion Flow came from a conversation with a friend who shared a link to questions from a church discussion group. I immediately thought, "What a cool idea!" - so I decided to build my own version with more features.
Real-time Technology
One of the standout features is the real-time question updates powered by Socket.IO. This ensures that when someone submits a question, it appears instantly for all participants, creating an interactive experience. The platform handles live updates for question additions, modifications, and deletions across all connected devices.
Try Discussion Flow Today
Ready to make your next discussion more engaging? Visit Discussion Flow to start your first discussion today.
For more details about the development process, technical challenges, and learnings from this project, check out the full case study on my portfolio website.