Skip to main content

🏆 First Time Skeeters

LFC.DEV Bluesky Hackathon - Best Bluesky Insight Winner​

🎯 Innovation: Website tracking first messages from new Bluesky users
📅 Date: Saturday, January 18th, 2025
📍 Location: Fractal Tech, Brooklyn, NYC
👥 Team: Alexander Ivanov & Tom Elliott
🏆 Achievement: Best Bluesky Insight Winner
💫 Sponsors: Banc of California & Bloomberg Beta

🚀 The Challenge​

The LFC.DEV Bluesky Hackathon challenged builders to create innovative applications using Bluesky's AT Protocol firehose or Jetstream. With categories ranging from fun projects to VC-scale ventures, the event brought together the developer community to explore the potential of decentralized social media.

💡 Our Solution: First Time Skeeters​

Built "First Time Skeeters" - a fascinating website that captures and displays the very first message posted by new Bluesky users, offering unique insights into how people introduce themselves to the platform. Also created a welcoming bot to greet newcomers to the Bluesky community.

First Time Skeeters Application First Time Skeeters in action - real-time tracking of new Bluesky users' first posts, showing 102 people posted for the first time in just 2 minutes

Key Features​

  • 👋 First Post Tracking: Monitors Bluesky firehose for users' inaugural posts
  • 🔍 Introduction Analysis: Reveals patterns in how people present themselves
  • 🤖 Welcome Bot: Automated greeting system for new platform users
  • 📊 Social Insights: Data visualization of new user behavior
  • ⚡ Real-time Processing: Live tracking via Jetstream WebSocket connection
  • 🌐 Web Interface: Clean, accessible website for browsing first posts

🛠️ Tech Stack​

  • AT Protocol: Bluesky's decentralized social protocol
  • Jetstream: Real-time firehose data stream from Bluesky
  • WebSockets: Live connection for instant new user detection
  • Web Framework: Frontend for displaying first posts and insights
  • Bot Integration: Automated welcome message system
  • Data Processing: Real-time filtering and analysis of user data

🎯 Social Media Innovation​

Understanding Digital First Impressions​

The project revealed fascinating insights about online introductions:

  • Self-Presentation Patterns: How people choose to introduce themselves
  • Platform Migration: Users explaining their move from other platforms
  • Community Building: First posts often seek connection and belonging
  • Cultural Diversity: Global perspectives on digital introductions
  • Authenticity Moments: Raw, unfiltered first expressions

Technical Breakthrough​

  • Real-time Social Analytics: Live tracking of platform behavior
  • Firehose Processing: Efficient filtering of massive data streams
  • User Experience: Making complex social data accessible and engaging
  • Community Tools: Technology that enhances platform welcoming

Research Applications​

  • Social Platform Studies: Understanding user onboarding behavior
  • Digital Anthropology: First impressions in digital spaces
  • Community Development: Tools for better new user experiences
  • Platform Analytics: Insights for social media improvements

🌟 Hackathon Experience​

LFC.DEV Community Event​

The hackathon showcased the power of cofounder matching and collaboration:

  • 9:30 AM: Arrival and networking
  • 10:00 AM: 2-minute idea pitches and team formation
  • Build Phase: Intensive development throughout the day
  • 4:30 PM: Project wrap-up and demo preparation
  • 5:00 PM: 3-minute demos (show, don't pitch!)
  • 6:00 PM: Networking dinner with new teammates

Hackathon Workspace The collaborative workspace at Fractal Tech - developers building innovative Bluesky applications using AT Protocol

Premium Sponsorship & Venue​

  • Fractal Tech: Brooklyn innovation hub hosting the event
  • Banc of California: Venture banking with Build@Banc startup program
  • Bloomberg Beta: Early-stage VC focused on future of work
  • Expert Judges: Industry leaders evaluating innovation potential

Competition Categories & Results​

🏆 Award Categories:

  • Best Bluesky Fun Project
  • Best Bluesky Overall
  • 🥇 Best Bluesky Insight: Alexander Ivanov & Tom Elliott - "First Time Skeeters"
  • Best Bootstrapped Potential
  • Best VC Scale Project

Expert Judging Panel​

  • Tamas Kadar (Alice): Bluesky Community Developer
  • John Bryson: Banc of California (Sponsor)
  • Lori Berenberg: Bloomberg Beta (Sponsor)

Demo Presentation Demo time at Fractal Tech - presenting projects to judges and fellow developers in the innovation space

💡 Innovation Highlights​

Technical Achievements​

  • Jetstream Integration: Seamless real-time data processing from Bluesky
  • WebSocket Mastery: Efficient live connection management
  • User Detection: Accurate identification of first-time posters
  • Data Visualization: Clear presentation of social insights
  • Bot Development: Automated community welcoming system

Social Impact Discovery​

  • Platform Anthropology: Understanding digital social behavior
  • Community Building: Tools for better new user integration
  • Cultural Insights: Global perspectives on social media introductions
  • Research Value: Data patterns useful for platform development

Collaborative Success​

  • Cofounder Synergy: Perfect partnership with Tom Elliott's expertise
  • Rapid Development: Full application built in single day
  • Judge Recognition: Expert panel selected for "Best Insight" category
  • Community Value: Tool that benefits Bluesky ecosystem

🎪 Community Impact​

Bluesky Ecosystem Enhancement​

  • New User Experience: Improving onboarding and welcome processes
  • Community Research: Valuable data for platform development
  • Social Tools: Applications that enhance user connection
  • Developer Innovation: Showcasing AT Protocol capabilities

LFC.DEV Cofounder Matching​

  • Team Formation: Successful pairing of complementary skills
  • Collaborative Innovation: Proof of concept for founder matching
  • Network Building: Connections leading to future projects
  • Community Growth: Strengthening NYC tech ecosystem

Venture Banking & VC Involvement​

  • Startup Support: Banc of California's Build@Banc program exposure
  • Investment Pipeline: Bloomberg Beta's early-stage focus
  • Industry Validation: Financial sector recognition of innovation
  • Scaling Opportunities: VC and banking connections for growth

🔗 Links & Resources​

💭 Reflection​

The LFC.DEV Bluesky Hackathon proved that the most valuable insights come from understanding human behavior. "First Time Skeeters" showed how technology can reveal fascinating patterns in how people present themselves in new digital spaces.

Key Insights​

  • Social data goldmine: First posts reveal authentic human moments
  • Real-time processing power: Jetstream makes complex social analysis accessible
  • Collaborative advantage: Team formation led to complementary expertise
  • Research value: Simple concepts can generate profound insights

Technical Learnings​

  1. AT Protocol Mastery: Understanding decentralized social architecture
  2. WebSocket Efficiency: Real-time data streaming and processing
  3. Social Data Ethics: Responsible handling of user information
  4. Community Tools: Building applications that enhance platform value
  5. Rapid Prototyping: Full social application in single day

The Innovation Factor​

First Time Skeeters demonstrated several breakthrough concepts:

  • Digital anthropology - Technology revealing human social patterns
  • Community research - Tools that benefit platform development
  • Real-time social insights - Live analysis of user behavior
  • Collaborative development - Cofounder matching leading to innovation

This hackathon reinforced my belief that the best technology amplifies human connection, providing tools to understand and improve how we interact in digital spaces.

Group Photo The entire LFC.DEV Bluesky Hackathon community at Fractal Tech - builders, sponsors, and judges celebrating innovation in decentralized social media

"The LFC.DEV Bluesky Hackathon taught me that the most valuable insights hide in the simplest human moments - like how someone says hello for the first time." - Alex Ivanov