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I made a 3d interactive globe

r/SideProject
8/14/2025

Content Summary

A user shared a 3D interactive globe they created, which is built using the 'react-globe.gl' library. The project has received positive feedback from users, including educators who see potential for classroom use. Some users suggested improvements such as better zoom control and adding historical event timelines. The project is open source, and the user plans to add more features. Others mentioned similar projects, such as a localization plugin that also uses the same globe component.

Opinion Analysis

Mainstream opinion supports the project's value for educational and visual purposes, with many users expressing interest in its potential applications. Some users suggest improvements like better zoom behavior and historical data integration. There is a debate about whether the project should be monetized or remain open source. While some users advocate for open-source sharing to build community, others suggest exploring paid features for advanced users. Overall, the discussion highlights the importance of user feedback in shaping the project's future direction.

SAAS TOOLS

SaaSURLCategoryFeatures/Notes
react-globe.glhttps://github.com/vasturiano/react-globe.glInteractive Globe LibraryA library for creating interactive 3D globes with React, including features like choropleth maps and country-level data visualization
3d-globeshttps://3d-globes.vercel.app3D Globe DemoA 3D interactive globe built using react-globe.gl, allowing users to explore countries and locations
Copyswap.iohttps://www.copyswap.ioLocalization PluginA plugin that includes a similar globe component for localization demonstrations

USER NEEDS

Pain Points:

  • The globe zooms out too far and moves to the other side of the globe when focusing on certain countries like France
  • Limited interactivity for historical events or time-based data
  • Lack of clear documentation or instructions for advanced use cases

Problems to Solve:

  • Improve user experience by fixing zoom behavior and location accuracy
  • Add features for historical event tracking or timeline views
  • Provide better documentation and examples for developers who want to use the tool

Potential Solutions:

  • Rework the zooming and focus logic to prevent unexpected movement
  • Integrate a timeline slider or historical data layer
  • Expand documentation and provide more detailed tutorials or examples

GROWTH FACTORS

Effective Strategies:

  • Open-sourcing the project to build community trust and encourage contributions
  • Leveraging existing libraries (like react-globe.gl) to reduce development time and improve functionality
  • Sharing the project on platforms like Reddit to gain visibility and feedback

Marketing & Acquisition:

  • Posting the project on relevant subreddits (e.g., r/SideProject) to attract early adopters and developers
  • Using GitHub to showcase the codebase and demonstrate transparency and quality

Monetization & Product:

  • Offering premium features or additional modules for enterprise users
  • Focusing on educational and classroom use cases as a strong product-market fit
  • Building a community around the project to drive organic growth and word-of-mouth marketing

User Engagement:

  • Encouraging user feedback through comments and direct replies
  • Highlighting real-world use cases (e.g., children learning geography) to show value
  • Maintaining an active presence in developer communities to foster engagement