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Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

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Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#21

Post by sublinear »

MisterSandman wrote: post #14
imcritic wrote: post #2

I don't really see any value in such combines. You want some calculation? Run calc and do the calculation, do you save so much time by replacing the "run calc" step with "open launcher" that it's worth adding more software to your setup?

Do you remember the command line command to convert 5:30 IST to PDT? Or convert $70 USD to SGD? Or what 17.3 years in seconds is? Or how many days are between 2024-12-30 and 2025-06-17? Raycast can all of do that automatically, and the only shortcut you need to know is Cmd-Space.

I just type the same into the browser. Only shortcut is alt-tab or a touchscreen swipe, and it works on any device without installing anything.

I don't get it either.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#22

Post by a022311 »

Awesome work! I've been dreaming of this project myself with a very similar stack (basically React instead of Svelte), but I'm very excited to finally have a Raycast alternative for Linux that has both consistent UI and extension compatibility.

The most impressive part is probably your age, because this isn't an easy project even for senior devs!

I haven't tried it yet, but I can't wait to find some time for that.

I've researched applications like this for Linux quite extensively and I think you might find the following tips of interest: - For the slow extension startup issue you mentioned, consider Deno as a runtime as it has a better sandbox and is faster than Node overall. There may be some compatibility issues, but if I remember correctly most stuff is handled by the special Raycast extension libraries which you implement manually anyway. - I'd consider Numbat [0] for replacing the calculator implementation you have now. As far as I can tell, it should have feature parity with SoulverCore and it's also written in Rust, so interfacing with it should be much easier and won't require the FFI work you're doing now. - Project Gauntlet [1] is another project which has gotten quite close to implementing a full-featured Raycast alternative and might be worth taking inspiration from. It would certainly be very cool if you can make the UI rendering native at some point (although I guess Rust isn't perfect for native UI at the moment [2])

Keep up the good work!

[0]: https://github.com/sharkdp/numbat

[1]: https://github.com/project-gauntlet/gauntlet

[2]: https://areweguiyet.com/

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#23

Post by bigyabai »

sangeeth96 wrote: post #13
ByteAtATime wrote: post #10

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Fair point! I've actually thought about that before; I've tried to be extremely clear in the project's README with a disclaimer that this is a non-commercial hobby project and is not affiliated with the official Raycast team in any way. The name is just for identification, as the project's goal is to be a compatible, open-source alternative for the Linux community, a platform they don't currently serve. That being sa…

That shouldn't matter. They might even have a Linux version in the works, given they are doing Windows now. They are within their rights to ask you to get rid of it. You also seem to be using their brand assets like the logo. I get your intention and love what you were able to accomplish but if you intend for this to grow, you are better off doing this now.

> They are within their rights to ask you to get rid of it.

Only the logo and name. The functionality side should be perfectly fine, there are oodles of precedent for reversing a workable program from someone's commercial API: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_LLC_v._Oracle_America,_....

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#24

Post by jraph »

znort_ wrote: post #20
imcritic wrote: post #2

I don't really see any value in such combines. You want some calculation? Run calc and do the calculation, do you save so much time by replacing the "run calc" step with "open launcher" that it's worth adding more software to your setup?

"write programs that do one thing and do it well. write programs to work together." it's sad to see this core principle being increasingly ignored in linux, but i guess that ship sailed a while ago.

A runner that runs "programs" coming from extensions is about as close to this principle as possible, no?

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#25

Post by WD-42 »

runjake wrote: post #19

Looks great! Change the name. The Raycast people are going to (initially) ask you to anyway. Raycast also runs on Windows now, albeit in beta. Other Linux launchers with extensibility: KRunner: https://userbase.kde.org/Plasma/Krunner Albert: https://albertlauncher.github.io/

There is also rofi, wofi, fuzzl, dmenu, and even gnome search providers. No shortage of launchers on Linux, all with varying capabilities.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#26

Post by sangeeth96 »

bigyabai wrote: post #23
sangeeth96 wrote: post #13

Earlier quoted context omitted.

That shouldn't matter. They might even have a Linux version in the works, given they are doing Windows now. They are within their rights to ask you to get rid of it. You also seem to be using their brand assets like the logo. I get your intention and love what you were able to accomplish but if you intend for this to grow, you are better off doing this now.

> They are within their rights to ask you to get rid of it. Only the logo and name. The functionality side should be perfectly fine, there are oodles of precedent for reversing a workable program from someone's commercial API: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_LLC_v._Oracle_America,_... .

But prolly can still go after if you resemble it closely enough in terms of looks? I get the API point though, thanks.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#27

Post by kstrauser »

jraph wrote: post #24
znort_ wrote: post #20

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"write programs that do one thing and do it well. write programs to work together." it's sad to see this core principle being increasingly ignored in linux, but i guess that ship sailed a while ago.

A runner that runs "programs" coming from extensions is about as close to this principle as possible, no?

I think so. It’s basically an ephemeral, extensible GUI shell.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#28

Post by kstrauser »

sangeeth96 wrote: post #26
bigyabai wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> They are within their rights to ask you to get rid of it. Only the logo and name. The functionality side should be perfectly fine, there are oodles of precedent for reversing a workable program from someone's commercial API: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Google_LLC_v._Oracle_America,_... .

But prolly can still go after if you resemble it closely enough in terms of looks? I get the API point though, thanks.

Eh, probably not. There are any number of things that look like it. The appearance is the natural outcome of its functionality.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#29

Post by kstrauser »

ByteAtATime wrote: post #10
mynegation wrote: post #6

Raycast will either hire you or send you a cease-and-desist order. Either way, I would change the name now.

Fair point! I've actually thought about that before; I've tried to be extremely clear in the project's README with a disclaimer that this is a non-commercial hobby project and is not affiliated with the official Raycast team in any way. The name is just for identification, as the project's goal is to be a compatible, open-source alternative for the Linux community, a platform they don't currently serve. That being sa…

> The name is just for identification

That’s precisely what they’d dislike about it. You’d be creating “brand confusion” by using their trademark in your own name. You couldn’t make “My Cola (Recreating Coke)” without getting an expensive and inconvenient letter from their legal team.

Re: Show HN: A Raycast-compatible launcher for Linux

#30

Post by heavyset_go »

ByteAtATime wrote: post #10
mynegation wrote: post #6

Raycast will either hire you or send you a cease-and-desist order. Either way, I would change the name now.

Fair point! I've actually thought about that before; I've tried to be extremely clear in the project's README with a disclaimer that this is a non-commercial hobby project and is not affiliated with the official Raycast team in any way. The name is just for identification, as the project's goal is to be a compatible, open-source alternative for the Linux community, a platform they don't currently serve. That being sa…

I've had to look into for my own side projects, you don't want to include brand names, trademarks, etc in your own projects' names and you should be very wary about how you use them in your marketing if you choose to do so at all.
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