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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

#31

Post by heavyset_go »

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,_... .

True, but a cease & desist will likely include the demand that they cease all operations, and they might be willing to fight that in court, possibly seek damages, etc however likely or unlikely it is that it would hold up. They can pay for a few hours of a lawyer's time to intimidate the OP.

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

#34

Post by benatkin »

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.

It should matter that it's a non-commercial hobby project. It's nice to see the light pushback.

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

#37

Post by eviks »

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 save so much time by replacing the "run calc" step with "open launcher"

Yes, of course. The "open launcher" is 1 key press, an action you repeat many times a day. And it has 0 delay.

Your "run calc" can't beat this fluid UX

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

#38

Post by eviks »

sublinear wrote: post #21
MisterSandman wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

If you ignore inefficiencies you won't get why the alternative is efficient.

Of course it's not the only shortcut. First, you might need to press tab several times and also pay attention to pick the right element from the app list (no need to do that with a launcher h

Then you need to open a new tab not to lose your current one (guess, this one can be avoided with extra config)

Then you need to wait for the network and hope your query is interpreted correctly by a very general search engine which are increasingly likely to push hallucinations as answers instead (for a calculator plugin you can learn syntax to have guaranteed match)

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

#39

Post by p0w3n3d »

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 propose cast-a-ray (sounds like castaway and goes along with FOSS wink+tonge-in-cheek style). Or maybe waycast?

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

#40

Post by porridgeraisin »

I am a big user of launchers. Used fluent search on windows, raycast on my work mac, but used a disparate set of tools on linux till now. This will be great to try.

I have something to say about the (future? didn't find it in the readme) file search feature.

Similar to how fluent search can defer to the everything.exe search index, maybe this app can defer to the fsearch search index, which already has lots of users.

It will save effort and also onboard fsearch users(like me) easily.

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