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Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

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Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#171

Post by dr_kiszonka »

gbro3n wrote: post #149
UnnoTed wrote: post #115

AI'm building a native version[0] of Obsidian in Qt6 (QWidgets, cpp), replicating the markdown editor takes a while, there are so many ways of corrupting the file or losing the rendered markdown style... but its getting there[1] and its lightweight, using about 15mb ram, no gpu and barely uses any cpu when the cursor or scroll moves, like a text editor should be. Still need to render widget tables, lists and syntax h…

I open sourced https://asnotes.io - it's markdown based with wikilinking, task management, a kanban board and static site publishing. It runs locally and is Git friendly. The aim was to build something using formats and tech that is likely to stand the test of time.

Very nice! Would you have any recommendations for the leanest compatible "host"? Instead of adding this to my VSCode, I would rather use it as a separate app. Currently, I use a naked Zed install for Markdown because it launches faster than my system apps (and than Cursor, VSCode, etc.).

Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#173

Post by flakiness »

HDMI_Cable wrote: post #163
flexagoon wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, Obsidian is an Electron app with no obfuscation, so it's pretty easy to get its code. I think I even remember the official Obsidian team telling people to do that on their support forum if they distrusted the app.

Which really begs the question: why not have it open-source at that point? Obsidian isn't making money from things hidden in the code, but rather their Sync service. Might as well open-source it (and perhaps get more people helping with the development), keep the Sync service, and stem competitor projects like these in the bud.

I suspect it's mostly about setting the expectation. They don't want to give up the control, they don't make it "free" (although it virtually is). Both are possible with open source but it would need a lot of explanation. Being closed makes it more natural.

Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#174

Post by xeonmc »

HDMI_Cable wrote: post #163
flexagoon wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, Obsidian is an Electron app with no obfuscation, so it's pretty easy to get its code. I think I even remember the official Obsidian team telling people to do that on their support forum if they distrusted the app.

Which really begs the question: why not have it open-source at that point? Obsidian isn't making money from things hidden in the code, but rather their Sync service. Might as well open-source it (and perhaps get more people helping with the development), keep the Sync service, and stem competitor projects like these in the bud.

[dead]

Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#175

Post by ryanhecht »

xiaoyu2006 wrote: post #172

Why will I want to feed my life into LLM

In my case, it helps improve my ADHD-affected executive function. It lowers the barrier to entry to ingesting information into a system I know I can extract it from later. It gives me peace of mind to know I can ramble semi-coherently at the speed of conversation and know that the salient points are being captured.

Local models will continue to improve, if your concern is privacy -- already they do a decent enough job at interacting with a well-schema'd PKM

Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#177

Post by thegagne »

bryanhogan wrote: post #145
thegagne wrote: post #84

Earlier quoted context omitted.

How many text editors have you paid for, versus how many have you used for free? I do think there is room for a few good paid text editors in the world, but most people won't pay directly for them, though they might use them if they are bundled ala Google Docs / O365 Word.

I have paid for Obsidian and Samsung Notes as part of buying a Samsung phone. I also paid for a few more, e.g. Notion, but I think it's better to focus on: There's definitely value in good text editors. They can greatly enhance your experience with a system, e.g. if Samsung Notes was amazing I'd be much more likely to stick to using a Samsung phone.

Sure, but I would say you are an outlier in paying for those things. Most people use what's immediately available, others might search for something better that's free, and very few will go pay for something.

That last category of people are also now likely to go create something themselves with AI, but don't really want to or can't start a business from it, so they may add it to the pile of free software others can use.

Not everyone HAS to profit from their work, though I do think those who make it their passion might benefit from finding a way to do that.

Re: Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian

#178

Post by andix »

HDMI_Cable wrote: post #163
flexagoon wrote: post #57

Earlier quoted context omitted.

To be fair, Obsidian is an Electron app with no obfuscation, so it's pretty easy to get its code. I think I even remember the official Obsidian team telling people to do that on their support forum if they distrusted the app.

Which really begs the question: why not have it open-source at that point? Obsidian isn't making money from things hidden in the code, but rather their Sync service. Might as well open-source it (and perhaps get more people helping with the development), keep the Sync service, and stem competitor projects like these in the bud.

Because then someone might fork it into a new product with their own sync service.
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