FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source • Hacker News Board

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#131

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:38 AM UTC

hazz99 wrote: post #116

crossroadsguy wrote: post #99

Earlier quoted context omitted.

One good reason to not use Apple’s software offerings is to be able to keep eggs in more than one basket. Treat Apple like the hardware seller they should be? They’re below average at best at software anyway. Other than the upper layer polish.

“Below average at best”?! Apple is famously a forerunner of personal computing. They invented most of the mobile UI design language used today. Every OS they’ve built is extremely premium. Their natural language processing is best-in-class. How are they possibly “below average at best”

In all fairness what you say was correct for a long time. But recently quality has slipped according to many. I wouldn't make any type of bold claim to quantify it though.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#132

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:43 AM UTC

fattybob wrote: post #101

Having been a notational velocity / Simplenote user for ages, I’m very happy to be able to migrate my stash of notes into FSNotes, and bonus - it can take images/ photos (far better than standard notes manages - a neglected purchase I have) and even encryption for specific entries that works easily!! Wow all my ideals in one place. I’m a convert for sure, but have to admit, still using NV on my desktop and Simplenote…

FSNotes is already up to version 5, and fiercely independent, so things are looking good.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#133

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:51 AM UTC

sharikone wrote: post #51

franczesko wrote: post #19

Unfortunately, the platform lock is a deal breaker for me. After testing a lot of different note apps, I'm currently using Joplin. It does 95% of the things I need quite right. I'm not sure, if it's only my problem, but I really struggled to find a good app for note taking, although there's a plethora of solutions out there.

I agree perfectly. It seems there are zillions of apps (just look at this thread), but the moment I look for my requirements (markdown, good math rendering, no format lockdown, decent GUI, basic backup options) it seems that no matter how I look the only options are Obsidian and Joplin. Joplin being open source, albeit not perfect, it is my choice. It always surprises me how many apps there and how I don't get a feel…

These requirements are met by FSNotes. Or does it lack in some way you've not mentioned?

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#134

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:53 AM UTC

ibdf wrote: post #97

Ugh… I have been through so many notes apps and half of them look like this one… boostnote, quicksilver, apple notes… all offer just the basics. I’m with Notion right now because I can add files and images easily, and can create some more complex layouts that you can’t achieve with markdown, but I’m still not satisfied… Notion biggest flaw for me is trying to make every table a relationship database.

FSNotes is far from basic and can include images.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#135

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:54 AM UTC

unhammer wrote: post #119

I feel like I should wash my hands after clicking that URL, might want to consider a new domain name?

Feel free to suggest one.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#136

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:56 AM UTC

yayr wrote: post #41

Nice Tool. But why is it not possible to edit markdown files in arbitrary folders? why do I have to have a separate folder for notes and another one for all other documents?

Just pick your top level folder and then you're set.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#137

Post by msephton » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 9:58 AM UTC

I really appreciate that this is a native app on both macOS and iOS. Props to the developer.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#138

Post by Operyl » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 10:16 AM UTC

bodge5000 wrote: post #127

lostintangent wrote: post #58

After GitHub.dev was released (hit “.” on any GitHub repo, to open it in browser-based VS Code), I immediately saw the notetaking workflow that I wanted: a GitHub repo, storing markdown that I can own/control, but editable in the browser, using my existing VS Code preferences (theme, keybindings, etc.). Unfortunately, VS Code doesn’t natively support wiki links, so I created an extension that simply adds that feature…

I guess all your missing is offline capabilities (obviously you can have a local repo as well, but if your doing all your editing online, you might not be backing it up for when you actually need that offline capability) and mobile editing (which shockingly still isn't a thing for even basic github)

You could at this point just schedule a git pull to run every hour (or however fast you wish to do it) locally.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#139

Post by reacharavindh » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 10:49 AM UTC

atombender wrote: post #73

I keep seeing apps like these, and what they almost never have is sharing notes between multiple people. I use Apple Notes, and I constantly share notes with my wife — and entire folder structures, too. We use it for grocery lists, dinner planning, travel planning, and many other things. It's not quite as elegantly real-time as Google Docs, but we don't need that as much, since we tend to edit at different times. I a…

This. Big Apple Notes user here.

Apple Notes takes the crown for being the most unobstructive when it comes to taking notes.

1. Drag and Drop images, screenshots, annotate them in place. I cannot live without this anymore. Forcing me to first upload an image somewhere, and then use ()[] syntax to correctly load the file in MarkDown is the opposite of what I want my Notes application to be.

2. Sync - I write my notes on my Mac while working. I needed to look something up while I am waiting in queue somewhere? iPhone provides an excellent interface with usable Search while on the Go. Had a thought while I am traveling, want to put it down? Notes on iPhone. This thing is super convenient.

3. Shared Notes. My wife and I share a few notes with purposes - "Things to Know" - for the important tidbits that we end up sharing via Messages/email. Now they are in one place and recorded forever. "To buy" is our commonly used shopping list. "Household todo" - is our shared todo list for stuff around the house.

Now, the con is that deep lock-in to the Apple ecosystem. I am still waiting for an alternative that gives me the ability and ease to do #1 and #2 above. So far, none met my needs.

My eager bet is on https://www.serenity.re/en/notes The dev has image drag and drop support on the roadmap. If it comes out, I will give it a serious shot.

Re: FSNotes: Notes manager for macOS and iOS – native, open source

#140

Post by reacharavindh » Mon, Aug 23, 2021, 10:52 AM UTC

istingray wrote: post #94

setpatchaddress wrote: post #91

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Out of curiosity, why not just use Notes? (I’m aware there are legit reasons, but I’m curious about your scenario.)

Moving off Apple's ecosystem. Their definition of privacy/surveillance falls short of "human rights" level privacy and only protects against advertisers and hackers.

+1.

As sweet as their hardware and ecosystem is, an open ecosystem is better for users. I'd move off if I could get most of what I enjoy within Apple ecosystem.