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BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

blocksuite.affine.pro

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Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#41

Post by hgs3 »

ncallaway wrote: post #36
omniglottal wrote: post #16

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Misusage pre-existing does not make that existing usage not an abuse. Language is both prescriptive and descriptive - someone prescribing the wrong word is still wrong, as it fails to be accurately descriptive.

Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Yours is basically an argument against domain specific language that doesn’t agree with common language.

Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" The term "multiplayer" is correct if you refer to them as a "player" but if instead you refer to them as a "user" then "multiuser" is correct.

> Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning.

Word misuse proliferates because those using terms incorrectly are not corrected. Instead of doubling down, there should be a course correction. I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#42

Post by jitl »

lewisjoe wrote: post #25

The approach here is a bit novel i.e treat each block as a separate editor instance (contenteditable) and somehow wire-up cursor movements to behave as if it's one big editable area. But it comes with its downsides as well. For example cross block selection doesn't work. If the entire page is one big editable area, then it becomes difficult to embed complex blocks like "kanban views" and calendar. I guess we should t…

Notion used this strategy until January 2021, when we rolled over to one-big-ContentEditable. I actually tried the tactic Affine is using, that is implementing drag-to-select gesture yourself and forcing that selection on the browser, but I hit a bunch of roadblocks on iOS and Android that made me abandon it and go with big-ContentEditable.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#43

Post by radlad »

PurpleRamen wrote: post #18
lopkeny12ko wrote: post #12

Does anyone else feel that the whole entire-canvas-is-editable-by-default approach of Notion and similar tools is an extremely annoying antipattern? I want to be able to open a document in read-only mode. Otherwise, while just navigating through pages or reading content, it's far too easy to accidentally add text to a block by pressing anything on the keyboard, or move things around with an accidental drag of the mou…

No, it's an editor, not a immutable website for consumption. The whole goal of them is that you can switch fast between editing and the rendered result. In that sense they are like word processors. But yes, adding an option for locking the document can be important, and usually they have them. I mean it's not even hard to implement. But probably not something people are mindful about.

Word processors typically a view-only mode (and often a suggest/comment mode as well.)

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#44

Post by plagiarist »

lopkeny12ko wrote: post #12

Does anyone else feel that the whole entire-canvas-is-editable-by-default approach of Notion and similar tools is an extremely annoying antipattern? I want to be able to open a document in read-only mode. Otherwise, while just navigating through pages or reading content, it's far too easy to accidentally add text to a block by pressing anything on the keyboard, or move things around with an accidental drag of the mou…

I find it irritating at times but nowhere near as infuriating as traveling to the top of a large block to click edit. I'd happily accept a less permeable barrier into edit mode (like ctrl-click?) but it needs to still support the instant edits for these apps to be tools primarily instead of document readers.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#45

Post by jitl »

lopkeny12ko wrote: post #23
PurpleRamen wrote: post #18

Earlier quoted context omitted.

No, it's an editor, not a immutable website for consumption. The whole goal of them is that you can switch fast between editing and the rendered result. In that sense they are like word processors. But yes, adding an option for locking the document can be important, and usually they have them. I mean it's not even hard to implement. But probably not something people are mindful about.

I mean, an immutable website for consumption is exactly what most people want. I want to differentiate content editing and content viewing much the same way in software development you edit source code which is then built into an immutable read-only artifact . Is it really such a foreign concept that people want a dedicated editing-focused mode whose source is published into the final wiki page for viewing? Is this n…

Many tools that predate Notion open pages in "edit" mode: Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Google Docs, Etherpad, Dropbox Paper, TextEdit, Nodepad.exe...

We want to serve people who've used apps like those with their preferred writing experience.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#46

Post by plagiarist »

Pulz wrote: post #6
58x14 wrote: post #2

It seems like there's a lot of recent interest and effort in open-source or self-hosted Notion-like/markdown-with-widgets applications and platforms. AppFlowy ( https://github.com/AppFlowy-IO/AppFlowy ) comes to mind; I attended one of their monthly "town hall" meetings a few months back, and looks like they're rapidly increasing in popularity. I think there was another similar project like this on HN front page last…

It would be interesting to have your perspective, as an Obsidian user, on Logseq( https://logseq.com/ ). I say this, as like you - I moved towards this for local-first file storage, where content can be edited on any device with any editor and where I have more control over my data. I did try obsidian briefly, but eventually gravitated towards Notion for knowledge and project management - but found that the bulk of t…

I'm using and enjoying Logseq but I don't think I am getting as much out of backreferences as other people. I try to keep projects under a single page and make additions to that page. I'm curious how you are using it, if you have time to share? I am always hoping to steal some ideas that improve my usage for note tools.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#47

Post by ncallaway »

hgs3 wrote: post #41
ncallaway wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Yours is basically an argument against domain specific language that doesn’t agree with common language.

Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" The term "multiplayer" is correct if you refer to them as a "player" but if instead you refer to them as a "user" then "multiuser" is correct. > Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Word misuse proliferates because those using terms incorrectly are not corrected. Instead of doubling down, there should be a cour…

>Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?"

But "multiuser" already has an existing connotation that is different that "multiplayer". Multiplayer indicates a stronger "real-time, everyone sees the exact same thing", while "multiuser" is a weaker term. "Multiplayer" is used specifically _because_ the experience is supposed to be a parallel to the place where the term originated: video games.

The idea of a "multiplayer" document editing experience is all users are _occupying_ the same space (and often can even see each other).

> I recommend using this as an opportunity to highlight the unprofessionalism of your competitors.

I'm not in the space. I'm just aware of the space. I don't find the behavior of people in the space to be unprofessional.

Thank you for attempting to "correct" my behavior.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#48

Post by plagiarist »

hgs3 wrote: post #41
ncallaway wrote: post #36

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Yours is basically an argument against domain specific language that doesn’t agree with common language.

Do you refer to the human using your software as a "user" or "player?" The term "multiplayer" is correct if you refer to them as a "player" but if instead you refer to them as a "user" then "multiuser" is correct. > Okay, but the word is in active use in this space for this exact meaning. Word misuse proliferates because those using terms incorrectly are not corrected. Instead of doubling down, there should be a cour…

"Unlike our competitors, we're pedantic to the point of rejecting industry-common colloquialisms. Do you think note taking is a game? It is not. This is serious business. Fuck whimsy."

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#49

Post by tm-guimaraes »

jitl wrote: post #45
lopkeny12ko wrote: post #23

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I mean, an immutable website for consumption is exactly what most people want. I want to differentiate content editing and content viewing much the same way in software development you edit source code which is then built into an immutable read-only artifact . Is it really such a foreign concept that people want a dedicated editing-focused mode whose source is published into the final wiki page for viewing? Is this n…

Many tools that predate Notion open pages in "edit" mode: Microsoft Word, Apple Pages, Google Docs, Etherpad, Dropbox Paper, TextEdit, Nodepad.exe... We want to serve people who've used apps like those with their preferred writing experience.

but those required clicking on save to actually make a change.

Re: BlockSuite: An open-source Notion-like editor with multiplayer support

#50

Post by unmole »

milliams wrote: post #20

> BlockSuite (pronounced "block sweet" ) Is there any other way that "BlockSuite" would be pronounced?

I think I'm a fairly proficient English speaker. I know it should be pronounced sweet but I instinctively default to suit.
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