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Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

paperwork.rocks

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Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#61
post #55
post #42

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I synchronize Zim via Git plugin. I am happy with Zim, I just would like better UI, native android, and perhaps calendar and even email integration. I did quick search, and it actually looks feasible. Libs are available, PyQT, text file for storage, sync and storage reliability provided by Git. I even picked up name 'Lookout' :-). Now I only need the right motivation, perhaps if akonadi or k9 mail piss me off again.

I think Zim is the best thing out there at the moment. Is it trivial to encrypt via the Git plugin?

Not really

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#62
post #6

It's a good start, but I feel the UX could do with some refinement. Why is there no default notebook upon signup? Why isn't there a big fat "Add a note" button on the top of the list of notes? Why do I have to explicitly press save after editing a note? And why is is soe obscure icon of a floppy disk, instead of a button with the text "Save changes" on it? Etc. All the functionality is there, but as I see it, an app…

It does autosave (although as you mention the UI is not very clear on this)

I also stumbled over this "feature":

I edited one note and pressed "library" instead of the floppy, since there appeared some text, that said, it was autosaved .... But when I got to the library, the note was in the same condition as before the edit.

So, according this test, "auto save" does not work (correctly) IMHO.

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#63
post #28

I think with open source user tools (as opposed to developer tools) you are better off directing your effort to projects which already exist. That's not to say that you can't or shouldn't try to scratch an itch. It just seems that attempting to create an alternative to Evernote is a target which is unlikely to be successful as an open source project or as a commercial project. Evernote has a budget, a full time, full…

I'm never going to use emacs - I don't like it. Org Mode is entirely irrelevant for me. This might be relevant for me.

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#64

Very good initiative, thank you very much! If you would like to switch to are more capable framework it would be much easier to add some collaborative features. I recommend strongly looking at the Python Pyramid framework or at Flask (or at Django, if you want more "rails that lead you") as soon as possible, so this could grow into something really powerful. Many java frameworks also have everything you will need. Un…

After looking at the code for a second it's quite comical that you're suggesting switching framework + language as a way to speed up development, since it would entail a complete rewrite which is almost always the worst thing you can do.

OPs code also looks clean and well documented so I see no reason to make such a recommendation other than PHPhobia.

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#66

As other's have mentioned, the WebUI is a major no-no. Evernote's strength lies in its Desktop application and very useful clipping service. The fact that Evernote uses its own cloud storage instead of say an encrypted folder in Google Drive/Dropbox etc is a negative of the service. Sync is required but implemented in the most undesirable way in Evernote currently. Paperwork is promising, but seems to have replicated…

That makes me think, has anyone tried to build a note taking app based on git? A tricky part for this kind of app is networking and synchronization of notes, and that's all taken care of by git. The "only" thing left would be to implement the mobile and desktop front ends.

Yes, me. :) I'm intermittently working on an Android app that syncs to Git. I'm using it for my notes, but it's still pretty rough to share widely.

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#67

I think a very simple step that could be taken to improve adoption would be making it more obvious that you don't need an email to try the demo. I would mention it right on the demo "Signup" page. Judging by some of the comments here, something that simple would likely get more people to try it.

How do you get past the signin page without using an email?

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#68
post #59

I ditched evernote after I lost my data twice. Sadly I have yet to find a solution which I feel would be an adequate replacement. Even Paperwork is far from it. Either the proposed alternative is even buggier than evernote, or it doesn't implement the full featureset I need. I kind of feel that for me the pinnacle of Evernote was version 3. The lure of being able to dump any information into it and sort it later was…

Yeah it lost my ideas notebook... very hard to trust it after that.

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#69
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paperwork doesn't use its own cloud storage. You can host it either locally or at your own server. No problem using encryption, VPN tunneling etc. here. The fact that it's not a true cloud service could be seen as a downside. Your data is only stored at one server without failsave mechanisms. And you're responsible on your own regarding the data.

Paperwork doesn't use its own cloud storage. You can host it either locally or at your own server. This will really limit the potential user base and really eventual growth and uptake of a service like this. When easily accessible "personal cloud" tools like Dropbox and Drive exist why not make them potential service mechanisms? On an open source service like this it seems you may want to have some sort of cloud abst…

Many people (myself included) don't trust Drobox, so being able to handle my data myself is regarded as a plus.

(having Condoleezza Rice on the board is just _one_ obvious reason not to trust them)

Re: Paperwork: An open source Evernote alternative

#70
post #17

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Paperwork doesn't use its own cloud storage. You can host it either locally or at your own server. No problem using encryption, VPN tunneling etc. here. The fact that it's not a true cloud service could be seen as a downside. Your data is only stored at one server without failsave mechanisms. And you're responsible on your own regarding the data.

Paperwork doesn't use its own cloud storage. You can host it either locally or at your own server. This will really limit the potential user base and really eventual growth and uptake of a service like this. When easily accessible "personal cloud" tools like Dropbox and Drive exist why not make them potential service mechanisms? On an open source service like this it seems you may want to have some sort of cloud abst…

Dropbox, Drive, iCloud, etc are not in any way 'personal clouds'. They are very much somebody else's cloud.

Proper personal clouds may be on the horizon when you don't have to become a sysadmin to run one. FWIW, I'm working towards this - http://nymote.org/blog/2013/introducing-nymote/

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