Show HN: A note-taking app for those who dump all notes on a single txt file
paperroll.appI like this idea. I am this kind of note taker, where I enjoy the linear chronological nature of an append-only note, specifically for my "daily notes" in various topics. To me, it represents a journal-style approach that is helpful for team meetings or learning about a topic on a regular basis, or just journaling.
Some ideas on what this could provide over current solutions like Google Docs or Notion: * My preference is to append to the top of my note. I can do this in your note but it would be cool if there was an out of the box UX improvement for appending to the top vs to the bottom * It would be nice if there was a tree-like structure to nested notes. Simple markdown-style headings would suffice, where I can fold headings and bullets, and see the tree structure in the right side panel
Thanks a lot for trying this out and for the suggestions!
Glad to hear the basic mechanics of "additive" notes is working for you. I have a lot of depth to add as you pointed out though, will go back to work :)
Have a nice Saturday!
This is a 500 MB app that demanded a login the first time I opened it. So I don't own my content, I guess?
The author couldn't even take the time to provide any screenshots, or a brief overview—you have to sit through a video.
Note-taking apps are one of these areas where I'm always interested in alternatives, but I also have some very good options that I'm already using. If I'm going to switch, there had better be a damned good reason. And so far, all this app is doing is giving me very good reasons to not take it seriously.
Thanks for the feedback.
What does "owning" the content mean to you? You own it to the same extension you own it in Notion, Linear or any web based tool.
The login could be optional but the only reason is there is to provide a feature: automatic backups and sync across devices.
Owning my content means it's on my local drive, like with Obsidian (or, well, Apple Notes). I realize that may not be the case with a web-based tool, like Notion or Asana; that is justifiable, but I'd like to know that from the outset. This is where a simple product page explaining the functions and features would have helped.
Automatic backups and sync are great—ordinarily I'd consider that a valuable feature—but if that's optional, as you said, it should not be a requirement for using the tool. Besides making me suspicious, it's a speed bump. I was ready to experiment with your tool until I realized I had to set up an account. At that point, I decided I didn't want to bother.
My assumption is that, until proven otherwise, every tool is trying to sell my data or drive me towards a subscription. If you're doing that, be clear about it. If you're not doing that, be very clear about it. Clarity would engender a lot of good will here, since most of us have learned to assume the worst from SaaS tools. Not having ulterior motives is the exception, and that's great, but I think you need to be extra clear about that.
Yeah, I see this completely. I'd need myself if I wasn't the maker and hence 100% sure that there is not intention to sell data.
My plan is to have mobile apps soon and make multi-device use a core part of the experience. Which is why I went with mandatory login although it makes little sense so far (since there is no really multi-device support). I just didn't want to build things twice since I'm doing this alone...
That said, I'll have to go with your other suggestion which is offering good ways to export & backup into your own storage (local or otherwise) and be upfront about this option.
Thanks a lot for the feedback!
Agree with the other comments about adding more to your landing page. There are tons of notes apps out there but yours is actually a very cool take. If it wasn't for the YouTube videos linked from this thread, I wouldn't have understood what you have built at all. I imagine any of the following would be quite helpful.
- Condense your video to < 1min and embed it on your landing page.
- Use your copy from these tweets alongside relevant screenshots: https://twitter.com/iamguico/status/1646396960360808449
I probably wouldn't use it personally since I'm happy with Obsidian and I can choose how the data is synced, but I can see how your UX could make sense for many people.
Hey! Thanks a lot for the effort to put this answer together. Totally see your point.
I was going with the assumption that you "better show than tell". So, by having a landing page with so little info is intentional in the hope that it will lead to more downloads.
So far about 20% of all visitors download the app, which I think is a high number. But I can see how that won't scale.
Again, thanks a lot for the feedback
That sounds really impressive and if it's working for you just ignore us. Nice job! Would be fun to follow your progress.
Would be helpful to have some screenshots or explaining why it’s a fresh take
You're right. You get this video once you press "Download" which shows the app and explains the benefits / mental model: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eq9NPRlF6yc
i just spent a few hours last week looking for anew note app. settled on box.com notes. its not perfect, but its what is best for me at the moment.
Just watched the video, and i love! your take , finally someone with a new idea. need windows/web and android though....
good luck!!
(subscribed and bookmarked)
Thanks for the positive energy!! Further platforms will come for sure soon.
Cheers!