4 ms·

A few things are lacking. 1. Decent desktop apps to sync the data, not everyone is comfortable hacking a Cron script. I've started with that - https://GitHub.c

by vhanda 4y ago

A few things are lacking. 1. Decent desktop apps to sync the data, not everyone is comfortable hacking a Cron script. I've started with that - https://GitHub.com/GitJournal/git-auto-sync https://GitHub.com/GitJournal/git-auto-sync - but it's in the early stages. 2. For mobile apps, a way to drastically reduce the overhead. Cross compiling libgit2 + deps + NDK is a major pain, and jGit uses more modern java features so you need to target a higher version of Android. (This was in early 2019, when I first started GitJournal) 3. There is no competing with a simple http call vs the complexity of git. Plus the entire onboarding process. 4. Many many apps do write to Dropbox or Google Drive, but for me that's not a win as you aren't in control of your data. 5. While hosting your own git server is arguably easier than self hosting anything else, the majority of users in GitJournal (more than 80% use GitHub, this was about a year ago.) There is also a bias as people who self host are more likely to switch off the analytics. I don't send any message when analytics are switched off, so I don't know. 6. We need end-to-end encryption in Git, like keybase was providing, but open source and hostable in any git repo. I started a proof of concept of a custom remote where I just write all the git objects to another git repo, but haven't gotten very far. Disclaimer: I'm the author of GitJournal.

spicybright 4y ago
What's your opinion on SyncThing? I find this checks a ton of these boxes for me, and I find it really easy to get non-techies on board and actually be comfortable using it.
- nyanpasu64 4y ago
  Syncthing works well when devices can find each other (usually over mDNS) and are online simultaneously. After dealing with an entangled mess of introducers and devices, I decided to setup an old phone running Syncthing-Fork as root (otherwise mDNS doesn't work on Android), use it as a central introducer and always-online file host, and put my shared files there. It works pretty well, but I still run into cases sometimes where one client learns of the existence of files from another device, but the other device is offline and my central server doesn't have copies of them. For locally shared documents, I sync them with Syncthing and edit them on Android in Markor, and it works pretty well.
- bebna 4y ago
  I gone this route. I got different markdown editors on different devices and didn't want to use a public / cloud hosted git repo for my notes. It works fine, as long you don't get in contact with iOS. I got many devices and often let it sync my phone when I'm at home, because I'm struggling already enough with battery lifetime. I also got it running on one of my dedicated servers, so I got an offsite backup, with systemd you can set it on autostart after an internet connection was established, so I don't really have to manage it anymore and I only see it basically in the logs of the packages that I update.
  - spicybright 4y ago
    That's awesome. I use it pretty much the same, only I sync the root of my phone data too. So I can take a photo on my phone and have it pop up on my computer, ready to use. My only small tip for readers here is be careful treating any node as a safe backup. A device that accidentally deletes everything in a folder will propagate out if you don't notice it happened. But TBH in practice (as a very heavy user for my usecase) it's very rare, and a traditional backup system will cover you perfectly.
kamalkishor1991 4y ago
These are great points: I also feel that one other big problem with notes is organizing them properly as number of notes increase. Since git has history for all your changes you can easily delete anything that is not important right now. I am building a side project exactally to solve this problem. It has auto sync also. The plan is to add search functionality that can search accorss the history of all the notes. https://upnotes.io https://upnotes.io Also in upnotes we are using your local git command and I am planning to add encryption with your public key for few subfolders.
gbraad 4y ago
Create a note by pressing plus, select share and click OK. Now you got two notes in the app that are copies. The first few minutes are the most important for an application. It should not fail and do as advertised. So far, this feels not fully tested or even UI tested. This would not lead to an easy upgrade to 'Pro'. Note: removed statement about not intuitive of Git syncing. This is hidden in the hamburger menu instead of being part of the initial view and options.
- vhanda 4y ago
  You're quite right. Would you mind using the report a bug button in the sidebar? It'll create an email with some debugging info. I thought I'd fixed the issue, but the fix is still pending review on iOS. However, if you're Android, you should have it.
chrismorgan 4y ago
Even when 80% use one platform, the fact that you can very easily switch between platforms (commercial or self-hosted) is of significant value—vendor lock-in is completely eliminated.
nindalf 4y ago
Hi Vishesh, I installed the app on ios just now and tried to connect my repo on GitHub. It failed with the error - MissingPluginException (No implementation found for method gitClone on channel gitjournal.io/git) I’ve requested a refund. But please don’t take that as discouragement. I want this workflow (editing markdown notes synced to git) very much. I’ve tried various ways to hack it, like connecting 1Writer (editor) to Working Copy (git client). Although both apps are very slick, the integration is not. Editor apps are also reluctant to provide git integration for the reasons you listed, plus it will reduce future revenue from a hosted solution they could offer. I’m not too optimistic that there will be many apps in this space. That’s good news for you! Best of luck!
- vhanda 4y ago
  Hey nindalf. My apologies, I introduced a bug and didn't expect this to get posted on HNs. The fix is pending review on iOS, so hopefully you should receive it soon. (Version 1.85.1 has the fix) Regardless, I'd love it if you could reach out to me (vhanda at gitjournal.io) and explain your workflows, additionally, I'll be happy to provide you some coupon codes so you can try the basic version of GitJournal without paying. Especially considering your horrid experience.
  - nindalf 4y ago
    No, this was by no means a horrid experience. It’s all good. I’m happy to hear this issue is fixed, I’ll try it out again soon.
  - filmgirlcw 4y ago
    Same thing happened to me. I should have read the comments first before buying :) Once the bugs are fixed, I look forward to trying this out. The auth-flow with GitHub was quite good, until the error at the end :) Best of luck with the project.
    - vhanda 4y ago
      If you add a single note before setting up the Git Host, it might work.
nl 4y ago
My company does a E2E encrypted database sync service (based on CouchDB), with everything operating over HTTPS. If you want structured data it's pretty good IMHO. Take a look: https://developers.verida.io/docs/tutorial/databases https://developers.verida.io/docs/tutorial/databases

by vhanda 4y ago

spicybright 4y ago

What's your opinion on SyncThing? I find this checks a ton of these boxes for me, and I find it really easy to get non-techies on board and actually be comfortable using it.

nyanpasu64 4y ago
Syncthing works well when devices can find each other (usually over mDNS) and are online simultaneously. After dealing with an entangled mess of introducers and devices, I decided to setup an old phone running Syncthing-Fork as root (otherwise mDNS doesn't work on Android), use it as a central introducer and always-online file host, and put my shared files there. It works pretty well, but I still run into cases sometimes where one client learns of the existence of files from another device, but the other device is offline and my central server doesn't have copies of them. For locally shared documents, I sync them with Syncthing and edit them on Android in Markor, and it works pretty well.
bebna 4y ago
I gone this route. I got different markdown editors on different devices and didn't want to use a public / cloud hosted git repo for my notes. It works fine, as long you don't get in contact with iOS. I got many devices and often let it sync my phone when I'm at home, because I'm struggling already enough with battery lifetime. I also got it running on one of my dedicated servers, so I got an offsite backup, with systemd you can set it on autostart after an internet connection was established, so I don't really have to manage it anymore and I only see it basically in the logs of the packages that I update.
- spicybright 4y ago
  That's awesome. I use it pretty much the same, only I sync the root of my phone data too. So I can take a photo on my phone and have it pop up on my computer, ready to use. My only small tip for readers here is be careful treating any node as a safe backup. A device that accidentally deletes everything in a folder will propagate out if you don't notice it happened. But TBH in practice (as a very heavy user for my usecase) it's very rare, and a traditional backup system will cover you perfectly.

kamalkishor1991 4y ago

These are great points: I also feel that one other big problem with notes is organizing them properly as number of notes increase. Since git has history for all your changes you can easily delete anything that is not important right now. I am building a side project exactally to solve this problem. It has auto sync also. The plan is to add search functionality that can search accorss the history of all the notes. https://upnotes.io https://upnotes.io Also in upnotes we are using your local git command and I am planning to add encryption with your public key for few subfolders.

gbraad 4y ago

Create a note by pressing plus, select share and click OK. Now you got two notes in the app that are copies. The first few minutes are the most important for an application. It should not fail and do as advertised. So far, this feels not fully tested or even UI tested. This would not lead to an easy upgrade to 'Pro'. Note: removed statement about not intuitive of Git syncing. This is hidden in the hamburger menu instead of being part of the initial view and options.

vhanda 4y ago
You're quite right. Would you mind using the report a bug button in the sidebar? It'll create an email with some debugging info. I thought I'd fixed the issue, but the fix is still pending review on iOS. However, if you're Android, you should have it.

chrismorgan 4y ago

Even when 80% use one platform, the fact that you can very easily switch between platforms (commercial or self-hosted) is of significant value—vendor lock-in is completely eliminated.

nindalf 4y ago

Hi Vishesh, I installed the app on ios just now and tried to connect my repo on GitHub. It failed with the error - MissingPluginException (No implementation found for method gitClone on channel gitjournal.io/git) I’ve requested a refund. But please don’t take that as discouragement. I want this workflow (editing markdown notes synced to git) very much. I’ve tried various ways to hack it, like connecting 1Writer (editor) to Working Copy (git client). Although both apps are very slick, the integration is not. Editor apps are also reluctant to provide git integration for the reasons you listed, plus it will reduce future revenue from a hosted solution they could offer. I’m not too optimistic that there will be many apps in this space. That’s good news for you! Best of luck!

vhanda 4y ago
Hey nindalf. My apologies, I introduced a bug and didn't expect this to get posted on HNs. The fix is pending review on iOS, so hopefully you should receive it soon. (Version 1.85.1 has the fix) Regardless, I'd love it if you could reach out to me (vhanda at gitjournal.io) and explain your workflows, additionally, I'll be happy to provide you some coupon codes so you can try the basic version of GitJournal without paying. Especially considering your horrid experience.
- nindalf 4y ago
  No, this was by no means a horrid experience. It’s all good. I’m happy to hear this issue is fixed, I’ll try it out again soon.
- filmgirlcw 4y ago
  Same thing happened to me. I should have read the comments first before buying :) Once the bugs are fixed, I look forward to trying this out. The auth-flow with GitHub was quite good, until the error at the end :) Best of luck with the project.
  - vhanda 4y ago
    If you add a single note before setting up the Git Host, it might work.

nl 4y ago

My company does a E2E encrypted database sync service (based on CouchDB), with everything operating over HTTPS. If you want structured data it's pretty good IMHO. Take a look: https://developers.verida.io/docs/tutorial/databases https://developers.verida.io/docs/tutorial/databases