9 ms·
Show HN: NoteTech – Create personal automations by writing notes
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]
- nbbaier 2y agoThis is interesting. I assume you're using an LLM to generate the code that runs these automations? Like "compiling" the prompt to code?
- kenstler 2y agoYes, but instead of "compiling" directly to generated code, we generate an assembly of code modules.
- teachmetolearn 2y agoLove the UX, AI is unlocking a completely new ux paradigm and kudos to you for pushing it forward!
- kenstler 2y agoAppreciate the feedback!
- pyinstallwoes 2y agoThis is cool in a similar way that Forth is cool.
- downrightmike 2y agoexplain
- barbarr 2y ago"It is a language that makes complexity painful, but which reveals that a surprising amount can be accomplished without introducing any." - https://blog.information-superhighway.net/what-the-hell-is-forth https://blog.information-superhighway.net/what-the-hell-is-f...
- skybrian 2y agoCould write some documentation with some examples of common commands? Otherwise, it seems like “guess the verb” in a text adventure. [Oops, edited before I saw the reply.]
- kenstler 2y agoHi! A good general point. We're doing a few things to try to guide the user: 1. We include ~26 fully-formed "Example" and "Template" notes in the app - these are intended to show users what they can do, but they can also be copied and used as-is or edited. 2. When users write new notes, we use a custom keyboard tool called "AutoPrompt" to show the user what actions they can take in each section. It includes prompts like "Search reddit for...", etc. that is inserted into the text entry and the user completes the statement. (You can see this in the vid on our home page). 3. If users write incorrect or wrong things in the note, they get a response back that instructs them what they need to correct. Admittedly, as a notes-based interface there's a tradeoff we're trying to balance on flexibility vis-a-vis unstructured text input, and guardrails to inform the user. Appreciate any further feedback you can share!
- skybrian 2y agoThat sounds useful for someone who already signed up, but I’d rather read them before signing up or installing anything. The documentation is how I decide if it’s worth looking further. (I also don’t play videos or animations, and try to ignore them if they autoplay. They are usually too fast or too slow. A slideshow that you step through is okay.) Maybe I’m not your target audience, though?
- kenstler 2y agoAh - I assumed you were talking about the in-app experience. My bad! Point well taken and we'll definitely add more details/docs on the site. Thanks!
- dr_kiszonka 2y ago
- jwong_ 2y agoInteresting idea. I liked the AI button, but had difficulty even finding it since you need to click into a line item before you can see it. Also, I wanted to "test" my work before deploying it, but that seems not possible?
- kenstler 2y agoThanks for the feedback! Yes - at present, a note needs to be deployed before you can test. Then you can make a change, and redeploy. We can look at making this a bit more seamless in future iterations. Re: the AI button - any suggestion on how we might improve there?
- jwong_ 2y agoPerhaps using the same nomenclature for both? In the tooltip you call it an Autoprompt, but the icon itself just says "AI". Also, I typed some steps in, and expected to need to review before deploying since I didn't have any "AI" or "autoprompt" to help. Maybe some sort of more obvious workflow that it's "done" and can be tested?
- breck 2y ago1. Could you make a web version? (I don't own a smartphone). 2. Are you looking for investors?
- Brajeshwar 2y agoIs there a desktop version planned? Watched the video. I'd love to have a Desktop version.
- kenstler 2y agoYes!
- poulpy123 2y agoLooks interesting. But you should add a note that it is not available in Europe (or at least France) for Android
- decide1000 2y agoIn the Netherlands it doesn't work either
- devansh_jain 2y agoNot available in India :(
- smusamashah 2y agoThe video shows actions on external services. Can NoteTech be used to automate phone activities e.g. "Turn phone silent from 10pm to 6am" , "When John is calling, ring at full volume" ?
- stefanyas 2y agoIt's not available in my country via Play Store - any chance of enabling? I'm in Serbia.
- shireboy 2y agoFun related anecdote. I learned to program Amiga BASIC when I was around 12 by copying games from the back of Amiga magazine. At the same time, my sister was learning to read and write. As a nerdy big brother, I set out to write something where she could type plain english instructions and it would do what she typed. Playing Zork made this seem very feasible at least to my 12 year old mind. I never finished the project, but have been thinking about something like this again lately.
- hexcase 2y agoNot available in Canada unfortunately. I'm excited to see, always looking for personal automation tools
- piyushtechsavy 2y agoSeems pretty interesting. What are the external services that you are supporting currently. Also can I add some API calls with this?
- lloydatkinson 2y agoThis looks just like "programming with english" that comes up every few years.
- nsonha 2y agohi, I could not find it in play store in Australia, but I really like the idea and love to try. Would it be possible for you to send an apk to my email (about)?