Artemis is a web reader designed for a calmer online reading experience. It transforms cluttered web pages into clean, focused text, stripping away ads, sidebars, and other distractions. The tool offers customizable fonts, spacing, and color themes, prioritizing readability and a distraction-free environment. It aims to reclaim the simple pleasure of reading online by presenting content in a clean, book-like format directly in your browser.
James Gallagher has introduced Artemis, a web reader designed to provide a serene and focused online reading experience. Artemis aims to distill web articles down to their essential content, stripping away extraneous elements like advertisements, distracting sidebars, and visually cluttered layouts. The result is a clean, minimalist presentation that prioritizes readability and allows users to concentrate solely on the text itself.
Artemis achieves this simplified view by fetching the main content of an article using a "readability" algorithm. This algorithm intelligently identifies and extracts the primary textual components of a webpage while discarding irrelevant sections. The extracted text is then displayed against a calming, customizable background, further enhancing the reader's focus. Users can tailor the appearance of the reading environment by selecting from a range of background colors and adjusting font choices to suit their individual preferences.
Beyond its core functionality of simplifying web articles, Artemis also offers features designed for a more immersive reading experience. A distraction-free mode further minimizes visual clutter by hiding even essential browser elements. The application also includes a text-to-speech function, enabling users to listen to articles rather than reading them on screen. This feature can be particularly useful for individuals who prefer auditory learning or wish to multitask while consuming online content. Furthermore, Artemis supports keyboard shortcuts for navigation and control, allowing for a more efficient and streamlined reading workflow.
Currently, Artemis is available as a progressive web application (PWA), which means it can be installed on a user's device much like a native application, offering offline access and other benefits. The project's codebase is open source and hosted on GitHub, inviting contributions and fostering community involvement in its development. James Gallagher explicitly positions Artemis as an alternative to services like Instapaper and Pocket, emphasizing its focus on simplicity and its commitment to remaining a free, open-source tool.
Summary of Comments ( 67 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42471913
Hacker News users generally praised Artemis, calling it "clean," "nice," and "pleasant." Several appreciated its minimalist design and focus on readability. Some suggested improvements, including options for custom fonts, adjustable line height, and a dark mode. One commenter noted its similarity to existing reader-mode browser extensions, while others highlighted its benefit as a standalone tool for a distraction-free reading experience. The discussion also touched on technical aspects, with users inquiring about the framework used (SolidJS) and suggesting potential features like Pocket integration and an API for self-hosting. A few users expressed skepticism about the project's longevity and the practicality of a dedicated reader app.
The Hacker News post for "Show HN: Artemis, a Calm Web Reader" has a moderate number of comments, generating a discussion around the project's features, potential improvements, and comparisons to similar tools.
Several commenters express appreciation for the clean and minimalist design of Artemis, finding it a refreshing alternative to cluttered websites. One user highlights the value of decluttering, stating that the simpler a site is, the better the reading experience. Another praises the project's focus on simplicity and calls it "beautiful."
Functionality is a key topic of discussion. Some users request features like keyboard navigation and an option for a dark mode. The ability to customize the styling, including font choices, is also mentioned as a desirable addition. One commenter specifically asks about customizing line height and font size, emphasizing the importance of readability. Another suggests implementing a reader view similar to Firefox's built-in functionality.
The discussion also touches upon the technical aspects of the project. One user inquires about the technologies used to build Artemis, specifically asking if it utilizes server-side rendering (SSR) or is a purely client-side application. The creator responds, clarifying that it's a static site built with Eleventy and hosted on Netlify.
Comparisons to similar tools like Readability, Mercury Reader, and Bionic Reading are made. One commenter mentions using a self-hosted instance of Readability and appreciates the control it offers. Another suggests exploring Bionic Reading as a potential enhancement for readability.
A few commenters express concerns. One questions the value proposition of Artemis, given the existence of similar browser extensions and built-in reader modes. Another raises the issue of website compatibility, noting potential difficulties in parsing complex or dynamically generated web pages.
Finally, the creator of Artemis actively engages with the comments, responding to questions and acknowledging suggestions for improvement. This interaction demonstrates a responsiveness to user feedback and a commitment to further development.