Notetime is a minimalist note-taking app that automatically timestamps every line you write, creating a detailed chronological record of your thoughts and ideas. It's designed for capturing fleeting notes, brainstorming, journaling, and keeping a log of events. The interface is intentionally simple, focusing on quick capture and easy searchability. Notes are stored locally, offering privacy and offline access. The app is available for macOS, Windows, and Linux.
BlueMigrate is a new tool that allows users to import their Twitter archive into Bluesky, preserving the original tweet dates. This addresses a common frustration for users migrating to the new platform, allowing them to maintain the chronological integrity of their past posts and conversations. The tool simplifies the import process, making it easier for Twitter users to establish a complete presence on Bluesky.
HN users generally expressed skepticism and concern about the longevity of Bluesky and whether the effort to port tweets with original dates is worthwhile. Some questioned the value proposition given Bluesky's API limitations and the potential for the platform to disappear. Others highlighted technical challenges like handling deleted tweets and media attachments. There was also discussion about the legal and ethical implications of scraping Twitter data, especially with regards to Twitter's increasingly restrictive API policies. Several commenters suggested alternative approaches, like simply cross-posting new tweets to both platforms or using existing archival tools.
Summary of Comments ( 54 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43434152
Hacker News users generally praised Notetime's minimalist approach and automatic timestamping, finding it useful for journaling, meeting notes, and tracking progress. Some expressed a desire for features like tagging, search, and different note organization methods, while others appreciated the simplicity and lack of distractions. Concerns were raised about the closed-source nature of the app and the potential for vendor lock-in, with some preferring open-source alternatives like Joplin and Standard Notes. The developer responded to several comments, clarifying the reasoning behind design choices and indicating openness to considering feature requests. Discussion also touched on the benefits of plain text notes and the challenges of balancing simplicity with functionality.
The Hacker News post for Notetime, a minimalistic note-taking app with timestamps, has generated a moderate amount of discussion, focusing primarily on comparisons with other note-taking apps and the perceived usefulness of automatic timestamps.
One commenter expresses skepticism about the value proposition of Notetime, questioning the actual utility of automatic timestamps and suggesting that users who need timestamps likely already have systems in place within their existing note-taking workflows. They further mention that adding timestamps might disrupt the flow of note-taking, and express a preference for manually adding timestamps only when necessary.
Another commenter draws a parallel between Notetime and the workflow of famous computer scientist Leslie Lamport, highlighting Lamport's emphasis on dating notes meticulously. They see Notetime as a potential tool for emulating this practice digitally. This comment sparks a short thread discussing the benefits and drawbacks of Lamport's methods. One reply points out that while timestamping is useful, Lamport's specific system, which incorporates logical clocks for ordering events in distributed systems, is likely overkill for personal note-taking. Another reply in this sub-thread introduces the concept of using version control systems like Git for note-taking, which inherently track changes and timestamps, offering a more robust solution for maintaining a history of notes.
Another commenter mentions using Org-mode for note-taking, appreciating its built-in timestamping functionalities. They express a preference for the flexibility of manually inserting timestamps rather than having them automatically added.
Several commenters discuss alternative note-taking apps with similar timestamping features, including Standard Notes, which is mentioned for its extensibility through plugins. One user suggests that the author of Notetime should consider making it open-source to foster community contributions and potentially broaden its appeal.
A recurring theme in the comments is the desire for more control over the timestamp format and functionality. Some users express a preference for a more granular level of timestamp control, such as including seconds or milliseconds, while others would appreciate the ability to toggle timestamps on or off as needed.
Finally, one commenter mentions the "Zettelkasten" method of note-taking, emphasizing the importance of interconnectedness and the creation of a personal knowledge base. While not directly related to Notetime's timestamping feature, this comment adds another dimension to the discussion by introducing a different philosophy of note-taking.