Omnom is a self-hosted bookmarking tool that emphasizes visual clarity and searchability. It takes WYSIWYG snapshots of bookmarked pages, allowing users to visually browse their saved links. These snapshots are full-text searchable, making it easy to find specific content within saved pages. Omnom is open-source and prioritizes privacy, keeping all data under the user's control. It offers features like tagging, archiving, and a clean, minimalist interface for managing a personal bookmark collection.
The post introduces Omnom, a self-hosted bookmarking application that prioritizes a visually rich and easily searchable archive of saved web pages. Unlike traditional bookmarking tools that primarily store links and titles, Omnom captures a full-page, "WYSIWYG" (What You See Is What You Get) snapshot of the bookmarked webpage at the time of saving. This snapshot preserves the visual layout, formatting, and content as it appeared to the user, even if the original webpage later changes or becomes unavailable.
Omnom distinguishes itself through its robust search functionality. Users can search not just the titles and URLs of their saved bookmarks, but also the full text content within the captured snapshots. This enables highly granular retrieval of information from archived web pages, making it easier to rediscover specific details or sections of interest. The search functionality is purportedly fast and efficient, facilitating quick access to relevant saved content.
The application is designed for self-hosting, meaning users can install and run Omnom on their own servers, giving them complete control over their data and privacy. This approach contrasts with cloud-based bookmarking services where data resides on third-party servers. The self-hosted nature of Omnom likely appeals to users concerned about data ownership and security.
The post's author showcases Omnom's features and user interface, emphasizing its clean design and ease of use. The author highlights the value proposition of preserving webpages in their original form, given the ephemeral nature of online content. The implied benefit is that users can build a personal, searchable archive of webpages that serves as a reliable and readily accessible repository of information. The author implicitly positions Omnom as a valuable tool for researchers, writers, and anyone who needs to reliably save and retrieve online information.
Summary of Comments ( 36 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43680232
Hacker News users generally praised Omnom for its appealing UI and the clever idea of searchable, WYSIWYG website snapshots. Several commenters expressed interest in trying it out, particularly appreciating the self-hosted nature. Some questioned the long-term viability of relying on browser snapshots for search, citing potential issues with JavaScript-heavy sites and the storage space required. Others suggested potential improvements, including alternative archiving methods, enhanced tagging, and better mobile support. A few mentioned similar existing projects like ArchiveBox and SingleFile, highlighting the existing demand for this type of tool. There was some discussion around the choice of using SQLite, with some advocating for PostgreSQL for better scalability. Overall, the comments reflected a positive initial reception, with a focus on the practical advantages and potential challenges of the snapshotting approach.
The Hacker News post for Omnom, a self-hosted bookmarking tool, has generated a moderate amount of discussion with a mix of positive feedback and constructive criticism.
Several commenters express appreciation for the project, praising features like full-text search of saved pages and the clean interface. One user highlights the value of self-hosting for privacy and control over data, a sentiment echoed by others. The ability to annotate and edit snapshots is also mentioned as a strong point. Some users compare Omnom favorably to existing bookmarking solutions, finding its features and self-hosted nature appealing.
However, some concerns are also raised. A recurring theme is the project's reliance on SQLite, with commenters questioning its suitability for scaling and handling large numbers of bookmarks. Performance with extensive use is a related concern. The developer responds to this criticism by acknowledging the current limitations of SQLite but pointing out that it's currently sufficient for their personal use case and that alternative database backends are being considered for the future. They also engage in discussion about potential performance optimizations.
Another point of discussion revolves around the use of Electron for the desktop application. While some appreciate the cross-platform compatibility, others express concerns about Electron's resource consumption and performance overhead. Alternative approaches using native frameworks or web technologies are suggested.
The developer actively participates in the comments section, responding to questions, addressing concerns, and engaging in discussions about future development plans. They express openness to feedback and community contributions. The overall tone of the discussion is constructive, with users offering suggestions for improvements and alternative approaches.
Several users inquire about specific features, such as tagging, cloud synchronization options, and integration with other services. The developer clarifies the current state of these features and discusses potential future implementations.
While the discussion isn't overwhelmingly voluminous, it provides a valuable glimpse into the initial community reception of Omnom, highlighting both its strengths and areas for potential improvement. The active participation of the developer suggests a commitment to ongoing development and responsiveness to user feedback.