Tapestry is a new, minimalist menubar app for macOS designed to declutter and streamline your menu bar. It allows users to hide less-frequently used menu bar icons, organizing them into a customizable dropdown menu accessible with a single click. This helps keep the menu bar clean and focused while still providing quick access to all your apps and utilities. Tapestry offers granular control, allowing you to choose exactly which icons to hide and the order they appear in the dropdown. It also boasts smart features like automatic hiding of rarely used icons and the ability to pin favorites for constant visibility.
Chad Bibler has created Uppercut, a new native application specifically designed for older PowerPC Macs running Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger) and 10.5 (Leopard). Focusing on modern web browsing, Uppercut uses WebKit2 to provide a more secure and up-to-date browsing experience on these legacy systems. While acknowledging the limitations of the aging hardware, the app aims to offer a viable way to access current websites on these vintage machines.
HN commenters generally praised the Uppercut app for its clean design and focus on essential features, seeing it as a refreshing alternative to overly complex modern software. Some questioned the long-term viability of supporting such an old OS, while others reminisced about the simplicity of older macOS versions. Several users suggested potential improvements, including adding syntax highlighting for more languages and incorporating Git integration. The developer responded to several comments, clarifying design choices and acknowledging feature requests. A few commenters expressed concerns about the app's name potentially confusing it with the existing Uppercut vector graphics editor.
Summary of Comments ( 43 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42936650
HN commenters generally expressed positive sentiment towards Tapestry, praising its clean design, speed, and focus on privacy. Several appreciated the lack of algorithmic feeds and the chronological presentation of followed accounts. Some compared it favorably to Twitter, finding it a refreshing alternative. The pricing model, a one-time purchase, also received positive feedback, with some expressing willingness to pay even more. A few commenters raised concerns, including the potential difficulty of attracting a large user base and the lack of a web interface. Others questioned the long-term viability of a small, independent social network. The overall tone, however, leaned towards cautious optimism about Tapestry's potential to offer a calmer, more user-focused social media experience.
The Hacker News post titled "Tapestry by Iconfactory" (https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42936650) generated a moderate amount of discussion, with a focus on the app's pricing model, its niche appeal, and comparisons to existing social media platforms.
Several commenters expressed concern about the $20/year subscription fee. Some felt this price was too high for a relatively simple photo-sharing app, particularly when compared to free alternatives like Instagram. Others questioned the value proposition, wondering if the features justified the cost. One user explicitly stated they would not pay for the app, suggesting the developers might consider a one-time purchase option. The recurring cost was a significant sticking point for several potential users.
The discussion also touched upon the target audience for Tapestry. Some commenters felt the app appealed to a specific demographic, likely those seeking a more curated and less chaotic social media experience than what's offered by mainstream platforms. This more focused approach was seen as a positive by some, while others questioned the potential for growth and broader adoption.
Comparisons were drawn to other existing platforms. Instagram, in particular, was frequently mentioned, with commenters debating the relative merits and drawbacks of each. Some saw Tapestry as a potential alternative to Instagram's increasingly complex and ad-driven environment. The decentralized nature of Tapestry, allowing users to host their own data, was also highlighted and compared to the centralized model of mainstream platforms.
A few commenters expressed interest in the technical aspects of the app, inquiring about the underlying technologies used and the implications of self-hosting. There was also a brief discussion regarding the Iconfactory's history and reputation, with some expressing confidence in the company's track record.
While not overwhelmingly active, the comment section provides a range of perspectives on Tapestry, primarily focusing on its pricing, target audience, and comparison to existing social media platforms. The recurring subscription fee emerged as a prominent concern for many commenters.