A few years ago I came across this post asking about cross-platform token fields. I ended up just rolling my own from scratch using a Xojo canvas (and a decent amount of code).
Since then, I’ve been gradually developing an idea for a unique notes app. And I decided to use a (very expanded) version of that original token field class.
I know there are a lot of great options for custom Xojo text fields, but figured it’d be a fun challenge to write it all from scratch.
The main objectives for the app are:
Notes can instantly be shown/hidden while in any app via keyboard to take and retrieve notes while working
Note windows can be linked together to act as one, or pulled apart to become independent again
Take advantage of the custom field by allowing inline images, todos, file links, etc
After developing and using it internally for a couple of years, I’m finally releasing a public beta. The website & download link is here: https://floaters.app
I would love to hear what fellow Xojo programmers think, if anyone has a few minutes to play around with it. Thanks!
for my need i use add note in xojo projects.
i like .txt files because i can open it twenty years later.
i need to know where my files are to care of it, backups etc.
i frequenlty use apple notes or reminders at iPad.
i wrote my own Kanban Board to manage projects.
i wrote my own sticky note in blitz max long ago.
for developing i have the habit to make notes in source code too.
i not need tokenfields for developing, i just use tags comma-separated.
i like tokenfields at apple pc to tag files or folders.
what i often missing in apps is the differentiation between edit and view. or protected edit.
You really know how to market the app, the videos and design of the website looks great.
What did you build the website on?
I just purchased a license.
I got an email asking me to create an account but I can’t login.
I clicked the “Forgot your password” button but didn’t get the password reset email (yet). (EDIT: got it)
Thank you so much, and thanks for buying a license! Hopefully you get good use out of it!
Built the website on Ruby on Rails as a sort of hobby project. I needed to manage the tips, and licenses, and feedback/bugs/support/etc. It’s a little overkill, but I do a lot of work in rails and wanted to use a few of the newer features that aren’t in my other projects. So I went… overboard on this site.
I’ll send over the invoice via email now, thank you!
Thank you, Gavin, really appreciate it! No idea what the market size would be for an app like this, but I’ve been using it every day for a couple of years during development and can’t work without it now.
Thanks for letting me know. I know the platform it’s built on gives warnings for “older” browsers but that’s not thaaat old of a browser and that’s a bit extreme of a warning. Gotta fix that
Definitely been thinking about it. The main hurdles are that the window linking and interactions are very… complicated. And there are slight differences between macOS and Windows that make it a bigger hurdle than it should be. But still hoping I can make it happen.
Thanks for your feedback, sorry I somehow missed this! I agree with pretty much everything you wrote.
The notes in Xojo are useful but inefficient to get to at times. But they’re great if that’s all you’re taking notes on. I use Floaters for Xojo, other languages, emails, etc
txt files can never be replaced. But I got sick of having a bunch of disorganized txt files open in text edit as my “stickies”
You can already manage backups in Floaters in the settings window
100% need an iPad or iOS solution. It’s basically daily I want to reference my floaters but can’t. But the benefits on macOS make it very worth it for me.
The edit/view/protected edit would be a good idea for a mode that could be added into Floaters. Right now it automatically saves everything, but has undo and backups. But an intentional, specific “save” button as an option would be useful for many people.
