We need a flowchart editor that doesn't give you carpal tunnel (scottantipa.com)

Article summary

The article discusses the need for a flowchart editor that is efficient and easy to use, without causing physical strain. The author is creating a tool called Knotend, which uses a keyboard-centric interface and a 2D grid to simplify the process of creating flowcharts. The goal is to make it feel like a text editor, rather than a graphical mess of boxes and arrows. Knotend is designed to be fast and intuitive, allowing users to focus on defining dependencies between tasks.

Main themes

• flowchart editors
• ergonomics and usability
• graph layout algorithms
• keyboard-centric interfaces
• project management tools
• textual representations of flowcharts

What commenters say

• Some users find Knotend to be a promising solution for creating flowcharts quickly and easily, but suggest improvements such as better support for mobile devices.
• Others prefer existing tools like Mermaid or PlantUML, which offer textual representations of flowcharts and can be more flexible.
• There is disagreement about the use of keyboard shortcuts in Knotend, with some finding them intuitive and others suggesting alternative approaches.
• The discussion highlights the challenges of creating effective graph layout algorithms and the trade-offs between automated layout and manual control.
• Some commenters note that gaming and other applications may have different ergonomic considerations than flowchart editing, and that individual preferences play a significant role.
• The importance of dependency graphs in project management and the need for better tools to support them is a recurring theme.
• There are differing opinions on the suitability of Knotend for complex flowcharts, with some seeing it as a useful tool for simple cases and others wanting more advanced features.