Show HN: Files.md – Open-source alternative to Obsidian (github.com)

Article summary

The author has created an open-source alternative to Obsidian called Files.md, a simple app for storing notes, documents, and tasks in plain .md files. The app is designed to be local-first, with optional synchronization, and can be easily extended with a large language model (LLM). The author has been using the app for five years and has now open-sourced it. The app has a minimalistic design and is optimized for simplicity and ease of use.

Main themes

• Open-source note-taking
• Local-first apps
• Simplistic design
• Large language models
• Self-hosting
• Obsidian alternative

What commenters say

• The app's minimalistic design and local-first approach are major advantages over other note-taking tools.
• The use of a large language model to extend the app's functionality is a key feature.
• Some users appreciate the app's similarity to other note-taking tools like Bear and Tiddlywiki, while others prefer more advanced features.
• The author's decision to open-source the app is seen as a positive step towards creating a community-driven project.
• There are different opinions on how developers of open-source projects should be compensated, with some suggesting donations, commercial licenses, or cloud services.
• The app's simplicity and ease of use are seen as major advantages, but some users may find it lacking in features compared to other tools.
• The importance of owning one's own data and software is a key theme in the discussion, with some users emphasizing the need for self-hosting and control over one's own tools.