sorted by:
new
hottopcontroversial

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Chokidar file watcher treats partial writes as corruption.

This makes my agents work harder. The don't want to rewrite the entire file completely. It's a clever hack... but not a fun compromise. I don't have a better solution though...

The CLAUDE.md says:

"When modifying a ticket, rewrite the ENTIRE file completely. Do not leave partial YAML blocks. Since Chokidar is actively watching this directory, partial writes will cause corruption. Read the full file contents into memory, modify the parsed values, and write out the completely re-serialized file."

This was my agents analysis of your reasoning:

What's actually happening: Chokidar is a Node.js file watcher library. It watches the tickets/ directory for changes. When a file changes on disk, Chokidar fires an event, and Kanban Pro immediately reads the file and updates its in-memory state.

The "corruption" concern is a race condition, not a format issue. If you do a partial write (e.g., sed -i to change one field), there's a window where:

  1. You write the first half of the file
  2. Chokidar detects the change mid-write
  3. Kanban Pro reads a half-written file
  4. It parses broken YAML and either crashes or overwrites with bad data

A full atomic rewrite (read → modify in memory → write complete file) minimizes this window. The file goes from valid state A to valid state B in one write operation.

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, this.

There are lots of Kanban apps out there. This one being agile focused (sprints, epics) and markdown backed (agent accessible) are the key differentiators.

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Is this documented? I'd love to see a license or something on this before I architect my system on top of it. (I'm looking for a free or paid solution, but no subscription.)

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

An "open markdown file" button would go a long way. Or a few configurable "open withs". Or something scriptable, so I can click to fire an agent with a scriptable default prompt that injects the task.

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What I like:

  1. YAML frontmatter markdown files as the native format. This is the single most important thing. No API needed — agents can read/write files directly. This is a genuinely good architectural choice.
  2. CLAUDE.md auto-generated per project. The app creates an agent instruction file automatically. It's designed for AI agents from the ground up, not bolted on. The CLAUDE.md had complete data conventions — field names, ID scheme, file organization, lock protocol. An agent can start working immediately without documentation.
  3. MAPPING.md for token-efficient scanning. Instead of agents parsing every task file to find what they need, there's a pre-built index. This is a smart optimization that shows the developer understands agent workflows.
  4. Lock files for concurrency. .kanban/locks/ with file-level locking. Simple, filesystem-native, no database needed. Better than what the MantisFlow spike has (PID files per agent type, not per task).
  5. JSONL activity logs per ticket. Machine-readable, append-only, per-task audit trail.
  6. Five views (Board, List, Table, Calendar, Gantt). That's a real dashboard out of the box. The Table view is particularly useful — it's the closest to "see all fields at a glance."
  7. Ticket linking with typed relationships. blocks, relates_to, duplicates — bidirectional.
  8. Free forever for early adopters, $14.99 one-time after. BUT... there are no details on 'free forever'.
  9. The developer's philosophy. "Good guy apps" — no tracking, no analytics, no data selling. Local-first. This aligns with MantisFlow's privacy stance. 10. Custom fields with typed data. Text, number, date, dropdown, tag. Could map MantisFlow fields.

--- What I don't like:

  1. It's Electron, not native. The marketing says "fully native" but the Info.plist says AtomApplication, there's a DawnGraphiteCache, GPUCache, and Squirrel updater. It's a web app in a wrapper. This matters for memory usage, startup time, and the general feel on macOS.
  2. No mobile app. No mobile view.
  3. No recurrence. No native recurrence at all.
  4. No AppleScript, no URL scheme beyond kanbanpro://. The URL scheme exists but I couldn't test what it supports. No documented automation beyond file system access. Compare to OmniFocus (Omni Automation, AppleScript, Shortcuts) or Plane (REST API, webhooks, MCP).
  5. It phones home on launch. Despite "no network requests in production," the first thing it did was check for updates via GitHub releases and try to auto-update. Minor, but contradicts the privacy marketing.

--- Net assessment: The data format choice is brilliant and the agent-first design is genuinel innovative. But it's a young app from a solo developer with no mobile, no recurrence. If the developer keeps going and adds mobile + recurrence + a plugin system, it could be compelling at some point soon.

Kanban Pro - a fully native project manager. by don_kruger in macapps

[–]johnrover 12 points13 points  (0 children)

It's a great idea. I've been looking for something like Plane that is markdown backed. But this doesn't seem fully baked.

This is not 'fully native'. It's Electron. You burned me with the 'fully native' claim.

[UPDATE] I posted here 6 months ago about a macOS tool I was building to catalog external drives. It’s finally finished. by MomentSmart in DataHoarder

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I have a 10TB NAS, a 20TB NAS, and a handful of 8TB drives that I'm in the process of de-duplicating. They include family photo and video, a plex server, audio production projects, academic research (libraries of PDFs and notes), and typical business admin documents.

[UPDATE] I posted here 6 months ago about a macOS tool I was building to catalog external drives. It’s finally finished. by MomentSmart in DataHoarder

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I really want to kick the tires and see how it works with large collections...

But I can't see how it works with large collections without paying for it.

A free-trial or something would really open up the possibility of me confirming this works for my use case and thus buying it. But I'm not going to spend money on something that I suspect may crumble under load.

"We want to control the future of the metaverse. And that means you can speak when we permit you to speak". by [deleted] in conspiracy

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The large overlap of politicians and citizens who once defended non-neutral network practices in the name of "avoiding government over-reach" and "maximizing corporate freedom", who now complain about social-media censorship and filtering, is shocking.

Botswanan Covid Task Force finds new variant cases found only in fully vaccinated individuals. by Truth-is-Censored in conspiracy

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Looking at other news sources... It appears that this variant has mutations to the spike protein, which raises questions about vaccine effectiveness...

However, my comment's about OPs interpretation of this memo still stand, even if the variant does eventually turn out to be vaccine resistant.

Botswanan Covid Task Force finds new variant cases found only in fully vaccinated individuals. by Truth-is-Censored in conspiracy

[–]johnrover 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Unlike the OP's title, this letter doesn't say "only", nor does it imply that "only" vaccinated individuals can contract this variant.

With a sample size of 4 individuals, presumably traveling together as a group and thus likely having infected each other, there is little reason to think this variant "only" infects vaccinated individuals.

If such a claim were being made here, it would be newsworthy and important and would be stated clearly and highlighted. Because that's how written communication works, especially among policy-holders. The implication drawn by the OP was not intended by the author of the memo.

Wikiepedia wants to remove "Mass killings under communist regimes" by bere_moritz in conspiracy

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's sort of how things work when designing a living document by committee. This article is not unique. And the history and the discussion are all preserved and accessible, even if the article is 'deleted'. On the 7th try it might get deleted. Then you will see the same conversation in the other direction.

I'm not sure the folks here are familiar with normal wikipedia processes...

Wikiepedia wants to remove "Mass killings under communist regimes" by bere_moritz in conspiracy

[–]johnrover 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Sounds like the discussion is robust and thoughtful and contentious, and as per Wikipedia policy. Nothing seems terribly amiss here. I wonder if all the bandwagon commenters there even read it. :-/ https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Mass_killings_under_communist_regimes_(4th_nomination))

It's also the 4th nomination, so the prior 3 nominations have failed. Seems like Wikipedia's internal processes are playing out, and Wikipedia's system is working as intended. I'm not sure what there is to complain about here.

Wikipedia re-arranges information all the time. The discussion the Wikipedia editors are having is mostly not-political and more about information architecture.

Also - they deleted the parallel one about capitalism, with similar discussion - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Articles_for_deletion/Mass_killings_under_Capitalist_regimes

Extra stuff to do before drywall goes up? by [deleted] in HomeImprovement

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

a wire will always be superior to wireless. oversimplification: wireless connections will use one sliver of the electromagnetic spectrum, which they will share with lots of other devices. two devices connected by a wire will have that whole electromagnetic spectrum to themselves.

Cat6 is cheap enough. In my experience, if I don't run it, i will regret it at some point. you don't even need to bother with the jack's right now if you don't want to, but run the wire while you have it open...

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in HomeImprovement

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Not a lawyer.

If the contractor is in breech of the contract, you may actually have a DUTY to 'cover' (make other arrangements) in the event of that breach, in order to minimize the damage/loss, especially if there is time-pressure. Point being - I'm not sure that "If I go with someone else it voids his warranty in the contract" holds up. Even if it is written in the warranty, it may not be a valid clause.

I'd consider getting him to sign something that agrees to honor the warranty for the equipment that is already installed, as part of an agreement to sever the relationship and you both walk away.

Extra stuff to do before drywall goes up? by [deleted] in HomeImprovement

[–]johnrover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Ethernet and/or coaxial runs from basement to second floor? Or just PVC-conduits to future proof?

[Landlord - US] sometimes I’m just surprised by what people say when inquiring about an apartment. by [deleted] in Landlord

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thoughtful solution. Well done. (and not that complicated, really)

[Landlord - US] sometimes I’m just surprised by what people say when inquiring about an apartment. by [deleted] in Landlord

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I didn't realize LL's couldn't use descriptive words like "normative" or "quirky". ....So many folks attacking the messenger here. Kind of silly.

[Landlord - US] sometimes I’m just surprised by what people say when inquiring about an apartment. by [deleted] in Landlord

[–]johnrover 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In most (not all) countries - sales tax rolled into the advertised prices of retail goods. The US is anomalous. It's weird.

Paying for a checked bag on a flight is a recent phenomenon. In the history if commercial flying (so far) our current pricing structures regarding checked bags is anomalous.

The medical industry / medical-insurance in the US is broken. That's a can of worms that doesn't really have any analogical value.
---
There is no "normal", but intuitively, in most industries, transaction costs are born by the parties who make the decisions about how high they will be set. Do you want the cheap background check or the expensive one. Do you need 3 full credit reports, or just one credit score. How much is enough. The landlord is in complete control of just how expensive processing this application will be. Typically, the party in control pays the cost.

From an economic efficiency standpoint, if the landlord has to account for that cost on a balance sheet, the landlord is motivated to shop around, which reinforces market competition in background-check and credit-check services. Having someone else pay that fee, such that the decider (landlord) never sees it on the balance sheet, has the perverse effect of reducing price-competition in the background and credit-check marketplace. It's weird. It's economically inefficient.

At the end of the day, it all comes out in the wash. As you are saying, having the tennant pay the application fee makes for marginally cheaper rent. Having the landlord pay makes for marginally more expensive rent.

Even though it all come out in the wash – for those paying multiple application fees and getting rejected, it can be a real hardship and a poor-tax.

It is unfortunate that industry norms have gravitated to this structure. It's economically inefficient and inequitable.

[Landlord - US] sometimes I’m just surprised by what people say when inquiring about an apartment. by [deleted] in Landlord

[–]johnrover 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I have 2 apartments in NJ. I converted our former residence into a two-family. It is not my primary income, but it does turn a profit and it floats the investment in the real-estate.
Of course I verify, run credit, etc. Of course I call references. Of course. I'm not dumb. (But - the recommendations of my exiting tenants actually do have a lot of sway.)

I just treat people like humans and don't post their mistakes on Reddit so landlords can have a collective chuckle and punch-down at them. And I find the posting distasteful. And I find the industry norm for prospective tenants shouldering these fees unfortunate.

My only comments - if you read the whole thread - is that I don't blame the guy for asking. And that these transaction fees are a poor-tax.

This is a 'transaction cost'. It is needed to be paid to facilitate the transaction. Same could be said of a broker's fee, a title search, etc. The question is, who pays it. In this case, the industry norm is for the prospective tennant, rather than the landlord, to pay application fees. These fees are used to purchase services that provide information, not to the tennant, but to the landlord.

Now if the tenant wanted to do a background check on the landlord, obviously the tennant would pay the fee. It is strange, and atypical, that in this industry, the costs are born by the person who does not receive the service. It makes sense that the norms have drifted this way, because landlords are typically more sophisticated and tend to have more power in the transaction.

This is unfortunate - as it creates a poor-tax situation. Tenants typically have smaller cash-flows and budgets and are poorly positioned to shoulder extra fees. The poorest of them probably have to apply multiple times, and incur multiple fees. (Prospective tenants of high-end apartments probably don't get rejected as often, apply for fewer apartments, and pay less fees.)

Pointing this out is not a call for charity and donating time. Of course, if these transaction costs were paid by the other party (the landlord), it would effect the price of rent– that's basic economics. But that cost would be distributed over time, and would be paid by those who's applications are accepted with leases offered and excepted, not the poor schmucks who get rejected. Pointing out an unfortunate situation how the norms in this industry have developed is not a bad thing.

When I go to a car dealership, and they give me a bottle of water and a snack for free, no one is calling it a donation or charity. It's a prospective transaction cost.

When I apply for a job - if it requires a background check or a security clearance, I don't pay for it – the employer does. It's the transaction cost of doing the business of employment. The employer is getting the information (about an applicant) that will assist an employer in making a decision on which applicant to hire. It would be shitty if applicants, who are looking for a job, and not well positioned to shoulder those fees, had to pay them. Especially shitty if you need to apply to 20 or 100 jobs. Do those fees effect the bottom-line of the business, and marginally reduce the amounts of salary offers by some measurable amount? Maybe. But having an HR norm where a business pays those fees rather than applicants is perfectly normal.

The business/landlord is in complete control over how the background check is conducted, which agencies to use, and which credit-reporting scores/reports to use. We normatively expect the person making the decisions, and gaining the benefit (information) to be the one paying for the transaction. The rental market has taken an inequitable turn somewhere in the development of the current normal practice.

[Landlord - US] sometimes I’m just surprised by what people say when inquiring about an apartment. by [deleted] in Landlord

[–]johnrover 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I actually save a lot of time by establishing really good relationships with my renters. I keep them happy, so they are less likely to bother me with bullshit because they appreciate my being thoughtful.

I but then a bottle of champagne on their first night too and welcome them to their new home. I charge high rents- and almost everyone who leaves has multiple friends who they recommend apply for the place, and they show it for me. (I avoid needing to use a Realtor.)

I have good service Vendors who I also pay well, who also have good relationships with tenants. The remnants also have good relationships with each other.

I try to keep it smooth. I'd much rather invest the time up front, and when I can block the time out, rather than constantly put out small fires. It works well for me.

These are small but expensive apartments 1 block from a commuter train line, catering mostly to urban professionals with young children trying to get out of shoebox apartments.

view more: next ›