Ask HN: Is there a good native format for this? Sorting lists of images and text | Hacker News Reader

Ask HN: Is there a good native format for this? Sorting lists of images and text

2 pointsthemodelplumber3 comments

Hi HN friends,

I work with text files a lot, specifically lists. When updating lists, I like having the ability to quickly shift lines up and down in my editor, using a shortcut key. Alt-PgUp/PgDn for example.

I really like the Markdown format for this, as I can export and interoperate with it pretty well. Using text editor tools with it in general is also really helpful.

However, lately I have some lists that need to be edited & sorted in a native format AND which need to include imagery for context. So I have been wondering what a good native format might be.

PDF, HTML export with/without head sections would be needed.

Example mockup: https://www.friendlyskies.net/images/748.png

Any suggestions? Thanks!

Plain HTML?

Compact file format. Contents & image links editable as easy as plain text ('cause it is). Images move on the rendered page as desired, but stay in their place in a filesystem - optionally changed independently from the HTML that references them. If looks matter, go crazy & add some CSS.

Sorting such lists among each other, is a few directory- or file renames away.

Win-win.

I like HTML & your idea, thanks. I had used HTML lists and tables a bunch in the past, but I'll probably need to take another look at the tooling this time, just to scratch those itches that made it not so nice before.

Update: I admit I'm starting to wonder if this is a core contemporary computer design theory law: Source formats are textual and do not show imagery.

So, I came across some Markdown editors that almost get me there. But I'll probably end up designing my own workflow for limited HTML authoring.

This makes me wonder what a more image-native computer system could be like, where integration of imagery or even video is less of a third-party tooling question...

Reply on news.ycombinator.com