Rnote, an open-source vector-based drawing application tailored for students and educators using stylus devices, has recently concentrated efforts on improving stylus input functionality and refining file handling processes.
Recent issues and pull requests indicate a concerted effort to address stylus input inconsistencies and enhance the application's usability. Issues such as #1184 and #1172 highlight challenges with pen alignment and functionality in fullscreen mode, suggesting a need for improvements in stylus support. Concurrently, enhancements like #1181 and #1180 focus on usability features such as zoom level visibility, reflecting user demand for more intuitive controls.
Felix Zwettler (flxzt)
Ikko Eltociear Ashimine (eltociear)
RayJW
Summary
Quantified Reports
Detailed Reportsatty), fixed lint issues.Weblate (bot)
Doublonmousse
Anesthetice
Zefr0x
| Timespan | Opened | Closed | Comments | Labeled | Milestones |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 7 Days | 6 | 1 | 5 | 2 | 1 |
| 30 Days | 18 | 10 | 42 | 3 | 1 |
| 90 Days | 41 | 29 | 98 | 4 | 1 |
| 1 Year | 246 | 143 | 591 | 13 | 1 |
| All Time | 695 | 444 | - | - | - |
Like all software activity quantification, these numbers are imperfect but sometimes useful. Comments, Labels, and Milestones refer to those issues opened in the timespan in question.
| Developer | Avatar | Branches | PRs | Commits | Files | Changes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weblate (bot) |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 1 | 35 | 20976 |
| Felix Zwettler |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 15 | 67 | 2699 |
| RayJW |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 1 | 4 | 26 |
| github-actions[bot] |  |
1 | 0/0/0 | 1 | 1 | 4 |
| Ikko Eltociear Ashimine |  |
1 | 1/1/0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| zefr0x (zefr0x) | 0 | 1/0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| None (anesthetice) | 0 | 2/0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
| None (Doublonmousse) | 0 | 2/0/0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
PRs: created by that dev and opened/merged/closed-unmerged during the period
The Rnote project has seen significant recent activity, with a total of 251 open issues. Notably, several issues have been reported concerning the application's performance and usability, particularly with stylus input and PDF handling. There are recurring themes around bugs related to input methods, rendering inconsistencies, and user interface enhancements. The presence of multiple issues related to stylus functionality suggests a potential area for improvement in user experience, especially for tablet users.
Here are the most recently created and updated issues:
Issue #1185: Window's size change when change desktop
Issue #1184: Pen input misaligned when coming back from sleep fullscreened
Issue #1181: Show current zoom level in the top bar
Issue #1180: Implement Zoom Level Snap-to-100%
Issue #1179: Duplicate only allows one "-" in the file name
Issue #1174: Curved arrows
Issue #1173: New file format (stabilization)
Issue #1172: Wacom pen not working in fullscreen
Several issues highlight a common concern regarding the functionality of stylus input across different operating systems, particularly Windows and Linux environments. Issues like #1184 and #1172 emphasize problems with pen alignment and functionality in fullscreen mode, which could detract from the overall user experience for those relying on stylus devices.
Additionally, there are multiple enhancement requests (#1181, #1180) focused on improving usability features such as displaying the current zoom level and implementing a snap-to-100% zoom feature. This indicates a user base that is actively seeking more intuitive controls within the application.
Moreover, issues related to file handling (#1179) and export options suggest that users are encountering difficulties with document management, which may require attention to ensure smoother workflows.
This analysis reflects ongoing challenges and user feedback that can guide future development efforts for Rnote.
The analysis of the pull requests (PRs) for the Rnote project reveals a total of 20 open PRs, with a focus on enhancing functionality, improving performance, and addressing user interface issues. The recent activity indicates a strong commitment to refining the application, particularly in areas related to file handling, input methods, and user experience.
PR #1186: feat: support mouse backward & forward buttons as ShortcutKeys
PR #1177: More versatile rnote file format, issue 1173
PR #1175: feat: long hold pen for lines/shape recognition
PR #1170: zstd with parallelism instead of gzip
PR #1158: i18n: Translations update from Hosted Weblate
PR #1153: page indicator for fixed layouts
PR #1150: More resilient file saving by a two-stage file save process
PR #1116: feat: new options for the vertical space tool
PR #1169: Update rnote-macos-build.md
PR #1141: detect multiple touch inputs
The current set of open pull requests reflects several key themes in the development of Rnote:
Enhanced User Experience and Functionality: Many PRs focus on improving user interactions with the application. For instance, PR #1186 aims to integrate mouse shortcuts that could streamline workflows for users who rely heavily on mouse input alongside stylus use. Similarly, PR #1153 addresses navigation through fixed layouts by implementing a page indicator, which is crucial for users managing multiple pages or documents.
File Format and Data Integrity Improvements: There is a notable emphasis on refining file handling processes, as seen in PR #1177 and PR #1150. The introduction of a more versatile file format aims to enhance compatibility and performance while ensuring backward compatibility—a critical aspect given the project's evolving nature. The two-stage save process proposed in PR #1150 also highlights an effort to bolster data integrity during file operations.
Localization Efforts: Continuous updates from Hosted Weblate (e.g., PRs #1158, #1177) signify an active commitment to localization, making Rnote accessible to a broader audience by supporting multiple languages.
Performance Optimizations and Technical Enhancements: Several PRs focus on technical improvements such as replacing gzip with zstd (PR #1170) for better compression performance and implementing optimizations in existing functions (e.g., PR #1151). These enhancements are essential for maintaining application responsiveness and efficiency as user demands grow.
Community Engagement and Feedback Loop: The discussions within many PRs reveal an active community engagement where contributors solicit feedback and iterate based on suggestions from maintainers like Felix Zwettler. This collaborative environment fosters innovation while ensuring that changes align with user expectations and project goals.
Challenges with Legacy Code and Features: Some PRs highlight challenges associated with legacy features or code structures (e.g., PRs related to touch input handling). The need for refactoring or reevaluating existing implementations indicates that while Rnote has made significant strides, there are still areas requiring careful consideration to avoid introducing bugs or regressions.
In conclusion, the ongoing development of Rnote showcases a robust effort towards enhancing usability, optimizing performance, and expanding accessibility through localization—all while maintaining an active dialogue within its community of contributors. However, attention must be paid to legacy issues and ensuring that new features integrate smoothly into the existing framework without compromising stability or user experience.
Felix Zwettler (flxzt)
Ikko Eltociear Ashimine (eltociear)
RayJW
atty) and fixing lint issues.Weblate (bot)
Doublonmousse
Anesthetice
Zefr0x
The development team of Rnote is actively engaged in enhancing the application through regular updates, collaborative efforts, and a strong focus on user experience improvements. Felix Zwettler's leadership is evident through his substantial contributions, while the involvement of other team members ensures a diverse range of inputs into the project's ongoing evolution.