Some initial feedback:<p>1 - My first CC was rejected<p>2 - The spelling hint (the red line) is bad. Just type "Hollowness" and, for me at least, it underlines "Hollownes" and doesn't pick up the last "s" until I move on to the next word (and then some)<p>3 - Themes / font / spacing and fullscreen would be nice<p>4 - Tried to save a file:
Uncaught node.js Error<p>Error: EACCES, open '/x.txt'
(and now I can't go back, and I lost what I was writing)<p>5 - On startup, it now flashes the intro text, but then goes into write mode. Feels unpolished.<p>6 - Personally, I'd like something that helps me organize my writing a little bit. For now, I just use a folder with project view in sublime, which works great. Not sure I'm willing to give that up.
The marketing copy is puzzling to me. Two things it highlights are what I would consider standard and required features for any text editor; the ability to work offline and the ability to save and edit text files.<p>If your text editor can't save and edit text files (!?!) and can only be used online, it's hardly even worth calling a text editor. That Hemingway can do what's required is necessary, but why draw attention to those things instead of actual, you know, features?<p>Edit: by the replies, I see these features make sense in comparison to Hemingway the web app. However, if this page is also intended for people not familiar with the web app, I stand by my points.
Just for giggles, I ran the Satya Nadella letter[1] through here, and this is what I got:<p>39 of 186 sentences are hard to read.
35 of 186 sentences are very hard to read.
35 adverbs. Aim for 17 or fewer.
26 words or phrases can be simpler.
15 uses of passive voice. Aim for 37 or fewer.<p>[1] <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/ceo/index.html" rel="nofollow">http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/news/ceo/index.html</a>
After reading the comments, I now understand why the marketing copy touts saving and open text files as a feature. Given that there is no mention of the web app (AFAICT) on this page and that I had never heard of Hemingway App before, I initially was very confused as to why, for a text editor, saving/opening files and editing text offline would even be worth mentioning. I'm not saying the copy is poorly written (in fact I think it's written quite well), I just think that perhaps not enough of it is directed at people like me. Maybe a simple link back to the web app and some text explaining it would suffice.<p>Also, a minor nitpick: I think the usage of "Hemingway App" and "Hemingway Editor" is a bit confusing. I take it the web app is Hemingway App, and the desktop client is Hemingway Editor? Why, then, is the page title "Hemingway App for Mac OSX"? (side note, no love for Windows in the title?)<p>Not sure why I chose this comment to be my very first comment on HN.
Hemingway is an app which makes terrible, and largely trivial stylistic advice.<p>Fortunately, the real Hemingway had no truck with following such terrible "rules":<p><a href="http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=10416" rel="nofollow">http://languagelog.ldc.upenn.edu/nll/?p=10416</a>
I wrote them and suggested they have some type of liquor icon for "Write" and a coffee cup icon for "Edit" (a play on "Write drunk, edit sober," which he never said but everyone wrong attributes it to him).<p>Sad it didn't make it in. Guess I'll keep writing sober.
Looks good! Two points from a Windows user.<p>1) I'm put off by the lack of Windows screenshots. I want to see what the interface is like before I commit to buying.<p>2) I'm sure I'm in the minority here but I'd like to see this as a Modern app. I like the distraction-free framing of the Modern interface on my notebook - I think it's especially constructive to writing. Modern apps also install and sync transparently across all my Windows devices. And honestly, the Windows store is lacking a decent editor like this.<p>Another question: can you provide more details on the HTML export? Does it just generate a static page? Does it create some kind of site?
Serious question: could they be sued by Hemingway's family for using his name on their product? I mean, if I made an app called "Tolkien" I might realistically run into trouble with his estate.
Would be happy to pay the $5 to be able to use this as an addon in Sublime Text (or Atom/vim/emacs/whatever you like) instead of having to use your editor app. I don't like having to switch to a new editor for writing. Any plans for this?
I feel like this app would benefit massively from the touch of an actual designer rather than using default bootstrap. When you are trying to write, you want a minimal, elegant, and non-distracting interface, and those tacky and jarring glossy buttons really throw me off.<p>I love the app though! If you can afford a couple hours of a designer's time (it's a simple interface, wouldn't take too much), I feel like the benefits would be huge. If you want my help with this, feel free to reach out, but I'm sure any designer would be glad to do it : )
Guiding towards short and simple writing forms the mind towards only being able to express short and simple thoughts. Whereas in reality, long, nuanced, and complex solutions are required to accommodate the many actors in many situations.
Say I wanted to start writing an e-book, would this be an acceptable editor? Does it output to PDF,.mobi formats? or should I go with something like LaTeX?
Ironic that an app calling itself "Hemingway" would recommend against the word "Utilize". As a key example of "things to avoid" no less.<p>Utilized in one of the more memorable exchanges in The Sun Also Rises:<p><i>"Let us rejoice in our blessings. Let us utilize the fowls of the air. Let us utilize the product of the vine. Will you utilize a little, brother?"</i><p>... and so on for nearly ten pages, utilizing wine, pubs, etc.<p><a href="http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fAcAd5gFdB0C&lpg=PP1&dq=hemingway%20utilize&pg=PA126#v=onepage&q=hemingway%20utilize&f=false" rel="nofollow">http://books.google.co.uk/books?id=fAcAd5gFdB0C&lpg=PP1&dq=h...</a><p>I bet if you apply this tool to more of his writing, you'd find it neutered it completely, removing much of the magic that makes it so great.