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kevinisherenow

Show HN: Keyboard-first tool to type and create fast

A little while back I shared an early version of this tool here and got some amazing feedback—really grateful for that. Based on those suggestions, I’ve made a bunch of changes and wanted to share where it’s at now.Quickpoint: https://quickpoint.meIt’s a lightweight tool for quickly putting structured thoughts into words—no tabs, no distractions, just type and share.People have used it as a...

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Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:50AM (#43914985)
You tell me! haha!

That's why I posted it here- in the hopes that someone might have some insight into how it could be used- if it had value for teachers, programmers, etc..

It's a text-first tool for creating structured, shareable content-presentations, walkthroughs, even lightweight docs—using a Markdown-like syntax. But unlike most markdown tools, you can also embed images, audio, logic, and interaction, so it’s supposed to be more expressive/quicker.

I could immediately just go the presentation iAPresenter type root, but I'm trying to see if some of it's features/uses have a different application.

To put it simply- when it comes to how it could be used- I don't know what I don't know.

Thoughts?

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:46AM (#43914932)
Cheers! It feels like the best thing to do. I'm basically asking people to tear it apart. Critique is so valuable, especially when it's constructive.

I'm getting great stuff from the comment section - even people being completely confused is good in a way - I'll make it clearer.

Any thoughts on it yourself?

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:40AM (#43914889)
Hi! You can take the tutorial at the homepage, or else sign in (you can just sign up with Google), and then mess around- text to create, present, add sounds, images, etc. There are instructions on the right side of the page (shortcuts, syntax, etc.).

I mean, if you mess around with it for a little bit you'll get an idea quickly.

Essentially, it's a text-first tool for creating structured, shareable content-presentations, walkthroughs, even lightweight docs—using a Markdown-like syntax. But unlike most markdown tools, you can also embed images, audio, logic, and interaction, so it’s supposed to be more expressive/quicker.

It's broad right now. I'm trying to figure out wwhat people might actually use it for.. what features they like.. and what they hate.

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:24AM (#43914764)
Hey! Do you mean in the demo or when you sign in and start using it? Was it certain colours in particular that were off putting?

The idea is that- instead of just picking an audience (i.e. people who need text-first presentation/creation tools, like iAPresenter), to actually see if there was a set of features QP has that serves a specific niche use- I could then then develop the product accordingly. For example, I could say it's for coding engineers, completely missing that there are parts of it that are actually much more suited to graphic designers or something.

What do you think?

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:16AM (#43914690)
Hey- thats actually a great suggestion- I'll do that!

Well, the reason I posted it here was in the hopes of getting some feedback like- "I could use it for X, but it's not good for Y. I like X feature, etc)

Of course, if your problem is that you want to create and work quickly-(text-first creation + sharing), then it could solve that issue!

It's not really a powerpoint alternative, no.

It's supposed to be a text-first tool for creating structured, shareable content—presentations, walkthroughs, even lightweight docs—using a Markdown-like syntax. But unlike most markdown tools, you can also embed images, audio, logic, and interaction, so it’s more expressive and flexible.

That's where I'm at with it so far. For example- in honing in- I could basically cut some stuff and leave the valuable features that people like.

WDYT?

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @08:09AM (#43914641)
Hey- cheers for the feedback.

So aren't tutorials and demos very similar. Would you prefer a video, less interactive, or something else?

OK- so like. Would it be better if we just scrap the demo and just have users sign in and join (for free, of course).

Did you end up messing around with it?

Re:Feedback on Tool I Created? on Wednesday May 07, 2025 @07:57AM (#43914547)
Hey-thanks for your response. I can use all this info in shaping it!

You're absolutely right that the site doesn’t explain much up front- and neither did I in the introduction. That was a conscious choice early on. I’ve been trying to understand what people think it’s for, what they try to do with it, and where it loses them. Kind of like: Here's a ball- what do you think you should do with it? (kick, throw, eat?)- that's a loose analogy. But yeah, if people find a use for it or think a specific part of it's use is very useful- I can shape it that way.

At its core, QuickPoint is a text-first tool for creating structured, shareable content—presentations, walkthroughs, even lightweight docs—using a Markdown-like syntax. But unlike most markdown tools, you can also embed images, audio, logic, and interaction, so it’s more expressive and flexible.

You’re spot on comparing it to something like iAPresenter. That’s probably the closest mental model. I'm just wondering is there something outside of that box. But the main difference is that QuickPoint aims to go beyond slides-it’s designed for anyone who wants to write content once and present it dynamically, especially with branching or reactive elements.

Still very early days, and I appreciate you taking the time to explore and share honest feedback.

Happy to hear any more thoughts!

Feedback on Tool I Created?

Hey- I've been working on a minimalist tool called QuickPoint — it’s a minimal tool for quick text-first creation and sharing structured thoughtshttps://quickpoint.meBut rather than push a vision, I’m here to learn what people actually need. I built a rough prototype and are watching closely how (or if) people use it.I’d love your honest feedback: Please feel free to tinker about- and say...

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