Replace tabs with list and grid views

[naveensingh]

Checklist

• I made sure that there are no existing issues - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I made sure that there are no existing discussions - open or closed - to which I could contribute my information.
• I have read the FAQs inside the app (Menu -> About -> FAQs) and my problem isn't listed.
• I have taken the time to fill in all the required details. I understand that the bug report will be dismissed otherwise.
• This issue contains only one feature request.
• I have read and understood the contribution guidelines.
• I optionally donated to support the Fossify mission.

Feature description

The notes tab layout should be replaced with notes arranged in a list or a grid view.

Optionally, we can allow scrolling between open notes using a horizontal pager so nothing is lost.

Why do you want this feature?

• Improved UI/UX.
• This will remove the need for a separate "Open note" dialog.
• It'll allow us to add a "search across notes" feature which is not possible in a tab-based UI.
• Other popular note apps have a similar UI.

Additional information

No response

[naveensingh]

Assigned it to myself because I want it done right.

[bjlockie]

Ignore the Q&A I posted asking if Notes can do this.
It can't but I want it too. :-)

[Aadam-Marshall]

This should be optional. I use this app precisely because literally all other notes app don't have the UI that Fossify's Notes have. I've tested all open source notes apps and I liked only Fossify's Notes due to its horizontal tabs UI. I like how when I start the app, it simply opens the last used note: I can start working right away and don't have to tap to select a note. I like how I can switch between notes instantly by swiping left/right anywhere on the note. Please don't force such critical changes upon users, but instead make it optional. Users who want the old UI to remain will appreciate it, I'm sure I'm not alone in this.

[bjlockie]

If the first tab had a list of tabs and there was a way to selected a tab from the list and switch to it and there was an easy way to switch back to the first tab then it would preserve the existing UI and show all open tabs in a list.
I hope I explained that well. :-)

[Aadam-Marshall]

then it would preserve the existing UI

It wouldn't, the UI would still be factually changed. List of tabs would be either vertical or a grid, as the dev said, and also "scrolling between open notes using a horizontal pager". I don't want either. I want the current state: horizontal tabs with swipe-switching between notes. If the dev removes the existing UI altogether and replaces it with another, I'll be forced to fallback to using an older version. The only way of preserving the existing UI is actually, literally preserving it, not trying to change it and then saying "Yeah that kinda resembles the old UI and its behavior, are you happy?". Just leave the old UI be, and add another UI, hundreds of them, sure that's fine, just don't rip out the existing thing which is very nice and works perfectly. The more customization options - the better, since it will attract more users with unique preferences. Simple Notes was/is the only notes app with this UI, and I wouldn't want Fossify to ruin this.

[naveensingh]

it simply opens the last used note: I can start working right away and don't have to tap to select a note.

There will be a preference to open the last note on startup.

I like how I can switch between notes instantly by swiping left/right anywhere on the note

You will still be able to do that, just as before. That's what I meant by the not-so-user-friendly sentence "we can allow scrolling between open notes using a horizontal pager".

This should be optional.

That won't be sustainable, especially once more features are introduced. We can make little things like "Format phone numbers" optional but not the whole UI.

[Aadam-Marshall]

That won't be sustainable

Yes I thought about this, several UIs could turn out messy and cause incompatibilities/bugs I guess.

I see. Well, I hope the new UI will suit me enough to not moving to the older version.

[rafnov]

This app is the only notes app I've met that has horizontal notes - Very non intuitive and not functional. I think I don't even have to give examples, just see NotallyX or Easy notes.
What I expect from notes app is described precisely up in first post of this. On vertical screen I would expect vertical list or grid of notes to be fully consistent with the rest of the system, not only text apps.