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Show HN: Minimal, customizable new tab for Chrome/Firefox (flowtide.app)
davgoldin 7 hours ago [-]
Looks nice, I wish you best of luck! I personally haven't seen my "new tab" page in a very long time. What I'm doing instead: in current tab hit Cmd+L to focus on address bar, type query/address hit Option+Enter to open resulted page in a new tab. Skipping a bunch of clicks and the "new tab" page. Should be Ctrl+L Alt+Enter on Windows.
klez 24 minutes ago [-]
I'm curious: is there a particular reason for this very specific workflow? Is there an advantage I'm not seeing over Ctrl+T, type url, press Enter? Or is it just the way you do it?
saghm 3 hours ago [-]
If you like saving clicks, maybe the new tab page I've been using for years might interest you[0]. I like being able to just open a new tab and go to a page with a single keystroke, so I threw this together years ago to let me define a custom list of shortcuts that I can jump to by hitting the key of which index the site I want (originally I had used a Chrome extension that did something similar, but when I switched to Firefox and couldn't find anything similar enough that I liked, I realized it would be fairly easy to make as a static page that would work on any browser).

[0]: https://gitlab.com/-/snippets/4773156

Levitz 3 hours ago [-]
You could simplify it a tiny bit by using Ctrl+T to open a new tab and simply entering the query there, then pressing enter. Saves you the combo on the second hotkey.

Aaaaand it actually does show the new tab page.

dtgriscom 6 hours ago [-]
Holy cannoli! Good shortcuts: thanks.
andrelaszlo 14 hours ago [-]
It looks really nice.

The first question that pops into my head (being aware that this is a popular category of apps) is: when do people look at blank tabs? Whenever I open a new tab, it's with the intention of entering an address or a search term, and any content would be an unwelcome distraction.

I'd be more likely to use something like this if it lived under a regular domain name and I could put it into a pinned tab, personally.

drdaeman 11 hours ago [-]
I have frequently used sites listed on my new tab, and use those to quickly navigate without typing.

Besides that, I don't use or care about anything on the "new tab" tab. Backgrounds, sounds, weather, news - that's all junk/noise to me. There seems to be no value for me in having them on the empty tab, when they're a click (or, in case of the weather, a glance on my phone or watch) away.

Just how it works for me, of course. Other's mileage may vary.

bityard 13 hours ago [-]
I do the same as you, but I know of plenty of people (even some developers) whose computing workflow looks like this: Boot computer, log in, start web browser, make it full screen. And that is where they work/play for the whole day.

That describes ChromeOS users of course, but there are Apple and Windows (and presumably Linux) users who have the same workflow.

Liquix 13 hours ago [-]
it's hard to believe a developer working in a fullscreen browser all day could be anywhere near as productive as an equally-skilled dev using a terminal/keyboard-based workflow. how does one install packages, ssh into boxes, extract data from files, etc? or maybe they only work with cloud services and use webapp IDEs/terminals? seems like a bizarre choice (for devs specifically)
connicpu 12 hours ago [-]
I don't literally spend all day in a browser, but I technically use one most of the day since vscode is based on Electron. My second monitor flips between Firefox and my terminal tmux session, about a 50/50 time split. I'm sure there's plenty of other developers like me, using the terminal for a good number of system tasks but just can't kick the mouse habit completely in their editor.
reddotchaser 13 hours ago [-]
Maybe cloud IDEs are mandated by orgs in some cases! I’d leave on day 1
georg-stone 13 hours ago [-]
Lots of orgs use Replit, which is just a cloud IDE anyways
diggan 11 hours ago [-]
> The first question that pops into my head (being aware that this is a popular category of apps) is: when do people look at blank tabs? Whenever I open a new tab, it's with the intention of entering an address or a search term, and any content would be an unwelcome distraction.

My "startpage" is a four-column list of stuff I usually browse. And usually I sit with my left hand at the left hand side of the keyboard, and with my hand on the mouse on the right. Doing CTRL+T then clicking on where I wanna go, is usually faster and less movements needed than having to manually type the one or two first letters.

I tried sometimes to put "widgets" or other things (like widget on a smartphone) but it's true what you say, it's an unwelcome distraction. But a couple of simple lists seems fine, for me.

georg-stone 11 hours ago [-]
lhamil64 12 hours ago [-]
I'm the same. The only exception is on mobile, sometimes I'll use the quick pinned bookmarks on the new tab page. But on desktop I load a homepage when I launch the browser and only open a new tab when I need to enter a URL or search query.
conceptualspace 11 hours ago [-]
when i open a new tab its often to open a bookmark - so for me a speed dial is super useful. here's mine (open source): https://github.com/conceptualspace/yet-another-speed-dial
georg-stone 13 hours ago [-]
It's just some inspiration I can have when typing in my URL bar I guess
kelvinjps10 14 hours ago [-]
I leave a new tab open, and seeing this kind of information is useful
LauraMedia 12 hours ago [-]
On my work device, I have daily.dev installed. Every work day, I usually invest 15-20 minutes of catching up with recent news about all things dev and having it as the "new tab" helps me not forgetting about it.

Other than that, yeah, I usually CTRL+T and write right away.

elpocko 14 hours ago [-]
I already have the minimal number of features in my new tab in Firefox and I didn't even need to install a 3rd party addon: it's called "Blank page", you can find it in the settings.
hambes 12 hours ago [-]
I've been using Tabby Cat [1] for a few years now and under no circumstance will I replace my cute cats with a productivity tool.

[1] https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/tabby-cat/mefhakmgc...

59seconds 12 hours ago [-]
Neat! I use the Tabagotchi extension. There's a little monster that grows and then dies when you have too many tabs open. Helps me keep down the tab-clutter.

https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/tabagotchi-ne...

kaiwenwang 2 hours ago [-]
I've always just used the Bookmarks page with a link to my calendar & tasks as the new tab, in addition to whatever classes/programs/events I need quick access to
hxii 14 hours ago [-]
Neat! Reminds me of Tabliss (https://github.com/joelshepherd/tabliss) as well.
user3939382 9 hours ago [-]
On every new FF install I have to go out of my way to set it to a plain black background. Custom CSS in hidden directories, major PITA.
cpressland 8 hours ago [-]
Any guides for that? My blank page feels like a flash bang going off sometimes.
ukuina 8 hours ago [-]
What about good ol' about:blank ?
lionkor 8 hours ago [-]
I use about:blank together with only showing the bookmarks menu bar on new tab pages, and it's basically perfect.

Then again, I almost always type in domains, I don't search for most websites - I know their domains or their duckduckgo !bang, or have a bookmark.

triclops200 11 hours ago [-]
Really nice! I'd really like to see more than one todo list option on the main page, personally, so I can get my entire task list (or at least a large number of tasks) shown to me every time I open a new tab. Would be nice as an option, at least
georg-stone 11 hours ago [-]
Thanks so much for the feedback! I have just added that to the list!
venatiodecorus 9 hours ago [-]
if anything i'd think integration with proper todo list apps would be the way to go
georg-stone 9 hours ago [-]
Good idea! I tried setting up an integration with TickTick, but their API is jank, so I gave up. I will try Todoist soon and maybe Things.
porridgeraisin 8 hours ago [-]
cwales95 10 hours ago [-]
Looks good.

I recently just created my own custom new tab extension. Closed source because it's literally just for me. It does a few nieche things e.g. syncing a todo list that also appears on a e-ink display. I like it. I also like that it's something that's just for me.

bsimpson 5 hours ago [-]
I'm surprised to see an open source project with a professional-looking `.app` site and a privacy policy.
jesprenj 10 hours ago [-]
I really dislike that you can no longer create a home page that opens on a new tab in firefox. You can still do that on mobile browsers, for example kiwi browser. I have a homepage [0] with large links for resources I frequently visit and I really miss having this as my home page on my computer.

[0] http://splet.4a.si/dir/home.shtml

razster 10 hours ago [-]
In the about:config you should be able to add a custom url for new tab.

https://www.howtogeek.com/333805/how-to-change-or-customize-...

This site shows the steps. I tried it and mine is working. Firefox Developer Edition.

heyinzyh 5 hours ago [-]
I have rarely used new tab since I started using arc. It is most practical for new tabs on chrome to have portals for websites that are frequently visited by myself.

Neat landing page anyway.

atulvi 15 hours ago [-]
Also checkout Minim for chrome. Very Minimal and Open Source

https://chromewebstore.google.com/detail/minim-a-minimal-new...

djbusby 14 hours ago [-]
I love these things. I have a custom NTP for my Chrome and FF profiles. It's my productivity hack.

I put all my super frequent bookmarks there, big buttons are easy to click, keyboard shortcut.

Doesn't sync tho :(

yapyap 14 hours ago [-]
> Doesn't sync tho :(

maybe try synchronizing over github or gitlab thru git?

Kavenerinds 13 hours ago [-]
As a longtime user of Momentum that switched to Bonjourr about 5 months ago, this looks cool. The search function would be the reason for me to switch to this. Thanks for sharing!
Y-bar 15 hours ago [-]
This is great, giving it a try!

A few first impressions:

- The dark overlay when customising the screen makes it hard to see the visual adjustments- And

- Can the clock default to system (12 or 24 hours)?

- Can I add the pinned tabs I had on the default home screen somehow?

georg-stone 15 hours ago [-]
When saying pinned tabs, you mean shortcuts, right?

I have added these suggestions to the to-do list and should come out in the next update!

Y-bar 15 hours ago [-]
Yes, I did not know what they were called.
georg-stone 14 hours ago [-]
Currently, you can't. Chrome doesn't have a built-in API for getting these, but you can have a bookmarks widget.
Y-bar 14 hours ago [-]
What about Firefox? Which is what I am using.
georg-stone 14 hours ago [-]
After some research, it doesn't seem like Firefox supports it.
jpcom 17 hours ago [-]
Reminds me of the mac lock screen, nicely done!
torgoguys 14 hours ago [-]
It looks nice and works well.

Unrelated, but I think we all need to migrate to a new word instead of "minimal" for such things. Perhaps just "simple." I get what we all mean as applied to this project, but it isn't what minimal typically means in English. A minimal new tab experience would be a blank tab.

georg-stone 14 hours ago [-]
I agree! "Minimalistic" would probably have been a better choice for this project.
croisillon 13 hours ago [-]
next on the list are the js frameworks called "vanilla"
13 hours ago [-]
Ringz 14 hours ago [-]
> Flowtide is a beautiful, smart New Tab page for your browser.

Than, please, add a screenshot to the repository.

https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=42201300

georg-stone 14 hours ago [-]
I added it! Thanks so much for your feedback!
13 hours ago [-]
AbraKdabra 13 hours ago [-]
Nice project, but I've been using the "Earth View from Google Earth" extension for Chrome for more than 10 years I think and I find it really difficult to part ways with it no matter how many features the new extension in the block has, maybe someday someone will add that feature to a new extension and I will be able to replace it.
13 hours ago [-]
killjoywashere 13 hours ago [-]
The new tab, the web's equivalent of a blank page. Staring at a blank page is sometimes associated with maddening frustration, but in most cases it's actually the possibility of something new that captures us.

White label this and sell it to luxury brands. Sell it to Crane Stationary, Leuchtturm1917. Here's your potential customer list: https://thepleasureofwriting.com/pages/shop-paper-by-brand

Use a warm off-white, not unlike YC's background, and render the brand logo in a subdued grey at the bottom of the tab/page. Make it a link to a landing page on their site: "You love new possibilities. Crane stands ready to serve your imagination."

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