Poincake
Show HN: Infinite canvas notes in the non-Euclidean Poincaré disk
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What is Poincake?
Poincake is an infinite canvas note-taking application that uniquely uses the Poincaré disk model of hyperbolic geometry for its layout system. Unlike traditional Euclidean infinite canvas apps, Poincake leverages non-Euclidean geometry to provide a distinctive spatial organization for notes. The app allows users to write and organize notes on an endlessly expandable canvas contained within a circular disk boundary.
Key features include the innovative hyperbolic geometry-based layout that provides infinite expansion while maintaining a bounded circular view, infinite canvas note-taking capabilities, zoom and pan navigation around the canvas, and an open-source codebase. The non-Euclidean approach allows for unique spatial relationships between notes that differ from conventional grid or free-form note-taking apps.
Poincake is designed for note-takers, knowledge workers, students, and anyone interested in experimental note-taking interfaces who want to explore non-traditional spatial organization for their thoughts. It appeals to users curious about hyperbolic geometry applications, developers who want to study or contribute to open-source note-taking tools, and those seeking alternatives to mainstream note-taking applications.
The tool runs in a web browser as a web application, making it accessible without installation. As an open-source project hosted on GitHub, it is free to use and allows users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the codebase.
Poincake pricing
Pricing model: Freemium
Free - Poincake is completely free to use as an open-source web application. There are no paid plans, subscriptions, or premium tiers. The entire application is available without cost, and users can also self-host it from the open-source codebase on GitHub.
Poincake pros
- Uses unique Poincaré disk hyperbolic geometry for innovative layout
- True infinite canvas within the circular disk boundary
- Free and open-source with accessible codebase
- Web-based - runs in browser without installation
- Non-Euclidean spatial organization different from competitors
- Zoom and pan navigation for exploring the canvas
- No vendor lock-in due to open-source nature
- Can be self-hosted since source code is available
- Compact circular interface fits various screen sizes
- Experimental approach appeals to geometry enthusiasts
- No cost - completely free to use
- Community-driven development potential
- Clean, focused note-taking interface
- Unique visual metaphor for organizing thoughts
- Accessible from any device with a web browser
Poincake cons
- Niche hyperbolic geometry may confuse some users
- Limited documentation compared to mainstream apps
- No mobile app - web-based only
- Steep learning curve for non-Euclidean navigation
- May lack polished features of commercial alternatives
- Smaller user community for support
- No apparent cloud sync or collaboration features
- Experimental nature means potential stability issues
Frequently asked questions about Poincake
What is Poincake?
Poincake is an infinite canvas note-taking application that uses the Poincaré disk model of hyperbolic geometry for its layout. It provides a unique non-Euclidean approach to organizing notes on an endlessly expandable canvas contained within a circular disk boundary.
Is Poincake free to use?
Yes, Poincake is completely free. It is an open-source project with no paid plans, subscriptions, or premium features. Anyone can use it without cost.
How does the Poincaré disk work in Poincake?
The Poincaré disk model is a way to represent hyperbolic (non-Euclidean) geometry within a circular boundary. In Poincake, this allows for an infinite canvas where notes can be placed infinitely while remaining visible within the circular disk. The geometry creates unique spatial relationships between notes that differ from traditional Euclidean layouts.
Do I need to install Poincake?
No, Poincake is a web-based application that runs directly in your web browser. You can access it at uonr.github.io/poincake without installing anything on your device.
Is Poincake open source?
Yes, Poincake is an open-source project. The source code is available on GitHub under the uonr organization, allowing users to inspect, modify, and contribute to the application.
What devices can I use Poincake on?
Poincake works on any device with a web browser, including desktop computers, laptops, tablets, and smartphones. Since it is web-based, it is platform-independent and works on Windows, macOS, Linux, iOS, and Android.
Can I self-host Poincake?
Yes, since Poincake is open-source with code available on GitHub, you can self-host the application on your own server if you prefer not to use the hosted version.
What makes Poincake different from other note-taking apps?
Poincake's unique feature is its use of hyperbolic geometry via the Poincaré disk model for layout. Unlike conventional note-taking apps that use Euclidean geometry (grids, free-form 2D space), Poincake provides a non-Euclidean infinite canvas within a circular boundary, offering a fundamentally different spatial organization approach.
Who is Poincake for?
Poincake is for note-takers, students, knowledge workers, and anyone interested in experimental note-taking interfaces. It particularly appeals to those curious about hyperbolic geometry, developers who want to study open-source code, and users seeking alternatives to mainstream note-taking applications.
Does Poincake have collaboration features?
Based on available information, Poincake appears to be focused on individual note-taking rather than collaboration. The application emphasizes the unique infinite canvas experience in hyperbolic geometry rather than multi-user features like real-time collaboration or cloud sync.