Problem/Justification (What is the problem you are trying to solve)
Can’t remember.
(why should it be considered?)
Am sure am not the only one with bad memory
Impact (How is this feature going to impact all TrueNAS users?)
No idea. But if is there, they may choose to use it.
(What are the benefits and advantages?)
That the notes in regards to that thing** are right there next to it. **app/docker/( or elsewhere if you choose to add it systemwide ).
(Are there disadvantages?)
None that I can think of.
User Story
I have bad memory and…, already said that.
There are notes I’d like to keep in regards to apps, and even as I use the draft in gMail, if I could keep a draft/notes next to the app. Would be quite handy to have.
Implementation
1 to 5 k is enough, else, go write a book
A simple UTF-8 text area is good. A markup engine is better.
But in a beginning something is better than nothing.
Code wise, should not brake anything and quite simple to add.
Would this data be stored with the TrueNAS configuration file? Why would I even ask this? Because a feature like this is more apt to be used during a restoration event. Most people will get the system running and then forget about how they did it. Some of us would take notes or screen captures if the process was not obvious (some I said, definitely not all). And the only time most people would even care about the notes is when they have to recover from a failure.
Well, that is where I personally would see it in use, and I’m not saying it wouldn’t be used for other things.
How would you desire something like this to be incorporated into the GUI? This is a serious question as this can become quite complex. I have some ideas in my head what I might try to do to implement something like this however nothing is super easy. In our brains we think “Oh yea, that should be easy to add” when in reality adding a window to add a note would not be difficult, however linking that specific text to a specific area become more complicated. I think about these things when someone asks me to make a change to Multi-Report. It sounds easy until you try to implement it.
So that was the Devil in me asking for some feedback. You may have a good idea on how it could be implemented. Would each selection/selection have a linked text box?
The only disadvantage I can think of is the time invested by iXsystems to add this feature. It is not a one day project and the regression testing alone would consume a lot of time.
Okay, I’m putting the Devil back in the box.
Honestly, I would like an option like this too, however I create a text document and place my notes there if I have any. I do not for TrueNAS but I do for other things.
…that is a simple solution for content placement. Add the user writable content to the pre-existing read only.
The editor itself, for the note data, can be a popup.
Now where to store the data and how, makes little sense for me to think of as the developers will do as they see fit.
Also, for me to present too many ideas…, in my experience, users commenting here are likely to dedicate time in the dislikes/problems other than the likes/solutions.
The html framework they use, am sure is quite flexible and permitting of either solution.
The reason I added “Implementation” to the description was to have this type of discussion. Lol, I wrote …a simple UTF-8 text… that in itself is … stupid ?, was to engage in chat.
The database that hold those is a SQLite3 file. It can hold the data without a problem of regression or what not.
The limitation I would impose is “no images”. Those can take up a whole lot of space. But, if markup is implemented, allow links to images to some image provider ( local or online ).
Good chat, you, devil advocate, you PS: If there is any love votes left in you, …I’d like to see this implemented.
I think a centralized “notes” page would be the simplest approach (and the easiest to implement).
It would also consolidate where “notes” are taken. Currently, I use ZFS bookmarks and ZFS comments to create notes.
To have a “centralized notes page” in the GUI wouldn’t mean I would stop using the aforementioned bookmarks and comments, but it would definitely be the premier place to store notes about the pools, configurations, tweaks, caveats, custom scripts, reminders, and so on.
Hey, I agree it should be in UTF-8, that made good sense to me.
Agreed.
I’m just the opposite. I think it is good for a person to come up with an idea, but if you are going to suggest the idea, at least provide some detail on how to implement it. It can be a lot of work for someone else to figure it out. And if the developer sees a better way then they have the prerogative to make changes as needed, but I like to give them a possible path forward. It also helps convey the recommendation vice having too many assumptions.
But you are correct, you may provide a possible way to implement it, and someone else may disagree. You may have heard these words out of me in the past, “It’s okay to disagree.” For me, it is how people handle the disagreement, they just shouldn’t be jerks about it.
So I will Vote Yes on proposition 1 (Add a Notes Section), however I’m not certain it will get much traction, but maybe?
I’ve got an idea, you could use the TrueNAS API and build an Add-On to the GUI I’m not sure the API would allow for that but it sounds nice. Or you could build your own unique version of TrueNAS and once you have the notes section working, then provide that to iXsystems to test and implement. I’m sure they would take some free help.
I took a stroll threw those two postings. I honestly don’t see any benefit to myself. I do not backup my data to a second server, and adding notes like this seems good for someone who makes a lot of backups. I would find a piece of paper and pencil a better solution for myself. Hey, I do that already But I’m certain some people could fit a benefit to using these.
I, or you, can do anything that is possible.
But wouldn’t be nice to have it standard in the interface ?
Some users may not ever touch a feature.
In my case, that needs dark mode every were, a good border, helps a lot.
Am not aging that gracefully and find myself needing things that others, without the need, don’t see the importance of an implementation.
In TrueNAS, with all the ins and outs, having notes, right there !, …alleviates an already confused mind.
In my case due to ADHD and whatnot, but for everyone at large, it will be a very welcomed feature to have.
I hear you. Vision, Hearing, moving heavy things. Old age is not near as fun as I’d would hope. I miss being in my 20’s. I had such a great time and I was in fantastic physical shape, and my mind was sharper too. My wife tells me the I have “C.R.S.” which stands for Can’t Remember Shit.
As for off topic, eh, that happens and it keeps things less robotic.
As for why, simply because you wish to enter some additional info on how or why particular account (or group) exists.
For example, in my case, I wish to create special accounts for use with multifuction printers so they can save scanned files in particular location, so in the comment/notes section I might add some info about that.
I’m not sure the API would allow for that but it sounds nice. Or you could build your own unique version of TrueNAS and once you have the notes section working, then provide that to iXsystems to test and implement. I’m sure they would take some free help.
