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Can we get more hands on Florisboard? We need a modern open source keyboard with all crucial features. (github.com)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I could not recommend AnySoftKeyboard to my mum. I could recommend Florisboard, tho.

Openboard is virtually dead from what I can see. So that leaves Florisboard as the only open source alternative (that I know of) that could really be used by the masses. And the world would actually be a way better place if we all opensource freaks could install Florisboard on our family/friends phones and them barely noticing anything weird.

The problem is... no word suggestions yet. It's been years and we are still lacking what is almost an essential feature of a phone's keyboard.

I wish I could really work on it, but I lack the knowledge to do so; so I hope I am bringing some attention to the project.

Is there any other alternative I am unaware of?

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[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago) (1 children)

We all know Florisboard has no autocorrect or word suggestions yet. The whole post is about this exactly.

Why would I want to hide the smart bar if it's actually useful, quick and modern, unline AnySoftKeyboard... which you have a set of options that either bring too little or too much.

No keyboard layout options in Florisboard? In fact, I can do something in Florisboard that I cannot do in AnySoftKeyboard in terms of layouts: I can pick a "spanish layout" for English language. Which is perfect because I hate having to change layouts and relearn key positions, something that AnySoftKeyboard forces you to do.

In terms of features that Florisboard has that AnySoftKeyboard doesn't... how about a modern and useful top bar that does many more things than the static AnySoftKeyboard's? How about left-right movement with spacebar? How about swipe deletion? How about good-looking password manager integration (and not AnySoftKeyboard's aberration)? How about being able to separate layouts and languages? Clipboard support?

Many of the "cool" modular things that AnySoftKeyboard can do are:

for niche power users
things than can still be included eventually in Florisboard

The difference here is that for AnySoftKeyboard to include anything that Florisboard does right would require much more work, muuuch more work (basically a full rework of the app); whereas for Florisboard integrating a fancy layout would be... a simple, one file PR.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 11 months ago* (last edited 11 months ago)

Why would I want to hide the smart bar if it's actually useful, quick and modern, unline AnySoftKeyboard...

Because it is literally not one of those things. It is almost a direct 1:1 copy of AnySoft's utility menu except takes up an entire new row constsntly without ever hiding and is missing a few things tbat Anysoft has like split keyboard. Literally the only difference between the two besides missing features is pop-up vs persistant taking up 1-2 extra rows.

how about a modern and useful top bar that does many more things than the static AnySoftKeyboard's?

Again, what feature that is more "modern and useful"? It is completely static except that it can be manually hidden until the next character is pressed. Why even have a hide button then?

How about good-looking password manager integration (and not AnySoftKeyboard's aberration)?

Have you ever actually used AnySoftKeyboard? They are literally the exact same down to the shapeHere is proof. The only difference is that AnySoftKeyboard respects light keyboard choice where Florisboard simply doesn't respect day/night switches for "follow theme" or "system time" and Florisboard does not work in Firefox where AnySoft does as we also see in my screenshots.

How about being able to separate layouts and languages?

That is pretty cool actually! It's really a shame that there is only one keyboard layout and it is per-language standard layout of what florisboard devs "think is right". Why can't i have a choice of better or worse bottom rows and only get to have the worst in florisboard? Also, Anysoft has different layouts per language, just not "mix and match"

Clipboard support?

Anysoftkeyboard has that. https://github.com/AnySoftKeyboard/AnySoftKeyboard/issues/3450

Again, very interesting board and in the future it can be great! Just not yet for me personally yet. I don't have a horse in the race, maybe the code is indeed much cleaner, better, and easier to maintain. Then it is definitely a much better future option!

It is just missing a bunch of features and advertising on a platform on the basis of "better, more modern and more features is disingenuous at best. I have a problem with people spreading disinformation and BS marketing buzzwords with no.justification as their advertisement. That's it.