RFC: pdf.js-hypothes.is as standalone "native" application via Electron

[RaoOfPhysics]

I tend to use hypothes.is as the default PDF annotation tool for my academic literature. Currently, this means having to pull up a PDF in Firefox and activating hypothes.is.

I was wondering what you thought about having pdf.js and hypothes.is running as a standalone application built using Electron. It could be packaged for Linux, OS X and Windows, and would allow users to use a lighter app for viewing PDFs. And when you eventually have offline support for hypothes.is, this will allow me to work with PDFs while travelling without internet!

I would be happy to work on this in my (not-abundant) spare time, but (a) I am not a developer so the learning curve will be steep and (b) this might be something you've already considered and are working on or have dismissed as impractical. :)

[robertknight]

This isn't something we've discussed recently but definitely worth considering. Even though Electron does a lot of work for us, we're cautious about the potential overhead of adding additional means of delivery for Hypothesis that we need to maintain.

Something like a Chrome App might be an simpler way of delivering a lightweight-feeling viewer for academic papers - though I haven't investigated this in detail myself.

[RaoOfPhysics]

@robertknight: Thanks for the reply! I understand your point about additional overhead. Personally, I'm not a fan of the Chrome App route, given that I prefer Firefox. :) Also, this would continue to rely on me having a browser open, I believe.

Please keep me posted on your plans. As I said, I'm not a developer, but I'd be happy to help with testing and feedback.

[robertknight]

In the near term the first thing we are currently aiming to ship is a proper Firefox extension and we'd appreciate help with testing that. Offline support will most likely happen later.

Both Electron and Chrome Apps are actually Chrome browsers with two major differences from a user's point of view - they show up as independent apps in the desktop and they don't show the standard browser chrome (tabs, omnibox, menus). A Chrome App does need to be installed via Chrome in the first place however. Once installed you can run one without launching Chrome itself.

[RaoOfPhysics]

In the near term the first thing we are currently aiming to ship is a proper Firefox extension and we'd appreciate help with testing that.

Happy to help!

Offline support will most likely happen later.

Yeah, I've been following hypothesis/h and hypothesis/vision. :)

Both Electron and Chrome Apps are actually Chrome browsers […]

True, but I don't believe Electron apps actually need a browser installed in the first place. Also, as I understand it, it is built on a really stripped-down version of Chromium and also offers more desktop integration.

[maxmaronna]

Hello Robert,

Any news about the Firefox extension?
All the best
max

[robertknight]

Hi max - Sorry, not yet. There are several PRs open from an external contributor but they are still waiting for review from us.