Is it possible to use an org file directly?

[lindoman]

Totally basic question, maybe I misunderstand how this whole thing works. But can Organice use a file directly from local file storage without signing into some sort of back-end sync? I don't use any of those online sync options.

I am attempting this on Android... does that make a difference?

[schoettl]

No, that is not possible today. Browsers (in which organice run) generally don't support access to local filesystem. See also #663

[lindoman]

Thank you for the quick reply :)

[munen]

Schoettl is right, but you asked if running it on Android makes a difference. It does. Here’s documentation on how to set up a local WebDAV server: https://github.com/200ok-ch/organice/tree/master/contrib/organice-on-android-with-webdav-server

Glhf!

[schoettl]

#93 #373 #819 #730 – definitely an top-FAQ ^^

[lindoman]

Thanks, @munen I did try to set up WebDav already on Android, but it didn't work too good for me, I probably didn't do it right. I will try again with those instructions, thank you both.

[schoettl]

@munen Maybe we add "As a web app, it cannot sync with the local file system (yet)." under the first paragraph in What does this project do??

[munen]

I am all for good documentation including a little up front explanation of what organice does. That’s why the docs begin with:

So, it syncs with (let’s say for brevity) A, B and C. It doesn’t state anything about X (local files), Y or Z (Syncthing). It’s hard to exclude all the things it does not or cannot do, because well… that is actually most things in the universe. Better to state what it does do, instead.

[lindoman]

Good point... :)

[lindoman]

But "it syncs with ..." didn't immediately say the same thing to me as "it only works if you use ..."

[munen]

Because it does not. Synching is built in a strategy pattern and anyone is free to build any technically possible strategy on top.

[schoettl]

I still think it's a important question that's worth to be addressed. Working with local files is so common and there is a demand for it. People with no background in the limits of web apps will continue to ask if or why it's not possible to "just simply open a local file".

I think adding a sentence stating why it's not possible could clear things up and wouldn't hurt. It would also add the information that it's a web app (which is no redundant information in this section). People maybe coming from outside, hopefully; some might have a totally different level of IT knowledge.