Secret Notes Section

[Teddy]

While I’m aware that the purpose of the archive is to hide notes, I’d still like to propose a dedicated section for hidden or secret notes. Notes hidden by the user would not appear in searches but only in this dedicated section. The section can only be accessed via passcode. It’s a bit similar to how hidden photos work on iOS.

This is something neither the archive nor protected notes currently provide, but extremely helpful for notes you don’t want anyone to see when you’re using Bear while somebody is sitting next to you.

A feature like this would have another considerable advantage: if the tags included in the note remain active (as they do for protected but not for archived notes), this would be a great way to hide a note that simply serves as a placeholder for the tag structure.

I know that some people prefer to lay out their entire tag system beforehand instead of letting it grow organically, including myself. But this note obviously appears everywhere and gets in the way—from tags to searches to widgets. I understand the reluctance to add a feature that allows for the permanent creation of tags regardless of whether they’re assigned to any notes; after all, that would probably require significant changes to the core. But this way seems like a good compromise to me.

Plus, a section dedicated to hidden notes could serve many purposes beyond just stashing away one’s tag system. Think of the elaborate marriage proposal note you no longer have to name “Taxes 2012.”

[BearProUser]

+1
I agree too i think that this would be a good idea, especially for those with confidential info or anything like that. The only problem may be that if you want to go into secret notes u may need a password which is bear pro only. Maybe it could be a feature for bear pro users. Idk

[krssno]

@Teddy

Notes hidden by the user would not appear in searches but only in this dedicated section.

What is the benefit of that feature?

@Teddy

if the tags included in the note remain active (as they do for protected but not for archived notes), this would be a great way to hide a note that simply serves as a placeholder for the tag structure

Actually that seems to be the only reason you want those hidden notes. I can see exactly what you’re after. The reason why some user complain about the lack of folders is because a tag does not appear in the tag list until it is written to a note. While I fully understand the desire, I think the way it is implemented is extremely complex considering the goal. Bear is bear - try to get used with the tagging system and to find peace!

[krssno]

@Teddy

My suggestion wouldn’t change Bear’s nature.

I think it would. It would add a layer of complexity in terms of side effects what had to be considered. Three years ago I requested the same. But alone the length of my reasoning exposes how clear the impact would be:

@krssno

Take a look into the app „UpNote“. It has tags like bear and it has folders that do not exist in bear. Furthermore „UpNote“ offers the feature that the same note can be placed in more than one folder. That ends in the strangeness that there is no difference between tags and folders in terms of functionality. So what is the real reason people are asking for folders. Actually it is quite trivial and evident: it is not the functionality but HOW the folder structure is builded up.

In the logic of building up folders you FIRSTLY create the folder structure and THEN you place the notes in them. In the logic of building up a tag structure you in opposite FIRSTLY create the note and THEN by adding more and more tags you build up gradually and slowly the tag structure. And that is exactly the point why tag structure sometimes are unattractive and tedious.

So far as i can see there are two ways in bear to set tag: either manually inside the note or by creating a new note while a certain tag is chosen in the left pane. I would advocate for a further way and for the feature to create tags manually (means by context menu) in the left pane: „add tag“ and „add sub tag“. It is not just a bad habit to crate an organisational structure like that but indeed a big relief. In some cases it is ok when the tag structure grows with each tag you write inside a note. But often enough it is a great help to finish the building of the organisational structure BEFORE starting to add notes to it.

One serious point remains: To make that solution possible empty tags have to be accepted, means: the tag tree would show tags or subtags that are not written in any note. But i must say that i even would like that for other reasons too, f.e. after removing a certain tag from all notes it still remains in the popping up list after starting to write a tag.

The only added complexity i see is that it is necessary to differentiate between „removing“ a tag (removing it from all notes) and „deleting“ it (removing it completely from left pane). But i think that price is worth it. Last but not least: Empty tags could be displayed a little bit paled out to show that they are empty

Once you get used AND are willing to accept that limitation you indeed will find harmony. By the way: Someday Panda as a standalone app with file and folder based organization will be released. That might be the alternative to bear if someone prefers more a folder based organization. See here!