tag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:/discussions/suggestions/63-markdown-packages-ala-osx-directory-packagesMultiMarkdown Software, LLC: Discussion 2015-01-20T02:01:29Ztag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762013-05-24T22:11:20Z2013-05-24T22:11:20ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>Currently, we have support for File.md as a file. It would be
nice to support File.md as a OSX-style package directory where
File.md is a directory and the actual markdown file(s) and any
accompanying images are contained within the top-level directory. I
know that other apps similar to MMC have done this. Balsamiq
mockups comes to mind. They originally had a single XML file
describing a wireframe diagram which could import from other
diagram files or external images similar to how markdown files are
used. Microsoft Word is another that does something similar. I
think they use a zip file instead of a directory.</p></div>hchapman-mmdcomposertag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762013-05-27T18:30:18Z2013-05-27T18:30:18ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>I have considered something like this. Some of the challenges
include:</p>
<p>1) A zipped format would make the documents incompatible with
all existing software. Yes, anyone could unzip the file, but many
users wouldn't understand this, and it would be inconvenient for
those who did.</p>
<p>2) An unzipped package bundle could still be treated as a folder
by other programs, and the Terminal, which would allow access to
the files inside. This would not be easily edited via a finder
double-click in any app but Composer. Package bundles also bring
new challenges in file synchronization (e.g. Dropbox) as files can
be updated at different times, potentially leaving one copy in a
"broken" state.</p>
<p>As I wrote, this is something I have considered, and if I come
up with a really good way to manage it, I will consider adding it
in the future. I just want to make sure it's done properly if I'm
going to do it.</p>
<p>F-</p></div>Fletchertag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762013-05-28T12:07:33Z2013-05-28T12:07:33ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>Understood and thanks.</p></div>hchapman-mmdcomposertag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762013-05-29T20:27:00Z2013-05-29T20:27:01ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>Not sure if I agree with this direction at all as I believe the
whole benefit of Markdown files is that they're an open text based
format that allow for true data portability across
platform/operating system etc.</p>
<p>That's not to say that I don't see the benefit of a supporting
package based option which allows for support files to be included
but to build it upon .md or .markdown files doesn't see to be the
appropriate approach.</p>
<p>It's one of the things that I dislike about OmniOutliner files.
They require specialist transfer protocols when working with IOS
(where they're effectively seen as a zipped package format).</p></div>Jonathan Mooretag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762013-05-29T22:12:07Z2013-05-29T22:12:07ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>VMware uses VM_Name.vmwarevm for a package directory name and
the directories work fine on Windows and Linux. To OSX, they look
like packages, to everyone else, just directories. In fact, you can
take a VMware directory created in Windows and add .vmwarevm to
make it a package on OSX. It makes it nice for moving markdown
files and their attachments around. The real benefit is that
markdown apps then have a place where they can copy and cache
attachments automatically the same way Word or others work.</p></div>hchapman-mmdcomposertag:support.multimarkdown.com,2013-02-12:Comment/270057762015-01-20T02:01:29Z2015-01-20T02:01:29ZMarkdown packages (ala OSX directory packages)<div><p>FYI --</p>
<p>The TextBundle format is similar to this:</p>
<p><a href="http://textbundle.org/">http://textbundle.org/</a></p>
<p>Support for this format is included in the upcoming
MultiMarkdown Composer v3, Pro version:</p>
<p><a href=
"http://multimarkdown.com/2015/01/v3-announcement">http://multimarkdown.com/2015/01/v3-announcement</a></p>
<p>F-</p></div>Fletcher