Release V4.1.2

Just a package update

Release V4.1.1

Key Changes:

• Removed icons on buttons for a more minimal look
• Use of Context Managers: Ensured all file operations use with statements.
• Simplified Exception Handling: Grouped similar exceptions together.
• Reduced Redundancy: Moved repeated style and palette settings to separate methods.
• Simplified Password Handling: Streamlined the logic for handling password prompts and key generation.

V4.1.0 Release Notes

Improved Security

• Key Generation Update:
  • The software was previously using a derived master key to encrypt the database encryption key, which was then used to encrypt and decrypt the notes.
  • Now, the application directly generates a secure database encryption key using the user's password and stores it. The database encryption key is used directly for encrypting and decrypting the notes, removing any unnecessary complexity and potential points of failure.

*Note old notes cannot be decrypted with the new functions!!

• Simplified Codebase:
  • Adapting to the new key generation process allowed me to simplify the codebase and improve its maintainability. Extraneous functions and unnecessary encryption/decryption steps have been removed from multiple functions.

Fixes and Enhancements

• Error Handling: Improved error handling across the application to handle a wider range of potential exceptions, thus providing feedback to the user and maintain application stability.

• Code Consistency: Updated various functions to be consistent with the new key generation implementation, ensuring the seamless operation of saving and loading notes.

Packages Update

This release just updates the packages.

Notes Vault v4.0.5 Release Notes

Introduction

We're excited to announce the release of Notes Vault v4.0.5! This version brings several new features, improvements, and bug fixes that enhance your experience and the application's performance.

New Features

Dark Mode

• Updated dark mode to offer a more comfortable reading and writing experience in low light conditions.

Settings Menu

• Added a 'Settings' option in the menu bar to allow users to switch between light and dark modes easily.

Dynamic Theming

• The application now supports dynamic theming, allowing you to toggle between light and dark modes seamlessly.

Improvements

User Interface

• Improved the overall user interface with better layout and style.
• The 'About' menu is now placed as the last item for better menu organization.

Markdown and Preview

• Enhanced Markdown rendering for more accurate previews.

Bug Fixes

• Fixed the issue where the application started in light mode even when dark mode was set as default.
• Resolved the issue where switching from light to dark mode didn't work as expected.

Miscellaneous

• General performance improvements and optimizations.
• Code-base has been cleaned up for better maintainability.

V4.0.4 Release Notes

Version 4.0.4

New Features

• Dark Mode Toggle: Added the ability to toggle between dark and light themes via a new "Settings" menu. The application starts in light mode by default.

Enhancements

• Menu Reorganization: Moved the "About" menu to be the last item in the menubar for better accessibility and logical flow.

Fixes

• Encryption Error Handling: Improved error messages and handling for encryption-related operations.

Notes Vault v4.0.3 Release Notes

Date

October 13, 2023

Overview

This minor update focuses on usability improvements and bug fixes to enhance the overall user experience.

New Features

• None

Enhancements

• Improved font readability in password prompt dialog.
• Added a comprehensive disclaimer in the About window.

Bug Fixes

• Resolved an issue where the font size in the password prompt dialog was not being applied.

Miscellaneous

• Minor UI/UX improvements.

Known Issues

• None

Acknowledgments

Special thanks to our users for their continued support and feedback.

Release Notes for NotesVault v4.0.2

New Features:

• Menu Bar Integration: A menu bar has been added to the top of the application interface for better navigation and accessibility. It includes a 'File' menu with options to save, open, toggle markdown rendering, preview markdown, and close the application. An 'About' menu has been added to provide information about NotesVault.
• About Dialog: An About dialog has been introduced under the 'About' menu to provide information regarding the application version, author, and other relevant details.
• User Interface Enhancements: Padding has been added to the top of the QTextEdit and QTextBrowser widgets to ensure the menu bar does not obscure the text.

Improvements:

• Code Refactoring: The initUI method has been refactored to accommodate the new menu bar and improve the layout of the application.
• Improved Error Handling: Additional error handling has been incorporated to manage unexpected situations and provide clearer user feedback.

Bug Fixes:

• None in this release.

Dependencies:

• Updated Dependencies: No dependencies have been updated in this release.

Version 4.0.1 Release Notes

New Features:

• Increased the KDF iteration count to 650000, to maintain a high level of security as hardware capabilities evolve.
• Implemented a centralized error handler to manage exceptions in a consistent manner.
• Integrated logging to keep a record of unexpected events or errors for debugging purposes.
• Introduced user-friendly error messages via popups to inform users of issues during operation, such as incorrect password entry or file not found errors.

Improvements:

• Improved error handling by specifying individual except blocks for different exception types, providing more accurate diagnostics and user feedback.
• Enhanced the decrypt_note_with_key_file function for external script-based decryption of notes using a known password and the key.enc file.
• Refined the software disclaimer for clarity and conciseness.
• Updated the load_notes method to handle InvalidTag exceptions gracefully, preventing crashes and providing better user feedback.

Fixes:

• Fixed potential unhandled exception issue by catching and logging InvalidTag exceptions, which could occur when entering a wrong password.
• Addressed potential code duplication concerning encryption/decryption operations.

Security:

• Reviewed and provided recommendations for enhancing the security of the key derivation process and file handling to better protect against brute force and other types of attacks.