Welcome to HibbittsDesign.org – creating open-source software for educators, digital publishers, and content creators, informed by over 25 years of experience in software interaction design, UX consulting, and higher education.
Whether you're digitally savvy or curious, HibbittsDesign.org offers a range of open-source software to harness the open, portable, and constraint-free nature of Markdown while enhancing the experience for both authors and their audiences. For those seeking personalized guidance, Paul Hibbitts also offers additional professional services & support.
You can also explore materials on Markdown publishing and UX design, building open-source projects & online learning insights that Paul has curated and authored.
Can people love open-source projects the way they love their favourite music or book? That positive feeling – for users and contributors alike – drives how Paul views and creates software.
Paul leads with outcomes over features, and strives to make tools both enjoyable and valuable in every open-source project. Explore the foundational article Building Open-source Projects with a Positive Vibe: 8 Practical Guidelines →
Insights into common open-source challenges from Paul's journey so far, informed by UX and higher education experience:
🌱 Sustainable Open Source Projects Pack - Build projects you can maintain in the long run
🎯 **Project Clarity Framework Pack** - Keep projects focused for both developers and users
🧡 Building Open Source with Heart Pack - Foster projects users and contributors enjoy
Or: View all of Paul’s blog posts →
All the tools below share a common foundation: open, portable, and constraint-free Markdown files. This means you can start simple and grow into more capability over time – bringing your content with you at each step. From no-setup web publishing with Docsify-This, to self-hosted Docsify-based Starter Kits that support custom domains, to Grav Open Source skeletons with Git Sync, to Helios Course Hub and Helios Open Reader – the most full-featured additions to Paul's Grav Projects, combining a full CMS platform with an admin panel, online editor, and modern premium theme.
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Not sure which tool fits you?
“I want to publish right now” – No accounts, no hosting. Paste your Markdown URL into Docsify-This.
“I'm comfortable with GitHub” – Choose a Docsify Starter Kit matching your use case. No hosting costs — your repository is the site.
“I want a full CMS I control” – Helios Course Hub, Helios Open Reader, or a Grav Open Source skeleton, all built on Grav with a browser-based admin panel. Helios options require a paid theme license.
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