Ask HN: Markdown or WYSIWYG editor for non-technical users?

[vanilla-almond]

I'm designing a web app that will include a text editor to be used by non-technical users. I'm trying to decide whether it should be a markdown text editor or a WYSIWYG (what-you-see-is-what-you-get) editor.

For those of you who work with non-technical colleagues who have to use a markdown editor, do they hate it or grudgingly tolerate it? Or have they adapted perfectly fine?

Should I forget about the Markdown option for non-technical users and just go with WYSIWYG?

[staticfish]

You didn't mention your operating system, which to me is important, as there's nothing like the response and feel of a native application - especially when editing a document.

https://typora.io/ is my current Markdown client of choice. It's a native MacOS app, and it's free.

[tjwds]

I would very strongly recommend a simple WYSIWYG interface for non-technical users, if rich text is even necessary. Every barrier you create to entry will frustrate or drive away users.

[petepete]

I had to do this. Currently I have opted for a Markdown editor with visual cues and toolbar (SimpleMDE). I plan on creating a new editor from scratch in an upcoming release, though