Ok basically what the title ask. There are so many note taking apps available and also the good old notepad, but, how do you take notes? What do you actually take-keep notes on? Is it like complicated things or simple ones?
All time times that I started using an app or a pen and paper intended up just using a simple reminder for things. Others I just remember.
Google Keep, because it works on my Pixel Watch, which is the only way (so far) I can use it at the exact moment when I actually need it and not have my ADHD brain forget it halfway through.
Orgzly is my favourite note app. I use that and sync to a folder which I can then sync with Syncthing to my desktop and have versioning there.
I recently got a tablet with pen support and have this same question. I’m specifically looking for something that’s on Android and Windows/web. So far, I’ve been using OneNote but I wish it had standard folders instead of notebooks and pages.
Besides Obsidian which someone else suggested, there’s also https://silverbullet.md/ which is an open source self-hosted plain text note taking app, it’s a PWA so if you expose it via https you can “install” it in your Android.
Obsidian might match your needs. It’s available on Linux and Android and, I assume, Windows.
I looked into this a bit today and it looks like the handwriting support, even with some plugins, is not great.
Ah, fair enough. I’ve never had to consider that. Thanks for looking into it at my word and for the feedback.
Good luck on your search.
Thanks for your suggestion! There’s a lot to like with Obsidian. Nebo seems promising, but it would be $18 for Windows and Android licenses. Not the end of the world, but $10 seems more reasonable for all platforms.
i’m you, OP. i use quillpad on my android device
I hand write them first and then organize important stuff in Obsidian for future reference. Writing stuff down helps me remember it. I carry a pocket notebook and use one page for a weekly todo list and the other for general notes.
I use https://silverbullet.md/ have been loving it so far
Have you also used obsidian, and if so, would you mind telling us why you preferred silver bullet?
I haven’t, I needed something to host sensitive work stuff, so was looking for open source projects, Silverbullet is open source, Obsidian is not, so it was immediately discarded for me. But from what I’ve read they’re very similar, with Obsidian being more end-product with plugins and Silverbullet being more customizable and hackable on your own. I imagine people who prefer Macs would prefer Obsidian and people who prefer Linux would prefer Silverbullet, but both should do the same for 99% of cases.
depends:
research projects: there’s one folder on disk, dump everything there (including notes.txt file) and make regular backups (via
git).for regular, mundane tasks: either write it on a text file on my android device’s file explorer, or write myself a message in telegram.
Obsidian
This.
Telegram saved messages. It’s the only way I for sure know I won’t forget about them…
You can use Jami or SimpleX if you want privacy. All files are only stored on your local clients. Down side is both clients need to be online but my phone is on most of the time, and if not it syncs when I get online later.
Obsidian is what I use. I used Joplin and Simplenote in the past.
I’m using Obsidian on Android and on Linux and sync my notes with Nextcloud. Nextcloud also has its on note taking app but I prefer Obsidian. I also love the canvas feature. I also love the fact that the files in Obsidian are Markdown files. You can still edit them with any text editor if needed.
I’m afraid of getting locked into anything so I do all my notes in raw markdown and organize it with vscode. I tried all sorts of things before I settled on this way but I’ve never looked back. Simplicity is king.
The Android version of Obsidian. I have the Full version on the desktop, synced with SyncThing.
I keep envelopes from mail I received and write notes on the empty side. On the rare occasion where I want to actually retain the note, I retype it into one of several txt documents I have open in my Notepad++.
I have a few methods.
- Post-it notes on the desk/wallet/steering wheel etc.
- Simple Note Multiplatform; android, windows, iphone, and everyone’s favorite
maclinux. Like the name says, its simple and syncs. Operated or owned by same people behind WordPress.com and source is on github…although cloud synced I assume 0 privacy or backup. - Notes I actually want long term end up on paper or a text document.
- Calendar events with email reminders.
- Email to self (has low success rate)
- Set alarm or timmer. The random alarm jogs my memory.
Google Keep
