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I used to be obsessed with trying new note taking apps, but I've been the happiest and most productive using Vim and Markdown on my laptop synced via Syncthing

I used to be obsessed with trying new note taking apps, but I've been the happiest and most productive using Vim and Markdown on my laptop synced via Syncthing to my phone and editing with Markor. I've used Vim for as long as I could program, so I am embarrassed that it took me so long to set this up (a few months ago) but I finally don't care about note taking apps. Edit: sometimes I print my notes and for that I use the Vim plugin MarkdownPreview to render to the browser, then print there

fatline 6y ago
what do you use for syntax highlighting? I have tried a few options but can't quite get what I need. I like url hiding (or is it called folding?) that VimWiki does for md files, but I hate that VimWiki's does not really follow the md standard
criddell 6y ago
My problem with a text file is how clunky it is to include images.
mark_l_watson 6y ago
Me to, then I just stopped. The enabling moment came when I found a free app that backs up Apple Notes in a portable format. I use the iCloud.com web app on my Linux laptops to access notes, and on my copious Apple devices, the Notes app is easy to use. Some sad history: I spent years carefully making notes and organizing material in Evernote but realized that I spent much more time curating material than ever using it.
- hboon 6y ago
  Can you share that app that backs up Apple Notes?
  - mark_l_watson 6y ago
    The app is called Exporter. Try searching the macOS store for “Exporter Notes”
    - hboon 6y ago
      Thanks!
esrh 6y ago
Just use emacs org-mode lol
idm 6y ago
This is basically what I do. I then use Gthnk (http://gthnk.com http://gthnk.com) to navigate all my markdown files. I sync with dropbox or seafile, but it's the same basic idea. Gthnk renders to PDF for printing. In fact, a medium-term goal is full import/export via hardcopy, which requires paper-oriented output. Disclaimer: I'm the author of Gthnk.
TheMatten 6y ago
Neuron (https://neuron.zettel.page/ https://neuron.zettel.page/) can be useful for this approach - it's purpose is to basically turn folder of Markdown (or Org-mode) notes into static, interlinked page with pretty formatting, tree view and search support. Not only is it great for making reading more pleasant, it works great for building blogs and knowledge bases.
0xdeadb00f 6y ago
The problem I have is Markor's ugly design. I prefer a UI like that of the app "Monospace" (which I don't use, because it isn't open source). I'm more of a developer than an end user but I still cannot stand apps with odd, "ugly" UI. I get this is mostly subjective though. Edit: I downloaded Markor just to see again. It's actually not as awful as I remember, I do dislike the primary dark purple however. Otherwise, it's quite decent, I might start using it.

fatline 6y ago

what do you use for syntax highlighting? I have tried a few options but can't quite get what I need. I like url hiding (or is it called folding?) that VimWiki does for md files, but I hate that VimWiki's does not really follow the md standard

criddell 6y ago

My problem with a text file is how clunky it is to include images.

mark_l_watson 6y ago

Me to, then I just stopped. The enabling moment came when I found a free app that backs up Apple Notes in a portable format. I use the iCloud.com web app on my Linux laptops to access notes, and on my copious Apple devices, the Notes app is easy to use. Some sad history: I spent years carefully making notes and organizing material in Evernote but realized that I spent much more time curating material than ever using it.

hboon 6y ago
Can you share that app that backs up Apple Notes?
- mark_l_watson 6y ago
  The app is called Exporter. Try searching the macOS store for “Exporter Notes”
  - hboon 6y ago
    Thanks!

esrh 6y ago

Just use emacs org-mode lol

idm 6y ago

This is basically what I do. I then use Gthnk (http://gthnk.com http://gthnk.com) to navigate all my markdown files. I sync with dropbox or seafile, but it's the same basic idea. Gthnk renders to PDF for printing. In fact, a medium-term goal is full import/export via hardcopy, which requires paper-oriented output. Disclaimer: I'm the author of Gthnk.

TheMatten 6y ago

Neuron (https://neuron.zettel.page/ https://neuron.zettel.page/) can be useful for this approach - it's purpose is to basically turn folder of Markdown (or Org-mode) notes into static, interlinked page with pretty formatting, tree view and search support. Not only is it great for making reading more pleasant, it works great for building blogs and knowledge bases.

0xdeadb00f 6y ago

The problem I have is Markor's ugly design. I prefer a UI like that of the app "Monospace" (which I don't use, because it isn't open source). I'm more of a developer than an end user but I still cannot stand apps with odd, "ugly" UI. I get this is mostly subjective though. Edit: I downloaded Markor just to see again. It's actually not as awful as I remember, I do dislike the primary dark purple however. Otherwise, it's quite decent, I might start using it.