3 ms·

Why is there an abundance of note taking apps? Why is it that this particular category of software/apps sees a new one every now and then?

erklik 6y ago
I think Notion was the first one of the recent bunch, and they created something much better than the standard "Write some text" and since they got traction, others saw that they could do better and have started focusing in that direction.
ChefboyOG 6y ago
TL;DR: I think this is down to the convergence of some perennial dynamics, and the recent success of apps like Notion, as another commenter alluded to. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. As someone for whom research + writing are a primary component of daily work, I'm probably a little too willing to play with new note taking apps :) I think the recent surge is actually a convergence of several different trends: 1. There's always been a decent volume of new note taking apps, in large part because of how tempting they are as a project. They feel both approachable (until you try to build one), and they're such a familiar-yet-blank canvas that it's incredibly easy to come up with a "tweak" that makes yours different. 2. The love people have for Notion, and the so-far success of the company, have made it a more attractive niche for more serious startup-y people. Where you used to see more solo projects, you're now seeing a decent amount of apps built by full teams. 3. Human nature. While I am the first to evangelize the impact taking better notes can have, it has also been my experience that note taking systems are the ultimate bike shed problem. It's easy to tinker with them and try new apps out, believing that you'll find the perfect system that will unlock your inner genius. I think a lot of project management and productivity software has a similar thing going.
- jrimbault 6y ago
  re 1. In my experience, it's often the first vague idea for a school project a teacher will give their students. Personnally, like many things, I've built a custom script atop git to manage my notes. And another to manage a journal. And another, and another. Just building off of git.
biophysboy 6y ago
My hypothesis is they are selling "transformation". I think that humans find a lot of meaning from starting fresh with a new method or point of view. This fact drives everything from baptism to Marie Kondo (not equating the two or saying either is stupid).

erklik 6y ago

I think Notion was the first one of the recent bunch, and they created something much better than the standard "Write some text" and since they got traction, others saw that they could do better and have started focusing in that direction.

ChefboyOG 6y ago

TL;DR: I think this is down to the convergence of some perennial dynamics, and the recent success of apps like Notion, as another commenter alluded to. I've spent a lot of time thinking about this. As someone for whom research + writing are a primary component of daily work, I'm probably a little too willing to play with new note taking apps :) I think the recent surge is actually a convergence of several different trends: 1. There's always been a decent volume of new note taking apps, in large part because of how tempting they are as a project. They feel both approachable (until you try to build one), and they're such a familiar-yet-blank canvas that it's incredibly easy to come up with a "tweak" that makes yours different. 2. The love people have for Notion, and the so-far success of the company, have made it a more attractive niche for more serious startup-y people. Where you used to see more solo projects, you're now seeing a decent amount of apps built by full teams. 3. Human nature. While I am the first to evangelize the impact taking better notes can have, it has also been my experience that note taking systems are the ultimate bike shed problem. It's easy to tinker with them and try new apps out, believing that you'll find the perfect system that will unlock your inner genius. I think a lot of project management and productivity software has a similar thing going.

jrimbault 6y ago
re 1. In my experience, it's often the first vague idea for a school project a teacher will give their students. Personnally, like many things, I've built a custom script atop git to manage my notes. And another to manage a journal. And another, and another. Just building off of git.

biophysboy 6y ago

My hypothesis is they are selling "transformation". I think that humans find a lot of meaning from starting fresh with a new method or point of view. This fact drives everything from baptism to Marie Kondo (not equating the two or saying either is stupid).