7 ms·

What is the best cross-platform note taking tool?

66 points by StuieK 13y ago

bdfh42 13y ago
I am making use of StackEdit https://stackedit.io/ https://stackedit.io/ - brilliant and works fine across devices.
- deleted 13y ago
  [deleted]
- michaelbuddy 13y ago
  nice. open source too according to this: https://github.com/benweet/stackedit https://github.com/benweet/stackedit - so it stores the files locally and then you can share / store docs across drive and other storage sites including wordpress and more. this one deserves another look.
spindritf 13y ago
Tomboy¹ with Tomdroid² and Rainy³ for sync. I know, mono, but it's free, open-source, self-hosted, and a Gnome classic. EDIT: added http://www.slant.co/topics/697/viewpoints/12/~what-is-the-best-cross-platform-note-taking-tool~tomboy http://www.slant.co/topics/697/viewpoints/12/~what-is-the-be... ¹ https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tomboy https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tomboy ² https://launchpad.net/tomdroid https://launchpad.net/tomdroid (.apk, not the Play version) ³ http://www.notesync.org/ http://www.notesync.org/
- themodelplumber 13y ago
  Does sync really work well for you? I had crazy problems syncing Tomboy in the past, but that was ~4 years ago.
  - spindritf 13y ago
    Rainy didn't exist 4 years ago. I had some occasional problems with notes losing their categories or causing conflicts for no good reason but it has worked relatively well.
davecap1 13y ago
I find a notebook and pen works best for me :) Otherwise I save markdown files to dropbox.
- themodelplumber 13y ago
  That's exactly what I do. I go through lots of Miquelrius notebooks like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Miquelrius-Wirebound-Notebook-6-Subject-College/dp/B009E6WFN6 http://www.amazon.com/Miquelrius-Wirebound-Notebook-6-Subjec... I use Freemind sometimes, too, for example when I have a huge project in front of me and I need to get a quick sense of the various parts and their sub-tasks. I apply little icons like a bomb with a lit fuse for "waiting on client", green checkmark for "done," etc.
  - davecap1 13y ago
    I've used those notebooks too! Now I use Muji notebooks. They are pretty nice http://www.muji.us/store/stationery/notebooks/recycled-paper-note-double-ring-dark-grey-b5-plain-80.html http://www.muji.us/store/stationery/notebooks/recycled-paper...
  - pasbesoin 13y ago
    As an aside: $13.99? Seriously? I'm willing to pay more for quality, but that seems rather high for what one is getting. The description does not even include acid-free/buffered paper. I understand that Moleskins and the like are a thing, these days. But what makes this item worth $14 per 300 page notebook? I don't mean this as some sarcastic, rhetorical comment. I'm genuinely curious as to what makes this notebook worth that price. (A question from someone who has e.g. spent more than he might need to on "the right" pen... :-)
    - jlees 13y ago
      I love the Miquelrius/Paperchase style notebooks but haven't paid quite that much for them, I think. The grid/line-height is a good size and the multi-colour paper in the subject notebooks makes them really handy for multiple projects. I also find the paper nice to write on, but that's quite subjective.
the1 13y ago
http://www.markdownnotes.com/ http://www.markdownnotes.com/ would be perfect if it's packaged as an offline chrome app. and can sync with online server of users' choice (s3, dropbox, ... etc)
ctopjian 13y ago
I use https://evernote.com https://evernote.com and the we clipper add-on for chrome is perfect...
aufreak3 13y ago
Workflowy is one of the best I've come across and one I use personally for text. The interface is super productive and the degree of depth possible with that simplicity is just stunning. The real downside for me is that my notes are on their server. I really hate that. So .. I keep getting back to org mode .. which isn't available everywhere.
- npsimons 13y ago
  It's on the three major desktop platforms (Linux, OSX and Windows), and it's on Android. Not saying it's super easy to use on Android, but I've been rocking org-mode on my N900 for over three years. Combined with git+ssh and my own private server (you could easily setup on a cheap VPS), it's been a lifesaver many a time. I've been too lazy/busy to look into it, but something like git-annex assistant (http://git-annex.branchable.com/assistant/ http://git-annex.branchable.com/assistant/) seems like another good stepping stone.
- parley 13y ago
  Me too. I am quite reluctant to keep any data plaintext in cloud services, but I couldn't live without Workflowy. I asked them about the possibility of self-hosting, but unfortunately it wasn't in the cards at the moment. I'll keep using it anyway, because it goes with my mind like PB goes with J.
- chime 13y ago
  Is there a real demand for this? I made https://zetabee.com/text https://zetabee.com/text in 2010 and have been using it myself every single day since there. My app is plain-text and has lots of keyboard shortcuts. I could most likely convert it to work with any JSON key-val store, including localStorage (which will disappear if you clear your cache). After almost 4 years, my app is currently used by less than a few hundred people so I never thought there is a big demand in this area. I just made it for myself. It'll take me some time to re-code it (and most certainly open-source it) but if enough people like what it does and how it works, I'm all up for it.
  - aufreak3 13y ago
nextos 13y ago
org-mode Emacs
- arca_vorago 13y ago
  I have been working at learning Emacs and have just recently started using org-mode and love it. I tend to not trust anything but a VPN or SSH connection these days and being able to just ssh into a box of mine (down with the cloud) and quickly take notes is not just handy and fairly secure, but it's cross platform because SSH. (putty if I'm stuck at a windows machine)
jebblue 13y ago
Gedit + git.
executive 13y ago
Wunderlist
npsimons 13y ago
Org-mode in Emacs, hands down.
sogen 13y ago
Simplenote is great: works in the browser, has OSX apps (Notational Velocity is great and free), and a free iOS app too
- foolproof 13y ago
  Although Simplenote now has an official OS X app [¹] I'd strongly suggest nvALT [²] which is essentially Notational Velocity with some nice additional features and under active development. [1] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id692867256 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id692867256 [2] http://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt/ http://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt/
samsquire 13y ago
This is a nice design for reviews where each product has individually voted features. Would be cool to be able to facet search on aspects like you might on an ecommerce website. (So you could compare products from different perspectives.)
pacomerh 13y ago
I'll give Wunderlist a vote, its simple and cross platform. When taking notes never over complicate.
tynan 13y ago
Check out NoteCasePro. It's the only solution I could find that allows me to sync an encrypted file myself that I could open in Android and Linux (/windows/mac). It has a ton of advanced features, but I just use the basics like hierarchies and image embedding.
thenerdfiles 13y ago
Vim to Dropbox with markdown files. You get encryption for free with :X. You can also easily set up Vimwiki. You can do real-time collaboration with Floobits. You can store them in git repo and access them via Github (or http://prose.io http://prose.io), and manage with git-flow.
- thenerdfiles 13y ago
  I'd also combine Vimwiki with todo.txt, the commandline tool. You can pipe your todo list with tags and categories to Vim, thus wikifying it, or pipe it to pandoc and export as PDF, HTML, LaTeX, slideshows, etc.
jw_ 13y ago
org-mode + emacs.
suprjami 13y ago
Not fucking Evernote. This poll is already tainted by Valley startup Mac hipsters moving to Vietnam taking only their iPad Mini and a pair of trousers.
nutate 13y ago
Pen and/or pencil and paper. Mead, Moleskine, Rhodia all make great paper notebooks along with Staples, OfficeMax having house brands. Pens and pencils are available from a variety of sellers as well. Lacks text searchability, distributed backups and portability (it's not on your phone all the time). Has multiple tactile benefits. Can always be scanned for digital backup if need be. Far less likely to be hacked, never has a version that randomly deletes a note. Forces you to keep notes in an actual place not essentially a series of memory addresses of local and/or remote computer. As someone who's played with nearly every item on this list from tiddlywiki to vim wiki to the mind mappers evernote, .plan files, etc etc. Paper is still the most flexible. I just think differently when I'm not limited by keyboards and/or almost OK drawing interfaces (aka penultimate, paper (the app), etc). A little DoxieGo scanner and paper is the place to be. Otherwise you'll find yourself looking back at your vast cache of notes in cloudnot.es (or whatever new YC15 startup comes up with the new hot note app that revolutionizes your life) that document your thoughts from 2014-2019 and you'll end up wondering... what really mattered here? How do I save this... Why did I save this? Do I need this note on what I wanted to buy my ex-boyfriend for valentine's day 2017? Etc etc. The ephemeral nature of paper is perhaps its biggest feature, forcing you to save it or delete it. Or just go full Warhol and save everything: http://edu.warhol.org/aract_timecap.html http://edu.warhol.org/aract_timecap.html
- jlees 13y ago
  I love pen and paper, and use it a lot. But I'm still struggling for a solution to capture things like bookmarks/mobile thoughts in a way that I can use alongside paper. Right now I use a combination of Google Keep and Pocket, which are great for capture but I fail to review them regularly enough IMO. Paper you can't help reviewing every time you use it :)
analog31 13y ago
One interesting aspect of a paper notebook is that you know exactly what information you're carrying across a border. Of course paper notes have security issues, but all of those issues are known and easy to understand. The front door is open, but there are no back doors.
hyp0 13y ago
This submission looks like it's to promote slant (and checking, the submitter is from slant). Nothing wrong with that! I think because comparisons often cause a flurry of opinions, experiences and religious wars, slant seem to have instant publicity baked into the very essence of their idea (of comparisons). Interestingly, nobody has commented on slant itself - suggesting that the interface is seamless, invisible. Arguably, the very best feedback possible!
nimrody 13y ago
Is there anything that can be used as a "research notebook"? Specifically, I need to embed graphs/images within the text.
- inetsee 13y ago
  You might try looking at iPython Notebook "http://ipython.org/notebook.html" http://ipython.org/notebook.html". I haven't actually used it (I prefer org-mode) but according to the web site "you can combine code execution, text, mathematics, plots and rich media into a single document".
- lobster_johnson 13y ago
  Evernote is pretty good at that. The text can contain inline images, video clips and binary attachments -- the note editor is basically a small word processor.
  - nimrody 13y ago
    That's what I currently use. However, the recent HN post about Evernote had paying users complaining about data loss!
- jlees 13y ago
  Scrivener's actually an interesting tool for research, depending on your exact needs. Not as cross-platform as it should be though.
- grok2 13y ago
  Check out https://gingkoapp.com https://gingkoapp.com . I think they can embed images, not sure about graphs. Overall I find this an interesting way to structure and create documents -- sort of like mind-maps but more textual.
clarry 13y ago
vi
akiselev 13y ago
For those looking for a physical alternative that also converts to digital notes (and synchronizes notes with a audio recorder on the pen), LiveScribe is particularly amazing: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/ http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/ It uses a special dot matrix notebook (5 pack for like $25-30) that allow it to record all notes written and synchronize with audio so that you can press the pen anywhere in your notes and replay what was said while you were taking notes. Comes with some smartphone app integration and desktop sync stuff.
runjake 13y ago
One nice option is KeepNote (http://keepnote.org http://keepnote.org). It's written in PyGTK and is portable across Linux, Windows, and OS X. It stores things in HTML. It's pretty flexible and has a handy screenshot tool built-in. It's not sexy, but it's flexible and does the job.
x0054 13y ago
Does anyone know of a good tree structure notepad for OSX? Something like MyNoteKeeper [1] on windows. The key features I have been looking for are a tree structure where each node can have text and files associated with it, and can have children nodes. [1] http://www.mynoteskeeper.com/ http://www.mynoteskeeper.com/
philsnow 13y ago
ssh to emacs org mode

66 points by StuieK 13y ago

bdfh42 13y ago

I am making use of StackEdit https://stackedit.io/ https://stackedit.io/ - brilliant and works fine across devices.

deleted 13y ago
[deleted]
michaelbuddy 13y ago
nice. open source too according to this: https://github.com/benweet/stackedit https://github.com/benweet/stackedit - so it stores the files locally and then you can share / store docs across drive and other storage sites including wordpress and more. this one deserves another look.

spindritf 13y ago

Tomboy¹ with Tomdroid² and Rainy³ for sync. I know, mono, but it's free, open-source, self-hosted, and a Gnome classic. EDIT: added http://www.slant.co/topics/697/viewpoints/12/~what-is-the-best-cross-platform-note-taking-tool~tomboy http://www.slant.co/topics/697/viewpoints/12/~what-is-the-be... ¹ https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tomboy https://wiki.gnome.org/Apps/Tomboy ² https://launchpad.net/tomdroid https://launchpad.net/tomdroid (.apk, not the Play version) ³ http://www.notesync.org/ http://www.notesync.org/

themodelplumber 13y ago
Does sync really work well for you? I had crazy problems syncing Tomboy in the past, but that was ~4 years ago.
- spindritf 13y ago
  Rainy didn't exist 4 years ago. I had some occasional problems with notes losing their categories or causing conflicts for no good reason but it has worked relatively well.

davecap1 13y ago

I find a notebook and pen works best for me :) Otherwise I save markdown files to dropbox.

themodelplumber 13y ago
That's exactly what I do. I go through lots of Miquelrius notebooks like this one: http://www.amazon.com/Miquelrius-Wirebound-Notebook-6-Subject-College/dp/B009E6WFN6 http://www.amazon.com/Miquelrius-Wirebound-Notebook-6-Subjec... I use Freemind sometimes, too, for example when I have a huge project in front of me and I need to get a quick sense of the various parts and their sub-tasks. I apply little icons like a bomb with a lit fuse for "waiting on client", green checkmark for "done," etc.
- davecap1 13y ago
  I've used those notebooks too! Now I use Muji notebooks. They are pretty nice http://www.muji.us/store/stationery/notebooks/recycled-paper-note-double-ring-dark-grey-b5-plain-80.html http://www.muji.us/store/stationery/notebooks/recycled-paper...
- pasbesoin 13y ago
  As an aside: $13.99? Seriously? I'm willing to pay more for quality, but that seems rather high for what one is getting. The description does not even include acid-free/buffered paper. I understand that Moleskins and the like are a thing, these days. But what makes this item worth $14 per 300 page notebook? I don't mean this as some sarcastic, rhetorical comment. I'm genuinely curious as to what makes this notebook worth that price. (A question from someone who has e.g. spent more than he might need to on "the right" pen... :-)
  - jlees 13y ago
    I love the Miquelrius/Paperchase style notebooks but haven't paid quite that much for them, I think. The grid/line-height is a good size and the multi-colour paper in the subject notebooks makes them really handy for multiple projects. I also find the paper nice to write on, but that's quite subjective.

the1 13y ago

http://www.markdownnotes.com/ http://www.markdownnotes.com/ would be perfect if it's packaged as an offline chrome app. and can sync with online server of users' choice (s3, dropbox, ... etc)

ctopjian 13y ago

I use https://evernote.com https://evernote.com and the we clipper add-on for chrome is perfect...

aufreak3 13y ago

Workflowy is one of the best I've come across and one I use personally for text. The interface is super productive and the degree of depth possible with that simplicity is just stunning. The real downside for me is that my notes are on their server. I really hate that. So .. I keep getting back to org mode .. which isn't available everywhere.

npsimons 13y ago
It's on the three major desktop platforms (Linux, OSX and Windows), and it's on Android. Not saying it's super easy to use on Android, but I've been rocking org-mode on my N900 for over three years. Combined with git+ssh and my own private server (you could easily setup on a cheap VPS), it's been a lifesaver many a time. I've been too lazy/busy to look into it, but something like git-annex assistant (http://git-annex.branchable.com/assistant/ http://git-annex.branchable.com/assistant/) seems like another good stepping stone.
parley 13y ago
Me too. I am quite reluctant to keep any data plaintext in cloud services, but I couldn't live without Workflowy. I asked them about the possibility of self-hosting, but unfortunately it wasn't in the cards at the moment. I'll keep using it anyway, because it goes with my mind like PB goes with J.
chime 13y ago
Is there a real demand for this? I made https://zetabee.com/text https://zetabee.com/text in 2010 and have been using it myself every single day since there. My app is plain-text and has lots of keyboard shortcuts. I could most likely convert it to work with any JSON key-val store, including localStorage (which will disappear if you clear your cache). After almost 4 years, my app is currently used by less than a few hundred people so I never thought there is a big demand in this area. I just made it for myself. It'll take me some time to re-code it (and most certainly open-source it) but if enough people like what it does and how it works, I'm all up for it.
- aufreak3 13y ago

nextos 13y ago

org-mode Emacs

arca_vorago 13y ago
I have been working at learning Emacs and have just recently started using org-mode and love it. I tend to not trust anything but a VPN or SSH connection these days and being able to just ssh into a box of mine (down with the cloud) and quickly take notes is not just handy and fairly secure, but it's cross platform because SSH. (putty if I'm stuck at a windows machine)

jebblue 13y ago

Gedit + git.

executive 13y ago

Wunderlist

npsimons 13y ago

Org-mode in Emacs, hands down.

sogen 13y ago

Simplenote is great: works in the browser, has OSX apps (Notational Velocity is great and free), and a free iOS app too

foolproof 13y ago
Although Simplenote now has an official OS X app [¹] I'd strongly suggest nvALT [²] which is essentially Notational Velocity with some nice additional features and under active development. [1] https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id692867256 https://itunes.apple.com/us/app/simplenote/id692867256 [2] http://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt/ http://brettterpstra.com/projects/nvalt/

samsquire 13y ago

This is a nice design for reviews where each product has individually voted features. Would be cool to be able to facet search on aspects like you might on an ecommerce website. (So you could compare products from different perspectives.)

pacomerh 13y ago

I'll give Wunderlist a vote, its simple and cross platform. When taking notes never over complicate.

tynan 13y ago

Check out NoteCasePro. It's the only solution I could find that allows me to sync an encrypted file myself that I could open in Android and Linux (/windows/mac). It has a ton of advanced features, but I just use the basics like hierarchies and image embedding.

thenerdfiles 13y ago

Vim to Dropbox with markdown files. You get encryption for free with :X. You can also easily set up Vimwiki. You can do real-time collaboration with Floobits. You can store them in git repo and access them via Github (or http://prose.io http://prose.io), and manage with git-flow.

thenerdfiles 13y ago
I'd also combine Vimwiki with todo.txt, the commandline tool. You can pipe your todo list with tags and categories to Vim, thus wikifying it, or pipe it to pandoc and export as PDF, HTML, LaTeX, slideshows, etc.

jw_ 13y ago

org-mode + emacs.

suprjami 13y ago

Not fucking Evernote. This poll is already tainted by Valley startup Mac hipsters moving to Vietnam taking only their iPad Mini and a pair of trousers.

nutate 13y ago

Pen and/or pencil and paper. Mead, Moleskine, Rhodia all make great paper notebooks along with Staples, OfficeMax having house brands. Pens and pencils are available from a variety of sellers as well. Lacks text searchability, distributed backups and portability (it's not on your phone all the time). Has multiple tactile benefits. Can always be scanned for digital backup if need be. Far less likely to be hacked, never has a version that randomly deletes a note. Forces you to keep notes in an actual place not essentially a series of memory addresses of local and/or remote computer. As someone who's played with nearly every item on this list from tiddlywiki to vim wiki to the mind mappers evernote, .plan files, etc etc. Paper is still the most flexible. I just think differently when I'm not limited by keyboards and/or almost OK drawing interfaces (aka penultimate, paper (the app), etc). A little DoxieGo scanner and paper is the place to be. Otherwise you'll find yourself looking back at your vast cache of notes in cloudnot.es (or whatever new YC15 startup comes up with the new hot note app that revolutionizes your life) that document your thoughts from 2014-2019 and you'll end up wondering... what really mattered here? How do I save this... Why did I save this? Do I need this note on what I wanted to buy my ex-boyfriend for valentine's day 2017? Etc etc. The ephemeral nature of paper is perhaps its biggest feature, forcing you to save it or delete it. Or just go full Warhol and save everything: http://edu.warhol.org/aract_timecap.html http://edu.warhol.org/aract_timecap.html

jlees 13y ago
I love pen and paper, and use it a lot. But I'm still struggling for a solution to capture things like bookmarks/mobile thoughts in a way that I can use alongside paper. Right now I use a combination of Google Keep and Pocket, which are great for capture but I fail to review them regularly enough IMO. Paper you can't help reviewing every time you use it :)

analog31 13y ago

One interesting aspect of a paper notebook is that you know exactly what information you're carrying across a border. Of course paper notes have security issues, but all of those issues are known and easy to understand. The front door is open, but there are no back doors.

hyp0 13y ago

This submission looks like it's to promote slant (and checking, the submitter is from slant). Nothing wrong with that! I think because comparisons often cause a flurry of opinions, experiences and religious wars, slant seem to have instant publicity baked into the very essence of their idea (of comparisons). Interestingly, nobody has commented on slant itself - suggesting that the interface is seamless, invisible. Arguably, the very best feedback possible!

nimrody 13y ago

Is there anything that can be used as a "research notebook"? Specifically, I need to embed graphs/images within the text.

inetsee 13y ago
You might try looking at iPython Notebook "http://ipython.org/notebook.html" http://ipython.org/notebook.html". I haven't actually used it (I prefer org-mode) but according to the web site "you can combine code execution, text, mathematics, plots and rich media into a single document".
lobster_johnson 13y ago
Evernote is pretty good at that. The text can contain inline images, video clips and binary attachments -- the note editor is basically a small word processor.
- nimrody 13y ago
  That's what I currently use. However, the recent HN post about Evernote had paying users complaining about data loss!
jlees 13y ago
Scrivener's actually an interesting tool for research, depending on your exact needs. Not as cross-platform as it should be though.
grok2 13y ago
Check out https://gingkoapp.com https://gingkoapp.com . I think they can embed images, not sure about graphs. Overall I find this an interesting way to structure and create documents -- sort of like mind-maps but more textual.

clarry 13y ago

akiselev 13y ago

For those looking for a physical alternative that also converts to digital notes (and synchronizes notes with a audio recorder on the pen), LiveScribe is particularly amazing: http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/ http://www.livescribe.com/en-us/ It uses a special dot matrix notebook (5 pack for like $25-30) that allow it to record all notes written and synchronize with audio so that you can press the pen anywhere in your notes and replay what was said while you were taking notes. Comes with some smartphone app integration and desktop sync stuff.

runjake 13y ago

One nice option is KeepNote (http://keepnote.org http://keepnote.org). It's written in PyGTK and is portable across Linux, Windows, and OS X. It stores things in HTML. It's pretty flexible and has a handy screenshot tool built-in. It's not sexy, but it's flexible and does the job.

x0054 13y ago

Does anyone know of a good tree structure notepad for OSX? Something like MyNoteKeeper [1] on windows. The key features I have been looking for are a tree structure where each node can have text and files associated with it, and can have children nodes. [1] http://www.mynoteskeeper.com/ http://www.mynoteskeeper.com/

philsnow 13y ago

ssh to emacs org mode