Subscribe to ForumIAS

Anyone who has successfully made extensive handwritten notes on tab/ipad ?

I am looking for someone who has completely or nearly replaced a physical notebook and made notes on tablet either pencil.

Anyone here who has done that?


What software did you use? What are the pros and cons?

AzadHindFauz,HDand6 otherslike this
23.8k views

49 comments

Notabilty is a great app but specially for ipad.
Neyawn,
3.9k views

Me, who uses JK Easy paper n Cello Butterflow:


dalpha,GaryVeeand10 otherslike this
3.7k views

Me, who uses JK Easy paper n Cello Butterflow:


 😂😂🤝 

classmate registers and reynolds pen 

only hand written pen paper notes 


Per Aspera 

Ad Astra

sstarrr,ryzenauster
3.7k views
Deleted

I used notability in my iPad 10.5, have tried OneNote et . But now settled with notability

Neyawn,
3.6k views


Doing it this time on Samsung Notes.

Pros- 

1. "Find" feature enables me to search content even written in my own handwriting. The AI is super on this. 

2. Typing content on Evernote/OneNote had limitations. You could not draw flow charts, diagrams, put images from the internet to your notes with ease etc. Basically, making notes now on tablet is akin to physical note-making which involves me actively with the topic I'm taking notes of + the added features of digital notes (searchability to add content in relevant topics as and when issues appear)

3. Easy to revise- Revising with a pen and using the highlight feature gives the feel of 'pen-paper' format which is the still the best way to do things for better retention. Revision on Evernote/OneNote was a tough job because it involved passive reading of things on a screen!


4. Multi-window functionality: Makes it easy to switch between windows on the go. If I'm stuck, I can take pictures from YouTube videos, write on them, refer Wikipedia seamlessly. I used to do this with Evernote too but it it took a lot of time. The main reason why I chose to go for Tablet because I had exhausted all the features of Evernote and wanted to do more with my notes.



Cons- 

1. You totally give up pen and paper for good which is not a good thing as we need to be in writing practice for Mains.

No other cons.



Tablet note-taking is the next succession step in the digital evolution!







I was almost convinces of Evernote, which I was beautifully using for nearly a decade now. But the latest updates have made it superslow. Plus, I love to use Consolas font, or Courier from coding days - and with new update, cannot change that.

Yes, typing is a pain, but the search really helps in time of need. 

With handwritten, I am just having the doubt that mutiple times I have had to switch back to pen paper and then to types.

I just want to settle down with one approach for the rest of my life. 


2.6k views

I have been working on Obsidian for other purposes. I have started my UPSC prep with this app since 2023.

It has all the features required to make a comprehensive notes- 

for eg,

1. Division in folders, files.

2. Calender to map progress.

3. We can embed YouTube videos, which is my favourite feature. You can embed playlists!

4. Embed pdfs, mp4 files, images.

5. You can make tags to find content easily. Like I have created tags from Syllabus itself.

6. Templates.

7. Excalidraw extension for graphs.

8. You can spilt the screen for long files.

9. Has tabs like google.

10. Ofcourse, allows to add links, and you can even link internal files.

Attaching a screenshot

You are a true poweruser!

2.6k views
If someone is using paper and pen all throughout,then switching to even Evernote and typing over there becomes a little tough.
I tried making notes but eventually gave up .
Sometimes suffer from fomo as everyone is using either the Evernote or one note.
Do you know anyone who used paper and pen for CA OR VALUE ADDITION TO existing static notes.


This years Rank 1 itself. Complete Pen and Paper girl.

sup,
2.7k views

@Neyawn 

This is how I have organised notes. I have integrated all the MGP questions + PYQs of the past 3 years topicwise. The next task is to further consolidate them in pointers. I keep on adding CA in respective topics daily. 

For Prelims, separate folders for main subjects to accumulate the 'wrongs' in the test series I'm attempting. The accumulated fodder and the topics related to them will be revised intensively.





This looks like the Desktop Version of Samsung Notes. Does it even have one?

Having a big Tab also has its own challenges when it comes to reading. 

Big Tab = Great writing, but poor reading becuase of portability issues

Small Tab = Great reading, but poor writing

2.6k views

DMsaid

Neyawnsaid

» show previous quotes

What size are you looking for, and what is the purpose? Note making or notes consumption / reading?

sir, i don't have any idea about size but (ha handy hona chahiyae) it is more for  note making solely for ( education) . 🙏

Handy means small tab = not good for writing

Large Tab = good for writing  = not great for laying in bed and reading like a book, which you will need to do at times.

DM,
3.6k views

Neyawnsaid

@Neyawn 

This is how I have organised notes. I have integrated all the MGP questions + PYQs of the past 3 years topicwise. The next task is to further consolidate them in pointers. I keep on adding CA in respective topics daily. 

For Prelims, separate folders for main subjects to accumulate the 'wrongs' in the test series I'm attempting. The accumulated fodder and the topics related to them will be revised intensively.





This looks like the Desktop Version of Samsung Notes. Does it even have one?

Having a big Tab also has its own challenges when it comes to reading. 

Big Tab = Great writing, but poor reading becuase of portability issues

Small Tab = Great reading, but poor writing

I saw the desktop version of Samsung Notes, but cannot install on my Windows Laptop.

Samsung now has its own Laptop, and the way these Tech companies have been working on the ecosystem approach, I dont think Samsung Notes will be available on non-Samsung Laptops in coming days.

Perfect way to kill a billion dollar app!

2.6k views

This is for geeks*

Those of you who have even done coding, or even not done, and have Google docs, do try Notepad++

Its Open Source, Free and very very lightweight.

Also, with the backup plugin, all data is real time backed to Google drive.

Secondly, you can open all 7-10 Tabs - History, Geog , Eco and work on them simulatenously without slowing down and with auto save that works like charm.

Its a simple text editor for those who like to type. Not RTE

dalpha,
2.6k views

Blogged about Samsung Notes on Windows

https://blog.forumias.com/working-how-to-install-samsung-notes-on-windows-march-2023/

P.S. Already having dry eyes due to excessive device use due to 14 day quarantine :(

HD,
2.7k views
@Neyawn have been using iPad Air along with Apple Pencil for GoodNotes . Size wise it hits the sweet spot for writing as well as reading. And also data is uploaded on drive and has multiple user friendly features. Only con is that the whole setup is a bit expensive.


2.2k views

Neyawnsaid

I have been working on Obsidian for other purposes. I have started my UPSC prep with this app since 2023.

It has all the features required to make a comprehensive notes- 

for eg,

1. Division in folders, files.

2. Calender to map progress.

3. We can embed YouTube videos, which is my favourite feature. You can embed playlists!

4. Embed pdfs, mp4 files, images.

5. You can make tags to find content easily. Like I have created tags from Syllabus itself.

6. Templates.

7. Excalidraw extension for graphs.

8. You can spilt the screen for long files.

9. Has tabs like google.

10. Ofcourse, allows to add links, and you can even link internal files.

Attaching a screenshot

You are a true poweruser!

Thinking back, I am must warn you though. Your capacity to organise information and get it at quick click of a button has increased, but this would also mean a lot of information overload, which may not be so useful for the Mains. 

Are you also appearing for Indian Economic Service?

SwetSagar,
2.4k views
@Neyawn have been using iPad Air along with Apple Pencil for GoodNotes . Size wise it hits the sweet spot for writing as well as reading. And also data is uploaded on drive and has multiple user friendly features. Only con is that the whole setup is a bit expensive.


For how many hours / weeks / months / years have you been doing it? 

What is helping you from relapsing to pen and paper as has happened with many of us :P

2.3k views

Neyawnsaid

@Neyawn have been using iPad Air along with Apple Pencil for GoodNotes . Size wise it hits the sweet spot for writing as well as reading. And also data is uploaded on drive and has multiple user friendly features. Only con is that the whole setup is a bit expensive.


For how many hours / weeks / months / years have you been doing it? 

What is helping you from relapsing to pen and paper as has happened with many of us :P

Have been using it from December 2022 onwards for majority of my study time. And now I am used to writing on ipad, so did not feel the need to go back to pen paper for note making as of now.  

2k views

@Neyawn using iPad Air with Apple pencil and combo of Google Doc - Notability ( can edit/write on pdf easily, maintaining good hand writing with readability )


- Linked notability to google drive for cross device functionality, also, its easy to make subjects, divide in notability.

- Using google doc for compiling random google search knowledge, monthly CA notes and exporting them to notability for further reading/revision/editing.

- For exhaustive notes making, still relying on pen paper, and on some easy day, scanning them for quick revision/editing/short notes on notability.


Pro : Google doc provides laptop-ipad read and quick notes making, and then exporting them on notability helps for quick revision/editing.

Con : Notability only available on ios.

2.1k views

I have been using both Goodnotes 5 and Notability for the last 2 years. 

PS - 1st pic is from Notability and the last 2 are from GoodNotes 





AzadHindFauz,ryzenausterand1 otherslike this
2.9k views

Neyawnsaid

This is for geeks*

Those of you who have even done coding, or even not done, and have Google docs, do try Notepad++

Its Open Source, Free and very very lightweight.

Also, with the backup plugin, all data is real time backed to Google drive.

Secondly, you can open all 7-10 Tabs - History, Geog , Eco and work on them simulatenously without slowing down and with auto save that works like charm.

Its a simple text editor for those who like to type. Not RTE

Joplin is pretty solid if someone wants to type their notes on pc and then sync and read across devices.
Its open source, free and allows you to sync using dropbox, onedrive (no google drive).
1.8k views

Neyawnsaid


Doing it this time on Samsung Notes.

Pros- 

1. "Find" feature enables me to search content even written in my own handwriting. The AI is super on this. 

2. Typing content on Evernote/OneNote had limitations. You could not draw flow charts, diagrams, put images from the internet to your notes with ease etc. Basically, making notes now on tablet is akin to physical note-making which involves me actively with the topic I'm taking notes of + the added features of digital notes (searchability to add content in relevant topics as and when issues appear)

3. Easy to revise- Revising with a pen and using the highlight feature gives the feel of 'pen-paper' format which is the still the best way to do things for better retention. Revision on Evernote/OneNote was a tough job because it involved passive reading of things on a screen!


4. Multi-window functionality: Makes it easy to switch between windows on the go. If I'm stuck, I can take pictures from YouTube videos, write on them, refer Wikipedia seamlessly. I used to do this with Evernote too but it it took a lot of time. The main reason why I chose to go for Tablet because I had exhausted all the features of Evernote and wanted to do more with my notes.



Cons- 

1. You totally give up pen and paper for good which is not a good thing as we need to be in writing practice for Mains.

No other cons.



Tablet note-taking is the next succession step in the digital evolution!







I was almost convinces of Evernote, which I was beautifully using for nearly a decade now. But the latest updates have made it superslow. Plus, I love to use Consolas font, or Courier from coding days - and with new update, cannot change that.

Yes, typing is a pain, but the search really helps in time of need. 

With handwritten, I am just having the doubt that mutiple times I have had to switch back to pen paper and then to types.

I just want to settle down with one approach for the rest of my life. 


With the good built-in AI in these devices, there's no need to switch back to typing, it can search within your handwriting. That's why it's super cool. 

Obviously, helps only when you've a decent handwriting :)

Qurafaat,
1.6k views
Write your comment…