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Tools & Technology in Preparation - Hacks & Resources / Apps / Evernote /Onenote

Thanks to members here, I managed to get an Apple iPad with Pencil. This is my first tablet and I am loving it . I am also using Evernote ( earlier One Note ) .

I am creating this thread so that we can share what all apps we are using for reading / note making and how to use them. This will help save lot of time for those thinking of Tab based studies.

Neyawn,Patrick_janeand13 otherslike this
73.6k views

92 comments

Hi Friends...


I was wondering about the usefulness of Amazon Kindle e-Reader. I have been using my laptop for reading books, monthly current affairs, and Hindu epaper, but most of the time I end up with eye strain. So I was wondering if I should buy a kindle e-reader. Also is there any other functionality available in a kindle (example: notemaking)?


Thanks in Advance

tldr: Utility of kindle in UPSC Prep


Oasis,
5.1k views
(Not in reference to Kindle)
I have had the same problem of eye strain. Quite consistent.

Personally I made 2 changes:

1) Switched to Night Mode (~50% hue, I think) on both laptop and mobile.

2) Regular use of eye-drops xD


Also, some people take anti-glare detachable screen. It's slightly expensive though.

Ofcourse, I understand this isn't what you're looking for, but still if this could help!

BenevolentBeing,
4.9k views

AJ_said

(Not in reference to Kindle)
I have had the same problem of eye strain. Quite consistent.

Personally I made 2 changes:

1) Switched to Night Mode (~50% hue, I think) on both laptop and mobile.

2) Regular use of eye-drops xD


Also, some people take anti-glare detachable screen. It's slightly expensive though.

Ofcourse, I understand this isn't what you're looking for, but still if this could help!

@AJ_ 

I am already using nightmode on my Phone and PC actually. And I will definitely try eyedrops, they might help me with dry eyes too.

Anti-glare detachable screen seem a little pricey for a piece of glass, are they proven to be useful?

Thank you for all the advice :)


5.1k views

BenevolentBeingsaid

Hi Friends...


I was wondering about the usefulness of Amazon Kindle e-Reader. I have been using my laptop for reading books, monthly current affairs, and Hindu epaper, but most of the time I end up with eye strain. So I was wonder if I should buy a kindle e-reader. Also is there any other functionality available in a kindle (example: notemaking)?


Thanks in Advance

tldr: Utility of kindle in UPSC Prep


For eye strain-

I went to a doctor for this, around 8 months ago, he suggested to keep 10 feet gap between table and wall (continuous staring at short distance kind of strains eye, I used to face this problem in library). He also suggested to massage the area above eyes in circular manner 20 times clockwise and then anti-clock wise after every 2 h, along with an eye drop.

Try anti glare coating on your specs (if any). It will coast around ₹400.

For kindle- depends upon which model you are purchasing. But still it will not be as easy to use as laptop in my opinion.

Oasis,
4.3k views

Tetsukosaid

BenevolentBeingsaid

Hi Friends...


I was wondering about the usefulness of Amazon Kindle e-Reader. I have been using my laptop for reading books, monthly current affairs, and Hindu epaper, but most of the time I end up with eye strain. So I was wonder if I should buy a kindle e-reader. Also is there any other functionality available in a kindle (example: notemaking)?


Thanks in Advance

tldr: Utility of kindle in UPSC Prep


For eye strain-

I went to a doctor for this, around 8 months ago, he suggested to keep 10 feet gap between table and wall (continuous staring at short distance kind of strains eye, I used to face this problem in library). He also suggested to massage the area above eyes in circular manner 20 times clockwise and then anti-clock wise after every 2 h, along with an eye drop.

Try anti glare coating on your specs (if any). It will coast around ₹400.

For kindle- depends upon which model you are purchasing. But still it will not be as easy to use as laptop in my opinion.

Okay... I will keep that in mind...

and I was Planning to buy the cheapest Model of Kindle, don't want to invest too much into something so unfamiliar to me...


Thank you very much for the advice :)

5k views
@BenevolentBeing Kindle is amazing. It's the first thing I bought for myself with my first salary. It is great for books and documents. Unfortunately, it isn't that great for browsing etc.

I have the paperwhite version which is one step above the cheapest model. It has the added capacity of backlight which is very important imo, the cheapest model would not work properly in dark.

In documents and books, you can highlight and make notes. You can then extract them to your PC by connecting Kindle to PC. If you make notes on books purchased through Amazon, you can also use their website to take a look at highlights and notes. This facility (of website) is not available for books you transfer to Kindle. You can still connect to PC and export notes though.

Also, for documents like PDF, the formatting wouldn't be nice. The best formatting is usually of .mobi files. You can try by downloading the free Kindle app on your phone and sending a document that you intend to read on it and try reading it from there.

Let me know if you have any other questions about Kindle.
4.3k views

And on a related note, I also use eye drops regularly. It is very important. Also remember to blink. We usually blink lesser when glued to screens.

4.3k views

thistooshallpasssaid

@BenevolentBeing Kindle is amazing. It's the first thing I bought for myself with my first salary. It is great for books and documents. Unfortunately, it isn't that great for browsing etc.

I have the paperwhite version which is one step above the cheapest model. It has the added capacity of backlight which is very important imo, the cheapest model would not work properly in dark.

In documents and books, you can highlight and make notes. You can then extract them to your PC by connecting Kindle to PC. If you make notes on books purchased through Amazon, you can also use their website to take a look at highlights and notes. This facility (of website) is not available for books you transfer to Kindle. You can still connect to PC and export notes though.

Also, for documents like PDF, the formatting wouldn't be nice. The best formatting is usually of .mobi files. You can try by downloading the free Kindle app on your phone and sending a document that you intend to read on it and try reading it from there.

Let me know if you have any other questions about Kindle.

@thistooshallpass 


Thank You for detailed reply... :)

I do have couple of more questions... How is the battery life? and how durable is it?

And I will definitely try to blink more haha ...and will get the drops soon... thanks


5k views
@BenevolentBeing Battery life is good. Even with heavy use, you wouldn't need to charge it more than once a week (and that's with heavy). I have a friend whose battery life lasts more than 1 month. It is very durable. People use it for years and years without any problem. :)

Always happy to help. Do ask away if anything else occurs to you.


4.3k views
I am not so sure about the anti-glare screen. But that is what was recommended by people when I was searching for eye strain solutions.

I also considered Kindle, but I think the overall comfort with laptop and usability is much more. But maybe it's more about getting used to it. Also keep in mind, that a smaller screen size can add to your eye strain. So don't compromise on that because of cost.


4.8k views
@thistooshallpassThank You for all the info... your advice has been very helpful... :)


4.9k views
@AJ_Yeah that is true, laptop will always be more convenient but I think Kindle will be a great companion for laptop.

I will keep in mind about the size, but I don't think I can spend more than 8k on it.


4.9k views
Please shade some light on AirPods Pro... should I buy now or wait for new launch as my old earphones can work for sometime....
4.7k views
vision vam and vision ts ke notes kaise banaye Evernote/onenote pe Kisi ne banaye ho toh plz guide kare
3.9k views

Which font is this?

do you know any similar fonts which are smoother to look at.

4.5k views
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Has anyone tried roam research or obsidian. I want to know as to how steep is the learning curve for these softwares cause I want to migrate from onenote. It is becoming too linear and hierarchical for me
3.8k views

Yes, I used Roam Research. It's based on neural connection model. 

The learning curve is not that steep, but you need to be meticulous in tags otherwise, you'll be lost.

Haven't used Obsidian, but it's also the same.

3.9k views
Deleted

Kasturi22said

Yes, I used Roam Research. It's based on neural connection model. 

The learning curve is not that steep, but you need to be meticulous in tags otherwise, you'll be lost.

Haven't used Obsidian, but it's also the same.

Thanks. 

How to effectively create tags and backlinks for notes. That's the problem I'm facing. I tried doing that in onenote but it was not as effective in linking my concepts and various interdisciplinary topics. Any ideas regarding it. 

I have heard of Zettelkasten method but don't know how and where to start

3.7k views

Even I heard of that method, more or less it’s the same thing like roam research 

I am using supermemo 18; it’s an advanced version of incremental reading.

If you want to have a look at it, may be I can post a study session recorded video

3.8k views
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