I do like to keep an idea pad. But I am working through the 2001 version of the Getting Things Done book. I have started organizing things as projects and am using the ios Things 3 app to do this.
Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
11–20 of 29 posts
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#12(OT: Suggestion to not use software...) I'm aware that this is answering only the implied question, but many recent studies have indicated that handwriting is still the best tool for learning. I use a good-quality bound journal in quadruled or dot format. It's organized by date, so all my notes are in one book, but I add indexing notes and topic references. I use a variant on the bullet journal (bulletjournal.com) fo…
PS: When I do need to type notes (often when working with others and want to record decisions), I usually use org-mode, which is pretty much de riguer because I spend most of my time in emacs.
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#13Pen / Pencil & Paper works for me. I use Google Notes for things like groceries and books that I want to buy but for everything else I carry a notebook.
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#14Legal pad. I've tried tons of different software options but never used them and never reacted in the way I needed to. Plus any cloud based solutions of logging into things just adds more cognitive overheard. Often times I'm jotting notes down or like to draw little diagrams or use some other reasoning for emphasis. I feel by writing things down I remember it better. There is also something very special about hand-wr…
I hadn't tried gitbooks, thanks!
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#15I keep coming back to the standard notes app in iOS
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#16I love Docear an awesome open-source project that lets go create mind maps of highlighted references from journals you've been reading, but they could do with some more dev assistance.
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#17Have been iterating on a notes system as I also found no software gave me the complete solution.
Here is my current system for notes that combines written notes with electronic back-up.
So far the system below is working but still looking to improve further. Especially around pdf highlighting and notes for research papers.
Would appreciate feedback/ideas.
Note taking System:
Principals:
- Evernote is used as the electronic data base of notes
- i classify/differentiate notes between ephemeral and long-term archival
- only long term goes into Evernote
1. Journal for ideas etc.
- Started keeping a notebook around 2015-2016. This is with me most of the time
- Use a modified bullet journal format.
- Have a daily log, monthly log. This is for ephemeral notes such as Meeting notes&Tasks
- Modules: long-term log: Ideas, insights log, unanswered questions, problems go here
Modules are dedicated pages around a specific topic. I usually dedicate two pages at a time.
- separate modules When researching a specific topic, doing a course, reading a physical book etc.
- These modules go right in whichever month It is. So e.g I may have a few days of March, then start a new module in between.
- Index with page numbers goes in the front of the journal with start of each month and various topics. Once an item is listed on index any additional pages get listed next to original page.
Example Index :
Idea log - p14, P23 February 2018 - p18, p34 System theory - p27 March 2018 - p43
- The journal is purely functional. No fancy drawing etc. Try to keep it as minimal and functional as possible. Others use the bullet journal format for creative outlet.
- Every 3 months or so, take pictures of the pages that are important and they go into Evernote.
- Each “module” goes into a separate note. They are tagged by year, and topic
- When the Journal is finished, an image of the index goes into Evernote
- Evertnote will OCR the text. It is quite accurate and I am able to search based on words in my written notes
- It takes about 30-45 mins to do an entire notebook (leaving out the emphereal notes)
2. Reading - Books - kindle:
- Highlight important passages
- at times make kindle notes
- Export the highlights¬es into evernote
3. Reading - Books - physical:
- Module in journal
4. Reading - Research Papers:
- used Mendely but stopped using it. Found out they do not store highlights or notes with actual pdf. Their support is also terrible and was unable to access my notes with out resorting to poking around their data files for several months.
Currently looking for something to highlight, make notes and manage references
- have tested papers, readcube, zotero, highlights and have still not found the right solution
- ideally it should be able to export to Evernote as well. Think highlights is the only app that supports this.
5. Workshops/Brain Storming sessions:
For post-its:
- Pictures with the post-it plus app. Import into evernote
- Whiteboards etc. Picture into evernote
6. Understanding Concepts/knowledge graph
- Use CMAP tools to do concept mapping.
- right now the concept maps are saved on Dropbox
- Will investigate a script to export the concept map structure and propositions to Evernote as well
- Heard that SMSn is quite good as well. Have not had the time to investigate.
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#18Legal pad. I've tried tons of different software options but never used them and never reacted in the way I needed to. Plus any cloud based solutions of logging into things just adds more cognitive overheard. Often times I'm jotting notes down or like to draw little diagrams or use some other reasoning for emphasis. I feel by writing things down I remember it better. There is also something very special about hand-wr…
I hadn't tried gitbooks, thanks!
It's really beautiful, probably one of the more enjoyable web applications I've used. Plus you can share with your friends and because it's git you see that history which is neat!
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#19Pen. Paper.
Every time I see someone taking notes on a computer, they start typing whatever they hear, word for word. Pen forces you to slow down. Makes you organize the concepts, highlight the important things, summarize.
According to this article, there's evidence that you learn better that way. https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/a-learning-secret...
But who knows. I just know it works for me. Plus, I hate lugging around a laptop everywhere I go. Composition book is lighter.
If you switch to pens, try gel pens. Less hand fatigue. I don't mess with fountain pens as they are more expensive, prone to failure, and just come across as pretentious IMO.
Re: Ask HN: What tools do you use to take learning notes and organise them?
#20When taking notes in a class (español), always an iPad + Apple Pencil + GoodNotes. Proven to be super handy during few years of use.
On a Mac, there’s a brilliant Quiver app for note taking, with syntax highlighting, diagram support and other programmer-related goodies.
For editing notes collaboratively, or as a shared knowledge base / brainstorming resource, notion.so which is quite nice.