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Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

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Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#11

Post by DenseComet »

nico_h wrote: post #8

I’m looking for a multi-platform (linux-mac-ios) markdown editor that saves at regular interval and keeps history and sync via git. Is there anything like that? How hard would it be to extend joplin to write a service driver to sync via Git(-hub / -lab / your own server)?

I'm currently using Typora and have it set up to automatically open to a certain folder and autosave. That folder is a git repository, and in cron, I simply have an hourly task that stages all files, commits, and pushes.

This might not be an ideal solution, but if you find an editor you really like, its an easy way to add git and backup to your notes.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#12

Post by russellbeattie »

I replaced Evernote with Joplin a year or so ago and am pretty happy. It's a little rough around the edges, but it works great and is actively updated. And all my data is stored where I want it to be, with no monthly bill, and no one trying shove "chat" or "enterprise" features down my throat.

Also, as the desktop client is a JavaScript app, it was relatively easy to go in and change a few things that I wanted tweaked. I hate MarkDown with a passion, so I just turned off all that stuff in the toolbar and use it as a plain text notepad that syncs. Works great. (At some point I need to make the effort to figure out the options dialogs they have and submit a pull request where this can be turned off/on permanently.)

I do wish it would clean up the weird note/todo item duality (at least in the options). You can treat a note as a todo item, so the list of notes acts as your list of todos. Or you can just use a note and put the todo items in it (which is what I do). I just don't think the folder interface works well for the todo item paradigm.

Anyways, highly recommended if you're still spending money on Evernote and don't use any advanced features. If you're using web clips or other stuff, someone else will have to chime in.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#13

Post by bobbylarrybobby »

hollander wrote: post #5

I'm looking for an Evernote alternative since long. Evernote is one of my favourite applications, but I fear the moment when Amazon or Google or Microsoft buys it like Fitbit or Nest. It is going to happen, and I put more and more info into that app. I'm definitely going to try this and I truly hope it is good enough for me.

Notion.so is a good one

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#14

Post by samdamsamm »

I moved to Joplin from Evernote a little over a year ago. It has had ongoing development and new features being added the entire time. The development is very iterative, and functionality comes before fashion, but the UI has been getting improved too.

The backup/sync system is great. Fully encrypted and numerous cloud configuration options. I use it with Fastmail’s $5/mo. service and it’s very easy to setup.

The iOS app could use some more improvements but far better than not having one at all.

Overall Joplin is highly recommended because of it’s compatibility, flexibility, privacy, and no-frills functionality.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#15

Post by top_coder »

nico_h wrote: post #8

I’m looking for a multi-platform (linux-mac-ios) markdown editor that saves at regular interval and keeps history and sync via git. Is there anything like that? How hard would it be to extend joplin to write a service driver to sync via Git(-hub / -lab / your own server)?

Have you considered Emacs + Org-mode? Works wherever Emacs works (Linux, Mac) and there are apps for Android and iOS. Org files are basically text files that you can commit to git or sync via Google drive, Dropbox, OneDrive etc. Not exactly markdown but GitHub renders org file pretty well.

After trying out multiple note taking apps this is what I settled on. You can use it as simple as a note taking app or configure it to do lots of complicated things like managing your to-dos, appointments, agendas. And my favorite feature is inline code-block that I can execute.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#16

Post by angleofrepose »

bhl wrote: post #2

If you search 'Markdown' on HackerNews, it'd seem like the 'market' for markdown editors is fragmented: there isn't a single dominant editor yet. I think every week there's a new editor posted (Joplin is an exception given that it's been here for a while). Why is that the case?

I think it is because each comes with its own opinionated workflow, and missing features. Each has a way of writing markdown/connecting notes that is novel, which means each other option is missing that feature.

A take away from this scenario might be that this design space is wanting for a meta-editor. Some tool which allows feature creation in the same context as these markdown/note tools. An analogy might be that this meta-editor is to digital note keeping as racket is to programming languages.

Of course all the obvious requirements apply. Has to be usable out of the box, has to just work, has successfully convey it's ability to be changed to the end user.

I think emacs is such a solution, there are no features in the list of hn posts under the search "markdown" that it doesn't have. But emacs is missing all the requirements. It is not usable out of the box.

I think this meta editor could best be built on top of emacs, but this will require a lot of work. I have been playing around with this idea for a couple of years now and it's slow going but fun to think about.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#18

Post by crazypython »

angleofrepose wrote: post #16
bhl wrote: post #2

If you search 'Markdown' on HackerNews, it'd seem like the 'market' for markdown editors is fragmented: there isn't a single dominant editor yet. I think every week there's a new editor posted (Joplin is an exception given that it's been here for a while). Why is that the case?

I think it is because each comes with its own opinionated workflow, and missing features. Each has a way of writing markdown/connecting notes that is novel, which means each other option is missing that feature. A take away from this scenario might be that this design space is wanting for a meta-editor. Some tool which allows feature creation in the same context as these markdown/note tools. An analogy might be that…

Typora: Format a paper

iA Writer: Write something eloquent

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#19

Post by dmix »

This subpackage called Webclipper would be cool for parsing articles like Instapaper but instead of a better web version it saves to a markdown file than opens in Vim (or similar).

For some reason I like those old long readme.txt files from the 1990s. The ones formatted with max 80-120 characters wide per line, black background, etc.

https://github.com/laurent22/joplin/blob/master/readme/clipp...

I haven't tried this one yet. But the biggest problem with that approach is the links typically don't work, nor will citations render properly for Wikipedia. So maybe it's preferable using Lynx or w/e just for long-term reading or articles on news sites with disaster web design.

Re: Joplin – a note taking and to-do application with synchronization capabilities

#20

Post by fandaa »

I would recommend https://standardnotes.org/ after trying all other (OneNote, Boostnote, QOwnNotes, etc.) note taking SWs. Encrypted linked storage (S3, Dropbox, ...) for files, encrypted notes, multiplatform, multiple editors (code, 2FA, markdown, spreadsheets, your own!, ...) & can be self hosted. Easy (also encrypted) backups. I only miss the diagrams tool (like draw.io) or handwriting (touch/pen) support.
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