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LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

liquidtext.net

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Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#21

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Nothing. To satisfy the programmer type users who claim their file type independence: 1. Just give the users a nice pdf export with lots of options. 2. iOS files integration , so that we can save directly into a repo program ( Ie working copy)

Can you give me an example of a repo program in this context - would that be something like Dropbox? So you'd have our app installed, it outputs to Files periodically, which in turn is syncing with Dropbox or some other service with file history functionality?

Yeah. I really like the beauty of the iOS Files api - it acts as a very convenient bridge.

So, supposing Dropbox has a sync with the files api, then that sync would be the responsibility (and implemented by) the Dropbox app. All you need to is ensure that you write into Files api properly (Ie don’t leave any locks around on files, etc - I’m not an iOS developer so I have no idea what’s actually required for very good/correct Files api interoperation, but it should be in Apple docs).

With a git repo program like Working Copy, you’d just write into its Files space (same as above for Dropbox), then Working Copy handles the syncing. Since Working Copy has no such auto sync as something like Dropbox would have, since WC is a git repo app and not a cloud files service, the user would manually open it themselves and make a commit and push it at their own choosing. Any writes to WC in the meantime will just overwrite. That’s all understood by the user , if he’s using a git repo as his files backup. I prefer manually syncing my files as commits to a repo, so this all works beautifully for me .

I don’t like placing the security of my synchronization in the hands of cloud files providers such as Dropbox or Google Drive. I use multiple iPads and laptops at once, so google drive and Dropbox bugs in sync may bite me. For notes this is best for me, since note update frequency of one to five times an hour doesn’t need any auto sync. But most users, even programmers, that I know don’t seem to enjoy this level of exactness.

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#22
I got an iPad just to use LiquidText, back when I had to study for my PhD qualifying exam a few years ago. It has so many great UI affordances -- the way it shows search results, highlighted text, connections between notes and the text, the ability to easily see multiple parts of a document at the same time, and others. It made reading and studying textbooks an experience rivaling the real thing (and you don't have to lug them around). It was just what I needed to prepare, and I attribute a nontrivial fraction of why I passed the exam to having used LiquidText.

I don't really use it anymore, though. I use JabRef on my desktop to organize papers, and I haven't yet ironed out a workflow that incorporates LiquidText.

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#23

I am more and more reluctant to use any note taking app. Ideally, notes I take on the book I am reading today should still be available to me in 20 years. No app can offer that kind of guarantee. I switched to using plaintext files, and do not look back. The only thing one needs is to have a clear workflow to make sure notes remain accessible and useful. I like the Zettelkasten method for this (see eg https://zettelk…

Check out if https://zettlr.com (FOSS, Markdown) could be useful to you - I know it specifically has some support for Zettelkasten, though I never was able to understand what this thing means.

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#24

It’s a nice app for light users, but if you try to use it heavily as a detailed infinity board with lots and lots of notes spread around the canvas visually, you’ll quickly get flustered by the lack of quality-of-life improvements . Examples would be lack of setting text styles , requiring -every-single-textbox- you create to click through three or more separate ui flows to change the: color, size, emphasis, (and fon…

Fair point about the updates, we're getting ready to launch a few bigger ones (es. a Win and MacOS version). Hopefully we can improve the other flows you mention. (I'm founder @ LT)

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#25
post #22

I got an iPad just to use LiquidText, back when I had to study for my PhD qualifying exam a few years ago. It has so many great UI affordances -- the way it shows search results, highlighted text, connections between notes and the text, the ability to easily see multiple parts of a document at the same time, and others. It made reading and studying textbooks an experience rivaling the real thing (and you don't have t…

Can I ask why you don't use it anymore? (I'm founder at LT) Anything we could do to make it more of a post-school app for you as well?

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#26
post #5

The usual questions go: 1. How do I export or backup the data? 2. How do I use the data when the app dies?

You can export doc+notes as PDF, or export notes as a DOCX file. Uses iCloud Backup for backup, but dedicated solution coming probably this summer. Thanks for asking! (I'm founder @ LT)

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#27

What do the in-app purchases provide? Is there a sign up required? Does this requires/stores data on a third party server?

1. The In-app-purchase gives you inking, linking by drawing lines, freeform excerpts, multiple documents in a single project, and more. 2. Sign-up required: no. 3. Does this require 3rd party servers: no, stores everything locally.

Happy to answer any other questions (I'm founder @ LT)!

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#29
post #24

It’s a nice app for light users, but if you try to use it heavily as a detailed infinity board with lots and lots of notes spread around the canvas visually, you’ll quickly get flustered by the lack of quality-of-life improvements . Examples would be lack of setting text styles , requiring -every-single-textbox- you create to click through three or more separate ui flows to change the: color, size, emphasis, (and fon…

Fair point about the updates, we're getting ready to launch a few bigger ones (es. a Win and MacOS version). Hopefully we can improve the other flows you mention. (I'm founder @ LT)

How about a Linux version? (Edit: Yes, I enthusiastically use a Linux tablet)

Re: LiquidText: A tool for academical note taking

#30
post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> notes I take on the book I am reading today should still be available to me in 20 years. No app can offer that kind of guarantee Emacs + Org Mode You can be sure Emacs will still be around in 20 years and Org Mode stores notes in text format.

If only I could figure out a way of scribbling with the iPadPro pen and get it into org mode.

I wouldn’t bother. I’ve always found it easier and better (for reinforcement) to transcribe my notes/drawings into org-mode.
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