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Take better notes, by hand

brianschrader.com

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Re: Take better notes, by hand

#71

Post by dotancohen »

kid64 wrote: post #60
dotancohen wrote: post #32

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I use a Boox E-Ink tablet with the built-in handwriting notes app. It exports to PDF and I can copy everything to my Debian machine via ADB. I absolutely love it. E-Ink is close enough to paper for me, and the EMR (Wacom) stylus is close enough to a pen for me.

Yeah but do you trust those guys?

I am aware that people don't trust the Chinese. Which brands do you trust?

As another poster mentioned about the ReMarkable, the Boox works just fine offline. I do use mine online, e.g. for reading HN as I prefer the E-Ink screen for text. But as for note-taking, everything I do is offline, including moving the PDF documents to the desktop via ADB.

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#72

Post by dotancohen »

JLO64 wrote: post #24
sonicrocketman wrote: post #7

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've blogged about this before too! https://brianschrader.com/archive/the-practicals-of-writing-... But I'm in the process of upgrading my pen. I ordered a TWISB ECO.

What ink are you gonna pair with that? I’m not a lefty, but I’ve heard fast drying FP inks are best for writing with a left hand to prevent smudging.

I'm right handed, but write from right to left (Hebrew). Smudging is not an issue with any ink, I don't drag my hand over written text. I don't know why people do that.

I usually use Pilot inks, I currently have a dark blue that I've added a touch of old green to. I absolutely love it.

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#73

Post by Zambyte »

kerneis wrote: post #68
Zambyte wrote: post #40

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I am currently typing from a Daylight Computer that I've been using as my primary mobile device (over a laptop or smartphone) for a bit over a year now. I've used it so much the edges have started to peel off a bit where I hold it. Easily worth the money for me. Days of battery life, buttery smooth animations, reflective e-paper display, full android with an unlockable bootloader, it's great.

Can you really unlock the bootloader? I see it mentioned a lot as an upcoming feature (since 2024…) but couldn't find documentation about it.

I haven't done it, but there is documentation here: https://www.daylighthacker.wiki/unlock

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#74

Post by kid64 »

Zambyte wrote: post #41
stronglikedan wrote: post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

My coworker got the reMarkable 2 about four years ago now, and was really into it when he got it. I had sort of forgotten about it until the other day when I was reconsidering whether I wanted to get one. When I asked him about it, he was just as enthusiastic as when I asked him years ago. It was sitting right next to him ready to go, with notes from that same day on the screen. Just an anecdote to consider.

It feels like one of those things where if you think you want it and you can imagine how you'll actually use it, you'll use it a ton. I had been on the fence about getting an e-paper device for a long time. When I heard the details on the Daylight Computer, I knew it was exactly what I wanted. I pre-ordered it within hours and I have probably used it more than any other devices I own since it arrived a year ago :P

I checked it out and they conspicuously omit the thickness from the FAQ "dimensions" answer. They also avoid any photos of the product that clearly show the thickness. So, guessing it's pretty thick?

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#75

Post by Zambyte »

kid64 wrote: post #74
Zambyte wrote: post #41

Earlier quoted context omitted.

It feels like one of those things where if you think you want it and you can imagine how you'll actually use it, you'll use it a ton. I had been on the fence about getting an e-paper device for a long time. When I heard the details on the Daylight Computer, I knew it was exactly what I wanted. I pre-ordered it within hours and I have probably used it more than any other devices I own since it arrived a year ago :P

I checked it out and they conspicuously omit the thickness from the FAQ "dimensions" answer. They also avoid any photos of the product that clearly show the thickness. So, guessing it's pretty thick?

I guess? I don't know the exact thickness either, but I held it up sideways behind my Samsung S10 and it was maybe a millimeter or so thicker, so it's not huge. Like 9mm-1cm. I have never thought much about the thickness of it

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#76

Post by pklausler »

wduquette wrote: post #69
pklausler wrote: post #12

Earlier quoted context omitted.

If you like Leuchtterm, you'll love Quo Vadis Habana notebooks, if you can find them in stock.

The Habanas don't seem to have page numbers, which is one of the things I particular like about the 1917s.

Enjoy!

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#77

Post by mrexroad »

coldcity_again wrote: post #38
cratermoon wrote: post #5

Earlier quoted context omitted.

There are ways to write that are faster and more legible. I recommend looking into the Getty-Dubay style.

Thanks, though I think part of longhard feeling labourious these days is RSI sadly. I did try to correct my scrawl for effort and legibility a while ago, but it just wouldn't stick!

I had pretty terrible RSI (and even more terrible handwriting) and could write much without cramping up or pain. What helped for me was teaching myself proper cursive and fountain pens. Rather than clutching a ballpoint and marking with jerky finger/wrist movements, I now use my arm for larger movements and let the pen glide. It’s helped tremendously. It’s slow going at first but keep at it. Plus fountain pens are pretty fucking cool. Also, paper matters too; but paper and notebooks are another fun rabbit hole.

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#78

Post by mrexroad »

JLO64 wrote: post #26

I hated writing by hand, but I got into fountain pens and that really helped change my note taking habits. I mostly write letters, but recently I’ve taken up writing notes during meetings. I loathe doing so, but my FP addiction really helps.

This. FP usage changed my aversion to writing and helped me stay the course on re-training myself to write cursive and move past RSI/cramping. Pilot VP is my goto FP for meeting notes since it’s retractable.

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#79

Post by mrexroad »

JLO64 wrote: post #44
sonicrocketman wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Good to know. TBH I haven't checked. I have some cartridges too (for a different, cheaper fountain pen) but if none of those work, I'll scout for options. What got you into writing letters?

I’m in a long distance relationship at the moment, so one of the things I try to bridge the distance is sending letters! That’s how I got started, but now I’ll send letters to any of my friends (or anyone really) that sends me a mailing address. One thing I strongly advise when it comes to writing letters with FP ink is to use waterproof/permanent inks. I had to learn that hard way that typical ink doesn’t handle rai…

I’ve got a whole box of inks, many colors I adore using, but for any functional usage I find I’m always reverting back to Platinum Carbon Black.

Re: Take better notes, by hand

#80

Post by abdullahkhalids »

coldcity_again wrote: post #4

I love taking notes by hand for better retention, but (my) longhand is just too slow. It's also an inconvenient format for representing a hierachy or graph of connections. Anyone else into what my high school biology teacher loved referring to as "pseudo-arachnomorphic diagrams" (Mind Maps[1] / Spider Diagrams)? They're still my primary paper-based realtime note taking method. They seemed to get a lot of attention a…

1. Obtain a good fountain pen.

2. Obtain paper and ink that works well with the pen.

3. Practice cursive handwriting.

Possibly get a 2x improvement in speed.

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