Good thread. Random query, but has anyone emailed a link to this thread to the mentioned app devs? Just think they might find it interesting and useful (and improve things for all of us!)
They always show these HUGE words diagonally across the screen, as if this is how regular people take notes. It is not. I want to see notes that actually fit inside the lines -- the way you would actually write with a pen on paper. However, obviously this is not possible, because of the nature of the screen technology. Sadly, this is not a real tablet computer.
Hi. There are some good note-taking apps out there that do very well. I don't want to sound like a shill for this, but I want to take a moment to talk up the Note Taker HD app. I use it all the time for taking notes in college. I like it because you can keep on writing full size at the bottom of the screen while your handwriting gets put into the document at normal size. I've attached a picture ("Document View") so you can see what I am talking about. The gray area at the bottom left is the auto advance area - you can end your writing on the right side and then immediately write on that gray square ... the sentence will continue on. You don't have to worry about re-aligning the device. Note that I am writing in the bottom box, which is represented by the dotted blue-line box in the top view. You can position that blue box wherever you wish and then write in the bottom. There are also 5 different line thicknesses, 16 ink colors and 4 highlighter colors to choose from. The second picture is a view of the main screen of the app, which I've set to show both the papers I've got and a preview of a paper (you can view just the paper you've made in either landscape or portrait mode). In its defense, I have found the iPad to be an excellent note-taking device. I don't waste paper and I have all my notes in one area. Very, very handy and this app, IMHO, is one of the best. As always, YMMV, but I just want people to see that note-taking apps can be pretty effective ... and useful. Marilyn
This looks like the note taking app I am looking for but do you know if it audio records too? What stylus do you recommend? I need to purchase one.
Note Taker HD does not have audio note capabilities at this time. Notes Plus, a very similar and comparable app, does have that feature. Personally, I find the Note Taker HD UI easier to work with but YMMV. As far as a stylus is concerned, there are almost as many opinions as there are styluses. Personally, I find the iFaraday stylus models to be the best. Others prefer the Jot from Adonit. For me, at least, the best would be the body of the Adonit Jot Pro combined with the tip of the iFaraday. Others prefer the Wacomm bamboo stylus. The rubber tipped styluses tend to "drag" somewhat. The iFaraday uses a conductive fabric stretched over a soft or firm (depending on your preference) substrate. The Jot has a fine point surrounded by a plastic transparent collar. Some people find it easer to use to see what they're writing. Others, like me, find the collar to be unpredictable in activating the screen which leads to occasional missed strokes. Those who write cursively, rather than print individual letters, seem to find the Jot more acceptable. Whatever stylus you choose, be prepared to practice A LOT. None will be as easy to use as a pen and paper.
I have the Zagg Bluetooth keyboard/case and find note taking and even working on magazine articles and book chapters a breeze. I don't bother using the Zagg for a case, just the keyboard. I also have a folding Bluetooth keyboard from Palm, which works as well and is a bit easier to carry. I don't think the iPad was mean't to be the universal solution, but it can be with the proper hardware and software. Unkei