Ask HN: What is your default notes app?
42 comments
Mail app (part of macOS)
Folder per research topic for a bit of structure.
In the Todo folder, 1 email is 1 todo. Reply can be used to change the todo or add more information. When task is finished then email is moved by replying done to the email and rules will take care of the rest.
With Safari I can email an article to myself that is basically only the article and not the whole website.
Search in Mail app is amazing.
I have ~20k emails now in my notes folders.
Also part of many mailing lists. Discourse forums often have mailing mode. Mail is basically my second brain. I find things that are important quicker in Mail then via Google. Rust mailing list (via discourses mailing list mode) is a life saver. Beauty of it is, all emails are on my disk so it also works offline.
Total emails in my mailboxes come close to ~500k now.
Also from other places I can send notes to myself with special email addresses.
Folder per research topic for a bit of structure.
In the Todo folder, 1 email is 1 todo. Reply can be used to change the todo or add more information. When task is finished then email is moved by replying done to the email and rules will take care of the rest.
With Safari I can email an article to myself that is basically only the article and not the whole website.
Search in Mail app is amazing.
I have ~20k emails now in my notes folders.
Also part of many mailing lists. Discourse forums often have mailing mode. Mail is basically my second brain. I find things that are important quicker in Mail then via Google. Rust mailing list (via discourses mailing list mode) is a life saver. Beauty of it is, all emails are on my disk so it also works offline.
Total emails in my mailboxes come close to ~500k now.
Also from other places I can send notes to myself with special email addresses.
pretty cool. I don't use it like that, but can see it being useful.
I like Safari send to mail feature too.
I made small Mail app macOS extension called alto.mail. Thinking what features can I add to make it even more useful.
I like Safari send to mail feature too.
I made small Mail app macOS extension called alto.mail. Thinking what features can I add to make it even more useful.
this is the most sophisticated workflow i've seen, but if it works that's great, if not what else do you wish for sometimes would be there but is not?
1. I’ve been using Joplin across apple and Linux footprints since 2016. Laurent is a very attentive maintainer and the community forum is very active and reactive when you need them. I’m very satisfied. Ui serves my needs, plugins can be developed when I need to do something domain specific (mermaid, plantuml). I like markdown.
I use pen and paper continuously everyday, and snap pictures of journal pages in the Joplin. Mobile app when need be.
3. Not sure what additional you’d be looking for here.
4. I don’t expect my note taking app to be Jira if that’s the thrust on q 4.
5. Roughly 1/3rd is summarizing citations from the web or other sources.
I use pen and paper continuously everyday, and snap pictures of journal pages in the Joplin. Mobile app when need be.
3. Not sure what additional you’d be looking for here.
4. I don’t expect my note taking app to be Jira if that’s the thrust on q 4.
5. Roughly 1/3rd is summarizing citations from the web or other sources.
I started using a technique that I call continuous journal. It came about as quick and dirty way to have a simple personal knowledge manager that was synced across my devices.
Essentially it is just a single long Google doc that you structure in a way that suits you best.
For example:
Use the hierarchical structure for sections and subsections down to 3 or 4 or more levels, then you've always got a useful table of contents.
Use shortcuts and 'word find cmd f' to easily navigate.
Use anchor link bookmarks to link connected sections and for shortcuts to frequently-access sections.
Create a table of your tags and tag sections/entries as appropriate.
Etc, structure it according to your needs. This technique benefits from the great usability and features of the Docs app.
I find this continuous journal technique enables you to get a nice overview by quick reading and quick eye scanning - great for learning reinforcement!
You can get to a few hundred pages before loading becomes a bit slow, but it's normally quick if you sync a local downloaded copy.
Use Gemini tools for summaries and text refinement.
Loading up your continuous journal doc as a source in a Google Notebook LM gives you increased utility.
I also use pen and paper. For the stationery nerds: Lamy Safari, 4 color Bic, Uni Kuru Toga pencil, Leuchtturm1917 Master dotted notebook, and my absolute favorite notebook - Mnemosyne 104 dotted
Essentially it is just a single long Google doc that you structure in a way that suits you best.
For example:
Use the hierarchical structure for sections and subsections down to 3 or 4 or more levels, then you've always got a useful table of contents.
Use shortcuts and 'word find cmd f' to easily navigate.
Use anchor link bookmarks to link connected sections and for shortcuts to frequently-access sections.
Create a table of your tags and tag sections/entries as appropriate.
Etc, structure it according to your needs. This technique benefits from the great usability and features of the Docs app.
I find this continuous journal technique enables you to get a nice overview by quick reading and quick eye scanning - great for learning reinforcement!
You can get to a few hundred pages before loading becomes a bit slow, but it's normally quick if you sync a local downloaded copy.
Use Gemini tools for summaries and text refinement.
Loading up your continuous journal doc as a source in a Google Notebook LM gives you increased utility.
I also use pen and paper. For the stationery nerds: Lamy Safari, 4 color Bic, Uni Kuru Toga pencil, Leuchtturm1917 Master dotted notebook, and my absolute favorite notebook - Mnemosyne 104 dotted
1. Obsidian. I can’t say I use it to the fullest, but I create folders and subfolders for important areas in my personal and professional life.
2. I use dictation more than pen and paper these days. I have a shortcut set up on my phones action button that pastes the transcript from my dictation into my daily note. I’ll likely move to a weekly note instead shortly.
3. I wrote about this on my website recently: https://www.jonathon.site/productivity
4. Task breakdowns limit my procrastination. I’m thinking of creating a Claude project that can take items on my to do list and break them into bite-sized subtasks.
5. Using Obsidian’s Web Clipper, Readwise Reader, MyMind and Twitter bookmarks helps me archive ideas to reflect on later. I’d say the majority of the new ideas I come across are from the web. I’m still working on the best way to keep it all organized.
2. I use dictation more than pen and paper these days. I have a shortcut set up on my phones action button that pastes the transcript from my dictation into my daily note. I’ll likely move to a weekly note instead shortly.
3. I wrote about this on my website recently: https://www.jonathon.site/productivity
4. Task breakdowns limit my procrastination. I’m thinking of creating a Claude project that can take items on my to do list and break them into bite-sized subtasks.
5. Using Obsidian’s Web Clipper, Readwise Reader, MyMind and Twitter bookmarks helps me archive ideas to reflect on later. I’d say the majority of the new ideas I come across are from the web. I’m still working on the best way to keep it all organized.
Joplin on Linux and Mac, synced through WebDAV, works very well. I also keep a (very) small notebook in my pocket and next to my bed for when I need to write down an idea or a reminder, so I can get it out of my system without picking up my phone and entering the rabbit hole.
Obsidian is my main note app. I still reach for pen and paper when I need to draw/diagram something.
I use Obsidian for 6 months now. Sync it over devices with my home vpn and nas. Works great!
recently tried Obsidian for chart and was amazed at it's simplicity, though it seems as things get complex Obsidian fails to make it understandable at a glance
I am an apple ecosystem person - Mac and iOS device.
The default Notes app is pretty insane and quite powerful, especially with the latest changes.
My typical tool-stack for notes is typically: - Notes app: This app is for personal note-taking, etc. Their 'smart folders' help automate cataloging of notes across relevant folders seamlessly. - Notion: for broader team collaboration - Granola: non-invasive note-taker; I typically end up pasting the Granola URL either in Notes / Notion for people to simply check out the AI call notes.
I still carry traditional notebook along especially when it might be considered rude to pull out an electronic device but for the past few years, 90% of all of my note-taking has been on devices than traditional note-books.
The default Notes app is pretty insane and quite powerful, especially with the latest changes.
My typical tool-stack for notes is typically: - Notes app: This app is for personal note-taking, etc. Their 'smart folders' help automate cataloging of notes across relevant folders seamlessly. - Notion: for broader team collaboration - Granola: non-invasive note-taker; I typically end up pasting the Granola URL either in Notes / Notion for people to simply check out the AI call notes.
I still carry traditional notebook along especially when it might be considered rude to pull out an electronic device but for the past few years, 90% of all of my note-taking has been on devices than traditional note-books.
1. Random writing programs. When I think about it, protectedtext.com, because I don't like creating accounts or extra fiddles.
2. Yes.
3. Not a good one.
4. Broken down, but not too much.
5. A lot, mostly because I keep getting ideas for nonfiction books that wind up barely started.
2. Yes.
3. Not a good one.
4. Broken down, but not too much.
5. A lot, mostly because I keep getting ideas for nonfiction books that wind up barely started.
I use Notes on my phone for film / book recommendations, shopping lists, and stuff of that nature. It's just there.
Then I use workflowy for tasks.
And for stuff I really need to not forget I email myself, and flag the email.
I have a physical calendar where I put reminders for meetings (actual detailed meetings are in google calendar). It's not paper/pen, it's a sort of pegboard I 3d printed.
Then I use workflowy for tasks.
And for stuff I really need to not forget I email myself, and flag the email.
I have a physical calendar where I put reminders for meetings (actual detailed meetings are in google calendar). It's not paper/pen, it's a sort of pegboard I 3d printed.
this seems like the most productive setup yet to me, do you face any challenges or like have wished something synced with other? idk
Well I feel very disorganized. But I've learned to live with it.
Back when I was younger, I tried to self-discipline, like put everything in one overarching app, but it's just not in my DNA.
I slowly put more and more stuff into workflowy though. I really like that it's one giant doc that you can "zoom" into.
I have more problems with calendars, like I never really know what day in the month it is, and what's coming up. Hence the physical calendar thing.
Back when I was younger, I tried to self-discipline, like put everything in one overarching app, but it's just not in my DNA.
I slowly put more and more stuff into workflowy though. I really like that it's one giant doc that you can "zoom" into.
I have more problems with calendars, like I never really know what day in the month it is, and what's coming up. Hence the physical calendar thing.
I use the one that I built https://saner.ai/
I still use pen and paper if I want to visualize or brainstorm something (really helpful)
I use my app + Excel for project management + one sec to reduce social media time
Break things down is ok, but not necessary
Half of my notes originate from the web
I still use pen and paper if I want to visualize or brainstorm something (really helpful)
I use my app + Excel for project management + one sec to reduce social media time
Break things down is ok, but not necessary
Half of my notes originate from the web
Standard Notes
1. I can use it anywhere, and lots of features.
2. Almost never. Pretty much the only time I use pen and paper is writing a check or signing a receipt.
3. I'm not really sure what you're asking here (like others have said).
4. Breaking things down helps manage larger tasks.
5. a good bit, probably half.
1. I can use it anywhere, and lots of features.
2. Almost never. Pretty much the only time I use pen and paper is writing a check or signing a receipt.
3. I'm not really sure what you're asking here (like others have said).
4. Breaking things down helps manage larger tasks.
5. a good bit, probably half.
1. A text editor, mated with some templates for the various types of notes I take. It's simple and fits my needs.
2. Regularly.
3. I don't have anything you can describe as a setup. I use those text files, a calendar, and that's about it.
4. I have a weekly task file. For the next day, I add what I need to do the night before.
5. About 20% (?).
2. Regularly.
3. I don't have anything you can describe as a setup. I use those text files, a calendar, and that's about it.
4. I have a weekly task file. For the next day, I add what I need to do the night before.
5. About 20% (?).
if your primary OS is linux then this makes sense.
It is, but I've used that with macOS ChromeOS too.
what do you do if you've to draw something that might not come in a text file
I don't draw, whether with analog or digital tools. OK, I sometimes do but in a paper notebook. But that's very rare and what I draw is usually crude, ugly, and simple, and transitory.
Joplin for permanent retention of information and large notes, and handwritten notebook for daily to-dos.
If anything needs to be done another day I move it to a to-do in Joplin
If anything needs to be done another day I move it to a to-do in Joplin
I've finally found a good setup for me: Obsidian syncing to cloudflare R2. The notes are not encrypted in cloudflare (which I would prefer) - that's next on my list.
Seconding Obsidian for notes. Really happy with the editor, it's got nice formatting and all notes synced on desktop/laptop/phone. I just use their paid syncing though. I also ignore all the graph and mindmapping stuff.
Obsidian, but it'd be Apple Notes (for personal, anyway) if I could more easily export everything to Markdown natively, without using fly-by-night apps and scripts.
I also can't stand the way Apple Notes capitalizes words in a code block, WTF?
I also can't stand the way Apple Notes capitalizes words in a code block, WTF?
Yeah, auto type can be frustrating, particularly when it is forced.
I do like how to-do lists are easy to read, in Apple Notes, they shift positions to last when done.
I do like how to-do lists are easy to read, in Apple Notes, they shift positions to last when done.
Dendron all the way.Very rarely use pen and paper. Many of my notes are from the web.
Pen and paper for work meetings.
Simplenote for other personal notes and lists.
Quite like workflowy though.
Simplenote for other personal notes and lists.
Quite like workflowy though.
I use TextEdit.
I make a file each day 2025-01-18.txt
I write my todos, random thoughts, and whatever else there. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at my notes beyond a day or a week. Also have a strong memory that I’ve trained since I was a kid (went way too deep into building a mental library and what not) so I pretty much remember most things the first time I see or read them.
I just get a lot of shit done everyday. Finding a better notes app (have not found anything better than paper and pen tbh), or building one, seems like a tar pit when pen and paper exist.
Definitely have met way too many people who were the least productive while being very knowledgeable about productivity software.
Probably why there will never be a shortage of people building more and more notes apps instead of just finishing/doing things lol. If I sound salty it’s because I’ve had to deal with people who spend more time on this stuff than actually doing, and I don’t think the issue was ever the software.
I make a file each day 2025-01-18.txt
I write my todos, random thoughts, and whatever else there. I don’t think I’ve ever looked at my notes beyond a day or a week. Also have a strong memory that I’ve trained since I was a kid (went way too deep into building a mental library and what not) so I pretty much remember most things the first time I see or read them.
I just get a lot of shit done everyday. Finding a better notes app (have not found anything better than paper and pen tbh), or building one, seems like a tar pit when pen and paper exist.
Definitely have met way too many people who were the least productive while being very knowledgeable about productivity software.
Probably why there will never be a shortage of people building more and more notes apps instead of just finishing/doing things lol. If I sound salty it’s because I’ve had to deal with people who spend more time on this stuff than actually doing, and I don’t think the issue was ever the software.
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1. org-mode. Why? Text based. For org-mode, I just sync the notes across using syncthing. Also WhatsApp for transient notes like a shopping list.
2. Nope.
3. Productivity? It's a tool and it works well, that's all I care.
4. I haven't given it much thought.
5. Rarely.
2. Nope.
3. Productivity? It's a tool and it works well, that's all I care.
4. I haven't given it much thought.
5. Rarely.
Anytype (OSS)
Notes.app
notes.md
Hell, I even built one as a 17 y/o kid here https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.cloudx.notes but I've always wondered, what makes a notes app that can replace simple pen and paper, I know a simple app can't do that at least. I decided to rebuild it from scratch, one especially designed for the thinkers, developers, founders and engineers. Those who have the most on their mind but often fail at organizing the info.
So, I'd like to know your perspective on a few questions
1. What is your notes app? and Why?
2. Do you still often find yourself using pen and paper?
3. What is your primary(and tested) setup for productivity?
4. Do you like to have things like tasks, broken down or as a singular big task?
5. How much of your notes originate from research on the web?