How do you take notes with your iPad?

[Bojack Horseman]

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I recently decided to drink the koolaid and purchase an iPad. I really love it so far and I want to buy and experiment with different note-taking apps before I start school in a few weeks. I'm feeling especially cheap after this big purchase and I don't want to pay for any apps I might not use... so I wanted to ask some questions:

How do you take notes with your iPad?

All the threads I've found thus far have listed numerous apps for taking notes and marking up documents but I'm really curious about the systems everyone uses.

Which apps do you use and why ?

What do you like and dislike about the apps you use? What features are they lacking? Do they have any advertised features that are either useless or impractical for your purposes?

Do you have apps that you feel are redundant (for example, two PDF readers/annotaters)? Do you still use both? If so, why?

Do you combine the notes you take with your class PDFs/ppts or keep them separate? If you combine them, how do you do it?

Which apps do you frequently use in tandem?


I realize some of this information can be gathered from reading about apps in the app store, but I'm hoping that some of you might be able to shed some light on tried&true methods for medical students. If I missed another thread on this topic, please link me to it.

 

[Sheldor]

I used Pages, which is actually a fairly decent word processor, an then just named the files by lecture so I could correlate them with the ppt. I could never find another solution, like a PDF annotater, that worked fluidly enough that I didn't miss stuff while the lecture was flying along.

However, PDF annotation is very handy so I suggest Good Reader, I tried a few and it is my favorite.

Also, for articles and highlighting I suggest Papers.

 

[Alvarez13]

You don't. The

that run the company still can't figure out how to add a pen. No problem with multiple android units and windows has been using them since the early 90's. For now, get used to the ugly little text boxes in a pdf document.

 

[cbrown1311]

I save all PowerPoint lectures to PDF documents before lecture, and then use a combination of notability and documents to go. Notability is a PDF annotation app that allow you to add text boxes in any location you want, as well as quickly add figures from the Internet or even hand write notes on the pages. It has a great organization system as well. Documents to go is an app that allows the editing of microsoft office files, including PowerPoint files if you get the premium suite. The final thing that makes it all work is the fact that both apps can be tethered to a Dropbox account, so any notes taken in notability or files saved in documents to go can be opened on your computer or even tethered phone. Makes for a very convenient note taking system that weighs much less than a laptop and has much more capability than a spiral notebook 🙂

 

[thedoctor8706]

You don't. The

that run the company still can't figure out how to add a pen. No problem with multiple android units and windows has been using them since the early 90's. For now, get used to the ugly little text boxes in a pdf document.

False. Pick up any capacitative stylus. Download Notability for 99 cents. Take notes, record sound bits, add pictures, all on your PDF.

Close thread.

 

[cbrons]

Well you can use stuff like Noterize with a stylus pen (I recommend boxwave or w/e its called). But the sad fact is this method is probably too slow for how fast your classes will go. I think the best way is just old fashioned powerpoint annotations. Sad because I love my iPad but stuff just went too fast for me to be flipping stuff in the iPad and writing slowly over with a stylus.

Also I like to have hard copies to look at when referencing, so I switched to the hard copy notetaking method.

 

[bomgd3]

I second getting Notability and the $10 Targus stylus. Awesome app, no need for an expensive keyboard.

 

[voisinator]

I have been looking into a system as well and share many of the same concerns/questions as the op. It looks like the big 3 are iannotate, goodreader, and pdf expert. I'm not sure how notability fits in there but it's the only one I've downloaded so far (cheap and you can record lectures simultaneously with your note taking). I'm especially trying to find a good system now so that I don't buy redundant apps that I don't need and to stay organized.

 

[Bojack Horseman]

Bump


Sent from my iPhone using SDN Mobile app

 

[Alvarez13]

False. Pick up any capacitative stylus. Download Notability for 99 cents. Take notes, record sound bits, add pictures, all on your PDF.

Close thread.

Those are good for 5 yo trying to learn the alphabet. Try something from n-trig or even better wacom and you'll notice a vast difference (these won't work with apple).

 

[Caesar]

I use Notability. Best 99 cent app out there.

I also picked up PDF expert for reading texts / articles (I'm a highlighter).

I got a free/cheap stylus with my case that I use. I don't handwrite often (like most of us I type faster and its more legible), but the stylus works for adding figures and highlighting.

 

[LRAccord624]

I use highlighter (which I LOVE) to annotate PDF's. All our syllabi for the 1st two years are in pdf form so I never had to bring anything besides my ipad and stylus. I use open office to create new/edit old word documents, powerpoints, etc. That was a little expensive but has been worth it. And I sync documents between my ipad and computer using a dropbox acct. All in all it has been tied for the best purchase I've made in med school (along with noise-canceling headphones)

 

[MedicJosh]

Ok, so I currently have iAnnotate and NoteTaker HD as my 2 main note/annotating apps.

I am looking for an app that combines the good file organization and cloud storage sync options of iAnnotate with the better interface for making actual annotations on imported PDFs that NoteTaker HD has. Overall I really like NoteTakerHD, but the fact that you can't easily sync files with cloud storage directly from the app makes for a big hassle. NoteTaker HD has tons of really nice features like the ability to add shapes, charts, as well as move or copy written or typed text. I would ideally prefer an app that automatically syncs any changes on the iPad to the cloud rather than having to specifically export the files.

Any recommendations would be much appreciated. Essentially I will be using this to annotate powerpoint lectures. I print the powerpoints to PDF and use my iPad to annotate the slides.

Thanks in advance!

 

[SpecterGT260]

You don't. The

that run the company still can't figure out how to add a pen. No problem with multiple android units and windows has been using them since the early 90's. For now, get used to the ugly little text boxes in a pdf document.

ya this isnt right....
i bought a number of styluses.... styli... styl... (wtf is the plural of that???) from amazon for about $6 each. I prefer the longer ones with the narrower tip for writing and they work just fine


I use iAnnotate. There was 1 other program that people were using but I prefer the organization and constant updates of iAnnotate. I also use PrimoPDF on my computer and a PDF printer on the ipad to make sure everything is in a format I can use. iAnnotate can search the text of each document (some sort of recognition software in it I guess, because I havent been able to do this with PDFs in other applications) and it actually works well enough to recognize text from scanned or faxed images which is pretty cool.

 

[MedicJosh]

ya this isnt right....
i bought a number of styluses.... styli... styl... (wtf is the plural of that???) from amazon for about $6 each. I prefer the longer ones with the narrower tip for writing and they work just fine


I use iAnnotate. There was 1 other program that people were using but I prefer the organization and constant updates of iAnnotate. I also use PrimoPDF on my computer and a PDF printer on the ipad to make sure everything is in a format I can use. iAnnotate can search the text of each document (some sort of recognition software in it I guess, because I havent been able to do this with PDFs in other applications) and it actually works well enough to recognize text from scanned or faxed images which is pretty cool.

one of the main features iAnnotate is missing for me is the ability to write your handwritten notes in a larger area and the app to shrink it down, that way the notes appear neater

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Notability with a rubber-tipped stylus, iAnnotate, GoodReader, and DropBox. That's all I need.

 

[SpecterGT260]

one of the main features iAnnotate is missing for me is the ability to write your handwritten notes in a larger area and the app to shrink it down, that way the notes appear neater

it does this awesome...... what am i missing here?

 

[SpecterGT260]

Notability with a rubber-tipped stylus, iAnnotate, GoodReader, and DropBox. That's all I need.

I dont think notability is an ipad 2 hting.... my friend sung its praises but I couldnt find it in the app store.....

 

[Ismet]

1. Notability - cheap (99 cents), allows typing, handwriting, highlighting, and drawing. Has a "palm rest" feature so you can rest your hand on the screen and write at the same time. Also has a "zoom" feature so you can write in a zoomed-in box and it shrinks it down on the pdf.

2. Dropbox - free. If you're not using Dropbox yet, you should. It automatically syncs back with your computer as well as an online storage you can access anywhere with internet.

3. Wacom Bamboo Stylus - $30, allegedly the best on the market for writing on the iPad

 

[Ismet]

I dont think notability is an ipad 2 hting.... my friend sung its praises but I couldnt find it in the app store.....

It is an iPad 2 thing. I just bought it last week.

 

[SpecterGT260]

It is an iPad 2 thing. I just bought it last week.

oh crap you're right... last time I looked this up it wasnt on the market. My buddy was praising it up and down... will look in to...

 

[SpecterGT260]

ok... downloaded it.... am I just drunk or does this program not allow you to do anything intuitive? no srsly I read the instructional page and all and it didnt really do anything it said it would. iannotate >>>>>> whatever. It allows you to easily import PDF files and set up your tool box in an intuitive manner. I have mine set up to the hilighter colors I use IRL in my hard copy notes so condensing lecture PDFs to notebooks is a sinch! (dear god I sound like a rep.....) but honestly that other program pissed me off because it just did a whole bunch of weird crap that didnt make sense and then told me there was a hidden message when really it was just small text under a crappy stick figure.... OMG... anyone who has owned an apple product in the last 10 years understands that you can pinch zoom....... to emphasize a separate zoom tool is basically sealing your own grave. I want my 0.99 back!

 

[SpecterGT260]

no really I hate it.... its unintuitiveness makes me want to punch a comp sci major....

 

[Ismet]

ok... downloaded it.... am I just drunk or does this program not allow you to do anything intuitive? no srsly I read the instructional page and all and it didnt really do anything it said it would. iannotate >>>>>> whatever. It allows you to easily import PDF files and set up your tool box in an intuitive manner. I have mine set up to the hilighter colors I use IRL in my hard copy notes so condensing lecture PDFs to notebooks is a sinch! (dear god I sound like a rep.....) but honestly that other program pissed me off because it just did a whole bunch of weird crap that didnt make sense and then told me there was a hidden message when really it was just small text under a crappy stick figure.... OMG... anyone who has owned an apple product in the last 10 years understands that you can pinch zoom....... to emphasize a separate zoom tool is basically sealing your own grave. I want my 0.99 back!

Maybe try it again at a normal time when you're not drunk. Notability is extremely easy to use. The zoom tool is not the same as pinch-zoom, because if you write in the zoomed-in box, it moves the box for you when you reach the end of the box or a line. Just give it a chance.

 

[SpecterGT260]

Maybe try it again at a normal time when you're not drunk. Notability is extremely easy to use. The zoom tool is not the same as pinch-zoom, because if you write in the zoomed-in box, it moves the box for you when you reach the end of the box or a line. Just give it a chance.

I have another program that does that. I didn't like it too much and the pinch zoom worked just fine to scribble notes on the side of my lecture handouts

If you are comfy w it that's cool but it will be hard for me to give up the tool customization, folder system, and text search of iannotate.

also, if a program becomes unfriendly after a few sat night drinks I don't think it will handle the level of brain-fried that 2nd year brings 😛

 

[SpecterGT260]

I should also mention that I don't really write a lot when I take notes. Most of my note taking is color coded highlighting of the handouts, scribbling arrows and whatnot to link ideas, and a few sentences of no more than 5 words at a time just to fill out something that may have been confusing. We get all of our notes given to us with total content already - so if you are at a school where you are responsible for taking your own notes my system may not be as good and something with the moving zoom box may be a better tool.

 

[TheMightySmiter]

Notability shouldn't replace iAnnotate. It's not really intended to mark up PDFs, I don't think. It's mostly just a pad of paper on a tablet. I love it because I don't annotate PDFs or ppts; it confuses me. I like writing all my notes by hand and using the ppts or PDFs as reference. Notability has been awesome so far in anatomy, because of drawing diagrams.

 

[n8henrie]

I'm a huge fan of Goodreader, along with many of my iPad-toting friends.

Our student group has made several blog posts showing how we use it, including a few videos. http://smrt.posterous.com/?sort=&search=goodreader

iAnnotate has been another favorite; I've been so satisfied with Goodreader that I haven't tried it, but I know several other students that like it.

 

[alamo4]

$1/stylus

http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Universal-capacitive-Motorola-Blackberry/dp/B0075IQKYA

 

[SpecterGT260]

$1/stylus

http://www.amazon.com/Colorful-Universal-capacitive-Motorola-Blackberry/dp/B0075IQKYA

I actually bought the boxwave stylus with the fiber mesh tip. It is freaking awesome and the reviews say it holds capacitance for ever (or at least as long as it has been out....). Even though it isnt fine tip, which I am used to, it is way firmer than most which makes it feel more like a pen. You dont need to push nearly as hard as the soft rubber ones which takes away that paintbrush feeling and makes writing feel a little more natural. Same price as the lot of those you posted, but will probably outlast them all and be less frustrating to use. my 0.02 after trying literally 10 different styluses....styli.. styl.. ah hell.....

 

[threnodyk]

Toss it out the window. Buy a tablet running Windows. Use OneNote.

 

[SpecterGT260]

why on earth would anyone get a windows tablet before apple and android?

 

[Alvarez13]

why on earth would anyone get a windows tablet before apple and android?

Because of this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0075IQKYA/ref=nosim/studentdoctor-20. It sucks. The iPad isn't meant for writing. Go try OneNote with a Wacom stylus. I promise you'll see the difference.

The iPad is great for looking up EMRs and reference apps and I think you'll see more and more of them on rounds. Again, I'm just talking about the writing feature. I'll never understand why apple would turn there backs on such a large market.

 

[SpecterGT260]

Because of this: http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B0075IQKYA/ref=nosim/studentdoctor-20. It sucks. The iPad isn't meant for writing. Go try OneNote with a Wacom stylus. I promise you'll see the difference.

The iPad is great for looking up EMRs and reference apps and I think you'll see more and more of them on rounds. Again, I'm just talking about the writing feature. I'll never understand why apple would turn there backs on such a large market.

I dont understand how your link supports your position

 

[Alvarez13]

I dont understand how your link supports your position

How many pens you do you have with that big of a nib? Save money and just use your finger. It will write just as crappy.

 

[SpecterGT260]

I actually just changed up from the nataal ($6) fine point to the larger nib boxwave with the fiber mesh. Its stiffer so honestly even though it is bigger it does better at fine writing.

and.... you know... because I also have fingers I am able to compare and contrast 😉

 

[DocHawk117]

iAnnotate is good, especially for smaller docs. But, I LOVE GoodReader for large pdfs (textbooks), and it it very easy to manage files/organize/add notes in.

 

[DocHawk117]

Its stiffer so honestly even though it is bigger it does better.
😉

Too easy. 🙂

 

[SpecterGT260]

Too easy. 🙂

I.... I missed that one completely.... weird.

 

[NewYorkDoctors]

lol @ take notes.

Valiant effort.. but ultimately wasted.



Anyway to your original question, I use Pages and a bluetooth keyboard,.

 

[wholeheartedly]

Sort of in line with this question, what size memory do you guys think is necessary for heavy academic work on an iPad3?

I'm thinking of getting one and doing primarily rec reading, academic stuff (notes, scheduling, pdfs, educational/flashcard apps etc), and music, probably not much in the way of games or movies.

 

[Bojack Horseman]

Sort of in line with this question, what size memory do you guys think is necessary for heavy academic work on an iPad3?

I'm thinking of getting one and doing primarily rec reading, academic stuff (notes, scheduling, pdfs, educational/flashcard apps etc), and music, probably not much in the way of games or movies.

I got 64 gb just to be safe, but I plan to load lots of videos