For the past 2-3 years, I have been engaged in finding ways to use the new technologies to help me take notes of all sorts, at all times on all supports, i.e. paper, audio, digital, etc. I come from a generation that used the notebook and pencil/pen heavily, and did not switch to direct digital, meaning using word processors, in taking notes.
As the technology evolved, I started using touch screen devices and progressed to using equipment with stylus and digital note taking features. Furthermore, I have often made a conscious effort to not tie into one system or supplier, so I use a variety of platforms : Android based for phone, Windows based for my computer, and I recently added an Apple IOS based iPad.
Now before I go further, I should say that I am no expert in digital technology, but I know some stuff. In fact, early in my career, I was at the forefront of the computer and microprocessor revolution, but then I got into finance, business and consulting and those capabilities were downsized! So I do know things, but no deep knowledge.
So I have been trying to find a system where I can take notes using the stylus－or pencil as some outfits call it－in one system, store the file in a cloud-based vault, and then pick it up on another device, and not only read it, but also modify it. Now, I know that many such systems exist and many people are doing this seamlessly, but I should remind you that I am using 3 different platforms, and certainly, I am a one-man show.
I struggled for a couple of months, and every time I thought I had solved the problem, something new popped up. But finally, it seems that I got it working by installing one of the note taking apps that I could use seamlessly on all platforms and access everything from the cloud, so it is available to me everywhere I have internet. And if I do not have internet, the most recent files are available in local mode.
Now, I am not going to reveal the name of the app, because I am not in the business of being an ‘influencer,’ but the other day, I got thinking about the irony of what I had been doing: I tried hard to use the latest technologies to help me take notes like the old way, paper and pencil!
Paris, March 7, 2024
Zeejay