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iPad Mini and outlining
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Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Nov 5, 2012 at 11:12 AM
For the first time in my life, I bought a new Apple gadget as soon as it went on sale. Some how I feel a little ashamed of this, but I’ll get over it. Anyway, my iPad Mini arrived on Friday (actually, because of the lingering effects of hurricane Sandy on Newark airport in New Jersey, the FedEx plane arrived too late to get my package on the delivery truck, so I took myself to the FedEx facility to pick it up).
I had always been intrigued by the iPad, but thought that it was too big—really not all that more portable than my MacBook and without the keyboard. But the Mini seemed to be the right size, and it is proving to be just that.
Of course, the first thing I did with it was scour the App Store looking for the right outlining and information apps. I had experience with some of these with my iPod Touch, but I also found some new options unavailable for the iPod.
Two in particular stand out so far:
- iThoughts is a mind mapping application that I’ve found really easy and fun to use. It exports outlines in OPML directly into the other app that impresses me so far.
- Outline Pro is focussed on building old-fashioned outlines. That is, each outline you build with it is a stand-alone document, such as an article or an essay. I have not used it a lot yet to see if it works as I expect, but I’m hopeful.
One thing that disappoints me is that so far is that I am unable to get into using Notebooks. This is an application that looks very promising and has a great reputation. I like the idea of it, but somehow it just hasn’t inspired me. I had the same problem with the iPod version, but thought the larger screen of the Mini would alleviate that. Maybe my feelings will change with use.
Cotton is also very nice on the Mini, as is TaskPaper.
Anyway, the bottom line is that I love the Mini and have found myself already being more productive. It isn’t outliner nirvana, but it is a step in that direction.
Steve
Posted by DataMill
Nov 5, 2012 at 01:36 PM
Take a peek at ProjectBook. It can create notes with outlines. It can also import doc, dock, pdf files and has a todo manager. The notes can have ink annotations. I use PB on an iPad3. Not sure how it will look on a mini, though.
Mike
Posted by Franz Grieser
Nov 5, 2012 at 03:04 PM
Thanks Stephen and Mike.
Just bought Outliner Pro. But couldn’t get Projectbook (which is exactly what I am missing) because right now it is only available in the US and Canadian iTunes Store - the developer says it will be available in Germany in fall (when I look out of my office window, I’d say it’s already winter in Bavaria).
Franz
Posted by Ken
Nov 5, 2012 at 04:43 PM
Stephen Zeoli wrote:
>For the first time in my life, I bought a new Apple gadget as soon as it went on sale. Some
>how I feel a little ashamed of this, but I’ll get over it.
>One thing that disappoints me is that so far
>is that I am unable to get into using Notebooks. This is an application that looks very
>promising and has a great reputation. I like the idea of it, but somehow it just hasn’t
>inspired me. I had the same problem with the iPod version, but thought the larger
>screen of the Mini would alleviate that. Maybe my feelings will change with
>use.
Steve,
Congratulations! I was a bit reluctant when I bought my iPad2 in early 2011, but I have not looked back. I’m not an Apple fan boy, but it was the best choice at the time, and it has held up well. Regarding Notebooks, it was one of the first programs that I bought, but it is one of the least used. It is a great design, but I have never quite got the hang of using it. There are Awesome Notes and Daily Notes to consider as well, but to be honest, I have not integrated either of them in my daily routine. Carbonfin Outliner, however, is another story. I like using it for outlines and durable checklists, and it like that it has a web verson that can sync with the iPad client. Good luck and keep us posted. I have been considering the mini as I would really like a small tablet that can be taken anywhere.
—Ken
Posted by Dr Andus
Nov 5, 2012 at 05:46 PM
Ken wrote:
> Regarding Notebooks, it was one of the first
>programs that I bought, but it is one of the least used.
Same here. The hindrance for me was the hierarchical folder structure which made it more cumbersome to transfer content to the desktop. This is why I switched to Nebulous Notes as my main note-taking app, so I can sync with a single Dropbox folder, from which I import them into ConnectedText.
I suggested early on to the developer to have the ability to compile the contents of the sub-folders and export them into a single document (Scrivener-style), which could have turned it into a serious writing tool for me. (Haven’t checked recently, so I don’t know if it’s been implemented.)
>Carbonfin Outliner, however, is another story. I like using it for outlines
>and durable checklists, and it like that it has a web verson that can sync with the iPad
>client.
Agreed. The web version is great to have. I notice that the Outline Pro people conveniently left that bit out from their unfavourable comparison:
http://outlineproapp.com/features/