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Apps for Scratchpads
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Posted by Dellu
Jun 24, 2022 at 03:59 PM
I used to write scratches (things I am doing “right now”/logs) using my writing apps such as KeepIt/Curiota/DT etc.
The problem with that method is the scratchpad note gets lost in the jungle: and often get lazy to find the note, and to add items to it. For that, I am thinking use very simple app for this purpose: to write scratches.
What I want is an app that satisfies the following 5 requirements:
a) note menu item: I should be able write from the menu item; and the menu item should be independent of the big note app
b) transparent storage: to a mac folder
c) expandable window: no rigid windows
d) Should be sticky (floating) over other apps
e) text formatting: should support either markdown or rtf formatting
Thus far, I have tried a number of simple apps. Here is my comparison of those apps.
1. FiveNotes:
√- note menu item
x- transparent storage:
x- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
√ text formatting
2. Antnotes:
√- note menu item
x- transparent storage:
√- expandable window
√ Can be sticky (floating)
√ text formatting
This is better than Fivenotes because notes can be exported; and has a global shortcut to show the notes. I can use the export command to make the Scratch visible to Spotlight; by overwriting the old version. This is not as good as directly editing a text file. But, is better than having no way of making the file available to spotlight.
3. Unclutter:
√- note from menu item
x- transparent storage:
√- expandable window
√ Can be sticky (floating)
x text formatting—-it supports only plain text. This is the major issue I have about this app.
4. Quick notes:
- I couldn’t find this for macos 10.13.
5. FromScratch:
x- note from menu item
x- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
√- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
x formatting
6. Clipto:
This more or less like Obsidian: a complex system with internal storage.
7. Handynote:
- This is similar to Antnotes.
8. Tyke:
—no formatting
√- note from menu item
x- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
√- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
x formatting
9. Mininote Pro
√- note from menu item
x- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
√- expandable window
√ Can be sticky (floating)
√ text formatting (rtf of markdown)
This is similar to Antnote: there is no much difference between these two.
From function perspective: Antnotes = Mininote Pro
10. Sticky:
x- note from menu item
x- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
√- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
√ formatting
—-there is no advantage over the Antnote except the sync with Evernote feature.
11. Notelife (formerly SOHO notes):
- it also has a menu item (Flash). But, it is not possible to create or edit notes from the menu item. It can only search items.
- the Flash also requires the main app to run; much similar to Scrivener’s scratchpad.
12. Evernote:
√- note from menu item
x- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
x- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
x formatting
13. Devonthink:
√- note from menu item
√- transparent storage (txt, md or rtf)
x- expandable window
x Can be sticky (floating)
√ formatting
Thus far, Antnote and Mininote Pro come closest to my needs. Still, they miss the transparency requirement.
Have I missed another app that could satisfy these requirements?