Having moved from my Palm to my android phone, I was looking for something to organize information. I used the Palm memos (through the nice Agendus Windows application) for that function and sorely missed it when I started synching with Google calendars and contacts using CompanionLink for Google. There was no equivalent to the memos (CompanionLink will synch memo data to contacts but that is a real kludge).

I started to use Evernote, but don't like the fact that the Android application doesn't really synch, it just goes out to the net - so if you aren't connected you can't get your data. In addition I'm uncomfortable putting the information I want to manage in the cloud.

I recently discovered B-Folders 2 (http://www.jointlogic.com/b-folders/2/android/ ). It is a fairly simple two pane outliner/organizer. Outliner in the sense that you can organize your pieces of information in a nested folder structure. The information pieces can be text notes or one of a set of templated information such as bookmarks, passwords, credit card information, etc. Fortunately for things like passwords and credit card data, the database is encrypted using 256 bit ACS encryption.

The most interesting thing is the synchronization facility. In addition to the Android application, there is a desktop version that supports Windows, Mac and Linux (it is a Java application). Synchronization takes place application to application across a LAN or across the internet if you open up router ports. It is a peer to peer synchronization and thus nothing is stored in the cloud. Synchronization over the net uses TLS for security. So for you Mac/Windows guys this application might be useful even if you don't have an Android phone. While it is not available now, the developer has promised USB synchronization for the Android devices by the end of this month - which I need for my phone - most corporations won't open the router ports and thus another approach is needed. It also has some import/export capabilities for other applications and in CSV format to handle about anything.

The Android application is free, but the desktop costs about $30. That payment is for a user and thus the desktop can be used on multiple computers if only one user is involved.

B-folders 2 appears to meet my needs and goes beyond the capabilities of the palm memos (organized by folders, encrypted, etc.) at the cost of two synchs (calendars/contacts via CompanionLink and b-folders). The developers are talking about allowing the storage of documents and images as well as custom templates. I'm sure there is opportunity for additional capability (I can already imagine dropping URLs to create a link record).

Given the interests of this community, I thought I'd pass this on to you.

Charles

Charles, thanks for the heads up in B-folders.

I see three important advantages and one major disadvantage for me with the program over Evernote. The advantages:
- Linux version; I have personally lost hope that EN will ever support this
- Encryption; this is a feature that EN users have been asking for ages
- Nothing stored in the cloud

The disadvantage is that the developer seems to be a one-man show; in this day and age, I am becoming very cautious about trusting software houses that have little background to show in terms of funding and human resources --in 2003 I opted for Hyperclip instead of UltraRecall and one day the developers simply vanished. That said, it is interesting to note that some of the no-longer-developed software often discussed here, like MORE and Notemap, were actually discontinued by major software houses rather than small players.

Incidentally, there's a new version of Evernote for the Android, and offline note access has been announced for the near future: http://blog.evernote.com/2010/08/11/evernote-for-android-update/

That said, it is interesting to note that some of the no-longer-developed software often discussed here, like MORE and Notemap, were actually discontinued by major software houses rather than small players.

You can add Ecco, GrandView, Agenda, Google Wave and Notebook, and tons of others to that list. Major software companies make decisions based on profits while passion drives one-man shows (Surfulator, Zoot, InfoSelect, IQ, etc)

Just my 2 cents !

Alexander Deliyannis wrote:

Incidentally, there's a new version of Evernote
for the Android, and offline note access has been announced for the near future:
http://blog.evernote.com/2010/08/11/evernote-for-android-update/

Alexander:

Thanks for the info on Evernote. Offline storage will certainly be welcome. The b-folders folks talked about an update in "late August" to provide USB sync. I guess the test will be if they deliver (albeit a bit late).

Charles

For those interested, the b-Folders folks released a version that syncs to Android phones via the USB port (I haven't tried it yet, will do so tonight). This really meets on of my needs and is a significant addition to an already very useful program.

Charles

Folks:

Tried the USB Synch last night. Works like a champ!

Charles

I wonder if you are stilll using the product and also if you have resolved the issue of the small size of the vendor

Alexander Deliyannis wrote:

Charles, thanks for the heads up in B-folders.

I see three important advantages and
one major disadvantage for me with the program over Evernote. The advantages:
-
Linux version; I have personally lost hope that EN will ever support this
-
Encryption; this is a feature that EN users have been asking for ages
- Nothing stored
in the cloud

The disadvantage is that the developer seems to be a one-man show; in
this day and age, I am becoming very cautious about trusting software houses that have
little background to show in terms of funding and human resources --in 2003 I opted for
Hyperclip instead of UltraRecall and one day the developers simply vanished. That
said, it is interesting to note that some of the no-longer-developed software often
discussed here, like MORE and Notemap, were actually discontinued by major software
houses rather than small players.

Incidentally, there's a new version of Evernote
for the Android, and offline note access has been announced for the near future:
http://blog.evernote.com/2010/08/11/evernote-for-android-update/

Jayin:

I am still using it. I am very pleased with it. I haven't had to contact them but there are regular improvements (http://www.jointlogic.com/b-folders/2/help/new.vm ). For example you can now create "cards" with user definable fields. Sync also continues to be developed: http://jointlogic.com/b-folders/2/help/sync/ .

I am a happy customer.

Charles

CRC wrote:

For those interested, the b-Folders folks released a version that syncs to Android
phones via the USB port (I haven't tried it yet, will do so tonight). This really meets
on of my needs and is a significant addition to an already very useful program.


charles

Thanks Charles. I have a concern about a major migration to something that might be fly-by-night. Also it's clear that to get full functionality on the android (eg conversion of my palm data onto my android) I have to but the product. Apparently you have to keep purchasing major upgrades as well. Pehaps that's the business plan that will keep him afloat :)

Sorry that should have been "buy the desktop version"

JayinToronto wrote:

CRC wrote:
>For those interested, the b-Folders folks released a version that
syncs to Android
>phones via the USB port (I haven't tried it yet, will do so tonight).
This really meets
>on of my needs and is a significant addition to an already very
useful program.
>
>
>charles

Thanks Charles. I have a concern about a major
migration to something that might be fly-by-night. Also it's clear that to get full
functionality on the android (eg conversion of my palm data onto my android) I have to
but the product. Apparently you have to keep purchasing major upgrades as well.
Pehaps that's the business plan that will keep him afloat :)

Update:
Have the DT version and am happy to report that the transfer of my >2000 Palm contacts seems to have worked flawlessly.

It is clear that developing a folder structure is a key to using the tool productively. I am frustrated by the lack of a users forum.

Charles if you are still out there do you know of such forums? Also the entire DB is pw protected, but on your earlier post I inferred that certain item types (eg credit cards) have additional security. Is that correct?

In case anyone's interested, B-Folders have a 50% promotion via their Facebook page https://www.facebook.com/B.Folders.Secure.Organizer until 31/12.

I already own the product and found out about the promotion through its latest update.

B-Folders is a modest but well designed and implemented tool. I have it on Android, Linux and Windows; it is one of the few products that pass the 'acid test' during my efforts to simplify my workflow.

Updates are fairly regular, with non-revolutionary but useful improvements, contributing to the usability and stability of the product. See history here http://jointlogic.com/b-folders/3/help/new.vm