Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

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Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#1 Post by Emka »

Dear all,

I'm looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices like my Samsung Galaxy 8 and my Surface Go 2 in Windows S Mode. I found an app on Google Play Store (Floaty) that claims to sync with MS Sticky Notes, but it seems totally buggy and does not really work. If it did, it would be perfect for my needs. Which are: a simple widget on the Android phone homescreen where I can quickly type in any simple notes (e.g. todo stuff) without the need for any functions beyond plain text, with the notes being synced with a desktop app on the Surface or vice versa. MS OneNote kind of offers this functionality, but the Android app is not easy enough to access. Todoist might also be a way, using the android app and a browser extension, but functions might be a little bloated for my needs; or GoTodo with apps on Google and Microsoft store and browser extension (both not tested yet).

I would be grateful for any ideas, suggestions, experiences...
Cheers

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Pendrive
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Joined: Mon May 11, 2020 4:37 am

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#2 Post by Pendrive »

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Last edited by Pendrive on Mon Sep 25, 2023 5:46 pm, edited 5 times in total.

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#3 Post by Emka »

Thanks, probably not quite what i'm looking for

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#4 Post by Emka »

Image

The "Floaty" app Android widget, where I mostly type in notes. Relatively unstructured, no markup, bullets or hierarchies necessary.

Image

MS Sticky Notes. This time syncing seems to have worked. Don't know why. Mostly it doesn't sync or messes everything up.

Looking for a reliable alternative that is nearly as simple as that.

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joby_toss
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#5 Post by joby_toss »

We have ResophNotes in the database (use it with Simplenote). Is this what you're looking for?
https://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1951

I am using OneNote and is absolutely fine for simple notes synchronized between PC and an Android phone. To be fair, I never had a powerful phone until now, but just got one few weeks ago and a lot of my frustrations vanished (apps open instantly, 0 freezes, 0 crashes, smooth as butter etc.). :)

freakazoid
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#6 Post by freakazoid »

When I have to sync notes, I use Standard Notes. It's a good encrypted notes app that has clients for Windows, MacOS, Android and Linux. The free version should be sufficient for most users.

However if you're looking for a notes widget that works from the homescreen, perhaps try Notesnook? I've always wanted to try this one, but I'm already using Standard Notes. Notesnook looks like it has a widget from what I've seen on their website.
is it stealth? ;)

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#7 Post by Emka »

Thanks, I'll take a look at what I can accomplish with Simplenote and Standard Notes.

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Midas
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#8 Post by Midas »

What I do nowadays -- after having tried inumerable iterations of programs across different platforms: I try to keep everything as close to plain text as I possible can (thank god for Markdown and its memorable and intuitive syntax); l use device specific programs to write and manage my notes (Quillnote on Android, ClipDiary, Cintanotes or even good old Windows Notepad on the desktop); I don't synchronize regularly but whenever I need to exchange stuff, either a single note or a database dump, I use Telegram which is available everywhere... (previously, I used Dropbox for this and it worked pretty good, but then they brought a 3 device limit for free users that killed my convenience).

Far from a perfect solution but, hey, whatever works, right...? :?

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rbon
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Joined: Wed Mar 28, 2007 2:16 am
Location: Italy

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#9 Post by rbon »

...maybe this tool can help you.
Warpinator 0.3 released at February 7, 2023
• This is an unofficial reimplementation of Linux Mint's https://distrowatch.com/ file sharing tool Warpinator for Windows 7-10 (and Android and Linux too).
• Transfer files between Linux, Windows and Android devices.
• works on Wndows 7/8/10/11 - Linux - Android.

From MajorGeeks review:
Warpinator is designed to be as straightforward as possible to use when you need to get your data from one place to another, spanning formats, systems, and even your Android device.
Once run, Warpinator immediately scans and finds any available network devices and then lists them for you. All devices can be previewed to ensure their corresponding IP addresses are correct, etc.
You can then view the file queue, begin the transfer, approve/decline the transfers, and keep track of the transfer status through the progress bar.
Warpinator for Windows: rel. 0.3
• GitHub project page: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinator-windows
• GitHub downloadf page: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinato ... s/tag/v0.3
• direct download portable: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinato ... ws_0.3.zip
• size of compressed file (zip): 7,99 MB
• language (source code): 100% C#
• require: .NET Framework 4.6.2
• build with Visual Studio

Warpinator for Android: rel. 1.5.3
• Github project page: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinator-android
• GitHub download page: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinato ... tag/v1.5.3
• GitHub direct download: https://github.com/slowscript/warpinato ... _1.5.3.apk
• Google Play App: https://play.google.com/store/apps/deta ... warpinator
• size of compressed file (apk): 6,75 MB
• language (source code): 100% Java

Reviews:
• Softpedia: https://www.softpedia.com/get/Internet/ ... ator.shtml
• Majorgeeks: https://www.majorgeeks.com/files/detail ... nator.html

Translations of Android version:
• Weblate service: https://hosted.weblate.org/projects/warpinator-android/
• List of translations: https://hosted.weblate.org/projects/war ... #languages

Screenshot Windows version
"Programming today is a race between software engineers striving to build bigger and better idiot-proof programs, and the universe trying to build bigger and better idiots. So far, the universe is winning." - Rick Cook.

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#10 Post by Emka »

Warpinator also seems too complex for what I was initially looking for.

Update: I have tried out GoTodo because it has apps and browser extension for all kinds of platforms, but it was too bloated and unstraightforward for my needs. I'm afraid this will be the case with Simplenote and Standard Notes, too. I might eventually test Notesnook.

Any suggestions for a sticky notes kind of app for Android that syncs with other (Windows) devices are still welcome. I have looked through Playstore and F-droid, but I am unable to test out everything.

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Pendrive
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#11 Post by Pendrive »

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Last edited by Pendrive on Mon Sep 25, 2023 5:46 pm, edited 1 time in total.

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#12 Post by Emka »

Yes, might be worth testing, thanks.

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vevy
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#13 Post by vevy »

Do you want a FOSS/self-hosted solution, or are you comfortable with proprietary/freemium offerings?

Emka
Posts: 290
Joined: Fri Sep 17, 2010 9:31 pm

Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#14 Post by Emka »

The freer the better, in general. That's why I wasn't initially thinking about Google Keep. I went with sth that syncs with MS Sticky Notes because it is installed anyway and software choice is limited on my Surface Go 2 in S mode. I know I could go for MS To do, but then again it might not be as plain and simple as I want it. Easiness and simplicity would be my priority, even before license policy.

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Pendrive
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Re: Looking for a simple way to sync notes between devices

#15 Post by Pendrive »

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Last edited by Pendrive on Mon Sep 25, 2023 5:45 pm, edited 4 times in total.

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