Interesting comments from colleagues during meetings

[jeffg819]

I've used my iPad in a couple of meetings for note taking, one an all day interview session with users of a system we are working to rewrite.

A couple of folks have commented that unlike someone bringing a laptop to a meeting -- and thus creating what they view as a visual wall -- they found my use of the iPad unobtrusive.

Because of these comments and my experience in general, I think I've finally found a way to take notes once!

 

[elleana]

Interesting. How do you hold the iPad to take notes? In your lap?

 

[Bodhi395]

I've used my iPad in a couple of meetings for note taking, one an all day interview session with users of a system we are working to rewrite.

A couple of folks have commented that unlike someone bringing a laptop to a meeting -- and thus creating what they view as a visual wall -- they found my use of the iPad unobtrusive.

Because of these comments and my experience in general, I think I've finally found a way to take notes once!

I agree that it is very annoying to be seated across from someone with an open laptop. There is that feeling they are behind a wall and its hard to fully communicate with them.

The iPad is great to get rid of that, since its basically like you have a paper notebook with you, and there is no wall between you and the other person.

The only obstacle with the ipad though is the way you input text when taking notes in that manner. You could write them out, although even with a pogo stylus, I'm not sure how well that will work out. You could also type them, but that is a bit difficult on the ipad's keyboard.

 

[sigamy]

I'd also like to know how you are taking notes. What app are you using, how are you holding the iPad? Using a pen or typing?

 

[jeffg819]

I'm using the Apple case in landscape mode and the onscreen keyboard to take notes.

The keyboard presented some challenges -- still does to some extent -- but I've found I'm able to keep up with the conversation and participate as needed. I'm flip flopping between hunt'n'peck and touch typing. I think after some more use, I'll touch type exclusively...or maybe not...seems to work either way.

For my first attempt at meeting notes I used Pages but I've since gone to the stock iPad note app. After the meeting, I email the note to myself and then store it in DevonThink for future reference. I also embed "T:" on lines that are intended to create a task in Things.

I'm cautiously optimistic at this point that I've found a solution to note taking and dropping my Mole Skin system. I also think as multitasking comes out, I'll be able to switch between notes, reference information, and email during a session without issue.

 

[DougFNJ]

I'm using the Apple case in landscape mode and the onscreen keyboard to take notes.

The keyboard presented some challenges -- still does to some extent -- but I've found I'm able to keep up with the conversation and participate as needed. I'm flip flopping between hunt'n'peck and touch typing. I think after some more use, I'll touch type exclusively...or maybe not...seems to work either way.

For my first attempt at meeting notes I used Pages but I've since gone to the stock iPad note app. After the meeting, I email the note to myself and then store it in DevonThink for future reference. I also embed "T:" on lines that are intended to create a task in Things.

I'm cautiously optimistic at this point that I've found a solution to note taking and dropping my Mole Skin system. I also think as multitasking comes out, I'll be able to switch between notes, reference information, and email during a session without issue.

Hey Jeff, have you considered the wireless keyboard? I find the onscreen keyboard good for quick messages and notes....but the iPad in the cover used the same way remains unobtrusive while maintaining typing comfortably

 

[mklnk]

Hey Jeff, have you considered the wireless keyboard? I find the onscreen keyboard good for quick messages and notes....but the iPad in the cover used the same way remains unobtrusive while maintaining typing comfortably

If we're talking about the iPad being as unintrusive as possible to other people in the room, I think even the wireless keyboard would be a step in the wrong direction.

 

[LordEntropy]

I am thinking very much of doing this as well.

I use Toodledo for task management so I was also thinking of using the iPad to take notes and record my tasks in Toodledo. Been off work all week on holiday so will give this a try on Monday.

 

[jeffg819]

Thanks for the suggestion. I have the Apple BT keyboard but I keep forgetting to bring it to work. The one time I tried it at home it seemed a little awkward moving my hands back and forth to the screen / keyboard but to be fair, I did not really give it a hearty attempt.

 

[David R]

Interesting post, thank you.

I'm still hoping for a good note taking app, something to use in meetings instead of the notes app or Pages.

Something with the ability to add task icons (for example) and perhaps a way to create a quick sketch right in the middle of the notes using my finger.

 

[coelacanth]

I've been taking notes with iPad as well.

In my case Evernote works pretty well. As soon as meeting or phone call is done, I can access the note from any of my computers.

One upside of NOT using BT keyboard is that the typing can be nearly silent. Typing sound on physical keyboard can be annoying in conference rooms.

I can definitely see a shrink taking notes on iPad saying "interesting" while she's looking up some articles online.

Is there a note taking app with built-in web browser??

 

[Dustoff00]

Interesting post, thank you.

I'm still hoping for a good note taking app, something to use in meetings instead of the notes app or Words.

Something with the ability to add task icons (for example) and perhaps a way to create a quick sketch right in the middle of the notes using my finger.

Have you looked at School Notes Pro (Free for the time being) I downloaded it but did not get a chance to play with it before I had to take my iPad back (Horrible Wifi issues). My buddies iPad did not have the same issues, so just waiting on the replacement to arrive...

 

[shakenmartini]

I've used my iPad in a couple of meetings for note taking, one an all day interview session with users of a system we are working to rewrite.

A couple of folks have commented that unlike someone bringing a laptop to a meeting -- and thus creating what they view as a visual wall -- they found my use of the iPad unobtrusive.

Because of these comments and my experience in general, I think I've finally found a way to take notes once!

I've had similar reactions after they ask a ton of questions and want to play with it.

The other thing I have had people say is "I can't believe the battery lasted through 8h of meetings", when their laptops dies 1.5-2h into the meeting.

 

[surefooted]

Have you looked at School Notes Pro (Free for the time being) I downloaded it but did not get a chance to play with it before I had to take my iPad back (Horrible Wifi issues). My buddies iPad did not have the same issues, so just waiting on the replacement to arrive...

I was going to recommend this app. I like it a lot. The price is great (free!!). It gives you the ability to search google and wikipedia from within the app. You can take keyboard notes or draw on the same document.

 

[MacAttraction]

I can definitely see a shrink taking notes on iPad saying "interesting" while she's looking up some articles online.

Interesting, indeed

 

[David R]

Have you looked at School Notes Pro (Free for the time being) I downloaded it but did not get a chance to play with it before I had to take my iPad back (Horrible Wifi issues). My buddies iPad did not have the same issues, so just waiting on the replacement to arrive...

Thank you for the suggestion. I'll look into it. I ordered the iPad 3G so I still have some time to wait!

 

[ClaireL]

I was going to recommend this app. I like it a lot. The price is great (free!!). It gives you the ability to search google and wikipedia from within the app. You can take keyboard notes or draw on the same document.

I LOVE that SchoolNotes Pro app! It's definitely not just for students. I think being able to paste in pictures and text from Wikipedia is terrific. This is now my fav note taking app

 

[danpass]

I agree that a laptop has always been out of place on a conference table but a notepad has been fine.

Electronic notepad FTW


No iPad yet for me so I must live vicariously thru the iPad subforum for the time being

 

[Canedrive]

I can't help feeling that a pad and pen is unbeatable for merely taking notes.

 

[anjinha]

I was going to recommend this app. I like it a lot. The price is great (free!!). It gives you the ability to search google and wikipedia from within the app. You can take keyboard notes or draw on the same document.

Thank you so much for the recommendation.

I can't help feeling that a pad and pen is unbeatable for merely taking notes.

I'm very slow when handwriting but I'm a very fast typist, so unless I have to draw graphs or whatever I much prefer to type.

 

[admanimal]

I can't help feeling that a pad and pen is unbeatable for merely taking notes.

Perhaps for the act of note taking itself, but once you need to search/organize/transmit them they are much better in digital form.

 

[DKatri]

Cool stuff!

It would be really nice to be able to write notes with something like the pogo stylus and an app that does handwriting recognition.

 

[nazuk]

Anyone tried: http://www.coursenotesapp.com

Seems cool in terms of UI design?

What do people think?

 

[Mad.Rider]

Perhaps for the act of note taking itself, but once you need to search/organize/transmit them they are much better in digital form.

Well said

 

[vini-vidi-vici]

If we're talking about the iPad being as unintrusive as possible to other people in the room, I think even the wireless keyboard would be a step in the wrong direction.

I think if you had it under your desk, on your lap, it'd work great... of course, this assumes you can touch-type and don't need to look at the keyboard. it'd help if the keyboard was pretty silent too. So, you'd be typing away when you needed to, and occasionally, lift your arms up to click on something on the touch screen...

The bigger problem I'd see is just lugging the keyboard around with you... just not sure if there is an elegant way to do this. And if your meeting requires a lot of getting up & moving around, it might not work so smoothly.

I've taken notes in a meeting, just keeping the iPad on my lap. I couldn't go too fast though, as I really couldn't look at the keyboard much, and can't really touch-type on the on-screen keyboard.