What note taking software can I run on a thumb drive and take out of my Mac when I leave?

[Turnpike]

I use a Mac when I'm at a certain job site, I'm looking for a software or an app that I can use on my Mac (like Notes or something) that when I leave I can pull the thumb drive and not only remove it from the Mac, but will also have it with me.

I'm sure there's got to be something out there, for passwords, photo albums, or crypto stuff, but I can't find anything.

My application is .STL files for 3D printing that I'd gather while there, and I want to take the files with me when I leave, but if I found the right solution, I could also save outlines on it from my other job. Kind of like a picnic blanket, I want to lay it open while I'm there, and then take the 4 corners and fold everything together so I can take everything with me when I leave.

Is there some kind of stand alone app or something I can put on a thumb drive for text? Or even photos too? I don't mind paying for something, or maybe there's a solution that's cheap and free (like something off my Mac) that I'm not thinking of.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

 

[Slartibart]

I do not completely get what exactly you are looking for: you can simply save the STL files on the USB drive and then when connected to whatever computer, open, edit, and save them there. As long as you do not save them elswhere, that’s the solution to carry stuff around on external drives, isn’t it? 😃
If you want additionally for example want a texteditor on the external drive, you can copy BBedit (perpetually in its free version) - or actually all Mac programs which can be installed by drag&drop. Drop them there, and you’re done.

Caveat: if you move between different macOS version/systems, you have to make sure that the version of the program you have on the external drive, runs on the system connected. And: If the USB drive is used exclusively on Macs, format it HFS+ or APFS using Disk Utility.

 

[Alvinc]

Most note taking softwares are locked in because they have unique features and want you to use and search in the long run with your own devices.

If you want to bring your files from any devices or OS you like, the most ideal case is to use TextEdit to create plain text files. Or you can just use Word/Pages and even export formats you like. They can be edited and updated directly.

If you prefer note taking softwares, most have export options like markdown and plain text etc. but they are just backups so you still need to rely on the apps on certain devices to edit.

 

[Ben J.]

I'm probably missing something, but if you're using macs, and you have an iphone, just use Notes and sync it with iCloud. Any mac that you can create a user on with your Apple ID, will show all your notes, and so will your iPhone when you're away from the macs. I wouldn't be surpriced if there was a way to log in to icloud and find your notes on a windows or android device also.

 

[Tagbert]

I use a Mac when I'm at a certain job site, I'm looking for a software or an app that I can use on my Mac (like Notes or something) that when I leave I can pull the thumb drive and not only remove it from the Mac, but will also have it with me.

I'm sure there's got to be something out there, for passwords, photo albums, or crypto stuff, but I can't find anything.

My application is .STL files for 3D printing that I'd gather while there, and I want to take the files with me when I leave, but if I found the right solution, I could also save outlines on it from my other job. Kind of like a picnic blanket, I want to lay it open while I'm there, and then take the 4 corners and fold everything together so I can take everything with me when I leave.

Is there some kind of stand alone app or something I can put on a thumb drive for text? Or even photos too? I don't mind paying for something, or maybe there's a solution that's cheap and free (like something off my Mac) that I'm not thinking of.

Thanks in advance for any ideas.

I used to use TiddlyWiki. It is a wiki note taking app that saves files locally. It used to be very portable. You might try it out and see if you can keep both app and files on your thumb drive. It used to work that way but I haven’t used it for more than 10 years so I don’t know for sure that it still is that easy.

https://tiddlywiki.com/

i think you would want Tiddly Desktop

 

[Tajhad]

wouldn't be surpriced if there was a way to log in to icloud and find your notes on a windows or android device also.

I’d agree with this. The easiest way of doing it. Log into your iCloud on whatever device you are using ( including windows machines). All you need is an internet connection on the other device. You can use iCloud through a browser and use Pages, Freeform or Notes as you prefer.