Information everywhere with Evernote
Mac Tip #357, 24 September 2008

Evernote is a very flexible application for keeping notes, snippets and general information. I’ve mentioned it in a couple of recent Mac Tips as it’s quickly become a favourite. I’ve tried and used many such applications over the last decade, but Evernote is by far the most engaging for me.

One thing I like about it is that the Notes I store are available to me almost anywhere.

Evernote notes are available on Windows.

I can access Notes from any of my Macs, or from my iPod touch, or even from Windows, all using free software. And if none of them are right for the moment, there’s always the Web.

Evernote notes are available on the web.

The key is to allow Evernote to synchronise your Notes with their server. If you have a broadband connection this happens quietly in the background, every few minutes.

I have a difficulty with my iPod touch — it only displays Notes when I’m successfully connected to a wireless network. Unlike an iPhone, it can’t just connect to the Internet from anywhere.

This limits Evernote’s usefulness on the iPod — Notes aren’t always available. But if you know in advance that you’ll need a particular Note there are ways to still have the information you need.

For example, on a recent trip to Auckland I needed the street address for the US Consulate. I’d stored the address in Evernote while making more general notes. I knew I’d be unable to access that Note while out and about in Auckland because I wouldn’t have an Internet connection.

While connected to the Internet at a friend’s house I took a screenshot of the relevant Note on the iPod. Then I was able to look at the screenshot by viewing the iPod’s Photo Album.

Note: to take a screenshot on the iPod touch hold down the Home button and quickly press the Sleep / Wake button. The screen briefly flashes white and the screenshot is stored under Photos. There’s a bit of a knack to it, so if it doesn’t work at first just keep practising.

Once I’d visited the Consulate and no longer needed the screenshot of the Note I just deleted it from the Photo Album.

I use the same screenshot technique when I take items to the Post Office and need addresses stored in Evernote. These are probably addresses I’ll never need again, so I don’t want to clutter up my Address Book with them.

Whether you need or want snippets of text, images, URLs, PDFs or anything else Evernote is a strong contender. Try it and see.