QOwnNotes is the open source plain-text file notepad with markdown support and todo list manager for GNU/Linux, Mac OS X and Windows by Patrizio Bekerle, that (optionally) works together with the notes application of ownCloud or Nextcloud. So you are able to write down your thoughts with QOwnNotes and edit or search for them later from your. QOwnNotes is a plain-text file notepad and todo-list manager with markdown support and Nextcloud / ownCloud integration. pbek/QOwnNotes.
I've seen a lot of people on Twitter recently asking for advice on taking notes. Mostly as alternative to Evernote.I've shared my setup when I can, but 140 characters only goes so far, so I thought I'd write up something more in-depth.Personally, I like the ability to jot down something on-the-go and then do something with it later. That means I needa way to sync file from my phone to my PC. My setup has three key pieces: Nextcloud,QOwnNotes, and Notebooks for iOS.
Nextcloud
I use Nextcloud for backup and syncing files. This workflow revolves around a functioning Nextcloud (or ownCloud) server.Setup for Nextcloud/ownCloud will very slightly depending on your server, but theofficial documentation is a great place to start.I'm hoping to document my setup here soon.
Notes (Nextcloud app)
There is an official Notes app for Nextcloud that other applications integrate with. Setting it up is pretty painless.Simply log into your Nextcloud server and go to Apps.
Go to the Office & text section.
Find the Notes app and click the Enable button. This will download and enable the app.
After it's enabled, you will find a Notes icon under the Apps menu.
The first visit to the Notes app will create a Notes folder in the root of your Nextcloud files.
QOwnNotes
QOwnNotes is an excellent, cross-platform note-taking app that (when paired with Nextcloud) let's you control your data. Learn more and follow theinstructions for your OS at the QOwnNotes website.
Setup QOwnNotes + Notes integration
While you can use QOwnNotes without a Nextcloud backend, the integrations allows you to sync your notes to multipledevices and access previous versions and detected notes.
When you first start QOwnNotes, it will ask you to choose where to store your notes. If you already have Nextcloudsync tool running, the Notes folder that was created when you visited the Notes app in Nextcloud will already be on yourcomputer. If not, you will need to create a folder to hold your notes. Browse to select the folder.
I tend to skip syncing initially and get the program up and running first. Click Next to skip those settings.
Finish the setup.
Notebooks for iOS uses 'books' to organize which correlates with note subfolders in QOwnNotes. Go to Note > Settings >Note folders. Choose 'Use note sub-folders.' You will now see a list of subfolders above the list of notes.I had restart the program to see the full list.
Now set up the Nextcloud sync. Go to Note > Settings > ownCloud / Nextcloud.
Enter your URL and credentials. I suggest setting uptwo-factor authentication anddevice passwords in your Nextcloud settings.Any existing notes will now be synced.
Setup Notebooks
Notebooks does have a PC and Mac version, but nothing native for Linux which is why I went with QOwnNotes. I use both aniPhone and iPad so Notebooks works well for me on those platforms. Vist theApp Store to purchase and download. There is also a slightlycheaper, iPhone-only version. Pick whicheversuits your needs.
Open Notebooks
Go to Settings > Import, Export, Sync
Turn on WebDAV and enter Settings
Enter the WebDAV settings for your Nextcloud server and Save
Qownnotes Math
Press Done and Done (again) to get back out of Settings.
Touch the Sync icon (your WebDav server should be showing)
Now you're setup for on-the-go note taking. One caveat: as of the time of this post, WebDav sync was not automatic.So after creating/updating notes in Notebooks, remember to manualy resync.
Notebooks tweaks
Since QOwnNotes works with Markdown files, I make a couple of tweaks to Notebooks' settings to ensure compatibility
Qownnotes
- Settings > Markdown Settings > Enable List Markdown as Extra Document Type
- Settings > Write & Edit > Default Document Type > Markdown
- Markdown will only be an option if you enable it as an extra document type
Qownnotes Android
CloudNotes (another option)
Qownnotes Alternative
I've used CloudNotes for accessing my notes on my phone since I first startedusing Nextcloud/ownCloud and the Notes app. After finding QOwnNotes, I wanted something with Markdown support and foundNotebooks. Shortly after I started using Notebooks, CloudNotes announced Markdown support. If you don't have the needfor sub-notebooks, CloudNotes may be an better option for you since it has direct integration with the Notes app insteadof using WebDav.
Qownnotes For Windows
Happy Note-taking!