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Vanessa Bateman writes:
I thought I might ask you and your readers for a recommendation for good note taking software for OSX or even PalmOS.
I am a part time graduate student (while working full time at my real job) and I am trying to find a way to save both a little time and my back. While my professors have been very good at providing any handouts in PDF, I am still taking regular notes in a spiral notebook and then later trying to find the time to type up what I've written down.
The handouts in PDF are great, because I have the full version of Acrobat. I simply draw, type or scribble on these directly. The underline, highlight and pencil functions are really useful and I *always* have the files with me as I travel with my cute little iBook (dual USB - w/max RAM). I can do this almost as fast as I would take notes on these by hand. However, I still have yet to find the replacement for my spiral bound notes.
Most word processing programs are just fine as long as there are no mathematical equations or drawings. But include either of those in a lecture and taking notes with the computer becomes far too slow. I have tried this with MS Word (lousy) and Appleworks (even worse) and I find that it takes too much time and is too much of a distraction.
As I am studying geological engineering, there are a lot of equations and drawings to consider. Acrobat manages the extra little notes and items I want to add to fixed document, but I need something that has the functionality of a word processor, with the ability to easily handle sketches and mathematical equations in the document interspersed with my notes. There are good mathematical programs (MathCad and Mathematica) that allow you to lay out equations - but they lack the drawing functions and the word processor features needed for a good note taking program.
I travel quite a bit and prefer keeping everything possible in electronic format, where I can back it up several times without killing any trees and without carrying an extra 20 pounds of paper with me! Any ideas!?
Btw. I hope the OSX transition hasn't been too traumatic. For those of us in science and engineering, OSX has been a wonder. I've kept all of my old OS9 programs (and still use quite a few), run Virtual PC for the PC based ones and have gotten several good UNIX programs compiled for my use. A lot of programming in science and engineering can be quite old - I still run some old DOS programs on my iBook that our WinTel machines at work cannot handle well (I have a virtual machine that is purely DOS). Many of the tools that we use at work can be fairly specialized - so they don't get updated (and my employer won't pay for new ones if the old ones still work - and sometimes even when they don't). I gave a presentation recently that required a demo of a couple of programs and it was really wonderful to be able to jump from Mac programs, to PC programs to even a brief demo of a small recompiled UNIX program without ever changing computers. ^_^
I am sorry that your experience with the transition hasn't been as positive as mine. I also have to boot up in OS9, for using the old version of ArcView, and I have come to really dislike doing so. I've really adapted my work habits, and OS9 really slows me down, I wouldn't give up OSX if you paid me! Some of my older programs are more stable in Classic than in my boot of OS9, though I have yet to figure out *why*. Ah well, we have very different working needs. Perhaps they will get some of your issues settled out soon.
Now, if only MathCad and ArcView would get updated for OSX (both companies have abandoned mac support) - I love the old versions, but they are really getting creaky!!
Thanks
Glad to hear that OS X has been working well for you. My IS X Odyssey hasn't been "traumatic," exactly, but it has been frustrating. Please see my reply to Adam Guha below for more on why. I continue to do most of my production work in OS 9.2.2, while continuing to keep my oars in the water with OS X. When the time comes that X doesn't exact too substantial a performance hit (I currently estimate that things go 20% - 30% slower in X for my work routines) I will switch. That may require a faster computer (currently 500 MHz Pismo PowerBook with 640 MB RAM), and almost certainlky several upgrades of OS X yet. As to your question. I did some research, and found a few applications that *may* be of interest to you. I haven't used any of them, so the information below is from the developers. Expressionist is very old nad hasn't been updated in a long time. I'm a math dunce, so I wouldn't be able to evaluate their performance for you requirements even if I did check them out first hand. Charles MathType 3.7 for Macintosh MathType is a tool that you use with your favorite word processor or presentation program to add mathematical notation to your documents.
Features:
You can quickly build complex equations with simple point and click techniques. There are no code words to remember. You add each mathematical symbol and template to your equation by simply choosing its icon with the mouse or keyboard. MathType applies the rules of mathematical typesetting as you type. It automatically chooses fonts, style, spacing and position as you enter the equation. You can modify MathType's spacing rules to accommodate your own style, or switch between automatic formatting and plain text modes with a single keystroke. For maximum flexibility and control, MathType gives you the ability to nudge equation elements in 1/4 point increments. MathType for the Macintosh comes with over 275 mathematical symbols and templates - Fractions, radicals, sums, integrals, products, matrices, various types of brackets and braces - you name it! You can also use any character from any font installed on your system.
If you are using Microsoft Word (6.0, 98 or 2001), MathType adds commands to Word's menus to provide some powerful features:
MathType 3.7 automatically installs a MathType button onto Word's toolbar (Word 6.0, 98 and 2001). Now you can insert an equation with the click of a button or with a simple keyboard command -- no need to open the Insert Object dialog. You can save the contents of the Symbol and Template Bars, as well as font, size and spacing settings, in Preference files. For example, you can create one set for reports and another for slides. These preference files can be loaded at any time by selecting a simple menu command.
TeX Output
Our translator produces so-called Plain TeX. If you use AMS-TeX or LaTeX, or some other macro package, our Plain TeX code will still work in most cases. Almost all MathType operations can be performed using mnemonic keyboard shortcuts. MathType now allows you to place arcs over multiple characters and to place rays and lines above and below multiple characters.
Use MathType with any Web-authoring software to include great-looking equations in your Web pages:
Instead of starting from scratch every time you want to create an equation, save your most frequently used expressions in the Macro Bar. Recall your saved expressions into an equation by simply clicking on its icon in the Macro Bar. Store frequently used symbols and templates for easy access whenever you use MathType. Instead of always using the pull-down symbol palettes, MathType allows you to simply click on symbols you put in the Quick Access Bar to insert them anywhere you want. MathType lets you save equations as EPS files. This gives you the ability to add equations to applications that do not support the Clipboard, OLE or EGO.
System Requirements
MathType 3.7 runs under OS X in Classic mode. A native OS X version is actively under development, and registered MathType for Macintosh users will automatically be notified when the final release is available. We will soon be needing beta testers, so if you would like to join our list of potential beta testers please send email to betatest@dessci.com.
For more information, visit:
Leibniz Mathematical Word Processor Leibniz is a mathematical word processor and easy to use front end to the Mathematica computer algebra system. Leibniz makes use of a powerful pattern matching system to anticipate the calculation you want to perform, so you don't have to learn a programming language or wade through menus to get your work done. Computing integrals, solving differential equations, and performing a whole host of calculation tasks is as easy as selecting the thing you want to calculate and hitting enter or clicking and dragging to launch the calculation you want. You can use Leibniz to quickly and easily create documents containing text, equations, and pictures. Export your documents to the web in a variety of formats. Versions are available for Windows and Macintosh. The newest version of Leibniz is designed to work with the Leibniz kernel server, an internet server that allows you to access the power of the Mathematica kernel. With this service you can rent access to the Mathematica kernel without having to purchase the software. Download the Leibniz software and in minutes you can be doing calculations with the powerful Mathematica computer algebra system. The Leibniz calculation system is an open system. Users of the Mathematica version of Leibniz can add their own custom calculation rules. Leibniz uses a pattern matching system to anticipate the calculation you want to perform from the structure of any item you select. To perform a calculation, simply select the thing you want to calculate and press enter. The Leibniz system is designed to make it easy to do calculations all at once or step by step...you decide. You can apply calculations to all or part of an expression. Computer algebra systems like Mathematica are great for doing hard calculations like computing integrals or solving differential equations, but sometimes computer algebra systems make it difficult to do some of the simplest calculations. Leibniz is designed to make it easy to do both. You can easily rearrange terms in algebraic expressions and perform other basic manipulations by simply clicking and dragging. Creating two and three dimensional plots is easy in Leibniz. Tables are also easy to create. You can plot data points by dragging a table onto a plot. Leibniz can export documents to a variety of popular mathematics formats including LaTeX, Mathematica notebook, and MathML. Put your work on the web quickly and easily with HTML, Adobe Acrobat, and TechExplorer output. If you are already a Mathematica user, Leibniz is a nice complement to the standard front end. Because Leibniz can export documents to Mathematica notebook form it is easy to move your work from Leibniz to Mathematica. Mathematica is a full-featured and powerful system for doing mathematical calculations, graphics, and programming. If you don't need the full power of the Mathematica system and just want to do calculations and plots, the Leibniz calculation server may be an effective alternative for you. Download the Leibniz software and in minutes you can be doing sophisticated calculations. The latest version of Leibniz is version 1.6.1, released on February 15, 2002
For more information, visit:
EXPRESSIONIST Equation Editor Expressionist, an equation editor, is a powerful application and desk accessory that enables technical equations and symbols to be quickly and easily created and placed into your word processor, page layout, or presentation documents. It is intuitive and completely WYSIWYG. There are no programming languages to learn or syntax errors to puzzle with. Expressionist offers you an easy-to-use interface. Special mathematical symbols and Greek letters are available to construct your equations. Just click an icon on the palette that represents a particular structure or symbol. Everything is already pre-formatted, spaced, and sized optimally for perfect equations. Expressionist also allows you to customise expressions the way you want, quickly and easily. Create macros of frequently used structures and symbols and place them on the palette. Change the style and line thickness; control the positioning of sub- and superscripts. Group symbols and structures into easy-to-find pop-up palettes. Expressionist creates quality equations in high resolution formats including PICT and PostScript files. You can even convert your WYSIWYG equations into TeX and LaTeX, the technical text-based typesetting standard. Expressionist is not only System 7 compatible, but has many features that enable it to work better with other applications automatically. The Edit Graphic Object (EGO) Apple event allows you to call-up Expressionist while actually working in a word-processor, page layout, or other program. Simply double click on the embedded Expressionist equation in your program. Expressionist opens up automatically with an equation in a window waiting to be edited. Make your changes, close the window, and your new equation is already in the document. Expressionist also knows how to automatically align equations in-line with text. Simply paste your equation into an application and Expressionist does the rest. Expressionist is ideal for your technical reports, presentations, theses, research, homework, tests and other scientific work because it allows you to add specific equations to your documents. Expressionist is a mathematical equation editor with editing tools arranged as icon buttons on a palette. You save time because there is no complicated programming language to learn. Produce even the most complex equations by simply clicking icons and pasting expressions directly into your document. Your equations are effortlessly inserted into your technical paper with all of the appropriate colors and symbols. Expressionist's unique design allows you to use it in conjunction with your favorite word processing package to quickly and easily create professional documents. Expressionist is character oriented and comes with over 300 mathematical symbols and structures. The palette is customizable with pop-ups containing mathematical structures, symbols, and editing tools. No proprietary or special fonts are required for mathematical typesetting. Compatible with popular word processing, page layout, presentation, and drawing software including software from Microsoft, Aldus, Wordperfect, Lotus and Adobe.
Special Features:
Matrix Features:
Flexibility Features:
Editing
Features of Expressionist:
High quality output on the ImageWriter, LaserWriter, and Linotronic type printers
For more information, visit:
10.2 Jaguar Speed Breathing room for Jaguar From Darren Varner When on the desktop, go to "View" on the menu bar. Then click on "Show view options." Select "Keep arranged by kind." This should keep all of your hard drives together and in the same place. I can't help with the F14 and 15 keys. My keyboard only goes to F12, as do the preferences in Keyboard preferences. Darren Varner
Thanks for the tip. Darren.
The F-13 key works normally, and the 14/15 keys used to in 10.1.x, but not in Jaguar.
Charles From Adam R. S. Guha Read your article about finally upgrading to 10.2 Jaguar. I was a little surprised that you didn't notice any speed boost at all. Before I bought it, I was having some speed issues with my G4 PowerBook- due to RAM, I figured, since I only have 128MB. When I installed 10.2 on the PowerBook, I found that overall responsiveness was much better- in 10.1, opening my Documents folder would result in a spinning 'CD' icon before the folder contents would display in 10.1. That's gone in 10.2, and the contents show instantly. Opening, dragging, and resizing Finder windows is much faster. Also, QuickTime performance is much better. All of this may have something to do with the G4 processor, but whether it does or not, overall I am quite happy with the upgrade. Other software applications that run on X are another thing altogether. Word, Excel, PowerPoint- Office 10 in general- seem to be a little sluggish. Illustrator 10 is a little slow. Other applications run fine- OmniWeb is fine, most of the 'iApps' are fine (iCal is an exception), and AppleWorks- even though I don't use it much, runs ok. Fire, Proteus, AIM, and Adium are ok, and Virtual PC even runs ok, despite some of the problems other people have had with it under 10.2.
Enjoy the rest of the week!
Hi Adam
Note that I said I couldn't find any speed improvments *in the stuff I do* with my computer. I certainly haven't done comprehensive speed comparisons in every aspect. Some observations:
AppleScripts run faster.
Startup is about the same or maybe a smidge faster, but there's not much in it.
Logout is a LOT slower.
Classic Mode launch is slower
Scrolling in the applications I use a lot (eg: Tex Edit Plus; Netscape; iCab; Eudora) is still painfully slow in both documents and menus.
The save dialogs still open lazily.
What really drives me nuts is the erratic drag and drop performance and iffy response to mouse clicks. D&D is one of the most important features for me in the Mac OS. The problem for me is partly the famous dual mouse issue, which has been partly but not comprehensively addressed by the Wacom Graphire2 tablet mouse.
As I noted in yesterday's Odyssey, I did my Applelinks production tasks entirely in Jaguar to see how it would go. I finished more than an hour later than usual. Booting back into OS 9 was like running in sneakers and gym clothes instead of army boots and carrying an 80 pound pack. Hit the Bookmarks menu in Netscape and it scrolls to the bottom instantaneously. All the click buttons respond without hesitation or misfires. D&D works flawlessly. Save dialogs pop open with no lag. Even discounting my ideosyncratic problems with mouse input, OS 9 is still much, much faster and less aggravating *for the stuff I do.*
Charles From Roger Harris On questions of Jaguar Speed between a Cube and a TI 667 by Duncan H. Holley. The Cube's one mb cache is important and the HD speed is much better on the cube. Roger Harris From anonymous Charles, Nope, Jaguar doesn't see the other partitions for breathing room. It only sees its own partition. There are tricks to tell Jaguar to use other partitions for its swapfile which may help, but the partition it is sitting is the one that needs at least 2 GB free.
Sincerely,
The OS X Odyssey archives may be accessed here: Note: Letters to Moore's Mailbag may or may not be published at the editor's discretion. Correspondents' email addresses will NOT be published unless the correspondent specifically requests publication. Letters may be edited for length and/or context. Opinions expressed in postings to Moore's MailBag are those of the respective correspondents and not necessarily shared or endorsed by the Editor and/or Applelinks management. If you would prefer that your message not appear in Moore's Mailbag, we would still like to hear from you. Just clearly mark your message "NOT FOR PUBLICATION," and it will not be published. CM
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