I need an app that helps store and organize quotes and highlights. I can’t stand Readwise’s approach (although the Kobo integration is solid). Quotify seems OK, but not available for Mac/browser. Any suggestions?
I need an app that helps store and organize quotes and highlights. I can’t stand Readwise’s approach (although the Kobo integration is solid). Quotify seems OK, but not available for Mac/browser. Any suggestions?
@Mtt I don't have a good answer because I've been nothing but disappointed by the various solutions, which always seem to run up against DRM. One rather different tool that might sometimes help is Agile Tortoise's Simple Scan (iOS/iPadOS). Its OCR is solid, and you can use automation to integrate it into certain workflows. It would work with e-ink and actual print, but it doesn't let you import photos. DevonThink (Mac) will let you do a lot with different data types, and it has OCR too. (I belive the OCR works on iDevices too.) If someone's worked out a way to deal with your scenario, there will be talk of it on the DevonTechnologies user forum.
@markstoneman That’s an interesting approach. I have that app on my phone but haven’t actually used it yet. I am a big Drafts user, so I’ve considered some sort of Workspace/Tagging solution with it, but never crossed my mind to use his other app alongside that.
That might be the direction I go because I’d also like to be able to add manual input stuff too (like something I hear at a conference, for example).
Or perhaps I get yet another note taking app and dedicate it to that. Bear, perhaps.
Ah, the decisions to make.
@Mtt Bear was good, but I've found vers. 2 to be somewhat unstable. Too many editing features now, it seems.
@markstoneman I might go with a Readwise-to-Obsidian plugin (thanks @mcg). Powered by Readwise but I wouldn't have to deal with the app outside of input (which is fine).
I've also found a few examples from people who've use the Readwise API within Shortcuts. If I can work out how to do that, I could theoretically build a shortcut that retrieved the quotes/highlights and do whatever I want with them (even automatically). But that'll take more brainpower than I have right now. Maybe @jarrod has this hidden somewhere? (cc @rscottjones)
@Mtt I’d probably go with the Readwise to Obsidian plugin too. More automatic and full-featured. Plus, text files!
@Mtt my personal philosophy: if I can’t be bothered to take up to seven seconds to cut/paste the quote MANUALLY into my notes app, then it’s not important enough to save.
Full stop.
A minor level of friction is not just not bad, but important.
@Mtt Since you use Drafts and Readwise, check out this Action
@rscottjones In most cases, I agree. But I also like some automation when using a Kobo/Kindle and some high level organization/search/collab/sharing tools.