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Evernote alternative that stores everything locally?

androidmachine

androidmachine

Android Enthusiast
I am looking for an app that has many of the features of Evernote but does not sync personal data with "the cloud." Basically, something like Evernote that stores everything locally and that I can export, open, and read on my laptop.

Does anyone have suggestions?

Thanks in advance.
 
ColorNote but it is pretty basic, and not nearly as versatile.

you can turn off the 'Cloud' on Evernote, but you better keep it backed up if you do.

Evernote upset me about a year ago, when they made a lot of changes w/o advising what they were.

Especially on the Desktop PC version... all of a sudden it quit working like it did, and then it started demanding $$$ for a license, contrary to the Free version.

I deleted the new updated app, and went back to an old one... I always keep app Installs in a C:\INSTALLS/foldername and with version numbers on the app names.... after that happened, I turned OFF "Check for Updates".
 
Thanks. I'm trying to turn off the syncing on Evernote, but it woun't let me. It says it's in the middle of a syncing operation, and I can't make those changes while it is syncing. The problem is that I'm running it on a tablet with just Wi-Fi as a network connection. I don't have Wi-Fi at home (yes, I live in an area without broadband - such areas really still do exist) so I must wait to get near Wi-Fi to be able to turn off the syncing.

However, even so I don't like Evernote. I don't like its "one size fits all" solution. Not everyone wants their private data "in the cloud" and Evernote is clearly designed to do just that.

I really just want a note taking app where I can attach photos and files to notes and export it to my laptop periodically in an easy to read format.
 
If notes are primarily the use I would suggest an app called B-Folders. It is loaded with other features that I find useful, but notes, journals and passwords are my primary use in the app. The android app is free, but the PC app is pricey, $30 I believe. I’ve been using it for so long I don’t remember if they have a trial period, but I bet they do. I highly recommend the app. The PC app allows you to sync your phone, and/or tablet directly over WiFi, no cloud. I have 3 devices that I keep synchronized. It’s been rock solid for me.
 
I looked at B-Folders just now, and had done so in the past.
I see no way to create notes just within the app itself.

It appears to me to just want to put an encryption lock on Folders that reside on your device.
and that, just scares the hell out of me... if for some reason, I loose the password, decades of information is lost.

no thanks.

I will stay with Evernote, I only use it to store passwords and sensitive info... and all of that is backed up 3 times elsewhere.
 
The nice thing about B-Folders is you can easily set a numeric password that is easy to remember. This makes it easy to log in quickly and still fairly secure, plus the app produces a convenient numeric keypad to log into. I’ve been using B-Folders for more than 3 years and have never experienced any password issues. I would respectfully disagree with the thought that loosing data would be a concern. If you couple the android app with the PC app this gives you an additional backup copy on your PC if your phone is lost. Of course having backups of your PC is vital as well.

Notes are easily set up and organized. That is one of it’s strong features. Plus they can be easily searched when you build a large database as I have over the years.
 
Yeah, I'd like to be able to attach photos, drawings, and text documents (though PDF would also be nice). I'd also like to have some way of exporting these notes in a way that they could be read on my laptop (PDF or html, etc.). And all of this done locally. Basically each entry would be a note with supporting documents.

I searched and searched for an app to do this. I can't believe that no one has invented such an app yet.
 
Evernote allows me to attach anything I want, no matter what format it is in.

My wife has a slew of medical issues... and when the doctors/medical folks ask me a question, I just pull up my smartphone and immediately show them what they want to know...
List of her Medications? yup
copy of her Medicare card? yup
copy of her SS card? yup
copy of her Primary Insurance card? yup

for me, a copy of my Retirement papers? yup...
when asked for a copy of my Vehicle insurance papers, and I'm in an office 4 floors up? yup
a copy of my last Property Tax Statement? yup
asked for my last year's Annual Income? yup, a copy of my 1040 right now...
 
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AZgl1500 said:
Evernote allows me to attach anything I want, no matter what format it is in.

My wife has a slew of medical issues... and when the doctors/medical folks ask me a question, I just pull up my smartphone and immediately show them what they want to know...
copy of her Medicare card? yup
copy of her SS card? yup
copy of her Primary Insurance card? yup

for me, a copy of my Retirement papers? yup...
when asked for a copy of my Vehicle insurance papers, and I'm in an office 4 floors up? yup
a copy of my last Property Tax Statement? yup
asked for my last year's Annual Income? yup, a copy of my 1040 right now...
Click to expand...

Thanks. I know Evernote can do all that stuff and it would be perfect for me except that I don't want my data in the cloud. Hence, I need something similar to Evernote that stores everything locally.
 
Fiinote looks like it is a very good app that will do everything what I want, i.e. typewritten notes, handwritten notes, drawings, attach photos and other files. I like it a lot, but darn it is pricey for the full version. I'd have to buy it for my phone and my tablet.
 
androidmachine said:
Thanks. I know Evernote can do all that stuff and it would be perfect for me except that I don't want my data in the cloud. Hence, I need something similar to Evernote that stores everything locally.
Click to expand...

I too did not like the data being "in the cloud", but it is only stored on Evernote servers.
And it is totally encrypted, even your password is encrypted... and lord help you if you forget that password, and they will not provide you an unlock method.
 
AZgl1500 said:
I too did not like the data being "in the cloud", but it is only stored on Evernote servers.
And it is totally encrypted, even your password is encrypted... and lord help you if you forget that password, and they will not provide you an unlock method.
Click to expand...

That is somewhat comforting, but I am still leery of cloud storage. Maybe that comes from not understanding exactly how the internet works. I always thought that data was passed from server to server until it reaches its destination. At any point in the chain, data could be tapped. But maybe I'm wrong about that. Also, do I retain ownership of my information that is on Evernote's servers? I remember there was a big question about Facebook asserting ownership in what gets posted there. I don't really know how that panned out.

I have another, more practical, problem though, and that is I don't have Wi-Fi at home. So cloud storage is going to be difficult. I don't have unlimited data on my phone so that's kinda out too.

I appreciate your thoughts and insight. I know I'm kinda bucking the wave of the future (or the present), but it is what it is. I guess I'm feeling old because I want to say that "in my day" everything was stored locally.
 
androidmachine said:
That is somewhat comforting, but I am still leery of cloud storage. Maybe that comes from not understanding exactly how the internet works. I always thought that data was passed from server to server until it reaches its destination. At any point in the chain, data could be tapped. But maybe I'm wrong about that.
Click to expand...

You are exactly right about that. In addition, the data has to be passed from your system to the first hop within the internet. Often getting to that first internet hop involves many hops that are not even part of the internet. Data can be intercepted before it gets to the internet, and within the internet itself. And, of course, it can also be intercepted on the way out of the internet back to your system.

As far as encryption goes, the safety of encryption depends on factors including (but not limited to) the algorithm, the full implementation design (including hashing and salting mechanisms), and key storage.

You have the right instincts to be leery of the the whole "cloud" thing, which is just a trendy way of saying "server".

Before considering any "cloud" services, you have to ask: "Why is this being offered to me?" and "What organizations stand to gain from having my data on someone else's server?".
 
androidmachine said:
That is somewhat comforting, but I am still leery of cloud storage. Maybe that comes from not understanding exactly how the internet works. I always thought that data was passed from server to server until it reaches its destination. At any point in the chain, data could be tapped. But maybe I'm wrong about that. Also, do I retain ownership of my information that is on Evernote's servers? I remember there was a big question about Facebook asserting ownership in what gets posted there. I don't really know how that panned out..
Click to expand...


yes, the data is "on the air" so to speak, but it is encrypted before it leaves the Evernote application.
Let's let Evernote explain it to you. You can have Double Encryption if you wish:

https://evernote.com/security/

I don't think you have anything to worry about "in real life".
Unless someone has a "Cray Super computer" with them and following you around, the chances of someone decoding your info ranges from "Slim to None". And, even at that, they will not get it decoded in "this life time".


The actual Data Usage of Evernote, is going to be "so slight" as to not even be noticed on your data plan. Evernote only uploads/downloads "changes", not the full document.
Once it is stored on your phone, or uploaded to Evernote's servers, it is static unless you change something.

I just uploaded a 64k PDF file yesterday, and it only tooks a couple of seconds and it was done.
.


IF, the internet is not available, Evernote on your phone will "time out" and display what ever is stored on your phone. For someone as security concious as you are, I am sure you are using a PinCode to unlock your phone?
4 digits will stop them in a heartbeat, the 10th mistake will FDR the phone.
6 digits is impossible for anyone to guess.... I use one of my digits 3 times, only changing the other half of the 3 pairs combo.... what are the chances someone would guess that you did that?

343536
 
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AZgl1500 said:
yes, the data is "on the air" so to speak, but it is encrypted before it leaves the Evernote application.
Let's let Evernote explain it to you. You can have Double Encryption if you wish:

https://evernote.com/security/

I don't think you have anything to worry about "in real life".
Unless someone has a "Cray Super computer" with them and following you around, the chances of someone decoding your info ranges from "Slim to None". And, even at that, they will not get it decoded in "this life time".
Click to expand...

I only skimmed that link, so I might have missed it. But outside of having a third-party verify that they don't physically allow unauthorized people into their data centers, I don't see any mention of third-party audits of their data security measures or encryption implementations.
 
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