I guess the trouble I have with using a “combo” approach is just that… that I would have to think about where things are stored. Both in terms of which app and, if not in 1P, then which note or notes.
Also, I have credit cards, bank accounts, passports, and more in 1P. Yes, those are all text and maybe the occasional photo, but it does make it harder to go directly to the one piece I need and copy it (or even just reference it).
There is a value, to me at least, in the data being structured. Because goodness knows I’m not good at being structured if not forced into it.
So far, for me, the following are direct access locations I don’t have to think about (some of that is formed habits)
Secure = 1Password
Scanned = KeepIt
Long term reference = KeepIt
Written by me = Ulysses
Notes? It could hold all of those and be less convenient at most of them. Not least because it’d all be in one… giant… pile.
Over the last several years, I’ve intentionally pared down the number of tools I use, simplifying my workflow without compromising efficiency or effectiveness. The result has been a more focused system that also saves money.
• Passwords and password generation: Apple Passwords
• Credit cards, credentials, app licenses/keys, etc.: Pasted or scanned and secured in locked Apple Notes. I tag notes and create Smart Folders making it very easy to find any note nearly instantly.
• Research articles, book highlights, and reading notes: DEVONthink
• Project and meeting notes: Apple Notes
• All other files: Finder
• Book project: Scrivener
• Drafts for speeches, articles, etc.: Apple Notes. Notes can be opened directly in Pages for final formatting if needed. Headings and formatting created in Notes are preserved and converted to styled paragraphs in Pages.
I’ve mentioned this before, but 1Password has podcast that I listen to from time to time. The most recent episode contains a section of productivity tips. And some new features that I wasn’t aware of.
For example: I can share items securely from 1PW, like the door code to my garage, with people who don’t use 1PW or Apple devices. And I can give access to guests in my home by allowing them to scan a QR code even if they use android.
The Nearby feature allows me to link an item, like a door code, with a specific location. Then depending on the distance I select, say 50 feet, that item will appear when I come into range.
I thought existing 1PW users, or anyone thinking about using 1PW, might find it useful.
That was another black mark on Notes for me. I think it’s trying to be too many things. While I don’t use it for much myself, my Mum recently asked me about scanning some old letters she has. She was thinking she’d have to buy a scanner but I explained her phone could do a perfectly good job. I was thinking of all the receipts and other documents I scan directly into KeepIt, but of course that would require she pay for KeepIt, and I knew Notes could do the same (it’s an OS-level function, after all).
So I figured out and documented the process for her. It will work for what she needs. But what I saw in Notes is that the document is kinda shoehorned into the note. The pages are arrayed horizontally in a box and if you want to get it full screen you have to hit the tiny disclosure triangle and choose Quick Look. When you do that, it takes you out of the context of the note and scrolls vertically. I have since discovered you can pinch to zoom but only that attachment is zoomed. It’s just weird. You also have to create a note first and then attach a document scan.
In KeepIt, you open the app, tap +, Scan document, and you’re off to the races. Depending on your preference you can just have it land in an inbox and file later, or you can choose where (and rename it) when you save. When viewing, you find the document and… just… view it. You can also move things around easily. You can move notes easily, too, but that implies a single document per note, which is an extra level of structure that achieves little else.
This is a very interesting discussion, albeit I’m late to it.
I’ve tried for so long to just use Passwords & locked Apple Note combo. However, I constantly ran into 1 major problem, I’m actively in two ecosystems, Apple & Samsung.
This lead to me not being able to use Passwords’ great password generator, because saving the password would mean a snapshot in Samsung Secure Folder, but no autofill. I was haphazardly creating my own passwords and often reusing passwords.
I finally took the time recently to learn how to use 1Password on all my devices, and don’t think I’m going to leave it anytime in the future.
