On digital notes
How it started:
Word docs (very old MS Word on inherited computers, later 3rd party freebies like Open Office, Libre Office, Softmaker.
How it's going:
NOTEBOOK BY ZOHO & STANDARD NOTES (FREE VERSIONS)
I've converted to using a synched note service as my notes now, from lazyness - no more keeping multiple copies of doc files (because they need to backed up, too). I used to be far more "offline" but can't deny how convenient a synched note platform is.
I previously used a Blackberry Q5 (fave phone EVER, BB10 OS and its Hub function were my jam!) and one of the integrated apps was Evernote.
At the time, I lead a weekly class and had associated notes. That's why I started with Evernote originally, and it suited my needs: a way to have a copy of some of my notes on the phone (that I could input from the laptop).
I got about 2 years out of the blackberry before support for Evernote ended. Back to android. I tried OneNote briefly, it was okay. After Evernote changed their free device limit, I started looking at other services.
Notebook by Zoho (Essential / free tier)
I switched to Notebook by Zoho, because I liked the more visual design.
https://www.zoho.com/notebook/
I use this for more daily things instead of using a calendar or task app on the phone. Things I want to track like the current year's reading list and shopping lists go here. In the new year, I copy the info from the previous year into my master notes if needed, and decide if I still need the old info on the phone.
You can use the selection of free artwork available for Notebook covers or use your own.
You can add colour backgrounds to make the notecard overview look like paper sticky notes (grid square shape). As someone who jotted down notes on paper all.the.time, I'm a fan of this nostalgic callback in my digital notebook.
Checklists can be inside a note, or their own note.
In the browser version (desktop too?) you can open a note in a new tab to toggle between notes.
If you're testing it, note the Zoho account inactivity period (4 months I think - read the fine print).
Standard Notes (free tier)
For my master notes - which is more reference/archive and info/research type things that I DON'T need on my phone, I'm testing Standard Notes.
The web layout is familiar if you used Evernote.
https://standardnotes.com/
I appreciate the automatic email backup options; I'm using the daily setting now.
If text formatting is important, you'll need to upgrade to paid (simple text / NO formatting on free). You can compose in markdown if that's your preference, but it just won't display that on the free account.
Encrypted. I've been adding more diary type fragments and thoughts here, too, since it feels safer with encryption.
NO UNDO on a free account (but your OS undo keyboard shortcut should work to go back one step if you catch your mistake in time).
Can't be used in private / incognito browser.
What I use: The web browser versions, and Notebook by Zoho's android app. Most of my content is simple text notes. I don't have a lot of content that needs spreadsheets. I don't usually need to attach anything (images, files) or use a web clipper.
Since I separate the functions, I haven't found it annoying to maintain two platforms. I can always sign in on the browser to the other service if needed. If I got mugged or lost my phone, my more personal notes are not kept on the phone.
Both services offer an Evernote import, but I did a note declutter session to archive instead, so can't say how well they work. I slowly copied over what I needed on the new/current phone.
Other services I briefly tried in web browser versions:
Cryptee free Seemed resource/ram hungry for my setup- it would consistently make my laptop fan come on.
NotesNook free Some of the UI I found clunky for notebooks. Also visually laid out like Evernote too.