Jarnal: Take Notes & Annotate PDFs - Cross-Platform
Student Software Benefits and Note-Taking Applications
It was previously assumed that college students primarily benefited from discounted commercial software. However, it has come to light that students are eligible to receive certain commercial software packages at no cost. This includes professional tools like Visual Studio and Expression Encoder, representing a significant advantage.
The advantages of student status extend beyond free software access. A number of applications are specifically designed to cater to the needs of students, while simultaneously offering utility to a broader user base.
Organization and Note-Taking Tools
Delicious provides a useful platform for organizing various aspects of student life. Furthermore, Evernote stands out as a solution for minimizing paper-based clutter.
Evernote’s widespread platform support and adaptability make it a leading choice in its category. It boasts applications for a vast array of operating systems and devices.
Jarnal: A Cross-Platform Note-Taking Solution
Jarnal is a noteworthy note-taking application that operates seamlessly across Windows, macOS, and Linux. Its comprehensive feature set makes it a strong contender in the note-taking space.
The application’s multi-platform compatibility ensures accessibility for students utilizing diverse operating systems. Jarnal’s capabilities are extensive, providing a robust environment for note management.
- Key Feature: Cross-platform compatibility (Windows, Mac, Linux).
- Benefit: Accessible note-taking regardless of operating system.
Introducing Jarnal
Jarnal is a freely available, open-source application designed for both note-taking and sketching.
The application offers flexibility in how it's used; it can be executed directly from a zipped archive without a traditional installation process.
Availability and Installation
Installable versions of Jarnal are provided for both Windows and macOS, accessible through the official wiki and the SourceForge project page.
Users of Debian-based Linux distributions can conveniently install the application via a dedicated .deb package.
For those utilizing other Linux distributions, the portable ZIP archive provides a straightforward method of access and execution.
This wide range of options ensures Jarnal is accessible to a broad spectrum of users and operating systems.
A Comparison with Windows Journal
Windows Journal, included with specific versions of Windows XP, Vista, and 7, is a useful application designed for note-taking on tablet PCs. It supports both handwritten and typed notes.
However, Windows Journal had limitations. These included a lack of support for importing various file types – only images could be inserted – and restricted export options to .jnt Journal files and .tiff images.
The .jnt file format presents challenges for viewing notes on computers without Windows Journal or sharing them easily. Accessing these notes often requires the Windows Journal Viewer.
Personal Experience with Windows Journal
I previously utilized Windows Journal and appreciated its flexibility in adding and removing space for new notes. Notes could be selected and repositioned as desired.
A minor inconvenience was the need to convert PDF slides into image files before incorporating them into Journal. I discovered that PDF X-Change Viewer offered annotation capabilities absent in SumatraPDF.
Despite this, the free version of X-Change Viewer doesn't allow for the addition of PDF slides directly, which is beneficial when extensive annotations are required and space becomes limited.
How Jarnal Offers Advantages
This is where Jarnal proves to be a superior solution. Specifically designed for note-taking and sketching, it allows for the addition of space, annotation, and export to PDF format.
To begin, extract the Jarnal archive, then execute jarnal.cm. Navigate to File > Open Background (or New On Background to launch a new Jarnal instance) and select your desired PDF file or Word document as the background.
Modifying PDF Documents: Adding Annotations & Combining Files
Once a PDF file has been imported as a background for annotation, the text tool can be utilized to add typed notes. Alternatively, the pen tool allows for the creation of freehand drawings and shapes.
Furthermore, new PDF pages can be generated by inserting pages. These can serve as diagram copies of illustrations presented by an instructor. PDFs can also be expanded by merging them with other files through the insertion of additional backgrounds.
Additional functionalities include the ability to insert hyperlinks, arrows (using Ctrl + D), and rectangles. Hand-drawn diagrams can be refined by enabling Smooth Strokes within the Tools menu.
Customization options are also available to redefine the actions associated with middle or right mouse button clicks, such as assigning them to eraser functions or context menu displays.
To preserve your annotated document, including diagrams and notes, navigate to File > Export to PDF. Saving the current page as an image or a Jarnal file (.jaj) are also possible.
While the application may not feature an extensive array of keyboard shortcuts, Jarnal simplifies the process of digitizing notes for students. This eliminates the need to manage multiple programs during note-taking.
I recall a former classmate who meticulously copied whiteboard diagrams into MS Paint while typing notes in Word. Maintaining separate document and image files would likely complicate study material consolidation, making Jarnal a valuable tool for students to explore.
Are you aware of any other applications beneficial for students? Or do you employ a particularly effective note-taking technique? Please share your insights in the comments section below!
Related Posts
Touchscreen on Windows PC: Do You Need It?
Find Lost Windows or Office Product Keys - Easy Guide
Windows 10 Resetting Settings: Why It Happens & How to Fix
Monitor FPS in UWP Games on Windows 10 - A Simple Guide
Remove 'Get Windows 10' Icon & Stop Upgrade Notifications
