15 August 2020

Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac


onenote-templates

Microsoft OneNote is a popular personal information management application (PIM) that helps you collect notes of all kinds into one digital notebook. Those notes can be web page clippings, photos, videos, audio recordings, scribbles, and much more. You can organize notes in a section, group them, and bind them with a notebook.

OneNote is a powerful tool with many great features, which you can quickly access through keyboard shortcuts.

This list of OneNote shortcuts is a comprehensive collection for both Mac and Windows 10. In the cheat sheet, you’ll find separate sections for Windows and macOS shortcuts where necessary.

FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Shortcut Action
Common Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl + M Open a new OneNote Window
Ctrl/Cmd + Z Undo the last action
Ctrl/Cmd + Y Redo the last action
Ctrl/Cmd + A Select all the items on a current page (to expand the selection, press the keys again)
Ctrl/Cmd + X Cut the selected text or item
Ctrl/Cmd + C Copy the selected text or item to the clipboard
Ctrl/Cmd + V Paste the contents of the clipboard
Ctrl/Cmd + K Insert a hyperlink
Ctrl/Cmd + B Apply or remove bold formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + I Apply or remove italics formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + U Apply or remove underline formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Option + 1...6 Apply heading style from 1 to 6 of the current note
Ctrl/Cmd + Period Begin a bulleted list
Ctrl/Cmd + / Begin a numbered (sorted) list
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N Clear all the formatting applied to the selected text
Ctrl/Cmd + L Left-align the selected paragraph
Ctrl/Cmd + R Right-align the selected paragraph
Ctrl/Cmd + O Open a OneNote notebook
Ctrl/Cmd + T Create a new section
Ctrl/Cmd + N Create a new notebook page
Ctrl + Shift + G Move keyboard focus to the section list
Ctrl + G View the list of notebooks
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + T Select the page title
Ctrl/Cmd + P Print the current page
Page Up Scroll up in the current page
Page Down Scroll down in the current page
Tab Increase the indent by one level
Shift + Tab Decrease the indent by one level
Ctrl/Cmd + 1 Mark or clear the To Do tag
Ctrl/Cmd + 2, 3, 4, and 5 Mark or clear the Important, Question, Remember for Later, and Definition tag
Tab key, after typing a new line of text Create a table
Tab key Create another column in a table with a single row
Enter/Return Create another row when at the end cell of a table
Ctrl/Cmd + Enter/Return Insert a row below the current row in a table
Alt/Option + Enter/Return Create another paragraph in the same cell in a table
Shift + Enter/Return Insert a line break
Ctrl/Cmd + S Synchronize the current notebook
Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Option + L Lock all password-protected sections
Windows Specific Shortcuts
Home / End Move to the beginning or end of the line
Ctrl + Left / Right arrow key Move one word to the left or right
Backspace / Delete Delete one character to the left or right
Ctrl + Backspace / Delete Delete one word to the left or right
Ctrl + Down / Up key Go the next or previous paragraph
Alt + Shift + Right / Left arrow key Increase or decrease the paragraph indent
Alt + Shift + Up / Down key Move the selected paragraph up or down
Ctrl + Shift + H Highlight the selected text
Ctrl + Shift + C / V Copy or Paste the formatting of the selected text
Ctrl + Hyphen (-) Apply or remove strikethrough formatting
Ctrl + Shift + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove superscript formatting
Ctrl + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove subscript formatting
Alt + Equals sign (=) Start a math equation or convert the selected text to math equation
Windows logo key + Period Insert emoji or symbol
Alt + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Expand or collapse an outline (you can selectively expand or collapse the outline at each level)
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N Create a new subpage below the current page
Ctrl + Alt + M Move or Copy page to another location
Ctrl + Alt + G Move keyboard focus to the page list
Up or Down key / Ctrl + Page Up or Down After moving keyboard focus to the page list, press these keys to switch between pages
Ctrl + Tab Go the next section
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Go to the previous section
Alt + Shift + Up / Down key Move the selected page tab up or down
Ctrl + Home / End Scroll to the top or bottom of the current page
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Zoom in or out
Ctrl + Alt + A / S Create or Stop the recording
Ctrl + Alt + P Play the selected audio recording
Alt + Shift + D Insert the current date
Alt + Shift + F Insert the current date and time
Ctrl + Alt + R Create a column to the right of the current column in a table
Ctrl + E Open a search to search all currently opened notebooks
F9 Synchronize all notebooks
F6 Jump between the tab bar, navigation pane, and the page canvas
Left or Right arrow keys Move between the tabs on a ribbon (Home, Insert, Draw, and more)
Spacebar or Enter Perform the currently selected ribbon command (when the selection is over Navigation button, press Spacebar to enlarge the OneNote canvas)
Alt + Down arrow key Go to the next note container
Ctrl + Shift + M Insert the author name and last modified time stamp
Windows logo key + Shift + S Copy a screen clipping to the clipboard
macOS Specific Shortcuts
Cmd + Left / Right arrow key Move to the beginning or end of the line
Option + Left / Right arrow key Move one word to the left or right
Delete / Fn + Delete Delete one character to the left or right
Option + Backspace / Delete Delete one word to the left or right
Option + Down / Up key Go to the next or previous paragraph
Cmd + ] / [ Increase or decrease the paragraph indent
Option + Cmd + Up / Down Move the selected paragraphs up or down
Ctrl + Cmd + H Highlight the selected text
Option + Cmd + C / V Copy or Paste the formatting of the selected text
Ctrl + Cmd + Hyphen (-) Apply or remove strikethrough formatting
Option + Shift + Cmd + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove superscript formatting
Option + Cmd + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove subscript formatting
Ctrl + Equals sign (=) Start a math equation or convert the selected text to math equation
Ctrl + Cmd + Spacebar Insert emoji or symbols
Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Expand or collapse the outline (you can selectively expand or collapse outline at each level)
Cmd + N then Option + Cmd + ] Create a new subpage below the current page
Cmd + Shift + C / M Copy or Move page to another location
Ctrl + Cmd + G Move keyboard focus to the page list
Up or Down key / Cmd + Page Up or Down After moving keyboard focus to the page list, press these keys to switch between pages
Cmd + Shift + } Go to the next section
Cmd + Shift + { Go to the previous section
Cmd + Option + Up / Down key Move the selected page tab up or down
Cmd + Up / Down Scroll to the top or bottom of the current page
Cmd + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Zoom in or out
Option + Shift + Cmd + R / S Create or Stop the recording
Option + Shift + Cmd + P Play the selected audio recording
Cmd + D Insert the current date
Cmd + Shift + D Insert the current date and time
Ctrl + Cmd + L / R Create a column to the left or right of the current column in a table
Cmd + Option + F Open a search to search all currently opened notebooks
Shift + Cmd + S Synchronize all notebooks
F6 Jump between the tab bar, navigation pane, and the page canvas (enable F1, F2 as standard function keys in System Preferences)
Tab Move between the tabs on a ribbon
Spacebar Perform the currently selected ribbon command (when the selection is over Navigation button, press Spacebar to enlarge the OneNote canvas)
Press Fn Twice Start dictation
Ctrl + Option + Cmd + L Use Smart Lookup

Discover Hidden Microsoft OneNote Features

The keyboard shortcuts listed here will help you become a OneNote power user. If you’re just getting started with OneNote, here is a guide on how to use OneNote for Mac and little known tips and tricks in OneNote you’ll love.

Read the full article: Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac


Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac


onenote-templates

Microsoft OneNote is a popular personal information management application (PIM) that helps you collect notes of all kinds into one digital notebook. Those notes can be web page clippings, photos, videos, audio recordings, scribbles, and much more. You can organize notes in a section, group them, and bind them with a notebook.

OneNote is a powerful tool with many great features, which you can quickly access through keyboard shortcuts.

This list of OneNote shortcuts is a comprehensive collection for both Mac and Windows 10. In the cheat sheet, you’ll find separate sections for Windows and macOS shortcuts where necessary.

FREE DOWNLOAD: This cheat sheet is available as a downloadable PDF from our distribution partner, TradePub. You will have to complete a short form to access it for the first time only. Download Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac.

Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac

Shortcut Action
Common Keyboard Shortcuts
Ctrl + M Open a new OneNote Window
Ctrl/Cmd + Z Undo the last action
Ctrl/Cmd + Y Redo the last action
Ctrl/Cmd + A Select all the items on a current page (to expand the selection, press the keys again)
Ctrl/Cmd + X Cut the selected text or item
Ctrl/Cmd + C Copy the selected text or item to the clipboard
Ctrl/Cmd + V Paste the contents of the clipboard
Ctrl/Cmd + K Insert a hyperlink
Ctrl/Cmd + B Apply or remove bold formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + I Apply or remove italics formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + U Apply or remove underline formatting
Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Option + 1...6 Apply heading style from 1 to 6 of the current note
Ctrl/Cmd + Period Begin a bulleted list
Ctrl/Cmd + / Begin a numbered (sorted) list
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + N Clear all the formatting applied to the selected text
Ctrl/Cmd + L Left-align the selected paragraph
Ctrl/Cmd + R Right-align the selected paragraph
Ctrl/Cmd + O Open a OneNote notebook
Ctrl/Cmd + T Create a new section
Ctrl/Cmd + N Create a new notebook page
Ctrl + Shift + G Move keyboard focus to the section list
Ctrl + G View the list of notebooks
Ctrl/Cmd + Shift + T Select the page title
Ctrl/Cmd + P Print the current page
Page Up Scroll up in the current page
Page Down Scroll down in the current page
Tab Increase the indent by one level
Shift + Tab Decrease the indent by one level
Ctrl/Cmd + 1 Mark or clear the To Do tag
Ctrl/Cmd + 2, 3, 4, and 5 Mark or clear the Important, Question, Remember for Later, and Definition tag
Tab key, after typing a new line of text Create a table
Tab key Create another column in a table with a single row
Enter/Return Create another row when at the end cell of a table
Ctrl/Cmd + Enter/Return Insert a row below the current row in a table
Alt/Option + Enter/Return Create another paragraph in the same cell in a table
Shift + Enter/Return Insert a line break
Ctrl/Cmd + S Synchronize the current notebook
Ctrl/Cmd + Alt/Option + L Lock all password-protected sections
Windows Specific Shortcuts
Home / End Move to the beginning or end of the line
Ctrl + Left / Right arrow key Move one word to the left or right
Backspace / Delete Delete one character to the left or right
Ctrl + Backspace / Delete Delete one word to the left or right
Ctrl + Down / Up key Go the next or previous paragraph
Alt + Shift + Right / Left arrow key Increase or decrease the paragraph indent
Alt + Shift + Up / Down key Move the selected paragraph up or down
Ctrl + Shift + H Highlight the selected text
Ctrl + Shift + C / V Copy or Paste the formatting of the selected text
Ctrl + Hyphen (-) Apply or remove strikethrough formatting
Ctrl + Shift + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove superscript formatting
Ctrl + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove subscript formatting
Alt + Equals sign (=) Start a math equation or convert the selected text to math equation
Windows logo key + Period Insert emoji or symbol
Alt + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Expand or collapse an outline (you can selectively expand or collapse the outline at each level)
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + N Create a new subpage below the current page
Ctrl + Alt + M Move or Copy page to another location
Ctrl + Alt + G Move keyboard focus to the page list
Up or Down key / Ctrl + Page Up or Down After moving keyboard focus to the page list, press these keys to switch between pages
Ctrl + Tab Go the next section
Ctrl + Shift + Tab Go to the previous section
Alt + Shift + Up / Down key Move the selected page tab up or down
Ctrl + Home / End Scroll to the top or bottom of the current page
Ctrl + Alt + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Zoom in or out
Ctrl + Alt + A / S Create or Stop the recording
Ctrl + Alt + P Play the selected audio recording
Alt + Shift + D Insert the current date
Alt + Shift + F Insert the current date and time
Ctrl + Alt + R Create a column to the right of the current column in a table
Ctrl + E Open a search to search all currently opened notebooks
F9 Synchronize all notebooks
F6 Jump between the tab bar, navigation pane, and the page canvas
Left or Right arrow keys Move between the tabs on a ribbon (Home, Insert, Draw, and more)
Spacebar or Enter Perform the currently selected ribbon command (when the selection is over Navigation button, press Spacebar to enlarge the OneNote canvas)
Alt + Down arrow key Go to the next note container
Ctrl + Shift + M Insert the author name and last modified time stamp
Windows logo key + Shift + S Copy a screen clipping to the clipboard
macOS Specific Shortcuts
Cmd + Left / Right arrow key Move to the beginning or end of the line
Option + Left / Right arrow key Move one word to the left or right
Delete / Fn + Delete Delete one character to the left or right
Option + Backspace / Delete Delete one word to the left or right
Option + Down / Up key Go to the next or previous paragraph
Cmd + ] / [ Increase or decrease the paragraph indent
Option + Cmd + Up / Down Move the selected paragraphs up or down
Ctrl + Cmd + H Highlight the selected text
Option + Cmd + C / V Copy or Paste the formatting of the selected text
Ctrl + Cmd + Hyphen (-) Apply or remove strikethrough formatting
Option + Shift + Cmd + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove superscript formatting
Option + Cmd + Equals sign (=) Apply or remove subscript formatting
Ctrl + Equals sign (=) Start a math equation or convert the selected text to math equation
Ctrl + Cmd + Spacebar Insert emoji or symbols
Ctrl + Shift + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Expand or collapse the outline (you can selectively expand or collapse outline at each level)
Cmd + N then Option + Cmd + ] Create a new subpage below the current page
Cmd + Shift + C / M Copy or Move page to another location
Ctrl + Cmd + G Move keyboard focus to the page list
Up or Down key / Cmd + Page Up or Down After moving keyboard focus to the page list, press these keys to switch between pages
Cmd + Shift + } Go to the next section
Cmd + Shift + { Go to the previous section
Cmd + Option + Up / Down key Move the selected page tab up or down
Cmd + Up / Down Scroll to the top or bottom of the current page
Cmd + Plus sign (+) / Minus sign (-) Zoom in or out
Option + Shift + Cmd + R / S Create or Stop the recording
Option + Shift + Cmd + P Play the selected audio recording
Cmd + D Insert the current date
Cmd + Shift + D Insert the current date and time
Ctrl + Cmd + L / R Create a column to the left or right of the current column in a table
Cmd + Option + F Open a search to search all currently opened notebooks
Shift + Cmd + S Synchronize all notebooks
F6 Jump between the tab bar, navigation pane, and the page canvas (enable F1, F2 as standard function keys in System Preferences)
Tab Move between the tabs on a ribbon
Spacebar Perform the currently selected ribbon command (when the selection is over Navigation button, press Spacebar to enlarge the OneNote canvas)
Press Fn Twice Start dictation
Ctrl + Option + Cmd + L Use Smart Lookup

Discover Hidden Microsoft OneNote Features

The keyboard shortcuts listed here will help you become a OneNote power user. If you’re just getting started with OneNote, here is a guide on how to use OneNote for Mac and little known tips and tricks in OneNote you’ll love.

Read the full article: Microsoft OneNote Keyboard Shortcuts for Windows and Mac


Read Full Article

The 7 Best Kodi Add-Ons for Gaming and Gamers


kodi-gamers

Most people think of Kodi as an app for streaming movies and TV shows. But while it’s true that streaming remains the app’s primary purpose, Kodi also has the ability to run games.

If you install the right gaming add-ons, you can play classic titles, Kodi-specific games, and more. So, for gamers everywhere, here are the best Kodi add-ons for gaming.

1. Retroplayer

Retroplayer is a native Kodi feature that made its debut in Kodi version 18 (codenamed Leia). Today, many game emulators require the add-on in order to work.

If you’re running an older version of Kodi, you can install the latest update by heading to the Kodi website and downloading the newest release (desktop) or upgrading via the app store (mobile).

We’ve written about how to play games on Kodi using Retroplayer if you’d like a more extensive walkthrough.

Note: If you’ve sideloaded Kodi, the update method is less straightforward. Read our guide on how to update Kodi on a Fire Stick for more information.

2. DOSBox

dosbox kodi install

To be able to play games on Kodi using Retroplayer, you’ll need an emulator.

One of the most popular is DOSBox. You can install the add-on by going to Settings > Add-ons > Download > Install from Repository > Kodi Add-on Repository > Game Add-ons > Emulators and selecting DOS (DOSBox) from the list.

DOSBox simulates an IBM PC running MS-DOS. It supports sound, input, graphics, and even networking.

Some of the classic games you can play through DOSBox include Pacman, Actua Soccer, Doom, and Wolfenstein. You can even use it to run Windows 2.x!

3. ROM Collection Browser

install rom collection browser kodi

As your collection of games grows, you’re going to need an add-on that lets you view, manage, and launch the games. After all, you don’t want to be jumping around multiple add-ons just to find the title you want to play.

As one of the best Kodi add-ons for gaming, ROM Collection Browser is the solution.

Not only will it list all of the games available on your Kodi system, but you can also use it to pre-define which parameters and emulator the game will use when launched, thus saving you time and stress. Many options are preconfigured; you can just select the correct option from the list.

The add-on is available in the official Kodi repo. You will find it in the Program Add-ons section.

4. The Internet Archive ROM Launcher

internet archive rom install on kodi

ROM-based emulated gaming falls into a legal gray area. The situation is similar to the legality of IPTV and the difference between the IPTV player app and the IPTV feeds themselves.

In the case of ROMs, the ROM emulator is entirely legitimate, but the legality of the ROMs themselves can be called into question. Remember, copyright in the US lasts for 75 years (other countries vary), and issues such as fair use and copying ROMs for which you already own an original cartridge have never been tested in US courts.

There are loopholes, however. One site which offers unambiguously legal ROMs that will keep you on the right side of the law is The Internet Archive. In 2003, it was granted a DMCA exception to allow it to preserve vintage apps. Some of the classic arcade games you will find on The Internet Archive include Joust, Astro Blaster, Commando, and Pitfall II. Hundreds of games are available.

Of course, you could play the games directly via The Internet Archive’s site. However, if you want a Kodi interface that’ll let you run them all from within the app, you need to grab the Internet Archive ROM Launcher.

You will find the add-on in the Zach Morris repo. To learn more about how to install the repo and set up the add-on, refer to our full article detailing how to play The Internet Archive’s retro games on Kodi.

5. Twitch

twitch kodi repo

These days, gaming is about more than simply firing up a console and letting yourself become engrossed for a few hours.

Apps like Twitch have revolutionized the way gamers can find and absorb gaming content. The Amazon-owned company streams gaming competitions, esports, chat shows, and plenty more.

The Twitch add-on for Kodi is available in the official Kodi repo. To install the app, go to Add-ons > Install from repository > Kodi Add-on repository > Video Add-ons > Twitch.

6. Steam Community

steam community kodi video list

The Steam Community acts as a central hub for every game on Steam. It includes screenshots, artwork, videos, news, walkthroughs, reviews, live streams, and mods for every game on the Steam platform.

This Kodi add-on ports some of the Steam Community’s features to the Kodi app. The main focus of the add-on is the live broadcasts; it means you can tune into your favorite gamer’s feeds without leaving the Kodi interface. Only public streams are supported. You can also use the add-on for viewing screenshots and artwork; text-based content is not yet available.

Steam Community has filters for language, popular videos, and new videos, as well as a search feature, meaning you will able to find the content you’re looking for in a flash.

Once again, the add-on is available via the official Kodi repo.

7. Netwalk

If you can’t be bothered fiddling with emulators, ROMs, and third-party repos, you could try playing a standalone Kodi game that doesn’t require any extra installations.

In truth, there are very few such games around, but one that’s worth installing is Netwalk. The premise is simple—you need to join together the different colored pipes in order to connect two computers to the network is as few moves as possible. The game is surprisingly addictive.

The game is best played on a tablet or touchscreen laptop, though it is possible to play with a mouse, too.

You can find the Netwalk game in the official Kodi repo. Just navigate to the Program Add-ons section of the repo to locate it.

Learn More About Using Kodi Add-Ons

Gaming remains a slightly underdeveloped part of the Kodi ecosystem, but the situation is improving. As the Kodi add-ons for gaming we’ve looked at in this article prove, it’s possible to find old games, dedicated Kodi games, and a mass of related gaming content if you know which repos to use and where to look.

If you would like to learn more about Kodi add-ons, check out our list of the best legal Kodi add-ons for free movies.

Read the full article: The 7 Best Kodi Add-Ons for Gaming and Gamers


Read Full Article

How to Use and Customize the Drummer Feature in GarageBand


drums-garageband

Drummer is one of GarageBand’s most impressive features. It offers an easy way to add professional drum tracks to your project, with almost unlimited customization options.

If you’ve never used Drummer in GarageBand before, we’ll explain everything you need to know to make the most of it in your next project.

What Is the Drummer Feature?

Drummer feature in GarageBand

GarageBand’s Drummer is a software instrument that plays automated drum patterns to use in your musical projects.

You can choose between 28 virtual drummers and three virtual percussionists, each with their own personal style. You can also edit the rhythm, sounds, and patterns of what Drummer plays to perfectly match your track.

If you haven’t already, go to GarageBand > Sound Library > Download All Available Sounds to download every Drummer option to your Mac.

In case you like to use loops with GarageBand, this also downloads the entire collection of free loops from Apple.

How to Add Drummer to GarageBand

To add Drummer to your GarageBand project, all you need to do is create a new track. Go to Track > New Track from the menu bar and select Drummer from the popup window that appears.

Track Type popup window in GarageBand

Alternatively, press Option + Cmd + U to instantly add a new Drummer track.

After you add a Drummer track, GarageBand creates an eight-bar region at the beginning of your project. It also opens the Library and the Editor windows to let you choose your virtual drummer, kit, and Beat Preset.

Choose a Drummer

The Library window on the left shows all the different GarageBand virtual drummers, separated into seven musical genres:

  • Rock
  • Alternative
  • Songwriter
  • R&B
  • Electronic
  • Hip Hop
  • Percussion

Choose a genre, then select an available drummer to read a short paragraph about their playing style.

Drummer selection in Garageband

Each drummer offers a different playing style. It might take a while to get to know each of them, so for now, focus on the sub-genre next to their name. You can always experiment with different drummers further down the line.

Choose a Kit

Changing the drum kit doesn’t change what Drummer plays; only how the actual drums sound. Every drum kit is available for every virtual drummer, although each one has a preferred kit they default to.

After choosing a virtual drummer, hit Space to listen to them play. Then select different kits in the Sounds section of the Library.

Drum Kit selection for Drummer in GarageBand

Don’t worry about the drum pattern they’re playing. Instead, listen to the tone of the kit or the sound of individual drums. You can tweak the controls in the Smart Controls window to further edit the sound, but we’ll get into that later.

Choose a Beat Preset

The Beat Preset refers to the actual drum pattern that Drummer plays. If you changed the drum kit, press E to open the Drummer Editor again and find a list of Beat Presets at the left edge of the window.

Beat Presets in the Drummer Editor Window

Each virtual drummer offers a different selection of Beat Presets to fit their genre. Click through each of them to find a drum pattern you like for your project.

Don’t worry if the Beat Preset isn’t perfect; we’ll edit it in a moment.

Structure Your Drummer Track

If you don’t want Drummer to play the same drum pattern for your entire project, you need to create separate Drummer regions in the Workspace window. You can edit the settings for each region so Drummer plays different patterns for the intro, verse, and chorus of your song.

Hover your mouse over the right edge of a Drummer region to reveal an Add (+) button. Click that to create a duplicate region immediately after the original. Then drag and drop it somewhere else, adjust the length, or loop it to fit your song structure.

Add button after Drummer region

A duplicate region starts with the same settings as the original. But you can choose a new Beat Preset and edit other settings to change it up. Unfortunately, you can’t change the drummer or drum kit without affecting all the other regions in the same track.

We also suggest adding short regions wherever you want to include drum fills. The easiest way to do this is to move the playhead where you want the fill, select the Drummer region, then press Cmd + T to split it into two regions.

Drum Fill splitting a Drummer region

How to Edit the Drummer Settings in GarageBand

Using a Beat Preset is a quick way to get started with Drummer. However, you can take far more control over what Drummer plays by adjusting the X/Y Pad, pattern variations, and style knobs in the Editor window.

Double-click a particular Drummer region to open the Editor. Then adjust the settings below to edit that region, making it different from what Drummer plays elsewhere.

Tweak the X/Y Pad

The X/Y Pad offers a quick and easy way to change the drum pattern to match your project. Drag and drop the yellow puck to different areas of the pad to completely change the pattern that Drummer plays.

X:Y Pad in Drummer Editor

Moving along the X-axis changes the drum pattern from Simple to Complex, while the Y-axis changes from Soft to Loud.

You don’t need to drag the puck to the far corners of the pad. Small movements still change the drum patterns a surprising amount.

Choose Your Percussion Sounds and Pattern Variations

To the right of the X/Y pad, you should see a drum kit or a grid of percussion instruments, depending on your chosen drummer. You might see cymbals, toms, shakers, bongos, or other instruments.

Click to highlight a percussion sound if you want to include it in your pattern. Alternatively, remove the highlight if you don’t want to hear that sound.

Percussion instrument pattern variations in Drummer Editor

The sliders next to each percussion sound let you change the pattern variation for it. Generally speaking, moving the slider to the right tells Drummer to use that sound more often in the drum pattern.

However, the last two positions for the Kick & Snare sounds let you choose between half-time and double-time drum patterns.

If your drummer uses brushes, you can also use a checkbox beneath these sliders to change the brush style.

Kick & Snare pattern variation showing half-time and Brush Sweep options

Add Fills and Swing

The right side of the Drummer Editor shows two knobs. These both let you change the style of playing for your selected region.

Increase the Fills level to make Drummer play longer and more complex fills throughout the drum pattern. A fill is an elaborate flourish, or a drum roll, that adds variety to the song. It usually comes at the end of a region.

Increase the Swing level to add a jazz-like swing to the rhythm of the drum pattern. This works best if other instruments in your project also play in swing time. Use the 8th and 16th buttons to choose how fast you want the swing to be.

Fills and Swing knobs in Drummer Editor

Close the padlock next to either of these knobs to lock those levels. That way, you can change the Beat Preset, the pattern settings, or even the virtual drummer without losing your Fills or Swing level.

How to Mix the Drummer in GarageBand

After creating a series of drum patterns to use in your project, you still need to mix the Drummer track to get the best sounds out of it. The easiest way to do this is using the Smart Controls window.

Select your drummer track and press B to open the Smart Controls. Use the knobs that appear to adjust the volume for each of the drums in your drum kit.

Smart Controls for Drummer in GarageBand

You can even use the lights beside each knob to turn certain drums off entirely.

The Compression knob allows you to “squash” the sound of your drums, making them feel louder. And you can use the Tone and Room levels to change the overall timbre of your kit.

Different drum kits offer different Smart Controls. But you can get even more control over your sound by converting Drummer regions to MIDI tracks.

Convert Drummer Regions to MIDI Tracks

If you recorded a real drum kit, you would usually create a separate audio track for each drum. This offers more control over the sound, as you can mix each drum independently.

To achieve the same result with Drummer in GarageBand, you need to convert your Drummer regions to MIDI. Create a software instrument track by going to Track > New Track in the menu bar. Then change the instrument to match the drum kit you chose earlier.

Now click and drag to select all your Drummer regions at once. Press Cmd + C to copy them, then highlight your new software instrument track and press Cmd + V to paste your Drummer regions as MIDI.

Drummer track copied into MIDI track

Open the MIDI Editor to edit the timing, velocity, quantization, and other parameters for your drum patterns.

Alternatively, select every beat from a particular drum, which you can do by clicking the relevant note on the MIDI sidebar keyboard. Then paste them into a separate software instrument track to split your Drummer region again. Repeat this process to create individual tracks for each drum in your Drummer regions.

Drummer region turned into separate MIDI drums

Now you can add plugins, change the EQ, or adjust the level and pan for each drum to create the perfect mix.

Learn All There Is to Know About GarageBand

Learning how to use the Drummer feature is crucial if you want to make the most of GarageBand. But Drummer isn’t the only worthwhile feature in this music production software.

Check out our guide on how to use GarageBand to learn all there is to know about loops, software instruments, score editors, and more.

Read the full article: How to Use and Customize the Drummer Feature in GarageBand


Read Full Article

Chromebook Users Can Get Roguelike Dead Cells for Free


dead cells chromebook

There are all sorts of benefits from using a Chromebook. And now, another benefit has arrived, with Google offering the stellar platformer roguelike Dead Cells for free, as discovered by Android Police.

Normally, Dead Cells sells for $8.99 on Google Play, which is a steal in its own right. However, for free, grabbing it is a no-brainer.

What Is Dead Cells?

Dead Cells is a platformer roguelike that will put your video game abilities to the test.

Here’s the description of the game from Motion Twin, the developers of Dead Cells:

Dead Cells is a rogue-lite, Castlevania-inspired action-platformer, allowing you to explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle… assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers.

To beat the game, you’ll have to master 2D “souls-lite combat” with the ever-present threat of permadeath looming. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Dead Cells has a score of 89 on Metacritic, which is an incredibly high score for a game from a small team without the AAA budget and pedigree behind it.

If that sounds like something that’ll appeal to you, then you absolutely should take advantage of this offer. You’ll get quite a few hours from the game and a real feeling of satisfaction as you grind your way through it.

How to Get Your Free Copy of Dead Cells

To snag a copy, you simply need to head to Google’s Chromebook perks page. Once there, scroll down a bit and you’ll see the Dead Cells section. Click Get Perk, and follow the steps to redeem your copy.

Of course, you must own a Chromebook to do so. Those without one can’t take advantage of this perk.

Google is making this perk available until August 7th, 2021, so you have ample time to jump in and grab the game for your Chromebook. And if you just purchased a Chromebook, check out our handy tips that all new Chromebook users need to know.

Read the full article: Chromebook Users Can Get Roguelike Dead Cells for Free


5 Tools to Search for Online Learning Courses and Study Partners


Find online classes

If you want to keep growing, you should never stop learning. These websites and apps help you learn new skills with the right online courses. You can also tap them to find study partners for that classroom feeling.

Many universities and schools make their coursework available for free online, in what is called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). You can go for paid courses too that offer legitimate degrees once you finish them.

Finding the right course for your time availability and budget, and completing it within the timeframe, is the difficult part. So here are a few ways to make that search easier.

1. Coursesity (Web): Directory of Online Courses Across Subjects

Coursesity homepage with a directory of online courses

If you’re looking for a list of different online courses about a subject or topic, head to Coursesity. The directory lists over 50,000 online courses from a variety of platforms, across subjects like programming, arts, office productivity, science, etc.

Pick a subject to see all the courses available in it. You can then filter the results by user rating, duration, price, language, certificate availability, and difficulty level. These filters are key to discovering the right course for you. Once you find it, add it to your collection.

Collections are an integral part of discovering courses on Coursesity. The founder, Keyul Shah, has a list of recommended courses in collections on different subjects, but you can also see any user’s collection for inspiration.

Collections like the Free Ivy League Courses help in narrowing choices and discovering authorized content you wouldn’t easily find otherwise.

2. Online Course Report (Web): Course Rankings for Part-Time Students

Online Course Report homepage with rankings of different online courses

Merrill Cook is curating online courses like a lot of other websites, but with a different focus. Online Course Report (OCR) recognizes that online learning is more popular with non-traditional students and adult learners. It’s often taken up by someone who has a full-time job, or is looking to add a skill set to their daily responsibilities.

OCR creates course rankings that put an emphasis on flexibility and affordability, which are two of the most important aspects for online learners. Visit the Rankings page to see links to the top 10 or top 50 rankings for different topics. Each article details why the ranks were chosen, hourly rates and eventual salary, graduation rate, and other important criteria to help you make a decision.

The website also has a floating “Find Your Degree” panel that’s always visible, but you can ignore it. It’s an ad that takes you to a different website, so don’t bother using it.

3. Prodeus (Chrome): Free YouTube Online Courses Search and Tracking

Prodeus Chrome extension for online courses on YouTube

YouTube has a vast library of free video courses to learn a variety of skills and subjects. Prodeus wants to help you earn a virtual degree on YouTube by searching for free online learning courses, and tracking your hours and classes.

You can find classes on YouTube through Prodeus in the dropdown pane when you click the Chrome extension icon. The library will show different courses uploaded to the video sharing site, which you can filter by newest, popular, or recommended for you.

You can sort by category, difficulty, and language. You can also switch between regular classes and full-fledged courses. Each course also shows a rating.

Once you’ve selected a course, Prodeus will track your progress in it. The extension watches how many hours you use YouTube for learning, which it converts into virtual “ProDegrees” based on the number of class hours, the number of classes, and “credits” you earn.

There’s a bit of gamification too, as you unlock stages based on the total number of class hours. In the end, you might just get a Master’s degree by learning on YouTube.

Download: Prodeus for Chrome (Free)

4. Knowable (Android, iOS): Podcast or Audio Online Learning Courses

Knowable list of audio and podcast online courses by experts

While most online courses feature a series of videos, that’s not every student’s preferred learning style or every expert’s favorite teaching style. Knowable focuses on audio-based online learning courses, so you can listen to them like a podcast when you’re working out, driving, or running chores around the house.

You’ll find a variety of courses, like startup and entrepreneurship advice, self-improvement and personal development, health, business, and more. There are a handful of free courses too, so you can try out what it’s like to learn through listening alone. But most of those by experts or well-known names are paid courses, each with a different price.

As with most online courses, you can preview an index of what the tutor will cover. A lot of the courses offer a free invitation for a friend, so two people can learn for the price of one. Having a study buddy is also a great way to stay motivated with online learning.

Download: Knowable for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Cuddy (Web): Find a Buddy to Take Courses Together

Cuddy's find a study partner page to take online courses with

School is more fun when you’ve got a friend to lean on. You can share notes, discuss what you learned, and even compete with each other. Cuddy wants to help you find a buddy for any online course you’re taking.

Click “Find a Buddy” to see listings of people looking for different types of partners. Some have specific course requirements, while others are interested in a general study partner regardless of the subject. You’ll find details like the type, the skill level, a course link, and a general description.

You can add your own listing if who you seek is not already on Cuddy. Be as clear as you can about the course name and type. And focus on the details or description, where you talk about yourself. This is what Cuddy users will look at and try to figure out if they want to be your study buddy. Talk about your learning style, objectives you want to achieve, and what you’re looking for from a buddy. It’ll lead to the best match.

Search Engines for MOOCs

The websites in this article feature a mix of paid and free courses, so you can get full-fledged university degrees or rely on expert advice. But before you do that, you should check out the number of free online courses too, which can offer a great education at no cost.

It can be difficult to research only about these free courses, but there are some options. Start with the best sites to search and find MOOCs, which also include free guides for degree paths.

Read the full article: 5 Tools to Search for Online Learning Courses and Study Partners


5 Tools to Search for Online Learning Courses and Study Partners


Find online classes

If you want to keep growing, you should never stop learning. These websites and apps help you learn new skills with the right online courses. You can also tap them to find study partners for that classroom feeling.

Many universities and schools make their coursework available for free online, in what is called Massive Open Online Courses (MOOC). You can go for paid courses too that offer legitimate degrees once you finish them.

Finding the right course for your time availability and budget, and completing it within the timeframe, is the difficult part. So here are a few ways to make that search easier.

1. Coursesity (Web): Directory of Online Courses Across Subjects

Coursesity homepage with a directory of online courses

If you’re looking for a list of different online courses about a subject or topic, head to Coursesity. The directory lists over 50,000 online courses from a variety of platforms, across subjects like programming, arts, office productivity, science, etc.

Pick a subject to see all the courses available in it. You can then filter the results by user rating, duration, price, language, certificate availability, and difficulty level. These filters are key to discovering the right course for you. Once you find it, add it to your collection.

Collections are an integral part of discovering courses on Coursesity. The founder, Keyul Shah, has a list of recommended courses in collections on different subjects, but you can also see any user’s collection for inspiration.

Collections like the Free Ivy League Courses help in narrowing choices and discovering authorized content you wouldn’t easily find otherwise.

2. Online Course Report (Web): Course Rankings for Part-Time Students

Online Course Report homepage with rankings of different online courses

Merrill Cook is curating online courses like a lot of other websites, but with a different focus. Online Course Report (OCR) recognizes that online learning is more popular with non-traditional students and adult learners. It’s often taken up by someone who has a full-time job, or is looking to add a skill set to their daily responsibilities.

OCR creates course rankings that put an emphasis on flexibility and affordability, which are two of the most important aspects for online learners. Visit the Rankings page to see links to the top 10 or top 50 rankings for different topics. Each article details why the ranks were chosen, hourly rates and eventual salary, graduation rate, and other important criteria to help you make a decision.

The website also has a floating “Find Your Degree” panel that’s always visible, but you can ignore it. It’s an ad that takes you to a different website, so don’t bother using it.

3. Prodeus (Chrome): Free YouTube Online Courses Search and Tracking

Prodeus Chrome extension for online courses on YouTube

YouTube has a vast library of free video courses to learn a variety of skills and subjects. Prodeus wants to help you earn a virtual degree on YouTube by searching for free online learning courses, and tracking your hours and classes.

You can find classes on YouTube through Prodeus in the dropdown pane when you click the Chrome extension icon. The library will show different courses uploaded to the video sharing site, which you can filter by newest, popular, or recommended for you.

You can sort by category, difficulty, and language. You can also switch between regular classes and full-fledged courses. Each course also shows a rating.

Once you’ve selected a course, Prodeus will track your progress in it. The extension watches how many hours you use YouTube for learning, which it converts into virtual “ProDegrees” based on the number of class hours, the number of classes, and “credits” you earn.

There’s a bit of gamification too, as you unlock stages based on the total number of class hours. In the end, you might just get a Master’s degree by learning on YouTube.

Download: Prodeus for Chrome (Free)

4. Knowable (Android, iOS): Podcast or Audio Online Learning Courses

Knowable list of audio and podcast online courses by experts

While most online courses feature a series of videos, that’s not every student’s preferred learning style or every expert’s favorite teaching style. Knowable focuses on audio-based online learning courses, so you can listen to them like a podcast when you’re working out, driving, or running chores around the house.

You’ll find a variety of courses, like startup and entrepreneurship advice, self-improvement and personal development, health, business, and more. There are a handful of free courses too, so you can try out what it’s like to learn through listening alone. But most of those by experts or well-known names are paid courses, each with a different price.

As with most online courses, you can preview an index of what the tutor will cover. A lot of the courses offer a free invitation for a friend, so two people can learn for the price of one. Having a study buddy is also a great way to stay motivated with online learning.

Download: Knowable for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Cuddy (Web): Find a Buddy to Take Courses Together

Cuddy's find a study partner page to take online courses with

School is more fun when you’ve got a friend to lean on. You can share notes, discuss what you learned, and even compete with each other. Cuddy wants to help you find a buddy for any online course you’re taking.

Click “Find a Buddy” to see listings of people looking for different types of partners. Some have specific course requirements, while others are interested in a general study partner regardless of the subject. You’ll find details like the type, the skill level, a course link, and a general description.

You can add your own listing if who you seek is not already on Cuddy. Be as clear as you can about the course name and type. And focus on the details or description, where you talk about yourself. This is what Cuddy users will look at and try to figure out if they want to be your study buddy. Talk about your learning style, objectives you want to achieve, and what you’re looking for from a buddy. It’ll lead to the best match.

Search Engines for MOOCs

The websites in this article feature a mix of paid and free courses, so you can get full-fledged university degrees or rely on expert advice. But before you do that, you should check out the number of free online courses too, which can offer a great education at no cost.

It can be difficult to research only about these free courses, but there are some options. Start with the best sites to search and find MOOCs, which also include free guides for degree paths.

Read the full article: 5 Tools to Search for Online Learning Courses and Study Partners


Read Full Article

Facebook Bans More Hate Speech, Including Blackface


Although Facebook has had a ban on hate speech for a while, it has now expanded its definition of the term. Under Facebook’s new Community Standards, Facebook will remove any posts involving blackface and anti-Semitic stereotypes.

Facebook’s War on Hate Speech

Facebook’s quarterly Community Standards Enforcement Reports give users insight into what the tech giant is doing behind the scenes. More specifically, it details the measures Facebook is taking to combat inappropriate content on Instagram and Facebook.

The latest Community Standards Enforcement Report shows that Facebook’s hate speech detection rate has jumped from 89 percent to 95 percent. This led to the removal of 22.5 million harmful posts, a significant increase compared to the first quarter’s removal of only 9.6 million posts.

Additionally, Facebook worked to remove 23 hate groups, and also saw an uptick in the number of resolved harassment reports.

Facebook’s improved hate speech detection system is credited with the increase in post removals and content policing. New advancements let Facebook better detect hate speech in English, Spanish, and Burmese.

In a post on About Facebook, Guy Rosen, Facebook’s vice president of integrity, remarked that Facebook strives to become a safe platform for everyone:

We’ve made progress combating hate on our apps, but we know we have more to do to ensure everyone feels comfortable using our services.

Facebook’s Latest Community Standards Update

To ensure an inclusive environment on Facebook, the company also announced updates to its Community Standards on hate speech. The amendment adds more offensive content to the list, including blackface and anti-Semitic conspiracy theories.

Under the new guidelines, users partaking in blackface will have their content removed. The same goes for any users posting content that contains Jewish stereotypes, particularly those alluding to Jewish people controlling the world’s major institutions.

Will Facebook Succeed in Combatting Hate Speech?

It’s clear that Facebook has made massive improvements in finding and detecting hate speech. With the new updates, Facebook is on track to significantly reduce the amount of harmful content on the site.

As you probably know, Facebook is constantly in the spotlight for its invasive privacy policies. Here are several reasons why Facebook is a security and privacy nightmare.

Read the full article: Facebook Bans More Hate Speech, Including Blackface


Read Full Article

Chromebook Users Can Get Roguelike Dead Cells for Free


dead cells chromebook

There are all sorts of benefits from using a Chromebook. And now, another benefit has arrived, with Google offering the stellar platformer roguelike Dead Cells for free, as discovered by Android Police.

Normally, Dead Cells sells for $8.99 on Google Play, which is a steal in its own right. However, for free, grabbing it is a no-brainer.

What Is Dead Cells?

Dead Cells is a platformer roguelike that will put your video game abilities to the test.

Here’s the description of the game from Motion Twin, the developers of Dead Cells:

Dead Cells is a rogue-lite, Castlevania-inspired action-platformer, allowing you to explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle… assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers.

To beat the game, you’ll have to master 2D “souls-lite combat” with the ever-present threat of permadeath looming. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Dead Cells has a score of 89 on Metacritic, which is an incredibly high score for a game from a small team without the AAA budget and pedigree behind it.

If that sounds like something that’ll appeal to you, then you absolutely should take advantage of this offer. You’ll get quite a few hours from the game and a real feeling of satisfaction as you grind your way through it.

How to Get Your Free Copy of Dead Cells

To snag a copy, you simply need to head to Google’s Chromebook perks page. Once there, scroll down a bit and you’ll see the Dead Cells section. Click Get Perk, and follow the steps to redeem your copy.

Of course, you must own a Chromebook to do so. Those without one can’t take advantage of this perk.

Google is making this perk available until August 7th, 2021, so you have ample time to jump in and grab the game for your Chromebook. And if you just purchased a Chromebook, check out our handy tips that all new Chromebook users need to know.

Read the full article: Chromebook Users Can Get Roguelike Dead Cells for Free


Read Full Article

Seven Proven Tips to Help You Extend the Life of Your Toner Cartridge


Laser printers are very popular in offices and homes and have become an indispensable part of our daily lives. However, their toner cartridges usually run out pretty fast, and in most of the cases, at the most inopportune moment. To try and keep the cost of printing low, the primary question that people have been […]

The post Seven Proven Tips to Help You Extend the Life of Your Toner Cartridge appeared first on ALL TECH BUZZ.


5 Great iPad Apps for Highlighting PDFs, Ebooks, and More


ipad-ebook-highlighting

There’s a distinction between reading to pick up information and reading to truly understand. If you’re struggling to go beyond the surface level, annotation is a great way to develop deeper reading comprehension.

When you annotate, your mind starts developing a contextual relationship with the material. Including comments, links to web pages, and related documents makes it yours. Later on, you begin connecting missing dots and develop a better idea framework.

As it turns out, your iPad is a perfect device for reading and annotating documents. We’ll show you some of the best iPad apps that highlight and review PDFs, ebooks, and web pages.

1. GoodReader

GoodReader for reading PDF on iPad

GoodReader is a comprehensive file manager that lets you access, manage, organize, and read documents. If you often deal with PDFs, this app is essential for your toolkit. It gives you many reading options, renders PDF beautifully, and has built-in editing and annotation tools.

Annotate PDFs With GoodReader

To highlight PDFs with this app, long-press the text to select to the end of the sentence or paragraph. From the popup menu that appears, choose Highlight. Tap again to change the highlight color, copy the text, or delete it altogether. If you wish to add a note, select the text again and choose Comment.

You’ll also find many more text options: add notes in the page margin with the typewriter tool, underline, strike-out text, and call out sections with lines, arrows, shapes, and freehand drawing with Apple Pencil. Follow our guide on how to use Apple Pencil with your iPad if you’re new to this.

The Location feature gives you a popup view of document bookmarks, outlines, and annotations. Tap the Email button to export the annotation summary to your note-taking app. The Settings button lets you customize what you want to include/exclude in summary.

What GoodReader Offers

  • Page management features to skim and review PDFs. In the editing mode, you can extract, add a blank page for notes, and re-arrange the pages.
  • Different gestures while annotating PDFs. The side menu option activates the special markup mode to annotate PDFs quickly.
  • View the same or different documents side-by-side in split-screen mode. This helps you annotate and review notes in context with other chapters.
  • Sync the annotated files with your Mac to further review them in the Skim app and organize with tags.

Download: GoodReader ($5.99, subscription available)

2. LiquidText

LiquidText to annotate and review documents for iPad

Traditional workflows involve using multiple tools: a reader and a file manager to organize documents. plus a note-taking app to outline your thoughts. That’s a lot to keep track of.

LiquidText is a PDF viewer designed for non-linear reading. It streamlines the entire process of active reading, from making annotations, extracting highlights, taking notes, connecting notes with documents, and building a connection.

How LiquidText Works

Start by importing documents from either the Files app or built-in web browser. Upon opening the document, you’ll see the document navigation panel, viewer in the middle, and a workspace at the right. This workspace is the area where you can keep excerpts, notes, and images.

Highlight a sentence and tap AutoExcerpt, then LiquidText will pull the excerpt to your workspace. Tap the excerpt and choose Comment from the popup menu to add a note. As you start building a collection, you can move the annotations anywhere in the workspace or drag to group them.

You can pinch or shrink the material to compare different sections. And if you repeat the above procedure across multiple documents, you can start building connections. Finally, tap the Share button to share your annotations as a DOCX file.

Unique Features of LiquidText

  • Compare and visualize the excerpts and notes in a whiteboard. With the use of gestures and Apple Pencil, you can quickly create mind maps.
  • Keep three documents for active reading at the same time. It’s possible to replace them with other materials.
  • The HighlightView feature lets you knead the highlighted text while keeps the remaining portion folded. It’s helpful for seeing all the annotations at a glance.

Download: LiquidText (Free, premium version available)

3. MarginNote

Read, Organize, and Study with MarginNote for iPad

MarginNote is both a PDF and EPUB viewer that helps you better learn and digest your books. You can organize and connect knowledge from different aspects into a mindmap. And with the built-in flashcard system, you can memorize the content more efficiently.

How to Use MarginNote

MarginNote is a hierarchical document management system. The left panel consists of three tabs: Document (a place to organize ebooks), Study (a place to build up your notes), and Review (turn your notes into flashcards). The right panel is the corresponding view of those tabs.

The book content and notes are on the same window. For each selection, MarginNote opens the editing menu where you get to select a color, create note, assign a tag, send to the mindmap panel, and so on. In the note-editing card, you can add comments with your voice, photos, and tags.

The Study mode has both outline and mind-map views. The former becomes useful when you want to brush up the important concepts. The latter panel lets you make connections between different ideas. Try tapping Share > Add to Card Deck to generate a flashcard based on your notes for studying various concepts.

MarginNote Unique Features

  • You can connect MarginNote with Evernote to access all your notes, mind maps, and outlines even if you’re on the go.
  • The mind map is compatible with OmniOutliner, Mindmanager, and iThoughts. You can even sync the flashcard with Anki, if that’s your preferred app.
  • Built-in embedded web browser to research keywords. Supports Wikipedia, Google Scholar, Translator, and more.
  • The app is rich in developing logical relationships among different ideas. It becomes convenient for constructing a knowledge framework.

Download: MarginNote ($13, free trial available)

4. Amazon Kindle

Annotate ebooks with the Kindle app

The Kindle app is a multi-platform ebook marketplace featuring reader, annotation tools, and library management features. The reading environment is customizable according to your needs. You can adjust the screen brightness, font type and size, text parameters, and more.

Annotate and Review Notes

Touch and hold a word, then drag the highlighter to the end of the sentence or paragraph. After this, select a color from the highlighting tool. To add a note, tap the highlighted text, then Note. When the note window appears, type in your notes and tap Save.

Head to Kindle Notebook to see all highlights with their location (or real page) number. The Kindle app limits the ability to export highlights and notes. In most cases, the limit set is 10 percent. To bypass this, try out Bookcision or Clippings.io to extract your annotations.

Unique Features of Kindle

  • Different background themes and modifiable text parameters to make reading comfortable.
  • Integrated Oxford dictionary, Wikipedia, and translation features.
  • The notebook feature consolidates all annotations in a single location.

Download: Amazon Kindle (Free)

5. Diigo

Diigo app consolidates annotations from web

We spend a lot of time reading content online. But the workflow of reading, annotating, organizing, and remembering to connect missing bits into a chunk of knowledge still largely remains inefficient.

Diigo is a knowledge management tool that provides you with a system to improve your information workflow. It’s a must-have tool for knowledge workers, writers, and students.

Annotate and Review Notes

The Diigo app is a spin-off of the Chrome browser. To create a highlight, drag the marker to the end of a sentence or paragraph. In the popup that appears, tap Highlight. Tap the text again to change the color of a highlight or select Note to add an anchored comment.

After marking up, navigate to your bookmark in My Library, tap the More button, and select Email to. If you’ve set up a customized email address for Evernote or OneNote, you can send annotated notes directly to these note-taking apps.

What Makes Diigo Unique

  • The read-it later feature is already built into the app. A Diigo subscription lets you save an offline copy of the web page in your library.
  • You can organize, search, or add tags to the bookmark. It even lets you bulk edit tags, generate reports, and export your links as CSV.
  • Create an outline by adding text or convert existing annotations to bullet points. When you attach an image or link, it gets formatted automatically.

Download: Diigo (Free, subscription available)

A Simple Way to Understand Annotations

Your iPad is a perfect device for reading and annotating different documents—be it PDFs, ebooks, or web pages. You just need the right kind of system to use these tools for developing an in-depth knowledge framework, which we’ve gotten you started with here.

Annotation is easy to do, but tricky to get right. For more help, read this guide to using digital annotations effectively.

Read the full article: 5 Great iPad Apps for Highlighting PDFs, Ebooks, and More


Read Full Article