Project Repository:
https://github.com/turtl/android
Introducing Turtl notebook application:
Before now, many users struggled to protect notes, bookmarks, passwords, images, and shopping lists. Like me, I made use of google drive application and my inbuilt IOS notebook application. I was not satisfied that my saved files were actually safe so, I went in search of an alternative.
What is the turtl notebook application:
The turtl application is a decentralized notebook application that provides users with private storage for storing files. These files include shopping lists, bookmarks, dream logs, passwords, images, ideas, and documents. It tagging and filtering features makes it ideal for research projects. I am among the first users of the turtl notebook application, and I have used it for over a year. The turtl notebook application was developed by Turtl, and It is available for OSX, Windows x64, LINUX X64, LINUX X32, ANDROID APK, ANDROID, FIREFOX EXTENSION and CHROME EXTENSION.
How to get started using the turtl notebook application:
Download the turtl application for OSX, Windows x64, LINUX X64, LINUX X32, ANDROID APK, ANDROID, FIREFOX EXTENSION and CHROME EXTENSION. You'll be provided with an option to login or create an account. Since it was my first time using the turtl notebook application, I had to create an account. The version of the turtl application I am using is its Android's version. I would have loved to use the IOS’s version, but it is not developed yet. After creating an account, a message was displayed. It warned me that the turtl team of developers does not save my password anywhere and that my account password should be kept safe because it will be used in locking and unlocking my saved data. I copied my password on a piece of paper, and I also saved it as a draft in my Gmail account.
How to take notes using the turtl notebook application:
Taking notes within the turtl notebook application is easy as the developers have made available all the necessary features needed to accomplish this task. I didn't have difficulties creating a note within the turtl notebook application because I had used a similar application in the past. First, I clicked on the plus sign situated at the bottom right of the turtl notebook application interface, and five options were displayed. Password, file, image, bookmark, and text note. Each of these options has a specific file format it supports.
Password option:
I appreciate the fact that there are different options for different file types. Like the password option, when I clicked on it, I saw a tab to select a board and four different text fields. The text fields displayed were meant for the password title, its username, the password itself and a note text field where you can write your password recovery word. Within the text field meant for writing the password, I noticed while writing my password that it was not displaying the words, rather it was displaying asterisk symbols. I saw an eye icon beside the password text field, and I used it in revealing the passwords.
File option:
The file option works more like any other uploading options within the turtl notebook application interface. Clicking on it gave me access to my mobile phone storage directory. Through the file option, I was able to upload different file types. When I clicked on the file option, I saw four features
- Select a board,
- Choose file,
- Title,
- Note text.
All these options were used when I uploaded my files. I made use of the select a board option to choose my desired board, I used the choose file option to gain access to my mobile directory, I wrote my file title within the title field, and I described my file within the note text field.
Image option:
The image option is the option I used when I wanted to upload an image file. The options I saw when I clicked on the image upload option was
- Select a board,
- Choose file,
- Image URL,
- Title,
- Note text.
I have already explained the select board, choose file, title, and note text options so I'll discuss on the image URL option. I was amazed when I saw the image URL option, because most platform developers neglect it during development. I used the image URL option once, and that was when I was testing all the features on the turtl notebook application. I copied an image URL from busy.org post editor interface, and I pasted it within the image URL option on the turtl notebook application.
Bookmark option:
The bookmark option interface is more like the file and image options. It provides users with different features to use while bookmarking a link. While trying to bookmark a link, I saw an option to select a board, a text field to write the URL, title and a note text field to write the link’s description.
Text note option:
The text note option is more like the ones seen in other notebook applications. I have used it countless times. It has an option to select a board, title, and a note text field to write your notes. I was disappointed when I discovered that the text note option within the turtl notebook application does not support character count, minute read, and word count on written notes. I hope these features will be implemented in coming updates.
Import and export feature
The import and export feature on the turtl notebook application is really helpful. You can use it to import and export different profiles. When i clicked on the Import and export feature, I saw three options. Only import items missing from current profile, Import everything, overwriting current items and completely wipe current profile before importing. These options are self-explanatory though I have not used them.
Conclusion:
The turtl notebook application is an interesting application to have as a server for your documents. I have used it for over a year and have never had any reason to complain about its efficiency.
Resources:
Some of the Images displayed were taken as screenshots while some were downloaded.