Is there a way to take math/physics notes on a laptop?

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Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,395
1,585
126
I'm not really sure where this thread goes, so here it is.

Anyway, I was wondering how people take math/physics notes on laptops. My handwriting is horrible; to take notes at the speed of the class is impossible for me.

I've managed to get through the fluff classes pretty well, but since I am a math/physics major, I want to make sure that I have a good foundation on the classes I'm taking next semester (Calc 3, Linear, Engineering Physics).

Obviously the text wouldn't be a problem, but the equations could cause some headaches.

How do you guys take notes on computers (if you do)? Any ideas or links?

Thanks a bunch.
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,395
1,585
126
Originally posted by: LoKe
Digital Camera > Transfer to PC. ^_^
Click to expand...

I could just see my physics teacher when I pulled out a camera and took pictures of the board. ;)

I'd like to not have to spend any more money if I can help it. The tablet PC seems like a good idea, but again, if I could write the equations on a tablet PC, I could write them in a notebook. :p
 
G

gopunk

Lifer
Jul 7, 2001
29,239
2
0
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: LoKe
Digital Camera > Transfer to PC. ^_^
Click to expand...

I could just see my physics teacher when I pulled out a camera and took pictures of the board. ;)

I'd like to not have to spend any more money if I can help it. The tablet PC seems like a good idea, but again, if I could write the equations on a tablet PC, I could write them in a notebook. :p
Click to expand...


not sure what you're saying... are you looking for a way to record eqs faster than by writing them by hand?
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,395
1,585
126
Originally posted by: gopunk
not sure what you're saying... are you looking for a way to record eqs faster than by writing them by hand?
Click to expand...
It needs to be at least close to the same speed. I cannot write both legibly and quickly.

 
B

BigJ

Lifer
Nov 18, 2001
21,330
1
81
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: gopunk
not sure what you're saying... are you looking for a way to record eqs faster than by writing them by hand?
Click to expand...
It needs to be at least close to the same speed. I cannot write both legibly and quickly.
Click to expand...

The only thing I could think of is increasing your typing speed substantially and learning the keyboard combinations to come up with certain symbols.
 
RossMAN

RossMAN

Grand Nagus
Feb 24, 2000
78,867
367
136
Another vote for tablet PC.

I've seen them as cheap as $799 with decent specs
ComputerGeeks.com has the factory refurbished Averatec Athlon XP-M 2200+ 512MB 80GB 12.1'' XP Tablet PC for a low $799 after $65 coupon code DELETED. Limited time special - Offer Expired 6/10/2005.

This Averatec C3500 Series combines the power of a notebook and functionality of a Tablet PC! Powered by a Mobile AMD Athlon XP-M 2200+ processor, this notebook is loaded with 512 Megabytes of RAM and an 80 Gigabyte hard drive. Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition is pre-installed and includes a built-in CD-RW/DVD-ROM combination drive. Watch DVDs on the high contrast 12.1-inch TFT display. This tablet PC comes with a stylus pen and an LCD that rotates up to 180-degrees. It's perfect for presentations, writing notes, watching movies, etc.
Click to expand...

http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=C3500T80-PB-R
 
Chaotic42

Chaotic42

Lifer
Jun 15, 2001
34,395
1,585
126
Originally posted by: LoKe
Well, if you don't want to go the digital camera route...how about a webcam? o_O
Click to expand...

I might be able to make some money if there are hot girls in my physics class...
 
D

Darien

Platinum Member
Feb 27, 2002
2,817
1
0
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
Originally posted by: LoKe
Well, if you don't want to go the digital camera route...how about a webcam? o_O
Click to expand...

I might be able to make some money if there are hot girls in my physics class...
Click to expand...

Not gonna happen :p
 
B

Beattie

Golden Member
Sep 6, 2001
1,774
0
0
Originally posted by: Chaotic42
I'm not really sure where this thread goes, so here it is.

Anyway, I was wondering how people take math/physics notes on laptops. My handwriting is horrible; to take notes at the speed of the class is impossible for me.

I've managed to get through the fluff classes pretty well, but since I am a math/physics major, I want to make sure that I have a good foundation on the classes I'm taking next semester (Calc 3, Linear, Engineering Physics).

Obviously the text wouldn't be a problem, but the equations could cause some headaches.

How do you guys take notes on computers (if you do)? Any ideas or links?

Thanks a bunch.
Click to expand...

Take your notes in LaTeX. Provides for all the junk for formulas and stuff. Though I suppose diagrams for physics doesnt work that well with LaTeX...

 
P

Pastore

Diamond Member
Feb 9, 2000
9,728
0
76
Anyone tried Open Office for this kind of thing? I know I had a math prof that was all about the Formula program built in. Might want to check that out.
 
B

brtspears2

Diamond Member
Nov 16, 2000
8,659
1
81
Originally posted by: LoKe
Digital Camera > Transfer to PC. ^_^
Click to expand...

I sadly got kicked out of class for taking pictures of the notes. Tried to make a panarama shot of 3 boards worth of notes.
 
B

bonkers325

Lifer
Mar 9, 2000
13,076
1
0
use MathCAD

once you figure out how to use the shortcut keys efficiently, you can take type out equations with ease
 
D

duragezic

Lifer
Oct 11, 1999
11,234
4
81
If you're math or physics classes are anything like mine were, I can't imagine anyone being fast enough on a comp to record equations. You encounter so many effed up symbols and crap that a pen and paper is ESSENTIAL, and I'm scrambling the whole 50 minutes just writing. Only later when I sit down and study/do hw can I dechiper notes and understand what I wrote. Just write and rewrite them later more neatly. You can follow and understand when you rewrite them. Waste of money as well as not as helpful as a pen and paper IMO.

edit: Plus for physics, way too many diagrams with all kinds of little labels. And example problems require diagrams usually.
 
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