Mem Review: A Fast and Efficient Note-Taking App
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Chapter 1: Introduction to Mem
Mem is an emerging note-taking application that promises to "Capture and access information from anywhere." After using Mem as my primary tool for a month, it’s evident that it's tailored for efficient information management compared to other platforms like Roam or Obsidian. My initial impressions reveal a unique and remarkably swift experience, primarily utilized for daily planning and information gathering.
If you’re accustomed to tagging and creating pages from other applications, you’ll find it easy to adapt. Mem employs hashtags for tagging and plus signs for pages (also known as Mems). However, this is where the resemblance to other apps ends.
Section 1.1: Distinct Features of Mem
Mem deviates from the conventional folder structure, opting instead for three key views:
- Timeline
- Inbox
- Tasks
The timeline offers a chronological overview of all files interacted with, complete with timestamps. For those looking for notes from a specific date, a date picker enables quick access to past entries. However, a notable limitation is the inability to select future dates for note-taking, which can be frustrating as there’s no straightforward way to reference or navigate to upcoming dates.
One feature I appreciate about the timeline is its ability to provide context quickly by hovering over notes.
Section 1.2: The Inbox System
Mem incorporates an inbox feature that operates much like an email system. You can treat notes as emails by snoozing them for later review or marking them as unread. If you collaborate within Mem and someone tags you, it appears in your inbox.
Personally, I struggle with maintaining an Inbox Zero strategy. In other applications, I often end up with a chaotic array of tags like #to-reads, #read-later, and #inbox that I neglect. Unfortunately, this mirrors my experience with email. I prefer starring frequently accessed pages in Mem over sending them to the inbox. However, achieving Inbox Zero rewards users with a delightful confetti animation!
Chapter 2: Task Management and Information Capture
Section 2.1: Task Checkboxes
Mem includes built-in task checkboxes that allow you to mark off completed tasks. You can view when each task was created and which note it belongs to. Similar to the inbox feature, tasks can be snoozed for future completion.
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Section 2.2: Optimized Information Capture
My favorite aspect of Mem is its Spotlight feature. This allows you to capture anything from your browser or other applications by highlighting text, pressing a hotkey, and sending it directly to your Mem database. Much like Mac’s Spotlight, it also enables the seamless export of information from your database to external sources, such as messages or emails. Unfortunately, this feature currently does not support image capture.
Section 2.3: Mobile and General User Experience
While Mem’s mobile application is still being developed, you can quickly capture information on your phone by sending an SMS via WhatsApp or Telegram, which syncs automatically to your timeline and inbox.
When typing, Mem activates a focus mode that fades distractions, allowing you to create new notes seamlessly from any part of the app. I found this feature engaging, encouraging me to quickly jot down thoughts before navigating away.
Mem lets you preview other notes by hovering over their titles in most app sections. Unfortunately, this functionality is missing in the sidebar, where you must click to view a note and then close it if it’s not relevant, which can disrupt workflow as your database expands.
Although this hasn’t been an issue for me yet, the inability to filter through multiple tags can complicate searching within a larger database. Additionally, the lack of import/export options makes it feel somewhat restricted.
Despite these minor inconveniences, using Mem has been a pleasurable experience for capturing and retrieving information. It’s clear that the developers have invested considerable thought into user experience, making it more enjoyable than I initially anticipated. Plus, the long-term vision of creating a J.A.R.V.I.S.-like system is an exciting prospect.
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