jmtd → log → uksystems21 → Using an iPad for note-taking in talks

I've found that using a laptop during conference talks means you either end up doing something else and missing important bits of the talk, or at least look like you're doing something else. But it's extremely helpful to be able to look up the person who is talking, or their project, or expand an acronym that's mentioned or read around the subject.

At December's uksystems21 conference, I experimented with using an iPad as a kind of compromise. Modern iOS versions let you split the display between two apps¹, so I put the built-in Notes app on one side and a web browser on the other. I took notes using the Apple Pencil. I've got a "paper-like" rough surface display protector on the front which vastly improves the experience of using the Apple Pencil for writing².

An example of note-taking and researching talks on an iPad.

I mostly took notes on the active talk, but I also tweaked my own slides³, looked up supplementary information about the topic and the talker, and things like that. It worked really well: much better than I expected.

Apple's split-screen implementation is clunky but essential to make this work. The textured surface protector is a serious improvement over the normal surface for writing. But most importantly I didn't lose focus over the talks, and I don't think I looked like I did either.