Simple notepad utility for BB? - BlackBerryForums.com : Your Number One BlackBerry Community

trock · **Simple notepad utility for BB? -** 01-30-2006, 03:20 PM

Hi,

Does anyone know of a simple notepad app that would work on the 7290? I need something where all I'd have to do is click on the app and immediately start typing notes, not something like MemoPad where you have to click 3 or 4 times before you can type anything. I don't need folders, categories, tasks, priorities etc., just simple instant notes.

Thanks,

Tony

PingGuy · 01-30-2006, 08:20 PM

I've thought about writing something like this in the past because I know sometimes I just want to type now and don't care about title or categorization. However I never went for it because there's no way to back it up, except maybe to add an e-mail function to send it out. Anyway I'm starting to get back into BB coding again so if I find this is really easy to do I might throw something together for it. No promises though, I have another project that really needs my attention.

jbel2112 · 01-30-2006, 09:23 PM

There is a note function that can be accessed during a phone call. The note must be copy and can be pasted elsewhere in memopad or an email. The notes cannot be saved through this phone function and must be cut or copied before the call is disconnected.

markhutchison · 01-30-2006, 09:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jbel2112

There is a note function that can be accessed during a phone call. The note must be copy and can be pasted elsewhere in memopad or an email. The notes cannot be saved through this phone function and must be cut or copied before the call is disconnected.

Actually, notes taken during a phone call are stored in the call record and can be retrieved in the Messages window:

1) From the Home screen press M to access Messages

2) Press [ALT]P to access the phone log

3) Highlight the call in which notes were taken and either press [ENTER] or click twice to Open the call log

The notes will be displayed along with Date, Type of call, Duration, and Phone Number information.

trock · 01-31-2006, 12:17 AM

Thanks, PingGuy. Boy, that would be awesome if you end up creating such an app. I can't believe the BB doesn't come with one.

mgerbasio · 01-31-2006, 05:42 AM

You might want to try memopad by mobilepro. You can get it from www.handango.com or do a google search. I was considering it but haven't tried it yet. Cross River Systems is going to be coming out with a add-on for PocketDay that does lists, not sure what it is going to look like.

The problem I have with the phone call notes is it doesn't seem to be implemented well. (1) you can't save the notes on your PC nor can you save the phone call log for viewing on a PC, (2) you can't find which call records have notes.

Regards-Michael G.

trock · 08:23 AM

Thanks, Michael. I just read a review of it and unfortunately it's another of these wade through categories before you can write a simple note app. I don't even care if it saves to PC or backs up, I just need instant note-taking like on every other PDA. Apparently some versions of the BB do have a notepad app but the 7290 doesn't and I haven't been able to find anywhere that I can download the BB one.

markhutchison · 01-31-2006, 08:25 AM

Wirelessly posted (7250/4.0.0.204: BlackBerry7250/4.1.0 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 VendorID/109)

A quick win for a custom built app would be a modification of the "C"ompose utility that was recently built for the 8700 models. Build a simple app which uses the "N" to launch the New Memo function within the built-in MemoPad application. This would give you a one-touch note taking app with the ability to save, search and backup to PC with only a few lines of code.

Mark Rejhon · 02-02-2006, 12:21 AM

I checked the BlackBerry JDE API's for 4.1.0 and there is no way to launch the MemoPad in a new screen much like for composing a blank new email automatically:

Code:

        Invoke.invokeApplication(Invoke.APP_TYPE_MESSAGES, 
                                 new MessageArguments(MessageArguments.ARG_NEW));

Unfortunately, there's no equivalent for MemoPad.

However... a simple application with one TextBox should be very easy to do. You would have to copy and paste it into another application, but it would work.

sergeyd · 02-02-2006, 01:19 AM

We include a free ePad application in the eFile (also free) and eOffice. It mirrors the Notepad on windows functionality you can create, edit and save multiple text files. You can synch them with the desktop and, if you purchase a wireless document hosting subscription, you can even e-mail them as attachments.

Mark Rejhon · 02:20 AM

Without further ado, the source code to your answer. (This is actually Java source code below, or full project source here)

PHP Code:


			
/*
* QuickNote.java
* _________________________________________________________________________________________________
* 
* PURPOSE: BlackBerry Application to permit one keypress access to typing notes. This application 
* is useful for people who want to be able to start creating notes immediately upon one click, 
* without any steps, faster than MemoPad. When this application is closed, the contents of 
* the note is Copied & Pasted to the clipboard for future a Paste operation..
* _________________________________________________________________________________________________
* 
* Written February 2006 by Mark Rejhon, on behalf of BlackBerryForums.com users.
* 
* LICENSING:
* This is free software. 
* BINARY and SOURCE released under the GNU GENERAL PUBLIC LICENSE, VERSON 2, www.gnu.org
* If you need an original, proprietary licensed copy, please contact Mark Rejhon.
* If you need Mark Rejhon's resume, please contact Mark Rejhon at www.marky.com for the 
* latest copy of his resume.
* 
*/
import net.rim.device.api.ui.*;
import net.rim.device.api.ui.component.*;
import net.rim.device.api.ui.container.*;
import net.rim.device.api.ui.UiApplication;
import net.rim.device.api.system.Clipboard;
import net.rim.device.api.system.Characters;
// _________________________________________________________________________________________________
// Main startup class
public class QuickNote extends UiApplication
{
    // Program entry point.
    public static void main(String[] argv)
    {
        QuickNote c = new QuickNote();
        try
        {
            c.enterEventDispatcher();
        }
        catch(Exception e)
        {
            final String msg = e.getMessage();
            net.rim.device.api.ui.component.Dialog.alert("Error Starting Application:\n" + msg);
        }
    }
    // Displays the screen
    public QuickNote()
    {
        pushScreen(new QuickNoteScreen());
    }
}
 
// _________________________________________________________________________________________________
// Note textbox class
final class QuickNoteScreen extends MainScreen
{
    AutoTextEditField     QuickNoteText = null;
 
    // Create Screen
    public QuickNoteScreen()
    {
        super(DEFAULT_MENU | DEFAULT_CLOSE);
 
        // Add a title
        setTitle(new LabelField("Quick Note", LabelField.ELLIPSIS | LabelField.USE_ALL_WIDTH));
        // Add a blank textbox
        QuickNoteText = new AutoTextEditField();
        add(QuickNoteText);
    }
    // Close Handler
    public boolean onClose()
    {
        // Upon close, copy text contents into clipboard for Copy and Paste operations
        Clipboard.getClipboard().put(QuickNoteText.getText());
        System.exit(0);
        return true;
    }
}

BlackBerry desktop installable version is below. The hotkey is "Q". Hitting Esc closes QuickNote with the text automatically copied to the Clipboard, for pasting. I've created a custom icon that roughly resembles a post-it note with an exclamation mark on it.

It is also very useful for editing your clipboard too: You can reopen QuickNote, paste, edit the pasted text, and close QuickNote.

trock · 11:04 AM

Thanks so much Mark, this is great!

Please excuse my newbie ignorance but how do you use hotkeys? If I press Q, it opens the phone page with a # sign. I've tried using alt and shift-Q and I've searched the user manual but can't find anything about hotkeys.

spin-dizzy · 02-02-2006, 11:51 AM

Turn off dialing from the home screen in your phone app's options.

trock · 02-02-2006, 11:56 AM

Thanks!

juwaack68 · 02-02-2006, 12:00 PM

Very cool!

markhutchison · 02-02-2006, 12:47 PM

Kudos to you Mark; having the text auto-copied to the clipboard on close makes this a very elegant tool.

KonTiki · 06:18 PM

Dying to get home to try this.

Edit-

Just got home, installed the app, and tested it. Mark Thumbs up to you. Great application Thank you, no more hunting its right at your tips. I love it.

inversed · 02-02-2006, 05:29 PM

Thanks Mark. This is a great App. You should move it to the killer app thread.

Mark Rejhon · 06:54 PM

Thanks for the rave reviews of such a simple 20-line BlackBerry application (most of it is code comments anyway). I needed this software for myself anyway, and now that I am armed and dangerous with RIM JDE 4.1 installed on my computer... I got my code signing key today too! So here is an improved verison of the "C"ompose hotkey appliation. It adds a nice icon and fixes the Alt+Esc bug.

I put both MarkyBerry Utilities for wireless OTA download now. Type these URL's into your BlackBerry Browser, case sensitive.

MarkyBerryUtils Wireless Download:

Download Quick Note Via BlackBerry:
www.marky.com/files/bb/QuickNote.jad
PURPOSE: One hotkey access to immediately jotting down notes that is automatically copied to the clipboard. Requires BlackBerryOS 3.6 or later.

Download Quick Compose Via BlackBerry:
www.marky.com/files/bb/QuickCompose.jad
PURPOSE: One hotkey access to immediately composing a blank new email message. Requires BlackBerryOS 4.1 or later. This readds the missing Compose icon from earlier BlackBerryOS software, while using the new convenient New Email interface of OS 4.1.

MarkyBerryUtils Desktop Download:

JeffW · 02-02-2006, 06:53 PM

How do you call quick note from within a phone call on a 7100i. I tried the "Q" key and it mutes the mic. (something I did not know).