biff VS syncthing-android

I am currently reading many books and papers and use highlighting a lot. My life would be a lot better if I could automatically extract the highlighted text. I tried several (by now outdated) solutions like Biff (https://github.com/soulisalmed/biff ), RCU and https://remarkable-web.vercel.app/ . The first two are apparently outdated, and the last I can't connect to (and all my files are >4 MB, so manual select doesn't work).

How? Do you use https://github.com/soulisalmed/biff? Thanks!

I just want to spread awareness that an amazing tool first posted here (github here) is lying in destitution since the 2.7 real highlight update.

> For example, there's no direct switching between documents.

In case you haven't seen it already: https://github.com/ddvk/remarkable-hacks

The ddvk hacks are easy to apply and reversible. They add a bunch of gestures like instantly flipping between documents. One of my other favorites is a quick swipe gesture to switch to the last-used tool.

I don't want to annotate PDFs and then only save the annotations, but it sounds like biff would help with that if you don't mind another tool in the chain: https://github.com/soulisalmed/biff

I use mine quite a bit for annotating documents and presentations. Provided the screen size works for you (you have to be comfortable reading somewhat smaller font sizes than usual), it's quite good for how I work. As another poster pointed out, it follows a different model than most PDF readers, in that annotations are done just like on paper; you don't select text and highlight, you just highlight like you would on paper. My first reaction was that this was lame, but I've come around to feeling that it's probably the right approach for me, in that my mind is not constantly switching between reading and selection modes. Your annotations do sync back to the computer, but to get annotations out in a way that's reusable in other software, you have to use third-party software like "Biff": https://github.com/soulisalmed/biff (there are others too) Another positive thing about it is that because the interface is very sparse and you're working with it largely like paper, you don't have to devote mental load to worrying about accidentally pressing buttons onscreen or about whether palm rejection is going to work or not (at least if you're right-handed). I find that freeing.

We use syncthing to share files between our machines. It avoids is having to use dropbox / OneDrive etc. You just choose a folder and it automatically syncs it in the background.

https://syncthing.net/

This very hn entries is bust contradicting your statement.

Also what about syncthing[1] (for recurrent/permanent sync) and croc[2] (for one time copies) ?

I have used both for a number of years already.

[1] https://syncthing.net/

[2] https://github.com/schollz/croc

I would use syncthing, which is open source at https://syncthing.net/.

After minimal setup, it just works(tm).

You have a normal directory in your filesystem, that is synced to the other peers (which you set up in the "minimal setup").

I have been using it for years, and it works well. It has no problems crossing os'es (i.e. windows -> linux, linux -> mac)

For windows I usually recommend https://github.com/canton7/SyncTrayzor, but vanilla syncthing works fine too (but don't try to mix them!)

Do consider Syncthing particularly if you are using Android. If using apple iOS you'd need the möbius sync client.

https://syncthing.net/

https://www.mobiussync.com/

One thing that it beats the cloud / centralized sync on is because the connection is direct between devices when the initial transfer is completed the file is completely there on the other device. With a cloud type of sync you do the transfer twice. I've seen stack up on large media or with the structure of cloud services pricing making it expensive depending on how your workflow is setup with inside and outside parties. For example, Dropbox deduction from all parties' storage limits not just the sharer.

You can also point Syncthing at a local sync of Dropbox or Google drive and then forward the files to other recipients from that for some purposes.

I think sync is a non-feature, as you can just ride on your existing solution.

For example, I use syncthing [1] with Obsidian to sync files off-cloud.

https://syncthing.net/

When I was 14 and just getting started, I used Notepad. Upgraded to Wordpad when I realized I loved putting italics in every other sentence, moved to Google Docs at around 25 when I started writing on my phone and wanted to sync with my computer, finally moved to Obsidian a few months ago (with Syncthing for syncing) when I decided I don't want to live in Google's house where they can burn my stuff down whenever they want.

Pick it up again an use cloud syncing this time! Is worth! https://syncthing.net/