I use the one that I built https://saner.ai/

I still use pen and paper if I want to visualize or brainstorm something (really helpful)

I use my app + Excel for project management + one sec to reduce social media time

Break things down is ok, but not necessary

Half of my notes originate from the web

I started using a technique that I call continuous journal. It came about as quick and dirty way to have a simple personal knowledge manager that was synced across my devices.

Essentially it is just a single long Google doc that you structure in a way that suits you best.

For example:

Use the hierarchical structure for sections and subsections down to 3 or 4 or more levels, then you've always got a useful table of contents.

Use shortcuts and 'word find cmd f' to easily navigate.

Use anchor link bookmarks to link connected sections and for shortcuts to frequently-access sections.

Create a table of your tags and tag sections/entries as appropriate.

Etc, structure it according to your needs. This technique benefits from the great usability and features of the Docs app.

I find this continuous journal technique enables you to get a nice overview by quick reading and quick eye scanning - great for learning reinforcement!

You can get to a few hundred pages before loading becomes a bit slow, but it's normally quick if you sync a local downloaded copy.

Use Gemini tools for summaries and text refinement.

Loading up your continuous journal doc as a source in a Google Notebook LM gives you increased utility.

I also use pen and paper. For the stationery nerds: Lamy Safari, 4 color Bic, Uni Kuru Toga pencil, Leuchtturm1917 Master dotted notebook, and my absolute favorite notebook - Mnemosyne 104 dotted

Mail app (part of macOS)

Folder per research topic for a bit of structure.

In the Todo folder, 1 email is 1 todo. Reply can be used to change the todo or add more information. When task is finished then email is moved by replying done to the email and rules will take care of the rest.

With Safari I can email an article to myself that is basically only the article and not the whole website.

Search in Mail app is amazing.

I have ~20k emails now in my notes folders.

Also part of many mailing lists. Discourse forums often have mailing mode. Mail is basically my second brain. I find things that are important quicker in Mail then via Google. Rust mailing list (via discourses mailing list mode) is a life saver. Beauty of it is, all emails are on my disk so it also works offline.

Total emails in my mailboxes come close to ~500k now.

Also from other places I can send notes to myself with special email addresses.

1. Random writing programs. When I think about it, protectedtext.com, because I don't like creating accounts or extra fiddles.

2. Yes.

3. Not a good one.

4. Broken down, but not too much.

5. A lot, mostly because I keep getting ideas for nonfiction books that wind up barely started.