use a database or pgn files at least, a paper journal is pretty useless nowadays...
Chess Journals - What does yours look like?
Sort:
Thanks for the advice. I'm not really sure how to use pgn files. Plus I like paper and pencil. But if databases and pgn files are the way to go: it might be neat to see some pics of those. Does anyone do a lot of note taking in electronic files?
PGN stands for playable game notation. I have tons of handwritten games on paper. That's not what I use to study though, usually after I write down the games I'll enter them into the computer. And most of the book work I do is done over analysis boards online unless I'm showing a friend then I'll set it up on a real board. No notes tho.
Thanks AlkinKing. Is there a program that reads pgn files? Or can those be input into a program here on chess.com.
You can input them into chess.com and I would hope with your diamond membership save and analysis as much as you want. There are also programs but from what I've seen are pretty expensive.
cooksrule wrote:
Thanks AlkinKing. Is there a program that reads pgn files? Or can those be input into a program here on chess.com.
SCID is a pretty good program for analysis and it is completely free.
AlkinKing wrote:
PGN stands for playable game notation.
*Portable Game Notation
Thanks! That's my bad.
Me and a friend have created an app just for this purpose! It's called ChessJournal and launches next week on iOS and Android.
We have a blog here:
https://thechessjournalblog.wordpress.com
Here is a short promo video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A44QOpjUZ8c
Cheers
Jon
Apr 14, 2017
0
#11
ergonjon wrote:
Me and a friend have created an app just for this purpose! It's called ChessJournal and launches next week on iOS and Android.
We have a blog here:
https://thechessjournalblog.wordpress.com
Here is a short promo video:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=A44QOpjUZ8c
Cheers
Jon
@ergonjon - Good to see an update, I have tried the previous one and liked it.
Two questions - will there be a cost? Will this be a universal app for both iPhone and iPad and if so will it be a true universal app?
Thanks!
The new app is cloud based so you will be able to access your journal from any device! 
It works across Ross tablets and phones.
It is free to download but a modest premium subscription fee (£5 / $6.50 per year) will unlock all features such as variations and annotations.
Please do check it out, tell your friends and leave us any reviews or feedback.
*both tablets and phones.
Apr 14, 2017
0
#14
Thanks, but "works" across both tablets and phones does not really answer whether it will be a true universal app. I have Shredder on my phone and iPad. It is not a true universal app so it has to "scale up" on the iPad to fill the whole screen (the little "2X" option in the lower right corner of the app, if you do not activate it then it stays the size of an iPhone app). I have to have Shredder HD to take advantage of true iPad resolution and be able to rotate the app on the screen.
Also, without the $6.50/year I would not be able to annotate my games and keep them locally?
Sorry I haven't come across the phrase universal app so I'll do my best to answer your question.
You won't need to "scale it up" as it's designed to display according to the size of device you are using. I.e it's designed to have an tablet view with much more space and a phone view.
For free you will be able to store your games in the cloud, engine analysis, statistics, search functionality and personal goal setting and tracking. The $6.50 a year unlocks variations analysis and annotations. Plus other premium features to follow.
Basically the "chess" is free and the "journal" element is paid.
Because it is cloud based I consider it a universal app because your journal can be accessed from any device, irrespective of iOS or Android.
Hope that answers your questions.
J
Oh and the app has full import and export features (using PGN) so you can take your games local if you want. Full social share functionality is also included.
Apr 14, 2017
0
#17
Ok, thanks.
Universal app is an actual type of iOS app, it is a programming option when using Xcode to optimize the app for an iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad (all screen sizes). Are you the developer of the app? If you are and do not know what it is, it probably is not one.
As for the subscription, I will pass on the app itself. I do not need a subscription to keep annotations, especially in the cloud. I would be willing to pay a one time fee of 5.99 -7.99 US to keep annotations locally if I could then export the game out.
I'm the designer, I can ask my Developer partner.
Thanks for the feedback. Do please take a look atleast at the free app when it comes out. We always welcome feedback.
Take care!
I checked and yes the app is "universal". That's a slightly older tech now for Apple as we would tend to use the phrase responsive design but it will scale up correctly.
Take care.
J
I'm considering getting a chess journal to keep track of my games and to analyze my games. I'm curious to know what do others include in their journals, and I also thought it would be really cool to see pictures of others journals.
Thanks for any input!