Annotation broken on OSX in version 5.6

[korm 1]

Annotation is broken on OS X in version 5.6.  Evernote support told me that Evernote annoation will not function when Notability is installed, and recommended uninstalling Notability.

 

Is this the actual view of Evernote's development staff?  That we should remove the software of another, very reputable developer in order to use Evernote?

[Kuliasha 2]

Currently, 5.6.1 beta does not allow me to annotate a pdf.  I can do so with the same pdf from the iPad version, but not from the osx version.  No notability issues from my end.  The app is not installed and the pdfs I have attempted this with have never been marked up.  They are "fresh."  I have now deleted and reinstalled the app, with the same issue occurring on my Air and MPB. Both running Mavericks.

 

Any thoughts? 

[korm 1]

Version 5.6.1 is out, and does not fix this problem.

 

Notability confirmed to me that the problem has nothing to do with their software.  (Why do I trust them?  Well, why should I trust Evernote?)

 

@SoftwareMarcus -- that's the point -- opening a note in Skitch for annotation is supposed to happen when the "annotate" button is clicked.  It does not work, though.

[SoftwareMarcus 388]

We've done a little more research into this issue and it appears Notability changes the Universal Type Identifier (UTI) for PDFs so Evernote no longer recognizes a PDF file as the PDF format.  We're still investigating as to if or how we can work around this.  I'm guessing other apps that expect the same UTI for PDFs that Evernote does will have similar issues.

 

In regards to annotations, I think you missed my point about Skitch.  My recommendation is to launch Skitch separately from Evernote and do all of your annotation in that app and then copy it to Evernote or simply have it sync back to Evernote.  In other words, add Skitch to your dock and launch it instead of Evernote to annotate a PDF until Notability or Evernote can fix the issue.  This is an alternative to removing Notability.

[korm 1]

Here we go again.  Release 5.6.2 is out.  Annotations are still broken.  It is pointless to pay these premium fees for a product that is not a premium product -- the advertised features do not work.  

[MadSam 0]

I've communicated with the Support Desk at both companies.  Notability says that it is an issue on Evernote's end and they can't fix it.  Evernote said to uninstall Notability.  

Not sure who to believe.  Hate to have to pick one over the other!

 

[Jackolicious 808]

We have confirmed that this is an issue that notability causes. We are currently unable to work around it.

[korm 1]

With respect, I find it distasteful that Evernote blames its problems on another developer.  

[SoftwareMarcus 388]

I was thinking about this more and the other recommendation is you could use Skitch which is Evernote's annotation software to annotate the image.  This syncs to Evernote or you can drag and drop the image to a particular note.  I know it's better to annotate from within Evernote but this might be a good alternative.  

[Jackolicious 808]

I completely understand the frustration that we are unable to resolve this issue. Unfortunately, there isn't technically anything we can do when another application modifies a system so that it is rendered unable to inter-operate. We have flagged this internally for review with the Notability team.

[jefito 5,586]

With respect, I find it distasteful that Evernote blames its problems on another developer.  

So you know for a fact that the problem is with Evernote, and not with Notability? Might want to wait for the facts to come out; right now, we have two developers pointing the finger elsewhere. If it is Notability's fault (and face it, regardless of reputation, all developers have bugs), then your distaste is misplaced. Eventually, the truth will out, but until then, it's difficult for us outsiders to say one way or another. Regardless, as it's in both parties' interest -- and their customers' -- to resolve this, here's hoping that it get ironed out sooner rather than later.

[korm 1]

We have flagged this internally for review with the Notability team.

Which I was told by Evernote support several weeks ago when I opened my first ticket on this -- so it is odd that the issue is merely "flagged" and, it seems, there has been no contact with Notability?   The post, above, from @SoftwareMarcus indicated Evernote had certain knowledge about the alleged error by the Notability developers.  Instead of confirming that Evernote had contacted Notability, instead Evernoe was attempting to find a workaround and gave up.  

 

Come on, don't make claims about another developer's product without bothering to speak to them.   It's easy -- first POC is right on the front page of their site -- ideas-at-gingerlabs-com.  Speak to them.  

 

(If, as alleged, Notability was changing the UTI for PDFs, then that would affect other PDF applications -- but none are affected by the alleged situation except Evernote.)

 

(@jellito -- you missed the point)

[gazumped 9,823]

Since it's not up to anyone to keep users in the loop on this sort of thing, you don't actually know whether Evernote have spoken to Notability or not,  how any such conversation went,  what sort of priority both sides would place on devoting resources to fix it,  whether either of them has agreed on which process to change,  and whether either of them actually knows how to fix this without major cost. 

 

All anyone knows is:  it's not fixed yet.  It may not be fixed for a while.  There are some workaround suggestions in the thread.  Evernote will get this sorted as soon as they can.

[korm 1]

Opinion is nice, but actual information from Evernote company employees is better.  

[SoftwareMarcus 388]

I think we've found a way to work around the issue when another app changes the UTI of a PDF.  The fix is in 5.7.1.  Let us know if it doesn't fix the problem.

[gazumped 9,823]

...would be better,  if Evernote made a habit of updates.

[gazumped 9,823]

Well they're going to have to work it out between themselves,  otherwise both will start losing customers...

[gazumped 9,823]

Couldn't tell you what the developers think - you'd have to ask them.  Some software processes do interfere with those of other programs,  and one or both will fail to work properly.  In such circumstances it's sensible to install the one with lower usefulness to continue with the other. 

 

Where Evernote staff find problems with other software (and Notability is about the one example of which I'm aware) I'm sure they do their best to understand where the conflicts arise and liaise with the other software engineers to find ways to protect both applications.  That sort of forensic collaboration between two companies doesn't sound especially quick,  so you need to make a choice which you prefer to have installed.

[SoftwareMarcus 388]

Unfortunately we don't know where the issue is.  It could be in Evernote or it could be in Notability.   Please also report this to Notability.  This is not a long term recommendation but a temporary workaround until either team can figure out a solution.