Engaging in music research has become an integral aspect of my musical journey, as I continuously explore avenues to enhance my composition, theory, learning, technique, and performance knowledge. Several years ago, I initiated the practice of consolidating my research within the confines of an iPad app called Goodnotes. The app's unique feature of creating "notebooks" appealed to me initially.

However, my allegiance to Goodnotes waned over the past year due to an update that complicated backup access and an inability to address sign-in issues with the app's developers. This created a dilemma as it hindered my ability to seamlessly access my accumulated data on various devices, instigating a sense of vulnerability concerning the safety of my over 1,500 pages of painstakingly compiled research.

Realizing the potential pitfalls of relying solely on a digital platform, especially one with uncertain customer support, I made a conscious decision to transition back to traditional pen and paper. The prospect of safeguarding my research from potential app discontinuation or developer unavailability became a paramount concern.