I only take notes when learning something theoretical or to a similar degree something which is more difficult to grasp. Lately I've been asking myself if I should take notes when learning a new programming language or a new framework/library. Does anyone do it and is it beneficial?
For things I use infrequently, having basic notes is helpful...if and only if those notes are in a place where I can find them and for that hand written on paper works best for <i>me</i>.<p>Other times, I find the process of taking notes helps me avoid glossing over text under the assumption that I understand it...even if I don't go back to the notes ever.<p>For programming, <i>I</i> find the most useful technique is typing the code into the computer just like back in the 1980's when magazines were the rage. For <i>me</i> it trumps every other method. It also leads me to dislike example code with external dependencies because it takes me out of the zone.<p>Good luck.