You're right, I think a use case is in order. Adding links to Zotero items from other software is not what I had in mind, nor does it solve the issues I'm thinking of.

Problem scenario:
1. I'm reading a book.
2. I take notes with pen & paper.
3. As I read the book, my notes are not searchable.
4. I digitize my notes with any number of software solutions (Evernote, Google Drive, LiveScribe Pens).
5. I now have an OCRd document.
6. I have no way of easily adding this document to Zotero (to make it searchable/keep all my research in one place).

I propose a workflow something like this. As I create a note document in Evernote or Google Drive, I can associate this document with a Zotero item.
1. I write notes in Google Drive or Evernote (or import a document from a pen/paper digitizing software into Google Drive or Evernote).
2. When I have a document open in Evernote.com or drive.google.com, there is a Zotero icon in my browser.
3. When I click the Zotero icon, I can select a Zotero item that I allows me to associate the Google doc / Evernote note with the Zotero item.
4. In Zotero, the Google doc / Evernote note appears in the list under the item (like an existing Zotero note or attached PDF).

A second workflow:
1. I right click an item in my zotero library.
2. There is an option to attach a new Google doc and Evernote note.
3. Clicking new Google doc or Evernote note, opens a new browser tab with a new Google doc or Evernote note open.

Ideally Zotero could scan these documents, but I'd be okay with searching these documents in Evernote or Google Drive.

The main issue is that the Zotero notes functionality is awesome, but limiting. Instead of recreating the wheel (adding Zotero note taking fucntionality), I'd like to see integration with the existing notes/documents applications out there. This would enable the broadest cross section of options.

Hi dillon and mronkko,

I have a similar challenge and coincidentally I just made a post about it on the Evernote users forum. I think it would be beneficial to see some level of integration between Zotero and Evernote, but at the moment I do not have any specific suggestions for a proposed workflow. I am struggling to come up with a good workflow to integrate Zotero and Evernote to help manage research for my dissertation and ongoing courses. I would sincerely appreciate any suggestions you or others reading this thread might have. Thank you in advance.

Amie

http://discussion.evernote.com/topic/33529-evernote-in-academia-ebook-contribution-for-college-student-guide-to-en/

mronkko - you're right, I could do that, and I have done that.

But with the new evernote moleskine, or other features, we would have to wait for Zotero to develop this. It's certainly not in Zotero's core mission. But Zotero could provide 3rd party linking to other file types through a URI.

https://github.com/rfletcher/Evernote-URI-Handler

adamsmith - very interesting.

I also saw ajylon's patch, ticket #1563 (add ability to add links by URI and edit existing link attachment URIs)
https://www.zotero.org/trac/ticket/1563

It seems using ZotDevon and DEVONThink would require importing/exporting and maintaining two databases - something I'm not willing to do. Linking, however, is very appealing.

Any news on this front? The workflow dillon proposed a few posts up is really appealing to me, as I also use both Evernote and Zotero extensively. A one-click solution for linking an Evernote doc with a Zotero item would be an incredible asset.

That's something. Thanks again, adam!