EverNote (beta)
Novices will take to EverNote right away. You can type inside each note, use EverNote's basic drawing tools to create sketches, drag and drop text and images from a browser, insert passages from documents, and so on. The result is a mélange of content from a variety of sources, not just plain-vanilla text.
But wait: Can't you drag and drop Web content and links into a word processor, too? Yes, but EverNote has vastly superior organizational skills. It automatically categorizes notes by date and includes a scroll bar that makes it easy to browse a weekÂ’s or monthÂ’s worth of notes. Unlike OneNote 2003, EverNote doesnÂ’t let you enter notes anywhere on the page, but sticks to the linear, top-to-bottom format used by word processors. For tablet PC users hooked on the stylus, a free-form, anywhere-on-the-page approach would be better. Also EverNote will soon charge users who want to synchronize notes between their Windows PCs and PDAs.
EverNote may not match the convenience of pen and paper, but its notes are far easier to browse. The SmartSearch box in the upper-right corner allows keyword searches, and you can search handwritten notes (such as those created with a stylus or mouse), which EverNoteÂ’s on-demand, built-in character-recognition technology automatically converts to text--not surprising, since the EverNote company has specialized in handwriting recognition for PDAs and tablets. We also liked the Time Band, a right-side column that makes it easy to jump to notes from a particular date.
The current version of EverNote isnÂ’t perfect, though. For example, EverNote doesnÂ’t have a spelling checker, nor can it record audio and video clips and embed them in notes.
EverNote provides free e-mail support via its Web site--quite generous considering that the program is free, too. Unfortunately, e-mail response time is quite slow; our queries went unanswered for at least a week. The company also provides an online forum where you can ask questions of other EverNote users. Phone support isn't available.By comparison, Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 users get one free e-mail or phone query, after which they must shell out $35 per support request. Microsoft also has an online forum for OneNote users.