Allright guys, I get my tablet in less than a

[LeavenworthMedic]

Allright guys,

I get my tablet in less than a week and to prepare for using it for notetaking I would like a little help comparing all of the available notetaking software. I am mostly interested in taking notes in lecture and organizing myself as best as I can.

So, for those of you that are veterans of the TabletPC, could you share a little about your experiences with whatever notetaking system works for you?

Thanks in advance,

[KenMagel]

There is a sticky thread under Tablet Software on this web site that discusses the various note-taking applications and compares them. You might want to look there.

I've used Journal, OneNote, and GoBinder. I would characterize them as:
1. Journal: relatively easy to use, but light on features compared to the others. If your needs are relatively simple, this app would be the best;
2. OneNote: comprehensive, has some unique and useful features such as shared sessions and audio recording. Ink treatment is nonstandard and can be difficult to edit. You should add the Virtual ImageWriter powertoy;
3. GoBinder: good for notetaking and importing documents for later searching. Has some unique features including a student-oriented schedule and the best document import capabilities.

There are people who swear by each of these applications as well as the many other notetaking applications available.

[WNewquay]

LeavenworthMedic

You can also check out:

Note-Taking at The Student Tablet PC site (http://studenttabletpc.blogs.com/the_student_tablet_pc/notetaking_/index.html)

[BioTechieCR]

Snce doing my masters I have learn something about note taking programs, and that is that you will look and feel more confortable with an application that gets you close to the way you are use to taking notes, and also have the consideration of how neat or order have your files, if you are a mess, most likely you will be with your notes too, so one with strong searching and easy ordering capabilities is the one you will need.

Journal: Use it for really quick notes (don't like at all the sticky notes one, maybe if you would be able to send it to tray and stay there will be better)
Onenote: I find my self using this one more everytime, because of what I call "the agenda fenomenom", sometimes it falls shrt on importing capabilities.
GoBinder: This is for me the most reachfull program because of the many features it has... the problem is that you have to decide if you are going to use them all or not, can learn to use it or not. Here's where the agenda fenomenom enters the stage. I don't know about you but many times before I got a tablet I se to buy an agenda-calendar thinking that it´ll keep me on time with everything, but in reality, I use it just for phone recording. So it was kind of a waste. What I don't like about this one is the fact that you can´t send it to tray so you will always have it available.

My best advice is test them in real life situations, and them get the one that fits more your likings, guess it is like buyong cloth, everyone has its style.

BTCR.

[KenMagel]

If you want the optimal note-taking application for your situation, you are in for a lot of trial and error to give the many possible candidates fair trials.

However, if all you want is a pretty good, likely to be good enough, note-taking application, you could try Journal, OneNote and GoBinder. Then decide among those three. Journal is the simple, but not as feature-rich choice. OneNote is the do-everything, but sometimes in a clumsy way choice. GoBinder is more middle of the road plus organizational features that can be a godsend.

[polymath5]

I'm extremely pleased with GoBinder. The support is great to put it mildly. MindManger was cool, but it doesn't fully support Ink, I'm hoping future versions do a better job in that area.

I think if you give GB a trial you'll find that it's one of the best note taking programs currently available.

[KenMagel]

Some people are happy with using combinations of note taking programs. For example, I use both OneNote and GoBinder. I use OneNote for initial note taking and organization of research. I use GoBinder for note editing and course scheduling. Both work well for me and moving notes back and forth is not difficult ( I do wish each program had the capability to import notes in the other program's native format).

Another factor you should consider is that GoBInder has yearly updates that add significant improvements. OneNote has a new version 2.0 in the works that will add significant capabilities, but it might not come out until late 2006 with Longhorn.

[JeffG]

quote:Originally posted by polymath5

I'm extremely pleased with GoBinder. The support is great to put it mildly.
LeavenworthMedit, in case you haven't stumbled onto it, the support forum polymath5 was referring to is located here:

http://tabletpcbuzz.com/forum/forum.asp?FORUM_ID=58

[KenMagel]

Don't worry about finding the best or perfect note-taking application. Many of these applications are undergoing major improvements within the next six months to a year.

In any event, all you need is a good note-taking application that fits well with how you take notes. Once you find one, don't keep looking - just use that one.

[markpayton]

If you aren't a student you should also consider PlanPlus from FrankinCovey, though it was written by Agilix who publish GoBinder. (These folks all seem to like Pascal case capitalization.)

It is similar to GoBinder, but without some of the student-specific features and with better task management tools. I was an organizational wreck before I got a Franklin Planner and made myself start using it. Those skills translated to the FP software, the current version of which is PlanPlus. It integrates well with Outlook, too, so my calendars and contacts are synchronized.

[jkjk]

I feel one note is my only options because of the printer ability that someone made. This means you can actually edit and annotate any file, including pdfs. It is important to note that every other printer driver has crap resolution.

[markpayton]

I don't have any problems with the PlanPlus virtual printer. What kind of resolution problems are you seeing?

[EMRhelp.org]

Don't forget about EverNote - www.evernote.com - a real up and comer in this space. Inking isn't perfect but still is great. Works on Windows 2000+.

It's main idea is that it works like an endless piece of paper. The categorization of notes is "perfect". :)