Evernote ditches the very pretty look of a notebook that OneNote uses in exchange for a clean, fluid, flexible interface that simply does not get in your way. Įvernote uses a notebook theme just as OneNote does, but it is extremely flexible. Things need more categorization than just being in a section of a notebook, so things got lost and the search feature was pitifully inadequate. And when I started constantly moving back and forth between my desktop, iPad, and iPhone, it was a real problem. It’s pretty and intuitive, but it wasn’t quite right. It gets nearly literal in using the concept of a notebook and tabbed sections. But eventually the PalmPilot fell out of favor and then fell to the wayside, and I reverted to a hodge-podge of notes spread across folders in my computer, my Outlook drafts folder, and some paper-based notes… it was a mess.Īnd then there was OneNote: When I learned about Microsoft OneNote, I spent a weekend transferring into it what was by then about 20 years of data. (Stop and marvel at this a moment: I input all of that information using the PalmPilot “graffiti” input method!). Then there was the PalmPilot: In the ’90s I entered all of my information into my PalmPilot, transferring the data over every time I upgraded to a new device. I still have a big box of beloved “DayTimer supplies” in my office that I can’t bear to get rid of even though I’ll never use them again.

In addition to the usual calendar and contacts, I kept notes with the addresses and hours of my favorite restaurants, the PMS #s for the colors of my clients’ logos, conversion tables and formulas, lists of European and US paper sizes, and so very much more. The one organization system to rule them allįirst there was the paper-based notebook system: In the ’80s and earliest ’90s I used a binder with pre-printed inserts. What’s great is it synchs across its very nice desktop, web, and mobile apps, so I have access to my info no matter where I need it. Evernote organizes notes in notebooks and has a robust tagging feature. How do I keep all of this information straight? I use a great tool called Evernote. I’ve been an obsessive keeper of notes for my entire adult life. (This title is supposed to be a play on the “Everything is Awesome” song from the Lego Movie.

Evernote web clipper default notebook