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Mac: Notebook vs Notetaker
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Posted by Daly de Gagne
Aug 9, 2010 at 04:37 AM
As I continue to work with NoteBook, I am amazed to find out the link feature does not let me make a link within the same notebook or between different notebooks. Oops. (If I am missing something, and there is a way to do this, please let me know,)
Why do developers shoot themselves in the foot this way - especially when it involves information programs where one reasonably expects the need for there to be links?
I have set up a section for a project, and it itemizes action steps, ie to do items. So I wanted to make link from there to the to do page in the notebook where all my to do items are listed. Not possible.
So I have to copy and paste. And re-enter the due date.
In case I should mistakingly not go through this rigamarole with an item, the multidex picks up all items with a date as to do items. And I can use tags.
And as near as I can see, OmniOutliner has no internal linking capability either.
So perhaps I expect too much coming back to the Mac. In some ways it seems Mac programs have not improved all that much - or that the stuff coming to market is not fully thought out, or is based on what the developer sees as the minimum acceptable feature set.
But come on guys - internal linking is pretty basic. And easy to use tagging systems should be universal by now. It is the 21st century.
Much to my surprise NoteBook is holding up well in my frenetic comparing and contrasting - and so is OO for some things; so the short comings I mention are probably not going to be deal breakers. On the other hand, they do not make me feel are that positive about the developers of these respective programs. In fact, if may be forgiven a little cynicism, it seems they are coasting on the laurels of the Mac as an intuitive, user friendly system.
Daly
Posted by Hugh
Aug 9, 2010 at 08:48 AM
Daly,
For internal linking in a “notebook”, VoodooPad is the Mac market-leader: http://flyingmeat.com/voodoopad/
To respond to your more general point about Mac software. As with any platform there are of course not-so-good as well as good applications available. In my view there are three reasons for owning a Mac: the hardware is generally of high quality (though undoubtedly generally more expensive); the operating system imposes a harmony, connectedness and uniformity on the software that some users find bland but others including me find time-saving (this was particularly evident in comparison with Windows Vista); and Apple’s policies towards small developers, though not always supportive, have helped encourage the creation of a number of very good and distinctive applications, certain of which currently have no Windows equivalent.
These applications, many of them “the usual suspects” for this forum, include:
Scrivener
Tinderbox
Omnifocus
Things
DevonThink
Curio
Merlin
Nisus Writer Pro
Bean
Mellel
Notational Velocity
Launchbar
Quicksilver (not on Snow Leopard)
Hazel
This is not of course an exclusive list.
However, nothing stands still. Windows software is moving to fill the gaps that the Mac has made more evident. Windows 7 is of course more user-friendly than Vista and much more of a true competitor for OS X; Windows 8 has been billed as an OS X clone. Attempts at Scrivener clones for Windows already exist; publicly, hints have been dropped that an official branded Scrivener for Windows may be on its way. Some OS X developers have been distracted by the iPad.
I know of a writer who has moved back from the Mac to Windows, saying Word 2010 and OneNote are all that he needs.
Despite Steve Jobs saying the future lies with tablets, his computer division and the small developers who develop for it are going to have to run to stay ahead, I think.
H
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Aug 9, 2010 at 10:30 AM
Daly,
Notebook does have internal linking. Search in help for “link to cell or page.”
Steve Z.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Aug 9, 2010 at 11:01 AM
Hugh,
I’d add MacJournal to your list of applications superior to any on the PC, despite the fact Mariner Software also sells WinJournal.
Steve
Posted by Hugh
Aug 9, 2010 at 02:09 PM
Steve
Yes, I thought about MacJournal as I typed the list! You’re right, it should be included; it’s an excellent Mac citizen that “does what it says on the tin”. Version 3.0 has been around for a little while now, so I’d expect a significant upgrade before too long.
Incidentally, I suppose the absolute Mac market-leader for internal linking is Tinderbox. Not only does it have note links that can be graphical, it also has cameLCase wiki-links (as we learnt on this forum). But amongst more orthodox note-takers, VoodooPad is probably the leader. I have little experience of it, so I don’t feel able to rate its qualities myself.
H