I just downloaded the new beta for Evernote 3.0 for PC. I haven't used version 2.0 for various reasons, but I found it to be a well-designed, well-engineered program. I'm scratching my head about version 3.0 because it seems a big step backward. The only thing about it that I like better than the previous version is that it looks better. It is slow and clunky. There's a three-second delay after you begin typing a new note and the characters appear. A similar delay occurs when you delete a note.

I guess the other thing I like about it is the universal clipper, although this is nothing more than the Zooter from Zoot.

The idea behind 3.0 seems to be to create a web of information between you desktop computer, your mobile device and the web, but I can't say the trade off in usability is worth it.

Has anyone else on this list tried the new version? What did you think? Am I missing something?

Steve Z.

I just found Alexander's comments on Evernote 3.0 in an earlier post. Sorry I missed those prior to my posting on this. Does anyone else have any thoughts about Evernote 3.0.

Steve Z.

I also tried the new beta recently, and I'm also not terribly impressed. Not due to any performance issues as such, but I still see it as playing catch-up to OneNote. I have never liked the "scrolling paper" paradigm, which they have retained in the Window's version - for me it makes finding and sorting data clipped to it unnecessarily awkward. In OneNote each clipping goes to a separate tag, so you don't keep whizzing past what you're looking for during scrolling, as I do in EverNote.

The universal clipper is clunkier than OneNotes, but it is, at least, more universal - OneNote will only add its "clip" toolbar to Microsoft products such as Outlook and IE. OneNote also has a version for smartphones (running Windows mobile 6), as EverNote now also has.

The only extra I see in this version over OneNote is the online version (which has a more sensible user interface, in my opinion), but the last place I want my data to be is on EverNote's servers, so it's not a service I would choose to make much use of.

So, if you're missing something, Stephen, so am I!

Graham



Stephen Zeoli wrote:

I just downloaded the new beta for Evernote 3.0 for PC. I haven't used version 2.0 for
various reasons, but I found it to be a well-designed, well-engineered program. I'm
scratching my head about version 3.0 because it seems a big step backward. The only
thing about it that I like better than the previous version is that it looks better. It
is slow and clunky. There's a three-second delay after you begin typing a new note and
the characters appear. A similar delay occurs when you delete a note.

I guess the
other thing I like about it is the universal clipper, although this is nothing more
than the Zooter from Zoot.

The idea behind 3.0 seems to be to create a web of
information between you desktop computer, your mobile device and the web, but I can't
say the trade off in usability is worth it.

Has anyone else on this list tried the new
version? What did you think? Am I missing something?

Steve Z.

In its current state it's a pretty weak offering compared to what else is out there (PC or Mac), but the one strength it does have is the online component, provided you own a smartphone. The idea of a location-independent external brain does make a lot of sense for some people.

It's not for me though, given that I'm never without my laptop. And as laptops get simultaneously slimmer and more durable (I never thought it was possible, but the cast aluminum frame of the Air is like a rock), I'm not convinced there's really a need for a strong online component to this kind of data manager.

They're clearly trying to move away from being compared to OneNote though. Wise move, as that's a fight they can't win, even if they were superior feature-wise.

-- Chris

Chris Thompson wrote:

It's not for me though, given that I'm never without my
laptop.

Neither am I, but I often can't use it, as I am either cramped in a seat or (usually) standing in metros and buses. I spend about two hours or more commuting this way every day. In such instances, I find that I am usually typing lots of stuff into my cell phone. I would like a simple way to get that into my computer.
(See also my separate post on a Symbian smatphone)

alx

I have actually switched over from Journler to Evernote on the Mac. Right now, it's feature set is not as impressive, but I see where it is headed. But the biggest draw for me was cross-platform. I have one Mac and three Windows laptops at home, as well as plans for an iPhone when 3G arrives. This should give me universal access where I need it. Plus the OCR for pictures really intrigues me.

I have encountered a few glitches on the beta, but not too many. Overall, a pretty nice program especially for a beta. I just hope they do all that they say they will in the future. The new CEO seems to have what it takes to do it, but we will see.

Vince

Just an update on the Mac client. There seems to be some data integrity issues that I have encountered twice. Information copied into a notebook that was supposed to be local somehow got copied to a synced notebook and ended up on the web. I think they will work it out shortly, but thought everyone should know about it.

On a side note, I had sent a crash report to Evernote for a file that was crashing the software upon import. They got back to me right away to see if I could send the file to them, and then emailed me back in 5 minutes saying they saw the problem and will fix it in the next release after QC reviews it. That was a good sign.

Vince

Captain CowPie wrote:

I have encountered a few glitches
on the beta, but not too many.