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I want it all, now!
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Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Nov 9, 2008 at 11:48 PM
Alexander,
Cross-platform would be nice, as long as it does not entail any major compromises in UI or functionality. It surprises me, somewhat, that Microsoft has not done this with OneNote… if they did, I’d be on that immediately. OneNote does a nice job of syncing using a USB stick. I’m sure it works well with one of those web-based folder syncing services (I’m using DropBox now to keep files synced the two PCs I work on and my MacBook).
I agree that Java isn’t great—too jittery—although I do have a lot of affection for SuperNoteCard, even though I rarely use it. It is cross-platform and has been continually improved (latest recent version has added a free-form grid for organizing the cards, outline numbering, and support for collecting cards created online via Mindola’s website [I guess this is primarily for people with iPhones]).
What I REALLY want is a decent single-pane outliner!
Steve Z.
Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
>With the festive season not too far away, I thought I’d post my wishes for the software
>we discuss here, i.e. information managers. (It’s not much, and quite a bit is
>actually already available one way or another, but the integration is still
>missing).
>
>1. I want my information managers to be cross-platform. Personally, I
>use Windows and am switching to Linux, but I wouldn’t mind it running on Mac as well.
>(Ideally, I’d prefer it not to be in Java, as I find many such applications too lazy for
>comfort). In this context, I’m currently trying out Notecase Pro.
>
>2. I want my
>information managers to be Web 2.0 aware. I don’t want to have to choose between the
>‘cloud’ and local storage. I’d like the best of both worlds please. Evernote is nice in
>this regard.
>
>What the software actually does, and how its features are presented,
>may be a question of personal preferences altogether; some like outlines, others
>mind maps.
>
>But the two abilities noted above are, IMHO, what many of us will
>eventually come to expect. The software I mentioned as examples is far from ideal in
>terms of overall features, but it is moving in the right direction.
>
>Is it much to ask?
>
>
>alx
>
Posted by Hugh
Nov 10, 2008 at 09:17 AM
Here’s a contrary view, not made purely for the sake of a debate. I wouldn’t necessarily welcome more cross-platform operability, even (or especially) if it involved Microsoft OneNote.
One of the reasons that some Windows PIMs are struggling to maintain the pace of their development (see UR et al) is, I suspect, because OneNote has got into its stride and is now a very capable and competitive offering. Recently the Mac platform seems to have provided a kind of haven for PIM/outliner development - a haven at least from the 800lb gorilla that is Microsoft. It’s not completely protected of course. But in this environment, even Apple has played more of an enabling than a competitive/destructive role. That may be a reason that, disproportionate to its market size, the platform seems fairly fertile for small to medium-sized developers, and even somewhat ecouraging of innovation - especially in the PIM/outliner segment. Could Curio, say, compete if it had to face up to direct competition from Microsoft?
Let loose the gorilla and all that could change.
H
P.S. Though it’s good news about SuperNotecard 2.8. I’ve never been very keen on the UI when I’ve trialled it - maybe it’s Java, or maybe it’s just the three little pigs, but now you can leave gaps and index your outlines, it could become more of a contender (for me).
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Nov 11, 2008 at 12:26 PM
Hugh wrote:
>Let loose the gorilla and all that could change.
Perhaps; on the other hand, it could increase the size of the market, which is still marginal at best.
I believe that eventually, whatever that means, most applications will have to be cross-platform and we-aware in order to compete. The exceptions will probably be things like the calculator whose information is ephemerous anyway.
So, the protection offered by Onenote not being ported to the Mac platform won’t be there for long.
In any case, the question may be less technical and more about the economic model: how is the development of Open Source Software (OSS) applications financed? At the moment, the only viable alternative—and a powerful one- to MS Office is Open Office. Many OSS developers make money from offering support to commercial clients. Pierre has tied development of InfoQube to his consultancy fees from enterprises—I think the perspective is great, and Pierre will have nothing to loose from porting IQ to the Mac and Linux; just the contrary.
Cheers
Alexander
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Nov 11, 2008 at 12:27 PM
Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
>cross-platform and we-aware
That should have been “web-aware”