General brainstorming for Note-taking software

[nevf]

I just want to let everyone know that there is a new Surfulater release now available. Download from http://www.surfulater.com and read the Blog post about this release at http://blog.surfulater.com/2006/07/08/elusive-no-more-surfulater-v19830-is-waiting-for-you/ and the Release notes here.

Surfulater V1.98.3.0 addresses some specific issues that superboyac has raised, including the new 'Content
Elements' filters which let you hide elements in the content window such as the Pencil cells, the layout of the content window has been tightened up, the content window no longer scrolls when you edit an article and more.

I've put together a short movie showing the content elements filters in action here.

The next release will enable easier creation of article templates along with some interesting new layouts that move the Label column so it is on top of the field contents. I'll be blogging about this when it is released. It also includes a major update to the content display to use multi-threading. This makes a dramatic difference when you are displaying a folder which has many large articles.

And finally I've just e-mailed mouser with a new discount for DC Members.

PS. willyram, excellent post. I look forward to hearing more of your ideas.

[johnk]

I have spent a small fortune over the years on an endless variety of notetaking and data capture programs. There aren't many I haven't bought or at least trialled. Nothing has ever felt "just right", although currently I am a big fan of both Ultra Recall (http://www.ultrarecall.com/) and nevf's excellent Surfulater. Both good in very different ways.

Having said all that, the program I am using more than any other in recent months has taken me by surprise — because I didn't install it either as a notetaker or as a data capture tool. It's Clipcache, one of many clipboard enhancers.

Gradually, I realised how easy it was to capture and organise data in Clipcache, and how adding a note was simply a matter of hitting Ctrl+n and typing. Like all Clipboard enhancers, all you need to do to capture other data (including web snippets) is hit ctrl+c. It handles HTML well. And the new version (3, still in beta - http://www.xrayz.co.uk/forum/) is based on a robust SQL database engine, which cures what some see as a weakness in version 2. I am using version 3. Search is quick and efficient. Layout is based on the traditional and familiar three panel layout - tree, list, preview. Screenshots for version 2 here: http://www.xrayz.co.uk/clipcache/?page=screenshots

If you want something for quick notes, web snippets and basic data organisation, it's efficient. Perhaps not for heavy-duty use — for long-term stuff or major projects I'm still likely to put large buckets of data into either Ultra Recall or Surfulater (can't decide between them yet). But for "miscellaneous" stuff or casual use, Clipcache has merit.

[rjbull]

johnk,

Having said all that, the program I am using more than any other in recent months has taken me by surprise — because I didn't install it either as a notetaker or as a data capture tool. It's Clipcache, one of many clipboard enhancers.

I registered ClipCache mostly as a "thank you" to the author, but I've never bothered to install the shareware version because the last freeware one (available e.g. from http://www.woundedmo.../win32_freeware.html) did all I wanted as a clipboard enhancer.  Perhaps it's time to look at the newer versions.  Clipcache has been mentioned on DC before, e.g. this thread     
ClipCache Plus 3.xx Preview...Don't Get Too Excited  where the OP (the currently very quiet Nighted) was distinctly underwhelmed.

Lately I've been using NetSnippets for Web capture, because it can hold Web pages complete, or in part.  You can add to them and you can organise them.  Unfortunately, at work, I can only use it with IE.  I prefer Firefox, but I can't install any Firefox plug-ins.  I think they're blocked by corporate IT policies (I have no problem at home).  However, superboyac's main focus for this thread is note-keeping applications with the accent on text, and that's my main interest, and evidently yours too:

currently I am a big fan of both Ultra Recall (http://www.ultrarecall.com/) and nevf's excellent Surfulater. Both good in very different ways.

-johnk (July 13, 2006, 02:31 PM)

I'd be interested in how you compare them with the other two of superboyac's Big Three, MyBase and Evernote?

[Perry Mowbray]

Anyone else have a play with InfoMaster (http://www.leersoft.com/infowonder-home.asp)?

Comes with a bit of a pedigree, but it didn't last very long on my computer.

It did have some really nifty ideas:

• Each note can have a date and/or reminder set, therefore creating calendars
• User created forms

Both of which I thought I could put to good use.

[johnk]

johnk,

currently I am a big fan of both Ultra Recall (http://www.ultrarecall.com/) and nevf's excellent Surfulater. Both good in very different ways.

-johnk (July 13, 2006, 02:31 PM)

I'd be interested in how you compare them with the other two of superboyac's Big Three, MyBase and Evernote?

-rjbull (July 14, 2006, 05:43 AM)

I think one of the questions in this area (as others have mentioned) is whether you're going down the "all-in-one" route or the specialist tool route. Both routes have their temptations. Ultra Recall is an all-in-one solution. I think it's a wonderful piece of software, though probably more for data capture than for dedicated note-taking. I find it difficult to find any fault with it, and I urge anyone investigating this area to try it out. Good forums too. But there is a learning curve.

However, if what you really want is a light, speedy note-taker, then I'm not sure I'd suggest Ultra Recall. Again, as others have stated, it's up to each individual to list the features they need, and then examine the alternatives. I keep jumping from specialist programs (e.g. the elegant but expensive Notemap (http://www.casesoft.com/notemap/) for outlining, the well-designed Notesholder (http://notes.aklabs.com/) for on-the-fly notetaking) back to all-in-ones. My main problem is that I can never make up my mind. I waste too much time trying out programs, and not long enough making the most of them.

It's a long time since I tried MyBase, so it might have improved, but I can't imagine it has outpaced Ultra Recall (they have similar structures). And while Evernote looks very interesting, I have not tried it - I currently have a self-imposed ban on trying new note-taking/data capture programs (for the reasons outlined above).

[rjbull]

I keep jumping from specialist programs (e.g. the elegant but expensive Notemap (http://www.casesoft.com/notemap/) for outlining, the well-designed Notesholder (http://notes.aklabs.com/) for on-the-fly notetaking) back to all-in-ones.

-johnk (July 14, 2006, 09:13 AM)

Big difference in price.  Notesholder looks a bit like an alternative "sticky notes" program.

I waste too much time trying out programs, and not long enough making the most of them.

There should be a club tie   

I currently have a self-imposed ban on trying new note-taking/data capture programs

I wonder how long that will last 

Thanks for your comments w.r.t. UltraRecall.  I think it got briefly mentioned far back in this thread.

[Plasma Man]

Willyram - reading again your excellent set of criteria reminded me of a suite of products that I don't think any one has mentioned thus far.

A while a go I came across the GemX range of pims / notetaking products which I never had time to fully test out but I'm going to look at again. They are certainly feature packed but whether or not they have the qualitities that would inspire regular use I'm not sure yet. If anything they seemed very busy with tons of customization options.

http://www.gemx.com/products.php

Their three key products are:
Do-Organizer http://www.gemx.com/doorganizer_features.php
Tex-Notes Pro http://www.gemx.com/texnotespro_features.php
Surfgem - which has some parallels with Surfulator http://www.gemx.com/surfgem_features.php

Anyone else here tried these out?

Andre

[rjbull]

A while a go I came across the GemX range of pims / notetaking products
[...]
Do-Organizer http://www.gemx.com/doorganizer_features.php

-Plasma Man (July 20, 2006, 11:33 PM)

Interesting and almost semi-relevant sideline: GemX Do-Organizer can be set to send notes to Zhornsoftware's popular sticky notes application Stickies over a network.  More >here<

[vegas]

Willyram - reading again your excellent set of criteria reminded me of a suite of products that I don't think any one has mentioned thus far.

A while a go I came across the GemX range of pims / notetaking products which I never had time to fully test out but I'm going to look at again. They are certainly feature packed but whether or not they have the qualitities that would inspire regular use I'm not sure yet. If anything they seemed very busy with tons of customization options.

http://www.gemx.com/products.php

Their three key products are:
Do-Organizer http://www.gemx.com/doorganizer_features.php
Tex-Notes Pro http://www.gemx.com/texnotespro_features.php
Surfgem - which has some parallels with Surfulator http://www.gemx.com/surfgem_features.php

Anyone else here tried these out?

Andre

-Plasma Man (July 20, 2006, 11:33 PM)

Yes, bloatware.  Lots of function but sloppy and fat interface.  Not as configurable as it would seem.

[muse]

For the price of $90 do-Organizer is a good deal for what you get. It accounts for almost any kind of important data organization you need. I only wish they could do something about organizing files on a disk. However, they do have a file manager which I use for previewing images and RTF stuff.

Its hardly "bloatware". This term means putting something in software that is not needed. What isn't needed in doOrganizer ?

"Not as configurable"  You probably only ran the software for 10 minutes!

Their Blog
http://gemx-software.blogspot.com

Their Site
http://www.gemx.com

[vegas]

I encourage trusted users here to try them and tell me it's not bloatware.  I run it on a 24" screen @ 1920x1200 and IT, to ME, is STILL bloatware.  I have tried both doOrganizer & TexNotes Pro for multiple, extended periods of time when there are new versions released, not only does it feel like bloatware but the programs more often than not find a way of crashing or erroring out before I ever get finished using them.  I'm not hating on the product, I really wanted one of them to be what I needed, but my experiences speak for themselves.

[tslim]

Greeting to everyone,

It has been quite a while since my first attempt to look for a note-taking program which uses a mechanism like that used by ACDSee to categorize image files (I have tried that mechanism in ACDSee ver 7 and I really like it).

Here is how I look at the "Organize" feature of ACDSee, which I think is a very powerful feature (effective and systematic):
1. Categories in that mechanism can be analog to "preset keywords/tags" made by user
2. The tree-structure which holds the categories provides a "visual map" to organize "keywords/tags"

1. and 2., are in fact "organize the organizer" just like "learn how to learn" before start learning.
That mechanism provides a chance for user to first set and organize "keywords/tags" then use them to organize "notes"

The same tree of categories (with checkbox on each category) can then be used to mark what categories a particular note belongs to. Just tick with a mouse at the checkbox of a category to mark a note for that category.

3. That saves repeating keystrokes for the same keywords and avoids spelling error
4. A note marked for a sub-category is automatically marked for all the parent categories (save a lot more effort in organizing)

Of course, when trying ACDSee 7, I notice that mechanism can still be improved in many ways.

IMHO, that mechanism is a "must have feature" for note-taking program when categorizing "notes".
Please kindly inform me if there is such a note-taking program (which provides the something close to the above mentioned)


t.s.lim

[doublewitt]

bloatware...

With today's computer systems, is "bloatware" really anything to be concerned about...?
It seems to me that the term should be erased from our thoughts...
What's the point...?
Are we trying to set up "LIMITS" in the software development industry...?
There are no "LIMITS" in hardware developments and so why should there be any in the software world...?
With today's system resources and memory capabilities, why state the case...?
Personally, I encourage development - the more the better.
Classing do-Organizer v2.3 as bloatware is just nonsense to me.
You will rarely find a program with an elegant and appealing interface like do-Organizer.
Actually, do-Organizer is alone in it's class - and very unique and includes loads of customization options. Can't you see...? You can add loads more and I'll never consider it as bloatware - and that for any other program.
Have you ever thoroughly researched the meaning of "bloatware"...?
It's a thing of the past. It is no longer "relevant" with today's development standards or trends.

I'm a little bit "weary" of people pushing this attitude about bloatware.
Yeah, I'm sort of "ANTI-BLOATWARE" ...
I think we are seriously "hindering" healthy developments in the software industry.

You have to always keep in mind that there are perhaps millions using a software with hundreds of different usages and needs - and so what would be perhaps useless to one can be important to another as our needs vary... and so because many say "I don't need that" in the discussed software, then I'm faced with a serious problem - because the discussed software developer will not "include" an option I desparately need for fear of being criticized as promoting bloatware. In reality, we are hindering one another with our multiple opinions and criticisms.

Why "bloat" your computer with 300 programs eating and chewing resources and memory... when 1 or 2 or 3 can do the job well enough...? Why confront 300 forums + 300 updates + 300 X 300 software issues and reports when you can limit that adventure to something more normal...? A bookmark manager for 300 websites + 300 passwords + 300 notes for each and so on... are we nearing insanity...!? With all that running in your system - you're worried about 1 program that can do it all. And you have to include a launcher for 300+ programs. Where are we at...? The task has become so tedious and ridiculous. Not to mention 300+ searches on the www for all of these and including all the headaches to gather all that information. Are we bloating our minds...? Out of 300 software developments, you have to "harass" the developer for upgrades and help X 300 times and how many times a year and 250 of them rarely make the updates available and - do you realize what you have gotten yourself into now...?
Is that a solution...?

Don't forget about the 300 X 300 downloads including updates and fixes. We are tackling all of this when our systems today can handle the 1 program that nearly does everything for you (ofcourse, that's for the average user). And you invested 300 X 300 hours of your precious time for all that and you overlooked the simple solution...! You haven't sweated enough yet...!?

How about the fabulous software producer that initially takes his program and splits it up to 10 different softwares...? (NO BLOATWARE PLEASE) You have to download 10 times more and run 10 programs instead of 1 - where is the logic to that...? What about business strategies involved there...? Do you think that the software splitter wants you to buy just 1 of his creations...? Ofcourse not, so now what happens...? He cleverly splits or spreads the features in all 10 and guess what...? You have to buy at least 6 of them to get the features you need - isn't that cute...? 6 different prices instead of one.. What a joke...! Isn't the process of multiplication handy now...!? Ofcourse he justifies the price which is high enough and aggressive by claiming exclusive software performance with nearly to none features (isn't that popular?). Each lovely little feature priced the same as an entire application... fancy business...! Are you so blind that you don't see the business strategy here...?!!!? Oh my, 10 different software creations maximizing "exposure" and "traffic" to his website...? (Multiplication) 1 + 1 = 2; 5 X 5 = 25...  If it's not a business strategy - it's just for fun (hee, hee). There's more to tell, ofcourse, don't close your eyes now!

Why not CONSOLIDATE everything in one place - that promotes simplicity and peace of mind.
1 forum - 1 developer - 1 website - and choose amongst the competitors...

1 software for all the "different" forms of notes ranging from text notes, to contact notes,  and including password notes, journal notes, calendar notes, bookmark notes, task notes, email notes, and every other form of "NOTES" we generally see today. Have we abandoned the concept of consolidating...? If so, then we are bound by unlimited complications. You consolidate or you complicate - that's the general rule. It's simple enough...
Let's get back to the basics - enough with the wild goose chase...

Of all the people I know, there isn't one that searches for a "simple" notes arranger as stated in this thread. And so I really don't understand the underlying purpose here. What's the point...? Are you trying to promote "SIMPLEWARE" with today's technology standards? - it makes no sense. The focus is more on PIMS (Organizers) since they, usually, manage almost all the common forms of notes confronted by the "general" user today. If you want to go the SIMPLEWARE way, then there is thousands of them waiting for you with websites, forums, downloads, updates and everything else to drive you crazy! Are you trying to spread or dissect "your information" into 20 different applications...? How can you be organized and where is your focus - especially when you are dealing with a big volume of information?! Are you going to stop and start all of these every 2 minutes or RUN them all at the same time...? Why put up with SIMPLEWARE when we have technology...? Why use a wheelchair when you can walk...?

How is it you don't understand the IMPORTANCE of CONSOLIDATING all your information in one place...?!!!
Can't you see that maximizes EFFICIENCY...?!!! If you are trying to convince me to start/stop 20 or more programs to do what only one can do or should do - you're wasting your time... Why complicate and run 20 when you can SIMPLY run 1...? - isn't that more logical? Isn't that a more SIMPLE solution...? I leave do-Organizer ON all day as it meets ALL my needs. And I'm looking forward to more developments in compliance with current technology issues.

And you wonder why I'm against the BLOATWARE affair...!?

The bloatware issue developed way, way back in the early years where the computer age first began.
Stop riding on a tyranasaurus rex! Re-fresh your mind.

To me, "bloatware" doesn't exist anymore - it's just a fantasy (obsession) in your mind.
The idea of having "too many features" is literal stupidity (with today's technology).
Please forgive me if I sound offensive there - sincerely, it's not my intention.

Afterall, if you disagree, well, there's nothing I can do about that.
That's your point of view,
but this is mine...

do-Organize it!

One of many articles I've found:
http://www.joelonsof...s/fog0000000020.html

[muse]

  Great response doublewitt. I agree with you. The "Bloatware" term is used in the wrong context.

Quoted from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bloatware
"Software bloat is a derogatory term used to describe the tendency of newer computer programs to use larger amounts of system resources (mass storage space, processing power and/or RAM) than older programs. It is also used in a more general context to describe programs which appear to be using more system resources than necessary, or implementing extraneous features. Software exhibiting these tendencies is referred to as bloatware or, less commonly, fatware."


I use doorganizer myself and the memory and resource footprint is a LOT lower than even firefox or some other software in its class. I agree about productivity. Anything that shaves off some time in order to concentrate on important issues is a plus. The only reason why we can't develop our lives is because we are too easily distracted (Monty Python's Meaning of Liff got it right). Reduce the distractions and let our minds evolve to the next level. A good organizer application helps us to achieve this.

[tslim]

Hi doublewitt,

You might find do-Organizer not suitable to be classified as "Bloatware" or "Fatware" due to its application nature or your personal feel, however, that is not an appropriate reason to deny the fact that some "Bloatware" or "Fatware" do exist in the market.

Widen the scope or adding features/functions of an application from its initial objective does brings side effects, generally speaking it:
1) Cuts down performance or raises hardware requirements
2) Makes documenting more difficult - harder for newcomers to master
3) Lifts the price of the application - those who need only few features will feel not worth it.

In fact, from a software developer point of view, increase in #features or raise in hardware requirements is something inevitable along the evolution of an application, however, blindly/simply adds whatever requested by users is not always a SMART idea.

As a user, if A and B are 2 software which offer the same set of functions at the same price and both do well in what they have to offer except that A does everything more slowly than B, which one do you prefer? This is corresponding to 1) above
If A offers just the set of functions which you need at a lower price than B which has more to offer (which you don't need), which one do you choose? See 3)

IMHO, whether a software is "BLOAT" or a fatty, it all depends... it is more personal feel than an objective issue.

[mitzevo]

Wow this is a brilliant topic on PIMs/note takers/etc..

I just made a review on AceText, which I think should go into a sub-cat of some thing along the lines of Coders Versions or some thing

"Anything that shaves off some time in order to concentrate on important issues is a plus""

AceText is designed to collect text, and text only. Not images, not other stuff. The software is simple and serves a good purpose of organizing text/code only, also the clipboard manager is honestly one of the best I have used.

You can check out the review I wrote for AceText here.

I believe AceText is one of the Top 5 PIM/Note-taking softs... Although from this thread I found out there are ton's of programs in this category each with there own unique features.

I think an official review should be made considering how much discusion this topic has caused. It's going to take alot of time to make a solid review. Maybe as the OP intended you could break the catagory down into subs and display the best 3 PIMs/etc. for each sub.

So what do you think mouser.. How about a nice new PIM/Text Manager/Etc. official review. I think it would be good.


I truly believe this topic has created a good reason to write an official review for this type of software..

[mitzevo]

I found a rather new note taker.. mainly aimed at copywriters and internet marketers, etc.

CopyCat

I like the look of this thing. Looks and sounds very good.

[doublewitt]

Hi doublewitt,

You might find do-Organizer not suitable to be classified as "Bloatware" or "Fatware" due to its application nature or your personal feel, however, that is not an appropriate reason to deny the fact that some "Bloatware" or "Fatware" do exist in the market.

Widen the scope or adding features/functions of an application from its initial objective does brings side effects, generally speaking it:
1) Cuts down performance or raises hardware requirements
2) Makes documenting more difficult - harder for newcomers to master
3) Lifts the price of the application - those who need only few features will feel not worth it.

In fact, from a software developer point of view, increase in #features or raise in hardware requirements is something inevitable along the evolution of an application, however, blindly/simply adds whatever requested by users is not always a SMART idea.

As a user, if A and B are 2 software which offer the same set of functions at the same price and both do well in what they have to offer except that A does everything more slowly than B, which one do you prefer? This is corresponding to 1) above
If A offers just the set of functions which you need at a lower price than B which has more to offer (which you don't need), which one do you choose? See 3)

IMHO, whether a software is "BLOAT" or a fatty, it all depends... it is more personal feel than an objective issue.

-tslim (August 03, 2006, 06:29 AM)

I understand your point of view and yet, I'm not basing my claim uniquely on do-Organizer. Personally, I've found that when I load and run programs that seem to have too much - as per critics, I actually don't really see a difference in "performance" in my system. I don't see where the concern is with the systems we have today... If the added features are not all running at the same time, why should it affect performance...?

Perhaps a software will satisfy you today with it's underpriveleged feature set, but what about tomorrow...? Maybe your needs will change in one year or 2 - what then? buy a new program or harass the developer for new features to accomodate your evolved needs?

In one or two years down the road, I will be happy to see they "already" included features that NOW I need. Why purchase a "limited" feature set today and have to continually make changes? Why not have a little bit of foresight...? Why not anticipate changes? Personally, my computing needs are always CHANGING...

Haven't you noticed that computer users are evolving too...? Does everything have to be so ridiculously easy...?
Kids are riding on computers like pros in elementary school - since our world and schooling today is so computer-oriented. It's odd somehow that so much emphasis is on ease of use. Where is the element of challenge in learning? It seems (to me) that people are a little bit lazy...

You might think I'm strange, but what does "price" have to do with it...? If I'm satisfied with a program that produces a complete set of features, and it meets all my requirements, I don't mind to pay $10 - $20 - $30 - or more for the added conveniance... Difference in prices is really not a major issue (for me). If you are saving a few hundred dollars then that would be different... In general, we are talking about a very normal "price range". Ofcourse, you have those little "penny pinchers" who'll jump from a bridge just to save $5.00 People seldom realize as they purchase blindly that their needs change and you don't necessarily have a guarantee from the software producer that they will yield updates often enough. And you don't have a guarantee that they will include your suggestion. Now what? Move on and find another application...? More money...? There is a big problem nowadays getting updates once a year. How many years will you have to wait for your needs to be met...? Good luck...
The problem is we are buying according to today's needs only (an immediate issue) and we close our eyes and understanding about tomorrow... that's a blind purchase.

If you want to run 10 - 15 or 20 applications at the same time, where are you at with performance and hardware requirements...?

Fortunately, the computer age is always evolving... Software developers deserve the tiny little "raised" price. Afterall, they work hard enough for it - can't you see?

Ofcourse, that's just my point of view, nobody has to agree with me. But that's the way I see the affair - and yes, I wasted lots of money running after needed features...
No more will I do that...!

[superboyac]

Hi everyone, while I enjoy discussions about the definition of bloatware, I don't think this thread is the place for it.  Please keep in mind that this thread is already extremely long and we want to be careful to not veer off-topic if we don't have to.

Thanks!
(remember, it's a thread on "notetaking software")

[urlwolf]

Some thoughts on using a simple plain text file and camelCase:

"Big-Arse Text File - a Poor Man's Wiki+Blog+PIM"
http://ideamatt.blog...-file-poor-mans.html

This is very close to what I do right now. With vim (or any decent editor) searches are superfast, inserting dates is easy if needed, word completion helps with tagging, etc.

If you want to do this and be portable, it's easy, any computer can open a txt file. Plus, you can access your list online with this:
http://toolbartogo.com

Lots of interesting ideas here.

Of course, if you want to save formatting, images, etc. this won't work for you. But I have been using this system for ~5 years and it works well for me. In fact I started it just to dump the tel. numbers I had in my cell phone's memory... and started adding all kind of other important stuff to it like software keys, passwords, etc. Then I ended up using this file to annotate ideas as they came (kind of like a scracth piece of paper)...

it is still called telephones.txt

[mouser]

not used this one myself but i know TexNotes was mentioned on this thread; it's 50% off today here:
http://www.bitsdujour.com/

[nudone]

oh, that's good, think i might go for that offer - it always did seem a bit too pricey.

from what i've seen it might be the kind of app to come in handy for the right type of project even if it's not something to use straight away.

[rjbull]

Suppose you keep a copy of an organizer at home, another at work, and you want to keep the files in step via a USB key.  Normally you'd just copy the file over, or just keep it on the USB key permanently, but there will always be the odd occasion when you forget.  Does any notekeeping program have a way of reconciling the files by importing new or changed nodes only, without overwriting the whole file?  I assume that's the way Palm PDAs work, but I wondered if it were possible with USB keys.

[Perry Mowbray]

Does any notekeeping program have a way of reconciling the files by importing new or changed nodes only, without overwriting the whole file?  I assume that's the way Palm PDAs work, but I wondered if it were possible with USB keys.

-rjbull (August 16, 2006, 04:56 AM)

I know that nevf is working on sync'ing the SurfuLater files across two computers (eg: home and work); some other discussion about this functionality here.

[Perry Mowbray]

Just thought I'd mention that I'm having great fun with TiddlyWiki: simple & flexible. No software required: just a browser!  Works extremely well off a USB.

MonkeyGTD is also another spin off that I'm using as well (but that's more pitched at projects etc)