[holderlin]

Mine is a question about the concept of journaling and note software (e.g., Macjournal, something Ponies). I'm not familiar with any of the offerings, so this is a sincere question. I haven't explored them because I don't understand what they do that a word processing program can't do, or what they make easier than a word processing program.

Thanks
Bob

[cpac]

You're correct in that you can get much of the same functionality with a word processor, but word processors are generally designed to create documents that are designed to be printed out - that's the end result people are going for with them. With an outliner/journal, it's a way to compile notes (and associated files - web links, multi-media) into a single, indexable source: The focus is on the information and its organization/accessibility, not on converting everything to a printable document.

my personal favorite is OmniOutliner.

I used OO to write notes and case briefs throughout law school and it served me very well in that capacity. Word, by comparison, was clunky, slow, and prone to formatting glitches.

Some of the uses of outliners may become less necessary with Spotlight and smart folders in Tiger, but for now at least, they're just a better way to do things for a lot of people.

PS - if you're interested in whether they'd work for you, why not download a copy and give them a spin - almost all have demo versions you can use for free.

[CatOne]

Originally posted by holderlin:
Mine is a question about the concept of journaling and note software (e.g., Macjournal, something Ponies). I'm not familiar with any of the offerings, so this is a sincere question. I haven't explored them because I don't understand what they do that a word processing program can't do, or what they make easier than a word processing program.

Thanks
Bob

Circus Ponies Notebook maybe?

I use it for taking notes. I use it ALL THE TIME. It is OUTSTANDING for creating a notebook, being able to create "to dos," and instantly find anything.

If you take notes, or in general need help with organization issues, it's a Godsend. If you're just looking for advice on "why should I keep a journal," well then maybe you don't need it

[fiesta cat]

I use Hog Bay Notebook, but I think, regardless of what you use, once you start using one, you might wonder how they did with out, that is unless you don't collect a lot of text or photo/image based information.

If I had to rank the importance of the applications I use everyday, journal/notebook software would be in my top three.

I keep track of genealogical information, todo lists (future purchases of books, videos, etc.,), web code (HTML, PHP, etc.), quotes, snippets/articles containing information I find on various websites, a list of software/etc. to try out when I get a chance, OS X tips/tricks, newspaper/magazine articles I find interesting and want to hold on to for a while, articles I've written, e-mail stuff (jokes, important info, etc.). Also, pictures/graphics that might be important to me, camera settings, printer settings, scanner settings, etc.

EDIT: Why do I like it so much? It beats having a buttload of text files, I can do all kinds of searches and find information that I otherwise might not be able to find, and it keeps a lot of stuff all in one place (which makes it easy to backup).

Check out About This Particular Macintosh - read through the past year or so of back-issues, they have a lot of articles/columns about notebook/journal software.

[Gee4orce]

As always, when this topic comes up, I feel the need to mention MacJournal. I don't keep a journal, but this software is so good it makes me wish that I did

[ClaraT]

Originally posted by fiesta cat:
I use Hog Bay Notebook, but I think, regardless of what you use, once you start using one, you might wonder how they did with out, that is unless you don't collect a lot of text or photo/image based information.

If I had to rank the importance of the applications I use everyday, journal/notebook software would be in my top three.

I keep track of genealogical information, todo lists (future purchases of books, videos, etc.,), web code (HTML, PHP, etc.), quotes, snippets/articles containing information I find on various websites, a list of software/etc. to try out when I get a chance, OS X tips/tricks, newspaper/magazine articles I find interesting and want to hold on to for a while, articles I've written, e-mail stuff (jokes, important info, etc.). Also, pictures/graphics that might be important to me, camera settings, printer settings, scanner settings, etc.

EDIT: Why do I like it so much? It beats having a buttload of text files, I can do all kinds of searches and find information that I otherwise might not be able to find, and it keeps a lot of stuff all in one place (which makes it easy to backup).

Check out About This Particular Macintosh - read through the past year or so of back-issues, they have a lot of articles/columns about notebook/journal software.

Thanks Holderlin for asking the question and generating an interesting discussion. I've learned alot as I was wondering what the big deal is about journal software, too.

Fiesta Cat's given me the answer I've been looking for for de-cluttering all the sticky notes and loose papers scattered around my desk and kitchen counter--thanks. I had no idea I could use a journal program this way--duh!

Awhile ago I downloaded a demo of Formation for keeping track of loose ends and liked it pretty much except the calendar didn't integrate with the to do's as I recall.

I'm looking for something I can sync with my Palm (ie book lists, movies, to dos, much of what Fiesta Cat mentioned) so if anyone has come across something I'ld be interested.

thanks again everyone.

clarat