Microsoft OneNote Going Free with Mac Launch Later This Month

[Jeff750]

No, I really don't need extra software

You must have to use some variety of software to put these folders together though, so you haven't really removed any layers, in fact you've added complexity. What if you want to preserve a web page? What if you want to insert a picture into some text and add some notations? What if you want to search for something? What if you want access from a mobile device or other computer? Each of those things requires additional software or a work-around.

Apps like OneNote and Evernote integrate all of this functionality into a single cross-platform program that is searchable, shareable, and far easier to organize than folders.

Answers:
1) No, I just create folders - no extra software needed. I don't really understand your statement that I need some extra software to put these folders together. The Finder lets you make all the folders you want.
2) I preserve a web page by using the "save" command. It makes a .webarchive file of the web page on your hard drive. At least Safari does that. I have opened web pages I saved years ago using that method. No extra software needed. And I just save it to a folder of my choosing.
3) If I want to insert a picture into some text and add notations, I grab the photo in Photos / iPhoto / in a folder and drop it into my document (TextEdit, Excel, Pages, Keynote, PowerPoint) - all from the Finder to the application.
4) If I want to search for something I use Spotlight - because I've named the files in a meaningful way and I can always use metadata like when I created the file or its size.
5) If I want to access it from a mobile device I store it in iCloud and see it on my iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or my iPhone. I could also store it in DropBox.

These note-taking apps just don't fill any void for me. All they do is create ANOTHER database of information that's redundant to what I already have on my hard drive / cloud storage. People need to use the full capability of their operating system. It's all there without the need for this extra layer of complexity. I'm even trying to use OmniFocus, and it's a bit of a stretch. It's not like I'm managing the construction of a huge civil engineering project - and if I were, I'd use more sophisticated tools (THAT's where you need some genuine help from dedicated planning tools). But to just organize my stuff? No, not for me and in my opinion really redundant.

 

[loby]

I think OneNote is the best product Microsoft has created on its own and not bought from another and modified. Glad to see it finally on Mac which I believe it was originally created for since the user profile fits the Apple customer.

I REALLY hope they add the audio and video recording features to OneNote. Great app for seminars, lectures and especially for University students.

I also hope they include a Office for Mac stand alone product and not a subscription only version. Mac users I believe are not a fan of subscription based software, but are forced with a grudge when using Adobe products.

If anyone using AVID products (Premiere and Pro Tools etc,) I believe AVID is going subscription based on their next versions as well, including Sibelius. No thanks AVID.

If Microsoft wants Apple fans to lean again toward Microsoft, then a non-subscription Office for Mac version would appeal to the Mac user!!!!

 

[sracer]

I think OneNote is the best product Microsoft has created on its own and not bought from another and modified. Glad to see it finally on Mac which I believe it was originally created for since the user profile fits the Apple customer.

I REALLY hope they add the audio and video recording features to OneNote. Great app for seminars, lectures and especially for University students.

I also hope they include a Office for Mac stand alone product and not a subscription only version. Mac users I believe are not a fan of subscription based software, but are forced with a grudge when using Adobe products.

If anyone using AVID products (Premiere and Pro Tools etc,) I believe AVID is going subscription based on their next versions as well, including Sibelius. No thanks AVID.

If Microsoft wants Apple fans to lean again toward Microsoft, then a non-subscription Office for Mac version would appeal to the Mac user!!!!

There already is a standalone version of Office for Mac. Microsoft has already stated that there will be one available for Office 2016 for Mac as well.

 

[petvas]

Answers:
1) No, I just create folders - no extra software needed. I don't really understand your statement that I need some extra software to put these folders together. The Finder lets you make all the folders you want.
2) I preserve a web page by using the "save" command. It makes a .webarchive file of the web page on your hard drive. At least Safari does that. I have opened web pages I saved years ago using that method. No extra software needed. And I just save it to a folder of my choosing.
3) If I want to insert a picture into some text and add notations, I grab the photo in Photos / iPhoto / in a folder and drop it into my document (TextEdit, Excel, Pages, Keynote, PowerPoint) - all from the Finder to the application.
4) If I want to search for something I use Spotlight - because I've named the files in a meaningful way and I can always use metadata like when I created the file or its size.
5) If I want to access it from a mobile device I store it in iCloud and see it on my iPad, MacBook Air, MacBook Pro, or my iPhone. I could also store it in DropBox.

These note-taking apps just don't fill any void for me. All they do is create ANOTHER database of information that's redundant to what I already have on my hard drive / cloud storage. People need to use the full capability of their operating system. It's all there without the need for this extra layer of complexity. I'm even trying to use OmniFocus, and it's a bit of a stretch. It's not like I'm managing the construction of a huge civil engineering project - and if I were, I'd use more sophisticated tools (THAT's where you need some genuine help from dedicated planning tools). But to just organize my stuff? No, not for me and in my opinion really redundant.

Yes, you can certainly go down that path, but this way you can't have your own notes saved in finder. You also won't have a platform independent solution. The Finder and the Safari webarchive feature cannot be a replacement for a note taking program. They can just replace a small subset of the offered functionality.