Please, Evernote, wake up. I wanted you to win.
Saturday, February 13, 2010 at 11:59AM Today I happily downloaded the latest Evernote client for Windows.
You see, I've got a secret crush on Evernote and have been waiting for it to catch up to Microsoft's OneNote so I could switch to it exclusively.
When I first tried Evernote, I was super excited. The back-end features, clipping, OCR, and web support were impressive enough for me to consider switching. The problem was that their client support was pretty bad for day-to-day to usage with poor hotkey support, poor formatting features, etc. On Windows it feels like a glorified WordPad for text notes.
My first thought was "Wow, Evernote is really close to beating OneNote... All they need to do is tweak their client usability and they've got a slam dunk."
My assumption was that Evernote would be able to make those client-side tweaks and "catch-up" to OneNote much faster than OneNote could ever refactor to support better network sharing, tagging, and other capabilities. I saw Evernote as disruptive and it could use its "notes rethought in Web 2.0" advantage to overtake a solid Office application.
I misjudged. Not only has Evernote neglected to add very many client-side features to replace OneNote, but Microsoft clearly had the same thought that I did and worked hard not to be overtaken. They've recently added major modern sharing features to OneNote 2010 and some better mobile support. They've still got a little ways to go, but sadly (for Evernote), they're in this game to win-- something I didn't expect from Microsoft given the lack of major expansion for OneNote in its 2007 version.
Evernote 3.5 for Windows is completely new. We rewrote it from the ground up to make it faster, more reliable, and just plain better than Evernote for Windows has ever been. Our goal was to use everything we've learned since our launch to make a great Evernote experience on Windows.
So my hopes were that the latest Windows client for Evernote would put Evernote back in front simply by catching up on usability improvements that are just a no-brainer for making their note-taking app a staple for every student and professional.
I put it through the simple acid test that works in Word, Outlook, and OneNote. It's a sign that someone really groks "making note-taking simple" and this is how it's supposed to go:
- Type in an asterisk
- Hit space
- Start typing
- Magically the asterisk is replaced by a bullet and you're editing a bullet list
Evernote somehow is still requiring Ctrl-Shift-B to turn on bullets. Try typing Ctrl-Shift-B a lot and then imagine how unnatural that is to be used as a core hotkey for a note-taking application. Not the end of the world, but why would I ever choose to do that when it's made drop-dead simple in OneNote?
I'm hoping Evernote wakes up, assigns at least one developer full-time to analyze what OneNote did right in usability, run their own usability tests with students, and get Evernote to be the best client-side note-taking experience in the world.
Sadly, it's two years now and they still haven't been able to change their game much. The rewrite of the Windows app does appear to be less "clunky" in some ways, but it's still a good bit away from key OneNote note-taking efficiencies like:
- Auto-creation of bullets
- Tab and shift-tab for quick indention of bullets (Best improvement I've found already present in Evernote 3.5)
- Quick to-do checkboxes (Ctrl-Shift-C? OneNote: Ctrl-1)
- Per-character Undo support (I don't want to erase the last few sentences on Ctrl-Z)
- Collapsible bullet trees
- Quick table creation with tabs (genius OneNote feature)
- Multiple text boxes in the same note (probably not an easy feature to add, but would be helpful)
- Per-line tagging of ideas, "schedule a meeting", etc. (i.e. think beyond the checkbox)
Obviously not all of these are essential, but they should be on the roadmap to victory with major chunks already finished a year ago.
No typical company has the resources to throw at features like Microsoft does, but a little efficiency gain will go a long way in gaining you marketshare on desktops. I feel like you had fast-tracked your way into being a OneNote killer with clever, fresh ideas and a re-focus on mobile, but I think you may be assuming those initial ideas will win the day without making improvements in other areas.
I want you to win. Open source your Windows client and I could even toss in a feature or two. Add extension support and I'll write my own tweaks (you might also get the extendable disruption factor that Firefox enjoyed).
Whatever you do, just get on your game with regards to usability.
Good luck.
evernote advice
Reader Comments (11)
great article - fwiw small typo in evernote.com link
"Per-character Undo support (I don't want to erase the last few sentences on Ctrl-Z)"
Like the delete key?
A lot (lot!) of people find the whole auto-bulleting thing annoying. Many get confused how to turn it off and end up retyping whole paragraphs. I'm not convinced that's a good usability goal.
Open source development has a track record of leading to *more* complete rewrites at the expense of features, though. What you really want are clued-in developers.
I'm a Evernote user. on 2 PCs and Android and iPhone.
I really don't think your idea is good. I don't need those features from Onenote.
The only thing I'm not satisfied is: local search.
Super article! I love Evernote! In my opinion nothing should be changed. Local search is not that useful, but I'm not using it that often, so I don't mind about that.
"Evernote 3.5 for Windows is completely new. We rewrote it from the ground up to make it faster, more reliable, and just plain better than Evernote for Windows has ever been." Yes, it is completely new, but is it more improved? They didn't said that.
To be a noble benign being is to have a make of openness to the world, an cleverness to trust aleatory things beyond your own pilot, that can take you to be shattered in uncommonly extreme circumstances for which you were not to blame. That says something exceedingly impressive relating to the prerequisite of the principled autobiography: that it is based on a trustworthiness in the unpredictable and on a willingness to be exposed; it's based on being more like a spy than like a sparkler, something rather feeble, but whose acutely item handsomeness is inseparable from that fragility.
Thanks for taking the time to talk about this, I feel fervently about this and I take pleasure in learning about this topic. Please, as you E-Sprit watches gain information, please update this blog with more information. I have found it very useful.
It’s a film called Hungry for You and it’s in pre-production now. I play the lead vampire. I didn’t want to be a vampire but was forced into it so I’m struggling with my vampire powers and not wanting to turn the girl I love into a vampire. The script is really great and has a wonderful storyline. It’s been fun. The creator, Linda Andersson, has a really cool comic strip of Hungry for You that she is going to release soon. It’s sort of a teaser and a way to start the marketing for the project in a bigger level.
cheap uggs
red bottom shoes
cheap uggs
UGG Adirondack
UGG Bailey Button
UGG Bailey Button Triplet Grey
UGG Classic Tall Chestnut
The Christian Louboutin Leopard High-heel Boots voted, at their party conference in September, to repeal large parts of the Christian Louboutin Apricot-colored Slingbacks. Julian Huppert MP, chairman of the party's Christian Louboutin Platform Toggle Ankle Boot said: "Tackling piracy is important, but it shouldn't be seen as an end in Christian Louboutin Platform Lace-up Bootie Light Coffee. It's more important to create conditions that reward innovation and talent, and ensure that creators get the benefits of their christian louboutin platform lace up bootie black. "The Digital Economy Act fails to do that; worse, it sorely lacks a convincing evidence base and Christian Louboutin Three-Strap Mary Jane White legitimacy." The government has also dropped plans to block access to websites which host copyright infringing Christian Louboutin Three-Strap Mary Jane Black Patent Leather, despite the act giving them powers to do so. Instead, it is likely that rights holders will be encouraged to take action against Christian Louboutin Mad Mary Janes Black using different laws shoes Outlet. In July, BT was ordered to block the website Newzbin2 because it provided links to pirated films Christian Louboutin Three-Strap Mary Jane Black. That case was brought under the Copyright, Designs and Patents Act, rather than the Christian Louboutin Nude Slingback. Red Bottom Shoes Hit tv dramas these kinds of as Christian Louboutin Slingback Jeweled Slingback. and Grey’s Anatomy have spawned the notion that hospital scrubs would be the ultimate Christian Louboutin Slingback Leopard for comfort and reduce and fashion. The stars using the well-known signifies have developed nursing scrubs fashionable. But before Christian Louboutin Slingback Leopard print patent introduced her scrubs assortment or Urbane nursing scrubs grew to become a primary variety for Christian Louboutin Slingback Jeweled Slingback in add-on to other health care professionals, scrubs are already only put on by surgeons and only for the duration of surgeries.
The Christian Louboutin Slingback Peep Toe Glitter is usually in or far from fashion, mixed and matched or clashed, essentially the most essential component is sensation cozy and confident. Christian Louboutin Slingback Very Jaws 140 slingbacks that arrived in to the style cycle within 70’s are returning back though again and Christian Louboutin Slingback Mater Claude Peep-Toe Pumps, but even within their 70’s heyday, e.g. the huge checks owe their origin to Christian Louboutin Suede Cage Bootie Black. So the confirm design remains to be in and out while using cycle actually offered that Christian Louboutin Slingback Red experienced been 1st thought to be fashionable. And if we seem way more closely in the Christian Louboutin Slingback In Black that are already constant all over many decades, as well as centuries they are already designed with purpose in mind. Protective versus the Louboutin Boots In Black. Take be aware of how Thomas Burberry arrived up while using concept of the Louboutin Tall Boots In Black.
Thomas Burberry Noticing how local Louboutin Ankle Boots In Black and farmers wore linen smocks, that are already impressive in summer time and comfortable within winter, he attempted to utilize the Louboutin Boots In Gray same rules to other clothing. In 1879 he designed a cloth which was weatherproofed within yarn just before weaving, employing a key method after which Louboutin Boots In Black proofed though again within piece, employing the precise same undisclosed formula. the brand-new substance was untearable and weatherproof, while impressive and breathable. He generally known as the Louboutin Booty Leopard Boots ‘gabardine’ and registered the Louboutin 93060 La Wrinkled Gray Suede Boot being a trademark. It grew to become the assortment mackintosh for British officers in the training course of the Louboutin Grey Stretch Platform OTK Boots in Europe, therefore the name Trench Coat. It stays appropriate to unique type besides some color additions Beats by Dr Dre. Then arrived Louboutin Platform Pump Blue, in any metal you like, there is sufficient historic previous in these small gems to create a dozen books. They dropped far from style for Louboutin Pumps after which it arrived back though again within 80’s and now actually more powerful and switching to Louboutin Pumps Leopard Print. It appears like they are planning being all over for just about any minimal of the Louboutin Pumps Black Leather, hopefully. Now we see men’s diamond evolving, the name to observe Vivienne Westwood. Did you actually contemplate by which the discount christian louboutin women's shoes fit originated? Not Italy, Not Germany, Not France. The final result of the Louboutin Furry Short Boots In Black youthful man who just made the decision to generate his especially own Louboutin Furry Short Boots and never be motivated by his peers red bottom shoes. Brummell rejected 18th century frills (dandy man). His Christian Louboutin Pumps Lucifer Bow 120mm Black, a shadowy azure coat, buff-coloured pantaloons and christian louboutin pumps NIB red patent, black color boots in inclusion to a completely clean white guitar neck Christian Louboutin Miss Fast Plato 120 Ankle Boots Purple, survives presently for the motive that shadowy group Christian Louboutin Zipito 120mm Suede Ankle Boots Beige, white shirt and silk tie Bell bottomed trousers are already an additional ‘Christian Louboutin Vicky Booty 120mm Suede Ankle Boots Claret’ while using rectangular rig uniform. These are already sensible garments for Christian Louboutin Toundra Fur Suede Ankle Boots Black Red who worked sailing ships offered which they could be rolled up securely to clear the ft and ankles when working the Christian Louboutin Madame Butterfly Booty 150 Suede Purple. In normal with all other products of the sailor’s , trousers are already kept folded prepared for use in the package bag. Kept within out to continue being apart from fluff in regards to the Christian Louboutin Velours Scrunch Suede Boots Coffee as well as to continue being apart from ‘shine’ by ironing, they are already folded horizontally at about a hand’s Christian Louboutin Sandals Rodita Zip Platform Black and taped right into a rectangular ‘block’.
ganjames