CNET Editors' review
Circus Ponies Software's NoteBook is a versatile organizational application that can help you create electronic "notebooks" to track, manage, and work on almost any kind of project. This program uses the metaphor of a traditional paper notebook to reduce computer clutter and keep you organized. The power of NoteBook comes from its ability to pull together information from multiple sources--e-mails, PDFs, spreadsheets, Web pages, and the like. For example, you can automatically "clip" content from any Safari or Mail window into a NoteBook page, while NoteBook remembers where the information came from, so you can always jump back to the original source. NoteBook then keeps that information organized into pages, with dividers, auto-outlining tools, and customizable annotations, including voice annotation, "stickies," and "flags." NoteBook also integrates with iCal, so you can sync up your action items.
This can be an especially potent combination as it keeps your information in context (for example, by tying a to-do item to a relevant e-mail and particular contact info), and NoteBook's good search capabilities and self-generating "Multidex" index only multiply this effect. You can also export data as a PDF or Web site for sharing, including to MobileMe, and NoteBook integrates with a companion Notebook for iPad app--so you can open the same documents from either device. NoteBook makes it easy to get organized, whether you're creating to-do lists, keeping notes for a class, managing a project for work, or even writing the great American novel.
Publisher's Description
From Circus Ponies Software:
Yes, an app really can help you achieve your goals -- here are three ways NoteBook does it: 1. GET THE MOST OUT OF EVERY MEETING OR LECTURE WITH AUDIO THAT'S SYNCED TO YOUR NOTES With NoteBook you can record meetings and lectures, and sync every second to your notes, automatically. Every comment, fact and to do is captured and easily reviewable, so you will be better prepared and always able to follow through on your assignments. 2. STAY SUPER-ORGANIZED, WITHOUT MUCH EFFORT Circus Ponies NoteBook stores your information in electronic notebooks that are just like the paper ones you've used all your life. Set up dividers to create sections and subsections, and then fill the pages with your notes, lecture PDFs, web research, budget spreadsheets, and anything else. 3. FIND ANYTHING INSTANTLY, EVERY TIME NoteBook has a super search feature called the Multidex that helps you find things based on how your brain categorizes them. So if you can remember even a little bit about what you're looking for, you can find it quickly. There's no better way to search available anywhere, PERIOD. NOTEBOOK IS THE ULTIMATE TOOL FOR ACHIEVING THE MOST AT WORK OR SCHOOL As you use Circus Ponies NoteBook and your performance on tasks and assignments goes up, everyone will start to believe that you are an absolute genius. You will become known as the "go to" person for projects that just have to get done. When tough questions are posed, they will turn to you first for answers. They will want to ask, "How is it that you remember everything and are so well organized? How can I be more like you?" TAKE A VIDEO TOUR, THEN TRY NOTEBOOK *FREE* FOR 30 DAYS, AND SEE FOR YOURSELF Take a video tour to see NoteBook in action http://www.circusponies.com/videotour Then try NoteBook FREE for 30 days, and see for yourself how NoteBook boosts your performance http://www.circusponies.com/demo_trial
What's new in this version:
- The Ink toolbar item menu now contains a command to turn off stroke smoothing, so that mouse and stylus strokes appear as they did before 3.1.
- When you tap the ink toolbar item to cycle through the pen modes, and the next mode is handwriting recognition, you will now only see one warning about handwriting recognition being turned off.
- Fixed a bug where NoteBook would throw exceptions if you Reverted a Notebook while editing an item.
- Fixed a bug with voice a... See all new features
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All versions:
4.3 starsout of 81 votes
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Current version:
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"Annoying nags to upgrade, not way to shut off."
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.1.1
Pros
Nice comprehensive note-taking application.
Cons
Every time I launch the program it asks me to buy a new upgrade (I already paid for the one I have) and gives me no way to shut off the annoying nag messages. I will NEVER pay this company for another product.
Summary
Not worth the continual pestering to send them more money. Now I'm very sorry I ever paid them anything in the first place.
Forgot to mention that the search function is hit and miss (mostly miss). Searching on a single page often erroneously misses the term you are searching for. A global search usually finds only results in the index and not the actual page the term should be found on.
Updated on Nov 27, 2011 -
"Awesome, but unreliable (nor updated regularly)"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.1
Pros
Amazing feature set. Multidex is awesome. Generally speaking, what they offer is incredible.
Cons
Doesn't work reliably. Sometimes the year "1111" is indexed as "1." There are times when notebook becomes completely unresponsive. Other times, locks ability of mouse to click on background objects if you're editing a cell. But the biggest problem...
Summary
... they released 3.0 in DECEMBER 2008! They are now on 3.1!!! 3 years and they've managed an incremental upgrade. Either rested on their (buggy) laurels, or no longer actively supporting it. Not worth the cost to buy into software that may not be in development anymore. No thanks.
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"Good format but costly for what it delivers"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.11
Pros
Nice format, notebooks are great.
Cons
Sharp learning curve and almost useless to me without ipad integration. Costly upgrades. Will be looking for another program
Summary
Was very excited when I got this application, but it ha NOT lived up to its hype!
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"Great program"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.10
Pros
This software is not new; I have been using it for several years. It can ouput to several formats. Great for students, teachers and other professionals that need to collect information and organize it in one place.
Cons
Few. I am highly challenged to find flaws in this software.
Summary
Great program; once you try it, you will use it in many incredible ways
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"Frustrating"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.6
Pros
Ambitious undertaking which I would like if it behaved according to the manual, or even if it just behaved consistently. I appreciated the clear uninstall instructions.
Cons
The basic notebook structure is limiting. It has a good clipping service, but you have to have a page prepared and empty enough to receive the clipped item. The pages have a layer structure which acts inconsistently (as far as I could tell).
Summary
I dumped it after a frustrating 10-12 hours. I switched to Yojimbo, and I was up and running in 1 hour.
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"Very useful application with many uses"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.6
Pros
Notebook is a very powerful and useful application that will appear to many users and for many different reasons. For taking notes it's a very useful application that allows you to include a multitude of inserts.
Cons
The greatest con at this time is the cost of the companion iPad/iPhone application. If the price of the iPad app could be lowered to a reasonable price then Notebook would be a very great app to own for both.
Summary
Circus Ponies has done a great job creating an application that works great for students who are taking notes or writing letters or making todo list. While there are more powerful word processors Notebook will be your number one note taking application, on your computer, in the classroom.
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"Great product if you want buggy, unstable software"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.4 (v460)
Pros
Would be an awesome product - if it worked...
Cons
Too many to mention but the headllines are: Buggy, Unstable, Waste of Your Time and Money.
Summary
I was attracted to the Notebook format and I read several rave reviews. I've been testing the software now for several weeks and I have to say that I am completely disappointed. The problem is that the software is buggy and unstable - it's like bad beta software - it frequently crashes / closes itself, losing unsaved work and generally interrupting my workflow - which kind of defeats the purpose, don't you think?! In my opinion, Notebook is not fit for general release and certainly should not be a commercial product. I simply don't understand how it receives those rave reviews (although many relate to an older version), nor do I understand how it could be 'award winning' and I'm also mystified at how Apple can endorse (ie advertise and sell) this shoddy product. I do not work for any competitor - I am simply a busy, self-employed consultant working on multiple projects and with a busy family life - I'm just looking for some reliable software that can help me tame the flood of info, tasks etc. I've been looking at a number of other products - none of which offer the great package and UI that Notebook promises. Unfortunately, it simply does not deliver on those promises. Save yourself a bunch of stress and disappointment and find another product.
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"Very satisfied with Circus Ponies NoteBook for Mac OS"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.4 (v460)
Pros
Works as advertised.
Cons
No negatives.
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"Does what it sez it will do ... and much more"
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.3 (v459)
Pros
Easy to use -- FUN to use.
Cons
Can't think of any.
Summary
Great app for keeping track of stuffs.
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"Excellent App."
Version: Circus Ponies NoteBook 3.0.2 (v456)
Pros
It works every time,never had a problem with it
Cons
It is easy to use & stable at all times.Has never let e down
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