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Find your family story.

Which one? OneNote or Evernote?

10/16/2012

10 Comments

 
Evernote or OneNote for genealogy and family history research via 4YourFamilyStory.comIt just depends. Photo ©Copyright 2012 4YourFamilyStory.com
Index cards or lined paper?

Lined or unlined index cards. Traditional white or neon colors?

Or maybe legal pads. But? Yellow or white? 3-hole punched or not?

Perhaps a spiral notebook. But which color? How many subjects? With or without divider pockets? With or without perforated pages.

The way someone takes notes is personal. And the tools you use depend on a few things like, how you write, how you work [workflow], what writing instrument you plan to use, your unidentifiable personal preference, how you learned to take notes in the first place, how you plan to organize your notes, how you feel that day, how you were taught, whether you are left handed or right handed, etc.

It just depends.

So. Evernote or OneNote?

I dunno.

It just depends.

My suggestion is to try them both out. While OneNote can be purchased separately or with Microsoft Office, their free OneNote Web Application can be used. It doesn't have all the cool functions, but it can give you some kind of an idea. Plus? I have 2 OneNote videos that can give you some ideas about how it can be used for genealogy research.

Just like OneNote, Evernote has a free-version and a premium version. Obviously, my suggestion would be to try their free version, which isn't as full-featured as its premium version, but it's more than enough to give you an idea.

Also, there are some blog posts that deal with comparing the 2 note-taking apps. But caution! None of these blog posts are completely accurate as they are only one person's viewpoint, and they tend to only think about how they use the software within the particular way they take notes and within their own workflows. [Completely selfish of them, I know.] Plus, they were written at various times throughout 2012. And we're talking about technology here so that means updates, updates, updates. [Ohmigosh. How dare technology evolve, right?]

So when reading the comparisons and opinions listed further down in this post, you need to remember the following:
  • the date it was written
  • that these are someone's opinions
  • that none of these folks are genealogists
  • that even if they were genealogists, they'd still be note-takers who may or may not take notes in exactly the same way for exactly the same reasons
  • that you need to check each website for the note-taking apps to familiarize yourself with all the new features that may have been added since these authors wrote their posts [Check Evernote then check OneNote.]
  • that none of these bloggers got it all right, nor did they get it all wrong
  • that once a person starts using some technology and they become comfortable in using it, they don't always check out the new features - even before writing a very opinionated blog post. [Kinda like how Grandma Pointer - who I absolutely love, BTW - decided to stop redecorating her house sometime back in 1975. Personally, I never was a big fan of the colors burnt orange and rust. But obviously she was.]

In other words, you need to use your finely-tuned research skills to make the very best decision you can make about some note-taking apps that are simply tools to help you find your ancestors and all their secrets. You know, the reason you needed these tools in the first place.

And then someone will probably come up and tell you are using the wrong one - that you chose the wrong one.

And then you can tell them it's the right choice for you because you think you know what you like. And also it's not because which one is superior over the other in general, it's about what's right for the individual person.

Just like back in the day I knew I WAY preferred the white legal pads ['Cause I'm left handed.] with a very stiff cardboard back with 3-hole punches already punched for me because then I could almost effortlessly place them in my color-coded binders with the very cool color-coded tabbed dividers with pockets, thankyouverymuch. [This is *probably* why I prefer using OneNote so much, but it's not for everyone. I dunno if it's right for you or not.]

So here are the links to the comparisons you should read and then go off and make your own decision:
  • Comparing Evernote Vs Onenote by Admin on evernotevsonenote.com.
  • Choosing between Evernote and OneNote by Stefan Johansson on steffanjohansson.com.
  • Input from another Former Power User--Returning to OneNote (for now) by rogerroland on the Evernote Forums [And read the comments too. All of them. Even though some of them are a bit rude, IMHO.].
  • Thing 8...Update on Evernote vs. OneNote by Kristine Mitchell on Bookatarian.
  • Evernote vs. OneNote: Why I’m Choosing OneNote–HOLD ON, MAYBE I WAS WRONG(Revised 6/28/12) by Carol Mortensen on myweb4ed.com.
  • OneNote vs. EverNote: A Side-by-Side Comparison by Howard M. Cohen on rcpmag.com.

And? Just to be difficult [Oops. I mean helpful.], here are 2 more alternatives for note-taking apps [You know, just to be sure. What do you mean, "You've already looked at them or tried them?" You mean recently? Go make sure you didn't miss an update.]:
  • Catch
  • SpringPad


Just remember: This isn't about what works for someone else even if they are a genealogist. It's about what works for you. And only you can figure that out.

Happy Researching! [Or, in this case, happy research tool researching!]
~Caroline

Picture
10 Comments
Elyse Doerflinger link
10/16/2012 11:24:52 am

I've really tried to fall in love with Evernote, but I just can't. The way OneNote organizes things (notebooks with sections and sections with pages - all of which can be moved around and reorganized in any way you want) is just so intuitive to me.

Besides, one major thing that Evernote doesn't have (or didn't last time I used it) was the ability to highlight text. I have an obsession with highlighting important information to bring it to my attention - I use this feature multiple times a day in OneNote and I *need* it to function.

But of course, to each their own. Everyone has a preference.

Reply
Caroline Pointer
10/18/2012 02:02:15 am

Elyse, I think it all depends on what you are comfortable working with, and one isn't better than the other.

Highlighting is still not supported in Evernote. Apparently, that's not as easy on the programming side as one would think. So, if that's a deal-breaker for you, then OneNote is the one for you.

Most folks don't use either note-taking service to its fullest capabilities. Most just web clip away to their heart's content. And if that's the case, then either one will do and Evernote is free when it comes to this capability.

Thanks for stopping by and commenting! I appreciate it. =)

~C

Reply
Carolyn Rutherford link
10/18/2012 02:23:11 am

I use Evernote Free version - have for long time, and I love it, mostly cuz I have it instantly sync'd on Win7 & WinXP & Blackberry, w/no conflicts. You can "Highlight" by highlight text, right-click for Font properties & change them. Color/size/style for various types of highlight. Not like a yellow stripe, but works better for me. I didn't know about OneNote till I got Win7 recently, so not used much - I didn't like the look or conflicts with other systems.

Mariann Regan link
10/17/2012 11:34:02 am

Caroline, thank you for all the links of comparisons. I'm going with Evernote because somewhere I read [can't remember where ... should have Evernoted it : ) ... ] that Evernote was better for my laptop MacPro. Still learning, Evernote for Dummies, and thanks for the reminder about the constant updating. Having two strong competing apps is a bonus. Yay, capitalism!

Reply
Caroline Pointer
10/18/2012 02:04:16 am

Mariann,

It can be easier to use Evernote when you have a MacPro [but it's not your only choice], and if you like its features, then go with it. You can't really go wrong with either note-taking app.

Thanks for reading & commenting, Mariann. I appreciate it. =)

~C

Reply
Diana Ritchie link
10/18/2012 12:49:47 am

Thanks for the info Caroline! Now if you could just solve my problem with endlessly comparing things instead of just PICKING SOMETHING AND GETTING ON WITH IT!! OMG - I need someone to slap me sometimes.

I know, on one level, that no technology solution is going to be perfect, but I get so caught up in trying to find one that is anyway. I seem to forget that all the time I am putting into the research of a technological solution is time I'm NOT spending on genealogy research.

Reply
Caroline Pointer
10/18/2012 02:07:51 am

LOL, Diana! Consider this your slap in the face. Get to researching. Both these note-taking apps have lots of features [that most people don't even use because they've no idea the features even exist], and both apps can really help you with your research.

Now get back to researching. =) LOL.

Thanks for stopping by and reading, Diana! =)

~C

Reply
Jan link
10/18/2012 02:42:54 am

I use Evernote for lists; who, b & d dates, and locations, places to go to research. Mostly very generic, loose "to research" notes. I use OneNote for details. I can "print" to it, or use copy & paste and have where it came from. I just find it works for the details. So, basically I use both for very specific things where one doesn't work the other does and they play well together.

Reply
4YourFamilyStory
10/18/2012 12:14:07 pm

How diplomatic, Jan! Good for you. Sounds like you've created a system that works for you, and that's all that matters. :)

Thanks for stopping by, reading, and sharing! The Triple Crown of blog reading! LOL. I appreciate it. :)

~C

Reply
Annette Towler link
10/22/2012 02:38:50 am

I use both Evernote and OneNote. Evernote is fine for tagging and keeping the url's with the article and on Blackberry. I started with this and then transferred family items by "Ever2OneConverter" into the family direct line notebooks in OneNote. OneNote does the same thing as Evernote, date, url and not online storage as of now and copy of Items. It is a better organized way to do it by families which are divided into Direct Line given names, with categories of census, land, death, immigration and To Do lists. For me it is a better organization of my online research. Found if I added at the top of census sheets [Census Tracker] a table with whose census records I had found. Also added for printing purposes the following info. OneNote/DeCourcy/Census/ add the date of updates to the page. Then can be easily to put into a hard copy notebook/file folder.

Reply



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