With the inclusion of OneNote in several Office 2007 suites, Microsoft’s note-taking application is poised for widespread usage. OneNote offers the spontaneity of a pen-and-paper notebook-for example, users never have to save their work-with the benefits of software, such as searchability, import and export, and support for multiple types of input. The 2007 version offers incremental improvements, as well as new features for group collaboration and developers, but remains most useful on portable PCs, particularly Tablet PCs.

A Digital Notebook

Introduced in late 2003 as a stand-alone desktop application in the Office 2003 System, OneNote lets a user enter several different types of data-typed text, “digital ink” handwriting or drawings (on a Tablet PC), audio, or video-and organize this data into a virtual notebook. Microsoft envisions users gathering a wide variety of information into OneNote and then moving this information to other Office applications for editing, sharing, or making formal presentations. Although OneNote works on any PC, it is most useful on laptops, particularly for students and workers in jobs where note-taking is essential.