A Review of the Google Notebook

With the help of Google Notebook (it's an online notebook service at http://www.google.com/notebook), I find myself can now create notes whenever I want more easily and with much more fun, which really shift my productivity to a new level. Well, maybe I really don't have any productivity at first before I get to know this very decent online service. In case anyone is considering whether to start to use an computer-based notebook or transferring from something else, I have written a review to help you get familiar with and evaluate the Google Notebook. So here it is:

While there are other services, either online or offline, can serve as a good substitute for Google Notebook, the latter has some very good features others don't have that makes it really outstanding.

1. The simple the better. I create notes to clear my thoughts, not to mess them. However not every similar service can offer the same simplicity that Google constantly offers in almost every one of its new online applications. The interface is much the same as those of Google Docs, Google Calender, or Gmail, so an user familiar with any one of these services can get down to work right after set up an account (or simply use an existing Gmail account).

2. Powerful. Under the compact surface lies Google's powerful core program. One could easily set formats, eg. front, bold, underline, etc, in Google Notebook (even can use shortcuts: Ctrl + B, etc), unlike in some other online applications (for instance, another of my favorites is backpackit at www.backpackit.com), where one need to be an expert on computer codes/languages or something like that to achieve the same thing. You can also drag the notes or insert notes anywhere you like to rearrange them in an order you feel more comfortable with, avoiding the trouble to cut and paste or even rewrite some of the paragraphs, which may be really annoying. Or you can move a note to another notebook by dragging it onto that notebook in the left column and release. You can even add links to your words, so there is no need to repeatedly search for reference any more.

3. It is a Google program. Yeah, this is also a very nice feature that other services don't have. Being a Google program means consistently innovation, free of charge, strong search engine embedded, prevailing among friends, and much more. You can count these advantages by yourself. While stick with Google, I know I will never wake up one day and find the service disappeared overnight together with all my important and sensitive data. If you like the song on Youtube named Here Comes Another Bubble (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I6IQ_FOCE6I) as much as I do, you know it is highly possible that even a very famous high-tech company can fall sometimes. But providing Google is one of the most profitable company in the world right now, I assume the same will only happen to Google when it is the last remaining one of its kind.

4. Online. This feature is not limited to Google Notebook, but it is so important that I probably should not overlook. Compare with offline applications, online ones cost less but offer much more. First, most online applications do not need to consume user's own invaluable hard driver space. These services usually offer more storage than we actually need. Secondly, these apps can be easily reached anywhere from the world, by anyone with proper authorization. That means convenience and cooperation-enabled. Moreover, the files are always up-to-date. While files are stored on the server and changes are made directly on them, there will be no need to syn files to every end-device one may have (work computer, PC, or cellphone, etc).

Here are also some addition features I think Google could consider adding into this service to make it more perfect. First, although every single note can be dragged to a appropriate place in the notebook, these notes (or columns) could be made more flexible by adding other concepts like wideth control so we can put two or more notes together on the same screen; secondly, I would like to see more connection between Notebook and Google's other online apps, say Calender or Gmail. Is there a way to put them together so we can get most out of these stuffs? Thirdly, currently, notes can be shared and comments can be added. That is a very brilliant idea, its just like a mini-forum for a selected group of people. But if there are more control over the comments like in a real forum it would be nicer. For example, why not add a "quote" or "reply" button so one can quickly reply to a certain comment without the boring job of copy, paste and edit.