weareallgoingtodie.com

I’ve been trying out a number of different notepads to see which ones I like and do the best work.

Before I get into it, allow me to answer this:
Now why would I do this, and why wouldn’t I use Google Docs?

I wasted numerous hours of my life (which I will never get back) doing this for a number of reasons.

I am developer, which means I sometimes work from Internet cafes in dodgy places. While I don’t like to do this, if a client needs an emergency fix on something, (usually meaning lack of planning on their part, rather than a lack of quality code ion my part) the last thing I want to do is enter any sensitive data into a public computer. They could easily have keyloggers or other such malicious software.

I don’t worry about FTP stuff so much, I use good security and cary a client with me, on a jumpdrive, with encrypted junk.

Anyway.

So I like to keep my notes in someplace where I can find them from anywhere. And although google docs is great, it is also a bit of overkill if I am someplace that has crappy bandwidth. Also, I will NEVER make a PowerPoint presentation. Ever. It is against my religion.

So here you go:

HeliPad: This thing is u-g-l-y, it has got no alibi, it’s ugly. You can tell this was made by a couple of guys where drank deeply from the Kool-Aid well of “AJAX!!!”. Then thought, shit, we should try to make some money. 5 documents, 8.2 KB (0.80%). I haven’t done the math on this, but it doesn’t look like a lot of storage. So to get more you must pay. Not good.

GearPad: This was obviously written by a very good programmer as a proof-of-concept for a much bigger product. I love this thing. It is super-easy, without a lot of buttons to push. Just like how I like my women! But Aaron, what happened? Did you abandon this thing? I can’t change my password. It keeps erroring out on me. And since the whole point of this is to be able to change your password (the review, not the software) it would be really good if I could DO that.

Backpack: This one is brought to you by the productivity nerds at 37Signals.com I don’t know what it is, but those guys just rub me the wrong way. They are so fucking smug about how much they get done. Well, I am NOT that organized. I struggle man! Life is hard and it’s not gonna get easier through fucking small business collaboration tools. I could neckpunch these guys. But, their software is my favorite. Up until I need to pay for it, then “adios amigos”, I’ll figure something else out. Like opening a thisisabullshitaddress@gmail.com address and using Google Docs, which would have been easiest, I guess. I don’t like the way some links say “Now you must pay” in order to use a feature. But I guess we all need to make money to exchange for goods and services. Wah. The limitations on the free account are: no calendar (fine), and only 5 pages of notes. Look if I have more than 5 pages of notes, I should delete one.