Microsoft Word or One Note? Forum

[stepfunc]

On my first day of classes, I took notes by hand (as I did way back in undergrad.)

That didn't work for me.

On the second day of classes I took notes in Word.

That worked out better.

On the third day of classes, I downloaded the OneNote 2007 beta and have been using OneNote ever since.

(So yes, when outlining for my first semester, it was a little harrowing, having to go hunt down my first week's notes from 3 different places.)

Try them all and go with whatever you find best for you. There isn't a right answer to this. I have classmates that exclusively take notes by hand, others that use word, and others like me, that use OneNote. They all do just fine.

[katluva33]

anyone know of a discounted way to get OneNote?

[TheWGP]

null

[Guest]

I've been using OneNote for 2 years now and I absolutely love it. It even has several templates for briefing cases.

[riseagainst]

It even has several templates for briefing cases.

I have one note, but haven't found those yet. Where are they? It would be really helpful.

[katespade]

Just make sure you get OneNote 2007

Why is this? Is it that different from 2003?

[num23bulls]

AFIK, OneNote 2007 is significantly improved over 2003.

[orangeswarm]

Why is this? Is it that different from 2003?

The biggest difference I have noticed (besides cosmetic changes, of couse) is the ability to easily and quickly embed tables into your notes. In 2003 it was difficult and cumbersome and a lot of people I know would just use word to make the table and then paste it into onenoe. However, now all you have to do is click the screen and tab a few times. It is very convenient, but I'm not much of a table user so I don't know how helpful this will really be.

[Corsair]

..

[rfast10430]

I highly recommend OneNote 2007 over 2003 if for just one reason: Selecting items using the lasso tool.

Being able to draw a flexible lasso/line to select multiple drawings or text boxes is such a convenience (especially for someone wanting to take true advantage of the free-flowing organizational structure that sets OneNote apart from Word) that after trying both versions, I could never even consider 2003 again. Drag-and-drop after lassoing is a totally different experience.

Just my strong opinion.

Robert Fast
Fort Lauderdale, FL

[Stl987]

Does one note have compatibility issues with MS word and/or adobe acrobat?

[jmgarfield]

I downloaded the free trial of One Note and I am very impressed! The 2007 does seem to have much better table abilities (I love charts and tables, especially for comparing cases!!! All you have to do is click "tab' to create a new table). I found the case briefing templates on Microsoft's website under downloads, I simply looked through legal templates till I found it. There were tons that are totally for free.

There doesn't seem to be any compatibility issues, in fact, you can save your One note files into Word format, in case another computer or friend doesn't have One Note. I haven't tried converting it to PDF yet but it seems fairly easy.

FYI: The 2007 Student Teacher Office comes with Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and One Note. I saw it at Best Buy for$150 for the whole thing with 3 licenses. I am sure my school bookstore will have it cheaper but 3 licenses are always nice (especially to split with a friend...eh hm not that I would do that, just saying some do)

[Genki]

Ok. Rate my lameness if I use a tablet PC to take notes in law school. Like with the stylus and everything.

1 - 10 scale please. 10 being the dorkiest.

I'll be doing this myself actually. I love that even with hand written notes on a tablet, you can search through them for words/phrases. I'll increase my dorkiness factor if it means better productivity.

[06072010]

I'm gonna try this the first day. I'll see how many whispers of "douchebag gunner" I hear directed my way. Anyone wanna get put out an over/under?

Section size of 100.

[Guest]

I have one note, but haven't found those yet. Where are they? It would be really helpful.

Oops! This is kinda late but if you go to microsoft's website and search the OneNote Templates they have all sorts of nifty stuff. Here is the case brief template. Some other ones that I like are 2005-2007 calendar, 2007 monthly calendar, homework schedule, and daily and weekly calendars (What? I like calendars.).

They also have tons of to do lists and note taking templates including one for law school.

[Guest]

Could someone explain to me why using a tablet PC is a bad thing?

[06072010]

To be honest, I haven't seen any real benefit of writing on the tablet. The text recognition sucks, and whenever I tried to use it in undergrad, taking notes on the tablet smacked of overkill. It was helpful for annotating text and drawing diagrams - two uses I think will come in handy.

[Guest]

It was helpful for annotating text and drawing diagrams - two uses I think will come in handy.

I just use the graphire pen tablet (LinkRemoved) from Wacom for that. It works great w/ OneNote.

[06072010]

That's a damn good idea. I've only used my Wacom tablet for tracing crap. Didn't even think about using it in OneNote.

[Guest]

That's a damn good idea.

That's what I'm here for!

[MLaw11]

I found OneNote very useful. It was completely worth it too, because I think I got it from the University's computer store for $20.

[ChattelCat]

OneNote is AWESOME - especially if you're an organizational freak like me.

My biggest issue with Word was having to choose between making 1 enormous document with all my notes or saving separate files, both of which were terrible options IMO - with OneNote you can separate everything (or not - I took notes while I read on one side of a page and then class notes on the other side of the same page in a different color) and the BEST part is that you can type anywhere on the screen and the evil Word formatting isn't constantly trying to correct you.

for the people who asked where to get it cheap:

If you're buying a new computer for the fall, it sometimes comes with the Microsoft Office package you get (the computers that were purchased through our school came with it already loaded)

OR get if from your school's computer store - should run around $20.

[Hinkleymustang]

I used OneNote for my first year and I loved it. One of the best features is syncing your notes with a partner. I had this one Prof who was just so fast and drew a diagram for everything. I ending up using OneNote with a friend and we were able to sync up and take notes together real time. If you have a friend that you feel does quality work, and you can trust, I would definitely consider this feature.

[Zeph]

If I was using a windows machine for law school I would prefer one note

[Lady Finch]

I have only had one class so far but I took notes with OneNote and I am in love with it already. It let's me stay so organized, link to my syllabus and also import and mark up PDFs. It is great!