Desktop notes
Encyclopedia
Desktop notes are computer applications that allow putting Post-it note
-like windows on the screen, with reminders, short notes and other clippings. They are typically rectangular and yellow, like their real-world counterpart, but most applications support other colours and more elaborate designs.
The earliest-known desktop note application is "Note pad" made for the GEOS system for the Commodore 64 in 1985. For Macintosh Stickies was developed by Jens Alfke and included by Apple in System 7
in 1994. A number of applications have duplicated the functionality of Stickies on other platforms.
Mac OS X
has its own built-in desktop note functionality through Dashboard, an application that has notes and other desktop widgets.
On Microsoft Windows
, desktop note applications have been included by default since Windows Vista
, which has the Notes "gadget". It is used as part of Windows Sidebar. As Microsoft states in its description, "Notes" can be used to "Capture ideas, notes and remainders in a quick and easy way." On Windows 7, the successor to Vista, this functionality is replaced by a stand-alone application called Sticky Notes, in which the notes can be freely repositioned on the screen. Also you can find other, free or non free, desktop note applications like ShixxNOTE
which have more options than Windows 7 stand-alone application Sticky Notes.
On Linux
, desktop notes have existed for quite some time. The GNOME desktop, which is used by default on Ubuntu, has a built in "sticky notes" feature available, whereas KDE
(K Desktop Environment) has a desktop notes application called Knote.
Post-it note
A Post-it note is a piece of stationery with a re-adherable strip of adhesive on the back, designed for temporarily attaching notes to documents and other surfaces. Although now available in a wide range of colours, shapes, and sizes, Post-it notes are most commonly a square, canary yellow in colour...
-like windows on the screen, with reminders, short notes and other clippings. They are typically rectangular and yellow, like their real-world counterpart, but most applications support other colours and more elaborate designs.
The earliest-known desktop note application is "Note pad" made for the GEOS system for the Commodore 64 in 1985. For Macintosh Stickies was developed by Jens Alfke and included by Apple in System 7
System 7 (Macintosh)
System 7 is a single-user graphical user interface-based operating system for Macintosh computers. It was introduced on May 13, 1991 by Apple Computer. It succeeded System 6, and was the main Macintosh operating system until it was succeeded by Mac OS 8 in 1997...
in 1994. A number of applications have duplicated the functionality of Stickies on other platforms.
Mac OS X
Mac OS X
Mac OS X is a series of Unix-based operating systems and graphical user interfaces developed, marketed, and sold by Apple Inc. Since 2002, has been included with all new Macintosh computer systems...
has its own built-in desktop note functionality through Dashboard, an application that has notes and other desktop widgets.
On Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Windows is a series of operating systems produced by Microsoft.Microsoft introduced an operating environment named Windows on November 20, 1985 as an add-on to MS-DOS in response to the growing interest in graphical user interfaces . Microsoft Windows came to dominate the world's personal...
, desktop note applications have been included by default since Windows Vista
Windows Vista
Windows Vista is an operating system released in several variations developed by Microsoft for use on personal computers, including home and business desktops, laptops, tablet PCs, and media center PCs...
, which has the Notes "gadget". It is used as part of Windows Sidebar. As Microsoft states in its description, "Notes" can be used to "Capture ideas, notes and remainders in a quick and easy way." On Windows 7, the successor to Vista, this functionality is replaced by a stand-alone application called Sticky Notes, in which the notes can be freely repositioned on the screen. Also you can find other, free or non free, desktop note applications like ShixxNOTE
ShixxNOTE
ShixxNOTE is a desktop notes, personal organizer program, instant messenger and a communications tool used across a local area network , Internet and e-mail...
which have more options than Windows 7 stand-alone application Sticky Notes.
On Linux
Linux
Linux is a Unix-like computer operating system assembled under the model of free and open source software development and distribution. The defining component of any Linux system is the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released October 5, 1991 by Linus Torvalds...
, desktop notes have existed for quite some time. The GNOME desktop, which is used by default on Ubuntu, has a built in "sticky notes" feature available, whereas KDE
KDE
KDE is an international free software community producing an integrated set of cross-platform applications designed to run on Linux, FreeBSD, Microsoft Windows, Solaris and Mac OS X systems...
(K Desktop Environment) has a desktop notes application called Knote.
See also
- Desk AccessoryDesk AccessoryA desk accessory is a small helper-type application that can be run concurrently with any other application on the system. Early examples, such as SideKick and Macintosh desk accessories, used special programming models to provide a small degree of multitasking on a system that initially did not...
- Desktop widget
- ShixxNOTEShixxNOTEShixxNOTE is a desktop notes, personal organizer program, instant messenger and a communications tool used across a local area network , Internet and e-mail...
- Stickies
- Web annotationWeb annotationA web annotation is an online annotation associated with a web resource, typically a web page. With a Web annotation system, a user can add, modify or remove information from a Web resource without modifying the resource itself...