OneNote Reorganizes Data

Microsoft says:

"Microsoft OneNote(TM) is a new program in
the
Microsoft Office family that enables you to
capture, organize, and reuse your notes on
any laptop computer, desktop computer, or
Tablet PC. It gives you one place to store
all your notes and the freedom to work with
them how you want. OneNote also helps you
capture information in multiple ways and
then organize and use it according to your
needs."

Steve Gillmor says:

"OneNote -- stupid name, so let's call it
Note for short -- derives from Steve
Ballmer's directive to focus not on product
groups but on scenarios. Scenario No. 1 for
me has been capturing and manipulating
ideas. Whether it's writing this column,
brainstorming, prototyping business plans,
or retaining the myriad bits of information
that keep my marriage intact, it all starts
with a note."

Two interesting things here:
First, Microsoft is not advocating a new
use for the computer, they're advocating a
new way to use the computer. Whether or
not they'll successfully achieve this,
whether or not they stole the idea and
whether or not you like Microsoft is
irrelevant. I see this as a maturation of
the computer space because they are
focusing on the "how" which is where the
real value is.

It's also interesting to see how Ballmer is
making this sort of thing happen. He knows
that he can't stuff more features into
Office. Most people only use 1/10 of its
features already. He's arguing for
quality, not quantity. He's saying that
the company needs to focus on the scenario
of how a person uses the software. He
clearly believes that if you listen to
users you can make a better product.

Yeah, yeah, yeah, Microsoft sucks and all.
Joe Reger is naive. Other companies have
been doing this for years. But Microsoft
leads the industry. I'm glad to see that
the company that defines much of the
computing that I use is starting to take on
this mindset.