Springnote

Springnote is an innovative service that aims to provide a collaborative online notebook by capturing the quintessence of wiki. It builds on several underlying principles of wiki and offers seamless collaboration, prompt and easy editing, wiki mark ups, keyboard shortcuts, and linking via an on-line notebook web application. Springnote enables its users to instantaneously edit saved pages and is credited with an effective “autosave feature”. It allows its users to share the data both in read and write mode or via a view option. Further one can login to this application through their OpenID accounts. Springnote provides the feature of downloading all the notes together in the form of zipped archive, thereby reducing the risk of data lock-in. Extension and integration is supported by the site’s own open API and it also supports RSS feeds. Springnote effectively allows it users to organize a plethora of information on their fingertips and makes collaboration possible with minimum efforts. Openmaru, a studio of a South Korean based game company called NCsoft, developed Springnote in March, 2007. Openmaru, itself was launched by NCsoft in August 2006. The website has been able to generate considerable interest and currently is receiving a good amount of traffic. The site is still in its beta and its official version is expected in near future. Although Springnote has some conceptual similarities with other applications such as Google Docs, JotSpot, and wiki, especially in terms of collaboration; it essentially is a highly evolved version that offers a variety of exclusive features such as OpenID authentication, XHTML support, enhanced extension and integration with its Open API, etc. One feature that really makes it stand out from the rest its emphasis on collaboration via a notebook style layout with clean option for sharing. It minimalist approach to the work area also adds to its appeal. At a first glance the application with its elegant light colored interface makes a stylish impression on the user. A wide variety of well displayed options adds to the usability of the application. With the “send an invitation” option, it is very easy to inform a friend of this site. There are no bothersome and vexing advertisements present on the site. Overall, the site offers a good look but the use of slightly bright colors can add an additional gratifying look to it. Navigation is slow but it is not annoying to the users. Springnote does not necessitate a new user to sign up for a new account. Its “OpenID” feature let the users to login and with their existing OpenID if they have one. Suppose the user is having such an ID on “Wordpress”, then he just needs to select “Wordpress” and needs to enter the valid username and just click on the “sign in” option. In case the user is not having an OpenID, then he is required to enter the User ID, password, e-mail, nickname, and timezone. Users can also avail the latest news and feature updates from Springnote by choosing the relevant option during signup. All the services offered by Springnote are absolutely free of charge and it does not mention any paid plans. With 2GB of space available and numerous advanced functions, Springnote currently offers an unmatched free platform. The inherent simplicity of Springnote makes it an application of choice for many. In can be used in schools for posting lectures, discussing topics, for submitting homework, and to provide a feedback, thereby offering a novel and modern way of learning. Springnote allows listing of all the important tasks that may call for proper planning and is highly recommended if you need arrange any event.