Wednesday, January 14, 2009 6:30 PM
At Google, we're constantly working to innovate and improve our products so people can easily find and manage information. At times though, we have to decide where to focus our efforts and which technologies we expect will yield the most benefit to users in the long run.
Starting next week, we plan to stop active development on Google Notebook. This means we'll no longer be adding features or offer Notebook for new users. But don't fret, we'll continue to maintain service for those of you who've already signed up. As part of this plan, however, we will no longer support the Notebook Extension, but as always users who have already signed up will continue to have access to their data via the web interface at http://www.google.com/notebook.
If you haven't used Notebook in the past, we invite you to explore the other Google products that offer Notebook-like functionality. Here are a few examples, all of which are being actively improved and should meet your needs:
- SearchWiki - We recently launched a feature on Search that will let you re-rank, comment, and personalize your search results. This is useful when you've found some results on Google Search that were really perfect for your query. You can read about how to use SearchWiki in this blog post.
- Google Docs - If you're trying to jot down some quick notes, or create a document that you can share with others, check out Google Docs.
- Tasks in Gmail - For a lightweight way to generate a todo list or keep track of things, we recently launched Tasks in Gmail Labs.
- Google Bookmarks - For a tool that can help you remember web pages that you liked and access them easily, take a look at Google Bookmarks. You can even add labels to your bookmarks to better organize and revisit them.
UPDATE, January 22.
Since this post went up, we've received lots of feedback. In particular, many of you seem concerned about what will happen to the information and data you've already put into Notebook. So we'd like to reiterate and clarify a few things.
First, since we're maintaining the service via http://www.google.com/notebook, every single notebook and all the existing features of the web interface will still be available. Those of you that already use the web interface should see no change in how the product behaves. Second, we guarantee that you will always have access to and control of your notebooks; we completely appreciate the effort and knowledge that your data represents and are committed to making sure you don't lose it. Finally, if you're looking for a way to easily export your information out of the product, the feature already exists. In the upper right corner of the web interface, under the "Tools" menu, there are two export options: "Export to Google Docs", and "Export as HTML".
We hope this addresses some of your concerns. Thanks for all your feedback and suggestions.
1,918 comments:
1 – 200 of 1918 Newer› Newest»hardly knew ya.
Saddened by the loss of Notebooks, but understand the need to focus on successful products. Any other Google apps capable of saving web clippings?
How about us heavy user? :(
I'm extremely, extremely distraught. What will we do now?
With the demise of Google Notebook development (is.gd/fWe0), time to switch to Zoho Notebook [Helper add-on is.gd/fWnR] http://www.flickr.com/photos/53343854@N00/3198487306/
Will I lose all the notes I have saved on Google Notebook?
Will I still have access to them?
Will Google Notebook's bookmarklet still work on Chrome?
I take SnagIt screenshots of important information, or copy and paste the text itself into a Gmail and send it to myself with key words so that I can search well. I was never able to use Notebook successfully, unfortunately.
Mungo Says Bah!
Very sad to see Google Notebook discontinued. It was something I used regularly. Now I'll have to use Zoho instead.
I heard inter-mumblings about this happening. I'm really sad too--conceptually this was a great product, I wish it had gotten more user and developer attention.
I use Notebook with the Firefox plugin and it provides great value that other Google services cannot mimic. Used to save some passwords etc.
Also, I write notes/ideas on my mobile phone on the Notebook mobile page for later use at home.
This cannot be done with Google Docs as it is effectively read only on the mobile site.
Perhaps if Docs mimics Notebook in simplicity and ability to update from mobile and display on iGoogle this would be good.
This saddens me deeply. I use Google Notebook frequently and I am disappointed in Google from walking away from a stellar product.
I love the fact I have collaspable boxes in gmail where I have the reader and calender under my email box...a shame that a notebook box couldn't be added as well as the docs (its small in the sidebar) in a collaspable box too..then I would use igoogle less, if at all.
It would be making better use of notebook which is so handy and would be a shame to lose.
Makes no sense to lose such a great tool :o/
A step back from Google offering a complete portfolio of productivity apps - and a disappointing one. I've used notebooks quite a bit. Guess I'll have to check out the competition.
Geez, unless my memory is failing it was not all that long ago that Google started pushing all of the functionality from Bookmarks into Notebook. As such, I completely abandoned Bookmarks and was using Notebook exclusively as both my notebook (duh) and my bookmarking tool. Sigh.
i use notebook regularly.. it improves my productivity. i simply clip on web page using notebook extensions... please do not discontinue.. am worried about all my notes..
I'm really bummed about this too. I know it was a beta product but I somehow became really reliant on this to keep track of random notes. Google Docs are blocked at work but not Notebook. I also have a shortcut to the mobile version of Notebook on my phone (Samsung Instinct) since it's notes program is terrible.
i dont know wether i am disappointed or just ... sad ...
What's going to happen with the Google Toolbar bookmarks once notebook is discontinued?
I'm definitely not happy about this. I like to stick with Google applications because of the integration factor between them. I don't know of another online application that makes it so easy to clip info and organize it. I suppose I'll have to move on.
I was really hoping the entire Google online suite would boost my productivity and efficiency. Integration between applications is what sold me on it. Oh well.
I am shocked!
Notebook, RIP. Not sure why Google doesn't want to do what Evernote is doing in the web clipping space?
Well this is sad. I always thought that Google Notebook was a good idea, but it just needed a lot of improvements.
Take a look at Evernote: http://www.evernote.com
It's a great example of what Google Notebook should have become. I have an Evernote account, but I find myself still using Google Notebook more often because I like its integration with my Google account.
I was really hoping to see Google improve their notebook... Or at least buy out Evernote. :(
I'm very disappointed!
I hope you will give us warning before you close the notebook project altogether. I have some very valuable notes that I wouldn't want to lose.
First- it's one thing to stop development, but why cut-off the Extension? Just open-source it and let someone else take it on.
If the backend engine still exists, why limit how people can access it? It's all XHTML anyhow - just a different view.
Having the "Open Notebook" in Firefox available at all times on the bottom of the window is the best part of the product.
I don't think people care about what engine is behind that tool or where it saves it, but that feature alone is worth the whole product.
Second- all of us heavy users should try and find and promote some competing service.
Other than Zoho- are there any other services that have a one click button inside the browser that will save to a server and not require you to open a whole new window to get access to it?
-Eric
I'm also a huge Notebook user. I'm very happy that you will be keeping it running even if you are not developing further. In spite of the many other alternatives I tried, Notebook is the service that stuck and was really well designed.
Google Docs could be improved in terms of usability so I'll be glad to see efforts there and over the longer term I hope I'll be able to use docs in the same way I was using Notebook. This will be better as already I was concerned that my content was fragmented between the two services.
Looking forward to future developments.
I don't know why Notebook has to go, can't you guys at least put an ad box on it and keep it there?
or maybe even take Notebook and incorporate it into Gmail or Docs?
It's great to know it'll still be around but please just don't kill it.
This is absurd google! The notebook project is not worth abandoning! I use it all the time, and it is home to my giant Famous Quotes notebook. If this holds true, I will have to find a new home for a notebook, else where from google.
very shocking.... I love this service. :(
I finally got myself very organized with Google notebook and able to access it from work / from home / from my G1. I don't understand why Google couldn't keep notebook going. I won't mind to see some AdSense ad next to the notebook in order to generate some revenue,
one last feature request!
please let us export all of our notes!
it would be best if we could directly export to other notebook service provider like evernote.
thanks a lot!
Has Google lost her mind?
I had thought that Google will indentify contents saved in the Notebook are important for page ranking of the source, and this is good for collective intelligence.
While Notebook did help users to preserve Web pages that might be gone overtime and Google provided such excellent service for free, I thought that Google could find better collective intelligence in return.
I don't think Docs, Tasks, SearchWiki could replace Notebook, when I need multiple notebooks and multiple sections with such excellent UI.
Please, Google, don't give up Notebook.
Also other google product just didn't come close to what google notebook offer. I compare Evernote vs. Google Notebook and decide to stay with Google Notebook. This is just a major disappointment to see Google Notebook go. It make me feel that other Google Products might have also go away. As other poster said, why not make it open source and let the community maintain it. Google just need to host the services.
That's sad to hear :(
Currently front and center on my Google Bookmarks page, which I abandoned months ago for this very reason:
"Check out a better way to organize your bookmarks using Google Notebook"
It also dawns on me that the above is the only public link or internal promotion of Notebook that I can recall. IIRC it has never been included in the standard link bar on top of most Google screens. Yet everyone I have ever showed it to has been blown away, especially with the browser extension.
The more I think about this the more it bugs me . . . first time I've felt truly let down by Google, and I have been there since the first time their URL was posted on Slashdot lo so many years ago.
disappointed here as well...
it was one of the must have extensions for me
While both Notebook and Docs support writing and CAP (Copy and Paste), Docs is mostly for managing documents you wrote, and Notebook is mostly for managing documents by others. This requires different UI designs and data structure.
Using Docs for Notebook is just a work around, and using Notebook for Docs in a work around. You may use MS Powerpoint to write articles, or use MS Word to do presentation occassionally, however, they can't replace/kill each other.
That's sad.
Notebook is one of my favorite Google applications and Firefox addons.
This one you should have kept.
Actually it would make sense to incorporate Notebook into Google Docs.
This is a great application! Don't ditch it!!
Search Wiki assumes that a typical Google search will hit everything you may want to find ... but what about "hidden" stuff ... database info and such that won't show up in a straight search? With Notebook, it's dead easy to add link information, clip bits of information, and leave notes / comments / thoughts as you research.
My vote ... keep notebook and keep working on it!
Google is going down to hell. I will use FireFox Scrapbook extension and (Microsoft)Live Mesh to replace google notebook.
I hate Google's service now. When do you stop Gmail? That will save more money for Google company! Just do it and see the user going crazy.
As other people said, this is disappointing. I use Notebook to organize my GTD lists and the browser extension makes it extremely useful. I suppose Gmail Tasks can do the job I used Notebook for, but I'd like to see tasks accessible from G1.
Not very happy about this move.
I like Google Notebook.
It is WYSIWYG.
It is a quickly Web notepad.
It is more easy and quickly than Google docs.
It have more function than Google bookmark.
And Tasks in Gmail less some funtion than RTM Gmail gadget.
I always use Google Notebook.
Sure, there is OneNote and Evernote, but the simplicity of Google Notebook and having all the notes available from the cloud without having to install any additional software makes it THE notetaking app for me.
I have always been happy with Google's services, this is the first time Google actually disappoints me.
为什么要停止开发这个呢？已经很习惯用这个产品了。在你们提供的四个替代产品里，Google Docs 打开时间比Notebook 慢。也许只能慢慢习惯tasks in Gmail 了。
Aw, this is terrible. I reccommend google notebook as a note-taking tool in my academic workshops. I haven't found anything else that even comes close to the level of integration that I need when pulling quotes from PDF docs. The browser extension is the killer app for notebook, having the information there to pull from or to when reading or editing is a big deal. Splitscreening a google doc just isn't the same.
Same goes for my reading lists and syllabi, I can pull that up quick without having to load up the (arguably slower) rich editing environment of google docs.
I'll keep using this to the bitter end, but it's really disappointing.
就算是Windows，也没有砍掉记事本啊。不然直接用写字板代替记事本就行了。可见记事本有它存在的必要啊。
This is sad. I'm a real heavy user of Notebook and it is extremely useful for me.
Please, please don't stop Notebook. It is more important, interesting, useful than many other Google tools. Why not integrating it with Bookmarks - I thought that's where the development was going. But losing it altogether? I could even miss Google Docs -- I am happy to keep documents off line, but Notebook is UNIQUE because it allows quick notes which can be immediately tagged and published.
Google Notebook is very useful to me. I use it many times each day.
The thing I like the most about it is quick access to different notebooks and collapsible text at both note and section level. I don't know of any service with such functionality and as light weight at the same time.
And let's not forget the multiple export options...
Please don't abandon it.
Seriously, what're you guys thinking???
I am VERY disappointed, it was a useful app!
I insist that stop the developing of google notebook is a terrible mistake.
The management of those simple text information (like memo on palm) is an important part of PIM. First, simple text gives user the most ability to format or re-use the information. U can carry simple text on every device (cell phone, pda, MID etc.) and u can transfer it to every other format (html, pdf, sms, office docs etc.). Then, simple text is the source of every other advanced format of information. U can simply type one or two words then develop it into its end format like task or calendar event. For example, u just have a small fraction of time to type "meet jack" and save it on google notebook (or memo on ur palm cell phone), then u can come back to fill in more detail of the meeting when u have time.
Google notebook can be a vital app on Android. I have waited for google notebook on Android since the launch of HTC G1. With the auto-sync function of Android, notebook on your cell phone is synced with ur google notebook. That means u can access ur notebook almost every time every where (outside by cellphone, inside by laptop or desktop w/ internet connection)
I was really shocked to know that the Google notebook extension for Firefox has to go.
Truly disappointing. Anyways thanks for continuing the web interface for existing users like us.
Damn ! This is NOT good. NoteBook has been EXTREMELY helpful with my school projects. Its VERY disappointing hearing about this, but PLEASE DONT remove it. If your really gonna stop improving it then just do that & DONT make it unavailable. As long as I can still use it then I'll be happy.
I can't believe this. Google Notebook is my favorite google service. I call it my second brain and since my first is barely working, google notebook has become my memory bank.
A big loss for an elegant solution that has good integration with other Google products. A huge bummer.
I tried Google Notebook for a while, but it did not appeal.
I just use Firefox Scrapbook instead (https://addons.mozilla.org/firefox/addon/427) - no problems with connection speed, I sync the scrapbook between computers (with unison).
Between Scrapbook, Delicious.com and Freemind (http://freemind.sourceforge.net/), a task manager, each of which excels at their specific role - there's no need for Notebook which is one product but does badly at all of the above.
Well, this news is just rubbish. A company the size of Google dropping a useful part of their integrated apps to "concentrate on core stuff"? Well I have been burned several times over the last few weeks with online services and apps just disappearing because someone got bored of running them. I am bringing all of my online data back ubder my control and use apps that I know I can depend on. Google just dented their reputation with lots of people.
Tabs on the side of igoogle, now this! WTF
Notebook is a real tool for participation. The best application to keep content produced by others, mixed with personal and comments.
It might not be very popular because it has not been promoted.
We should let Google know how we oppose this decision. On Google and elsewhere... they might listen.
This is extremely dissapointing. I use Notebooks a lot. This erodes my trust in Google a lot. Yes, it's comfortable for them to put the beta label on a product, make people use it and then abandon it and saying: "we told you it was a beta anyway so we have no responsibility to you". Because of that, I won't use any new Google services in the future, as Google proved their unreliability as a provider of services.
Use Google Bookmarks you say? You mean the service which for months has on its homepage the recommendation: "Check out a better way to organize your bookmarks using Google Notebook"?
No thanks. Good luck trying to make me rely on your web services like Docs and others in the future.
I use google more than any other google product. I'm constantly right-clicking on highlighted text on the web and saving it to google notebook. I save all my electronic receipts there as well. It totally replaced MS OneNote for me now it looks like I'll have to go back to it. I really don't see how this is a smart move. If Google Notes was not a big hit it's only because google failed to sell it.
I am very disappointment. I use Google Notebook quite a lot. And also its mobile interface.
I am worried that someday later you will delete all the content that I stored on Notebook, and I've saved quite a lot.
Saddened by the loss of a great idea. The product was ok.
Idea: Why don't you open-source development of this product?
Terrible news.
So much for a product still listed as new.
It just looks like we can't trust you anymore.
Time to start porting things to MS, at least Ill have a local copy.
If you use Firefox, check out Zotero. It does a good job of clipping pages. You can annotate, highlight, and tag your copy of a page.
As I reporter I have used Notebook intensively for years. One of my most valuable tools. But Google doesn't agree on the value.
This is just one indication of a growing number that Google's is growing old, less agile, less concerned with it's users, and even more concerned with it's shareholders. Sad.
Hint: bad decisions can be reversed. Snap.
I'm very sad. Notebook was one of the most useful google app so far... What will be with all my notes??
Noooo!
Please bring it back, it's extremely useful and the best tool I've found for clipping from the toolbar and sharing on multiple computers.
I can't believe that Google Notebooks is going! I use web clipping all the time at work and home. I've found it to be the best study aid ever. The notebook extension for Firefox is one of the most used plugins I have, second only to Firebug. I'm completely distraught that you've taken this away. Thankfully it's installed on my Mac so I should always have it on that machine, but what about my Windows machines?! Once they need a rebuild it'll be all over. I haven't been this hurt by Google since they ended Google Browser Sync. If Google keep doing this to their loyal user base then they're going to loose a percentage of the people who will try to use every product they develop. I'm very saddened, Google...
I can't believe that Google Notebooks is stopping at this stage!!
I don't normally comment, but felt compelled to. I hadn't long started using Google Notebook, and I love it. Sad to hear this news, I think it is the wrong decision.
I do not think it is good that the Google Notebook is terminated. Please get it.
:(
This is very disturbing news. I couldn't care less about Lively being shut down, since it was nothing more than a toy. But I used Google Notebook to share information in a quick and nice way with collegues, and to see it getting crippled like this makes my stomach churn. If Google shuts down an important service like this, what will be next?
Very sad for this stop, I am even ready to pay a subscription to see it improving!!
very sad to see this - out of all of the Google office type apps, the one i use the most is Google Notebook -its quick, easy and does the job well.
Please reconsider this google.
the problem now is that users go elsewhere i.e. Zoho and then use their other tools and then leave Google altogether - This I feel is a serious bad business decision.
Oh, no....=(
WHY killing your BEST product
(after Gmail)??? Why can't you integrate Bookmarks much more with Notebook and stop development on bookmarks.
I'm very disappointed because I use it every day. Suddenly, I feel the power of web services is not that strong anymore. I suggest you rethink about this and let us all power users continue to use this great tool. I APPRECIATE
Evernote is kind of cool, but Google Notebooks simplicity rules.
The Firefox extension Scrapbook is cool, but it doesn't sync (or live in the cloud).
So Google Notebook was really cool for me.
So I have to look at Zotero or Zoho Notes. Well if I start looking at Zoho, I may scrap Google Docs alltogether. I've heard a lot of good things about Zoho and now they get their opportunity.
Please please reconsider! I love Google notebook! When it came out I was itching for exactly what it offered and man it really scratched that itch.
I really really want to keep using it, and I mean the extension, not just the full page version.
Please!
Please reconsider!Google notebook is cool!
WTF????????? this is one hack of an app. I use it all the time and the FF extention was great.
Docs does not offer the same quick way scribbling down stuff.
do we now have to start a facebook group "save notebook"?
To everyone else that uses Notebook extensively - have you found a replcement?
I've seen Evernote, Zoho, SnagIt, OneNote, Zotero mentioned in the comments - those who have already jumped ship, what was the criteria you used to make your decision?
Proper gutted.
Loved this.
Sad to hear this :'-(
Although i mostly used the website, igoogle plugin & a bookmarklet rather than the extension.
Will it still be possible to create new notepads & for new people to start using the web version? (i just realised that it might, even if the extension has gone)
I feel Docs is a bit heavyweight for clipping bits from websites and although bookmarks might work well, it lacks the rather nice organisational aspects
Thankyou for what this product has been & I hope to see it survive/recover in the future *crosses fingers*
- imma
I must say that this is quite a surprise. As an Instructional Technology Specialist trying to get teachers and students into the 21st century I have JUST started to introduce Google Notebook to teachers and students LAST WEEK! They are all excited about using it and now I have to tell them all to FORGET IT, Google has decided to stop supporting it. I guess we look to Zoho or Zotero instead for this service. Why in the world would you do this?? I understand the need to move on, but don't stop allowing new users to a feature that has MANY applications in education.
Hopefully you are only joking, aren't you? G.Notebook is my very basic productivity tool.
Totally disappointed by this unexpected development! I use google notebook via the FireFox extension every day and do NOT want to see it abandoned. Please reconsider ASAP!
Google notebook add-on in combination with Firefox is a perfect combination to store information. Pity it's not continued.
Really sad to see this go. I use it a lot myself, and have just introduced it to a non-techy friend who now depends on it for his research.
I wouldn't care if it got not further development - as it serves my needs entirely - but please don't shut it down completely!
same here. first time i actually am disappointed in what google does. docs at the moment do not have the ease of use notebook has and therefore do not provide good enough replacement. if you intended to make people shift jotting their notes down to docs - why not make docs up to the task first, THEN stop notebook?
please take a step back and reconsider.
I am very disappointed. Google Notebook is one of tools I use regularly, have several hundred notes in there, bunch of categories/notebooks, etc. It is one of my favorite google tools. Please reconsider your decision.
What is the escape route for us hardcore users? How to transfer are data to other google service and to have the same functionality as we had with Notebook?
I use a lot this service to copy-paste some information that i need only for few days... I hope the Notebook development will be start again in the future
A lose-lose move - user loses a good service, Google loses user goodwill.
Competition, anyone?
Please don't junk NOTEBOOK extension for firefox, it's just too USEFUL.
As already said by the vast majority of the previous speakers this is very disappointing news.
I doubt that Google will reconsider the decision. Bummer!
Very very disappointed by this news, although it's rumour was on for some time now already.
One can only shake his/her head in unbelieve at the statement one could use Docs as a workable alternative since that is totally uncomparable, especially when using Google Apps for your Domain (!) I guess the team just disregarded this group of users.
ah well
nothing to be done about
but verrrrry disappointed nevertheless.
For all notebook users: i'm seeing lots of remarks on how to savekeep the data stored in your notebooks.
Just click on 'manage notebooks' in the left pane of notebook, and per notebook, choose Export.
i have to say i am very confused as to why Google has shut this service down.
At best it requires a development team of 1-2 developers -- yes 1 developer to keep this product going.
The Product Manager from one of the other products could have added this to their portfolio.
Managing, Storing, Retreiving, Searching Notes or 'snippets of text' that a user has recorded during their web surfing IS A FUNDAMENTAL USE-CASE.
I just cannot understand why Google could not realize this?
They should have delivered the JS Scriptlet for Safari browsers years ago. They should have provided an API that would allow other PIM based applications to integrate into it.
They made a mess with Bookmarks and Notes ...
Frankly -- this is a really important area when addressing the behaviour of how users spend time on the Web.
Shame on you Google, Shame on you.
I too am disappointed that Notebook is going away. For those of us who are constantly on the move w/multiple computers used both at home and elsewhere, having that instant access to Notebook wherever was remarkable and I'm surprised that it was not promoted more.
I'm happy that it's still going to be up and running, but I do understand that the economy is what it is and decisions have to be made as to what is goint to make the most economic sense. Just wish that this application was allowed to see full birth.
No-o-o. Reader & Notebook is my eachday, likeoxygen, likewithouthands applications. Don't do this, pls!
common there are a lot of loyal users for notebook, its not fare to discontinue it this way!!
i understand the economical situation but believe me adding adsense to notebook could help !
Totally never understood the point of Notebook - useless IMO.
If there had been facility to make quick notes in-browser, and then convert the note to a Document, that might have had some merit. Frankly, the ability to have small bits of information floating about that are seemingly in no way connected to any other feature is a total waste of time/space. Just *can't* see where it was headed.
Presumably that's why it has a 1st Class ticket straight to the bit bucket.
You'd have to also expect support to disappear quite shortly, I would think?! (1-2 yrs?)
I am a heavy user of Google Notebook and I hope Google changes its decision to stop development of Notebook. There is a need for a simple web based application for taking notes.
This is tough as like many others, loved the notebook, however, you might consider Zotero as a possible replacement: http://www.zotero.org/
They are working on a method to sync your zotero stuff no matter where you might be. It's a good tool and as a librarian and freelancer, use Zotero all the time.
Sigh...still wish had notebook though...
@NikLP
I don't understand - you can turn a notebook into a doc by 'Tools'->'Export to Google Docs'
(& I can make quick notes in-browser in IE, Firefox & Chrome)
Add in the ability to collaborate, publish as a webpage & export as html & i get the impression you haven't tried using it lately ;-)
NOOO.... OMG !!! Y? haven't we suffer enough ? .... :-(
The notebook so useful... and i didn't get even to check it out on a Gphone, all my worldly ambition is gone, dreams fade away.
maybe just embed it into the Google Docs ? ( add another type of file, called Notebook! )
arghhhh , we came so close with the bookmarks and the labels........
PLZ, reconsider...it is so useful..
as 200 guys ( and girls b4 me said )
I too am disappointed.
This is a major disappointment. You say there is other services that would fit your needs. However I disagree. I have yet to find any service of yours or anyone else that replaces Notebook. Especially with its tight integration using Google Notebook Firefox extension. I used this service heavily. I guess I will have to export my data some how and find alternatives. This service will be greatly missed.
NO!!!! notebooks is awesome! Why kill it???E????#?@?#$?@ pls pls pls bring it back
Oh come off it. I love this service.
Please reconsider?
I am very sad
Google Notebook is what I use to write down random things that I would otherwise forget forever.
Screw the economy and lets keep Notebook going!
Well, Let us give at least some credit to Google. It is currently a hard time for company's and Google is doing way better than some company's!
-Test-Admin
GO GOOGLE!
This is a shame, I really started using and relying on google notebook on a daily basis to keep my life synchronized between the various computers i access. i didn't really care for the browser plugin for clipping, i primarily use notebooks for ...quick short notes to myself, recipes to try, wish lists, tips. The alternatives don't interest me:
google docs is way to heavy and clumsy for a quick note.
google tasks is too small and limited for most things i use notes for
google bookmarks...is a completely different animal
searchwiki?? i don't see how this is related either
my guess is notebooks wasn't lucrative, i don't see a single advertisement on it for example and also didn't fit the political push that something like google docs has.
This is really very disappointing.
I *LOVE* Notebook. It's even more important to me than Gmail. I'm sad that you won't continue refining it, but please at least don't phase it out. It's an indispensable part of my workflow!
Folks, I just don't get all the wailing here. I used to use Google Notebook and switched to Evernote a while ago and never looked back. Evernote is head and shoulders above anything G-Notebook offers, and you have your choice about what goes in the cloud and what stays on your PC, or you can keep it in both places so there is always a backup. And their integration with the iPhone is superb.
Time to export my stuff, I guess.
I'm very disappointed in the demise of Notebook. I use it extensively to take notes and bookmark sites I blog about. And, I use it to help organize a variety of observations I make on many topics. I'd just been thinking that integration with Twitter would be really handy.
Any chance you could open source Notebook so others could take it over?
Just adding a note of my disappointment as well. I'm a heavy notebook user and find this distressing. I'll find an alternative. I just hope I won't have to find too many more alternative to Google products.
notebook was cool. interestingly enough http://www.giftag.com a gae app has much of the same functionality today and will most of the functionality in a few months - fwiw.
I'm very disappointed. I use Google Notebook a lot every day. Please reconsider.
Oh please! notebook is fantastic!
don't do this. Only on the notebook i can transfer my notes from my cellphone to a pc in a simple way!
(Why you don't put ads on notebook?)
sorry for my poor english.
That's sooo bad, Google Notebook is a great service, mostly because of the addon that makes the thing easy.
Maybe you should reconsider....
I use notebook for a lot of small notes like the model of my TV for the next time I have to order a lamp or the name and phone number of a plumber, ...
If you carefully read the post, Google will stop active development and will not offer the service to new users.
They will probably keep the service working for about a year before they ask us to move our notes to another place.
Notebook has become a staple in my day to day. It is the best platform for sharing ideas and to-do's between my desktop and my mobile! Not really sure where to go from here..?...
no！！！！
I'm a heavy user. Google!
please reconsider. notebook is a terrific and unique product and would get more visibility and use if integrated into google docs.
I'm disappointed. The Firefox extension is very very useful. I also use the other Google products mentioned as replacements but they aren't focused on the same requirement.
Isn't there a way to convert the product to an open source licence and allow the community to maintain and develop Notebook? Couldn't it be hosted in Google App Engine?
Very very disappointed! I use notebook frequently and access info on multiple machines across multiple platforms. I now have to resort to gmailing myself or creating a whole new google doc for every clip I want to see later??
How much development support does notebook really need. It's fine as it is - just keep the service hosted.
- sigh -
bye and thanks for all the fish.
For those of you with many notes... Tools/ Export to Google Docs.
If anything this is a warning about "cloud" computing... always, always keep a copy of your documents on your machine and make sure to have a backup.
I can't believe Google consider Notebooko a failure, an unsuccessful product.
It is excellent and unique, fast and easy.
Disappointed.
Please don't remove Notebook or the Firefox extension...I use it everyday to note articles from iGoogle to read throughout the day! A must have!
Ahhhhh!!!! Notebook is amazing, don't kill it!!! I was hoping for a true read/write API and integration into Docs in 2009 - not this!!!
Please, do not do that!
Notebook is very useful!
I can't see that any of the listed alternatives are enough like Notebook to be very good alternatives.
Google Docs could potentially cater but only if a bookmarklet was created to copy what you have selected on a webpage and create a document with that content.
Google, this is a sad day. I am very dissapointed. In fact, when I was in Reader and seen there was a post on the Notebook blog I was excited about what was new.
Regarding personal and business related research note taking, Notebook was a day to day staple for me. For me, its simple and quick functionality made my internet research very productive and regarding "recalling" past research, when I needed it, it never failed. Google Notebook has been making me look good at the office since I discovered it. I imagine this has been in the works for some time, considering there was not a "quick-link" to it from Gmail (such as there is for News, Finance, etc.). I guess I will try the completion, but I hate that. Until today, I have sung the praises of Google products functionality and integration. The applet "Note This" bookmark also greatly increased my research productivity. I would urge Google to reconsider. Honestly, Google Docs is almost nearly useless to me. I will admit I have not tried Google Bookmark, so I will hold my reservations about that product. Please Google, do not abandon Google's "simple yet highly functional" premise that has made Google so popular.
I have to add my vote to all the other disappointed users.
The whole point of a notebook is that it is, well, small. The browser add-on was a piece of genius and has been at my beck and call for a long time now.
I use some of the other products and nothing else Google has matches notebook for effectiveness, simplicity or indeed usability!
Sad to see it go.
Ian
WebDev London
Very disappointed to hear about this.
As others have pointed out, nothing else in the Google suite comes close to the convenience of Notebooks. This is a great productivity tool, and with better integration with Gmail and Docs (and some promotion, which as others have also noted has been absent) it would be valuable for much larger numbers of users.
So we know that Google Notebook isn't going away for existing users, but I do think it's a strongly valuable tool for potential users. Google's problem with Notebook wasn't product quality or development as much as it was about promoting the tool.
Docs, Calendar, Gmail, and everything else got a lot of publicity, but Notebook sat on the background quietly yearning for more attention.
Everytime I introduced Notebook to someone they immediately fell in love with it. Sharing and commenting on Notebook was brilliant, too. My wife and I use it for house hunting. See a listing, clip it in the shared notebook, comment on it, etc. I used it with work related team research projects in a similar fashion.
Docs and other services don't come close to the ease of use and rich features of Notebook.
Here's a tip. Make Notebook a part of Docs as a sort of OneNote, if you will, rather than a separate product.
I am profoundly disappointed. I use Notebook every day and organize much of my worklife around it. This will certainly cause me considerable pain and I wish there were some way the company would reconsider this decision.
Clearly, there is nothing in Google that comes close to this combination of functionality and ease.
Guess I'll have to go look at Zoho and Evernote.
Really bummed out.
I agree with the other disappointed users. Notebooks offered unique functionality that is not all duplicated or captured in the 'alternatives' listed on this post.
But it was free, and they won't delete what I've captured, so what can I complain about?
Time to try Zoho and Pbwiki and other web-clipping services.
I'm now using evernote. Its great and you can use it on you iphone, desktop, and web access.
Just wanted to add my voice to the collective, "Please don't take away my Notebook!" I use my notebooks all the time, for my own personal clippings (like stuff I want to blog about) and for planning my wedding. It has been absolutely invaluable as a way to share information with my wedding party quickly and easily. Shared notebooks also help keep my household running and my life organized! I don't think that Docs will offer the same flexibility and easy use. I am very fond of Notebook, please don't take it away!
I am a heavy user of Notebook and as such am fairly distraught over this development. While I understand existing service will be maintained, how do I trust that I won't lose my data at some point?
Is anyone aware of a good alternative? Is it hard to port your notes over?
This raises some trust questions with Google services for the first time. Can I trust that my data will be there when I need it? Why should I invest in a service if the plug could be pulled at any time? Certainly Google has a right to do what they think is best for their company, we each of us also has the right to go elsewhere.
Have you ever tried jotting something down quickly in Google Docs? It's like trying to build an erector set while wearing boxing gloves. Notebook was perfect for this type of quick note taking. It had SO much potential that was never properly pursued, and now your dropping it? Dumb. It was a great little app. Sorry to see it abandoned. I was really looking forward to seeing it properly integrated into Chrome. Chrome rocks, but without Notebook, not so much.
I am so totally distraught - I am such a strong proponent of Notebook over Evernote primarily because it offers so much synergy with Gmail . In fact I was hoping they would refine it as they grew Docs and Chrome. A pity !
@David: For the first time, I worry about this, too, with regards to Google's products. On the otherhand, Google Apps, which includes Google Docs, is a commercial product that brings in revenue. Notebook, it's iGoogle gadget, and browser bookmarklet/plug-in should have been a part of that, but Google missed a good opportunity.
@Ellis: Check out the bookmarklet for Notebook.
I use it with Chrome and it works almost just as well.
Please, do not do this. Notebook is very usefukl an unique.
I just started using this tool and I love it!!!! Please, please, please reconsider.
I love Google Notebook and use it constantly. The Firefox extension is the main reason I chose Notebook over the competition.
I realize Notebook is not the most popular product but perhaps that is due to a lack of marketing for the product, not its ultimate attractiveness to internet users...
I'm very disappointed by this announcement. Only last week I suggested to my editorial department that we use Notebook for our clip library.
This is a lame decision on Google's part! I use it and the "workaround" offered by Google is not a good solution. I have a hard time believing that Google will save much money by making this decision, instead, they've lost credibility. So much for their loyalty and customer service attitude. They're yanking the rug out from under their users and they obviously don't care much about us.
Add me to the list of those that are distraught over Google Notebook closing!! I worked so hard to get a system going that worked for me, only to have it taken away!
I've had a Zoho account for awhile, going to have to use it now. Maybe I will dump google all together.
Sad to see this being shut down.
There are some alternatives though. For web clippings (photos, videos, text, links) I use Clipmarks and / or my Tumblr account. Clipmarks has the added functionality of letting me share or keep my clips private and I can follow other users and see what they've found.
Zoho is a good notebook app also.
I am TERRIBLY disappointed! As a Tech Integration Specialist, graduate instructor, and presenter of workshops on state, national, and virtual (Second Life) levels I have been a strong advocate for the use of Google Notebooks for educators and students.
What is next on the chopping block Google?
OK...off to move my content to Evernote & OneNote (so I KNOW that one won't go!).
And just threw all my presentation notes/information on Google Notebook into a snowbank......
Sad to see notebook gone. It is a great application that I depend a lot.
Please reconsider. This is a product with tremendous value that cannot be replaced by other Google products (which I use and enjoy too).
I'll just add my WTF?
Google Docs? Seriously?
Why don't you integrate Notebook WITH Google Docs. Allow me to create a notebook and push a buttom to create a Google Doc from that notebook. Have you guys seens the success Evernote is having - and I like Notebook better.
This seems like such a powerful but simple tool that could have had some many integrations - Notebook to Gmail (and vice versa) seems like a shame to ditch it.
And as others have said it makes me really question Google's commitments to other tools - what's next - Gmail?
this is a big bummer. I use Google Docs as well and it is no substitute for the browser extension. I was a huge fan of Notebook and am sorry to see it go. This is the first time Google has let me down
you all can't be seious? Google Notebooks is a super powerful tool used by (i'm only guessing here) millions. give us a break Google keep Notebook going, it can only get better...
Who do we need to write to complain?
Through us a bone!
~D
I am saddened and slightly surprised by this announcement. I use Notebook heavily for research which I move to my office computer. Although I use GMail Notebook is more important to me.
NTP
I have been actively using Google Notebook and thought it was an excellent online research/clipping tool.
Google Notebook was one of the products that I always wanted for Google to promote more and expand more in terms of features/integration/ease of use.
Please DO NOT discontinue this.
Sad news, i hope smth similar will be in google docs.
+1 evil move made by Google.
Damn, noooooo! Don't!
Very sad news. Google Notebook is a vital part of my suite of web apps that I use every day. I wish you would reconsider. I know other similar services exist but Google Notebook is so nicely integrated with the other Google Apps. Its very convenient to stay on Google than to jump to another service.
Can't you just continue to offer it as is and resume development when things get better financially? Look at Yahoo's Notepad. They haven't done anything with that in years. It's so bad compared to your product but at least they still offer it. Please continue to offer Notebook.
Gee thanks, Google, point me to four different tools that don't manage to provide the core functionality of Notebook, either individually or in concert with each other. I hope whoever wrote this blog post appreciated the irony in that.
Integrate Notebook with Docs, please, don't just leave the tool to stagnate and fade away. I hope the DNA from this project makes it way elsewhere in the Googlesphere. Hands down, Notebook was my favorite Google tool.
There is significant utility in web-clipping and cloud-synched notetaking and Google Notebook pulled these together very well. This is not a moribund space for development or growth. Whether or not Notebook may have secured a large following to this point, there is competition (Evernote, Zoho, Jott, etc.) for this space precisely because it is a valuable area of functionality for more and more of use who rely on the Internet. That competition, as it stands, is nothing that Notebook couldn't have gone toe-to-toe with, with a little extra refinenment and promotion.
This is extremely vexing. I may have to start using Yahoo search now.
I loved Notebook for shared searching for holiday ideas. It's of no use that the service is continued for existing users if my friends can't sign up...
i'm really sad. gnotebook+firefox addon was perfect tool.
could you, please reconsider your decision?
i think the marketing is the problem, not the product.
I am very sad about this.
Now I will have to port all my documents one by one to Google Docs. Or go back to the good old offline tools, as we can't trust Google to keep our documents forever.
Google Notes shoud be made part of Google Docs, all documents should be kept and imported automatically.
I don't feel my docs safe with a left behind service anymore - and I don't know when my emails will be unsafe at Gmail or my docs at Google Docs :(
Sorry to see such a useful product killed.
Sad. I will miss notebook. Now, what to do with all my notes? I don't want to rely on another service that can be canceled at anytime. I guess I'll try using my Wordpress install which I installed at the hosting company I pay for?
how come??? this is my second use feature
It's a shame to lose Google Notebook. I found the software quirky, but it did the job better than Evernote. I used the mobile version to review the desktop entry.
That being said, the product had been unstable lately and the integration with bookmarks was always a mystery to me. I'll sadly start my conversion to something else.
I'll miss you Google/Notebook.
I am sorry to see Notebook go the way of the Dodo bird and the Edsel. I understand sometime you have to kill the good the work with the best (hopefully coming soon). I use Notebook more and more to store info and then access it via my G1 phone (powered by Google). This is one app I thought would have stayed around longer. As long as Google does not kill Notebook and I can keep backing my Notebooks, then I am good to go. Turning it over to the Open Source community would really be great. Hopefully Google will have a change of heart. Thanks for the ride thus far.
I would also like to express my deep disappointment that Google Notebook is being phased out. I use it on average 5 times a day to take notes in classes, make to-do lists, and just generally make sure I remember things. It's simple interface is really why I find it so useful; it's the same reason I time and time again opt for notepad over Word - I don't need the functionality of a heavy application like Google Docs, I just need somewhere I can take notes that I can access anywhere. OneNote and other such applications cannot compare tho this because of their residence on a single PC - I regularly use 4, there's no way to keep them synced except through an online resource. I think that nobody would mind adds being added to the page, but I find Google Notebook to be Google's second best feature (to gmail, of course), and am extremely sad to see it go.
Dan Gardiner
Purdue
WOW!!! I can't believe you guys are doing this! I use Notebook religiously . . .my main apps are gmail, reader, calendar and notebook. i sometimes use docs but I was hoping you guys would put the notebook ease-of-use functioning in docs. i love how i can just web-clip things right to notebook. this is actually brought my day down . . . .argh!
This may be nothing new but I'm sorry to see Notebook end development. Tasks can't be shared and other document types don't have the same collapsible organization (unless I've missed something in Google documents). Thanks anyway.
Nooooo
I love Google Notebook! Please, no stop!
Add me to the list of people really bummed by this news. I use it for all kinds of thigs. I have notebooks full of quotes, books I want to read, books I'm actually going to read, books I've finished, educational stuff for kids that I come across, ideas, etc.
I use Notebook, and I like him. I've bought app for iphone, which sync. data to my phone. I've never met better software :-(
What a sad day, and a blow to my productivity.
- A Google Notebook Evangelist
I am very sad to see it go. I used it daily.
This is extremely disappointing. I rely on Google Notebooks to save information that I want to rely on later, and information I want available for my students. Last summer I used the information saved in my Notebooks to build almost the entire content of a new course! Google Notebooks and Google Reader together are a powerful productivity tool for me -- now, like many other commenters, I find it time to look for alternatives unless this decision is reversed.
Yeah, another bummed person here.
Use it every day. Great tool and located at exactly the right place in my browser.
I'm sure there are alternatives...
This really sucks. I use Notebook for everything. It's my catch-all on the web. I even move stuff from my desktop to Notebook because I love Notebook so much. Nothing compares.
In fact, I just wrote this the other day: http://readscott.com/post/70118450/my-gtd-system
i`m deeply disappointed by this announcement. Google should re-look it.
Sorry, but Google Docs will NEVER replace Notebook. I can write short paragraph-long notes, arrange them into groups just by dragging them around, and share notebooks with friends for collaboration on writing projects.
Please, please don't DELETE google Notebooks without sending out some kind of blanket notification first, AND creating a way for us to download a zip/tarball of all our notes!!
it's an easy productivity tool, why cancel it ? recently the start page was suppressed in Apps, today Notebook, that ain't good for our productivity, it's not a good idea to invest in products and throw away that skill...
As a heavy Google Notebook user, I too am disappointed that it will not continue to be developed; Google should reconsider this decision.
This is really bad!! I have been using notebook for my business and for persanal recipes for years now. I was on its way to be great. This is very sad. I hate to see good applications go to the graveyard.
Google ... You have let me down.
Please let me buy Notebook from you so I can relaunch it and develop it into what it should have become.
The future of internet browsing is this type of "integration" app.
Join me at http://savenotebook.blogspot.com
Wow! I'm shocked. I've only been using notebook for a short while, yet in that time, it has become invaluable to quickly collect clippings from various sources to put together my blog articles. Also, at work, I've been using it to collect snapshots of specific situations to present at a monthly meeting. Using the firefox extension, it was so quick and increased my productivity no end. Now I'm nervous about using Google applications in the future, in case similar things happen.
this ruins the week for me, now I have to search for a non-google alternative :(
This is very sad news and poorly thought out. Notebook is an amazing tool that has few equals. With the addition of the Firefox extension, the ability to grab a section of a page and effortlessly preserve it with my own added notes is incredible and not mimicked by an of the other recommended Google services.
Notebook is a tool my entire organization uses everyday to note ideas, share clipped examples from the web, collaborate and learn. I really hope that all the comments posted here will at least get Google to reconsider abandoning this wonderful tool.
I think notebook is great. Why not just put it on the back burner for now instead of just killing it?
I think it's a great tool for mobile-to-pc copying.
I hate to hear this, as I really liked notebook.
I tried the "export to Google Docs" option. It was horrible. It just mashed everything in the one notebook into one long list. Almost nothing to denote where one note ended and another started. At least put some delimiters in like a line of dashes or something. Or even better maybe have a doc collection called Notebook1 and then have a small doc for each note in that notebook.
I do appreciate what Google does and understand the need to make money. But I really wish they would keep Notebook or add a feature to Google Docs that more closely mimics Notebook.
If I knew they would not shutdown my notebook then I would keep using it but how long till the notebook service is totally cut off?
I usually don't comment, but this sad story propted me to join all the ex-happy users of notebook.
I'm not a power user, but I keep many drafts, thoughts, online games reminders, comics lists,... on notebook so that all this heterogeneous information can be available to me at work/home/etc.
I hope Google can at least keep current functionality and maybe in the future pick it up again (I don't think much more development is necessary anyway).
What a shame. Off to Evernote then...
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