organizing notes

[Rune Mussett-Sharp]

Hi All,
I am realising that these piles of bits of note paper could be better organized on the computer somehow if for no other reason than to have everything in the same room and transportable with laptop. I am up for any and all advice on how to best go about this. There are so many software programs out there but I am sure there is a lot that could be done with plain old computer filing systems. UNLESS you all think that the purchase of a software program will make the whole thing soooo much easier. If so what sort of parameters should I keep in mind when looking at these packages. I know you can't say buy this one or that as that would be marketing but knowing what I absolutely should be looking for would help enormously.
Thanks,
Rune

[pramclub]

Is this for your family tree, or mainly for other notes? If for your tree, I'd recommend using specific genealogy software, as it's designed to keep the records you need, and to export to a GEDCOM which can be exchanged with others, even if they use different software.

Cyndi's List has a list of software, but this doesn't compare them.

Wikipedia has some comparisons, and you can Google "compare genealogy software" to get other sites which provide comparisons.

Your main criteria to start are the operating system you use, the language you speak, and the amount you want to spend.

Some people use online trees such as Ancestry, GenesReunited, and similar sites - but remember that putting living or recently deceased people on should be avoided - check the settings when you start.

I think it's OK for us to give info about the software we use - I use GRAMPS, but I have Linux not Windows, so I don't know how good the Windows version of that is.

[pramclub]

Forgot to say that it's probably worth looking at software with trial versions, perhaps looking at magazines to see if they're giving away CDs with trials on.

Also searching the web to see what support there is - not just from the supplier, but in forums and mailing lists which I've found usually much more helpful.