For many years I have been searching for a PDA application that can hold all of the snippets of information that I sometimes need quick access to, and the search has been fruitless. The hierarchical planners, of which there are plenty, are often too flat for my mind and I soon end up with a list that is far too long to be efficient. The Palm memos application is too basic and again I end up with huge lists of files that start to become pointless when quick access is needed.

Recently, I tested Scrapbook which is a new application designed to hold all of the little bits of information needed in one place. The name of the application is apt because it does indeed hold everything in one place, but does it do so in a logical manner?

I can’t describe why I need a certain style of application to organise my information, but I am a visual person and so struggle with lots of text (or lists) on one page. My mind is unable to process the information and I soon move on to another application. I would guess that I have tried over thirty information storing applications on a variety of platforms over the years, and none of them has come close to presenting the information I need in a manner that I am comfortable reading.
Well guess what, Scrapbook does.

After a little confusion at the start, I managed to work out how everything worked and in the space of four days now have a huge pile of information loaded in to Scrapbook. The premise for storing information is simple- memo style notes that are held in folders and sub-folders and so on down to as many levels as you like. The entire look is very ‘Zen of Palm’ and although it does not have a particularly flashy feel to it, simplicity is key here and the end result is an application that simply does what you want it to.

The more notes you add to Scrapbook, the more useful it becomes. There is a very powerful search facility built in that can find the notes you require in a snap using multiple words or search strings, and this is ideal for people who just add notes and worry about the organization later. Unfortunately, I am anal enough to have everything set up in logical folders and sub-folders, and Scrapbook is perfect for me as well when I need to get to the exact information I need quickly. No other program has been as logical to me on a PDA or smartphone as Scrapbook has.

You can encrypt specific notes for added security and even add notes to ‘virtual’ folders- you will need to try that part for yourself, because I haven’t got there yet. There is so much to explore in Scrapbook it may take some time to truly benefit from all of it’s features, but if you need basic note management you will be up and running quickly.

Few applications are as flexible as this one and the possibilities are endless- secure pass word information, ideas, To Do lists etc. etc. etc. There is no direct connectivity with a desktop, but the import / export feature to standard Palm memos provides a mechanism to update bulk information quickly.

There are some improvements I would like to see such as formatting in notes and a nicer application icon, but this is being a bit picky. Scrapbook is not designed to be a word processor and all of the extra tweaks I would like to see is a result of the application grabbing my attention, and the details I need in my life, in the blink of an eye.

Scrapbook is only $15 from www.slowcookedsoftware.com and is the best PDA application I have used in the past 12 months, and I have tried a lot! It is simple, quick and unbelievably effective.