Note taking, information processing

We daily face lots and lots of information. What computers were supposed to manage for us in fact flood back to us perpetually as a virtual boomerang. The information flows non-stop. When at your desk, facing your mail program, news reader, internet browser, you're already filled with information. Stuff for which you need to take rapid decisions. From which you also generate action, like spreadsheets or emails.

We need tools to handle these heaps. So store, sort, make searchable. To create other actions. Just to keep up and still be productive. Be faster, as fast as the flows towards us. I have been looking for a long time for these, which would increase my productivity, and my overall performance in the work field.

Here is what I have found:

• Microsoft OneNote on Windows is quite the best I could find overall. To create 1-click away notes and screen captures it's a great tool. The way you organize everything within that program makes things easy to look back in. Also the way all external documents (emails, files..) can be dropped to create explicit links. Dearly missing on Mac.... Commercial.
• For the Mac I just discovered Yojimbo. Not as good as OneNote but usable, still. More on this later. Shareware.
• QuickSilver on the Mac also. Dearly missing on Windows :-) Allows you to operate many tasks with a few keystrokes. From google searches to running programs or email people or (again) set new events in iCal. Freeware.
• TypeIt4Me on the Mac: set text snippets (essentially used in emails for me, but could be anything else) through predefined key sequences. Takes away the load of repetitive typing. Shareware.