Can WebNotes Replace Google Notebook?

Google helps us organize the web and puts valuable information at our finger tips when we need it. But, how do we organize, track, and make sense of our notes, thoughts, ideas, and research on the web? Bookmarking is usually not enough. The whole process isn't very easy and its exactly what Ryan Damico set out to solve with his startup, WebNotes.

WebNotes helps you annotate the web, organize your notes, and share comments with friends, colleagues, and fellow researchers. The online service and browser plugin enables you to do this by highlighting and placing sticky notes on any particular webpage. You can then store these annotations in folders that you can share immediately or revert back to at any time.

After graduating from MIT in 2006 and working at Avid Technologies for two years, Ryan decided to teach himself browser programming and took off with the idea. So far, they are off to a great start and currently in private beta testing. Their solution comes at an opportune time because Google just decided to discontinue their Google Notebook application. I'm not sure if this is because people weren't using it or if its part of Google's strategy to reduce costs during the downturn for less profitable ventures. Eitherway, there will be people searching for a new way to take notes online.

WebNotes is in the process of taking in feedback and applying improvements. However, they have not decided on an official public launch date for later this year. Some people believe in throwing up an uncomplete web application and running with it, while others, take a more quality driven approach. WebNotes definitely falls into the second category. This makes sense because they will be trying to target professional researchers in later stages. I'm sure that demographic will expect a solution that is tailored and well thought out for their needs.

WebNotes has been kind to extend their invite only beta testing pool to offer 25 additional spots to the College Mogul audience. They're interested in receiving continual and valuable feedback.  If you would like to help: WebNotes Beta Testers

They are working on 3 Research & Collaboration Solutaions:

Enterprise Solutions:

WebNotes is a powerful tool for knowledge workers. Its natural interface is fast and intuitive, making informational exchanges between teams seamless and easy.

WebNotes can benefit divisions ranging from Marketing to Accounting to Legal. Furthermore, your research can be accessed from our secure servers on any computer. View our Enterprise White Paper for more information.

Client Collaboration:

Firm-Client collaboration becomes more efficient with the introduction of WebNotes. Example users may include PR firms who can use WebNotes to track their clients' press, market researchers who can more easily compile information for reports, and user interface consultants that need to markup a client web page for feedback.

Academic Research:

Both students and faculty alike can benefit from the annotation tools that WebNotes provides. Example applications include accessing research from the classroom, library, or home via our secure remote servers, and aggregating research into a PDF document to merge sources or collaborate with colleagues. 

[Descriptions taken from WebNotes Solutions page]

[NOTE] I'm going to be testing WebNotes out myself and will probably use it to help track stories and ideas that will be assigned to the writers on our team. We are expanding and will have two contributing editors who will be taking on additional writers. If you're interested, please email me.