OmniOutliner

What: Outlining software

By: Omni Development, Inc.

Cost: $39.95; $69.95 for Pro version

Download: www.omnigroup.com

I've always been amazed that Microsoft hasn't built a better outliner into Office. The outline view in Word doesn't allow you to create much of an outline. So for the task of keeping my ideas organized, I use OmniOutliner. There's not much to say about the program besides that it does what it promises and does it with the flair you'd expect on a Macintosh.

The figure shows a very nontraditional outline. Yes, OmniOutliner can produce plain outlines, too. Have it your way.

Why I like it: OmniOutliner helps you create outlines ranging from utilitarian to the extremea very nice program. (The program competes in some ways with NoteBook, from Circus Ponies, described earlier in this chapter.)