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| OmniOutliner 2.1 | |
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OmniOutliner 2.1 is a free-form outliner and list maker that packs some impressive organizational features in a $29.95 Macintosh OS X-only package. It will create to-do lists, prepare preliminary outline memorandums or briefs, or create a data sheet of tax-related purchases that includes a running total. The application includes multiple data entry aids and can export documents in plain text, rich-text format and HTML, and a user can customize the items appearing in document window toolbars. Minor irritants, such as the inability to customize column widths (the company said this was a bug in previous versions of the application, but it was fixed in the latest version 2.2.6), are more than offset by its features and low price. The application ships with a fully illustrated 17-page color manual with dozens of tips and suggestions written in an interesting and whimsical style. But it’s unlikely you will need to open the manual. Just launch the application and experiment with OmniOutliner to learn its features. OmniOutliner brings a refreshing approach to software licensing terms. You either can purchase a license for as many users as you wish to have access on one machine, or elect one license for two of your computers, such as a desktop and a laptop, but only one machine can use the license at a time. Network licenses also are available. I wish other software developers would follow a similar approach. OmniOutliner presents a new, untitled document at launch. Add as many major groups or topics as you wish, and name them by pressing return and typing the name for each of the successive groups. Subcategories are added by creating a new group, and then choosing the indent button on the toolbar, by pressing one of the two keyboard shortcuts attached to the indent and outdent commands. Buttons for outdenting, grouping and ungrouping, and adding or removing columns also are provided in the toolbar, which can be customized to include up to 21 additional commands. An information palette accessed by a button on the toolbar governs basic formatting of the columns, text, color space, fonts and other appearance elements. Column types can be stylized in that you can apply a particular format to the data you enter in a column. I quickly created a list of 1099 purchases for my office, organized by month, vendor, purchase price, tax, warranty length, tax implications, vendor and shipping costs. Using the information palette, I assigned a number column to the “Cost” column using an elective on a drop-down menu, and then further assigned dollar amount formatting for each of the data entries for “Cost.” Similar entry formatting can be used for numbers, dates and other text types. You also can use pop-up lists for entering data in each column. Designate the column as a pop list and, using the information palette, type as many alternatives as you wish for the pop list. Located at the bottom of the interface is a notes pane for entering comments for any row item you have created. A small paper icon in the main outline or list identifies that row item with the notes associated with it. The feature is designed to minimize clutter in the main window, but I would prefer an option to show notes in the main outline as well. Normal controls for sorting and rearranging rows and columns are provided. An interesting feature for number or dollar-based columns is the “Summaries” feature. Highlight the number or dollar column and in the information palette, select “Summaries” from the pop-up menu. OmniOutliner will create a running total of all your purchases. OmniOutliner will import a variety of outline formats, including older Symantec More documents, Concurrence, plain text with tabs and rich text. Export options are similar. The company works to provide timely updates. It recently released an add-on for its OmniOutliner software called Export to iPod, which allows users to view documents from an iPod. This free add-on works with all three generations of the iPod and will export to the “Contacts” section of old iPods, as well as the “Notes” section of the newest versions. |
The Omni Group Price: $29.95; educational pricing is $19.95; site license discounts are available for purchases of 10 or more seats Mac OS X Reviewed by David A. Saraceno, a practicing attorney and owner of Pixelcraft Studios, a presentation graphics consulting firm in Spokane, Wash. PROS CONS VERDICT |
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