Looking around webDotWiz's computer desk, there are notes scribbled on pieces of paper and backs of envelopes - a couple of sites to check, some chores to be done, snippets of information about this and that, and so on. As well, on his computer, webDotWiz has got a file listing the sites for this column, another file has sites for webDotTrainsim.com, there are various bits and pieces of information on train specs, there's a file of quotes and yet another contains some lyrics of his favourite music. All sounds very organised... until he has to find something.

Now imagine a computer program consisting of notepad pages, each page having its own tabbed heading so it can be accessed with one click. Add a note to anywhere on the page and use the drawing tools to include a rough sketch or highlight a note. Snippets can be dragged between different pages for better organisation, various items can be flagged for easy searching, note pages can be given a specific style with its own stationery to suit its task (e.g., a to-do list or classroom notes), and you never have to worry about saving a whole lot of different files so all your notes are stored on your computer.

One of OneNote's snazzy features enables the user to easily save snippets of information from web pages. Start a OneNote side note window, select the text in Internet Explorer and drag it over to the side note to save it for later. The best bit is that the web page reference is automatically put in the side note as well. That's much faster than a couple of copy and paste operations (take it from one who knows having done it thousands of times to produce the webDotWiz list of sites each fortnight). Later on, you can drag the text from the side note to a new note page or add it to one you've already started.

Currently the full version of OneNote 2003 can be downloaded (it's about 80Mb in size, however) and used for free for six months. After a week of using all its features and seeing its potential, OneNote will become indispensable on your desktop.

Windows Media Player has several options available for ripping your music so it's worth checking the help document for all the options. WMP 10 in particular now enables you rip to either WMA format or MP3 format. MP3 is now an older format and on the basis of size for quality is a poorer alternative to WMA. However, if you're portable player only supports MP3, you'll have to use it.

When ripping to your hard drive, use the best quality given the size of your hard drive. The poorest quality in WMA format compresses a full CD to about 30Mb whereas at the better setting of 192Kb/sec (i.e., more information is stored so you hear a better sound), you'll need about 90Mb.

There's an update for MSN Messenger and you'll need to download and install it to use Messenger. Some of us are trying MSN Messenger 7, a trial version, and it should be soon available. Being able to use handwriting, not just text, enables the user to share diagrams, sketches and maps.

The MSN Search Toolbar is now out of testing and is a very fast alternative to other popular search tools. Remember you can search the online Encarta encyclopedia, dictionary and thesaurus as well as web pages.

The latest news is that Microsoft will make its anti-spyware program a free download as soon as testing finishes. webDotWiz has installed the test version and its quietly sitting on his machine watching for any nasties. Other news is that Internet Explorer will be updated this year to version 7.