Stickies - Keep Sticky Notes on Your Windows PC

A Surprisingly Overlooked Essential: Stickies by Zhorn Software

Recently, a realization struck me with both surprise and pleasure. Throughout MakeUseOf’s history, its writers appear to have overlooked an application I consider absolutely vital to my daily workflow – the free and remarkably useful Stickies, developed by Zhorn Software.

Essentially, this application allows users to generate small “sticky notes” and position them across their desktop, or configure them to appear as timely reminders.

Beyond the Basic Sticky Note

While this functionality might seem commonplace among numerous "sticky note" applications, the value of Stickies lies in its extensive feature set, which is uncommon for this category of software.

I want to highlight some of the advanced capabilities that I find particularly beneficial. Given that sticky-note applications have been reviewed previously on several occasions, a review of fundamental features will be omitted.

Instead, this discussion will focus on the elements that distinguish Stickies and elevate it above its competitors.

• The application offers a level of customization rarely seen in similar programs.
• Its advanced features significantly enhance productivity and organization.

This allows for a more tailored and efficient experience compared to simpler alternatives.

The depth of functionality within Stickies makes it a truly standout tool.

Note Styles

After beginning to utilize a sticky-note application on Windows for rapid reminders, you might discover yourself documenting notes on a diverse range of subjects.

These could pertain to professional tasks, code fragments, or personal matters. Individuals working as freelancers or managing multiple projects may find themselves with several distinct work-related classifications.

Customization Options

Similar to many other sticky-note programs, Stickies allows for independent font configuration within each note, alongside background color adjustments.

However, a distinctive feature of Stickies is its capability to preserve these settings for future use as "styles".

For example, you can designate a red background for critical notes and a pink hue for those concerning a loved one.

Simply establish your preferred color and font once, and then employ Alt+number to swiftly apply this style to any other note.

Enhanced Organization

This method ensures that even with a densely populated screen of notes, identifying the specific note you require remains straightforward.

The use of styles provides a visual cue, facilitating quick and efficient note management.

Data Preservation with Stickies: A Digital Solution

Have you ever experienced the frustration of discarding a physical sticky note, only to immediately regret the decision and search through the wastebasket to retrieve it? Stickies, the digital note-taking application, eliminates this issue entirely.

Managing Closed Notes

Unlike their paper counterparts, digital sticky notes created within Stickies are never permanently lost. Closed notes are systematically organized and stored within a dedicated management interface, labeled "Closed."

These archived notes are arranged in chronological order by default, facilitating easy review. The application maintains a history of up to 999 notes, providing ample storage even for frequent users.

Efficient Note Retrieval

Locating specific notes is streamlined through Stickies’ integrated search functionality. This feature allows users to quickly find notes across all categories.

Stickies provides a robust system for managing and recovering notes, offering a significant advantage over traditional paper-based methods.

The ability to search through both open and closed notes ensures that valuable information remains accessible, preventing the loss of important reminders or ideas.

Recurring Reminders

The ability to establish future reminders is a common function within numerous sticky note programs. However, Stickies distinguishes itself by offering the capability to create recurring reminders, elevating its functionality.

A sticky note can be configured to remain concealed until a specified recurrence, such as weekly, is triggered. This is useful for tasks like remembering to “water the plants” or similar ongoing obligations.

Reminder Customization

The application provides granular control over how these reminders are presented. Reminders can simply appear on the screen, though this method may be overlooked if numerous windows are open.

Alternatively, the reminder can be displayed prominently on top of all other windows, ensuring immediate visibility. Furthermore, an alarm function is available.

While not visually demonstrable in a screenshot, the alarm mode causes the note to “vibrate” and shake noticeably. This dynamic visual cue effectively draws attention, even on expansive desktop setups – for example, those utilizing dual 24-inch monitors – or when the note itself is small in size.

Scoop: Dynamic Sticky Note Management

An additional feature available for Stickies is an add-on, accessible through the Stickies Tools section. Several supplementary utilities are provided as individual downloads, catering to users with specific needs – mirroring the free availability of Stickies itself.

This particular utility, known as Scoop, offers a powerful way to organize your digital notes.