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Notebook Sharing and Collaboration: Phase 1

Product updates | By Andrew Sinkov
 

sharing-top

Update: Evernote for Mac gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for Web gets quick note sharing [http://blog.evernote.com/2011/03/29/the-shiny-new-evernote-web-redesigned-interface-expanded-note-sharing-options-and-more/">read the post]
Update: Evernote for Windows gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for Android gets sharing [read the post]
Update: Evernote for iOS gets sharing [read the post]

For the past year, we’ve had a single goal: becoming your second brain. We made it easy to capture and find all of your ideas and inspirations using (almost) all the devices you own. We’ve even been called “the anti-social app“, for our unconventional determination to focus on what’s on your mind, not just the mind of your friends. Ok, maybe we call ourselves that. Today, we’re broadening our view.

Now begins Phase 1 of our major effort to help you share (and collaborate on) the stuff you’ve collected with individuals, groups, and the world. Introducing, Evernote Shared Notebooks on Evernote Web.

What’s new?

Using Evernote Web, you can now specify individuals that are permitted to view, and in some cases modify, your notebooks.

How it works

In your Evernote Web account, you will see a new, blue Sharing section in the navigation panel. Click on “sharing setup” to begin the process of sharing your notebooks. Select the notebook you wish to share, then decide whether to share that notebook with individuals or the world.

There are two additional options under the “Share with individuals” category:

  • Share with individuals (view only)
  • Share with individuals (view and modify) – Evernote Premium feature

For added security, you can require log in, which means that the unique link in the email your invitees receive can only be used by a single person and they’ll be asked to log in before seeing your notes.

Modify my notes (Evernote Premium only)

While all users get the ability to share their notebooks, Evernote Premium subscribers can also grant modification privileges: add, edit, and delete notes. You don’t need to be Premium in order to perform the modification, but you must be Premium in order to allow for modification of your notebooks. It’s important to note that any additions will affect the notebook owner’s monthly upload allowance. Learn more about Evernote Premium »

Linking notebooks into your account

notelinking
We also made it really simple to keep track of any notebooks that have been shared with you. Whenever you visit someone’s shared notebook, you will see a “Link this to my account” button in the top right corner. Clicking that will add the notebook to your Evernote Web sharing section so you can jump back to the notebook any time you like. Try it now by linking this aspiring super villain’s notebook into your account.

New look

For those of you that published your notebooks in the past, you will see a new interface. The new look is closer to our standard web layout, and is much easier to scan and navigate. We also wanted to make sure that individuals unfamiliar with Evernote would get a consistent web experience throughout the application.

If this is Phase 1, what’s Phase 2?

You (our wonderful users) have been clamoring for selective sharing for some time. So, we decided to make it available in phases as we build out the functionality. Right now, notebook sharing functions are only available through Evernote Web. Soon, you will be able to share right from your desktop or mobile Evernote. Like with everything else we do, sharing will be everywhere. Our developer API has already been updated to support the new sharing features, and we can’t wait to see what you all come up with.

If you want to join us on the first step of this ambitious journey, you can do three simple things: (1) Make some notebooks that you want to share, (2) invite your friends, (3) tell us how to make Evernote better.

Update: Evernote for Mac gets sharing [read the post]

  • Louis

    Wow! I got so excited when an update was available for 4.2 thinking it was finally the update of being able to share via other platforms that we’ve been waiting for over a year now…..sadly it wasn’t…. :-(

  • http://www.esmokes.com Brett Burky

    Jeez Guys,

    You guys act like because you can’t share something this is the worst product ever. Think back 2 years ago, none of this was an option. Evernote has revolutionalized how we handle work and do stuff in the cloud. God forbid you guys pay for a month and it doesn’t have that. Its $45/year, if you don’t have that and you are complaining, then put down your ramen noodles and go back to text editor and Windows 95.

    I want this feature too, because I’m PC and everyone on my team is Mac. I guess I have to use the caveman thing – email.

    Whinners

  • Matt D

    An option to share at the Tag level instead of the entire notebook would be great. I use one notebook with tags.

  • Eric R

    Yes, I need sharing on my PC as well.

    You would think a company that seems to have a large number of Premium users would’ve addressed this…. in 2009 when it was announced.

  • http://www.bluecodproductions.com Jonas

    Didn’t even know this wasn’t available on Windows as I’m happily using Mac & iPad, and it just works perfectly. Evernote seems to take some time for some but boy are they all on board after a little testing. I’m still awaiting the Affiliate Network stuff for outside the US though… come on guys.

  • Matthias

    I can’t wait for the Evernote Shared Notebooks for desktop. Now it’s kind of a half-finished funktion.

  • Michelle

    I really need this ability. I was hoping that I could create the notebooks from my account to share to a “student-use” account for them to access/edit on iPads. This won’t do me much good if shared notebooks don’t show up on mobile versions.

    Any updates on a timeline for when mobile apps will get this? I can still manage the sharing via the web or Mac app, but need students to be able to see/edit the notebooks via the iPad.

    • Andrew Sinkov

      Michelle, sharing will be coming to all versions of Evernote soon.

      • http://www.berskhire-studios.com Harold Jankowiak

        How soon is “soon” because the post from 6-25-09 said “soon” and that was 20 months ago? Are we talking within the next 2-3 months? I know developers never want to nail down an exact date and I respect that, but those of us using Evernote for our business really need to know how to plan things out for our people.

  • Michelle

    That’s good to hear. Maybe it will happen before the iPads arrive.

  • Matt C.

    We’re dropping Evernote for now – until sharing is available for at least Windows. I’m hoping when it does become available I can convince my company to move back. I should have never mentioned that sharing would be available when Evernote said it would be available…oh well…I’ll still use it for personal use.

  • http://avcolorado.com Jeff Brotherston

    I have been preaching Evernote for years so now my wife and employees are on it. I think Sharing is a critical feature, including using an Android in the field to update notes. Part of being an Evernote evangelist and paying for premium features includes….sharing. Sharing on the web is a mediocre experience we could get via Google docs. Having the app work natively on smart phones is what gives Evernote a great part of it’s charm. I hope you Evernote developers are listening – please keep collaboration a priority!

    • Andrew Sinkov

      We hear you. Sharing will be coming many Evernote versions soon.

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