Hello,
I was just wondering what system everyone uses to keep track of their notes, documents, stuff like that for their projects.

I use The Journal By DavidRM Software to keep track of things I don't look at on a regular basis like design documents and ideas. Then I have what I call my "Bug Book" which is a notebook that I hand write any bugs that are reported with my games and I check them off as I get them fixed. This seems to work well for me but always good to get other ideas. :)

a desk drawer full of pieces of scrappy paper in no particular order, some spreadsheets and varioous scattered text files.
Organisation isnt my strong point!

I've been using KeyNote to keep track of everything -- ideas, development log, design specs etc.

http://www.tranglos.com/free/

It's very good, and is an OpenSource project.

I'm considering a purchase of TexNotes because it allows for images within the notes which would be very handy once I learn more UML to properly document the more technical parts of designs, keep track of concept art etc.

http://www.gemx.com/texnotes.php

For the moment though, KeyNote works very well. One feature developers might like is the built in encryption to keep those ideas safe. :)

-Pat

I use word and excel for everything. I usually save out to a html file and link all the files together.

John

I'm sure it surprises no one that I use The Journal (http://www.davidrm.com/thejournal/) for *everything*...

"When you have a hammer, everything looks like a nail." It's even more true if you made the hammer yourself. :)

-David

I use the good ol security blackholes the .txt files. This Keynote thinggy looks very promising though. As always Polish programmers are crazy, this program is worth gold. :)

Pen and paper for most stuff as a lot of it involves sketches and the like and thats a darn sight easier on paper. I also have a huge whiteboard on the wall next to my PC ans a small pinboard for small notes.

Kinda scrappy I know, but it does mean I can get away from the computer screen when I'm planning/designing/going over stuff/figuring out whats left to do etc. The whiteboard is great, because I can relax in my armchair and stare at the main structure etc and make extra notes on a pad.

-Z-

For one of my game ideas I'm using a sketchbook I bought at Borders where I scribble down images and short descriptions of ideas I'd like to incorporate into the game. It's sort of a brainstorming notebook where I collect all the ideas for the game.

For everything else I just use printer paper (8 x 11). I have a folder full of unrelated little notes about little ideas I've had, things I'd like to remember, and issues I'd like to explore. Oh, I also keep a file named comedybits.txt where I write down things which I think are funny.

I keep a journal in my sourcecode.via comments. It outlines the problems I'm having, how I'm dealing with it, etc., also just my progress. It's a lot more than just comments, it's part journal, part design doc, part brainstorm doc, part scratchpad.

In the sourcecode it's guaranteed to never get seperated from the game. It's pretty cool when I go back to an old project I haven't checked in a while and see my notes.

I also use Word for keeping track of a to-do list. I used to write design documents for a living and so I'm pretty tied to Word.

~Hanford

I add text files to my individual c++ projects. I find that convenient as the files are built right into the development environment. In general I use text files and I have it set up so that a quick text toolbar can bring up any of the ones i use regularly. The toolbar is docked on the status bar at the bottom of the screen. Instead of notepad I use note-tab light for text editing.

Depending on the project, I use a couple of different methods. If it's a personal TODO item, I either keep it in a text file on my 128Mb USB drive or I put it in my 1 subject notebook. Both methods have broken down for me at one point, so it's far from perfect, but it does work pretty well. I also put a lot of stuff into my Visor Prism.

If I'm managing an outside project, I use Bugaware (http://www.bugaware.com). I use Bugaware for soooo many things. Project management for all of our developers and contractors is one of the key things. The back end database can either be access or SQL Server 2000. Supports emails on updates, scheduled daily emails, file uploads, comments, priorities, etc. It was a very good investment and I don't see it falling out of use anytime soon. Actually, we're expanding it a bit so it will integrate with one of our other web based applications. Having more than one place to change a username or password is a pain in the neck.

Those are my two main methods though.