@ancientimages: I won't get into the "payware vs. freeware" argument, just for completeness sake need to point out a few facts:
1) The free features subset of 1.8.1 is actually a superset of the "last free" 1.5.7. So no reason to stick with 1.5.7 whatsoever.
2) Actually license prolongations will cost $12 per year, not $25. Since the first license sold will run out of free updates only in March, there's no such option on the site yet.
3) ResophNotes doesn't have the following features available in free version of CN, which can be key to someone:
- Clipping text from any application on hotkey
- Retrieving and storing source URL
- Advanced tag logic with union (OR) and subtraction (NOT)
- Automatic backups
To be fair, here are ResophNotes features that CN doesn't have (some of which are already in the works):
- Using plain text files as database
- SimpleNote sync
- Pinning, printing and emailing notes
- Linking notes with each other

I almost forgot: ResophNotes has a portable version: http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=1951

RedNoteBook: http://www.portablefreeware.com/index.php?id=2086

I for one do not like that this formerly free program is now payware. A one-time fee of $10 would be one thing, but the developer actually demands *$25 a year*.

The last free version of Cintanotes is 1.5.7. If you're uncomfortable running outdated software, there are several good alternatives.

Try ResophNotes comes highly recommended from Lifehacker. I've tried it, and it's pretty much the same as CintaNotes. There's also nvPY or KeepNote, or even RedNotebook or Evernote.

With all these fine alternatives, I just can't recommend anyone blows a quarter of a hundred dollars on a license that will expire in one year, and after that, no updates. For shame!

I use CintaNotes all day, every day. to do lists, notetaking on calls, drafting emails and txt docs, clipping txt, you name it. great features, lots of updates, responsive invested developer, what's not to like?

I don't like this software, the new commercial features change totally the experience. For me, at most this can be considered as lite version and is no longer a freeware. Expandable tags are too important.
A suggestion: make the notes collapsible with only the title obviously for the commercial-full version. I'm ironic.

CintaNotes updated to 1.7.0; full changelog @ http://cintanotes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5299#p5299

Good news, full portability will be restored to version 1.6.2:

- Licensed version is now fully portable. License key file is written into the CintaNotes folder. Only if the write into this folder fails (when e.g. the folder is inside of Program Files), the Application Data folder is used.

- Fixed lost portability because of storing absolute paths to .db files: now relative paths are used for .db files located in the application folder and below.

CintaNotes 1.6.2 Beta changelog is @ http://cintanotes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=5058#p5058

Note that comercial version is no longer stealth: "License is stored in your Windows profile %APPDATA% folder, even in the portable version." From: http://cintanotes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4938#p4938

OTOH, there's now a text import utility that can convert text notes to either version of CintaNotes -- for info, see: http://cintanotes.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=4941#p4941

Correction: the current free version (1.6) has all the features of the former free version (1.5.7), only the new features introduced in 1.6 are restricted. So, you won't actually lose functionality by upgrading, contrary to some other programs I know…

Please note that the program has gone shareware as of v. 1.6. There is stil a free version, but it's crippled.

Following up on ale's comment and just to make it easy for anyone interested: http://cintanotes.com/forum/

arbeli, you might visit the CintaNotes forum, the developer is listening there and any bugs can be analyzed to find out what happened and hopefully fixed.

This SW is very useful.
I've upgraded to version 1.4.3 (portable) from version 1.2 following the readme.txt instructions (overwrite the 1.2 files). For some reason it deleted some of my notes.

Thanks, Baas. I always get lost on sourceforge.net.

@MarkB

http://sourceforge.net/projects/sqlitebrowser/files/sqlitebrowser/

Terrine, where can we download a compiled (!) Windows version of SQLite Database Browser?

Nice program.
I miss been able to export a not with an automatic naming.
"Note title" become file "name.txt"

The href to downloading contents error!

"I like this program so much that it has replaced my notes.txt file." Revolutionary!

Sqlite is fine, it just needs a little compacting every now and then. Fortunately, the SQLite Database Browser is portable too.

http://sqlitebrowser.sourceforge.net/

brilliant.

now the db is sqlite. still not the format i had dreamed of though.

This program has improved since I last tried it. It is now neater and easier to add topics with tags. Great for on the fly note taking or storing data which requires some finding via tags. It ain't perfect, but its getting there.

pf, the file size you have in the description is wrong.

Have a look on the CintaNotes forum. If you look at the roadmap you will see all the planned improvements!

Would like to have the note displayed with a color background. Reading all white is really hard on the eyes.

developer is very responsive to user suggestion and is planning a commercial 1.0 version. I stand by my earlier statement.

Brilliant program and still in the early stages. Some great features already planned.

imho very usable, a good one, perhaps better than all the stickies programs

A very promissory software. Is very useful for text snippets
for example programming code, letters, curriculum, and repetitive tasks.

Great and simple notetaker that doubles as a web text clipper. Recomended!

I like this program so much that it has replaced my notes.txt file. Only suggestions: encryption and have the last note typed be the first on the list. I think Alex is working on these changes.