ATNotes is a neat implementation that features configurable alarms, resizable windows, variable fonts and a host of other useful features. The product is remarkably similar to the class-leading commercial sticky notes utility called, TurboNotes, a case perhaps of imitation being the sincerest form of flattery. NOTE: As of the 30th of May 2005, development work has ceased and the author's site pulled down. However someone has built a mirror of the author's site where you can read about ATnotes and download the final version. You can also download ATNotes from a number of other sites including the second link shown under below.
Some people hate these programs while others swear they can't work effectively without them. I used to be in the first category but with so many things on my plate these days, I'm slowly being converted. The function that I find really useful is the reminder that pops up at a designated time and date. I use it for simple things like "Put up the latest issue on the web site."
If you want an alternative that is still being developed try StickyPad. Some folks actually prefer it to ATnotes and I must admit the interface is very slick but I find the alarm function to be rather inflexible. It cannot, for example, handle recurring events such as birthdays.
If you want that functionality you are better off with another sticky note program called "Stickies" from Zhorn Software. It's not quite as svelte as the other two programs I've mentioned but it's very effective in operation. It has a particularly nice feature allowing the notes to be attached to any window so when you reopen that window the note will popup. This means you can add notes to things like webpages. Next time you visit that page the note reappears automatically.
If you like the idea of notes that attach themselves to webpages then you should also look at the free Firefox extension called Internote [4].
ATNotes
Website: http://atnotes.free.fr/news.html
Alternate download site: http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file_description/0,fid,17660,00.asp
License: Freeware
Download File size: 756KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
StickyPad
Website: http://www.greeneclipsesoftware.com/stickypad.html
License: Freeware
Download File size: 47KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/Server2003/XP/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Stickies
Website: http://www.zhornsoftware.co.uk/stickies/
License: Freeware
Download File size: 953KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: None
Internote
Website: https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/2011
License: Freeware
Download File size: 118KB
Windows Operating Systems Supported: 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP/Vista
Non-Windows Operating Systems Supported: None
64 Bit Capable: No
Portable Version Available: No
Additional Software Required: Mozilla Firefox