@anildash The thing that bugs me about evernote is the whacked out file format that renames everything you put in there so you can't access it via any other program. Sure it's available via Spotlight (like anyone uses that) but it's then inside a Note file.
* This may have changed in the most recent version. I gave up using it a while back and now use the aforementioned Notational Velocity.
One solution that has none of these interface issues is emacs org-mode. Within three to six months you'll find you have the basics down, and it has none of these distractions. For instance to add a task I type control-C c, then "t" for task, then enter task, then scroll down one line and shift cursor to modify the date, then Shift-Alt-Right cursor to change the todo states, and then you can refile to one of several top-level topics.
@jordanbrock Hah no. Org-mode is awesome and unbelievably powerful but it's really only for people who've already made The Emacs Decision and are willing to sort of warm up to it over the course of a few months. A cold start would be infuriating.
* This may have changed in the most recent version. I gave up using it a while back and now use the aforementioned Notational Velocity.