| Stickies | |
| Logo Size: | 64px |
| Screenshot Size: | 250px |
| Developer: | Apple Inc. |
| Latest Release Version: | 10.2 |
| Operating System: | System 7, Mac OS 8, Mac OS 9, macOS |
| Genre: | Post-it note-like notetaking software |
Stickies is an application for Apple Macintosh computers that puts Post-it note-like windows on the screen for the user to write short reminders, notes and other clippings. Contents are automatically stored, and restored when the application is restarted.[1]
An unrelated freeware program with the same name and similar functionality is available for Microsoft Windows.[2]
Similar applications (described as "desktop notes") are available for most operating systems.
In 1994, the first version of Stickies was written by Apple employee Jens Alfke and included in System 7.5. Alfke had originally developed it in his free time as Antler Notes and intended to release it as shareware, doing business as Antler Software. Apple planned to acquire it from him, but realized that they already legally owned it under the terms of his employment.[3]
During the transition to Mac OS X in 2001, Stickies was rewritten in Cocoa, and is still included in macOS, with features such as transparent notes, styled text, lists, and the ability to hold pictures.
The ability to collapse note windows, which is present in all versions of Stickies, is a holdover from System 7.5's WindowShade feature. The window button layout, which is unusual for a modern macOS application, is retained from Mac OS 8.
In macOS Big Sur, the icon has been changed to look like a stack of sticky notes in a rounded square design.
The Stickies application currently supports the following usage scenarios: