I think the problem is that it isn't a single nut to crack - everyone works slightly differently, some like a clean interface, others like all the info laid for them.
With Notes and tasks, it is quite personal, so any issues in the interface are seen as worse, eg we are more likely to accept a slightly shitty interface when paying a bill or logging on to a corporate system than a product we use daily.
With Notes and tasks, it is quite personal, so any issues in the interface are seen as worse, eg we are more likely to accept a slightly shitty interface when paying a bill or logging on to a corporate system than a product we use daily.