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I use this method - except I use a fork called nvalt - http://brettterpstra.com/project/nvalt/ - since text files via dropbox & simplenote. The fork has better markdown support (and a few other things I forget)

I map (cmd)(enter) as the global hotkey to bring nvalt to the foreground.

I like nvALT (http://brettterpstra.com/project/nvalt/) as a replacement for notational velocity. It is a fork of NV that adds many features.

TODO list, fullscreen and markdown support are amongst the ones I use the most.

Notational Velocity looks pretty cool, but is there an similar alternative for Windows?

Yes, ResophNotes. It's not just similar, it's a clone: http://www.resoph.com/ResophNotes