When I started guitar there were no tabs. The Mel Bay guitar method put a little number by a note to let you know what position you should start the exercise. After that you were expected to figure out what position you should be using. Thus you had to learn the entire fretboard.

I had to start learning tabs so I could help my students use them. I will admit tabs is a lot easier to learn positions than the Mel Bay method but if one doesn't learn notation they will be handicapped in the long run IMHO.

So yes I use tabs but for me tabs without the notation is almost useless. I need the notation like the ones Billy posted for note duration and to help me remember where the notes are on the fretboard. YMMV

Whenever I get something stuck in the back of my throat, I dislodge it by drinking a beer.
It's called the Heineken Maneuver.

64 bit Win 10 Pro, the latest BiaB/RB, Roland Octa-Capture audio interface, a ton of software/hardware