Post by dormouse on Oct 23, 2019 17:33:01 GMT
Zettelkasten was something I mentioned on another thread as possibly a better way to manage research, notes for books (&etc), and world-building.
I've been aware of the system for a few years. It's a minor buzz in the academic world and in Germany. The originator was a Professor Luhmann who was always willing to discuss his amazing productivity (he was also a single parent - with housekeeper though, so he didn't do everything at home). I don't know that he ever described it precisely and I suspect that a number of commentators have misinterpreted it. The most frequent websites (zettelkasten - Mac based - and TakeSmartNotes - Windows, Linux, general) seem unnecessarily fixed in their interpretations, software recommendations and assuming an academic usage (which I suppose is not surprising given its history).
I'm very aware that software changes and programs dying can critically wound personal systems. I want a system that will be immune to those changes.
Many others are aware of the issue, and there seems to be a trend to using plain text notes with dynamic links using either tags or searches and saved searches. I need to read and think more before I have sensible thoughts.
I've now done a tiny bit of reading and a bit more thinking about implementation.
The programs generally recommended seem rigid, complex and vulnerable, so I doubt I'll be using those. Been there, done that. Frequently.
That means text notes. Surprisingly, the systems I've seen mentioned for those also seem inflexible. So I've thought about the bones of a system myself.
Requires a powerful, fast search program that searches the text inside files.
If tags are used, it seems to me best if they are kept inside the file so that the search program can quickly find the relevant files and there's no dependence on an external program to manage the tags. Potentially not so easy if hierarchical tags are desired. Many search programs can quickly add text (ie a tag) to a batch of files.
Then a file renamer that will add time and date to file name, so that every file has a unique name (for the purpose of direct linking). This removes the need to use a text editor that will name a file by date/time.
Eminently possible. Files can be read on any operating system. Only potential changes would be the search program and renamer, but there will always be programs that can do that.
Three folders I think. One, the Zettelkasten notes, Two, the source materials linked in the notes, Three, actual writing.
Having thought about methodology and potential problems, I'm now in a position to do in depth reading so that I can decide if it is worth doing and can work out what I'd be supposed to be doing.
What I would do, as others appear to have done, is to immediately move everything I have into the system. Lots of time just disappears into reorganisation. Been there, done that too, too often. I'll convert as and when I need to and will just start off with what I'm doing now.
I'll report back when I make some progress. Won't be soon.
I'm very aware that software changes and programs dying can critically wound personal systems. I want a system that will be immune to those changes.
Many others are aware of the issue, and there seems to be a trend to using plain text notes with dynamic links using either tags or searches and saved searches. I need to read and think more before I have sensible thoughts.
I've now done a tiny bit of reading and a bit more thinking about implementation.
The programs generally recommended seem rigid, complex and vulnerable, so I doubt I'll be using those. Been there, done that. Frequently.
That means text notes. Surprisingly, the systems I've seen mentioned for those also seem inflexible. So I've thought about the bones of a system myself.
Requires a powerful, fast search program that searches the text inside files.
If tags are used, it seems to me best if they are kept inside the file so that the search program can quickly find the relevant files and there's no dependence on an external program to manage the tags. Potentially not so easy if hierarchical tags are desired. Many search programs can quickly add text (ie a tag) to a batch of files.
Then a file renamer that will add time and date to file name, so that every file has a unique name (for the purpose of direct linking). This removes the need to use a text editor that will name a file by date/time.
Eminently possible. Files can be read on any operating system. Only potential changes would be the search program and renamer, but there will always be programs that can do that.
Three folders I think. One, the Zettelkasten notes, Two, the source materials linked in the notes, Three, actual writing.
Having thought about methodology and potential problems, I'm now in a position to do in depth reading so that I can decide if it is worth doing and can work out what I'd be supposed to be doing.
What I would do, as others appear to have done, is to immediately move everything I have into the system. Lots of time just disappears into reorganisation. Been there, done that too, too often. I'll convert as and when I need to and will just start off with what I'm doing now.
I'll report back when I make some progress. Won't be soon.
