ConnectedText versus Ndxcards

Posted by john oconnor
Oct 19, 2007 at 11:44 PM

Stephen R. Diamond wrote:
> I’m skeptical of undirected connections as in Wikis, and I don’t
>understand how CT can produce an outline (which involves directed connections) from
>the undirected connections that CT allows. Maybe someone can explain.

If you are looking for something that will create a hierarchy of structured static data that can be easly turned into an outline I do not think a Wiki, like Connectedtext, is what you need or should use. On the other hand if you are looking for software that seems, IMHO, to mimic what the brain does in making connections between data and creating knowledge then the Wiki concept may be worth exploring. When the brain seeks to solve a problem it does not open up a file and scroll down a list of data points arranged in a neat hierarchy.

As to the undirected connections that a Wiki allows, this is neccessary for the creative part of the brain to function. There is a place for describing and labeling connections, just not at the wiki stage. Once you assign a label to a connection or descibe the direction in which concepts should flow you run the risk of closing off alternate views.

Just my thoughts.

John O’Connor