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Single-pane outliner with inline notes and customisable column
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Posted by Dr Andus
Mar 18, 2013 at 09:32 AM
Single-pane outliner with inline notes and customisable column - is there such a thing?
I need to outline and write a complex chapter in matrix-style, i.e. besides the main line of argument there are several intersecting themes that need to be covered at the same time in each section. The best way to visualise it is as a table, however tables are not the best environments to carry on writing in.
I could construct this in Word, by creating a table with two columns, and in one column I use outline-style numbering of items and add notes, while in the second column I plan and track the other 5 or so themes that need to be covered.
The key here is visibility. I want to be able to see all of this in one view, rather than having to switch back and forth.
TreeSheets could be one candidate, but again, it’s better for planning than for actual writing. I’d basically need something like Outline 4D with a column…
Perhaps some of the fiction writing tools might have something similar (?), as the above is bit like having to track certain characters across the story line.
Posted by Alexander Deliyannis
Mar 18, 2013 at 09:47 AM
I assume that the column(s) in Natara Bonsai are not sufficient, nor is the character follow-up in Outline 4D, as you already familiar with those tools.
So I understand that the additional column will itself have to carry a substantial amount of text to support the argumentation.
I can think of two solutions, both of which are not limited to two columns, but rather offering the full matrix experience:
XL notes, briefly discussed here in the past
http://xlnotes.com/
The very particular Notebox Disorganizer (freeware)
https://sites.google.com/site/squirreltechnologist/
Posted by Dr Andus
Mar 18, 2013 at 10:11 AM
Alexander Deliyannis wrote:
Thanks for the prompt suggestion.
I assume that the column(s) in Natara Bonsai are not sufficient, nor is
>the character follow-up in Outline 4D, as you already familiar with
>those tools.
>So I understand that the additional column will itself have to carry a
>substantial amount of text to support the argumentation.
Yes, I’d need a bit more space and freedom than the Bonsai columns can offer. As far as I know, in O4D the tracking stuff is not visible when in outline view, so one would need to switch back and forth. (Though O4D is still my fall-back option, as the screen can be shared between outline and timeline views, though it does get crowded quickly).
>I can think of two solutions, both of which are not limited to two
>columns, but rather offering the full matrix experience:
>
>XL notes, briefly discussed here in the past
>http://xlnotes.com/
>
>The very particular Notebox Disorganizer (freeware)
>https://sites.google.com/site/squirreltechnologist/
Thanks for the suggestions. Looking at them though my impression is that you can only see the selected item’s note in the column (one column note at a time)? I’d prefer to have a single scrollable page overview of the whole matrix.
Posted by Dr Andus
Mar 18, 2013 at 10:22 AM
Actually I’m starting to think that ECCO might be appropriate for this. It doesn’t have inline notes but the items seem to be able to handle longer notes, so they almost look like inline notes. I’ve never written anything in ECCO yet, so I hope I can figure out how to export stuff from it.
Posted by Dr Andus
Mar 18, 2013 at 10:24 AM
Dr Andus wrote:
Actually I’m starting to think that ECCO might be appropriate for this.
>It doesn’t have inline notes but the items seem to be able to handle
>longer notes, so they almost look like inline notes. I’ve never written
>anything in ECCO yet, so I hope I can figure out how to export stuff
>from it.
Well, copy and paste into Word seems to work well enough, so it looks like I may have found the solution.