Well, after squealing like a stuck pig about IdeaMason's incomprehensibility, I'm embarrassed to say that I've had a flash of illumination and the program turns out to be pretty simple after all. The interface is complex, but the basic concept is simple. When I first got IM and was trying to figure out how to use it, I was thinking in terms of other apps like OneNote where you have to follow a certain procedure to get started (create a notebook, create a section, start adding pages to the section). IdeaMason doesn't work like that. It's basically just a collection of tabbed views, each of which lets you collect and organize different kinds of information in different ways. To get started, you just start collecting information. Doesn't matter what or where. It's like a big filing cabinet. That's all there is to it (though the interfaces themselves have a lot of features that let you build relationships between all these different pieces of information). Later, you can organize the stuff by categories or whatever and start building them into outlines in the composition pane. Very simple. Once the basic idea clicks, you can start collecting stuff right away. I haven't used the Composition pane yet, just Material, Library and the Research List. The Research List is nice because it lets you drag hyperlinks directly from a browser to build up a list of web sources (among other things). There are a few odd quirks with refreshing the views, but nothing major. Overall, this looks like a fantastic information manager. Very powerful. I've only had it for a week, but I'm already thinking about switching from OneNote to IM eventually.

That's a nice report to read. Too often, I think, I'm too harsh on software, not really giving apps a chance to catch on for me. I am glad to read that you have found IdeaMason worthwhile. Thanks for the report.

Steve

Gary, Thank you for the revelations to a fellow ideamason wanna be user. (I already own the software but have been offset by it's seemingly simple yet complex interface)

Gary Carson wrote:

....... IdeaMason doesn't work like that. It's basically just a collection of tabbed views, each of
which lets you collect and organize different kinds of information in different
ways. To get started, you just start collecting information. Doesn't matter what or
where. It's like a big filing cabinet. That's all there is to it (though the interfaces
themselves have a lot of features that let you build relationships between all these
different pieces of information).

-Under the usage section of the website, they do say jump right in and I've been somewhat 'skeptical' if not 'scared' or jumping right in and losing complete grasp of what I am doing - this helps in me attempting to attempt at it once again with my first time publication on the line.

Later, you can organize the stuff by categories or
whatever and start building them into outlines in the composition pane. Very simple.
Once the basic idea clicks, you can start collecting stuff right away.

-This is exactly what I'm going to do!

The Research
List is nice because it lets you drag hyperlinks directly from a browser to build up a
list of web sources (among other things).

- This is one of the best things I like out there - The dragging of hyperlinks! What gets tedious is that you have both windows open ( a dual monitor setup works best here - laptop monitor serves as reference pane while separate flat panel serves as a viewer to discover new things in a full screen mode.

There are a few odd quirks with refreshing

- I sometimes wondered "where did what I place here go??"

I've only had it for a week, but I'm already thinking about
switching from OneNote to IM eventually.

-One note...........the idea is great but the execution seems harder for me with onenote. Just my opinion though.