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Posted by Cassius
Jun 2, 2008 at 02:22 PM
Pierre Paul Landry wrote:
“Just for the record, SQLNotes is a single-pane outliner with an optional second-pane for large pieces of text, web capture, etc.
“See the definition of single-pane (aka intrinsic) outliners here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Outliner
Screenshot here: http://www.public.sqlnotes.net/download/SQLNotes/images/singlepane.png
Pierre,
The screenshot looks great! Quite some time ago, several people in this forum expressed a preference for single-pane outliners. I don’t know if you were part of this forum back then. Do you have a Web page that describes the capabilities of this outline view?
For example, can one expand/collapse suboutlines, rearrange outline items, promore or demote items, etc.?
Thanks!
-c
Posted by Pierre Paul Landry
Jun 2, 2008 at 04:44 PM
Cassius wrote:
>For example, can one expand/collapse suboutlines, rearrange outline items, promore or demote items, etc.?
Yes on all counts. Those functions are be basis of any good outliner. You can also add: split/join items, hoisting and viewing specific non-contiguous items (with or without context) to the list. Oh and multiple outlines at the same time of course, in a window either split vertically or horizontally. The same outline can even be opened in 2 windows to view different parts.
You can view SQLNotes as the combination of 4 parts:
1- A rich-text outliner
2- An outlining spreadsheet with built-in Gantt chart
3- PIM features
4- A rich text word-processing pane for large pieces of text, web clippings, advanced editing (can use MS Word as the editor if desired)
But the parts are not separate components put together (as in MS Office for example). An item can be all of this at once.
This brings me back to the new post by Daly (http://www.outlinersoftware.com/topics/viewt/742/ ), which I’ll take time to answer directly later on, SQLNotes is conceptually extremely simple. And I don’t want to seem condescendant in saying this. If it appears complex, it is (1) because, while simple, it is a rare concept (Ecco Pro is the closest example), and (2) I’ve done a very poor job at explaining it and making it look simple. The current wikispace ( http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/ ) is an attempt, but there is much to do still.
Posted by Daly de Gagne
Jun 2, 2008 at 05:13 PM
Pierre, actually bro I think you have done a pretty good job based on what I saw on your web site in terms of a getting started package.
I think the simple/complicated dichotomy is more apparent than real. To me, first glance—and several after that!—it looked complicated.
But having gone back to it several times, and reading the help file starting guide today, I can also see the underlying simplicity and elegance of what is there.
Part of that approach is my learning style for new info—it seems I am easily overwhelmed or give up too easily at the beginning, so I know I have to keep coming back and coming back until my brain says, “oh, I get it now.”
And, btw, there’s nothing condescending about what you wrote.
Daly
Pierre Paul Landry wrote:
>
>This brings me back to the new post by Daly
>(http://www.outlinersoftware.com/topics/viewt/742/ ), which I’ll take time to
>answer directly later on, SQLNotes is conceptually extremely simple. And I don’t
>want to seem condescendant in saying this. If it appears complex, it is (1) because,
>while simple, it is a rare concept (Ecco Pro is the closest example), and (2) I’ve done a
>very poor job at explaining it and making it look simple. The current wikispace (
>http://sqlnotes.wikispaces.com/ ) is an attempt, but there is much to do still.
Posted by Cassius
Jun 2, 2008 at 06:24 PM
PPL,
Thank you! I will now make an exception to my “look but do-not-touch” CRIMPING pledge, and will try SQL Notes. I am (I hope!) about to start a new book and pray that SQL Notes outlining capabilities will help in its creation.
-c