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Anyone using Zettelkasten?
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Posted by Glen Coulthard
Apr 6, 2019 at 06:55 PM
I’ve been testing Zettlr (multi-platform, open-source, markdown-based, notes organizer) for this purpose. See Hendrik’s blog post about it here: https://www.zettlr.com/post/what-is-a-zettelkasten
—Glen
p.s. Still on my never-ending journey to find an alternative for my CT library, especially since I don’t want to install Python 2.7 on my new machines.
Posted by Dr Andus
Apr 7, 2019 at 11:55 AM
Glen Coulthard wrote:
>p.s. Still on my never-ending journey to find an alternative for my CT
>library, especially since I don’t want to install Python 2.7 on my new
>machines.
At least on Windows, few software can rival the flexibility of ConnectedText when it comes to constructing a Zettelkasten, especially when talking about categorising an entry and linking it to other entries.
My only issue with CT is that it is Windows based and single-device based (I don’t like the idea of using the USB version), as I’d prefer a cloud solution for this use.
I have toyed with the idea of moving my CT notes to DokuWiki, but it seemed too fiddly and requiring too much technical involvement in maintaining it, and too many different services and payments involved, from paying for the server to paying for a different service to back up the server etc.
My ideal is an almost purely plain text based system using markdown (though enabling the inline display of images), with the ability to do linking any part of the text to any other entry (basically a very simple wiki), to add categories, with a way to be able to see and manage the list of categories, and some way of using colour to mark up selected entries. The search function has to be top-notch. Having an alternative visualisation of the linked entries as a mindmap or a network would be a bonus. A daily readible automatic backup or export to Google Drive or Dropbox or similar would be a must.
At this point Dynalist seems to tick all of these boxes. Maybe the only thing I’d be missing is the presence of backlinks, to be able to see what entries link to a particular entry. But it’s probably not too much hassle to do that manually. I haven’t had a chance to try Contexted yet, but seems to be moving in the same direction.
My advice to the Contexted developers would be to check out Dynalist and see how they could improve on them by making their solution more Zettelkasten-specific.
To me having a Zettelkasten tied to a specific device or a specific operating system is on the one hand risky and awkward, as besides dealing with the risk of device failure or theft, sooner or later you’ll need to move it to another device or having to deal with the software’s obsolescence (CT is case in point), and on the other it is very limiting in this day and age, when one may be working in many different locations, using many different devices, and not having access to your electronic brain when you need it defeats the purpose.
I want to be able to read a physical book on my couch and reach for whatever device is lying nearby (most likely a Chromebook) and quickly add an entry or look one up, without having to boot my Windows laptop, which is in another room, or having to write in another solution and then having to remember to transfer the note later on.
Posted by Simon
Apr 10, 2019 at 08:13 PM
Ubiquity does seem a necessity for a Zettelkasten. I’ve tried a number of things over the years. I have “The Archive”, which is nice in what it does, but alas no mobile and the hacks are too much effort. I’ve realised the increased friction in data entry usually results in no data entry. I really did like Emacs with orgmode and the Silver Searcher. This was the best for me as the silver searcher showed search results per line in however many folders and documents you searched so you could pinpoint most things.
I’ve recently moved to 50% work being on an iPad Pro and nothing comes close to being a Zettelkasten on iOS.
I’ve debated what I really need. The following would be ideal:
- Wiki links
- Tags
- Categories
- Silver Searcher like capability.
- Markdown styling
It’s the linking that is usually missing. Voodoopad was excellent, but the last two companies that purchased it just used it as a cash cow, although they’re talking about a new release in Q4 2019. Problem is the iOS app is woeful.
Devonthink could actually do it and I started using it several times, but data entry friction was too high. I flirted with Tinderbox, but no iOS, high annual cost (for me) and encourages continual tinkering (not good for CRIMPers) and continual investment in the system or you forgot how you did something.
Perhaps one day the ideal app will present itself!
Posted by Dr Andus
Apr 11, 2019 at 06:51 PM
Simon wrote:
>I’ve debated what I really need. The following would be ideal:
>- Wiki links
>- Tags
>- Categories
>- Silver Searcher like capability.
>- Markdown styling
I haven’t fully explored it yet, but it seems to me that Dynalist would meet almost all of the above. You could use @ for tags and ‘# for categories, if you must distinguish between those two.
Posted by MadaboutDana
Apr 12, 2019 at 09:41 AM
I’d agree that Dynalist is moving in the right direction. Although links between individual items is tricky (apart from tags, which work extremely well).