Tinderbox 8 is released

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Posted by Paul Korm
Apr 16, 2019 at 10:25 AM

Good points, Hugh. I suspect that working out “the optimal structure” before you begin” is what can lead to the “all fiddling and no results” concern that some folks have with Tinderbox.

Emergence is an abstraction that can be difficult to grasp. Structure (essential to “meaning” or ‘understanding”) doesn’t pop up out of nowhere—it takes gradual effort. For example, Bernstein in his chapter on Emergent Structure in A Tinderbox Way writes:

“How can we discover structure that we did not impose, structure that emerges organically from the notes themselves? Moving critical information from your memory into Tinderbox text, and from unstructured text into attributes, is often the key to more effective research and more cogent analysis. This process may be gradual; you don’t need to formalize immediately or completely. Indeed, premature formalization is often mere procrastination.”

Hugh wrote:
>When using Tinderbox, unlike,
>say, when setting up a database, you don’t have to work out the optimal
>structure before you begin; you can do that as you go along.

Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Apr 16, 2019 at 10:46 AM

Totally agree. Beck’s videos demonstrate exactly this process.

Steve Z

Paul Korm wrote:
Good points, Hugh. I suspect that working out “the optimal structure”
>before you begin” is what can lead to the “all fiddling and no results”
>concern that some folks have with Tinderbox.
> >Emergence is an abstraction that can be difficult to grasp. Structure
>(essential to “meaning” or ‘understanding”) doesn’t pop up out of
>nowhere—it takes gradual effort. For example, Bernstein in his
>chapter on Emergent Structure in A Tinderbox Way writes:
> >“How can we discover structure that we did not impose, structure that
>emerges organically from the notes themselves? Moving critical
>information from your memory into Tinderbox text, and from unstructured
>text into attributes, is often the key to more effective research and
>more cogent analysis. This process may be gradual; you don’t need
>to formalize immediately or completely. Indeed, premature formalization
>is often mere procrastination.”
> >Hugh wrote:
>>When using Tinderbox, unlike,
>>say, when setting up a database, you don’t have to work out the optimal
>>structure before you begin; you can do that as you go along.

Posted by Franz Grieser
Apr 16, 2019 at 11:05 AM

Mark Bernstein wrote:

>>”...you don’t need to formalize immediately or completely. Indeed, premature formalization
>>is often mere procrastination.”

Touché :-)

Posted by Captain CowPie
Apr 16, 2019 at 07:16 PM

I LOVE this forum!

I HATE this forum!

I was pretty content in my software and workflows until recently when trying to access information while on vacation. I have tried really, really hard not to CRIMP over the past few years, and to consolidate my programs into a few key ones.

As those of us who frequent this forum know, it is almost an impossible task.

I have been happily using DevonThink and TaskPaper for the vast majority of my work, with Reminders for quick input while using my phone or iPad. TaskPaper imports Reminders very nicely. The toughest part is not having a great way to access TaskPaper in iOS (DevonThink shows the files, but without folding they are unwieldy). I have used Taskmator and Editorial, but have had some problems with each, so I try to stay away from using them.

While on vacation Drafts for Mac comes out, and I decided to jump on board again. But hey, it’s only one small program and isn’t all that expensive.

Then this thread.

I tried TinderBox awhile back and liked it, but thought it was overkill for what I needed at the time (and there may have been other considerations I can’t remember). I have always wanted to use TinderBox, sort of how I really want to use Curio more.

Now I find myself once again doing a trial of TinderBox and liking it so far. But the trial does not allow me to enter enough notes to really give it a good run, so I am unsure. The videos from Steve Z. were very much appreciated.

So, even though it won’t solve my original problem of accessing information in iOS, I find myself wanting something new. Drafts apparently did not quench that thirst for me. I am sure nothing really will in the long run. It is a battle most of us face.

But I do appreciate this forum and come by to catch up every few weeks or so. This thread was especially helpful (or not depending on whether you are looking at my bank account).

Thanks for all of the great information.

Posted by Amontillado
Apr 17, 2019 at 01:11 AM

I bought Tinderbox a while back, and I have no regrets. I don’t actually use it, but software like this needs support.

Devonthink always draws me back, though. For notes for a story, it’s overkill, but it’s the same environment as my mutli-thousand entry document databases.

The Brain is very addictive, and I wish Devonthink had a Brain or mindmap view.

When its time to start building a new network of ideas, I start jotting notes in the inbox. The local inbox embedded in the database, usually, but the global inbox will work fine, too.

If I’m in a hurry, I don’t even name the files, I just type them in. As the pace slows down, I’ll name the files something meaningful, add tags, and move them to appropriate groups. Structure emerges and notes are entered quickly. When I’m planning a story or essay, it’s a little like using Scrivener. Maybe a more specific tool would be better, but swiss army knives are cool, too.

I like the tools->show groups & tags feature. Sometimes I don’t even navigate in a normal Devonthink window. I’ll open windows from the groups & tags pane. Now, if groups & tags could work like The Brain for navigation, that would be cool.

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