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Hierarchies or Networks?
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Posted by Dr Andus
Jul 24, 2021 at 10:46 PM
Dellu wrote:
>it enrages me so much when these guys claim to emulate the brain when
>they design their applications:
>That is nonsense.
>First, we really know little on how the brain contains ideas. It is very
>complicated issue:
Thank you for pointing this out. It is also one of my bugbears and makes me groan every time I hear those claims (although it doesn’t deter me from using those applications).
As for the topic of this thread, I think hierarchies and networks as methods of organising information are both useful but for different purposes, and so they are not mutually exclusive, in fact it is very useful to have them both in the same app.
When I’m organising a small amount of information (such as a daily todo list or an outline for a relatively small piece of writing), then a hierarchical outline is more helpful.
When I need to navigate a large database, then a network (i.e. wiki links) is a more helpful way of doing it.
This is one reason I like RoamResearch (and previously ConnectedText): I can use outlines for managing daily todos and for writing smaller pieces, but then they are all interlinked to constitute a navigable and searchable network.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jul 26, 2021 at 10:38 AM
We’ve had personal computers now for 40 years and the Internet for 25 years. There should be no reason to choose between hierarchies and networks. However, if I had to choose one over the other, I’d take hierarchies… just thinking back to the days of Grandview, still the best app ever produced in my opinion.
I agree that saying networks are the way our brains work is false. In fact, I might even venture that hierarchies more closely match what our brains are always trying to do, and that is to make sense of what we see. We want to take the input of our senses and put them into a logical “story.” An outline or hierarchy does that better than a network. Networks are very useful, but they are not how are brains work.
Steve
Posted by MadaboutDana
Jul 26, 2021 at 11:11 AM
To the hierarchy/network duo, I’d add comparison. Personally, I find the ability to view multiple pieces of information side by side invaluable; it’s why I can’t bear Agenda, which, for all its power and clever features, still doesn’t support multiple windows.
So maybe hierarchy + network + multiview + pivot table?
Cheers!
Bill
Posted by Pierre Paul Landry
Jul 26, 2021 at 12:53 PM
MadaboutDana wrote:
>Personally, I find the ability to view multiple pieces of information side by side invaluable
>it’s why I can’t bear Agenda, which, for all its power and clever features, still doesn’t support multiple windows.
>So maybe hierarchy + network + multiview + pivot table?
Precisely what InfoQube is all about !
(you can add Columns, Tags, Google and Evernote sync too :-)
Yes, I know, no native macOS app, but runs well on VMWare / Parallels
If someone wants to help have it run under Wine / Crossover, you’re welcome to contact me
Pierre Paul Landry
IQ Designer
https://infoqubeim.com/drupal5/node/48
Posted by Amontillado
Jul 26, 2021 at 01:40 PM
TheBrain’s jump thoughts remain intriguing.
I’m not sure if I correctly understand the difference between network relationships and hierarchical.
I think I use tags to form what you’re referring to as network relationships.