Unleashing the Mind - Introduction
Exploring the Tools for Thought Universe
Before I start my long journey with you through the Tools for Thought universe, I would like to explain how I evaluate the tools and what is particularly important to me.
After my near-death experience in 2020 (described in "Dia de Muertos - or how I discovered Roam Research"), I started to work more intensively with personal knowledge management and consistently integrated it into my everyday life.
The most critical point for me is usability. The tools are intended to support me in my everyday life, so I can only determine their value there.
According to ISO 9241-11, usability is defined as the ability of a system to enable users to perform tasks safely, effectively, and efficiently while providing a pleasant experience. It refers to the degree to which specific users can use a software or system to achieve measurable goals with effectiveness, efficiency, and satisfaction in a defined context. Usability includes the study of principles, methods for measuring usability, and the design of interactions with computer programs or websites to improve the user experience. It applies to various objects and industries, e.g., consumer electronics, communication, and mechanical objects.
I have briefly described this everyday life in "Where is my Ariadne?". I'm a system architect for a large migration project to replace legacy systems in the life insurance industry. My working week consists of many meetings with a wide variety of topics and participants. Sometimes, it's about operational issues, but sometimes it's highly strategic.
Therefore, the most critical contents in my Personal Knowledge Management System are meeting notes, tasks, project planning and concepts, and technical notes. I also run a few private projects, such as this site here, or the development of user interfaces and plugins (for Roam Research, among others). Again, a lot of planning and notes are involved. Last but not least, I am interested in various topics: net politics, artificial intelligence, design, web development, photography, gravel bikes, mechanical keyboards, notebooks and pens, mental models, and, of course, tools for thought. I also keep a central record of essential things in these areas using various devices- Windows, macOS, iPad, and iPhone - daily and regularly while traveling.
You can find out more about how I use my PKM here:
My personal journey starting with Word in "Dia de Muertos - or how I discovered Roam Research".
In "Where is my Ariadne?" I explain the main principles I have used for my Personal Knowledge Management.
“A structured way of organizing Roam Research" describes the ontology I use to map and link the various entities with each other.
In "It all starts NOW" I describe the use of the journal as a central point of contact and how I deal with tasks.
I explain my meeting approach in "A "Remembrall" for your meetings". Three aspects are central here: planning, recording key content, and planning the follow-up for the action items.
Even if I describe my approach there using Roam Research, many of the basic concepts can also be used in the other tools. I will go into this in more detail in the series of articles:
Give a practical insight into the tool using concrete examples from my everyday work
evaluate the usability for me personally and advise on who the tool is suitable for under which circumstances and under which circumstances it is less suitable
inspire the developers as to where I see unique selling points or substantial potential for improvement
As things currently stand, I will take a closer look at the following tools (but I'm always open to suggestions; please comment below):
Amplenote: Write it down. Get it done.
Anytype: the everything app
Bear: Markdown notes you'll love
Capacities: A studio for your mind
Craft: Where ideas meet action
Heptabase: Make sense of complex topics.
Logseq: Connect your notes, increase understanding.
Notion: Write, plan, share. With AI at your side.
Obsidian: Sharpen your thinking.
Reflect: Think better with Reflect
RemNote: Make flashcards in your notes. Cut study time in half.
Roam Research: A note-taking tool for networked thought.
Tana: Tana is an intelligent all-in-one workspace
The Brain: Get the ultimate digital memory.
Upnote: Organize Your Ideas
Zettlr: Your one-stop publication workbench
Transparency note: I pay for the licenses for all the tools examined. Although I am in personal contact or business relationships with some manufacturers, the articles 100% reflect my honest, personal opinion and are free from third-party influence. Due to the effort involved, this series is only available to paying subscribers (some of whom are also developers of the aforementioned tools). I kindly ask for your understanding and support. I am currently considering whether it would be a good idea for manufacturers to "buy" the articles for the general public. Still, I have not yet concluded and do not know whether there is any interest.
I would be delighted if you would join me on this adventurous journey through the "Tools for Thought" universe.
See you soon.
Lattics is a new piece of software on the PKM scene. Would be great to see some feedback on that.