little red hen needs help

Posted by andyjim
Feb 1, 2014 at 03:42 AM

Dr. Andus, I repeat my respect for your approach. I’m glad it works well for you. Although I think your mind and mine work alike in a lot of respects, one notable difference between us is that (as far as I know) you are (for now) pretty much zeroed in on one project. I would guess that the mechanics of your multi-app system do not present much of a distraction for you, and that is a compliment, for one thing, to your powers of focus. I would lose too much creative energy as well as losing the thread of too many thoughts that bubble up if I were to use such. That may be in part due to my lesser powers of focus. My system needs to be as seamless, intuitive and effective as possible. And it needs to be instantaneously responsive to a change of thread with near zero overhead in the mechanics, and no distraction.
Yes I do intend to write a book (quite possibly more than one), but that is not my sole and central focus. I need a system to sort out my current many years’ mess and make everything accessible and at the same time give me an effective environment for journaling for as long as I keep it up (like, the rest of my life). I hope all sorts of worthwhile things will spring out of my journaling, but journaling is my gig, more than publishing.
What I will end up with I call a ThoughtBase, perhaps in a very similar sense as Luhmann’s notecard system became a nearly independent partner in his work. Again, not a new concept, and one which, it can be argued, may be fulfilled, at least conceptually, with CT and perhaps IQ (I have both but have not mastered either). But with a busy overhead and interface that distracts me and results in lost thoughts and inefficient work.
Yeah, the summary pane hints at the concept I have of a table of keys for each item. The table would be hidden (like everything else in this system) until you bring it up. Then you enter (or select from a list) all keys (subjects, topics, keywords, project, priority, … customizable) that you want attached to this item. Now, from the collection of those tables from all items, construct any mappings/trees you want to look at or navigate or manipulate from. But in the item itself, I want no constraining, distracting markup/down requirement or any other clutter. Just thoughts.
Dr. Andus, I do not discount your (and others’) suggestions on existing software. I have or have at least looked at most of those suggested. I’ve spent years seeking (not with great diligence but with at least some real persistence) existing software that fits my odd style of creativity. I like aspects of virtually everything I’ve looked at. It has taken years, too, just to sort out within myself just what it is I’m looking for. And that will no doubt continue to evolve too. But I think my proposed design can evolve with me, and that’s a reason I want to do it myself: so I can evolve it.
Franz, I think you get it. I think you glimpse what I’m after and why I need it to be so simple and plain, yet integrated and capable. I’m glad it intrigues you, and glad nobody here is putting down the whole idea, though you do question whether it’s worth it, and that’s a valid question. I know I would gladly pay hundreds for this system if it existed, but it may be of little value to others, so it may never be marketable. If not, I’ll still be exceedingly glad to have it myself. Plain, simple, seamless, intuitive, quick, capable, integrated, extendable. I want all the marbles. That’s why I think I have to be the Little Red Hen.
I know I’ve not answered all comments, but I’ve tried to say better where I’m coming from. I do very much appreciate discussing this which has grown in my mind over several years to where it almost has a life of its own. I believe I will contact Keith Blount as suggested (albeit with qualification).
Speaking as a non-programmer, I nonetheless wonder if it may not be as difficult to implement as it sounds. Seems to me the underlying structures may be fairly straightforward database stuff (but I’m not a database guy either!).
Anyway many thanks all, and I hope you’re not done commenting. I’d be glad to try to make it clearer what I have in mind if anyone wants to delve any further.
Best,
Andy