Forum Posts Feed
Tools For Thinking (TFT) in graphic format
< Next Topic | Back to topic list | Previous Topic >
Posted by tberni
Jan 2, 2024 at 01:45 PM
Dear friends of the forum, I hope the Christmas holidays have been good for all of you.
I would like to share with you a topic that I have been thinking about for a long time: how to select the most suitable TFTs according to the way I work and think.
Below I share with you a graphic in which I have placed in space the TFTs I currently use following two axes, the horizontal one that relates operating systems, or rather, work environments (desktop vs. mobile), and the vertical one that serves to differentiate the type of application (above those with a more graphic character and below those more focused on text). Although they are all graphic tools.
https://subjectes.files.wordpress.com/2024/01/apps_tft.png
It should be borne in mind that my exploratory work is done with this type of tool and that my thinking benefits a lot from graphic (spatial) environments. On the other hand, I have found over time that being able to work on the move and then continue the task on the desktop is a great advantage for me.
Another note: I feel that it would be very useful to be able to reduce the number of tools, but I find it difficult to do so, because each of them brings me particular advantages.
Another point: have you noticed that the more powerful a tool is, the more difficult it is to find it in a mobile version, I know it’s obvious, but I must point it out.
Having said all this, I must confess that my ideal would be to have an app that looks like Scapple, but has the power of Curio or Tinderbox and that has a counterpart on iPadOS like Muse.
Finally, I would like to know your opinion and your experiences about what I am saying.
Best regards.
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jan 2, 2024 at 10:13 PM
Have you explored Heptabase. It is a collection of a lot of interrelated tools, including a whiteboard tool that you could say is similar to Scapple. It has an iOS version, which I haven’t tried, so no endorsement at this point.
Posted by tberni
Jan 3, 2024 at 01:12 PM
Well, I haven’t tried Heptabase, Stephen. I guess the price of your subscription has dissuaded me from doing so. I’d rather buy a licence than be a prisoner of subscriptions.
It’s true that Heptabase (and I suppose Scrintal) are rich and flexible tools, but apart from the subscription price, their “remote” philosophy doesn’t convince me. Only Muse has convinced me, thanks to a moderate price and an ease of use that invites you to use it to collect and organise information. On the other hand, being able to work with the tablet and be able to refine on the desktop screen is very much appreciated. However, the weak side of Muse is the lack of a minimal database system to be able to manage the work properly.
**Can any of the forum users talk about their experience with this type of tool today?**
Posted by Stephen Zeoli
Jan 3, 2024 at 01:28 PM
Just to be clear, I am not affiliated with Heptabase in any way.
tberni wrote:
Well, I haven’t tried Heptabase, Stephen. I guess the price of your
>subscription has dissuaded me from doing so. I’d rather buy a licence
>than be a prisoner of subscriptions.
Some apps are so brilliant, I like to support the developer with a subscription. Heptabase is such an app. For an example of just one feature that is remarkable in Heptabase, see this video (watch the whole thing, or just from the point I’ve selected):
https://youtu.be/HgvR2QkfwG0?si=6LBr-nBuYAGZmZzI&t=760
I don’t know what you mean by “remote” philosophy. If you mean your data is stored in the cloud, that’s not the case with Heptabase, which stores your data wherever you like.
>
>It’s true that Heptabase (and I suppose Scrintal) are rich and flexible
>tools, but apart from the subscription price, their “remote” philosophy
>doesn’t convince me. Only Muse has convinced me, thanks to a moderate
>price and an ease of use that invites you to use it to collect and
>organise information. On the other hand, being able to work with the
>tablet and be able to refine on the desktop screen is very much
>appreciated. However, the weak side of Muse is the lack of a minimal
>database system to be able to manage the work properly.
>
>**Can any of the forum users talk about their experience with this type
>of tool today?**
Posted by tberni
Jan 5, 2024 at 12:46 PM
Stephen Zeoli wrote:
>Just to be clear, I am not affiliated with Heptabase in any way.
Stephen you don’t need to point it out, I know your work and opinions, I’ve been following your personal blogs for a long time and I follow you here. I have always appreciated your kindness and fairness.
As far as Heptabase is concerned: I have seen the video you point me to, and I find it impressive how much organisation this tool gives you. I guess what deters me the most is the subscription price. You are right that the storage of information can be exclusively local, if one wishes. Seeing this video encourages me to take the 7-day trial offered by the developers. I’ll let you know. Thanks for the tip.