Step by step alternatives

[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

I'm wondering whether it'd be worth discussing the available alternative tools for each step of the Cyborganize workflow. I'm fairly ICT-savvy, but would prefer to not go into local installations of Wordpress and stuff. Also, depending on the OS one is on, there may be more convenient alternatives available.

[Yuma Maris]

As it stands the basic principles and jargon used to describe Cyborganize still need to be sharpened. It's difficult to make heads or tails out of the current write-up.

[Joseph Buchignani]

Sure, Alexander. There may even be better tools out there than what I've found for some of the functions. 

About local wordpress installs, I have a guide posted I think - you can download it as a complete virtualized package that includes wordpress and apache server and whatever, so it's a one-click install. 

Yuma, I agree, I'm working on it. 

[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

My 2 c:

- For Scratch Files: there are quite a few tools that sit in the system tray and can be used to quickly jot down notes, without interrupting one's workflow or worrying about filenames etc. My own favourite for Windows is Cintanotes

- For Quotes: my own favourite is Evernote, having the advantage of universal availability and inclusion of information in just about any format.

- For the T2 blog: In Windows I would prefer a traditional desktop application like TheJournal to the web logic of WordPress (even locally installed); maybe I'm just old school.

- For the T3 wiki: not for the faint-hearted, a rather unique tool available is Aibase. It is like a sort of visual wiki, whereas apart for text one can link graphical objects between them (it also has powerful vector drawing capabilities). I can't say that I'm a fan of the program, but for engineers and others whose notes may include extensive graphic input (i.e. not just image files but actual manual drawing notes) it should be worth a try.

Disclaimer: I have no vested interest in any of the above software. 

[Joseph Buchignani]

Good stuff. I wonder if the upcoming video will convert you to a greater appreciation of the wordpress/org mode/tiddlywiki approach. 

I actually see evernote more as a blog than a quotes repository, although it can function as either. I've tried using it as both in past iterations, and the blog format definitely worked better. Quotes are difficult to make appropriate post divisions for, and evernote needs good post divisions. In my quotes chronological tapes there are no post divisions, since I use emacs. 

Also I don't think the journal allows easy scrolling across the full text of entries in chronological order or in search results... am I wrong? THat's a key T3-2 function. 

I love Aibase because it's so dense I have no idea what it does even after scanning the whole website. It almost motivates me to try the program just to figure out what they were trying to describe. But I guess if you don't like it I won't either. Still... tempting...

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[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

On Monday, September 5, 2011 12:53:23 AM UTC+3, Joseph Buchignani wrote:

Good stuff. I wonder if the upcoming video will convert you to a greater appreciation of the wordpress/org mode/tiddlywiki approach. 

Yes, I do appreciate it, but I still find myself feeling more comfortable with tools I've been using for a while; so appreciation is one thing, suitability is another.

I actually see evernote more as a blog than a quotes repository, although it can function as either. I've tried using it as both in past iterations, and the blog format definitely worked better. Quotes are difficult to make appropriate post divisions for, and evernote needs good post divisions. In my quotes chronological tapes there are no post divisions, since I use emacs. 

Sounds reasonable (Evernote as a blog in the Cyborganize workflow). For the quotes part, I'll have to delve a bit deeper.

Also I don't think the journal allows easy scrolling across the full text of entries in chronological order or in search results... am I wrong? THat's a key T3-2 function. 

More on this when there's a video on the longform loop...
 

I love Aibase because it's so dense I have no idea what it does even after scanning the whole website. It almost motivates me to try the program just to figure out what they were trying to describe. But I guess if you don't like it I won't either. Still... tempting...

I suggest you do try it out. I don't use it because I don't like the wiki approach (not being able to see the big picture) and because my notes are generally verbal. But as I said, if I worked as an engineer (I actually have an engineering background but never worked as one), I would appreciate it much more.

[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

An additional alternative for Scratch files; it's a powerful Windows text editor called EmEditor. See here its outlining capability. I think it can decently be used instead of Emacs. 

[Joseph Buchignani]

hilarious voiceover (asian chick?) but pretty good outlining capabilities, not a bad find. easier replacements for Emacs Org-Mode will be key for mainstream adoption 

On Sun, Sep 11, 2011 at 6:40 PM, Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu) <a...@sympraxis.eu> wrote:

An additional alternative for Scratch files; it's a powerful Windows text editor called EmEditor. See here its outlining capability. I think it can decently be used instead of Emacs. 

[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

What I like is that I can customise EmEditor to define outline levels with leading spaces. Then, copying the text and smart-pasting to Brainstorm with the "use indents to create descendants" option checked, faultlessly transcribes the outline --up to the maximum of 6 levels supported by EmEditor.

[Alexander Deliyannis - SYMPRAXIS Team (eu)]

Joseph, you wrote here that "I’ve accepted that right now nobody who doesn’t already use Org-mode can possibly be convinced to try Cyborganize."

I disagree, and that was the point of this thread. I am trying out Cyborganize, step by step, but do not intend to try out Org-mode. I may be stubborn, but after having built a good collection of software I am comfortable with, I don't see any reason for spending the time needed to learn such a tool. Even more, I cannot envisage convincing others to do it, whereas I have already talked to some of my collaborators about the Cyborganize approach.

I can do anything that I've seen you do in Org-mode within the context of Cyborganize, in my own choice of software, without needing to think about it; isn't that the point?

I believe that you need to separate the method from the software, wherever possible.

[Joseph Buchignani]

Alex, that's awesome. 

I do intend to try to find a way to make Cyborganize work effectively in an Org-mode alternative. I haven't had the time to do that yet. When I do, it will be much more accessible.

I'll follow your progress and will be very interested to know how implementing the workflow works with another text editor. 

[Kaisheng Yong]

Is there any follow up on this?

I am interested in Cyborganize but however, i do not intend to learn  Org-mode.

My personal Preference would be notepad++ but i am not sure how to go about it.

Also, since i use multiple computers (work, personal, mobile) I have a tendency to use things are is cloud based and mobile supported

[Alexander Deliyannis]

I'm personally still working on this, but slowly. I've tried several programs from the Cyborganize perspective with inconclusive results. 

One area where I'm more or less settled is the initial note taking (scratch files and the like). I've chosen Resoph Notes in Windows, the Syncpad Chrome extension for my Linux netbook and Andronoter in Android, all programs that can work with the Simplenote syncing service.

For me it is very important to be able to start and edit my notes wherever I may have the time, access to my info and inspiration. The above setup allows me to do this, and have my notes in plain text for whatever further use.

An added bonus is the support for Markdown, which allows for some basic and intuitive annotation if I ever need it, which can then be converted to HTML.

[Brendon Wong]

Hi!

What programs would you recommend for a new user to get started with Cyborganize? I've tried it in the past, but the complexity caused me to eventually give up.

Also, The Brain http://www.thebrain.com/ looks like an easier replacement for the Snippet Loop. I still don't understand why the Snippet Loop is so critical, especially because I don't see any scenario where I would be fishing through the past for information so trivial it was not put into the Longform Loop. The time it takes to sort hundreds of pages of mostly useless material into a "mindmap" seems rather unproductive. 

Also, SuperMemo might still be useful, because with this system there is "recursive high-volume learning" but it does not seem like Cyborganize will work for learning new skills or studying.

Thanks for everyone's help!

[Joseph B]

"What programs would you recommend for a new user to get started with Cyborganize? I've tried it in the past, but the complexity caused me to eventually give up."

I wouldn't, really. What's on the site is not what I'm using now. Although I'm very happy with what I'm using now. 

Basically, I use BrainStorm a lot less, Org Mode a lot more (cleverly), and publish T1 & T2 to either ConnectedText or Wordpress. 

TheBrain is not suitable for snippet loop. Omnidirectional linking and slow processing speeds and slow interface will not work.

" I don't see any scenario where I would be fishing through the past for information so trivial it was not put into the Longform Loop. "

It happens and quite annoying when you don't save everything. 

I haven't and don't actually sort everything into a mindmap, except actionables but not for a long time. The point is that if I need to review, I can do it. Typically I sort smaller concentrated text dumps into mindmaps with BrainStorm. The snippet loop is a possibility that relaxes you, more than something you actually do on a regular basis. I agree that it's not worthwhile, the point is that it's possible, which reduces stress from mental fragmentation. If the task ever became high enough priority, you could do it. Unless BrainStorm choked, which seems likely. That program needs to be rewritten with essentially the same functionality into something stable and robust like Emacs or Ruby on Rails. (A thousand programmers groan at my ignorance.) 

I am not at a point in my life where I can relaunch Cyborganize yet. Just got healthy enough to start full time work again. But my current iteration is performing admirably. It doesn't choke despite an info load that only 3.5 years of info-obsessed invalid can produce. It keeps me tightly focused and on track. It hoovers and focuses information with vastly greater efficiency and losslessness than any other system I can imagine. 

I will certainly return and relaunch the site, when my priorities permit. 

Supermemo is absolutely useful as you've described. It is a specialized appliance to be used only for material that MUST BE MEMORIZED. Very little falls under this category, because memorization as a primary activity versus an incidental effect is very inefficient. The longform loop is the primary channel for learning and refactoring massive volumes of information. 

A key innovation in the longform loop is permanent project scratch files, which start with 9x, e.g. scratch-91-project-title.org

This cuts down tremendously on sorting. 

Another key innovation is scratch00-doing-now, which holds immediate actionables sortable with org mode's simple tools. This cuts down tremendously on BrainStorm actionable sorting. 

In sum, at this point Cyborganize serves a dual function - capacious reservoirs for a life on hold, and supporting a frenetic pace of urgent action for a life on the mend. Miraculously, it also permits a degree of content creation and intellectual integration even under these strenuous conditions. But of course serious polished content generation requires deeper integrative deliberate focused effort, which I cannot afford to expend on secondary objectives at this time. 

Cheers,

JB

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[Brendon Wong]

Thanks for your detailed reply! I'd be happy to help you relaunch Cyborganize if you need any help. 

For the snippet loop, what if you do many one time assignments, like writing emails? This would cause a tremendous buildup in Cyborganize, right? Everyday, pages of content just pour unrelentingly into the Snippet Loop. It's rather unorganized, so it would take ages for me to find this one thing that I know I did, but not the name of it. Searching through hundreds of pages is rather inefficient. 

How would you best sort the Snippet Loop in the easiest way possible. The information from the past would be really useful, like all my research into certain things over several years, but it is again almost impossible to recreate.

How does the Snippet Loop work with, say, Google Docs? The revision history is really useful to me, but if it's all in Cyborganize, I lose an important functionality unless I perhaps add a link to the original doc or something?

Also, why does the Snippet Loop have to be split into notes and quotes? I'd prefer everything together, just to give context to my activities. If I use one key quote in something I write, then separate it, it would be almost impossible to resurrect my original thought.

You mentioned:

• Desktop dashboard
• bells and whistles
• self tracking
• non-text file sorting
• journals and review

Is that covered anywhere on the site?

Whenever I use the internet, or even my computer, I become really distracted. I go on Facebook, check email, watch movies, listen to music... This makes me nervous when I consider being on my computer nearly all the time because of Cyborganize. Does Cyborganize address staying motivated and undistracted?

How would you effectively implement new habits? If I need to remember to take supplements in the morning (certain actions at certain times), and remember other things whenever the situation comes up (no set time or action), it's really hard to find something that does that effectively except an actual exoself. 

Finally, you continue to mention using other task management tools in addition to the execution loop, what would those be? I have many time based tasks, which is dificult to manage in BrainStorm. In addition, I have to do many offline tasks, how does that work with on computer scratch files?

Thanks for all your help!

Brendon

[Brendon Wong]

I mean, since the T3:

"Your T3 blog will be significantly more accessible and useful than your notes chron tape. Thoughts will be longer and fully developed. You’ll be able to quickly reconstruct your thoughts at a particular time. 

We is the Snippet Loop:

"The notes chron tape, by contrast, is quite fragmentary and often terse or mysterious."

Even needed?

Thanks!

[Jay Dugger]

1048 Thursday, 23 May 2013

On Monday, May 20, 2013 5:14:06 AM UTC-5, Joseph Buchignani wrote:

"What programs would you recommend for a new user to get started with Cyborganize? I've tried it in the past, but the complexity caused me to eventually give up."

I wouldn't, really. What's on the site is not what I'm using now. Although I'm very happy with what I'm using now. 

Basically, I use BrainStorm a lot less, Org Mode a lot more (cleverly), and publish T1 & T2 to either ConnectedText or Wordpress. 

Org-Mode more cleverly? At the cost of BrainStorm? You have my attention.

 

I am not at a point in my life where I can relaunch Cyborganize yet. Just got healthy enough to start full time work again. But my current iteration is performing admirably. It doesn't choke despite an info load that only 3.5 years of info

I hope your health continues improving.

 

I will certainly return and relaunch the site, when my priorities permit. 

I look forward to this.

 

Supermemo is absolutely useful as you've described. It is a specialized appliance to be used only for material that MUST BE MEMORIZED. Very little falls under this category, because memorization as a primary activity versus an incidental effect is very inefficient. The longform loop is the primary channel for learning and refactoring massive volumes of information. 

There's also Anki, which costs less, and offers almost everything SuperMemo has. Oh, and org-drill, built into org-mode but not quite so powerful.

 

A key innovation in the longform loop is permanent project scratch files, which start with 9x, e.g. scratch-91-project-title.org

This cuts down tremendously on sorting. 

Very interesting. I'll hold my questions.

 

Another key innovation is scratch00-doing-now, which holds immediate actionables sortable with org mode's simple tools. This cuts down tremendously on BrainStorm actionable sorting. 

Also very interesting.

[Joseph B]

Alexander, my Gmail stalking app informs me that you are a stately looking fellow. 

Brendon, I am incorrigibly busy at the moment being trained as a GMAT teacher, may last for 2 weeks. Better than being too sick to work, though. 

After that, I would welcome your assistance. 

I recommend Gmail search or the Longform loop for emails you really need to keep track of. Snippet loop is a very long term thing. the longer you let it lie, the more efficient the eventual processing will be, because the more of it will have been rendered irrelevant by the passage of time. 

The buildup in the chron tapes (emacs files) is no problem because it's just text. 

If you describe the case of searching for your missing email precisely, I can answer in a more useful way. There's a lot I'm not saying. 

You want to recreate all your research from the last few years, eh? Well, you have a couple of questions to answer:

1. Is this really my correct next action?

2. How is the info orgnanized now?

3. Develop a plan and start going through it. 

I would manage the process in a dedicated scratch file, probably a scratch9x-project.org type file. I'd expect it to take a week+. I'd do one pass and grab everything relevant into a big file/folder. Then do a 2nd pass and start sorting it out however was most convenient. Probably organizing into a regular org scratch file until it got unwieldy, then dumping big sections to the longform T2, then continuing to sort. Maybe a BrainStorm pass on the scratch file if it's really fragmented. 

Depending on the type of information then you might start going to a wiki or a database like Filemaker Pro. 

In Cyborganize you get revision history as soon as you shift to either ConnectedText or Wordpress, i.e. your longform loop. Before that it doesn't really matter, just rough drafts. You shouldn't be editing your chronological tapes, so no need for revision tracking. 

The notes/quotes division in the snippet loop is primarily about segregating volume and quality in a no-brainer way. This does create a topic splitting problem. The solution is that for projects/topics you consistently pay attention to, create permanent project scratch files numbered 90+. Dump high quality notes and quotes there. That skips the slow sorting, hard to search general snippet loop. 

However the general snippet loop is still very cool. You can easily search across all open buffers for a deep search, or just search your epic/elite quotes or high priority notes files for a quick scan of the highlights. And all the deep quotes stuff is still there whenever you get around to it, if ever. 

"You mentioned:"...

"Is that covered anywhere on the site?"

probably not, sadly

" Does Cyborganize address staying motivated and undistracted?"

The frictionless workflow helps. If you can't work on a computer without being distracted, maybe computers are not for you, hah. Or maybe try having a "work only" computer. Motivation and focus is somethign I care about, but is mostly beyond the scope of Cyborganize, per se. There are some nice things it does for you, such as automatically focusing you on your priorities, etc.

I use MyReminder for timed reminders, and HottNotes for a desktop checklist. Both those tools are very important parts of my Cyborganize dashboard and habit instillation. For my #1 habit, I write it on the back of my hand and use tally marks to track adherence. 

My task management is simply Google Calendar, MyReminder, Hottnotes checklists, and the orgmode scratch00-doing-now.org file. BrainStorm holds the deep actionable sorting system, but I may not access that for months at a time, unless I need to pivot. The longform loop is also quite useful once a defined project is rolling, and I will probably have a scratch9x-project-name.org file to keep track of non-urgent project actionables. 

For offline tasks, I like to make checklists in a scratch file and then download, print, email to phone or handcopy them. 

Re T3 vs notes chron tape - I did the reverse. I stopped using the T3 because it was just duplicating the chron tapes and not adding much value. Once I knew how to search all emacs open buffers, it added no value and created extra tagging labor that org mode could handle better if I wanted to bother with tagging, which I don't. 

Jay Dugger -

Hey buddy. Good to hear from you. Aye, it's a lot slicker now, it was much more theoretical before. What can I say, experience trumps everything. 

I agree, Anki is cool, I'm just a fan of ahem power tools .

Heh I can tell you pick up a little from a lot, looking forward to releasing this. 

Cheers,

JB

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[Joseph B]

That should read "Heh I can tell you pick up a lot from a little, looking forward to releasing this." 

ha

[Brendon Wong]

Just curious, what do you think about DevonThink for personal knowledge management? 

http://www.macworld.com/article/1161735/review_devonthink_pro_office_2_2_1_helps_manage_your_data.html

http://mac.appstorm.net/reviews/office-review/let-devonthink-personal-organize-your-files/