Notetaking as a way to stay smart
peterc.org
peterc.org
As an example, if you're reading a dystopian novel you could create a node for "Dystopias" under æTypes of Literature" that has "Brave New World" and "1984: as sub-nodes with notes for each book in their node. Those could link to nodes for the authors with maybe writing advice from Orwell and/or Huxley. Then you could link from them to a node about a current event or article that seems to fulfill their somber predictions... etc.
The same "Brain" could also have notes on topics as disparate as programming languages, biology or travel, all in one searchable, non-siloed place. You can create connections between nodes at will.
I've used it for several years now and can't recommend it highly enough. I wouldn't, however, mind seeing competition in the area as they seem to be the only company that makes software like this.
Shameless plug for my blog post from several years ago about the software: http://marcusvorwaller.com/blog/archives/2007/09/04/personal...
Personally, I've found it to be anything but a "procrastination-forming pseudo-notetaking program."
I say Procrastination-forming because in my experience with these kind of tools you end up spending more time formatting and aesthetic-izing your stuff than actually doing notetaking. Look at the demo video on the main homepage and one thing they emphasize is on putting small icons beside the bubbles and having neat background colors.
I say Pseudo-notetaking becuase this tool is actually more geared towards structure than creation. Your video for instance doesn't show anything related to my idea of notetaking. Notetaking means you are writing down quotations or details upon ideas that you're listening or reading about because you wish to remember them or study later. Notetaking, in my mind, is not limited to linking Ayn Rand as an author and 1902 as a birth year. There's no depth to anything.
In the end if you say it works for you then go for it. But I'm just saying that if it's really notetaking you're interested in then I really don't think this is the program to use.
Aesthetics are a factor, but the icons, for example, are generated automatically by favicons when you link to a webpage. No procrastination involved!
While researching a subject, I take notes intertwined with graphs and diagrams. Can emacs handle that type of data?
- http://www.gnu.org/software/emacs/elisp/html_node/Images.htm...
- http://www.gnu.org/s/emacs/manual/html_node/elisp/Showing-Im...
Edit: combine it with dropbox to keep your notes synced and backed-up 24/7
It works rather flawlessly.
In addition, you use different "senses" (writing in addition to reading) which enhances learning.
And of course (unless you only write it down on paper) you will be able to search for it and find it again when you need it (because you will not be able to remember every detail).
So, it isn't that important which tool you use, as long as you keep most notes in one place (so you know where to look for it later).
(shameless plug) Of course, as the number of notes grow, many people will experience information overload and have trouble finding the forest for all the trees...this is where using specialized tools that are optimized for finding what you need will help you.
My blog post regarding large amounts of information - http://www.ppcsoft.com/blog/iknow-efficiency-scalability.asp
(/shameless plug)
I've generally found that taking notes during something like a lecture or presentation (anything that I can't pause, in fact) actually hinders my understanding. I think it's because I have to divide my concentration between writing and listening/watching. But for these things, writing up notes immediately afterwards is tremendously helpful.
Sometimes it's just the action of taking notes which provides the benefit, even if you never re-read them again.
Although in a slightly different context, take notes as a way to get better advice; see http://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=635064 and http://lifehacker.com/5270397/get-better-advice-by-taking-no...
Taking notes helps in two ways: first, it forces you to think about what you read to extract the salient points; That thinking enhance your understanding and memorisation. Second, it allows you to remember more easily by quickly checking your notes; memory is a dynamic process, and the notes will help you remember the thoughts you had writing them down, therefore the material.
There's only so much space in my brain for specific facts, and I'm pretty poor at dealing with them, but I thrive on knowing where to find the answer to things. The notetaking method I use helps me remember what I've read and to "re-remember" the material rather than to learn it per se.
next problem...