What software are you using?

RiderOfGiraffes

In browsing discussions I'm left with the impression that people keep talking about their systems, and assuming that everyone else is using the same software. Or at the very least, that it will be obvious to the reader what software they're using.

But it's not always obvious to me.

Most recently someone was asking a very specific question about searching, and it was clear that they were using a specific package, but it wasn't at all obvious to me what package it was. I spent several seconds in confusion, trying to work it out. (It was, apparently, a thing called "The Archive", which I've never seen.)

So ...

• What software are you using?
• What do you particularly like about it?
• What features do other people talk about that you wish you had?

(Apologies if this is all old-hat to everyone else, or if it's inappropriate. If it is inappropriate, please leave a note saying why and I'll try to ask better questions.)

gdigesu

@RiderOfGiraffes said:

Most recently someone was asking a very specific question about searching, and it was clear that they were using a specific package, but it wasn't at all obvious to me what package it was. I spent several seconds in confusion, trying to work it out. (It was, apparently, a thing called "The Archive", which I've never seen.)

Try https://zettelkasten.de/the-archive/
You'll be pleasantly surprised.

GeoEng51

This was the exact topic of a previous thread - it would be worthwhile to look it up, rather than everyone re-hashing the discussion again. My apologies, but I can't find it quickly and don't have time to dig around at the moment. Maybe someone else remembers?

Amontillado

@gdigesu said:

Try https://zettelkasten.de/the-archive/
You'll be pleasantly surprised.

I've enjoyed lurking here. I don't yet know that much about The Archive, but I figure I can support what y'all are doing (that's authentic Texas lingo) with a purchase. If it works well, I hope I gave a little encouragement to a nice community and picked up a worthy tool at the same time.

If it ends up not being my cup of tea, I'll keep complaints to myself and wish you all the best anyway.

Now, to read up on what I just bought.

Kudos to anyone who works to promote the written word.

GeoEng51

@RiderOfGiraffes There is this recent thread (see below), which is related to your question, but not the one I am looking for. I may find the other one yet.

https://forum.zettelkasten.de/discussion/comment/14744#Comment_14744

GeoEng51

@RiderOfGiraffes

Well - I can't find the previous thread that I mentioned in an earlier post on this thread, so I'll try to answer your question more fully.

Pretty much any program that produces plain text files (for longevity) could theoretically be used to create a ZK. But there are a number of programs that specifically cater to the ZK crowd. Ones that I have tried out on my laptop computer (MacBook Pro) are (in the order that I like them): The Archive, NotePlan, TiddlyWiki, Zettlr and Obsidian. There are others that I have not tried.

My first computer program and still my favourite is The Archive, which stays open on my second monitor at all times.

Apps that I use on my iPhone and iPad to access, read and sometimes edit (but not create) zettels are 1Writer and iA Writer. You could also use NotePlan on iOS for the same purpose.

Here are two lists of ZK software compiled by others:

https://zk.zettel.page/software-list.html

https://www.reddit.com/r/Zettelkasten/comments/flygc4/lets_build_a_list_of_zettelkasten_software/

Here is a link to ZK software discussed on this site:

https://zettelkasten.de/tools/

Still looking....maybe this was the thread I was thinking of earlier:

https://forum.zettelkasten.de/discussion/1712/best-zk-software-for-windows-2021

scottscheper

Notecards and a pen 🗃😁

Amontillado

@scottscheper said:
Notecards and a pen 🗃😁

Powerful, particularly if it's a fountain pen. Not as clumsy or random as a ballpoint. An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age.

scottscheper

@Amontillado said:

@scottscheper said:
Notecards and a pen 🗃😁

Powerful, particularly if it's a fountain pen. Not as clumsy or random as a ballpoint. An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age.

I use rollerball Montblancs. I've tried fountain pens. Just find it distracts from the writing. I may try again at some point.

Sascha

@scottscheper said:

@Amontillado said:

@scottscheper said:
Notecards and a pen 🗃😁

Powerful, particularly if it's a fountain pen. Not as clumsy or random as a ballpoint. An elegant weapon, for a more civilized age.

I use rollerball Montblancs. I've tried fountain pens. Just find it distracts from the writing. I may try again at some point.

The American School System... I was forced to write with fountain pens for years in school to improve my hand writing.

ZettelDistraction

I list the software components here: https://github.com/flengyel/Zettel/wiki/Zettelkasten-software-components. New: Zettlr and Pandoc configuration files for $(\LaTeX)$.

Sociopoetic

@RiderOfGiraffes, I had a similar question recently, posted here. Perhaps this is also the thread you were thinking of, @GeoEng51?

GeoEng51

@Sociopoetic said:
@RiderOfGiraffes, I had a similar question recently, posted here. Perhaps this is also the thread you were thinking of, @GeoEng51?

Yes; I think so.