Tools for Thought
Primitives
These are not features, but rather Medium for thinking that are present in tools which help us manage knowledge.
- Prose text
- Outline or List Outliners are a medium for thinking
- Graph of connected ideas (knowledge graphs, mind maps, etc)
- Table (i.e., spreadsheets)
- Spatial Canvas - Spatial Interfaces and Computational Canvas
- Timeline
- Hierarchy (Nested folders)
- Tags
- Schemas
- Annotations of other material
We actually understand the primitives pretty darn well. What we don’t understand is how to organize the primitives into a larger structure.
Also don’t understand how to scale these primitives to organization-scale knowledge management.
What we don’t have as primitives in our knowledge environments, but we should:
- Programs - Programs as a medium for thinking
- Simulations - Computers should represent knowledge using models and simulations
Tools
Note-taking
- RemNote - SRS and note-taking
- Roam Research - knowledge graphs
- Foam - an open source Roam alternative
- IdeaFlow - Linus Lee worked here for a bit.
- NVUltra - The successor to NVAlt
- ReflectNotes - Alex Maccaw's creation. Vojto works here.
- Author - Minimalist Word processor with integrated Concept Map, Fast Citations, & Automatic Export to Academic PDF. Built by Frode Hegland
- Mem - Easy capture + graph database - linking sucks?
- Subconscious - by Gordon Brander
- Codex Editor - knowledge worker's OS
- Literal - textual information browser for augmenting your reading experience; capture sources, annotations, and knowledge
- Dendron - The note-taking tool that grows with you - makes it easy to add, find and share anything in seconds, regardless of how much information you have
- Mochi - notes and make flashcards using markdown ,
then study them using spaced repetition
- Kneaver - an app to optimize knowledge
- Traverse -
- Nimbus Note - An "workplace" to manage notes and everything together. Notion + AirTable? Implements CRDTs for collaboration.
- Reach - graph database-powered evernote / pinterest lookalike
- SuperNotes - A Notion competitor, with inline-links, organization, collaboration, and a web app experience.
- CloverApp - note-taking + spatial organization
- Athens Research - Jeff Tang and team
- Chris Granger is working on a thing
- TangentNotes - Taylor Hadden working on an Notational Velocity.
- Oak - Linus Lee is working on a thing
- Bangle - another Notion / Craft clone, but by an indie creator
Spatial Organization // Infinite Canvas
- Edvo - transform a chaotic, overwhelming environment into your flexible learning playground.
- Nototo - Looks like a spatial organization tools, similar to Muse.
- Muse.app - Built by Mark McGranahan, Adam Wiggins, and team. Spun out of Ink & Switch, based on research into gestures they had been doing.
- Kosmik - An infinite canvas for your notes, medias and web browsing.
- Are.na - Save content, create collections, and connect ideas with other people. Visual bookmarking.
- Kinopio - A space for thinking. Random cards on a browser screen.
- Kanopi - Note-taking tool with notes, maps, and outliners.
- Heptabase - visual playground for your notes - make sense of complicated research topics. "put paper notes on the table to help us think."
- Infinity Maps - visual thinking and knowledge management combined
- Notably.ai - Tool for UX research that does audio transcription then allows you to arrange snippets on a spatial canvas as sticky notes. Interesting summary of large swaths of notes when you zoom out.
- Scrintal - infinite canvas with clickable cards that are notes.
Annotated Reading
- Polar - Polar is an integrated reading environment to build your knowledge base. Actively read, annotate, connect thoughts, create flashcards, and track progress.
Spaced Repetition Systems
- Anki
- Orbit
Real-time collaboration
- curvenote - Write, share and communicate interactive scientific content in a collaborative environment
See also List of Software Tools for Collaboration Experiences.
Productivity versus learning are two different goals that tools seem to have. What does it look like to integrate both?
Examples, Inspirations, Essays, Reading
Tools for Thought
Interactive graph
On this page
Tools for Thought
Primitives
Tools
Note-taking
Spatial Organization // Infinite Canvas
Annotated Reading
Spaced Repetition Systems
Real-time collaboration
Examples, Inspirations, Essays, Reading