# 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](https://www.remnote.io/) - SRS _and_ note-taking - Roam Research - knowledge graphs - Foam - an open source Roam alternative - [IdeaFlow](https://www.ideaflow.io/) - [[Linus Lee]] worked here for a bit. - [NVUltra](https://nvultra.com/) - The successor to NVAlt - [ReflectNotes](https://reflect.app/) - Alex Maccaw's creation. Vojto works here. - [Author](https://www.augmentedtext.info/author) - Minimalist Word processor with integrated Concept Map, Fast Citations, & Automatic Export to Academic PDF. Built by [[Frode Hegland]] - [Mem](https://get.mem.ai/) - Easy capture + graph database - linking sucks? - [Subconscious](https://subconscious.substack.com/people/1245173-gordon-brander) - by [[Gordon Brander]] - [Codex Editor](https://twitter.com/codexeditor) - knowledge worker's OS - [Literal](https://literal.io) - textual information browser for augmenting your reading experience; capture sources, annotations, and knowledge - [Dendron](https://www.dendron.so/) - 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](https://mochi.cards/) - notes and make flashcards using [markdown](https://guides.github.com/features/mastering-markdown/) , then study them using [spaced repetition](https://ncase.me/remember/) * [Logseq](https://logseq.com) - _privacy-first_, _open-source_ platform for _knowledge_ management and collaboration. * [MyMind](https://mymind.com) - visual bookmarking * [NotePlan](https://noteplan.co) - markdown editor with back links, integrated with calendar, and todo system - [Kneaver](https://www.kneaver.com/) - an app to optimize knowledge * [Traverse](https://traverse.link/start) - * [Nimbus Note](https://nimbusweb.me/) - An "workplace" to manage notes and everything together. Notion + AirTable? Implements CRDTs for collaboration. * [Reach](https://rea.ch/) - graph database-powered evernote / pinterest lookalike * [SuperNotes](https://supernotes.app/) - A Notion competitor, with inline-links, organization, collaboration, and a web app experience. * [CloverApp](https://cloverapp.com/) - note-taking + spatial organization * Athens Research - [[Jeff Tang]] and team * [[Chris Granger]] is working on a thing * [TangentNotes](http://tangentnotes.com) - Taylor Hadden working on an Notational Velocity. * Oak - [[Linus Lee]] is working on a thing * [Bangle](https://bangle.io/) - another Notion / Craft clone, but by an indie creator ### Spatial Organization // Infinite Canvas [[Spatial Interfaces]] * [Edvo](https://www.edvo.com/) - transform a chaotic, overwhelming environment into your flexible learning playground. - [Nototo](https://nototo.app/) - 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](https://kosmik.app/) - An infinite canvas for your notes, medias and web browsing. - [Are.na](https://www.are.na/) - Save content, create collections, and connect ideas with other people. Visual bookmarking. - [Kinopio](https://kinopio.club/) - A space for thinking. Random cards on a browser screen. - [Kanopi](https://kanopi.io/) - Note-taking tool with notes, maps, and outliners. - [Heptabase](https://heptabase.com/) - visual playground for your notes - make sense of complicated research topics. "put paper notes on the table to help us think." * [Infinity Maps](https://infinitymaps.io/en/) - visual thinking and knowledge management combined * [Notably.ai](https://www.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](https://www.scrintal.com/) - infinite canvas with clickable cards that are notes. ### Annotated Reading - [Polar](https://getpolarized.io/) - 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](https://curvenote.com/) - 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 - [Ink & Switch](https://www.inkandswitch.com/) - [[How can we develop transformative tools for thought? by Matuschak and Nielsen]] #work/notes