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Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

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Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#32
post #2

I spent a few months on emacs, mostly so I could experience the magic of org. I didn't get it. It's a super powerful outliner with scripting... Through that experience I rediscovered pen and paper, actually. No scripting, but I can write sideways and sketch things. A pocket sized notebook was the answer for me.

I was an Emacs user that read about Org Mode, then started using it.

After a few days of memorizing commands and learning -- my reaction was "WTF, I could have gotten 90% of the functionality I use from a (web) GUI app with 15 minutes of learning?!"

A bit later I realized that Org Mode have two advantages and still use it:

- It is always here, integrated with my development enviroment. With everything I need. (And if not, I can extend it.)

- Just using the keyboard in an editing environment I was used to, instead of a GUI, made the app "disappear" from a cognitive load perspective. Org Mode is like paper + pen for me in the way. I just use it naturally, with a minimal effect on my concentration.

Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#33

I finally got GTD implemented in OneNote. Now you're telling me I now need to move on to Emacs org mode? God, it's like trying to choose a Javascript framework.

Emacs org-mode will be there long after OneNote is gone. And the format is all text. It's a life-long investment.

Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#35
post #20

I don't know why so many people make the point that hierarchical structures are how the brain works. Graphical structures are how the brain works. The hierarchical structure is how the physical world works (you can't put the same shirt in two closets), and we have an unfortunate habit of trying to force our brain to work the same way, but it's an impedance mismatch. Unless I'm the only one that is frustrated that you…

Org-mode supports tags http://orgmode.org/manual/Tags.html Though "chunking" (group related stuff) recursively is exactly how the brain works https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chunking_(psychology)

And if tags fail you, or you forgot adding a tag I found org-occur-in-agenda-files will almost always let me find what I am looking for fairly quickly.

Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#36
post #33

I finally got GTD implemented in OneNote. Now you're telling me I now need to move on to Emacs org mode? God, it's like trying to choose a Javascript framework.

Emacs org-mode will be there long after OneNote is gone. And the format is all text. It's a life-long investment.

Honestly, I'm working on reducing my dependence on computers/pen/pencil/whatever for todo lists and organization. I try and keep it all in my head -- if I can't, that usually means I'm biting off way more than I can chew.

Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#37

I don't know why so many people make the point that hierarchical structures are how the brain works. Graphical structures are how the brain works. The hierarchical structure is how the physical world works (you can't put the same shirt in two closets), and we have an unfortunate habit of trying to force our brain to work the same way, but it's an impedance mismatch. Unless I'm the only one that is frustrated that you…

Totally agree - being able to not only list things from top-to-bottom but more visually seems to work far better for me as well (though I suspect people's brains may work differently?)

My love for outlining like in Workflowy or org-mode but my need for more visual-based tools like Scapple or mind-mapping is what led me to scratch my own itch and create Mindscope. It's an attempt to be the best of both worlds. Would love feedback, of course... http://www.mindscopeapp.com

Re: Emac’s Org Mode will improve your software engineering

#38
post #24
post #14

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Yes I tend to agree. I still see people at work hunting for the correct folder to store email. Showing them how to use labels (in whatever client they are using) is often something of a revelation. Seeing the freedom you have just handed them can be quite surprising as well as a great way to get a free pint! I'm a avid command-line and vim user and for a long time made use of text based todo and note taking tools. Wh…

Central todo-systems never worked for me. I use a combination of calendar entries, mails in my inbox, reminders, post-its, physical notes and text-files. I'm not a chaotic person, mind you, i just feel that forcing every task into the same shape (a line of text) tend to distort real priorities.

I don't like much of the lean cargo-cult, but I do really like kanban boards and their origins in manufacturing.

I prefer them to todo lists cause they force priorities by limiting work-in-progress.

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