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H-m-m: Hackers mind map

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Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#51

There are no stupid questions, except maybe this one: Q. Why is a wide horizontal tree superior way to work with a mind map that’s a pure outline (not a DAG) than a simple outline? See the Data Format here, it’s an outline. Keystrokes are about moving nodes and descendants, that can work on an outline. And then why not have a portable outline format. I do understand this is terminal/text. Yet there are plenty termina…

I haven’t tried this yet, but from the look of it, it expands both horizontally and vertically, and one of the more important features is collapsibility/expansion of subnodes.

Note that in the image there, they’ve got some subnodes expanded deep horizontally, while their sibling nodes might be even deeper but are collapsed.

The difference with a simple vertical outline is that this format is focused on pruning/unpruning parts of the tree, pair with an expectation of arbitrarily “deep” nesting. I find that in outline format, I’m unlikely to go deeper than a couple levels, and will at that point either switch to narrative or use some sort of referencing scheme.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#52
post #28

I keep trying mind maps and getting frustrated because my mind works differently. Anybody know of ones that let you start out non-hierarchical? For me, key nodes are often obvious long before relationships are. E.g., if I'm working with post-it notes, I might write a bunch of notes, cluster them, winnow, and only then want to start locking in relationships between items. Has anybody seen something that's pretty strai…

The best tool I've ever used for this no longer exists, as far as I'm aware. It was circa 1991, a spectacular lightweight Macintosh application called "Inspiration." There currently exists software in the same lane with the same name - but if there's any blood relation between the two, the current bears little resemblance to its progenitor. I will mangle the terminology since it's been so long, but the basic idea was…

Not mine, I am not affiliated with this tool, but I thought along the same lines as you and found this tool, could you give it a try and let me know what you think?

https://kinopio.club/

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#53
post #41
post #36

I'm getting a 255 return code when I try to run it. php v.7.4.3. Permissions are all ok. Anybody else have this problem?

Standard error said there was a call to undefined function mb_strlen(), which apparently isn't available by default on php.

Not trying to hate on PHP, but deployment is one of the features that is so great with Go. It's about on the same level of abstraction as PHP and it's just a breeze to deploy stuff.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#54
post #14

OK, cool idea, but.. - Why is this written in PHP? Who builds CLI applications in PHP? Everything looks like a nail, I guess? - Why did you choose your own custom serialization format instead of using something universally supported, like JSON? It's literally more effort for you and everyone else involved for zero benefit. - I love CLI applications and CLI navigation(vim-style, etc) but it really feels like a missed…

Do you mean json for saving the data? I wanted the file to be human-readable. You can simply have a markdown list and open it in this application and work with it as a mind map. Also, most of the content one may paste into a mind map is an indented list, and when they copy something from the map, they expect it to be like that. Therefore, the application must be able to process from and to indented lists anyway.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#55
post #28

I keep trying mind maps and getting frustrated because my mind works differently. Anybody know of ones that let you start out non-hierarchical? For me, key nodes are often obvious long before relationships are. E.g., if I'm working with post-it notes, I might write a bunch of notes, cluster them, winnow, and only then want to start locking in relationships between items. Has anybody seen something that's pretty strai…

I am currently trying a big sheet of white paper, folded once in the middle and a pilot frixion pen.

This is mostly for home stuff of which there is quite a bit for a home owner. It can just lie on since table or shelf and be updated easily. I put notes and todos together and the todos get a little check box in front of them. I'm in control of the hierarchy and it mostly mirrors the layout of the house. Doesn't get in the way for me.

I also want to extend it to other areas but for now I'm trying things out with the house domain.

Of course the downside is that i cannot easily edit it when I'm out and about and have some idea. And it's not really possible to have any automated reminders or integrations. (Not sure if there are open source alternatives to what rocketbook is offering; that might be a way to hook this into some digital setup)

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#56

I don't really get the point of a hierarchical mind map. Why not just use a nested list? (Seems to be standard for mindmaps, so I'm criticizing this project specifically.)

It's basically a nested list, but you get specific features that makes it easier and faster to navigate such a list. Mind mapping is a facilitator for the thinking process. When you're trying to solve a problem or design a concept, you need to switch between the high-level aspects and details all the time, and your tool shouldn't get in the way.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#57
post #28

I keep trying mind maps and getting frustrated because my mind works differently. Anybody know of ones that let you start out non-hierarchical? For me, key nodes are often obvious long before relationships are. E.g., if I'm working with post-it notes, I might write a bunch of notes, cluster them, winnow, and only then want to start locking in relationships between items. Has anybody seen something that's pretty strai…

I’m a huge fan of Graphviz and git. Text is easily diffable!

Try SketchViz.com and see what you think.

Also a shoutout to yEd Graph Editor (free).

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#58

Nice tool. A question to others who enjoy similar tools: What is the difference between this (or other) tool to a simple document on Gdocs with multilevel bullet lists?

This type of application makes it easier and faster to navigate the tree, collapse and expand to focus on various aspects, etc.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

The best tool I've ever used for this no longer exists, as far as I'm aware. It was circa 1991, a spectacular lightweight Macintosh application called "Inspiration." There currently exists software in the same lane with the same name - but if there's any blood relation between the two, the current bears little resemblance to its progenitor. I will mangle the terminology since it's been so long, but the basic idea was…

Not mine, I am not affiliated with this tool, but I thought along the same lines as you and found this tool, could you give it a try and let me know what you think? https://kinopio.club/

That looks like it's worth trying out, also I like the pricing model, god damn am I sick of monthly subscription.

Re: H-m-m: Hackers mind map

#60
post #28

I keep trying mind maps and getting frustrated because my mind works differently. Anybody know of ones that let you start out non-hierarchical? For me, key nodes are often obvious long before relationships are. E.g., if I'm working with post-it notes, I might write a bunch of notes, cluster them, winnow, and only then want to start locking in relationships between items. Has anybody seen something that's pretty strai…

I tend to work this way with a tool called Markmap (https://markmap.js.org/repl). I start with one heading and a list then begin moving items and adding new headings/subheadings as the relationships form. For example:

  // Start with:

  # Ideas
  - Item 1
  - Item 2
  - Item 3
  - Item 4
  - Item 5
  - Item 6

  // Move to:
  
  # Ideas

  ## Group 1
  - Item 1
  - Item 2
  - Item 3

  ## Group 2
  - Item 4
  - Item 5
  - Item 6
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