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Micro-review: Scapple
40hz:
About the only thing you need to remember when searching for, or getting into, this type of software is it's only a tool.
If you're not careful, it can become a thing unto itself - which usually translates into endless preparations to do some writing or deep thinking rather than actually doing any.
I've established a new semi-rule (is that a word) for myself. Unless something I'm already using isn't working; or I need some capability not being addressed by tools I already have - it's no new writing/ideation software until I complete at least one project I'm already working on.
No output = no new 'toys' to play with. It's a bit of discipline that's helped me out a great deal these last few years.
BTW, if you’re really in a rut, you can also try Joe Cartoon's Morning Affirmation Routine with help from his coach the Superfly):
;)
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Note: I just finished up a project last month that I've been dawdling over for more time than it should have taken. And I don't find mind maps all that useful for the way I work. So those two things satisfy both criteria in my rule. Which is why I'm now allowing myself to consider Scapple and possibly Scrivener.
8)
peter.s:
"And I don't find mind maps all that useful for the way I work."
Again, neither Scapple nor the two other applics mentioned by Andus above are mind map creators, and whilst not bothering you with replicating my lengthy developments of the difference between MM/outlining/horizontal outlining(Warnier) and then just scribbling ideas on paper, and putting them into various groupings/connections (I did that both in the UR and in the outlinersw fora), forgive me to contradict you, decidedly, on both plans:
- Scapple et al. (or sheets of paper) are in another category than MM/etc. (MM being for presentation purposes, above all other possible use)
- NOT putting down good ideas (be it on paper, be it wherever it goes), when not having finished some project, is just throwing three quarters of those ideas into the bin, forever, since later on, they will NOT present themselves again (or then, just in part, without also telling you their respective core connections, which might have been the much more valuable part of that idea); from this second point, you might deduct: have some "writing down" device ready everywhere (incl. your nightstand, in your car*, etc.); use it!; for Scapple-or-similar applics: have the respective files in IMMEDIATE access** whenever your pc's on.
* = the car aspect would mean, use some traditional device (like I do: I've got SEVERAL such Sanyo full-metal devices (= effect's like with a beautiful pen) with traditional tape, but alternatively, there are tapeless devices), NO iPhone, since even when you don't do/receive a call with it, just just it, in most European countries, you'll be in for a 3-digit euro fine if catched
** = by macroing, by loading with every Windows start... and that definitely makes a big part of Scapple's attraction, since it's lightweight (cf. Mind Manager, and cf. MM's hindrance of your thinking)
Lately, I even created an AHK macro (Alt-F8) that from everywhere, will create me a new, empty .txt file, within the fraction of a second (except for my typing the file name) in my standard folder, and (by default) beginning with "0" = "ToDo, unassigned yet" (or then, I change that into 1...9), to put down any idea I might get anywhere, without leaving my current applic frames (and I only get an error message when my idea will NOT have been stored behind the scenes).
I understand your point: Don't over-develop further projects, instead of realizing your current ones. But then, don't discard any possible idea for those further projects. Btw, that's differenciating a CEO (or then, his head of strategy) from his staff: He'll never have to wait fore implementation chores, before creating something new - and that's why maximized delegation possibilities, for creative people, are of utter importance.
40hz:
"And I don't find mind maps all that useful for the way I work."
Again, neither Scapple nor the two other applics mentioned by Andus above are mind map creators, and whilst not bothering you with replicating my lengthy developments of the difference between MM/outlining/horizontal outlining(Warnier) and then just scribbling ideas on paper, and putting them into various groupings/connections (I did that both in the UR and in the outlinersw fora), forgive me to contradict you, decidedly, on both plans:
- Scapple et al. (or sheets of paper) are in another category than MM/etc. (MM being for presentation purposes, above all other possible use)
-peter.s (April 05, 2014, 02:33 PM)
--- End quote ---
Um...I think I may have figured that much out already. Which is the main reason why I'm looking at it to begin with. ;)
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I understand your point: Don't over-develop further projects, instead of realizing your current ones. But then, don't discard any possible idea for those further projects. Btw, that's differenciating a CEO (or then, his head of strategy) from his staff: He'll never have to wait fore implementation chores, before creating something new - and that's why maximized delegation possibilities, for creative people, are of utter importance.
-peter.s (April 05, 2014, 02:33 PM)
--- End quote ---
And...that really wasn't quite the point I was making. I was saying not to let the tool become the end rather than the means to accomplishing it. Regardless of whether something gets completed by someone, or simply delegated to others to further develop or complete, there is still such a thing as "superfluous preparation" to do something. Much like the person who is endlessly refining and improving his/her workshop, but somehow never getting around making anything with it.
The same goes for software. Many of these 'thinkertoys' can take on a life of their own if you're not careful. That was the point I was trying to make. 8)
superboyac:
I've been checking out the other recommendations here...
I still think Scapple is pretty unique, and mainly for it's simplicity. Several of these other ones *can* do everything Scapple does, but it takes more clicks, more manual reading, more sorting through options/buttons/preferences. And Scapple is not free, but very cheap $15.
I work with a lot of technical people where English is not their first language. But they are highly intelligent. The way we get through our ideas and conversations is with a lot of simple diagrams. arrows and lines and boxes with text inside. that's why I like Scapple so much, it can be used in practically real-time to do these kinds of things. If it were, say, Visio...I'd have to sketch it on paper, take it to my computer, futz around with all the tools for a while, maybe an hour, and come back with the digital ketch. Scapple...right there, takes a few seconds. Bam!
I'm even so crazy that I got super pissed at one point (as to the lack of tools I liked) and I started doing all these things in Autocad. Scapple has already proved to be remarkably effective for me, I've been sending my brainstorms out the past week to my buddies, and it has been excellent. I'm telling you, I f---ing love this program.
superboyac:
I've established a new semi-rule (is that a word) for myself. Unless something I'm already using isn't working; or I need some capability not being addressed by tools I already have - it's no new writing/ideation software until I complete at least one project I'm already working on.
-40hz (April 05, 2014, 02:06 PM)
--- End quote ---
This is something I am learning from guys like you as well. As I mentioned, my search for tools like these led me at one point to doing it in Autocad. Which only works for me because I am a total expert at it, not because it's a good way to do it. But even then, it was still a bit de-spiring lol. Like, the inspiration will hit, you try to go record it on the computer...and the tools destroy the inspiration (Visio, Personal Brain). Well, that's no good :P!
Scapple b--ches!! lol.
Brain RAM full-->Scapple (snapshot of RAM recorded)-->Flush RAM-->All information recorded, nothing was lost, Brain RAM free for new ideas. Minimal stress/pain/time.
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