I'm looking for some type of knowledge base that can help me map out and document my discoveries. Here's a short list of features I'm after:
- fast search - visual linking of topics - ability to add images via paste - links update if a topic is renamed/moved - change tracking/revisions - non-proprietary or at least a data export - bonus points if open source
Is anyone using a knowledge base like I described?
I suspect a lot of people will say Roam. I've tried some of those on the list like Obsidian, Relanote, Supernotes, but I realized I don't care that much for the visual aspect of linking ideas. An ability to store different types of information and create sets based on topic is all I wanted, and I'd leave any 'mind mapping' to my mind. So I just use Zotero and https://www.are.na .
Web site: https://foambubble.github.io/foam/
GitHub template to clone: https://github.com/foambubble/foam-template
To get started:
* Clone the GitHub template.
* Open that directory in Visual Studio Code.
* Install the extensions that VSC suggests (Foam, Markdown, etc).
You can check out an exhaustive list of (personal) knowledge management applications, here: https://github.com/brettkromkamp/awesome-knowledge-managemen...
Fast search, check. Visual linking of topics via Link Map plugin [2], check. Add images from paste, check. Links update if a topic is renamed /moved, check. Version control via Version Control plugin [3], check. Non-proprietry, check. Open-source, check.
Also back links too.
1. https://zim-wiki.org/index.html
* "Need to search? Tinderbox starts looking for the answer as soon as you start typing, and often finds your answer before you finish." https://www.eastgate.com/Tinderbox/
* "Links update themselves automatically as you move notes, so sources always stay attached to quotations, and conclusions are always anchored to evidence." https://www.eastgate.com/Tinderbox/Visualize.html
* "[T]here are some neat improvements for notes containing images; for example, notes that start with images now have those shown on the face of the note automatically, which for my art projects is ideal." https://eclecticlight.co/2019/04/16/take-notes-tinderbox-8-i...
* "With Tinderbox, your data is yours. Tinderbox files are XML, and Tinderbox can create HTML, XML, RSS, OPML, and more. Tinderbox shares notes with Simplenote, Notes, Evernote and DEVONthink Pro Office for iPhone and iPad coordination." https://www.eastgate.com/Tinderbox/
All content is a markdown document (think 'portability' vs. alternative systems where content is more tightly integrated with the service).
MD docs are easily linked to build a network of ideas over time.
All instances are generated from our GitHub repos where different users can thread their collaboration on shared content.
We use Neuron as a staging area to collect cheatsheets, light-weight 'how to' instructions and blogs.
As ideas and cheatsheets 'take shape' we formalize them on a Sphinx platform (the same technology used by ReadTheDocs). We're a Python shop, which is why we use Sphinx.
In our tests, creating and editing content on Neuron/Cerveau takes 70% of the effort of using Roam.
We use conventional editors (ranging from Atom to NP++; everyone has their own idea about 'the editor'); not EMACS or VIM. Some EMACS/VIM users seem to prefer other KM techniques that plug into those editors. NP++ and Atom both have MD preview panels.
With other knowledge bases, you need to remember to create your notes and keep them up to date. So what is started with good intentions always falls into disrepair. Histre on the other hand curates your knowledge for you as much as possible, and when you do need to take notes, it happens seamlessly from within your workflow.
- Wiki
- MkDocs which GitLab can serve as a static website everytime you push if you configure it.
GitLab is open core. You can either host it yourself, or rely on https://gitlab.com/. If you use their editor, you can paste from clipboard or upload a file and it will automatically add the Markdown for it.