If your data fits into the "tree" structure, as seems to be what you're
saying, then MLO is probably great for storing that data.
Rather than starting another .ml file (imho switching files is too much
effort and I subscribe to David Allen's idea of "1 filing system"*) just
create another item at the top level of your structure and mark at "hide in
to do". You can also mark it as a folder if you wish.
The advantage of this imo, is that everything is in one place. You can
easily move/copy items into projects as needed and as I recently learned
you can make links between MLO items so you can link these to their
projects or vice versa link from the project to this supporting info.
Every software has it's strengths and weaknesses. Organizing things in a
tree view, then searching/filtering that tree, is not just an MLO strength
but one of the things it does better than it's competition and almost as
well if not better than many dedicated outliners I've tried. I have to go
back to Shadow Plan or Bonsai on the PalmOS to think of something better.
Just to hit your other points:
- Evernote - great tagging, horrible tree structure outliner. It's just
not the paradigm of the software and while you may be able to work it out
(as many have) there's always some workaround or kludge involved.
- Mind Manager - not especially familiar but if it's as many other mind
mapping programs it's great for that and horrible at tree structure order.
If you like this paradigm though and still want a semblance of an
"outline" or tree structure, have a look at a software called "TheBrain".
There is a free version but you will need the payed version for "outline
view", which is what approximates the tree outline/tree structure. Free
version gives 30 or 45 days trial to the pro features so give it a shot if
you think it might fit.
- It's true strength is really in more freeform links than simple
tree structure (linking 1 or more items to 1 or more other items in
various
'relationships'). In this regard you might find it very good for
everything on your list though imho keep the project stuff in mlo.
TheBrain is definitely strong for entering lists of people and linking
them in relationships to other people, entities (employers, associates,
family et al) Personal insights and general knowledge stuff it works
well
for too. The key is you have to prefer seeing things in a "visual"
format
- much like an 'infinite' mindmap. I use it for specific purposes and as
a
general database and it works quite well for me at that.
- Excel - Just not made for this and once your lists grow beyond some
threshold you'll notice. But it seems you might already get that.
And while you didn't ask I see others are offering password managers so
I'll suggest Roboform. Been using for over 15 years and never had reason
to question integrity or security (unlike LastPass, which I'd tell you to
steer clear of). I see another user suggests McAfee. That company
abandoned their integrity years ago (maybe even before John McAfee sold it
if memory serves) so I'd advise to steer clear of them as well. (For
anything)
hth.
*David Allen in his book GTD encourages the reader strongly to move
*everything* into one unified filing system. The only real exception, per
his book, is single or special purpose filing systems - eg in a law firm
there is a filing system for all the legal cases (by eg. case #) or an
architect's office might have all the projects filed separately (e.g by
project number) and these should be left as is. Everything else in your
life should migrate to one system.
On Tuesday, January 13, 2015 at 11:49:14 AM UTC-5, John Smith wrote:
>
>
>
> Hi
>
> What tool(s) do you good people use for general-purpose list management?
>
> i.e. Do you use MLO to store *factual* information - presumably in a
> different .ML file(!) - as well as using MLO for managing your task & to-do
> lists.
>
> I need to create pretty large files (containing say 10,000+ records),
> containing multi-level hierarchical factual information on a wide variety
> of subjects.
>
> e.g. Evernote (which I have never used seriously myself - but I think it's
> USP is to allow the tagging of external files such as images...)
> e.g. MindManager (which fairly well - but it's going to get messy
> presenting such huge files visually. Also renewal fees are expensive.)
> e.g. MS Excel (no quick & easy way to move things around the hierarchy, me
> thinks)
>
> I am thinking about what you might call "support lists" for some of my
> projects. The information contained would NOT be actionable (mostly at
> least).
> For example:
> - List of areas & facts about a huge project I am involved with... and
> important information about the different sections of the project.
> - Lists of jargon on new subjects that I am studying
> - Lists of personal insights on various topics that I need to record
> somewhere
> - Lists of people interested in particular subjects
> - List of interesting general knowledge facts, that I'd like to remember...
> etc etc
>
> It would be important to be very easily be able to create tree-like
> hierarchical structures in the data, and to be able to whiz things up and
> down the hierarchy v easily (e.g. using hotkeys) too.
> Ideally it would be nice to have links between branches of the tree(s) too
> (which I don't think MLO can do[??])
>
> - How do you manage your non-actionable lists?
>
> J
>
>
>
>
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