Bother! Instiki just is not up to handling file uploads yet: if you try to do it, you get an error page, in spite of the documentation on their website that says you can upload/attach files.

Something I discovered only after downloading, configuring and building not only Instiki but also Ruby and Subversion. Caveat Emptor in the open source world too, where the currency is your own time and energy (although you really can't lose out with Ruby and Subversion).

-- CarolynJohnston - 22 Jun 2005

I tried turning a Word document into a 'wiki,' by adding hyperlinks to other documents on my hard drive.

That works, OK; you can do it.

But it took forever to open a hyperlinked Word document.

Nielsen has fascinating data on how long a gap you can have between the time you click on a link and the time the page opens without interrupting a person's 'thought flow' or 'work flow' and getting them seriously off track.

My copy of the book is upstairs, but I'll post it when I find it.

The link has to be extremely fast to keep people from being thrown off track.

The one thing I don't need in life is links that throw me off track.

-- CatherineJohnson - 21 Jun 2005

OTOH, this would mean that you can't shift your Voodoo Pad pages from one computer to another, unless you've got the associated documents stored in the same places on other computers (or unless you've put in links specific to that computer.)

Right, that's the only real difference between attachments and links -- attachments you can pick up and move along with the installation, whereas links have to be bookmarked separately,

-- CarolynJohnston - 21 Jun 2005

That's the only capacity I need.

I need to be able to have super-fast links to the 5 gazillion notes & files & articles I'm going to use in whatever project I'm working on all in one place.

-- CatherineJohnson - 21 Jun 2005

Just asked Ed.

You can't add attachments; you add links.

But the links open immediately -- they open as fast as links do on KTM.

OTOH, this would mean that you can't shift your Voodoo Pad pages from one computer to another, unless you've got the associated documents stored in the same places on other computers (or unless you've put in links specific to that computer.)

-- CatherineJohnson - 21 Jun 2005

Wait!

When you say attachments . . . what do you mean?

Absolutely, you can put links on Voodoo Pad to all the documents you're using -- I think they're attachments (I'm going to ask Ed).

But, yes, attachments are critical.

Otherwise there's no point.

-- CatherineJohnson - 21 Jun 2005

I should add that I really do like TWiki (that's the software powering this website), but it's not for the faint of heart.

-- CarolynJohnston - 21 Jun 2005

Does Voodoopad do attachments? A lot of these personal wikis don't, and I think that is an absolutely crucial capability.

If you don't need attachments, by the way, I think Instiki is the easiest free wiki to install.

-- CarolynJohnston - 21 Jun 2005

Ever since Carolyn introduced me to wikis, I've been obsessed.

Wikis are amazing. Everything you need is in one place, where you can find it.

As a direct result, your searching-frantically-for-lost-file-and/or-document time is cut to practically nothing.

Incredible.

Turns out you can get wiki software for your computer, too. Ed has already downloaded Voodoo Pad, for Mac users, and I'm hoping to get to that today.


+ + +


... um ... it's possible I need a little more coaching on procrastination and time management. OTOH, I have completed Mrs. DArcy's memory book not only on time, but early.

Not only that, but I was able instantly to locate the adhesive spray I bought 2 years ago when I was planning to put together a photo album of the kids for my mom.

Twenty years from now, there will be no unsightly yellowing on the cover of Mrs. Darcy's memory book where I glued on the class picnic photo.


+ + +


The 43 Folders blog has a list of all or most of the wiki software here.

43 Folders has its own wiki, too, where people talk about productivity & time management.

They're also posting Personal Mantras.

I should go add our family's motto:

no common sense-y

Of course, no common sense-y probably won't add much to anyone's productivity or time management skills.

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• Posted by: CatherineJohnson
• LogDate: Jun 21, 2005 @ 11:19

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