1/13 Update on my deep dive into @logseq.

Logseq is feature rich.

I am two weeks into my deep dive. There are many things I like and a few that I hope will improve. Let me give you an update.

Bottom line: If you prefer Outliners and want local first, Logseq is a solid choice.
2/13 Every day I learn something new while using Logseq & I feel I have barely brushed the surface.

The outliner is an excellently implemented standard "Outlining" tool (folding, zooming, expanding/collapsing).

Any outliner veteran will feel at home in Logseq.
3/13 Interaction - mouse/keyboard

In addition to solid mouse support (drag, drop, create block refs), it has excellent keyboard support. It seems anything you can do with the mouse can be done with the keyboard.
4/13 So far, I have kept the plugins to a minimum and have not installed any additional themes.

Overall the note-taking area is clean, with lots of luscious white space, bullets are not too big or bold but visible, and the "lines" connecting the bullets are clear.
5/13 The lines connecting bullets

If you look at the first video, you'll see that when I click on the lines connecting the bullets, they expand and collapse the blocks within their scope.

This is so subtle... but allows for quick navigation of many bullets and deep structures.
6/13 So there are a few improvements I hope to see that will help Logseq be a contender in this competitive space.
7/13 #1: No plugin support on mobile

Unlike desktop app, mobile doesn't support plugins. This worries me, as mobile should grow step-by-step with the desktop app to maintain compatibility.

Mobile is the future of computing, not the desktop, especially for capture.
8/13 #2: Odd User Interface elements in prime real estate

The User Interface feels to be designed for engineers, not everyday users. In my opinion, there are some weird features exposed in primary areas.
9/13 This is nit-picky, but it makes me wonder who the audience is for Logseq. Is it the super nerd or everyday note-taker?

Logseq has a second challenge, many users don't understand the power of outliners, so there is an additional learning curve for potential new users.
10/13 Logseq should significantly invest in the user experience and onboarding to help the user initially.

Having said that, they can address this with a strong focus on usability and UX design.
11/13 Finally, I wouldn't say I like the product's name. Logseq? What does that mean?

There is a definition, but... it is a super nerdy name and gives us no insight into the program's purpose.

Plus, everyone is confused how to pronounce it. A product name should be easy to say.
12/13 As Logseq looks to add value through "commercial" features to its open-source initiatives, I would recommend they consider rebranding:

+ New name
+ Change the icon (Looks like a bear's paw)
+ Move away from the dark green theme
13/13 In conclusion, I am enjoying working with Logseq. I am sufficiently satisfied that I am continuing to use it as my daily driver.

I will report back on intriguing findings as my investigation progresses.

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More from @TfTHacker

Dec 14
1/8 Development of @logseq

When choosing a Tool for Thought, it's important to consider if the tool is being actively developed.

This is one of the questions I have about Logseq. This small video shows their "developer commits." #TfT

What do we learn from this?
2/8 This is a super nerdy thing, but even if you are unfamiliar with it, there is something essential to learn.

Logseq is a TfT developed as open-source. This means all the source code for the project is available to the public.

What are the benefits of open-source?
3/8 As an open-source project, it allows other developers to:

+ Audit the code for security and safety
+ Contribute new features and fixes

But there is another advantage, what is that?
Read 8 tweets
Dec 11
1/6 @logseq deep dive continues... today some words on performance.

Some time back, I did a performance test on Logseq, but it didn't pass my expectations. Many graph DB-based Tools for Thought didn't do so well in the past. #TfT

However, things have changed for the positive.
2/6 I know engineers always intend to make speed a priority, but the truth is, early in the development process of a new TfT, it's easy to skip that part and focus on rapid iterations of features.

It is a tough balance to strike: new features that users demand and speed.
3/6 Most users don't notice this since they start with a small collection of notes & slowly add. But, as the months pass into a year or so, performance becomes a big issue.

When users notice it, they really notice it & rebel. Performance is a big reason people will switch tools.
Read 6 tweets
Dec 9
1/ Templating in @logseq

I am on day 3 of my deep dive into Logseq. Also, I am using Tana in parallel, inputting the same data, tags, and structure into each tool. (Is anyone curious about my observations? 😏)

However, today's thread is about Logseq's template feature. #TfT
2/ This is another important feature, and Logseq has us covered.

It is super easy to define a template with bullets, structure and metadata (properties).

As shown here, right mouse click on a node and define it as a template.

To use the template, type /Template
3/ The template feature allows for inserting dynamic variables for dates and current page. Perhaps there are more variables? I don't know. Here is what is documented:
Read 5 tweets
Dec 9
1/ I have been doing a test phase with @culturedcode's Things 3.

I admit it's a crazy thing to do, but I had to put this app through the "#TfT Hacker" productivity test.

So this probably has no value to my reader base, but I feel compelled to talk about this app.
2/ Things is a task manager known for its beauty and simplicity.

The Things UI is done right.

For some reason, when I see my daily task list in Things, I don't feel overwhelmed due to its focus on what is relevant right now and its generous use of luscious white space.
3/ They say Beauty is only skin deep. But don't be fooled, while Things is praised for its beauty, it's not just another "pretty" app.

It embodies a true and tested system for dealing with your tasks and projects.
Read 12 tweets
Dec 7
1/ 1st day recap with @logseq

Today I forced myself to take meeting and planning notes all day in Logseq. I am an old-time Outline lover. And I have to say it feels very natural. #TfT

I will continue the rest of the week doing so.
2/ Outlining is smooth. The keyboard is responsive and works the way an outline should regarding indenting, outdenting, zooming, page navigation, and rearranging nodes between levels and hierarchy.

If you like outlining, you will feel at home.
3/ I created a bunch of namespaces for organizing primary nodes I often use in note-taking into logical structures. Namespaces never really did anything in Roam, so I was "educated" today on their value in a tool that supports them.

Logseq has a cool "hierarchy view."
Read 4 tweets
Dec 7
1/ Because I am crazy and can't help myself, I am deep diving into @logseq. I have been promising my #TfT buddy @rroudt that I would do this for a while, and well, with the winter months upon us, it's a good time.

One initial impression: I like their sync service.
2/ I value tools that offer TNO sync capabilities, and not many do. I have to commend @obsdmd and @roamresearch since they offer TNO.

TNO is Trust No One Security

It means I provide the password (key) for the encryption between the client and their servers.
3/ For those rare "very sensitive" use case scenarios, this allows me to use their cloud services and be sure that even though they can get to my data, the data is encrypted with a key they don't have, thus the data is useless to anyone without the key.
Read 6 tweets

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