Any database management system (DBMS) can serve the function of Pirsig's
note cards. I highly recommend FileMaker Pro <http://www.filemaker.com/>.
In my experience, the easiest-to-use DBMS out there, while still being
scalable, relational, multi-media, web-enabled, scriptable, ODBC-compliant,
and cross-platform (for we few Macintosh users!). I have no relationship
with the company other than being a very satisfied customer. Setting up a
database to handle a system like Pirsig's would take 5 minutes. I know of
several full-length books that have been assembled out of ideas gathered in
similar FileMaker databases.
The problem I see with electronic systems like these is that you can't
spread them out on the table or on the floor like you can index cards, so
spotting relationships and interacting with the data is a different
process. You're more constrained in viewing the data spatially, which to me
gives the feeling of being constrained in my thinking other ways. That's
just a caveat, though. I use my custom FileMaker databases daily and am a
big fan of the application of such technology, as there are many benefits.
As Jay pointed out, the electronic search capabilities are fantastic. You
can also design the system so that the same records (file cards) can fit
under two or more categories, so you don't have to be either-or in your
thinking. (You can say "A and NOT A" ;-). And if you really want to spread
the information out, you can always design a layout that will print onto
3x5 index cards.
Now back to our regularly scheduled topic ...
Cheers,
Keith
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gillette@tahc.state.tx.us -- <URL:http://www.detling.ml.org/gillette/>
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