mz-memoryshuffle
commented
1 year ago Upon re-thinking my experiences with working with Manuskript:
Research can be done with dont-compile texts very well ( https://github.com/olivierkes/manuskript/wiki/How-to-format-your-project-with-book-and-research-notes-in-separate-root-level-folders ).
But still, I like to manage resource files within Manuskript itself, for research and inspiration, and also for embedding in the book. For example, I have image files or complete websites (downloaded html + directory with its included files). Sometimes, I only save the URL. A new Tab "Resources" (instead of my earlier suggestion "Research") would be nice, with a folder tree structure, to manage, annotate and categorize all those files (and URLs). Those ResourceItems could be referenced from anywhere, and also be included in texts with markdown syntax (e.g. for images; a click should show this image/website in a preview; or maybe an image could even be embedded in the text editor).
Also, i still would like a tab "Mindmap" very much. It would be the best way to clear thoughts and organize complex structures. On each mindmap, it should be possible to place references on them to Characters, PlotItems, WorldItems and to Texts and Chapters, as well as to the suggested ResourceItems.
Great Software! I'd love to have a feature inside the software. So my suggestion would be: Even before going to the "Summary" tab, an author usually has to work on two tasks, which could be place in two new navigation tabs before Summary.
Organizing ideas and concepts in "Mindmaps". You could add as many maps (zoom-/scrollable) as you like, place "Items" (like cards) on them and move them around, and finally connect items with arrows. Each Item and Arrow on the map can have an icon and a color, and and a short text. Also, items like Characters or items from the Plot and World tab could be placed on the map, too. When clicking on them, one would jump to the respective tab and item.
"Research": Everbody needs to do some research or save inspirational material for work. Such a tab could have a list (with folders to categorize entries), for research/inspiration entries. Each Entry, besides a text field for notes, would save an image, video, or audio file, an URL or a comlete html site (would need a downloader library, to fetch all files used by the html; for offline work). A ResearchEntry could also be placed on a Mindmap (see above).