jlshearsaidthis

I so wanted to love Tinderbox. I got into Tinderbox to make myself a better writer, but instead of writing I spend my time trying to understand Tinderbox. Actually, I'm not being entirely serious. Still, I wonder where the break-even point comes -- when do I stop working on the program and when does the program start working for me?

A database? DEVONthink is more: it's a wide open file vacuum that allows for information to be stored, turned into hierarchies and then manipulated. It "associates" information, even sections of stored documents with other documents in the database. It's a thinking database. It recognizes words and terms and suggests associations... It creates links. Frankly, I'm not really doing it justice. The app gets richer over time, but it is necessary to fight through the documentation, which is not plain and assumes too much of the end user. As to the criticisms of UI, they're weak, tantamount to criticizing the Mars Landers for their lack of streamlining. The issue is functionality not appearances.

i've come to rely on this app's AI features - but the developers really need to update the interface. the very loyal user base is being eroded by their, so far, empty promises to release version 2. For compiling a research database nothing can touch it, but it really needs to have a much more attractive, customisable UI - as well as long requested features like tagging, smart folders. Open up Devon alongside something like Journler for example (much less powerful software admittedly) and you'll see what Devon could be.