Hi Alan, Eric, Thomas, and others,
On Mon, Sep 30, 2013 at 06:01:57PM +0100, Eric S Fraga wrote:
> Alan Schmitt <[email protected]> writes:
>
> > [email protected] writes:
> >
> >> To me the best way to describe Org is: a programmable and dynamic
> >> plain-text note taking platform.
> >
> > I really like this description. Short, and to the point.
>
> but it's missing what for me is the key point which got me into org:
> time management! So how about
>
> a programmable and dynamic plain-text note taking time management platform
>
> but I'm sure somebody else will think something is missing and make
> this sentence even longer ;-)
I'm glad people seem to like it :). Although I would refrain from
extending that particular sentence. This is what was going through my
head:
1. What does an Org document look like? It is primarily a text outline.
2. Is there more to the outline? Well I can:
- export it,
- put metadata on it, like: timestamps, clocks, etc,
- put TODO markers on it, ... and so on
3. What about the text (content)? It is really just text, but supports
a few nifty things.
- Links to other documents, other applications, executable lisp, etc.
- It also supports nifty formatting and structural markup.
- Tables with a deceptively advanced math engine underneath to do
spreadsheet tasks.
- Source blocks, optionally which can be evaluated and can interact
with other text content in the Org file: tables, other source
blocks, etc.
But then I thought, "Hmm, I can't put all that." So what is at the
core? Outline with text, lets just call that notes. And all the cool
features? I can use special markup to add enhance the text, aggregate
and filter it, and present it in many ways; that is quite dynamic. I
can also program it in pretty much any language.
Hence: Org is a programmable and dynamic note taking platform.
This still does not do justice, so lets put in supporting follow-up
sentences highlighting my favourite bits.
Hence my following sentence: All its features are essentially built on
this ability: planning & task management, authoring or publishing,
literate programming, and what not.
Now others can tack on a description for their favourite bit of Org as
supporting sentences. Anyway, I thought clarifying my thoughts would
help improve the discussion.
Hope this helps,
:)
--
Suvayu
Open source is the future. It sets us free.
