Networked note-taking ​

Most of the tools and apps we use today are organized in hierarchies, like folder structures, and tables, like Excel sheets. Both approaches limit your thinking. Your brain works associatively, meaning you connect ideas, thoughts, emotions, and knowledge. Capacities combines associative note-taking with simple hierarchical patterns you are already familiar with. We talked about this in a blog post if you want to read more about this approach.

How it works ​

You can link any content in Capacities to any other content. A content does not live in a single folder or on a single page. It can be part of many pages and collections instead.

Reusing content as blocks and in text ​

Just create a new block in your text and type @. You will see the reuse menu appear that allows you to search for any of your content. By that, you can make other content part of your text.

This works for every content type: Images, Pages, PDFs, ...

Congratulations, you created your first association. 👌

After you've reused an object like this you can also adjust its view. Just click the three dots at the top right of the reused object and select one of the possible views.

Reusing content in collections ​

Reusing content works in collections as well.

You can add any content from your space by clicking on the + symbol on the top right.

This allows you to add the same content to multiple collections, no need to think in folders anymore. You can create a curated list from your notes within seconds (and share it as a website with your friends).

Backlinks - where is this content used? ​

On the bottom of the page view of each content, you will find a section labeled Backlinks where you can now see all other content that you reused this content in. Next time you open an object you will immediately see where it is used and how it relates to other notes.

Block references and block-based linking ​

Block-based linking currently is an early-access feature for Capacities Believers.

So far, we've only talked about links to other objects. Capacities also lets you link to individual blocks inside of an object. We call this block-based linking. Not only can you link to other blocks, but you can also embed individual blocks and their children inside another page. Read more about it here.

Graph view ​

To get an overview you can use the graph view. You can open it on the top right. It allows you to explore your network of thoughts visually.

Use linking wisely ​

You might wonder in what way this should help you in your note-taking and why you should do it. To be honest you need to figure that out yourself. And don't enforce it, just create your notes naturally and connect thoughts when it comes to your mind. Linking as much as possible is not necessarily helpful. You need to create valuable connections.

We are sure, you will find your way. And over time you will build a powerful second brain, that supports you in your thinking. And very soon you will come up with new ideas based on the connections you created. Have fun building! 🏗