DEVONthink and BE

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DEVONthink and Bookends

Poll ended at Thu Mar 16, 2006 1:42 pm

DEVONthink and Bookends are two of my best friends!
6
67%
Who is DEVON, and what is he thinking?
3
33%
 
Total votes: 9

danzac
Posts: 436
Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:45 am

DEVONthink and BE

Post by danzac »

I'm an avid BE, DT, and Mellel user. Lots of us users would like increased integration. It seems DT is willing, but have not heard much from redlers or sonny software. Once Mellel goes to xml it won't be long until DT can index mellel files, which is more than sufficient.

As far as BE is concerned, DT can index and synchronize the BE attachments file. exporting the BE database as BiBTeX makes it importable as a sheet to DT. These are sufficient for now, but I would like to see some increased integration. I'm wondering what other users would like to in terms of integration, as well as any ideas or future changes Jon may be planning.

I've added a little poll to see how many BE users actually use DT, otherwise these requests should obviously become secondary.

While I think it may be too much to ask that DT be able to read the BE database, a workaround may be the ability to automate an export of my BE database as a .bib file that DT can continually synchronize with. It would also be great if there was some ability to click the sheet record in DT which takes you to the BE reference (but this may be a pipe dream).

Any other thoughts?

p.s. no rush on an answer Jon, I know your busy
~I swore to myself that if I ever got to walk around the room as manager people would laugh as they saw me coming and applaud as I walked away~
Jon
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Post by Jon »

No problem for a short answer -- I'm rarely the rate-limiting step. If DT wanted to work with us we'd at least look into what might be possible/useful.

Jon
Sonny Software
talazem
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Post by talazem »

I personally have already recently aired my support for what Danny has mentioned here and on the DT forum. For the sheets in DT to stay synchronized with the BE database, and for the ability to launch a BE reference would be useful. But it is really the former -- the synching of the sheet with the BE database -- that would be useful for note-taking from books and articles, and for sourcing thereafter.

If BE could also somehow link from a reference directly into a folder in DT, so that one can see all of one's reading and research notes from that particular reference, that would also be useful. But the most practical -- and probabaly immediately possible -- remains the synching option.
danzac
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Joined: Fri Jan 28, 2005 11:45 am

Post by danzac »

Jon, has this discussion between DEVONThink and yourself happened yet?
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Post by Jon »

Hi Danny,

No, it hasn't. We are in the process of enhancing interoperability with another product that many people will find useful, but not DEVONThink. As I believe I mentioned before, I've learned that most other small companies aren't particularly interested in working together (RedleX is an exception). If DEVON is, and contacts me, I would be very happy to explore some sort of cooperation with them.

Jon
Sonny Software
danzac
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Post by danzac »

Can I ask what that program is? Wait, let me be more direct- which program is it!?
~I swore to myself that if I ever got to walk around the room as manager people would laugh as they saw me coming and applaud as I walked away~
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Post by Jon »

Sorry, not to be too mysterious, but I can't say, it's still being worked out.

Jon
Sonny Software
thecritic
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Post by thecritic »

With DEVONThink Pro selected as the linked app in Bookends, if I choose copy formatted, I am indeed switched to DTP, but the paste doesn't occur.

Is this a known problem?
Gerben
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Post by Gerben »

Jon wrote: No, it hasn't. We are in the process of enhancing interoperability with another product that many people will find useful, but not DEVONThink.
Just curious if there is any news here? I am currently exploring software like Devonthink but if something is imminent i might wait a while.

No pressure Jon, just was wondering,
all the best,
Gerben
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Hi Gerben,

The people at DEVONtechnologies aren't particularly interested in facilitating interactions between DT and Bookends. So I wouldn't expect much...

Jon
Sonny Software
Gerben
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Post by Gerben »

Hi Jon,

Sorry, i should have been a bit more specific.. My question was not about Devonthink and BE but about this> a while ago you mentioned that you are looking at "interoperability with another product" (other than Devonthink). I actually wondered how that is coming along.

Best,
Gerben
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Ah yes. The software I was referring to is not a note-taking application, so don't take it into account when deciding amongst the different such products that are available.

Jon
Sonny Software
Gerben
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Post by Gerben »

Thanks!

Gerben
danzac
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Post by danzac »

Jon wrote:Ah yes. The software I was referring to is not a note-taking application, so don't take it into account when deciding amongst the different such products that are available.

Jon
Sonny Software
Come on, give us a hint!!

Danny
~I swore to myself that if I ever got to walk around the room as manager people would laugh as they saw me coming and applaud as I walked away~
Jon
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Post by Jon »

Nope, the other company probably wouldn't like me to mention it. But don't get too excited -- it's not going to be that big a deal, just something that some people (a minority of Bookends users) will find convenient.

Jon
Sonny Software
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