Denote aims to be a simple-to-use, focused-in-scope, and effective
note-taking and file-naming tool for Emacs.
Denote is based on the idea that files should follow a predictable
and descriptive file-naming scheme. The file name must offer a
clear indication of what the contents are about, without reference
to any other metadata. Denote basically streamlines the creation
of such files or file names while providing facilities to link
between them (where those files are editable).
Denote's file-naming scheme is not limited to "notes". It can be used
for all types of file, including those that are not editable in Emacs,
such as videos. Naming files in a consistent way makes their
filtering and retrieval considerably easier. Denote provides relevant
facilities to rename files, regardless of file type.
The manual describes all the technicalities about the file-naming
scheme, points of entry to creating new notes, commands to check
links between notes, and more: ;; .
If you have the info manual available, evaluate:
(info "(denote) Top")
What follows is a general overview of its core core design
principles (again: please read the manual for the technicalities):
* Predictability :: File names must follow a consistent and
descriptive naming convention (see the manual's "The file-naming
scheme"). The file name alone should offer a clear indication of
what the contents are, without reference to any other metadatum.
This convention is not specific to note-taking, as it is pertinent
to any form of file that is part of the user's long-term storage
(see the manual's "Renaming files").
* Composability :: Be a good Emacs citizen, by integrating with other
packages or built-in functionality instead of re-inventing
functions such as for filtering or greping. The author of Denote
(Protesilaos, aka "Prot") writes ordinary notes in plain text
(`.txt'), switching on demand to an Org file only when its expanded
set of functionality is required for the task at hand (see the
manual's "Points of entry").
* Portability :: Notes are plain text and should remain portable.
The way Denote writes file names, the front matter it includes in
the note's header, and the links it establishes must all be
adequately usable with standard Unix tools. No need for a databse
or some specialised software. As Denote develops and this manual
is fully fleshed out, there will be concrete examples on how to do
the Denote-equivalent on the command-line.
* Flexibility :: Do not assume the user's preference for a
note-taking methodology. Denote is conceptually similar to the
Zettelkasten Method, which you can learn more about in this
detailed introduction: .
Notes are atomic (one file per note) and have a unique identifier.
However, Denote does not enforce a particular methodology for
knowledge management, such as a restricted vocabulary or mutually
exclusive sets of keywords. Denote also does not check if the user
writes thematically atomic notes. It is up to the user to apply
the requisite rigor and/or creativity in pursuit of their preferred
workflow (see the manual's "Writing metanotes").
* Hackability :: Denote's code base consists of small and reusable
functions. They all have documentation strings. The idea is to
make it easier for users of varying levels of expertise to
understand what is going on and make surgical interventions where
necessary (e.g. to tweak some formatting). In this manual, we
provide concrete examples on such user-level configurations (see
the manual's "Keep a journal or diary").
Now the important part... "Denote" is the familiar word, though it
also is a play on the "note" concept. Plus, we can come up with
acronyms, recursive or otherwise, of increasingly dubious utility
like:
+ Don't Ever Note Only The Epiphenomenal
+ Denote Everything Neatly; Omit The Excesses
But we'll let you get back to work. Don't Eschew or Neglect your
Obligations, Tasks, and Engagements.