The author explains their extensive use of Org Mode, an Emacs extension, as a powerful, all-encompassing tool beyond simple note-taking. They highlight its flexibility for managing writing projects, from initial brainstorming and outlining to drafting, editing, and publishing. Org Mode's structured format, using plain text and simple markup, facilitates easy reorganization, version control with Git, and export to various formats like HTML and PDF. The author demonstrates how features like tags, links, and the ability to embed code and results directly into documents make it ideal for technical writing, literate programming, and project management, ultimately creating a unified system for knowledge creation and organization.
This blog post details how to create and manage recurring checklists within Emacs' Org Mode. It leverages the SCHEDULED and STYLE properties of list items to automate the reappearance of tasks at specified intervals. The author demonstrates how to define a daily checklist template, schedule its repetition daily, and configure it to reset each morning, ready for a new day's checking. Furthermore, it explores more complex scenarios, including using timestamps to track completion history and adding specific scheduling keywords for more nuanced control over recurrence, like excluding weekends. The post also briefly covers handling checklist items that don't need daily resetting.
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of using Org Mode for recurring tasks. Several commenters shared their own workflows and modifications, including using the org-super-agenda package, scripting with elisp for more complex recurring tasks, and integrating with mobile apps like Orgzly. Some pointed out potential limitations of the author's approach, suggesting alternatives like dynamic blocks for greater flexibility. The discussion also touched on broader Org Mode features, such as capturing tasks and agenda views. A few users highlighted the steep learning curve of Emacs and Org Mode but affirmed their power once mastered.
Summary of Comments ( 30 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43157672
Hacker News users generally praised the article for its clear explanation of Org Mode's benefits and the author's workflow. Several commenters shared their own experiences and tips for using Org Mode, highlighting its versatility for tasks beyond writing, such as project management and note-taking. Some discussed the learning curve associated with Org Mode, acknowledging its initial complexity but emphasizing the long-term payoff. A few users mentioned alternative tools, but the overall sentiment leaned towards appreciating Org Mode's powerful features and extensibility. The discussion also touched upon the advantages of plain text and the philosophical appeal of owning your data.
The Hacker News post titled "Why and How I use "Org Mode" for my writing and more" (linking to an article on evalapply.org) generated a moderate discussion with several insightful comments.
Many commenters echoed the author's sentiments about Org Mode's power and flexibility. One user praised its plain text nature, emphasizing the longevity and portability of such files, contrasting it with proprietary formats that can become obsolete. This commenter also appreciated the ability to export to various formats, highlighting its utility for different publishing needs.
Another commenter delved into specific Org Mode features they found beneficial, such as the agenda view for task management and the ability to embed source code blocks with execution capabilities. They noted that these features combine to create a powerful environment for reproducible research. This aligns with a separate comment highlighting Org Mode's utility for academic work, especially in technical fields where literate programming is valuable.
A few commenters discussed the learning curve associated with Org Mode. While acknowledging its initial complexity, they argued that the investment is worthwhile due to the long-term productivity gains. One user described it as a "steep but rewarding climb," suggesting that while it takes effort to master, the payoff is substantial.
The discussion also touched upon alternative tools and workflows. Some users mentioned other note-taking applications, comparing their features and limitations with Org Mode. One comment specifically mentioned using Markdown for simpler writing tasks but reserving Org Mode for more complex projects requiring sophisticated organization and features like embedded code blocks.
A couple of commenters expressed their long-standing appreciation for Org Mode, having used it for several years. They shared anecdotes about how it has become integral to their daily workflow and how it has helped them manage complex projects.
Finally, one commenter requested information about resources for learning Org Mode, demonstrating the continued interest in adopting and mastering this tool. This led to another user sharing a link to a helpful tutorial, contributing to the community-driven support surrounding Org Mode.