How I created and use my analog Zettelkasten | Step-by-step guide

[@gusatvoschiavon]

It became a hobby of mine watching videos about zettelkasten and reading all the comments always saying that "this is the best video about zettelkasten on KZbin" on every vidoe about zettelkasten 😂

[@HowToCode_io]

It’s so true 🤣

[@williamburke3960]

Thank you. 600 pages boiled down into a sane 30 mins. The book could’ve been a 100 page pamphlet, so you’ve done a great service to us all.

[@HowToCode_io]

That’s exactly what I was trying to do. I am glad I could help.

[@sehatatlier291]

this video is far better than any other videos around for beginners

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you!

[@dalydegagne1839]

I agree - well done. I am hoping to see more Zettelkasten videos on this channel.

[@ChrisSmith-ObeliskEnterprises]

100%

[@shariarshuvo]

I found this video unintentionally relaxing.

[@elclubdelas10am]

ES EL MEJOR VIDEO QUE HAY SOBRE EL SISTEMA DE ZETTELKASTEN... MUY BIEN EXPLICADO. GRACIAS!!!!!

[@finnfranks8070]

The best zettlekasten tutorial I’ve seen after doing a lot of searching. Thank you!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you!

[@fabsanh]

This is certainly the most straight forward to the Antinet Zettelkasten method. More straight forward than Scott himself indeed. Thanks and cheers from Chile 🇨🇱

[@davidschmidt5507]

Only better video is Nicolas Gatien

[@fatherluke]

A concise and practical overview of Zettelkasten, with enough specifics to be a complete course in itself. After years of searching for a way of studying that made sense to me, I found the Zettelkasten methodology, which as anyone familiar with it has experienced, is overwhelming in the amount of information available on KZbin and the internet. This brief video is organized amazingly well, and is effective in introducing Zettelkasten in a way that nothing else I have researched has been able to do, itself a demonstration of how useful Zettelkasten may be. Very nice work. And thanks.

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you! I am glad I could help ;)

[@vincecarpino]

This is it. This is the video I was looking for. Thank you!!

[@illustratedjournal]

One of the best "how to" explanations on Zettelkasten!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you!

[@FakeFlowers]

This was exactly what I was looking for. Thank you so much!

[@nahidnfi57]

This video give me complete clarity of using this method. Thank you.

[@sherrycampion9119]

Thank you for the simplified version of all the reading . I have been spending many hours watching videos, and each person leaves out important info that middles understanding. This has been extremely helpful! Love the book because I love history and the background, too! Thanks again it really really helped me!

[@frankl2770]

Yeah I have been watching many videos as well... but so far never seen any really follow the main idea to catch up on the information from random thoughts. I guess its hard to do that before the Zettelkasten system are older with many "crazy" ideas lolz in my case ofcourse. Because I get a tons of unrelated thoughts then it would have been nice to watch a video which really worked the Zettelkasten system from bottom and up, and doing the categories at the end.

[@Mystery-sy3hf]

I am glad to hear I am not the only one struggling with the academic discipline references. Especially when they don't show the reference numbers anymore. I appreciate your break down of the folgezettel, even though I think I have decided on a different approach. I think I will try letters for the main topic followed by a numbering for each card.

[@HowToCode_io]

Give it a shot and if you find out it’s not working for you, try something else. Your index will always tell you where things are so feel free to experiment and try new things. Happy to do what I can if you get stuck or need help.

[@LarkitectSolutions]

This was very helpful! I appreciate the way you've broken this down into a digestible process. The concept thus far has been overwhelming and you have simplified it in a manner I can process. Looking forward to applying the learnings.

[@TheTruthEngine]

This is the first video that I've found which made any sense regarding this system. Thank you for making it make sense. I was almost ready to give up trying to wrap my brain around this. I still don't 100% get it, but I think I get the general idea, which means that I can customize something that works for my needs.

[@TammyMidyette]

Thank you for creating such an informative and EASY way to manage this system.

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad I could help ;)

[@luckenbachmachineworks7000]

Very practical advice. Other videos talk about the system, but leave you totally confused about how to get started. I like your catalog adaptation as well. Very practical for focused vs universal knowledge management.

[@tammydewitt8084]

Thank you for boiling this down! I should have watched this video first.

[@livinginthelogos]

Incredible job ser! I’m reading Scott’s book rn and thought to myself I wonder who has distilled this on KZbin lol. And here it is, absolutely stellar. Bought that same box. Have a project im about to start and I had just discovered obsidian after years of analog note taking; I’m not a slouch with computers but I just immediately felt uncomfortable. Stumbled on one of Scott’s videos. Super pleased :) Take care and God bless 😊

[@HowToCode_io]

God bless you, brother! Thanks for the kind words.

[@BenoAsylum]

I've been trying to understand the method for two weeks, I finally found your video and Scott's, thank you. Here in Brazil there is not much content about the Lumen method.

[@HowToCode_io]

Hope it helped. Scott has a lot of great content on it and get his book if you can. That has tons of helpful info

[@ha65milhoesdeanos]

Akakaka Tô aqui sem entender totalmente como fazê-lo. Não entendi a parte de como fazer a conexão.

[@BenoAsylum]

leva um tempo pra aprender, eu ainda estou meio confuso em certas partes. Brasicamente eu fiz o que ele mostrou nos vídeos, uma pra bibliografia, uma pro indice e outra pros zettels, pra fazer as interligações é facil, você vai criar uma nota com um numero qualquer, e quando você achar outra informação que possa ser util a se juntar com outra nota, voce simplesmente coloca o codigo seguido dela. Por exemplo, em uma nota voce colocou 100/1, então a proxima que voce achar que possa ser uma sequencia ou uma ponte, voce usa 100/1a e a proxima 100/1b e assim vai, quando tiver outra ideia parecida, porem não igual, voce pode por 100/2. E assim vai indo. @@ha65milhoesdeanos

[@LSGMedia]

About to embark on a history project, and this type of organization for outlining the many books I will have to read will be WAY easier because of this. Thanks for taking the time.

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad I could help!

[@amandastiver7771]

This is very helpful, clear and concise. I've been wanting to begin to develop some book projects and this analog approach takes me right back to my high school research papers, so a good starting place. Very simple, very effective. Thank you.

[@tonyalawson4348]

Thank you for making this video! I’ve been keeping notes on cards for years, but they’re not in any particular category, so it’s hard for me to find what I’m looking for. This will help me so much!

[@carlosguio2562]

Thanks a lot, a very clear video. It was of great help for me. Now, I can to begin now my analog zettlekasten

[@adithiyag4616]

10:49 you can also use a ruler. I like how you take time to explain small things

[@AntiNovelist]

This is a great breakdown!! Concise and clear. Now go fill it up!!!

[@gurlgenius11]

This is a great start. Thank you so much. I wish I’d known this in prep school and college. But now I do!

[@janeviebrock]

Excellent job of simplifying how to do a Z. Sometimes less is more. TY

[@gondala]

Very informative and easy to follow.. I know following Scot's book is overwhelming for beginner.. and for someone who just want to produce book or do research in certain topics, I don't need to follow some wikipedia codes or categories of discipline. I think your approach is very feasible because in the beginning we have some projects in mind that we want to research. Best of luck.. I wish you can update your video after you have couple of hundreds cards... I want to see where it goes...

[@HowToCode_io]

I hope to make an updated video as well once I have outgrown the box I have now and have a significant amount of cards.

[@animalrave7167]

I like your video. I'm more interested in hearing success stories about how its helped people so im hoping you post some at a later date. I started creating my own around 10 months ago after reading that same book and watching about a dozen yt vids on it. I started with both obsidian and an analog one at the same time. Putting the same info into both and structuring them both the same. There is something about the tactile nature of writing and touching cards that seems to trigger better memorization in me over the digital version. I've settled on digital though mainly because of speed. In the same amount of time i put 1 zettle in i can put around 3-5 in the digital version and the graph view ive found increases my productivity in finding new connections. The biggest thing i found was that i got caught up in expanding it as quickly as possible but realized that it was too broad and narrowed it down to focus on specific goals/projects. I think you need to create it with a goal or goals in mind as this is really only useful for certain things in order for it to be productive for you. Its strength is in the finding/seeing connections/relationships between the things and helping you track them.

[@HowToCode_io]

I agree that using it for a specific project or projects is the way to go. It is far more useful that way as it is intended to be a “thinking partner” not just a way to store random thoughts or notes.

[@dalydegagne1839]

I appreciate your approach to Zettelkasten, especially analogue Zettelkasten, without getting into polemics about analogue vs digital approaches. I look forward to any future Zettelkasten videos you create.

[@leeannclayton3718]

I’ve watched a dozen or so videos and looked at about that many articles… they have all been difficult to understand and impractical. This video is awesome! Very practical and easy to understand! I feel like I can start a Zettelkasten system based on this video alone! Thank you so much!

[@HowToCode_io]

@leeannclayton3718 glad I could help!

[@imad_jj]

You hit the nail on the head, thanks❤

[@cfraschetti]

Great guide. Thank you. I have also done away with Scott's 5 starting cards and moved to doing what you describe here, start with what you are reading. Also, doing your notes, then putting the book down for a while. That is a great idea. I have found selection is the hardest discipline, and I wonder if doing that will help. I'm going to try it. Thanks!

[@KeithDvorak]

as soon as i saw *sertillanges* on your index, i clicked like. as soon as i saw the book, i subscribed. and then your “second” card sites chesterton? awesome. i’m looking forward to seeing what else you create, including this project of yours! best of luck!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thanks, Keith. That book had a big impact on me and still does. I have also been reading the book Sertillanges mentions that his book builds off of called The Well-Springs by Alphonse Gratry and translated by Stephen J Brown. You can find the pdf online. I highly recommend it.

[@HowToCode_io]

Also Chesterton is the man!

[@KeithDvorak]

you’re welcome, and thank *you*! i’m unable to find the PDF; do you have a link you can share?

[@HowToCode_io]

@KeithDvorak i may have used library genesis. I couldn’t find anywhere to purchase the book.

[@KeithDvorak]

no worries. thanks! 🙏

[@crestfallenwarrior6996]

I would like to use this method to help learn more about electrical engineering, and then apply it to electrical equipment design and application. ZK may not be a suitable method? In your presentation you said the point is to apply your ZK to an output. I don't really have an output, other than trying to be better at my career. I am not looking to create podcasts, write a book, or develop a website... Maybe look into another system?

[@HowToCode_io]

I think it will still work. You don’t know until you try.

[@crestfallenwarrior6996]

@ will give it a go!

[@aliciaq8114]

zk would still be useful without a published output as the writing in the system is specifically tailored to enhance learning and understanding. the bottom up note taking approach helps you connect different knowledge and thus retain and also create new ideas! an output might naturally emerge after a long time but the goal is more important imo.

[@loopd1]

Thanks for the content! It's very useful

[@space_cowboy007]

23:47 how do you manage to find the right place when you get to the point of having hundreds of cards? it seems like the time spent filing a card would go up and up.

[@HowToCode_io]

I can’t speak from experience yet, but you will have a good understanding of where things are and you can narrow it down pretty quickly I think. This is also why having a project or projects in mind is so helpful. Having a specific goal or research project will limit choices and selection.

[@MikeGastin]

Nice vid! Just subbed and looking forward to more.

[@Hendrix312002]

Thanks Mike!

[@yohanesliong4818]

Thank you

[@jacksonkerr2095]

The numbering system sounds interesting to me. The example given is '1/1/1', the first for the category, the second for the sub-category, the third for the specific card. Another thought which comes to my mind is of using a-z to label individual cards within a sub-category. Start with 'a' - once you get to 'z', then you start again, but with a second letter - 'aa', 'ab', 'ac', etc. The next set, then would be 'ba', 'bb', 'bc', etc. This would allow for an exponential number of cards, if you found that you need that many cards under this specific topic.

[@chenlim2165]

Wonderful overview! Very helpful. Thank you!

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad it was helpful!

[@oz_jones]

Good video. My current way of noting references is a modification what Scheper uses - i do it set up in Zotero too, but your analog catalogue made me think that maybe I should adopt it. It's going to be interesting if and when I'm using videos, podcasts and other online only sources. I currently have only one actual book in my ZK but many "potential" things to install in it, but... procrastination and all that. Lol! EDIT: Upon further thought, the only "problem" with online only sources is that you can't reference them offline so you would be on your computer anyway so putting them in Zotero or whatever is logical, but a backup is nice to have so my only "problem" with it is mostly nonexistent and just a me thing. Sorry for rambling.

[@MargareteMiller]

Excellent video. Scott was very confusing. This description used a lot more common sense and flexibility, based on what you need it for. Thank you!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you! Glad I could help :)

[@mintchip7178]

Could you send a link to the amazon box you feature in this video? I've searched and not found this exact one. Thank your for your time and this guide.

[@HowToCode_io]

There are links in the video description

[@jacksonkerr2095]

Also, if you find that you now have a new card to fit into the existing catalog, using letters may help to break things down. If you have a new card to fit next to the 1/1/5 card, but it should come before 1/1/6, simply label the new card 1/1/5a.

[@monicadn4365]

The best tutorial! thks!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you!!

[@alejandroramos9461]

Would love to see how you would use these for software development concepts / technical books.

[@HowToCode_io]

It’s interesting you bring this up, because I have been wondering the same thing. I haven’t used my ZK for technical books partly because the information goes out of date so quickly. I will make a video if I do at some point

[@Mentor_aravind]

Best video of ZK.

[@HowToCode_io]

Wow! Thank you :)

[@kimberlyk.8569]

Great job...thanks!

[@romeovalencia5292]

Hi there! Can I use this method for school or learning something? I really want to improve how to learn better

[@HowToCode_io]

Yes.

[@romeovalencia5292]

@HowToCode_io I'm still figuring this technique. Thanks for this video

[@GKZachary]

This is a superb introduction to Zettelkasten. Now it finally makes sense. But I have a question: If your project is Mind and you number it 1, do you number your second project 2 and so on? For example, suppose my first project is about, say, the Gilded Age in American history. So I number that 1. Then if my second project is about Italian Renaissance humanism: Do I number that 2? Thanks in advance for any advice you have in regard to this.

[@HowToCode_io]

You can number things however you want so technically yes. Regardless of how you do it, you have your index to find your cards. The numbering system you choose doesnt matter and will probably change over time so start simple for now

[@GKZachary]

@@HowToCode_io Thank you so much.

[@yadirmora]

This video was super helpful

[@HowToCode_io]

Glad I could help.

[@funstuff2006]

Ohhh, Algorithm, you rascal. Just when I tap out on Commonplacing you go, "*psst* watch this video about the lovechild of a commonplace book and a card catalogue. You know you wannna try it!" 😅

[@HowToCode_io]

You should try it ;)

[@jamesbradshaw3755]

Where do you find the Noteboxes?

[@HowToCode_io]

I bought mine off of Amazon. There should be a link in the description. You can also get them at office supply stores.

[@katedalton2330]

it is 5 months later, how is your system holding up?

[@HowToCode_io]

So far so good :)

[@healthylifehappywife8501]

Great video!! I have spent the last 12 hours looking for a video that makes this make sense. How would this work in the arena of fiction writing? I am halfway through a novel and am kind of stuck. Would this method help and if so, how? Thanks again! Great content!

[@HowToCode_io]

Thank you! You should check out kzbin.info/door/VITWPXi9lofpewbvk2FW7Q her whole channel is about using a ZK for fiction writing. There is also a fiction writers group in Scott’s community that would probably be very helpful for you. I also really like www.jessicabrody.com/online-writing-courses/ her courses are fantastic!! I also highly recommend her book save the cat writes a novel. I think that book and maybe some of her courses will help you.

[@Kinoti9]

I have a question do you take notes as you read the book or do you finish the book then come back and take notes on what you remember?

[@HowToCode_io]

I take not on an index card aka the “bib card” then after I read the book I make main cards based upon those notes on the bib card.

[@jayjoshifpc]

Why your main card(1/1/0 shown at 21:56) referring to the book(page no etc.)? It should refer to bib card from where it has been derived and that bib card should give reference to the book page no. etc. isn't it? Thats how I understood Zettelkasten.

[@HowToCode_io]

The numbering system is arbitrary and can be anything you want. The numbers do not reference the bib card. The bib card I put down as a source reference in the bottom left of each card which tells me where this note came from.

[@jayjoshifpc]

@@HowToCode_io Main cards are INSIGHTS (written in ones own words) or DATA collected from different bib cards. Those bib cards in turn created from various sources like books, podcast etc. For example you are reading about cognitive abilities of mind. Lets say you created BIB1 from BOOK1, BIB2 from BOOK2 and BIB3 from PODCAST1. Then lets say you have created MAINCARD1 with three entries on cognitive abilities of mind from each BIB1, BIB2 and PODCAST1. So for each entry you will give reference to corresponding bib cards and those bib cards in turn give references to their original sources. I think that's how it should be implemented. Hope I am making sense.

[@tattooninja]

How do you decide what numbers to use? I get the first few main categories, 1-5000....But how do you decide what is 4100, 4257, etc ?

[@HowToCode_io]

The numbers are completely arbitrary. You rely upon the index to find the locations of cards. I show how I found this in the video. I don’t use Scott’s numbering system for this very reason.

[@brendanebe3021]

I am a psychology student and I wanted to have a zettelkasten for every day reading and one for psychology base information. Should I combine the two or leave it separate?

[@HowToCode_io]

You can combine them and just have different categories for them. Personally I would combine them as you might make some interesting connections between the two

[@brendanebe3021]

@@HowToCode_iothank you! do you mind giving me an example

[@HowToCode_io]

They are just categories at the end of the day. So create a category for your psychology related notes and other categories for the books you are reading. You may also want to look into using a common place book. I have another video on common place book vs zettelkasten that may be helpful.

[@brendanebe3021]

@@HowToCode_iothank you, i’ll check it out!

[@dogyaltshering9653]

The book you recommend is not available in India. Is there a substitute?

[@HowToCode_io]

Not that I know of. You might want to try finding a pdf of the book online or some digital form of it.

[@shaungerald23]

How would this work writing a fictional novel?

[@RedmiNote-ig9xo]

❤

[@topfundus1093]

Und, wie soll das mit 1000 oder 10000 Karteikarten gehen?

[@urbex-en-solitario]

I made an analogue zettelkasten method like you using a simple notebook. It's possible too.

[@sthetatos]

What is the english word for "Zettelkasten"?

[@HowToCode_io]

In English it means note box or slip box

[@g1rhines]

Card Catalog. They've been gone long enough that people don't recognize a card catalog system, but it's a card catalog system that libraries used to use.

[@ChiaDai]

why analog?

[@DanielSpielmann]

Am I the only one around here deffo uncomfortable and discontent with category 1/1 in this example? 17:46

[@Sora_Nai]

So what’s the point you never actually take notes on anything. How does this work for math and physics.

[@Kataleya-q8m]

I believe this system isn’t exactly for cold hard facts. The essence of this system is it takes information for you to build your thoughts on which builds knowledge. You then take all the built upon data to use towards writing a book, expanding your thoughts etc

[@abcgoeshome5177]

You're not supposed to categorise within the zettelkasten system, it defeats the purpose of it from what I've read about it anyway. Good listen

[@HowToCode_io]

I think people have different approaches but this is what has worked for me so far. I am sure things will change over time. I will have to make an updated video if things change significantly enough.

[@oz_jones]

What do you mean? That's literally what Luhman did. Maybe I am misunderstanding your comment.

[@gondala]

I think the categorization for things within the zettelkasten system in this video is to focus on what our project in mind. So we don't make zettel for random idea even if it is interesting but not useful or relevan with the project. However, for those who don't have any project, then he can do such thing and make it grow by itself and finally make its own category.

[@TammyMidyette]

Thank you for creating such an informative and EASY way to manage this system.