Pile of Index Cards

ref. : Strict chronological order

The revision rule of Noguchi filing system sounds quite useful to keep system “alive”. I think there is another way to implement it into the PoI system.

For example, when you pick up an indexcard from the dock, mark the top edge with a color pen, say red, then return to it’s original position the dock. The order is unchanged. When you use the indexcard again, you put one more mark. Like a star for soldiers. Consequently, there are many mark for indexcard that you use frequently. Then you’ll clearly see which card you used before.

I really appreciate that recently Edward Vielmetti introduced the PoI system on his blog. But I must say one thing to correct and avoid further misunderstanding. Strictly speaking, a chronological order in the PoI system is different from the one of Noguchi filing system (see also introduction by Dave Gray).

I must say that a chronological order in Noguchi filing system is not a simple one. For example, in Noguchi filing system, if one pick up a file from a shelf, it is returned to the one side, right end for example, of the shelf. If you use certain file frequently, it stays at the right end. Same time, a file you don’t use will slide to the other side of the shelf. The system is always revised. File you uses frequently only survive in the shelf. A chronological order plus this revision rule is the key point of Noguchi filing system. The chronological order is relatively “loose“. It is possible because a number of files in the system may not exceed a thousand ; it is in control even if with such a revision rule.

On the other hand, a chronological order in the PoI system is more “strict” one. For example, when I pick up a certain card from the dock, I must return it where it was originally. You see there is no revision rule in the Indexcardins system. This is why I can’t say that this system adopts exactly same chronological order as Noguchi’s file system. In fact, it is difficult to change an order of cards in the system because a number of cards easily exceed 1,000 ; a unit of information is smaller than file. If I introduce same revision rule, the system will be totally out of control and easily corrupt. In other words, only the “strict” chronological order can keep a consistency and rigidity of the PoI system.

Josh DiMauro (a.k.a jazzmasterson on flickr) suggests an idea of “second draft“.

Topics on a single indexcard should be piece by piece. Then you can make larger construction by compiling multiple indexcards into a longer and more complex thought. Josh calls this process as “second draft”. He uses a larger 5×8 size indexcard for this process. Itasaka Gen, a writer of “考える技術・書く技術 (Technical thinking, technical writing)” (1973), expressed similar process as “the next step”. However, I think Josh’s “second draft” is more concrete and appropriate expression. :)

The second draft helps to polish up ones idea. You can find the second draft with 5×8 indexcard in action at Josh’s photo set on flickr, “External Memory“.

ref. : discussion at “Divergence, convergence” on flickr

Number of indexcards I had written is over 4,000 now. I had never imagined it when I started using indexcard. It sounds great number, but in reality, I usually write 10 to 20 indexcards per day. Just a power of stress-free accumulation of chronological order rule.

I feel the system possess a different meaning than the beginning. Now it works as a “database”. The feeling is enhanced because of the Dock where all of your indexcard gathers. Now I can use/reuse and organize/reorganize the indexcards. Preparation for presentation is an example. It was possible because I have the database. Roughly speaking, the PoI system change into database when the number of indexcard exceed 1,000.

Knowledge in one’s brain is also database. For me, however, it was difficult to understand I have my own knowledge database, because it is invisible. After introducing the PoI system, my knowledge database appear in real world. No doubt I have my own knowledge database now.