cborenstein

Agree with the post. Working on https://spectagon.md which aims to improve the workflow around reviewing docs in the repo.

Reviewing docs in Github isn't great - as the post mentions, Google Docs or similar is typically where review happens. Spectagon aims to change that so that you can submit PRs for docs and you get a great review experience as a layer on top of Github.

Awesome, thank you!

Love the concept of a working memory score for code.

> the number of distinct pieces of program state that a developer needs to keep in their head when analysing a function and the impact this has on the understandability and maintainability of code.

The same concept applies not just to writing code, but to any context that you need to load up in order to do your work. E.g. context when jumping into a meeting or when reviewing a new project spec.

In those cases, one of the key things is being able to offload what you don't need in your working memory right now to some other solution (usually notes). More on that here https://www.stashpad.com/blog/working-memory

Thanks for sharing --

> More importantly, the process of adding to and maintaining the knowledge base felt more burdensome than beneficial

I wonder if being able to recollect things later in an organized way may not be worth the effort for you.

Something I've found is that I really don't need a robust personal knowledge base. My goal is to do my work well (and taking notes to support this is definitely valuable). Building a personal knowledge base doesn't support this goal and has a more unclear value-prop, so it's a drag to keep up with.

Wrote an opinion piece on this https://www.stashpad.com/blog/you-probably-dont-need-a-knowl...

Ooh interesting - I'm not too familiar with vertical tabs. Will check it out!

What advantages do you see to keeping a large number of tabs open at a time? Do you find that you return to them?

I also try to close things out each evening - and any tabs that I "need" I at least jot down in a notepad for later.

My main motivation is keeping the performance on my computer strong but there is something really nice about getting to start fresh each day.

The research did say 20+ (HN took out the +) so you may not be alone. That sounds hefty though! Do you feel like it works well for you?

Agree that jumping between tools at the expense of focusing on craft won't get you the results you want:

> If we're fixated on acquiring every new tool that comes our way, we risk missing out on developing our fundamental, timeless skills—the abilities that transcend technological trends and persist throughout time

But the tools we use can have a big impact on our behavior.

Each tool makes some behaviors easier and others more difficult. By choosing tooling that aligns with your goals, you make it much easier to achieve those goals.

I'm currently knee-deep in the notes space* so will give an example there. I regularly talk to people who have invested a lot of time in their notes / productivity tooling. Their systems "look" good. But more often than not, they're over-engineered and get in the way of their goals.

When they take a step back and switch to simpler tools that align with their desired behaviors, they find more sustainable productivity and more space to hone their craft.

*working on https://stashpad.com - would love to chat if you've had a similar experience.

I'm biased but I'd add--

- Obsidian: https://obsidian.md/

- Logseq: https://logseq.com/

- Reflect: https://reflect.app/

- Stashpad: https://stashpad.com/

Oomf thanks for reporting this - on it!

I find this part super interesting:

> He describes studies that have found a substantial delay in the reaction time of people talking on their cell phone while driving --- or even just holding conversations with someone in the car while driving. A similar delay has not been found in these studies when the driver is doing more passive activities such as listening to the radio or an audio book; it is the need to focus on a conversation that limits the working memory's ability to effectively support driving at the same time.

When your mind is holding items in working memory, that means that it has less space to focus and execute effectively on the main task at hand.

Just writing things down gives some resolution of that task/thought so that we can fully show up for our main thing.

Working on a new notepad for jotting things down to free up working memory. The goal is to make it easy to capture things and add some organization when you want.

Curious to get feedback. https://www.stashpad.com/blog/working-memory

Stashpad isn't quite this but it's pretty close. Focused on stream-of-consciousness style notes. Would be curious what you think.