Exploring Capacities.io: A Love-Hate Relationship with Note-Taking
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Chapter 1: A Brief Encounter with Capacities
Recently, I've taken a brief detour into the world of Capacities.io, much to the chagrin of my usual tool, Obsidian. While I found the experience enjoyable, I realized that Capacities isn't quite the right fit for me at this moment. Here's a closer look at my experience.
Due to a mix of children's parties and feeling unwell, my writing productivity has taken a hit over the last week. This pause in my usual routine has allowed me some time to explore a new note-taking application: Capacities.io.
The team behind Capacities has developed a truly impressive app, and they deserve recognition for their work. Inspired by others in the PKM (Personal Knowledge Management) community, I decided to give it a try and see if it could meet my needs.
Why Capacities Caught My Attention
Capacities has a sleek design, and I can understand why many users are making the switch. It feels like a more streamlined version of Notion, infused with some of the features found in Obsidian. Its object-oriented approach simplifies the process of organization, making it less daunting to begin.
The concept of 'Objects' is fundamental to Capacities' functionality and serves as a major attraction, though it can be a bit perplexing initially. I view 'Objects' as similar to templates or items we might include in our PKM, such as books, videos, or, in my case, primarily research papers. We can categorize these items broadly to incorporate various media types, allowing for collections of videos, books, and podcasts, much like in real life.
Section 1.1: Understanding 'Things'
For my research papers, each document I read includes a title, authors, publication date, and other standard attributes. Every note in a PKM typically has some form of identifiable attributes, whether it's daily notes, personal reviews, or detailed analyses of books. These attributes help connect various notes into cohesive 'things.'
By categorizing everything as an 'Object,' we can avoid the inevitable chaos of misplaced notes that often plagues PKMs. This approach differs from traditional folders; it's more akin to having a well-organized bookshelf where books can occasionally reside on a coffee table or bedside stand.
Subsection 1.1.1: My 'Source' Object
In the image below, I've created an object labeled 'Source.' This serves as a template for every research paper I intend to add to Capacities. Although I need to input each paper manually, it’s a manageable task. If I modify any detail within this 'thing,' it updates all sources using that template.
The attributes I included, such as 'Author(s)' and 'Supporting Sources,' link to other entries in my Capacities database. At the bottom, I've also created templates for different types of papers, tailored to the specific notes I take for each format.
Section 1.2: Visualizing My Work
Here's an example of how a review paper looks in the 'Encyclopedia View':
I find this layout visually appealing and effective. It provides a much cleaner view of the same information compared to Obsidian, where data can often feel cluttered and disorganized.
Chapter 2: Integrating Zettelkasten and Other Features
If you appreciate the Zettelkasten method, here's another Object I created, displayed in the Index Card view.
From PDFs to tweets, everything can be categorized as a 'thing' in Capacities. While this may initially seem limiting, is there anything in your PKM that you couldn't classify as a 'thing'?
Section 2.1: Notable Features of Capacities
One feature I particularly liked was the 'People' object. Although I have similar entries in Obsidian, I rarely engage with those pages. However, in Capacities, I can view all the academics I've added in a table format:
Additionally, the ability to send notes and images via WhatsApp to my PKM is a game-changer. Currently, it allows for quick additions, but I envision a future where it could facilitate a two-way interaction, making it even more dynamic.
Capacities also excels in media organization. By assigning attributes to images and videos, it enhances the overall media experience within a PKM, aligning with its motto of being 'The studio for your mind.'
Chapter 3: The Limitations of Capacities
Despite my admiration for Capacities, I've decided to cancel my Believer subscription. This decision isn't due to a lack of belief in the app, but rather a need to focus on refining my current system instead of exploring new apps. Capacities may have potential, but it overlaps too much with Obsidian for my liking.
One significant drawback arose when my internet connection became unreliable. For anyone with a shaky internet, having a PKM that functions fully offline is crucial. This is a primary reason I avoid Notion and currently can't commit fully to Capacities. Strangely, only PDFs seem to require an online connection, while other data remains accessible locally.
Another frustration I encountered was the app occasionally freezing when I attempted to copy and paste content.
Pricing is another consideration. While there’s a free version, it limits functionality to desktop use and restricts viewing options. I paid £9.75 for a month of the Believer plan to explore additional features, but the forthcoming yearly Pro rate is expected to be around $120, which is pricier than both Notion and Obsidian Sync. Although it may be worth the investment, I'm not fully committed yet. I also wish to distribute my income across various developers to support diverse innovations.
In Conclusion: Reflecting on My Experience
Although my time with Capacities was short-lived, it provided invaluable insights into my own system and areas for improvement. This experience proved to be more beneficial than any app's features.
As I conclude this exploration, I find myself appreciating Capacities for its clarity and organization—qualities that resonate with my chaotic thought processes. I may consider re-subscribing before my month ends.
As a segue into my next post, where I will discuss what I've learned, I want to emphasize the importance of experimentation in finding the right path forward.
If you're interested in delving deeper into research processes and personal management, with a sprinkle of plant and soil science, consider subscribing to my free, weekly newsletter, Brain STREAM.