PoIC : Pile of Index Cards

A "Trackback" feature of a weblog is useful to know which article refer to own article.

We can take advantage of this feature into indexcard. And this is quite easy. I introduced how to link between cards. Just reverse of the link. I use a red pen for emphasis. If there is many trackbacks on a card, it indicates the card is useful.

This idea is originally from a comment by riclav at flickr.

The picked up cards are returned in a original position of a chronological order. This becomes hard if I pick up a lot of card at once. If it is too hard, I hesitate to pick up cards from the dock.

An easiest way to overcome this problem is to mark the positions of picked up cards. If I use post-it, however, I have to mark, say 30, every time.

I invent a a trick to use indexcard itself as position marker (picture above). When I pick up a card, raise a card just behind. The right-hand side is exposed to know the date stamp of raised card. When return the picked up cards, see the compare the timestamps, and return. This trick reduces effort to find a certain time from the sequence of card in the dock.

If this process is fun enough, it increase a chance to review cards in the dock.

In the PoI system, number of card increase with 10 - 20 per day. If I review cards of the week at weekend, I have to review 70 - 140 cards. It is hard to do every week for lazy person like me.

Rather, daily review become much important and easier. Following is what I have been trying.

1. When I leave office, I take out all cards I have written in the day, by using KM2P.
   
2. Before sleep, I pick them up, and remind what I wrote that day, work, life, together.
   
3. Try to remember the cards In a bed. Morning through night, chronologicaly
   
4. Next morning, review the cards again briefly.
   
5. Leave "life" cards in the "life" dock, and take "work" cards to office.
   
6. Put "work" cards to "work" dock at office.
   

It helps me to remember the event of the day.

# Perhaps it is better to include calendar to the system. Then "search" will be much easier.

ref. : Mixture of stone and gem

This is a story I actually generate gem from stones.

I had had terrible headache for long time. It squeezed my brain. I couldn't concentrate to my work with it. But my health had no problem. I talked to a doctor, colleague, and supervisors ; and they gave same answer ; it is mental reason.

I had started reading book about brain and mental. Also I go to gym and begin swimming to overcome physically. But nothing had changed about the headache. Only progress I got was knowledge about brain and swimming skill. One day, I try to track record of the headache with my system. I had recorded about my health as daily (i.e. Record card). In terrible case, I record the condition on independent Record card. I search my Life Dock, and pick them up all.

Between the Record cards, I found interesting pattern. I had never had headache on Saturday and Sunday. Then what is different between week day and week end. It's simple : Go to office or not. Then It is really due to mental or human relationship? Nope. It seems opposite, the headache cause mental depression. Mentally, o.k., physically, o.k. ; what is the source? Then what about food and drink. A food won't be so different. I drink coffee and tea frequently both in my room, and office. Then the problem is coffee or tea itself?. Negative ; I drink same brand in both place. Then what about water? Water? But I couldn't believe a quality is so different.

Next day, I tried it anyway. Simply, just didn't drink coffee in my office. And the results is obvious. I didn't have the headache. I tried it next couple of days to confirm repeatability. And again, I didn't have headache. I finally found a solution : Source of my headache is the water in my office. But I still couldn't believe this result. A water is too usual. But it was biased by common sense. Long time I was blind due to the common sense. And only my card system knew the truth. Now I'm free from the terrible headache.

ref. : @ blog, Strict chronological order

It is frequently asked "what about introduce Noguchi Filing to your system?". Noguchi filing system works well to keep filing sytem dynamic. It is, however, obviously doesn't work with the PoI system, at least for me. I knew this fact empilically. I had struggled how to explain this for people, and even for myself.

After jeevs gave me constructive comments at flickr, I clearly realized why it doesn't work.

In the Noguchi filing system, number of file added in the system is, though it is largely depends on a person, couple of files per day, or even lesser. Plus, several piece of files are compiled in an envelope. It reduces number of file in the system. A review is more frequent than file addition. It can be expressed following simple equation.

Noguchi : Frequency of adding files < Frequency of review

In the PoI system, number of cards increase with the order of ten, much more faster than filing system everyday. In addition, there is nothing to compile each card ; information is naked. For review process, I do it not in constant like "week review" but when I need or just want it. The frequency is once per two weeks or even lesser. If I introduced Noguchi type review rules to the PoI system, the revised cards are easily buried by new cards (seen picture above). This situation is expressed as,

PoI : Frequency of adding card >> Frequency of review

The only difference of the two equations is the sign of inequality. But it makes huge difference between the two system. Noguchi filing system works well for the sign "<" (or "=") and not for ">>".

Company	Type*	Cut and Grid**	Grid Spacing**
Correct (Japan)	p, pp, r, rl, rv, q	Associated	5 mm
L!fe (Japan)	p, r, c, q	Associated	6 mm
Kokuyo (Japan)	p, r	-	-
Oxford (U.S.)	p, r, c, q	Random	6 mm
Office Depot (U.S.)	p, c, q	Random	6 mm
Mead (U.S.)	p, r, c	-	-
Ampad (U.S.)	p, r, c	-	-
3M (U.S.)	rs, rs+c	-	-
Exacompta (France)	q+c	Random (?)	?

* : p : plain, pp : plain printable, r : ruled, rl : ruled library,
rv : ruled vertical, rs : ruled sticky, q : quadrille, c : color
** : For quadrille card

ref. : Reports by Leopard, Gregkise, John, Ayalan, and David.
and Photo @ flickr by Alina Mikadze, and by Kaj

Any additional information is welcome

Revised 2007.01.06 08:27 : Add grid spacing
Revised 2007.01.04 00:12 : Correction for L!fe's card after Kaj's comments.

# I decided to move this web site from "All rights reserved" to Creative Commons.

My work on this site is licensed under Creative Commons License. You can freely distribute my works, including all text on this site as well as photo on flickr, under the license (ver. 2.0 for flickr photo).

That is, you can cite the text and photo on your blog, use for educational purpose, save on your HDD, and share with your friends without permission, unless you earn money or do business using my works. All you need is to put my name "Hawk Sugano" or "hawkexpress" somewhere together. Please read license condition for detail.

I wish this will help your intellectual activity.

From a curiosity, I wonder how many cards I wrote this year. Here I use indexcards in the "life" dock as a sample for simplicity. The card system for "work" is extended PoI and more complicated than "life".

Since it takes some time to count them one by one, I used trick to count easily.

1. Measure a weight of the cards of each month, by using a scale.
   
2. Divide the weight by 1.5, that is a weight of single card in gram (150g for 100 papers).
   

That's all. This is another advantage of using indexcard

I measured a weight of cards of each month. The figure above is a number of card per month, since February 2006. It was when I start using 5x3 quadrille card. Total and mean are summarized in a table below.

Total (life dock) [cards]	Mean [cards/month]	Mean [cards/day]
1,923	175	5.8

ref. : The Indexcarding PoI Starter Kit

I have been preparing to provide the starter kit, and just finished. Now I'm ready to take your order. You can order Correct's indexcard, dock, and Kokuyo's fieldnote via the Service page. I accept a credit card and PayPal account for payment . For a moment, the postal fee is 10 % off.

Please let me know if you have question. Please use comments below, or send me an email.

I wish your merry X'mas and happy new year!

Revised 2006.12.30 00:22 : Add photo of the packs.

Division of an indexcard and fieldnote can be easily understood through a metaphor on computer.

brain = CPU / Fieldnote = Virtual Memory (HDD) / indexcards+Dock = HDD

Main use of the fieldnote in the PoI system is temporal idea capturer. Almost all topics on the fieldnote will be copied to indexcard and stored in the dock later. Simple to-dos, buying toilet paper for example, are processed on fieldnote without copying to indexcard.

The fieldnote reduce an effort to remember/remind stuffs. It helps to increase one's brain usage as Central Processing Unit (CPU). Our brain could work as vaporous, if we have reliable virtual memory and HDD behind.

Dock	A box which store indexcards.
KM2P	Kaizo (= modified) Moleskine Memo Pocket.
Quadcard	Quadrille Indexcard, 5 inch x 3 inch size. I'm getting lazy to say "Quadrille" and "Indexcard".
SIS	Sugano Indexcarding System.
PoI	Pile of Indexcards. Name of this web site, as well as the indexcard system and method itself.
PAA	Personal Analog Assistant. Analog version of PDA.

Revised : 2006.12.23 15:13 Delete SIS and add PoI instead. I replaced "indexcarding system" to "PoI system" through entire blog.

Same rules with indexcard are applied for the fieldnote.

• Chronological order : Write everything in order it emerges. Life, work, complicated idea, simple idea.
  
• Four Icons : Record, Discovery, GTD, and Reference.
  
• Time stamp : I put date stamp on top of every page with rubber stamp. Time stamp is made sometimes. I interpolate time when I copy to indexcard. Again, accuracy is not so important. Rather, uniqueness is a key to define absolute name.
  

The fieldnote is temporal. Later, I copy almost all topics to indexcard. A check-mark beside topics with pigment pen means "copied to indexcard". Simple GTDs (to-dos) are processed in the fieldnote without copying to indexcard.

The picture above was taken five months ago according to the date stamp. After five months later, now, I still use exactly same writing format. It may be comfort to me.

# The four icons are useful for anything. I use them for memo on reading book, too.

It might be a simple and natural question. Because the hipsterPDA (hPDA) uses 5x3 indexcard, too.

I used to try hPDA prior to the fieldnote. But it is not compatible with this system in several reason.

• it uses indexcard in portrait (vertical). This is troublesome not only for writing format in this system, but also when storing in the Dock. Conversely, it is difficult to use hPDA in landscape (horizontal) because It doesn't fit for hand.
  
• it is impossible to write better letter on hPDA. In this system, an indexcard is data which consists a database. It means we should write in better letter for good visibility.
  
• it is dissipative. It hold just with a single clip. But I really don't want lost my cards. Also, I used to wash hPDA together with shirts...
  

It is somewhat paradoxical but the fieldnote is more compatible with this system than hPDA. In a conceptual meaning, the KM2P is much closer to the hPDA.

Revised 2006.12.26 20:37

Toughness : It is designed for outdoor use, as it's nature. It's thick hard cover enable to take a note in any posture. As you start to use indexcard, you will find many situation you cannot write indexcard. Ideas emerge in anytime/anywhere, in a train, in a bed, in a darkness. The fieldnote is the best as idea capturing media in such situation.

Reasonable : Kokuyo's fieldnote costs almost only $1. Surprisingly, the quality is enough good even such reasonable price. I use the fieldnote as temporal memory in metaphor of "virtual memory" on computer. It works well if it won't cost too much. Imagine if a note costs $20, like Moleskine does, one surely hesitate to write small ideas on it. A high price makes us feel that we have to write something "important". However, it doesn't make sense if we don't use a note in daily base. A note should not be a "souvenir". The low price (but high quality) of the fieldnote makes me feel free to write anything.

Revised : 2006.12.21 9:52

Field note (野帳, Yacho) is mainly used by surveying engineer, field scientist etc. for long time. Kokuyo, a Japanese largest stationery company, sells fieldnote in several format with sketch book (quadrille), level book, etc. Of course, I use quadrille one. It seems the Kokuyo's fieldnote is the only solution in Japan.

Umesao and Kitagawa, according to their books, seems to use this kind of fieldnote since they are field scientist. I have been using the fieldnote on my job, too. Through my experience, I found I can use it not only for field work, but also personal idea capturing media.

I hack the fieldnote by adding elastic band as you see in the picture above. It enables to put a pencil between current writing pages. I use a pencil itself as bookmark. I open current page in a second.

I use other things to enhance this sytem. The main contributer for the support system is a Fieldnote. This is used as temporal memory. The another is Moleskine Memo Pocket. It is modified to carry an indexcard.

ref. : Quadrille Indexcard in U.S.

I decide to start "tiny business", smaller than "small business", to provide Japanese indexcard and dock for someone who really want this system in hand. This is highly motivated by my experience in U.S ; it was enough shocking to push me to move. Also, it seems the Correct doesn't responds to email from abroad.

Now I export the Correct's product personally to you, using my spare time. I provide "Starter Kit" with,

	Amount	Price (in U.S. $)
Correct's Dock (C-153DF)	1 box	27
Correct's Index Card (C-3532)*	5 packs**	12
Correct's Index (C-530)	1 pack	3
Postal fee	-	15
Total		57

* 5x3 size, quadrille
** The amount you will consume in 1.5 - 3 months

I guarantee a quality of the products. I will ship to U.S., Europe, Asia, everywhere in the world. Let's share experience.

Revised : 2006.12.21 21:03 I bought scale today. I found the postal fee must be corrected. Especially for Dock. It will be much higher. :/ I will update this article with new price table.

News : 2006.12.23 09:06 I have been preparing new order page.
News : 2006.12.26 20:01 New "Service" Page available

I have been to San Francisco to attend meeting. In my spare time, I walked around Moscone Convention Center. I tried to look for an indexcard.

I found a stationery store close to the SFMOMA. The indexcards occupy a corner. There are 5x3, 6x4, and larger index card available. What is curious for me is there are a lot of colors, blue, yellow, red indexcards. I could find plain and ruled indexcard. Same time, I disappointed that I couldn't find quadrille card in the store.

I found Office Depo, too. I could find indexcard with "Office Depo" brand. The price is relatively cheeper. This time I could find quadrille card from the "Office Depo" brand. But it is enough to make me surprise.

Last sunday, I went Shinjyuku, Tokyo, to survey how many indexcards are sold in stationery store there. I went to the Sekaido (世界堂), one of the largest stationery store in Shinjyuku. And it is close from a subway line that I use to go office.

It is 5 to 6 floor building, all with stationery and art goods. The indexcards are settled at the first floor in Sekaido. I could find name card size, 5x3 size, 6x4 size, B6 size with plain, printable, section (quadrille), 6 mm ruled, and 8 mm ruled. Also, Dock, index (separator), and purse are available. I still couldn't find such a plenty of indexcard goods ever in Tokyo. In fact, I only found B6 and 5x3 card, two kinds each in another larger stationery store "Loft" @ Shinjyuku Mitsukoshi. The Sekaido is rare case.

When you come to Tokyo, you should come to Sekaido. This is a "Macca" for indexcard geek

ref. : Website, Sekaido (in Japanese)
ref. : High resolution map @ Yahoo! Japan, Sekaido

If you cannot find the Moleskine Memo Pocket in bookstore/stationarystore near you, the easiest way to obtain is to go Amazon, online book store, of your country. For example,

• @ Amazon.com
  
• @ Amazon.co.uk
  
• @ Amazon.de
  
• @ Amazon.fr
  
• @ Amazon.co.jp
  

There are two size, pocket and large. I use pocket size (14 cm x 9 cm). Confirm the dimension when you buy it.

Usually, Amazon discounts the Moleskine. For more information, please ask the Amazon of your country, or directly to Moleskine.com.

Title of a card should be short and exact. I usually write a card in following order,

Contents -> Icon -> Title -> Tag -> Time stamp

After writing contents, I have some time to think what icon and title of the card should be. It avoid discrepancy between title and contents (it sometimes happen!).

I name digital files using absolute name as I do for indexcards. In the picture, I show how to make time stamp with UNIX command to make time stamp name like " , as example. Kevinmarsh kindly introduced me there is an application called "TextExpander" which enable text expand "ymd" to the time stamp. Using the absolute name of digital file, I can link the file to an indexcard, like

ref. : PDF 2006.11.02 Thu 18:02

Same as link between indexcard, year, month, date and week is omitted if it is made in same day : then it become "ref. : PDF 18:02". To find a digital file on computer, which referenced in a indexcard, search with "20061102Thu1802".

I usually link only from digital file to card, and not from card to digital file. It is enough for me because the card system is center of information in my system.

This system is better and comfort for me, than digital. But I have never think system is perfect. Followings are problems I understand at current state, with 4,000 of indexcard.

• How to reduce cards : I don't know what happen if I use this system for 2 years or more without reducing cards. Discard, or I should keep everything. How to write, how not to write.
  
• Time stamp for GTD card : I have been thinking ver. 2 still have problem. Which time stamp should be used, a time it was written or a time it is accomplished.
  
• How to search a card quickly : As number of card increase, it become more and more difficult to search a card I want. Or I should quit search.
  

ref. : Comment from Rick

As Rick mentions in the reference above, writing manual of the "PoI system" is an example of the PoI system itself.

Each article corresponds to a single indexcard. Same as analog system, I use title, small number of tags (3 = Record, Discovery, Reference - GTD), timestamp, link, and piece by piece contents. They are random in contents, but keep in chronological order in the "Blog" page. Writing article in the Blog page is kind of stress-free because I don't need worry about the order. It is nothing but the indexcards in the Dock in analog system. Thanks to the HTML and blog, the idea of analog system is easily connected to the digital system.

For tracking newer contents, the "Blog" is o.k. For sharing with people, however, it is more convenient if the articles are reorganized and classified, as we see in a usual books. This is a purpose of the "Selection" page. The articles are reorganized to construct a manual of the "PoI System". Even after such classification, it is easier to insert new article/chapter since the articles are piece by piece like LEGO. This manual is growing.

Perhaps we can write a book from indexcard in this way

ref. : Card Dock
ref. : Law of accessibility

Three partitions made from wood are attached to the Correct's Dock. I made a big single sequence in the dock without the partition. I use index (separator made from paper) as indicator of a month, though. As a number of card increase, I skipped review process. Perhaps I felt difficult to break the big single lump of cards.

I realized a "partitioning" become more important according to a growth of system. It gives high accessibility to the system. Different from HDD on computer, a partitioning of the dock is easy even after constructing the system.

At this moment, I have two docks in my room. The most frequently accessed card should be close to me according to law of accessibility. I made partitions like in the picture above. From front of left dock to the end of right dock,

• Left Dock : Today / This week / Last week + Last 3 months
  
• Right Dock : Older than Last 3 months / Older than Last 3 months
  

If the number of the cards keep growing, I just prepare a new dock, and slide the contents.

ref. : Date and Time
ref. : Link between Cards

A date and time stamp is putted for all indexcard in this system. It defines absolute name, and plays a key role when link between cards. Then putting stamp is kind of routine work. What about I use rubber stamp for indexcard?

In fact, I have been using a rubber stamp for the fieldnote and other documents, but not for the indexcard. The reason is simple : I can't find rubber stamp that match my requirement. My requirement looks like,

2006.11.22 Wed

I think an information about "the day of the week" is important. Because our life is based on the week system. It is easier to remember what I did on last sunday, than just a sequence of number like "2006.11.19".

I have been looking for such rubber stamp for long time, but I still can't find it (sigh). At this moment, the best is done by hand. The hand written stamp is quick and exactly what I want.

ref. : Second draft

The Second-Draft is originaly proposed by Josh DiMauro (see the ref. above). I have been trying the second-draft using indexcards I wrote before to reproduce higher and denser knowledge. This time, I used a set of indexcards (task force) I picked up for making Keynote.

I found B6 size quadrille card from the Correct. To tell the truth, I bought it before, a lot, for pre-PoI system. But it was slept in a closet for long time since I switch to present 5x3 indexcard. Now I have a way to use the B6 card

There is about forty cards in the task force. I compiled them into about ten second-drafts. I use B6 card in not in landscape, but in portrait, because the width is almost same as 5x3 card then ; it's just comfort for me.

ref. : Implementation of revision rule

I just implemented revision rule on the PoI system. It's simple. If the card is useful, I put a mark (star) on right-top-edge of the card. If I use a card again, I give one more star. Then it is clear which card is useful even after returning all cards in the Dock. After giving a star, the used card is now safely return to the Dock.

In practice, I found that if I use red pen, I always have to take two pens, blue and red. I think the system always must be simple. So, I decide to use blue pen as usual for the star, too. The star should be small mark if I think putting 2 or more stars in future. See example below.

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 5x8 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 5x8 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.

I have been preparing for a presentation next week. I have tried to do this task with my indexcards. This is the next stage of the PoI method.

1. I scanned and reviewed last four months' indexcards in the Dock (for work). I picked up about forty indexcards related to the title of presentation.
   
2. I make small piles of common topics as seen in the picture. Each piles is consisted by one to four indexcards, but no limitation. A chronological order is not important now.
   
3. I put memo, correction, etc. for past indexcards with red pen. I write new indexcard to interpolate between topics.
   
4. Each piles are compiled into slides of Keynote (or Power Point :P). Besides Keynote, I use Adobe Illustrator, Omni Graffle, LaTeXiT, gnuplot and GMT.
   

川喜多二郎 (Kawakita Jiro) introduced this card-handling method in "発想法 (Hassouhou = abduction)" (1967). Now this method is known as "KJ method" (The "KJ" is initial of his name).

In the PoI system, the Dock works as storage : all indexcards you wrote drop into the Dock in their final stage. You don't need frustrated with "where did I put that indexcard?" kind of problem. All you need is look the Dock, then you'll find it.

This is mentioned in "Cho Seiri hou" by Noguchi Yukio, who introduced push-out filing system formally known as "Noguchi filing system". He expressed this rule as "one pocket rule". If you put somethings in a single pocket, you can find them in the pocket. On the other hand, if the pocket is two or more, you have to look all the pockets.

For example, it is convenient to put all things, that you take when you go out, in a single basket (over nighter). When you go out, you pick up keys, watch, wallet etc. from the basket. So indexcard is.

The one pocket rule prevent your productive energy from dissipation.

# Noguchi noted that he had never taken full advantage of the one pocket rule with his filing system, because he own two filing systems, one in his office and another in home. But it is unavoidable problem with analog media...

Motto of this Pile-of-Indexcards (PoI) system is,

• It must be simple !
  
• It must be fun !
  

The PoI system works as storage of your idea. You will see a number of card easily exceed a thousand. If the system is complicated, it will out of management, and easily corrupt. In nature, an entropy (complication, randomness) of a system is increase. This is natural order. So the system must be "extremely" simple to keep system work.

Second factor is mental matter. I am so lazy person. If I feel something wrong, in conscious/subconscious whatever, I quit immediately. I have to motivate myself to keep working. For example, I enjoy this system by introducing new stationeries. Stationeries I use currently is a result of "trial and error". I enjoy to choose what I should introduce to make the system fun. Stationeries I show here is just recommendation. Also my system is still changing, version 1.0. So you can use your favorites for this system, though you must follow minimum rules, chronological order, for example. What is important is you enjoy it and keep writing.

Revised 2006.12:30 12:41
Revised 2006.12.17

Do you want to use same indexcard as I have? O.K.

The indexcard I use is made by the Correct, a Japanese stationary maker. The Correct is not major company, but they provide neat and high quality stationaries including indexcard and the related products. I had tried several indexcards from different makers and I find the Correct's is the best. I guarantee the quality. You will see Japanese craftsmanship

I asked to the Correct whether they can ship their product to abroad (outside of Japan). They said they will do, though usually they don't. So, if you really want it, please sent your request (product number, amount, shipping address, phone number etc.) to the Correct Customer Center. As I said, the Correct is minor company ; your order may help them. So you should not hesitate to order their products.

The price is, for example,

• Indexcard 5'x3' section (C-3532) : 294 yen (about $2.6) per a pack (100 papers)
  
• Card dock (C-153DF) : 3,150 yen (about $27) per box
  

You will need extra fee for shipping.

You can find more stationary related to indexcard on the Correct's product page. This page is only in Japanese, but you can see the pictures, dimensions and prices.

If you have questions, please ask the Correct's customer center or me (leave comment here or send email, please).

ref : 2006.09.17 10:40

Jason Corso made a Vi-style keybind plug-in for Cocoa applications called "Vi Input Manager". It realize Vi commands on Safari and Xcode etc..

At this moment, it doesn't work on TextMate. As I wrote in this article, I'm both Vim and TextMate user. This plug-in will combine the two great text editor together. I'm really happy if it work on TextMate someday.

In my PoI method, one of important search key is own "history". To search a certain indexcard, I must remember "when" I wrote the indexcard or the event was happened. This is something like Rob did in the movie High Fidelity (ref. 2006.09.05. 20:51).

I can't remember all of the indexcards' contents, of course. Rather, I write indexcard to forget. To enhance memory in time axis, I do following things,

• Try to remember "when" the event was happened
  
• Use calender to trigger memory
  
• Review indexcards sometimes
  

When I review my indexcards, I feel like I'm riding on time-machine

# This topic is based on discussion with Mr. R. B. Thank you.

I found a list of self-help books in Wikipedia.

I could find David Allen's "Getting Things Done" and Dale Carnegie's "How to Stop Worrying and Start Living" and "How to Win Friends and Influence People" etc..

I have been using the KM2P for two month now. I had made some modification for the system.

• Order of index for a week-day is reversed. Newer is closer now.
  
• "Next Action" index is added to gather unfinished GTD cards. To prevent dissipation of what I must do.
  
• All cards are put in front of each index. To see how many cards inside each pocket.
  
• I use a sponge to bottom up indexcards of the day. From view point of visibility and accessibility.
  

The GTD card possibly have two kind of date/time stamp as its nature ; written and finished time.

In the previous version I put only 'written' stamp. I found only one stamp causes confusion. The finished time is more important than written time.

In version 2, I introduced two time stamps. I put written time stamp bottom-right first. And put new time stamp as finished on top-right. Then the finished GTD card is put on the date it finished in the card box.

# This is refer to comments by B. K. I appreciate it a lot.

Revised 2006.12.29 12 37 : According to David's advise, this version is not used anymore.

All indexcards in the KM2P are reviewed, then compiled into dock on every friday. All cards in the KM2P is moved into the dock after Review process. I work like this on weekend.

Next Actions and Someday/Maybes are moved back to KM2P on monday.

The open-loop is "opened loop" as it means in my tagging method. This simplicity makes possible to find open-loop much easier, even in the chronological sequence.

If you find two-separated dots in the sequence, that is open-loop. After accomplishment of the GTD card, the open-loop is closed (filled) which looks like a bar.

As I write in 'Date and Time', the time stamp is interpreted as 'absolute name' of each card. It provides easy and consistent way to spanning link between the indexcards.

To realize this, the time stamp must be unique, but not necessary to be accurate. Plus, it is easy to find a specific card, according to the stamp, if all cards are kept in chronological order as I do. As useful rule, you can omit year, month, date if the cards are written in same date.

This idea can be extended to any kind of documents. Actually, I put time stamp for all document I write/copy/printout. Sometimes a rubber stamp is useful.

The indexcards are kept in a card box in 'chronological order' in the dock. That is, the newest card comes at front of the card box. You will feel it's natural and comfortable. A blog, for example, adopt this method (newer comes top of the page).

This is based on a simple law 'Frequency of access to an information decrease with elapsed time'.

You will notice a certain pattern emerges from sequence of tags. That is your cultural genetic code.

I use Moleskine Memo Pocket for as mobile card box. Taking indexcard using Memo Pocket is rewl@flickr's idea (photo at flickr).

But width of the pockets are just-fit for indexcard and inconvenient to put/pick indexcard inside. In order to overcome this problem, the characteristic accordion fold is reversed. I call it Kaizo (Modified, in Japanese) Moleskine Memo Pocket, or just as "KM2P". I showed the detailed procedure with photo on the flickr.

Thanks to this mobile card box, I can use card system in my office and room seamlessly. To start working, all I need is to open the KM2P. I can start working in a second.

Any box made from paper, plastic, wood is o.k. if it can hold indexcards. But if the box is beautiful, you will be more motivated to continue the PoI system. I use the Correct's card box. If you want it, please check this out.

I call the card box as "dock" because all of indexcards I wrote gathers and stored there finally. According to increasing a number of indexcard, the dock become important more and more, because it prevent your indexcards from dissipation.

I have one dock at my office, and another at my home.

I'll show tips and tricks I developed through my experiences.

It gives pleasure, enjoyment, amusement to the PoI system. This factor is quite important to keep writing indexcard in everyday life

Icon : Hat (something above)
Tag : 5th block

Quotation, cooking recipe from book, web, tv, anything about someone else's idea, are classified into 4th group. What is important is dividing "your idea (Discovery Card)" and "someone else's idea (Reference Card)".

Source of the information must be recorded. A book, for example, author, year, page(s) are recorded.

Revised 2006.12.29 17:41 : "Cooking recipe" is moved from the Record Card according to nick's advise. Thanks again

Icon : Square (check box)
Tag : 4th block. Squared as open-loop first, and filled later as accomplished.

The GTD is advanced To-Do system. Next Action of your project is described and processed through GTD method. The GTD cards are classified into 3rd kind.

See David Allen's "Getting Things DONE" for detail of GTD processing.

For me, the GTD card is optional ; number of GTD card may not exceed 10 % of all indexcards I wrote.

Revised : 2006.11.04

Icon : Electric Bulb (lightning)
Tag : 3rd block

Things from your brain, mind, spirit, everything emerge from inside you, are classified into 2nd kind. Your discovery, finding, understanding, cognition, detection, joke, good idea in your life and work.

I think this card is the most important in the four kinds of card. And you will enjoy the discovery card increases and becomes dominant in the card box because it is your own idea, finding and discovery through your life.

Revised : 2006.11.04

Icon : Circle
Tag : 2nd block from left

This is any kind of records around you. Diary, note, account, health, weather, diet are classified into this 1st kind. See picture for example.

Revised 2006.12.29 17:38 : "Cooking Recipe" is moved to Reference Card according to nick's advise. Thanks

According to the contents, the indexcard is classified into 4 kinds, that is, Record, Discovery, GTD, and Reference.

1. Record Card
   
2. Discovery Card
   
3. GTD Card
   
4. Reference Card
   

Let's look them in detail.

Date and Time is very important in this method. The time stamp defines the "absolute name" of the card. This absolute name is used to link between the cards.

Time stamp must be unique, but not necessary to be accurate. This is like URL of WWW. You can define name of the html file as you like, but the name must be unique if these files are in same directory. As you will see, the indexcards are kept in the card box in chronological order. Thanks to the time stamp, it is easy to find a specific card speedy fro the chronological sequence.

This absolute name technique was first introduced on the 2-channel.

Revised : 2006.11.04

The title should be short and exact as possible. The shorter title makes review process easy and speedy.

Contents are about 120 letters in Japanese (how many in English?). Keep one topic for one card, and don't put too much contents. Free-hand illustration is very nice.

In case you can't put the contents for one card, use 2 or more cards. Then put number, like 1/2 or 2/2, to the title.

According to the contents, the indexcard is classified into four kinds, that is, Record Card, Discovery Card, GTD Card, and Reference Card. From my experience, the four kinds is necessary and sufficient. Too much kinds causes out of control of the system.

The proper icon and tag are added to head of the title and top of the card, respectively.

The icon makes easy to identify the contents visually. The tag is important, especially for finding open-loop of GTD card.

When you look at the indexcards in the card box, you will see which kind is dominant. I must emphasize that a purpose of the tag is not for classification. All cards are keep in chronological order in the Dock.

Revised 2006.12.30 13:22

Here I show what is written on each indexcard. They are,

• Icon and Tag
  
• Title and Contents
  
• Date and Time
  

Click picture above to see the format (I added notes on flickr).

We always start from blank card. There is format, but not printable template. Because we cannot predict what idea/infomation comes next. No PC, no printer required in this system.

The blank card is, in David Allen's words, "mind like water" and "ready for anything".

Revised 2007.01.02 18:43
Revised 2006.12.30 13:18
Revised 2006.11.26 : links are fixed

For the indexcard, I recommend to use quadrille indexcard. It gives base writing format. Moreover, the quadrille rule plays an important role for tagging procedure.

According to reports from my friends through this blog, however, it is difficult to get quadrille indexcard. And the quadrille cards in U.S. are different from the one I use. So, if you are interested in this system, I recommend you to use plain indexcard for a while. It is available anywhere, and doesn't cost so much. It reduce your risk in initial equipment investment.

When you finish a pack of plain indexcards, you will understand this system works better and comfort with quadrille card. If you decide to use this system seriously, I provide a service for you to get the quadrille indexcard I have been using.

For card box, you can use any box which can hold the indexcards inside at this moment. In fact, I use kitchen tray for temporal card holder. I will show my modified Moleskine and Card Dock later.

Revised 2006.12.30 11:57

I use blue pigment ink just because it's comfortable for me. The color can be change as your favorite.

I use pigment ink because,

1. high visibility
   
2. un-erasability
   
3. low pressure for writing
   

The cards are keep in a box called "Dock". The high visibility is important when flipping cards in the Dock. And this analog system is basically permanent system. A copy of our life. If is easy to erase, it means we lost our record. The third factor is important because we write a lot of cards. Physical effort must be reduced to keep writing.

I use Pilot's Pigment Drawing Pen 0.5 mm (Top of the picture above) for long time. It is enough strong pen-head, reasonable, and water resistant.

Revised 2006.12.30 13:01

To install the PoI system, all you need is

• Pen : pigment ink
  
• 5x3 quadrille Indexcard
  
• Card dock
  
• Clock or watch
  

Surprised? There is no computer, no printer, no templates. It's totally analog system.

According to your progress, you will want to add some options. For very first time, however, you only need four items above. If you are interested in this system, and just want to see and try how this work, I recommend you to use plain indexcard for a while. It is available anywhere. If you find an appropriate box, your total initial investment to introduce this system won't cost much more than $5.

This is extremely simple system. And the simplicity keeps this system rigid.

Revised : 2006.12.30 12:48
Revised : 2006.11.26
Revised : 2006.11.04

I have been introducing my information handling method on the flickr photo set "Maximizing Productivity". Here I would like to describe the detailed methodology.

Through this Blog, I introduce some simple method to keep stress-free accumulation of individual ideas by using 5x3 quadrille indexcard. I call it simply as "PoI (Pile of Indexcards)" method. As a number of cards increase, the system functions as own database. Then we are ready to use/reuse and organize/reorganize the cards to reproduce higher knowledge. What is important is to construct the database outside of our brain.

I write this blog not in Japanese, my mother language, but in English because I would like to share information and experience with people all around the world. Any comment, question, suggestion is welcome. I'm really happy if I could provide some hints and tips to improve your daily life

Best,
Hawk Sugano a.k.a hawkexpress

Revised 2006.12.30 13:44 : Add pictures. Some corrections.
Revised 2006.11.04

One of Watanabe Shoichi's book "知的生活の方法 (Chiteki Seikatsu no Houhou, A Way to Intellectual Life, 1976)" is filled with tons of his 'lifehacks'.

He introduced an episode with card system (indexcard + card box) during his stay in Germany as student. A German professor suggested to use card system. Following the hint, he immediately got card box, and start to use it for his research. After a year, he write 300 pages of doctor thesis and got doctor degree successfully.

Revised : 2006.11.26

In 1970, B6 size indexcard become popular among Japanese researchers after Umesao's book.

Now, the B6 indexcard is called as "京大式カード (Kyodai shiki Card, Kyoto-University-style card), and officially sold by the Correct.

In Japan, the indexcard is called "情報カード (Jyoho Card)", which means "information card". The Correct, Japanese stationary maker, sells various size of indexcard. Name card size, 5x3, 6x4, B6, bill size, with plain, ruled, section is available.

Then, is the indexcard is popular in Japan? I must answer "No". It is quite minor in Japan. Actually, it is difficult to find indexcard in stationery store. Sometime there is no 5x3 card. I usually order tons of indexcard, say 20 packs, all at once. It avoid starving for indexcard next half of year.

Revised : 2006.12.30 12:27
Revised : 2006.11.04

So called "Indexcard" is 5 inch x 3 inch (125 mm x 75 mm) size paper. 6 inch x 4 inch and B6 size indexcards are also available in Japan. The 5x3 size card have been used in library, and the 6x4 and B6 have been used by researcher for long time.

Recently, indexcard is getting popular and popular. I think two events become a break-through for new era of indexcard. One is Jazzmasterson's photos on the flickr about combination of indexcard and GTD (ver. 1 and ver. 2). Another is Merlin Mann's "Hipster PDA" in his site "43 folders".

It is curious for me that analog paper is getting popular and popular in this digital high-tech world.

Revised : 2006.11.04

This project started just after I show my pictures of indexcard-ing method on the Flickr since July. My friends ask me to write a blog about my life with indexcard. I still learning what is blog, what I can do with blog. But I start to think the blog is more flexible than the Flickr.

Any questions/comments about my blog are highly appreciated.

May the indexcard be with you!