“theorising without data.” Hey, that’s the same as me.
Sure, the integrated sorter is better for DT, but Curiota is a pretty good place to store things until you are ready to move them about into DT, or Curio, or Tinderbox, etc. I’m experimenting with Hook for tying things together in other ways, but I can’t seem to quite develop it into my workflow. Having said that, I’ve been overwhelmed with the start of the new semester and not researching much of anything,
The new sorter is much more functional, I like it. That said, I’d like to address the “what’s wrong with leaving DT open all the time” question. I often leave all of my machines running at all times, and the downside to leaving DT open all the time is that it should only be open on one machine at a time, and warns when it thinks it’s open elsewhere. The likelihood that it’s closed on a different machine is greater when it doesn’t open at login. This of course would be fixed if the active or most recent running instance could freeze/lock/or even close the other instance, but in my limited knowledge that seems complicated to me.
I also have a separate issue with the sorter opening off screen when it’s positioned on the lower half of the screen, but I’ll address that via DT itself.
I often leave all of my machines running at all times,
We do suggest rebooting devices at least once a week, just to be kind to them.
and the downside to leaving DT open all the time is that it should only be open on one machine at a time, and warns when it thinks it’s open elsewhere.
This is incorrect unless you’re trying to open the same database file from more than one machine or account… which you should not be doing.
Whats going on now ? My Devonthink Office Pro 2 its asking for a valid license and when I enter my license nothing happens I had to use the DT 3 License to keep working on the DT 2 ? and even thought got pop’s up saying that function is not valid on the demo version . We shouldn’t have this kind of problems just bring back the sorter !!!
The subject re old and new sorter must be the hottest subject.
As a bystander, I am just curious what the main reasons are? Coz if the main reasons are understood maybe a compromised solution can be developed.
We should agree on one thing first: Is the new Sorter bringing us with many new features that are very useful and “with some future surprises in function extension”? I think so. So the issue is just the way sorter and DT3 should behave.
(1) Some mentioned that DT3 must stay open to use sorter. It is inconvenient to remember opening DT3 before using sorter.
What I observed: I am wondering why using “share” in contextual menu or the “share” icon 
can’t solve the inconvenience of opening DT3. The “share” function is available everywhere in macOS, and DT3 always automatically opens when the menu item of icon of “Share” is invoked, and Sorter will be available afterward.
However: I think DT can address some inconsistency when “share” is invoked. For example, using “share” on a file will be opening DT3 BUT sending the item straight to the global inbox. But using “share” in Safari will nicely open DT AND the Sorter’s box for users to choose where and what format sending to DT3.
Suggestion: can DT consider making the behavior more consistent? Whenever “Share” is invoked, open DT3, and open the sorter box for users to choose where to go and what format to use? With this arrangement, the only required habit change is to remember using “share” whenever we are unsure if DT3 is opened.
(2) Some mentioned that they want to keep DT’s database private while using sorter. Hiding DT in the background is one suggestion mentioned by DT. But I have to agree that it doesn’t seem like a perfect arrangement. The reason is anyone can go to the user’s desktop and hit “show” on the DT’s icon unless every user always remembers to lock their screen when leaving their desktop. So, I am guessing the issue here is not about “data security” but more “short-term unauthorized login prevention”.
Suggestion: Can DT consider bringing back a simple login control similar to DT2? The new encryption is dealing well with data-security. But here users might just be looking for a simple time-out login mechanism?
(3) Some mentioned that keeping DT3 is using up system resources and they just need a place to collect misc bits of info most of the time.
What I observed: why not consider drag and drop the DT3’s Finder add-in of Inbox to the macOS Dock like this?
Disclaimer: I am just making layman claim on “minor changes”. With all the changes in macOS security settings, perhaps the required changes in coding are not “minor” at all!
1 Like
How to do this ?
If you are referring to the dock alias…
- In the Finder, select the Go menu while holding the Option key, then choose Library.
- Go into the Application Support/DEVONthink 3 directory.
- Drag and drop the Inbox folder (not the .dtBase2 file) onto the dock.
PS: If you’re so inclined, you can Command-drag the Inbox folder to the toolbar of a Finder window too 
1 Like
i use the sorter as a shortcut to common folders i always use and drop files into there.
How do i replicate this functionality with DT3?
Essentially looking to pin folders/ groups there.
Probably i am using for the wrong reasons, however DT whilst not intensive, when you are travelling with a laptop - all apps add up and drain battery.
The new Sorter uses the favorites of the sidebar, therefore just add the desired groups to the favorites.
2 Likes
I miss the standalone aspects of the sorter though the new features are welcome.
1 Like
Over the course of the last months this thread has covered the topic Sorter in many different ways and many different tones, not always pleasant ones.
As the original poster I dare to once twist it back to the more technical side—I discovered a bug. I actually had discovered it quite a while ago but forgot about it as this is an actual bug-sized bug:
When you open the Sorter by keyboard shortcut and it is set to either Show as Menu Extra or Show as Dock Tab the Sorter is opened with its full feature set: Take Note, Voice Note, Video note, &c.
When you open the Sorter by keyboard shortcut and it is set to None you only get Take Note. And the button in the lower right corner does not say “Add” as with the other two Sorter options but “Save CMD S”.
Anything but serious, like I said, but I wanted to mention it nonetheless.
Thanks, I’ll forward this.
Going back to the original point of the thread? That’s quite shocking behaviour! 
In all honesty I already started it with a mixture of bug report, wish list, and musings about the general nature of note taking.
I’ve been using the menubar sorter, since the dock sorter is visible when using full screen video.
Hello,
I’m finding the Sorter in the Library; I can put it onto the top of the Finder Window with Command-Drag. But oddly, when I drag the icon to the Dock, it doesn’t Drop. Undoubtedly there’s a simple solution for this, but…?
Please post a screen capture of what you’re referring to.
There’s not much to see. The problem is dynamic–it requires a short movie. Attached is the screenshot of the icon in the library. I can drag it to the doc, but there is no small green circle and movement of other icons to allow this one to be dropped. If I release my hold on the icon, it appears to move back to its place in the library. An option-drag will allow me to drop in the Favorites list, but not the Dock.
All I really need is something that allows me to write a little note from the Dock that I can move into DT3 at my convenience. I’m looking into Curiota now to see if/how it works.
Thanks.
You are referring to the (Global) Inbox, not to the Sorter, right? The Inbox Icon, wether from the Favorites sidebar or from the Finder main window can be dropped to the Dock, at least on my Mac.
Are you sure you dropped it to the proper area of the dock which is the right-most? The Inbox is just a folder that’s why it does belong there.
And according to Curiota: I am using it as a note taking app and I don’t need either the Sorter or the Global Inbox for that. I indexed the Curiota folder and have a Smart Rule move every note into DEVONthink. That works fine as long as you actually want every note in DT.