As a beginner, I am starting to understand certain aspects of DEVONthink. I have almost finished reading the entire manual, which I have also entered into ChatGPT to ask questions.
But now I am stuck on one point, knowing that everything is indexed from iCloud at home.
I wanted to create a new folder in my tree structure. So I wondered whether I should do it in DEVONthink or in Finder.
When I created a group in DEVONthink, it didn’t appear in my Finder. I think I understand why: DEVONthink sees it as a group, not as a folder imported from Finder.
So I deleted it to create the folder in Finder. But it doesn’t import into DT despite updating the database.
Can you help me understand if I did something wrong or if this is normal behavior?
I think your problem is with the lag of iCloud. I wouldn’t use iCloud for anything I don’t have to.
When you create a folder on your harddrive (with Finder) and index that folder in DEVONthink, all subsequently created folders (groups), files (items) within this parent folder in either Finder or DEVONthink will automatically show up.
Interestingly, you could have all your documents inside DT (imported) and sychronize DT on all your devices. That would give you the same effect (“access my documents on all my devices”) without the possible trouble of indexing.
I do what @chrillek says - and I can access all my docs on all my devices. The exception: if I am traveling, and add or modify docs say in my iPhone, I know I have to sync when I’m back. There are options for this as well, such as the Server version, if I’m not mistaken.
All good unless one also needs to access the files from the Finder using an app other than DT. Importing pre-empts such an approach.
@informacyde … Could you expand on where your priorities lie. Is it important to access your files with multiple apps only on one device (e.g. your desktop), with all other devices being “slaves” for viewing only. Or is it important to access your files across multiple devices but always only using DT?
It’s unclear at the moment.
I’ve been using Finder for 20 years, so I’m used to it.
And I’m only just discovering DT now. I can’t switch everything over at once, it’s too difficult.
I need to be able to access my data anywhere. I have keyboard shortcuts and Alfred shortcuts linked to Finder. And I feel like Finder is faster and lighter for everyday use. But again, I’m just discovering DT…
From my various Apple devices. And I want to be able to share certain directories with my loved ones.
And even though I’ve never needed to do so until now, I want to be able to connect from a computer on the other side of the world to find a file if necessary. But that’s just a safety net in my mind.
I am starting to understand what you’re saying, but I think you’re almost expecting DEVONthink to kind of replicate your entire mac, in a way. You can do a lot using the Server version, and even the Pro version - with the required number of seats. Sharing. In my case (Pro) if i had family using DTTG on iPhones on their macs, which of course would require obtaining more seats, we could all synchronyze in a couple of ways. As for sharing certain directories, I am sure you can set up syncing one database and not syncing (with others) another, but I believe not certain groupos inside one database.
if i had family using DTTG on iPhones on their macs, which of course would require obtaining more seats, we could all synchronyze in a couple of ways.
The Pro edition provides five mobile seats. If you need more, then indeed you’d need to add some.
but I believe not certain groups inside one database.
Correct. You can only sync an entire database, not parts of one.
Collaborative syncing isn’t as easily accomplished when working within the constraints of cloud services. For example, you can’t sync across Apple IDs and Dropbox doesn’t allow sharing the /Apps folders unless you have a business account. The most commonly recommended collaborative remote sync option is using a common Dropbox account everyone uses with DEVONthink. But again, Dropbox only allows one connection from our app so you can’t also use Dropbox for simultaneous personal syncing with DEVONthink.
The Server edition is possible but (1) the cost is higher as it’s not intended for single-user setups (though we have plenty of people who use it that way) and (2) remote access is something that needs to be setup on in the specific environment on the specific equipment. That’s beyond our scope.
When you have a file that is imported into DT, any changes made to the imported file in DT are not reflected back at the Finder level to the source file at its original location, and any changes made to the source file at its original location in the Finder are not reflected forward into the imported file in DT.
Which is to say that, once you import a file into DT, you must always open it from within DT to make modifications to it. Which, in shorthand is, for sanity’s sake, once you import a file into DT, do not plan to open its original source file directly from the Finder level (ever again) unless you really know what you are doing.
And this all may be important to @informacyde. The iCloud storage may be a resource to allow editing a file using a drawing app on an iPad, with the expectation that the edit will carry over to DT on a macOS machine. Importing fails for this use case.
All of this is very interesting and helps me think. Once again, discovering DEVONthink is like discovering a giant that disrupts many habits.
I need to know if it’s really for me.
I’m starting to understand how to integrate it into my workflow, but I can’t see myself replacing Finder for the moment.
I need to test it, try it out for a year, and see what it brings.
I’ll definitely get the pro version because, as an Apple trainer, it will help me with my clients, so it’s very interesting, and our discussions here are very enriching!