Can Zettelkasten be used collaboratively?

[SaerdnaRebuh]

Hi, we are considering using Zettelkasten in a research project, which, as very often, starts by a literature review. We will look at different families of literature, but with a common evaluation scheeme, so it would make sense to work collaboratively on one single shared file, for instance on Sharepoint. Are there solutions for this? Thanks in advance!

[sOER-Frank]

Could you tell me more about your project. I use zkn3 for my science too! I am searching for other scientists with experience in Zettelkasten method!

[SaerdnaRebuh]

Hi Frank, well currently I have cero experience and am exploring if I wish to gain experiences or not. :-) Our project deals with processes of social innovations in economically underdeveloped regions and policy measures for supporting them. In a first step we analyse how different research traditions (from geography, sociology, innovation studies...) may help us for developing our analytical framework. For this purpose, Zettelkasten may be a suitable option.

[RalfBarkow]

@SaerdnaRebuh
I am pleased that you are evaluating the use of Zettelkasten in your research project.

The files are stored in a single file. This file is a .zip file and is not intended to be accessed by multiple users at the same time.

Therefore, I would recommend that you look at the import and export options of the software to see if it creates a workflow that works for you.

[SaerdnaRebuh]

Thank you very much for your help!

[SaerdnaRebuh]

One more question to Ralf: is there a possibility to merge 2 files, so we could work on different local files but then create from time to time a new base version for all? Thanks in advance!

[RalfBarkow]

Yes, @SaerdnaRebuh that should work: Declare one of the .zkn3 (zip) files as the major or main version and track its revisions with, for example, git (or on SharePoint), then import that different local files from time to time and communicate that the main has changed and is the new base version for everyone.

The imported notes (Zettel) should be appended to the end of the opened major file by the Zettelkasten software.

You could try this workflow with one Zettel first. I would be happy to hear about your experiences with this workflow.

[RalfBarkow]

@mateusbraga Do my suggestions make sense from your perspective or do you want to add or correct something?

[RalfBarkow]

May be related: "How do I merge two zettelkasten files?" #181 and "Export von individuelle Notizen"
#13

[SaerdnaRebuh]

Excellent @RalfBarkow, thank you very much for this advice. It's good to know that we have this option. I will communicate this to my colleagues and in case we decide to work with Zettelkasten I will report on our experiences with merging.