I recently became aware of the Zettelkasten method, and I am curious to learn how you implement it if anyone here is using it. I have been searching online, and I found a fair amount of information, but, still, the key ingredients are missing for me. To date, I have been using a system based on topics to uncover the main points of what I am saying in a paper, and the plain old cutting with scissors strips of paper and then labelling them, and then arranging them on the floor has worked well and allowed me to produce writing that I find gratifying and one I can publish. The second approach to taking notes–asking questions and looking for answers–helps me focus on my research and dig deeper, but ideally I want to integrate both systems in Scrivener, which is something perhaps more easily imagined than implemented. I think I can get valuable tips from the Zettelkasten method on how to do so. I also like that it allows one to grow ideas organically. I will keep searching online and read about it, but if anyone is willing to share their way of using the method, I will appreciate it.
I’ve always seen Zettelkasten methods as ways of gathering and arranging research, rather than actually writing. That doesn’t mean to say that Scrivener alone would not be suitable to use for all three purposes, but personally I’d prefer to use it in combination with another piece of software, more applicable to the Zettelkasten research-gathering and arranging process - for example, DevonThink, as described here: http://www.organizingcreativity.com/2013/09/luhmanns-zettelkasten-with-devonthink/. The extent of Scrivener’s import formats makes it suitable for use in combination with other pieces of software in a writing workflow.
There are a number of specific software for the Zettelkasten method.
I use the freeware “Zettelkasten according to Luhmann - for Windows, Mac OS X and Linux,” to be found here (in english).
I am aware of both links. What I am missing is a thorough understanding of the Zettelkasten workflow. I know that a book in English is coming out, but I am not sure how helpful it will be. It might not explain the practical side in detail.