Journal Software Survey

[justin farrell]

I can't see myself taking a photo of a cast....don't have a smart phone....but presumably this would appeal to many more technologically advanced modern people....and even myself in the future ?

I'm just hoping this software doesn't get to be so complex I can't figure out how to use it.

Hi Trojan
Our intention is to design journal software that is going to be easy for anybody to use. There may well be some advanced features, but these won't be necessary to operate the software for any of the main tasks (such as entering new readings or searching for existing readings etc). Features like storing photo's and accessing the journal by smartphone will be entirely optional

 

[hilary]

I'm quite sure Truffles does not feel inadequate. I can see no reason why she or he should, after all. Impeccably cute small fluffy animals should be free from self-esteem issues, methinks.

Anyway. I think there will be some people who absolutely do not want the software to store anything online because they're worried about security, and others who want the cloud storage thing for usability. Hopefully we can accommodate both!

 

[alan_sp]

A good software that could help us consult I Ching in all stages (casting, consulting, journaling and comparing outcomes with what we thought will happen) is always welcome.

At the moment I have Change7 I Ching (http://www.change7.com/), but it haves bugs with storing casting date (I'm in Croatia and probably people with other date formats maybe don't have problems).

Anyway, software that would provide me way of easy casting (creating new reading on computer, coins and/or stalks, and/or just randomly producing hex, and/or whatever method there is), easy consulting (helping me to find out everything about hex, trigrams, their meanings pertaining to different types of questions), journaling it for future reference from many aspects (not only what hex where cast, but what I thought will be, what I decided, what happened, etc.) and easily searching and analyzing through my records would be welcome and I probably would by it.

And yes, it would be great if it could work on mobile phones (Android is my preference, but working on many platforms is always better) at least for basic casting, consulting and journaling it and being able to synchronize with PC (or Mac) these information.

 

[hilary]

Hi Alan,

Sounds as though you are looking for I Ching only software. Justin has created some that's excellent - here - but it doesn't cover everything you mention: doesn't include reference materials, and doesn't cast the reading for you. It's 'just' a very good, very usable and searchable journal.

I can't think of one that does everything you suggest, including casting, reference and synch... anyone?

 

[alan_sp]

Yes, I know that there isn't software that will do everything...

But, it can be made. That's why I wrote what I want and what I'll be willing to pay even if I already have a pretty good I Ching software.

About adding additional options, this could be done modularly, by creating different modules for different things and using templates (different template for I Ching, dreams, tarot, etc) and placing info in same database (xml allows something like this AFAIK). So for example, people who prefers Tarot could by Tarot module and have excellent software for tarot.

Each module could have own price and bundle could be sold with discount if someone buys more than one, or all modules.

With time different modules could be made and added to work around one basic platform for journaling different things.

To me it sounds like good idea and over time there could be many modules for different divination methods. If it is done properly, I'd like to buy some of the modules, or maybe even all (depending on price).

 

[hilary]

Oh, believe me, I'm very glad you wrote what you want! The last time I wrote to Justin about my pipe dreams for the ideal Yijing journalling software, he promptly created a program that did everything I wanted. So you never know...

I agree, the modular structure seems like a good idea - and makes sense for people buying it, too, to invest just in what they want to use. I also wonder whether, once Justin's created the basic structure, there might not be a way for users to create and share templates, for instance for particular dream interpretation methods or particular tarot spreads. Well... all this is some way into the future, anyway.

You did fill out the survey, didn't you? It would definitely be good to have your input in the mix there.

 

[alan_sp]

Ok, I just did.

Hope it will help us all have excellent program for I ching readings. And rest divination methods.