One strategy that has helped me to learn the mechanics of Tinderbox is to use it for things that have a clear objective. Like the other day, I was comparing some software packages. I dragged links to their home pages into Tinderbox to make notes for them. I know that price is a concern, so I made an attribute for that, and could easily compare them with attribute browser. I read the home pages and took notes on the things that interested me most, and any concerns I had… which helped me get a better understanding of the features that I wanted or needed. I made attributes to represent those features, and again was able to compare them in attribute browser. Agents helped me find the software packages that had all the features that I wanted, or ones that I hadn’t gotten answers on yet. Demoing the software helped me fill in the details.
Decision-making is just one use case where I find Tinderbox helpful… but it illustrates the concept of having a clear objective in mind. There’s an end-state to my Tinderbox usage in that scenario.
The example also demonstrates the incremental formalization concept discussed in The Tinderbox Way. When first getting started, I wrote my thoughts into the note $Text. After doing that a few times, I noticed patterns emerging – specifically, features that I wanted in the software. When I noticed those patterns, I added a bit more structure – the attributes. And finally agents are another form of structure that helped me visualize the information better.
Crucially, I was able to archive that document and not think about it again. If the software I purchased ends up a disappointment, I can always revisit my original notes. But I don’t have to spend any more time thinking about “how do I use this software effectively?” I had an objective, I accomplished it, and now it’s time to move on to the next thing.
That’s been my experience with it… I hope it helps others.