Okay, so folks were asking about my “Admiral’s Record” thing I mentioned offhand the other day. It’s nothing too complicated, really, just how I’ve been trying to keep my head straight with all the bits and pieces floating around.
Getting Started – Why Bother?
I found myself losing track of stuff. You know how it is. Sticky notes here, random files there, ideas popping up and then vanishing like smoke. I needed a single place, like a captain needs a logbook to know what’s what. Decided to call it my Admiral’s Record, sounded kinda solid, you know? Didn’t want fancy software, subscriptions, or clouds. Just something simple that works even if the internet’s down.
The Setup – Keeping it Basic
So, first thing I did was make a folder. Right there on my main computer drive. Called it, well, AdmiralsRecord. Original, I know.
Inside that, I thought about how to break things down. Didn’t want it to be a mess from day one. I settled on a few main areas:
- A folder named DailyLog
- Another one called Projects
- And one more, simply Ideas
That felt manageable. Didn’t need a million categories right away.
The Daily Grind – Logging the Day
For the DailyLog, I got into a simple routine. Every morning, or sometimes the night before, I create a plain text file. I name it using the date, like . Super simple.
Inside that file, I just jot down the important bits of the day. What I worked on, any significant decisions made, maybe a problem I ran into, or just a thought I wanted to remember related to the day. I try to keep it short, just bullet points usually. Not writing a novel here. Just the facts, ma’am.
Tracking Projects – The Long Haul
The Projects folder is for stuff that takes more than a day. For each project, I make a sub-folder inside Projects. Like, if I’m tinkering with that old radio, there’s an `OldRadioRepair` folder.
Inside each project folder, I always start with a file. This isn’t code, just my main notes for the project. What’s the goal? What’s the current status? What are the next steps I’m thinking about? I update this file whenever I make progress or change direction.
Sometimes, if a project gets more complex, I might add more text files inside its folder, maybe for specific research notes or lists of parts needed. But I try not to go too crazy with nesting folders.
Catching Ideas – Quick Notes
The Ideas folder is my quick-capture zone. Any random thought or potential project idea that pops into my head, I just quickly create a new text file in there. Name it something descriptive, like `Build_a_better_*` or `Website_concept_for_local_*`. Then I just dump the thought in there. Doesn’t have to be perfect, just needs to get it out of my head and into the system.
Making it Work – Little Tweaks
Found that pure plain text was a bit hard to scan quickly. So, I started using some really basic markers. Stuff like using asterisks “ for bullet points, or putting `##` before a line to make it look like a heading within the text file. It’s still just text, any basic editor can read it, but it makes my notes easier on the eyes when I review them.
I also made it a point, usually end of the week, maybe Friday afternoon, to just quickly skim through the past week’s DailyLog files. Helps me see what I actually accomplished. And I’ll peek into the Projects folders too, update those `*` files if needed.
So, How’s it Going?
Honestly? It’s been pretty good. It’s ridiculously simple, almost stupidly so. But it works. Everything is in one main place. I can use my computer’s basic search function to find stuff easily across all my notes. It’s totally offline, no company can suddenly change the UI or start charging me. It’s just my files, my system. My Admiral’s Record. Feels organized, less stuff rattling around in my brain. It’s not fancy, but it’s solid, and it gets the job done for me. Maybe something similar could work for you if you’re feeling swamped.
