The Wordit Prima! approach

Prima is not another outliner or word-processor. You can link anything in any order you wish. By combining a non-hierarchical database (RDBMS) with a hyperlink browser, the usual limitaions of programs which use tree lists are avoided. No more scrolling and searching for categories.

An example:
In your computer addressbook you have a friend called Joe. Normally you would only have one category called "Friends" or "Private" to place Joe in. Prima lets you place Joe in multiple categories. Joe could be under "Friends", "Colleagues", "Squash team", as well as have links to "Hannah" and "Alex", Joe's sisters. For each person you can place a picture, which in turn could could be linked to that person's web site, or other related information regarding that person.

Simarly, you can structure your writing to contain links to other topics without restricting yourself to a hierarchy. In business, link a customer to a product and vice-versa. Create an advanced addressbook by linking people and departments. When writing fiction, link a character to any scene in which that character appears, and link any subject to any number of characters or scenes or themes.

Organize your music collection with links to MP3 files, info about the artists, and other songs by a particular artist.

The Prima software uses non-hierarchical database links. The usual restrictions of hierarchical outliners do not apply. No lists to scroll up and down, just the relevant information on the page and one click to get to it.

Download Wordit Prima! database software and look at the examples. You'll be amazed at what's possible.