When to use Arrows-and-boxes
What it is
Arrows-and-boxes is there to visulaize the simple Ideas.
Ever ran into a simple problem that’s easy to understand but needs several sentences to describe? In most cases a simple diagram can show the point with 2 or 3 boxes and arrows, and you get the idea at a glance.
() > ((Idea)) < ()
I hate that the only way to get diagrams to the web used to be by uploading images. What if I want to change something?
The old way:
- Open diagram-tool
- Open diagram file
- Change diagram + save
- Export image
- Upload image to server
- Link new image in blog/wiki
What if I’m at a different computer? Where’s the diagram tool and my file?
Noone goes through this for a tiny diagram with only 3 nodes!
A simple diagram can often help to get the point a thousand times better than just text. With Arrows-and-boxes you’re able to just create diagrams for your posts as you type… no external tools, no uploads, no pain.
What it is not
It’s not the all-in-one diagram tool! It has two differend node states (normal + highlighted) and two different arrow states (again normal + highlighted). That’s enough! If you need more, you need another tool or rework your idea. Maybe you can visualize what you need more simple?
Don’t do complicated diagrams!
You think arrows and boxes would be cool if it just had crossing prevention, or hundret different node styles, or smooth curved arrows, or…? – Then you’re doing the wrong kind of diagrams with it!
If you need a difficult diagram, use a different tool. With too much nodes and arrows, the “simple” markup for Arrows-and-boxes becomes pain to read and edit. As long as the markup is easy to read, it’s the right tool to use.
Why this is good
Don’t think too complicated!
Every idea can be separated into simple pieces. Arrows-and-boxes can’t visualize complex structures with thousands of nodes and relations – so it makes you think simple. You’ll be surprised how much you can express with just a few boxes. And that’s good!
(Simple) > is ((good))
Comments
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Hi! Re-twit you post: to my @iiofkifu twitter
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Can i draw a family tree from this and allow people to add and remove boxes dynamically.
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Hi, Same as mohammed, is it posdible to draw a family tree ie can a node have multiple relationships with a relationship to parents to node and then from node too prodigy?
Also, is it possible to customise size of box? Thanks Ciaran
