I have been using DT3 since beta days. No problems. I use both Indexed (files external to DT3) and inside DT3. Far as i can tell all files that are inside DT3 are findable via “finder/spotlght” in addition to using DT3’s superior file searching/mgmt methods. See the Database properties to turn on.
@OogieM: suggest you take your problems to the DEVONthink forum and get them sorted.
To index or not … not a crucial decision. Do it one way, and if you don’t like, then undo it. Easy.
I have in excruciating detail with screen shots and more. I have 2 big issues. 1 is with the loss of the DT 3 Pane view. That is something that DT says they won’t change and I’m still struggling to replicate workflows and simple methods of accessing my files that work. Recent additions are a baby step in the right direction but frankly DT doesn’t give a Sh** about trying to understand why 3PV was so great. That is my primary reason to go back into DT 2 all the time and is one thing that may actually push me out of DT into something else. Problem is I can’t find anything better so I stick with rev 2.
The other is the persistent issue with creating a daily backup archive failing with one database or hanging during backup for at one point up to 36 hours. That is being worked through with Support but still no joy.
frankly DT doesn’t give a Sh** about trying to understand why 3PV was so great. how people actually use their software.
There, I fixed it for you.
I’ll accept that correction 
That is why I find myself back in DT2 on a very regular basis.
The way to get their attention is to get yourself a tech blog and attract a few 100K follows to your Twitter feed. Write a few books. Then use your outdoor voice on that bully platform. Otherwise, we’re not the folks who influence the direction of DEVONthink software, it seems.
I would describe Devon Technologies as “opinionated” designers – resembling Apple itself in some ways – rather than “not giving a sh-t.” But the difference may not be a large one for people frustrated by the product.
More here:
The general discussion of DevonThink, which I started, doesn’t answer the OP question so I’ll stop talking here now.
True, but I nevertheless appreciate the discussion.
You’re a patient man, sir!
I’ve learned that nothing is gained with impatience. Besides, many on this forum have been extremely helpful to me.
I think the word “German” may also be a useful descriptor in this case 
As much as I like DevonThink, I think DevonTech would benefit from a broader perspective.
I have come to think the same about Apple in the past few years as well.
Yes, being an opinionated designer works but only as long as you are producing an excellent product.
I have long thought of Apple as being comparable to the soup Nazi, whose business model works only as long as the soup is ambrosial.
In the DEVONthink forums it’s not uncommon for readers to be told “thanks for your comments, but we’re not changing because that’s not what our customers want”.
That always leaves me reacting “Wait, what? the people that just asked for something different – e.g., 3 Pane View – aren’t they ‘customers’ also? Didn’t they just tell you what they want?”
That was my experience in email as well, over the course of a few years. That, and not addressing a specific repeatable bug (until a year after I dropped the app).
What have you replaced it with? I can’t find anything that comes close to what I use in DT even witht he loss of 3PV. Plus, I go back into rev 2 for that regularly.
I don’t need all DTP’s features. I switched to EagleFiler in October 2016 (after nine years of DevonNote, then DevonThink, then DTP) mainly for select file storage. It’s a solid, well-supported and maintained Mac app.
But these days I’ve felt more and more that I want to have a Mac/iOS solution, so I’ve slowly been investigating and testing using Notebooks, an app I’ve owned for a while, despite not wanting to have to rely on a Dropbox subscription if possible.
Non-starter. I require access to at least some of my databases on my iOS devices.
Notebook is a non-starter due to the cloud centric nature of the system.
I really wish DEVON would just fix DT3 by returning 3Pane View.
I use “see also” a lot. I can’t tell you exactly what I do with what I see. I just sort of scan it and somehow sometimes I see something I need.
I see what you mean. Really nice way of expressing it and one I hadn’t thought of. Thanks for giving us a really useful category. Really, have you written this up somewhere? I would like to see it.
Some of us are ‘opinionated users’ so I guess that figures? I have found DEVONthink 3 team very approachable I have to say and helpful when I have had issues. I don’t know if it is ‘style’ question. Folk can read me very wrong, not being American born, as pompous and lofty. Some truth in it I think but let’s not go that route.
I did write it up. Here. Might be worth expanding.
The phrase “opinionated design” isn’t original to me. I think I picked it up from the MPU podcast or Gruber or someplace like that.
My own experience with DevonThink’s “opinionated design” was when I asked how I can activate Markdown syntax highlighting. Can’t, I was told. I said, OK, let’s call that a feature request. They said what I was asking for wasn’t “syntax highlighting.” I said FINE whatever it is I want it.
I don’t care about beautiful design and fonts and colors – like iA Writer or Ulysses. I just want bold text to look bold, links to be highlighted, and so on. Maybe code folding and drag-and-drop of sections if they want to be fancy.
They said they would add it to the list. I got the idea it is a very long list, and my feature request is way, way down near the bottom. Sort of like the line to buy a new iPhone when I did that in 2008.
Also, the clutter-free web clipper is improving, but it is still nowhere good as Evernote, or Safari Reader view, or even (based on not a lot of experience) Bear.