How are you using DEVONthink and family documents? Are you using server version?
I’m using WebDAV sync. I set up their phones and the family computers one time.
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So you are just using a shared database?
I’ve tried this approach and it’s overkill for family (and doesn’t have the WAF). Currently just using network share with files and folders but reconsidering paperless-ngx. Was hoping you found a better option to get DEVONthink shared!
We’re using a few shared databases. Sorry I can’t be of more inspiration!
Here’s my take on the value of doing an annual tech stack review and avoiding constant switching:
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now on Porkbun. DNS at Fastmail and my work website still at Netlify. Thanks.
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I have made my final decisions. I thought I would quickly share them to close this loop and ensure transparency.
I tried using DEVONthink 4 for my work notes for several days. I tried every note format option. It was a fail. I won’t bore you with the details, but I’m going to keep my work notes in Apple Notes. I briefly reconsidered OmniFocus, but never downloaded it again. I’m going to stay with Reminders. Now my intent is to stick with my current apps and workflow for the next 12 months.
A Slight Amendment: I may try Keep It. I’ve never tried the app so in fairness to myself, I should see if it can handle my work notes better than DT. Hey, there is a the 5 second rule, if the food lands on the floor and you grab it within five seconds, it is safe to eat (not true of course) but I’m going to give myself until the end of today to test Keep It. THEN, I’ll finalize my decision.
Never mind. Keep It is better for taking notes than DT, but Apple Notes works better. The only reason for this experiment is that in my ideal world, I’d keep my work notes separate from personal notes, but I’ll just leave things as they are. So, I am, in fact, settled on the apps.
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Accountability is good. 
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Is there a place I can place a wager on this?
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No bets yet-see above! 
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Doesn’t apply to soup! 
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Which ever M4 iPad you dispose of, it could always walk north of the border to Canada, to boost the Canadian economy.
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My approach to my app review has had a different focus this year. Instead of looking at the apps first, I have listed everything I do on my computer, iPad, reMarkable and iPhone. Once this list was complete (although I’m sure I missed some things!), I wrote which app/service would do that particular task. I was surprised at how few apps I really need and how many overlapping apps I’ve allowed to creep in.
My one bone of contention is email archiving. I’ve done this with Devonthink, but due to the sub and my otherwise limited use of devonthink need another home for my locally stored emails (90K emails). I’ve been toying with the idea of neomutt. If anyone has any thoughts that would be helpful.
With New Year’s Eve fast approaching, I’m making the final revisions to this year’s annual app and workflow review. I’m nearly done! 
I have recently updated my workflow by creating a dashboard within Apple Notes, utilizing disclosure triangles in project headings alongside tags and Smart Folders. While I won’t show every detail here, opening a disclosure triangle for a major project reveals a comprehensive list of tasks and sub-tasks.
I use tags to identify the individuals responsible for specific projects, and I can also embed hyperlinks to project files, Google Docs, websites, Pages documents, spreadsheets, other Apple notes, DT files, and more. This setup allows me to maintain both a 30,000-foot overview and a runway-level view of my major projects simultaneously. I also keep a running list of all completed projects and tasks, under “Done.”
I am beginning to think that a dedicated task manager isn’t always necessary for effective project management. This experimental approach is a simplified form of "bullet journaling, " and while I may be misusing the term, the core principle of using consolidated lists remains. As you can see in the screenshot below, the heading-level disclosure triangles make it easy to toggle focus between different projects. You can also double-click a note to open it in a standalone window for even greater focus.
I’ve created a few Smart Folders based on dates or names. This is not complete, but a good beginning. I’ll add to and tweak this as work gets back underway after New Year’s.
Finally, the view on the iPad in portrait view on an M4 iPad Pro is amazing.
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Thank you for sharing some details about your system, @Bmosbacker; it is inspiring.
I’m curious, how does Reminders fit into your project management process? Are you now doing most of your task management out of Apple Notes? Or are tasks in Notes just used for weekly/daily planning?
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For the last several years, I have used Reminders as the hub for all project management, with links back to shared Apple Notes, Google Docs, and similar resources. This may be the way I continue functioning, but I want to experiment with a dashboard in Apple Notes. I am not certain how the experiment will go.
As you can see below, I have divided Reminders into major sections: PRIORITIES, WORK, and below (not visible in the screenshot) PERSONAL. On the right side of each area, all sections and subsections with tasks and subtasks are displayed. I can collapse or open the disclosure triangles to focus on a particular section within a major area or even on a particular task. What remains valuable about this system is its linking capability back to project notes in Apple Notes. On the top left, you can see that I created additional smart lists based on items considered critical or due within a specified period.
I also maintain a routines list in Reminders. This list contains sections with disclosure triangles for repetitious routines, such as my morning devotions, taking out the trash, performing backups, charging travel batteries, and changing the furnace filter.
As I mentioned, I’m experimenting with using Apple Notes as a project/task dashboard. However, I might end up sticking with Reminders for my primary project management needs. We’ll see how it goes.
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App cleansing has become a recurring task for me and I’ve pretty much paired things down to the minimum at this point.
Task Manager- Omnifocus
Contacts, calendar, Email - Fastmail, synced to corresponding Apple apps for Spotlight indexing.
Text editing and programming - Visual Studio Code
File Management - Hazel
Desktop Automation - Keyboard Maestro
Browser - Firefox (with many addons installed)
Personal Finance - this is split. Quicken is the main app and you need a budget 4 for budgeting.
Notes - Joplin
Grocery List - Reminders
I’ve been able to almost get rid of all subscriptions except Fastmail. I’m very entrenched in Fastmail since I’m using 100s of their server side rules and their subdomain addressing feature.
My app cleansing routine engages whenever I’m in the Mac applications folder or when manually running App Updates on iOS or iPadOS. If I see an app I don’t need, I delete it!
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Feels good to get rid of those doesn’t it. 