Brief Overview

This is composed using (the old version 4 of) Brain Annex – visible to you in read-only mode because you're not logged into this account.

Brain Annex is an open-source, web-based tool.

The "classic" version 4 was specifically for Knowledge and Media Management.

By contrast, the new version 5 is much more general.

Brief video on the overhauled new version 5

3-min intro overview (of old version)

10-min basic usage  (of old version)

A COMPLETELY-OVERHAULED Brain Annex got released in Dec. 2021

Version 5.0 (currently in late-stage Beta) is a radical, total change of Brain Annex' internals!  The user interface will remain relatively similar, but major new features are also being introduced.

GitHub repository

A TOTALLY DIFFERENT TECHNOLOGY STACK    (diagram)

1. Ported from PHP (with the pForce framework) to Python (with Flask)
    
2. Replaced the MySQL database, the built-in Directed Graph module, and the built-in triplestore with a Neo4j graph database (community version 4.3)
    
3. Eliminated legacy portions in vanilla JavaScript in favor of full site-wide use of Vue.js
    
4. Replaced legacy (sometimes synchronous) XMLHttpRequest server communication with the asynchronous fetch API

KEY TECHNOLOGY ELEMENTS

1. "NeoAccess", a library to interface with the Neo4j database, based on the earlier neo4j-liaison (a role akin to the "dbasePDO" MySQL interface of the old version)
    
2. "NeoSchema", a library to implement a Schema Layer on top of the Neo4j database  (the Schema Layer, in conjunction with support from the core module, takes over a substantial part of the functionality that previously was the responsability of individual plugins.)

MAJOR DESIGN CHANGES  (in the context of a relatively-similar UI)

1. Management of datasets is now far more elaborate, and with much-better support for arbitrary complex datasets
    
2. Support of advanced data querying capabilities, based on Neo4j Cypher queries
    
3. The plugins are now much thinner.  A far-bigger role is being taken on by the core module.  Some of the customization formerly created by the plugins is now specified in a Neo4j Schema
    
4. Many UI operations that previously involved page reloads are now handled without reloading
    
5. General de-cluttering of the proliferating number of controls for the Content Items on the pages
    
6. The body of Content Items of type "notes" (formatted text) is now stored as HTML files rather than inside the database
    
7. A feature to export/import the full Neo4j database, or just the Schema, is now available from a control panel
    
8. Fuller support to run the web app locally, connected to either a remote or a local Neo4j database
    
9. A new plugin, "Code Documentation", to facilitate documenting a software library
    
10. Export to static web pages
     
11. Export to MD files (the format commonly used  by README files)
     
12. Instead of being strictly a standalone web app, Brain Annex is now easily integrated with other Flask-based sites.

The "classic" (now deprecated) v. 4

NOTE: See separate section for the completely re-designed VERSION 5 (currently in late Beta.)

Who Is It For?  (this section applied to the "classic" old version 4)

Anyone who has NOTES or MEDIA that you'd like to have at your fingertips – effortlessly organized, searchable and updatable – from any location!

For professionals, students, scientists, companies, non-profits, artists, engineers, parents, teachers, working people, people from every walk of life... You! 

Need something simple? If you can post status updates on social media, you can use Brain Annex in its basic functionality!

You are a Power User? Brain Annex was created by people like you who desperately needed an very powerful tool!

Business User? Brain Annex is a platform that allows you to easily create plugins for your specific neeeds.

What Can It Do?

Knowledge and Media Management made easy, powerful and convenient. A "dump" of your notes or media doesn't do much good... but when storage is combined with threading and easy searching – that's when it can feel like a handy "annex" of your brain!

Brain Annex supports multiple accounts, and multiple users within each account - with assignable permissions.

Users can freely mix up notes or media, including complex objects supported by modular plugins; for example:

• formatted text notes
• documents
• images
• graphics
• data tables
• video
• music
• plots
• (coming soon) spreadsheets

Every content item (such as a formatted text or image) can be attached to various Categories and other Tags, allowing for browsing.  A powerful search function is an integral part.

For casual users, it's akin to posting on social media, or keeping albums there.

Power users can create complex web of categories, user-defined fields and many other advanced features.

Businesses and developers can greatly adapt it to their needs with easy-to-create plugins.

Examples of uses for Brain Annex

• class notes
• work/research notes
• notes from hobbies
• notes from everyday life (bills, medical, car maintenance)
• personal-growth notes (journaling, progress)
• music collection
• photo/video collection
• website bookmarks
• documents
• optionally sharing some of of your pages with others or making them public

How Can I Use It?

• You just need a browser and an account

How Do I Get Started?

• Install it on any typical shared webhost service
  OR
• Install it on your local computer

What Does it NOT Do? 

• Even though pages may be created and made public, essentially creating an open website (as done in this documentation), Brain Annex is not designed to be a general website editor
   
• While Brain Annex can indeed be used on a smartphone (though a browser), it currently isn't optimized for tiny screens.  For anything more complex than a shopping list, we recommend using a pad or larger device.