[Learn log] Learning Logseq queries while managing my notes for buying our first home

Questions & Help Queries
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Updated Notes
I was unable to edit my original post so I am commenting with the notes I took as part of this learning sprint.

  • I will need to learn how to take effective notes in Logseq first.
    • This will make it easier to use the query feature effectively.
    • Including how to use properties and tags.
    • Including what information goes to the parent and child block.
  • I did not manage to learn as planned during week 2 due to the UK heatwave so I caught up on learning during the weekend.
  • Example of how to manage projects and take notes [[Using Logseq]]
    • Logseq - How to Manage Projects with Examples + Intro to Tasks and Namespaces - YouTube
      • {{youtube-timestamp(136)}} when starting a new project, create a new page called project/nameofproject.
        • This will generate a new page for your specific project, but nested under project.
        • This is called namespaces.
      • {{youtube-timestamp(509)}} example of notes on meetings in the journal
      • {{youtube-timestamp(716)}} example of how the project namespace shows the links to nested projects under hierarchy
      • {{youtube-timestamp(775)}} example of how notes for a particular team member are recorded, showing their involvement in multiple meetings and projects as well as their tasks
  • Notes and practice on how to use simple queries (using the Logseq documentation as starting point)
    • Practice blocks
      • Hey I am tagged [[tag1]] and #tag2
      • Meh, I am only tagged [[tag2]]
      • Yay I am tagged #tag1
    • Start a query in Logseq by typing /query
    • Use an operator
      • the operator is written within parentheses
      • the parameters are written between brackets
      • There are three types of operators
        • and
          • Query for multiple conditions that must all be true
          • Example that looks for information that has both tag1 and tag2
            • {{query (and [[tag1]] [[tag2]])}}
        • or
          • Query for multiple conditions where at least one of them must be true
          • Example that looks for information that has tag1 or tag2
            • {{query (or [[tag1]] [[tag2]])}}
        • not
          • You want to exclude a certain characteristic from your results
          • Example that includes tag1 but not tag2
            • {{query (and[[tag1]] not [[tag2]])}}
      • Practice queries
        • And operator
          • {{query((and [[tag1]] [[tag2]]))}}
        • Or operator
          • {{query((or [[tag1]] [[tag2]]))}}
        • Not operator
          • {{query((and[[tag1]] (not [[tag2]])))}}
    • Use a filter
      • Applies mostly to blocks.
      • Some only apply to pages
      • There are six block filters
        • the filter is written within parantheses
        • the parameters are written behind the filter without the need of brackets
        • between
          • Only queries blocks on the journal pages
          • Four specific time indications that can be used
            • Today
            • Yesterday
            • Tomorrow
            • Now
          • You can specify days or weeks using + or - with the number written behind and d for days or w for weeks
          • Example of a query that filters notes from the past three weeks
            • {{query (between -3w today)}}
        • property
          • Queries block properties only
          • Not to be confused with page-property
          • You can query only the property or the property with its value
          • Example of querying the value book I copied the example from the Logseq documentation
        • full-text query
          • Can only be used on the desktop app for now.
          • Searches for the word that you put in as a parameter.
          • Example of searching for WikiHouse in my notes
            • {{query WikiHouse}}
        • task
          • Searches for all todo
          • Can be used to search tasks for now or later
          • Parameters correspond to your Logseq settings on the exact words using in your preferred workflow
          • Example of querying planned tasks
            • {{query todo later}}
        • priority
          • Refers to querying the value of the priority level of your tasks
        • sort-by
          • You can use this filter in combination with other filters to sort the queried results
          • There are two different formats to include as parameters
            • created-at or updated-at
            • descending or ascending
          • You need to use it in combination with an operator
          • The sort-by filter is written within parentheses within the operator parentheses
          • The format is written behind the sort-by filter within the same parantheses
          • Requires you to have enabled the block timestamps within Logseq
          • Example of querying all notes on WikiHouse sorted by when I created the notes in ascending order
            • {{query (and [[WikiHouse]] (sort-by created-at asc)) }}
            • {{query((and [[WikiHouse]] (sort-by created-at asc)) )}}
      • There are four page-only filters
        • You do not need to add a parameter but you can add a value for properties or tags
        • Page
        • page-property
        • page-tags
        • all-page-tags

Logseq Sprint Week 1 Notes

  • Wednesday Talk: How to design and run personal learning projects with Logseq
    • Write notes in your Logseq daily journal.
    • Keep a learn log about what you are working on, things you are reading.
    • How to create a feedback loop if you don’t know much yet about a topic?
      • Follow someone else’s tutorial to build up your skills and use that as your baseline.
    • Short, intensive learning projects have a higher chance of success but you need to be realistic about how much time you can spend on them (which is determined by your personal schedule).
    • Your notes should be: short, simple and personal.
    • Example of notetaking with a template in question and answer format:
      • Nest notes under one central page for example “log”
      • Import template with structure:
        • Title: write what it is about
          • Question written out fully and tagged for questions (so it can be turned into a flashcard later)
            • Answer written out fully and first line tagged for answers (examples and more information nested under the first note summarising the answer).
    • Writing notes in question and answer format helps with learning because you first try to come up with the answer. So even when you fail, you still learn.
    • Use spaced repetition for learning.
      • It helps with processing information more deeply and not leaving learning up to chance.
      • When you review your notes, you should link it to something you already know to help learning.
      • It helps with internalising information.
    • Use flashcards for learning.
      • Writing good flash card questions:
        • Choose only useful questions
        • Ask only one question per flashcard
        • Treat it as a skill that needs to be reviewed and refined
    • Example of keeping a personal learning project plan
      • Create a structure based on key principles of the personal learning project.
      • Keep a log with notes of what you have learned (use a template).

Logseq Spring Week 2 Notes

  • Wednesday Talk: Understanding Logseq’s outline logic and searching
    • Nine out of ten times you can use a simple query to find what you need, and you will not need to use advanced queries.
    • You can use the same query in different places.
    • Logseq is a database that continuously runs through your pages and blocks as data.
    • Boolean Logic 101 is a helpful resource to keep in mind when defining your queries.
    • Logseq uses two different query languages
      • Datalog for advanced queries
      • Simple queries
        • One function search
    • Parent block
      • Child block
    • Children blocks inherit the same properties as the parent block and should therefore show up in query searches.
      • There is currently [[24th Jul 2022]] a bug in Logseq that does not show children correctly when it is not also tagged the same as the parent block.
        • Should be fixed in next update.
    • If you want to limit your queries to a certain namespace, you will need to use advanced queries.
      • For now, Logseq is working on an update [[24th Jul 2022]] which may make it possible to use simple queries for this.
    • Page properties give different search results than regular properties.
    • Use plugins to add up data from properties rather than using queries.

Notes I took to prepare for the learning sprint

  • Learning resources to become a better learner
    • The power of keeping a learning log
      • Tips on how to take good notes:
        • Prepare questions you like to see answered and keep them in mind while reading / working. It can be as simple as “What do I need to know about X?”
        • Use templates to structure your notes and be able to find information again quickly later on. This also helps with queries.
        • Write only one idea per note to help with memorising.
        • Write in your own words to ensure you have fully understood what you are writing down; this also helps with memorising.
      • Ramses Oudt: The Power of Keeping a Learn Log - YouTube
    • Deconstructing the meta skill of learning how to learn
      • There are different mediums for learning.
        • Twitter can be used to quickly and effectively revisit and share your notes, and meet like minded people.
        • Through emails and memos you can describe your problem, analyse it for possible solutions, and gather feedback.
        • When you blog it helps to reflect on what you have learned.
        • Writing guides helps with becoming intimately familiar with a topic.
        • When you take a course you dive deep into a topic in such a way that it becomes a part of you.
      • However, you need to limit the medium you learn from and find one that works best for you.
        • For example, podcasts are great if you find information on a specific topic, but they are more difficult to learn from directly. Books and articles can reduce hours of researching but you need to learn which ones are worth reading.
      • Deconstructing the Meta Skill of Learning How to Learn - YouTube
    • How to design personal learning projects
      • Learning is hard.
        • Planning helps not only with creating time to learn but also to “find the 20% of knowledge that leads to 80% of the results.”
      • There are 9 key steps to designing a personal learning project, including:
        • Choosing a project you are excited about.
        • Work on only one project at a time.
        • Set a target of the level that you want to achieve and what that looks like.
        • Avoid getting overwhelmed by breaking down the skill you are trying to learn into subskills.
          • This will help identify the 20% of foundational skills you need to focus on to achieve 80% of the results.
        • Prepare the tools and resources needed to learn.
        • Reduce your barriers to learning.
        • Make and plan in time to learn.
          • Make a commitment to set aside at least 20 hours.
          • Set a timer to ensure you spend the time you wanted to spend.
          • Determine the length of your learning project: short intense projects of between 4-12 weeks are most effective.
        • Create fast feedback loops to monitor your progress and stay motivated.
        • Prioritise quantity and speed of learning over perfection.
      • Additional resources:
      • How to Design Personal Learning Projects - YouTube
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