The next four posts will describe physical Zettelkasten, translated as “slip boxes.” The first is the index box, a collection of A to Z cards sorted and filed by keyword. The box should contain 26 tabbed index card dividers labeled A to Z. There should also be a single card representing the letter of the alphabet behind each tab. As “keyword collectors,” the index cards are filed using keywords from the Table of Academic Disciplines, or TOAD, for easy reference. Thus, file an index card on Knowledge Management – 5173300 behind tab K.

This card also provides an example of an index card with cross-references. The discipline with which the number is categorized follows the greater than symbol (>). Thus, 5030400 is in the Library and Museum Studies category of disciplines, whereas the others are associated with different disciplines.

More information about this type of card can be viewed with this video:

A typical index card looks like the card below, with keywords, the TOAD number, or, if it references a vocab or terms, concepts, and theories card, that specific card. Once a term has more than three references or addresses associated with it, it can be moved to a card of its own. In looking at the example below, I could make a separate index card for Artificial Intelligence Frameworks.

More information about this part type of index card can be found on this video:

In our next post, we will talk about the Bibliography box and Bib cards.